The Decline Of The Family - 941 Words

The Declining Family Throughout human history individuals around the world, of various ethnic, racial, cultural backgrounds have linked together to form what people call today families. A lot of questions come to mind when contemplating the complex relationship people have. Since families have a direct bearing on society now and on future generations it is essential to take seriously what is happening to the family. Is the American family in decline, and if so what should be done about it? â€Å"Traditionally, family has been defined as a unit made up of two or more people who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption: live together; form an economic unit, and bear and raise children (Benokraitis, 3).† The definition of decline is to â€Å"fail in strength, vigor, character, value, deteriorate, slant downward.† The traditional nuclear family consists of a father provider, mother-homemaker, and at least one child (Brym and Lie, 252).† The nuclear family is a distinct and universal family form because it performs five important functions in society:sexual regulation, economic cooperation, reproduction, socialization, and emotional support. Research from the 1950 s to the present will emphasize what trends are taking place among American families. Family trends might not have expected Also the areas of: marriage is declining. Individuals are opting for cohabiting rather than marriage. Economic disparity takes it toll on marriage. How macro level factors such as economy,Show MoreRelatedThe Decline Of The Nuclear Family1084 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Decline of the Nuclear Family† In 1970, 40% of couples were married with children. 2013 marked a new low as only 19% of household were married with children. A nuclear family is usually described as a heterosexual marriage with the average of 2.5 children, became synonymous with the American dream philosophy in the mid-1940s. The nuclear family standard is rapidly on the decline in the United States. These declining number have a range of causes. The causes of the decline of the nuclear familyRead MoreThe Decline of the Family Farm1811 Words   |  7 PagesGrowing up on a small family wheat farm in southwestern Oklahoma, I have experienced the harsh conditions of farming firsthand. The job that used to employ the largest amount of people in the United States has lost the support and the respect of the American people. The Jeffersonian Ideal of a nation of farmers has been tossed aside to be replaced by a nation of white-collar workers. The family farm is under attack and it is not being protected. The family farm can help the United States economicallyRead MoreThe Decline Of The Nuclear Family932 Words   |  4 Pages5: The Decline of the Nuclear Family In college classes, the traditional nuclear family is defined as a family consisting of one or both parents and their dependent children in a single family unit without any extended relatives (Kendall, 2013). Some sociological perspectives suggest that any departure from what is known as the â€Å"traditional,† or nuclear, family indicates a social problem, while others maintain that the definition of family has simply evolved beyond the nuclear family. Some evenRead MoreFamily Decline vs Family Change3666 Words   |  15 Pages The world has been undergoing great changes in different spheres of life just in the past several decades. One of the most amazing and quick changes seems to be happening within the institution of the family. I have a special interest in this topic, as soon as I witness the radical change going on literally before my eyes: my home country, which was a country with traditional society, after the collapse of the Soviet Union went and is still going through the process of transformation, which introducesRead MoreThe Decline Of Marriage And Family Life1347 Words   |  6 PagesThe concept of a traditional American family has been profoundly changed over the last 100 years. Fewer marriages are forming, divorce rates are higher than ever, and childlessness is much more common. The decline of marriage and family life seems to be the inevitable product of progressive ideas and modern socio-political conditions. Feminist and contemporary liberal critics of marriage and family life appeal to individual rights, liberty, consent, equality, and love as they seek to dismantle andRead MoreThe Declining Population in Europe and the Decline of the Family2232 Words   |  9 Pagesproblematic for the environment and for quality of life. The decline of fertility points to a view of children that is particularly troubling. Europe simply does not want children despite its desperate need for a growing, productive workforce. Certain social factors have had a strong impact on this problem including migration, birth control, the role of motherhood and the economy. Population decline is indicative of the decline of the family in modern society most specifically in Europe. Since 1982Read MoreThe Decline of Traditional Family Being Detrimental to Society517 Words   |  3 PagesThe Decline of Traditional Family Being Detrimental to Society Some people believe that the decline of the traditional family (Nuclear family) is detrimental to society because a lot of people are not socialising. This is one of the basic roles that a traditional family performs for individuals to meet the expectations of society. Only through a family can a person play a full part in society. In addition, society cannot exist without the rules and expectations ofRead MoreExamining the View that the Traditional Nuclear Family is in Decline1344 Words   |  6 PagesView that the Traditional Nuclear Family is in Decline When evaluating the view that the traditional nuclear family (of two opposite sex married parents living in a household that contains only them and their own dependant children), is in decline, I will be taking various pieces of research and evidence from Sociologists, Journalists and other sources, into consideration in order to try to determine how true this view is. The nuclear family would appear to be found internationallyRead MoreDecline of the Traditional American Family: Homosexual Parents1246 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿RS-151 Final Paper Decline of the Traditional American Family: Homosexual Parents The conception that lesbians and gay men may be parents is frequently perceived in today s society as impossible or immoral. Gay men and lesbians are often viewed as excluded from having children because sexual reproduction is related to men and women couples only. My approach to this uniquely controversial topic of gay parenting will be that of attempting to analyze the pro side. Gays and lesbians areRead MoreThe Main Reason For Collapsing Of Roman Empire And America843 Words   |  4 PagesMoreover, moral decline was the main reason for collapsing of Roman Emperor; America suffered the decline of moral value for a long time. In 2015, the decline of the moral is most considerable issue for America because the rate of single-parent families is rising and the greed in the corporations or organizations is increased as the same as Rome. Like the moral value decline in Rome was caused by the fall of father role in the families, America have been suffering from the moral decline because of the

Relationship Between Sexual And Sexual Satisfaction

The Issue: Romantic relationships are a prominent feature in many people’s lives. Some romantic relationships are healthy and others are not. Using the attachment perspective to predict relationship and sexual satisfaction, is an ongoing theme in psychology. The attachment perspective can provide knowledge and research opportunities to better understand the effects of attachment types on romantic relationships. This report specifically focuses on the effects of avoidant attachment individuals. Individuals labeled as avoidant tend to feel uncomfortable with closeness and emotional intimacy (Butzer Campbell, 2008) and are found to be less invested in their relationships and strive to remain independent (Hazan Shaver, 1994). By understanding the negative effects of avoidant attachment in relationships, therapists can help guide couples to a more satisfying relationship. Definitions: Attachment perspective – The quality of infant-parent attachment/quality of caregiving affects a child’s later relationships and emotional state. Three major types – secure, anxious, and avoidant. Avoidant attachment – Caregivers show more rejecting behaviors, display self-comforting strategies in turn the child tends to be independent and less support seeking. What Science Tells Us: Attachment history Attachment, originally proposed by Bowlby, refers to the sensitivity of caregiving. For example, if a mother is consistent and appropriately available for her child, the child forms aShow MoreRelatedThe Relationship Between Sexual Satisfaction And Relationship Satisfaction Essay1291 Words   |  6 PagesAssociations Between Sexual Satisfaction and Relationship Satisfaction Sex has been viewed as fundamental for most romantic relationships, but sexual gratification and relationship satisfaction have often been examined separately. In more recent years, researchers have explored the association between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction to gain a better understanding of how couples can obtain happy stable relationship (Schmiedeberg Schrà ¶der 2016). The purpose of this literatureRead MoreSexual Satisfaction And Relationship Satisfaction700 Words   |  3 Pagesfor most romantic relationships, but sexual gratification and relationship satisfaction have often been examined separately. In more recent years researchers have explored the association between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction to gain a better understanding of how couples can obtain happy stable relationship (Schmiedeberg Schrà ¶der 2016). The purpose of this literature review is to explore the connection between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfact ion, as well as to inquireRead MoreRelationship Between Platonic And Romantic Relationships1477 Words   |  6 Pageslife regarding their network of platonic and romantic relationships. Extra-familial relationships become more central in an individual’s social world; thus, an individual’s capacity for intimate relationships begins to develop with both friends and romantic partners (Allen Land, 1999). Simultaneously, a romantic partner quickly becomes the focus in one’s relationship hierarchy (Collins van Dulmen, 20006). Each emerging adult’s relationship quality as well as their attachment bond with theirRead MoreSexual and Relationship Needs between the Two Genders620 Words   |  3 Pagespaper will be referring to Dr. Kristen Mark and Sarah H. Murrays’ article, â€Å"Gender Differences in Desire Discrepancy as a Predictor of Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction in a College Sample of Heterosexual Romantic Relationships†. The article was published in the Journal of Sex Marital Therapy, 38:198–215, 2012. Dr. Kristen Mark is currently â€Å"a sex and relationships researcher and assistant professor of health promotion at University of Kentucky, survey director and managing editor at GoodInBed.comRead MoreCorrelation Between Frequency And Sexual Activity886 Words   |  4 Pagesfrequency are positively and significantly correlated with both relationship and sexual satisfaction. It was also to clarify the question,†Which metric provides more information about relationship outcomes?† The study uses a sample of men and women in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships to achieve a wide sample of participants. There are many group differences, such as the amount of sexual activities being performed and the varied types of sexual acts being executed, which makes this a diverse study. SinceRead MoreIntimacy Between The Older Aged Adults960 Words   |  4 Pages Today, there is still scarce knowledge, as well as concrete information, about the intimacy between the older aged adults. It is known that intimacy can be portrayed as a key element to a couple’s marital contentment and/or satisfaction in the relationship. This research topic covers a relatively gray area within the older community since these individuals are faced with multiple barriers that could possibly combat with their ability to show intimacy, or affection, with their partner. With a focusRead MoreSexual Activity Between Couples And Dating1455 Words   |  6 PagesSEXUAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN COUPLES AND DATING Counseling couples is a focus that I am seeing in my near future. When I decided that this is what I want to do, I grew a curiosity for all things involving counseling couples. I developed an interest in sexual activity and its impact on relationships. The word sex is used to refer to an assortment of sexual activities and can mean different things to different people. People typically converse about sex when talking about penetrative sex. The act of sexRead MoreSexual Activities And The Relation Between Frequency Of Sex And Happiness1737 Words   |  7 PagesOne of the most common questions associated with sexual activities is in regard to the relation between frequency of sex and happiness. Does more sex lead to greater happiness? Although this looks like a simple question at first, it has been the center of numerous studies and debates for many years, and it is proven to be a complex and often fascinating matter to be investigated. For a very long time, the traditional point of view offered a simple â€Å"yes† answer to this question – by saying that moreRead MoreThe Consequential Pleasures of Pornography707 Words   |  3 Pagesin a relationship, has a negative correlation with the self-esteem of the women and their perception on relationship quality, and sexual satisfaction. The second central question investigated in this study questions whether the womens self-esteem can reveal a connection between the males rate and intensity of porn consumption with the relationship quality and sexual satisfaction in the relationship. The third question is similar to the latter question where the length of the relationship is theRead MoreOnline Psychology Program At Southern New Hampshire University1089 Words   |  5 PagesBrief Sexual Attitudes Scale (BSAS) (Hendrick, Hendrick, Reich, 2006), a 23-item questionnaire, was designed to measure multi-dimensional attitudes towards sex. The scale is a modified version of the original Sexual Attitudes Sca le. For the current study, the Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale will be modified and shortened. The scale is made up of the following four subscales: Permissiveness, Birth Control, Communion, and Instrumentality. Some of the items refer to a specific sexual relationship, while

Counseling Pleasant or Positive Emotions

Question: Write about the Counseling for Pleasant or Positive Emotions. Answer: Introduction Happiness is emotional or mental wellbeing that can be termed by pleasant or positive emotions varying from satisfaction to passionate joy (Helliwell et al., 2013). When an individual is mentally happy, it can also reflect the judgments of a person on their general wellbeing. On the other hand, religious and philosophers see happiness regarding living better life rather than only being emotion. Psychologist finds happiness as experiences regular positive emotions, like as joy, curiosity and conceit, unconstructive emotions, like as sorrowanxietyandanger(Csikszentmihalyi, 2013). Happiness has also been indicated tolink to life fulfillment, enjoyment of life, periods of delight, but in general, it has to do with the constructive encounters of emotions. How Happiness can be Measured Psychologists have sought ways to measure happiness to look at happiness via scientific methods (Pavot, 2014). It is done to measure the satisfactions which can be utilized to bring a comparison of one group of individuals with another and also track those people within a given time to evaluate the impact of life interventions. However, these evaluations focus on the emotions and the way people assess their lives. Subjective well-being forms on of the important idea in positive psychology. It is defined as the assessments of emotions or moods and individuals life. Subjective well-being consists of three sections, negative effects, benefits and life satisfaction (Jacobsson, Lexell, 2016). Positive and negative impacts have jutted the moods and emotions. Satisfaction is the assessment of the life of an individual such as the conditions in the life, how close is one with ideal life, if a person has gotten crucial things in the life and if one will make a difference in life. All these steps target to evaluate the life satisfaction. Also, it is very crucial to point out that the life satisfaction is more than the sum of emotional wellbeing within a given period; for example, habitually happy people can be satisfied with their education despite the fact that they might feel moderately pleased with some particular arts such as classes or books. Many researchers utilize satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) to evaluate the life contentment. However, positive and negative affect schedule PANAS is employed to assess the negative and positive influence (Corrigan et al., 2013). Another option is to track the positive and negative impact during the day, half an hour and also life fulfillment during the conclusion of each and every day. By doing this, one will get a vivid understanding of the specific activities one provides the mainly emotional wellbeing. Also, one of the best ways which one can do this is setting an alarm at an interval of 30 minutes. To evaluate the affect, one can use 0 to 3 scales to the queries such as do you feel negative or positive emotions now? The closed answerers could be 0; not all at all; 1 a little; 2 somewhat; 3: strongly. After all this, it is important to describe and elaborate specific positive or negative emotion one is feeling (Toms et al., 2015. Also, for the tracking process to be excellent, it is very crucial to utilize categories such as the, socializing, working, doing housework and much more especially when describing things that an individual is doing. However, it is also critical to develop categories which suit the activities of the life of an individual and also the ones which outlined the needs of a person. Eventually, it is very crucial to write down how a person is satisfied with the life. Furthermore, it is advisable to use a scale like, very pleased, dissatisfied, moderately satisfied, slightly dissatisfied, neither dissatisfied, somewhat satisfied and very satisfied. It is also important to maintain this particular regime for some weeks and checking the trends which emerged, the deeds that make an individual happy, the ones which bring happiness and also the days which a person is not satisfied. Role of Positive Psychology in Promoting Happiness The positive psychology concentrates on civilizing the universal quality of life in persons, contrary to improving upon possible human flaws, which has been the aim of conventional psychology (Seligman Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). The positive psychology try to refute the hedonic treadmill theory of human happiness, which states that every person has a place point of happiness, that is near to impartiality, which modifies for short durations, reflecting life situations, but ultimately returns to objectivity A positive psychologist has come up with different ways that happiness of an individual can be facilitated, for instance, friends, family, social organization, social ties and work networks. The hedonic wellbeing outlines that increased pleasure and reduction in pain contributes to happiness. The concept of hedonic is grounded on the notion of subjective wellbeing. It encompasses effective components which are high low negative and high positive affect and satisfaction with life. It is also based on the fact that a person goes through happiness when satisfaction with life and positive affect are high. In regards to eudaimonic well-being, happiness builds on the structure that persons are contented if they encounter life function growth and challenges (Rysamb Nes, 2016). The very strategy accommodates the self-determination theory to conceptualize contentment. This theory pointed out that happiness is linked to accomplishment in the parts of independence and competence. Through engagement in eudaimonic pursuits, happiness will happen as a product. It appears that happiness does not occur from pleasure pursuit but from the growth of strengths of an individual and also the qualities which link with an idea of positive psychology. The past emotions are adamant on the present and future of an individual. People have strong bitter feelings on things which happen in some time back have a feeling of regret on the deeds which have passed, and they carry them to the present life (Power, 2015). Many people believe that their past will determine their future and they led it to control them. Also, studies indicate that negative actions which happened during childhood have very little happiness on the adulthood happiness. Using positive psychology, individuals can be trained to modify these feelings on the past into joy and satisfaction. To perform this, the appreciation and clemency ought to be cultured in persons. Positive psychology has developed an understanding of the attributes and qualities of wellbeing. However, personality traits show that happy and unhappy individuals have different profiles (Donaldson et al., 2015). For instance, happy people seem to have extroverted, hopeful and high self-esteem. However, happiness is contributed by positive and negatives undertakings in our lives, and this has contributed to the fact that extraverts have a better fit to the social environments which can aggravate emotions of happiness. Also, they are likely to experience more happiness as compared to introverts. Application of Positive Psychology Techniques to Promotion off Happiness Getting into Flow Individuals in flow are ecstatic and are not stressed even when performing a challenging job. They lose themselves in the job they like and feel out of time; it has been found that their brains work precisely, efficiently and interestingly (Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). Managers should ensure that workforce's key performance determinants get defined. This is because flows happened when jobs are aligned with individuals objectives. Appraisal Happiness is facilitated particularly when a person gets a positive reward. By rewarding an individual who has performed certain work is a positive approach which promotes happiness and that individual will be in a position to do better work in future (Sheldon Lucas, 2014). For instance increasing salary among healthcare workers makes them happy individuals since most of the needs will be fulfilled and they will get satisfied. In schools, students who get a positive complement from teachers for performing particular work will be happy and will assist the student to work hard to do it better. Smiling Techniques Positive psychology believes that people who smile due to cultivating positive thoughts can improve their mood (Sheldon Lucas, 2014). By developing and recalling the past experiences especially pleasant memories improves happiness and drives away the bad moods. The Dynamic Spread of Happiness If individual lives with people who are always happy will likely be happy too. However, by doing so will have an impact on the future life where the person will be even happy irrespective of the problems faced (Sheldon Lucas, 2014). Savoring Interventions It is not easy to find happiness in life. Researchers have found ways which can be utilized to savor positive experiences through valuing their positive encounters (Sheldon Lucas, 2014). It is done via valuing their ongoing positive experiences and also through anticipating the positive events in future. Empathy-Related Interventions Empathy encompasses the inner feedback on what we learn or see or what happen to another person. It develops understanding and kindness (Sheldon Lucas, 2014). The empathy interventions assist comprehension on other people and later extend forgiveness, acts of kindness and compassion. Creative Interventions This encompasses development of new useful information. It enhances technology and culture, also, positive psychology is linked to creativity as it associated with the approach of human flourishing and also the factors which assist people to survive and have a better living(Sheldon Lucas, 2014). Also, they boost individual's resilience and offer more flexibility and choice to their lives. Conclusion Happiness forms a significant aspect of an individual wellbeing. Through positive psychology, happiness can be achieved. It is facilitated particularly when a person gets a positive reward. Also, actions which happened during childhood have very little happiness on the adulthood happiness References Corrigan, J. D., Kolakowsky-Hayner, S., Wright, J., Bellon, K., Carufel, P. (2013). The satisfaction with life scale.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation,28(6), 489-491. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2013).Flow: The psychology of happiness. Random House. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014). Learning,flow, and happiness. InApplications of Flow in Human Development and Education(pp. 153-172). Springer Netherlands. Donaldson, S. I., Dollwet, M., Rao, M. A. (2015). Happiness, excellence, and optimal human functioning revisited: Examining the peer-reviewed literature linked to positive psychology.The Journal of Positive Psychology,10(3), 185-195. Helliwell, J. F., Layard, R., Sachs, J. (2014). World happiness report 2013. Jacobsson, L., Lexell, J. (2016). Life satisfaction after traumatic brain injury: comparison of ratings with the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).Health and quality of life outcomes,14(1), 10. Pavot, W. (2014). Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSWLS). InEncyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research(pp. 6609-6611). Springer Netherlands. Power, M. (2015).Understanding Happiness: A Critical Review of Positive Psychology. Routledge. Rysamb, E., Nes, R. B. (2016). Genes, Environments and Core Features of Eudaimonic Wellbeing. InHandbook of Eudaimonic Well-Being(pp. 233-252). Springer International Publishing. Seligman, M. E., Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014).Positive psychology: An introduction(pp. 279-298). Springer Netherlands. Sheldon, K. M., Lucas, R. E. (Eds.). (2014).Stability of happiness: Theories and evidence on whether happiness can change. Elsevier. Toms, J. M., Gutirrez, M., Sancho, P., Romero, I. (2015). Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) by gender and age in Angola.Personality and Individual Differences,85, 182-186.

Understanding the Significance of Performance Appraisal Systems

Question: Describe the significance of performance appraisal systems in enhancing employee performance and overall organisational efficiency. Answer: Introduction In todays organisations, performance appraisal has become a vital human resource practice and has considerable impact on employee motivation, commitment and overall performance (Armstrong, 2012). The effectiveness of a performance appraisal system depends on how well it is linked to organisational goals and performance objectives, and how well its purposes are accepted, understood and strived to be achieved by organisational members(Neely, 2007). A favourable and effective performance appraisal system will have a positive impact on employee workplace behaviour, attitude towards work and workmates and on overall organisational efficiency. Major Stakeholders involved and their perception about the existing performance appraisal system Stakeholders are individuals and groups that are interest in the business and are affected by activities of the business (Brown, et al., 2013). Stakeholders can have considerable impact on companys objectives actions and policies. Key stakeholders within an organisation are owners, investors, managers, suppliers, partners, workers, customers, society and the environment(Paladino, 2011). Workers and Managers are the two main stakeholders identified in the case. Workers who are being rated perceive the current performance appraisal system as unfair and forced. According to them they are not being rated as per their performance but based on the type of relationship they share with their managers. Workers perceive the current performance appraisal system as a source of conflict. Once they get to know each others ratings there is a considerable change in their behaviour towards their co-workers. It gives rise to feelings of envy and reluctance to communicate and cooperate. Workers who are rated 3 feel highly de-motivated as they feel they are average performers, and so most of them quit the company. Workers how are rated 5, express that managers should lenience while treating employees who belong to a union, when it comes to termination and salary hikes in comparison to employees who are non-union members. Thus, workers at Yarra Bank perceived its performance appraisal system as a system that is based on favouritism and not on performance evalu ation. Managers who are responsible for rating their employees perceive the performance appraisal system as unfair and a source of conflicts and ill feeling, as it forces them to divide their employees in five different ranks. Managers who are politically more powerful refuse to follow the system and rank anyone as a 4 or 5 as they feel their department is different and most of their workers deserve to be rated as stars or starlets. Managers who follow the performance appraisal system strictly feel their workers are disadvantaged as an outcome. Managers feel that owing to a lack of training, promotion and some loop holes in the performance appraisal system it is failing to deliver desired results and enhance employee motivation and performance; rather it has become the primary source of tension, conflicts and dissatisfaction among managers and workers of Yarra Bank. A number of external and internal environmental factors affect the effectiveness of performance appraisal systems at Yarra Bank such as Union government, culture of the organisation and workers and managers attitude towards the system. Strengths and weaknesses of current performance appraisal system Strengths A performance appraisal system evaluates employees based on their performance over a specific period of time(Cooper Burke, 2011). They help management differentiate between performers and non-performers and accordingly make important decisions regarding salary increments and promotions. It helps the management in designing improvement plans and relevant training and development programs for non-performers(Deeprose, 2006). Performance appraisal systems play a very vital role in enhancing overall organisational efficiency by increasing employee motivation and performance. Performance appraisal system at Yarra Bank is a five-level system that used a forced-ranking distribution. It presence somewhere motivates employees to deliver good performance as they would not like themselves to be ranked as 4 or 5. Also, as the rating allocated by the performance appraisal system has direct influence on salary hikes and bonuses employee make best efforts to deserve a rating of 1, 2 or 3. As it is a forced ranking distribution systems it require managers to evaluate their employees very closely and then provide relevant ratings to them(Truss, et al., 2013). It helps managers know their employees better and accordingly allocate tasks to them. It also facilitates development of a competitive organisational culture where employees continuously strive to deliver high performance to stay ahead of each other(Shields, 2007). The current performance appraisal system helped managers in monitoring the activities of workers and show them their weak points which would not have been possible otherwise. Weaknesses As depicted in the case study the current performance appraisal was a forced ranking distribution system. No pre-performance appraisal meetings were conducted by managers to discuss performance criteria with workers and their performance over the last year(Saks, et al., 2010). Post-performance appraisal meetings were also not conducted to discuss ratings with individual employees, receive their feedbacks and plan further improvements The company had not defined clear performance targets and expectations. Roles, responsibilities, work duties, accountabilities and activities related to performance appraisal systems were not clarified(Paladino, 2011). It became difficult for managers as well as employees to measure and deliver results when desired results were capricious or unclear. The current performance appraisal system failed to establish effective ways in which results are to be measured and evaluated, thus making is appear as an unfair system where workers were rated based on managers favouritism(Zaffron Logan, 2011). No training was provided to managers or workers on how the performance appraisal system actually functioned(Zaffron Logan, 2011). Managers were not trained in their responsibilities for completing performance appraisal and employees were not trained to clarify work expectations. No efforts were made to communicate the benefits of having a performance appraisal system to workers and managers and how it can influence performance of the organisation as a whole. Also, the current performance appraisal system, failed to maintain the confidentiality of ratings allotted to different employees, which resulted in conflicts among workers and managers. Recommendations for improving the performance appraisal system In order to make the performance appraisal system more effective and derive desired results, it is important to make considerable improvements in it. Firstly, it is needed to design specialised training program for both managers and workers, in order to provide them complete knowledge about the functionality of the system (Barrows Powers, 2008). Secondly, it is important to link the performance appraisal system to desired organisational goals and objectives. During this step performance criteria should be finalised and it must be different for different departments. Performance targets must be clearly defined for all five ratings and it is important to ensure that these performance targets do not overlap. Thirdly, performance criteria must be made transparent to all managers and employees and they must be well trained to enquire about the performance criteria (Armstrong Stephens, 2005). In this step it is also important to effectively communicate the benefits of using performance a ppraisal systems to workers and managers. The purpose of using a performance appraisal system should be clearly defined and communicated showing how it will be beneficial for the workers and managers as well as for the organisation as a whole. Fourthly, it is important to define strict deadlines for each step in the performance appraisal system. For example, employees and managers must be informed at least 30 days before the beginning of performance appraisal process. This will give both workers and managers to prepare point they want to discuss and consider while reviewing worker performance. On the first day of the performance appraisal process a self-evaluation form must be provided to employees, which they have to fill and submit to their manager at least 15 days before the evaluation meeting. Evaluation meeting with workers must be completed before fifteen days the final ratings are shared with employees. The performance appraisal process should end with the post evaluation mee ting where employees feedback must be collected, along with their level of satisfaction with their ratings and how they will be planning improvements in the coming year. Maintaining the confidentiality of ratings allocated to different employees is the most important element of any performance appraisal system. Any violation to confidentiality of rating should be considered a violation of ethical code of conduct leading to termination of the employee. Employee and managers must ensure that they do not share any information related to rating provided to individual employees. Consequences of violating this ethical code of conducts should be clearly communicated to employees during training sessions. Conclusion Workers and managers should be motivated and encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards the performance appraisal process, rather than viewing it as an unfair process which lacks transparency. Managers must ensure that they follow the performance evaluation process ethically and do not show any form of favouritism towards specific employees. It is important to inform workers and managers that they can achieve their career objectives only when the desired goals of the organisation are achieved. Performance appraisal system not only help managers in differentiating between performers and non-performers but also help workers in identifying their skill gaps which when reduced will help them achieve desired career goals. References Armstrong, M., (2012) Armstrong's Handbook of Reward Management Practice: Improving Performance Through Reward. London: Kogan Page Publishers. Armstrong, M. Stephens, T., (2005) A Handbook of Management and Leadership: A Guide to Managing for Results. London: Kogan Page Publishers. Barrows, C. W. Powers, T., (2008) Introduction to Management in the Hospitality Industry. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. Brown, S., Blackmon, K., Cousins, P. Maylor, H., (2013) Operations Management: Policy, Practice and Performance Improvement. New Jersey: Routledge. Cooper, C. L. Burke, R. J., (2011) Human Resource Management in Small Business: Achieving Peak Performance. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. Deeprose, D., (2006) How to Recognize and Reward Employees: 150 Ways to Inspire Peak Performance. New York: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. Neely, A., (2007) Business Performance Measurement: Unifying Theory and Integrating Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Paladino, B., (2011) Five Key Principles of Corporate Performance Management. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. Saks, Saks, A. M., Haccoun, R. R. Belcourt, M., (2010) Managing Performance Through Training and Development. New York: Cengage Learning. Shields, J., (2007) Managing Employee Performance and Reward: Concepts, Practices, Strategies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Truss, C. et al., (2013) Employee engagement, organisational performance and individual well-being: exploring the evidence, developing the theory. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 24(14), pp. 2657-2669. Zaffron, S. Logan, D., (2011) The Three Laws of Performance: Rewriting the Future of Your Organization and Your Life. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons.

Computer Software Essays - Taxation In The United States

Computer Software Comparison of Three Tax Preparation Software Packages, Including: Turbo Tax by Intuit, Inc., Simply Tax by 4Home Productions, and Tax Cut by MECA Software Prepared for Finnerty Professor Prepared by Joseph Wise Accountant Wise's Wild Toys Bay Village Ohio, 44140 April 13, 2000 Wise's Wild Toys 24407 Electric Dr. Bay Village Ohio, 44140 Tel. # (440) 835-1234 April 6, 2000 Ms. Finnerty, Chief Financial Officer Finnerty: Per your request, I have chosen to do my report on an evaluation of three separate tax preparation software packages for potential use in our company. The following are the programs that I evaluated for Wise's Wild Toys: Turbo Tax by Intuit, Inc., Simply Tax by 4Home Productions, and Tax Cut by MECA Software. My research concluded that Tax Cut by MECA Software would be the optimal program for our company to purchase. This program provided the greatest value as far as price and helpful features are concerned. During the evaluation process, Tax Cut proved to be a superior program in every category in which it was tested. The information in this report was primarily obtained through a personal interview with Jonathan, a Sales Manager at CompUSA computer store. Additional information came from journal articles, which were found in the Grasselli Library of John Carroll University. Thank you for affording me the opportunity to conduct this research project. My associates and I are looking forward to working with this new method of preparing our tax information. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I will be happy to assist you in getting this project underway. Sincerely, Joseph R. Wise Accountant I Table of Contents Letter of Transmittal.................................................................................................................I List of Illustrations.................................................................................................................III Executive Summary...............................................................................................................IV Introduction..............................................................................................................................1 Purpose..........................................................................................................................1 Scope..............................................................................................................................2 Limitations.....................................................................................................................2 Turbo Tax by Intuit, Inc...........................................................................................................2 Price................................................................................................................................3 System Requirements...................................................................................................3 States Available.............................................................................................................3 Special Features.............................................................................................................3 Installation..........?.......................................................................................................3 Error Recovery and Support........................................................................................4 Preparation, Guidance, and Filing..............................................................................4 Simply Tax by 4Home Productions........................................................................................5 Price................................................................................................................................5 System Requirements...................................................................................................6 States Available.............................................................................................................6 Special Features?.............................................................................................6 Installation.................................................................................?..........................?..6 Error Recovery and Support........................................................................................6 Preparation, Guidance, and Filing..............................................................................7 Tax Cut by MECA Software....................................................................................................8 Price?...........................................................................................................................8 System Requirements...................................................................................................8 States Available.............................................................................................................8 Special Features............................................................................................................9 Installation.....................................................................................................9 Error Recovery and Support............................................................................9 Preparation, Guidance, Filing............................................................................10 Conclusion?.?....10 Works Cited?...............................?..................................................................................12 II List of Illustrations Figure 1 Suitability to Task for Turbo Tax by Intuit, Inc.....................................................5 Figure 2 Suitability to Task for Simply Tax by 4Home Productions..................................7 Figure 3 Suitability to Task for Tax Cut by MECA Software............................................10 III Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to determine which tax preparation software program would be best suited for use in Wise's Wild Toys. The company has undergone a rapid expansion since its organization in 1960, and it continues to grow today. In keeping with the constant developments in computer technology and software, it has been decided that a tax preparation software package will increase the efficiency of the company's business transactions. This report evaluates the following software programs: Turbo Tax by Intuit, Inc., Simply Tax by 4Home Productions, and Tax Cut by MECA Software. These three packages were evaluated in the areas of price, system requirements, states available, special features, installation procedures, error recovery and support features, as well as preparation, guidance, and filing mechanisms. A personal interview with an employee of CompUSA computer store provided the primary information for this report. Journal articles gathered from the Grasselli Library of John Carroll University provided the remainder of the information on tax preparation software packages. It has been concluded that Wise's Wild Toys should purchase the Tax Cut program produced by MECA Software. This program produced superior results in the several categories in which it was evaluated. IV Introduction Wise's Wild Toys began in the early 1900's selling discounted toys mainly to those families in poorer areas of Cleveland, Ohio. Today Wise's Wild Toys has customers all over the Cleveland area. Their generosity to the underprivileged has given them great publicity in the Cleveland area has brought many people to see this wonderful store. Due to its expanded clientele, Wise's Wild Toys has recently expanded to a second location to meet public demand. They now have stores located on the east and West Side of Cleveland. Purpose Wise's Wild Toys has increased their inventory by 900% in almost 100 years and their hired employees from the 2 owners to roughly 100 employees. Due to Wise's Wild Toys increase in size its managerial duties have become more difficult to organize. It has become obvious with the advances in computer technology and software design that efficiencies can be gained through the use of a modern accounting and tax software package. The purpose of this report is to evaluate three tax preparation software programs and submit recommendations on the premium program for Wise's Wild

Free Essays on Thai Marriage

One of the most important moments in a person’s life after birth is marriage. This is a special moment when a man and woman decide to unite in a bond that will influence them for the rest of their lives. However, marriage rituals and tradition vary from culture to culture. Even among people of the same race, ethnic or linguistic heritage can diversify. Like most cultures, the Thai culture has its unique ways to go about a marriage. In my interview, I interview two young males that are currently attending college. Their names are Chatchwal Ponguisooti and Piyamit Chomprasob. Chatchwal is twenty-two years old and attends Glendale Community College. He has lived in the United States for about ten years. On the other hand, Piyamit Chomprasob is seventeen years old and attends University of California Irvine. He has lived in the United States for about four years. When I interview both of these individual, they both commented on the idea that they wanted to get marry someday. However, their ideas of marriage where not very different. At the beginning of the interview, they both commented on the idea that they would not like their marriage to be arranged. They will both like to follow the traditions of the Thailand culture. The cost of the wedding would all be taken care by the groom’s parent’s, which would be given to the bride’s parent with the amount they demanded.... Free Essays on Thai Marriage Free Essays on Thai Marriage One of the most important moments in a person’s life after birth is marriage. This is a special moment when a man and woman decide to unite in a bond that will influence them for the rest of their lives. However, marriage rituals and tradition vary from culture to culture. Even among people of the same race, ethnic or linguistic heritage can diversify. Like most cultures, the Thai culture has its unique ways to go about a marriage. In my interview, I interview two young males that are currently attending college. Their names are Chatchwal Ponguisooti and Piyamit Chomprasob. Chatchwal is twenty-two years old and attends Glendale Community College. He has lived in the United States for about ten years. On the other hand, Piyamit Chomprasob is seventeen years old and attends University of California Irvine. He has lived in the United States for about four years. When I interview both of these individual, they both commented on the idea that they wanted to get marry someday. However, their ideas of marriage where not very different. At the beginning of the interview, they both commented on the idea that they would not like their marriage to be arranged. They will both like to follow the traditions of the Thailand culture. The cost of the wedding would all be taken care by the groom’s parent’s, which would be given to the bride’s parent with the amount they demanded....

Operating System and Networking Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Operating System and Networking - Coursework Example the primary factor that can be examined is the Wide Area Network. Likewise, if the college is communicating with the remote offices concludes that a proper Wide Area Network connectivity is present. However, there are many WAN technologies that can be deployed to cover all the specified requirements. Moreover, cloud computing has also gained a high value and is well recognized in academic institutions in the UK, as researchers share information on a collaborative platform. For instance, University of Portsmouth has already initiated a commercial use of off the shelf cloud service from globally recognized organizations such as Google and Microsoft (Cloud guarantees bright outlook 2012). Equally, cloud computing saves significant cost and the complex Information Technology acquisition procedures and processes (Cloud guarantees bright outlook 2012). The University is synchronized with the other three remote campuses and 5 other campuses that are located outside the city. Likewise, a rob ust WAN infrastructure is required to fulfill these long distance connectivity and data transfer requirements. As mentioned earlier, the different WAN technologies that can be implemented in this scenario are: Point to Point Connectivity Circuit Switching Packet Switching WAN Virtual Circuits WAN Dial up Services We cannot deploy point to point connectivity, as it provides a dedicated link from the customer premises to the carrier network. As the University is connected to multiple locations, several point to point links are required, resulting in a costly solution. Secondly, circuit switching also resembles with the point to point connectivity technology and it is comparatively slower. One example of this technology is Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN). Thirdly, WAN dial up services are also associated with slow and outdated technology. Moreover, virtual circuits will not be efficient in a crisis situation, as it cannot handle a lot of traffic and if the device stops work ing, the whole connection is lost. Finally, WAN virtual circuits and Packet switching technology will be considered in this scenario. Packet switching WAN technology shares a single point to point connectivity within network devices to exchange data from source to destination via a carrier network. Moreover, statistical multiplexing techniques are implemented to activate packet switching in network devices. Some of the examples of this technology are Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay etc. Advantages after deploying packet switching technology within the University are demonstrated below: As the data packet breaks into small data chunks, bandwidth capacity utilization is optimal Confidentiality, Integrity and Availibility is addressed, as the confidential data needs adequate security Compatible with devices supporting different transfer rates, as end users or network devices configured at different remote campuses may support different transfer rates. In case of a link fa ilure, signals are re routed by using a different path ensuring high network availability. In case of a declared disaster or a failure of a telephone exchange, end users can still send emails for service interruption notifications and vice versa. Above mentioned advantages concludes that

Educational achievement and attainment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Educational achievement and attainment - Essay Example The relationship between gender and educational achievement/attainment is a complex and controversial one, especially at the vital early level of primary education (Richards, 1998). This analysis will consider the definition of gender, how it has changed over time with specific concentration on educational assumptions, the current policy developments which are underway that are attempting to alleviate concerns and an overall view of how gender actually does effect educational achievement. Some questions that will be considered are whether there are indeed innate differences in raw potential between the genders, whether differences are culturally/socially constructed and whether (and if) differences should be alleviated.First, the importance of primary education must be stressed. As Richards (1997) suggests, "the foundations in learning, thinking and feeling which it provides are essential for what comes later not only in schooling but also in life". This undeniable argument will unde rpin much of the discussion of gender. Second, what is gender The Oxford English Dictionary defines gender as "sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture" and also "the condition of being female or male" (Oxford, 2007). The difference between a person's "sex" and their "gender" is an important one. Whether one is born male or female in a physical sense relates to "sex", whereas "gender" is a much wider - it is a construct of society in which especially when young, people are socialized into various norms for what it means to be 'male' or 'female', a 'boy' or a 'girl'. The distinction between gender and sex is vital, because while the vast majority of people naturally fall into the various biological imperatives of the sex that they are born into (the trans-gendered apart), gender roles are constructed by society and are more fluid/changeable (Sleeter, 2006). The traditional view of gender within British primary education fell into the constructs which were regarded as received truths so obvious that they need hardly be stated. Thus boys were regarded as 'good' at subjects such as Maths/Science, were expected to be the loudest socially, were more likely to get into fights and would be more likely to push themselves forward in class (Archer, 2003). Girls would be better at subjects such as English and languages. They were more likely to work cooperatively and in teams. They were less likely to get into fights (Archer, 2003). Before rejecting these stereotypes out of hand, they should be considered against actual evidence. Male human beings do tend to be more aggressive than females and are more likely to engage in violence at every age, including when primary children (Diamond, 2005). Males also tend to perform better on Maths/Science standardized tests than females (Baron-Cohen, 2003). Conversely, females have long been observed as being more cooperative and less prone to aggression than males within a variety of cultural contexts (Diamond, 2005). They also tend to score better on verbal tests than males (Baron-Cohen, 2003). As Baron-Cohen suggests, "the female brain is predominantly wired for empathy . . . the male brain is predominantly hard-wired for understanding and building systems" (2003). This is of course a highly controversial point of view, but one that seems to be based upon the overwhelming weight of empirical evidence. The words hard-wired are perhaps most important here. If the sex differences are indeed "hard-wired", leading to the various gender differences in both treatment within primary education and attainment/achievement, then little can be done to change them. But if, to stretch the computer metaphor, the differences between male and female are a form of software that can be adapted or even outright changed, then gender differences in educational outcomes may be more malleable. As human beings are mammals, and as all mammals exhibit clear differences in

Differences in Afica Apartheid vs Post Apartheid Essay

Differences in Afica Apartheid vs Post Apartheid - Essay Example The non – black minorities believe that SA is going to turn into Zimbabwe, where foreigners and minorities were exiled and their property confiscated by the government (Bearak). Despite the fact that absolute incomes of the poor have increased, many fear that SA might turn into another Rwanda due to high levels of crime (Bearak). However, the same fears existed during apartheid: â€Å"Not so long ago, people feared that the end of apartheid would set off civil war and a blood bath† (Bearak). Inequalities existed then as well: though blacks formed the majority, they owned in 1974 only 13.7% of the total land (UNESCO 36). Non – whites were supposed to support expansion of the white power and economic welfare. The former had to be mobile, cheap and thus uneducated, without political rights to complain or try to change the status quo (UNESCO 44). Though apartheid no longer exists in SA, its remnants are felt in the society. The blacks are still poor, and the poor are increasingly violent. In turn, the whites flee the country, fearing for their lives. Segregation has not been eliminated in practice, as inequalities and crime eliminated some progress made by Nelson Mandela and his

The Performance Management At Hewlett Packard Commerce Essay

The Performance Management At Hewlett Packard Commerce Essay   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hewlett-Packard is believed to be one of the most popular companies in the universe. It markets all over the world and distinct locations. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard founded HP in the year 1939. The company has its own philosophy to attain success and stand different from its competitors in the market. Management by Objectives (MOB) is one of the successful trends carried out by HP Company to measure its performance management and appraisal system. Therefore many companies were following this method for evaluating their performance management. The objective of this report is to identify the performance management effectiveness and frequency of appraisal and also recognize the strength and limitations at HP Company and to make recommendations regarding their limitations and possible ways to overcome them (Armstrong 2005). Hewlett-Packard   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a multinational company marketing allover the world. The company offers a wide range of consumer and IT products such as personal computers, Laptops, printing machines and services, Ink, Toner paper, Monitors, Accessories and softwares, Scanners, Smart Phones etc. The HP Way   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The HP way is not entirely different from other companys management philosophy. But the company has got its own principles and management frame implemented by its founders in approaching the top to bottom level management in distinct way. It implies that the company should trust and respect every individual and they believe in their employees intelligence leads to company success and they followed decentralized system (Peter Burrows business week 2004). This leads HP Company to retain the second top most places in the hardware industry globally (Hardware Top 100 2010). System Aim Performance management is a process carried out by organizations in order to attain the organization goals by identifying their employees performance individually and in teams (Armstrong Baron, 2005). The management levels may differ from organizations to organizations thus every management has its own performance appraisal system to identify, support, ascertain problems, develop and appreciation to the employees regard their work performance (Sims 2002a, p. 81). Performance management evaluates the companys performance of the employees, which helps to give effective feedback in order to improve their employees working performance and to succeeded organization targets. The organizations targets are considered to be the long-term goals and to attain that performance appraisal system are to be carried as short-term goals. Controlling process, which is the most important role of any organization to monitor the individual employees performance and this helps to compare the employees per formance and to analyses the overall management performance (Sims, 2002a). The basic need for controlling system is to initiate performance principles, observing performance of the employees and comparing it with the primary principles framed by the organization and finally taking required action to manage the performance. Hewlett-Packard applies the quality management therefore their organizations aim and objective is concerned about the ultimate customers. Therefore, HP employees practice the scheme called Management by Objectives (MOB). This scheme has structured the company objectives into two elements as long-term objectives and short-term objectives. These objectives were discussed between their distinct management levels that are communicating the performance criteria with the individual employees and as department vise were negotiated. The Management by Objective (MOB) scheme finds how the employees complete their task successfully, which indicates the process of mentoring and coaching. This process is made efficient by interconnecting the monitoring process at all levels throughout the HP Company. MOB also involves in the strategic planning of HP Company as a part that describes the aim or goal of the company. The companys top management involves in performance management system and introduces the performance appraisal process to the employees and given chances to fix their goals. Even the workers at bottom management level are encouraged to participate in the process of decision making by suggesting their views for attaining targets successfully this process is carried out for every six months between all levels. The Mobs objectives are to serve as day-to-day to help in making decision for tremendous growth of the company. Dave Packard believe in if HP made every individuals understanding their company objectives and goals and what the company planning for, then they could easily get every employees narrow attention towards attaining the goal. This is known as the HP Way. Frequency of Appraisal:   It is a process of identifying the employees characteristics during the working period that basically indicates quantitative and also qualitative features of management performance. This can be identified by adopting certain appraisal methods in order to find how the employees work efficiently and perfectly. Accordingly performance appraisal has goal setting and performance evaluation as arching targets. These targets are combined because of the performance management criteria used by the managers/supervisor in order to encourage the employees by giving proper command about how to transfer results to compete distinct levels of performance. 1. Goal Setting In HP Company they traditionally practice the HP Way, according to it they give respect and importance to each individual employee, therefore people in top-to-bottom level management have determined their goals. According to Bill Hewlett (co-founder of HP) a organizations performance should be measured by setting up of Goals also that should be measurable in both qualitative and quantitative terms for efficient management performance (mystrategicplan). 2. Performance Evaluation In Hewlett-Packard, the performance evaluation method is implemented as a basic development device. The company conducts frequent meetings by mixed up with all level of management people at one roof to evaluate about the management performance quarterly. According to the HP Way the employees are given full freedom to place their requests and ideas in the meeting and their suggestions are strongly supported. They practice an informal way of approaching to the analysis the performance of its management by giving feedbacks to the employees on an ongoing basis. This reflects and made the company to introduce 360-degree and MOB appraisal method as measuring the companys performance. Method of Appraisal Management of Objectives In HP Company their managements performance is analyzed by carrying out the management of objectives appraisal method. Through this method the company find their employees rating during the work time and those who attain top rating are awarded with promotions and offers on the other hand the employees who got poor performance rating will be taken necessary actions to make them correct accordingly. This appraisal scheme followed by the Hewlett-Packard Company measures both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of their employees performance. The company follows a quality management hence their objectives

Free College Admissions Essays: The FIRST Engineering Competition :: College Admissions Essays

The FIRST Engineering Competition    It was just the second week of school, and I had mustered up all my courage to venture to the nether regions of our school known as the basement to attend the first meeting of the newly forming FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics team. When I walked into room one, the newly proclaimed FIRST headquarters, I looked around with apprehension, and I noticed that I did not recognize a single face in the room. Nervously, I took a seat, and Mr. Mothersele, the advisor for the program began describing the program. FIRST is a national engineering competition in which partnerships are formed between local businesses and high schools to design and build a robot-like machine from identical kits of parts supplied by FIRST. The team has about six weeks to build the machine which must be able to compete in a timed sporting event. As soon as I saw the video of the students working and competing with the robots, I was hooked. The program seemed tailored to my int erest in math in science and to my competitive spirit. I couldn't resist the opportunity.    As a shy and relatively inexperienced freshman, I signed up for the program as the only underclassmen on the team of ten students. I bumbled along, learning about design and how to use the machines. I made my full share of mistakes and then some, but by the end of the program, I was gaining some real experience. Although our robot did not fare very well in the competition our first year, my learning process was underway, and I knew that I had found my place.    The second year of the competition, I was only one of two returning students. I took an active role in recruiting new students, and our membership doubled. It was a complete role reversal for me because all of a sudden I was the experienced team member. We finished fifth out of forty teams at the regional competition, and at the national tournament, we placed in the top third.    This past year, was the golden year of my FIRST career. In September, I was voted team captain. It was my job to ensure that our team was well organized and that we stayed on task. Our team advanced to the semifinals, where we lost to the eventual National Champion.

Review of Related Literature Essay

The review of related literature for this study focuses on different previous studies about working students locally and outside the country. These studies identify models and several case study of a working student including the reasons why students are force to work are also enumerated. (cited,.) ( ïÆ'ŸHindi ako sure dito) Local Literature According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) about 216,000 students in the country are currently juggling school and work, this figure is about 8% of the total number of college students in the country. CHED said working students today are mostly into food service, entertainment and sales, apart from their usual stints as library and research assistants. â€Å"Due to financial crisis that’s why they need a extra income,† said lawyer Julito Vitriolo, officer-in-charge at CHED’s office of the executive director. He also added that these students are forced to work because of higher commodity prices and tuition fees. The CHED said that only 50% of working students get to finish college, as many cannot cope and cannot concentrate on their studies, while some have poor health, while others give up because of insufficient funds.CHED advised working students to get jobs that are not that demanding, and that are more closely related to their courses. FOREIGN LITERATURE According to the National Center for Education Statistics in America, in 2007 nearly half (45 percent) of â€Å"traditional† undergraduates—that is, students between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four attending college full time—worked while enrolled. About 80 percent of traditional-age undergraduates attending college part time worked while enrolled. The amount of time students spend working has been of increasing concern for the educators that serve them and, in some instances, the students themselves. Recent data would indicate that 80% of American undergraduates worked while attending college in 1999-2000 (King, 2003).This represents an 8% increase over the class less than a decade previously, among whom 72% worked  (Cuccaro-Alamin & Choy,1998). Further, there appears to be a strong body of literature that points to the positive effects of not working versus working while attending college (King, 2002; Pascarella& Terenzini, 1991). As College Board policy analyst Sandy Baum argues in a 2010 collection of essays I edited, Understanding the Working College Student: New Research and Its Implications for Policy and Practice, while some of these students are awarded â€Å"work† as part of their financial aid package, other students either do not receive work-study funding or find such awards insufficient to cover the costs of attendance. Some traditional-age students may use employment as a way to explore career options or earn spending money. For other students, particularly adult students, work is a part of their identity, as Carol Kasworm, a professor of adult education at North Carolina State University, and other contributors to Understanding the Working College Student point out. Regardless of the reason for working, trying to meet the multiple and sometimes conflicting simultaneous demands of the roles of student, employee, parent, and so on often creates high levels of stress and anxiety, making it less likely that students will complete their degrees. How does Working Affects Students’ Success (?) Some researchers have reported that â€Å"the more time a student devotes to employment, the less he or she has for either academic or social activities† (Fjortoft, 1995). Although this may leave the students with less time, what is the impact on college success? Some studies have looked at the effects of working on social and academic integration—or student engagement. This is an important component in student behavior theory (Bean, 1985; Pascarella & Staver, 1985; Tinto, 1975) that has long been linked with persistence (Kuh, 1995; Pascarella & Terrenzini, 1983). Lundberg (2004) examined a national sample of 3,774 responses to the College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ) and found that students working more than 20 hours per week reported significantly fewer interactions with faculty and lower quality student relationships with peers. Cheng (2004) examined how work affected the academic and social experience of college students, using a mixed method design, and found â€Å"no significant difference between working and nonworking students in their academic and social experience, though working students’ GPAs are lower than those of the nonworking†(p. 1). Bibliography http://www.aaup.org/article/understanding-working-college-student#.VLCOT9KUf5N http://indiana.edu/~ipas1/workingstudentbrief.pdf http://www.aaup.org/article/understanding-working-college-student#.VLCOT9KUf5N

Roman Terms Covering Politics, Law, War, and Lifestyle

Roman Terms Covering Politics, Law, War, and Lifestyle The Ancient Roman Republic lasted from 509 BCE to 27 BCE, and was followed by the Ancient Roman Empire which existed from 27 BCE to 669 CE. While already boasting a lengthy rule, the Romans influence continued to shape all aspects of society for centuries after. Roman civilization made its mark on Elizabethan literature by inspiring Shakespeares seminal play, Julius Caesar. The iconic Colosseum in Rome is a staple case study in architecture studies and influenced many similar structures, especially sports stadiums. The Roman Republic, and even the Roman Empire with its Senate legislature, is often referred to as the building blocks of modern democracy. And its ruling over diverse lands and its trade with Asia via the Silk Road inevitably established cross-cultural exchanges that continue to today. These terms cover a variety of topics, ranging from names of battles to significant architecture, from geographical features to an explanation of cultural rituals. Hopefully, this extensive list will be intriguing for any history buff or Ancient Rome enthusiast.   Battles   and Warfare Rome was imperialism personified, and the Romans kept blow by blow records of many of the important battles that sealed that definition. Many Roman battles and battle plans are still cited as ideals by recent military tacticians and teachers in military academies. ActiumBattle of CarrhaeBattle of Milvian BridgeBattle of PharsalusCatapultCohort  Gergovia BattleMacedonian WarsMorbihan Gulf BattleRubiconSeleucidsSocial WarVercingetorix Politics and Law Politics played a vital role in Roman society. The passion plays in the Senate and the struggles for power among generals, kings, and emperors provide us a great deal of historical precedent for our society today. Comitia CenturiataConstitutio Antoniniana (Edict of Caracalla)ConsulCuriaCurule AedileCursus HonorumEdict of CaracallaForumInterregnumOptimatesPax RomanaPlebiscitumPlebeiansPraetorsSenatorsTarpeian RockTetrarchyTribuneTriumvirate Architecture   Rome built some of the finest civic architecture, both as public displays but also as functional works, aqueducts and other structures still standing today.   AqueductsCloaca Maxima  ColosseumForumInsulaRegionariesTemplum Lifestyle   What do you know of these terms related to social mores and traditions, music, and foods of Roman society? A.D.  and B.C.AgonaliaBacchanalia  ConfarreatioCornucopiaFabula TogataFescenine VerseGarum (Roman Fish Sauce)HedonismJulian CalendarLudiLudi ApollinaresLudi FloralesPater Familias  PraetextataPrandiumSalutatioTogaTria Nomina Geography At its height, the Roman Empire stretched over much of Europe; do you know these points of geographic interest?   ​7 Hills of RomeAlba LongaAntonine WallAppian WayBoiiGallia /GaulHadrians WallHispaniaMt. VesuviusPraefecturesVesuvius Religion   Roman religion changed over the centuries, and it includes Roman gods and goddesses, but also the influence of religion, and religious specialists.   Abundantia  Fides  FlamenJulian the ApostateMaiaMonkNicene CreedPersecutionsPervigiliumPontifex MaximusPriapusRegiaRex Sacrificulus  Sibyl People Do you know who these important persons were to the history of the Roman Empire?   7 Kings of RomeAugustusCaligula  ClaudiusConstantineCurtius (Lacus Curtius)Historia AugustaJulius CaesarJustinianNero  Pontius PilateScaevolaScipionic Circle

When A Man Loves A Woman

Alcoholism is a serious disease often overlooked by those whom love us the most. In the movie When A Man Loves A Woman, Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia show us how a wonderful love story can be corrupted by an overwhelming addiction. The movie begins with this wonderful couple who soak themselves in their love. You immediately notice the habits of Meg Ryan, from the very first scene. Although it appears that they are just having a good time, the issues begin to become more than Andy Garicia (meg's husband) can handle. Her problem becomes out-of-hand when it effects her work, family and friends. She forgets things, acts irresponsible, abuses her children and then has a hash bought of abusing her self. She in turn decides to go through rehab. Ryan has as supportive of a family as possible. Hoping and praying that everything would return to normal, this family will not require a lot of adjusting. Although she is no longer drinking she now has to find a different life style than the one she had been used to. No longer does Ryan view things with the same eyes. She struggles with all the issues that come along with her new sobriety. Finding a new common ground for this family so almost impossible. Once Ryan finds closure in herself and learns to deal with her changed lifestyle she now has the strength to regain what she had been losing. It is so emotional watching this happy family become ripped apart and then to here even more tragic stories of things we did not see. The family was not really happy. The person in which they loved was falling apart on the inside. When A Man Loves A Woman, is the type of movie that can hit home with someone at many different points. You can feel for the side or the alcoholic or for those who suffer around them. This was a brilliantly made movie. It depicts the feeling of everyone in the situation so well. It is an excellent movie that tells a difficult story.

Costco's Five Forces Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Costco's Five Forces Analysis - Essay Example The focus in this paper is on Costco Wholesale Corporation (CWC) that operates a series of ‘cash & carry membership warehouses’ that trade high-quality, domestically branded as well as privately labeled merchandises at a low price range. It sells the products to businesses that purchase for the purpose of commercial use and also to the individuals as selected member groups. The business of the company is depended on the attainment of high sales volume along with inventory turnover by providing various ranges of products at low price. Costco Wholesale Corporation receives bulk purchase based inquiries from domestic as well as international markets in large volumes. Costco Wholesale Corporation possesses widespread worldwide buying power and it endeavors to satisfy any specific item related requirements beyond its everyday assortment. The innovative concept regarding warehouse retail has enabled the Costco Wholesale Corporation (CWC) to make vertical integration and provid e the products from manufacturers towards consumers. Porter Five Forces analysis facilitates to establish the strength of competition, profitability as well as the attractiveness of a company in the marketplace where it is operating. The five competitive forces that generate the framework of market and industry are ‘bargaining power of supplier’, ‘bargaining power of customers’, ‘threats of new entrants’, ‘threat of substitutes’ and ‘competitive rivalry between existing players’.... The other significant issue is the extreme focus related to capital, as type of inventories as well as warehouse facilities make it difficult for a firm to exist. Another noteworthy issue is that the retailers of warehouse strive to maintain brand loyalty and this effort is unique in comparison to usual customer loyalty based campaigns. In this aspect, Costco has captured the lead by means of proliferation related to tangible products as well as services (George et. al., 2004, pp. 8). Threat of New Entrants The threat of new entrants is low as there is high obstruction of entry in the market due to intense competition of Costco and its competitors. The new entrants may face enormous cost due to the inbuilt capital strength of the company. Costco already has developed good affiliation with suppliers as well as customers thus it would be a challenge for a new company to operate in the new market. Therefore, for Costco new entries are not a matter of great concern. The new entry may be important for two reasons: if the existing store in the market launches a product with greater expediency and low cost and if the competitors such as Target or Wal-Mart introduce warehouse retail chain with their capital resources. However, such situations have not occurred, as a result, for Costco the threat of new entrants has not become a major issue (George et. al., 2004, pp. 8). Threat of Substitute Products The threat of substitute of new products is considered to be low because the substitute of Costco’s multi product offerings is not available in the market. There is presence of substitutes of the products of Costco when there is disaggregation of the products across sub-industry parts. The mattress

Trade Preferential Arrangements or Regional Trade Agreements Essay

Trade Preferential Arrangements or Regional Trade Agreements - Essay Example 21). Though available, the preferences should not extend to all the trade activities between the two transacting countries. Also, the coverage of activities involved can largely depend on the type of agreements existing between the countries. Common forms of PTAs include the free trade areas. Most member countries involved in preferential trade agreements often belong to established geographical areas such as the North American Free Trade Area, European Union, Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The North American Free Trade Agreement is a common example of a free trade area that allows its member countries to enjoy free-trade opportunities. However, each of the countries is allowed to have its trade policies that apply to non-member countries that are involved in joint trading activities. The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) serves as an extension of the customs union arrangement. SACU member countries are allowed to conduct free trade, and an external trading policy is also applied to the non-member countries. SACU majorly covers South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and Swaziland. The European Union is an example of a full customs union that represents a common market. It allows for free movement of labor among its member countries. Lastly, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations consists of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia. The ASEAN community has a lot of influence on the trade, security, and political issues within the Asia-Pacific region (Bossche, 2008, p. 706). The North American Free trade Agreement gives precedence to the trading activities between Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The agreement allows for the elimination of relevant tariff as well as non-tariff barriers that are

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner - Essay Example Expressionism took many forms including theatre, cinema and art (www.artmovements.co.uk). Other movements including Fauvism, Post- Impressionism and Impressionism heavily influenced the art itself. However Expressionism evolved beyond all those, incorporating many of the elements of each type but also imparting extreme violence and exaggeration of brushstrokes, as well as harsh and intense colour to the canvas in order to convey their personal emotional response to the scene. In 1880 two events took place that led to the rise of Expressionism. The first was the unification of Germany and all its controlled states into a single federation or empire by the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk). This resulted in the appointment of Wilhelm II, the King of Prussia, (Germany's biggest state) to the position of Emperor of Germany. Wilhelm's governance and his policies led to social and political unrest in the empire and eventually led to World War I. Kirchner was born in Aschaffenburg, the son of a chemist in the paper industry. Though his parents encouraged his artistic tendencies they did not consider it a profession and after his schooling, his parents sent him to an architecture course in a Technical College in Dresden (http://tigtail.org). While there he formed an artists group with two other students, Heckel and Schmidt- Rotluff. They called themselves Die Brucke, literally, The Bridge. They considered themselves to be a bridge from the old set ways into the future of art and society in Germany. Kirchner was the driving force of this group and his work endures as a striking commentary on German society at the time. His most famous works as his art developed were those belonging to his "Streetwalker" series. Two of those paintings, Potsdamer Platz (1914) and The Street (1913) will be discussed as an example of how the period in which he lived influenced him. In order to fully comprehend the import of his work it is also necessary to understand the time in which he lived. Germany from 1880 to the time of the Great War was undergoing great turmoil on several fronts. Firstly it was a time of immense expansion on an industrial and technological front (Myers and Praeger, p11). Artists all over Europe were invigorated by this infusion of modernity. However Germanys unified empire was beginning to crack. After the appointment of Wilhelm as Kaiser there was a growing rift between the Emperor and his Chancellor Bismarck on various issues of social policy and he finally forced Bismarck to resign in 1890. With the dismissal of the Chancellor Wilhelm forced the passing of several policies that were completely unsuitable for a technologically developing nation (www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures). He also adopted political stands that led to the development of World War I. On the social front things were not much better in Germany during this period. Women's rights were virtually unheard of; women were unable to vote until quite late, they had very few legal financial rights and job opportunities and marriage and children were the only way for a respectable woman

Global Communication Worksheet Essay Example for Free

Global Communication Worksheet Essay Your supervisor wants to send a brief e-mail message, welcoming employees recently transferred to your department from different regions across the company, which are Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Create a clear and concise welcome message that would be appropriate for these groups of employees. Research the communication style of each of the following countries: Brazil Russia India China Transcribe the following welcome message for the employees from each country: I wanted to welcome you ASAP to our little family here in the States. It’s high time we shook hands in person and not just across the sea. I’m pleased as punch about getting to know you all, and I for one will do my level best to sell you on America. Complete the table below with your transcribed welcome messages. Also indicate whether each of the countries are more individualistic or relationship focused, and whether they are direct or indirect in their communication. Country Transcribe Welcome Message Relationship or Individualistic? Direct or Indirect?

We Must Raise the Minimum Wage Essay -- Increase Minimum Wage Essays

Minimum wage is the lowest wage an employer can pay their employees. There is a Federal minimum wage and in some cases a State Minimum wage. The current Federal minimum wage is $7.25. An employee who makes $7.25 an hour and works 40 hours a week, will earn about $14,000 per year. The Federal government deemed that the poverty line is anyone who makes less than $17,000 a year (â€Å"Federal Minimum†). Therefore anyone that makes minimum wage lives below the poverty line. As president Obama said in his state of address, "In the wealthiest nation on earth, no one who works full-time should have to live in poverty† (â€Å"Federal Minimum†). This essay will examine the problem of low minimum wage and explore ways to resolve this issue. There are two types of minimum wage in the United States. The first type of minimum wage is a Federal minimum wage. Federal minimum wage is established by the Federal government and is the lowest set amount of money an employer can pay its employee (â€Å"Federal minimum†). On the other hand, an individual State may set its own minimum wage. The States under the Tenth Amendment have the right to accept the federal minimum wage, or states may set their own minimum wage. Roughly 20 or more states have set their own Minimum wage laws. Some states set their own minimum wage because some states have higher cost of living. An example of cost of living is the price of gasoline. Gasoline in the state of Hawaii cost just about four dollars per gallon, where as the state of Oklahoma cost roughly three dollars a gallon ("Update: Minimum Wage"). Economists point to inflation as the main cause for low minimum wage. Inflation is described as â€Å"a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of mone... ...e Minimum Wage Is Stuck at $7.25; It Should Be $21.16 — or Higher." Inequality.org. Inequality, Facts On File 24 July 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. Berfield, Susan. "Fast-Food Wages Come With a $7 Billion Side of Public Assistance." BloombergBusiness. N.p., 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. "Federal Minimum Wage." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 13 May 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2013 Henderson, David R. "Raising the Minimum Wage Will Not Reduce Poverty." Poverty. Ed. Viqi Wagner. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Negative Effects of the Minimum Wage." National Center for Policy Analysis, Brief Analysis. Vol. 550. 2006. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 6 Nov. 2013. "Update: Minimum Wage." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 15 July 2009. Web. 3 Nov. 2013.

Othello – Power of Words

Othello Words of Power December 12, 2011 The famous saying, â€Å"The pen is mightier than the sword† means that with words and brains, it can become a greater weapon than a sword. If such a person was to have this power with words, then one shall lead to great things, if the person wishes to do so. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago uses his skills with persuasion and words to captivate the minds around him in reaching desired outcomes. Iago definitely demonstrates his powers with his words in the play on many occasions. He firstly captivates Roderigo in doing whatever he chose him to do. The simple minded Roderigo was not the only one, as Cassio is set up into Iago's traps next. Lastly the great Othello is wrapped up by Iago's tongue and is tossed around as Iago's will. To catch a fish, bait and a hook is required, in the drama Iago plots, Cassio is the bait. Cassio is the man who provokes Othello and unknowingly kills Othello. Iago's intentions were to take Cassio's position in the ranks, because Othello gave the position to Cassio instead of him. Iago does this by exploiting Cassio's biggest flaw, his lack of drinking. Iago uses his fancy speech and talents in song, â€Å"King Stephen was a worthy peer†¦ ith that he called the tailor lown. † (II. iii 89-92) ,to encourage Cassio to drink multiple doses. This causes Cassio to get in a fight which results in Othello removing his position. â€Å"Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. † (II. iii 262-265) After being de-ranked by Othello, Cassio is haunted by the fact that he lost his reputation, but Iago convinces him reputation is worth nothing. Later on however, he tells Othello that reputation to him is everything. This is just another example of Iago's way of manipulating people's thoughts of him. Post being de-ranked by Othello, Iago convinces Cassio to talk to Desdemona about getting his rank back. Iago tells Cassio, if he can get Desdemona to sweet talk to Othello about you, then you will get your position back for sure. Cassio agrees with Iago having no clue this is just to make Othello jealous. Iago chooses Cassio to be used as bait because Othello already thinks Cassio is more suitable than himself for Desdemona. Cassio fails to recognize any of the jealousy by Othello so he continues to try and get on the good side of Desdemona, which just leads to more jealousy by Othello. Iago trapped Othello and Cassio in a predicament that they cannot escape. Roderigo, a simple man with a simple mind, a man who lets himself trust others more than his own judgment at times, is completely clouded by Iago's words. From the first pages of the play, Roderigo is seen doing what Iago chooses and obeying willingly. â€Å"Were I the Moor I would not be Iago. In following him I follow but myself†¦ For daws to peck at. I am not what I am. † (I. i. 57–65) Here Iago clearly states his motives and expresses that he is not who he appears to be. He is letting everyone know the nice, kind Iago is not the true self. Despite all this, Roderigo is still wrapped up in Iago's lies and continues to do as Iago wishes. Roderigo spends all his money on Iago to hope that Iago can work his â€Å"magic† and make Desdemona his. Iago is constantly letting Roderigo know that Desdemona will soon be his, he tells Roderigo Desdemona will soon come to her senses and run to him: â€Å"It is merely lust of the blood†¦ and go without her. † (Shakespeare, I. iii. 377-404). Even when Roderigo was on the verge of killing Iago because the promises are not coming true, he is still convinced by Iago to do one more task. This ultimately leads Roderigo to his death, because Roderigo never stopped to think everything through. When Roderigo fails to accomplish what Iago planned for him, Iago backstabs him and kills him. The dramatist Iago, is willing to do anything to keep things running smoothly for him. Iago uses Roderigo to set off his drama show, and Roderigo is played by Iago wonderfully. The general of Cyprus, the man who has won countless wars, and the hero of the city, Othello. Despite all these winning characteristics, he still lost to the twisted words of Iago. Othello, an honest black man who falls in love with Desdemona, and she him. At the beginning of the play, Othello had full trust in Desdemona and was happily married to her. As Iago steps in however, that all changes. â€Å"I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,  abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb. For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too. Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me. â€Å"(II. i. 305-308) Iago says his plans to gain Othello's trust, just to betray him in the end. Othello treats Iago like a brother, and is constantly calling him â€Å"Honest Iago†. Iago's plan to destroy Othello is to destroy his love with Desdemona. He does this by making Othello think Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago acts very smoothly, directing the actions of others without them knowing his true intentions. Iago would often be reluctant to speak, seeming innocent. When he does this to Othello, it gets Othello's curiosity to set off. â€Å"I prithee, speak to me as to thy thinkings, as thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts, the worst of words. † (III. iii. 131-133) Othello begs for Iago to speak here, because he cannot bare not knowing what Iago knows. With the speaking abilities of Iago, he is able to lie with such perfection that Othello has no choice but worry about his words, worry if Desdemona is really being unfaithful. Even when Othello would put this idea in the back of his mind, Iago would constantly remind him of it. The cleverness of Iago is demonstrated when he would look like he is helping a person, but the truth is otherwise. â€Å"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss. â€Å"(III. iii. 165-167) Iago seems like he is trying to warn Othello about jealousy, but by saying this he is actually getting Othello more jealous. Othello is unaware the entire time of Iago's plot to get what he wants. As Iago's lies dig deeper into Othello's mind, Othello is forced into an incurable sense of hopelessness about Desdemona, and Othello makes the grave mistake of killing her. Othello's trust in Iago left him listening to no one else, even when he's wife pleaded she is telling the truth. This is the effectiveness of Iago's way with words, and how he uses that to set up his drama, plotting everyone against each other to his benefits. Language, the human's way of communication, a necessity amongst the population, a tool and occasionally, a weapon. Iago's way of speech gives him the advantage over others. In the book Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago uses his way of words to create situations that will lead to a result that favours himself. He manipulates Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo in ways that destroy each other but benefiting him at the same time. Iago expresses this characteristic throughout the play and he turns what would be a fairy tale ending story, into a drama with a tragic ending. Work Cited: Shakespeare, William, and Roma Gill. Othello. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1993. Print.

Nothing But The Truth Essay Essay

In the novel Nothing but the Truth, many differences are seen between Thando and Mandisa. These differences are seen through their different cultural understandings and their relationships with their fathers. Thando and Mandisa both also have very different views on the Truth and reconciliation commission (amnesty) hearing. In the play, the character of Thando is presented to us as a loving and caring character. Her father, Sipho, in South Africa, raises her. He is very traditional and has instilled the same teachings into Thando. Thando’s cultural roots are present throughout the play. You can see this in the way she mourns her uncles death and refuses at first to go out with Mandisa to Johannesburg. Sipho and Thando also arrange for a cultural funeral which includes the slaughtering of an ox. Thando’s hospitality towards Mandisa and her constant use of African phrases(â€Å"Ndyintombi†¦,†tata†, â€Å"malome†) displays her traditional African roots throughout the play . Labola is also mentioned which is part of traditional African culture. Mandisa, however, is presented to us as almost the opposite to Thando. Mandisa is shown to us as an modern fashion designer who can be selfish. She, unlike Mandisa is outspoken and isn’t afraid to express her opinions even when she is in a home with people she just met. Mandisa is also insensitive to cultural, South African way of living. This is seen in the play when she says to Mandisa: â€Å"Girl! He won’t allow you!† when Thando turns her down when she was asked to accompany her to Johannesburg. She also turns her â€Å"Makhaya† surname to â€Å"Mckay† and does not understand isiXhosa(she keeps asking Thando to translate what her uncle says). It is evident that her cultural roots are lost. Her fathers body had been cremated which was not typical of South African tradition and Mandisa only mourns her fathers death for 2 weeks. Mandisa does not understand that South Africa is not England and is insensitive to the Sipho when he feels violated that his brothers body had been created. She responded to him by insensitively saying : â€Å"that’s what everybody does in England.† Mandisa and Thando both however  love to be called â€Å"African Princess† The relationship that Thando has with Sipho is that of a very obedient daughter who carries out her duties. She rejects Mandisa’s invitation to Johannesburg because her father wouldn’t allow it and never does anything without the consent of Sipho(â€Å"I’ll have to ask tata first†). The duties that she carries out are seen when she doesn’t leave the house without preparing a meal for her father first. She values her traditions and explains the traditions of mourning to Mandisa saying that her father would expect them to â€Å"show some respect for atleast a month as children†. Her obedience is also shown when she says : â€Å"I live under his roof and for as long as I live here, I have to live by his rules.† Her attitude towards her father is respectful and obedient. Mandisa, having being brought up In Engand, away from her cultural roots is very different from Thando. She is not affected by Sipho feeling violated by his brothers cremation and retorts: â€Å"Oh this is ridiculous!, I didn’t come to argue about the ashes.† Mandisa also tries to change Thandos mind about not going to Johannesburg with her â€Å"You don’t have to do what pleases him.† Her independence and tendency of speaking her mind and not caring about others perception of her, makes her seem to be insensitive and disrespectful towards the older generation. Thando and Mandisa also have different views of the TRC hearing and don’t agree on how the amnesties were being dealt with. Mandisa’s views are unsympathetic towards the TRC because she is angry at the fact thatsomeone can commit murder and still be forgiven without being given justice. Her view is cynical and her talk of revenge shows an unsympathetic side to her character. She thinks that the concept of Ubuntu is â€Å"giving in too easily† and that the amnesty process is too lenient. Her vengeful side is shown when she agrees with Sipho when he says that the minister of security should be judged by a black judge and that he should serve prison for many years when Sipho was drunk. Her answer was always : â€Å"yes†, â€Å"that’s more I like it†, â€Å"Exactly.† Mandisa believes that the government has ‘sold out’ for ‘international approval’ and has not considered the peoples need for revenge  and that full disclosure was not given at the amnesty hearings(she points out that it is still not known who gave Craig Williomson his order) and argues that there was an â€Å"outcry against him receiving amnesty.† Thando on the other hand, works at the TRC and has a very positive behavior towards the process although she can see the dirt to it . â€Å"One gets confused sometimes especially when so many lies are told.† She believes that it was the wrong thing to do to be vengeful-â€Å"Where would revenge get us besides more violence?† She personally believes that re-building the nation is what matters most. Thando embraces forgiveness: â€Å"If all those who suffered can forgive, so can you.† She also contradicts to Mandisa’s accusation of the TRC being too easy by reminding her that some people such as Derby-Lewis had been punished. Although there are many differences between Thando and Mandisa, the sisters also share many similarities. African heritage is important to both of them- they both enjoy being called African princess by their fathers and Mandisa refers to SA as â€Å"home† – â€Å"I am happy to be home.† She also speaks of listening to stories about home. Thando’s defensive and quick response to Mandisa when she disrespects their lifestyle â€Å"show some respect for our tradition† shows her protective and possessiveness of her African roots. Like Mandisa, Thando is also an independent thinker. This is present throughout the play when Thando is always contradicting to whatever Mandisa says about the amnesty â€Å"Some people like Derby-Lewis have been punished† and her open-mindness is shown when she explains to her father that some black people in SA are also practicing cremation in todays times. Both sisters are so different, yet so alike.