Billie Holiday & Misuse of Drugs Essay Example for Free

Billie Holiday Misuse of Drugs Essay Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan, on April 7, 1915 to a thirteen year old mother and a fifteen year old jazz guitarist, father. After a difficult early childhood, which included scrubbing floors at a brothel and singing in night clubs to make ends meet she was ‘discovered’ by the record producer John Hammond in around 1932. In 1933 she made her first recording of a song called ‘Your Mothers Son-In-Law’ and her career took off. Billie started leisurely use of marijuana as very early in her life, by some accounts when she was twelve years old. However it was the eventual use of heroin, which she was introduced to by the men in her life, which actually destroyed her (Clarke, 2000). She married trombonist Jimmy Monroe on August 25, 1941 and while married to him became romantically involved with trumpeter Joe Guy and became his common law wife. Joe Guy introduced Billie to drugs and was her dealer. It was during the forties that Billy had made some of her most well known recordings. This however was also the time period that her dependence on drugs grew. She started using heroin intravenously during the early forties. It is a well known fact that heroin gives the user a short-lived elation, which is succeeded by drowsiness. Long term effects of heroin are slowing of the heart rate, breathing and activity of the brain. It is also accredited with depressing appetite, thirst and the reflexes. When the effects of the drug begin to wear off, usually four to eight hours after the last dose, withdrawal symtoms set in. These include chills, sweating, runny nose, irritability, insomnia, tremors, and body pain. There comes a point when the user does not take the drug for pleasure but to relieave the pain that sets in as the effects of the drug start to wear off. Unfortunately, at the peek of her career, Billy was not only using heroin but cocaine and opium as well and in addition to alcohol and cigarettes. Her unchecked drug use and chronic depression brought her careen to a sudden halt. In 1947 Holiday was arrested for possession of illegal drugs and volunteered to be placed in drug-rehabilitation center for eight months. In order to revive her career after her release, her manager booked her at Carnegie Hall where she performed in front of a packed hall. However, this was a turning point in her career, as she could not get her cabaret license reinstated. Thus she was not permitted to perform in establishments that served alcohol (Dufty, 1956). With the passage of time, the excessive use of drugs and alcohol had a profound effect on her voice and her health in general, to the point that she had a difficult time making a living performing. In 1954 She toured Europe and performed at the Royal Albert Hall, but by this time her performances had weakened. Miles Davis remembered the last time he saw her was in 1959, when he was performing in Birdland and Holiday came to visit and ask for money to buy heroin. Miles claims he gave her about a hundred dollars (Davis, 1990). Billy Holiday’s last public performance was in 1959. She was forty four years old, and was in such poor health that she had to be escorted off stage only after two songs. Prior to her death on July 17th, 1959, Billy wrote her autobiography with the help of William Dufty and talked about her issues with drug abuse and growing up poor. When Billy died she was under house arrest undergoing treatment for kidney failure, due to drug and alcohol misuse. Use of alcohol, narcotics and tobacco exact a toll not only on the addict but society as well. Misuse of drugs, as seen in the case of Billy Holiday, can make a talented individual a burden on society. Medical treatment of these individuals consumes resources that can be more productively used elsewhere. Nearly 80% of prisoners in U. S. A. are incarcerated for drug related issues. Tobacco kills nearly 400,000 people, while alcolhol kills 80,000 and Cocaine and Heroin kills 4,500 people in a typical year (Drug Information, 1999). Works Cited Clarke, D. (2000). Wishing On the Moon. In D. Clarke, Wishing On the Moon (pp. 12 and 395-9). (1990). Miles: the autobiography. In M. Davis. Drug Information. (1999, June 1). Retrieved June 07, 2010, from www. a1b2c3. com/drugs/: http://www. a1b2c3. com/drugs/ (1956). Lady Sings the Blues . In W. Dufty, Lady Sings the Blues. New York: Doubleday.

Evaluation of Vodafones Strategic Capabilities

Evaluation of Vodafones Strategic Capabilities Vodafone is a well-known mobile network operator headquartered in Newbury, England. It is recognized as the largest telecommunications network company all over the world on the basis of its turnover. Currently, the company has equity interests in twenty-five countries and Partner Networks in another forty-one countries (Vodafone 2011). It is the second largest mobile telecom group throughout globe after China Mobile. The firms success is due to its strategic capabilities and their link with significant external and internal factors. Nowadays for surviving in an intense competition, it is essential that firms must be innovative but it is also essential to identify what makes a firm innovative. As well, it is also vital to identify that what are the resources that make a substantial contribution in a firms innovation capabilities. In regard to business these innovation capabilities are also known as a firms strategic capabilities. The success of a firms strategic capabilities depends on its ability to link it with its internal and external factors that influence the setting of its business objectives and policies. In the light of resource based theory, the strategic capabilities of Vodafone can be assessed by identifying its current resources and capabilities as a successful player in telecommunication network industry (Ordanini Rubera 2008). Subsequently, the effects of its key resources on its strategic capabilities need to be identified in relation to its link with external and internal factors. Throughout company long history and success its resources are classified in two categories that are: Tangible resources: The company tangible resources can be classified into four categories that are financial, physical, organisational structure and technological resources. Intangible resources: Intangible resources can be classified into people-dependent and people-independent resources (Bakar Ahmad 2010). All these resources are not having same importance to company strategy as financial, structure, technological are highly important whereas physical resources is having ordinary importance to it. On the other hand, people dependent and people-independent resources like human and innovation resources and reputation and organisational culture all are having high importance to Vodafone strategy. In regard to these resources, the company is significantly able in developing several strategic capabilities that can be analyzed with the help of its value chain activities that are primary activities and support activities (Bakar Ahmad 2010). Activities or organisational functions direct its employees towards the development of capabilities so it is essential to identify capabilities in regard to companys primary and support activities. One of the substantial strategic capabilities developed by Vodafone in regard to its operations is providing telecommunication services at low cost with guaranteed quality. In regard to technological development, the company have become able to exploit technological opportunity and developing and applying technologies (Donaldson OToole 2007). For handling human resource management, it has developed its capabilities in concern of recruiting and training competent personnel for technological innovation and motivating compensating all employees for more and more technological innovation (Dodourova 2003). In regard to its infrastructure related activities, it has developed capabilities like recognizing and promoting the aspect of innovation, financing and planning for technological innovation, integrating all functional departments, evaluating technological innovation, legal support to it, and attaining essential government support to finance and protect its technological innovation (Dodourova 2003). The discussion of company strategic capabilities and resources depict that almost all its strategic capabilities are grounded on technological innovation that are highly supported by its innovation-friendly tangible and intangible resources. Due to this extreme association between resources and capabilities, the company have become able to handle its external and internal environment that can be understood with subsequent tools like PEST and SWOT analysis: PEST analysis Political factors: Several political factors related to regulations, infrastructure, and health issues affect Vodafone business objectives and policies but with its strategic capability of recognizing, financing, planning, integrating, assessing, and legal and government support it become able to effectively deal with these external issues and develop effective business strategy as per the industry trends and environment (Donaldson OToole 2007). Economic factors: Economic factors like high cost of licences, the bidding war for 3G and constant price wars between providers also critically affect company and its business plans but with its strategic capabilities of technological innovation Vodafone has become able to serve its customers with more surprising and advanced services (Dodourova 2003). Its technological development operations related capabilities are significantly assisting it in resolving economical issues from its external environment. Social-cultural factors: Socio-cultural factors like health issues, demographics and social trends also affects company operations that it critically handled with the help of technological innovation in regard to its human resources and technology development (Lynch 2006). Technologies offered by Vodafone are assured and approved that assist it in handling health related issues and its employees are highly dedicated and committed for technological innovation that assist in handling changing demographics and social trends. Technological factors: Technology related issues that affect company operations and business plans are excessive technological change in mobile phone industry, the introduction of 3G and several other advanced aspects (Dodourova 2003). All these external environment related issues are handled by Vodafone with its technological innovation capability that has been developed by exploiting technological opportunity and developing and applying technologies. SWOT analysis: Another contribution of Vodafone strategic capabilities is in concern to the management of its internal environment that is highly essential to link it up with external environment. With the help of its strategic capabilities, the company has become able to maximize its strength and existing opportunities like global experience, establish itself across several countries, exploring new technologies related to telecommunication and mobile, and increase its size of the market and as well as its market share (Bakar Ahmad 2010). As well, due to its technological innovation capability it has also become able to establish itself at a good global platform, standardized customer relationship management and attaining high operations margin (Dodourova 2003). In addition to this, the company has also become able to minimize its weaknesses and threats to external environment like high capital expenditure, huge RD and infrastructural costs, legal issues, selection of appropriate technologies, political and social regulations, and increasing competitors (McLoughlin Aaker 2010). It has all become possible due to its strategic capabilities developed throughout its different primary and support activities and continuous support from its tangible and intangible resources. All the above identified strategic capabilities assist firm in handling its external as well as internal factors that in turn assist it in the development of appropriate business objective and plans for present and future success of the company. Critical Appraisal of Vodafones Business Performance since 2008 Vodafone is one of the worlds largest mobile communications companies on the basis of revenue. From, its inception it is operating with a vision to become communication leader in a significantly connected world (Capon 2008). In its initial year, it confronted substantial difficulties throughout its business performance but in last some years it has attained immense success due to its several distinct strategic initiatives (Sandbach 2009). Since 2008, the company is doing quite well but still it confronted several failures related to intense competition, emergence of advances communication technologies, and continuous changes in customer preferences (Lynch 2006). For handling failures related to competition the company adopted three generic strategies for competitive advantage. For handling excessive competition and market pressure, the company made use of cost leadership strategy and differentiation in spite of focus strategy. In regard to its problem of competition, the company cost leadership strategy was highly helpful. One critical success attained by the company in this period was to become a firm with truly international customer base (Sandbach 2009). It become possible for Vodafone due to its appropriate strategies like differentiation and cost leadership strategy. In present also, this strategy is highly helpful for the company in dealing with the issues that may arise with number portability. Number portability means customers can switch to anyone who provides a reliable and cheapest service (Vodafone Annual Report 2010 2011). By competing on its cost leadership, Vodafone can direct itself towards higher unit profits that in turn will help it in attaining competitive advantage through decreasing costs. Another imperative success that company has attained in last 3 years is a good global platform which integrates its existing future network systems and heightens its ability to launch products with a concentration on both market speed and the ability to deliver it throughout all group network (Lynch 2006). It is done with a strategic initiative of differentiation. The differentiation along with marketing strategy and effective marketing mix helped Vodafone in serving its customers with added value through their wide range product features and quality that is significantly different from its competitors (Curwen Whalley 2010). The company strategic initiatives and their success and failures can also be understood effectively with the help of BCG matrix that depicts the companys market share and growth rate: Relative Market Share (Cash Generation) High Low Stars Multimedia messaging Question Marks 3G Vodafone Live Cash Cow SMS Dogs Analogue services High Market growth rate (Cash Usage) Low Vodafone BCG Matrix The BCG matrix depicts Vodafones portfolio that in turn demonstrates its products stand. Boston matrix represents the companys portfolio according to where the products and services stand in regard to market share and growth (Johnson 2008). This matrix shows that the company is operating by attaining a balance. Although, it has also confronted troubles in some last years in regard to 3G and Vodafone live that can also be depicted as a problem child or question marks. For effective future success in regard to the existing problems, the company should decrease its investments into its analogue services and in its place it should make use of money from cash cow SMS to reconstitute the problem child and maintain the star multimedia messaging in the high market share/high market growth area (Lynch 2006). In addition to these strategy models, the company performance since 2008 can also be understood with the help of different tools of financial analysis. By analysing subsequent financial ratios in terms of liquidity profitability, efficiency and return to investors it will become easy to identify that how well company managed its performance: Liquidity Ratios Current Ratio: The current ratio for Vodafone decreased from 5.40 to 5.00 in 2009 and 4.99 in 2010. It depicts that in terms of liquidity this period was not as good as throughout these years the company capability to pay its liabilities has decreased (Vodafone Annual Report 2010 2011). Quick Ratio: Vodafones quick ration fall from 5.38 in 2008 to 4.98 in 2009. This in turn also decreased slightly with 4.97 in 2010. This decrease shows that since 2008, the company ability to pay current liabilities without depending on the sale of inventory has also not attained any improvement (Luetjen Maatwk 2011). Profitability Ratios Gross Profit Margin: Vodafones gross profit margin over the three years has fallen slightly from 38.30% in 2008 to 37.00% in 2006 to a further 33.80%. It is the result of uninterrupted rise in the cost of sales. Although company margins are falling but its ratios are much better than its competitors that demonstrate that industry is at its matured stage and regularly the company is making use of new marketing strategies to bring down its cost. Operating Profit Margin: The company operating profit margin has fallen from 28.32% in 2008 to 14.28% in 2009 that in turn again rose to 21.32% in 2010. This was due to company approach towards market trends and existing competitors moves (Luetjen Maatwk 2011). Net Profit Margin: The company net profit margin has fallen initially from 19.4% in 2008 to 7.51% in 2009 and afterwards it improved to 19.38% in 2010 that was due to companys use of appropriate generic strategies and marketing strategy (Vodafone Annual Report 2010 2011). Return on Equity: The return to equity was also fallen from 8.83% in 2008 to 3.63% in 2009 but again with appropriate strategies it was increased to 9.49% in 2010. Efficiency Ratios Stock Turnover: The company stock turnover has increased continuously in the three years from 85.08 in 2008 to 99.56 in 2009 and 102.71 in 2010. This shows that throughout this three years period the company has effectively converted its stocks into revenue and as well it also made an effective use of its working capital that is critical for attaining success in present intense competitive environment (Luetjen Maatwk 2011). Debtor Turnover: The debtor turnover of the company has fallen slightly from 5.42 in 2008 to 5.35 in 2009 and 5.06 in 2010. It depicts that Vodafone is having high efficiency in regard to credit management. Asset Turnover: The asset turnover of the company is almost similar in three years as it was 0.28 in 2008, 0.27 in 2009 and again 0.28 in 2010. This ratio of company depicts its performance in generating sales from the assets at its disposition. Investment Ratios The Company earning per share has confronted both the increase and decrease from 2008 as in 2008 it was 12.56. In 2009 it reached at 5.84 and in 2010 it reached at 16.44. In addition to this, its price earning ration also confronted increase and decline. In 2008, it was 2.52 that increased to 3.14 in 2009 and again decreased to 1.35 in 2010 (Vodafone Annual Report 2010 2011). The companys use of appropriate strategies in comparison to its competitors assisted it in attaining this position. With the analysis of different financial ratios of the company, it can be said that the company performance since 2008 was a mix of success and failures. In this period the company did not confronted any severe failure in spite of just some minor business and competition related troubles (Wilson Gilligan 2005). Also, the company efforts made throughout this period were highly effective as due to this only it become able to make an effective use of its working capital. Development of a Potential Future Strategy for Vodafone With detailed discussion of company strategic capabilities and performance since 2008, it becomes apparent that company is doing very well but several times it is also troubled with intense competition and several other factors like increasing costs, emergence of advance communication technologies and changing preferences of customers (Dibb Simkin 2010). Till now, the company made use of cost leadership and competitive strategy that significantly helped it in attaining its specific business goals and objectives but it also need to be updated continuously. In regard to grow its position in international and global markets it is vital that the company operate with a potential future strategy that can be developed effectively with the help of Porters Diamond that in regard to Vodafone is as follows: Porters five forces Subsequent five forces make a direct effect on Vodafones strategic competitiveness that in turn will assist in determining a potential future strategy for the company: Competitive rivalry: In telecommunication market in which Vodafone operates competition is quite high and basically it comes from its competitors O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Virgin. In this market rivalry is high and there is no brand loyalty that exhibits that there exist little differentiation in spite of price (Dibb Simkin 2004). For handling this rivalry and growing in international markets the company should expand its operations in more and more developing nations. Buying power: In the market Vodafone is operating buying power is quite high and it could be understood with the measures of number of customers that disconnect throughout a year. This also depicts that rivalry in industry is high. Customers have several choices and new packages in regard to new tariffs and new phones (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson 2009). For surviving in this kind of market it is vital to have continuous upgrade and expansion in developing countries for maintaining company position at global level. Power of suppliers: In addition to high buyer power, the telecommunication market also operates with strong suppliers power. In this regard, as Vodafone is a cost leader, it operates with margins higher than their competitors. This assist it to attract price increases from its suppliers more comfortably than its competitors (Dibb Simkin 2010). Being an extensive, leading competitors of the mobile telephone industry, Vodafone is able to hold its supplier cost down and attain profit but this situation would not remain in long-term if company is not able to main its position in global and international markets. For this it is vital to enter different developing countries. Threat of substitutes The company threat of product substitutes is low and it is due to its focussed cost leadership strategy. This strategy makes it difficult for others to produce similar products and services at a lower rate with same economies of scale (Fransman 2002). Threat of entry Although the threat of new entrants in industry is low but this situation need to be maintained by Vodafone by reducing its cost below of its competitors. This could be done by maintaining eminent level of efficiency and extending its place and position in different international and global markets (KÄÂ ±mÄÂ ±loÄÅ ¸lu, HNasÄÂ ±r NasÄÂ ±r 2010). With the help of this porters diamond analysis, it becomes evident that the most potential future strategy that can be adopted by Vodafone is expanding or concentrating more on developing countries. This analysis assists in identifying the suitability of selected potential future strategy. With this analysis it becomes evident that in present, Vodafone is able to maintain its position and attain significant competitive advantage with the help of focussed cost leadership strategy but the situation will not remain same in future. In future competition will get more intense and in that environment a firm that have strong international level presence will be able to operate. So, it is quite helpful for Vodafone to operate with a strategy of concentrating more on developing countries (KÄÂ ±mÄÂ ±loÄÅ ¸lu, HNasÄÂ ±r NasÄÂ ±r 2010). This strategy will also assist the company in increasing its profitability and cost-benefit that is related to the acceptability of a strategic option. Until or unless a strategic option s not acceptable it is not beneficial to use it. With this future strategy, the company will become able to reduce its costs and increase its benefits and shareholder value (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson 2009). In addition to the suitability and acceptability of this future strategy, adoption of this strategy is also feasible. As in present also company is operating in several global locations so it is not so difficult for it to concentrate more on developing nations (Dibb Simkin 2004). It serves its customers with low prices that would also be beneficial for it to expand in developing nations. In this way, it can be concluded that concentrating more on developing markets is a quite effective potential future strategy for Vodafone and for its assured future success.

Curbing crime against women

Curbing crime against women CURBING CRIME AGAINST WOMEN INTRODUCTION Despite existence of a number of special legislations for providing protection to women, the proportion of crime against women has deteriorated. Women continue to be victims of various types of crimes. Although Women may be victims of any of the crimes such as ‘Murder, ‘Robbery, ‘Cheating, etc, only the crimes which are directed specifically against Women are characterised as ‘Crimes Against Women. These are broadly classified under two categories. The Crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Rape (Sec. 376 IPC) Kidnapping Abduction for different purposes (Sec. 363 373 IPC) Homicide for Dowry, Dowry Deaths or their attempts (Sec. 302/304-B IPC) Torture, both mental and physical (Sec. 498-A IPC) Molestation (Sec. 354 IPC) Sexual Harassment (Sec. 509 IPC) Importation of girls (upto 21 years of age) (Sec. 366-B IPC) The Crimes under the Special Local Laws (SLL) Although all laws are not gender specific, the provisions of law affecting women significantly have been reviewed periodically and amendments carried out to keep pace with the emerging requirements. The gender specific laws for which crime statistics are recorded throughout the country are Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 The Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1979 Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 Commission of Sati (Prevention) LITERATURE REVIEW Life in Delhi turns a daily nightmare for women from North-East New Delhi:The capital city of India has become a daily nightmare for women from the North-East of the country who are here to study or for work. A close study of reports shows that the community of about 100,000 people from the north-eastern states is under threat – virtually any day, any time – of assault, molestation, or murder. As many as 16 severe cases of molestation, rape and other forms of extreme cruelty perpetuated in Delhi against people from the North-East have been recorded so far in 2009. And, 4 of these incidents took place in the last two weeks. The worst cases of recent atrocities against people from the North-East staying in Delhi include the murder by Pushpam Kumar Sinha, 34, of a young girl from Manipur; molestation of a girl from Arunachal by school boys; molestation of a girl from Nagaland; and assault on a couple from Nagaland. On October 24, 2009, Pushpam Sinha, 34, a PhD scholar working at the India Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, assaulted and strangled to death Ramchanphy Hongray, the 19-year-old girl who is his neighbour, in her home in south Delhi. The man then burnt the girls face in order to mislead the police. At Sarojini Nagar in Delhi, on October 12, a girl from the North-East was dragged into a van. However, the presence of mind of the victim, who is an employee of a 5-star hotel, saved her life. After the girl raised a hue and cry, passersby caught hold of one of the assailants and beat him up. On October 17, a couple from Nagaland was assaulted by some young men, who were allegedly drunk, at Safdarjung Enclave. The same day, a 5-year-old girl from the North-East was allegedly molested by her tuition teacher. Earlier, in April 2009, a girl aged 6, was raped and murdered by her neighbour. The girls body was later fished out from a water tank nearby. These terrifying incidents have prompted YS Dadwal, Delhi Police Commissioner, to call for a ‘zero-tolerance policy towards any crime committed against women from the North-East. He has ordered that crimes committed against people from the North-East be given top priority, and asked 3 Deputy Commissioners from east, south and north Delhi to act as nodal officers for the safety of women. However, many members of the North-East community complain that the police have been slow to act. According to Madhu Chandra, spokesman for the North-East Support Centre and Helpline, a help centre for the youth from the north-eastern states living in Delhi and the National Capital region (NCR), there have been several cases of atrocities, but police are doing little about them and demanded that the Delhi government act sternly to check these incidents. About 4,000 students from the North-East take admission to various courses in Delhi University (DU) each year, and for them, every day in Delhi is like a nightmare, Madhu Chandra says. A survey conducted by the North-East Support Centre and Helpline has revealed that 86% (or about 86,000) people hailing from the north-eastern states and living in Delhi face some sort of discrimination or the other â€Å"on a daily basis.† The North-East Support Centre alleges that nearly half the number of women sexually harassed in Delhi and neighbourhood is from the North-East. He says that the Northeast Support Centre and Helpline is â€Å"flooded with complaints related to sexual harassment.† Most members of the north-eastern community are not happy with the police. Kamakshi Sinha, who hails from Assam and doing her undergraduate course in Delhi University, says that that the police circular is â€Å"just a piece of paper.† She complains that people in Delhi call them ‘Chinky and such other derogatory names, and the policemen ridicule them when they go to the police station to lodge a complaint. Another female student of Delhi University says that most girls from the North-East are even scared of approaching the police. â€Å"Police do not respond to our pleas, and we are treated like outcasts,† she laments. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, MP and Congress general secretary, has said he will totally cooperate with the North-East Students Union in its efforts to curb the increasing menace of crime against both men and women the north-eastern states. Rahul Gandhi gave this assurance to a team of members of the North-East Students Union which met him to seek his support and intervention in the matter. ARTICLE:2 NCW gives wake-up call to curb crime against women Puneet Nicholas Yadav / DNA Thursday, January 15, 2009 2:27 IST New Delhi:Its a cry to check the rise in crime against women across the country, aptly titled, Jaago (wake up). The National Commission for Women (NCW) plans to soon initiate its nationwide Jaago campaign, to sensitise policemen and civil society about crime against women. The commission will shortly invite representatives of corporates, educational institutions and BPO companies to discuss the safety and security arrangements for women employees. The campaign is likely to be launched on January 16.The decision to initiate the campaign came days after a 22-year-old MBA student was allegedly gang-raped by 10 men in Noida. Girija Vyas, chairperson of the NCW said, Though the year 2007-2008 was a year of women achievers, it was also the year of crime against women. Horrific cases of rapes and molestation came to light in the year. The NCW received shocking complaints from across the country such as the rape of a 72-year-old woman and another rape case of a four-year-old girl. The recent Noida gang-rape incident was equally appalling. There is an urgent need to address the issue of crime against women and the Jaago campaign intends to do that. As part of the campaign, the NCW is tying up with several schools, NGOs and other groups to spread awareness about violence against women. The campaign would also address other issues such as checking harassment of women at workplace, molestation, women safety besides sensitising cops about dealing with women victims and accused. Vyas also agreed that there was a need to educate people in rural areas where theres an immense need to sensitise the people about womens rights and checking violence against women. The NCW chief quoted statistics based on complaints filed with the NCW and records available with the National Crime Records Bureau to establish how crimes against women had been on the rise in the country and specifically in UP. ARTICLE : 3 RECOVERY FUNDS AVAILABLE TO HELP CURB VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, IMPROVE VICTIM SERVICES HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 9 The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency issued the following news release: Approximately $4 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding is available to support and strengthen services to women who are victims of violent crime, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency said today. The STOP Violence Against Women, or STOP/VAWA, Formula Grant Program also works to improve the criminal and juvenile justice systems response to violence against women. Interested applicants, including domestic violence and sexual assault programs, state organizations and counties, may apply through PCCDs Egrants system by October 6. Bill to curb crime against women soon EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE MUMBAI, JULY 18: The state government will soon bring in a legislation to curb crime against women, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal announced in the Legislative Assembly today.Replying to supplementaries over a calling attention notice moved by Sudhir Munguntiwar (BJP) and others on burning of a bank employee Vidya Prabhudesai near Mumbai Central last month, Bhujbal also announced that a committee of women legislators would be formed to suggest measures for prevention and control of crime against women. A committee headed by Additional Chief Secreatry (Home) M R Patil had prepared drafts of two legislations Maharashtra Women Security Act and Maharashtra Prevention of Harassment of Girls Act. However, it was later decided to formulate a single comprehensive bill instead of two different bills on the same issue, Bhujbal told the House.Accordingly, the committee has been asked to prepare the draft within two months, he said. Munguntiwar asked if the government would form a committee of the woman MLAs for the purpose. Bhujbal said the government had appointed the Commissioner for Women and Child Welfare and a representative of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, who were well aware of the problems of women, as members on the committee. Further, the draft of the proposed legislation would be referred to the woman legislators for studying it and the amendments suggested by them would be incorporated. Irked over the reply, Vishakha Raut (Sena) protested against the Deputy Chief Ministers attitude towards women legislators and demanded immediate formation of the committee of women legislators. She was followed by other women members of Sena-BJP, who shouted slogans against the government. Finally, Bhujbal said that the government would fulfil the demand of the women legislators. On an another occasion, members of opposition Sena-BJP rushed to the well protesting against the ruling of the Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende on withdrawing a calling attention notice from the days agenda. The notice was moved by Opposition members on arrest of a person allegedly linked to `Lashkar-e-Toyba, a terrorist organisation, in Nanded. Gopinath Munde (BJP) sought to know why the government failed to gather information on the issue on time. Minister of state for home Manikrao Thakre said the notice was also related to arrest of terrorists in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Since the information from the two neighbouring states was not received, the government requested the presiding officer to take up the notice for discussion on Wednesday. RESEARCH METHODELOGY PRIMEARY DATA SAMPLING I had visited Delhi (west) and interviewed about 30 women (working + college going girls student) from where I came to know about different aspect of crime which are prominent there like rape ,sexual harassment, importation of girls and many more . They also suggested different way to stop this or to minimise it. After this I visited 30 more women in same area ask them to fill questioner. SECONDARY DATA Reported Incidents of crime (Incidence†¦1,54,333) A total of 1,54,333 incidents of crime against women were reported in the country during 2008 as compared to 1,40,601 during 2007 recording 9.8% increase during 2008. These crimes had reported an increase of 1.7% in 2001 over 2000 (from 1,41,373 cases in 2000 to 143,795 cases in 2001) and declined during 2002 and 2003 with 1,43,034 and 1,40,601 cases followed again by an increase during 2004. Andhra Pradesh, accounting for nearly 7.3 per cent of the countrys population, has accounted for 12.3% of total incidents of crime against women in the country by reporting 18,921 cases. Uttar Pradesh, with nearly 16.4% share of countrys population has accounted for 10.0% of total crime against women by reporting 15,485 cases during the year. Crime Rate (Crime rate†¦ 14.2) The rate of crime has increased by 7.6 per cent from 13.2 during the year 2007 to 14.2 during 2008. Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were top three States in the order of crime rate at 24.1, 24.0 and 23.5 respectively. Crime head-wise analysis (IPC) Rape (Incidence†¦18,233 Rate†¦1.7) Rape cases have reported mixed trends over last 5 years with a decrease of 2.5 per cent in 2004 over 2003, an increase of 1.8 per cent in 2005 over 2004, a decrease of 3.2 per cent in the year 2007 over 2006 and substantial increase of 15.0 per cent in the current year. Madhya Pradesh has reported the highest number of Rape cases (2,875) accounting for 15.8% of total such cases reported in the country. However, Tripura has reported the highest crime rate 4.8 as compared to National average of 1.7. Incest Rape (Incidence†¦505) As compared to 15.0 percent increase in overall Rape cases, Incest cases have increased by 26.5 per cent from 399 cases in 2003 to 505 cases in 2008. Chhattisgarh (78) has accounted for the highest 15.4 per cent of the total such cases reported in the country Rape Victims Out of 18,233 reported Rape cases in the country, there were 18,239 victims of Rape. Of the total victims of Rape, 8.9% (1,622) were girls under the 15 years of age, while 11.0% (2,008) were teenaged girls (15-18 years). Nearly two-third (11,343) (62.2%) were Women in the age-group 19-30 years. 3,189 victims (17.5%) were in the age-group of 31-50 years while only 0.4 per cent (81) were over 50 years of age. Offenders were known to the victims in as many as 15,619 (85.6%) cases. Of these, parents/close family members were involved in 3.2% (505 out of 15,619) cases, neighbours were involved in 34.3% cases (5,358 out of 15,619) and relatives were involved in 6.6% (1033 out of 15,619) cases. The State/UT/City-wise details are presented in Kidnapping Abduction (Incidence†¦15,578 Rate†¦1.4) These cases have reported an increase of 17.2 per cent as compared to previous year (13,296). Uttar Pradesh (2,324) has accounted for 14.9 per cent of the total cases at the National level. Delhi has reported the highest rate at 5.8 as compared to the National average of 1.4. Dowry Deaths (Incidence†¦7,026 Rate†¦0.6) These cases have increased by 13.2% over the previous year (6,208). Out of the total such cases reported in the country around 24.3% cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh (1,708) alone followed by Bihar (1,029) (14.6%). The highest rate of crime (1.2) was, however, reported from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh as compared to the National average of 0.6 only. Torture (Cruelty by Husband Relatives) (Incidence†¦58,121 Rate†¦5.4) ‘Torture cases in the country have increased by 14.6 per cent over the previous year (50,703). 14.4 per cent of these were reported from Andhra Pradesh (8,388). The highest rate at 11.2 was reported from Rajasthan as compared to the National rate at 5.4. Molestation (Incidence†¦34,567 Rate†¦3.2) Incidents of Molestation in the country have increased by 4.9 per cent over the previous year (32,939). 19.4% of total such cases were reported from Madhya Pradesh (6,690) which also reported the highest rate (10.3) as compared to the National average of 3.2. Sexual Harassment (Eve –Teasing) (Incidence†¦10,001 Rate†¦0.9) The number of such cases has significantly declined by 18.9 per cent over the previous year (12,325). Uttar Pradesh has reported 26.8 per cent of cases (2,682) followed by Andhra Pradesh 23.1 per cent (2,310). Haryana has reported the highest crime rate 3.8 as compared to the National average of 0.9. Importation of Girls (Incidence†¦89) An increase of 93.5% in such cases was reported as 89 cases were reported during the year as compared to 46 cases in the previous year. Jharkhand (36) and Bihar (35) have reported highest number of such cases accounting for 40.4% and 39.3% respectively of total such cases at the National level. Crime-head wise analysis (Special Laws) Sati Prevention Act (Incidence†¦0) The practice of Sati is on the wane in modern times. Still sporadically, cases under this Act get reported. However, no such case from any of the State/UT was reported in the country during the year 2008. Dowry Prohibition Act (Incidence†¦3,592 Rate†¦0.3) The cases under this Act have increased by 33.8 per cent as compared to the previous year (2,684). More than one third (34.0%) cases were reported from Bihar (1,220) followed by Orissa (532) which also reported the highest crime at 1.4 as compared to 0.3 at the National level. Crime against Women in Cities (All-India†¦1,54,333 Cities†¦20,492) As per population census 2001, 35 cities having population over 10 lakh were identified as Mega cities. A total of 20,492 cases of crimes against women were reported from these 35 cities as compared to 19,573 cases in the year 2003 reporting an increase of 4.7 per cent. The rate of crime in cities at 19.0 was comparatively higher as compared to the National rate of 14.2 Among 35 cities, Delhi (3,334) has accounted for 16.3 per cent of total crimes followed by Hyderabad (1,978) (9.7%). The crime rate was significantly higher in Vijayawada (109.5) city as compared to all-cities rate of 19.0 only. Delhi city has accounted for 30.3% of Rape cases, 33.3% of Kidnapping Abduction cases, 19.8% of Dowry Deaths and 18.3% of Molestation cases, 14.8% of Cruelty By Husband Relatives among 35 cities. Faridabad of Haryana has reported 17.8% of Eve-Teasing cases (434 out of 2,434 cases). It is worthwhile mentioning that Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Mumbai were more vigilant in curbing these crimes as more cases under Special Laws Local Acts were booked in these cities. 32.3 per cent (422 out of 1,907) of cases under Immoral Traffic (P) Act and 79.4 per cent (247 out of 311) of Dowry Prohibition Act cases were booked in Bangalore city alone. 20.5 per cent (392 out of 1907) cases in Chennai, 13.4 per cent (255 out of 1907) cases in Coimbatore and 12.1 per cent (231 out of 1907) cases in Mumbai were booked under Immoral Traffic (P) Act. Similarly, 80.3 per cent (297 out of 370) cases under Indecent Representation of Women (P) Act were booked under Hyderabad City only. The increase in cases booked under SLL represent preventive policing of State/UT police. Keeping this in view, an attempt has also been made to analyse the Crime Against Women by excluding SLL crimes i.e. Sati STEP TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT Transitional Housing Assistance Program Grants For Victimized Women -Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking i.e. women now can get adequate relief through the Governments Office on Violence Against Women (OVM) having twofold motive: to curtail violence against women and execute justice for and invigorate services to these victimized women. OVM accomplishes this intention through developing and assisting the capacity and capability of tribal, local, state and non-profit organizations concerned in addressing violence Grants And Sub Grants Provided To Stop Violence Against Women -The STOP Violence against Women Formula Grant Program was constituted with an aim to encourage integrated and multidisciplinary approach to improve response of the criminal justice system with respect to violent crimes against women. Under this program, efficacious law enforcement and prosecution strategies are encouraged to develop and strengthen their policies and procedures to curb violent crimes against women. Grant Programs To Stop Violence Against Women -United States government statistics revealed the most grueling picture: one in every four women becoming target of domestic violence and approximately 1.3 million women have been physically assaulted by her intimate partner. But women in rural areas facing sexual assault, domestic or other kinds of violence are more vulnerable than their counterparts in cities. Opportunities For Indian Tribal Government To Avail Grants -Grants for the Indian Tribal Government Program are formulated to empower tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, ensure safety of the victims and develop their education and preventive strategies. The Indian tribal governments or their authorized designees are provided with the grants enabling them to initiate actions and programs on awareness about increasing level of domestic violence and sexual assault against American women and Alaska native women. Financial Aids To Reduce Violence Against Women -The STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program was constituted with an aim to encourage integrated and multidisciplinary approach to improve response of the criminal justice system with respect to violent crimes against women. Under this program, efficacious law enforcement and prosecution strategies are encouraged to develop and strengthen their policies and procedures to curb violent crimes against women Grants To Help Victimized Rural Women United States government statistics revealed the most grueling picture: one in every four women becoming target of domestic violence and approximately 1.3 million women have been physically assaulted by her intimate partner. But women in rural areas facing sexual assault, domestic or other kinds of violence are more vulnerable than their counterparts in cities. Rural women have to face many hurdles while receiving assistance; even service providers have to face barriers in the different form. Us Government Grants To Indian Tribal Governments Program -Grants for the Indian Tribal Government Program are formulated to empower tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, ensure safety of the victims and develop their education and preventive strategies. The Indian tribal governments or their authorized designees are provided with the grants enabling them to initiate actions and programs on awareness about increasing level of domestic violence and sexual assault against American women and Alaska native women. DATA ANALYSIS By studying the primary and secondary data the situation of crime against women is analysed as given below: Crime Head-wise Incidents of Crime Against Women during 2004-2008 and Percentage variation in 2007 over 2008 TABLE-1 Crime head Rape Kidnapping Abduction Dowry Death Torture Molestation Sexual Harassment Importation of Girls Sati Prevention Act Immoral Traffic (P) Act Indecent Rep. of Women (P) Act Dowry Prohibition Act 2004 16496 15023 6995 45778 32940 11024 64 0 9515 662 2876 2005 16075 14645 6851 49170 34124 9746 114 0 8796 1052 3222 2006 16373 14506 6822 49237 33943 10155 76 0 6598 2508 2816 2007 15847 13296 6208 50703 32939 12325 46 0 5510 1043 2684 2008 18233 15578 7026 58121 34567 10001 89 0 5748 1378 3592 %variation 15.0 17.1 13.2 14.6 4.9 -18.8 93.5 4.3 32.1 33.8 Total 141373 143795 143034 140601 154333 9.8 TABLE-2 Proportion of Crime Against Women (IPC) towards total IPC crimes Sl.No Year Total IPC Crimes Crime Against women (IPC cases) Percentage to total IPC crimes 1 2 3 4 5 2003 2004 2005 2006-2007 2007-2008 17,71,084 17,69,308 17,80,330 17,16,120 18,32,015 1,28,320 1,30,725 1,31,112 1,31,364 1,43,615 7.2 7.4 7.4 7.6 7.8 SUGESSIONS Measures needed to curb Crime against Women The Government of India have to deeply concerned with these trends and ground situation and have to re-emphasized that urgent action should be taken on the following:- 1.Vigorously enforce the existing legislation relating to Crime against Women and Children, i.e.,DowryProhibition Act, 1961, Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 and Violence against Women (Prevention) Act, 2005, Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000, the display of lascivious photographs/films on computer through internet,etc. 2. The administration and police should play a more proactive role in detection and investigation of crime against women and ensuring that there is no under reporting. 3. Increasing the overall representation of women in police forces.The representation of women in police at all levels should be increased through affirmative action so that they constitute about 33% of the police. 4. Sensitizing the law enforcement machinery towards crime against women by way of well structured training programmes, meetings and seminars etc., for police personnel at all levels as well as other functionaries of the criminal justice system. 5. For improving general awareness on legislations, mechanisms in place for safety and protection of women, the concerned department of the State Government must, inter-alia, take following steps: Create awareness through print and electronic media; Develop a community monitoring system to check cases of violence, abuse and exploitation and take necessary steps to curb the same; Involving the Community at large in creating and spreading such awareness; and Organize legal literacy and legal awareness camps. Explore the possibility of associating NGOs working in the area of combating crime against women. Citizens groups and NGOs should be encouraged to increase awareness about gender issues in society and help bring to light violence against women and also assist the police in the investigation of crime against women.Close coordination between the police and the NGOs dealing with the interests of women may be ensured. There should be no delay whatsoever in registration of FIR in all cases of crime against women. 8.All out efforts should be made to apprehend all the accused named in the FIRimmediately so as to generate confidence in the victims and their family member Cases should be thoroughly investigated and charge sheets against the accused persons should be filed within three months from the date of occurrence, without compromising on the quality of investigation.Speedy investigation should be conducted in heinous crimes like rape. The medical examination of rape victims should be conducted without delay. Ensure proper supervisions at appropriate level of cases of crime against women from the recording of FIR to the disposal of the case by the competent court. Help-line numbers of the crime against women cells should be exhibited prominently in hospitals/schools/colleges premises, and in other suitable places. 12. Set up exclusive ‘Crime Against Women and Children desk in each police station and the Special Women police cells in the police stations and all women policethanaas needed. The specialized Sexual Assault Treatment Units could be developed in government hospitals having a large maternity section. The Health department of the StateGovts., should set up ‘Rape CrisisCentres'(RCCs) and specialized ‘Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs), at

The Power of Solar Energy Essay -- Natural Resources Economics Essays

The Power of Solar Energy In today’s world, the growth of energy demands is exploding. Many of the energy sources that supply society with power currently run on non-renewable resources such as oil and coal. These resources also pollute our environment. Other resources such as hydro and wind power are not as reliable as they fluctuate in availability due to environmental conditions. It is important to investigate alternative resources of energy as the current forms and output will not sustain the world at the current increase in societal demands. One viable and almost unlimited source of energy is the sun. Solar panels make use of the sun’s light hitting earth everyday and convert it to a usable form of energy and have the potential to fulfill the world’s energy needs. So, what is Solar Energy and where can one find it? Energy from the sun has great potential for future use as earth’s primary source for power. Solar Energy is radiant energy produced in the sun as a result of nuclear fusion. It is transmitted to the earth in portions of energy called photons, which interact with the earth's atmosphere and surface. The attractions of solar energy are many. In a monetary sense, solar energy costs nothing; it is free for the taking and will not run out for billions of years. It doesn’t pollute or otherwise damage the environment. It creates no dangerous waste products such as plutonium. The extremely positive side of solar energy makes it evident that it is a very good candidate to be earth’s future energy source. There are several ways in which solar energy can be converted to other forms of energy. Photosynthesis and Biomass play a large role in converting solar energy into other forms of energy. Solar ener... ... York: Harper and Row Publishers, 1977. "Howstuffworks" <http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell1.htm> Knight, David C. Harnessing the Sun: The Story of Solar Energy. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1976. McKinney, Michael and Schoch, Robert. Environmental Science Systems and Solutions. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA 2003. Microsoft Bookshelf 98. CD-ROM. Redmond Wa: Microsoft, 1998. [2] Microsoft’s Encarta 98. CD- ROM. Redmond Wa: Microsoft, 1998. [1] Quinn, Neil. Photograph credit. Scientific America. Energy for Planet Earth. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1990. â€Å"Solar Energy.† Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Third Ed. 1999. "What are solar panels" < http://www.qrg.nwu.edu/projects/vss/docs/Power/> Interesting Links Cool Solar Energy Facts: <http://www.solarbuzz.com/Consumer/FastFacts.htm>

Joe Keller in All My Sons Essay -- Arthur Miller

How to Make Joe Keller Look Bad KELLER: Say, I ain’t got time to get sick. MOTHER: He hasn’t been laid up in fifteen years. KELLER: Except my flu during the war. MOTHER: Huhh? KELLER: My flu, when I was sick during†¦the war. MOTHER: Well, sure†¦(to George) I mean except for that flu. (George stands perfectly still) Well, it slipped my mind, don’t look at me that way. He wanted to go to the shop but he couldn’t lift himself off the bed. I thought he had pneumonia. GEORGE: Why did you say he’s never-? KELLER: I know how you feel, kid, I’ll never forgive myself. If I could’ve gone in that day I’d never allow Dad to touch those heads. GEORGE: She said you’ve never been sick. MOTHER: I said he was sick, George. George: (going to Ann) Ann, didn’t you hear her say-? MOTHER: Do you remember every time you were sick? GEORGE: I’d remember pneumonia. Especially if I got it just the day my partner was going to patch up cylinder heads†¦What happened that day, Joe? In the above lines, Arthur Miller pulls back the veil that has been hiding Joe Keller’s past in All My Sons. Not only are these lines critical to the remainder of the play’s events, but many of the characters also switch emotions almost instantly. With the significance and delicateness of these lines at stake, a director has the responsibility of conveying the language to the audience with only a few pre-existing stage directions as aid. One major way to convey these lines is to remain consistent with how he/she is portraying each character to make them still feel convincing to the audience. If directed effectively, Joe Keller’s departure from all prior characterization will be even more noticeable. In addition to other possibilities, the... ...l be no happy ending. The chaos George brought into Act II will only magnify after this speech. This section is in essence, the loss of stability in the Keller family. Keller is reduced to a shell of his former self as the audience takes on the beliefs of Chris through the remainder of the play. This scene will hopefully result in frustration towards Keller so that his â€Å"You’re a boy, what could I do!† (Miller 2.646) speech does not merit much pity. We realize that although Keller was misunderstood, he lived a lie too long. At the play’s end, this scene acted from my viewpoint should give the audience the feeling that even though Keller’s suicide is tragic, it is these lines that killed him. Works Cited Richardson, Gary A. and Stephen Watt, eds. American Drama: Colonial to Contemporary. Cambridge. MA: Heinle & Heinle Publishers, 2003.

Group Communication Essay

Effective group communications come in forms of verbal and non-verbal techniques. Essential parts of the entire group’s contribution are that the group contains full participating members, the group is diverse, and that the diversity is recognized and respected (Hartley, 1997). In the videos viewed, three were evaluated on the effective and ineffective communication skills of the participants and suggestions made on how they could improve. The videos are titled, â€Å"Planning a Playground†, â€Å"Helping Annie†, and â€Å"The Politics of Sociology. Planning a Playground For the impact diversity plays on group member’s communication styles, I choose the video titled â€Å"Planning a Playground†. In this video, community residents are meeting for the first time to discuss an issue pertaining to funding of new neighborhood playground. The residents belong to diversified backgrounds in regards to their ages, genders, race, and SEC (Planning a Playground, 2008). The origins of the residents differ as one member is Black; one is Asian, whereas the other three are Caucasian. The residents come from different SEC backgrounds. One member opens the discussion about funding and how much difficulty they are having in raising enough money. Another member chimes in and mentions how she is close friends with a person with a lot of resources who might help with contributions. The group members’ communication style is totally different because their diversified backgrounds. Some sit facing the other’s and makes constant eye contact. Another sits at the ‘head’ of the table able to view everyone but does not necessary look at everyone. Some members are taking detailed written notes, where another is just sitting there listening to everyone. Physical placement places a huge effect and impact on communication. People facing each other, sitting in close proximity, ensures everyone is heard and gives a feeling of comfort. Other effective communication methods could have made use of for the meeting and benefitted all members. Two of these methods are written materials and telephones (Hartley, 1997). Written material could be repared before the group met and used to make occurrences clearer to members, who have no knowledge of the subject. The other method is telephones, which can assist the members to gain better understanding of each other. In the use of telephones there is the reduce chance of discrimination since the members can not see each other (if they have not met prior- in some incidences here). Annie To address the verbal and nonverbal interaction among the members of a group the video titled â€Å"Annie† best illustrates this. In the video there is clearly both listening and miscommunication going on. The setting of this video is that the title character, Annie is a high school girl, who seems to be suffering from a possible eating disorder as well as depression (Understanding Relationship- Helping Annie, 2008). A nurse from a school has called upon a meeting with a psychiatrist and a social worker to seek out a possible treatment plan for Annie. In â€Å"Annie†, again the physical setting and placement of participants play an important part in the communication style. Two of the members are sitting side-by-side on a couch while the third person sits in her desk chair across from the couch. The person in the chair is not only able to make eye contact with the other two but also is in a physical position to see their verbal and non-verbal communications. The two on the couch are at a disadvantage for reading the non-verbal language and making eye contact with each other. The school nurse, psychiatrist, and social workers are engaged in a verbal conversation. The psychiatrist is talking to the school nurse and is not all concerned or ready to take any sort of arguments from the social worker. He is engaging in various sorts of non- verbal communication with the social workers showing his disinterest. The various non- verbal communications used by the psychiatrist are body language and voice. He continues to cut the social worker off in mid-sentence, not allowing her to speak (Understanding Relationship- Helping Annie, 2008). These non- verbal communications were hindering the process of group communication. The two methods of communications, which could have facilitated the group would have been one-to-one conversation as well as written communication. Each member could have met individually to avoid interruptions and bad sitting placement (Hartley, 1997). Also since each one evaluated Annie separately the could have just submitted their findings and suggestions/recommendations to the social worker and let her develop a plan off of that- and send a copy to the nurse and psychiatrist for editing and review. The Politics of Sociology The third video, â€Å"The Politics of Sociology†, demonstrates good communication techniques from all members of the group. The various listening techniques, which have been used by the members of this group, are encouraging, paraphrasing, and reflecting feelings. The encouraging technique used, refers to the utilization of a variety of verbal and nonverbal to promote others to go ahead with their talks. Paraphrasing is restating the conversation to give an impression that the person listening has understood the conversation. Reflecting is concerned with showing empathy with the speaker. Listening is an important activity of group communication. To bring out an effective solution or conclusion to the matter discussed, it is important to listen to all the opinions. The participants are all professors at a university but still have different backgrounds (The Politics of Sociology, 2008). There are differences in the ages, races, and subjects they teach. Each person has a different communication style. Some shot ideas out right away where others waited for all to speak then evaluate and give their opinions, while staying respectful and understanding of each other’s point of view. The physical set-up of the room plays a positive part in their effective communication. Each member is facing each other and is able to see the faces of everyone. This positioning helps cut back on misunderstandings or non-verbal cues. Even though the communication techniques used in this video seem to be effective, there are always room for change and improvement. Since the group was composed of multiple people, five or six, a visual display could have been used. Either a blackboard or overhead projector could have been set up and allow each member to put up their pros and cons for change of the curriculum as well as any ideas or suggestions they had. After each member went then one person could be delegated to summarize the lists and come up with final recommendations to be voted on (Hartley, 1997). Another method could have been to break the group up into two smaller groups to work on solutions and then bring them back to the large group for discussion. Conclusion In problem solving, group discussion, or just typical dialogue it is important to have effect communication techniques. Depending on the group or topic of conversation there are several techniques that work better for discussion then others. Taking into consideration time frame or group size written, telephone, or one-on-one techniques can be utilized. Communication styles vary among groups but key essentials are universal; listening, respecting, and appropriate interaction between members.

American Literature Essay

Fenny Fern, pseudonym of Sara Willis Parton, was the first woman columnist, a popular novelist and author of children’s stories. She was the most highly paid newspaper writer of that period. She used to write on such topics, which a woman at that time would not dare to talk about in public. Fenny wrote on economic independence of women, prostitution, birth control, children’s rights etc. Fenny was deeply affected by the injustice women had to face both at home and workplace and hence she raised those issues in her newspaper columns. She even used to suggest the right ways and wrestled or equal right, equal pay for women too. ‘The working girls of New York’ is just one step towards what seemed to be her target. Here she dealt with the problems that working women faced at that time including the problems at workplace and also the inequality of wages. Rebecca Harding Davis was a journalist who raised social issues and is considered the pioneer of realistic fiction in American literature. She achieved fame from her novel, ‘Life in the Iron Mills’. Davis used to write for a change in social status of blacks, women, immigrants and the working class. She concentrated on the issues related to omen and portrayed the powerlessness of the working class in breaking the chains of industrial capitalism. According to Jean Pfaelzer, ‘Life in the Iron Mills’ must be considered a central text in the origins of American realism, American proletarian literature, and American feminism. Both Fenny and Davis fought for social injustice with the help of their writing skills. Their medium of war was print and instrument was pen with which they used to fight for the prevailing social injustice. They raised issues of the downtrodden and the working class that had to suffer various problems at that time.