Depictions of Death and Disease

The use of the word â€Å"plague† is reserved for only the most momentous and devastating diseases in history. This word has been specifically set aside for diseases that strike a certain type of fear into the masses as with the Bubonic Plague, also called the â€Å"Black Death†, and the AIDS epidemic. The word has an effect of biblical proportions and epidemics like AIDS and the Bubonic Plague both display the social reaction to these maladies in the religious connections or rejections made toward both.There is, also, evidence of the unraveling of complete societies due to these illnesses in the abandonment of the sufferers to their fates and the perpetuation of causation of these â€Å"plagues† to stories that confuse and confound communities into states of despair and disillusionment. The swiftness by which the â€Å"Black Death† struck victims to death is opposed to the lengthy period between the contraction of AIDS and a death that is not always certa in or imminent. The words and descriptions of these diseases, however, did spread quite quickly and served as a lens by which society at the respected times viewed the chaos in the world.The Bubonic Plague quickly sickened and killed its sufferers and this swiftness of the disease left little time for people to react, there was no predicting it‘s path, no preventions, and no remedies. People expected death and the â€Å"Black Death† struck the consciousnesses of the people before the illness ever did. â€Å"‘And no bells tolled’, wrote a chronicler of Siena ‘and nobody wept no matter what his loss because almost everyone expected death†¦. and people said and believed, This is the end of the world’† (Tuchman, 413).People also were cited as living joylessly, attending funerals with no tears and weddings with no cheer. With the feeling that this was indeed the end of the world, it was as if an ominous black cloud had accompanied this b lack plague, leaving much room for superstition and little for hysteria. There was little emotional and physical energy left for the afflicted communities to remain gripped in a hysterical frenzy for long periods when death became so commonplace. The feeling at the time was that an evil presence was surrounding the affected areas and this apocalyptic, creeping fear soon was replaced by emptiness.There was no sense in tending to religious ideas, as many people died without being given their rites of death. In this way, many of the positive ideas of God and heaven were abandoned, as the people’s sentiment was that God must have been responsible for attempting to exterminate the human race altogether. In the collective imaginations of religious persons all through the world, the â€Å"Black Death† was proof that the devil had won and God was no longer in support of the once devout.There was little mercy for the sick and parents were even found to abandon their own childre n to their fates. The callousness of the living was written about in such a way that existence during these times was made to seem like a hellish tribulation, those who did tend to their families and the sick however were made to seem like saints. There seemed to be these pious individuals, who were revered as the sober and saintly men at a time when â€Å"men and woman wandered around as if mad†¦.. because no one had any inclination to worry themselves about the future† (Tuchman, 417).The â€Å"Black Death† concept, then became a metaphor for the darkness, disorder, dementia, and despair that was part of the fear that the world was at it’s end and there was no future. The horror of both AIDS and the Bubonic Plague was fueled mostly by the uncertainty of each disease’s origin. Those in the â€Å"Black Death† era looked to astrology and employed adjectives that referred back to nature itself as the culprit. According to Tuchman, the plague was said to be spread by â€Å"sheets of fire†, â€Å"a vast rein of fire† and â€Å"foul blasts of wind†.The metaphors here were probably not so much intended to be metaphors, but instead were parts of folklore that spread just as the disease did. The uncertainty of it’s origin certainly led to wild imaginations and a need for storytelling to put the horror into words, however magnificent and impossible these Eastern stories were. With AIDS, just as with the Bubonic Plague, the idea was that this disease originated from somewhere else, it presented itself as both geographically transcending and personally transforming. In this sense both were socially viewed as an invasion of a community and of the bodies of the afflicted.The wording surrounding AIDS and the â€Å"Black Death† made these afflictions seem like a retribution, as well. With the Bubonic Plague, it was the poor that were looked upon as being the most at risk while AIDS had and continues to have it’s own risk groups. Though both diseases proved indiscriminate in it’s victims with the idea of disease as retribution, there must be scapegoats to cognitively connect this reality. Sontag believes that the way AIDS is portrayed â€Å"revives the archaic idea of a tainted community that illness has judged† (683).The scapegoats, however, are also the so-called â€Å"third world† countries of disease origin, such as AIDS. The same type of confusion and calamity surround the explanations of the origin of the disease. If it is not God’s wrath or some other supernatural event, then a more modern version of the â€Å"Black Death† stories can be found in the belief by some that AIDS was manufactured by man. This is truly the hallmark of AIDS as a modern â€Å"plague†, as the idea of the Bubonic Plague being manmade would not have been possible. This points to the collective imagination of those in fear of both disease and technology, a new phenomenon.Many Africans subscribe to the idea, according to Sontag, that AIDS was manufactured in the United States by the CIA proving their suspicion toward technology and the American government. Americans, conversely, look at the spread of AIDS as originating from a primitive place, where the spread of the disease cannot be stopped by American, conventional technology. In either sense, the fear is projected toward the disease from an origin of an already instilled cultural belief. For Americans it is that what is â€Å"foreign† that is dangerous and to Africans what is American and technological is alarming and suspicious.Sontag effectively explains the outcome of the plague metaphor in that no matter where a person resides geographically or what their beliefs may be as to the origin of what is deemed to be a plague, the malady becomes understood socially as inescapable. She does offer, however, the idea that Europeans tended to believe that they held some moral su periority over the origin of disease, condemning other countries for spreading disease, but failing to observe their own role in spreading disease to indigenous peoples during colonization.However, the diseases spread by Europeans were not viewed as plague-like or morally reprehensible. The idea that morality can be traced to disease and it’s afflictions is an interesting social phenomenon that equates â€Å"sick† with â€Å"dirty† or â€Å"immoral† and â€Å"healthy† with â€Å"moral†. â€Å"Health itself was eventually identified with these values, which were religious as well as mercantile, health being evidence or virtue as disease being evidence of depravity† (Sontag, 686).This is evidence of the cultural values of the early twentieth century, according to the author, in the fact that middle class values and religious observation was seen as a deterrent from disease. Those, who led a life of supposed depravity, however where view ed as not only more likely to become ill, but more deserving of their suffering. AIDS has been portrayed in such a moral sense, that homosexuality and it’s immorality to some is the blame for the â€Å"plague† and a deserved consequence.Sadly, the same callousness that was displayed in the abandonment of suffering children still occurs today in the social abandonment and outcasting of AIDS victims. According to Sontag, the disease metaphor is especially beneficial to anti-Liberals and those that which to address issues of supposed moral decay. Therefore, Conservative opportunists have laden the language associated with AIDS to further political aims. In conclusion both the Bubonic Plague and the AIDS epidemic illustrate the ability of communities and cultures to transmit feelings of fear and the value of many social institutions within the context of a disease spread.Religion, politics, and the accusations and scapegoating of disease origin and spread permeate the spec trum of the social scene when such a heavily laden word as â€Å"plague† is perpetuated. With the fast spread of the first â€Å"plague† the idea that the end of the world was near was common. With the slower spread of AIDS in the Western world, however, a fierce anti-foreign, pro-technology, and anti-Liberal stance has been taken. Just as these diseases can devastate, so can the words and the world as it can slip into disorder and darkness.

Journal on “Beneath the Shadows of the Freeway”

The main point of the author in the poem, Beneath the Shadows of the Freeway, is that a woman, even if she’s married to a man, should still be able to support herself and not be solely dependent on her husband. In addition, the author pointed out in the poem that as a woman grows old she should learn basic skills in life that would allow her to survive. To illustrate her points in the poem, the author used two characters, grandma, who is an independent woman, and her granddaughter, who is a woman still learning how to become independent.In other words, the grandmother represents the past as she is experienced and does not rely on anyone else to survive while her granddaughter represents the future as she is still learning to be self-supporting. In the poem, the author portrayed how grandma lived her life after she left her husband who almost tried to kill her. The grandmother was depicted as a woman with various skills such as planting geranium and, as stated in the poem, bein g able to â€Å"trust what she builds with her own hands.† In addition, the author also showed the granddaughter’s admiration for her grandmother and her survival skills. This was shown in the last lines of the poem wherein the granddaughter said that someday she too will be able to learn how to plant geraniums and build things with her own hands. In short, the granddaughter believed that she must acquire the skills of her grandmother so that she won’t be solely dependent on her man and would learn to stand up on her own two feet.The author was very convincing in emphasizing her points throughout the poem as she used situations that are happening in the real world. She used the grandmother as a symbol of an independent woman who young girls should emulate, which is shown in the granddaughter’s desire to become like her grandma when she grows old. I basically agree with the author that a woman should learn how to be independent even if she is married as th is will greatly help her in situations wherein her husband is not present.

A Food Supermarket Chain Marketing Essay

A Food Supermarket Chain Marketing Essay INTRODUCTION Whole Foods Market is a food supermarket chain founded in 1980, which emphasizes in â€Å"natural and organic products†, based in Austin, Texas. John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods Market, has currently 331 supermarket stores in both the United States and Europe. In this report, PEST analysis and Porter’s 5-Forces would be used to analysis the general environment of Whole Foods Market. Using the above mentioned analysis, a value chain would then be recommended to identify which areas or stages of the product would need to be changed in order to improve Whole Foods Market market value, allowing it to remain competitive and ensure business sustainability. ADDED VALUE IDENTIFICATION Whenever a customer intends to patronize Whole Foods Market, the first thought that comes into majority of customer’s minds is that foods sold there are healthier choices. And with the presence of Whole Foods Market’s house brand, 365, customers would be able to purc hase healthier foods at affordable prices. As compared to Whole Foods Market’s competitor, Kroger Supermarkets, Kroger does not emphasize on selling healthier foods, in fact they emphasize more on selling produces at affordable prices. Majority of customers patronizing Kroger Supermarkets have the idea that it’s a one-stop shopping place. Both companies also give their customers the idea that poultry, meat and other fresh produces are of the freshest and highest quality. PEST ANALYSIS The PEST analysis is a business tool used for measuring market growth or decline, hence allowing the business to identify its position, potential and direction. PEST analysis comprises of Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors shown in (fig1.1): (fig. 1.1) POLITICAL Before June 2011, body care products sold at Whole Foods Market need not comply with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards for sale as being organic. After June 2011, body care products are needed to c omply with USDA standards to be labeled as organic. ECONOMIC Economy in the U.S has been declining due to its global huge debt incurred. Recession has set in causing high unemployment rates and failed businesses. The same situation has been experienced in Europe, Euro Crisis, due to Greece’s huge debt incurred. Fall in value of the U.S. dollar and Euro currency has been experienced until present day. SOCIAL Consumer trends have also changed. Modern day consumers tend to go for â€Å"healthier choice† foods, especially organic products. Consumers also tend to shun away from foods, especially poultry and meat, where animals have been treated inhumanely. Organizations actively involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are more welcomed by consumers. TECHNOLOGICAL Present day consumers are more engaged in on-line shopping from the internet. Compared to other sectors, the supermarket sector has fewer technologies being implemented in its day to day operations. CONCL USION The supermarket industry is being regulated regularly with new legislations being imposed to improve quality of foods sold. This industry needs to constantly adapt to the needs of consumers which are ever changing based on population, lifestyle, and buying power of consumers. This industry would continue to see growth due to consumers welcoming organic foods.

High Strangeness Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

High Strangeness - Research Paper Example Blocks used for construction of these pyramids were obtained from quarries by use tools made of copper and stones; in fact, this has been identified through examples concerning each stage of block extraction regarding existing ancient quarries. On the other hand, granite was applied in thumping the stones of dolerite; in fact, some of these stones were discovered in these quarries (ScienceDaily, 1). Furthermore, transportation of these blocks to location where the pyramids were contracted involved use of barges and wooden sleds from the local and remote quarries. There are no wheels applied during the process of building these pyramids; in fact, this invention would not have been of any help since they were transporting a heavy load on a soft ground; therefore, this involved manual dragging of sleds and they would be assisted beasts of burdens. Furthermore, there were lubricants poured upon the roads, thereby reducing the friction while moving their loads. The process of building the se pyramids commenced in 2700 B.C, whereby they were constructed as a way of extending royalty for other thousands years, up to 1700 B.C (ScienceDaily, 1). ... building of great pyramids has been done by numerous people; in fact, some people contend that they were constructed through a possession of technology, which was lost though ages. So therefore, this indicates that creation of this pyramids was a complicated process; for instance, there are contentions that these pyramids might have been built by twenty thousand to thirty thousand laborers in order to complete Great Pyramid at Giza, which took approximately twenty there years to be constructed (ScienceDaily, 1). Construction of pyramids by pharaohs commenced after taking their throne; in fact, the pharaoh focused on establishment of a committee, which entailed a group of people considered as overseers of the construction process, a chief engineer and architect. On the other hand, these pyramids were located at the western side of the Nile, whereby the pharaoh’s soul was believed to have a chance of meeting with the sun disc as it descended prior to continuing with the sun in i ts eternal round. Apparently, two deciding factors were applied in determining the location where this pyramid would be built; in fact, these factors included course to the western horizon, the location of the sunset and immediacy to Memphis and this made the central city of ancient Egypt (ScienceDaily, 1). Composition of nucleus among these pyramids included local limestone, which was of finer quality, and this was composed of outer layer of the pyramids; thus, this led to a white sheen that is noticeable from miles away, and there were other capstone, which was usually made of basalt, granite and other hard stones (ScienceDaily, 1). In fact, they were planted with precious metals such as gold and silver, a combination or an alloy of both, thereby causing a shiny reflection during bright sunny

Week 7 Group Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 7 Group - Assignment Example The first, and most important, activity is to classify users into categories and define their duties and rights of access. ABC users can be subdivided into two main categories; ABC staff who include developers and the ABC administration, and the general public which incorporates developers from other companies and ABC clients. Whereas ABC employees have more access to company systems external users get restricted access to these resources. For instance, ABC developers need to have access to secured servers that will allow them to develop new software and be able to post them to less secured public servers from where other developers and software lovers can download software or its source code. A number of servers with different configurations must be employed so as to have a reliable system. An internal CVS server would be necessary to limit access to the company’s most crucial systems to its employees. Its location shall be in a remote location that cannot be easily accessed. It shall also have a live backup system that will be use to back it up in preparation for any failure. This will ensure that there is limited disruption in case the internal CVS server fails (Newman 2010). This server is configured in such a way that it is only accessible within the company network and from recognized and authenticated proxies. In order to make this possible, the system administrator creates a readers file in the servers root. The file defines the read and write permissions for all users and domains that can access it. It also authenticates the users and blocks any unauthorized access. The administrator can also ban some users from accessing the server even if they are company staff. The company will conduct its business using this server. It is necessary to make sure that the server cannot be configured remotely. This ensures

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 19

Assignment - Essay Example that includes export control, protectionism, strategic trade policy incorporating foreign direct investment (FDI), capital controls, and regulation, antitrust, and competition policy. There are groups of small businesses that require political protection. These also require economic laws to be protected especially from the competition of foreign projects such as Saudization. It is defined as goods imported from abroad. It leads to abandoning local goods. There are several methods that can be used to protect these businesses and include import tariffs. This is a tax imposed by the government on goods imported from abroad. Whether service or commodity, quotas that are importing goods must follow certain laws. Tax cuts to local businesses are taxes taken from a local business. This is done directly by a state. Protectionism it is a kind of trade policy. In addition, the antitrust and competition policies are also used to protect the local economy for the small businesses in the country. The antitrust policy erases professional competition from large companies. Additionally, it promotes laws that prohibit monopolization, which affects the profit making capacity of th e smaller businesses in the area. This also helps in preventing large companies from growing to the point that they gain strong control of the market as compared to other companies. This can also be viewed as preventing one organization from controlling the entire market. The presumed anti- competitive behavior prices are too high. There are benefits to companies if they follow the antitrust laws such as the use of national resources in a professional manner and having a more localized growth, achievement of stability in prices for both output and employment. If the figures of imports were rising disproportionately to export figures, imports would be more than exports. It must be specified which goods can be exported to the outside. These laws protect the domestic economy of the country from the impact

19th art history, urban Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

19th art history, urban - Term Paper Example After the Second World War, the buildings put up were nothing but cheap, which were certain to go down in thirty to fifty years. The bumbling constructions represent a rejection of the past and the future. They do not communicate to any of their own age, hence; we are unwilling to invest in them. Nor do we worry about conventional solutions to the tribulations of climate and lighting since we boast expertise to solve these tribulations (Howard 43). Chronological connectivity gives value and pride to ones living. It puts us in contact with the eternities and ages, thus with the sacred. The course of indifference from the past and the future and from the cycles of climate and light ends up withdrawing us morally and impoverishing us communally (Howard 44). The principles of modern urbanism are the core element of development is the neighborhood which is diverse, restricted in the physical dimension with a focused hub and clear boundaries. The resultant units are districts and corridors. The buildings are restricted to distinguish public space. The street blueprint is a network to form substitute routes among neighborhoods. Public buildings are symbolic and serve as landmarks. An architectural policy may be devised in nonexistence of an accord (Howard

Group papers feedback Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Group papers feedback - Assignment Example The group also provided in the appendix their workings and the financial information of their firm. Their introduction and conclusion are clear and easy to relate to the body. It is easy to understand the operations of GoPro by going through this work. The group worked on the United Therapeutics Corporation. The group outlined their work in a form of topics. Use of graphs and tables to represent their data is appealing and enables the reader to understand the performance at a glance. The introduction and conclusion are well outlined. They also highlighted their topics making it easy for the reader. Unlike group, they failed to provide detailed information that is useful for analysis. The group however did a recommendable work especially on providing their investment recommendations to the investors. Their positive approach in analyzing the company is also appealing and makes the reader concentrate on the positive side of the company. The group worked on Allied Nevada Gold Corporation. The group managed to get information from NASDAQ that they included in their work, and this makes it easy for the reader to read. They also interpreted their data. Their work is well outlined. They however provided a lot of the companys background information which limited them from critically analyzing the firm. The group provided the financial ratios in the Appendix, but unlike group 6 and five failed to show how these ratios are gotten or their interpretations. The group majorly concentrated on comparing the firm with others in the industry that brings out the negative part of the company. The group does not recommend investors to invest in the firm due to the uncertainties. This has a negative impact on the firms operations as it scares away investors. The group worked on JetBlue. They provided their information in tables that are appealing to the readers. Unlike group 2 and 3,

Halifax Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Halifax - Essay Example A Halifax public garden is a public center that does not charge any fee at the gate. This facility does not have any website, but the municipality lists it as one of the areas for recreation. Clam Harbour Beach Provincial Park found in Halifax, provide public access to the beach. Public users are not charged to access this park. Whereas the park has website on its own, it remains listed in www.novascotiaparks.ca website. There are various forests clubs such as Blue Forest, and forests in Nova Scotia. These forests are only free in some seasons, but they levy varying amount of fees. These forests have not websites. Swimming is one of the activities of Nova Scotia, which can be done at the beach. In this way, public users are charged any fee. Other recreation centers like Atlantica Hotel Halifax, office sauna and swimming pool and charge people to the hotel to use them. This is often included in the hotel charges. Atlantica Hotel Halifax has a magnifiscent hotel that reveals that hotels services accompanying them with captivating photo galleries. Golf is well established in Halifax with many golf clubs having commercial interests. In Halifax, there are several golf courses in Nova Scotia. For instance, a new Golf Course is being developed at Forest Lakes, and will charge a fee to golfers. Other golf centers include Airline Golf Club, which levies a charge of about $18 to $ 19 for green fees. Other golfing gear are rented here. This golfing club has a modest website with detailed information and pictures on pricing. This website is well designed and provides clear information about service offered by the club

Financial project report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8500 words

Financial project report - Essay Example Secondary Research........................................................................................... 27 5.4. Strengths and Limitations. 31 6. Ethical Considerations........ 32 7. Timetable and any special resources required.... 32 8. Conclusions............................................................................................................... 34 9. Recommendations.................................................................................................... 34 10. References. 35 11. Appendices................................................................................................................. 39 Appendix I............................................................................................................. 39 Appendix II........................................................................................................... 41 Appendix III........................................................................................................... 42 1. How does the financial crisis affect the students 2. Background of the study America is currently in the midst of a tremendous economic crisis, with inflation reaching unprecedented and unanticipated levels. This has resulted in a tremendous rise in the cost of living which has made living a challenge to the general public and to the student population in particular as they have limited resources at their disposal. The students, those who are pursuing higher education in colleges and universities outside their home town in particular have to bear the costs of college fees, accommodation, living expenses and other courseware...In such a situation the rise in cost of essential items such as gasoline, electricity negatively impacts the quality of their studies. For the greater majority of students, borrowing money from banks has become a necessity to fund for their college and university education. On average, students in the US now graduate with at least $21,000 in debt and in some extreme circumstances students graduate with $100,000 in debt or more. Tuition fees at private colleges and universities have gone up tremendously - far ahead of inflation. Parents are losing jobs or their salaries are reduced as a result of the economic crisis. Thus the amount that parents can contribute towards their children's education is decreasing. This means that a greater number of students are dependent on loans for their college and university education. Every student who is currently attending or applying to college currently is horrified by what is going on in the financial markets. Things such as bonds for student loans are affected as a result. There will be a direct impact on student borrowings that will most likely be affected by the current financial crisis.

Development of india Essay Example for Free

Development of india Essay Why India is still a Developing Nation and not a Developed Nation This resource will provide necessary information on why India is still a developing nation and not a developed nation even though there are lots of options provided by the government for the development criteria. India is one of the fastest developing countries in the world. But you can see the fact that the speed of the development is not as good when compared to the other countries that are already developed and that are much superior to India. There are many reasons behind the lack in the development criteria of India. Most of the people realize that India is very slow in development but they dont focus on what to be done in order to make India a developed country. There are many issues in our country that are preventing India from becoming the developed nation. This resource will provide information on the issues that are preventing India to be the developed country. The reasons are as follows India holds the second rank in the population . There are many things to be taken into consideration because of the population issues. If a country is highly populated it is sure that the development of the country will also be very slow. There will be a lot of necessity for the resources to be shared among the people of the country . The major fact is that there should be resources available for the same to be distributed among the people. If the population of the country is brought into the proper control it can be said that there are lots of possibilities to make our country one of the developed countries.

Cause and Effects of Stress in Children Essay Example for Free

Cause and Effects of Stress in Children Essay Stress is a response to a factor or situation that negatively affects the physical, emotional, or psychological existence of a person. Stress is good in small quantities as it motivates a person making him/her more productive. However, too much stress is detrimental to a person. Stress can interfere with the general life of a person. Most people assume that stress only affects adults. However, statistics indicate that stress also affects children. Children face intense pressure from their environment. Continuous stress in children is harmful to their activities, health, and development. There are a number of causes and effects of toxic stress in children. Stress can be caused by both negative and positive situations. Children living in abusive environments, both physical and emotional, experience stress. Arnold wrote that children who are bullied are in continuous state of depression. They, therefore, alienate themselves from their colleagues. Parents who constantly beat their children are also causes of stress. The fear that is manifested in children disorients them. They will not be able to talk about what they feel to anybody but rather keep to themselves. Events such as accidents, loss of loved ones, and rejection are also causes of stress in children. Social change patterns in children cause many stressful situations. Children at puberty yearn for freedom. This creates tension between them and the parents, who are constantly monitoring and regulating their activities. In the same stage, children will constantly be in need of money. Lack of money causes stress in children as they are not always able to buy whatever they may need. They will compare themselves with other children who are in comfortable financial positions. Such children are always anxious and worried of where and how they will get money. Stress in children is not only caused by what happens in their own lives but also by what happens in their parents’ lives. The greatest effects of stress are experienced by the brain. The brain controls all the stress mechanism in the body making it the primary stress organ. Johnson stated that the vulnerability of children’s brain is caused  by the fact that they are constantly growing and developing. Constant stress in children disrupts brain development and compromises its normal function. Research has indicated that children experiencing stress have smaller brains. Toxic stress impairs the connection of brain circuits resulting in development of a smaller brain. Prolonged period of stress in children affects their nervous and immune system. Stress hormones are released when a child is exposed to stress. Cortisol hormones, which are released as a result of stress, suppress the body immune system. This leaves a person vulnerable to diseases and infections. Depression, alcoholism, eating disorders, and chronic diseases are also linked to childhood stress. Psychological effects of stress include changes in personality, aggressiveness, and irritability. Children under stress are likely to experience frustrations and isolation from friends and family. They spend more time on their own and lack motivation. Children may also have difficulty in concentration thereby affecting their academic performance. Children under extreme stress exhibit change in behavior. They may be more disobedient, fight often, stutter, and cry often. In conclusion, stress in children has many causes and effects. The notion that stress only affects adults is wrong. Too much stress, often referred to as toxic stress, is detrimental to the life of a child. Toxic stress affects the physical, emotional, psychological, and social aspects of a child. Even though every child reacts differently under stress, it is clear that stress affects the neural system and the health of a child. Children under stress tend to develop negative characteristics like irritability and disobedience. Research has indicated that there are number of causes of childhood stress which are interrelated. Social change patterns, abusive environment, and stress in parents are just some of the cause of childhood stress.

Invisible Contract

Invisible Contract The concept of the invisible contract can also be expressed as psychological contract which entails the unwritten employment relationship between the employer and the employee. It is an unspoken set of beliefs usually hidden or remains invisible, held by both parties which co-exist with the written contract of employment. The psychological contract is used to refer to the perceptions of what both employers and employees have regarding their business relationship based on what they are to give and receive from each other respectively. This concept can be traced back to Ancient Greek Philosophers as well as social contract theorists like John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Kotter (1973) describes the psychological contract as an implicit contract with specifications of how both the individual and organisation are meant to behave in their employment relationship. The psychological contract is an abstract relationship between employers and employees driven by their perceptions of values. According to Cluterbuck (2005) value has three core meanings and they are value as respect, value as worth and value as beliefs. Value as respect refers to the perceptions of the employees towards the organisation with regards to how the employee feels about working with that particular organisation. If the employees feel that they are contributing positively to the organisation and if these efforts are being recognised by the organisation, the hidden orientation becomes successful. Value as worth on the other hand refers to how the employers and employees create added value for each other through reciprocal rewards. For example, the organisation providing Good pay and providing training and development opportunities for the employees while the employees in turn add value to share holders in order to raise capital. In this proposal various psychological aspects will be described in the context of organization and also its employees and also the appropriate methodology for this research will be discussed for the further completion of the investigation. 1.1 Research Question What is the role of the invisible contact or psychological contract between employers and employees in Starbucks coffee in City East District? 1.2 Key Aims This research seeks: To compare the Old and New Types of the Psychological contract To explore the opinions of a selection of Starbucks Coffees employees and their managers about their side of the psychological contract. To evaluate the assumptions both employers and employees have towards the concept of the psychological contract. To explore how psychological contracts can be enhanced to increase competitive advantage in supermarkets. To examine the changes in the psychological contract over the years, the reasons for the changes and the influence the new contract is having over both employees and the organisation. 1.3 Background of the Company: Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington, United States. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 16,120 stores in 49 countries, including around 11,000 in the United States, followed by nearly 1,000 in Canada and more than 800 in Japan. Starbucks sells drip brewed coffee, espresso-based hot drinks, other hot and cold drinks, snacks, and items such as mugs and coffee beans. Through the Starbucks Entertainment division and Hear Music brand, the company also markets books, music, and film. Many of the companys products are seasonal or specific to the locality of the store. Starbucks-brand ice cream and coffee are also offered at grocery stores. In May 1998, Starbucks successfully entered the European market through its acquisition of 65 Seattle Coffee Company stores in the UK.   The two companies shared a common culture, focussing on a great commitment to customised coffee, similar company values and a mutual respect for people and the environment. CHAPTER 2 2.0 Literature Review This chapter highlights the major arguments surrounding the concept of the psychological contract. The psychological contract is unwritten and therefore it is merely implied but could be explicit to some extent but not necessarily allow for agreement to the parties involvement. It can differ from individual to individual as well as from various organisations because individuals have various perceptions even with the same terms and conditions it still varies amongst individuals. The concept of the psychological contract can be traced back to Ancient Greek Philosophers and social contract theorists like John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. William Morris described Love of work as a Man at work creating something which he feels will exist because he is working at it and wills it and is therefore exercising the energies of his mind, soul and body (Morris 1870). 2.1 Definitions of the Psychological contract Agyris (1960) has been given credit for bringing to limelight the concept of psychological contract. He describes the psychological contract as a set of practical and emotional expectations of benefits that both employers and employees have of each other. Kotters (1973) defines the psychological contract as an implicit contract between an individual and his organisation which specifies what each is expected to give and receive from each other in the relationship. Morrison and Robinson (1997) on the other hand describe the psychological contract as an employment belief about the reciprocal obligations between that employee and his or her organisations where these obligations are based on perceived promises and are not necessarily recognised by agents of the organisation. According to Schein (1978) the psychological contract was described as a set of unwritten reciprocal expectations between the individual employee and the organisation. According to Goddard (1988), the way psychological contract is managed will determine how successful an organisation will become. The psychological contract entails what both parties to the contract (i.e. the employer and employee) expect from each other based on their employment beliefs and values. 2.2 Types of Psychological Contract Rousseau (1995) describes four types of psychological contract. The first type is the transactional which is short term and there is very little involvement of the parties, employees are more concerned with compensation and personal benefits rather than being good organisational citizens (Robinson et al 1994). The second type of psychological contract is the relational, which is a long term type focuses on more emotional factors like support and loyalty rather than on monetary issues like pay and compensation. The third type is the hybrid or balanced which aims at long term relationships between employers and employees as well as specifying performance requirements. The fourth type is the transitional contract which according to (Rousseau, 1995) does not offer any form of guarantee because of the ever changing nature of the organisations environment.    Short Term  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Long term Transactional (ex. retail clerks hired during Christmas shopping season) * Low ambiguity * Easy exit/high turnover * Low member commitment * Freedom to enter new contracts * Little learning * Weak integration/identification Balanced (ex. high involvement team) * High member commitment * High integration/identification * Ongoing development * Mutual support * Dynamic Transitional ex. employee experiences following merger or acquisitions) * Ambiguity/uncertainty * High turnover/Termination * Instability Relational (ex. family business members) * High member Commitment * High affective commitment * High integration/identification * Stability Table 1: Types of Psychological contract (Rousseau 1995 Pg 17) The psychological contract is an abstract relationship between employers and employees driven by their perceptions of values. According to Cluterbuck (2005) value has three core meanings and they are value as respect, value as worth and value as beliefs. Value as respect refers to the perceptions of the employees towards the organisation with regards to how the employee feels about working with that particular organisation. If the employees feel that they are contributing positively to the organisation and if these efforts are being recognised by the organisation, the hidden orientation becomes successful. Value as worth on the other hand refers to how the employers and employees create added value for each other through reciprocal rewards. For example, the organisation providing Good pay and providing training and development opportunities for the employees while the employees in turn add value to share holders in order to raise capital. There must also be a sense of equilibrium her e so the parties involved feel a sense of fairness. There are two main types of psychological contract and they are the Transactional and Relational Psychological contracts. The transactional focuses on short term and specific monitory agreements with little involvement of the parties where employees are more interested in good benefits and compensations. The relational psychological contract on the other hand is a long-term contract that focuses on support and loyalty rather than on monitory issues, it is a more emotional contract. Rousseau (1990) categorisation of obligations as relational or transactional is shown below (Table 2) Employer  Ã‚   Obligations: Transactional Employer Obligations: Relational Employee Obligations: Transactional Employee   Obligations: Relational Advancement Training Notice Overtime High Pay Job security Transfers Loyalty Merit Pay Development No competitor support Extra role behaviour Support Minimum Stay Source:   Rousseau (1990) Table 2: Categorisation of employer and employee obligations as Transactional or Relational 2.3 Changes to the Psychological contract The concept of the psychological contract has led Academics to carry out a vast and in-depth research on the subject matter. The concept of the psychological contract has changed over the years and this chapter will describe its changes. Holbeche (1998) noted that the old psychological contract existed before the 1980s where employment was guaranteed as long as employees continued to perform their best at work. The change occurred from the 1980s to the present as a result of emergent challenges to corporate strategies which were being influenced by economic turbulence. There was an urgent need by organisations to adopt change to deal with economic downturns and as a result of this most organisations began the process of downsizing and began to focus more on their core business and outsource other peripheral activities. These business strategies were required for organisational development and they challenged the old psychological contract that was based on Job security and moved focu s to a new contract that is based on employability. According to Hiltrop (1995), the psychological contract that gave job security and job stability to the relationship of both employees and employers has dramatically altered in the past two decades. He further stresses the change in nature of loyalty and commitment with the emphasis changing from long term careers to current performance. Rousseau (1995) acknowledges these changes by stating that contracts were previously transactional in nature but with the emergence of the bureaucratic era they developed to become relational. The old psychological contract was based on a reciprocal obligation of both employer and employee where employees provided loyalty to employers and employers gave Job security. Various factors led to the change in the psychological contract and they include amongst others the recession in the early 1990s as well as the effects of globalisation. This resulted in a change from the old psychological contract to a new contract. Individual offered: Organisation expected: Loyalty Loyalty In-depth knowledge of organisation Staff with a deep understanding of how the business functioned Acceptance of bureaucratic systems that defined the individuals rate of progress Willingness to build a career slowly through a defined system Willingness to go beyond the call of duty when required Individuals who would put the organisations needs before any outside interests Individual expected: Organisation offered: Job security Job security Regular pay increases Regular pay increases based on length of service Recognition for length of service Status and rewards based on length of service Recognition of experience Respect for experience Table 3: Adapted from Pembertons model of the psychological contract (1998) Table 3 represented above describes the characteristics of the old psychological contract where the organisation provided job security and rewards based on length of service and the employees provided loyalty and commitment on their part. Sparrows (1996) interpretation of this new contract is outlined in table 4 below: Change vs Stability Continuous Change Culture Performance based reward Development Employees for self-development and increasing their employability. Emphasis on development of competencies and technical skills Rewards Paid on contribution Promotion Criterion Performance Promotion Prospects Fewer chances of promotion due to essentially flat organisational structures focus on sideways moves to develop a broader range of skills Relationship Type Transactional rather than relational; no job security guarantees Responsibility Accountability and innovation encouraged Status Fewer outward symbols Trust No longer seen as essential. Emphasis on engendering commitment to current project or team. Table 4: Adapted Sparrows new psychological contract (1996) These changes occurred against a background of economic hardship; redundancies were widespread, unemployment increasing and government focused on reducing trade union powers. The outcome was a more vulnerable and wary workforce. The economic climate forced companies to examine cost reduction as a means of sustaining or increasing profits. Human resource policies were cost effective rather than paternalistic. Staff were increasingly seen as resources who were useful for a specific role and either adaptable or replaceable when that role ended. The new contract is based on the offer of the employer to provide fair pay for the employee as well as providing opportunities for training and development. As a result of this, the employer can no longer offer Job security and as such has weakened the amount of commitment employees have to offer. Atkinson (2002) suggests that the new contract focuses on the need for highly skilled flexible employees who have little or no job security but are highly marketable outside the organisation. Bagshaw (1997) states that, in this new Psychological contract, individuals need to commit to five key areas which have both short term and long term views. They are Continuous learning, Team working, Goal setting, Proactive change management and Personal advocacy and networking (Bagshaw 1997 pg 188). He further argues that if these key areas are focused on, the employees will be raising their values of future employability. Furthermore, the common dialogue between the two parties with similar interests in mind will establish commitment and loyalty. The reasons for such changes were described by Herriot and Pemberton (1997) as the Restructuring and continuous change of organisations led to increased feelings of inequity and insecurity and as a result, motivation was affected negatively. Hall and Moss (1998) demonstrate the shifting of the psychological contract using three stages of adaptation. The first stage, they described as the trauma of change state and they argued that a lot of organisations go through this stage. The second stage they described as adapting to the new contract where they estimated a 7-year period may be needed in order to fully adapt to the new contract stressing its not a linear process and as such it is possible to fall back to previous states. The third stage is described by Atkinson (2002) as the point of gradual change and continuous learning, valuing the employee and offering loyalty to employees based on performance and development. This stage seeks to avoid the trauma of the changing contract by offering fundamental respect for the individuals involved. Hall and Moss (1998) argue that changes to the psychological contract are possible without going through the first and second stages if handled appropriately. Atkinson (2002) further develops two concepts that emerge from long term management of the contract. The first is that organisations that are successful will provide opportunities and resources to enable individuals to develop their own careers through a relational approach. The second is that organisations will need to be more effective in renegotiating contracts and minimising risks of violating contracts (Rajan, 1997). This is because violating contracts will have negative impacts on employee attitudes and motivation. 2.4 Employer and Employee Perceptions Shore and Barksdale (1998) describe a productive employment relationship as one in which a degree of balance in perceived employee-employer obligations exist. This degree of balance suggests a mutual supporting relationship in which employees offer their skills and organisational commitment in return for rewards from the organisation. Winter and Jackson(2006) argue the need to consider both employer and employee perspectives, they suggested that it will enable investigation into the perceptions of mutuality of both parties and through this process, evaluate how well the employer has fulfilled his obligations to the employees and vice versa. Rousseau (1995) states that psychological contracts are formulated in the minds of the individuals and as a result reflect individual beliefs shaped by the organisation in regards to exchange terms between the employee and the organisation (Winter and Jackson 2006). Rousseau (1995) stresses the need for a link between the employees promises and obligations towards the organisation and that of the employer towards the employee. This is because of the differences in perceptions of both employers and employees of what constitutes the conditions of a reciprocal exchange agreement (Winter and Jackson 2006). Figure 1 Contracting Transitions (Herriot et al 1998 pg 102) Figure 1. Above describes the employment relationship of both employer and employee with transitions employees are likely willing to make and what they are able to offer in return. Herriot (1998) describe the process of contracting and negotiating between the employer and employee with a need for organisations to discover individual or group wants and match them with their own wants and offers through negotiation. Holbeche (1998) describes what employers perceptions of employees obligations are, as: Employees will take responsibility for managing their own careers Be loyal and committed Be dispensable when they are surplus to requirements Be adaptable and willing to learn new skills and work processes Holbeche (1998) further suggests the main components of employee expectations as: To be more employable in exchange for job security For organisation to support career development in return for loyalty For high skills and expertise to be recognised and duel rewarded According to Armstrong and Stephens (2005), a positive psychological contract is strongly linked to higher employee satisfaction, better employment relations and higher commitment to the organisation. They further suggest how performance management processes can help clarify the psychological contract and make it more positive through: Defining the level of support to be exercised by managers. Providing non-monetary rewards that reinforce the messages about expectation. Providing a basis for the joint agreement and definition of roles. Providing financial rewards through schemes that deliver messages about what the organisation believes to be important. Shields (2007), states, trust has been discovered to be a critical factor in employee behaviour and outlook. He further argues that when the level of trust between employers and employees fall, employee commitments and satisfaction deteriorate as well as motivation and effort. Guest and Conway (1997) outlined the following set of practices as having the most positive influence on employee work attitudes and behaviour and they are: Job security Training Opportunities High Pay Open communications Employee involvement programs According to Turnley et al (2003), psychological contract breach results in a number of negative results which include, lower levels of employee commitment, increased cynicism, reduced trust, reduced job satisfaction and high turnover. 2.5 Employee Motivation and the Psychological Contract Employee Psychological contracts are defined by Flannery (2002) as the important additional component to an employees job description which makes the job worth doing and reflects the main source of employees motivation. These contracts are part of what motivates employees to be productive at work and enables them to give their all at work. Shore and Barksdale (1998) discovered that employees reported higher levels of commitment, lower levels of turnover and higher organizational support when their employment relationships with their organisations were fulfilled. Rousseau (2004) suggests three ways in which employees design their own psychological contract. First, through their career aspirations, employees make different commitments to the organisation based on whether they view it as a long term employment possibility or a short term one which they need to move on to attain better opportunities. Employees with a stepping stone perspective tend to adopt transactional contracts while employees with long term employment possibilities tend to be more relational in contract nature. The second determinant is the personality of the individual, employees that are highly neurotic will tend to adapt more transactional contracts because they tend to reject actions by organisations to build relationships while conscientious workers on the other hand who possess great value for duty are more likely to have relational contracts. Thirdly, Rousseau states that employees who have negotiated special arrangements that are not usually available to others usually believe they relational contracts. This is because they have negotiated for opportunities for training and development which are special arrangements and a feature of relational contracts. A survey conducted by Guest and Conway (1997) on The Motivation and effort of employees discovered that the more motivated employees had a more positive psychological contract which presupposes that employees who are satisfied with their jobs and committed to their organisations report higher levels of general motivation so also do those with a positive psychological contract (Guest and Conway 1997). It was also discovered that attitudes have the highest influence on reported levels of motivation. Osteraker (1999) suggests there is a link between values and needs stating that individual needs, influence motivation and those needs determine how individuals will behave. Osteraker (1999) further stresses that values and attitudes can change over time due to a change in the organisation such as downsizing and restructuring.   2.6 Culture Hofstede (1984) suggests that different cultures imply different mental programming that controls activities, values and motivations. Therefore, organisational commitment is a psychological state that characterises the employees relationship with the organisation (Kong 2007). Culture is described as consisting of a system of values, attitudes, belief and behavioural meanings shared by members of a society (Thomas et al 2003). According to King and Bu (2005) employees of different cultural traditions and socio-economic environments are more likely to have very different perceptions on employer-employee relations. The type of psychological contract that individual employees will form with their employers is influenced by the personality traits, societal values and cultural norms of that particular individual (Raja et al 2004). This further implies that individual personality traits and cultural norms could provide a system that will explain why employees facing similar work environment and work conditions may form very different employment relationships with their employers (Zhao and Chen 2008).   These norms, values and beliefs provide a framework that will determine the way individuals behave and act accordingly. Individualism is defined by Gould and Kolb (1964) as an emphasis on ones self as separate from the others and an end in itself. The individual is independent and self reliant believes in self development and competition. In collectivism, the self often overlaps with a group. The main focus is on cooperation with a group, interdependence, social norms with the group comprising of t he main unit of social perception with individuals viewed as embedded in a universe of relationships (Lebra 1984). According to Thomas et al (2003)   individualism refers to the tendency to be more concerned about consequences of behaviours of ones personal goals through viewing oneself as independent of others while collectivism on the other hand refers to view oneself as interdependent with selected others with consequences of behaviour for the group as a whole and group interest. Research carried out by Zhao and Chen (2008) discovered, that individuals with an individualistic cultural value tended to form more transactional psychological contracts while people with a collectivism cultural value formed more relational contracts. It was discovered that collectivism motives tend to avoid differentiation and focus on relational contracts while self motives were more transactional in nature. This goes in line with research conducted by Lee (2000) where it was discovered that relational contracts are more likely related to behaviour in work groups in Hong Kong than in the United States. 2.6.1 Culture, Personalities and the Psychological Contract Rousseau (1995) outlines the two most important influences of employees psychological contract and they are both the organisational influences and employees personal dispositions. According to Tallman and Bruning (2008), the way employees interpret information from their employers, their observations of actions and activities in the workplace, together with their personal dispositions are theorised to create idiosyncratic contract attitudes in the minds of employees. Additionally, if management understand the factors that influence the development of employee psychological contracts, they may be able to manage these contracts more effectively (Tallman and Bruning 2008). Research carried out by Raja (2004) established a link that connected several facets of employee personality to their psychological contracts. Their research examined personality traits, including extraversion, conscientiousness and neuroticism and the extent to which these personality constructs related to employees choice of a transactional and relational psychological contracts. People high in neuroticism have poor job attitudes and they are unlikely to give of themselves other than what is necessary to maintain their jobs (Tallman and Bruning 2008). Kichuk and Wiesner (1997) further argue that people high in neuroticism are fearful, angry and functions as poor team performers with poor attitudes towards change. N

Ahab and Unas Incestuous Relationship in Naslunds Novel, Ahabs Wife :: Naslund Ahabs Wife Essays

Ahab and Una's Incestuous Relationship in Naslund's Novel, Ahab's Wife The incestuous nature of story telling which is featured in Ahab's wife is reminiscent of the Anne Sexton's poem, Briar Rose. Una is in a constant search for sustenance. Her mind as cannot exist without the hope of learning and engulfing knowledge. As a child, it was the occupation of her father to appease her insatiable appetite. This was done with stories and the boundless possibilities she was allowed to find within the recesses of her mind. As time progresses and Una grew, her father started to question the conclusions and presumptions that these internal scavenger hunts were building within her. Una could never understand why Ulysses, her father, did not take out his aggression on her mother, who was also a nonbeliever. "She remained unconverted. Why did his wrath not fall upon her? "(Naslund 21). But as his daughter Ulysses was looking for something which he could never truly hope to find in his wife. Just as the king in the Briar Rose Ulysses would have "force every male in the court/to scour his tongue with Bab-o/ lest they poison the air she dwelt in/ thus she dwelt in his odor./" ( Sexton he wanted to have her mind in his hands for his molding. He was looking for reflective surface from which he could evaluate his story, or at lest the story which he has come to tell himself. This story consisted of many parts all of which would then be combined to create his identity and the life he had built for himself. By not being able to 'convert' Una, there by making her believe his story as true, Ulysses has to admit to failure. Not only does she prove his story incorrect, but s he also reflects the entire make-up and construction of it as being flawed. This flaw becomes magnified by Una's intellect. By having the power to continually question what her father hold as infallible she destroys the constructed image of the man he though he was. Children are to be impressionable and easily persuaded. As a father Ulysses want to share a special bond with his daughter as she mirrors his believes through her everyday life and thinking. As someone who is indifferent to his teachings and ideology he feels that he has failed as a father. Even if Una had disagreed with his teachings, it would be preferable to enticing no emotion.

Terrorism Essay: War on Terrorism - Round 1 :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

War on Terrorism: Round 1 The Bush Troika´s war on terrorism reached first base after installing a new government in Afghanistan. One of the poorest and most defenseless countries on earth has been bombed into rubble by a megalomaniac superpower that can see no limits to its rights of domination. The country that harbors more Southern American terrorists, executioners and dictators than anyone else in the world has shown us all what happens when others harbor wanted men! What has been achieved if we look beyond Bush's clichés, Pentagon's hype and Rumsfeld´s and Ashcroft´s rhetoric? Is the world any safer? Have the suspected evildoers been brought to justice? Has it been a "just war"? Are there less people who hate or dislike the western powers? The good news is: The Talibans are ousted. American oil companies will be able to build that pipeline and the new ruler Karzai have old ties with Unocal and supports the scheme as do others in the new interim(?) government!!! The bad news is: Between 40,000 and 60,000 innocent civilians, already oppressed by their government in Afghanistan have been killed according to independent studies. Millions more refugees have been created and the starvation has increased due to stopped relief deliveries before winter was setting in. The final death toll may rise to 3 million. The same government that was helped to power by CIA and Pakistan´s secret service in -96 now has been defeated and other known crooks, gangsters and opium sellers, responsible for the death of maybe 50,000 civilians when last in power, have again taken power, for some time or indefinitely remains to be seen. Large parts of the infrastructure in Afghanistan have been bombed into oblivion as have Red Cross buildings and important depots. Unexploded cluster bombs will cause carnage for generations. Some thousands of brainwashed Taliban soldiers, most of whom had no knowledge whatsoever of any terrorist actions outside Afghanistan, have been killed. A few hundred lower level commanders have been captured and will be questioned. The main "enemies" and raison d étre of the "war", the monster, evildoer, fanatic (etc), Bin Laden and his sidekick Mullah Omar, suspected (but not convicted) of atrocities and certainly no friends of capitalism, are not to be found even after levelling the topography of parts of the country and their whereabouts may be any place in the eastern parts of the world. Terrorism Essay: War on Terrorism - Round 1 :: September 11 Terrorism Essays War on Terrorism: Round 1 The Bush Troika´s war on terrorism reached first base after installing a new government in Afghanistan. One of the poorest and most defenseless countries on earth has been bombed into rubble by a megalomaniac superpower that can see no limits to its rights of domination. The country that harbors more Southern American terrorists, executioners and dictators than anyone else in the world has shown us all what happens when others harbor wanted men! What has been achieved if we look beyond Bush's clichés, Pentagon's hype and Rumsfeld´s and Ashcroft´s rhetoric? Is the world any safer? Have the suspected evildoers been brought to justice? Has it been a "just war"? Are there less people who hate or dislike the western powers? The good news is: The Talibans are ousted. American oil companies will be able to build that pipeline and the new ruler Karzai have old ties with Unocal and supports the scheme as do others in the new interim(?) government!!! The bad news is: Between 40,000 and 60,000 innocent civilians, already oppressed by their government in Afghanistan have been killed according to independent studies. Millions more refugees have been created and the starvation has increased due to stopped relief deliveries before winter was setting in. The final death toll may rise to 3 million. The same government that was helped to power by CIA and Pakistan´s secret service in -96 now has been defeated and other known crooks, gangsters and opium sellers, responsible for the death of maybe 50,000 civilians when last in power, have again taken power, for some time or indefinitely remains to be seen. Large parts of the infrastructure in Afghanistan have been bombed into oblivion as have Red Cross buildings and important depots. Unexploded cluster bombs will cause carnage for generations. Some thousands of brainwashed Taliban soldiers, most of whom had no knowledge whatsoever of any terrorist actions outside Afghanistan, have been killed. A few hundred lower level commanders have been captured and will be questioned. The main "enemies" and raison d étre of the "war", the monster, evildoer, fanatic (etc), Bin Laden and his sidekick Mullah Omar, suspected (but not convicted) of atrocities and certainly no friends of capitalism, are not to be found even after levelling the topography of parts of the country and their whereabouts may be any place in the eastern parts of the world.

The National Health Services Essay -- Health, Insurance

The National health services (NHS) provides a comprehensive healthcare services across the entire nation. It is considered to be UK’s proudest institution, and is envied by many other countries because of its free of cost health delivery to its population. Nevertheless, it is often seen as a ‘political football’ as it affects all of us in some way and hence everyone carry an opinion about it (Cass, 2006). Factors such as government policies, funding, number of service users, taxation etc all make up small parts of this large complex organisation. Therefore, any imbalances within one sector can pose a substantial risk on the overall NHS (Wheeler & Grice, 2000). This essay will discuss whether the NHS aim of reducing the nations need for provision of health was achieved or not, taking into account different health models. The concept of NHS came into power from 5th July 1948. Although, Bevan who had this ideology of ‘welfare state’ was successful in architecting NHS. In fact, the need for such a consolidation of service provision was initially identified in 1919 by the Dawson Committee report (Christopher, 2004). The state in which healthcare system operated before1948 was incomprehensive, full of inequality and even lacked in providing minimum adequate standards to the general public. The people living in poverty and on Low income (working class) were affected the most; whereas, rich families were able to afford the healthcare services adequately. The health insurance was provided under the National Insurance Act 191, but was only available to the workers, whereas, their dependants (wife and children’s) were excluded. Therefore, every time they used the services they were required to pay for it. Thus, because most... ...are immense, as it has only finite resources to use, but needs its services to be clinically effective as well as able to meet the needs of individual’s, their choice of preferences and be value for money. To accomplish this NHS will need to harness more securely its investment in surveillance, analysis and budgets, and therefore establishing a framework that would than serve and provide a better health outcome to the entire nation. Lastly, UK spends about half of what is spent by the US (about 14 % of GDP) on its healthcare, yet in US out of 250 million over 30 million citizens are still without health care provision. Thus, despite such a massive expenditure by US government, failure to provide basic health care to millions of its citizen is not overcome, however, that is certainly not the case in UK (Bilton, et al., 2002; Christopher, 2004; Smith I. , 2007).

First Investments, Inc. Essay

Basic Industries is a diversified multinational corporation with major shares in various electric related markets. There is stock that has been held since the early 1980s and we have been asked to analyze and evaluate the past 10 years of data to either sell or continue holding the shares. We have also been asked to closely compare years 1993-1994 and not include the strike years 1989-1990. Through my analysis, I found that Basic Industries should hold on to the stocks. This can be backed up with several ratios and analysis for it, like the following: Equity turnover is the highest during 1994, following the trend in increase. If this continues then the company will keep producing more and more revenue with the investments. Asset turnover is also the highest in 1994, and also if this continues (which according the trend it should) there will be a bigger increase in the  reflection of the total assets being efficiently used to produce revenues. Lastly the equity multiplier is showing its highest value in year 1994. Reflecting the increase in how efficiently shareholders’ equity is being used to make assets. All the ratios above come from the DuPont formula, the formula that is used to find Return on Equity. So in theory ROE should be at its highest during the year of 1994. This is not the case due to the decrease in net income and profit margin. This decrease can be best explained by the increase in the interest expense ratio, causing the yearly interest expense to be higher and higher. From our net income sheet, we can see that when there are more expenses, there is less net income – ultimately leading to a drop in Equity. Return on Equity will take a hit from this higher interest expense each year. If the company wants to increase ROE again with good quality, they must continue to hold the investments to produce more revenue and ultimately assets as well. However, they must decrease the interest expense rate by either paying off debt or refinancing their short-term and long term debt. These two decisions will surely reflect an increase in ROE again, unless there is another strike or major economy crash. INTRODUCTION We have been asked to solve the assignment given to Fred Aldrich, which is analyzing the data of Basic Industries for the past ten years and making investment recommendations. Basic Industries is a global corporation that holds shares in various electrical related markets. The most recent annual report – 1994, shows a decline in the return on owners’ equity. This has some investors worried and they want him to figure out how the return on equity has been achieved in the past ten years. Fred has been suggested to forget the years 1989-1990 since there were strikes and the data wouldn’t be as comparable to other years. He has also been suggested to focus on the analysis for key financial ratios and direct  comparison between years 1993-1994, the most recent years. We have to focus on the quality of the company’s earning since the investors place an emphasis for it. Our end recommendation should be whether or not we hold on to the stocks because they are generating healthy equity. The first thing to do was calculate some key financial ratios for all eight years to be able to get a grasp on the trends for equity. Second, is to go more in depth analysis between years 1993-1994 to see why there is a drop in equity. After valuation, we should be able to determine whether or not the drop on equity was due to the stock investments or maybe it was due to something else. Lastly, calculating the quality of earnings will be a key factor for deciding whether or not to keep the stocks – but maybe change something else within the company to raise return on equity again. ANALYSIS AND CALCULATIONS Below are all the ratios and percentages used to support the analysis: From the calculations above, we can conclude that Return on Equity has a smooth trend over the eight years. Return on Equity is lower in the year 1994, which is why investors are worried. But this can be explained with some other ratios. The reason why ROE (Return on Equity) is lower in 1994 is because of the operating profit being lower as well, the year 1992 had the highest operating profit margin and then it started slowly dropping. Equity turnover has slowly being increasing throughout the years; this is a good sign. It means that the company has been producing more and more revenue with the investment – in this case all the shares in the various electrical related markets. Another good sign for the investment is the asset turnover ratio increasing throughout the years. This reflects that the assets are being efficiently used in the production of revenues. So far, we can conclude that the company is allocating assets in the right manners to produce the maximum revenues possible, and we know that the investment has also being increasing its turnover ratio. Lastly, the equity multiplier is showing an increase through the years; reflecting how efficient  shareholders’ equity is being used to create assets. So, why is ROE lower in 1994 if the ratios above show otherwise? This is because the interest expense has been increasing year by year; this decreases the quality of earnings since there is more interest being paid for long-term and short-term debt. Even though the company is paying more money, they are getting into more debt and paying high interest rates for such that ultimately reduces net income and therefore reduces ROE. After analyzing the decreasing tax rate, we can say that interest expense and its ratio has also being increasing.

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by elevated levels of glucose in the blood or hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Normally a certain amount of glucose circulates in the blood. The major sources of this glucose are absorption of ingested food in the gastrointestinal tract and formation of glucose by the liver from food substances (Kozier et. l, 2002). Client’s name is Mr. Harvey, 48 years old and has three children and he is newly diagnosed having Type 1 Diabetes. He is a college undergraduate and has experienced working in a restaurant as chief cook until now where in he works for 6 hours. He is also a small businessman and is greatly affected by the economic condition as of the present.He only earns enough for his kids since he is a single parent; he earns about 350 dollars a day including his earnings in his small business. These factors aforementioned greatly influence to his ability to access the necessary healthcare that he should have. Yes, he has a job but his earnings is not enough for him to be thoroughly be checked by healthcare professionals, and also because he has three kids which are all studying as well.As a single parent, it is his job also to look after his children and this means all his extra time will be devoted to them and he will not be able to attend to his own needs and other self- care practices needed for his condition. Although he can do some modification in his diet still he cannot manage to consistent all throughout because he still has a lot of things to attend to, but nevertheless as a college undergraduate he has some basic knowledge about the condition he has which is Type 1 Diabetes.Although he has a job and a business of his own it still does not erase the fact that he is a single parent of three kids, maybe he can buy some medicine for his condition but it will not be continuous because he will tend to prioritize other things. Prognosis of his condition would be poor because he cannot focus on the treatments that he should be getting to alleviate his condition; Diabetes is such a silent killer especially when complications arise. Lastly, diabetes can be fatal. Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a common and potentially serious, chronic metabolic condition which is characterized predominantly by hyperglycemia and other manifestations. Diabetes can be a devastating condition with long lasting hazardous consequences since due to its chronicity it affects almost all the major organs of the body including the eyes, the kidneys, the nerves, heart and blood vessels (Jennifer, 1998).There are two main types of Diabetes Mellitus viz. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (also termed as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or IDDM and juvenile Diabetes Mellitus) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (also known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or NIDDM and adult-onset Diabetes Mellitus) (Jennifer, 1998). Type 1 DM is more common as compared to type 2 DM in younger age groups and accounts for almost two-thirds of the cases of diabetes diagnosed amongst individuals less than 19 years of age (Levitsky & Misra, 2008).Epidemiology of DM – The magnitude of the problemI n the United States, Diabetes Mellitus is the fourth leading cause of death and accounts to 178,000 deaths per year (Do I Have Diabetes?, 1998). Individuals with DM have been shown to have a 5-10 years shorter lifespan as compared to their normal counterparts (Lipsky & Sharp, 2004). Moreover, DM also contributes to significant morbidity and remains amongst the leading cause of blindness in adults in the 20-74 years age group. Similarly, it also remains as one of the most common causes of non-traumatic lower-limb amputation and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 – A Review, 2007).It was estimated that about 7% of the U.S population (20.8 million individuals) were inflicted with this condition in the year 2005. Amongst these, 14.6 million were diagnosed as having DM while the rest were undiagnosed. Moreover, an additional 54 million people were shown to have pre-diabetes’ (defined below) (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 â €“ A Review, 2007). It is alarming to note that over the past decades, the incidence of DM has been increasing and it was observed that the percentage of adults in the U.S diagnosed with DM increased by 49% (from 4.9 to 7.3%) during the period 1990-2000 (Lipsky & Sharp, 2004).Diabetes Mellitus is also important from an economic and public health perspective as well since it leads to both direct and indirect costs of health care. The magnitude of the problem can be judged by the fact that in the year 2002, the per-capita healthcare cost for diabetic individuals was $13,243 as opposed to $2560 for non-diabetics (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 – A Review, 2009).Type 1 and Type 2 DM – A comparisonAs discussed above, there are two main types of Diabetes mellitus – type 1 DM and type 2 DM – which differ in etiologies and pathogenesis. DM was classified into two major subtypes viz. IDDM and NIDDM in 1979 by the National Diabetes Data Group and thi s classification was later endorsed by WHO (Jennifer, 1998). However, this classification had certain limitations and therefore the recent guidelines classify DM into four main groups viz. type 1 DM, type 2 DM, â€Å"other specific types† and gestational diabetes (Jennifer, 1998).According to the recent guidelines, the diagnosis of DM requires two fasting plasma glucose levels of 126 mg per dL (7.0 mmol per L) or greater. Moreover, if after a glucose load of 75 g a patient has two two-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2hrPPG) readings of 200 mg per dL (11.1 mmol per L) or higher or two random blood sugar levels of 200 mg per dL (11.1 mmol per L) or higher, he/she can be diagnosed as being diabetic.It is preferable to use the fasting plasma glucose level, due to its better reproducibility and easier administration, however, in clinical practice, a combination of any two abnormal test results can be employed (Jennifer, 1998). In addition to full blown DM, the American Diabetes Association has defined another category, pre-diabetes. This is a state in which ‘the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes’ (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 – A Review, 2007).Type 1 DM is a metabolic disorder resulting from the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells located in the Islets of Langerhans which results in a progressive disability to secrete insulin (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 – A Review, 2007). Type 1 DM can present at any age the most common presentation being in childhood but one-fourth of cases are diagnosed in adults. (Levitsky & Misra, 2008). This late presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus has been termed as latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult (LADA). Studies have suggested that type 1 DM occurs in individuals who are genetically predisposed to developing this disease and its onset may be triggered by certain environment agents such as viru ses and toxins (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 – A Review, 2007).Once the onset is triggered, there is progressive destruction of the beta cells and a subsequent decrease in insulin production. However, during this period the individual is asymptomatic and euglycemic (Eisenbarth & McCulloch, 2009). Overt hyperglycemia is manifested when more than 80-90% of the beta cells have been destroyed (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 – A Review, 2007). Recently, a newer subtype of type 1 DM has been identified which is characterized by a non-immune mediated destruction of pancreatic islet cells and has been termed as Type 1B DM (Eisenbarth & McCulloch, 2009).It is a well established fact that type 1 DM is genetically determined. Several genes have been implicated to play a role in the pathophysiology of type 1 DM including polymorphisms in HLA-DQalpha, HLA-DQbeta, HLA-DR, preproinsulin, the PTPN22 gene, CTLA-4, interferon-induced helicase, IL2 receptor (CD25) , a lectin-like gene (KIA0035), ERBB3e, and an undefined gene at 12q (Eisenbarth & McCulloch, 2009).In individuals with type 1 DM, genetic markers are present since birth. However, it has been elucidated that immune markers develop after the onset of the autoimmune process of beta cell destruction and metabolic derangements can be identified once a significant proportion of beta cells have been destroyed but before the occurrence of symptoms (Eisenbarth & McCulloch, 2009).The immune markers which have been identified for type 1 DM include antibodies to the islet cell (IA2) and to insulin (IAA). Moreover, autoantibodies to islet–glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) including anti-GAD65 have been found in patients with type 1 DM and are of particular importance in adults with this disease since these antibodies are clinically detectable and can be used to aid in the detection and diagnosis of type 1 DM in adults (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 – A Review, 2007).Type 2 DM is relatively far more common than Type 1 DM, especially amongst adults accounts for almost 80-90% of all the cases of DM in various regions of the world (Gerich, 1998). Over the past few decades, epidemiologic studies have identified an alarming increase has been observed in the cases of Type 2 DM to an extent that type 2 DM is now being regarded as an epidemic. In a study conducted in a Japanese population comprising of children of school going age, type 2 DM was found to be seven times more common as compared to type 1 DM and a 30-fold increase in its incidence was noticed over the last two decades (Rosenbloom, 1999).Type 2 DM typically affects individuals aged greater than 40 years but more recently it has been observed to be occurring more frequently in younger age groups and has been found in individuals who are as young as two years of age and have a positive family history of this disorder. There are various factors which have led to an increase in the incidence of type 2 DM in younger age groups. These include increasing incidence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle amongst children and an increase in the life expectancy, with more individuals surviving past the age of 65 years (Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 – A Review, 2007).The etiology of Type 2 DM is a multifactorial and it arises from a complex interplay of both genetic and environmental influences. The inheritance of this disorder does not follow the simple Mandelian patterns. Infact, this disorder has a polygenic inheritance requiring multiple gene polymorphisms (Gerich, 1998). Lipsky describes the genetic-environmental interaction which is implicated in the development of type 2 DM as â€Å"A good analogy is that although genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger (Lipsky, 2004).†Several genes have been implicated in the causation of type 2 DM. Amongst these the three most consistently identified genes include TCF7L2, KCNJ11, and PPARG (Lyssenko, 2008 ). However, more recently, a number of novel genes which increase an individual’s susceptibility to type 2 DM have been identified including CDKAL1, IGF2BP2, the locus on chromosome 9 close to CDKN2A/CDKN2B, FTO, HHEX, SLC30A8, WFS1, JAZF1, CDC123/CAMK1D, TSPAN8/LGR5, THADA, ADAMTS9, and NOTCH2 (Lyssenko, 2008).The pathogenesis of Type 2 DM is different from type 1 DM in that it results from both an impairment in insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion as opposed to Type 1 DM which results solely from impaired insulin secretion (Gerich, 2009). Individuals with type 2 DM have end-organ or peripheral resistance to insulin and additionally a defect in the production of insulin and recent data suggests that both must co-exist for causing manifestations of type 2 DM. Several risk factors have been identified which increase a person’s susceptibility to developing type 2 AM.These include a positive family history of DM, and increase in the Body Mass Index (BMI), impaired or elevated Liver Function Tests (LFTs), comorbid conditions such as current smoking status and hypertension, decreased measures of insulin secretion and action, Hispanic, Native American, African American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent , a history of GDM or of delivering a baby with a birth weight of >9 lb and Polycystic ovarian syndrome (Lyssenko, 2008 and Votey & Peters, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 – A Review, 2007).Amongst other risk factors, obesity is one of the most consistently identified and the strongest risk factor for the development of type 2 DM. Moreover, studies have shown that intraabdominal obesity is of particular significance in causing insulin resistance (Gerich, 2009). Most of these risk factors are modifiable and current public health strategies focus on targeting these modifiable risk factors in addition to pharmacologic intervention for the control of type 2 DM.The complications of DM are numerous and diverse and include increased susceptibil ity to infections, microvascular complications including nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy which can lead to subsequent end-organ failure and macrovascular complications, which include stroke and coronary artery disease (Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 – A Review, 2007).In conclusion, DM is a common disorder and affects a large proportion of the population globally. There are two main types of DM viz. type1 and type 2 and both differ in etiology and pathogenesis. DM can lead to several manifestations and complications and hence is a major public health concern. Although extensive research has been conducted in order to identify the underlying etiology of both types of DM, there is a pressing need to explore the arena of prevention measures for this disorder and devise strategies to control the increasing incidence of Type 2 DM in the younger age groups.ReferencesDo I Have Diabetes? (1998, October 15). Retrieved April 20, 2009, from American Family Physician: http://www.aafp.o rg/afp/AFPprinter/981015ap/981015b.htmlEisenbarth, G. S., & McCulloch, D. K. (2009, February 11). Pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from Uptodate online: http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~JYHFR94z4VP3LY&selectedTitle=4~150&source=search_resultGerich, John E. (1998) The Genetic Basis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Impaired Insulin Secretion versus Impaired Insulin Sensitivity. Endocrine Reviews 19(4): 491–503Jennifer, M. (1998). Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus: New Criteria. American Famil Physician .Levitsky, L. L., & Misra, M. (2008, November 18). Epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from Uptodate Online: http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~0babJ4CniXpnXAf&selectedTitle=12~150&source=search_resultLipsky, M. S., & Sharp, L. K. (2004). Preventive Therapy for Diabetes: Lifestyle Changes and th e Primary Care Physician. American Family Physician .Lyssenko Valeria et al. (2008) Clinical Risk Factors, DNA Variants, and the Development of Type 2 Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine 359; 21Rosenbloom, Arlan L. and Joe Jenny R. (1999). Emerging epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Youth. Diabetes Care 22:345–354Votey, S. R., & Peters, A. L. (2007, October 2). Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 – A Review. Retrieved April 2, 2009, from emedicine: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/766036-overviewVotey, S. R., & Peters, A. L. (2009, February 2). Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 – A Review. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from emedicine: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/766143-overview

The Selfish Hedonist

â€Å"I'll have a husband yet / who shall be both my debtor and my slave / [†¦ ] for mine shall be the power all his life† (Chaucer 262). In The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, presents herself as the authority on marriage and marital life. She comments on the social and legal position of women in marriage and daily life. She claims she has her knowledge from experience, not from scriptural authority. She dictates her life story of her five previous relationships with her fellow pilgrims to show her experience. Rather than rejecting scriptural authority, she appeals to logic thus rejecting too strict interpretations of scriptural rules and commandments. She gives ridiculous details of her marriages, including her marrying old wealthy men so that she could get their money once they died. After telling the unreasonable details of her relationships, she goes on to tell a tale about an old hag and one of King Arthur's knights. The old hag forces the knight to marry her after she helps him with a life-saving question of â€Å"What do women most want in life? The Wife of Bath attempts to portray the idealness of a woman's domination in the end yet she fails because the old hag becomes passive again. Through the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale in The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer portrays the Wife of Bath as a selfish hedonist and feminist trying to gain complete control over men. Her new stand on women's supremacy only shows her selfishness because she wasn't trying to make a difference or revolutionize anything, she was only trying to gain personal benefits. The Wife of Bath's prologue is used to explain the basis of her theories on authority and sovereignty. The medieval Church at the time of the Wife of Bath saw her as a wicked woman, and she boasts about it with pride: â€Å"If I turn difficult, God give me sorrow! † (262). â€Å"Her marrying three old men in succession is a violation of not only of the law of common sense but even of the law of Nature, who would bring together those of comparable age† (Oberembt 288). Marrying another man after already being married previously is already a scandalous crime for this time period. Now to marry someone much older than herself a few times in a row is wrong not only in the eyes of God, but it is wrong along the lines of common sense too. The text of the Wife of Bath's Prologue is based on an allegorical ‘confession' in which she tells her sins to her audience in her life story: â€Å"O Lord, I wrecked their peace / innocent they were, without remorse! † (Chaucer 268). She confesses to deceiving and tricking her husbands just so she could get money and admits to arrange a fifth marriage while still in her fourth. In doing so, she demoralizes herself to try to be better than a man. Having more power than a man means she gets to decide, yet she goes and ruins her own reputation just so she can have an edge over men. Her rebellion against patriarchal authority and the abusive treatment of particular men expressed by the Wife of Bath are really but the projections of her selfish attitude: â€Å"His pleasures were my profit, I concurred† (269). She does not care about anyone but herself and she chooses to display that willingly. She has a self-centered interpretation of the marriage. Oberembt uses the argument that she was only twelve years old in her first marriage and that she was unable to conceive a child with her first husband which could've lead to her â€Å"frustration† (Oberembt 288). Through her words, and mostly through her actions, the Wife of Bath expresses her views on a wife's domination through her own life story. The Wife of Bath's Tale is an exemplum, providing an answer to the question, â€Å"What do women want? † Chaucer uses the Wife of Bath to explain and give an example that women most desire sovereignty: â€Å"A woman wants the self-same sovereignty / over her husband† (Chaucer 186). The tale is Alison's idea of the perfect illustration of her point. The Knight gives in to his new old wife and therefore she becomes beautiful in his eyes because she has now been given the right to choose. But if one was to switch the roles of men and women in society, men would become a very meek and uncertain group of people who wouldn't know how to behave. â€Å"Thus the Wife of Bath comically inverted the conventional sex-linked male and female behaviors† (Oberembt 300). When the Knight of King Arthur lets the old hag make the decision, he abandoned the male's sovereignty in favor of the woman's rule: â€Å"My dearest wife / I leave the matter to your wise decision† (Chaucer 291). The Wife of Bath most likely sees her story as what she wishes would happen normally. But by her story, she's not changing anything or giving examples on how to change the present ways because no man is going to willingly give up his sovereignty only to have his wife rule over him. The Wife of Bath is an early extreme feminist who believed in women having the most power and command over their husbands: â€Å"You make the choice yourself† (291). â€Å"Through the Old Hag, Dame Alice persuades an unreasonable male chauvinist to renounce self-indulgence and to accept the only reasonable norm for human conduct† (Oberembt 300). She is the only person who believes that a woman's domination will make everyone happy. But on the man's side of the story, he is forced to give up his masculinity and become sensual only so that his wife can now become masculine. In the Wife of Bath's Tale, she attempts to convey her message that women want domination, yet with closer analysis one sees that her ideas do not seem to work out well. Chaucer seems to have made the relationship of the tale and the teller to force one to consider Alison's argument of domination. The argument in contrast to this belief is the idea that the Alison just wants a mutual relationship, one that is of giving and receiving: â€Å"His pleasures were my profit, I concurred† (Chaucer 269). If the Wife of Bath is telling us that marriage is all about having sex with your spouse just so that they could give you fancy things and money in return, there is no sign of a revolutionary idea. McKinley states that â€Å"each spouse's body becomes the property of the other by virtue of the new marital alliance† (371). If this is the case, then the couple has the right to each other and the right to have sex with each other and there shouldn't be any type of give and take mentality. In the end of the tale, the old hag relinquishes her power and never really becomes the dominant of the two: â€Å"‘And have I won the mastery? said she† (Chaucer 291). She becomes a passive wife when she gives up her power by giving the knight what he wants. This is because the knight gives her the choice to choose and it seems as though she now has complete control, yet she gives up her power when he wants to have sex with her and she resigns his power and listens to him. The Wife of Bath's Tale ultimately contradicts Alison's belief of female domination in that the woman never gains domination over the man: â€Å"My dearest wife / I leave the matter to your wise decision [†¦ ] [Sir,] Do with my life and Death as you think best† (291). The language and acts of self-sacrifice, obedience, and submission seem to suggest the very antithesis of self-actualizing, assertive behavior which feminism [and Alison] has championed (McKinley 373). † Throughout the Wife of Bath's Prologue, Alison stands strong to the idea that women should have complete control over their husbands. One might think that the tale she would tell contains support to her ideas, but it does not. For in the end, Chaucer shows us that the Wife of Bath's idea of domination wouldn't work because she would eventually give her power up again only after just receiving it. Therefore, Chaucer depicts Alison as a selfish woman who wants authority over her husband and yet in the end he shows how her ideas would never work. One must come to the conclusion that the Wife of Bath only tries to express her belief in a wife's complete supremacy over their husbands. In the Wife of Bath's Prologue, Alison uses her experience to verify her theories on a wife's supremacy. She also uses Biblical examples to support her ideas, such as previous Biblical characters that had multiple spouses. But her life story is evidence to her views and without her personal input one would wonder whether or not her beliefs really would work. In the Wife of Bath's Tale, Alison most likely sees her story as what she wishes would happen normally. But with a closer look at the details, she's not changing anything or giving examples on how to change the present ways because no man is going to willingly give up his sovereignty only to have his wife rule over him. Also, the tale ultimately proves Alison wrong because the old hag becomes passive in the end after being given the control. Alison proves her theory wouldn't work, and Chaucer tries to explain why a woman's superiority wouldn't work too well through the old hag and her decision to give into the knight's request of sex.