Managing people at work Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing people at work - Research Paper Example Further, this move was based on the fact that teachers and principals are the people who interact directly with the students, and they are far much aware of the decisions that can work best for the students. This was supposed to add value to the quality of education that students received, without any restrains from the availability of resources. Notably, the federation was for the improved decision making that was school based as long as the approach did not jeopardize excellence and equity of schools, the curriculum that is statewide and staffing and resources guarantees. Further, the approach should not tamper with the entitlements and rights of teachers’ employment, as well as the primacy of the role of the principal who is the leader of education in schools (Mulheron 2012, p.3). This approach was to emphasize the primacy and significance of consultation, which should be genuine at all levels without a single compromise. Consultation approach received a warm welcome from t he NSW, and it had been incorporated in their recent education training programs. This approach had grand ambitions of eliminating the impositions of political agendas in schools; agendas that were predetermined by the politicians and policy makers. Apparently, it is essential that people should support the implementation of the NSW ideas to ensure that all children receive equal opportunities in schools, as well as receive high quality training. It imperative to note that, rejecting such a brilliant idea would send the society back to the dark days where some schools were residualized, and parents took their children when they were out of choices (NSW Teachers Federation 2011, p. 3). The core objective of this approach is to eliminate and avoid the emergence of a society that depends on wealth, parental influence and power to determine the opportunities of children, in schools and other education institutions. Rather, the approach compels the government to guarantee that all childr en receive equal chances and opportunities to receive the best quality education. Further, the NSW reform that was developed alongside the approach had crucial roles in the whole process, which included rebuilding and restoring the education system of the public to its original reputation. The ongoing debate found momentum when the minister for education conducted a process of consultation to devolve the making of decisions that affect schools to school communities, principals and teachers (Argyrous 2010, p. 39). These standards were supposed to apply in the process of provision of education services to students of the public schools in NSW. The federation of NSW teachers supports the implementation of policies that improve the principal’s capacity to deliver high quality of education to students (Chapman 1990, p. 48). However, this policy would remain viable as long as it did not diminish or undermine the excellence and equity for all schools and students. Further, the appro ach was supposed to guarantee staffing, resources and statewide curriculum to all schools and individuals (Smyth 1993, p. 53). Other considerations included the entitlements of teachers’ for employment and the educational leadership of the principal. On the contrary, those who oppose to the approach claim that increased autonomy of schools and the authority of principal will accentuate the disparity between schools, as well as have all the commonalities disregarded. Apparently, the supporters of this

Article Rebutal Essay Example for Free

Article Rebutal Essay The flu shot. Should you or shouldn’t you get one? That is a very common question to ask as flu season quickly approaches. The Mayo Clinic offers an article on their website stating that the best way to avoid the flu is primarily by means of vaccination. Does this mean one cannot avoid the flu if they don’t receive the immunization? What happens to the people who cannot afford the shot, or those who cannot access the places to receive one? Is one to be plagued by sickness if they were to go against injecting the inoculation? While the Mayo clinic itself is a reputable hospital and research facility, the article, â€Å"Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza† (Mayo 2012) offered no evidence or support for the claim. There was support for avoiding getting the flu, but no proof that the shot itself would offer such protection. After further investigation, there were numerous studies repudiating the claims that are made regarding the efficacy of the flu shot. One such study (which was actually pro-vaccination) stated that the shot only provided moderate protection and was lacking in evidence in the 65 and up age range (Lancet). In another finding, namely the leaflet that comes inside the drugs packaging, the insert for FLULAVAL states â€Å"there have been no controlled trials adequately demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with FLULAVAL†. Then why take it? While the side effects of the flu shot can be mild such as soreness at the injection site or aching muscles, they can also be as severe as an allergic reaction causing, guess what, flu like symptoms. Who wants that? Plus there is the chance that the vaccines don’t match the viruses circulating (Mayo). Now wait a minute, somebody is predicting the upcoming viruses and then making the immunization? How does that work? Are these same people consulting a crystal ball or palm reading the other doctors and scientists by any chance? While it may be medically necessary for a person to receive an influenza vaccination while in a hospital setting or nursing home, the bottom line is sick people get sick while healthy people do not. To avoid the flu this season, eat well, exercise regularly, manage stress and take some vitamins. Keep your hands clean by washing them regularly and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth whenever possible but especially if the hands are not clean. Prevention is still the best medicine and as Thomas Edison so fabulously quantified, â€Å"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease†. References (Sept. 2012) Mayo Clinic Staff. Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza retrieved online from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flu-shots/ID00017 (Jan 2012). The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Volume 12, Issue 1, Pgs 36 44, retrieved online from: http://www.naturalnews.com/033998_influenza_vaccines_effectiveness.html (Oct 2011). Adams, M. Natural News, retrieved online from: http://www.naturalnews.com/033998_influenza_vaccines_effectiveness.html

Warrior Marks :: essays research papers

Alice Walker, Warrior Marks: Female Genital Mutilation and the Sexual Blinding of Women. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1993, 373pp. Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, is a practice that involves the removal of part or all of the female external genitalia. It occurs throughout the world, but most commonly in Africa where they say that it is a tradition and social custom to keep a young girl pure and a married woman faithful. But to some Westerners, the practice is viewed as being primitive and barbaric. We react with disgust and find it nearly incomprehensible that female genital mutilation can occur in the world today   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Warrior Marks, Alice Walker looks at the reality that millions of African, Asian and Indian women suffer from genital mutilation. The book begins with the re-telling of a story of how she lost one eye. This wound was inflicted on her when she was three years old and for years, she felt handicapped and isolated. Her brother, who caused this accident with a BBgun, is referred to as a â€Å"warrior† and the blinding of her eye is the warrior mark. Her visual mutilation is what helped her see the subject of genital mutilation. She sees it as a terrible form of patriarchal oppression, characterized by â€Å"the feeling of being overpowered and dominated by those you are bound to respect.† The book goes on and discusses the health risks that are involved in the practice. It talks about how the women who perform the surgery have a minimal knowledge of anatomy and hygiene, which results in infections of the genital and often results in the transmission of the HIV virus. Besides the initial pain of the operation, these girls also suffer long-term physiological, sexual and psychological effects. A mother reveals that she would stop the pain and betrayal if she could but because of tradition, she and others would risk banishment, torture and abuse.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the end, Walker emphasizes that these African women are not victims, but survivors. In the book, the women grow gardens on dry land and trade food, clothing and crafts in the marketplace. Whether a battered wife, a rape survivor or genitally mutilated woman, Walker concludes that a woman warrior learns that if she is injured, she can fight back. She closes by saying, â€Å"Your wound could be your guide.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Female circumcision is based on gender oppression and degradation of women.

A Sociological Review of Marketing Molly and Melville: Dating in a Post-modern, Consumer Society

From the late 1980s, more and more commodities were being marketed with increasingly number of customers, women and men. This could be a new phenomenon that people wanted to make they look better to catch the fast-developing world and consumer society. Thousands of heterosexuals dating advertisements, like from magazines and newspapers, so they need improve their qualifications that will be described in the advertisements to attract the isomerism. In this point, men and women got different ways to presenting themselves like Jagger said in her article: â€Å"†¦ In describing the self, women were more likely to stress their appearance, whereas men were more likely to emphasise their finical and educational status and occupation, consistent with traditional ‘sex-role' expectations. † (Jagger 2001) It is true that the way people developing new relationships were depending on selective consumption by others, so dating advertisements are chances for people can represent themselves. Therefore the words ‘masculinity' and ‘femininity' became very important, because the changing meanings of them were part of the consumer society and new definition of self-identity. Men and women are more equally likely to market their bodies when advertising the self and seemed both sex had paid more attention to lifestyle but not work-place or domestic stuff. Like Jagger argued in her article, that major social transformations nearly has been done during the 20-century, along with the rise of media and advertising, the foundation of consumer culture has been established. Based on this new social culture, identities of individual has been described by the way of leisure and consumption much more than work and production, and the changed meaning of self-worth which is a very important factor while advertising a unitary self. Femininity and Masculinity in a Post-modern Society It has been argued in Jagger's article that ‘femininity' and ‘masculinity' were to describer women and men typically since long time ago. Women used to be identified as emotional, caring, domestically, and always should make themselves look beautiful as objectives in men's gaze. These analyses are consistent to the self-identity of women in advertising, majority of the women are more likely to stress their physical attractiveness but not something else. Yet this view of subordinate femininity was re-appraised in the 1980s as stereotyped social identity, people think that consumer culture provided women much more important resources of being an individual new feminine self than before. That means woman should have more opportunity to work, live, or even play with their personal identity and take pleasure of making different roles and masks, to do whatever they wanted equitable. As Jagger pointed out, however, Being a ‘professional', ‘independent', ‘career' woman have been identified. In sharp contrast to the old terrain of domestic femininity, these ‘new women', are held to do things for their own satisfaction and gratification, not merely to attract and keep a man. † (Jagger 2001) In other side, the contemporary debate on men and masculinity has been suggested that it is no longer a simple unitary male identity. Traditionally, men have been identified as ‘strong', ‘brave', ‘responsible', and usually deal with some hard and dangerous social work. This view of identity determined that men have to be cool and cold. Thus caused this kind of characters become very popular in women. For example, ROBOCOP, ROCKY and RAMBO, these were some images of ‘hard-man'; even all of them are violent. Since 1990s, however, this identify of men has been challenged by the value of ‘new man', who is warmer, softer, and more emotional. They being required not only be a worker or even a successful businessman, but also should take at least half of the domestic responsibility as a good father and a good husband. Moreover, muscles now understood as sexy sign of male but not the symbol of working class and rough person. More and more men with masculinity wanted to be enjoyed by female viewer as objectives in the new order of the consumer society. â€Å"It is clamed, therefore, men have become embodied subject, enjoying the same kind of attention that in the past was the preserve of women. † (Jagger 2001) Although the fast-developing consumer society provided both men and women resources of self-identity, required them to change the gender stereotypes, there are still a lot of problems. Some researchers consider that the power of traditional culture still strong or even more signifies. Both men and women are influenced by this cultural ideal. In one hand, it has been argued that a more limited number of the female advertisers still emphasise their physical attractiveness, their caring and ability to listen when representing themselves. A ‘professional', ‘successful' woman always was proved negative and ‘masculine'. Many solutions have been used for fix the problem. Some women construct themselves as mixed subjects that means they can be a good housewives and holding a demanding job at the same time. Also some female advertisers construct themselves in characters that borrowed from media, or describe the appearance of their body directly. It is a truth that many women have been advised by the media for how to be a ‘new femininity' and what that kind of women might look like, identified as subject of gaze. However, these ‘new femininities' did not walk too far from the old notion. They continue to represent themselves in a relatively limited number of images of female selfhood, particularly with regard to their bodies. In the other hand, it seems that masculinity takes many forms to the extent that men produced more versions of the self than women did. Some of them represent themselves as hard working, successful and some others even emphasise their bodies. This could prove that the consumer society paid more attention to the consumption market, which decided that the male's body also could be the ‘product' being sold. But there are small number of ‘new man' that we can not lose sight of: â€Å"For instance, some men constructed themselves as caring, sharing, 'emotional' and ‘sensitive' individuals, anxious to share in the joy of domesticity. † (Jagger 2001) This consist with the ‘trait' of consumer society, which apply the masculine subjectivity is complex and multiple, not just unitary. Therefore, as Jagger considered, there are diverse way of being a man, in this complex and multiple post-modern worlds. CONCLUSION: Dating in a post-modern, consumer society through advertisement could be a good experience of self-identify and representing. The consumer culture has provided individuals some important resources for women and men, but it seems that these resources are not equally available to all of them. Although the meaning of ‘femininity' and ‘masculinity' are changing a lot to fit the consumer culture, women still got more problems when dealing with the new setting of social conditions than these to men. Actually, women become more independent and men become more sensitive nowadays, and both of these changes are relatively to the contemporary consumer culture, which gives people more opportunities to identify themselves. All of these ideas have been critically discussed in Jagger's article, which she gives some nice suggestion to people about self-identity and play diversity roles in this consumer society. Not only for advertisers, but also for all of us who care about ourselves.

Contextual role in lifespan dvelopment

Lifespan development is the process by which individuals go through a series of stages that unfold one after the other. Development applies to both the physical and non-physical dimensions. Almost all individuals agree that physical growth stops at certain points. However, there is a lot of contention about where the issue of personality development stops. Many authors have used descriptions such as adulthood, inner unity and self actualization in attempts to describe where this development ends. However, these definitions are all linked to certain cultural or historical aspects of a person’s life. This then brings out the importance of context within the field of lifespan development. The essay shall look at cultural, historical, spiritual aspects that affect how an individual’s lifespan development occurs. (Pogson and Tennant, 1995)Role of contextMany books address the stages that human beings go through as they grow but few of them pay attention to the forces or powe r that one’s social surrounding can have upon their lives.   It should be noted that the environment can influence ones’ development both physical and intellectually. This is because the environment can interact with ones genes and change the way they grow.Many theories exist about the stage of development. Some experts suggested seven stages; others suggested six while others believe that human beings go through five stages. While these stages may be common among certain individuals, one cannot ignore the fact that they are not applicable to all individuals. By establishing a system of theories that generalize developmental stages, these experts were ignoring one of the most crucial facts in development; the individual. Each and every person is exposed to different cultural or social aspects; consequently, that person is bound to turn out differently in comparison to their counterparts. (Jarvis, 1997)When one examines the nature of stages that their own lives have u ndergone, one can see that none of them actually fit ideally into the latter mentioned life stages. There are some delays in certain instances and there may also be some skips. One must therefore ask themselves why this is occurring. The answer is that human beings are creatures of their surrounding. Every single person is exposed to different experiences. This affects them both physically and otherwise and it can therefore affect the nature of their developmental process.Life development should not be mechanized in such a manner that one can assume that they can predict growth phases. Life is not clear cut and sometimes, one’s experiences can either cause that person to retrogress (in that they depict signs characteristics of an earlier stage), in other instances, experiences may propel individuals to enter into stages that may not be predicted for their age. Sometimes, one can undergo a certain stage twice and these are all as a result of people’s interaction with th eir environment. (Humphries, 1988)Some of the stages created by experts on lifespan development may not necessarily be prevalent in all parts of the world. The authors mentioned include ·   Erikson ·    Piaget ·    Kohlberg ·      EtcThese experts conducted their studies only in certain parts of the world while the rest were left out. Sometimes, some communities may not depict the characteristics laid out in their theories. For instance, stages such as mid life crisis may not prevalent in all parts of the world. Some people may assume that this is a western notion.Another important issue that affects development is one’s gender in relation to their surrounding. Because of the roles laid out by society with respect to gender issues, then one cannot assume that all societies will have individuals who go through similar stages as do other women in the rest of the world.Certain psychologists and sociologists came up with a series of factors that can affect the n ature of one’s life outcome. An example of such an author was Holmes and Rahe. The latter authors described some forty three items that can alter one’s perception of the world around them, these includedSA spouse death-100Divorcce-73Separation from a spouse-65A close family member’s death—63Detention in jail-63Illness-50Marriage-47Pregnancy-39Job retirement-45Others included reconciliation with a spouse, changes in health etc. (Rutter and Rutter, 1992)The latter ratings were in order of the event’s ability to alter one’s development. The authors explained that when these events occurred, then one had to succumb to overwhelming emotional burdens. It should be noted that the list largely contained a number of adult related issues. It was also explained that the degree to which he events alter one’s life is largely dependent on whether they were expected in one’s lifespan. Also the sequence within which those events occur also mat ters because when the events follow one another, then they can cause a crisis which eventually changes one life course.ConclusionIt should be noted that development largely depends on one’s experiences and environment. In other words, context is crucial. This is the reason why many developmental stages are not linear and vary from individual to individual.ReferencesRutter, B. and Rutter, M. (1992): Developing Minds. Challenge and continuity across the life span; PenguinPogson, P. and Tennant, M. (1995): Learning and Change in the Adult Years; Jossey-BassHumphries, B. (1988): Adult learning in social work education; Critical Social Policy No. 23: 4-21Jarvis, P. (1997): Adult Learning in the Social Context; Croom Helm