DuPont analysis (Apple vs Samsung ) Research Paper

DuPont analysis (Apple vs Samsung ) - Research Paper Example It is a recognized world brand that has led the process of digital migration in communication and computers. The main products produced by the firm are iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, iTunes, Mac App Store and iCloud. Apple Company primarily trades its shares in the NASDAQ while it’s also listed in other exchanges including mexico and paris. Samsung started as a small business solely owned by a Korean based business man who was mainly involved in export business. The business grew from exporting dried fish vegetables and fruits to manufacturing the products themselves. Years later the firm diversified its product line to electronics. The giant firm then expanded operations opening up branches all over the world while retaining its original brand name Samsung. The firm comprises more than 78 different companies and affiliates in its wide range of products. In the electronics sector, Samsung produces a wide variety including mobile phones, tablets, televisions and home appliances. The firm is worth being a bench mark for Apple Inc due to its experience and achievements in the market. The products of Samsung compete well with Apple products in the market thus the need to compare them. The efficiency of the firm can be measured using the DuPont analysis. DuPont analysis measures assets of their gross book value to produce a higher return on equity. The use of the gross book value is aimed at getting the actual return on equity without accounting for depreciation which artificially reduces the return on equity. Depreciation reduces the return on equity, but is not an actual activity that reduces income, but a value assumed that the asset depreciates by during the course of its usable life. To get the return on equity, the following formula is used: The firm, Apple Inc is currently not performing well when performance is measured using the DuPont identity. Apple Inc has a low return on equity compared to its competitor Samsung. Investors interested

Immigration reform Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Immigration reform - Term Paper Example Immigration reform targets both legal and illegal immigrants. The proponents of the immigration enforcement argue that immigrants cost tax payers an estimated $338.3 billion dollars. Immigration reform includes the involvement of various state organs stemming from the executive to the judiciary; with each playing a unique role as stipulated in the Constitution. Constitutional Position The United States require a new immigration policy that is based more on realism rather than wishful thinking. The policy should be inclusive with each state organ playing a distinct contributory role in liaison with other organs. It is unwise for the government to waste vast resources in enforcing arbitrary numerical restrictions to immigration policy that have no impact on the economic situation. The government will gain economically if the economic reform undertaken collectively with the involvement of all governance structures. Branches of Government Engaged In Immigration Reform Office of the Presi dent The Office of the President’s role in the reform is putting the necessary judicial line-up in place for reform realization. Such roles include the appointment of the Supreme Court judges and judges of appeal or district courts. The office of the president can also use its powers to influence the senate to changing the immigration reform agenda. The political influence on the debate can also be influenced by the intervention of the president as a state figure. The office of the president has of late remained mum on the issue owing to the political interests vested on the issue. The political orientation determines the decision that the president is expected to take. Although the office of the president continues to insist on a pledge to uphold sustainable immigration policy reform, many critics state that the lagging in the policy implementation signifies lack of commitment to the promise. Executive Bureaucracy The executive is spearheaded by the president and his deputy and is more inclusive in terms of governance as compared to the office of the president. Some of the executive institutions involved in immigration include; the Department of Homeland Security, immigrations and naturalization service, Bureau of Immigration appeals, immigration judges serving in immigration courts and the Executive office of Immigration Review (Serow & Ladd, 2011). Some of these arms of the executive have been involved in bureaucratic actions while dealing with the immigration issue. For instance, the immigration and Naturalization Service has been accused of possessing backlogs on family and employment-based immigration applications. Most of the delays are exacerbated by the numerical visa issuance that faces numerous legal limitations. For instance, the recent statistic states that an estimated 5.8 million individuals that attained the approval for family base immigrant visas have not yet received them up to date. The Customs and Border Patrol agency has been accus ed of using militaristic approaches when dealing with illegal immigrants along the borders. This has fuelled violence, migrant death and anti-immigrant hostility. Yet, the executive regards the departments as efficient in maintaining security along the borders (Kohli and Varma, 2011). The immigrations and customs enforcement (ICE) institution has been accused of targeting innocent illegal migrants and those with petty crimes

Tooley Final Essay Example for Free

Tooley Final Essay Several ethicists, such as Michael Tooley, Mary Anne Warren, James Rachels and Virginia Ramey-Mollenkott have put forth criteria that a being must fulfill in order to be considered fully human. For some these criteria apply to any entity, whether before or after birth. In fact, according to Tooley birth has no bearing on the moral status of the newborn.† Christiananswers.net/q-qum/q-life022.html Michael Tooley’s concepts are rather rude and presumptuous. An atmosphere of cruelty colors his ideal of what makes, not only unborn children but children who are born and functioning as organisms, independent of the life giving and sustaining resources of their mother’s womb. Birthed and fully functional as a bodily organism, Michael Tooley, questionable as an ethicist uncorks a line of reasoning that does not meet the measure of what’s considered ethical. Tooley writes that an infant â€Å"cannot have a right to continued existence unless he possesses the concept of a subject of experiences, the concept of a temporal order, and the concept of identity of things over time. It follows that a none self-conscious being with no desire for its own continued existence has no right to life.† (Christiananswers.net/q-qum/q-life022.html) Tooley’s proposition is of the ghastly Hitlerian type that ruined Germany and Europe in WWII. The most ardent abortionist will affirm life following birth. Tooley manufactures a criterion, without any credible means to give precedence to his idea. On his privately concocted line of reasoning, someone would be fool enough a justification to put a newborn to death. Mr. Tooley’s thinking is the whispiest means to so conclude. History has already taught us the lesson that Tooley apparently thinks he’s come up with something for people to aspire to someday. Michael Tooley is distinct, even from abortionists in extending borders defining when life is viable and under what condition.. Mr. Tooley’s idea has every apperance of being a repudiation of life itself, as only on the extreme end being conceived and born does baby have the slightest chance of being viewed as a human being under Tooley’s idea. Tooley falls woefully short in comprehending self-awareness. Even an infant will turn their head from more food, if full. They have an intuitive level of awareness whose factoring evidences itself in their function and, doubtless, if their survival were being choke off. The idea of self-consciousness that meets someone’s an artificial conceptual frame is entirely baseless. To suggest an infant has no will to live is an affront to the intelligence of anyone who’s had any caring experience with young tykes. An infant is quite capable of protesting to communicate their displeasure. The majority of their emotional outbreaks have to do with issues that could quickly turn into a life threatening situations. Mr. Tooley invested his standing as a man of letters in an idea that can only appeal to the darkest minds who could live with themselves as practitioners of infanticide. Works Cited’ http://christiananswers.net/q-sum/q-life022.html

Social Constructions Of Tuberculosis Sociology Essay

Social Constructions Of Tuberculosis Sociology Essay Even in the twenty-first century tuberculosis is a major public health concern, with an estimated 8.9 million new cases and 1.7 million deaths in 2004 Dye, 2006. TB is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and it primary affects the lungs however it can also affect organs in the circulatory system, nervous system and lymphatic system as well as others. Commonly in the majority of cases an individual contracts the TB bacterium which then multiplies in the lungs often causing pneumonia along with chest pain, coughing up blood and a prolonged cough. As the bacterium spreads to other parts of the body, it is often interrupted by the bodys immune system. The immune system forms scar tissue or fibrosis around the TB bacteria and this helps fight the infection and prevents the disease from spreading throughout the body and to other people. If the bodys immune system is unable to fight TB or if the bacteria breaks through the scar tissue, the disease r eturns to an active state with pneumonia and damage to kidneys, bones, and the meninges that line the spinal cord and brain (Crosta, 2012). Thus, TB is generally classified as either latent or active; latent TB is the state when bacteria are present in the body however presents no systems therefore is inactive and not contagious. Whereas, active TB is contagious and can consists of numerous aforementioned symptoms. This essay will attempt to illustrate the ways in which social constructions of TB reflect wider socio-cultural values within contemporary global society. In the first part I will examine the historical context of TB and its link with poverty which continues on in present time. Secondly, I will explore the stigmatism and isolation with TB and finally I will relate the social construction of TB with the work of Emile Durkheim. It is important to recognise the geographical disparities in the prevalence of TB. For example, countries such as Australia have a relatively low incidence of the disease with new cases primarily being identified in migrant populations a decade after their settlement. In some European nations with substantial public healthcare facilities, TB continues to be a problem particularly within large thriving cities such as London. This disproportionate increase in disease incidence compared with other community groups and national rates can be found in those who are socially disadvantaged including homeless, drug and alcohol addicted, people with HIV, prisoner populations as well as refugees and migrantsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Smith, 2009: 1). This demonstrates the negative connotations society denotes to TB infected individuals as well as suggesting that in order to better understand the social construction of TB, the history of the bacterium needs to be explored. In 1882 Koch isolated the Mycoba cterium tuberculosis and it was acknowledged that the disease was spread through overcrowded conditions, insufficient nutrition and a penurious lifestyle. It can be argued that TB has been constructed in two main ways: socially and biologically. Biologically through science as an organism and socially by the community as a slow wasting death that was often associated with pale individuals being removed from the community (Smith, 2009: 1). Throughout history TB has been ambiguously represented. Much of the Western nineteenth century fictional literature highly romanticized the disease and reinforced the prevailing practices and beliefs. Often referred to as consumption; people were described as being consumed and exhausted by the disease as symptoms were assumed to be individuals looking delicate, pale and drained of energy. Treatment during this period in history mirrored these romanticised notions. Medical care was commonly described as a combination of fresh air, companionship and rest. In contrast, many non-European countries negatively popularised TB as part of vampire myths as people tried to make sense of the disease symptoms (Smith, 2010). As a result, diseased bodies were exhumed and ritually burnt to remove vampires existence (Smith, 2009: 1). This demonstrates the contrasting representations of TB within differing societies, suggesting that the hegemonic socio-cultural values of a disease in this case TB pla ys a crucial role in the social representations of a disease. As well as illustrating the importance of considering the impact of spatial and temporal differences. Following the identification of the disease the discovery of streptomycin and other anti-tuberculosis medications quickly emerged. This gave the impression that TB was no longer a major health problem but instead incurable and controllable. Despite being important for treating TN, streptomycin, isoniazid and other anti-tuberculosis drugs contained limits for treatment. Resistance quickly developed and resistant strains of the bacterium quickly emerged limiting the use of many drugs. Consequently, to stop resistance several of the anti- TB drugs are required in combination and need to be taken for a period between 6 months and two years during therapy (Gandy and Zumla, 2002). However, recent outbreaks of multi-drug (MDR) TB have once again brought the disease to the forefront of global health problems. MDR TB is said to have emerged due to inadequate treatment of TB, commonly due to over- prescribing or improper prescribing of anti-TB drugs. Problems with treatment generally occur in immunocompromised patients, such as malnourished patients and Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients (Craig et al., 2007). In addition, it can be observed that the increase in TB closely reflects the rise cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS globally. Frequently, individuals with immune disorders are not only more likely to contract and develop TB, they are also more likely to be in contact with other TB patients due to often being placed in special wards and clinics, where the disease is easily spread to others (Gray, 1996: 25). In 2009, 12% of over 9 million new TB cases worldwide were HIV-positive, equalling approximately 1.1 million people (WHO, 2010). One of the most significantly affected countries is South Africa, where 73% of all TB cases are HIV-positive (Padarath and Fonn, 2010). Furthermore, in the early twentieth century improved medical knowledge and technology allowed for better diagnosis. During this period words such as contagion and plagues were popularly used in negative terms in association to judge societies. TB was reported as a form of societal assessment, infecting the bad and the good being disease free. A number of reports suggest a sense of apprehension became apparent as differing tuberculosis beliefs began to emerge (Smith, 2009: 1). This highlights the importance of social representations in terms of common terms associated with a disease play in the social constructions of TB. Moreover, it could be argued that peoples perceptions of a disease are not only shaped by their direct experiences and the impressions received from others but also significantly through media representations of the disease (Castells, 1998). It is important to recognise the symbiotic relationship between media representations of a disease and the dominant public disc ourses. It should be acknowledged that the term discourse has multiple meanings, nevertheless this essay will employ Luptons (1992) assessment that discourse as a set of ideas or a patterned way of thinking which can be discerned within texts and identified within wider social structures. The discourses that are founded and circulated by the media (mainly newspapers) can be regarded as working to produce what Foucault (1980) calls particular understandings about the world that are accepted as truth (Waitt, 2005). Thus in the process of disseminating such truths, it could be argued that the media as a collective and commercial institution is implicated in governing populations. Meaning that the power of the media can (directly or indirectly) influence the conduct of its audiences (Lawrence et al., 2008: 728). This illustrates that media representations of a disease (TB) impact and are themselves influenced by dominant societal discourses thus helping to shape the social constructions of TB. Moreover, it could be argued that there is strong link between those associated with TB and stigmatism and isolation as well as poverty and dirt (Scambler, 1998). Historically, TB was romanticised and referred to as consumption, however once its infectious nature was recognised this notion quickly changed. By the early twentieth century, the prevailing social and cultural values at the time generally believed that the disease festered in environments of dirt and squalor and was known as the diseases of the poor which could then be spread to the middle and upper classes. However, by the twenty-first century this discourse shifted from the poor (although marginalised groups such as the homeless and those with AIDS were still implicated) to the role played by Third World populations in harbouring the disease which threatens to explode into the developed world (Lawrence et al., 2008: 729). This demonstrates that as societys socio-cultural values change the way in which disease is constru cted and perceived also changes. It is important to consider the ways which these socio-cultural values change as well as acknowledge the interlinked relationship between dominant discourses, media representations and prevailing socio-cultural values. The relationship between TB and poverty has been recognised (Elender, Bentham and Langford, 1998) and arguably may not only reflect medical and social characteristics of poor individuals, but also characteristics of housing and neighbourhood which foster airborne spread of TB infection, such as crowding and poor ventilation. Population groups with an increased prevalence of latent infection (such as new immigrants) are disproportionately found in poor areas- often with lower quality housing (Wanyeki et al,. 2006: 501). This illustrates that not only socio-cultural values influence the social constructions of TB but socio-economic factors such as income and housing play a key role too. Additionally, it is important to recognise the global disparities with TB. For example, Dodor et al (2008) argue that in countries where treatment for TB is not readily available, the disease has become highly stigmatised and infected individuals are exceedingly discriminated. According to Link and Phelan (2001) stigma arises when a person is identified by a label that sets the person apart and prevailing cultural beliefs link the person to undesirable stereotypes that result in loss of status and discrimination (Gerrish, Naisby and Ismail, 2012: 2655). This can be illustrates in common cases where people with TB often isolate themselves in order to avoid infecting others may try to hide their diagnosis to reduce the risk of being shunned (Baral et al,. 2007). From research in Thailand, Johansson et al. (2000) distinguish two main forms of stigma; one based on social discrimination and second on fear from self-perceived stigma. Furthermore, patients commonly experience social isolati on in family sphere where they are obligated to eat and sleep separately (Baral et al,. 2007). This is a common case in countries such as India where little factual knowledge exists about the causes and treatments of TB and access to the necessary healthcare is diminutive (Weiss and Ramakrishna, 2006). As well as many rural communities where knowledge is passed through previous generations; stigmatism and isolation related to TB is substantial- representing the social cultural beliefs of the community. It is important to recognise that the stigma and its associated discrimination have a significant impact on disease control (Macq, Solis and Martinez, 2006). Concern about being identified as someone with TB can potentially put off people who suspect they have TB to get proper diagnosis and treatment. These delays in diagnosis and treatment mean that people remain infectious longer thus are more likely to transmit the disease to others (Mohamed at al,. 2011). In a study conducted by Balasubramanian, Oommen and Samuel (2000) in Kerala, India stated that stigma and fears about being identified with TB were responsible for 28% of patients and this was a significantly greater problem for women (50%) than men (21%). This illustrates those socio- cultural values, for example the gender inequality highly present in Indian societies has a crucial impact on the social construction of TB. Also, in another study of social stigma related to TB conducted in Maharashtra, India, showed that stigma and discrimination of the disease resulted in late diagnosis and treatment. Moranker et al,. (2000) found that 38 out of 80 patients they studies (40 women and 40 men) reported to actively attempting to hide their disease from the community. Social vulnerability contributed to womens reticence to disclose TB, and such women were typically widows or married and living with joint families (Weiss, Ramakrishna and Somma, 2006: 281). This demonstrates the extent to which negative socio-cultural beliefs and values about TB can help to construct the disease- in terms of diagnosis, treatment and contagion. Emile Durkheims (1915) work can help to better understand the argument that social constructions of TB reflect wider socio-cultural values. One of Durkheims core arguments was his claim that the ideas of time, space, class, cause and personality are constructed out of social elements. This allows us to examine the human body not only as a reflection of social elements but it draws attention to changes over time. Durkheims idea that space and classification are socially constructed stems from the collective experience of the social group. According to Durkheim the fundamental social division is dualistic in that one is between the social group and the other not the social group; which he applied to religion resulted in the sacred and the profane. This central framework can then be used to various ways of viewing the world. Simply put as one geographic space could be labelled as A and another as not A. Social anthropologist Mary Douglas (1966) extended this Durkheimian vision and disce rned that: far from a chasm separating the sacred and profane, as Durkheim had argued, there was a potential space which existed outside the classification system: this unclassified space polluted the purity of classification and was therefore seen as potentially dangerousà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Douglass analysis of purity and danger can equally be applied to the rules underpinning public health which are concerned with maintaining hygiene. The basic rule of hygiene is that some things are clean and others are dirty and therefore dangerous. Danger arises primarily from objects existing outside the classification system and therefore by determining what is dangerous and where it comes from it is possible to reconstruct the contemporary classification system (Armstrong, 2012: 16-17). This illustrates the essays central argument that social constructions of TB reflect wider socio- cultural values- meaning that till present day in many parts of the world TB is still perceived as an unknown variable and thus outside of societys normal classification system therefore is commonly professed synonymously with connotations of danger and dirt. These results in significant stigmatism, isolation and discrimination associated with individuals with TB (Heijnders and Van Der Meij, 2006). Furthermore, this highlights the fluid nature of social constructions of TB- meaning that since societies change over time so do their values and beliefs resulting in changes in the ways in which disease are socially constructed. Therefore, in order to fully understand how social constructions of TB reflect wider socio-cultural values, the historical context in which these factors are based and the dominant discourses must be considered. For example, in the mid nineteenth century public health, mainly relied on quarantine as a preventative method, slowly began to classify new sources of danger in objects and processes such as faeces, urine, contaminated food, smelly air, masturbation, dental sepsis, etc. The prevailing public health strategy at the time of Sanitary Science; which monitored objects entering the body (air, food, water) or leaving it (faeces, urine, etc.). Whereas, in the twentieth century new sources of danger emerged including venereal disease and TB .Thus, a new public health regime of Interpersonal Hygiene developed. Interpersonal Hygiene identified the new dangers not as emerging from nature and threatening body boundaries but as arising from other human bodies. TB, which had been a disease of insanitary conditions in the nineteenth century, became a disease of human contact, of coughing and sneezing (Armstrong, 2012: 18). This further demonstrates the changing and interlinking relationship between socio-cultural values and social constructions of TB. In conclusion, this essay has attempted to explore the various ways in which social constructions of TB reflects wider socio-cultural values in contemporary global society, by briefly examining the history of the disease and its prevalence in present time. As well as exploring the relationship between TB and poverty- statistically it can be observed that individuals with TB often belong to marginalised social groups and economically impoverished groups. Also, global disparities of TB prevalence was noted demonstrating that since each society is different and has varying socio-cultural beliefs and in lieu of the social constructionist theory this essay has adopted it could be argued that each society has its own particular social construction of TB influenced by its unique socio-cultural beliefs. This may be problematic given that if social constructions of TB are diverse but TB is perceived as a global health problem thus requiring global action then the nuances between the diverse s ocial constructions of TB will be overlooked thereby arguably hindering the possibility of improving TB diagnosis and treatment. This also points to the need for not only considering the medical sphere of TB but also if we argue that TB is socially constructed then it is important to recognise the need for including the social aspects to health policies. Furthermore, this essay examined the link between TB and stigmatism, isolation and discrimination through time and present day. Establishing that there are two main types of stigma associated with people with TB; self-stigmatism and societal stigmatism. Both are results of the negative connotations TB has held throughout time. Also, I briefly examined the role media representations play on the social construction of TB- particularly newspapers where the reader is viewed as an active agent. Finally, I utilised Emile Durkheims work to better understand and link the arguments presented in the essay. Durkheim states that ideas of time, space, class, personality are all produced with social elements. This highlights the argument that not only does the social construction of TB reflect wider socio-cultural values but that these values change over time thus the social construction of TB also correspondingly changes. Word Count: 2997

Rome and Paris: Two Great Vacation Destinations! Essay -- Summer Vaca

Have you ever had the feeling that you just want to get away from where you are or a situation you are in? When people start to feel this way they often decide to go on a vacation. Then they face a decision, â€Å"Where do I want to go?† There are many factors that may contribute to this decision, such as the amount of time that can be taken away from work or other obligations, how much money there is to spend on this trip, is this the best time, and much more. Deciding where to go is a big decision that should be given a great deal of thought and not rushed into. Two great options if someone has the time, money, and interest would be Rome or Paris. These are good options because of the great people to learn about from each city, the great places to visit, and of course the delicious food that can be found. Rome and Paris are both known for their historical significance, not only the events but the people too. The two destinations have been well known for being home to many great people. The locations have both had important leaders such as Caesar Augustus in Rome. Adele Evans in DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Rome says that Michaelangelo is a very well-known sculptor, painter, and poet from Rome. He is known for his work on the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel and his sculpture called the Pietà   (18). In the book Italy, by Jean Valbonne she mentions that Rome has also been home to others such as the painter Raphael who painted some popular Madonna paintings. The city may not be what it is today without a man named Bramante who began his career as a painter and later became the lead architect of the Vatican which is a separate country that is inside of Rome (91). Many well-known artists have come from Rome and other important ... ... many aspects to think about when making any trip, but when a break is needed it is best to take it so as to not get too stressed. Works Cited Brennan, Ethel, and Sara Remington. Paris to Provence: Childhood Memories of Food & France. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2013. Print. Evans, Adele. Rome. New York: Penguin, 2012. Print. Eyewitness Travel Guides. McLachlan, Angela. French in the Primary Classroom: Ideas and Resources for the Non-linguist Teacher. London: Continuum International, 2008. Print. Steves, Rick, Steve Smith, and Gene Openshaw. Rick Steves' Paris 2014. N.p.: Avalon Travel, 2013. Print. Rick Steves' Ser. Time Out Guides Ltd. Time Out Paris. Ed. Peterjon Cresswell. N.p.: Time Out Guides, 2005. Print. Valbonne, Jean. Italy. GeneÌ€ve: Minerva, 1973. Print. Vankat, Julie. "Rome Experience." Telephone interview. 8 Nov. 2013. Rome and Paris: Two Great Vacation Destinations! Essay -- Summer Vaca Have you ever had the feeling that you just want to get away from where you are or a situation you are in? When people start to feel this way they often decide to go on a vacation. Then they face a decision, â€Å"Where do I want to go?† There are many factors that may contribute to this decision, such as the amount of time that can be taken away from work or other obligations, how much money there is to spend on this trip, is this the best time, and much more. Deciding where to go is a big decision that should be given a great deal of thought and not rushed into. Two great options if someone has the time, money, and interest would be Rome or Paris. These are good options because of the great people to learn about from each city, the great places to visit, and of course the delicious food that can be found. Rome and Paris are both known for their historical significance, not only the events but the people too. The two destinations have been well known for being home to many great people. The locations have both had important leaders such as Caesar Augustus in Rome. Adele Evans in DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Rome says that Michaelangelo is a very well-known sculptor, painter, and poet from Rome. He is known for his work on the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel and his sculpture called the Pietà   (18). In the book Italy, by Jean Valbonne she mentions that Rome has also been home to others such as the painter Raphael who painted some popular Madonna paintings. The city may not be what it is today without a man named Bramante who began his career as a painter and later became the lead architect of the Vatican which is a separate country that is inside of Rome (91). Many well-known artists have come from Rome and other important ... ... many aspects to think about when making any trip, but when a break is needed it is best to take it so as to not get too stressed. Works Cited Brennan, Ethel, and Sara Remington. Paris to Provence: Childhood Memories of Food & France. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2013. Print. Evans, Adele. Rome. New York: Penguin, 2012. Print. Eyewitness Travel Guides. McLachlan, Angela. French in the Primary Classroom: Ideas and Resources for the Non-linguist Teacher. London: Continuum International, 2008. Print. Steves, Rick, Steve Smith, and Gene Openshaw. Rick Steves' Paris 2014. N.p.: Avalon Travel, 2013. Print. Rick Steves' Ser. Time Out Guides Ltd. Time Out Paris. Ed. Peterjon Cresswell. N.p.: Time Out Guides, 2005. Print. Valbonne, Jean. Italy. GeneÌ€ve: Minerva, 1973. Print. Vankat, Julie. "Rome Experience." Telephone interview. 8 Nov. 2013.

Lower Legal Drinking Age Essay -- essays research papers fc

Since the states increased their drinking age to 21 in 1987, every citizen of this country between the ages of 18 and 20 have been oppressed by the very people elected to power to protect their rights. It is evident that the legal drinking age among Americans should be lowered to the legal age of adulthood, 18 years. At this age, any American can marry without their Parent’s approval and can move out of their guardian’s house and live on their own. Why are these adults deprived of their right to consume alcohol? A police officer unexpectedly arrived at a party where many young adults were drinking alcoholic beverages. He asked to see two young gentlemen’s identification to prove that they were of legal age to be consuming. Both were respectable citizens. Neither had caused a disturbance or been involved in any trouble. They both were voters, they were peaceful and respectful, they were both registered for the selective services, as every 18-year-old man is requi red to do, and both paid their taxes. However, since one of the men was only 20 years of age, he was issued a citation that cost him over one hundred and seventy five dollars and he lost his privileges to drive a car for an entire year. The other, who was 21, was of course allowed to continue on without further interferences. The issue presented in this scenario is a very serious problem today and threatens the very liberties that make this country so exemplary. There may not be one credible or plausible reason why this age group is lawfully bound from having a beer after graduation or a glass of champagne on their wedding day, yet everyday more and more Americans are arrested or cited for practicing what should be a legal prerogative. Many young adults face these extreme injustices on an account of this unwarranted restriction that so unjustly harasses them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is a simple and agreeable solution to this matter. The government should revise the law back to what it was years ago. Most states in the 1970’s had a legal drinking age of 18, 19, or 20, the majority of those being 18 years of age. According to Daniel N. Allen, M.A., David G. Sprenkel, M.A., and Patrick A. Vitale, Ph. D., changing the age limit for one to consume alcohol in the eighties was a failure in its mission to control drinking and lower deaths from alcohol related automobile accidents. Statistics hav... ... and to preserve our meticulous way of life. When the government is not protecting the rights of its citizens, reform is most definitely required and so it is needed here. The United States is the only country with a minimum drinking age above 20. It is the highest and most absurd of any state in the world. Our free country just does not seem so free if its people cannot partake in something as simple as a glass of wine with their dinner. It is time for the American community to regain and to keep hold of their much-deserved rights. Works Cited Allen, D. N., Sprenkel, D. G., and Vitale, P. A. â€Å"Reactance Theory and Alcohol Consumption  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laws: Further Confirmation Among Collegiate Alcohol Consumers.† Journal of Studies  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  on Alcohol 55 (1994): 34-40. Hanson, David J., Ph. D. â€Å"The Legal Drinking Age: Science or Ideology.† Alcohol: Problems and Solutions. 8 Nov. 2001. . ---, â€Å"The United States of America.† International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture. Ed. Dwight B. Heath. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995. 300-315.

Teen Pregnancy Research Paper

Charmagne Thomas October 31, 2012 English 1101 Roseanna Almaee Teen Pregnancy Teen pregnancy is a growing problem not only in the United States but worldwide. Our country has the highest teen pregnancy rate. Teen pregnancy occurs due to a number of reasons. Many young girls are uneducated about unprotected sex and the consequences. Teens should know the consequences of becoming pregnant at an early age before they become pregnant, not after the fact. Most pregnancies are unplanned, there are options to choose from and there’s always counseling to help choose what’s best for the mother.Studies show that about 800,000 girls become pregnant each year, (www. datehookup. com/content-teen-pregnancy. htm). Three in ten teens get pregnant at least once before turning twenty years old. Pregnancy is the leading cause of teen girls to drop out of school. They can’t handle the stress between homework and a baby. Not even half of teen mothers graduate and it’s less lik ely for them to earn a college degree. Some girls think that a baby will save their relationship. Eight out of ten fathers aren’t with the mother of the child. In most situations they can’t help the baby’s mother because they’re not financially stable themselves.The daughters of teen mothers are more likely to become teen mothers themselves and their sons are more likely to end up in prison, (www. stayteen. org/teen-pregnancy). When a teen finds out she’s pregnant it could be worst moment in her life. It brings a lot of stress, physically and emotionally. The thought of telling parents is what hurts the most. Most girls are ashamed and afraid to ask for help. They feel like they’ve let everybody down, could’ve been more careful, and their future plans are now just dreams. Denial will only cause more problems.There are options to choose from and there’s always counseling to help choose what’s best for both, the mother and the baby, (http://www. teenpregnancy. com/). Birth rates are beginning to increase again. Most pregnancies are unplanned, that’s one of the reasons the mother doesn’t know she’s pregnant and doesn’t seek medical assistance. There are facilities to go to if you don’t have the money to go to a physician and the information will be kept confidential. A teen body is still growing so it’s not healthy and could cause problems with the baby so you have to take in more food and nutrition then you usually would.A lot of teens do drugs and alcohol which could harm, the baby in many ways, mainly premature birth, (http://pregnancy. about. com/od/teenpregnancy/a/Teen-Pregnancy. htm). My friend Jakeria is a teen mother so I decided to interview her. She found out she was pregnant the first semester of our sophomore year. She said â€Å"when I took that pregnancy test I didn’t think it was real, I was in denial so I took a couple more but the resu lt didn’t change. † Jakeria felt like her life was over and it was the end especially with her senior years coming up and all the events that would be taking place.She really didn’t think she could handle being a mother. Jai’dyn, her son was born April 1, 2011. It was a life changing event for her but was the best moment of her life. She came back to school the last couple of weeks to take her finals and get caught up on some work. She graduated with me May 26, 2012. Jakeria said â€Å"I didn’t plan this but I knew I had to face the consequences after the risks I took and after looking at my son I now have a reason to strive to be better so I can prevent him from making the same choices I did. † She’s now attending a technical school and doing whatever it takes to take care of her and her little one.There are no stupid questions to ask when it comes to sex. There are many forms of birth control and there’ no reason teen pregnanc y can’t be prevented. Some girls plan to get pregnant for other reasons. Media has a big impact on teen pregnancy. Some girls just think it’s cute but don’t know all the complications that comes with being pregnant. Girls don’t think it could happen to them until it does. . It’s better to be educated on sex and know the answer before making any decision, (http://teenadvice. about. com/od/sex/tp/All-About-Teen-Pregnancy. htm) Teen pregnancy is a common issue today.Schools should educate more on sex and the consequences. Planned parenthood also offers low cost birth control to teens which is positive. It could happen to anyone but its best to use prevention, it’s worth the wait. In the future, each teen should be aware of the risks involved and know of ways to prevent pregnancies. Works Cited Jakeria Neal, friend that experienced teen pregnancy www. datehookup. com/content-teen-pregnancy. htm http://pregnancy. about. com/od/teenpregnancy/a/Tee n-Pregnancy. htm http://teenadvice. about. com/od/sex/tp/All-About-Teen-Pregnancy. htm http://www. teenpregnancy. com/