Depression And Its Effects On Health Essay - 2039 Words

Depression also called major depressive disorder, is a state of mind that allows one to go through multiple emotional cycles that can have dangerous consequences on one s well being. It is more than just a feeling of sadness, it is a prolonged and most common mental health condition (Chambers). People can be confused and take sadness for depression but there is quite a difference, sadness is a natural human emotion or reaction that people experience when something upsetting has occurred and this sadness can have lasting effects depending on the event, while depression is a feeling like sadness but it does not occur due to any specific reason and has long term effects which may never be treated unless medication or other forms of treatments are taken (verywell). Depression gives people the feeling of hopelessness and loss of interest in things as well as trouble with doing everyday tasks which in turn also have harmful effects on health when one is so depressed, this hopelessness and feeling of worthlessness can have fatal consequences if nothing is done to treat it (mayoclinic). There are different kinds of depression other than major depressive disorder such as; Dysthymia which is another persistent disorder where one feels hopeless and loses interest, it is not as bad as major depressive disorder but it is longer length. Another kind of depression is bipolar disorder which is a disorder that involves two main phases one being the low depressive phase and then a phaseShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Mental Health And Depression747 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction According to a recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health, it was revealed that 13% of African American women suffer from depression at some point in their life, a number higher than the general population (Ward, Wiltshire, Detry, Brown, 2013). Mood and Anxiety disorders such as Depression are experienced by black women from all walks of life, especially those from low Socioeconomic backgrounds. Due to a variety of factors Black women are more likely to report psychologicalRead MoreThe Effects Of Depression And Its Treatment On Mental Health Essay1456 Words   |  6 PagesThe issues related to the mental health have become a part of our everyday life. A key role in this process was played by the media (Barker, Vossler and Langdridge, 2010). In contemporary, they still influence common views on the mental health. This essay will summarise and discuss the presentations of mental health in two newspaper articles. Firstly, summarising their content. Secondly, critically di scussing it. Then, discussing their advantages. And finally, discussing them in the historical contextRead MorePostpartum Depression And Its Effects On Mental Health1201 Words   |  5 PagesPostpartum depression is the epitome of grief, strife, and angst  which  slithers  and knots its cruel intentions through  every inch  of your body and soul.   It s a predominant force  in the daily life of mother s suffering with PPD,  relentlessly taunting its innocent victims to an extremely lonely,  dark breaking point. Feeding psychologically, this  tenacious monster s very  existence depending  entirely on its host;  much like a parasite. PPD causes an ever so exhausting atmosphere of  stricken dreadRead MoreThe Effects Of Health Information Levels On Postpartum Depression1545 Words   |  7 PagesEvaluation The title of the journal article to be critically evaluated is Influence of health information levels on postpartum depression. This title is not sufficiently specific because the variables are not easily understood. What is meant by health information levels? The reader must examine the article further to understand if this health information is provided, or does the article refer to the level of health-related knowledge each participant already possessed from another source, such as theirRead MoreThe Effects Of Depression On Health Issues And Promote People s Wellbeing Essay1515 Words   |  7 Pages People who suffer from depression are constantly challenged every day from emotionally, physically challenges that affect their overall health. In the present day, depression is a common mental illness that many people have to encounter. People who experience depression in their lifetime trigger other health problems. Some health concerns are both psychological and physiological. Often times, depressed people are at the risk of hurting themselves and this could lead to suicide. Since their safetyRead MoreSymptoms and Long-Term Effects of Depression950 Words   |  4 PagesDepression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of appetite, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of death. People that are depressed have sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason. It is a serious illness that affects thoughts, feelings, and the ability to function in everyday life. Thi rteen to fourteen million Americans suffer from depression in any given year and overRead MoreDepression Essay : Depression : The Causes Of Depression893 Words   |  4 PagesDepression Depression affects many people in today’s society for a number of reasons. Depression is a serious disorder, numerous people are affected by it. However, there are places to go that give help that people with depression need. To begin, depression is a disorder that affects a great deal of people. According to Mayo Clinic, â€Å"Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest† (â€Å"Overview,† n.d.). There are many causes to why people have depressionRead MoreMajor Depressive Disorder And Its Variants1615 Words   |  7 Pagesand Peripheral Nervous System of which participate in voluntary and involuntary controlled functions. Detrimental effects can occur if there are issues that interfere with normal functioning of this system that can lead to one of many mental and physiological illnesses. Notably, Depression is one of the most common mental ailments that occur in about 6% of adults in America (Mental Health America). It can be characterized when one displays a lack of interest in activities, continuous anxious or sadRead MoreDepression And Its Effects On Adolescent Depression1290 Words   |  6 PagesDepression is an issue facing a large a mount of people today. It has becoming increasingly known that a lot of depression begins to start in the adolescent years for many individuals. The social work profession is critical in helping this adolescent depression not lead to further depression in adulthood. To understand adolescent depression and what is needed to help people suffering from it, we need to further understand the prevalence of adolescent depression, the effects it has on teens sociallyRead MoreThe Effects Of Music And Music Therapy On Mental Health1540 Words   |  7 PagesThe Effects of Music and Music Therapy on Mental Health A Review of Studies Done â€Å"The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as ‘an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals’† (Barnett Shale, 2013, p.48). Music Therapy (MT) is shown to be able to help people with many different kinds of mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and minor

I Love Reading Essay - 69689 Words

Government of India b i n n o v a i c u l t u r w u s i n e s f E N T R E P R E N E UR S H I P m n a d c a t i o n u o n P l o y m e n t l t h e v i r o n m e n t n a n c e A Study by National Knowledge Commission Entrepreneurship in India National Knowledge Commission 2008  ©National Knowledge Commission, 2008 This report has been prepared by Amlanjyoti Goswami, Namita Dalmia and Megha Pradhan with support and guidance from Dr. Ashok Kolaskar and Mr. Sunil Bahri. Table of Contents Acknowledgements Executive Summary Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Annexure I : : : : : : : : Introduction: Why Entrepreneurship What Motivates Entrepreneurship Socio-cultural Factors Access†¦show more content†¦At the heart of the report are the entrepreneurs, who responded with tremendous enthusiasm in sharing their experiences with the National Knowledge Commission (NKC). The oneon-one interviews with entrepreneurs in Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, HyderabadShow MoreRelatedMy Journey Through Reading And Writing963 Words   |  4 Pagesthrough reading and writing started once I started school. I don’t remember the early years but they laid down a foundation for me. It got me to where I am today. I love reading for pleasure but I want to be more open to different types of genres. I’m not the best writer but I try my best to write well. I have a strong approach to writing an essay but when it comes to actually w riting, I don’t feel too confident. I hope that this year will help me become a better reader and writer. My reading experiencesRead MoreThe Joy Of Reading And Writing : Superman And Me933 Words   |  4 PagesIn the essay â€Å"The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me† Sherman Alexie writes about himself as a young boy trying to be more than just an â€Å"Indian boy who lives on a reservation,† or an â€Å"oddity.† His implied thesis reveals that he used reading to try and save his life and wants to help others to do the same. Alexie presents this thesis through an expressive and literary purpose, and continues to employ patterns of description and classification. Alexie’s primary purpose is expressive.Read MoreReflection About Reading706 Words   |  3 PagesI sat in my fourth grade classroom staring at the bookshelf when suddenly I caught a glimpse of a dark blue book with a heroic being on the front. I lifted the heavy book and began reading Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief. As soon as I started I fell into this mythical world where gods, monsters, and heroes all existed. It was a rollercoaster through my emotions. The thrill. The suspense. The surprising new book had a grasp on me, to stop reading it would be difficult. I felt attached. As soonRead MoreReflective Essay on English Literature Module1184 Words   |  5 PagesReflective Essay It is amazing that my journey as an English: Literature major has almost come to a close so quickly. My path has been a smooth and enjoyable one, and it is with great sadness that I begin to gather up the ends of my literary education. I know that I will continue to grow and develop as a critical reader/thinker throughout my lifetime, but I will sorrowfully miss the educational structure that has shaped my literary understanding for the last three years. I consider my greatestRead MoreLanguage Is The Bridge Of Communication1138 Words   |  5 Pageswar or every love story comes from some degree of communication or lack thereof. For me, language has always been a love-love-hate relationship. I love to write. I love the process of organizing my thoughts onto some medium and producing a something that reveals the inner thoughts of my soul and mind. I also love to read. I love how much freedom one has when delving into a book, learning what it has to offer and upon finishing it leaving with new information and ideas. I hate to speak. I hate the pressureRead MoreReflective Essay Writing708 Words   |  3 Pagesten-page essay on something you feel very strongly about, then being told you have to reduce the size of your essay to only two pages. While this may seem like an easy task, I have learned from experience that while writing is difficult, taking away from my writing is much more complicated. I have spent hours writing, my brain is tired, but I read my completed project, and am proud of what I have accomplished. Then, out of nowhere, I realize that I am only allowed two pages out of the ten I have justRead MoreThe Importance Of English Education In English1034 Words   |  5 PagesBangladesh, I was required to be able to read and write English. As a result, since I was little and started going to school learning the English alphabets and being able to read and write in English was a huge part of the grades I received. By the time I was in third grade, I was able to read some of the children books and poems. However, the English education in Bangladesh somewhat focuses on grammar. I never really enjoyed the fact that I knew how to read and write since most of the time I did notRead MoreMy Life As A Writer. From Childhood I Did Not Love Writing1195 Words   |  5 PagesLife as a Writer From childhood I did not love writing and did not put much effort into developing my writing skills. Although I used to hate writing, I did love reading from the moment I remember myself. I think the reason why I didn’t like writing is because I used to like just absorbing information rather than expressing my opinion about it on the paper. I believe that my mom was the one, who flourished in me love to books and reading. My mom is a doctor and she loves to read. She does not only readRead MoreMy Personal Statement On Time Management880 Words   |  4 Pagesthat some of my weaknesses are listed. I see the test as an outline to the things I should work on. I have known for some time I really need to get things in order and make life easier on me with a lot of organization. â€Å"When it came to areas of organization, time management, planning, positive, and energy. These are a list of my weakness and I do feel I am very accurate with these weaknesses. Time management is so hard for me to get a hold of. I have been late for a lot of things in lifeRead MoreThe art of reading essay #21553 Words   |  7 PagesBarbara Gomez Mrs. Melissa Qualls EPP 150 10/23/2013 The Art of Reading by Lin Yutang At the beginning of this essay, Yutang starts speaking about the differences between the mind of a person who reads and of someone who does not read. Lin show his point of view very cleary telling us how small can be the thoughts of someone who does not read can be when His life falls into a set routine, (90) a non reader can be easily impressed by the world outside because, Lin says, he only sees what happen

Wireless and Fundamental Changes Free Essays

Exhibit 1. 4 highlights the marketing implications of Internet technologies in the following categories: Bits not atoms, Mediating technology, Global reach, Network externality, Time moderator, Information equalizer, Scalable capacity, Open Standard, Market deconstruct, and Task Automation. What fundamental changes has the Internet brought to marketing? The balance of power is shifting to buyers—one of the most fundamental changes to marketing. We will write a custom essay sample on Wireless and Fundamental Changes or any similar topic only for you Order Now Marketers have practically lost control of brand images due to blogs, online bulletin boards, and other online communication, and must consistently underpromise and overdeliver. Other changes: Market fragmentation. The Internet put finality to this trend by extending to its ultimate—a market size of one customer—and prompted marketers to create products and communication to small target groups. Death of distance. Geographic location is no longer a factor when collaborating with business partners, supply chain firms, or customers, or just chatting with friends. Time compression. Time is not a factor with Internet communication between firms and their stakeholders. Online stores can be open 24/7; people can communicate as their schedules permit; times zones disappear for managers collaborating with partners on other continents. Critical knowledge management. In the digital world, customer information is easy and inexpensive to gather, store, and analyze. Managers can track marketing results as plans are implemented, receiving play-by-play reports. However, turning huge databases into meaningful knowledge to guide strategic decisions is a major challenge. Interdisciplinary focus. Marketers must understand technology to harness its power. They do not have to personally develop the technologies, but they need to know enough to select appropriate suppliers and direct technology professionals. Intellectual capital rules. Imagination, creativity, and entrepreneurship are more important resources than financial capital. The internet properties that affect marketing are the web itself. The web allows information to travel faster throughout the whole world. Secondly, the existence of email contributes to a more efficient way of communication. Email also has sparked the ideas for another internet revolution, the social networks. A social network is based on Web 2. 0 where the web allows interactivity within the internet users community. The existence of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter keeps people online more often than before. Another example of internet properties that affect marketing is through blogs. There was a saying; â€Å"pen is sharper than sword†. With blogs, internet users are allowed to express their opinions and discussions worldwide. The wiki pages such as Wikipedia are places where people share knowledge about everything, including brands and other marketing related topics. With these internet properties, there are a few fundamental changes the internet has brought to marketing. Firstly, it changes the power shift from sellers to buyers. Consumers have the ability to share and review the products online where good products will be praised and inferior products will be critiqued everywhere through word of mouth or some would call it word of â€Å"mouse† (WOM). It is also through this process that consumers trust each other more than they trust the companies. This issue can be measured by the success of EBay in the online market where second-hand and unexpected products will be marketed in the website. One could get an item from EBay where no other can find such as unique products. The other big change to marketing approach due to internet is the market and media fragmentation. Before the existence of internet marketing, the brands will go through a series of supply chain before reaching to the†¦ What concerns about consumer privacy are raised by the increased use of wireless computing and handheld devices outside the home or workplace? here wireless devices can contain their financial and private information and those signals can be intercepted and other people can obtain information. 12. What concerns about consumer privacy are raised by the increased use of   wireless computing and handheld devices outside the home or workplace? The rapid proliferation of wireless networks outside the home and work place has resulted in increase d concern over privacy. In the digital context, privacy refers to two things: the â€Å"right to be left alone,† and the right to keep one’s personal information private (see chapter 5). With regard to wireless computing, one big concern is text message Spamming. As marketers gain access to cell phone numbers and even cell phone directories, many fear that unscrupulous marketers will overwhelm consumers with voice and text messages. Another concern is that people can intercept wireless transmissions, thus gaining access to personal information sent from PCs and other devices over wireless networks. Security issues with hard-line Internet connections with â€Å"always-on† services like DSL and cable were concern enough already. Now with services that broadcast data throughout the air freely available to everyone, consumers have reason to be even more concerned. The same issues with privacy, credit cards numbers, personal information, etc. apply, except now people can listen in and even jump onto your network with a Pringle’s can for an antennae and a little know how. Encryption standards are still widely debated, but it is likely the added convenience will win out in the end. In a future with mobile commerce and automated account transfers over wireless networks, security will become paramount. How to cite Wireless and Fundamental Changes, Papers

The Young Child Birth to age 8 free essay sample

Discusses development of the child in stages from birth to 8 years. This paper combines research and theory on a number of relevant topics on childrens play and highlights the implications for practical application in Early Childhood Education focusing on ages three through six. The theme of the paper focuses on the role of the adult in childrens play and the responsibility of adults to understand children and their play. The author addresses an assortment of issues related to the development of play in early childhood. General intelligence and cognitive growth is indicated by three mental skills: (1) the ability to differentiate what is relevant from information that is irrelevant to a given purpose, (2) increased skills in using fewer signals to create more information, and (3) higher levels of thought. This means that the child needs a number of different cognitive abilities, including memory, reasoning, abstraction, and understanding of language. Play behavior contributes to these skills in several ways. We will write a custom essay sample on The Young Child: Birth to age 8 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page At a minimum, play reinforces cognitive development with the respect to representational competence, operational development and problem solving. language development is closely associated with cognitive development and play has an important role in the childs use of language.

Fever To Tell free essay sample

Yeah Yeah Yeahs may well be one of the best garage rock bands today,consisting of vocalist Karen Orzalek, Brian Chase on drums and Nick Zinner on guitar. While rockpurists may bemoan the lack of a bassist, once you hear the music, it won’t matter abit. YYY’s style is very much that of an ensemble, but Karen O without a doubt holdsthe whole thing together. Her singing is something like a cross of Bj^rk and Aerosmith’sSteven Tyler. Her raspy, unpredictable voice cements the signature sound of the band, whileZinner’s guitar antics reach epic proportions on â€Å"Y Control† and the franticdrumming on show from Chase gives the band’s ensemble nature a great sense of belonging. Theresulting sound is truly something to behold. Unfortunately, there are some weak points, butthis is likely because it’s their debut album. Some of the songs have a tendency to losefocus. We will write a custom essay sample on Fever To Tell or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page â€Å"No No No† starts off as an instrumental explosion, turns into a vocal solo, andthen descends into a two-minute instrumental skit. Thankfully, these moments are rare andthe breakneck pace continues through the eminently danceable â€Å"Date With The Night,† thedemented howling of â€Å"Man† right up to the sublime â€Å"Maps† and the dizzyheights of â€Å"Y Control.† The album’s production sound is rough and ready;if you didn’t know better, you might think you were listening to a live album. Inmost respects, this album is simply a primer for the YYY’s legendary live shows, where KarenO’s â€Å"showladyship† and the wondrous guitar-playing drumming combine to createsomething extraordinary. If you’re into all things rock, or are just looking forsomething a bit different, don’t hesitate to buy this CD. You won’t regret it!

Free Essays on Psychical Development of Early Childhood

Psychical Development of Early Childhood From before birth a child begins its’ physical development. Once conceived, a child begins to grow, and mature into a baby. Throughout this paper, I plan on explaining some of the different stages that a child goes through, ways to stimulate a child, and along with ways that hamper a child’s physical development I am going do discuss how a child begins to request things through voice and physical actions. During this paper, I am also going to refer to personal experiences that I have seen with my son, Connor. This is hopefully going to give you a real life perspective of what is being presented to you. There are many different stages that a child goes through when they are beginning their development. Weather it be physical, emotional or cognitive. Today I am going to focus on one of those, the physical development in early childhood. Which will encompass the years from birth to three years old. I am first going to list some of the key things that should be accomplished bye children at certain ages. BIRTH – 6 MONTHS They can sit with support Hold their head up for short periods of time Can roll from their side to their stomach And by five months, most babies can roll over 6 MONTHS – 12 MONTHS They crawl with their stomach touching the floor They creep on their hands and knees They can reach for, pick up and hold objects They start to throw things They pull up to stand, They stand holding onto furniture, They can walk when led. ONE YEAR Most walk without support by 14 months. Most walk backward and up steps by 22 months. They can drink from a cup with help. They can scribble. They can stack blocks. TWO YEARS They stand on tiptoes. They throw balls and kick them forward. They walk, run, climb, walk up and down stairs alone and dig. They jump with two feet together. They take things apart and put them... Free Essays on Psychical Development of Early Childhood Free Essays on Psychical Development of Early Childhood Psychical Development of Early Childhood From before birth a child begins its’ physical development. Once conceived, a child begins to grow, and mature into a baby. Throughout this paper, I plan on explaining some of the different stages that a child goes through, ways to stimulate a child, and along with ways that hamper a child’s physical development I am going do discuss how a child begins to request things through voice and physical actions. During this paper, I am also going to refer to personal experiences that I have seen with my son, Connor. This is hopefully going to give you a real life perspective of what is being presented to you. There are many different stages that a child goes through when they are beginning their development. Weather it be physical, emotional or cognitive. Today I am going to focus on one of those, the physical development in early childhood. Which will encompass the years from birth to three years old. I am first going to list some of the key things that should be accomplished bye children at certain ages. BIRTH – 6 MONTHS They can sit with support Hold their head up for short periods of time Can roll from their side to their stomach And by five months, most babies can roll over 6 MONTHS – 12 MONTHS They crawl with their stomach touching the floor They creep on their hands and knees They can reach for, pick up and hold objects They start to throw things They pull up to stand, They stand holding onto furniture, They can walk when led. ONE YEAR Most walk without support by 14 months. Most walk backward and up steps by 22 months. They can drink from a cup with help. They can scribble. They can stack blocks. TWO YEARS They stand on tiptoes. They throw balls and kick them forward. They walk, run, climb, walk up and down stairs alone and dig. They jump with two feet together. They take things apart and put them...

Leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leader - Essay Example - one of the most critical of all. During the game, we had been steadily falling further and further behind our opponents, and as their score continued to rise with ours to no avail, the spirit of the team began to drop. It was painfully obvious that the mood was changing from one of hope and passion to that of upset and frustration. I knew that we could not give up, and began to push my team. I tried to raise spirits, and get everyone motivated, using my personal motivation to inspire the others. I knew how critical this game was, and this is what drove me most of all. I knew I had to step it up myself before anyone else would, and so I began playing harder and stronger. I became more aggressive, and my actions wore off on the others; they saw how motivated I was, and how unwilling I was to just give up, and it seemed to give them that enthusiasm which they had needed so crucially. I was actually surprised at how quickly the effects were seen, it was as though immediately the mood changed, and the team began playing better. As an end result, we won at last. A leader is literally considered to be "a person who rules or guides or inspires others." ("Wordnet", n.d.). I believe that on this occasion not only did I rule, guide, and inspire others, but I also earnestly learned what it meant to be a leader.

Vulnerable Population in the Rehabilitation Hospital Essay

Vulnerable Population in the Rehabilitation Hospital - Essay Example It is closely identified with spinal cord injury patients with spinal lesions above the T6 (6th thoracic vertebral) spinal cord level. It is a result of reaction the involuntary nervous system to overstimulation. It can be treated with anti-hypertensive and removal of the triggering stimuli. The condition can at most times be managed successfully (Lynne C. Weaver, Canio Polosa, 12). Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation is an acute medical and rehabilitation hospital. It is designed to provide an optimal environment to regain physical and cognitive function and reclaim the ability to live again. It has specialized physicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation, specialists therapists, and nurses. Here, spinal cord injury patients are given closely monitored attention until full recovery. It provides these victims with the opportunity to maximize their medical recovery and rehabilitation potential efficiently through dignity and self-esteem as they strive to enhance the dignity a nd quality of life of every patient. (Casa Colina Hospital for Rehabilitative Medicine Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program, 2) There are barriers to decreasing health disparity in every vulnerable population naturally and this is not different in the case of spinal cord injury patients in Casa Colina at the risk of the AD. The most evident barriers are physician actions and attitudes. This was well documented in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report â€Å"To Err is Human† by Kohn L.T Corrigan J.M., Donaldson M.S. It highlighted the problem of medical errors in the U.S. hospitals, focusing its attention on reducing error rates. It estimated that between 44,000 to 98,000 people pass on each year due to medical errors. From the report, too often errors go unreported due to the stigma such events would carry. Naturally, house officers will jitter towards confronting their errors and instead try to cover them up hence creating a bigger problem. In the report by Wu and colle agues, only 54% of the house officers interviewed in an anonymous questionnaire had discussed a mistake with their attending physician. Only a meager 24% had told patients and family (Kohn L. T. et al, 4). With this in mind, there are definitely instances where mistakes have been swept under the carpet in Casa Colina leading to the AD. Medical officers of all levels at Casa Colina have high expectations for themselves and are well trained hence it is not surprising to find that it is difficult for them to acknowledge their errors openly. There are other numerous factors that lead to hospital staff failing to report their mistakes and errors. Legal concerns are among reasons why physician attitudes and actions are barriers decreasing the health disparity in spinal cord cases hence risking AD.

Marketing and consumption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marketing and consumption - Essay Example 2012). This study will extensively expound on the marketing event that took place on September 10th 2013 by Apple Inc where it launched the lower-cost iPhone 5C which is ‘The most colorful iPhone Yet’ and the iPhone 5S which is dubbed as ‘The Most Forward-Thinking Smartphone in the World’ (CBCnews 2013). Apple Inc is one of the most famous information technology companies, and it is a multinational corporation whose headquarters are based in America, California. Apple Inc is a world renowned for its high-quality products, and it is involved in the sale, development and design of personal computers, computer software and consumer electronics. Apple’s popular hardware products include the iPod music player, the iPad tablet computer, the Mac computers and the iPhone Smartphone (Chazin 2013). September 10th 2013 was a very special day for the Apple Inc company since it was launching two phones that have never been seen in the world ever. iPhone 5C is a lo wer-cost iPhone since Apple has been known to produce very expensive products due to its market niche as well as a good reputation that has lasted many years since the creation of the company in 1976. Thus, its products have been known to be very expensive as compared to similar products that try to rival Apple’s products (Apple 2013). Not only is the iPhone 5C lower in cost but also the most colorful iPhone to be manufactured in the world. ... It is the first Smartphone with 64-bit technology that provides blazing-fast performance, especially when editing photos, launching apps or when playing graphic-intensive games. The iPhone 5s delivers desktop class architecture on the palm of the customer’s hand (iPhone(a) 2013). My selection is relevant to marketing since Apple Inc is a world-renowned company and, therefore, any marketing launch that it organizes has to be covered by all the media in the world due to its attraction of many customers. The chosen marketing event for this study is an excellent example of marketing since there are various lessons that can be learnt from the event. It is paramount to note that Apple had already conducted a marketing awareness program that it will be launching the two phones and there was a humongous response worldwide from many people who wanted to purchase the iPhones firsthand (AppleEvents 2013). The marketing event had attracted very prominent people from all corners of the wor ld since they wanted to know what other new-product Apple had created. It is worth noting that Apple Inc has a long history with its co-founder, the late Steve Jobs and therefore, after his demise, many people thought that the company would not survive in business for long. Therefore, this marketing event was an attraction since people wanted to get a grip of the two new products (TheGuardian 2013). The marketing event was conducted in a very organized and colorful manner that was valuable to any person with a passion for marketing since there were numerous concepts that could be learnt. From the invitation cards to the colorful event, all aspects had what an excellent marketing event should endeavor to practice (Apple 2013). The

The church: An agent for transformation

The church: An agent for transformation Introduction With an overwhelming reality with regard to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in South Africa there is an urgent response needed to assist these children. According to various authors the local church does possess the potential and mandate to be a key role-player and catalyst in creating sustainable livelihoods. Such an involvement could assist in improving the quality of life for the communities and its children in question (Makoko, 2007; Mitchell, 2001; Singletary, 2007). According to the Bible (Matthew 28:18, 19; Matthew 22:37-39), the mission of the church is to declare and demonstrate the gospel to a sinful and a suffering world, with the primary aim to build the Kingdom of God. Perkins (1995:111) refers to a time when the church was the primary source of care and help for the needy of society and concludes that the church surrendered this role to government agencies and welfare programmes. He makes a profound statement by stating that Today, in many ways, the lost world does a better job of caring for the needy than the church does. (1995:111) Within this chapter, a theological perspective and foundation for the churchs mandate to be involved in the community and the lives of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) will be investigated. Secondly the churchs potential and call towards a holistic, integrated missional approach for effective community development will be explored. Thirdly, the churchs methodologies and approaches within their current praxis of community involvement as well as possible shortfalls will be considered. This investigation will be based on a literature study, primarily using the work of Kysar (1991) which is acknowledged as a relatively old source, but used due to the large extent of his work in both Old and New Testament literature relating to the mandate of the church for social ministry. Other authors such as Kumalo (2001), Liebenberg (1996), Mathole (2005), Myers (2004) and Myers (1999a) will be consulted and reflected in this chapter and used to evaluate Kysar (1991). Due to the limitation of this study, no exegesis will be done. The sources used in this study will be compared in order to identify similarities and contradictions in order to formulate a theological foundation. a theological perspective and foundation for the churchs mandate to be involved in the community and the lives of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) The churchs involvement in the community has been motivated from various authors viewpoints (August, 1999; Dreyer, 2004; Hessel, 1992; Kumalo, 2001; Liebenberg, 1996; Mathole, 2005; Myers, 1999b; Myers, 1999a; Mitchell, 2001 Perkins, 1995; Pierce, 2000; and Vilanculo, 1998). Various conclusions have been made, but primarily it has been stated that the church has a responsibility and not merely an option to be involved in the lives of the local community. The focus of this study is not the church as such, and therefore this chapter will be directed towards the role and mandate of the churchs involved in the marginalized and poor. The primary purpose of this discussion serves as an understanding of firstly, the revelation of Gods concern regarding the poor and marginalized and secondly the mandate and role of the church. Firstly, we need to explore the biblical imperatives for the involvement of the church in the lives of the poor, suffering people and marginalized of society with the aim to establish a perspective for a theology of development. This will be done by establishing a basic overview for understanding some of the biblical images and attributes of God as well as some of Jesus teachings in this regard. Secondly, biblical imperatives for the involvement of the church specifically towards orphans and children will be explored. Due to the limitation of this study, the overview and discussion provided within this section are by no means comprehensive and are primarily focussed on the attributes of God as revealed in both the Old and New Testament as a means to understand the divine concern relating to the reality of the poor (poverty). Various Old Testament attributes of God Kysar (1991:7) calls for phrases such as images of God and attributes of God to be understood as at best, a human perception of a reality that lies beyond the boundaries of language and conception. To Kysar, all the ways in which God is referred to, represent efforts to understand the absolute unknowable in terms of the known. The images of God in Scripture are mere metaphors as they attempt to speak of the divine reality parallel to the human reality. For Kysar (1991:8), Mathole (2005:70) and Van Til (2004:444) within the interpretations of the images and characteristics of God, there is a remarkably consistent theme of the biblical God who cares passionately about the total welfare of all human beings. These images of God will be shortly discussed and evaluated in light of other authors in order to establish a perspective for a theology of development for the individual Christian and the church in general. God the Creator Kysar (1991:8), Myers (1999a:25) and Van Til (2004:444) refer to Genesis 1 and 2 that endorse the image of the Creator God who forms reality through the power of divine word or act, or as explained by Myers (1999a:25) making something out of nothing. God is depicted as the Creator of this materialistic matter (creation) and included in it, is the human being that is created to the image of God (Befus Bauman, 2004; Gordon Evans, 2002:17; Kysar, 1991:8; Myers, 1999a:25, Van Til, 2004:444). Both Kysar and Myers (1999a:26) confirm the origin of the human reality as revealed in Genesis 1 and 2, as from the craftsmanship of God. They further consider the creation stories as honouring and celebrating the physical realm as a result of such a divine creative act. To them, the image of God portrayed in these stories of creation is that of a Creator who is in a continuing relationship with creation. Within this creation, human beings are placed in a system of relationships: with God, with sel f, community and the environment. God defines the physical dimension of life and existence for people in the calling to be fruitful and productive stewards of Gods creation (Myers, 1999a:25). God is presented as one who is concerned for the full range of human life including the physical welfare of all people (Kysar, 1991:8; Myers, 1999a:26). According to Kumalo (2001:133) at the centre of a theology for development lies the truth that every human being is made in the image of God. This promotes the task of a theology of development to restore and recover Gods image in humanity by helping each other to reflect human wholeness or image of God. For him, this human wholeness implies a concern for life that includes all aspects of human existence, the spiritual and physical dimensions. Kumalo (2001:134) defines a theology of development as the comprehensive progression and well-being of individual humans as well as of the whole of creation, to include the immanent needs for human survival and well-being, the transcendent needs of human beings (the right to existence and empowerment in order to find meaning in ones life); and a personal relationship with God. This is within the understanding that salvation presupposes human needs. With a holistic understanding of salvation it implies that the well-being of creation is central to a theology of development (Kumalo, 2001:134). God of the Exodus Both Kysar (1991:10) and Myers (1999a:31) refer to the course of history as altered by the intervention of God through the prophetic agent Moses. For Kysar, the ultimate revelation of the God of Israel is a historical one and it means that God attends to the historical conditions for humans. These historical realities of human existence are precisely where humans encounter God the material reality of time and space becomes the medium through which an encounter with God is experienced. According to Myers (1999a:30), the divine revelation experienced by Israel in the exodus is typical of the way in which God works in human life. To him, the exodus is more than a past event; it portrays a model for how God always and everywhere acts for human well-being on a multiple level. Firstly, on a spiritual level, God is revealing himself and demonstrating his power in order for Israel to have faith and be faithful. Secondly on a socio-political level, it is the moving from slavery to freedom, f rom injustice to a just society, from dependence to independence. Thirdly on an economic level, moving from land owned by somebody else, to freedom in their own land and fourthly on a psychological level it is about self understanding as enslaved people and discovering the inner understanding that with Gods help, they could be free people and become a nation (Myers, 1999a:31). With the understanding of the role of the church as an agent for change and transformation, a theology of development includes the church that understands and fulfils the realities of human existence. This would imply the active role of the church within the understanding that human well-being is enhanced through Gods involvement on a multiple level (spiritual, socio-political, economic and psychological level), through the dynamics of the churchs involvement. The Passionate God According to Kysar (1991:12) and Myers (1999a:31), Moses is called to the task of being the human agent in Gods liberation and the words and language of God. Kysar refers to Exodus 3:7 12 and 6:2 8 where we find attributes of God in human perception and emotions which portray an important image of the divine God. The verbs used are filled with sensitivity to the conditions of the people: observed, heard, known and come down and the implications of these verbs reveal a God that is moved by the plight of the people. To him these verbs also suggest Gods attentiveness to human welfare, and that God is moved by the physical, (social, economic and political) conditions of the people. Kysar (1991:12) refers to the Hebrew verb yadah used and interpreted as know in this text that means more than knowing in the sense of a cognitive perception. The Hebrew verb means to know in the sense of sharing in the reality of the known. In knowing the suffering of the people, God is quickened to declare that the divine reality participates in their life conditions. The image of God is not portrayed as a passive figure but of a God who is moved by the plight of people and He declares the intention to act on behalf of the people (Myers, 1999a:31; Kysar, 1991:12). The act of God to free Israel is designed with one purpose in mind, namely to change the conditions of the people. The mode of this action is through human agency when Moses is sent to execute Gods plan of action. The passionate God acts through humans who are commissioned to represent the divine will (Myers, 1999a:31; Kysar, 1991:12). With the understanding of the role of Moses as a human agent in Gods liberation, it affirms the vital role to which humans are enlisted for the liberation cause to assist others for the sake of their own liberation. A theology of development includes the awareness of Gods understanding of the plight of people and his declaration and intent to act on behalf of the people through humans who are commissioned to represent the divine will. Advocate of Justice Kysar (1991:18), Donahue (2006:1) and Van Til (2004:449) refer to the justice of God for human welfare as being evident in many ways in the Old Testament legal materials, but state that it is nowhere more radically portrayed than in the provision of the sabbatical and jubilee years. The sabbatical and jubilee years are related traditions in the Hebrew Scriptures to be found within the covenant code in Exodus 21 23 and in the Deuteronomic code (Deuteronomy 15). To Kysar, Donahue and Van Til, within the Sabbath year God is pictured as the monarch of the people and as their social liberator. There are a number of provisions within the legislation for the seventh year. Slaves are to be released along with their families (Exodus 21:2 6). The land is to be given a sabbatical rest by leaving the fields fallow and any spontaneous produce during this year could be harvested by the stranger or the poor as in Exodus 23:10 11. Within the Deuteronomic code there is provision for the care of th e poor (Deuteronomy 15:1 18) which includes the cancellation of all debts, lending to the poor and the freeing of Hebrew slaves (Kysar, 1991:18; Van Til, 2004:449). Van Til (2004:449) reflects on the covenant code and the laws, and concludes that one senses a special concern for those who experience the greatest need the widow, the orphan and the alien as a number of laws are enacted to provide for them. He refers to Deuteronomy 15:4 5 as evidence that if the commandments concerning the provision for the poor were kept, the absence of poverty would result. He also relates this as the mandate that Gods people must serve the neediest among them by keeping the laws that relate to the covenant legislations of the Pentateuch. These were provided as laws, and not as options for compassion. He also refer to Thethe keeping of these and other covenant stipulations that would result in blessings for the whole nation of Israel, including material prosperity and the failure to keep them would result in a series of curses (2004:452). While the means for these principles and responsibilities differ from society to society, they are still valid and ongoing as they demonstrate the just and merciful character of God (Van Til, 2004:452). The God of the law that stands in solidarity with the poor and insists on their rights and dignity is portrayed through the legislations of the Old Testament law (Van Til, 2004:452). God speaks in this legislation as one who identifies himself with the poor, the enslaved, and the dispossessed, as well as one who is concerned for the welfare of the natural environment. It can be interpreted as Gods way of indicating indebtedness and responsibility towards the poor and assistance that needs to be provided by the church to free them from poverty or to liberate (Kumalo, 2001:134). Within this understanding of Gods attribute, a theology of development should be people-centred, based on their needs and dependent on human resources. Within Gods concern for social justice, a responsibility and bias is implied towards the suffering, the marginalized and the poor; with the coexistent task of restoring their human wholeness. For Kumalo it is imperative to have a focus and bias towards the poor within a people-centred theology of development (2001:314). God of the Prophets Kysar (1991:20) and Donahue (2006:3) refer to the classical prophets concurrence through their insistence that Gods rule of Israel encompasses the social life of the people. Demands for the just treatment of the needy, the obligations of the leaders of the nation for justice, the interrelatedness of worship and social morality, and the inclusiveness of Gods care for humans are among the prominent themes of the prophets. According to Kysar and Donahue, the prophets offer us an image of a God whose rule extends to the social realm. They further refer to the importance of this social rule of God that the prophets are forthright in declaring that the violation of that rule can only result in the punishment of the people. Hence, the prophets of the eighth and sixth centuries understood that the exiles of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah are the direct consequences of social injustice (Amos 3:1 2). To them, the violation of Gods will for social relatio nships is a matter of utmost significance. Its punishment arises from the very nature of God, for whom societal structures are of paramount concern. Kumalo (2001:135) emphasizes the role of the church as the voice of the poor and to speak on their behalf to government and society. He relates this to the role of the prophets, and it means that the church might at times be unpopular within the wider society or powerful, but it should not discourage, as a theology of development includes the voices of the poor to be echoed in public policy for justice and the responsibilities of government towards the poor and marginalized. God of the psalmists and Proverbs The social concern of the God of the Hebrew Scriptures is further confirmed by the informative nature of the wisdom literature, where it is clear that it is in worship that people give clearest expression to their image of God (Kyser 1991:23) How worship is done tells us something vital about peoples understanding of the one to whom worship is addressed (1991:23). For him, within the variety of themes and moods depicted in the Psalms there is a consistency in the portrayal of God, which in turn fits the pattern of the images mentioned above. He (1991:23) refers to the God addressed in the psalms as frequently represented as an advocate for and a rescuer of the poor. He emphasises passages such as God rising up the needy (107:41) and him being the saviour of the poor (34:6). Also, the afflicted are defended by God (140:12); he is present with the needy (109:31); he reverses the human conditions of want and deprivation (113:5 9) and he rescues the needy (149:5 9). According to him (1991:23) the psalmists who address God in these hymns repeatedly portray themselves as poor (9:9-10; 86:1 2, 7). The Psalms are the petitions of the afflicted (25:16), the needy (35:10), the lowly (147:6), the downtrodden (74:21), the orphans and widows (68:6), the children (116:6), and the barren woman (113:9). For Kysar, the impression one gains from this overview of the self-identification of the psalmists is that God is one who hear the cries of the needy and the oppressed (1991:23). Indeed, it is God of the exodus, who declares in Exodus 3:7 8: I have observed the misery of my peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and have heard their cryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (NLT:1996). For Myers (1999a:33) the literature from the Proverbs and Psalms is also a summary of learnings and wisdom of Gods faithful people concerning right and just relationships and demonstrates these peoples experiences of Gods rule as the absolute. Social relationships reflected as Gods concern, surface throughout the Psalms and Proverbs. It demonstrates Gods interest in the everyday things of life such as eating, drinking, playing, crying and laughing. The human inability to see God as being active and interested in daily life is referred to by Myers (1999a:33) as a serious weakness, it is as if we believe that God is absent from or disinterested in this part of life. He further refers to this inability as a cause of a serious blind spot that is often reflected in the churchs practice and interpretation of development. For Kumalo (2001:136) a theology of development must generate a spirituality that encompasses the total human existence, which further brings hope, strength and power to the people and marginalized within the understanding that God is involved and interested in the everyday things of life. The attributes of God in the development of spirituality should stress issues such as freedom, love, holiness, dignity, power and creativity; as these elements are all part of human existence and should be the basis of all peoples lives (Kumalo, 2001:136). The attributes of God, revealed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ According to Kysar (1991:31), within the New Testament, the dynamics of the Old Testament attributes of God are enhanced by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus whole earthly existence echoed his and his Fathers love and care for the poor and needy, which included children. For Kysar, the attributes of God revealed through Jesus Christ teachings and primary concerns, directly relates to Gods concern for humanity. For Kysar, the nature of Jesus ministry, further relates to the nature of Gods mission in the world. Kysar (1991:32) reflects on the ministry of Jesus, as a revelation of the attributes of God and believes that when seen in its totality, it is a clear expression of Gods concern for the whole human existence. Both Kysar and Myers (1999a:35) reflect on Jesus actions and words which addressed every aspects of human life, which made it a holistic mission. Kysar primarily seeks to confirm three aspects within the New Testament. These aspects are firstly the God who cares for the whole person, secondly the God who cares for all persons and thirdly, the God who identifies with suffering humanity. Due to the inter-related nature of these aspects, they will not be separately discussed, but be referred to within an overview of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the attributes of God evident from it. A concern with humanitys physical welfare Jesus concern for the physical welfare of people is considered by Kysar (1991:32) and Mathole (2005:92) in light of the numerous healing stories, which dominate the Gospels both in number and strategic locations (Mark 1:21 2:12). These healings ranged from a fever (Mark 1:30 31) to the raising of the dead (John 11), which according to Kysar suggests that any physical affliction evoked the attention of Jesus. Further to the healing stories Kysar (1991:32) considers the accounts of Jesus feeding the multitudes, recorded by all four Gospels (Matthew 14:13 21, Matthew 15:32 37, Mark 6:30 44, Mark 8:1 10, Luke 9:10 17 and John 6:1 13). He acknowledges that these accounts have meaning beyond the satisfying of hunger, but appeals for the primary meaning not be lost and refers to these accounts as demonstrating Jesus care for the fulfilling of a basic human need (1991:33). To both Kysar (1991:35) and Mathole (2005:92) this reveals God as centrally concerned with the physical conditions of humans and further reveals Gods acting to reverse bodily suffering. A concern with humanitys emotional welfare Kysar (1991:35) relates Gods care for the emotionally afflicted to the several acts of forgiveness (Luke 7:36 50). According to him, the forgiveness of sin is addressing the emotional affliction of guilt (1991:36). He also considers Jesus acts of exorcism as emotional healing and interprets these as neurosis or psychosis (1991:36). He refers to the physical affliction demon possession could have, such as infliction of wounds (Mark 5:5), the loss of basic skills such as speech and hearing (Matthew 12:22), seizures and convulsions (Luke 4:35; 9:42), and multiple personalities (Mark 5:9). Due to the limitation of this study, Kysars interpretation of exorcism and demon possession will not be elaborated, but primarily considered in light of the pain and suffering demon possession entailed both physically and emotionally. Both Kysar (1991:36) and Mathole (2005:92) concludes that through Jesus acts of exorcism he expressed Gods concern for emotional health in the same way as he offered the message of the Kingdom of God to pitiful and hopeless people. It meant healing, forgiveness, acceptance and hope for people that were entrapped by their emotional conditions and societal standards. A concern with humanitys economic welfare For Kysar (1991:37) Jesus attention to the poor, relates to the expression of Gods care for afflictions that resulted from impoverishment. Both Kysar (1991:37) and Mathole (2005:75) mention that Jesus spent a lot of time among the common people of Palestine (Luke 6:17) which was according to Kysar, considered a land with vast numbers of poor residents. Secondly, Kysar considers that Jesus spent much of his time with the poor, as reflected in the way Jesus spoke of poverty through the parables. To him, these parables were very believable as they were realistic pictures of the common life and clearly understood by his audiences. Such parables would include the parable of the tenants (Matthew 21:33 43), the lost coin (Luke 15:8 9) and the figure of Lazarus as a common sight of such a pitiful creature (Luke 16:19 31). While Kysar (1991:38) acknowledges other teachings of Jesus that relate to poverty and health, both Donahue (2006:5) and Kysar emphasise Lukes presentation of Jesus. For them, Lukes account reflects Jesus extensive attention to questions such as the dangers of wealth (Luke 12:13 21), the proper use of riches (Luke 19:1 10) and the call to surrender possessions for the kingdom of God (Luke 18:18 -23). While acknowledging the controversial debate over Jesus own background of poverty, both Kysar (1991:38) and Mathole (2005:74) considers Jesus shared solidarity with the poor of his time, in light of his ministry as a ministry for the poor by the poor. They relate this to their understanding of Jesus and his followers lives of poverty during his time of ministry and promote them as a group that depended upon each other for shelter and sustenance (Luke 8:1 3). Kysar refers to Walter Pilgrim while Mathole refers to Padilla who considered Jesus and his disciples as belonging to a group in society that did not produce their own economic sustenance, but lived from the respect, gratitude and charity of others. Van Til (2004:452) does not consider Jesus and his disciples amongst the poorest, as he reflects on the fishermen of Galilee as business owners, and Jesus and his disciples giving alms, rather than receiving them. While no clear conclusion in this regard could be drawn, the primary m essage of all the authors considered, referred to Jesus total solidarity with the poor. In the work of Carillo (2008:n.p), he relates the ministry of Jesus to the ethos of the way in which Jesus lived his life. Carillo (2008:n.p) considers the poor the hallmark of his true identity as the healing, feeding, preaching to the poor was prophesied by Isaiah as evidence of Gods presence. For Kysar (1991:39) and Mathole (2005:91) the message of Jesus had a particular relevance to the poor. To both, the establishment of the Kingdom of God meant transformation and implied a time of prosperity and abundance as the reign of God in the world was believed to bring changes in society. The message of hope related to the poor as a change in their circumstances and was perceived as the good news for the poor (Luke 7:22). Kysar concludes that the attributes of God reflected in the ministry of Jesus are one who cares for the economic welfare of the people (1991:39). To Kysar, Mathole and Van Til (2004:452) the outpourings of Gods heart that feels the pain of entrapment of poverty is evident in Jesus words and deeds. A concern with humanitys social welfare For Kysar (1991:40) and Mathole (2005:93), the social implications of sickness and demon possession, and the social integration as a result of Jesus healings and exorcisms, represented Gods concern for the marginalized of society. Both Kysar and Mathole refer to the practice where physically afflicted persons were removed from mainstream society which was due to legislation regarding holiness and cleanliness. Accounts reflecting Jesus acts of healing that resulted in social integration are the leper (Mark 1:40 44) and the woman with the flow of blood (Mark 5:25 34), to name but two. Both Kysar and Mathole conclude that Jesus healings besides being physical, also represented Gods concern for the marginalized of society and embodied Gods actions to liberate humans (Mathole, 2005:92). Kysar (1991:40) also considers the implications of Jesus persistent failure to observe social custom as he generally acted in ways that contradicted the social divisions of his society. Both Kysar and Mathole (2005:93) emphasise this by referring to accounts such as Jesus touching the leper (Mark 1:41) by which he violates the social and religious law regarding leprosy. Furthermore they refer to Jesus using a Samaritan as the hero of his parable (Luke 10:30 37) and Jesus conversation with a Samaritan woman (John 4: 26) which in essence challenged the hatred of the Jews and Samaritans of one another. To Kysar and Mathole Jesus brought down a social barrier by having dinner with people that were questionable in their religious purity which could endanger Jesus own purity (Mark 2:15 16), he treated women with dignity, respect and equality and included them among his disciples (Luke 8:1 3). Kysar (1991:46), Gordon and Evans (2002:7) reflect on the inclusive behaviour Jesus revealed by ministering to all and his affiliations with those that are excluded by society due to political, religious and social reasons. Kysar refers to Jesus being called a glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners because of his free associations with social outcasts (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34). In their understanding of this, Kysar, Gordon and Evans consider accounts that reflect Jesus spent a good deal of his time with the despised class of workers. These included Jesus calling such to take a place among his followers (Matthew 10:3), he associated himself with those labelled as sinners (Mark 2:15 17, Luke 7:38; 15:1) and with the tax collectors which was despised and hated in the first-century Palestine (Matthew 9:10 11; 10:3). Over and above this, Jesus advocated for a prostitute (Matthew 21:31) and accepted the love and gratitude of such (Luke 7:37 50). Kysar (1991:46) considers Jesus advocacy on behalf of women in Lukes account of Jesus rejection of the custom of divorce of his time (Luke 7:37 50) and Jesus protest against the inhumane treatment of women in the divorce process (Mark 10:2 9, Matthew 19:3 8). He considers this not just as a mere rejection of the common view of women, but as acts in protest against it. By no means are these a comprehensive overview, but they are considered sufficient accounts for Kysar (1991:50), Gordon and Evans (2002:7) to reveal the inclusive nature of Jesus ministry. For Kysar and Mathole (2005:93), the understanding of the inclusive nature of Jesus ministry relates to the nature of God, as a God who is concerned with all persons, regardless of their social, moral, religious, economic, or ethical standing. Through these accounts, Jesus demonstrated Gods divine solidarity with humanity and which also confirms Kysars aspect of a God who cares for all human beings. Kysar (1991:51) and Mathole (2005:93) also consider these same accounts as evidence of Jesus identification with the poor and a demonstration of his solidarity and identification with those he served. For Kysar and Mathole, Jesus illustrated with his own life what is meant by being a servant of others (Mark 10:42 45) which also confirms Kysars aspect of a God that identifies with the suffering of humanity. The metaphor father for God as used by Jesus, was according to Kysar (1991:41) considered as an assault on the authority and role of fathers in the structure of the household. He refers to Jesus statement in Matthew 23:9 And dont address anyone here on earth as Father, for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father (NLT:1996). For him, the attribute of God invoked by this statement was a direct denying of the absolute authoritative role and power of the father in the basic unit of a family. This held the promise of liberation for women and children and their oppression from an absolute patriarchal figure of their time. Kysar (1991:51) refers to this same metaphor of father in Jesus invitation to address God with this intimate term (Luke 11:2) as an indication of a God who identifies with human needs and therefore also relates to Kysars aspect of a God who identifies with the suffering of humanity. Kysar (1991:41) concludes Jesus role as social protester with many implications for Chri

huck finn :: essays research papers

-As a coming of age character in the late nineteenth century, Huck views his surroundings with a practical and logical lens. -His observations are not filled with judgments; instead, Huck observes his environment and gives realistic descriptions of the Mississippi River and the culture that dominates the towns that dot its shoreline from Missouri south. It is his literal, pragmatic approach to his surroundings and his inner struggle with his conscience that make him one of the most important and recognizable figures in American literature. -Abstractly, he does not recognize the contradiction of "loving thy neighbor" and enforcing slavery at the same time. He observes the racist and anti-government rants of his ignorant father but does not condemn him because it is the "accepted" view in his world. Huck simply reports what he sees, and the deadpan narration allows Twain to depict a realistic view of common ignorance, slavery, and the inhumanity that follows. Huck possesses the ability to adapt to almost any situation through deceit. He is playful but practical, inventive but logical, compassionate but realistic, and these traits allow him to survive the abuse of Pap, the violence of a feud, and the wiles of river con men. To persevere in these situations, Huck lies, cheats, steals, and defrauds his way down the river. These traits are part of the reason that Huck Finn was viewed as a book not acceptable for children, yet they are also traits that allow Huck to survive his surroundings and, in the conclusion, make the right decision. -Because Huck believes that the laws of society are just, he condemns himself as a traitor and a villain for acting against them and aiding Jim. More important, Huck believes that he will lose his chance at Providence by helping a slave. When Huck declares, "All right, then, I'll go to hell," he refuses his place in society and heaven, and the magnitude of his decision is what solidifies his role as a heroic figure. Quote 1) "All right, then, I'll go to hell el." [Huck, as he reaches a decision about his responsibility toward Jim. This passage symbolizes Huck's gesture of sacrifice for Jim.] Quote 2) "But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she's going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can't stand it. I been there before." Aunt Sally's intentions for Huck center around the upbringing that society thinks every boy should have: religion, clean clothes, education, and an indoctrination in right and wrong.

Fashion Is An Expression Of The Character Essay

There is an old saying, â€Å"You are what you eat† and in fashion this consists also as, â€Å"You are what you wear.† Clothing is often an expression of spirit and character, so there is nothing wrong with finding a look that suits you. Everyone is an individual and your clothes can help you to express your innermost thoughts, your kindliness and your good feelings toward yourself. Fashion can mean many different things to different people but above all fashion is a leeway to ones character. According to Tiwa Savage (2011) in the article, â€Å"Fashion is an extension to ones character,† she states, â€Å"To me whatever you put on reflects your mood, and if I am feeling glamorous I wear something that is glamorous, when I am feeling more relaxed I put on things that make me feel relaxed; so basically fashion is an expression of your person (p.1).† Your personal mark is the one that really counts and can make a difference by connecting two strongly related worlds that apparently seem totally incompatibles: our inner world and our exterior image. Every texture, color and other artificial shape becomes a way of emphasizing different personality aspects. Read more: Is fashion important essay Classic Look In a world of stereotypes where people sometimes tend to take fashion as an induced way of expression, personal style plays a major role. These people are the types who are into the classic style. They are certainly someone who is a conservative person who loves stability and perfection. Fitting in is an essential thing and the way people see them is crucial. Self-control is one of their main characteristics. When it comes to trends, they do not follow others in the new fashion look. Classic, comfortable style is for them and they prefer to wear darker, plain colors rather than patterns or prints. Their wardrobe is elegant, refines with simple and clean tailoring. Stated by Calefato (2004): Versace loved to use black in fashion creations. His little black dress is perhaps one of his most memorable garments. This garment provocatively inverts the bourgeois role of the classic little black dress as a sign of perennial bon ton that every lesson on style advises woman to keep in her wardrobe. (p.111) They keep their outfit simple, timeless and business like. They usually prefer suits with pants or skirt, and they try to avoid too severe clothes. They tend to match rather then be loud with faddish trends. They need to be careful as they might transmit a dull image that lacks imagination. In order to avoid this thing and give a fresh feel to their look, they can wear colorful scarves, brooches or interesting textures. An example of someone who would be considered a classic fashion personality would be Jennifer Aniston. She wears well fitting clothes in straightforward shapes with clean lines that are always neatly turned out. Classic fashion people are conservatively than other fashionistas. Romantic Look Another fashion personality would be the romantic character. For this look it is more feminine and you have adoration for everything pretty. According to Damhorst (1986), â€Å"Cool colors are perceived as more feminine† (p.90). Romantic characters prefer feminine details on clothing and soft, flowing fabrics. Ruffles, lace and velvet attract them. They are ones who view the past as a more romantic time and can picture themselves as the heroine in a historical romance. The Victorian Era appeals to them as part of a romantic past when women always wore long skirts, hats, and gloves. A Romantic character is likely to be a collector of beautiful objects perhaps antique hatpins or china with floral motifs. When walking into their closet one would see dresses and skirts that fall below the knee sometimes even far below the knee. They like to wear soft colors and often choose fabrics like chiffon and silk that drape graciously on their body. Furthermore, they may wear dark colors such as burgundy red or black but wear them sparingly to convey an alluring appeal. Their sweaters also seem to be long and may fall below the hip. They have more sweaters than jackets and may not own a suit. They prefer soft pastel colors and floral prints. They also like pants that are soft and drapey, rather than crisp and tailored. Most of their jewelry may be antique or vintage, but if it isn’t, it still reflects a vintage fashion sensibility. They are more likely than other fashion personality types to wear hats or gloves as fashion accessories. A celebrity example of this personality would be Marilyn Monroe. She had timeless beauty and style. Trendy Look The last look is the trendy follower style. These people prefer to wear the most up-to-date fashion available. They usually get caught looking in magazines to see what fashion is out before it hits the stores. The present and what is in â€Å"now† is important to trendy followers. Celebrity fashion, fashion magazines, and fashion designers influence their type of style. When walking into a trendy followers closet one would see clothing and accessories that are fashionable and available in stores now. They wear the most popular colors, prints, and styles in both clothing and accessories. Shoes, handbags, and jewelry all play a huge part in their wardrobe. Their jewelry drawers are filled with large hoop earrings or anything that looks edgy but cool. Also, the jewelry they wear are gold chains, often with lots of sparkly faux diamonds or studded accessories. Kim Kardashian and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe are perfect examples of glamorous and girly-on trend fashionistas. They love mixing bold colors, like for example hot pink with electric blue. Creating a fun, edgy and innovative fashion statement is a part of their style. Although they appreciate a good sale, they don’t look for value in their wardrobe and investment dressing is not their thing. Trendy followers spend more money on fashion than the other two types of characters. They love designer â€Å"it† bags and statement shoes, and buy them whenever they can. They are so informed with fashion that they know the do’s and don’ts. Their trendy style goes to work perfectly in fashion retailing and the entertainment industry. According to Barthes (1989) he states, â€Å"Clothes are an art, a set of constraints which permit either persuasion or, subsequently, expressiveness† (p.84). Conclusion Establishing a fashion personality means developing a sense of style, which reflects a woman’s personality, lifestyle, dreams and passions. Finding her own fashion personality can take a woman on a journey of discovery but once she finds it she can understand the style, which truly defines her, and play to it. Every season trends change. However, the beauty of the fashion world stands in our capacity of using common sense in order to choose everything with good taste. All latest trends give us the opportunity and freedom to choose. These trends are not made for everyone as every personality has the ability of adapting the already existing trends to their own style. Therefore, whenever choosing something trendy we must think first what’s the main purpose of the item and how can we get the result we are looking for without losing our personality. Every person is different and therefore has there own fashion personality. They can range anywhere from the classic look, to the romantic look, to the trendsetter. All of these different looks describe the individual and their clothes can really say a lot about them. As Watson would say, â€Å"There’s nothing interesting about looking perfect- you lose the point. You want what you’re wearing to say something about you, about who you are (p.1).†

When Are Majoritarian Democracies More Representative essays

When Are Majoritarian Democracies More Representative essays When are Majoritarian democracies more representative than Consensual democracies? The past twenty five years has seen the rapid proliferation of democracy. Notably, the areas of Eastern Europe and Latin America have experienced both the demise of autocratic and dictatorial regimes and in turn their replacement with Democratic forms of government. The two most common forms of democratic government are firstly majoritarian democracy, often associated with either presidential systems or Westminster style parliamentary regimes, with single member district or first past the post systems, and secondly Consensus democracies, which are mostly associated with proportional representation electoral systems in parliamentary government. When looking at when majoritarian democracies are more representative than Consensual democracies it is important not only to centre on the electoral or legislative side of democracy, but in addition, the executive representation of the electorate, an equally crucial dimension of the political process and furthermore, other attributes of the electoral system such as district magnitude and the influence of presidential elections on legislative elections. Firstly, by using the Sainte Lague index , from which the formulae is similar to the one utilized in Lijpharts table of average electoral disproportionality (1999) , it is visible that Westminster systems have higher values of disproportionality than systems of proportional representation. For example, Lijpharts table illustrates the countries of Sweden and The Netherlands, both consensus democracies, as scoring an average electoral disproportionality of 2.09% and 1.30% respectively. When comparing this to The United Kingdom and Canada, both majoritarian democracies, who score 10.33% and 11.72% respectively, it is clear that Consensus democracies demonstrate greater levels of representation than majoritarian ...

the childhood essays

the childhood essays It has been noted that people consider their childhood as a nostalgic period. The childhood is one of the three main stages of life: childhood, adolescence, and adult age. Childhood might be the nostalgic period but is it the happiest? In this paper we shall demonstrate that childhood could be considered as the happiest period. A balanced view, however, cannot ignore the fact that childhood is the first period of life and it might not be happy for everyone. First, the childhood is said to be a period of real dependence. A child is always in someones hands and does not have much freedom at all. Being dependent is not very pleasant. Every child waits for adolescence where they do not have to support their parents any more. Indeed, the relationship between parents and children during childhood depends a lot on the familys situation. For example, a ten-children family in a shanty town of Acapulco wont be the same as a single-children family in Monaco. Childhood can also be a period of frustration. Children keep on receiving information. They learn life. But they dont give any information. So they could feel some frustration. One way to prevent this is to have a sister or a brother. There could be an exchange of information between the two children. Moreover, a brother or a sister gives to the child more freedom because of its brothers or sisters parent attention. But in this case, parents must care about the attention and the love they give to each child. It has to be equal for each child. Despite, each one thinks the other has got more. So its a dangerous situation for the parents. ...

Eastman Kodak Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Eastman Kodak - Essay Example The ease with which digital images could be downloaded and shared therefore provided a completely new dimension to growth in this segment of the business. The higher level of adaptability by the consumers of digital imaging products therefore can offer new strategic choices to Kodak to further penetrate into its existing markets and also develop new markets with special focus on emerging markets. In order to achieve such growth, it is important that Kodak must develop efficient distribution channels in order to increase its reach to the customers. One of the key initiatives in this regard should be to develop online distribution channel through the dedicated website selling digital imaging products to the consumers directly. Historically, Kodak has relied on dealers and retailers to sell its products to the customers however, with increasing use of web, Kodak can develop an efficient portal to develop more efficient distribution channel. In order to achieve this growth, Kodak can act ually adapt different functional strategies including the development of better sales management force as well as developing better online strategies.

The ethical issues associated with conservatism Essay

The ethical issues associated with conservatism - Essay Example A person may not automatically hate the past and may wish for the technical progress for the people’s good. However, he normally tends to have a discrimination against the conservative attitude. The reason behind this may be the fact that he tends to get impacted by the acquisitive thesis which states that conserving is detrimental to the changing life and this may lead to immobility. It can be stated that the conservatives are supposed to consider preserving their social privilege, no matter how small it is. Further, in an attempt of preserving the question to be addressed if the object to be preserved is worthy of preserving then it goes by default (Burckhardt, â€Å"What is Conservatism†). More precisely the term ‘conservatism’ can be explained as the political philosophy favoring the traditions in the light of exterior factor of change. It can be useful in situation when deep-seated social change is triggered. It is a well known fact that distinct cultures have distinct values and as a result the different goals are pursued by the conservatives of different cultures. The components of numerous ideologies and philosophies are integrated by different forms of the conservatism, and thus the conservatism has an impact upon them. There are numerous types of conservatism approaches. They are cultural conservatism, social conservatism, religious conservatism, paleo-conservatism, fiscal conservatism, neo-conservatism and bio-conservatism. Among them social conservatism is taken for the purpose of the study (Philosophy basics, â€Å"Introduction†). ... Ethical Issues Related to Social Conservatism After having understood the meaning of the conservatism, it would be prudent to comprehend the term social conservatism and the ethical issues surrounding it. With the assistance of the laws and regulations the social conservative tries to preserve the traditional morality as well as the social ethnicity. It is believed by the social conservatives that the intervention of the government is not the problem, however liberal use of the government may assist in maintaining order and thus increasing morality in the society. This can be considered as one of the pros of the social conservatives. However, the social conservatives may also tend to be the weakest when they are considered along the gamut of the economic conservatism since it tends to counter the free trade, immigration and others. There are various other social issues. When the business houses tend to focus only on profit making without paying due attention towards the society then it can be considered as one of the ethical issues related to social conservatism. This may lead to gain of one group while loss for the other (Azari, R., â€Å"Current security management & ethical issues of information technology†). It is worth while to be mentioned that the social conservatives’ intention may tend to be good and pure as that of the liberals who have their own collectivism and social programs. However, the fact is that the social conservatives don’t inject their own ideas rather try to introduce various bills and legislations that tend to achieve the opposite of what the social conservatives had intended to achieve. The government, instead of acting as a symbol of hope tries to inject a dose of immorality into the society. This tends to change with the

Public Relations Theory and Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Public Relations Theory and Practice - Essay Example Since the study of organizations is to a large extend theoretical in nature, it is inevitable that we consider the nature and function of theory. Public relations as an example of a theory play a key role in establishing how individuals in an organization communicate and relate to one another (Middleton, Kent & Chamberlin, Bill. 1994p.36). Public relations can be learnt in the context of real-world happenings for example through analysis of events that are happening and discussing them. It can also be learnt through consideration of stories that have been successful and also discussion of unethical practices. Leaning of public relations helps one to develop very good interpersonal relations and hence be able to grow very well in careers such as information and management. Press secretaries, communication specialists and information officers are the specialists of public relations of the government (Middleton, Kent & Chamberlin, Bill. 1994P.205). Their work is to provide the government with the information about the activities of its agencies as well as officials. For example a specialist in the public affairs or a specialist in communication seeks to provide information to the public on travel advisories. Public relations theory and practice has a process which involves four steps and it has a very critical role in ensuring that mass media messages are produced in plenty. Research is a very important tool in an attempt to know the programmes and as well as actions of public relations (Pinsdorf, Marion, 1986P.76). One must know the ethical, moral and legal considerations of public relations as well as understanding the opinions that the public has, bearing in mind the difference between persuasion and propaganda. The British perceive this practice of the EU of having few children due to use of family planning methods negatively over the age of 50s. In Britain, there is a coordinated and a more centralized way of implementing progressive retirements, something which the British over 50s have a negative attitude to. In the EU decentralized and sectoral agreements are used to implement progressive retirements, something which the British over 50s perceive negatively. Britain is very strong economically and has much job opportunities, as opposed to EU. Therefore, it has a negative attitude to enhancement of public relations since this means that the EU institutions will be benefiting from its' resources. Britain is very stable economically as opposed to the EU and EU institutions and hence promoting public relations among the British over 50s and the Europeans will mean that the British will be out-sourcing its' fund to the Europeans and the European institutions. This makes the British over 50s to have a negative attitude over the development of public relations between them and the Europeans. In addition, Britain enjoys a very strong defense system which the British over 50s don't like it to be shared with other countries and institutions outside for example the European and the European institutions. This is also a reason as to why the British over

Muscular and Fitness Project Essay Example for Free

Muscular and Fitness Project Essay My class participants have a good overall health. Many of them have strong upper body strength and a moderate strength on the legs. They lack a core body and abdominal strength and have very low levels of flexibility. They need the most amount of work in flexibility. Weekly Routine for Flexibility Workout Day Flex Exercises Muscle Stretched Reps Time Reps Time Reps Time Mon Lying Quad Stretch Quads 4 20 4 20 4 25 Mon Modified Hurdlers Stretch Hamstrings 4 20 4 20 4 25 Wed Upper Back/Torso Stretch Traps 2 20 2 20 2 25 Mon Calf Stretch Gastrocnemius 4 20 4 20 4 25 Wed Lower Back Stretch Latisimus Dorsi 2 20 2 20 2 25 Fri Chest/Bicep Stretch Pecs/Biceps 2 20 2 20 2 25 Fri Shoulder/Tricep Stretch Triceps/Deltoids 4 20 4 20 4 25 Wed Lying Abdominal Stretch Abdominal 1 60 1 60 1 70 Weekly Routine for Muscle Workout Day Muscle Exercises Muscle Stretched Sets Reps Resistance Sets Reps Resistance Mon Lunges Quads 3 10 10 lbs 1 15 10 lbs Wed Push Ups Pecs 3 10 None 1 15 None Mon Hamstring Curl Hamstrings 3 10 10 lbs 1 15 10 lbs Wed Dead Rows Latisimus Dorsi 3 10 10 lbs 1 15 10 lbs Mon Calf Rises Gastrocnemius 3 10 None 1 15 None Fri Tricep Dips Triceps 3 10 None 1 15 None Fri Shoulder Shrugs Traps 3 10 10 lbs 1 15 10 lbs Fri Bicep Curl Biceps 3 10 10 lbs 1 15 10 lbs Fri Lateral Rises Deltoids 3 10 10 lbs 1 15 10 lbs Wed Leg Lifts Abdominal 3 10 None 1 15 None *You need to vary your workouts and want to give time for your body to recover from the workout. * Safety Guidelines Never continue if you feel any pain Never exercise a certain muscle group every day, make sure you give your muscles time to rest Never lift more than you can safely Never wear clothes that restrict your movement Never overstretch or over lift, it will do more harm than help Always warm up with a light cardiovascular activity beforehand Always use proper lifting technique Always breathe correctly Always train to have muscle balance Always control the weight when lifting Research how to correctly do each exercise from a reliable source before starting and make sure you have proper body alignment at all times SPORT/FITT principles Specificity Training should be designed to meet a specific need. Increase Flexibility Example: You want to increase the range of motion in your shoulder muscles. Increase Muscular Condition Example: You want to improve your muscular endurance in your shoulder muscles. Progression Training should start slowly and gradually. Increase Flexibility Example: Your shoulder stretches will be performed slowly and gradually become more challenging. Increase Muscular Condition Example: You will perform shoulder shrugs as part of your muscular fitness routine and gradually increase the challenge of this activity. Overload Training should require you to do more than you normally do. Apply the principle of Overload by changing the Frequency, Intensity, Time and/or Type (FITT) of activity you perform: Frequency: How often you perform the activity. Increase Flexibility Example: In week one, you will stretch three times per week and gradually work up to stretching five days per week. Increase Muscular Condition Example: In week one, you do shoulder shrugs two times per week and gradually work up to three times per week over a four week period. Intensity: How intensely you perform the activity. Increase Flexibility Example: As your flexibility increases you will gently extend how far you hold your shoulder stretches. Increase Muscular Condition Example: In week one you will use three pound weights and gradually work up to eight pound weights over a four week period. Time: The duration of your activity. Increase Flexibility Example: You will start by holding your shoulder stretch for 20 seconds and gradually work your way up to 40 second holds over a four week period. Increase Muscular Condition Example: In week one, you will attempt to do eight repetitions and gradually work up to 12 to 18 repetitions over a four week period. Type: The type of activity you perform. Increase Flexibility Example: You will also perform some chest and back stretches to further enhance the flexibility in these related and connected  muscle groups. Increase Muscular Condition Example: You will also incorporate some push-ups into your routine. Reversibility Training should continue or you will reverse your improvement. Increase Flexibility Example: You must continue to stretch or your improvements will reverse. Increase Muscular Condition Example: You must continue to perform muscular training exercises or your improvements will reverse. Tedium Training should include a variety of activities to avoid boredom. Increase Flexibility Example: You will try some yoga poses that incorporate shoulder stretches. Increase Muscular Condition Example: You will also swim laps in the pool and use the water as resistance. Equipment Dumbbells: Dumbbells are good for a variety of exercise. They offer a great range of motion and have a compact size. Dumbbells are not expensive. The ones pictured are $7 each for a total of $14.They offer a resistance of 10 lbs. total. Leg Weights: They are mainly used to exercise leg muscles. They can add a small bit of resistance to an exercise (3 lbs. each). They would cost about $25 for a pair. Steps: Steps are used for calf exercises and for balancing while doing other exercises. They are compact and easy to use. The one pictured is way out of budget, $40, so it is not recommended to buy them. Rather you can use your own stairs if you have them.

House Of The Seven Gables :: essays research papers

How does an author’s personal history or cultural background influence what he or she writes about? Are history and literature related? I believe that many authors a very influenced by their own background and the subjects they write about. Authors write about what is familiar. Authors write about something that they feel strongly about or love. I also feel that history and literature are closely related. Many great novels of this world have their basis in stories of the past, true stories taken from history. For one thing, authors usually write about what they already know about or what they see, or what they experience in life. They often write about the history of their family, town, or whatever place they live in. Books where the author understands his subject and feels comfortable and passionate about it are the most interesting. When an author’s writing has been influenced by his or her personal history and cultural background, the writer understands it. It’s also much easier for an author to write about something having to do with their personal history or cultural background. If we are familiar with a subject it is much easier to convince our reader of the ‘experience’ or ‘story’ that is being written about. Although Nathaniel Hawthorne’s allegory, The House of Seven Gables, was not entirely true, the incomparable part of it had to do with his personal history and his cultural background. His relation to the house was from his cousin Phoebe and the ideas about the witch trials were because he was living in the very time they were taking place. Therefore, I do think that the personal history and cultural background affect what the author writes about whether the book be fiction or non-fiction, but most of the time, non-fiction. An example of an author I can come up with where I strongly think their personal history and cultural background significantly influence what she writes about is Amy Tan. I have read two of her novels, The Joyluck Club and The Kitchen God’s Wife. She wrote about Chinese Americans living in San Francisco. A subject she knows much about and has lived through. Her books are so fascinating because she knows her subject well. They are novels yes, but we can trust that in many ways this is what a Chinese mother living in San Francisco may have behaved like or said. History and literature are also linked by way of story.

The Death Penalty: In The Name Of Justice? :: essays research papers

The state murdering people because of their crimes simply does not equate to justice. It is real easy to hear about how the government is doing this wrong or that, but the death penalty is abounded with so many injustices and faults that it’s an embarrassment to our entire due process of law. Supporters of capital punishment subscribe to religious and ethical points of view rather than facts, and when they do offer facts it’s always the same argument: â€Å"It’s a deterrent.† The death penalty is extreamly flawed, most notably it comes with a very high price tag to an already under-funded correctional institution in America; no stable argument has been installed to warrant it as a deterrent; and the moral decay it establishes creates among other things a feeling of revenge and spite within society. Many people for and against the death penalty are under the proposed belief that capital punishment is a deterrent for crime. No study can offer a clear explanation of this theory. Almost a dozen states don’t offer a death penalty, and a dozen more haven’t executed in over fifty years that have one. Are their first and second-degree murder rates head and shoulders above the other states? Of course not. Some of these states include large metropolis’ such as Minnesota’s twin cites. Detroit has a high crime rate (in actual number not on a per capita basis) in Michigan, which doesn’t offer a death penalty, but Birmingham has one of the highest crime rates per capita in the nation. What has Alabama’s electric chair not done in Birmingham that life in prison has done in St. Paul? Deter crime, particularly murder. Studies have shown that, all evidence in view, long prison terms punish just as effectively as capital sentences. The flaws of capital punishment become too many shortly after they total one. This is because of the focus of the death penalty that being human life. Innocent people being sent to death or being released within weeks of execution are becoming frequent stories on the nightly news. The legal system is disturbingly unable to correctly administer the death penalty. Every day individuals who can’t afford a lawyer have to have one appointed to them under the constitution. Almost thirty percent of Americans can’t afford health care, how are they supposed to afford a lawyer? These lawyers, who are on average paid 5 dollars an hour, have little to no incentive to gather all the precious materials to adequately support the accused.