Rhetorical Analysis Reflections Essay

I struggle with Rhetorical Analysis essays, but this particular paper seemed to puzzle me more than the other rhetorical analysis essays that I have come across this year. The score I received was an 8, and I was honestly quite surprised to see that. I knew I had written a paper to pass, but to show that I had sufficiently written the paper shocked me. This essay was tough in particular because the rhetorical strategies were very difficult to locate. I noticed that Richard Rodriguez wrote using a lot of compare and contrast, so I based my essay off of that. With that idea, I elaborated the technique in great detail, and that may have accounted for the high score that I received. The paper was very well structured, but it was very one-sided in my opinion. The main reason I was unsure about a high score was due to a lack of inclusion of other rhetorical strategies. I knew that the paper was well written, but I was not necessarily sure how well I was going to do. While reading sample essays released from Collegeboard , I did notice that they were looking for something to do with compare and contrast, and I believe that is why I scored to high on the paper. I did not know that compare and contrast was a rhetorical technique, but it is good to take your idea, and let your thoughts flow. That is how you create very strong writing. WC: 250 Midwest Rhetorical Analysis Reflection The Midwest Rhetorical Analysis Essay was hard to write because I had a lack of interest towards this particular prompt. The Midwest has never fascinated me; it has always been the West or East Coast that I have been really interested in. My lack of interest towards the Midwest made it a very difficult write. Over the year, when I am given topics that interest and fascinate me, I am able to write them very well. However if I am given a prompt which I do not really care about, I will pick the easier side to  write about and go from there. Passion elevates my writing. The lack of passion towards this essay is the reason it is not written very well. It was a difficult write, and I am positive that with a prompt involving the west or east coast, your writing improves. The score of 6 that I received is due to the fact that this paper was very adequate, and easy to follow. The text is very boring, but the reason it was scored as a passing paper if primarily due to following the necessary standards of the AP scoring rubric for 6 papers. Cause and effect was the main strategy that I used in talking about rhetorical devices. I used it to explain how the Midwest is not the same as people may perceive it. The Midwest has a lot to offer, and people just need to give it a chance and figure out what is hiding within the land. WC: 259 Summative Rhetorical Analysis Reflection I believe I deserved the score of an 8 on this paper. I really connected to the text, and my ideas just started flowing. This paper demonstrated a lot of my strengths as a writer, and my score reflects that. My use of personal anecdotes to describe the author’s imagery and pathos really enhanced my essay. I was able to use personal evidence amd samples from the text to demonstrate my ability to master this paper. Essays that I can relate to are very easy to describe and write about. That is exactly what happened as I was writing this paper. The text, Last Child in the Woods reminded me of my childhood, and I used specific example from the text to describe that. This paper displayed much strength and very few weaknesses. A problem I have with my writing is poor grammar, and I believe that is due to the timing factor. You really have no time to fix your mistakes when you are crunched for time. Luckily you are scored on what you do well rather than everything that you have done wrong considering that this paper is not a finished product. Anecdotes, contrasting views, imagery, and pathos were all rhetorical strategies that I have present in my essay. This was the final rhetorical essay that I had written all year, and my improvement is clearly demonstrated from my first essay to my last. Improvement is key, and I am happy to have my best writing at the end of the year rather than the start. WC: 262

Growing Number of Kindergarten Franchises Essay

The preschool market is the fastest growing sector of the education industry in China presently. Over the span of last seven years, the industry has grown at an annualized rate of 10. 3% from 2006. The industry showcased increasing revenues in the period of 2006-2012, owing to the inflating tuition fees charged by the growing number of the private kindergartens. The enrollment figures have also shown a progressive trend throughout the years, instigated by the growing market presence and awareness about the importance of the pre-primary education amongst masses. Kindergartens in China are responsible for providing both childcare and preschool education to the children aged 3-6 years. The transition of Chinese economy from publicly administered to market-run has put a great impact on the kindergarten market of the country. Private sector funded kindergartens have gained increasing hold over the overall market and had accounted for a dominant share in 2012. Rural areas of China host the maximum of the kindergartens which are primarily run by the education department or are publicly funded. However, with a rising number of private entities adopting the franchised business model to operate in the underpenetrated market of China preschool industry, the urban areas have showcased an increasing share of enrollments over the years. The preschool industry of China is characterized by a high degree of fragmentation with increasing number of players implementing acquisition expansion strategies to build on their market shares. RYB Education, Oriental BabyCare, Gymboree Play and Music are some of the chief brand names operating in the market. Other emerging players include Noah Education holdings, Beijing Hongying Education group, I Love Gym etc. A significant number of publicly led kindergartens also are prominent in China which includes players such as Huijia Kindergarten and Hong Huanlan Education Group. Increasing number of working mothers has led to an increasing demand for the kindergartens in the country. Additionally, the large population base of the country promises an increasing cohort of children aged under- six, which presents huge opportunities for the foreign and domestic investors to attain growing levels of revenues in coming years. Additionally, the talent-based trainings provided in the kindergartens of China, has also welcomed a growing number of children to participate in the preschool programs. However, the trend of bilingual kindergartens is being most prominently witnessed in this sector, stressing the growing importance of early language training, as preferred by parents. The report â€Å"China Pre-primary Education and Childcare Industry Outlook to 2017† provides detailed overview on the preschool industry from various perspectives. The report encloses a comprehensive analysis of the various segments of the market reflecting the present scenario and future growth affected by changing industry dynamics in coming years. Additionally, the report also entails information about the government rules and policies, rational analysis of the macroeconomic factors, along with the competitive landscape of the pre-primary education and childcare industry. The report will help industry consultants, companies and other stakeholders to align their market centric strategies according to ongoing and expected trends in future. For more information on the industry research report please refer to the below mentioned link: http://www. kenresearch. com/education/pre-school-education/china-pre-primary-education-market-research-report/401-99. html.

Example of Resume and Practical Application Letter Essay

On behalf of the School of Business and Economics, I submit herewith an application for the student mentioned below to conduct his/her industrial training under your esteemed organization. The industrial training program is one of the course requirements for student to complete their Bachelor of Business (with honors) degree at University Malaysia Sabah. For your information, the placement should last for 3 months from 24 June 2013 to 13 September 2013. The main objective of this placement is to expose the student to the working environment in the corporate world, of which can be explained further by the attached â€Å"Program Objectives’’. The following student (enclosed CV) is majoring in Entrepreneurship: 1. BB1011xxxx ALIA UMAIRA BINTI MOHD RAFI (I/C NO: 901228-01-xxxx) For further information, please do not hesitate to contact any number of the practicum coordinator during office hours. In addition, below are few other objectives with regard to practical training: o To brief the trainees the roles and task performed as well as to prepare daily/weekly schedule. o To improve the trainees understanding on the company’s roles and contribution towards the industry. o To provide opportunity for trainees to be involved in the organization operation management and other activities such as briefing/seminars, workshops, exhibition and etc. o To improve communication and public relation techniques in order to enhance better relationship within the company as well as the customers.

The Grand Inquisitor - The Hidden Meaning Assignment

The Grand Inquisitor - The Hidden Meaning - Assignment Example The theme of this extract is woven around the idea of Christ revisiting earth during this time and at this particular place, when the Grand Inquisitor gets Him arrested on the charge of being a heretic. Many critics have tried to interpret this extract as a satire aimed at the modern theology in general and on the Roman Catholic Church in particular. However, a thorough and well meditated reading of the text, emphatically leads to the conclusion that The Grand Inquisitor is a narrative imbued with multiple meanings, a catechism for modern times, which unravels the deeper meaning of faith and grace, while to all intents and purposes, pretending to shatter the very ideals that constitute the core of the Christian faith. Perhaps the author has purposefully left the meaning of this parable to be ambiguous; thereby allowing faiths of all hews and shades to interpret it in consonance with their beliefs and values. One particular thing to be noted about this parable is that it is set in the times of Inquisition. In that context the Inquisition is not merely to be interpreted as a mere incident in the European history, but rather a slice of time when the religion had utterly ossified, deprived of all living force and verve, vehemently sustaining itself by lighting the piers of hundreds of so called heretics amidst all the courtly sophistication and urban fanfare. Dostoevsky paints the gory details of Inquisition at the very start of the parable. So, if one interprets the things in that perspective, one comes around a sense of faith that had ceased to be life giving and salvaging, cruelly nipping all curiosity and enquiry in the very bud, while believing it to be the custodian of the ultimate mysteries of life. Amidst this enervating ambience, Dostoevsky draws the advent of Christ as the influx of a gush of fresh air amidst the fires of hell. The coming of Christ is presented by the writer as an event that is promising of healing and life. Surprisingly, even after a gap of fifteen hundred years, the laity in the parable is able to recognize Christ. The author does not extend any logical explanation for this fact. Yet, the people are shown as flocking around Him, as a herd of wayward sheep gathers around its shepherd. Christ is presented as an antithesis to the realities of Inquisition, a timeless Icon oozing out grace and hope by His very presence. In the parable, the ninety year old Grand Inquisitor is a symbolic figure in the sense that his austerity commands fear and intimidation, though for all practical purposes he stands to be the representative of the Holy See. He is introduced to the readers as â€Å"an old man, almost ninety, tall and erect, with a withered face and sunken eyes (Dostoevsky: Online)†. The very age and coarse apparel of the Grand Inquisitor are symbolic of decay and demise, which is the common plight of a pool deprived of any life giving and gushing inlet of faith. In that context, the Grand Inquisitor emerges more a s the custodian of a fiefdom, carved out in the name of God, and the very presence of the Savior poses a challenge to his status quo and all that he stands for at that place and in those times. Hence, the natural reaction of the Grand Inquisitor is that he gets the Savior arrested and confined to the dark cells of the prison. Eventually, it is the monologue that the Grand

Attracting and Retaining Local Workers Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Attracting and Retaining Local Workers - Thesis Example NGOs are funded by various organizations such as government, private companies, individuals and self help associations. In 1997, Fisher has pointed out that steady rise of NGOs has captivated imagination of policymakers, social activists and local government. Research on consumer psychology shows that NGOs are generally idealized as â€Å"doing good† initiatives. International NGOs use various techniques for managing and hiring local labors. In general case Nongovernmental organizations distribute fringe benefits such as healthy working condition, higher pay and shorter hours in order to attract and retain local employees. Private level social organizations offer higher pay package in comparison to government agencies. International NGOs use flexible recruitment and selection process in order to hire local people. Introduction Very few researchers have contributed in the field of quantitative evaluations of employee retention due to intangible nature of benefits offered by non governmental organizations. Academic studies have revealed that employee retention strategy varies in accordance to nature of project accomplished by a particular NGO. In 2003, Kremer has pointed out that educational outcome such as knowledge sharing plays cordial role for NGOs to positive image among local people. In 2002, Kremer, Moulin, and Namunyu has described that NGOs working in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda provides textbooks, uniforms and foods to local employees in order to attract and retain them. In 2003, Duflo and Kremer have argued about the benefits employee retention programs implemented by NGOs. According to them detailed research by NGOs is needed before deciding any strategy specially designed in order to attract and retain employees. In 2002, Mendelson and Glenn have argued that NGOs practicing employee retention strategy achieve better performance in comparison to others. Problem Statement and Research Questions In 1998, Lewis has pointed out that role of NGOs have been changed in recent time in accordance to global context. Now days NGOs are actively participating in not only social welfare but contributing to international development also. International NGOs operating in Africa are playing significant role in various issues such as deciding the dynamics of government policy, contributing to sustainable development of the country and implementing social change in larger context. Such issues have forced various researchers (such as Edwards and Hulme in their paper published in 1995, Brett in 1993) to investigate performance and management of NGOs operating in Africa (Mukasa, 1999). In 1988, Campbell has found that NGOs operating autonomously in both southern and northern Africa receive donation from business houses, independent donor agencies. Although many researchers have tried to explore operational efficiency of NGOs operating in Africa but very few of them tried to explore internal issues such as tension between local people and exp atriates regarding nature of work, employee retention strategy adopted by various NGOs and other significant issues. Very few researchers have tried to explore motivation and perception of employees about the working environment of international NGOs operating in Africa. In 1992, research scholars such as Billis and MacKeith have tried to address

Thinking Through Religions 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Thinking Through Religions 3 - Essay Example In â€Å"Nonsense† Watts also highlights a more theological meaning of life by indicating that according to a number of various theologies, we as humans are created for the pleasure of God and that the true meaning of life according to some theistic religions is God (Watts,66-70). Why is this Important? This is fundamentally important as Watts is seen to attempt to critically highlight some of the more predominant concerns pertaining towards the establishment of what is the true meaning of life. By providing several different answers to the question, Watts is seen to try and tackle the question from a number of different angle as he attempts each of us establish the meaning of life. An Understanding of how Joseph Campbell Explains the Role of Clowns in Religion According to Campbell, clown religions and clowns are especially. The use of clowns in numerous Celtic and Germanic myths essentially serves to show that although the outward appearance of some of the deities as represe nted by some clown figures might be marred and of a rather grotesque nature, we should always endeavor to look through the often very funny exterior forms and find the ultimate image. By adopting this approach, we can essentially learn to disregard the physical appearance of the individuals we meet and understand them better (Campbell and Moyers). Campbell’s view of the role played by clowns essentially fits in with my own views as I always try to obtain a somewhat deeper understanding of persons that I chance to encounter and interact with. By practicing this approach, I have generally managed to become a fundamentally better person having a deeper appreciation for...An example of this instance is seen in the story of the secret of the Lotus flower where Buddha was seen to make his point by holding a golden lotus in his palms while standing before his followers, most of his followers were however unable to understand what exactly Buddha was attempting to say to them and only Mahakasyapa managed to understand what exactly Buddha was attempting to express. Mahakasyapa’s only indication that he had understood the message was a slight smile. In communicating this information it is clearly seen that no words intervened but yet the entire message was clearly understood by Mahakasyapa. This caused Buddha to sufficiently determine that indeed Mahakasyapa was the best individual who could be selected and chosen to succeed him (Smith, 87). In some of the Buddhist sects, the message being given by the teacher is seen to have a somewhat two pronged approach and while most people only understand the surface meaning of the teaching, the more perceptive disciples are able to deeply understand the message and sufficiently decipher its symbolism so as to truly understand its meaning

Customer Relationship Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Customer Relationship Management - Essay Example One of the key change agents that has in recent times been seen to have grown in critical importance for companies involves technology. Technology has played a major role in redefining nearly all aspects of business in the modern world (Bidgoli, 2010). It has been key in the facilitation of the gradual shift of power into the hands of the general consumer after moving it from the organization. The greatly empowered customers of the modern world are acutely aware of the immense power that they now wield. By utilizing the internet, customers are now able share information that helps bring them close to not only other customers but also to the organization. The shared feedback, information and various opinions are now generally available to one and all at a rate that can be viewed to be almost instantaneous. It is mainly due to this reason that it organizations cannot be able to ignore social media as a medium of communication (Flynn, 2012). Marketing managers have resulted to learn how to properly utilize this medium so as to be able to effectively manage the relationship that their companies and organizations happen to enjoy with their various customers, this is especially so in light of the fact that social media has proven to be both the bane as well as the boom to most organizations. Marketers are now using social networking to provide prompt customer redress. There is a lot of pressure being exerted on companies forcing them to constantly ensure that they are always on their guard due to the fact that customer reactions on the internet tend to generally happen on an instantaneous live basis. In the event that there happens to be any adverse feedback or shared opinion by a single individual dissatisfied customer, the opinion can quickly spread all over the internet and spearhead a campaign that can have the results of critically harming an organization or company. When used effectively, the internet can serve to help an organization to effectively build up it s customer relationship as well as sufficiently strengthen the existing relationship (Kurtz and Boone, 2010). It can greatly serve to help companies in their attempts to reach out to single individual customer a situation which would otherwise have been deemed as being impossible. The Marketing Organizations have not only taken to communicating with their customers on an individual basis, but with the aid of various data mining techniques as well as the effective use of various technologies, they now better understand all their customer’s needs. This has been seen to greatly help customers in the development of customized solutions that have been specifically tailored to try and effectively address the various needs of a specific given individual customer. Companies and organizations such as Airlines, Insurance companies, Banks and various service industry players such as MacDonald’s and Pizza hut have been able to achieve these developments and have built emotional co nnections with their customers by implementing the use of technology and various CRM packages. The various dynamics that are involved in marketing have in

Country analysis - i pick TURKEY for this paper Term

Country analysis - i pick TURKEY for this - Term Paper Example This includes lucrative companies and banking sector, this explains the socialist part of the economy. In one word reference to the Turkish economy one can refer to it as a socialist economy or a mixed one. The Turkish government employed the pursuance of etatism as a way of connecting capitalism and socialism (Kinzer 142). The government identifies some of the critical businesses to be left in the hand of private owner and venture into them as the service or products providers. Considering that turkey is developed or undeveloped may be very complex, this is because the country is divided into two in terms of development. Therefore making reference to the whole country might no be accurate. The western part of the country is ten folds as developed as south eastern part of the country which is dominated by the Kurds. Despite of all these, one can still refer to Turkey as a special developing country. In terms of the economy, the Turkish economy according to IMF is an emerging market d ue to the rapid opportunities that blossoms in the economy with the private sector rapidly developing. The country’s GDP is $1.116 Trillion by 2010; this comes with a whooping GDP growth rate of +9.0% in the same year (OI?nisI, Ziya, and Barry 133). The country’ GDP per capita was in the same year $10,106 (nominal) and 15,340 being ppp. Inflation in the country is % 10.43 (OI?nisI, Ziya, and Barry 144). ... s in the country are clearly separated with council of the ministers exercising the executive powers and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey is vested with enactment of legislations. The electoral calendar in the country has a cycle of 5 years and is strictly based on universal suffrage. The current population in Turkey is about 7o million with the projection having it that by 2025, the population of the country will be about 90 million (OI?nisI, Ziya, and Barry 176). Of the population, majority of them are young with only about 6 % of the population constituting those of 65 years and above. The country has enormous labor force estimated to be about 25.64 million within the country and about another 1.2 million working abroad (UI?nay 156). The official language in the country is Turkish; well over 90% of the 71.1 million citizens of the country are well versed with the language. Other forms of language that exist include Kurdish, attracting about 6%, Arabic is also found in the cou ntry will the loyal of about 1.2%. Circassian is also spoken by about 0.09% (UI?nay 186). The main religion in turkey that attracts close to 77% of the population is the Islamic; the remaining percentage is unequally shared with the other faiths. In turkey the average education attainment is the high school with substantial number of students attending the 167 public universities in the country, majority of the students attends the public schools with the proportion standing at 95% (Financial Times Business 23). At primary level, almost all the student enrolls and the percentage attendance is almost 100%. This number transcends to high school where about 1.5 million high school student graduate annually from high school to the tertiary collages. Family income on the other hand is about 42

What's Up with the Weather by Jon Palfreman Essay

What's Up with the Weather by Jon Palfreman - Essay Example Wigly of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and conservative scientists and industrialists including James Tefril and Fred Singer of George Mason University and Fred Palmer of the Western Fuels Association. The subject : The burning of fossil fuels increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, exacerbating the "greenhouse effect." According to Fred Palmer from Western Fuels, "There is no basis to say that more carbon dioxide in the air is going to lead to a catastrophic global warming." But Marty Hobert of New York University states that "If man is going to have a future on this planet, it is absolutely inevitable we must find another source of energy." Tom Wigly of the National Center for Atmospheric Research believes that the time for mankind is near an end, that due to the doubling of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the average world temperature will soon rise five degrees Celsius, eight degrees Fahrenheit. Fred Singer and Jamjes Tefril of George Mason University find the data ambiguous. "You're dealing with something that's very complicated," says Teferil. "You're dealing with something where there's legitimate uncertainty in the science." In 1997 Charles Keeling published forty years of observations which showed a rise in carbon dioxide levels from 330 to 370 parts per million, directly attributable to the use of fossil fuels by industry.

Management and Leadership Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Management and Leadership Development - Essay Example The benefits are vital for organizations as a whole, particularly in countries that are developing, where the level of quality is low and require increment in search for effective cooperation in the various organizations. In the due course of implementation, there are many difficulties that are faced by organizations and do fail to practice benefits that are expected from management implementation that is of quality. Relating this to the implementation issue, it is observed that the implementation process is a major determinant of success in the introduction of technology or methods in an organization (Collins, 2001). It can be seen from these studies that acquisition of insights into the implementation process is vital, especially in trying to get a way of transforming the concept of quality management and practice from principles in the course of the organization. The transformation is referred to as implementation of quality management. In accordance, implementation research is re quired for the effectiveness of organizations. This report provides for operationalization of management and leadership development into practice in manufacturing companies, in Indonesia (Babbie, 2007). Basing on development of concepts and different leadership frameworks, there will be a discussion on operationalization. The operationalization discussion takes into consideration the research raised as an expression that guides relevant subject observation of implementation of quality management. As it is comprised of facts that are observable, it can occur in an analysis level. If related to management implementation, it allows an individual to conceive an organization analysis level. It is mainly focused on how leadership and management of an organization are conceptualized. Automotive Assembly Company (AAC) Implementation process From the time ownership was changed, three factors influenced management implementation process. Firstly, there was a change in the orientation of group that covered both investment decisions and encouragement of individuals’ use of the management system. Here, there was changes, in the in the management guidance for the group. Secondly, in 1997, a relationship of the joint nature with Itochu Corporation and Isuzu Ltd restructured the business pattern and this made AAC the only manufacture. Thirdly, there was an economic, national crisis which made AAC to bring in an efficiency policy to satisfy the new requirement of customers. Being the largest Corporation in Indonesia, AAC had close relation with Japanese partners. This was an influence to the member countries as it introduced unique practices, norms and value (Effron and Ort, 2010). The many corporations they had with Japanese counterparts made them acquire knowledge from different perspectives. For the integration of the practice, value and norms, there was a development of system of management to unite and link resources, identities and capability. This system was refe rred to as ATQC. There was also an introduction of quality control system by the group. The groups made a team put to practice and encourage companies adhere to the quality assurance. In 1994, AAC received their certification and got support from implementation group and was renewed in 1996. AAC transformed

Organisational strategy and decision making Essay

Organisational strategy and decision making - Essay Example It has also been observed that the company had set certain strategic directions for future, such as enlarging business in growing economies and empowering its competitive positioning among others. In order to mitigate the strategic issues and successfully attain the strategic directions for future, certain recommendations comprising both short and long-term have been provided. These include adopting, as well as utilising, the strategy of cost leadership and making substantial investments, especially in developing the performances of the entire workforce. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Internal Audit–Strengths and Weaknesses 5 Strengths 5 Weaknesses 5 External Audit – Opportunities and Threats 6 Opportunities 6 Threats 6 Discussion 7 Evaluation 9 Conclusion 11 Recommendations 12 References 14 Introduction Strategies are fundamentally described as the ways that a particular organisation selects to compete with its key business market competitors or to comply with the requirements of the customers. In this similar context, organisational strategies are often defined as a pattern of effective policies, decisions, performances or programmes that support an organisation to accomplish its predetermined business goals and most significantly to attain significant competitive position over the major business market contenders (Rothwell, 1998). It has been apparently observed that the organisational strategies adopted as well as implemented by the organisations affect their decision-making procedures by a significant level. This is owing to the reason that the organisations deeply rely upon formulating effective strategies for the purpose of controlling as well as coordinating the information flow amid different parties such as the employees, stakeholders, investors and the customers (Fairholm, 2009). Tesco PLC is regarded as one of the biggest retailers in the entire globe which performs its business functions in 14 nations. The company employs nearly 5, 00,000 personnel and serves significant portion of customers every week (Tesco, 2013). The visions of the company are to attain utmost value from the customers that it serves and also the communities where it operates its different operational functions. Moreover, the other major vision of the company is to flourish itself as a pioneering as well as a modern company and grow its business in every region throughout the globe (Tesco, 2013). In this discussion, the internal audit of Tesco in the form of strengths as well as weaknesses and the external audit in the form of opportunities along with threats will be taken into concern. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis about the different strategic directions of the company will also be portrayed in the discussion. Internal Audit–Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths One of the major strengths of Tesco is that it is a leading organisation in the business market of the United Kingdom and is known as one of the best retail ch ains across the globe. Moreover, the other strengths of the company are strong brand recognition, increased business reputation and deliverance of superior quality products in accordance with meeting the requirements of the customers. In addition, the execution of e-retailing activities while conducting business is also regarded as the other crucial strength of the company. In this similar context, the company has acquired success due to its formulation

Gender Stereotypes Essay Example for Free

Gender Stereotypes Essay Gender stereotypes in the society have been existing for a long period of time. This has been due to their intensively conventional simplified and persuasively convincing reference that makes people to easily belief them. Though these stereotypes have been adopted by majority of the people as part of their culture, they are wrong and should be discouraged as they are highly generalized, give wrong perceptions, discourage full potential exploitation from the people or make certain them to adopt unhealthy harmful practices in society (Richard Zoe,2003). Change to the gender stereotypes perception will form the basis of equality for both male a d females in all areas of development thereby portraying the greater sense of social civilization in the 21st century. Gender stereotypes in the society are dynamic and greatly influenced by the changing economic modes and social ideologies in the societal setting. They are greatly adoptive in different regions of the globe especially in the modern era of verbalization (Theresa, 2005). This paper explores the gender stereotypes and myths in our society and how they influence the intent by individuals to adopt or pursue specific lines of development like careers, sports, modeling and even political ambitions. It also examines the current situation and the extent to which the society have been influenced by the gender stereotypes. With major comparisons and possible projections to enhance increased efficiency in the society, suggestions are highlighted to assist in reducing the major impacts resulting from the vice. 1. History and development of gender stereotypes in the society. Biologically, men and women are different and therefore have different functions that goes along with their natural being. Though this has been used to indicate different views on the their society expectations, it is greatly misleading and can hinder full potential exploitation from different genders. Since long time in history, man has been depicted to represent brightness, hardness and positivity in the society. Through out the time, men have also been considered as the heads of the households and responsible for making appropriate decisions in the political arena. On the other hand, women have characteristically been expected to be submissive, piety and highly domestic oriented in the society. They are required to assume softer roles and be less aggressive in order to be bale to mentor the children as they grow (Richard Zoe, 2003). In majority of the societies like in China and Latin America, females were mainly supposed to perform household chores like cooking cleaning, tending to children and looking after their husbands. Also, they were expected to work in the farms and not in industrial regions as the heavy jobs were reservations for men. In the modern western world cultures, young men are portrayed as being obnoxious, violent at times and prideful about promiscuity in their lives. They are also expected to be assertive, more intelligent, risk taking, combative, insensitive and tough, while women should posses politeness, slim figure, act as nurturers and homemakers. Through out the history, little changes have taken place to fully appreciate the input of women in the society both economically and politically (Margaret, 2003). However, increase in the representation at high decision policy making positions and encouragement to the women to take higher risks in the economic arena indicates the changing trends in perception of the gender stereotypes. Unlike in the mid 19th century, all the high positions in the US government both gender representation. Appreciation has increasingly been recognized with the number of female senators to the federal government continuously rising. Other areas of middle and high class diplomatic leadership have also increased the democratic space for both genders representation with minimal or no bias at all. 2. Impacts of gender stereo types on education and careers As indicated earlier, females are perceived as being less competitive and possessing reduced ability to pursue careers in mathematics, engineering, medicine and other science oriented occupations in the society. Women are mythically considered to be qualitative as opposed to men who are perceived to be highly quantitative therefore making the girls themselves to believe that mathematics and sciences are for men only (Margaret, 2003). Some of the societies in the East, Africa and the Caribbean have the tendency to direct the girls to social art oriented careers while boys are offered more opportunities in the diverse scientific careers that are considered more prestigious. This stereotyping and mythical believe is not only wrong but unethical as it acts to block the overall potentials of the females to pursue different careers related to sciences. There is no empirical statistics that show women have less ability to perform well in the science oriented careers. Limiting them to less competitive careers has seen their reduced contribution to the society and acts to solidify more stereotype myths that portray them as domestic oriented as opposed to active participation in the economic development (Williams, 2006). To add to that, education preference has been more oriented to the boy child as opposed to the girl in the developing world. It is considered as less productive to educate a girl than to educate a boy since girls would sooner be married off therefore losing the prior investment on them. The current globalized societys success being based on education, the girl child is therefore less advantaged to access the major benefits of the high technological world. Marxism theories indicates that increase in living standards is dependent on the ability to provide skilled labor to the capitalistic world. He continues to infer that all factors of production should be dynamic in application for high competition and maximum returns to be realized. As a result, limiting female children from education barricades them from possible future development and innovations as their negotiating capacity is fully crippled (Theresa, 2005). However, this perception has been proved wrong as more women are increasingly struggling and achieving equal or higher scholarly achievements than their men counterparts in the scientific careers. Major educational researches and scholarly work have been done by women and received major recognitions. However, such achievement are not emphasized on since stereotypes tend to rely more on generalized aspects than the reality. Higher education and science subjects limitation due to the major stereotypes in the society, kills the overall desire of the female children to pursue different education careers as they would be perceived to be odd. In Trinidad and Tobago, despite the government great initiative to have more girls participate in science oriented subjects, over 80% of them prefer hospitality and secretarial studies (Margaret, 2003). As a result of stereotyping men as generally good in the society to pursue scientific subjects careers, excess assumptions are laid on their abilities with priorities and talents not being emphasized on. Therefore, there is general tendency of the men to pursue careers in sciences as opposed general arts. Engineering profession in US has only about 25% of the people working there being women and 75% being men (Williams, 2006). In the Medical schools in Australia, the ratio of men to women is 1:3 indicating the high level of gender stereotype in the country. Both genders should be given equal priorities to develop their careers as they are all gifted and talented differently. As a basic requirement in the society, scientific skills must be emphasized to both genders for faster transformation of the society in the 21st century and later years. Until recently, computer engineering was a specifically mens careers where women could not even try to figure out pursuing them. In the year 1996, the total number of women computer engineers in Canada was represented by only 9% (Williams, 2006). 3. Impacts of gender stereotyping in politics and governance. Richard Zoe (2003) points out that, over a longtime in history, political leadership has been dominated by men in different countries and states all over the world. It is believed that women are less capable of making correct decisions in the society as compared to their men counterparts. Gender stereotyping has consistently prevented women from being seriously considered in politics and high level offices. Great challenges lay in the way of entering and remaining in politics for the women from their men counterparts and the society in general. Traditionally, women were not allowed to vote or hold elective position in different countries. US had to greatly struggle for the women to be granted the power to vote for the political leaders in the mid nineteenth century. In the year 2004, women representation in Jamaican government was only 3% since their independence in 1953. From the electorates in the society to the structured policies in individual governments constitutions, women are less favored to compete for different elective posts (Williams, 2006). Uncritical promulgation of the female manifestos in Jamaica, Thailand, Venezuela, Germany and South America countries has assisted in portraying the male candidates as more suitable to their women counterparts. However, recent participation by women all over the world in important decisions making processes acts as a major indicator of how they can be involved in major decision making. They have therefore been limited in contributing important decisions that can assist in enhancing the globalization trends to make the world a better place to live in. Michelle Bachelet and Megawati Sukarnoputri acted as presidents for Chile and Indonesia for the years 2006 and 2004 respectively. Others include President Arroyo for Philippine, Tarja Halonen for Finland and Moscoso for the democratic republic republic of Panama. Therefore, women are not inferior in politics and can be able to rule and make equally good decisions in their respective countries (Williams, 2006). Others like Condoleeza Rice, the US secretary of state have been involved in international critical decisions like war in Iraq, African Affairs and nuclear weapons development diplomatic intervention decisions making. Their direct or indirect denial from participation in politics is therefore a clear indication of low levels in achieving democracy in various states in the world. Though, this view has widely changed, bulk of the masculine people especially in the developing countries must change their approach to enhance full potential reap from both genders (Theresa, 2005). 4. Gender Stereotyping in economic development. All over the world, women have been having great problems in development as compared to their male counterparts. It is considered that women are not supposed to inherit wealth from their matrimonial parents. This view as held by most eastern cultures and has tendered to keep women away from economic development. Access to finances for development has always been tied to the ability of an individual to provide enough security against it. In China, Japan and Brazil, it is believed that a woman after developing and attaining a given age, should get married. They are therefore denied the autonomy of making independent choices of their later economic lives. This denial therefore ensures that they remain dependent on their immediate marriage partners for all their activities. Though different regions and states like US and Britain have established ample legislative frameworks to prevent the exploitation women based on this myth, bulk of other countries still watch as women remain poor economically. As a result, their economic competitive ability is greatly compromised and overall economic situation derailed locally and internationally (Williams, 2006). As indicated earlier, women have have been having less chances to get educated in more competitive scientific subjects therefore, denying them the ability of accessing better jobs in the fast industrializing world. Until recently, Canadian women were regarded as housewives and only participated in minor poorly paying jobs like working in farms and in fabric industries. Though this fact was overlooked for a long time, the trend is fast changing to give them a more inclusive chance to contribute to the economic development of the country. According to Williams (2006), due to the high dominance of the men in different governments, legislations to discourage women participation only in minor home affairs have been developing very slowly and at times met with great resistance. As it was evident in Canada, women believed that they were supposed to be house wives and send their husbands to work and children to school. Besides, it was also believed that those Women who work are either widowed, unmarried or belong to far non Canadian community that have established investment in the country. The believe that all women should be house wives contradicts greatly the twenty first century economic trends where educated working women are highly respected and immensely contribute to the economic growth their countries. 5. Gender stereotyping in sports According to Schmalz Kerstetter (2006), sports have become major activities in the world that are used to bring great wealth to countries and individuals. Gender stereotyping however, has demanded strong compliance where women are expected to participate only to individual aesthetic activities that are pleasing and simplistic like gymnastics, synchronized swimming and figure skating against their male counterparts who are occasionally trained to participate in strenuous, aggressive and very competitive sports in the world. This division encouraged and allowed the women to accept and adopt the unfounded physical limitation imposed to them by the society (Theresa, 2005). With the traditional views that women should remain attractive, groomed and nurturing, they are thus discouraged from participating in strong sports like lifting weights, grunting and being aggressive in the society. Due to this acceptance, young girls have been stigma conscious of gender in physical activities and sports. Many of the activities that are encouraged for the women have high participation from the men counterparts. Swimming, tennis, badminton, bicycle riding, and athletics have as equal number of men like women. Boxing, football, rallying, horse riding and skating have little participation from the women as they are perceived as men sports. However, these trends have greatly changed and more women are participating in football, boxing and car rallying all over the world. Several states globally have tried to change the trend and encouraged more participation in sports by women. During the 2008 Olympic sports in China, sports participation by women had increased tremendously from the previous world cap. Economic development that simultaneously realigns with these segregated sports are therefore denied for women making them to be even more dependent on men and reducing their ability to inspire other women in the society (Malszecki Cavar, 2005). To add to that, talents are greatly lost from the various individuals that could have been developed to full appreciation through various sports. As a result of confining women to the beauty and light sports, international representation has been lost greatly for various countries. Besides, women are concentrated more in only few sports that cannot accommodate them thereby discouraging increased participation in sports by women (Schmalz Kerstetter, 2006). 6. Gender stereotypes in modeling and relationship Over years, it has come to be stereotypically accepted that women as opposed to men should be thin in order to look more attractive. Physical appearance in women has been pasted as a major determinant factor in their overall success. Current media depiction of slim and less stout women to be more successful in life has made many young women to strive being like them in order to be equally successful. Major advertisements and beauty competitions are dominated by such slim ladies pasting the wrong attitude for their lives. Those ladies unable to remain slim are generally traumatized and looked down upon and by their counterparts in the society. From the 1950s to 2005, womans body in Miss America contests as well as the Playboy Centerfolds have portrayed women thinness a major prerequisite for their consideration to participate and win. Other models all over the world copying from the west, have adopted the trend that is posted to all the media with great magnitude that even the very young girls only wish to remain slim and thus look attractive. Overestimation and failure to question critically the relationship of the preferred slimness in comparison to the immediate health consequences has been missing in this myth (Williams, 2006). It have been categorized as harmful to refuse eating food in order to slim because of immediate susceptibility to diseases by the body. Everybody should feed adequately to enhance enough body immunity that increases its overall ability to fight against germs invasion. Adoption of slimming options by the female ladies has been ill advised and happens with little assistance from the medical assistants thereby putting them into greater risks. Extremely slim ladies have been considered more susceptible to periodic diseases invasion which may end up costing them more in treating the same ailments. Continued slimming for long periods of time have been associated with reduced life expectancy for the specific individual due to lack of enough body supportive nutrients (Margaret, 2003). Modern relationships have been displayed and greatly exaggerated by the media where slimmer and lighter skin colored women are portrayed to be much more attractive and sexy in comparison to others in the society. As a major item in the western world and fast spreading due to other regions, all the young and old ladies want to look good when they are with their peers as well as when they are in relationships. They therefore struggle to attain and retain the prescribed model like figures and maintain them through out to make them fit in the social groupings that develop in the society (Malszecki Cavar, 2005). Besides, there is even higher risk to their health in the case where they use chemicals to assist them assume the slim preferred figures. These chemicals enhance immediate alterations of the hormones in the body thereby achieving the required change. However, over 65% of all the chemicals used for slimming have major side effects like cancer and bio-accumulative poisoning. On the other hand, cosmetics are also increasingly being used to enhance the immediate change in the face appearance. Mercury and silver based skin lightening cosmetics demanded has risen with over 75% in the last 10 years. Though standards have been emphasized greatly to ensure reduced side effects, cases have been reported of massive chemical burns and even death after using various chemicals (Malszecki Cavar, 2005). Great care should therefore be instigated for use and natural beauty appreciated for all the people. 7. Addressing gender stereotype in the society. As indicated earlier, gender stereotype in the society involves attitudes by the people which are regarded by majority or all of them. Addressing them therefore, requires a combined effort approach where various entities will be required to positively confront the issue for holistic success to be achieved. 8. Use of policy and legislative framework To begin with, inclusive research should be instituted to enhance understanding of the problem from all the dimensions and identification of the immediate key players for the existence of the fallacy. European Institute for Gender Equality has helped greatly in establishing the major gender imbalance based issues that promote stereotyping in the society. Its immediate and long term effects should also be established to categorize the urgency (Richard Zoe,2003). Then policies and legislative framework should be developed to encourage more equity and representation in the society. These policies should therefore ensure increased awareness creation and training to the teachers in different schools and their students on the need to reduce gender stereotypic approaches in the society (Theresa, 2005). Besides, it should also be extended to the parents who play major roles in the early child development. Incentives should be established to increase participation by both genders. European Union after realizing the great impact that gender stereotyping was having in the society, it established a common policy to be used by all the European Union countries in removing the deeply entrenched disparities (Margaret, 2003). Accessibility of jobs previously prescribed as only for men was opened up for women in the member countries. Besides, the member states agreed to develop individual objectives to be localized from the agreed agenda by reflecting the immediate countrys problems. 9. Using media to enhance change of attitude Malszecki Cavar (2005) argues that, media should act as the key tool in promoting positive attitudes towards different genders while denouncing the stereotypic ones. As indicated earlier, media has played the greatest role in spreading stereotypes in the society due to its great availability and massive persuasive and convincing power especially to the young people. Facts should be used in advertisements and extremism avoided in the whole process. Many people do not understand the negative outcomes of the gender stereotypes and therefore, both sides of the story should be told for informed decision from the different people in the society to be made. Though the freedom of the media is of great necessity at all times to enhance increased ability of the people to express themselves, it can be regulated to make it more responsible since it is the major contributor to the existence of the current high levels of gender stereotypes in the society (Williams, 2006). 10. Local and international cooperation To add to that, cooperation at all levels in the field of community development and youth affairs should be initiated in the line of jobs and employments opportunities in different states. As discussed earlier, majority of the disparities arise as a result of poor availability of employment opportunities that instigates sharp divisions guided by various mythologies relating to gender stereotypes. Increased industrialization and opening up of more chances related to different areas of specialization in working places should be enhanced (Richard Zoe,2003). This specialization therefore, would act as an opener to new opportunities in all careers. Introduction of unemployment benefits for the unemployed people of different genders would help reducing major held perceptions that are based on dependence of women to men through submissiveness. It would also increase their ability to invest and improve their independence (Williams, 2006). 11. Improving democracy in the society. Democracy as described in the classical theories of change in the society, acts as a major platform for total participation in all developments in the society. Increasing democratic space for all the people in various decision making posts can reduce totally the perception that only men can hold such administrative posts in the management. As indicated in majority of the democratic world, all the people should have equal opportunity to contribute and sell their political agendas for increased efficiency and higher level management of their states. After Germany elected Engel Merkel as the chancellor in the country, great changes have taken place and people are admiring her mode of operations both locally and internationally. At all levels of management, representation should be enhanced and made equal for both genders (Margaret, 2003). In regions where low levels of democracy still persist, policies should be established to reserve posts for both genders in the management structures. Acting as a major example in the present world, similar cases are being developed in the developed and developing world to enhance major economic growth (Richard Zoe,2003). 12. Promoting gender equality in sports and careers As a major abstractor in the sports field, both genders should be encouraged to participate in all the sports available for improved talents harnessing in the society. Negativism in one gender participation and scaring off should be discouraged at all times to allow improved development for both genders (Theresa, 2005). Careers development should be improved for better participation in the economic developments by both genders. Gender balance creates self esteem that aids in reducing the major disparities that go together with discrimination. From the local and international arena, successful people in different careers and sports should be used as the major role models because of the facts attached to them (Schmalz Kerstetter, 2006). Conclusion. Gender stereotypes have been adopted by majority of the people as part of their culture and are therefore used in defining their ways of living in the society. However, they are wrong and should be discouraged as they are highly generalized, give wrong perceptions, discourage total potential discovery from the people and hinder full potential exploitation in the society. As it has happened in education and sports, various achievement of the major goals and objectives that assist people in assuming better earning jobs and thus improved lifestyles are highly limited and defined on the gender stereotyping attitudes possessed by the society. Change to the gender stereotypes perception will form the basis of equality for both genders in all areas of development thereby portraying the greater sense of social civilization (Williams, 2006). Due to the high level of illusionary correlation in gender stereotypes, information on emphasis of slim models and discouragement of participation in sports by the females are highly deceitful to the people. They therefore portray wrong perception that are sooner adopted as part of life by the people in that region. Besides, being in the era of globalization development should be based on the major premises that are substantiated and not illusionary. It should be fully discouraged and all the perceptions conclusively removed with immediate programs as it is a major abyss for talents, innovations and developments. Recommendations 1. Improve and increase cooperation from the of the major organs dealing with gender stereotypes in the society through awareness creation. 2. Promote economic independence of all the people in the society by opening up areas of employment and working (Richard Zoe,2003). 3. Increase funds for gender based programs that will enhance increased participation from both males and females in the society. 4. Promote responsible media programs in the society that will enhance change of attitude for the better by the youths in the society. 5. Enhance improved research, implementation and monitoring into the established initiatives for effectiveness and conclusiveness of the goals set Reference list Malszecki, G. Cavar, T. (2005). Men, masculinities, war, and sport. In Race, Class, and Sexuality. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall. Margaret, W. M. (2003). The Psychology of Women. Washington: Sage. Richard, F. Zoe, O. (2003) â€Å" Gender stereo typing Stereotyping in State Executive Elections†, Journal of politics, (3)65, 25-49. Schmalz, D. Kerstetter, D. (2006). Girlie girls and manly men: Children’s stigma consciousness of gender in sports and physical activities. Journal of Leisure Research, (4)38, 536-557 Theresa, M. (2005). Gender Myths V. Working Realities. New York: NYU Press. Williams, K. 2006. Globalization: Gender stereo typing in the 21st century and its impacts in

Kentucky fried chicken

Kentucky fried chicken Entrepreneurship: Colonel Sanders started the Kentucky Fried Chicken at the age of 65. Presently KFC is one of the leading firms in food industry around the world. Over a billion KFC chicken dinners are served featuring the Colonels â€Å"finger likin good† recipe, each year. At the age of 40 Sanders first started cooking in a service station in Corbin, KY. But soon hundreds of people started coming to the service station for food instead for car service. Soon he shifted to a hotel and restaurant that had a capacity of holding 142 people at a time. With his special cooking techniques, Sanders station became well-known and he was acknowledged for his incredible cuisine by the Governor at the time, RubyLaffoonin 1935 when he was made a Kentucky Colonel.In 1939, Colonel Sanders restaurant won the top spot on Duncan Hines â€Å"Adventures in Good Eating.† In 1952 colonel sanders got good start for his company and devoted the rest of his life in franchising business. By 1964, over six hundred franchised outlets were opened in theUnited StatesandCanadafor his chicken. The company got listed on the New York Stock Exchange on January 16, 1969, only 3 years after it had gone public on March 17, 1966.Then on July 8, 1971 the company was taken over by Heublin Inc, for $285 million dollars. Soon the company grew to an enormous three thousand and five hundred franchised and company-owned restaurants world-wide.But after being regularly travelling around the globe, Colonel Sanders died of leukemia at the age of 90 in 1980. Nowadays its part of a bigger company known as Yum Brands. Advantages To Parent Business 1. Financial:It is another source of income through franchise fee and royalty. Also there is increase in Cash flow, return on investment and profits. 2. Operational:There is smaller centralized control as compared to developing and having locations by company itself. It also ensures consistency, enhanced productivity and better quality. Self-motivation as franchisees invests their own money. 3. Strategic:It helps in dividing risk by having multiple locations through peoples investment. That ensures faster network expansion and a better opportunity to focus on changing market needs. 4. Administrative:With a smaller central organization, the business maintains a more cost effective labor force, no change in important staff members and better recruitment. Disadvantages To Parent Business 1. Franchisor is required to have enough resources to recruit, train and support the new franchisees. 2. Franchisee may spoil the image of the company if he is not capable of running the franchise perfectly. 3. Also franchisor has to tell all the internal information of the company to the franchisee. So, privacy of company is also at risk.† Marketing/ Advertising â€Å"The KFC Marketing team focuses fervently on delivering an unvarying pipeline of mouth-watering meals. They try to search the wants of the customers and bring new innovative products to meet the customers standards. Target market is divided on the basis of demographic, geographic and psychographic segments. The pricing strategy that they follow while entering new market is price skimming. In starting they try to price their product a bit high and target the middle and upper class people. Than after some time they start lowering their prices to focus on middle to lower class people. They do this to get to larger part of the market. The Marketing team gives more importance to Operations and Product Excellence. They try to find new ways to develop and execute new ideas, as well as assessing the input of the finance in the business. The Marketing team is the primary medium of communication between the company and the customers. The budget of marketing is divided in accordance to the media buying and advertising production to guarantee a year round calendar of innovative news to drive consumers back to our restaurants every time. Advertising strategies are the same as any other firm but they have their distinctive slogan â€Å"finger likin good† which relates to quality of food they provide. KFC usually charges advertisement fee of 5% of the gross revenue to the individual stores. KFC charges a Local advertising fee of 3% and fee equal to 2% of the gross revenue for national advertising fee. Operations Management KFC primary raw material is chicken. They are not breed in a normal way. These chickens are kept alive by tubes inserted into their bodies to force blood and nutrients right through their body. They do not have any beaks, feathers as well as feet. Their bone structure is considerably shrunk to get more meat out of them. This is beneficial for KFC because they do not have to pay a huge quantity for their production costs. There is rarely any plucking of feathers or the removal of the beaks and feet. However this method has been disapproved of by many animal rights organizations and has been upsetting the image of the company. There have been many cases against KFC regarding the treatment of chickens in their farms. Cost Initial Investnment: â€Å" Expenditure Low High Initial Franchise Fee $25,000 $45,000 Development Services Fee Varies Varies Real Property $400,000 $1,000,000 Construction and Leasehold Improvements $575,000 $915,000 Equipment/Signage $216,000 $366,000 Opening Advertising $5,000 $5,000 Opening Inventory $10,000 $10,000 Utility Deposits and Business Licenses $7,000 $7,000 Initial Training $3,900 $10,000 Miscellaneous Opening Costs $5,000 $15,000 Additional Funds (3 months) $13,000 $18,000 Total $1,379,900 $2,391,000† The figures are taken from the KFC website. Please refer to the URL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: The franchisor does not provide any indirect or direct financing. They do guarantee any lease or obligation. KFC is one of the parts of organization named YUM brands. YUM Capital is a special purpose limited liability company structured under Delaware law, the sole member of which is YUM Capital Funding Corp a non-stock corporation in Delaware. YUM Capital issues commercial paper secured by loans purchased from YUM Capital Funding Corp and made by YUM Capital Funding Corp to franchisees in YUM restaurant brands. ROYALTY: KFC franchisees have to pay royalty fee equal to 4% of gross revenues or else minimum of $600 per month. BREAK-EVEN POINT: It is the condition of a company when they are having no profits. In other words when company is just paying all its expenses. If it has to be calculated from sales than a certain number has to be found out at which company is having no profit. An estimated amount of sales revenue for 2010 is 21926 million dollars and the estimated revenue is 1452 million dollars. So break-even point should be the difference of sales and revenue i.e. 20474 (21926-1452) million dollars. This means company has to earn At least 20474 million dollars to cover up all its expenses. Human Resource Management KFC stresses upon the fact that either franchisees or at least one of the managers should complete the training program set-up by the company. But KFC is very strict about asking for employees to complete the training process as per the companys discretion. Besides basic training if company has certain additional course work or programs they can ask the franchisee, managers and employees to do those too. The training program is generally of 4 days, each having a session of 8-10 hours each day. This kind of training technique helps in growing the efficiency of workers and managers and makes them accustomed with their work hence reducing the likelihood of errors and mistakes. But on the other hand this procedure can be time consuming and can possibly become more costly due to the excessive training that the possible employees have to go through before entering the organization. References: http://www.kfc.com www.yumfranchise.com www.ehow.com www.yum.com KFC Annual report. www.answers.com Key Takeaway This assignment helped in understanding different ways of managing a new business. It made me familiar with the concept of having a franchise business, what are the benefits of having franchise and what are the additional expenses of having a franchise business. Besides that it gave me an opportunity to review franchisees of KFC all over the world and helped me significantly in analyzing all the dynamics involved for having KFC franchise. In future if I want to start my own business I might give a preference to franchise form depending upon the kind of business I want to have.

Social Constructions Of Tuberculosis Sociology Essay

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

The Personality of Macbeth :: Macbeth essays

The Personality of Macbeth Macbeth is first presented as a mature man of definitely established character, successful in certain fields of activity, and enjoying an enviable reputation. One must not conclude that all Macbeth's actions are predictable. Macbeth's character is made out of potentialities and the environment, and no one, not even Macbeth, can know all of his inordinate self-love. Macbeth is determined by a desire for temporal and mutable good. Macbeth is driven in his conduct by an inordinate desire for worldly honors; his self emulation lies in buying golden opinions from all sorts of people. One must not deny Macbeth a human complexity of motives. For example, his fighting in Duncan's service is magnificent and courageous. Macbeth also rejoices in the success that crown his efforts in battle. Macbeth's services are also for his own glory. Macbeth says, "The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself." While Macbeth destroys Duncan's enemies, such motive work but are obscured in his consciousness by more vigorous urges. Macbeth by nature violently demands rewards. Macbeth fights courageously so he may be reported as a "valor's minion" and "Bellona's bridegroom." Macbeth values success because it brings fame, new titles, and royal favor. As long as these mutable goods fulfill his desires, which is the case until he covets the kingship, Macbeth is an honorable gentleman. Once Macbeth's self-love demands a satis faction that cannot be honorably obtained, he employs dishonorable tactics to gain his selfish desires. As Macbeth returns victoriously from battle, his self-love demands recognition of his greatness. The demonic forces of evil that drive Macbeth, symbolized by the witches, suggest to him to obtain the greatest mutable good he has ever desired, the kingdom. The witches observe Macbeth's expressions to understand the passions that are driving his dark desires he is so valiantly attempting to suppress. The witches predict Macbeth will be king. The witches can not compel Macbeth to do evil deeds, but they can use Macbeth's desire to become king to pervert his judgment of reason to corral him to choose temporal good. Macbeth's imagination and passions are so vivid under these evil impulses that "nothing is but what is not." Macbeth's reason becomes so impede that he judges, "These soliciting cannot be evil, cannot be good." Still Macbeth is provided with so much natural good that he is able to control his imagination and decide not to attempt any act that involves criminal actions.

The Role of Nelson Mandela and President De Klerk in Bringing about the

Apartheid, means "separateness", this was a social system enforced by white minority governments in twentieth-century upon those of ethnic minorities in South Africa. Under apartheid, the black majority was segregated, and was denied political and economic rights equal to those of whites, this had become a distressing daily routine for the Africans. Therefore in 1991 when De Klerk announced the end of Apartheid, this was a momentous moment for the whole of South Africa and an event, which shall be remembered, in black history forever. After over 50 years of apartheid policies the Africans were finally freed from confinements as the law accounted upon them as equals. However, the question as been raised, as to why did De Klerk put a sudden end Apartheid, and what had influenced his decision in doing so. Throughout this section of this coursework, I shall be analysing the circumstances of South Africa in order to confirm who was more important in bringing about the end of apartheid and minority rule, De Klerk or Nelson Mandela? Nelson Mandela and F.W de Klerk played a vital part in bringing about the end apartheid and minority rule in South Africa. However, their reasons for wanting the apartheid to end deviate significantly. Nelson Mandela was involved in the main resistance against apartheid, the African National Congress, or ANC for short. This large political group in South Africa was involved in many protests against apartheid since its formation in 1912. Mandela joined the Youth League of the ANC in 1944 but had doubts about his commitment to the party. In 1948 the Youth League elected a new ANC president in response to the... ...ndela played a more pivotal role in bringing about the end of apartheid due to his constant exertions and fights against it. However, Mandela cannot be completely commended for his efforts in the termination of the Apartheid. As although, Mandela fought against the apartheid for the best years of his life, on the other hand received no reactions from the Government to his efforts to remove the apartheid. Therefore indicating De Klerk played a crucial part in the anti-apartheid movement as he was president and had the power to end apartheid whilst Mandela didn?t. Overall, making the end of Apartheid a joint combination of both FW de Klerk?s efforts in the negotiations between the National party, although more so, Mandela?s and the ANC progress and constant dedication which helped to bring about the end of minority rule.

Edgar Allen Poe Essay examples -- essays research papers fc

Edgar Allan Poe; A Man of Secrecy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 as Edgar Poe. He was the second son to Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe. Both parents were actors, and shortly after Poe’s birth, his father deserted his family around 1810. Edgar became an orphan before the age of three years, when his mother died on December 8, 1811 in Richmond, Virginia at the age of twenty-four years. His father died at the age of twenty-seven years old. After his mother’s death, the childless couple, John and Frances Allan, took in Poe; his paternal grandparents took in brother William Henry; and foster parents cared for sister Rosalie. Allan was a strict and unemotional tobacco merchant and his wife was overindulgent. Poe was educated by the Allan’s aid, in private academies, excelling in Latin, in writing verse and declamation. However, regardless of his education, he was looked down upon by the upper class of society, perhaps because Poe was never legally adopted by the Al lan’s, nonetheless he was regarded as an outsider by the Richmond elite. However, being the child of former actor’s could have also added to his reputation of not fitting in with Richmond’s culture at that time. The loss of his mother at an early age definitely affected Poe, â€Å"The angels, whispering to one another, Can find, among their burning terms of love, None so devotional as that of ‘Mother’† (To My Mother). In Tamerlane, he not only wrote about his father, but he wrote about his mother too. He had more respect for his mother than he did for his father. In Tamerlane he speaks much nicer of his mother. â€Å"O, she was worthy of all love! Love – as in infancy was mine – ‘Twas such as angel minds above Might envy; her young heart the shrine on which my every hope and thought†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Tamerlane). He thought of life with his mother and how it might have been.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1831 Poe moved to Baltimore to live with his aunt, Maria Clemm. There he fell in love and married her daughter and his cousin Virginia Clemm, who was not even fourteen at the time. Ten years later she also died of tuberculosis. He dearly loved his wife and after she died his life just went to pieces. In â€Å"The Raven†, the character is morning over the death of â€Å"Lenore† when a raven visits him. Poe used the raven because it is a bird that feeds on dead flesh – a symbol of death. â€Å"... ... of common usage—it is the work of nine tenths of his critism† (221). Edgar Allan Poe was in fact born before his time! Works Cited Bohner, Charles H. â€Å"The John Hopkins Press†. John Pendleton Kennedy URL: http.//www.usna.edu/EnglishDept/poeperplex/kennedyp.htm (21 July 2000). Buranelli, Vincent. Edgar Allan Poe. Boston: Twayne Publishers. URL: http.//:www.toolcity.net/~zrm/lit/telltale/html (21 July 2000). Ljunguist Kent P. Edgar Allan Poe. ‘Guide to Literary Theory & Critism†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  URL: http.//www.press.jhu.edu/books/hopinks_guide_to_literary_theory/   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  entries/edgar_allan_poe.html (20 July 2000). Ljunguist Kent P. Edgar Allan Poe. The World Book Encyclopedia. 2nd Edition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chicago, Ill: World Book Inc, 1987. Vol. 15. Poe, Edgar Allan, 1809-1849. The Collected Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Poe. New York: Modern Library, 1992. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 5th Edition. New York, New York: Norton & Company, 1999.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Gmf (Genetically Modified Food) Essay

â€Å"Genetically modified foods† is the term most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or ani mal consumption, which have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits or improved nutritional content. The enhancement of desired traits has traditionally been undertaken through breeding, but conventional plant breeding methods can be very time consuming and are often not very accurate. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, can create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. Development. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. Typically, genetically modified foods are plant products: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil, but animal products have been proposed. The first commercially grown genetically modified whole food crop was the tomato puree (called FlavrSavr), which was made more resistant to rotting by Californian company Calgene. Currently, th ere are a number of foods of which a genetically modified version exists. What plants are involved? Some foods have been modified to make them resistant to insects and viruses and more able to tolerate herbicides. Crops that have been modified for these purposes, with approval from the relevant authorities, in a number of countries, include: maize, soybean, oilseed rape (canola), chicory, squash, potato. Some of the advantages of GM foods: There is a need to produce inexpensive, safe and nutritious foods to help feed the world’s growing population. Genetic modification may provide: ï‚ · Better quality food. ï‚ · Higher nutritional yields. ï‚ · Inexpensive and nutritious food, like carrots with more antioxidants. ï‚ · Foods with a greater shelf life, like tomatoes that taste better and last longer. ï‚ · Food with medicinal benefits, such as edible vaccines – for example, bananas with bacterial or rotavirus antigens. ï‚ · Crops and produce that require less chemical application, such as herbicide resistant canola. Some of the disadvantages of GM foods: Food regulatory authorities require that GM foods receive individual pre-market safety assessments. Also, the principle of ‘substantial equivalence’ is used. This means that an existing food is compared with its genetically modified coun terpart to find any differences between the existing food and the new product. The assessment investigates: ï‚ · Toxicity (using similar methods to those used for conventional foods). ï‚ · Tendency to provoke any allergic reaction. ï‚ · Stability of the inserted gene. ï‚ · Whether there is any nutritional deficit or change in the GM food. ï‚ · Any other unintended effects of the gene insertion. Economic concerns: Bringing a GM food to market is a lengthy and costly process, and of course agri -biotech companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their investment. Many new plant genetic engineering technologies and GM plants have been patented, and patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness. Yet consumer advocates are worried that patenting these new plant varieties will raise the price of seeds so high that small farmers and third world countries will not be able to afford seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor. One way to combat possible patent infringement is to introduce a â€Å"suici de gene† into GM plants. These plants would be viable for only one growing season and would produce sterile seeds that do not germinate. Farmers would need to buy a fresh supply of seeds each year. However, this would be financially disastrous for farmers in third world countries who cannot afford to buy seed each year and traditionally set aside a portion of their harvest to plant in the next growing season. How are GM foods labeled? Labeling of GM foods and food products is also a contentious issue. On th e whole, agribusiness industries believe that labeling should be voluntary and influenced by the demands of the free market. If consumers show preference for labeled foods over non -labeled foods, then industry will have the incentive to regulate itself or risk alienating the customer. There are many questions that must be answered if labeling of GM foods becomes mandatory such as; are consumers willing to absorb the cost of such an initiative? If the food production industry is required to label GM foods, factories will need to construct two separate processing streams and monitor the production lines accordingly. Farmers must be able to keep GM crops and non -GM crops from mixing during planting, harvesting and shipping. It is almost assured that industry will pass along these additional costs to consumers in the form of higher prices. Food labels must be designed to clearly convey accurate information about the product in simple language that everyone can understand. Conclusion: Genetically-modified foods have the potential to solve many of the world’s hunger and malnutrition problems, and to help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and reducing reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. However, we must proceed with caution to avoid causing unintended harm to human health and the environment as a result of our enthusiasm for this powerful technology.