The Mojito is a very well-known Cuban drink

The Mojito is a very well-known Cuban drink, but this was not always the case. There was quite a few years that passed before this drink became what it is today. The ingredients for this great tasting drink are one of a kind and though tweaked a bit over the years, are still the same ones used today. One man that really contributed to the establishment of this amazing drink was Sir Francis Drake. Another famous name that gave this drink some popularity was the writer Ernest Hemingway. This popular drink was discovered decades ago and is still thriving today. The traditional Mojito consists of 5 ingredients: sparkling water, white rum, mint, lime juice, and sugar. The recipe originally from the island of Cuba, most often consists of spearmint or Yerba Buena, a popular mint on the island. The mint and citrus is used in order to reduce the strong kick of the white rum. Due to its sweet taste, the Mojito has become a popular summer drink. When making a Mojito, the mint leaves and sugar are added first followed by the lime juice. After, the leaves must gently be mashed up, but only enough for the oils to be released. The rum is then added and the mixture is stirred in order to lift the leaves and the sugar to dissolve. Last but not least, the drink is then topped with soda water and whole ice cubes to give a better presentation. Some hotels in Havana, Cuba, add Angostura which helps to cut the sweetness the mojito presents. Angostura is a liquid made up of water and 44. 7 % alcohol. A hotel guest in Cuba may have their mojito served with fresh lime instead of lemon. This also can depend on the bartender preparing the drink. There are other ways the mojito can be made in order to give the drink a different taste. Some people say that this drink was invented by the African slaves that worked in the sugar cane fields in Cuba seeing as the name â€Å"Mojito† comes from the African word â€Å"mojo† which means to place a little spell (http://havanajournal. com/culture/entry/cuban-mojito-history-and-recipe/). There are quite a few of these rum-based drinks, but the original is the most popular. Though Cuba is said to be the Mojito’s birthplace, many would debate otherwise. The Mojito has been traced to a 19th century drink known as â€Å"El Draque†, named after Sir Francis Drake (http://iml. ou. ufl. edu/projects/fall12/araujo_J/history. html). The Draque was originally made with sugar, lime, mint, and aguardiente. Aguardiente is a clear alcoholic drink that looks like vodka, but consists of a higher alcohol percentage. It is made in Colombia, and means â€Å"sizzling or fire water†. In older times this drink was used in a medicinal way. They would place the liqu or in a bottle with a dead snake and let it set for a period of time. After some time it was used as a rubbing alcohol for muscle pains. The 1800’s was the turning point for the mojito. Thanks to the establishment of Bacardi in the 1800’s, the popularity of the Mojito sky rocketed. In 1940 Federick Villoch changed this sweet tropical drink’s name from â€Å"El Draque† to the mojito (http://www1. bacardi. com/#/us/en-us/originalmojito/history). While it was not originally called a Mojito, the ingredients used back then are still the same ones used today. One famous man who very much enjoyed this drink was the writer Ernest Hemingway. His love for this drink caused him to write â€Å"My Mojito in La Bodeguita† which translates â€Å"My Daiquiri in the Bodega†. The title of the book came from the bar La Bodeguita del Medio which Hemingway helped make famous. In the bar today you can still see his writings on the walls. The bar was opened in 1942 by Angel Martinez. It was established next to a printing shop which gave the little bar more customers who stopped by for a drink after business. The bar became the new drinking spot and in no time the place was always packed. In 1950, Martinez changed the name from â€Å"La Casa Martinez† to â€Å"La Bodequita del Medio† and has stayed that way ever since (http://bodeguita. om. ua/? page_id=6218&lang=en). The invention of the mojito was not planned, but it did produce a revolutionary product that is still to this day enjoyed worldwide. The ingredients are easy to find and the drink, though meticulous in detail, is well worth the time spent. Many people have contributed to its success, and due to this success the mojito will continue to thrive. This gives just a little hint that this w ell-made drink will continue to have success for many years to come. Works Cited http://bodeguita.com.ua/?page_id=6218&lang=en. (n.d.). http://havanajournal.com/culture/entry/cuban-mojito-history-and-recipe/. (n.d.). http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall12/araujo_J/history.html. (n.d.). http://www1.bacardi.com/#/us/en-us/originalmojito/history. (n.d.).

Computer Assisted Audit Technique Essay

The test data technique is primarily designed to test the effectiveness of the internal control procedures which are incorporated in the client’s computer program. The objective of the test data technique is to determine whether the client’s computer programs can correctly handle valid and invalid conditions as they arise. To accomplish this objective the auditor prepares test data (fictitious transactions) that consist of valid and invalid conditions. The auditor enters the test data into the system and have the data processed by the entity’s computer programs. Since the auditor is the one who crates the test data, the auditor knows what the output should look like assuming the client’s computer programs is functioning effectively. The auditor then compares the processing results with his predetermined output. If the output generated by the client’s program is the same as the auditor’s expected output, the auditor may conclude that the client’s program is reliable. A disadvantage of the test data technique is that the auditor does not have an assurance that the program tested is the same program used by the client throughout the accounting process. . In order to overcome this disadvantage, the test data technique can be extended to an integrated test facility (ITF) An integrated test facility (ITF) creates a fictitious entity in a database to process test transactions simultaneously with live input. It can be used to incorporate test transactions into a normal production run of a system. Its advantage is that periodic testing does not require separate test processes. However, careful planning is necessary, and test data must be isolated from production data. Integrated test facility is considered a useful audit tool during an IT audit because it uses the same programs to compare processing using independently calculated data. This involves setting up dummy entities on an application system and processing test or production data against the entity as a means of verifying processing accuracy. When using ITF, the auditor must be alert to the danger of contaminating the client’s master file. Thus, care must be taken to reverse or eliminates the effects of all audit test transactions in order to avoid contamination of client’s computer files. Parallel Simulation The test data and ITF methods both process test data through real programs. With parallel simulation, the auditor processes real client data on an audit program similar to some aspect of the client’s program. The auditor compares the results of this processing with the results of the processing done by the client’s program.

The Soldier – Rupert Broke

â€Å"The Soldier† is a sonnet-type poem composed by a First World War veteran and also a war poet named Rupert Brooke. This sonnet finds a soldier speculating about his possible death as we goes away to war, which he feels should not be mourned, but understood as part of a selfless tribute to his much-loved England. This poem was written as the First World War broke out in 1914, as part of a series of many sonnets written by Rupert Brooke. Patriotism is a true form of love.It is a form of love which is pure, yet which has the ability to rage fire for the sake of itself. It is the form of love which is unconditional, immense, true and real for one's land, one's true mother. Rupert Brooke has presented his patriotism in a spectacular way in this poem. The poem encompasses the memories of a fallen soldier who declares his patriotism to his homeland by stating that his sacrifice shall be the eternal ownership of England. It also deals with the death and accomplishments of a soldi er.In the opening lines Rupert Brooke has presented his patriotism in such a forceful expression that he considers the sand in which he would be buried, be it a foreign land, will become an English sand, the richness of which will further be increased by the fertility of an English body of a passionately patriotic soul. The idea of an unnamed â€Å"corner of a foreign field† where the soldier will be buried speaks of the unsung and anonymous nature of death in war. Yet the notion that this small space will â€Å"forever† be part of England elevates the sacrifice the soldier makes— as if he has in a small way conquered this land.The soft alliteration here lends these opening lines a subdued tone. He goes on to say that England was his birth place and it shaped what kind of person he became. It influenced his thoughts and beliefs. England taught him about love, loyalty, and honor. His soul will be immortal, because he fought for England. The association and inclin ation of his mind and body towards his country is vigorously explained when he claims to create an English land, of an English body, bore by England, brought up by England and educated and fed by England, in the land he will be buried.The poet also emphasizes on England’s abundance and pastoral beauty as a kind gift. He refers to himself as a child who grew up under the English sunshine; bathe in the English rivers, breathing the fresh air of the English countryside and whose destiny is shaped by the nation itself. His death is justified, because he died for England. His evil deeds don't matter anymore, because he did what was right; he fought for his country. Whatever evil things he had done will be forgiven as he died while defending his motherland.His preceding desire is for all present and future generations to think that his heart is reconciled to the good of his country with no evil intentions hidden, but a lively mind in the afterlife which will project the fondest tho ughts given by England. His death allows him to only remember the good things about England. It also allows for someone else to come and take his place. He is passing on all the dreams and thoughts that England taught him onto the next generation of soldier; so that he can fight with as much heart and honor as he did. The soldier lists all the wonderful experiences that the soldier has gained from England.These pleasant thoughts and memories will be given back to God as the soldier becomes one with Him. The sights and sounds that are experienced by the poet in his younger days and the boyhood dreams that are as clear as the day, the laughter of youth from the circle of friends and that gentleness of heart, whose soul will rest in peace under an English heaven. The poem ends with a startling proposition— the soldier finds rest and peace at last in heaven, but heaven has been transformed by the thoughts and memories that the soldier has given to God.This heaven is now â€Å"an English heaven†: the connection with England will remain forever unbroken. The sonnet’s turn from an idyllic or idealized vision of England to the idea of a transcendent and literally heavenly England is complete. These final lines are showing the happiness that England has given him. And because he fought for England he will forever be at peace in an English heaven with only good thoughts and laughter in his heart. The plot of this poem reinforces its meaning because it deals with death and love.These are two powerful things that evoke feeling in people. It helps to create an image in the poem of a man who is very brave and would do anything for his country. The meaning in the poem is straightforward. The author dedicates the poem to death and love. QESTION Q. Describe the way Rupert Brooke feels about England. What does he mean by â€Å"a richer dust†? Answer: â€Å"The Soldier† is a sonnet-type poem composed by a First World War veteran and also a war poet named Rupert Brooke.This sonnet finds a soldier speculating about his possible death as we goes away to war, which he feels should not be mourned, but understood as part of a selfless tribute to his much-loved England. This poem was written as the First World War broke out in 1914, as part of a series of many sonnets written by Rupert Brooke. Patriotism is a true form of love. It is a form of love which is pure, yet which has the ability to rage fire for the sake of itself. It is the form of love which is unconditional, immense, true and real for one's land, one's true mother.Rupert Brooke has presented his patriotism in a spectacular way in this poem. The poem encompasses the memories of a fallen soldier who declares his patriotism to his homeland by stating that his sacrifice shall be the eternal ownership of England. Rupert Brooke has presented his patriotism in such a forceful expression that he considers the sand in which he would be buried, be it a foreign land, will beco me an English sand, the richness of which will further be increased by the fertility of an English body of a passionately patriotic soul.The idea of an unnamed â€Å"corner of a foreign field† where the soldier will be buried speaks of the unsung and anonymous nature of death in war. Yet the notion that this small space will â€Å"forever† be part of England elevates the sacrifice the soldier makes— as if he has in a small way conquered this land. He goes on to say that England was his birth place and it shaped what kind of person he became. It influenced his thoughts and beliefs. England taught him about love, loyalty, and honor. His soul will be immortal, because he fought for England.The association and inclination of his mind and body towards his country is vigorously explained when he claims to create an English land, of an English body, bore by England, brought up by England and educated and fed by England, in the land he will be buried. The poet also emph asizes on England’s abundance and pastoral beauty as a kind gift. He refers to himself as a child who grew up under the English sunshine; bathe in the English rivers, breathing the fresh air of the English countryside and whose destiny is shaped by the nation itself. His death is justified, because he died for England.His evil deeds don't matter anymore, because he did what was right; he fought for his country. Whatever evil things he had done will be forgiven as he died while defending his motherland. His preceding desire is for all present and future generations to think that his heart is reconciled to the good of his country with no evil intentions hidden, but a lively mind in the afterlife which will project the fondest thoughts given by England. He is passing on all the dreams and thoughts that England taught him onto the next generation of soldier; so that he can fight with as much heart and honor as he did.The sights and sounds that are experienced by the poet in his y ounger days and the boyhood dreams that are as clear as the day, the laughter of youth from the circle of friends and that gentleness of heart, whose soul will rest in peace under an English heaven. The soldier finds rest and peace at last in heaven, but heaven has been transformed by the thoughts and memories that the soldier has given to God. This heaven is now â€Å"an English heaven†: the connection with England will remain forever unbroken. The sonnet’s turn from an idyllic or idealized vision of England to the idea of a transcendent and literally heavenly England is complete.These final lines are showing the happiness that England has given him. As he fought for England he will forever be at peace in an English heaven with only good thoughts and laughter in his heart. The poet indicates himself by the word â€Å"a richer dust†. He says that the richness of the foreign land where he will die will be enriched by the fertility of an English body of a passiona tely patriotic soul. This poem deals with the death and accomplishments of a soldier. The author dedicates the poem to death and love.

Environmental Sustainability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Environmental Sustainability - Essay Example Additionally, moving science, research, educational and training precedence is an opportunity to support policy implementation of a green economy. New knowledge is essential for government policy makers, workers, professionals and the community. Another opportunity for policy implementation is the resource and land rights that preserve the interests of those with informal rights. The reason is that most governments favor mighty actors who are in a position to claim rights, and underline practical efficiency of resources allotment, ignoring other people who have special dependence on the resource in question. This is particularly decisive for guaranteeing rights to water and traditional lands (Harris, 2003, p 12). Creation of enabling situation for behavior and psychological change offers an opportunity for policy implementation. This entails framing environmental sustainability as a social objective, reducing choices towards greener methodologies, as well as, creating information to match with stakeholder approaches to learning. Finally, easing business to completely incorporate sustainability and equity concerns is another opportunity for implementing policy for sustainable development. This arises through provision of information and synchronizing research on latent opportunities, particularly to embrace the best available technologies and meet principles that enable technology access. Easing business also involves trade barrier reduction where possible, offering finances and public private partnerships that carve up perils and cover upfront overheads, as well as, enhancing accountability. However, some of the noteworthy constraints include local community attitudes and reluctance to accept some policies aimed at environmental sustainability. Conflicts may arise in relation to implementation of sustainable development in a

The Knot in Susan Glaspell's Trifles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Knot in Susan Glaspell's Trifles - Essay Example Wright for not keeping her house in order, Mrs. Hale defends her through reminding the men of their multiple burdens as women: â€Å"There’s a great deal of work to be done on a farm† (Glaspell, 1916). For her, men fail to appreciate the work they do to support their families. Mrs. Hale expresses the poor attention given to women’s contribution in society: â€Å"Men’s hands aren’t always as clean as they might be† (Glaspell, 1916). This statement has double meaning because it indicates that men should not charge women as irresponsible, when they make their lives so physically and emotionally taxing. Contradictory to the opinionated Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Peters serves as her foil; she represents the traditional submissive woman. At first, Mrs. Peters defends her husband and the men doing the investigation. For her, they are only doing their â€Å"duty† (Glaspell, 1916). She also resists talking about the culpability of Mrs. Wright. She is ada mant that â€Å"the law is the law† (Glaspell, 1916). When Mrs. Peters realizes, however, that Mrs. Wright lost her identity during their marriage, she remembers that she knows â€Å"what stillness is† (Glaspell, 1916). She understands that it is not right for any woman to stay still for a man all her life. Thus, in the end, Mrs. Peters asserts that she does not see herself as being married to the law, just because she is the sheriff’s wife. ... PART 2 A psychoanalytic reading: The knot in Glaspell’s Trifles Several female writers such as Kate Chopin and Susan Glaspell contested the idea of a woman’s place under her husband. They questioned gender norms and practices that served male interests, while eradicating the rights of women to speech and self-determination. In the short play Trifles, Glaspell (1916) used the setting of the kitchen to demonstrate the differences between women’s and men’s investigatory skills and processes. Her female and male characters, especially in how they speak with their fellow gender and the opposite sex, reveal the uneven gender relations of the early twentieth century. A psychoanalytic reading that focuses on Mrs. Wright helps uncover her innermost emotions as a woman. The symbolism of the knot and the gender conflict in the play revealed that Mrs. Wright killed her husband because of her repressed feelings of anxiety against her domineering husband and the patriar chal culture of her times. The knot stands for how marriage knots or ties women to their husbands. Marriage is represented as a knot around women’s necks because they are imprisoned in the confines of their homes. Trifles describes the burdens of domestic drudgery, and yet society does not appreciate women’s contributions to it. The County Attorney judges Mrs. Wright’s character as an unfit homemaker, for instance, because her towels are â€Å"dirty† (Glaspell, 1916). His attitude signifies his belief that the only right place for women is in the house, and that the house is their only source of identity. Furthermore, the knot represents the idea that men can tighten it around women as they please. The men criticize Mrs. Wright for not keeping the kitchen immaculately clean. For these men,

Aristotle Quote Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Aristotle Quote - Essay Example Aristotle implies that every person should carefully analyze the circumstances of each situation and apply this advice, seek for an even solution. What is important is finding a mean of solving a situation, not necessarily by following blindly the general moral principles, but by carefully equilibrating one's hopes and desires in relation with the social demands. Aristotle suggests that circumstances dictate and sometimes even stand as an excuse for our behavior, but passion should not influence the core values of courage or boldness, depending on the case. Emotions and passions cannot be silenced and they do shape our life as humans, but the deliberation over a situation in a reasonable manner grants, if not always a clear solution, at least a better and, certainly ethical, aim in life; that aim is to make the best of our 'practical reason' that we can only acquire by learning how to act far from anxiety and pure instinct, under the influence of ethical values.

Information system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Information system - Essay Example tions that means they have to as well somehow facilitate all remote office workers and team members, internationally, to work together on the similar shared files as well as data at the same time. However, in view of the fact that business data file sizes and data storage needs are augmenting every year, as well as the well-organized sharing of files all through distributed business enterprises over the wide area network (WAN) has turned out to be an exceptional task. Additionally, the difficulty is that gigabytes of data can be shared over a local area network (LAN) through standard file server technology, they cannot be shared all trough remote offices linked over the WAN. On the other hand, standard file server protocols offer unacceptably slow response times to open and write files over the WAN in addition to this forces remote office IT managers to build a number of unappealing alternatives. Thus, in this scenario IT managers and network users have to either live with reduced pr oductivity because of poor network performance at remote offices or they have to make use of replication systems that waste business network storage as well as slow down worldwide collaboration (Dorairajan; Nash; Forouzan and Fegan). Dorairajan (2004) stated that a new class of product recognized as wide-area file services (WAFS) has demonstrated extraordinary outcomes in resolving the problem of remote office sharing and collaboration intended for distributed organizations and businesses like that Oliyday Hotels. Additionally, the wide-area file services (WAFS) allow corporations with remote offices to make use of the WAN to share files like if it were a virtual LAN, facilitating real-time, read/write access to shared business files in addition to assure the coherency and consistency of the entire business file data (Dorairajan; Forouzan and Fegan). In addition, the majority of the successful WAFS systems tackle inherent WAN file sharing problems through a multi-layered technology

Since the ratification of the World Trade Organization, seldom does a Essay

Since the ratification of the World Trade Organization, seldom does a business - Essay Example Studying abroad is a very daunting task. I have to adapt to a culture very different from those where I belong. Receiving my basic education in Hong Kong, I realized beforehand that Asians, especially the Chinese, have different learning and interpersonal orientation from Westerns. I have noticed and learned through experience that our ancestors instilled discipline and obedience in our educational system, Westerners, on the other hand, engenders independence and creativity. Aside from this, in business, Chinese and other East Asian countries are more adept in quantitative skills, Americans, however are more skillful in giving presentations and in expressing themselves creatively. Though initially intimidated by these differences in attributes and orientation of the two sides of the globe, I realized that I have a definite advantage from my peers. The opportunity of immersing myself in the diverse cultures of the East and the West is very essential in the age of globalization. The luxury of learning and actually experiencing the strengths of both cultures is now within my grasp. By persevering in exposing myself in them, I now have first hand access to the advantages and benefits that

Jesus Leadership Principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Jesus Leadership Principles - Essay Example In the gospel books of the bible, one finds the fundamental teachings and leadership principles that Jesus promoted. According to Maxwell and Blackaby, the principles of leadership outlined and applied by Jesus can transform the kind of leadership in the globe today. Maxwell has identified ten of these leadership principles. This paper will discuss the relevance of these principles to secular leadership. According to Matthew chapter 20 verses twenty five to twenty eight, Jesus designed an intriguing model that implied a critical principle in leadership. The act of washing the feet of his disciples implied that servant-hood is a defining aspect of leadership. The account reveals that Jesus washed the feet of all disciples including his betrayer Judas Iscariot. Although he held the position of master, with the disciples working under his instruction, he chose to assume the level of servant. Leaders in the globe today can benefit from this principle by realizing that they have the duty to serve the people they lead. This principle can transform global leadership immensely if the leaders realized the crucial servitude role that they have to play. According to Luke chapter seven verse twenty two and John fourteen verses eleven, it becomes evident that Jesus urged his disciples to live according to the standards they preached even before expecting others to adopt them.... to guide their daily activities, it would prove easier for a leader’s followers to demonstrate a commitment to the organizational goals, because the leaders exhibit exemplary commitment (Maxwell, & Elmore, 2007). Matthew chapter six verse thirty three highlights an additional principle that Jesus advised his followers to consider. Setting priorities is a critical aspect for a nay leader, especially with the current dynamism that presents leaders with overwhelming responsibilities. The emphasis that Jesus gave in the verse mentioned highlights the importance of putting each activity in its right place, and avoiding distraction. The benefits of setting priorities may have received too much emphasis, but the emphasis only indicates the centrality of the matter to effective leadership. Global leaders have realized the significance of this aspect, and global leadership forums seek to empower leaders to exhibit the capacity of setting priorities. Jesus Christ made it clear that impa cts in leadership were the results of relationships and not positions. Since Jesus realized the significance of establishing relationships with people, he made efforts of reaching out to them. He took the initiative of going to all the places where he could find peoples. John chapter five verses five to thirty illustrate his encounter with the Samaritan woman after his ministry. Moreover, chapter eight and verses one to eleven of the same book indicate that he went to the synagogue. Apparently, Jesus sought people, and showed great interest in them. Demonstrating personal interest in people moved them to listen to his message. It is unfortunate that some leaders today have no impact on the people because the leaders have focussed on their positions instead of exhibiting interest in the people

Sports Management - Sponsorship Proposal Assignment

Sports Management - Sponsorship Proposal - Assignment Example The event will be held concurrently from the month of October 10th to 12th, incorporated with training sessions, followed by sprints. This event stands as one of the most recognized events in the Plone Content Management System (CMS). The target audience for the event are developers, managers, agencies of the government, students, education institutions, and any party interested in learning about technology. As a result, the event brings together the leading developers and contributors around the world and enable them to share relevant success stories. Other Plone events were held in Arnhem, San Francisco, Bristol, Budapest, Washington DC, Naples, Seattle, Vienna, and New Orleans. An event is a non-profit event and the revenue collected will be raised by sponsors. The sponsorship packages offered vary and suitable for various organizations and the target group. The sponsorship plan for the conference offers maximum exposure to the technical audience. The initiative of sponsoring the Plone Conference 2014 will enable an organization reaches an audience of developers, software engineers, managers, investors, and service end users from more than 30 countries in the world. The conference will enable the sponsor to This category is available to sponsors who can meet an investment of US $ 18,000 but limited to four sponsors. The sponsor will enjoy a prominent space in the exhibition hall (4 MÂ ²). At the same time the brand exposure through logo placement in Plone conference websites, conference rooms, tot berg insert, conference guides for mobile devices, Twitter announcements, and joint announcements. In the job fair platform, the sponsor will enjoy a reserved table for recruitment as well as an ad as a company recruiter in conference websites. Furthermore, the sponsor will have 10 conference passes and 10 training passes. This level is entitled to sponsorship investment of US $ 8,500 and only limited to four parties.

2. Why, when and by whom was the NAACP founded Assess its Essay

2. Why, when and by whom was the NAACP founded Assess its effectiveness - Essay Example The founders included WEB Dubois (African American), William English Walling (Caucasian) and Ida Wells-Barnett (German-born Caucasian). Other White liberals who participated in the formation include Mary White and Henry Moscowitz. Early members of NAACP include Jane Addams, Mary Talbert, Charles Russell, George White and Ray Baker. Following the Niagara Movement (1905) objectives, NAACP clearly stated that it was focused on ensuring civil rights of all people that were provided by 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments of the Constitution that provided equal legal rights and abolishment of slavery2. In 1915, NAACP petitioned showing of the birth of a nation film. In 1919, NAACP organized a symposium and published the â€Å"thirty years of lynching in the United States 1899-1918†. NAACP supported the Anti-lynching bill that was destined to ending instances of lynching in America but the Senate rejected the bill. Another notable contribution was involvement in Harlem Renaissance where Black Americans wanted more rights to engage in artistic and intellectual activities in the society. Through the tireless efforts of NAACP, many Blacks became respected authors, dancers, singers and artists in 1920s and 1930s. NAACP also helped the minority households who faced harsh economic situation during the Great Depression by advocating for the reduction in taxes. The organization campaigned for the end of racial discrimination in the armed forces and other State defense industries. President Roosevelt finally accepted to allow minorities to participate in thousands of State jobs after NAACP threatened to organize public marches in 1941. The struggle for equality in employment led to the establishment of Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC) that was supposed to ensure fairness in employment matters3. NAACP participated in ending racial segregation. Thurgood Marshall, the head of educational and legal defense fund,

The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Essay Example for Free

The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Essay The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide is the collection of five books in one novel. A combination of clever wits and hilarity, this book is sure to let you laugh out loud. This book brings simple things into extraordinary packages (like making a fuss about a digital watch and a bath towel). The book, although written in a sharp and notable style is also full of humor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story is a parody, which is a form of writing that uses the conventions and rules of one form and uses them for hilarity or comic effect. It can be distinguished from satire form because satire just points out human folly and reforms them, while parody is in the style of writing itself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the most noticeable themes in The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide is the absurdity of the story. Things in the story happen randomly without meaning or cause. Although absurdity is one of the major themes of the story, most of the random meaningless things that occur in the story actually have meanings – they are the product of the Infinite Improbability Drive on the Starship Heart of Gold. The absurdity of the themes allows the author to introduce oddities in the story. The Author   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Douglas Noel Adams, also known as Bop Ad and DNA, was an author, a radio dramatist and a musician all rolled into one. He is well known for his work, The Hitchhikers’s Guide to the Galaxy, which is a series that began on the radio, and was later on developed into a trilogy of five books, a television series, a towel, a comic book series, a computer game, and a feature film. (Douglas Adams)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Adams also wrote Doctor Who, Dirk Gently, Liff, and Last Chance to See. The idea of the computer game Starship Titanic also originated from Douglas Adams. (Douglas Adams)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Furthermore, he was also known as an environmental activist, actively participating in the campaign for the preservation and the restoration of the environment. He was also a self-described â€Å"radical atheist†, and a certified techie (he loves cars, cameras, Macintosh computers, and other gizmos). He even uses the electronic mail and the Usenet long before it was widely known. (Douglas Adams)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   He died at the age of 49 and has been an institution in the field of fantasy fandom circles and science fiction. (Douglas Adams) Characters Arthur Dent – the feeble lead character of the story who never fails to give hilarious stand-ups with his sidekick Ford Prefect Ford Prefect – a daring, researcher of the revised edition of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who considered himself as an out of the work actor; he dragged Arthur Dent and together, they travel the galaxy using the Hitchhiker’s Guide Zaphod Beeblebrox – the totally out to lunch president of the galaxy; a two-headed, three armed ex-hippie Trillian – formerly known as Tricia Mcmillan; girlfriend of Zaphod whom Arthur tried to hook up with in one of the galaxy’s time zone Marvin – a brilliant, obsessed, and sequentially depressed robot Veet Voojagig – a graduate student who is very much obsessed with ball-point pens’ disappearance Slartibartfast – the one who told Arthur the Earth’s story Deep Thought – the extremely intelligent computer Benjy Moouse and Frankie Mouse – the mice that tried to get Arthur’s brain from him Slartibartfast – the Earth’s designer, who is very proud to receive an award for his design of the Norwegian fords   Protetnic Vogon Jeltz – the commander of the Vogon Construction Fleet; the one who assigned to demolish the Earth Eddie – the annoyingly cheerful computer on board the Heart of Gold Flook – one of the computer programmers who programmed Deep Thought Summary The story begins when Arthur Dent wakes up just to discover a bulldozer about to tear down his house because someone is planning to build a galactic freeway. He went out and lies in front of the bulldozer saying that he doesn’t know of the plans until the day before. Moments before a cosmic construction team demolish the Earth to build a galactic freeway; Arthur Dent is dragged off the planet by his daring friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. As they journey through the endless and unknowable space, they literally wreak hilarious havoc. Ford always carries with him the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a book which contains the so-called ‘guide’ to one’s travel in the universe. In it are the words â€Å"don’t panic†, written in a â€Å"large and friendly letters†. Ford, following what is written on the book, also carries with him a large bath towel believing that it is the â€Å"most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.† In this part of the story, we can see that the nature of things on Earth is very much universal. Meanwhile, Marvin, Zaphod Beeblebrox and his girlfriend Trillian are traveling inside a new traveling ship (Heart of Gold), stolen by Zaphod. They bumped with Arthur and Ford Prefect in the universe vacuum. Together, they journey towards a mythical planet known as Magrathea. This planet is known to construct other planets and for some reasons unknown to all of them, Zaphod wanted to visit this planet. (Zaphod forgets some things because he conditioned his two brains to do such). Finally, the Heart of Gold landed to the planet they all want to go – Magrathea. They decided to explore the place first and when they notice that the impact created by their space ship resulted to open the planet’s crust to reveal underground networks of tunnels. They decided to go inside the tunnel while leaving Arthur and Marvin behind. While inside the tunnel, they suddenly realized that the door behind them were shut and the place they are in are beginning to be filled with gas. On the other hand, while Arthur waits for the others to return, he reads the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, particularly a part where it discusses what happens to a lost biro (a ball-point pen). An elderly man named Slartibartfast suddenly appeared into the view introducing himself to Arthur. He then asked Arthur to come with him in his air car. Slartibartfast took Arthur into the place were they make luxury planets. He also told Arthur that they are now rebuilding a planet called Earth and that Earth is a custom-made luxury planet. Slartibartfast works in Norway and so he was very upset to hear that the planet was destroyed. Moreover, he was told that the original Earth was actually commissioned, and was supposedly to be run entirely by mice. But the most unacceptable fact of all is that human beings are just part of a research program. Slartibartfast then started to tell Arthur the Earth’s tale. He told him that the millions of years ago, a particular race of very intelligent creatures were all set to determine the very meaning of life. Because of this, they created an extremely intelligent computer called ‘The Deep Thought’. Two of its programmers, Lunkwill and Fook ask Deep Thought to tell them the answer to the real meaning of everything. Deep Thought then told them that in seven and a half million years, the Question will be answered. Arthur was very much awed by the story but he tells him that he really have no idea what the connection is between the Earth, the computer and the mice. Slartibartfast then invited Arthur to his study and showed him the day of the Great Answer – seven and a half million years later. Arthur was plunged into the Sens-O Tape, a kind of tape that would take you to your requested time. A lot of people were waiting for the answer when Deep Thought then revealed that the answer to their Ultimate Question of Life is the Number Forty Two. Arthur then notices that the people doesn’t like Deep Thought’s answer, and the intelligent computer, justifying himself, told them that the problem is actually not with the answer, but with the question. If the people only find out what the real question is, they would be able to understand the answer. Unfortunately for the people, Deep Thought cannot provide them with the answer, but it offered help by saying that the he will design a very intelligent computer which can give them the answer. And that computer will be called The Earth. Meanwhile, on the other side of the story, Trillian and Ford listen to Zaphod as he tries to remember what happened to his brain. He then remembered that before Yooden Vranx, the former President of the Universe died, he visit Zaphod and asked him to run for the Presidency and steal the Heart of Gold. He also told Zaphod to modify his own brain so that he will pass the Presidential Brain Screening Test (this test will show all the things the candidates are thinking). At that moment, a Magrathean man tells them that the mice are now willing to see them. Arthur and Slartibartfast, on the other hand, are contemplating about the Earth’s destruction, as well as the fact that it happened five minutes juts before the computer program was completed. A man then appeared on the view and asked Arthur to meet the mice. The mice wanted to meet him because he was on Earth the night before the destruction happened and maybe he can tell him something really important. Arthur and Slartibartfast then met up with Trillian, Ford and Zaphod at the design room. Two mice, Benjy mouse and Frankie mouse, were the mice present at the meting. The mice decided that since Arthur was on Earth five minutes before the destruction, the structure of his brain can tell them the Ultimate Question. They offer to surgically remove it for him but Arthur doesn’t want to cooperate so the mice, together with the other Margatheans went down to get Arthur’s brain. The situation was almost hopeless for Arthur and his friends when an ear splitting alarm distracts all of them. Because of this, the four travelers use the distraction to get out. But the cops from the space ship with the ear splitting sound then cornered the four travelers but they soon found themselves again so lucky when they once again escaped. After the hard-won escape, they all then decided to take a bite at a restaurant located at the very end of the universe. Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The whole story almost revolves on looking for the Ultimate Question, which is the real meaning of life. It is an inescapable fact that whatever happens, and whatever time or era or place in space it is, the question of the real meaning of life never fails to haunts us all.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story may be simple, even comical, but that doesn’t stop it from bringing us closer to the Ultimate Question about life. Why we live, the reason why we are here, the purpose of our existence, these are just some of the questions where we will find time to look for the answer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was also mentioned in the story how important the great question is. Notice that the First Earth was destroyed but they still want to build another Earth for them to know what the real meaning of life is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Notice that the story never mentioned the real answer to this question. This is because it is really close to impossible for us to know what life really is all about. It is up to each and every one of us to find the answer for ourselves.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The absurd simplicity of the answer (number 42) to the question also makes the story interesting. Just imagine if Deep Thought gave a much serious answer, it wouldn’t be as interesting as it was.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also safe to note that the author actually uses mice as the creatures which, according to the story can control all human beings. It is an ultimate change because it is very rare, and that more often than not, human beings are always in control. Maybe it is just a representation how important every creation on Earth is. â€Å"Bureaucracy and incompetence continue to show up as a central theme alongside random, improbable coincidence. It is beginning to sound a bit like Chaos theory, which holds that order can be found in seemingly random data. One aspect of chaos theory is a phenomenon called sensitive dependence on existing conditions. The thought is that small changes in initial conditions can have drastic effects on the outcome. Douglas Adams Hitch Hiker series could be considered in some ways a humorous study of Chaos theory.†(Adams, 2005) Zaphod’s character can also remind us of today’s world leaders – leaders who do not tell their real motive of running for the position. Although his character is really kind, it is an indication that outside forces (like the former president) can turn a good leader to someone he is not. It is also interesting to note how Ford appreciates the way human beings speak of the obvious. Saying â€Å"It’s a nice day† when the weather is perfect, just says how we want to state what we often see.   It also states that a need to communicate with others is necessary because taken from what Ford said, human beings should have someone to talk to. Where they can tell what they are thinking, to show appreciation and affirmation. Furthermore, Marvin’s character (the robot) also tells us how human beings are fascinated with creating something that can help us make our lives easier. Take for example the case of the robot. Just imagine something that doesn’t sleep and doesn’t eat but can be able to do physical things an average human beings cannot do. But just like Marvin, it also tells us that robots can also make a lot of mistakes and that human beings are the ones who can really think for themselves. There is something called the Infinite Improbability Drive which is considered as the â€Å"engine† of the starship Heart of Gold. This is a representation that a lot of things in this world are improbable and we need a lot of experiences to discover the probable side of all these improbability. Another interesting part of the book is the part where it was mentioned that the loss of biro or ball-point pen brought problems in the world. Notice the comical effect of this part because instead of the starvation, hunger, or political killings, the author focused on a comical problem to create a hilarious effect on the story. It is also evident in the story how incompetence, bureaucracy and selfishness sometimes became the theme of the story. It should be noted how those who care much about finding the answer to life (the philosophers), are actually the ones who are also preventing it from coming to life. They are the ones who seem to be the happiest regarding the seven and a half million years because they will be very much benefited from this ignorance. The extraterrestrials and the aliens are also a big part of the story. The story tells us that aliens really exist and they are actually much more advance than us. It is now a question of whether we are going to believe it what the story tells us or not. According to studies, extraterrestrials are life that originated fro outside the planet earth – which is the only place in the entire universe known to support life. The existence of such life is currently hypothetical because there is not enough evidence to say that there really is life outside the earth. All in all, the story is a masterpiece, one that can touch both end of the spectrum because of its comical absurdity and hidden metaphorical meanings. Definitely a must read.   Reference: Adams, D. (2005). The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  Ã‚   Retrieved December 04, 2006, 2006, from http://www.douglasadams.com/creations/0345391802.html

Reflective essay behaviour management

Reflective essay behaviour management The purpose of this paper is for prospective teachers to reflect on major issues that are associated either with positive or negative behaviour management. I have chosen to focus on the topic of behaviour management problems in a classroom setting, based on the particular experiences of an eight-year-old Afro- French boy called Dean, who grew up in a two-parent household in an urban neighbourhood. The case scenario presented in this assignment took place at The Kingston Primary School in London  [1]  where I did my eight week school placement. The observation took place in a third grade classroom, which consisted of about 26 pupils. The first question that this raises is why focus on behaviour management problems? The answer lies in a multitude of observations I have made in most schools I have worked in. Educators face a variety of challenges in the classrooms. Behaviour management is a major issue they are confronted with. Disruptive pupils are ubiquitous in a classroom setting. These pupils come to school with all sorts of emotional and behavioural problems ranging from defiance, attention deficits, aggression and hyperactivity, resistance to authority, temper tantrums and low motivation, which may cause them to be inattentive during lessons. No matter how well organized, interesting or thought- out a lesson is, it is difficult to hold their interest. Inappropriate behaviour is dealt with by using different methods of interventions to promote development and learning opportunities which enhance pupils self-control while promoting their positive achievement. The incident was as follows: Mrs Bucks has been a teacher at the school for 30 years. Dean, one of her pupils has a reputation for disrupting lessons. Whenever the whole class is on the mat, Dean has difficulties paying attention so he distracts himself with looking about the classroom instead of at the teacher or Smartboard. When a topic captures his attention, he is very alert and interrupts the lesson by shouting out the answer, mainly because he is too impatient to wait for his turn. Mrs Bucks is firm with him and disciplines him as a result of his behaviour. She sternly tells him to go move his name onto the Red Light Traffic System from the Green Light Traffic System. Annoyed she adds Dont you ever learn to raise your hand? With his head down he does what he is told, and calls her a stupid cow under his breath. Several of his peers hear this and giggle. Unfortunate for him, Mrs Bucks hears him too and sends him to stand outside in the corridor. In addition she angrily says I ha ve had enough of you, I do not think I want you in my class anymore. Defeated the boy walks out of the class with his head hung even lower. Dean disturbed the class with his hyperactivity. Surprisingly enough his inability to behave did not come into conflict with his academic performance. He was a very intelligent boy, and he proved this in oral and written work. He also was placed in the high attainer group. Different teachers interpret a child ´s action as a breach of discipline depending on who misbehaves, where it happens, when the incident took place, why it happened and so on. Age, class, gender and ethnicity may also play a role in judging the incident. Steed, Lawrence and Young (1983) suggest that educators perceive the incident more seriously if the pupil ´s misbehaviour recurs on a regular basis. (Watkins Wagner, 1987; pg 9). Although Mrs Bucks shouted a lot to get the children ´s attention, she was not quick to discipline her other pupils as often as she did Dean. In an attempt to explain why her pupils misbehave Mrs Bucks said Back in my day corporal punishment was used to keep pupils in place. Children had more respect then. That explanation gave me an insight into her personality. She had lower tolerance for him and labelled him as one of her problem children Was it an urgent need to try to cope and carry on with school life although she feel powerless with using the school disciplinary system? After 30 years of teaching, and with retirement looming, she openly admitted that she was ready to start a new chapter in her life. Unfortunately the strategies where largely ineffective as evidenced by the fact that Dean repeated the same disruptive behaviour every time he was under Mrs Bucks supervision. Some pupils are definitely harder to manage than others but teachers have to stay calm at all times. Pupils bring their own diversity into the classroom. Mrs Bucks should have regained her composure before she responded to Dean. Secondly she should have avoided humiliating, intimiding and isolating him from the rest of the class. Mrs Bucks is a very good teacher but the vital key that she was missing was building relationships with Dean. I had a feeling that after she had labelled him as a problem child she treated him thus. Disciplinary systems are applied in the classroom setting by educators in order to enable effective teaching and learning. Maintaining good discipline controls student behaviour which leads to the establishment of a healthy learning environment. In 1987, the Secretary of State Lord Elton, created a legislation (Discipline in schools, Reports of Committee of enquiry) for classroom teachers who were facing difficulties in the area of discipline (Adams, 2009).The publication of the Elton Report on Pupil Behaviour was altered however in 2005, by Sir Alan Steer who conducted a review (Learning behaviour) which put emphasises on how the quality of learning, teaching and behaviour in schools are inseparable issues (Ibid). The legislation was guidance to schools on procedures to overcome disruptive behaviour, which includes mild behaviour (interrupting the teacher, entering the classroom late) and aggressive behaviour (bullying and verbal/physical abuse) (Blandford, 1998). The legislation al so advices each school to formulate a whole school plan that includes a code of behaviour that encourages students to develop a strong sense of personal responsibility towards others and towards attending and participating in classes on a regular basis. The legislation emphasizes the role parents play in moulding the attitude which produces good behaviour in school, therefore it is very important that educators, parents and pupils communicate and work together on a regular basis (National Educational Welfare Board). Reacting to a students disruptive behaviours seems to have the effect of reinforcing that behaviour. This is evidenced by the strategy implemented a couple of days later when a substitute teacher, Mrs Hartbrot, takes over the class for the duration of the morning. The very first thing she did when all the pupils sat on the carpet was place Dean at the very back where he did not come into contact with any one of his peers. He was fidgeting about, shouting out answers, moving the nearby chairs about, but he got no response from her, so eventually he calmed down. Mrs Hartbrot took the time to understand Deans behaviour. As a result, she was in a better position to avoid or prevent any negative behaviour. Even when he shouts out the answer she praises him for saying the correct answer but will kindly remind him that he should raise his hand or if it recurs too often he is ignored, but once he actually raises his hand he is praised for it. Many teachers would agree that to prevent misbehaviour is by encouraging good behaviour. Certain behaviours are not harmful to others but rather annoying for educators, but they should take the time to decide whether or not to intervene or not. (Wright, 2005) Looking at Dean ´s home situation might explain a few things about him. Dean lives with both of his parents and 3 siblings, 2 older brothers and a baby sister. His father works and his mother is a housewife. Often he would come to school in the morning exhausted and bragging about how he spent the night playing with the Wii box accompanied by his teenage brothers or how his new puppy would cry all night so he would have to comfort him. It is questionable whether he suffers from middle child syndrome, a syndrome which generally arises when parents give the oldest and youngest child more attention than the middle child. Could lack of attention or sleep be the root cause of the problem? Whatever the case, Mrs Bucks could have diffused his inappropriate behaviour by meeting his needs. In 2005, the psychologist David Wright drew on the theories of Abraham Maslow to explain personality and human motivation. Maslow developed a theory called the hierarchy of human needs which include general types of needs such as physiological, safety, love, and esteem that need to be met. As long these needs are met, individuals can move towards growth and towards self-actualization. Maslows ideas can be applied to the classroom. Maslow would probably explain Dean ´s behaviour as seeking to fulfil the need to feel safe. The behaviourist strongly believes that humans are good hearted and that instead of making violence (or lying, stealing and cheating) they want love and peace. Violence is only used when their human needs are hindered. By Mrs Bucks saying that she does not want him to be part of her class anymore she excluded him, making him feel alone, unaccepted, and unsafe. That sense of belonging was thwarted. One of a teachers main responsibilities is to make a pupil feel safe and comfortable in their environment and she emotionally or physically abandoned him, leaving him to feel unloved and unworthy. Although he did wrong, belittling him in front of his peers was not necessary. Regardless of any behaviour issues, the boy should still have the feeling that he is a valued part of the class, that he is unique, respected and appreciated. Naturally children who experience traumas such as sexual/physical/ verbal abuse, neglect or in some cases those that are victims of war may experience a blockage in their mind that prevent them from functioning normally(Wright, 2005). Many children who are unhappy fail to inform us what is troubling them; instead they show us through their behaviour that they are unhappy, scared or troubled about something. Is Dean ´s constant disruptive behaviour a cry for help? Behaviourists, B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura, also established different theories on the learning behaviour of human beings: the theoretical perspectives of O perant Conditioning Theory developed by B.F. Skinner and Social Learning Theory developed by Albert Bandura. The behavioural theory, which was promoted by Burrhus Frederic Skinner (originated in the first part of the 20th century), indicates that a persons behaviour is influenced by the environment. This is called operant conditioning, which is based on the idea that actions taken by a person have consequences, which can either result in reinforcement or punishment. The concept of reinforcement is rewarding desired behaviour with a stimulus (sweets or money) and this process encourages behaviour to be repeated. On the other hand, undesired behaviour is punished (McLaughlin Muncie, 2006). Skinner demonstrated the idea of operant conditioning through experiments involving animals (rats, dogs and pigeons) in which they were taught to respond by using food as positive reinforcement as a result of the response. In this way he trained or shaped animals into what he wanted them to become. Skinner transferred this knowledge to explain human behaviour. Unlike animals, however humans have the freedom to make choices of their own and can choose not to be easily manipulated. The main weakness in Skinners behaviourist model is the dismissal of the human variable. In Beyond Freedom and Dignity the psychologist (1972) reduces behaviour strictly to stimulus and response. Skinner fails to acknowledge that human beings have thoughts and feelings that influence them to react the way they do in certain situations. In Deans situation Skinner would have probably claimed that his behaviour was reinforced by his peers giggling, and that punishments would discourage from such misbehaviour in the future, but that was not the case. Dean got himself into trouble on a daily basis, and mostly for the same reasons such as interrupting lessons by being disruptive, defiant, and disrespectful. The boy was repeatedly disciplined whether it was moving his name on the Red/Green light traffic syst em, missing out on his break, or standing in the corridor. In the course of my eight week placement it appeared that he was becoming more and more rebellious with each punishment that he received. I realized that he was experiencing a sense of a sense of low self-esteem and worthlessness after he had been sent into the corridor. After the incident I approached him to see how he was doing and he told me he wanted to be moved into another classroom. Clearly, he knew he was not wanted and may have acted the way he did so that his chances of being moved into a new classroom were higher. He was hoping to receive some type of response, and he did although it was in the form of punishment. Dean was definitely seeking attention. At the age of four, D was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). For that reason he was identified as a perfect candidate for an Individualised Educational Plan (IEP).The rude disruptive behaviour was unjustifiable, for children should know that all people should be treated with respect. However, if Mrs Bucks had taken the time to accept that he learns differently, and accommodated the differences, like Mrs Hartbrot did, she could have avoided the situation from escalating. All she saw was a child who failed to respond to her behaviour management methods and whose misbehaviour persisted over time. ADHD is also known as minimal brain dysfunction or hyperactivity. ADHD is a common behavioural disorder, which is recognized as an important social-medical problem among children but also found in adolescents. An estimated 3% to 5% of school aged children are diagnosed with the disorder, but boys are more likely to be affected than girls (Porter, 2003). Hinshaw (2000) states that having ADHD leads to a lack of emotional regulation, poor judgement, lack of organisational skills, problems with self-monitoring, a high rate of accidental injuries, impaired relationships with peers and family, emotional difficulties including depression and anxiety, and learning difficulties such as poor phonological awareness (despite having average intellectual abilities overall) (Porter, 2003; 152). Neuropsychological researchers imply that the cause of ADHD could be the result of family environment, the mothers health during pregnancy or genetic processes in the body. The use of medication such as Ritalin is an intervention that is used to help reduce the severity and frequency of challenging behaviour. Due to side effects (loss of appetite, nausea and headaches) other forms of non- medical intervention such as behavioural therapy or Individual Behaviour Plan (IBP), are also used to discipline behaviour with controlling discipline methods (Porter, 2003, Wright 2005). Skinners idea of negative and positive reinforcement is used in these therapy sessions by therapists to help patients overcome maladaptive behaviour. (Rabiner, 2010) Wright (2005) states that ADHD is not a learning disability but it will limit the childs school performance. The child may say something hurtful or act before s/he thinks about the consequences of her/his actions. Southall (2007, pg. 64) claims that often teachers, physicians and parents misdiagnose children with ADHD. They tend to forget that behaviour is a result of adapting to their environment they live in and things that they experience. Along with genes researchers believe that environmental factor contribute to children`s mental health. Southall (2005) suggests that in the 21st century there is a decline in families spending time together. Parents seem to have less time to monitor or teach their offspring. Parental involvement and lack of communication is affecting many families. Children are not encouraged to play outside anymore instead many hours are spend with the children glued on video games, on the computer or television screen, which with their fast pace tend to overlo ad their senses. It is not surprising then that their ability to focus in school is limited and that they have short attention spans. The brain gets used to being overstimulated by the flickering lights and the loud noises and fast moving action on the screen. By comparison school life is boring so they seek to create the same level of stimulation by being hyperactive and impulsive. (Southall, 2005) Banduras Social Learning Theory, also called observational theory, derives from Skinner ´s learning theory. The theory states that children learn by observing then imitating their models (peers, parents and teachers). In many cases children imitate their models, even behaviour that the latter would like to discourage such as smoking or cursing. Children are constantly learning whether it is good or bad behaviour by observation. Unlike the counterpart theory the learner has a more active role and it singles out self-regulation in explanation of behaviour. Rosenthal and Bandura (1987; 80) acknowledge in their theory that learning occurs through direct experience; a large body of research across different contexts and populations has supported the idea that observation of others influences individuals self-referent thoughts. Lickona (1991) points out that teachers should be role models, who exemplify the qualities they wish their pupils to follow such as responsibility, tolerance, fai rness, honesty and respect. (Earl, 2008) When trying to explain why Dean was disrespectful one has to consider his peers and the adults that influence him. If he is treated with little or no respect, he will probably not know how to treat others with respect. If for example his father or his siblings dismiss him as unimportant or belittle his mother, he too will see no wrong in disrespecting women in general. He needs someone to display good character, but if his teacher also belittles him, then the message that he gets is that it is fine to behave in that manner. Basically all children look to teachers who are fair, who admit when they are wrong and who are honest; all these qualities are ones that can be easily imitated by children. The influence of teachers can be life changing or damaging. Behaviour will always be an issue of concern, but it is our job as teachers to establish a supporting and trusting relationship with our pupils and their families in a collaborative manner. Only by promoting pupil`s self control and self esteem teachers can positively influence their learning, well being and academic achievement. Word count: 3,213

Example Answers For Questions On Evidence Based Practice Nursing Essay

Example Answers For Questions On Evidence Based Practice Nursing Essay Introduction In this assignment I shall discuss the concepts of Evidence Based Practice (EBP), and briefly outline its importance to my professional practice. I shall select a relevant aspect of my practice in relation to my professional discipline. I will provide a rationale for selecting my aspect of professional discipline, which will be within the context of (EBP). I will discuss the extent to which my selected aspect of professional practice is informed by various types of evidence. In relation my chosen aspect of professional practice, I shall then identify factors that may facilitate and hinder the implementation of (EBP). Q1 Evidence based practice (EBP) is to demonstrate the best practice, which has been supported, with a clear rationale to back it up. Whilst using (EBP), this also acknowledges the patient/clients best interest. (EBP) is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patient/clients (Sackett et al, 1996). In this definition Sackett facilitates an understanding between (EBP) and decisions we make in everyday practice. This demonstrates the strong connection between both aspects. Here, Sackett emphasises the importance of decisions we make as healthcare professionals, and how clearly they should be stated. This shows that decisions are well thought-out, which demonstrates that the use of evidence is used sensibly and carefully, which means that any care or support we deliver must be evidence based. It shows that Sackett understands that if care or support we provide has a rationale, then this enables us to deliver it with a meaningful purpose. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) we as healthcare professionals must deliver care on the best evidence or best practice (2008). The code of conduct clearly states that any advice we give must be evidence based. If we fail to adhere to the code, then this may result in disciplinary action by the (NMC) (2008). As healthcare professionals I feel any care we deliver should have a rational to justify anything we carry out. I believe that as healthcare professionals we are expected to understand why we are caring for patient/clients, whereby a rationale is provided for the care that we provide. (EBP) helps us as healthcare professionals keep updated with policies and procedures (ref). It is fundamental that we keep our skills and knowledge current, which enables us to provide effective care. (EBP) in its earlier days of evidence based medicine, which provides a suitable way in producing efficient clinical decisions, avoiding routinely work practice, which increases clinical performance (Evidence Based Medicine Working Group 1992, Davidoff et al ,1995). In the above statement it demonstrates that (EBP) contributes to significant clinical decisions, which may subsequently develop It is important that we adhere to policies and procedures for the best practice available, which may prevent us from making any errors. As practitioners we are accountable for our actions. Justifying what we do is vital, which must have a rationale behind it. Failure to adhere to (NMC) may result in professional misconduct (2008). Q2 Here I shall formulate the question according the (PICO) method, which is population, intervention, comparison intervention, and outcome. This was devised by Sackett et al, which is a useful method in order to make questions more purposeful (1997). My selected aspect of professional practice is the Treatment of Depression and its Effectiveness in Adults with Cancer. I personally feel there is a high prevalence of depression in cancer patients. In my experience, I have found that there are many cancer patients, which may be suffering from depression. According to Barraclough (1994) states that depression is the most common psychiatric illness in patients with terminal cancer. The high prevalence of depression in cancer patient has influenced me carry out my own research, which will effectively enhance my knowledge. Personally, I feel that by developing my knowledge on my chosen topic will help enable me to have a greater understanding, t in my future practice. Hinton (1963) found that 24% of patients dying in an acute hospital were depressed. It has been found by Casey that patients suffering with depression may be assessed by asking them if they have symptoms such as ; loss of pleasure in activities, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, or thoughts of self harm, which may help in recognizing a diagnosis in depression (1994). Q3 The objective of a qualitative research is to describe, explore, and give explanation to the phenomenon what is being studied (Marshall Rossman, 2006. (Morse Richards 2002) established that there many techniques used in the collection of data involved in the production of a qualitative study, but the commonly used are observing and interviewing partakers. A meta-analysis is within a qualitative study, whereby the findings of qualitative are carefully examined, the methods and theories from different studies, to form an overview or conclusive ways of thinking about phenomena Thorne et al (2004). In my experience I have found that many patients whom have cancer have been low in mood, but often go left untreated. Maguire found that up to 80% of psychological and psychiatric morbidity, which develops in cancer patients often goes unrecognised and untreated (1985). It speaks about how patients are non-compliant in discussing symptoms unreservedly with nursing and medical staff. It mentions that in the United Kingdom (U.K) clinical nurse specialists play an important role in assessing the symptoms and providing advice to cancer patient with highly developed and metastatic cancer (Gray et al,1999). This qualitative study was purposely carried to deter how clinical nurse specialist manage, assess, and perceive depression in such patients, in both hospital and community settings. Atkin et al (1993) found that 43.4% of nurses reported that early recognition of, signs of anxiety and depression was part of their role. It shows the difficulty nurses are faced with in convincing medical staff to follow up assessment or prescribe antidepressant medication. I shall now critique the study. Firstly, none of the nurses had any form of mental health training. Therefore, I feel their lack of knowledge may have falsified the findings of the study. Lastly, the demographic area may have been expanded further afield, which subsequently makes the findings minimalistic. The view proposed by Long (1995, p94) that the most problematic characteristic of the hierarchy of evidence model, is that it completely lacks recognition of qualitative study methods. According to Sackett et al (1996) a qualitative is in the ranking of research evidence at the base. Here, it shows that a qualitative study has inadequate efficacy, whereby it lacks randomization, it also has scarce before and after studies. However, it does give emphasis to the fact that open ended question were asked in a qualitative study, which demonstrates its feasibility. An open ended question can have many answers, whereby it can be answered in many ways than one. If in depth answers are obtained, then this may enable the researchers to capture a greater insight of the situation. Nevertheless, it has been discovered that identifying the findings in a qualitative study can be complex, this may due the style of reports, or they may be perceived wrongly (Sandelowski Barroso 2004). Systematic reviews were first defined as concise of the best available evidence that address sharply defined clinical questions (Murlow et al 1997). Here, it states that a systematic review involves gathering quality information, which is then analysed, whereby it is then summarised. A systematic review is a vital source of evidence-informed policy and practice movement, which connects research in decision-making (Chalmers, 2003). Secondly, this systematic review provides us with evidence on cancer patients receiving interventions such as drug therapy, and their efficacy. In this systematic review it found that depression is the most common in cancer patients, which often goes undiscovered and untreated (Lloyd-Williams, (2000); Bailey et al,(2005). It also shows that cancer patients survival rate may be decline if their immune response is impaired. (Andersen et al, 1998; Newport and Nemeroff, 1998; Reiche et al, 2004) and poorer survival (Buccheri, 1998; Faller et al, 1999; Watson et al, 1999; Faller and Bulzebruck 2002; Herjl et al, 2003; Goodwin et al, 2004). It is known that in previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the effectiveness of interventions for cancer patients whom are suffering from depression have been unsuccessful in differentiating between depression/depressive symptoms. Dale and Williams (2005) refers to the findings from this review, which demonstrate that there little trial data on the effectiveness of antidepressants, which are prescribed to reduce major depression and depressive symptoms in those suffering with cancer. Nevertheless, previous reviews which have failed to identify the dissimilarity between both depression and depressive symptoms. It shows little data from clinical trials, which demonstrate psychotherapeutic interventions, which may effective in reducing depression in cancer patients. A number of small-scale trials showed that psychotherapeutic interventions, more so Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which may be effective in treating cancer patient whom have depressive symptoms. In conclusion, this review shows that there is a hard-pressed need for a more rigorous process in the examination of the effectiveness and consequences regarding approaches towards in managing depression in cancer patients, and providing them with appropriate healthcare services. In respect to the hierarchy of evidence chart Sackett (1996) states that systematic reviews are at the peak of the chart, which demonstrates this, a strong piece of evidence. The results of a systematic reviews are produced in such a way, whereby a thorough examination of evidence is processed (Murlow,1987; Cook et al.,1998). Sackett and Straus (1998) found that systematic reviews of (RCTs) are ranked as the best evidence in making clinical decisions in relation to a patients care. Within this study a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic implementation for cancer patients with depression/depressive symptoms. This study had a specific criterion for the selection of (RCTs) of the pharmacology and psychotherapeutic interventions. Partakers were either adult cancer patients with depression, or depressive symptoms receiving interventions such as pharmacology and psychotherapeutic. This source of evidence fits into the hierarchy of evidence at the apex of the chart. It is known that a singular RCT or Several RCTs are well thought-out as the uppermost level of evidence, and anything below this is classed as a lower level of evidence, which may be classed as an inadequate source of information (Ellis 2000, Lake 2006, Morse 2006b, Rolfe Gardner 2006). Evidence shows that (RCTs) are considered highly effective sources of information (Muir Gray, 1997;Mulrow Oxman, 1997; Sackett et al.,1997). It would be highly unethical to use these findings as a prejudice against patients with cancer who wish receive treatment for depression and depressive symptoms, because of the limited data on effectiveness. However, traditional or unsystematic reviews can be apparent and suitable to attain, which can also be deceptive at times, above all they are scientific Murlow(1987). None of these studies make mention of persons centred planning (PCP), which is slightly concerning. Professionals may have four ways in which they can contribute towards (PCP): introducing, contributing, safeguarding, and implementing/integrating (PCP) (Kilbane and Sanderson ,2004). Q4. Although, there may be an accumulating body of knowledge about the efficacy of immeasurable nursing practises, which leaves gap between what is in fact known and what is actually practised (Grol and Grimshaw, 2003). People whom have been in the profession for a long time may not approve or wish to adhere to the implementation of (EBP). This may be due to a number of reasons such as; culture, age, learning ability, or even attitudes towards changes within an organisation. It is known that there may be barriers which may cause complications in applying (EBP) in nursing practise, this has been established in extensive literature reports (Estabrooks et al 2004). If a nurses workload is too big, then this may influence their ability to adapt to changes in practise. A significant source of implementing (EBP) is; student nurses or newly qualified nurse. I have found that student nurses and newly qualified nurses are an important source in the utilisation of (EBP). If for example; they have carried out research at university for an assignment, then they may be able to apply and demonstrate this in practise, and also influence fellow colleagues. Conclusion In writing this assignment I have found depression in cancer patients is significantly high. I am now able to say that on the completion of this I am now able to acknowledge the complexities of depression in cancer patient. This will enhance my future practice as a nurse, which will enable me to apply the knowledge I have gained from this assignment into practise. I am now able understand the importance of (EBP), and its relation to my future practise. This has helped assist me in developing my academic skills. On the completion of this assignment I have developed my analysis skills immensely, which will help assist me in my future practise. References Atkin K., Lunt N., Parker G. Hirst M. (1993) Nurses Count: A National Census of Practice Nurses. Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, York. Barraclough J, (1994), Cancer and emotion. Chichester UK:Wiley Casey P. Depression in the dying- disorder or distress. Progr Palliat Care 1994; 2: 1-3. Davidoff F, Haynes B, Sackett D Smith R, (1993) Evidence-based medicine: a new journal to help doctors identify the information they need. British Medical Journal 310, 1085-1085. Ellis J (2000) Sharing the evidence: clinical practice benchmarking to improve continuously the quality of care. Journal of Advanced Nursing 32, 215-225. Preston, Lancashire Estabrooks CA, Winther C, Derkson L. Mapping he feild: a bibliometric analysis of the research utilization literature in nursing. Nurs Res 2004; 53:293-303 EVANS D, Journal of Clinical Nursing 2003; 12: 77-84, Hierarchy of evidence: a framework for ranking evidence evaluating healthcare interventions Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group (1992) Evidence based medicine: a new approach to teaching the practice of medicine. JAMA 268,2420-2425. Gray R, Parr A, Plummer S, Sanford T, Ritter S, Mundtleach B, Goldberg D, Gournay K. A national survey of practice involvement in mental health interventions. J Adv Nurs 1999; 30: 901-906 Grol, R, Grimshaw J. From best evidence to best practice: effective implementation of change in patients care. Lancet 2003;362:1225-30 Hinton J, The physical and mental distress of dying. Q J Med (1963); 32: 1-21 Kilbane J Sanderson H (2004) What and how:understanding professional involvement in person centred planning styles and approaches. Journal of Learning Disabilities. Long, A.F.(1995) Health services research a radical approach to cross the research and development divide, in Baker, M, Kirk, S(ed.) Reasearch and development for the NHS, evidence, evaluation and effectiveness. Oxford: pp. 94 MANTZOUKAS S (2008) Journal of Clinical Nursing 17, 214-223 London, A review of evidence-based practice, nursing research and reflection: levelling the hierarchy Maguire P. Improving the detection of psychiatric problems in cancer patients. Soc Sci Med 1985; 20 :819-23 Morse JM, Richards L. READ ME FIRST for a users guide to Qualitative Methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2002. Morse MJ (2006b) the politics of evidence. Qualitative Health Research 16, 395-404. Canada. Muir Gray J.A. (1997) Evidence-Based Healthcare. Churchill Livingstone, New York. Murlow CD, Cook DJ and Davidoff F (1997) Systematic Reviews. Critical links in the great chain of evidence. Annals of Internal Medicine 126(5):389-91 Mulrow C.D. Oxman A.D. (1997) Cochrane Collaboration Handbook (database on disk and CDROM). The Cochrane Library, The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, Updated Software. NMC REF 2008 Rolfe G Gardner L (2006) Towards a geology of evidence-based practice: a discussion paper. International Journal of Nursing Studies 43, 903-913. Swansea, Sackett D.L., Richardson W.S., Rosenberg W. Haynes R.B.(1997) Evidence Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. Churchill Livingstone, New York. Sackett DL, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W, Haynes RB, (1997) Evidence based medicine: how to practice and teach EBM, London: Churchill Livingstone Sackett DL, Rosenberg WMC, Muir GrayJ.A, Haynes R.B and Richardson WS (1996) Evidence based medicine. What it is and what isnt,British Medical Journal 312:71-2 Sackett DL, Straus S, Richardson WS, Rosenberg W and Haynes RB (2000) Evidence-Based Medicine: how to practice and teach EBM (2e). Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh Sandelowski M, Barroso J: Finding the findings in qualitative studies. J Nurs Scholarsh 2002, 34:213-219. Open Access Silva, Carlos Nunes (2008). Review: Catherine Marshall Gretchen B. Rossman (2006). Designing Qualitative Research [20 paragraphs]. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 9(3), Art. 13, Are you Ipad Lover If not Become One! http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fon.fb.me%2FdUg8mah=80efb Are you Ipad Lover If not Become One! http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fon.fb.me%2FdUg8mah=80efb S Williams1 and J Dale1 Br J Cancer. 2006 Coventry Cancer Research UK Thorne S, Jensen L, Kearney MH, Noblit G, Sandelowski M. Qualitative meta-synthesis: reflections on methodological orientation and ideological agenda .Qual Health Res 2004;14:1342-65

Service Before Self Essay -- essays research papers

English Composition/ Illustration Final Draft Service Before Self   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The day I finally signed up to join the military I knew I was taking a risk in my life. I believe it is important to take risks in life to move into bigger and better things. My first huge decision I made in my life was to join the United States Air Force. My uncle was the main person who put the idea in my head but my dad and my friends thought otherwise. My parents were divorced when I was young and I didn’t have the privilege like my friends to sit down and talk their decisions through with their parents. My father was excluded from the draft after he got in a car accident and I didn’t think he was very fond me joining the service. The main reason I chose to go into the military was make the decision to serve the country. The major decision in my opinion to join the military is to have the privilege to serve your own country. I think it is great for young men and woman to have ambition to serve and it can change a person into very motivated individual. My uncle and m y mother were both very supportive and thought that it would be a great decision in my life. My mother knew it would be hard to see me go but was excited of the idea of coming to visit me in Texas. I knew it was taking a big risk being on my own but I was ready for a change in my life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With all the excitement of joining the military everything was moving very fast and it was already S...

To Kill a Mockingbird - Equality :: Kill Mockingbird essays

To Kill a Mockingbird - Equality Few people are the same as they are on the street in their homes. Few people can treat others equally; no matter what colour their skin is. Atticus Finch is one of those precious few. Racism in the town of Maycomb is nothing but disguised by the polite smiles and ladies missionary meetings; although it is the strongest belief that each person of the town holds apart from some such as Atticus. Racism is an issue of great importance, yet to the eye of a visitor waltzing through, it's just a slight whisk of air. Atticus is a good man, a just man. He upholds his morals, and judges by his conscience. He is shaken but not moved by the town of Maycomb in their gossip and hypocritical ways. When offered Tom's case, Atticus knows he will take it on. He won't just stand there with no proper defense for Tom, but he will let the truth be known, and prove that Tom is innocent. "...that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." If Atticus didn't take on the case, he couldn't hold his head up in town; couldn't represent this country in the legislature; couldn't even tell Scout or Jem not to do something again'. "...before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." Atticus has a clear mind. He will not sit by and watch as his two children are abused and their views twisted to match the society of racism they live amongst. Atticus builds his morals up in the children very evidently, although no so much as to draw attention. He speaks words of wisdom to them in their distress, but also with the treatment and position of Calpurnia, he is able to demonstrate a precise view of his own conscience. Atticus knows that because of this, he is considered one of the most non-racist people in Maycomb, therefore being offered Tom's case. Judge Taylor knows the right man for the job. Before he even begins, Atticus knows the case is already lost. They were licked a hundred years before it even started, but still he fights for innocence.

Animal Rebellion in Animal Farm

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a story about a group of animals that rebel to get their freedom. It is a story about a society with excellent ideas for progress, that starts with good management, but eventually becomes corrupt. It is a devastating satire on the Russian Revolution. The story elements are matched by a simple prose style. This novel is a straightforward piece of story-telling, which makes the theme of the story pretty clear: totalitarianism is not to be trusted and the communist revolution changed virtually nothing. George Orwell used some literary elements such as plot, characterization, irony, and allusion to present and emphasize the theme of the story. First, Orwell used the plot and characters to present the theme of the story. For instance, the pigs and dogs took most of the power for themselves, thinking they were the best administrators of government. This shows that they were giving themselves attributions and were starting to be unequal. Eventually, the power corrupted them and they killed many of their fellow animals to eliminate competition. Also, Orwell used the pigs to represent the leaders of the Russian government during the 1920†³s, such as Lenin and Stalin. This illustrates how the author used characters, in this case the pigs, to describe the way some leaders acted while they were in charge of their government. Overall, by using a suspenseful but explicit plot, and a personification of animals, Orwell made the reader understand the corruption that surrounded the Russian government. In addition, Orwell used the irony and allusion to present the theme of the story. For example, it is ironic how the animals never remembered any of the commandments clearly, and every time Squealer changed them, nobody noticed it, except Benjamin. This shows how much confidence the animals had on their leaders. They believed that after Mr. Jones had left, now they were supposedly â€Å"their own masters†. Also, Orwell used allusion by presenting a rebellion of animals, which made reference to the Russian Revolution of 1917. This shows how the author used animals to indirectly criticize the leaders of the Russian government during the revolution. By making reference to historical events from the past, the author made a link between the past and present actions and how they relate to one another. Therefore, Animal Farm shows how revolutionary ideals of justice, equality and fraternity always shatter in the moment in which they are going to be practiced. Animal Farm concerns one of the central political experiences of our time: revolution. It is a story about a revolution for an ideal, and about how the ideal is increasingly betrayed until it disappears altogether from the new ociety after the revolution. Because of the corruption within the pig leaders, the animals on the farm ended perhaps even worse than when Mr. Jones was in charge. Every time men and women decide to change the system of government they were born under, there has been a revolution. Orwell is trying to get to the point that revolutions are leading to eventual destruction of society. All in all, there is always going to be a social status that will divide men and economic classes from one another.

Criminological Theory and Burglary Essay

Scarce research is available on active offenders due to their unwillingness to corporate with researchers and past and convicted offenders may have changed their perspectives after being convicted or left their lifestyle of crime. The most reliable data on these offenses and their perpetrators may come from active burglars themselves. Richard T. Wright and Scott Decker’s book, Burglars on the Job seeks to explain the reasons why burglars commit the crimes they do. They have taken their research to another level by gaining the trust of active offenders in the St.  Louis area and gaining inside knowledge of these criminals’ daily lives and their crimes. This paper will address anomie and bond theories and how it relates to the offenders in this study and the socialization of these subjects into criminality and the street culture in which they live. Conventional Goals? According to Robert Merton’s anomie theory, people are not born criminals; they conform to the environment in which they live. Conventional means of reaching a goal are often more readily available to some than others in our society. Merton suggests that crime is a result of this bias due to the anomic culture in America. Our society places great emphasis on the â€Å"American Dream† but conventional means of reaching this goal are denied to some unfortunate individuals, placing strain on them. The burglars in Wright and Decker’s book have conventional goals, but lack the capacity to achieve them by conventional means. Burglar #30 Mark Smith says, â€Å"I didn’t have the luxury of laying back in no damn pinstriped suit. I’m poor and I’m raggedy and I need some food and I need some shoes†¦ So I got to have some money some kind of way. If it’s got to be the wrong way, then so be it. †(pg. 7) This burglar has the conventional goal of buying food and shoes but, as anomie theory suggest, does not have the conventional means of getting what he wants, therefore he commits crime to obtain the money to buy what he desires. Not every burglar in this study claimed to have conventional goals, drugs were a popular desire among these offenders as well. These burglars want to get high and party continuously, but rather than gain lawful employment to supply their habits, they would rather burglarize a residence to gain the financial means to keep the party going. This is evident in one burglar’s response to why he chooses to commit the crimes he does. Burglar #009 Richard Jackson replies, â€Å"You ever had an urge before? Maybe a cigarette urge or a food urge, where you eat that and you get to have more and more? That’s how the crack is. You smoke it and it hits you in the back of the throat and you got to have more†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (pg. 39) The majority of these offenders’ wanted the status and appearance of being successful, the â€Å"American Dream†, but lacked the resources or drives to reach their goals conventionally. The book describes the majority of the offenders as having very few resources in which to work with. Wright and Decker write, â€Å"Decent employment opportunities are limited for inner city residents and the offenders, who by large are poorly educated, unskilled, and heavy illicit drugs and alcohol users, are not well placed to compete for the few good jobs available. †(pg. 50) When field researchers asked them why they chose burglary over other legitimate means some replied that they were unable to gain suitable employment or they just didn’t want a job to infringe on their current lifestyles. Burglar #085 Tony Scott replied, â€Å"I ain’t workin’ and too lazy to work and just all that. I like it to where I can just run around†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (pg. 48) Some burglars wished to gain lawful employment, Wright and Decker write, â€Å"43 of the 78 unemployed subjects who said they did burglaries mostly for the money claimed they would stop committing offenses if someone gave them a good job. †(pg. 49) Since the overall expectation of these offenders’ was financially motivated, conventional goals are present as is innovation. Some of these offenders’ burglarized for drug’s, even burglarizing their drug dealer’s home, making them rebels instead of innovators. Burglar #24 James Brown says, â€Å"My house burglaries are based on dope dealers. † (pg. 66) Merton describes rebels as those who lack conventional goals and the conventional means of reaching them. I would even describe some of them as retreatist, according to Merton’s theory, as they use drugs and criminal behavior as a way to escape the pressures or strains placed on them. One burglar, Ricky Davis #015 describes how he burglarizes and spends his money on drugs, alcohol, and prostitution. He has unconventional goals, with no apparent desire to live a conventional lifestyle. He says, â€Å"I spend the money on something to drink, then get me some marijuana. Then I’m gonna find me a duck. † (pg. 42) Weak Social bonds A bond theory explanation would suggest that the offenders lacked adequate social bonds which, in turn, gave them the freedom to commit crimes. They did not have the parental guidance to steer them away from crime. The social bonds in Travis Hirshi’s bond theory are attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Several of these offenders seemed to be lacking in at least one of these areas. Attachment, or emotional closeness to others, was lacking in many of these offenders. They were more attached to the street culture than decent culture. Those offenders who did mention their families never spoke of engagement with them other than in the context of trying to borrow money from them or burglarizing them. This shows that these offenders had very weak, if any, attachment bonds. Most of these offenders’ had very little commitment either. As stated earlier, they had little education, no jobs, and no social networks to deter them from a life of crime. They had nothing or almost nothing to lose. The offenders’ involvement in conventional activities was also very limited. Their strongest involvements seemed to be with their â€Å"street life. † They felt that jobs or other conventional activities would damper their party time. Burglar #85 Scott says, â€Å"†¦ I ain’t got to go to bed at a certain time to get up at a certain time. Go to bed around one o’clock or whenever I want. Ain’t got to go to work and work eight hours. Just go in and do a five minute job, get that money, and that’s basically it. †(pg. 48) It is the quick and easy, with very little planning or effort, that makes burglary a choice crime for these offenders. While some offenders seemed to hold some conventional moral values, others seemed only to be thinking of themselves in their day to day activities. Burglar #13 Larry Washington states, â€Å"see, if you rob a person, they can identify you cause you lookin’ right at em’ you know? They lookin’ right at you and they can identify you. And armed robbery is what? Five to ten years? Or ten to fifteen years? † This offender prefers burglary over robbery out of fear of a harsher punishment for himself if caught. He shows no consideration of the victim. Burglar #79 Die Leo, on the other hand, did show some compassion for a victim in his statement, â€Å"I’d never personally rob a human being, like walk up to them and say, â€Å"Give me your wallet and give me your purse! † No Way! † Hirishi believed that all people are equally motivated to commit crimes but that motivation in itself was not strong enough to overpower their social bonds and push them into a life of crime. The lack of these social bonds gave them the freedom to commit their crimes, and the motivation was already present as it is in all people. The social bond theory generally sums up crime as it relates to their social bonds. As these bonds weaken and begin to deteriorate, the restraints that once bound you and kept you abiding by the law are loosened. This differs from anomie theory in that, anomie explains crime as being a result of strain placed on an individual from income inequality, socioeconomic status, etc. These theories are both plausible explanations as to why these offenders committed their crimes. High strain and lack of solid bonds may both play a vital role in criminal roles. Now let’s take a look at how socialization and self-control relate to crime. Socialization and Self Control Socialization into crime refers to an individual who conforms to the norms and roles in their given communities. I believe that these offenders criminality can be attributed to their socialization into an environment that values low self-control. The offenders in this study exhibited spontaneity in their decisions to commit burglaries, amplifying their lack of self-control. These offenders learned a great deal about their communities, the people who live in it and their vulnerabilities and so were able to commit their crimes putting forth little effort or planning. In my opinion there is a connection between criminality, low self-control, and the culture of immediate gratification. These offenders seem to have gone through a process starting off with socialization into street culture which leads them to a lack of self-control, and then the culture of immediate gratification. To simplify Gottfredson and Hirishi’s self-control theory, I would say that low self-control is related to crime and that need for immediate gratification and low self-control are connecting factors that contribute to criminal behavior. These offenders are accustomed to spending a lot of time on street corners with other offenders, learning the ways of the street, so to speak. This is their socialization period. Once they are socialized into crime they lose their sense of self control. These offenders apparently don’t have much guidance from their parents or others because they are allotted so much free time to commit their crimes. This tells me that their parents likely don’t have strong social control either. Once their social control is lost, they yearn for immediate gratification. They want things right now; they are not willing to wait until they can find a job and get it conventionally. All the research done by Wright and Decker has shed light on the lifestyle of an active burglar. As mentioned in the introduction, this research is scarce but could be much more reliable than research conducted with offenders who are no longer active burglars. This type of field research should be continued and expanded with all types of crimes, which may give us a better understanding of what drives people to commit them and in the long run may help us understand how to stop them.