US China Relations Essays - Economy Of China,

US China Relations After rather lengthy negotiations between the United States and China, there has been a trade agreement reached between the two countries. China has agreed to enter into the World Trade Organization (WTO). This along with U.S. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Kurt Campbell's visit to China in an attempt to mend relations damaged by the U.S. bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, marked a good series of events for U.S. and Chinese relations. The article also shows that the relationship between these two countries still needs work which cannot be done with ease. A century ago, the U.S. fought off rival countries in a battle for economic influence in China. The 20th century began with U.S. Secretary of State Jon Hay arguing that whoever understood China "has the key to world politics for the next five centuries." Yet, according to the article, foreign policy experts agree that most Americans see what they want to see. Harvey Sicherman, President of the Foreign Policy Research Institute put it nicely in the article, "The pattern of our policy toward China is a series of illusions punctuated by unpleasantries." Professor Michael Hunt, an historian of U.S.-China relations points out, "We really invest a lot of hopes in China, we do this repeatedly, and they've really been crushed. They are so much an expression of our own needs and our own expectations." Take the idea of the China market. One Far-Eastern expert proclaimed at the end of the last century, "No other market in the world offers such vast and varied opportunities for the further increase of American exports." Take that comment with this one by the U.S. chamber of Commerce about the recent progress made, "This is really a landmark opportunity to open up China's vast market to American companies." These expectations could be dangerous, points out the author. The market might not even materialize into what many are predicting it to be. To achieve the"dream" of a billion-plus consumers of American products, China will have to raise the average income of its citizens which is no easy or short-term task. Such changes cannot happen overnight, China's move toward a market economy will require "systematic improvement" at all levels of society according to the author. One of the grandest illusions of Western Policy has been the reasoning that it can single-handedly change China. For more than a century Western missionaries, businessmen, and advisers have come to China believing in their "superiority" over the nation. This arrogance was present because they possessed advanced technical skills and a sense of moral rightness. These Westerners thought they should be welcomed and listened to immediately. When the Chinese went their own way, these same Westerners felt betrayed by the entire nation of China. The author points out a specific example of this occurring in 1949. When the Chinese Communist forces finally took over the mainland and established the People's Republic, many Americans engaged in a witch-hunt over who had "lost China", as if China was a thing that could be lost and also as if the United States had any control over the destiny of such an ancient and populous nation. A key to this historical arrogance is the American idea that market forces can rapidly transform an authoritarian government into a model democracy. U.S. trade negotiators still argue the current trade pact between China and the United States will help the Chinese achieve, in their words, "greater freedom and greater global prosperity." Robert Dallek, a foreign policy expert and presidential historian, says "Americans often think the end of such development is something that looks like the United States." This is an idea that goes way back to the 19th Century. According to Dallek, "Chinese movement toward democracy may never come about or even come near to what we think it should be." And if it does, "It will be their kind of capitalism, their kind of democracy." The author's points seem clear in that although much progress has been made in recent weeks, there is still a lot of work to be done. Yadong Liu, a former official in the Chinese Foreign Ministry, agrees with the author and does not see China's recent development as leading to the end of conflict with the United States. He emphasizes China's nationalism by claiming that , "Both the leadership and population in general are still driven by desire to restore China to what it was hundreds of years ago," before it was dominated by a series of foreign powers, including the United States. The author thinks of

Free Essays on Self-medication The New Epidemic

Self Medication: The New Epidemic Untold damage and suffering is caused by alcohol and drug abuse. Each year substance abusers, as well as their families and friends are suffering needlessly. The suffering may continue, treated as addiction rather than as an underlying physical or psychological disorder. The substance abuser may have many reasons to abuse their substance of choice. To the substance-addicted individual, these reasons are valid. The purpose of reasoning usually is to rationalize repeated use of the drug of choice. Rationalizing allows a chemical abuser to exceed commonly consumed or prescribed quantities.â€Å"I self-medicated with alcohol for more than thirty years and became addicted to prescription painkillers for about ten years in a foolish attempt to gain enough control so that I could manage to keep working. The self-medication became the only way, over time, that I could manage to sleep or remain in control enough to function† from Will3481forum member (Bailey, Bi-Polar ForumsWebsite). Although all drugs seem to affect the abuser in similar ways, the purpose for repeated abuse may have an underlying but illusive cause. One cause for self-medicating may be psychiatric in origin. At the 1996 U.S. Psychiatric & Mental Health Congress, Kathleen Brady, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina, reported that "substance abuse occurs in 30% to 60% of patients with bipolar disorder and is more likely to co-exist with bipolar illness than with any other Axis I psychiatric disorder" (1996). Dr. Brady goes on to add, "2% to 4% of alcoholics and up to 30% of cocaine abusers meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder†. Agnes B. Hatfield, Ph.D., approached the statistics from a different view stating that "as much as 50 percent of the mentally ill population also has a substance abuse problem" (Bailey, Bi-Polar Forums Website). Physical pain may place a pers... Free Essays on Self-medication The New Epidemic Free Essays on Self-medication The New Epidemic Self Medication: The New Epidemic Untold damage and suffering is caused by alcohol and drug abuse. Each year substance abusers, as well as their families and friends are suffering needlessly. The suffering may continue, treated as addiction rather than as an underlying physical or psychological disorder. The substance abuser may have many reasons to abuse their substance of choice. To the substance-addicted individual, these reasons are valid. The purpose of reasoning usually is to rationalize repeated use of the drug of choice. Rationalizing allows a chemical abuser to exceed commonly consumed or prescribed quantities.â€Å"I self-medicated with alcohol for more than thirty years and became addicted to prescription painkillers for about ten years in a foolish attempt to gain enough control so that I could manage to keep working. The self-medication became the only way, over time, that I could manage to sleep or remain in control enough to function† from Will3481forum member (Bailey, Bi-Polar ForumsWebsite). Although all drugs seem to affect the abuser in similar ways, the purpose for repeated abuse may have an underlying but illusive cause. One cause for self-medicating may be psychiatric in origin. At the 1996 U.S. Psychiatric & Mental Health Congress, Kathleen Brady, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina, reported that "substance abuse occurs in 30% to 60% of patients with bipolar disorder and is more likely to co-exist with bipolar illness than with any other Axis I psychiatric disorder" (1996). Dr. Brady goes on to add, "2% to 4% of alcoholics and up to 30% of cocaine abusers meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder†. Agnes B. Hatfield, Ph.D., approached the statistics from a different view stating that "as much as 50 percent of the mentally ill population also has a substance abuse problem" (Bailey, Bi-Polar Forums Website). Physical pain may place a pers...

Example Sentences Using the Verb Find

Example Sentences Using the Verb Find This page provides example sentences of the verb find used in all tenses including active and passive forms, as well as conditional and modal forms. Base Form: FindPast Simple: FoundPast Participle: FoundGerund: Finding Present Simple He often finds unexpected treasures. Present Simple Passive The shop is often found easily by new customers. Present Continuous He is finding it difficult to pay attention. Present Continuous Passive New customers are being found at this very moment. Present Perfect He has recently found a new job. Present Perfect Passive A new director has been found for the position. Present Perfect Continuous He has been finding it difficult to adjust to his new job. Past Simple Jerry found it easy to adjust last week. Past Simple Passive A house was found after a long search. Past Continuous We were finding the house when he walked out the door. Past Continuous Passive The house was being found when he walked out the door. Past Perfect They had found a new apartment by the time their parents arrived. Past Perfect Passive A new apartment had been found by the time their parents arrived. Past Perfect Continuous We had been finding it difficult to adjust when he helped us out. Future (Will) They will find friends quickly. Future (Will) Passive New friends will be found quickly. Future (Going To) He is going to find a hotel when he arrives. Future (Going To) Passive A hotel is going to be found when you arrive. Future Continuous We will be finding life easy this time next week. Future Perfect They will have found a new house by the time I arrive next week. Future Possibility She might find a new job easily. Real Conditional If she finds a new job, she will move out of town. Unreal Conditional If she found a new job, she would move out of town. Past Unreal Conditional If she had found a new job, she would have moved out of town. Present Modal She can find a new job anytime. Past Modal She cant have found a new job! Conjugate with Find Quiz Use the verb to find to conjugate the following sentences. Quiz answers are below. In some cases, more than one answer may be correct. He _____ it difficult to adjust to his new job.He _____ it difficult to pay attention.He often _____ unexpected treasures.A new director _____ for the position.Jerry _____ it easy to adjust last week.A house _____ after a long search.A new apartment _____ by the time their parents arrived.He _____ a hotel when he arrives.She _____ a new job easily.If she _____ a new job, she would move out of town. Quiz Answers has been findingis findingfindshas been foundfound  was foundhad been foundis going to find / will findmight findfound

Freedom in Modern Art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Freedom in Modern Art - Research Paper Example The paper "Freedom in Modern Art" concerns the freedom in a modern art context. Today, art has been exhibited and expressed in surprisingly varied media greatly influenced by the global modernization. Art is no longer defined with strict rules in terms of aesthetic value and medium used. Anyone has liberty to explore what is inside of them and express them in ways for arts sake. The cultural backgrounds influencing the inner system of the creators’ hands are expressed in the messages and media of their output. The freedom in every artist lets him explore the vastness of his creativity into varied concepts of supreme work using multitudes of possible media. This sense of freedom in the modern art has opened the gates for other kinds of materials to be used as medium in expressing art. Every man is an artist. Indeed, that has been very true this time. The intrinsic creative capacity of every human being is now exploding into manifestos that make viewers stand in wondering awe. P lus, the trend of digital modern day technology has been embedded in the realm of art. The digital age conquering the world has now come. It is a reality that is visible not only on the modern day gadgets and machineries but also in the art demesne. Art has turned into a real dynamic symbiotic system where artist’s magnum opuses are more interactive. There are voices that are heard in their silent protests and there are images depicted in shadows. Messages of their works cants with piercing sonata echoed with the various reactions., critics, appreciations and applause from those who perceive. There are various art shows, galleries and exhibits that take their audience aback with all the surprising media used by modern artists. Art exhibited are incorporated with high technology concepts, medium as well as some radical messages. A lot of artists join such exhibition in showing their masterpieces portraying art for arts sake idea. Art has indeed evolved from prehistoric dynasti es where aesthetic value is the optimum criteria to judge a piece of work to an era where art works are expressed regardless of how they look in the human eye. There are even extreme works exposing radical movements created in skewed forms with messages hidden in graphics. Medium used has varied from oil based paints into lights and lasers. Canvasses containing them expounds from traditional easel-sized paints into walls, screens, and even a whole room. Who would have thought that art can consume such space? The vastness of possible resources to paint the many artists’ graffiti has sloped into infinity. Every now and then, a new thing happens. Every now and then, a new material coming from nature has been staged into stardom as they are exposed gradually. One of the most remarkable modern day artists that explored an extraordinary media in expressing art is Daniel Rozin. He expressed a different kind of art with the use of unreflective surfaces to act as mirror. His famous wo rk, The Wooden Mirror has spectacularly amazed audiences from all over the world. He skillfully combined 830 pieces of wooden block hooked up with motors adjoined with built in cameras. This was built in the year 1999 where physical art is collaborated with digital technology. The other materials included to complete the whole piece includes servo motors, cameras for video, computer and of course the wooden frames. The natural resource from nature which is wood has been used to portray images through the web of intricate body part construction reflecting an abstract perception of digital pixels. The camera picks up movement from an object in front of the masterpiece thereby producing a shadowed reflection as the output. Anyone

Legislation, Health and Safety and Regulations Essay

Legislation, Health and Safety and Regulations - Essay Example In every organization, it is important that Health and Risk mitigation procedures follow a recursive procedure as shown in the figure below as this will ensure that necessary actions are taken to prevent and control the occurrence of accidents in the workplace. Figure 1: Health and safety in the workplace Source: http://www.snh.org.uk/uplandpathmanagement/img/imagex11.gif Telecom data centre has had the same H&S procedures for the last 10 years. As the new H&S manager, I intend come up with new procedures that will be beneficial to both the company and the workforce. This report will be passed on to the managing director for consideration. It will consider proposed alteration in two areas; Risk assessment and health and safety policies, which will be both beneficial to the company and the work force. First aid, accidents and ill health risk assessment, in addition to, health and safety policies, are two of the main areas that need to be reviewed, which will be both beneficial to the company and the work force. Policies never been renewed for the last ten years and therefore they have become obsolete. Their renewal will help shed some light to the board of directors on personal protective equipment, staff training and consultation, in terms of health and safety policies for both employees and the company. ... Therefore, the employers should make sure that their products are safe as well as provides information on safety precautions to be adhered to while using the products. However, the employees should take precautions for their safety. Telecom data centre has not renewed its first aid, accidents and ill health risk assessment, and health and safety policies for the last ten years and therefore, as the new manager of the company, I would recommend some of new procedures and indicate why and how the new procedures are more beneficial to the company and the workforce. Risk assessment The UK Health and Safety legislation clearly sets out duties of employers and other members of public as well as employees to themselves and each other. In other words, an employee is required to take precautions in order to reduce or avoid risks in the workplace. All employees should take look at the risks and take sensible measures on them. Risk assessment should therefore, be straightforward in workplace. T he Telecom data centre risk assessment policies are complicated and only deals with serious hazards. Both the employers and employees in the company have a tendency of not recording their significant findings on any risk assessments. Telecom data centre should therefore, assess all the risk in their work place and provide training to their employees. This is because, recently, the company has neglected this issue and no training programs are available for employees to learn about risks as well as prevent themselves. The UK law requires that employers should carry out a risk assessment in order to set up any emergency procedures as well as provide clear training and information to

Global warming Essay Example for Free

Global warming Essay Global warming is the process by which several gases known ‘green-house gases’ (such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, etc) are accumulating in the earth’s environment (as a result of human activity and pollution) and are trapping the sun’s energy resulting in a rise in the planet’s temperature. Some of the largest sources of green house gases include power plants, automobiles, etc. The hypothesis statement in this case is â€Å"Carbon Dioxide is not the only the largest contributor to Global warming, it is in fact the only contributor†. A recent study conducted By the US-DoE in the year 2000 clearly suggests that about 99. 5 % of the gases that cause global warming is carbon dioxide (NRDC, 2007, Eco Bridge, 2008, University of California, 2002). Carbon dioxide is emitted from several human activities. About 40 % of the carbon dioxide emitted in the US is from power-plants that emit the gas from burning coal. Even when LPG and natural gas is burnt, it produces huge quantities of carbon dioxide that contribute towards global warming. About 33% of the carbon dioxide is produced from vehicular emission. Vehicles that have poor mileage contribute larger quantities of carbon dioxide that ultimately result in global warming. About 3. 5 % of the carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere is from aero planes. The upper layers of the atmosphere are damaged as a result of air traffic. From building and domestic use, about 12 % of the total carbon dioxide content is contributed (NRDC, 2007, Eco Bridge, 2008, University of California, 2002). The other gases that can contribute towards global warming is methane (0. 47 %), nitrous oxide (less than 0. 1 %), water vapor and CFC’s (less than 0. 01 %). In actual fact, water vapor contributes towards 99. 99 % of the global warming. However, release of water vapor into the environment is by a natural phenomenon and hence it cannot be considered as a result of human activity. Several studies have demonstrated that effect of water vapor is increased by the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Another group of thinking is that water vapor ultimately results in cloud formation, resulting of reflecting back the energy waves of the sun into the atmosphere. Besides, water vapor present in the atmosphere is released back onto the ground, thus helping to cool down the planet (NRDC, 2007, Eco Bridge, 2008, University of California, 2002, Hieb, 2003 University of California, 2002). Since the time of James Watt, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been rising. IN the US, an average the per capita emission of carbon is about 5 tons every year per head (one of the highest) and in Sweden it is about 2 tons (One of the lowest). Carbon dioxide molecules trap the heat rays that are radiating from the atmosphere and cause and increase in the air temperature. In cities and in areas having high levels of carbon dioxide at the ground level, it is found that the air temperature is comparatively higher. Whereas in forests, the air temperature is lower as the carbon dioxide is converted to oxygen. Over the last 100 years the temperature of the earth has risen by about 1. 5 to 5 degrees. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increased from below 280 ppm to above 360 ppm (Hieb, 2003 University of California, 2002). By just doubling the levels of carbon dioxide in the air, the temperature has increased significantly. The levels of methane and other green house gases have fairly remained constant over the years, but global warming is becoming even more severe. Hence, it can be considered that carbon dioxide is not just the largest contribute to global warming; it may as well as be considered the only contributor (University of California, 2002). References: Eco Bridge. â€Å"Causes of Global Warming. † 2008. Eco Bridge. 6 Apr.2008. http://www. ecobridge. org/content/g_cse. htm Monte Hieb. â€Å"Water Vapor Rules the Greenhouse System. † 2003. Geo Craft. 6 Apr. 2008. http://www. geocraft. com/WVFossils/greenhouse_data. html Natural Resources Defense Council. â€Å"Global Warming Basics. † 2007. NRDC. 6 Apr. 2008. http://www. nrdc. org/globalWarming/f101. asp University of California. â€Å"GLOBAL WARMING: The Rise of CO2 Warming. † 2002. University of California. 6 Apr. 2008. http://earthguide. ucsd. edu/globalchange/global_warming/03. html

Great Gatsby :: essays research papers

Nick Carraway, the narrator of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, assigns certain types of images and descriptive words to Tom, Daisy and Jordan and continues to elaborate on these illustration throughout the first chapter. Nick uses contrasting approaches to arrive at these character sketches; Tom is described by his physical attributes, Daisy through her mannerisms and speech, and Jordan is a character primarily defined by the gossip of her fellow personages. Each approach, however, ends in similar conclusions as each character develops certain distinguishing qualities even by the end of the first chapter. Lastly, the voices of the characters also helped to project truly palpable personalities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tom Buchanan is repeatedly depicted by words referring to his hulking and massive frame, producing a vivid image of sheer arrogance and power. Before Tom is even introduced, his expansive house is seen, an ostentatious mansion fit for a postcard. Tom later remarks matter-of-factly “I’ve got a nice place here'; (12). Nick’s first actual encounter with Tom is a paragraph saturated with words of strength and authority: sturdy, supercilious, enormous, and aggressive, to name a few. Tom’s physical body is described as “cruel'; and this describes more than just his body, but his demeanor as well. His voice, “…a gruff husky tenor…'; (11), added to his rough image. Every one of his actions is completed with unnecessary force. Tom has the tendency to manhandle Nick, manipulating nearly all of his movements. “…wedging his tense arm imperatively under mine, Tom Buchanan compelled me from the room as though he were m oving a checker to another square. (16)'; The action verbs Fitzgerald employs convey Tom’s brutish force. Charles Scribner III could not have been more correct when he said, “I would know Tom Buchanan if I met him on the street and would avoid him…'; (199).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Daisy’s actions and words contrast greatly with her husband, Tom, and his grave nature. Her impression on the reader is frivolous with her “charming little laugh'; (13), and her light manner. In addition, Daisy’s tendency to murmur, rumored to make people lean closer to her, also reflects on her coquettish personality. Nick’s ability to read Daisy so well from her facial expressions and body language attests that her mannerisms are very illustrative; “Daisy took her face in her hands…I saw that turbulent emotions possessed her, so I asked what I thought would be some sedative questions. She also welcomes Nick’s charming but cheesy flattery, when talking about Chicago and she treats him the same way in return by referring to him as a rose and also by saying “I am p-paralyzed with happiness'; (13).

Obesity

What can Samoan parents do to prevent obesity and diabetes in their children? Samoan culture is greatly respected by its people. In their opinion, no other culture is even close to theirs in values, respect, tradition, mentality, form of government etc. They want to keep things that way and hopefully nothing could come In between. Samoa may be perfect in such ways but, like they say, there Is always a bad apple In a society. I believe obesity and diabetes are that. Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (1 lath addition) defines obesity as â€Å"a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat In the body.In similar terms, obesity Is defined as being extremely overweight. Samoan are known to have this problem as part of their nature. They tend to eat much more than a decent meal and can't stop themselves. Such action could lead to health problems and cause people to care less. Therefore, prevention of obesity and diabetes Is much needed In Samoa. Parents cou ld help prevent their children from having such diseases by Limiting the amount of food given to their kids, having them on diets, reducing the amount of sweets given to them, and talking to them about these diseases and their uniqueness.Not all Samoan have obesity and diabetes but, most of them do. If we don't do anything to stop the spreading of such problems, then maybe in the near future, everybody will have it. Consequently, parents should start with their children. They should prescribe a specified regimen for their kids. Have them eat foods that contain no fat at all and prepare a nice home cooked meal for them. Try to limit the amount of sweets given to them to prevent diabetes. Having diabetes could lead to other major diseases such as hypertension and stroke, which possibly lead to death.Parents should know these facts and be able to prevent them from happening to their loved ones. Samoan children are hard to talk to concerning health problems. Sometimes they know the trut h but, they Just don't want to listen. It's because children and parents don't have time to talk about emotional problems. Samoan parents don't have that close relationship with their children like most American parents do. They have the l- know-it-all kind of attitudes towards their kids. They don't even care what their children think and what they're feeling.All they care about is themselves and the old- seasoned Samoan way of raising kids. Therefore, parents should know their limits and start talking to their kids before anything happens. The best way for them to do so, Is to level with their kids and try to win their trust. That way, they could be able to help them understand why eating too much could cause health problems. Children would have to listen and feel what their parents are trying to tell them. Everything would be worked out with communication If trust Is Included. â€Å"According to Statistic Canada's fledglings from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Percent of Canadian children and adolescents aged two to 17 were overweight or obese in 2004. Between 1978 and 2004 the obesity rate among 12-17 year olds increased from three percent to nine percent. ] Childhood obesity has tripled over the past two decades; Obesity is a serious and complex issue that supporting research that will help find solutions. † (http://en. Thinkers. Com/ reference/quotes_on_obesity/) â€Å"Behavior involving physical activities and nutrition are the corner stone of preventing obesity in children and adolescents. † (http://www. Obesity. Org/subs/ childhood/prevention. HTML). If parents could force their children to exercise daily, the chance of developing obesity and diabetes would be limited in children. Exercising helps a lot with different diseases. Although it is well established that a regimen of diet and exercise is the best way to control body weight, a recent review by Ross, Freeman, and Janssen (2000) challenges their statement that exercise alon e is not an effective method of weight loss. It is stated in this review that exercise alone can be effective for weight loss. â€Å"Our body is the temple of God. † (1 Corinthians 6; 19).God made us to be happy ND live life to the fullest. He wanted his children to take care of the temple that he gave us. The word temple is holy. Therefore, we should take care of ourselves because it's holy in the eyes of the Lord. The bible even wanted all the parents to teach their children the ways they should live so they will never depart from it. A saying goes â€Å"Monkey see, monkey do. † Parents can not help prevent obesity and diabetes in their children if they are doing the same thing. They should set an example for their children by eating right and exercising daily. It's a good routine to start with.Parents should let their children know how much they care for them by doing what is right. In conclusion, a wise man once said â€Å"prevention is better than a cure. † It's better to prevent a problem from occurring than finding a cure to a problem. Therefore, parents see overweight people all the time. No caring parents would want that to happen to their children. They could prevent that by caring for their kids and making sure they are eating right. Make the world a safer place for their children to live in. Help them to live life to the fullest and understand the consequences of carelessness. Obesity It has become an escalating epidemic that is very outrageous In the America. Not to mention, obesity is a disorder that have affected millions of people including children and teens. Obesity has reached an epidemic problem, creating a huge generation of people to have a shorter lifespan affected over a quarter of adults (Allen, Terry). American is the richest but yet the fattest nation in the world. However, obese comes from Latin which means to â€Å"eat†. Nonetheless it was only in the nineteenth century that most people in the western world who began to have slacking of the food.Romans use to tickle their throats to vomit the food so that there want be a possibility of becoming obese. A study by Harvard Medical School in the sass's found that young people who dieted regularly were more likely to get overweight than those who did not. CDC predicts 42% of Americans will be obese by 2030 which is 32 million people. People tend to get obese and overweight mixed up. Actually, th ey're totally different. The body mass index tells which category the person falls under. Obesity IBM is either 30 or higher. If considered overweight IBM is between 25 up to 29. . Furthermore, obesity is when a errors had a body weight due to accumulation of body fat. The world we are living in today is a world that obesity is one of the most leading deaths in the United States. There are so many different types of treatment and prevention towards obesity. Gastric bypass which is a surgery that shrinks the stomach can help obesity afterwards. The goal for an obese person is for them to reach a health weight. Dietary can be one of the main treatments that can help some people who are obese. An obese person should exercise and do daily activities.Also there will need to be any type of appetite suppressants that will be taken. Another surgery is lips-suction which helps reduce body fat. The changes of someone lifestyle will need to be the first priority. As Linda Hay an obese lady say s â€Å"After 2 years of trying to lose weight using weight watchers, nutritionist, and much more didn't work (Newman, Cathy). Preventing obesity at an early age is very beneficial. By establishing healthy eating and exercise habits among American should take a big role in prevention. Staying active daily and watching one's weight should become a weekly routine.Everyone should drink up to 8 glasses of water and a physical every year. No one should eat after 7 o'clock and also watch the minimum of Junk food being consume. There should be physical education in schools to help children and teens from getting obese. If the disorder is inherited it should start taking place as a child and watch the food that is eaten. Obesity is not Just about food; it is about an entire life. People who are overweight also tend to feel less secure, less happy, and be stressed. They get teased, criticized, and Judged. In many cases, the problem is not the child's fault.Being overweight may run in that c hild's family, or their parents do not encourage hem to be active and get enough exercise. Many children spend too much time indoors wasting away in front of the TV, playing video games, or spending time on the computer, and consuming high snacks, soft drinks and candy at the same time. The CDC performed a study in 1994 that was described in the book Fat Land; it showed that children who watched over four hours of television a day had higher body mass index numbers than those who watched less than one hour a day.In 1994, The Centers for Disease Control studied the TV viewing time, exercise patterns, and eight gain of children aged eight to fifteen (â€Å"Obesity' The Columbia Encyclopedia). The results found that the less a child exercised and the more they watched TV, the more likely they were to be obese or overweight. Obesity has so many dangerous effects on one's life. For all people it causes so many diseases. Effects on teenage with low levels of self-esteem are more likely t o report feelings of loneliness, sadness and nervousness. They are also more likely to smoke and consume alcohol.Incidents of bullying and social isolation are more likely among overweight teens than normal- weight teens. Overweight teens are three times more likely to experience depression. Often their weight problems began in childhood and by the time they reach their adolescence. They may not even seem interested in reducing their weight. Admonish your child every step of the way will make a big difference. If a teenager is following the food pyramid and eating nutritious foods daily with a variety of physical activities, obesity should never become an issue.Teen health should be a major concern for all parents that have a teenager. One important aspect that could affect male sperm count and possible cause male infertility is obesity. As males began to get obese their breast starts to grow which is called Pseudoscience's. When men become obese they become less fertile. Also, men genital area began to be smaller the more they become obese. Obesity affects women the most because they have more disorders. The more weight women gain will cause them to have osteoarthritis of the knees.Obese women will also have a high possibility to have the gallbladder disease and cancer. Obese people in general will have some weight gain, arthritis, diseases, shortness of breath that can be incapacitating, sleep apneas, and emotional ND social problems, lower back pain and other orthopedic problems, hernias, heartburn, asthma, high cholesterol, high blood pressure. People with only slightly genetic predisposition to be obese have a chance of losing weight on their own. It is mainly the amount of fat that people make a habit of eating and their lifestyle that plays the biggest role in their overall health.Only an obese person would know what it feels like. Their choices may not people as sagacious as they should, but they are all human as well. John Hatch states: Being obese is n't easy. They are hungry all the mime, indolent, and body hurts. All because of the increments of their body, it will cause younger children to stare at them. Obese thinks only about food and death majority of the time. Obese patients avoid medical visits at all cost because the shame of guilt. Obese people tend to be sad, depressed, or maybe angry.They will not go to the doctor so they will not here the bad news. No one wants to be around anyone obese nor would someone be attracted to them. He says being obese can be the worst thing someone could ever be(C-D Room Interview). Obese people are at a higher risk of death due to health problems. Obesity is cause from so many things in today's society such as: too many calories being consumed from fast food, lack of physical activity, typical lifestyle and/or depression. People imperceptibly become obese and do not even know until that doctor visit.A major thing that causes Americans to be obese is the fast food that is so accessible to us. All fast foods have copious amounts of calories and fat Just in one burger; this isn't even including the French fries or soft drink someone may order. The first factor would be that individuals can choose what to eat. Second would be he food companies that make the unhealthy food. Third would be the government for having taxes that cause people to buy the least expensive foods. Toxins all around is making majority of us fat. As you get older, your body's ability to metabolize food slows down.Environmental factors include lifestyle behaviors such as what a person self-esteem may, in some cases, also play a role in weight gain. The medication some people are taking may also have a responsibility to someone becoming overweight. Obesity cause physical problems, psychological, social and economic well-being problems. The more a person is overweight the greater risk of death. There is so much negative connotation directed towards obese people. Others start teasing and bullying those who are not the same size as them.Social discriminating against obese makes them seem as if they are not wanted, so they turn to food. Jobs may even be describes as discriminating due to the person size, so there is no income coming into the home. In recent years, obesity has increased dramatically in many parts of the world. The epidemic starts with the less exercising and a high caloric intake. Americans like to spend their time in sedentary activities. It all begins in the person childhood. When a child says they are hungry the mother will constantly nurture. As that child gradually grows it will become less active.Fast food and fried food are the number one reasons to obesity. Some other foods such as processed and artificial additives may increase the risk of obesity. Obesity has become the second hierarchy death that is killing our people. The one main reason obesity is still increasing is that it has started in the childhood now. Secondly, the fast growing technology is maki ng our nation lazy. The remote controllable things make it easy for en to control some without even getting up. The updated machines in factories are cutting off work, so they are less active.Also the violence is another reason why people are staying in their homes. People can now work from their homes due to the upgraded software, which causes them to sit on their behind all day. Transportation in the 21 the century is the most reliable thing to count on other than walking. The more the fast foods are being promoted the more people will be extremely overweight. Obesity in our time and day has not only become a problem, but it has also become an epidemic throughout our nation. We and one need to take full responsibility and abstain from the bad eating habits. Obesity A person with a IBM of 30 or more is generally considered obese. A person with a IBM equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight. Based on the report stated by the Ministry of Health (MOM), It shows the huge increasing percent from 4. 4 percent at 2006 then increased to 15. 1 percent in 2011. From this statistic, it shows that obesity among Malaysian are becoming a serious problem. The escalation of obesity, once thought to be an urban phenomenon, has now spread to the rural population at an alarming rate.As Malaysia proceeds rapidly towards a plopped economy status, the health of its population will probably continue to deteriorate. Therefore, a national strategy needs to be developed to tackle both dietary and activity contributors to the excess weight gain of the Malaysian population. One of the factors that influence the increasing factor of obesity is fast food intake. As the economy pass by, the fast food restaurant can be fine everywhere in Malaysia. The first franchise fast food was brought into Malaysia in 1963 was A&W by Mr. and Mrs. Lie Off from ASSAI.The Lie Off family opened their first outlet in Clan Thank Abdul Raman making it the first fast food outlet in Malaysia. From there, Malaysian community start eat fast food and one by one the fast food restaurant came into the Malaysia like KEF McDonald's, and many more. Malaysian love to choose all those restaurant as it is easy and affordable to get. As the fast food has wide the empire in Malaysia by enhance the service like drive true restaurant that people can get the meal without leave the car and delivery service that just pick up the phone and the meal inferno your door.It is the best reason why even thong there is a stall all around in Malaysia, served he Malaysian food, the Malaysian like to choose fast food restaurant as their restaurant to get food. According to Hussein (2011), the ability of western fast food restaurant to cater to local Muslim market created a huge impact on local fo od restaurant in Malaysia. According to Small et al (2002), the improvement in socioeconomic status increases the obesity prevalence which the people are used to leading a sedentary life style and unhealthy habit.The statement agreed by Paltrier and Alaska (2012), most of the people in this millennium century AR working people. They have to work to support their family. If 20 years back, women who has their own carrier is difficult to see,most of them are house wife. They prepared all the food for themselves and family, but in the moored live they also working to support their family. Sometimes they do extra time from the normal working hour. That lead to the buy outside food as it is easy to get and the food are ready to eat without have to prepared all the food after a long hour stay in their workplace.Another key factor that contribute in the increasing the number of obesity factor was the eating behavior. Shootout et al (2004), mention that most of the obesity people is working. People who are working sometimes face with the irregular working hour. So they have to skip the meal or eat the meal late at night. This factor play a main role in change the diet structure. People tend to take a large amount of food for one short to ensure saving their time to cope with their responsibility at work.For the parents, they don't have enough time to prepare the food for family and for working women it is hard for them in balance between family and work. Therefore, the easiest alternative is to buy a food outside which the nutrition and hygiene of that food can be questioned. According to Paltrier and Alaska (201 2), constraints in time stressing , working people and modern family might substitute time-saving options which the priority to eat food rather than emphasize the nutritional values that are supposed to be the heart of concern.Culture certainly has a big influence on behaviors leading to weight gain. The concepts of personal well being such health, affluence, beauty, strength and prosperity are modeled and learnt from society at large according to Amounts (1994). As such, culture and society that accepts overweight as favorable, would lead to behaviors that reinforces weight gain. Behaviors that lead to weight gain are influenced at various social levels such as peer groups, parents, partners, friends and authority figures, or socio-economic environment.It is usual that people tend to eat the foods that are eaten by their family and friends for reasons such as having a sense of acceptance and belonging, compliance to authority. According to Sob (1 995), community must having consistencies in attitudes, beliefs and habits of diet and nutrition formed through learning . Other social influence variables in gender roles . The women tend to be tater,the life development such people tend to grow fatter as they age, and then decline as the bodybuilders.One such cultural influence with regards to socio-economic environment is eating out. Eating out has become popular as it is highly convenient for today's modern household. French et al. (2001 ) says that eating out at restaurants and eating food prepared away from home has been found to be increasing in trend in the past 20 years. Local data shows similar trend not only in the urban but also in the rural area . Moreover, food prepared away from home tend to be larger in portion, as well as higher in fat ND energy.This change in nutritional quality is a cause for concern as there is increasing intake of higher than needed energy consumption. Mass media influence plays a large role in eating out behavior by exposing messages that encourage food consumption, which leads to the increase Of food availability . On the other hand, people nowadays are more used to a sedentary life style. The evolution of modern technology has created machines that replace the human role in performing quite a number of daily chores. We are no longer walk to our destination due to the convenience of al sorts of transportation.On the other hand, more sophisticated and smart technology too influence people in using modern gadget make this situation become worse. According to Inorganic (2006), people nowadays move less frequent as more they now prefer spending time sitting in front of computers or using their cell phone to update their status in medial social such as faceable, twitter and many more. Furthermore, modern kids now prefer to play online game using their gadget rather than to get involved in the outdoors sports such as football, basketball, hockey and many more.Therefore, according to Somatic (2014), a combination of sedentary life style and unhealthy diet is the main factor that contribute to the growing prevalence in obesity among Malaysian. From the influence factor of obesity, the government had come with some prevention on it under the 8th Malaysian Plan (PM). The government has been trying to promote local fast food industry by offering financial and training su pport to those Malaysian that interested . This situation indirectly increases competition among fast food companies and it changes the Malaysian appetite from traditional local delicacies to fast food respectively.The result from this situation is the nutrition imbalance because fast food is incantation with high sugar and fat. According to Geek (2012), Malaysia has been experiencing an upward trend in term of the availability of calories from animal and having escalation of availability of sugar has from 28. 8 keg to 48. 7 keg between 1 967 and 2007. Even though this situation will pose a negative impact on the human health over a long term of consumption, it is not really highlighted.According to Phantasmagoria and Pranks (2007), Malaysian was obscured by other element such as nice packaging, delicious in taste, attractive promotion and good service to increase people excitement in enjoying this type of food. People nowadays are more used to a sedentary life style. The evolution of modern technology has created machines that replace the human role in performing quite a number of daily chores. People no longer walk to our destination due to the convenience of all sorts of transportation.On the other hand, more sophisticated and smart technology too influence people in using modern gadget make this situation become worse. According to Inorganic (2006), people nowadays move less frequent as ore they now prefer spending time sitting in front of computers or using their cell phone to update their status in medial social such as faceable, twitter and many more. Furthermore, modern kids now prefer to play online game using their gadget rather than to get involved in the outdoors sports such as football, basketball, hockey and many more.Therefore, according to Somatic (2014), a combination of sedentary life style and unhealthy diet is the main factor that contribute to the growing prevalence in obesity among Malaysian. In other point of view, Malaysia was one of mu lti rattail that live in en nation. Even though every race has their own unique beliefs and practice, they celebrate the festival together without any problem. Usually in the festival Hair Ray, Chinese New Year ,Divalent and many more, they widely being practice an open house which it becomes a culture to all Malaysian.According to Moravian and Mood (2012), people in Malaysia love to served a lot of their traditional food and people will take a chance to taste as many types of food as they can. Usually that kind of traditional food they only can find on that festival. For example,Hair Ray festival, Malay people like to SE coconut milk when preparing their traditional dishes. The other festival also in use of unhealthy ingredients for several traditional food like adding the coconut milk and using a lot of oil make the food unhealthy to be consumed.Chon, (1984) says that, the risk of obesity will increased by taking a large amount of unhealthy type of food. According to the president of Malaysian society, Mood Small Nor (2014), Malaysian is ranked sixth in the Asia-Pacific region for obesity and diabetes. It shows that it is crucial to call for the government's attention on this unhealthy development. It agreed by Mood, (2002) it provides a rough picture on the real situation happened in Malaysia where the modernization really brought the huge changes for all Malaysian in taking the food and influence the majority to practicing sedentary lifestyle.As a result, Malaysian The Malaysia National Health Morbidity Survey 2011 (OHMS VIVO, obesity is one of the risk factors that play a main role in the increase of non-communicable diseases (NC) such as, diabetes mellitus, hypertension,and cardiovascular disease . This survey was run under the Institute of public Health. It is an authority to conducts every 4 ear to collecting data to provide trends on the prevalence of certain diseases and health behaviors.The objective of the server was to provide health related commu nity-based data and information so as to inform the Ministry of Health Malaysia in the review of health priorities, programmer strategies, activities as well as and the planning and allocation of resources. Therefore, the comparison with The Malaysian National Health Morbidity Survey 2006 (OHMS Ill) indicated that three-fold rise in the prevalence of obesity, from 4. 4% in 1996 to 15. 1% in 2011 which equates to approximately 2. Million Malaysian met the criteria for obesity.Based on this figure, it shows that obesity has become a burden which it also include the increase in the prevalence of Nan-communicable disease (NC) respectively. According to Fissile et al (2014), obesity was categorized to reach the epidemic level and Malaysia was leading nation among the developing countries. Based on data from OHMS IV, Malaysia ranked top of obesity in South-East Asia country, placed sixth prevalence in Asia and ranked 39th worldwide. This alarming statistics indirectly tell that Malaysia a ctually facing far more serious health robber compared to other countries in the region.The Malaysia Government under our Prime Minister Data' Sir Mood Ninja bin Tune Hajji Abdul Raze was launched the Economy Transformation Programmer (HTTP) that plays a comprehensive effort to transform Malaysia into a high- income nation by 2020. The programmed focus on a few key growth engines that is the 12 National Key Economic Areas (Knees) which healthcare is one of the core factors as a driver of economic activity that has the potential to directly and materially contribute to a quantifiable amount of economic growth. To achieve the objective that has been set, it requires a productive nation to ensure the success of this programmed.If the incident of obesity still in the arising trend and the people of Malaysia will be having potential to comply to NC, it will to slow down the journey to reach the aim of this programmed. According to Taylor (2006), the active and healthy people are needed i n order to determine the high achievement and acquire success. National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Disease (NSP 2010-2015) was developed to battle the current crisis that prevalence of non- incommunicable diseases (NC) and NC risk factors in Malaysia which increase at an alarming rate.TO achieve the Objective Of this plan, the main programmed that highlight is integrated and comprehensive service delivery. It was conducted under Non-Communicable Disease-I Malaysia Prevention (NCSC-I M) programmed which will focus more on primary care clinics are equipped to provide a full range of NC services, including promotion, preventive or wellness services, screening, ‘identification of risk factors', intervention, treatment and rehabilitation.As a result, 32000 clients had been purported at 496 NCSC-IM projects sites which in total, 55000 NC risk factor screening procedures had been undertaken between October 201 0 and December 2012. The NCSC-IM is a unique project where it pla ys an important role to design the community health volunteers and trains them the basic principles of healthy living, pathologically, and the epidemiology of NCSC. Apart from educating and advocating healthy lifestyles, they are also trained to conduct blood sugar tests, body mass index (IBM) and blood pressure measurements, and to read and interpret results from these screening tests. Obesity English 101 6:00 am Professor Cardenas-Adame November 9, 2012 The Cure for Obesity As an American society we all share a similar fear for obesity. Everyone can be succumbed by obesity and most are. The percentage is over 70% of America that are borderline line of being obese and 36 in the us that are obese. Also it’s a triadic to see that Americans are rated the highest in world for obesity. Many may ask why is obesity such a curse. Many say you may get looked down upon in today society or so forth.The only topic that will be address today is the health related reasoning of why obesity is such a threat to society. First we must address how to measure if we are one who is succumbed to this awful plague known as obesity. In the U. S we use the BMI which is an abbreviation for Body Mass Index. Which evaluates the body mass or fat context we have. If we have below 7% we extremely unhealthy or if we have over 20 % we are considered obese which can ultimately be fatal.Not immediatel y fatal but obesity is directly linked to many of the most fatal disease in the world today as diabetes, any many other that can cause heart failure. All due to the lack of exercise and over eating, also one major other key we may not always consider to be a factor of being obese is genetics. Genetics can play a huge factor on whether we are going to be fighting with obesity for the rest of our life’s. One may question if obesity is something that they will be fighting for the rest of our life or is there a cure?There are several types of solution to manage ones weight. Recently with our modern technology American society has turn toward bypass surgery has there solution to obesity. Though statistically the percentage of successful procedures is dramatically high, there are many factor to consider to coming to the conclusion if surgery is in fact a cure. In the beginning many turned towards surgery as the last solution, but never the first choice nor was it consider a solutio n.The risk of failure is very slim now with increasing technology and better trained surgeons. Though its highly effective there are still draw backs. One many consider the procedure overall expensive with the cost ranging as little as 3,000 to 8,000 dollars, Also another drawback is the scars the procedure leaves, and many other issue but for the pros out way the con. Is there other ways to loose weight one may ask, or more affordable? The most popular cure for obesity though for some maybe not the most effective way to loose weight is dieting.Keeping track of you calories or your carb intake daily, also having in consideration the type of diet you are on determines the rate and difficulty of the diet. The society today would consider this method on of the hardest ways to loose wait because not only is it a constant struggle to watch everything you eat, it take a lot of mental control as well to resist the cravings that every human being has. Also one may also need to be knowledgea ble in the type of diet they are doing in order for it to be effective and correctly monitor there intake of food for there diet.Though this way may seem very effective and inexpensive it can be costly for some diets if you are buying diet food and shake and ext. The downfall to this method is the society intends to do very well at the beginning and then eventually slips and typically the end up gaining more weight in the end then what they had started it. One needs to have a lot of mental control for this method. The method most effective and inexpensive is exercise. Exercise has been the most effective method since the very beginning of time.Though exercise can also go hand in hand with all the other method especially dieting which actually is highly recommend to have the best result but is not a requirement. There are many reason why this method is ranked as the most popular and effective way to loose weight. As we recently learned about dieting how it can be extremely difficult mentally, as one may need self control. Exercise can offer things that other methods cant as far pleasure, and being enjoyable.As an example when the human body is engage in cardivascular workout, stating that heart rate reaches 120 beats per second the body releases endorphin into the body stream which many may call as a runners high. This is considered very pleasurable and also a very effective way to stay healthy. Are bodies are designed in a way that require a certain amount of exercise to remain health. This is one of the most efficient ways to reduce the risk of diseases as we mentioned earlier and is very inexpensive compared to surrey and dieting.Also it offers the least side effect or draw backs to cure obesity, Though as surgery may be permanent method for obesity on the other the hand is not exercise is not. One as to continue to exercise daily to maintain the proper BMI or it will can increase dramatically. Even though there are numerous activity and event one can choose to engage in to have the proper amount of exercise daily, the society today still fails to maintain the required amount of exercise to remain healthy which is our ultimate goal.Remaining healthy is overall is what the society strives for today to increase ones life but not only to increase ones life but also to increase the quality of life. Which leaves obesity being an obstacle for many to reach that goal. Though obesity is indeed a big problem it is not unsolvable, it has many solutions which is briefly reviewed in this essay. One only has to choose which may be the best cure for them to help them solve this problem of obesity. Obesity English 101 6:00 am Professor Cardenas-Adame November 9, 2012 The Cure for Obesity As an American society we all share a similar fear for obesity. Everyone can be succumbed by obesity and most are. The percentage is over 70% of America that are borderline line of being obese and 36 in the us that are obese. Also it’s a triadic to see that Americans are rated the highest in world for obesity. Many may ask why is obesity such a curse. Many say you may get looked down upon in today society or so forth.The only topic that will be address today is the health related reasoning of why obesity is such a threat to society. First we must address how to measure if we are one who is succumbed to this awful plague known as obesity. In the U. S we use the BMI which is an abbreviation for Body Mass Index. Which evaluates the body mass or fat context we have. If we have below 7% we extremely unhealthy or if we have over 20 % we are considered obese which can ultimately be fatal.Not immediatel y fatal but obesity is directly linked to many of the most fatal disease in the world today as diabetes, any many other that can cause heart failure. All due to the lack of exercise and over eating, also one major other key we may not always consider to be a factor of being obese is genetics. Genetics can play a huge factor on whether we are going to be fighting with obesity for the rest of our life’s. One may question if obesity is something that they will be fighting for the rest of our life or is there a cure?There are several types of solution to manage ones weight. Recently with our modern technology American society has turn toward bypass surgery has there solution to obesity. Though statistically the percentage of successful procedures is dramatically high, there are many factor to consider to coming to the conclusion if surgery is in fact a cure. In the beginning many turned towards surgery as the last solution, but never the first choice nor was it consider a solutio n.The risk of failure is very slim now with increasing technology and better trained surgeons. Though its highly effective there are still draw backs. One many consider the procedure overall expensive with the cost ranging as little as 3,000 to 8,000 dollars, Also another drawback is the scars the procedure leaves, and many other issue but for the pros out way the con. Is there other ways to loose weight one may ask, or more affordable? The most popular cure for obesity though for some maybe not the most effective way to loose weight is dieting.Keeping track of you calories or your carb intake daily, also having in consideration the type of diet you are on determines the rate and difficulty of the diet. The society today would consider this method on of the hardest ways to loose wait because not only is it a constant struggle to watch everything you eat, it take a lot of mental control as well to resist the cravings that every human being has. Also one may also need to be knowledgea ble in the type of diet they are doing in order for it to be effective and correctly monitor there intake of food for there diet.Though this way may seem very effective and inexpensive it can be costly for some diets if you are buying diet food and shake and ext. The downfall to this method is the society intends to do very well at the beginning and then eventually slips and typically the end up gaining more weight in the end then what they had started it. One needs to have a lot of mental control for this method. The method most effective and inexpensive is exercise. Exercise has been the most effective method since the very beginning of time.Though exercise can also go hand in hand with all the other method especially dieting which actually is highly recommend to have the best result but is not a requirement. There are many reason why this method is ranked as the most popular and effective way to loose weight. As we recently learned about dieting how it can be extremely difficult mentally, as one may need self control. Exercise can offer things that other methods cant as far pleasure, and being enjoyable.As an example when the human body is engage in cardivascular workout, stating that heart rate reaches 120 beats per second the body releases endorphin into the body stream which many may call as a runners high. This is considered very pleasurable and also a very effective way to stay healthy. Are bodies are designed in a way that require a certain amount of exercise to remain health. This is one of the most efficient ways to reduce the risk of diseases as we mentioned earlier and is very inexpensive compared to surrey and dieting.Also it offers the least side effect or draw backs to cure obesity, Though as surgery may be permanent method for obesity on the other the hand is not exercise is not. One as to continue to exercise daily to maintain the proper BMI or it will can increase dramatically. Even though there are numerous activity and event one can choose to engage in to have the proper amount of exercise daily, the society today still fails to maintain the required amount of exercise to remain healthy which is our ultimate goal.Remaining healthy is overall is what the society strives for today to increase ones life but not only to increase ones life but also to increase the quality of life. Which leaves obesity being an obstacle for many to reach that goal. Though obesity is indeed a big problem it is not unsolvable, it has many solutions which is briefly reviewed in this essay. One only has to choose which may be the best cure for them to help them solve this problem of obesity. Obesity English 101 6:00 am Professor Cardenas-Adame November 9, 2012 The Cure for Obesity As an American society we all share a similar fear for obesity. Everyone can be succumbed by obesity and most are. The percentage is over 70% of America that are borderline line of being obese and 36 in the us that are obese. Also it’s a triadic to see that Americans are rated the highest in world for obesity. Many may ask why is obesity such a curse. Many say you may get looked down upon in today society or so forth.The only topic that will be address today is the health related reasoning of why obesity is such a threat to society. First we must address how to measure if we are one who is succumbed to this awful plague known as obesity. In the U. S we use the BMI which is an abbreviation for Body Mass Index. Which evaluates the body mass or fat context we have. If we have below 7% we extremely unhealthy or if we have over 20 % we are considered obese which can ultimately be fatal.Not immediatel y fatal but obesity is directly linked to many of the most fatal disease in the world today as diabetes, any many other that can cause heart failure. All due to the lack of exercise and over eating, also one major other key we may not always consider to be a factor of being obese is genetics. Genetics can play a huge factor on whether we are going to be fighting with obesity for the rest of our life’s. One may question if obesity is something that they will be fighting for the rest of our life or is there a cure?There are several types of solution to manage ones weight. Recently with our modern technology American society has turn toward bypass surgery has there solution to obesity. Though statistically the percentage of successful procedures is dramatically high, there are many factor to consider to coming to the conclusion if surgery is in fact a cure. In the beginning many turned towards surgery as the last solution, but never the first choice nor was it consider a solutio n.The risk of failure is very slim now with increasing technology and better trained surgeons. Though its highly effective there are still draw backs. One many consider the procedure overall expensive with the cost ranging as little as 3,000 to 8,000 dollars, Also another drawback is the scars the procedure leaves, and many other issue but for the pros out way the con. Is there other ways to loose weight one may ask, or more affordable? The most popular cure for obesity though for some maybe not the most effective way to loose weight is dieting.Keeping track of you calories or your carb intake daily, also having in consideration the type of diet you are on determines the rate and difficulty of the diet. The society today would consider this method on of the hardest ways to loose wait because not only is it a constant struggle to watch everything you eat, it take a lot of mental control as well to resist the cravings that every human being has. Also one may also need to be knowledgea ble in the type of diet they are doing in order for it to be effective and correctly monitor there intake of food for there diet.Though this way may seem very effective and inexpensive it can be costly for some diets if you are buying diet food and shake and ext. The downfall to this method is the society intends to do very well at the beginning and then eventually slips and typically the end up gaining more weight in the end then what they had started it. One needs to have a lot of mental control for this method. The method most effective and inexpensive is exercise. Exercise has been the most effective method since the very beginning of time.Though exercise can also go hand in hand with all the other method especially dieting which actually is highly recommend to have the best result but is not a requirement. There are many reason why this method is ranked as the most popular and effective way to loose weight. As we recently learned about dieting how it can be extremely difficult mentally, as one may need self control. Exercise can offer things that other methods cant as far pleasure, and being enjoyable.As an example when the human body is engage in cardivascular workout, stating that heart rate reaches 120 beats per second the body releases endorphin into the body stream which many may call as a runners high. This is considered very pleasurable and also a very effective way to stay healthy. Are bodies are designed in a way that require a certain amount of exercise to remain health. This is one of the most efficient ways to reduce the risk of diseases as we mentioned earlier and is very inexpensive compared to surrey and dieting.Also it offers the least side effect or draw backs to cure obesity, Though as surgery may be permanent method for obesity on the other the hand is not exercise is not. One as to continue to exercise daily to maintain the proper BMI or it will can increase dramatically. Even though there are numerous activity and event one can choose to engage in to have the proper amount of exercise daily, the society today still fails to maintain the required amount of exercise to remain healthy which is our ultimate goal.Remaining healthy is overall is what the society strives for today to increase ones life but not only to increase ones life but also to increase the quality of life. Which leaves obesity being an obstacle for many to reach that goal. Though obesity is indeed a big problem it is not unsolvable, it has many solutions which is briefly reviewed in this essay. One only has to choose which may be the best cure for them to help them solve this problem of obesity.

Choice Or A Good Service Health And Social Care Essay

In England, the successful debut of public assistance mechanism after the Second World War has dramatically changed the political, economic and social landscape. This baronial and selfless project has seen the development of services aimed at assisting undertake some of the most of import issues confronting society ( e.g. wellness and safety, instruction, wellness, exigency services, and attention for the aged and handicapped ) . It has had genuinely singular success in presenting an effectual safety cyberspace for society. Although this paper will non be concentrating on the grounds for this, it is deserving observing that by the 1960 ‘ / 1970 ‘s, the pride that people took in the societal accomplishments of the public assistance province started declining. The success of capitalist economy and competition in the private sector was perceived as being in stark contrast to the inefficient and unresponsive populace sector. Consecutive authoritiess were besides progressively disquieted as to the fiscal deductions of the public assistance province and looking to increase efficiency and cut down cost. Similarly, the addition richness and consumerism of citizens raised outlooks in client service and promoted the position of the service user as a consumer instead than as a receiving system of public services ( see Lowe, 2005 ; Eichengreen, 2006 ; Sorensen, 2000 ) . It is the purpose of this paper to measure the cogency of the undermentioned statement: â€Å" Patients do non desire pick, they want a good local service † . The trouble in specifying pick means that this paper will do the sensible premise that patients want high quality attention, efficient usage of resources and equity. These premises reflect the fact that the NHS is funded out of public outgo and abides by the rule of â€Å" making the right thing for those who need aid † ( Secretary of State 2010 ) . This paper will ab initio look at the alterations in authorities policy to present an component of pick before pulling on grounds and instance survey illustrations to show that pick does non needfully hold to come at the disbursal of local services when measured against the standard ‘s of high quality attention, efficient usage of resources and equity. This paper will reason by saying that pick within a little and limited field is what patients wan and what is be st for the National Health Service.Historical Background on the development of Choice in HealthcareConsecutive authoritiess have made moves to open up greater pick for users of public services. Greener and Powell ( 2009 ) have traced these developments in health care and found that it was non until 1989, in the ‘Working for Patients ‘ White Paper ( Secretary of State for Health, 1989 ) and the debut of a ‘quasimarket ‘ into health care, that the thought of patient pick began to take on a meaningful function in the planning of health care. Initially patient pick would include more freedoms in taking their GP ( who so made picks about secondary attention on their behalf ) , pick over ‘time or topographic point of intervention ‘ and a ‘wider pick of repasts ‘ provided to patients ( Le Grand et al. , 1998 ) . However, as a direct consequence of the quarrelsomeness of the internal market thoughts, patient pick was hardly mentioned for much of the following decennary ( Wainwright, 1998 ) . The start of the twenty-first Century did non see any major new developments on pick. The NHS Plan ( Secretary of State for Health, 2000 ) merely reminded patients that they had ‘the right to take a GP ‘ , provided patients with new agencies of accessing wellness services which reflected technological advancement and improved client service through the right to intervention at a clip and infirmary of the patient ‘s pick if their scheduled operation was cancelled. It is non until the 2006 White Pap er â€Å" Our Health, Our Care, Our Say † ( Department of Health, 2006 ) that patient pick of a genuinely meaningful nature is proposed. For the first clip patients would be allowed to do determinations about where they should be treated: â€Å" In the NHS, patients now have more pick of the infirmary that they go to, with resources following their penchants † ( Department of Health, 2006 p.3 ) . The NHS Constitution ( 2010 ) has enshrined the rights of patient to exercise some pick in the health care they receive. These include the right to take a GP surgery, to province whichA GP you ‘d wish to see, to take which infirmary you ‘re treated at, and to have information to back up your picks. These rights are non nevertheless cosmopolitan ( exclusions for the military, captives and mental wellness sick persons ) and exclude certain services ( where speedy diagnosing and intervention is peculiarly of import, pregnancy services and mental wellness services. In the recent Health and Social Care Bill ( 2011 ) , the current Government are suggesting to manus commissioning power to GPs and opening up the NHS to increased competition in an attempt to better NHS public presentation. Choice is seen as critical to this attempt, as without pick they can non be true market based competition. Consumer pick, based on their penchants, would find companies come ining and go outing the market. It is hoped that quality would be the cardinal determiner in consumer pick. In the White Paper ‘Equity and Excellence: Emancipating the NHS ‘ , this accent on pick was reinforced and clarified as to intending that â€Å" ..patients and carers will hold far more clout and pick in the system ; and as a consequence, the NHS will go more antiphonal to their demands and wants † ( Secretary of State 2010 ) .. This historical reappraisal demonstrates the staccato and unstructured mode in which patient pick has evolved in England. This has seen Patient-GP relationships move from associational to transactional, alterations in who exercises pick as to secondary attention suppliers from cardinal contrivers to GPs to patients, every bit good increased information to assist people do picks. This historical reappraisal on the development of patient pick in authorities policy has led the writer to pull the undermentioned decision: patient pick is being advanced as a tool to better the NHS through a three pronged onslaught: Improve services through increased competition, Improve patients experience through better client service ( e.g. pick in repasts and in method of accessing attention ) , Improve wellness results for all people through more information taking to better picks. These findings correlate closely, but are non indistinguishable to the findings of Thorlby and Turner ( 2007 ) . Thorlby and Turner identified three chief aims that the authorities has put frontward as grounds for prosecuting increased patient pick which include bettering public presentation, making a service that matches peoples desire for pick and that pick increases equity and equity. These two proposed accounts for the pick docket run into the populace and patients outlooks of the NHS. Indeed studies on people ‘s outlooks of the NHS have noted a demand for increased efficiency, better patient experience and equity in entree to interventions across the state ( Dillon, 2010 ) . However, the cogency of the claims that pick is the reply to all of the NHS ailments has non been genuinely tried and it is deserving observing that the British Social Attitudes study has found strong assurance in the quality and reactivity of the NHS since it started appraising in 1991 ( Appleby and Phillips 2009 ) . Indeed, it is still contested whether patients really want healthcare picks at all ( Fotaki et al. , 2005 ) .Patient pick to better entreeSurveies of patients around the universe systematically identify entree as a cardinal concern of patients ( Grol et al, 1999 ; Davis et Al, 2007 ) . Problems of entree have long plagued the NHS. The NHS Plan asserted that ‘the pop ulace ‘s top concern about the NHS is waiting for intervention ‘ ( NHS Plan, 2000 P 101 ) . Access to healthcare is a cardinal constituent in run intoing the premises made in what patients want, notably high quality attention and in guaranting efficient usage of resources. Choice, as proposed through the right of patients to take where they receive diagnostic and secondary attention, is being promoted as the remedy to entree by leting competition between secondary attention suppliers. It is hoped that this competition, coupled with Payment by Results, will cut down waiting times and supply patients with options as to the clip and topographic point where they receive intervention. The London patient pick pilot survey ( 2005 ) was set up to analyze the consequence of pick at the point of referral. The consequences indicated a strong desire for pick. When patients waiting for cardiac surgery were offered the pick of traveling to another infirmary with a shorter waiting list, half of them opted to make so, sometimes going long distances. Similarly, a high proportion ( 67 % ) of patients in London expecting assorted elected surgical processs opted for options to their local infirmary when given the pick ( Coulter et al, 2005 ) . This survey would propose that patient pick is desirable and popular with patients. It besides achieves the purposes of cut downing waiting times and bettering entree. This sits good with authorities policy from 2005 to 2007, centred on spread outing the capacity in the system ( Cooper et al 2009 ) . However, it must be noted that in recent old ages, there has been a important lessening in waiting times for elected attention across the NHS. Between 1997 and 2007, waiting times for elected articulatio genus replacings, hip replacings, and cataract fixs dropped significantly. These consequences can non be explained by the development of patient pick. It is of import to factor in other events go oning in the NHS at the clip. There was significant additions in NHS support from ?76.4 billion in 2005/6 to ?96.4 billion by 2009, a scope of policy steps implemented including stiff authorities marks, every bit good as increased pick and competition. It can hence be moderately assumed that pick entirely was non responsible for the additions given the figure of reforms aimed at cut downing waiting times introduced between 1997 and 2007 are all likely to hold played a function together in shortening patients ‘ delaies ( Cooper et al 2009 ) . This statement dents the cogency of the claims made that patient pick is desirable, and more crucially desired by patients, on the evidences that it improves entree. What it does non make is confute that patient pick is non desirable to patients. Indeed, recent grounds confirms the feeling that most patients are acute on holding a pick, even if they choose to stay at their local infirmary ( Dixon et al, 2010 ) .Choice to advance equalityAs discussed earlier, the authorities has asserted that it will seek to better equity via the mechanism of patient pick, supplying the option to take to all patients where, antecedently, such options were unfastened merely to those who could afford to pay. Equity is besides one of the premises made as to what patients want when accessing health care. Evaluations of the pilot patient pick strategies ( such as the London Patient Choice Project ) found that entree to pick was just, with no inequalities â€Å" in entree to, or consumption of alternate infirmaries by societal category, educational attainment, income or cultural group ‘ † ( Coulter et al, 2005 ) . This would bespeak that patient pick is desirable for bring forthing equity within the NHS. Equity is after all one of the foundation pillars on which the NHS is built. However, when the pilot programmes were rolled out nationally, two of import differences in design have led to inquiries over whether equity is so happening as a consequence of pick. In the pilots, all patients were eligible for free travel and all were entitled to assist from a patient attention adviser: both were found to be of import facilitators of exerting pick. However, neither is compulsory in the execution of pick at the point of GP referral ( Thorlby and Turner, 2007 ) . A figure of surveies have besides shown that information may non yet be wholly successful in acquiring to patients. PCTs are responsible for doing certain that all patients have an equal chance to take, by supplying information and support to those who might otherwise fight to exert pick. Greener found that patients are frequently incognizant of available information beginnings sing attention picks ( Greener, 2005 ) , and the first patient information brochures offered little more than the handiness of transport links and the trust ‘s overall healthcare committee evaluation ( Easington Primary Care Trust, 2006 ) . In a study of PCTs, Thorlby and Turner ( 2007 ) concluded that while it is excessively early to state whether patient pick will present fairer results for patients, equalizing the chance to take is already turn outing disputing in the NHS. The statement that pick creates equity for patients is hard to confirm. The grounds suggests that direct pick may increase unfairness as it favours patients with entree to information and conveyance and unfairness will be magnified if patients in lower socio-economic groups have lower outlooks and less ability ( existent or perceived ) to cover with the picks available ( Bate and Robert, 2005 ) .ArgumentThere is a argument among bookmans as to where public assistance plans fit in modern, industrialised societies. The â€Å" irreversibility thesis † argues welfare plans have become lasting characteristics because their steady growing produces more and more components who benefit from the plans and strive maintain them in topographic point ( Mishra, 1990 ) . The current economic crisis has highlighted the demand for rationing in health care, as for the first clip in over a decennary ; the NHS is confronting stagnating budgets. The dramatic addition in disbursement on the wellness service, authorities precedence scene and the debut of competition and pick has delivered a figure of benefits but has non solved all the issues confronting the NHS. The underlying demand to ration services in a publically funded system is going more economically and politically ambitious ( Ham and Coulter, 2001 ) . An IPPR study found that most people expect entree to the latest drugs and interventions on the NHS, no affair what they cost or how effectual they are. Less than a 3rd of people think the NHS should take into history value for money considerations. Around one tierce ( 31 per cent ) think the NHS should supply ‘all drugs and interventions no affair what they cost ‘ ( Ranking and Allen, 2007 ) .A This would ruin the NHS really rapidly but reflects the ‘irreversibility thesis ‘ as proposed by Mishra. As this study clearly demonstrates, pick, on the future way of the NHS and its support, would take to a dislocation in rationing. The Oregon Health Plan ( OHP ) is an illustration of where pick in rationing determinations, although ideally desirable, has failed due to political concessionsA and provides no evidenceA for the given that a working system of medical serviceA prioritisation can be implemented on the footing of patient and public pick ( Klein, 1992 ) . True competition enabled through patient pick would ultimetly take to alterations in the local wellness economic system and efficiency additions. This could see the closing of unpopular infirmaries and intervention Centres. However, T.H. Marshall ( 1964 ) argues that public assistance provinces are based on societal rights, and this class of rights has been embraced by western societies with the same energy as civil and political rights. Patient pick can be viewed as the merger of societal rights ( entree to attention ) , consumer rights and civil rights ( single autonomies ) . Therefore, there will be really hard determinations to be made as a consequence of pick. Will neglecting infirmaries receive excess support to better or will they be closed? What if these infirmaries are to a great extent invested in merely to neglect subsequently? Will people object to local infirmary closings and the violation this causes on their societal rights? The political nature of infirmary closings a lready has an impact on local wellnesss economic systems. For case, clear grounds for this exists that demonstrates politically fringy constituency bask a greater figure of infirmaries than politically safe seats ( Bloom et al 2010 ) . Clinicians have besides accussed curates of assuring more than can be delivered and raising peoples outlooks ( Ham and Alberti 2002 ) .DecisionThis paper has demonstrated that patients want good, accessible services near to place, with wellness professionals they know and trust. Patients besides want a grade of flexibleness and pick when accessing health care, but this pick is limited to when, on occasion where ( if waiting times are significantly lower ) and what sort of intervention they would wish to have. This system is non merely good for patients, it is besides good for the wellness service as a whole. The increased capacity that pick allows for patients besides increases efficiency for the wellness service suppliers and pick in intervention lea ds to better wellness results for patients. There are a figure of restricting factors including geographical location and easiness of transit that prevent limitless pick and therefore competition. As all patients expect the intervention they receive on the NHS to be of the highest quality available and available to all ( equity ) , it is surprising to see pick being proposed as anything more than the basic pick described here. It is rather clear from the grounds presented that patients want limited ( suiting ) pick within a good local service. This outlook, possibly unluckily, means that patients can non be involved in existent and limitless pick as rationing determinations are tough and unpopular. It is for this ground, coupled with the predictable consequence that full competition will hold on infirmaries closings, that decision-making is volitionally passed on to elected politicians and civil retainers.

Free Essays on Joe Feagins Article In Terms Of Globalization

Joe Feagin’s article starts in a most surprising way. Just given the title of president of the American Sociological Association, Mr. Feagin starts talking about the economy in this article, which seems off to me. As the article progresses, the audience learns just how entwined the economy, politics, and sociology are. The first matter discussed is globalization, and more specifically four main problems of globalization, which negatively affect the world. The first issue Mr. Feagin points out is that even though the â€Å"common-people† watching the news hear that the economy is on the road to recovery and even soon it will be booming again, this is only true of the wealthiest of the world. According to Feagin’s article (2001): In the United States alone â€Å"The top one-fifth of households now has nearly half the income; the bottom one-fifth has less than 4 percent. The top 1 percent of households holds more wealth than the bottom 95 percent, and the wealthy have doubled their share since 1970.† The ocean that divides the worlds of the wealthy and the common worker continuously grows further apart everyday. Beside monetary status, this divide causes even deeper issues within the working class and the poor, in terms of Dr. Das Gupta’s five basic living rights: food, shelter, healthcare, education, and job. The second issue Mr. Feagin touches on is of global capitalism being very profitable for the corporate executives, yet devastating the third world countries that are performing the services to produce the goods for the companies. These companies search for the country who has the cheapest raw materials and labor, then go into the country and ravish the land, destroying the natural beauty and depleting the lakes, rivers, ponds, and anything else they can steal for a next to nothing price tag. One example I have is from NOW with Bill Moyers. On the Sunday program entitled â€Å"Rich World Poor Women†, there was ... Free Essays on Joe Feagin's Article In Terms Of Globalization Free Essays on Joe Feagin's Article In Terms Of Globalization Joe Feagin’s article starts in a most surprising way. Just given the title of president of the American Sociological Association, Mr. Feagin starts talking about the economy in this article, which seems off to me. As the article progresses, the audience learns just how entwined the economy, politics, and sociology are. The first matter discussed is globalization, and more specifically four main problems of globalization, which negatively affect the world. The first issue Mr. Feagin points out is that even though the â€Å"common-people† watching the news hear that the economy is on the road to recovery and even soon it will be booming again, this is only true of the wealthiest of the world. According to Feagin’s article (2001): In the United States alone â€Å"The top one-fifth of households now has nearly half the income; the bottom one-fifth has less than 4 percent. The top 1 percent of households holds more wealth than the bottom 95 percent, and the wealthy have doubled their share since 1970.† The ocean that divides the worlds of the wealthy and the common worker continuously grows further apart everyday. Beside monetary status, this divide causes even deeper issues within the working class and the poor, in terms of Dr. Das Gupta’s five basic living rights: food, shelter, healthcare, education, and job. The second issue Mr. Feagin touches on is of global capitalism being very profitable for the corporate executives, yet devastating the third world countries that are performing the services to produce the goods for the companies. These companies search for the country who has the cheapest raw materials and labor, then go into the country and ravish the land, destroying the natural beauty and depleting the lakes, rivers, ponds, and anything else they can steal for a next to nothing price tag. One example I have is from NOW with Bill Moyers. On the Sunday program entitled â€Å"Rich World Poor Women†, there was ...

1419 Work Related Learning

The Every Child Matters (2003) green paper also identified five outcomes that are most important to children and young people: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being. These five outcomes are universal ambitions for every child and young person, whatever their background or circumstances. Following wide consultation with children’s services, parents, children and young people, the Government published Every Child Matters: the Next Steps in November 2004, and passed the Children Act (2004), providing the basis for developing more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families. The recently formed DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) echo’s the points made in ECM (2004) and seeks to ensure that all children and young people stay healthy and safe, secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement, enjoy their childhood, make a positive contribution to society and the economy, have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty. These outcomes are mutually reinforcing. For example, children and young people learn and thrive when they are healthy, safe and engaged. The DCSF also aim to raise educational standards so that more children and young people reach expected levels, lifting more children out of poverty and re-engaging disaffected young people. This is particularly applicable to my practice as the socio-economic circumstances of most of my students disadvantage them. Most of my students live in Camborne, Pool, Redruth and Hayle. These are widely recognized as deprived areas regarding economic opportunities, high number of single parent households, low employment prospects, and the majority of employment being minimum waged, relatively insecure, part time, seasonal or flexi time. (SDRC 2004). This relates back to ECM (2003) in that this seems to be applied in context of the geographic and demographic circumstances of children and young people. For example, a student from a poor single parent household in a deprived area with high crime rates who participates in underage smoking and drinking may be majority behaviour or the ‘norm’ in certain subcultures in Camborne, Redruth, Pool and Hayle but would attract more attention and concern in a more affluent area where this was not the ‘norm’. 2 We Could be Left Behind In every decade children are maturing physically earlier than before resulting in a constant shortening of childhood in a biological and social sense. This has a converse repercussive effect involving the constant lengthening of childhood in an educational sense. Cunningham 2006) This is reflected in the proposals in the DfE (Johnson 2007) report Raising Expectations: staying in education and training post-16 are highlighting the need to continue study for 14-19 year olds and by 2015 the school leaving age will be increased to 18 years of age. The reasons the government have given for such policies being implemented are illustrated by the secretary of education; Johnson (2007:3) when he said ‘ the undeniable truth is that if a young person continues their education post 16 they are more likely to achieve valuable qualifications, earn more and lead happier, healthier lives’. A seeming contradiction to Johnsons (2007) policy of staying in education longer and its benefits have been researched by Walker and Zhu (2003:145) who asserted that ‘there is no evidence that raising the minimum school leaving age made people who have not intended to leave at the minimum age raise their educational standard. This is consistent with the view that education raises productivity and not with the view that productive people get more educated’ Johnsons (2007) statement seems concerned with happiness, health and wealth. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 1948) has wider reaching concerns. The UDHR (1948) states in Article 26 that ‘education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human right and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations, racial or religious groups for the maintenance of peace’. However, Johnson (2007:18) goes on to explain ‘we have a duty to prepare all young people for the labour market’ as ‘the world economy is developing at an ever more rapid pace. If we do not act now we could be left behind’. So its seems that it is not just for the benefit of our children’s wellbeing that Johnson encourages the parents of the youth of today to continue in education and so ‘achieving valuable qualifications, earn more and lead happier healthier lives’ (Johnson 2007:3) but more to do with deeper issues of ‘the world economy’s development and the UKs position of power within it’. In the same report Johnson (2007) quotes research carried out by the National Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) that reinforces the idea that when individuals achieve higher levels of skill and qualification, businesses and the economy benefit. This is compelling evidence that increasing the educative stock of human capital raises productivity at the macro economic level. In relation to literacy for example, a study by Coulombe Trembley and Marchard (2004) found that if a countries literacy score increases by 1% relative to the inter national average a 2. % relative rise in labour productivity and a 1. 5% rise in GDP per year can be expected. 3 Surf’s up This emphasis on cultural superficiality, fragmentary sensations and disposability offers wide implications and questions; not least ‘what is postmodernism? Postmodernism itself is a much disputed term that has occupied much recent debate about contemporary culture since the early 1980s. In its simplest sense it refers generally to the phase of 20th century Western culture including the products of the age of mass television since the mid 1950s. More often, though, it is applied to a cultural condition prevailing in the advanced capitalist societies since the 1960s, characterized by a ‘superabundance of disconnected images and styles most noticeably in television, advertising, commercial design, and pop video’ (Baudrillard 1998:72) In my practice I notice that these media have a profound impact on defining student’s social standing and identity within their peer group. In my role as a lecturer I observe that the students are encouraged through media and peer pressure to consume. Children’s identities centre prolifically on brand names and icons (mobile phones and hoodies) which help to fulfil their aspirations to obtain products which make statements about who they are. The latest fashions all contribute to the identity of the youth of today where a distinct subculture and language exist involving Xboxes, ipods, beebo, Bluetooth, myspace, chavs, hoodies, emos, skaters and goths. I ensure that I participate and involve such subcultural language within my practice when explaining tasks, demonstrating skills or providing metaphorical illustrations. Whatever postmodernism is and however the term evades definition, what the intellectual highbrows have been lecturing on postmodernism are soon to become extinct by their own doing. The postmodernist wave of consumer students have climbed the ladder and are nipping at the heels of the old school who created them like Doctor Frankenstein who is dispatched by his creation. This wave of postmodernist students could also be seen as in a vast ocean of modernity where far from the shore one can see the formation of a wave. As the wave builds in popularity it slowly approaches the shore, the crest breaks; postmodernity is born. As we stand and watch, it slips beneath itself, down into the ocean, and there in time it becomes ‘the modern’, dissolved and replaced by yet another breaking new wave. Paradoxically the new wave will emerge in a significantly disposable, shifting, fragmentary postmodern society with expectations of structured, quantifiable, standardised educative processes. One of the latest waves to begin its postmodernist journey towards the shore before slipping back into modernism and the norm is the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) announcement in January 2008 by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) who have â€Å"allowed commercial companies the ability to award nationally accredited qualifications to employees, for the first time Network Rail, Flybe and McDonald’s all achieve the standards set by QCA for awarding accredited qualifications, enabling them to assess, track and recognise work-place learning† (QCA 2008) McQualifications This links to Ritzers (2000) notion of the McDonaldisation of education, where education is based on the premise of efficiency, calculability, and predictability and is partially governed by non-human technology. This perspective is rooted in both Fordian principles of mass production, mechanisation and assembly lines (Ling 1991) and Weberian (1968) principles regarding the growth of formal rational systems with its emphasis on the rules and regulations of large social structures. Ritzer (2000:2) applies this process of McDonaldisation not only to ‘restaurants but also to work, health care, travel, leisure, dieting, politics, the family, and virtually every aspect of society’; including, of course, education. This could be illustrated with the OFSTED standardisation of observations and grading, league tables, units of competence, knowledge requirements etcetera. For example, Young (1961) asserts that in a meritocracy, all citizens have the opportunity to be recognized and advanced in proportion to their abilities and accomplishments. The ideal of meritocracy has become controversial because of its association with the use of tests of intellectual ability, such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, to regulate admissions to elite colleges and universities. It could be argued that an individual’s performance on these tests reflects their social class and family environment more than ability. Maybe this is what Chomsky (1989) would label a necessary illusion. One that allows the system to keep on running with the support of its members even if massive disparities and inequalities exist. Supporting a system that does not support you as an individual is a typical hegemonic regime of truth; a discourse that the society accepts and makes function as true (Foucault 1980:131). Excellence in Schools (DFEE 1997) and Meeting the Challenge (DFEE1998) were ntroduced as the Governments educational policies and marked the change from centralised control to educational intervention where direct involvement and partnerships with parents, schools, Local Authorities and businesses recognised them as stakeholders in an attempt to improve standards in schools and to find ‘radical and innovative solutions’ (Blair 1998:1 cited in Meeting the Challenge 1998) to problems of underachievement. Reference List Baudrillard, J. (1998) The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures. London. S age. Children Act (2004). London. HMSO. Chomsky, N. (1989) Necessary Illusions. London. Pluto Press Climbie Inquiry: Report of an Inquiry by Lord Laming (2003). London. HMSO. Coulombe,S. Trembley, F. and Marchard, S. (2004) Literacy scores, human capital and growth, across 14 OECD countries. OECD. Canada. Cook – Sather, A (2002) ‘Authorising Students perspectives: towards trust, dialogue and change in education’. Educational Researcher, 31, 4, p3 -14. Cunningham, H. (2006) The Invention of Childhood. London. BBC Worldwide Ltd. DCSF (2007). Department for Children, Schools and Families. Accessed online at dfes. gov. uk. DFEE (1997) Excellence in Schools. London. HMSO. DFEE (1998) Meeting the Challenge. London. HMSO. DWP (2006) Equality and Diversity: Age Discrimination in Employment and Vocational Training. London. HMSO. ECM (2004). London. HMSO. Every Child Matters (2004) Change for Children in Schools. Nottingham. DfES. HMSO ECM (2005) Change for Children: common core of skills and knowledge for the childrens workforce. DfES. ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) ‘Consulting Pupils about Teaching and Learning’. Foucault, M. (1980) Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews Other Writings 1972- 1977. Gordon, C. (ed) New York. Pantheon Books. Illich, I. 1973) Deschooling Society. Great Britain. Penguin. Johnson, A. (2007) Raising Expectations: staying in education and training post-16. DfE Kolb, D. (1984) Experiential learning as the science of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs. Prentice Hall. Laidlaw, M (1994) The democraticising potential of dialogical focus in an action inquiry. Educational Action Research, 2, 2, p223 â⠂¬â€œ 241 Ling, P (1991) America and the Automobile: Technology, Reform and Social Change, 1893-1923. Technology and Culture, Vol. 32, No. 3 p 627-628 National Institute for Social and Economic Research (2002). Britains relative productivity performance – updates to 1999. NISER Oplatka, I (2004) ‘The characteristics of the school organisation and the constraints on market ideology in education: an institutional view’. Journal of Educational Policy 19, 2, p143 – 161. QCA (2008) News release: Employers gain official awarding body status on line at http://www. qca. org. uk on 29/01/2008 Ritzer,G. (2000) The McDonaldization of Society. London. Pine Forge Press. Rudduck, J and Flutter, J (2000) ‘Pupil participation and pupil perspective: carving a new order of experience. Cambridge Journal of Education, 30, 1, p75 – 89. Schon, D. A. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner: How professionals think in action. London: Temple Smith Social Disadvantage Research Centre (2004) The English Indices of Deprivation 2004 HMSO Tomlinson, M. (2003) Tomlinson Report, The. Accessed online at qca. org. uk on 4. 12. 07. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) General Assembly of the United Nations. Usher, R. Bryant, I and Johnston, R (1998). Adult Education and the Postmodern Challenge. London. Routledge. Walker, I. and Zhu, Y. (2003) Education, earnings and productivity: recent UK evidence. Labour Market Trends. Accessed online at www. statistics. gov. uk-article labour. Market-trends-education mar03pdf on 25. 6. 07 Weber, M. (1968) Economy and Society. Totowa. Bedminster. Whitehead, J and Clough, N. (2004) ‘Pupils, the forgotten partners in education action zones’. Journal of Educational Policy 19, 2, p216 – 226 Young, M. (1961) The Rise of the Meritocracy: An Essay on Education and Equality. Great Britain. Penguin. Bibliography Donovan, G. (2005). Teaching 14-19. Great Britain. David Fulton. Vizard, D. (2004). Behaviour Solutions: teaching 14-16 year olds in colleges of further education. Great Britain. Incentive Plus. 1419 Work Related Learning The Every Child Matters (2003) green paper also identified five outcomes that are most important to children and young people: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being. These five outcomes are universal ambitions for every child and young person, whatever their background or circumstances. Following wide consultation with children’s services, parents, children and young people, the Government published Every Child Matters: the Next Steps in November 2004, and passed the Children Act (2004), providing the basis for developing more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families. The recently formed DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) echo’s the points made in ECM (2004) and seeks to ensure that all children and young people stay healthy and safe, secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement, enjoy their childhood, make a positive contribution to society and the economy, have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty. These outcomes are mutually reinforcing. For example, children and young people learn and thrive when they are healthy, safe and engaged. The DCSF also aim to raise educational standards so that more children and young people reach expected levels, lifting more children out of poverty and re-engaging disaffected young people. This is particularly applicable to my practice as the socio-economic circumstances of most of my students disadvantage them. Most of my students live in Camborne, Pool, Redruth and Hayle. These are widely recognized as deprived areas regarding economic opportunities, high number of single parent households, low employment prospects, and the majority of employment being minimum waged, relatively insecure, part time, seasonal or flexi time. (SDRC 2004). This relates back to ECM (2003) in that this seems to be applied in context of the geographic and demographic circumstances of children and young people. For example, a student from a poor single parent household in a deprived area with high crime rates who participates in underage smoking and drinking may be majority behaviour or the ‘norm’ in certain subcultures in Camborne, Redruth, Pool and Hayle but would attract more attention and concern in a more affluent area where this was not the ‘norm’. 2 We Could be Left Behind In every decade children are maturing physically earlier than before resulting in a constant shortening of childhood in a biological and social sense. This has a converse repercussive effect involving the constant lengthening of childhood in an educational sense. Cunningham 2006) This is reflected in the proposals in the DfE (Johnson 2007) report Raising Expectations: staying in education and training post-16 are highlighting the need to continue study for 14-19 year olds and by 2015 the school leaving age will be increased to 18 years of age. The reasons the government have given for such policies being implemented are illustrated by the secretary of education; Johnson (2007:3) when he said ‘ the undeniable truth is that if a young person continues their education post 16 they are more likely to achieve valuable qualifications, earn more and lead happier, healthier lives’. A seeming contradiction to Johnsons (2007) policy of staying in education longer and its benefits have been researched by Walker and Zhu (2003:145) who asserted that ‘there is no evidence that raising the minimum school leaving age made people who have not intended to leave at the minimum age raise their educational standard. This is consistent with the view that education raises productivity and not with the view that productive people get more educated’ Johnsons (2007) statement seems concerned with happiness, health and wealth. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 1948) has wider reaching concerns. The UDHR (1948) states in Article 26 that ‘education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human right and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among nations, racial or religious groups for the maintenance of peace’. However, Johnson (2007:18) goes on to explain ‘we have a duty to prepare all young people for the labour market’ as ‘the world economy is developing at an ever more rapid pace. If we do not act now we could be left behind’. So its seems that it is not just for the benefit of our children’s wellbeing that Johnson encourages the parents of the youth of today to continue in education and so ‘achieving valuable qualifications, earn more and lead happier healthier lives’ (Johnson 2007:3) but more to do with deeper issues of ‘the world economy’s development and the UKs position of power within it’. In the same report Johnson (2007) quotes research carried out by the National Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) that reinforces the idea that when individuals achieve higher levels of skill and qualification, businesses and the economy benefit. This is compelling evidence that increasing the educative stock of human capital raises productivity at the macro economic level. In relation to literacy for example, a study by Coulombe Trembley and Marchard (2004) found that if a countries literacy score increases by 1% relative to the inter national average a 2. % relative rise in labour productivity and a 1. 5% rise in GDP per year can be expected. 3 Surf’s up This emphasis on cultural superficiality, fragmentary sensations and disposability offers wide implications and questions; not least ‘what is postmodernism? Postmodernism itself is a much disputed term that has occupied much recent debate about contemporary culture since the early 1980s. In its simplest sense it refers generally to the phase of 20th century Western culture including the products of the age of mass television since the mid 1950s. More often, though, it is applied to a cultural condition prevailing in the advanced capitalist societies since the 1960s, characterized by a ‘superabundance of disconnected images and styles most noticeably in television, advertising, commercial design, and pop video’ (Baudrillard 1998:72) In my practice I notice that these media have a profound impact on defining student’s social standing and identity within their peer group. In my role as a lecturer I observe that the students are encouraged through media and peer pressure to consume. Children’s identities centre prolifically on brand names and icons (mobile phones and hoodies) which help to fulfil their aspirations to obtain products which make statements about who they are. The latest fashions all contribute to the identity of the youth of today where a distinct subculture and language exist involving Xboxes, ipods, beebo, Bluetooth, myspace, chavs, hoodies, emos, skaters and goths. I ensure that I participate and involve such subcultural language within my practice when explaining tasks, demonstrating skills or providing metaphorical illustrations. Whatever postmodernism is and however the term evades definition, what the intellectual highbrows have been lecturing on postmodernism are soon to become extinct by their own doing. The postmodernist wave of consumer students have climbed the ladder and are nipping at the heels of the old school who created them like Doctor Frankenstein who is dispatched by his creation. This wave of postmodernist students could also be seen as in a vast ocean of modernity where far from the shore one can see the formation of a wave. As the wave builds in popularity it slowly approaches the shore, the crest breaks; postmodernity is born. As we stand and watch, it slips beneath itself, down into the ocean, and there in time it becomes ‘the modern’, dissolved and replaced by yet another breaking new wave. Paradoxically the new wave will emerge in a significantly disposable, shifting, fragmentary postmodern society with expectations of structured, quantifiable, standardised educative processes. One of the latest waves to begin its postmodernist journey towards the shore before slipping back into modernism and the norm is the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) announcement in January 2008 by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) who have â€Å"allowed commercial companies the ability to award nationally accredited qualifications to employees, for the first time Network Rail, Flybe and McDonald’s all achieve the standards set by QCA for awarding accredited qualifications, enabling them to assess, track and recognise work-place learning† (QCA 2008) McQualifications This links to Ritzers (2000) notion of the McDonaldisation of education, where education is based on the premise of efficiency, calculability, and predictability and is partially governed by non-human technology. This perspective is rooted in both Fordian principles of mass production, mechanisation and assembly lines (Ling 1991) and Weberian (1968) principles regarding the growth of formal rational systems with its emphasis on the rules and regulations of large social structures. Ritzer (2000:2) applies this process of McDonaldisation not only to ‘restaurants but also to work, health care, travel, leisure, dieting, politics, the family, and virtually every aspect of society’; including, of course, education. This could be illustrated with the OFSTED standardisation of observations and grading, league tables, units of competence, knowledge requirements etcetera. For example, Young (1961) asserts that in a meritocracy, all citizens have the opportunity to be recognized and advanced in proportion to their abilities and accomplishments. The ideal of meritocracy has become controversial because of its association with the use of tests of intellectual ability, such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, to regulate admissions to elite colleges and universities. It could be argued that an individual’s performance on these tests reflects their social class and family environment more than ability. Maybe this is what Chomsky (1989) would label a necessary illusion. One that allows the system to keep on running with the support of its members even if massive disparities and inequalities exist. Supporting a system that does not support you as an individual is a typical hegemonic regime of truth; a discourse that the society accepts and makes function as true (Foucault 1980:131). Excellence in Schools (DFEE 1997) and Meeting the Challenge (DFEE1998) were ntroduced as the Governments educational policies and marked the change from centralised control to educational intervention where direct involvement and partnerships with parents, schools, Local Authorities and businesses recognised them as stakeholders in an attempt to improve standards in schools and to find ‘radical and innovative solutions’ (Blair 1998:1 cited in Meeting the Challenge 1998) to problems of underachievement. Reference List Baudrillard, J. (1998) The Consumer Society: Myths and Structures. London. S age. Children Act (2004). London. HMSO. Chomsky, N. (1989) Necessary Illusions. London. Pluto Press Climbie Inquiry: Report of an Inquiry by Lord Laming (2003). London. HMSO. Coulombe,S. Trembley, F. and Marchard, S. (2004) Literacy scores, human capital and growth, across 14 OECD countries. OECD. Canada. 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