Mothers Kindness free essay sample

Junes mother wants her to become a successful piano player. The problem with this is that June possesses no talent or determination to do so, so she doesnt practice. Her mother cleans an old deaf piano teachers apartment in exchange for June to be taught piano, but the teacher cant correct June when she makes a mistake, because he cannot hear. Junes mother encouraged her to practice and would always brag about how good she was to everyone. Junes mother enjoyed having pride in her daughter, as she thought her daughter was a middle of paper .. al scenarios in different ways, but the parents methods for showing love and hope was mistaken in a negative sense in each case. June, Waverly, and Itabaris parents influences upon each of them has shaped their personalities and ideals from how they behave and the culture they engage in all the way to how they act to each other. We will write a custom essay sample on Mothers Kindness or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the end, there is no fault or blame to be pointed out, as we all learn as we grow. Wisdom can be passed from the parent to the child, as well as vice versa, but it often not always understood or seen clearly.

Free Essays on Imperial Rome

The study of Roman imperial historywhich in practical terms began from the 60s BCEpresents the modern reader with certain paradigmatic issues relevant to governments and societies today. In broadest terms, the persistent dilemma was how to modify government structures and ethos as state and society expanded geographically and demographically. The republican ideal of Rome had somewhat made sense in a time when the state was little more than the preeminent city in a Mediterranean peninsular area, and needed to ensure its own survival and domination of surrounding locales. By the middle of the final century BCE, however, Rome had become the center of a multi-continent empire stretching from Spain to Iraq. Thus, one can present the continuing civil unrest from 80 to 30 BCE as the inability of an expanded city government to cope with the needs of an empire's administration. Part of these needs consisted of large armies far from home. In such cases, powerful generals could emerge, and after Marius' military reforms of the 90s BCE, the soldiers in these legions became dependent upon generals for material survival. In turn, soldiers and veterans strengthened military leaders' political power as a pay-off. As the ensuing half-century showed, the Senate could not thwart a powerful general with charisma and a mass base of political support. Also lacking in a city government weighted down with imperial responsibilities was an efficient Empire-wide civil service and economic administration. Roman fiscal exactions and provincial administration often were, or at least appeared, erratic or irrational. A common pattern of Roman governance involved Rome responding ineffectually at first to a local disturbance, which grew to such extents that Rome had to invest large human and material assets to bring a resolution to a crisis that better administration would have pr evented. Of course, Roman statesmen had long thought about reforms in their state a... Free Essays on Imperial Rome Free Essays on Imperial Rome The study of Roman imperial historywhich in practical terms began from the 60s BCEpresents the modern reader with certain paradigmatic issues relevant to governments and societies today. In broadest terms, the persistent dilemma was how to modify government structures and ethos as state and society expanded geographically and demographically. The republican ideal of Rome had somewhat made sense in a time when the state was little more than the preeminent city in a Mediterranean peninsular area, and needed to ensure its own survival and domination of surrounding locales. By the middle of the final century BCE, however, Rome had become the center of a multi-continent empire stretching from Spain to Iraq. Thus, one can present the continuing civil unrest from 80 to 30 BCE as the inability of an expanded city government to cope with the needs of an empire's administration. Part of these needs consisted of large armies far from home. In such cases, powerful generals could emerge, and after Marius' military reforms of the 90s BCE, the soldiers in these legions became dependent upon generals for material survival. In turn, soldiers and veterans strengthened military leaders' political power as a pay-off. As the ensuing half-century showed, the Senate could not thwart a powerful general with charisma and a mass base of political support. Also lacking in a city government weighted down with imperial responsibilities was an efficient Empire-wide civil service and economic administration. Roman fiscal exactions and provincial administration often were, or at least appeared, erratic or irrational. A common pattern of Roman governance involved Rome responding ineffectually at first to a local disturbance, which grew to such extents that Rome had to invest large human and material assets to bring a resolution to a crisis that better administration would have pr evented. Of course, Roman statesmen had long thought about reforms in their state a...

A Change in the Curriculum for Children with Moderate Disabilities Essay

A Change in the Curriculum for Children with Moderate Disabilities - Essay Example Children with moderate disabilities have certain skills, which can be enhanced through a change in the curriculum. Our present system of education has also identified a need for this revolution in the curriculum.   Therefore every individual who is directly or indirectly involved in dealing with children should contribute towards the development of the content in a syllabus. I foresee an immense amount of change in my role as a special educator with the implementation of the new curriculum. It will enlighten me about various innovative strategies of imparting education and have its own implications on my career as an educationalist. Since a child learns the basics during the first few years of education, our syllabus should emphasize a change right from the elementary school. The new curriculum will be designed to meet the challenges of future education of children considering the loopholes in the present pattern of the syllabus. The curriculum should cater to the developmental needs such as the emotional, social, physical and intellectual requirement of children. Multiage grouping is one of the concepts that may be introduced in the future. It refers to the integration of students from diverse backgrounds, abilities, interests, personalities, and ages in a single classroom. Therefore, this set up offers more opportunities for a different segment of children to interact with each other. It also teaches normal children to develop a sense of caring, understanding and accommodating nature because they interact with children having various disabilities. It also enlightens them about the kind of concerns that such ch ildren face every day and the measures to deal with it. It makes them more competent to deal with such children. The introduction of multiage grouping will eliminate the concept of a conventional graded classroom. Due to the absence of graded level education, the related labels associated with it will not be applicable. The students will progress from easier to difficult learning material based on their individual capabilities. Hence, they will continuously progress rather than being promoted yearly. There will also be flexibility in the expectations of each child due to their varied competencies. [Johnson, 1998]. In addition to multiage grouping, there will be efforts made to integrate technology into education. There is a lot of controversy about this concept of fusing technology into education however I think there will be the implementation of new and useful education technologies. This will ensure the learning of new concepts in an interesting manner. This will also help childr en in actively exploring, experimenting and learning through innovative techniques and methods. The new curriculum will stress physically exploring various concepts. There are several such activities already in place for Kindergarten children to make learning an interesting task. For instance, building with blocks, digging in sandboxes, and drawing new ideas.  Ã‚  

Nalysis Essay. Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions Essay

Nalysis . Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions Well Being-Paul Ekman - Essay Example To retrieve the data, the researchers noticed changes in the biological activity of the Buddhist practitioners when they were emotional, the way they reacted to others’ emotions and the regulating power of their interactive styles. According to the researchers, would generate useful information regarding the extent to which humans can control their emotions through practice. The second section is entirely dedicated to the beliefs of the Buddhist practitioners. The third section discusses the findings of psychological studies that compliment the views of the Buddhist practitioners and the forth section draws a comparison between the two. The fifth section summarizes the findings and draws the conclusion. Such a division of the report makes it easy for the audience not only to study and understand the information, but also to remember it sequentially. The comparison made by the researchers between the Buddhists’ perspectives about emotion and the states of mind and the pe rspectives of the psychologists enables the audiences to compare religion with science. The textual analysis suggests that the Buddhists’ perspective on emotional happiness depends upon the extent to which the nature of reality has been rightly apprehended. Buddhist perspective largely draws on the eternal state of happiness or suffering instead of the temporal mood shifts that have conventionally remained the prime concern for a vast majority of the psychologists. Emotion as a word has not been recognized in any of the traditional languages of the Buddhists, though they have identified certain mental conditions which have the potential to cause harm both to the individual having them and through him to others. Buddhist practitioners consider certain behaviors afflictive in nature irrespective of their context unlike the Aristotelian ethics. The authors have identified three mind processes to support the Buddhists’ view. The first of them is craving which inculcates a desire for an individual to separate his/her self from the rest. Hatred is another affliction that motivates one to harm another. Thirdly, the sense of self is also an affliction because it encourages an individual to think of it as something permanent whereas it is constantly changing and evolving. Therefore, these toxins are deemed harmful for an individual by the Buddhists. Psychologists in comparison to the Buddhists consider emotions to be adaptive rather than good or bad. Psychology places emphasis upon the need to regulate the behavior for the better rather increasing inner consciousness. The authors should preferably have chosen the section headings first according to the Buddists’ perspective and then according to the psychologists’ perspective. Although the authors mention in the start that the section headings accord with the Buddhists’ and the psychologists’ perspective, yet there is little coordination between the headings. There are two head ings of â€Å"Buddhists’ view† in the report. The information contained in them should have been complied under the single heading of â€Å"Buddhists’ view† instead of two. The paper provides an in-sight into the Buddhists’ perspective of emotion and their preferred choices of the ways emotions should be dealt with. Of the two, the psychologists’ perspective sounds more realistic, logical and applicable to a wider audience while the Buddhists’ perspective sounds mythical, complicated and applicable to

Write a comparative paper that identifies the similarities and Essay

Write a comparative paper that identifies the similarities and differences between the Crips and the Neo-Nazis - Essay Example While the Crips adopted some of the violent methods of the movement headed by Malcolm-X, it is not political in nature. So, despite its racial affiliation, the means and ends of the gang are largely anti-social. Likewise, in the film American History X, we are exposed to a dark underground cult of American society. Commonly referred to as ‘skin-heads’, the Neo-Nazis are the remnants of Hitler’s vicious Aryan supremacy movement. (Musto, 2001, p.41) It is interesting how the neo-Nazi movement came into being in America, which was totally isolated from Nazi propaganda during the Second World War. In many ways, both the Crips and the Neo-Nazis are similar in their ruthlessness. They are both identified by the lack of scruples when it comes to targeting, assaulting and eliminating perceived opposition. Blood and violence are an everyday reality for these groups. In fact the moniker ‘Monster’ was the result of Shakur’s brutal, unrelenting assault on an opponent in a street clash. The victim was punched on the face with such ferocity and repetition that his face was permanently disfigured and he went into a coma. The Neo-Nazis are not far behind in terms of readiness for violence and brutality. (Dichiara & Chabot, 2003, p.23) One area where the Neo-Nazis differ from Crips is the organization size and structure. Crips is a gang with limited members and their localities of operation are also restricted. The Neo-Nazis, on the other hand, are a widespread and ideological sub-culture. Even if their organization is not granted legitimacy by civil society, there is some form of hierarchy and structure. There are protocols to be followed and cult tenets to be adhered to. While one can debate about the veracity of their claims and the relevance of their motives, there is no lack of seriousness. The Neo-Nazis take pride in sacrificing for their cause and do not hesitate to endanger their lives for

advantages of presidential systems

advantages of presidential systems One of the advantages of a presidential system is that the head of state is usually elected through a direct mandate. In terms of democracy, this makes the presidents authority more legitimate as he is elected directly by the people as oppose to being appointed indirectly. Another advantage of a presidential system is the stability it brings as presidents are usually elected to fixed terms while a prime ministers government can fall at anytime. An example of this is in Canada; where in a minority government the leader of the opposition, Michael Ignatieff, could bring down Stephen Harpers government and has threatened to do so several times. This is in contrast to President Obamas tenure which is secure till the elections of 2012. Additionally, presidential system allow for the separation of powers as the legislature is a completely different structure and institution. This allows a system of checks and balances to be created, allowing one to monitor the other. Speed and decisiveness can be seen as a positive characteristic of a presidential system, as presidents usually have stronger constitutional powers allowing them to spearhead reform and enact change swiftly. Conversely, one advantage of a parliamentary system is that its faster and easier to pass legislation. This is because the executive branch is part of the legislative branch and is dependent upon the direct or indirect support of it as it usually comprised of members of the legislature. This can be seen in the Canadian system of government where the prime minister and his cabinet is also Member of Parliament. This segues into the advantage that parliamentary systems usually have a higher propensity for having unified governments, as minority governments are the minority. This adds to the governments ability to pass legislation more quickly, as it is rare for a majority government to have their own legislation defeated, as parliamentary system usually have greater party discipline. Moreover, the lack of a head of states veto power also allows legislation to pass more swiftly. Another advantage of a parliamentary system is that power is more evenly diverged. Constitutionally, the prime minister rarely has such high importance of a president. An example of this is how parliamentary systems allow MPs to directly question the prime minister and his government. Also, lower individual importance on the prime minster position can be seen through elections tendencies as there is a higher focus on political party ideas than on the actual person. Lastly, the advantage of the government technically being able to dissolve at any time allows the government to be more accountable and viable. This allows parliament to replace a government or a prime minister if he or she has been lackluster or detrimental to the country. This allows for practicable governments to continue governing while ineffective ones can be disposed of. Disadvantages to a presidential system include tendencies towards authoritarianism. Because of the overarching power given to one person, presidential systems could quickly transform into authoritarian regimes if circumstances permit. Also the centralization of authority could lead to the president becoming a more influential figure in society and the media. This high priority on the president could lower and undermine civic participation as people might feel they cannot play an active role in lawmaking or place a lower significance on the legislative branches of government relative to the executive. Furthermore, separation of powers is also seen as a disadvantage of the presidential system as it might create gridlock and stalemates within the government. One example of this could be if the President continues to veto bills that the legislature ratifies, impeding government from passing laws. This can be seen in 1995 when Democrat Bill Clinton was president with a Republican controll ed Congress. The government could not get consensus on anything, not even on a budget. Lastly, impediments to leadership change can be seen as another disadvantage as it can be more difficult to remove an unsuitable president from office before her term is concluded, creating a potential situation where an idol or unhelpful president could not be removed and be replaced a better alternative. On the other hand, disadvantages to a parliamentary system include that the head of government is usually not directly elected. This is because the prime minister is typically elected by the legislature or the party in power, which normally means the party leadership. In addition, another disadvantage in the parliamentary system is that there is no independent body to oppose and veto legislation approved by parliament, and thus a lack of a cohesive checks and balance system. Also, because of the shortage in the separation of powers, parliamentary systems could instill too much power in the executive. This is because MPs usually have to adhere to parliamentary discipline, and cannot vote based on their own judgments or constituencies. Furthermore, as elections in parliamentary systems usually result in a majority government, this could lead to the tyranny of the majority resulting in the minority parties to be marginalized as they would have little to no input in government legislatio n. Moreover, parliamentary systems can be seen as inherently unstable, if minority governments are elected and coalition governments are formed as the government can be brought down at any time. Opponents of the parliamentary system point to Japans recent instabilities and constant replacing of prime ministers as well as Weimar Germany as examples where unstable coalitions, belligerent minority parties, and constant threats of the government being voted down by opposition parties. Lastly, the parliamentary system lack of a definite election calendar can be mistreated to allow parties to gain political advantages. The governing party can schedule elections with relative freedom, and avoid elections when it is unpopular. Indeed, in a Canadian context, Prime Minister Stephen Harper defeated his own government because polls showed that he had the ability to win a majority at the time. This gives an unfair advantage to ruling parties who can stave off defeat or increase their mandate at the expense of the opposition parties. The influence of a presidential system on politics can be seen through the stronger role of the president i as well as the gridlock that can be experienced when passing legislation. This is opposed to the parliamentary system and how a prime minister usually has a smaller role in politics while parliament is typically quick in passing legislation and avoiding gridlock. First, the president usually becomes a national figure, which represents the government regardless of the effectiveness of legislation. As policies are harder to pinpoint compared to parliamentary systems, a president usually receives all criticism and blame on legislation passed, regardless if the party passed it or not. However in parliamentary systems, the governing party usually receives praise and criticism for legislation passed with not everything being placed upon the prime minister. This segues into the president is the head of state, and performing ceremonial roles as well as being the commander in chief of t he armed forces. He also plays an active role in the government by setting out a governments agenda especially if her party is also in control of the legislature. This differs from parliamentary system as there is a more visible separation of head of state and head of government. An example of this is the Queen in the UK who almost exclusively performs ceremonial roles. The Queen by convention does not veto any legislation passed by the government, as she does not have that legitimacy given through the electorate. This differs from the prime minister who is directly involved in the lawmaking organs of parliament. The president in a presidential system is almost like the center part of a venn-diagram as she possesses the ceremonial part of the head of state while playing active role in the government process like a prime minister. Another influence that a president has on parliament is his role in the checks in balance system. The United States government is must more used to gridloc k and stalemates between the levels of government and even between to the two houses as that is how the system is set up to me. This is in contrast where legislation is Canada can be passed rather rapidly especially if the party has a majority government. This presidential system influences the way representatives behave as they

Essay --

I was almost there, just one more turn and a road before I arrived home. When the road was built the turn cut a deep ‘V’ in the hillside, leaving behind prominent walls of dirt on either side of the road. It was a right-angle left turn leading up a steep incline. Being on a road less traveled, as well as being at the bottom of a hill, this particular turn had a lot of accumulated sand left over from the winter. I had forgotten about the sand, since all the main roads had long been washed clean, and went into the turn too fast. As soon as I hit the dirty portion of the road, my front wheels lost grip and caused the car to under-steer straight forward. I was able to catch it a little but knew impact was inevitable. I watched the hillside jump up in front of me and the right corner of my Jeep Cherokee plow into it, as a mountain of new obstacles rose up in my mind. I thought it would be too hard for me to fix it myself and too expensive to have done at a shop. I w as worried about what my parents would say if they saw it. But by the time it was fixed, I had learned a lot about car repair and my own capabilities. Before I crashed I didn’t think I could perform any major car repairs myself, but I learned that it’s not only feasible but quite rewarding as well. I drove the rest of the way home in a calm panic, trying to think straight and form a plan. I pulled my car into the garage nose first, at such an angle that the damage couldn’t be seen from the house if anyone happened to look out and wonder what I was doing. I had an excuse of TLC ready in case someone decided to investigate further than the front window. This was when I did an in-depth inspection of the damage, and it looked bad, really bad. The steel bumper wa... ...f. I fixed up my car on a budget, kept my parents from blowing a head gasket, and picked up multitudes of knowledge along the way. During the course of the project I absorbed copious amounts of information that I will be able to use the rest of my life. I learned many skills and techniques regarding vehicle repair that I can apply to any situation that may arise in the future. Since then, I don’t even know how much money I’ve saved myself, family, and friends by diagnosing and repairing problems in house instead of getting ripped off by mechanics. Before I crashed my car I was limited to doing very basic maintenance only, but after, I felt like I could take on any project. It really sparked my interest in working on my own car. The whole experience was very rewarding and taught me a lot about not only cars but what I was capable of when I put my mind to it.

Concept of Kinship in Africa Essay

The subject of â€Å"traditional family patterns in Africa† is so broad that it cannot be adequately addressed by many scholars. The cultural and physical diversity added with the dramatic social changes of the last three decades on the continent makes the family pattern situation so variegated as to defy any sweeping generalizations. This difficulty in generalization bone of diversity was already apparent to many early scholars of the African traditional family. This essay will briefly explore traditional African family patterns explaining the concept of kinship in Africa, the differences and similarities between patrilineal and matrilineal families systems. Kinship is the web of relationships woven by family and marriage. Traditional relations of kinship have affected the lives of African people and ethnic groups by determining what land they could farm, whom they could marry, and their status in their communities. Although different cultures have recognized various kinds of kinship, traditional kinship generally means much more than blood ties of a family or household. It includes a network of responsibilities, privileges, and support in which individuals and families are expected to fill certain roles. In modern Africa social and economic changes have begun to loosen the ties of traditional kinship, especially in the cities. But these ties still play a large part in the everyday lives of many Africans (coser: 1974). The basis of kinship, in Africa as elsewhere, is descent from an ancestor. The most widespread descent group is known as the clan, which can be either patrilineal or matrilineal. The members of the former type of clan comprise all those who are born from a single founding ancestor through the male line only; those of the latter comprise all those born from a single founding ancestor or ancestress through the female line only. Patriliny is far more common in Africa than matriliny, which is limited mainly to parts of Zambia and Malawi, in central Africa, and to Ghana and Ivory Coast, in western Africa. Regardless of the means of descent, authority in the family and elsewhere is always formally held by men; therefore, men have domestic authority in both patrilineal and matrilineal families (formal matriarchy is unknown in Africa). Clans, which are rarely corporate units in Africa, are clusters of kin who claim a single common ancestry but can rarely, if ever, trace the actual links of descent. Usually clans are exogamous units and may recognize various ritual prohibitions, such as taboos on certain foods, which give them a sense of unity and of distinctiveness from others (Bell & Vogel: 1960). According to stephens (1982) Clans are typically segmented into constituent groups, with each group recognizing a founding ancestor more recent than the clan founder; these are known in the literature as lineages, one of the criteria for a lineage being that its members—patrilineal or matrilineal—can trace actual kinship links between themselves. Lineages may themselves be segmented into smaller units, the smallest typically being the group around which a domestic family is established. Such a family (if patrilineal) includes the husband and his children, all members of the small lineage, and his wife, who by the rule of exogamy must come from another clan Almost every African society has some form of descent group, however transitory, as the basis of its social organization. The recognition of these variations of ancestral descent is an effective way of constructing local groups that can last for several—often for many—generations and in which the close-knit ties of kinship provide powerful links through the notion of common â€Å"blood. By claiming exclusive ancestry, such a group can claim exclusive rights to clan and lineage property. Marriages between their members, by the rule of exogamy, cement them into larger communities and societies, each possessing its own sense of common ethnic and cultural â€Å"belonging. † Although these traditional forms of family and kinship are lessening in importance, with the continuing need for urban and industrialized labor and the consequent increase in labor migration, the strength of kin groups remains great. They are well suited to traditional forms of production and exchange where these are found (which is still the case among the majority of African peoples), and they provide a sense of personal identity and security that is of high emotive value (Bell & Vogel: 1960). Kinship and marriage are closely linked in several ways. On one level, kinship rules may determine marriage partners. In this respect, North African and sub-Saharan societies differ widely. North African peoples encourage marriage within a group, often a kinship group. Traditionally, the ideal marriage is between cousins, including the children of two brothers. Among the Bedouin, for example, a boy has the right to marry his father’s brother’s daughter. Although she can refuse the cousin’s proposal, she needs his permission to marry someone else (Barnes: 1951). Most lineage groups in sub-Saharan Africa, in contrast, favor marriage outside the group. As a result, kinship is not limited strictly to lineage. An individual has important ties with two different kin groups, the mother’s and the father’s. Such ties often extend outside the village or community, offering certain advantages. If a community suffers from drought, war, disease, food shortages, or other disasters, for example, its members may go to live with kin in other areas. Marriage and kinship are also linked by customs governing the transfer of property between and within kin groups. The most common form of such transfer in Africa is called bridewealth. This is a gift from the groom or his family to the bride’s family, often in livestock but sometimes in money or other forms of wealth. Some hunter-gatherer societies follow the custom of bride service, which involves the groom moving to the home of his wife’s family and hunting or working for his parents-in-law (Stephens:1982). Traditional African kinship is a cooperative relationship between household members and members of the larger lineage group. It involves a set of social obligations and expectations that ensures that no one faces tragedy alone. In societies without welfare services provided by a central government, kinship provides a â€Å"safety net† for individuals—orphans, widows, the elderly, the disabled, and divorced women—who lack an immediate household to care for them. Although kinship relations have grown weaker—especially in the cities—they continue to serve this function. For example, African kinfolk may support women and children while their husbands are away, perhaps by helping paying school fees or other expenses. Extended ties of kinship remain a vital part of life in contemporary Africa. Descent rules define socially recognized kin groups by tracing connections through chains of parent-child ties. A society may focus exclusively on connections traced through the male parent (patrilineal) or through the female parent (matrilineal). When descent is patrilineal, the descent group is composed of people of either sex whose fathers belong to the group. Siblings belong to the descent group of their father, but their mother belongs to a different descent group, the group to which her father belongs. Therefore, a man’s children will belong to his descent group, but a woman’s children will not belong to her descent group. Analogously, if descent is matrilineal, siblings belong to the mother’s group but their father does not. A woman’s children will belong to her descent group, but a man’s children will not belong to his (Schapera: 1971). Matrilineal is a system in which descent is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. Matrilineal is also a societal system in which one belongs to one’s matriline or mother’s lineage, which can involve the inheritance of property and/or titles. Matrilineal descent, which traces lineage through mothers, exists in many African societies based on farming, especially in central Africa. Among the Bemba people of Zambia, mothers own the fields and pass them on to their daughters. Among the Bemba people of Northern Zambia, marriage is matrilocal. â€Å"That is to say a man goes to live in his wife’s village, at any rate for the first years of his married life. This is also true of marriage among other Zambian tribes like the Bisa, Lala, Lamba, Chewa, Kaonde, and many others. Among the Chewa of Eastern Zambia, the custom of man living with his wife’s parents temporarily or permanently was known as Ukamwini (Barnes: 1951). Societies with matrilineal social organization are not necessarily ruled by women. Some peoples who trace descent through women give political authority to men. In certain cultures men traditionally go to live with their mothers’ brothers, while women move to their husbands’ villages. Thus the men remain together, while the women through whom they trace descent are spread among the population. Because the men generally remain in the community, they have greater authority. Power and authority in matrilineal societies ultimately lies in the woman and her brother. As such children at an early age learn that their father has little authority or responsibility for them. The father knows that his children are not his ultimate responsibility but his sister’s children. Meanwhile the man and her married sister do not live in one locality, as they must maintain their marriages. Some scholars have suggested that this arrangement might be fraught with potential social problems and conflict (Bell & Vogel: 1960). More so than a patrilineal household where all the people charged with authority over the children potentially live in one household. Overall, there are two forms of social groups that from the basis of Bemba marriage and traditional family. First, there is the local unit of matrilocal marriage consisting of a man, his wife, his married daughters and their husbands and children, second, the matrilineal descent group which consists of maternal relatives and ancestors traced back to several generations. These constitute the core of the Bemba traditional African family around which the social organization of the raditional society revolves. â€Å"Both form the basis of the political structure of the tribe since the matrilocal extended family is the nucleus of the Bemba village although many other elements may be added to it, and succession to all political offices is fixed by the rule of matrilineal descent (Yizenge: 1988). A larger proportion of Zambian families are matrilineal than are patrilineal in organization. Within the country’s nine provinces, most households in the four provinces of Central, Northwestern, Luapula, and Copperbelt are matrilineal. The Namwanga and the Ngoni in the Eastern province, the Lozi in the Western, and the ILA in the Southern province are patrilineal. These groups are also patrilocal. That is, after marriage, the couple lives in the husband’s family house or close to his father’s household. Daily activities such as eating and educating the young are seldom conducted in the privacy of one’s house. Zambian villages have a central place governing the village. This place is called Insaka or Nsaka. In the matrilineal villages, the Insakas are located at the village center (Yizenge: 1988). This matrilineal descent pattern is in contrast to the more common modern pattern of patrilineal descent from which a Family name is usually derived. Patrilineal descent emphasizes the male side of the family, tracing relationships through the generations from fathers to their children. Patrilineal descent is common among pastoral societies. Because Islam arose among pastoral people in Arabia in the A. D. 600s, Islamic law tends to reflect patrilineal practices. For example, male children are favored over females in inheriting a father’s property. This and other aspects of patrilineal social organization can be found among the ARABS, BERBERS, and other Islamic peoples of North Africa. Many other pastoral groups, including the Nuer of SUDAN and the ZULU and Swazi of southern Africa, are patrilineal (Schapera: 1971). One feature of social life in Africa’s patrilineal societies is the close relationship between a man andhissister’s son—his nephew. Anthropologists call this relationship the avunculate, and in African cultures it may require the uncle to give his best cattle to his nephew or to accept teasing from the nephew. A brother might also be expected to support his sister’s children or to participate in the rituals that mark the stages of their lives. In southern Africa, where the avunculate is common, a boy’s uncle on his mother’s side may be called his â€Å"male mother† in recognition of this special link. In some groups the opposite relationship occurs, with a boy’s father’s sister—his aunt—seen as an authority figure called the â€Å"female father. † The Tsonga (Thonga) of Mozambique and the Nama of Namibia are some of the best examples of groups that practice the avunculate, although neither group follows the custom as closely as it did in the past. In patrilineal cultures when a marriage occurs the wife becomes part of her husband’s family, and if you have family names in such a culture, it becomes natural for the wife to take her husband’s family name. There may be a sense in such cultures that both the husband and wife are really part of each other’s families now, but since descent is reckoned by the male line, there is a greater sense that the wife is part of the husband’s family rather than visa versa (Yizenge: 1988). These are the reasons that the custom exists sociologically, but the origins of the custom tended to be obscured in the minds of many. When radical feminism came along, it wanted to radically tinker with the sexual status quo, to smash traditional gender roles, and even to call into question the institution of the nuclear family. (I’m talking about radical feminism, mind you, not moderate feminism that merely wanted better treatment for women. ) Doing away with the historical naming conventions would serve those goals (as well as making it harder to keep track of who is related to whom, thus undermining the family), and so not taking the husband’s name became a symbol of defiance against traditional values. Though there are some differences in these two societies matrilineal and patrilineal, there are some similarities which both societies perform as families. A Zambian family, like families elsewhere, can be thought of as a group. The most important duties of this group are to reproduce, nurture, and educate the young to become productive members of the family and the society at large. This training process is also referred to as socialization. The head of the Zambian family can either be the father or a maternal uncle. If it is a maternal uncle, the mother, more than the father, plays a crucial role in decision making within the family. These matrilineal families are very common in Zambia. In matrilineal families, the authority and power to make decisions rests with the mother and her relatives. In some family types, the father is the decision maker. These patterns of authority and power are passed from one generation to the next in Zambia (Coser: 1974). The stable satisfaction of sex needs is the Primary and essential function of family in these societies. Sex instinct is the natural urge of human being. The satisfaction of this need requires that both male and female should live together as life partners. It is the family where the husband and wife can satisfy their sex instincts easily and comfortably. Without family the satisfaction of sex need is almost socially quite impossible. A family not only satisfies but also provides the appropriate mechanism through marriage to regulate sexual behaviour of husband and wife (Coser: 1974) Reproduction or procreation is another essential function of family in both matrilineal and patrilineal familities. The family along with regulating the sexual behaviour in relation to the satisfaction of sexual needs secures a legitimate basis for procreation. Since the inception of family, it has been performing this fundamental function. This function of family contributes to the continuity of family and ultimately perpetuates the human race as a whole. Protection and care of the children is another essential function of family. It is regarded as an institution par excellence for the production and rearing of children. It is true that no other institution can take required care of the child like family. The child at birth is complete helpless and cannot survive at all without the help of the family. It is the family which provides care, protection, security (Physical, mental) and fulfils all other needs to make him fit in the society. Family is one of the primary agents of socialization. Family members teach the child the norms, value morals, beliefs and ideals of society. In the family the children first learn what is good and bad, what is right and wrong. They develop specific habits, traits of character, attitudes and values. The senior members of the family pass the family culture to the new generation thought socialization process. Thus, family acts an instrument of culture transmission. In both societies childhood is the socialization of the child in readiness for adulthood. This is sexual differentiation in socialization in which girls will become acceptable mothers and wives and boys husbands and fathers. Children are expected to help in minor household tasks. Boys herd goats, cows, and livestock. They also perform light duties for relatives. Girls at an early age are taught a wide range of household and agricultural duties including cooking, cultivation and tending children. â€Å"Girls, in distinction to boys, seldom have time to play games (Stephens: 1982). Family makes a provision of a home or a common habitation for its embers. Here both husband and if live together for procreation, protection and care of the children. It is a place of multifarious activities. All the members of the family depend on home for comfort, protection and peace. It is that institution which provides the mental or the emotional satisfaction. Members of the family exchange their love , sympathy and affection among themselves. Fostering is common in both societies. When couples fail to have children, they often become foster parents. It is also very common among siblings to foster care; that is, children are fostered by aunts and uncles. A survey of households in Kitwe, the second largest city in Zambia, found that about 14 percent of all children aged fourteen and younger, and nearly 18 percent of children aged to ten to fourteen years were not living with their parents (Ahmed 1996). The estimates of the extent of fostering in other African countries, such as Ghana, are much higher. Often fostered children are considered and treated as though they are biological offspring. When families are forced to adopt children following some misfortune, foster children may become victims of abuse and neglect. This chapter only focused on the matrilineal and patrilineal African traditional family patterns because they seem representative of the broad patterns that exists on the continent. It must be emphasized, however, that these were traditional patterns as far back as late 1800s up to as late as 1960s. The dramatic social changes in Africa during the last three decades of political independence from European colonialism have obviously affected the traditional family. And from our explanation it can be seen that the society some one belongs to dictate his or her life this is because each society has its norms and believes.

What the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram Reveals about Stars

What the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram Reveals about Stars The stars are the most amazing physical engines in the universe. They radiate light and heat, and they create chemical elements in their cores. However, when observers look at them in the night sky, all they see are thousands of pinpoints of light. Some appear reddish, others yellow or white, or even blue. Those colors actually give clues to the temperatures and ages of the stars and where they are in their life-spans. Astronomers sort stars by their colors and temperatures, and the result is a famous graph called the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. The H-R diagram is a chart that every astronomy student learns early on. Learning the Basic H-R Diagram Generally, the H-R diagram is a plot of  temperature vs. luminosity.  Think of luminosity as a way to define the brightness of an object. Temperature is something were all familiar with, generally as the heat   of an object. It helps define something called a stars spectral class, which astronomers also figure out by studying the wavelengths of light that come from the star. So, in a standard H-R diagram, spectral classes are labeled from hottest to coolest stars, with the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, M (and out to L, N, and R). Those classes also represent specific colors. In some H-R diagrams, the letters are arranged across the top line of the chart. Hot blue-white stars lie to the left and the cooler ones tend to be more toward the right side of the chart. The basic H-R diagram is labeled like the one shown here. The nearly diagonal line is called the main sequence. Nearly 90 percent of the stars in the universe exist along that line at one time in their lives. They do this while they are still fusing hydrogen to helium in their cores. Eventually, they run out of hydrogen and start to fuse helium.  Thats when they evolve to become giants and supergiants. On the chart, such advanced stars end up in the upper right corner. Stars like the Sun may take this path, and then ultimately shrink down to become white dwarfs, which appear in the lower left part of the chart. The Scientists and Science Behind the H-R Diagram The H-R diagram was developed in 1910 by the astronomers Ejnar Hertzsprung and Henry Norris Russell. Both men were working with spectra of stars- that is, they were studying the light from stars by using spectrographs. Those instruments break down the light into its component wavelengths. The way the stellar wavelengths appear gives clues to the chemical elements in the star. They can also reveal information about its temperature, motion through space, and its magnetic field strength. By plotting the stars on the H-R diagram according to their temperatures, spectral classes, and luminosity, astronomers can classify stars into their different types. Today, there are different versions of the chart, depending on what specific characteristics astronomers want to chart. Each chart has a similar layout, with the brightest stars stretching up toward the top and veering off to the top left, and a few in the lower corners. The Language of the H-R Diagram The H-R diagram uses terms that are familiar to all astronomers, so its worth learning the language of the chart. Most observers have probably heard the term magnitude when applied to stars. Its a measure of a stars brightness. However, a star might appear bright for a couple of reasons:   it could be fairly close and thus look brighter than one farther away; and  it could be brighter because its hotter. For the H-R diagram, astronomers are mainly interested in a stars intrinsic brightness- that is, its brightness due to how hot it actually is. Thats why luminosity (mentioned earlier) is plotted along the y-axis. The more massive the star is, the more luminous it is. Thats why the hottest, brightest stars are plotted among the giants and supergiants in the H-R Diagram. Temperature and/or spectral class are, as mentioned above, derived by looking at the stars light very carefully. Hidden within its wavelengths are clues about the elements are in the star. Hydrogen is the most common element, as shown by the work of astronomer Cecelia Payne-Gaposchkin in the early 1900s. Hydrogen is fused to make helium in the core, so thats why astronomers see helium in a stars spectrum, too. The spectral class is very closely related to a stars temperature, which is why the brightest stars are in classes O and B. The coolest stars are in classes K and M. The very coolest objects are also dim and small, and even include brown dwarfs. One thing to keep in mind is that the H-R diagram can show us what stellar type a star can become, but it doesnt necessarily predict any changes in a star. Thats why we have astrophysics - which applies the laws of physics to the lives of the stars.

Free Essays on Twins

Persuasive Essay Twins are a lot more common in today’s society than they were 50 years ago. Many people wonder if they would even like to have a twin. Most twins find they love it and it is helpful in many different aspects of life. Therefore it is better to have a twin. Competition between twins is often feared, although most twins would say they find it very beneficial. For example, competition is helpful in ones academics. Having the other twin come home with a better grade on a test encourages the other in a challenging way to do just as well, if not better. Twins a lot of times tease each other on who gets the better grade creating a healthy competition that motivates one another. Sports also create healthy competition helping one another excel. Twins know one another’s level of talent. As a result each one can push the other to their full potential. Another way in which twins are competitive is in relationships. Twins often compare themselves on who has more friends. If one twin is considered more popular, competition arises. Twins are constantly being compared to each other; therefore, they are usually quite competitive with one another. Most people do not like to share, however twins find it very beneficial. Twins find that by sharing clothes they have a greater variety and more to pick from. If each twin purchases a pair of pants, it is like getting two new pairs of pants instead of just one. Not only can twins share clothes but they can share chores as well. When mom leaves a list, it takes less effort and time having two people to get the list done. While one is dusting the other can vacuum, getting two jobs done at once. Twins share money as well. This comes in handy because if one does not have enough money to buy something him or her wants, the other can help out with the rest. By putting money together each twin can get what they want. Sharing is something that both twins can benefit... Free Essays on Twins Free Essays on Twins Persuasive Essay Twins are a lot more common in today’s society than they were 50 years ago. Many people wonder if they would even like to have a twin. Most twins find they love it and it is helpful in many different aspects of life. Therefore it is better to have a twin. Competition between twins is often feared, although most twins would say they find it very beneficial. For example, competition is helpful in ones academics. Having the other twin come home with a better grade on a test encourages the other in a challenging way to do just as well, if not better. Twins a lot of times tease each other on who gets the better grade creating a healthy competition that motivates one another. Sports also create healthy competition helping one another excel. Twins know one another’s level of talent. As a result each one can push the other to their full potential. Another way in which twins are competitive is in relationships. Twins often compare themselves on who has more friends. If one twin is considered more popular, competition arises. Twins are constantly being compared to each other; therefore, they are usually quite competitive with one another. Most people do not like to share, however twins find it very beneficial. Twins find that by sharing clothes they have a greater variety and more to pick from. If each twin purchases a pair of pants, it is like getting two new pairs of pants instead of just one. Not only can twins share clothes but they can share chores as well. When mom leaves a list, it takes less effort and time having two people to get the list done. While one is dusting the other can vacuum, getting two jobs done at once. Twins share money as well. This comes in handy because if one does not have enough money to buy something him or her wants, the other can help out with the rest. By putting money together each twin can get what they want. Sharing is something that both twins can benefit...

Consumer Attitudes and Behaviour Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Consumer Attitudes and Behaviour - Assignment Example Table of Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Fishbein and Ajzen’s (1980) Theory of Reasoned Action 3 2.1 Overview of Fishbein and Ajzen’s theory 3 2.2 Critical analysis and evaluation of Fishbein and Ajzen’s theory 5 3. Evaluation of Change 4 Life campaign – use of Fishbein and Ajzen’s Theory in order to analyse how the Change 4 Life campaign has succeeded in changing the eating behaviours and activity levels of young children in the UK 9 4. Conclusion 11 References 13 Appendix 15 1. Introduction The increase of consumption worldwide, as a consequence of the advances of technology and the following changes in the trends and patterns of social life, has led to a series of social and economic problems; the terms under which consumption is promoted are not always carefully monitored; moreover, no limits or rules have been set regarding the access of children to specific products and services. Additionally, in many cases, the rules of health and safety are ig nored, even with involving in sectors, which are critical for public health, for instance the preparation of food. The implications of the above phenomena can be many. As an example, it has been proved that certain parts of the population, especially children, are more likely to develop unhealthy habits under the influence of advertising. Current paper focuses on the evaluation of the efforts of British Government to help towards the change of eating behaviour and activity levels to children – reference is made specifically to the ‘Change 4 Life’ campaign of the British government, a campaign introduced in 2009. The level at which the targets of the British government, as explained above, have been achieved is critically discussed using the theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein and Ajzen); the elements and the requirements are also presented using the literature published in the specific field. 2. Fishbein and Ajzen’s (1980) Theory of Reasoned Action 2.1 Ove rview of Fishbein and Ajzen’s theory In order to understand the role and the implications of the theory of reasoned action – referring especially to the potential use of this theory in evaluating a marketing project – it is necessary to refer to the conditions under which the particular theory was introduced. In other words, it is important to mention the gaps that the specific theory was asked to cover. Then, the analysis of the elements of the theory can help to understand whether this theory would be effective in modern social and financial environment. The theory of reasoned action of Ajzen and Fishbein (1980) has been introduced as a supplementary theoretical framework to the theory of planned behaviour (Berkowitz 1987). More specifically, the theory of reasoned action – as also the theory of planned behaviour – requires the willingness of a person for a particular action; without this prerequisite, i.e. the willingness of the actor, the theor y of reasoned action cannot be used – neither the theory of planned behaviour; however, this seems to be the only common point between the two theories; after that point, the two theories are differentiated and are applied independently. The theory of reasoned action is based on the claim that ‘most behaviours of interest in the domains of personality and social psychology fall into the volitional

Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) - Essay Example The paper will be presented as a fact-finding document and will present no political bias on the issues that surround the CIRA. It is the intention to inform the public on the CIRA and present a clearer picture of the threat they may pose and who their likely targets may be. To understand the brief history of the CIRA, it is helpful to know the history of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and its political struggle for Irish nationalism. The IRA was a military organization that grew out of the Irish Volunteers, and was recognized by the Lower House of parliament as the legitimate army of the declared Irish Republic in 1919. The Irish Republic had been established as the result of the Easter Uprising in 1916, which sought to expel British rule. A group of Irish republicans led the revolt and sought to win independence through armed conflict with Britain. Subsequent years of civil strife resulted in the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which was a compromise that established an Irish Free State within the British Empire. The resulting division between the pro-treaty supporters and the republican radicals set the stage for the Irish civil war. After suffering defeat in the civil war, the radical IRA continued to fight for an Irish Republic. They fought against the occupying British army over the next several decades using terrorist and guerrilla tactics. The IRA maintained a lo... Hard line republicans opposed this change and contended it was against the original constitution of the IRA and the Sinn Fein. The members that opposed the change in absenteeism policy split from the PIRA and reformed as the CIRA. This established the CIRA as the more radical splinter group and they proclaimed themselves to be the only legitimate IRA. Though the CIRA has been in existence since 1986, it was relatively inactive until the cease-fire of 1994. The statement by the IRA said, in part, "[...] the IRA have decided that as of midnight, August 31, there will be a complete cessation of military operations. All our units have been instructed accordingly" ("Irish Republican Army"). The CIRA did not agree to abide by the cease-fire and continued its goal of uniting Northern Ireland and Ireland in a socialist republic through armed conflict. This was the beginning of the modern and visible CIRA as it exists today. Group Leadership and Organizational Structure There has been some confusion over the terms Continuity IRA (CIRA) and the Real IRA (RIRA). Both groups have similar political goals and both advocate violence. Neither group has agreed to abide by the cease-fire as agreed to by the PIRA. Both groups consider themselves the sole legitimate IRA. The CIRA split during the 1986 debate over absenteeism, and the RIRA was formed from radical PIRA members who dissented from the cease fire agreement. Though they have some collusion and cooperation, they operate as separate organizations, leadership, and structure. Initially CIRA was led by Chief of Staff Daith O Conaill until his death in 1991. He was a hard line republican who had been active in the IRA for 4 decades. When he died in 1991, it was reported that an unnamed man from