The U.S Constitution & Bill of Rights

The U.S Constitution & Bill of Rights interests and actions that can potentially affect the peoples interest.

Skin Cancer Essays (1296 words) - Carcinoma, RTT, Free Essays

Skin Cancer Essays (1296 words) - Carcinoma, RTT, Free Essays Skin Cancer Science Skin Cancer Skin Cancer Each year more than 600,000 people learn that they have some form of skin cancer. (National Cancer Institute [NCI] , 1993) Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.(NCI, 1993) It is estimated that 40 to 50 percent of Americans that live to the age of 65 will have skin cancer at least once.(NCI, 1993) One-third of all new diagnosed cancers are skin cancer. (Siegel, 1990, p.77) Skin cancer is now almost 100 percent curable if detected early and treated properly. (NCI, 1993) Healthy cell in the body's tissues grow, divide, and replace themselves in a orderly way. (NCI, 1993) Sometimes normal cells lose their ability to limit their growth; too much tissue is formed and a tumor begins to form. (NCI, 1993) Tumors can be either benign or malignant. (NCI, 1993) Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and are seldom deadly. (NCI, 1993) Malignant tumors invade and destroy nearby healthy tissues and organs.(NCI, 1993) Cancerous cells for malignant tumors can spread to other parts of the body by way of blood vessels and the lymph nodes. (Microsoft Encarta, 1995) Skin Cancer has one known and easily avoidable risk factor: exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. (Reid, K. People with the highest risk of getting skin cancer are those that have fair skin and sunburn easily.(Siegel, 1990. p 78) The risk of developing skin cancer is also effected by where a person lives. People living closer to the equator ands people living in high altitudes have a increased risk of developing skin cancer. (Siegel, 1990, p 78) Exposure to artificial sources of UV radiation can increase a person's risk.(NCI, 1993) It is also a good idea to try to avoid prolonged exposure to the midday sun. (NCI, 1993) 80 percent of skin cancers occur on the face, head or neck of the person; another 10 percent occur on other exposed areas of the body. (Siegel, 1990, p 80) Men's shoulders, backs, and chests and women's lower legs have become more common sites of skin cancer in recent years. (Siegel, 1990, p 80) In the United States, people are more likely to develop skin cancer on their left arm and face; this is because people sit on the left side of their car when they are driving. (Siegel, 1990, p. 80) The epidermis consist of several different types and layers of cells. (Siegel, 1990, p 76) The bottom row of cells is composed of basal cells; the middle layer consist of squamous cells and Melanocytes are interspersed between them. (Siegel, 1990, p 77) The three kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of all cancers, including skin cancer. (Siegel, 1990, p. 86) Basal cell is a slow growing cancer that seldom spreads to other parts of the body. (NCI, 1993) Basal cell carcinoma is found most often on people with white skin, particularly of north European descent. (Siegel, 1990, p 86) Basal cell carcinoma if left untreated can badly damage and destroy underlying structures and tissues. (Siegel, 1990, p86) Basal cell carcinoma usually begins on areas of the body exposed to the sun. (Siegel, 1990, p 86) Their are a number of warning signs for Basal cell carcinoma. Appearance of the cancer can usually be seen, as well as felt. (Siegel, 1990, p 87) The growth may have pearly or shiny edges with a reddish or purplish color to it. (Siegel, 1990, p 87) In dark skinned people, the bump may appear to look like a mole. (Siegel, 1990, p 87) Another sign of Basal cell carcinoma is an open sore that does not heal and/or begins to bleed, ooze, or crust. (Si egel 1990 p 87) Sometimes a reddish patch or irritated area may persist, itch, hurt, or crust. (Siegel, 1990, p 87) Basal cell carcinoma has many variations in size, color, and shape; thus making it very difficult for a nonphysician to do a self-diagnose. (Siegel, 1990, p.87) The second most common skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma; which effect around 100,000 people or 20 percent of all skin cancers. (Reid,

Multimedia in entertainment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Multimedia in entertainment - Assignment Example 19). Apart from the animation industry as a whole, there are applications and software that are used in the entertainment industry. The Photo shoot software that are largely used in the fashion industry to add and edit the views, content, background of a photo all are examples of usage of multimedia in the entertainment industry. Adobe Photo shop is one prime example in this category that finds its usage in both domestic usage as well as commercial advertisement and fashion industry (Sidhu and Singh,p. 65). There are large number of video editing software available online as well which also brighten the multimedia field of entertainment. In the sports discipline all the international sporting activities find the usage of multimedia and graphics. Football for example displays the screens presenting the stats, graphs, digital animations. The other sporting fields also make use of similar multimedia techniques. The gaming consoles and the other online apps introduced are another example of multimedia usage in the entertainment

Midterm - HIST Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Midterm - HIST - Essay Example The difference was seen on their idea on what was right for the citizens. One of the differences was on self-rule and determination. The conservative were of the idea that self-rule and determination were not suitable for Europe. The idea was that such ideas were responsible for chaos and constant wars in Europe. For example, they cited the revolutionary America and France. The conservative believed the ideas were to stop if untold suffering and bloodshed was to end. Moreover, the ideas were seen as affecting lower classes in which the conservatives believed they required nothing more than peace and stability. On the other hand, the liberals were of the idea that time was ripe for the establishment of national government. They believed the old order was responsible for suffering and inequality that was rampant in Europe, at the period. They were against the domination of various regions by a few group of rich and noble in the society. Therefore, they demanded representative governmen t. Secondly, there were differences based on the economic state of the region in the period. For example, the liberal idea was that there should be a free market in the region. As a result, they called for uncontrolled private enterprise and non-government interference in the economy. On the other hand, the conservatives were opposed to the idea. They believed that the government had to have a hand in the regulation of the market, as well as ownership of property. For example, they controlled the distribution of land. Third, there were significant political differences between the opposing sides. The differences occurred in terms of enjoyment of rights. The liberals spent most of their time fighting for rights. Moreover, the wanted a large portion of the middle class to be allowed to vote instead on concentrating it to few aristocratic individuals. This is because only those who owned property could vote at the period. Hence, only the noble who

Taking the Lid Off the Victorian Era Essay Example for Free

Taking the Lid Off the Victorian Era Essay The Victorian Era has been a time of power and wealth. A journey of evolution took place in this period. People of this generation have a tremendously exciting age that at some point it was called the Second English Renaissance (Moore, 2007). After extensive research on this, I was duty-bound to take a stand on the status of the women of this period. Women have a role in this society. They are as what one writer had said called saints but saints with no legal rights. The Victorian Era viewed women as immaculate- pure and they put women on a pedestal. During this period, they envisioned women as so called Ideal Women. Thus, staying pure and clean from all immoral acts. Bearing offspring is a huge responsibility and tending to her household once she is married are her main preoccupations (DeBay, 2007). However, I sense that there is a great deal of deprivation and injustice that took place on the Victorian Era. Since the women status are defined as that of Ideal Women. And with the way that they have envisioned the Victorian Women, I can truly say that there is a great influence in how women are being treated in this contemporary period of ours. One key issue is the Victorian marriage. Women in this period have made a stature of marrying at a very young age for the reason that their parents want them to get married. The women in that age were born and raised just to get married and bear children. As they get married , women begin to lose their identity. Their husbands treat them as their own possession. Women married because of stature. They do not want to risk being shunned by their families if she marries someone who does not have the same stature or does not hold the same or higher standard of living (DeBay, 2007). And when a woman does break her engagement to her betrothed then she will be outcast by the society and never shall she marry again. It is the ultimate manner of losing your social status. To put it straightforwardly, women on this era are projected to be perfect women. They need to be very womanly and neither can they demand on the things that hurt them. They need to just endure the pain and sufferings becoming a wife. They are expected to be the housewife. They aren’t taught to complain but rather, are taught to follow all demands of the their husbands. Divorce is forbidden. If she divorces her husband then there would not be alimony and the custody of their children will be with the husbands. They are not given equal rights on child rearing once they divorce or separate to their husbands (Moore, 2007). Sex and women have a different process as well. Men are considered to be polygamous in the Victorian period. However, a woman caught doing so will be put to trial and is considered unclean. Thus losing her status in society. A man can go and satisfy his needs to another woman. Men did not have any restrictions, which makes it worse for the wives, because they just need to accept their husbands’ behavior. In effect, her reputation is at stake in society. In fundamental nature, this behavior of women has been carried on to this day. Moreover, there is a great deal of emotional and physical abuse of women in terms of sexual experience to women. Their husbands feel that this is just the sole obligation of their wives – that is, to provide them the sexual pleasure that they want. In these terms, no rights were given to women (Battan, 1999). One other issue is that women were not given the chance for to educate themselves. They were ridiculed and dismissed once they get into the fields which, on that particular era were considered to be a unnecessary for women to take. That only men are the authorized to take. Women were not encouraged to attend a university. For the very reason that women are supposed to be an ornament of the society. Arts and Literature, however, were the subjects that women should learn and were of great importance in the education of women (Miller, 2007). Women had limited rights. Their incomes do not belong to them but to their husbands. They surrender every penny they earn to their spouses. They cannot go and have some contracts with them without the knowledge of their husbands. Further, their husbands need to approve of the contracts as well (Battan, 1999). Finally, I can truly say that the Victorian Women has slowly emerged their limitations and awareness on the aspects that were discussed and analyzed. These key issues until now have been controversial with the new generation. Limiting myself to this study, there is a similarity on the Victorian and the generation of today. While we are trying to break on the women of the Victorian Era, we are still on the process of trying to be free with the laws, rights and procedure that had happened on this controversial and tremendous period (Battan, 1999; Miller, 2007). In conclusion, many women’s groups emerged throughout the decades to diversify and fight for the role of women in the society. Giving women more freedom and rights as an individual and not just as a partner of a spouse. The Victorian Era as much as grandiose it is; women suffered more in this period. And it is with great anticipation, hope and fulfillment that this era has slowly progressed .While there are still causes for despair, there have been milestones in the struggle for gender equality. References Battan, J. (1999). The ‘rights’ of husbands and the ‘duties’ of wives: power and desire in the american bedroom, 1850-1910. Journal of Family History, 24, 165-86. DeBay, R. (2007). Hygiene et Physiologie du Marriage. Retreived on June 14, 2007 from http://caxton. stockton. edu/browning/stories/storyReader$3 Miller, I. (2007). Victorian past. Retrieved on June 14, 2007 from http://www. victoriaspast. com/frontporch/victorianera. htm Moore, M. (2003). Women in the Victorian Age. London: Mcmillan.

Has Technology Made Strategy Obsolete? Essay -- essays research papers

Has Technology Made Strategy Obsolete? It has been said that, "improvements in technology for waging war have made strategy increasingly irrelevant." This is not the case; strategy is actually becoming more important with the development of more sophisticated military technology. Firstly it must be clearly defined how strategy and technology relate to each other. There have been many different views on what, in effect, constitutes strategy. If one were to compare Sun Tzu's concepts of strategy and compare them to that of Clausewitz, it would be clear that the two defined strategy much differently. Sun Tzu viewed strategy as a much larger issue than did the Clausewitz. He believed that an overall strategy that utilized political alliances, misinformation, intelligence and strategic planning was the key to what he believed the pinnacle of military victory was; to win the war without ever having to fight. Clausewitz had a much narrower view of strategy, one that would more correctly be determined as tactics. Clausewitz believed in the supremacy of direct military conflict as the sole arena for states to resolve their differences and satisfy their ambitions. He focused then, on the best way to win the war, believing that war was inevitable. It is clear then, that wile both men wrote on the subject of war, their focus was on different levels of warfare, Sun Tzu's focus was on strategy, or grand strategy, while Clausewitz's focus was on the tactical level, or operational strategy. Technology is of a different ilk altogether than the closely related topics of tactics and strategy. Technology is the tools with which the war is waged. It can consist of not only mechanical instruments, but of nuclear, chemical and biological tools as well. Technology is an ever changing, constantly improving, element of warfare that has throughout history continually improved the efficiency with which mankind can kill one and other. Technology Strategy Tactics The key to understanding the issue is to understand how the three elements, technology, tactics and strategy are connected to each other and more specifically, how changes in one area of will drive changes in the other. Technology is the core to the whole process. A requirement is identified and a weapon, or weapons system is created in order to fill that requirement. Once this has been done, the military leader... ...s Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) or "Star Wars" plan that finally broke the economically weaker USSR. Currently, the US Army's is driving toward the development of a Strategic Anti-missile System; resent successful tests of this new technology raise the specter of a return to the winnable war scenario. These new technologies has, as all technology is, been developed to finally and directly eliminate the threat generated by initial development of the nuclear strike capability. The question that now begs to be asked is weather this technology will once again change the strategic focus away from the economic arena and back to the military one? Technology has not rendered strategy obsolete. Certain military technological advances, which are continually reshaping the tactical realm, have managed, by the shear magnitude of their impact, reached beyond that area to change the Grande Strategy by which nations plan their success. As we see, strategy changed in order to counter the threat posed until a counter technology was developed. The interplay of tactics, technology and strategy is cyclical and symbiotic in nature with each element being driven by changes in the other.

Life of a Gladiator

The life of a Gladiator could be compared to the life of a modern day professional athlete. Gladiators lived a lavish life much greater than the lower class of Ancient Rome. With food, medicine, and baths all at the tip of their fingers, they were to use all their energy and focus to fight against each other. These fighters were primarily used for Inhumane entertainment. Many Gladiators were slaves, criminals, and some free men. Gladiators were first used for funeral ceremonies to reenact the dead one's life.Gladiators were later used in entertaining the people. They would fight wild beast such as lion, tigers, and elephants and even fight each other. Even though they were sure to be killed for the enjoyment of Ancient Roman citizens, Ancient Roman Gladiators lived a life of luxury. Ancient Gladiators lived a well-appointed lifestyle. For example they were given hot and cold baths constantly. The Ancient Roman citizens did not have this available to them. Disease was also abundant th roughout Ancient Rome, but doctors to keep disease and infection to a minimum treated Gladiators dally.Another example of benefits given to a Gladiator was women for their personal needs. Women were used by the Ancient Gladiators as slaves and for coitus. Gladiators who became successful were allowed to have their own home and even a family, The Gladiator trainers and sponsors treated their fighters as If they were their prized possessions. Gladiators were on a high protein diet and took place in a magnificent feast the night before a battle would take place. This felt promising to the trainers and sponsors In that their Gladiators would be physically prepared for he next day when they would be in battle.All Gladiators were cared for substantially by their trainers and sponsors. Ancient Gladiators lived a lavish life where anything and everything was given to them In order to keep them in the perfect shape for combat. The Gladiators were sure of death but enjoyed the luxurious life as they could. Many Gladiators were slaves, criminals or members of captured of enemy armies, but a lot of Gladiators were freemen. Many retired military men became Gladiators so they could showcase their fighting abilities In the arena.A lot of men who decided o become Gladiators joined for the wealth that came with It. Becoming a Gladiator was a good way for citizens to make money. Many men used this money to pay off debt or support their family. The living conditions of Gladiators were very good. The free men whom became Gladiators were free to do as they pleased and could keep any of the money thrown into the arena during a battle. Many of these men not only craved the wealth but also the fame that came with being a successful Gladiator. The most successful Gladiators became very popular with the Ancient Roman citizens.These Gladiators were treated like royalty and were given much wealth and power by the Roman government. These Gladiators were only expected to fight 3-5 times a year ana could ao as tney pleased In tnelr OTTtlme. There were many reasons one would seek to become a Gladiator. The living conditions of a Gladiator were much better than the living condition of a lower class Roman citizen. Food and medical care were supplied to these men as well. They were on strict diets but did not have to pay for the food which a luxury in its self.Doctors were always present to make sure the Gladiators were in top fighting condition. Men in top fghting condition would put on a better show for the Ancient Roman citizens and this would bring more money to the Gladiator and his Sponsor. Much fame came with being a successful Gladiator. These successful Gladiators were famous for their actions in the arena and this is what made them so popular. A successful Gladiator received better care and acquired more money and wealth in their career than many citizens did at this time.Slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war were all forced to be Gladiators in the Ancient Rom an Empire, but the wealth and glory of becoming a Gladiator appealed to many free men. The living conditions of an Ancient Gladiator were high above the living conditions of many Ancient Roman citizens. The upkeep of a Gladiator was extensive and were kept at top physical shape. Ancient Gladiators enjoyed the life of luxury and adored the fame and fortune, but being a Gladiator ultimately ended in a bloody death in front of all of Rome to see. Life of a Gladiator The life of a Gladiator could be compared to the life of a modern day professional athlete. Gladiators lived a lavish life much greater than the lower class of Ancient Rome. With food, medicine, and baths all at the tip of their fingers, they were to use all their energy and focus to fight against each other. These fighters were primarily used for inhumane entertainment. Many Gladiators were slaves, criminals, and some free men. Gladiators were first used for funeral ceremonies to reenact the dead one’s life. Gladiators were later used in entertaining the people.They would fight wild beast such as lion, tigers, and elephants and even fight each other. Even though they were sure to be killed for the enjoyment of Ancient Roman citizens, Ancient Roman Gladiators lived a life of luxury. Ancient Gladiators lived a well-appointed lifestyle. For example they were given hot and cold baths constantly. The Ancient Roman citizens did not have this available to them. Disease was also abun dant throughout Ancient Rome, but doctors to keep disease and infection to a minimum treated Gladiators daily.Another example of benefits given to a Gladiator was women for their personal needs. Women were used by the Ancient Gladiators as slaves and for coitus. Gladiators who became successful were allowed to have their own home and even a family. The Gladiator trainers and sponsors treated their fighters as if they were their prized possessions. Gladiators were on a high protein diet and took place in a magnificent feast the night before a battle would take place. This felt promising to the trainers and sponsors in that their Gladiators would be physically prepared for the next day when they would be in battle.All Gladiators were cared for substantially by their trainers and sponsors. Ancient Gladiators lived a lavish life where anything and everything was given to them in order to keep them in the perfect shape for combat. The Gladiators were sure of death but enjoyed the luxurio us life as they could. Many Gladiators were slaves, criminals or members of captured of enemy armies, but a lot of Gladiators were freemen. Many retired military men became Gladiators so they could showcase their fighting abilities in the arena.A lot of men who decided to become Gladiators joined for the wealth that came with it. Becoming a Gladiator was a good way for citizens to make money. Many men used this money to pay off debt or support their family. The living conditions of Gladiators were very good. The free men whom became Gladiators were free to do as they pleased and could keep any of the money thrown into the arena during a battle. Many of these men not only craved the wealth but also the fame that came with being a successful Gladiator. The most successful Gladiators became very popular with the Ancient Roman citizens.These Gladiators were treated like royalty and were given much wealth and power by the Roman government. These Gladiators were only expected to fight 3-5 times a year and could do as they pleased in their off time. There were many reasons one would seek to become a Gladiator. The living conditions of a Gladiator were much better than the living condition of a lower class Roman citizen. Food and medical care were supplied to these men as well. They were on strict diets but did not have to pay for the food which a luxury in its self.Doctors were always present to make sure the Gladiators were in top fighting condition. Men in top fighting condition would put on a better show for the Ancient Roman citizens and this would bring more money to the Gladiator and his Sponsor. Much fame came with being a successful Gladiator. These successful Gladiators were famous for their actions in the arena and this is what made them so popular. A successful Gladiator received better care and acquired more money and wealth in their career than many citizens did at this time.Slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war were all forced to be Gladiators in the Ancient Roman Empire, but the wealth and glory of becoming a Gladiator appealed to many free men. The living conditions of an Ancient Gladiator were high above the living conditions of many Ancient Roman citizens. The upkeep of a Gladiator was extensive and were kept at top physical shape. Ancient Gladiators enjoyed the life of luxury and adored the fame and fortune, but being a Gladiator ultimately ended in a bloody death in front of all of Rome to see.

Impact of Gay Marriage on Children Essay

Take a look at the picture of a gay and a lesbian couple (see Figure 1). Long ago people would have raised their eyebrows and glared at such obvious display of affection between two men and two women. They would have scurried away and cursed them who engaged in activities that compromise morality. They would have felt anger to know that a man would even think of marrying another man or a woman to another woman. But years later, this picture has become normal. Wherever people go, they see gay and lesbian couples. They are everywhere. And the government has also come to accept this phenomenon, although there are still debates whether gay marriage, or same-sex marriage, should be legalized and accepted. Gay marriage has been one of the critical issues still not resolved and still plagued lots of people today. There are debates and protests whether this should be legalized or accepted in the society. Many are strongly against gay marriage because of their various beliefs about marriage itself. On the other hand, many are also for gay marriage because they think that marriage is all about equality and freedom to choose and decide. However, we must look at what gay marriage does to the children, because they are also adversely affected by this. This paper will show that gay marriage (the term will be used interchangeably with same-sex marriage in this paper), has a negative impact on children. In 1989, Denmark granted â€Å"registered partnership† to same-sex couples; Norway, in 1993; Sweden, in 1994; and Iceland, in 1996. Other countries in Europe, such as France, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Belgium also did the same (Lee Badgett 2). Meezan and Rauch reported that gay marriage (or same-sex marriage) is a reality in the United States and other parts of the world. They added that for the advocates of same-sex marriage, it is a civil rights issue. For the opponents, it is a matter of morality. Both sides are correct, but most importantly, it is a family-policy issue which has not been regarded with the right amount of attention in the American scene (97). The most important question to be considered is: How will same-sex marriage affect the well-being of children? The statistics showed significant trends. In 2007, Craft reported that in 1976 alone, there were about 300,000 to 500,000 gay and lesbian parents. In Bahamas alone, the number of homosexuals is increasing. Many of these, who keep their homosexuality secret, have positions in companies and in governments. The Rainbow Alliance of The Bahamas showed that gay individuals makes up five percent while bisexuals make up 29 percent of The Bahamas population (see Chart 1). Additionally, there are about eight to 10 million children living in gay and lesbian households. It is estimated that the number of gay and lesbian people who are interested to adopt children is nearly two million. The highest concentration of adopted children living with homosexual parents could be found in California. These children tend to be younger. Gates, Lee Badgett, Chambers and Macomber estimated that there were about 65,000 adopted children living in a gay or lesbian household. Moreover, out of the estimated 3. 1 million gay and lesbian households in U. S. , 1. 6 percent includes an adopted child under the age of 18 (7) (see Table 1). In the Frequently Asked Questions article by The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) marriage is all about love, commitment, sharing and compromise. It should not be denied to couples just because of their sex; marriage is a personal choice. However, many believed that the purpose of marriage is procreation; producing children is the natural end of marriage (Cline). Since gay marriage is unnatural (it can’t produce children), Cline said that it would violate this very idea. It would undermine marriage because it is a moral institution for promoting and protecting procreation. Although this paper posits that gay marriage has positive impact on children, it is still important to look at both views about the same-sex marriage in order to make light of the things which are significant for the welfare of the children. Impact on Children Why should the children be considered when it comes to same-sex marriage? Children are helpless, according to Kurts. They rely upon adults. They need the society to provide them with institutions that keep them safe from chaos. Additionally, they cannot articulate their needs and cannot even vote. But, they are society. They are the future of the world. These are just some of the reasons why children’s well-being must be supported and encouraged. Baskerville is right in saying that the impact of gay marriage on children wasn’t paid much attention because the focus was on the debate over gay marriage. It is important to recognize the needs of the children because they deserve to grow in an environment where they have two legally recognized parents (Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health). Their relationship with their parents, the Committee furthered, must be stable and recognized. This must apply to all, whether the parents are of the opposite or of same sex. For those who advocate gay marriage, they said that gay marriage will have positive impact on the children. In an article by Sara Miles, she argued that banning gay marriage will deny children justice since marriage is good for kids. It is true that marriage is good for kids. Most of the literature about marriage would indicate that marriage brings positive outcomes for the children as it provides them with warm, close relationships with their parents. Advocates of gay marriage believe that these reasons must be taken into consideration and let someone marry whoever he wants to marry. Cline reported that those who oppose gay marriage will do anything to keep it from being legalized. However, there will come a time when gay marriage will be legal and recognized. In fact, there were actions taken in other countries to make this possible. With the rise of the issue of gay marriage in America, other areas were also considered, such as adoption of children. Baskerville quoted what Democratic state Sen. Therese Murphy. She believed that almost half of all adopted children in Massachusetts live in households with homosexually-behaving adults. Baskerville added that allowing gay couples to â€Å"have† children, or to give them the right to adopt, is nearly the same as granting them the right to claim the children of a couple. The question here is whether the biological parents will agree to be separated from their children. This is made easy by the government’s initiative to give other people’s children to gay or lesbian couples. The government also has the power to take back the children from their biological parents even though the parents did not do something that would make the government take back the children. This is because the government now had the incentive and the means to take children from their parents with no due process. Baskerville reported that the 1974 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) gives financial incentives to the states to remove children from their original parents. As a result, CAPTA became instrumental in tearing children away from their parents. Additionally, the federal funds went to the foster-care providers. Even now, there are still children removed from their families despite the fact that foster homes were more abusive than the children’s original families. This problem existed for a long time until the government thought of another program. The government provided another program to solve the problem created by CAPTA, which is the 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act. It provided more financial assistance to transfer children from foster care to adoption. This expanded the client base of stakeholders who had vested financial interest in available children. Gay marriage, it seemed, made this even worse. Baskerville reported that through having kids adopted by gay couples, the government officials can take advantage of the adoption. These government officials can very well benefit through the funds that are set for the Act. Rekers provided three reasons on why Arkansas has prohibited homosexually-behaving adults from being given license to be foster parents. First: The inherent nature and structure of households with a homosexually-behaving adult uniquely endangers foster children by exposing them to a substantial level of harmful stresses that are over and above usual stress levels in heterosexual foster homes. (Rekers 2) This means that those children entering foster care usually have high incidence of psychological disorder. Rekers explained that if homosexual parents adopted those children, they (the children) are likely to be at risk of psychological harm and maladjustment. This happens when the children are exposed in greater stress brought upon them by the mere presence of a homosexual in a foster home. Moreover, Rekers believed that the children are affected in such a way that they are at risk of depression or psychological disorders (2). Second, Rekers reasoned out the relationships between homosexually-behaving adults tend to be less stable and short-lived, unlike the relationship between a married man and woman. Therefore, this would not be appropriate for children because they will be easily influenced. Furthermore, Rekers believed that suicidal attempt, substance abuse, psychological disorders and breakups happen most often with homosexual partners. Thus, they are incapable of providing a secure and stable home that foster children needed. And if children are to be adopted by these homosexually-behaving adults, it would mean that children will be removed and transfer to another home. Sometimes the transition is traumatic for these children. Third, the household structure of foster-parents consisting of one or more homosexually-behaving members denies children their needs for adjustment that can be found in heterosexual foster homes. Rekers backed this third reason by explaining that unlike heterosexual households, a household with homosexually-behaving adults lack the concrete role of a mother and a father, which is necessary for the growth and development of children. Additionally, homosexual households lack the role of a mother and a father in raising children. Also, the children have no chance to witness a husband/wife relationship, which the society thinks is socially stable and healthier for the children. Rekers said that the children who live with a married man and woman are better adjusted compared to those who live in households with homosexually-behaving adults. Children in foster care must be placed with heterosexual married couple because this will provide them with their needed benefits and leads to better child adjustment. A study presented by Jacobs in her article showed that nearly all 50 studies done on the children of gay and lesbian couples (between six and 14 million in the United States) showed no significant difference between children raised by heterosexual or homosexual couples. However, those who oppose gay marriage argued that most of the studies done were small, there were methodological flaws, and mostly were politically biased. Jacobs reported a study which showed that there’s no significant difference whether a child is raised by a gay or lesbian parents. In short, a child with gay or lesbian parents does not necessarily make him different from his peers. However, Jacobs presented some interesting findings from other researches regarding these differences. She mentioned that in 2001, Judith Stacey, a sociologist, and her colleague, Timothy Biblarz, found out that there are, in fact, some differences. They said that although gay and lesbian parenting is not harmful for children, those who have gay parents differ in some ways from those who have heterosexual parents. For instance, a study headed by Susan Golombok concluded that having homosexual parents does not encourage their children to become homosexuals. However, the daughters of lesbians were more open to the idea of being attracted to the same gender than the daughters of heterosexual mothers. Another finding was that out of the 25 children of lesbians, six of them had had relationship with someone of the same gender. The 21 children of heterosexual mothers did not have a relationship with the same gender. Kurts countered that gays have special case because the difficulties and challenges they experience are not from â€Å"discrimination† of marriage. The challenges and difficulties are due to the problem of sexual difference. He added that marriage is just a consolation for the challenges that are usual in situations faced by gays. Although gays are much tolerated in the United States, using marriage for the wrong purpose will not change the situations of gays. Instead, it will be the end of marriage, and the protection it provides for the children who are helpless. Gay marriage will also have an effect on heterosexual marriage. Supporting gay marriage, according to Gallagher (qtd. in Darby), would mean that the courts will not fully support the views of those who advocate heterosexual marriage. Moreover, if heterosexual marriage is confirmed as a special institution that must be protected and upheld, the number of fatherless children will decrease. Heterosexual marriage will prevent the incidences of children born outside marriage. Kotulski (qtd. in Darby) contradicted this by saying that there will still be fatherless children. There will be factors that would continue to break families, such as poverty and violence. Other Effects Pawelski et. al have noted some other effects of same-sex marriage to children. These effects, as noted, were experienced at different levels. In the psychosocial level, gay and lesbian individuals usually undergo peer rejection, harassment, depression or isolation. In fact, Pawelski et. al reported that almost half (47%) of gay and lesbian teens have thought about committing suicide while 36% actually attempted. Oftentimes, these individuals experience rejection from their loved ones, maltreatment in schools, homelessness, and violence. As adults, they experience discrimination, marginalization and violence. Various debates over the issue of same-sex marriage intensified the unstable environment for the homosexuals in the society. Lack of support and acceptance for them and their children will have effects on their physical and psychosocial health and safety. The children of gay or lesbian couples may, in the same way, experience marginalization and discrimination by those who do not approve of gay or lesbian parenting. More often, these children do not know how or where to find support. Even alliances in schools that admit straight gays can make the situation worse. Pawelski et. al reported that children are brought into long-term partnerships with gay and lesbian parents through surrogacy, adoption and alternative insemination. Their study also delved into the attitudes and behavior, personality and adjustment of parents when it comes to parenting. The authors found out that there were only few differences recorded regarding the comparison between lesbian and heterosexual mothers’ psychological adjustment, self-esteem and attitudes about child rearing. Lesbian mothers, the study showed, passed the psychological assessments and interviews. Furthermore, the study showed that the attitudes of lesbian mothers did not differ much from those of heterosexual mothers. In the same way, gay fathers did not differ much from nongay fathers. In fact, there are more similarities than differences. However, there is concern over the effect of the parent’s sexual orientation on the children because this might lead to embarrassment and thus keep the children from interacting with their peers. It was found out that the children of divorced lesbian mothers experienced more teasing from peers during childhood than the children of divorced heterosexual mothers. It is of interest that Pawelski et. al mentioned that the children who grew up with gay or lesbian parents were more tolerant of diversity and more nurturing than those children with heterosexual parents. Pawelski et. al mentioned another study which showed that children of heterosexual parents considered themselves more aggressive. Their parents and teachers regarded them as more domineering, bossy and negative. On the other hand, the children of lesbian parents considered themselves as more lovable. Their parents and teachers regarded them as more responsive, affectionate and protective of other younger children. Another study showed that the self-esteem, aggressiveness and sociability of children with lesbian parents and those with heterosexual parents have similarities. There were also studies conducted which showed that children of lesbian parents who were satisfied with their relationships have fewer behavioral problems and were better adjusted. There was also a study by the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health wherein the population consisted of 12105 adolescents in the United States. The authors found out that 44 adolescents, ranging from 12 to 18 years old, who were living with two women, were similar to others who have heterosexual parents when it comes to measures of anxiety, depression, self-esteem and school success. There were also similarities regarding family relationships, care from others, neighborhood integration, regardless of whether the children come from opposite-gender or same-gender families (Pawelski et. al). Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts back in 2004, researches today showed that it may have positive impact in strengthening the ties between couples, their children and extended families. It is interesting to note, however, that a large number of young people in America seemed to support gay and lesbian issues. Olander, Kirby and Schmitt mentioned a survey done by the Council for Excellence in Government (CEG) and CIRCLE which asked young people from 15 to 25 years old their perspective about the rights of homosexuals. The survey found out that youths supported gay and lesbian issues such as protection in housing, employment and hate crime, legal partnerships or civic unions and the ability to adopt children (2). There are others who view gay marriage on a positive note. Carpenter believed that gay marriage helps children. He said that gay parenting nowadays is very common in the United States, and that there are children in every gay and lesbian household. He did not seem to agree that children are better raised by a married man and woman. He furthered that gay marriage will not take away children from their biological parents. Although there is no reported shortage of children, the number of married couples is not enough to raise these children. And this is the reason why singles and unmarried couples are allowed sub-optimal parenting. Carpenter thought that this arrangement is better than foster care where the effects on children are unfavorable. Brinkmann countered Carpenter’s views. She believed that if a child is exposed to both sexes in a household, it will have positive effects on his developmental needs. She explained that this aids them in forming their sexual identity. Since the breakdown of marriage in the country had negative effects especially on children, it must be considered that a heterosexual marriage will provide the children stability with regards to family relationships. Brinkmann furthered that without heterosexual marriage, the society will disintegrate. Times have changed and more changes will manifest in the future. Amidst these changes, the welfare of children who are affected by gay marriage must be the utmost consideration. This means that supporting heterosexual marriage will be beneficial for these children. The government and families must make sure that every step of the way, these children will be encouraged and supported. Their needs must be met in order for them to grow as responsible citizens in our society.

Purism essays

Purism essays In his essay, Purism and LEsprit Nouveau, David Batchelor characterizes the Purist movement as a serious, thoughtful and ambitious project. Purism was Modern Art movement that was founded in France during the 1920s. It was a movement that was spearheaded by artists Charles-Édouard Jeanneret and Amde Ozenfant in their publication entitled LEspirit Nouveau. In general, the Purists considered logic, order, and control to be some of the most valuable qualities to exist in works of art. The emphasis in Purism was most heavily placed in rationality, clarity of conception, and precision of execution. The Purists were critical, on the other hand, of the capricious qualities of art, and emphasized that art should not merely aim to please the senses. Which basically meant that any excess of decoration was considered to compromise the purity of the artwork. Due to the mostly schematic qualities of Purist artwork, according to Batchelor, it was often compared to the Cubist movement. While Jeanneret and Ozenfant considered Purism to have, in fact, evolved from Cubism, they also believed it had transcended beyond the principles of Cubism into something more ambitious. Their belief was based on the idea that Cubist collages and paintings were often somewhat ambiguous, and were unified by connecting and overlapping shapes. This resulted in a sometimes diagram-like organization. While the Purists maintained a schematic quality similar to the Cubists, in contrast they kept the objects on the canvas separated and placed in a delegated space as opposed to connected and overlapping. This focus on process aligns Purism with the larger concepts of modernism. The purists also saw the industrialization of the modernist movement as a positive sign of uniformity and mass productive design, which required any inessential ornamentation to be eliminated from the design, therefo...

The Negative Legacy of Belgium Colonialism in Africa

The Negative Legacy of Belgium Colonialism in Africa Belgium is a small country in northwest Europe that joined Europes race for colonies in the late 19th century. Many European countries wanted to colonize distant parts of the world in order to exploit the resources and civilize the inhabitants of these less-developed countries. Belgium gained independence in 1830. Then, King Leopold II came to power in 1865 and believed that colonies would greatly enhance Belgiums wealth and prestige. Leopolds cruel, greedy activities in the current Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi continue to affect the welfare of these countries today. Exploration of and Claims to the Congo River Basin European adventurers experienced great difficulty in exploring and colonizing the Congo River Basin, due to the regions tropical climate, disease, and the resistance of the natives. In the 1870s, Leopold II created an organization called the International African Association. This sham was supposedly a scientific and philanthropic organization which would greatly improve the lives of native Africans by converting them to Christianity, ending the slave trade, and introducing European health and educational systems. King Leopold sent the explorer Henry Morton Stanley to the region. Stanley successfully made treaties with native tribes, set up military posts, and forced most Muslim slave traders out of the region. He acquired millions of square kilometers of central African land for Belgium. However, most of Belgiums government leaders and citizens did not want to spend the exorbitant amount of money that would be needed to maintain distant colonies. At the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, other European countries did not want the Congo River region. King Leopold II insisted that he would maintain this region as a free-trade zone, and he was given personal control of the region, which was nearly eighty times larger than Belgium. He named the region the Congo Free State. The Congo Free State, 1885-1908 Leopold promised that he would develop his private property to improve the lives of the native Africans. He quickly disregarded all of his Berlin Conference guidelines and began to economically exploit the regions land and inhabitants. Due to industrialization, objects such as tires were now required in mass in Europe; thus, the African natives were forced to produce ivory and rubber. Leopolds army mutilated or killed any African who didnt produce enough of these coveted, profitable resources. The Europeans burned African villages, farmland, and rainforest, and kept women as hostages until rubber and mineral quotas were met. Due to this brutality and European diseases, the native population dwindled by approximately ten million people. Leopold II took the enormous profits and built lavish buildings in Belgium. Belgian Congo, 1908-1960 Leopold II tried mightily to conceal this abuse from the international public. However, many countries and individuals had learned of these atrocities by the early 20th century. Joseph Conrad set his popular novel Heart of Darkness in the Congo Free State and described European abuses. The Belgian government forced Leopold to surrender his personal country in 1908. The Belgian government renamed the region the Belgian Congo. The Belgian government and Catholic missions tried to aid the inhabitants by improving health and education and building an infrastructure, but the Belgians still exploited the regions gold, copper, and diamonds. Independence for the Democratic Republic of the Congo By the 1950s, many African countries embraced anti-colonialism, nationalism, equality, and opportunity under the Pan-Africanism movement. The Congolese, who by then had some rights such as owning property and voting in elections, began to demand independence. Belgium wanted to grant independence over a thirty-year span, but under pressure from the United Nations, and in order to avoid a long, deadly war, Belgium decided to grant independence to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on June 30, 1960. Since then, DRC has experienced corruption, inflation, and several regime changes. The mineral-rich province of Katanga was voluntarily separated from DRC from 1960-1963. DRC was known as Zaire from 1971-1997. Two civil wars in DRC have turned into the worlds deadliest conflict since World War II. Millions have died from war, famine, or disease. Millions are now refugees. Today, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the third largest country by area in Africa and has approximately 70 million citizens. Its capital is Kinshasa, formerly named Leopoldville. Ruanda-Urundi The current countries of Rwanda and Burundi were once colonized by the Germans, who named the region Ruanda-Urundi. After Germanys defeat in World War I, however, Ruanda-Urundi was made a protectorate of Belgium. Belgium also exploited the land and people of Ruanda-Urundi, the Belgian Congos neighbor to the east. Inhabitants were forced to pay taxes and grow cash crops such as coffee. They were given very little education. However, by the 1960s, Ruanda-Urundi also began to demand independence, and Belgium ended its colonial empire when Rwanda and Burundi were granted independence in 1962. Legacy of Colonialism in Rwanda-Burundi The most important legacy of colonialism in Rwanda and Burundi involved the Belgians obsession with racial, ethnic classification. The Belgians believed that the Tutsi ethnic group in Rwanda was racially superior to the Hutu ethnic group because the Tutsis had more European features. After many years of segregation, the tension erupted into the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which 850,000 people died. Past and Future of Belgian Colonialism The economies, political systems, and social welfare in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi have been enormously affected by the greedy ambitions of King Leopold II of Belgium. All three countries have experienced exploitation, violence, and poverty, but their rich sources of minerals may one day bring permanent peaceful prosperity to the interior of Africa.

The European Union Law Overview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The European Union Law Overview - Essay Example The essay "The European Union Law Overview" presents the analysis of the European Union structure and also its decision-making process. The Council of Ministers operates clandestinely and its functions, which are influenced by national and transnational parties, lack transparency and accountability. Decision-making is determined by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers is the most powerful institution in the European Union and comprises of envoys from the Member States of the EU. The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers enact the EU’s legislation. The Council decides issues either by qualified majority voting or by unanimity. Its presidency has a rotating tenure of six months. Although it does not formally comprise a component of the EU system, it has emerged as the cardinal institution of the EU. It organizes meetings between the heads of state and the representatives of the European Commission. Unlike the Council, the European Parliament is a supranational institution. The Council of Ministers has been accorded the status of the principal legislative body by the Treaties of the EU. Its importance stems from the fact that it constitutes the final decision-making authority. In the process of making policies, the Council relies on other institutions for assistance and direction. The EU is a novel political institution, consisting of intergovernmental elements in some issues, supranational in administrative matters and transnational in most domains.

Introduction to Microeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Introduction to Microeconomics - Essay Example One of the vital factors that have caused such a situation to happen is the lower level of harvest in Mexico. Mexico has been one of the major exporters of coffee beans to Brazil. Thus, fall in the amount of harvest of coffee in Mexico resulted in a shortage of supply of coffee for the domestic consumption in Brazil. Another important factor behind the shortage of coffee supply was the sudden call out for a strike by the truck drivers of Columbia. This strike lasted for about two weeks thus affecting the supply, in consequence, the export of coffee to a large extent. Increased amount of exports of coffee beans abroad is another factor behind the shortage of domestic supply. There have been huge sales of coffee at abroad in this month of February; while on the other hand, the level of demand of coffee domestically is expected to increase further, and thus, will aggravate the problem of rising prices further. As the economy experiences a boom in the market, Brazil has toped to break al l records as the export of coffee amounts to 2.7 millions of bags, equivalent to which, the consumption level of coffee rates to more than one millions of bags. The consumption of green and soluble coffee in Brazil is set to reach a limit of 6% in comparison to a record of 20.27 millions bags weighing sixty kilograms each.