Islam, Apostasy and Missions Essay Example for Free

Islam, Apostasy and Missions Essay Sharkey’s Empire and Muslim Conversion: Historical Reflections on Christian Missions in Egypt, Kieser’s Mission as A Factor of Change in Turkey (Nineteenth to first half of Twentieth Century) and Erhan’s Ottoman’s Official Attitude Toward American Missionaries and a chapter from Timothy Marr’s work â€Å"The Cultural Roots of American Islamicism†, are scholarly enterprises that provides a comprehensive details about some historical phenomenon pertaining to Christian Missionaries, Islamic world and American History. All these articles refer to missionaries’ activities in the different geographical region within Islamic world but all these indicate similarities in their social and political orientations, their patterns and procedures and their successes and failures. All the authors have tried to present different aspects of missionary activities in the Islamic world with different approaches of historiography. But mostly all of them have illustrated the Mission’s movements in the Western hemisphere of the Islamic world. Egypt and Ottoman empire during the 19th century and early 20th century with a brief references to other parts of Islamic world (Mostly Sharkey has provided succinct comparisons with Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia etc. ) hither and thither. Their methodology to explore the historical realities, to analyze the issue and to provide judgments remains different. For example, Sharkey like a distinguished historian approaches the question with professional integrity and objectivity and restrains himself from providing sweeping conclusions about the whole scenario that he has analyzed intensively and extensively. He only provides the verified and verifiable arguments in support of his thesis and tries to coverall the aspects of evolution of phenomenon of Mission activity, their triumphs and failures and applies these historical judgments to the contemporary situation and ruling tenet of Clash of Civilization. Whereas Hans-Lucas Kieser arguments lucidly without relying much on primary and secondary sources but sometimes he adopts an authoritative stance over some issue without providing any substantial proof. Although Erhan also mulls over the phenomenon of Missionary activity in the Ottoman Empire but he has considered a specific issue of Ottoman’s official attitudes toward theses Evangelical missions. Other writer like Sharkey and Kieser touch some aspects of Ottoman’s approach and policies toward these missionaries but Erhan discusses these exhaustively along with the diplomatic relations between Ottoman Empire and United States of America in the early 18th century and how these relations affected the American missionaries status in the geographical domain of Ottoman empire. Timothy Marr postulates his theory first and then draws on far-fetched intellectual arguments to support his thesis. He collects all the historical evidences that can support his thesis and arrange them in a way so that they seem converging on a single point i. e. to draw parallels between major tenets of abolitionist spirit with romantic perception of Islamic world. He takes into account the whole Antebellum period. The ultimate purposes of all the articles seem to develop an understanding of the patterns and processes of Evangelical missionaries work in the Muslim world and its implications in the contemporary scenario (except Timothy Marr that analyzes the effect of Ismaicism on antislavery movement in America). Sharkey’s work is of great importance in this regard as its intention is to trace down the roots of Missionary activity in the Anglo-American imperialism and to locate the causes of the origin of post-colonial trend of considering these missionaries as neo-crusaders and proponents of anti-Islamic neo-imperialism by the Muslim masses. Kieser’s article seems to create a justification based on historical facts and figures that Missionaries in the Ottoman empires were â€Å"actors of social and mental change†. He tries to subvert the popular Muslim notion that Christian missionaries were carters of anti-Muslim agenda. Erhan’s â€Å"Ottoman Official Attitudes Toward American Missionaries† give the impression of a complete intellectual exercise to advance some historical findings. All the writers have specified a special period of Evangelical missionary activities in a particular geographical location. Sharkey takes into account the Missionary activities in Egypt but does not bind himself to chronological limits. He covers the colonial and post-colonial eras but pays special attention to the imperialistic moves of Anglo-American nations and their correlation with the missionary activities of the Anglo-American Churches. Kieser consider the activities of ABCFM in the Ottoman Empire especially the Armenian and Assyrian provinces in the 19th century and first half of 20th century. Sharkey, Kieser and Erhan adopts the same argumentative line about the gradual evolution of missionary activity and acknowledged rightfully explained the phenomenon of Missionaries’ premature activities to convert Muslim to the Christianity, their realization of the impossibility of the efforts and diversion to other socio-religious groups and minorities in the same geographical area. Sharkey says that although Ottoman’s political moves of â€Å"liberalism and tolerance† under the Anglo American imperial influence has facilitated the missionary activities but socio-cultural compulsions remained there that hindered the way of missionaries and kept them away from an agenda of conversion. So conversion of majority Muslims was a fruitless effort. So zealous missionaries turned their attention to the Orthodox Christians of the area i. e. to convert native orthodox Coptic Christians to Protestants. Kieser has analyzed the same pattern of diversion among the missionaries of ABCFM (American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions) in Ottoman Empire. He illustrates that â€Å"The first Missionaries of ABCFM learnt early on the impossibility of evangelizing the members of Ottoman ummet†¦Their resistance to conversion was partly due the strong legal an social sanctions against conversions, but not only to that. Like the Jews, for deep historical and psychological reasons, the Muslims remained on the whole impermeable to the enthusiastic approach of the Protestants. † (Kieser, p. 392-393) He further asserts that â€Å"therefore the ABCFM concentrated its work on the Assyrians, Armenians and Greek minorities and kept in contact with Muslim marginals. † (p. 393) Erhan takes a different stance and says that the initials efforts of the American missionary were directed toward Jews living at Palestine (p. 316) but soon realized that Jew were â€Å"tight-knit religious community and thus largely immune to Christian evangelical activities† ( Erhan, p. 315) But he further illustrates that Christian missionaries were diverted to their fellow Christian with Eastern version of Christianity. All these writers have assessed the situation precisely as Quranic injunctions and â€Å"Shariah’s† rulings that consider Islam as the final version of divine religions that encompass the teachings and tenets of Christianity and Judaism. These Islamic doctrines further hold that â€Å"Murtid† i. e. convert, has no place in Islamic society. These injunctions are psychologically and emotionally absorbed in the Muslims minds so the ultimate result of apostasy was social outcast and in some cases death penalty.

Study Of Autocratic Leadership Style Management Essay

Study Of Autocratic Leadership Style Management Essay There are many ways to lead and every leader has his own style. Some of the most common styles include autocratic, bureaucratic, democratic and laissez-faire. Autocratic Leadership Style This is often considered the classical approach. It is one in which the manager retains as much power and decision-making authority as possible. The manager does not consult employees, nor are they allowed to give any input. Employees are expected to obey orders without receiving any explanations.Some studies say that organizations with many autocratic leaders have higher turnover and absenteeism than other organizations. These studies say that autocratic leaders: Rely on threats and punishment to influence employees      Do not believe the staff      Do not allow for employee input     Nevertheless, the autocratic leadership is not so bad.Sometimes it is the most effective style to use.  Such situations may include:      Employees do not respond to any other style of leadership      There are high volumes of production needs on a daily basis      There is limited time for decision      Work must be coordinated with another department or organization   autocratic leadership style should not be used in the following cases:      Employees become tense, fearful, or resentful      Employees are expected to have their opinion heard      Employees begin depending on their manager to have all their solutions      There is low employee morale, high turnover and absenteeism and work stoppages Bureaucratic Leadership Style Bureaucratic leadership where the manager manages by the book. All must be done in accordance with the procedure or policy. If this does not apply to books, the manager refers to the next level above him or her. This manager is really more police officers than the leader. He or she  apply the rules.   This style can be effective if:   Employees perform routine tasks over and over again.   Employees must understand the specific standards or procedures.   Employees working with hazardous or fragile equipment that requires a set of procedures for the job.   Safety and security training is conducted.   Employees perform tasks that require cash handling.   This style does not be effective if:   Skills of the forms that are difficult to break, especially if they are no longer useful.   Employees are losing interest in their work and their colleagues.   Employees do only what is expected of them and nothing more. Democratic Leadership Style It encourages employees to be part of decision-making process.Democratic manager keeps his or her employees informed about everything that affects their work and shares decision making and problem-solving responsibilities.   Democratic leadership can produce high quality and quantity of work for long periods of time.  Many employees like the trust they receive and respond cooperation, team spirit and high morale.Typically, the democratic leader:   Develops plans to help employees assess their own performance   Allows employees to set goals   Encourages employees to grow jobs and encourage   Recognizes and encourages achievement.   Like other styles, the democratic style is not always appropriate.It is most successful when using highly skilled and experienced employees or when implementing operational changes or permits a person or group problems.   The democratic leadership style is most effective if:   The leader wants employees informed about matters that affect them.   The leader wants employees to participate in decision-making and problem-solving responsibilities.   There is a large and complex problem that requires a lot of input to solve.   you want to promote team building and participation.   Democratic leadership should not be used in the following cases:   There is not enough time to get the input of each.   Its easier and more cost effective for the manager to decide.   Business can not afford mistakes.   The manager feels threatened by this type of leadership. Laissez-Faire Leadership Style This kind leadership style is also known as hands-off  ¨ style. This is where the manager gives little direction and gives employees more freedom as possible. All authority or power is given to employees, and they must set goals, make decisions and solve problems independently  .   This is an effective style to use when:   Employees are highly skilled, experienced and educated.   Employees have pride in their work and desire to do it successfully yourself.   Reliable and experienced staff.   This style should not be used in the following cases:   It makes employees feel insecure in the absence of the manager.   The manager can not provide regular feedback to employees know how well they are doing.   The manager does not understand their responsibilities and hopes that staff can cover for him or her. P7. Explain the different motivational theories and their application within the workplace Maslows Hierarchy of Needs is the most widespread theory.  He believes that human beings have desires that influence their behavior in particular unmet needs.  needs come in order of importance.  person to the next level is necessary if low-level need is satisfied.  on the need to level the person moves, more personality and mental health reveals.   These requirements, from a lowest to highest are: psychological, health and safety, social, esteem and self-actualization.Examples of physiological needs are food and water.  Security refers to security, freedom from violence, safety, and others.Social is a sense of belonging as family, friends, colleagues and other professionals.  Self-esteem is a need for approval, recognition, status, etc.  And, finally, self-actualization refers to the need for personal growth through education, religion, hobbies, and others.   According to Maslow, it would be difficult to achieve the ultimate goal of self-realization, if the following goals are not met or taken care of first.  Food, water, shelter these are just some of our most pressing needs, which precede all others.  For example, it would be silly to worry about how to become emotionally stable, when you can not even have a decent meal or if you are seriously ill.  Taking care of immediate needs, you can begin to take care of the higher needs. Just as Maslows hierarchy of needs, Herzbergs Two Factor Theory is a need-based theory of motivation.  This theory is considered more powerful than Maslow, because it is easier to understand.   two-factor theory says that certain factors in the workplace leads to job satisfaction.  Others did not affect the satisfaction, but if not can lead to dissatisfaction   These factors of motivation and hygiene factors.  Motivators to ensure job satisfaction.  This includes the recognition, responsibilities and tasks.  Hygiene factors are so called because, like hygiene, their presence will not make people healthier, but their absence can cause decay.  Examples of these include salaries, fringe benefits, job security.  Hygiene factors, therefore, can determine dissatisfaction and motivators determine satisfaction. Both scales are independent and one can score high on both factors. Vrooms Expectancy Theory explains why people choose a certain course of action. Unlike the three aforementioned theories, Vrooms theory is not need-based. There are three variables in this theory: Valence, Expectancy and Instrumentality. Valence refers to the importance of the anticipated outcome of a situation. Expectancy is the belief that the effort exerted and success of the situation are related. Instrumentality means the success is related the expectations Vrooms Expectancy theory could sometimes be associated with work situation just like Herzbergs Two Factor Theory. But, in actuality, this theory is applicable to almost all kinds of situations whether work-related or not. Vrooms expectancy theory simply espoused the idea that the reason people do some things is because they expect a certain outcome. I apply Vrooms expectancy theory to my professional life because I believe in doing things not because I want to attain a certain reward but I want to attain something I truly desire for myself. For instance, I do a good job at the office not because I want a promotion, although it is part of it, but because I expect to feel fulfilled after having done something worthwhile. P8. The relationship between motivation theory and the practice of management: Different motivation theories have different effects. Motivation has to be built into the structure and without the motivational theory without the practice of management. You cannot practice motivation if you do not first have a theory or concept. In order to be a great manager or leader you have to be a good motivator, you should know what motivates your staff and what doesnt. A manager who cannot motivate or doesnt know how to motivate cannot do a good job, his job is to improve the performance of the staff and motivate all of them. P9. Describe the nature of groups and group behavior within organizations: Nature of groups The term group can be defined as, two or more persons interacting and working together to get a job or something done. When people work in groups rather than as individuals, the goals of the organization can be easily achieved. Groups can get a job done fast and usually accurate, group members could gather information and tell each other if they are doing something wrong or not, and they could appoint themselves to do a specific job which they are best in to contribute as much as possible to the group. People form groups for various reasons. Maybe get a job done faster or even to get a job done while not putting as much effort if youre the only one working on something. Various Types of Groups: There are formal and informal groups in organizations. Various groups exist within the organization and they are of varying degrees of formalization. Groups in organizations are of various types based on the number of members they have and the interactions between them. Formal Groups A group formed by the organization to accomplish a specific task is termed as a formal group. The organization sets up a formal group and allocates tasks and responsibilities to different members with the intention of achieving organizational goals. Command groups and task groups are examples of formal groups. A command group is relatively permanent in nature and finds representation in the organization chart. Functional departments of organizations are considered as command groups. Task groups, on the other hand, are formed for a specific task and are temporary in nature. They are dissolved after the task is accomplished. After dissolution of the task group, the members of the task group continue as members of their respective functional departments or command groups with reduced duties. Informal Groups Informal groups are formed by the employees themselves. The reasons for the formation of informal groups could be the need for companionship, common interests, growth, recreation, or support. There are two types of informal groups friendship groups and interest groups. Members of friendship groups have a cordial relationship with each other, common interests and are similar. They like each others company and want to spend time together. Interest groups are formed to organize an activity and are temporary in nature. Informal groups mainly satisfy the social needs of members.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With regards to nature of groups, I would just like to add that members may have conflicting ideas and having your views challenged should could either reaffirm your own beliefs or transcend them-people should come into groups with an open mind. P10. Investigate the Factors Lead to Effective Teamwork and Influences that Threaten Success: In todays workplace, the group leaders need to solve complicated problems and to take ideas from their first stage through a series of complex processes to a successful completion. This kind of work cannot be done alone. There are just too many demands, task requirements and various sources of information required to do it without the support of others. The most important factor that can lead to efficient teamwork is motivation, it is a team leaders job to delegate tasks and to make sure that each member of their team contributes and is good at what they do. For example, if Picasso was one of the members in your group then you should give him a task that requires creativity, since being creative and artistic is his strength then it seems that natural that hell be good at what hes assigned to do. Leaders should build a relationship with its members by making ideas together and supporting it, and even improving each others ideas. They must be open and approachable P11. Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within a given organization:  Ã‚  Ã‚   The use of new technologies can improve and in some cases hinder team functioning. As technology changes teams must update and maintain their knowledge in order to function effectively. Technologies which have improved team functions Computers Internet Email Cell Phones Blackberry Groupware PDA Personal computers allow team members to carry out various tasks and communicate more effectively. Laptop computers allow you to do this anywhere. They are now lighter, more powerful and a longer battery life. Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) now have much of the same functionality as laptops, but are smaller, more portable and have a longer battery life. Many PDAs now have wifi as standard and some are also phones (and some phones have many PDA features). Internet has been a huge, worldwide explosion in the use of the Internet. It is already changing the way we work, shop, bank etc. Information technology has had an impact on the way we work for quite some time, but the Internet has now added electronic mail (email), teleworking and video conferencing to the workplace. E-mail allows direct communication which means team members do not need to be in the same place at the the same time in order to communicate effectively. E-mail also has its negative aspects in terms of managing e-mail and the misuse of e-mail. Cell phones have come a long way since the 1980s and there are now more mobile phones in the UK then there are people. Mobile phones allow teams to communicate even when team members are out of the office, on the road or otherwise unavailable. Sometimes having always access to team members can hinder team functioning. Phone technologies such as blackberry and 3G datacards allow team members to work and communicate remotely. Groupware enables teams to plan meetings, collaborate, delegate all within a virtual environment which can often be accessed remotely from anywhere in the world. Technology is found in its various forms in small and large businesses, the service sector, and state institutions, manufacturing companies, educational departments, multi-national organizations and the local shop.

The Lifespan Perspective For Social Work Practice Social Work Essay

The Lifespan Perspective For Social Work Practice Social Work Essay The field of developmental psychology is the scientific study of age-related changes in behaviour, thinking, emotion, and personality. (Bee and Boyd, 2002, p3). This assignment will concentrate on the early years area of the lifespan, which ranges from pre-birth to 3 years of age. During the early years, children start to develop physically as they begin to crawl, grasp and walk. Children also start to have self-determination as they begin to make choices themselves and they start to develop their vocabulary and have simple conversations with others. Additionally, children develop socially as they form attachments with their care giver and other important faces they recognise. In social work practice, it is important to understand that theories relating to lifespan development should not be used as a solid guide when viewing behaviour, as they do not take into account all aspects of an individuals life, such as environmental and social factors, and not everybody lives a text-book lif e. (Walker and Crawford, 2010). Theories are an attempt to explain something to give us an understanding and make sense of problems. (Thompson, 2000; page 20). When working with young children, it is important to understand the various stages of development so that we, as social workers can identify achievements being made; such as when a child takes their first step, or when they say their first word. Theories regarding lifespan development are based around normal development and can help social workers determine how much progress a child is making in terms of development. (Walker and Crawford, 2010). Social workers must make sure that when working with young children they take into account their race and culture, and what impact these might have on their development. They must also take a holistic approach when trying to gain an understanding of a child, so that not only can say learn what has happened during the childs life, they can also say why it happened and see the child as an individual. (Walker and Crawford, 2010). It is important to keep in mind that even a tiny baby is a person. Holistic development sees the child in the round, as a whole person physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, morally, culturally and spirituality. (Meggitt, 2006; page 1). Following the death of Victoria Climbià ©, Lord Laming was required to update the arrangements for child safe guarding to prevent future tragedies occurring. The Children Act 2004, was a major reform and it brought along different policies to safeguard children, such as Every Child Matters: Change for Children. (DfES, 2004). Every Child Matters was also reformed in 2009, following the death of Peter Connelly. Also, framework for Birth to Three Matters (DfES, 2002), has been published to support professionals who work with young children and families and recognises the nature of human development. Within psychology, there are 5 different approaches that can be taken when looking at lifespan development. These 5 approaches are biological, humanistic, cognitive, behaviourist and psychodynamic. These psychological perspectives are backed up by various theories, but it is very important to remember that theories are not always true as they do not take into consideration environmental and social factors that could affect an individuals development. This does not mean that theories cannot be used to analyse behaviour and development within individuals, but it should be remembered that all theories do have criticisms when they are applied and used in social work practice. The first theory which is going to be looked at regarding early years development is Eriksons psychosocial stages of development. (Beckett and Taylor, 2010). The first stage of development is Trust versus Mistrust; this stage forms the foundation of trust a child has with their caregiver. The more consistent the care is that they receive the better trust that the child will have and they will become confident and will feel secure in their environment. However, if this stage is not completed successfully, then the child will not feel secure or confident, and may not have a lot of trust in their caregiver, which can result in a number of problems, such as anxiety and insecurities about others. (Erikson, 1995). The second stage of development is Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt; this stage shows a child starting to assert themselves and become independent, for example, picking what they want to watch, what toys they want to play with, or what they want to eat etc. Children need to be supported in this stage so that they know what they are doing is correct and become more confident in making their own decisions, otherwise if they are criticised too much, they might start to feel dependent upon others, and may doubt their ability to make their own choices. (Erikson, 1995). In social work practice, this theory could be used to investigate any underlying issues between a child and their parent. Erikson states that if a stage is not completed successfully, it is harder to complete following stages of development and achieve the positive outcomes. (Beckett and Taylor, 2010). This theory gives social workers an overview of how a child should be progressing and what their capabilities should be. However, this theory does not take into consideration children who have disabilities or who come from different ethnic backgrounds. A child with a certain disability may not be able to make their own choices from such a young age, no matter how simply they are, or children from different cultures will have different upbringings compared to children from other cultures. John Bowlby was a main psychologist who studied children. In particular he looked at attachment between a child and caregiver. He believed that relationships at a young age are vital because any failings in relationships in childhood would shape the development of a childs personality. He also believed that attachment is an innate act, and children want to form an attachment with their mothers and mothers want to be close to their children so that they can protect them. Prolonged separation from the mother is known as maternal deprivation, and this is a major cause of delinquent behaviour and mental health concerns. (Walker and Crawford, 2010). Social workers can use theory when in practice to see how a child responds to their mother or father. For example, if a child is in a care and has contact with his/her mother twice a week, the social worker should look to see who interacts with who first, who runs to who, what is the proximity like and body language etc. All of these actions will allow the social worker to determine whether something is wrong. If the mother runs to her child, why is the child not running to her mother? Does the child not feel attached? Has something happened which needs to be looked into? However, Bowlbys theory does not take into account fathers being the attachment figure as they may be a single parent. Also, social workers need to work in a non-discriminatory manner and remember that in some families, such as Asian families, within a household it is not just the immediate family who live there, it is also the wider family. A member of the wider family could be the main caregiver, so this needs to be taken into consideration when starting to work with a child from this type of family. (Walker and Crawford, 2010). Mary Ainsworth adapted Bowlbys attachment theory by carrying out her own experiment on children and their caregiver so that different attachment styles between a child and the caregiver could be observed. The Strange Situation recognised four different attachment types; secure, anxious-avoidant, anxious-ambivalent and disorganised attachment. (Ainsworth et all., 1978). The experiment took place in a small room with a one way mirror so that the child could easily be observed. Throughout the experiment, the child would be left with their caregiver for some time before a stranger entered and the caregiver leaves, and then the child would be left completely alone for a short period of time before the stranger and caregiver return and so forth. The attachment type that the child would have would be dependent on their reactions to the events that happened in the experiment upset, crying, anxious, scared, happy, distressed etc.). For example, a child who has an ambivalent-attachment would have shown no signs of distress when their caregiver left the room, but they would have avoided the stranger when they entered the room. When the caregiver returns after leaving the child alone with the stranger, the child would approach them, but may also push them away to show that they are upset. (Simply Psychology, 2008). In social work, this theory could be used to view the attachment between a child and their caregiver. Positive attachment could result in intervention not being needed by social workers. However, negative attachment could prove that earlier intervention is needed as there is an underlying reason as to why the child is not forming an attachment with their caregiver. This theory should be used very carefully in practice as some children are more independent than others, and it does not take into account cultural differences and disabilities. For example, children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), especially on the higher end of the autistic spectrum, find it very difficult to display feelings and show affection. This does not mean that they have not formed an attachment with their caregiver, they are more than able to, but it is how they display their attachment type which can make them appear unattached. During the mid-1980s, researchers started to observe children with ASD in the Strange Situation. Results show that 50% of the children formed a secure attachment with their caregiver. Despite this figure being low compared to children who do not have ASD, it is very impressive and proves that children with ASD can form attachments. However, when it came to the part where the caregiver returned to their child, the children acted differently compared to other children. For example, they did not initiate contact or appear to be happy. (Oppenheim et al., 2008). The knowledge of development and attachment theories is important in social work, as these theories will help a social worker carry out assessments on a family with young children. When carrying out an assessment, it has to be done under the Common Assessment Framework, which aims to identify the following; how well the parents or carers can support their childs developmental needs, and how they respond and meet their needs; and what impact does the environment and the wider family have on a childs development. (DfES, 2006). John Bowlbys attachment theory gives an overview of the different attachment types and it allows social workers to assess and judge the quality of a relationship, and this can help as the social worker will know when to intervene, and if necessary, remove a child from a family unit. (Walker and Crawford, 2010). Under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, local authorities have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the safety and welfare of children who are in need. (Legislation.Gov, 2012). When working with children in need, a social worker will need to carry out an assessment under the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need. (Department of Health, 2000). Tied within this assessment, is another assessment regarding the developmental needs of a child. It covers several areas of development; health, education, identity, family and social relations, emotional and behavioural development and self-care skills. According to Parker and Bradley, children need to reach these developmental needs to achieve a healthy adulthood. (Parker and Bradley, 2007). By using anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice in social work, it allows social workers to challenge their own beliefs and values while considering others. The Every Child Matters: Change for Children policy has 5 outcomes which are considered to be the most important to children and young people; be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, and achieve economic well-being. The policy wants children and young people to be safe from bullying and discrimination. (Crawford, 2006; page 16). With regards to lifespan development theories; anti-discriminatory practice and anti-oppressive practice are used in social work because these theories can be applied to all cultural and class backgrounds. The majority of the theories were based around white middle-classed children and parents when experiments were carried out, but by no means does this mean that they cannot be applied to different cultures. In conclusion, if knowledge of lifespan development and various theories are used correctly and appropriately in social work practice, then this could give social workers a clear indication of when a child is not developing at the usual rate, and intervention can take place at the earliest possible moment, to ensure that the safety and welfare of the child is met. The advantages and disadvantages of viewing behaviour through lifespan perspectives seem to weigh each other out in relation to social practice, however, it should be remembered that the studies are theories, and are not based on solid facts, so they should only be used in practice as guidance. Word Count: 2,175

The Importance of Globalization Essay -- Outsourcing, Offshoring, Free

In recent years, terms such as â€Å"Global community,† â€Å"globalization,† and â€Å"global awareness† have seemed to roll off the tongues of every newscaster, advertiser, and politician with such ease that the popular phrases have nearly become clichà ©. With the Internet now possessing a rather prominent role in life and with communications faster than ever, it would seem the world’s rapid progress toward international relations necessitates such terminology. However, in America, these optimistic clichà ©s possess a seed of hypocrisy, a false note that clangs discordantly to disturb the practiced cadence of the telecaster’s report. It is not that America does not â€Å"Think globally,† but rather that, to many Americans, America is the extent of their terrestrial sphere. Yet even within the confines of our own country-world, we don’t shed our comfortable, self-imposed boundaries. We don’t see the growing Hispanic and Asian populations in our midst, viewing them—if we acknowledge them at all—as invaders in our world. According to Census 2000, 35,305,818 people of Hispanic or Latino origin inhabited the United States in the year 2000, nearly 13 million more than in 1990. The census revealed the growth rate among the Hispanic population of the U.S. to be the greatest out of any of the minorities at a surprising 57.9%, and the growth of America’s Asian population to be the second fastest, growing at 48.3% in that single 10- year period (U.S. Census Bureau, Table 4). If the trend of the past decade continues, in two years, the Hispanic population will be the largest minority in the U.S, with Asians making up a larger portion of our population as well. Will we then take notice? Or will we still not offer Asian languages i n our high schools, and insi... ...e outside world, we will never be able to expand our horizons. Until we expand our horizons, we shan’t realize the promise of a true â€Å"global community.† Works Cited U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. â€Å"Population by Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin for the United States: 1990 and 2000 (PHC-T-1).† Available Online. Last updated: April 03, 2001 at 02:19:24 PM. http://blue.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/ phc-t1.html. Table 4. [Accessed 6/3/2001]. Woyach, Robert B. â€Å"World History in the Secondary School Curriculum.† ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education. Bloomington, Indiana. Available Online. Last Updated 1989-09-00 (SIC) http://navigation.helper.realnames.com/framer/1/112/ default.asp?realname=Department+of+Education&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eed%2 Egov%2F&frameid=1&providerid=112&uid=30012423. [Accessed 6/3/2001].

Societal Norms and Masturbation Essays -- Sociology, Sexuality

Societal norms greatly influence our views and attitudes concerning masturbation. In American society, Psychology Today says people tend to consider masturbation â€Å"as a sexual refuge for singles† who are looking to â€Å"compensate for a lack of sex† (Castleman) and gives others the impression that one who masturbates in inferior or incapable of having sexual relations. However, Castleman’s article references a survey conducted by the University of Chicago that disputes this theory and suggests instead that â€Å"a sexless relationship [will suppress] masturbation† (Castleman). Historically, masturbation was thought to lead to serious medical side-effects; however this is not the case. As more and more doctors medically proved that masturbation is not physically harmful, others looked to support the idea that masturbation could possibly have positive health effects. Both of these factors lead to a greater normalization of masturbation today. Media plays a considerable role in our society’s sexual education and views. Most commonly, the stigma that masturbation is an inferior or weak sexual act crosses our television and computer screens often. For example, both â€Å"That 70s Show† and â€Å"Seinfeld† suggest that those who give in or fail to be â€Å"masters of his domain† (Chaney) are substandard to the rest of society. Physical evidence that masturbation and sexual pleasure are positive behaviors seems to be more evident now than ever before. Not only is the act arousing, but serotonin and â€Å"epinephrine [course] through your body† (Daniels), increasing one’s mood significantly. Also, many researchers argue that people who masturbate have a heightened sense of what pleases them sexually, which often leads to a better intimacy with a partner (... ...t I introduce in their sessions. However, I am concerned that not all participants will be completely honest and candid because of the stigmas inherent in our society. Works Cited Castleman, Michael. "All About Sex." 30 March 2009. Psychology Today. 1 February 2012 . Chaney, Jen. "'Seinfeld,' Four: It's Real and It's Spectacular." 17 May 2005. The Washington Post. 2 February 2012. Daniels, Chris and Jes Levatter. "Masturbation key to healthy, functional sexual relationships." 19 April 2007. The Badger Herald. 31 January 2012. Dolphin, Lambert. Masturbation And The Bible. 5 March 1991. 31 January 2012 . Wells, Ken R. "Masturbation." 2006. Health Line. 2 February 2012 .

Philip Larkin Here

He can see everyday life during his journey, â€Å"traffic†, â€Å"workmen at dawn†. He also describes his runner into hull by the use Of the widening Of the river Hummer, which runs through Hull. It shows that he started his journey where the river was thin and at its source and has followed the winding path to its mouth. At the end of the first stanza, Larkin uses a mixture of impressions to describe the nature around him, â€Å"gold clouds† and â€Å"shining gull marked mud†.Larkin is using this mixture of positive words to describe a negative scene to portray a kind of beauty, Larkin tells the reader how it is, he is an observer. In the second stanza, Larkin describes the town, which shows that Larkin is near the ND of his journey. Larkin begins his portrayal of the town by using a list of descriptive words such as â€Å"scattered streets†, â€Å"barge filled waters, â€Å"spires and cranes†. These different descriptive words show the ac tivity of the port and portray a sense of confusion (scattered and crowded).Hull is a very busy port town and used in exporting lots of goods and has been like that for many years, which is why Larkin is able to use the historic nature of the town in his poem, † slave museum†, â€Å"residents of raw estates† (the word raw here suggests new, which shows how the port has probably been regenerated after the destruction caused in the war and the increase in demand for houses). Larkin is also telling the reader the time period in which he is writing in, â€Å"grim head-scarred wives†, generally worn by working class women; however the word grim puts a more depressing look on things.The time period is also portrayed in the description of the buses, â€Å"flat faced trolleys†, the new style of bus, with a flat face instead of curved. Also the list of different items t the end of stanza 2 show the boom in Britain after the Second World War with new technolog ies and the explosion of materialism. In stanza 3, the first line Larkin says â€Å"urban yet simple†, this can either be interpreted in a negative way or a positive way. It could show how Larkin looks down on them and feels as though he is better than them which is negative, however, it could be portrayed as though Larkin is admiring their lifestyle in a nicer, positive way.Larkin describes the port as â€Å"fishy-smelling pastoral Of ships† the word pastoral is a strange word to use however it is a link to the country side (pastoral farming) and is also a possible reference to how the port has hanged over the years and got bigger and more used and so that is why it is â€Å"fishy-smelling'. Thee city does not define Larkin, he is not part of a â€Å"cut- priced crowd† or want â€Å"mortgaged half-built houses†, in fact, most of what the city is representing is the opposite of what Larkin actually wants, which is why the last stanza is all about an isol ate place.In the last stanza of the poem, we start to understand how Larrikin preferable state isolation/loneliness â€Å"loneliness clarifies† which shows that Larkin is saying that you only really know who you are when you are alone. In the fourth stanza is where we find the first full stop of the poem which can be indicated as the train Larkin has been on has come to a halt. The caesuras in the first two lines of stanza four also help to emphasis the quietness and loneliness of the area where Larkin lived the rest of his life.We get other indications of loneliness and isolation in the poem â€Å"Mr. Balance', where a man used to live in a flat by himself with only the bare essentials in it. â€Å"Here silence stands† the alliteration of the â€Å"s† sound and the caesura help to emphasis the stillness and how the poem now comes more static compared to the movement of the previous three stanzas. The rhythm is changed by these caesuras which create a longer se ntence which also makes the poem feel slower and more static.Beyond the main madness of the town, Larkin is able to find more description of beauty which would normally be missed because he has no distractions in this isolate place â€Å"Hidden weeds flower, neglected. By the end of the last stanza, Larkin has moved from his new home to the beach where he stands, looking out over the water â€Å"ends the land†, â€Å"facing the sun† which indicates owe Larkin is now at peace, away from normal everyday madness, he is one with the elements and has no fear in facing the sun like he does with other commitments.This is also emphasizes with the soft alliteration sounds used to describe the area he is in â€Å"shapes and shingle†, â€Å"air ascends†. Larkin uses very clever use of language in the last stanza as he almost tries to paint a big picture on his canvas for his readers to see which is clearly indicated in the line â€Å"bluish neutral distance† , he tries to describe colors to clearly show the natural beauty. And the final line of the poem, really sums up Larrikin love of isolation and loneliness with the phase â€Å"initiative, out of reach† which are very unsociable words, however that perfectly describes Larrikin personality.The last stanza is different to the previous stanzas because Larkin talks about cosmically and elemental objects rather than the materialistic objects by describing the sea, sun, flowers instead of plate glassed doors and flat faced trellises. There is a rhyming scheme used throughout this poem which is very subtle and consist of very few perfect rhymes and more half rhymes.

Palawan Case Essay

The name â€Å"Palawan† – most probably – was given by the Chinese as far back as the 9th Century. They called it PA-LAO-YU, or â€Å"land of beautiful safe harbour†. Others believe it came from the Indian word â€Å"Palawans† meaning â€Å"Territory†. The popular believe is that â€Å"Palawan† is a corrupted form of the Spanish word â€Å"Para agua† because the main island’s shape resembles a closed umbrella.The limits of the Province are : Busuanga island in the north Agutaya group of islands northeast Cagayancillo (who has not heard about Tubattaha Reef) in the east Balabac island in the south Spratly – Kalayaan in the West I. About Palawan Islands Palawan is one of the Last Unexplored Islands in the Pacific, as well as the location of the 1997 James Bond thriller â€Å"Tomorrow Never Dies.† Jacques Cousteau remarked that Palawan was the most beautiful place he ever explored. Renowned underwater explorer Jacques Costeau has described Palawan as having one of the most Beautiful Seascapes in the world. Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs. Myriads of fish swim in these underwater gardens. Palawan probably has more protected areas than any other province in the Philippines. The Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary in the northern Calamianes islands is home to exotic and endemic species of animals that roam freely in its verdant hills and plains. On the northern coastline, the El Nido Marine Reserve is noted for its edible birds’ nests and limestone cliffs. In the middle of the Sulu Sea lies the Tubbataha reefs, a pair of coral atolls recently named as a World Heritage Site for its highly diverse collection of fishes and other marine life. Along the west coast, the St. Paul Subterranean National Park features old-growth forests, cathedral caves, white sand beaches, and one of the longest underground rivers in the world. In the South, Ursula Island is a haven for migratory and resident birds. II. People, Culture and Way of Living a. Batak The Batak, which means â€Å"mountain people† in Cuyonon is a group of indigenous Filipino people that resides in the northeast portion of Palawan. They live in the rugged interiors of northeastern Palawan. Living close to nature, they are a peaceful and shy people. These people believe in nature spirits, with whom they communicate through a babaylan or medium. b. Palaweà ±os Native-born lowland dwellers (calling themselves Palaweà ±os, much to the amusement and distress of the original tribal groups, such as the Palawan who are called Palawano by outsiders) include the Cuyunon, Agutayanon sub-groups. The Cuyunons, originally from the island town of Cuyo in northern Palawan, are considered the elite class in this group. They are religious, disciplined and have a highly developed community spirit. Their conversion to Christianity has led to the merger of the animistic beliefs of the Cuyunon with the Christian elements to produce a folk Christianity which is the prevailing belief of the Cuyunon. The Agutayanons practice a simpler island lifestyle, with fishing and farming as their main source of livelihood. c. Palawano The Palawano tribe, also known as Pala’wan (or Palawan, depending on sub-dialect) or Palawano (only by outsiders), is one of the unique and primitive indigenous peoples of Palawan. They are part of the large Manobo-based linguistic groups of southern Philippines. They traditionally hunt using soars and bamboo blowguns. d. Taaw’t-Bato The Taaw’t Bato means â€Å"people of the rock†. They are not actually a separate language or ethnic group, but rather a small community of traditional southwestern Palawanos who happen to reside in the crater of an extinct volcano during certain seasons of the year, in houses built on raised floors inside caves though others have set their homes on the open slopes. They are found in the Singnapan Basin, a valley bounded by Mount Matalingahan on the east and the coast on the west. North of them is the municipality of Quezon and to the South are the still unexplored regions of Palawan. They still primitive in their lifestyle, even in the way of dressing. The men still wear g-strings made of bark and cloth and the women wear a piece of cloth made into skirts to cover the lower body. Both of them are half-naked but sometimes women wear a blouse that is not indigenous but obtained through the market system e. Tagbanwa The Tagbanwa tribes, or â€Å"people of the world,† are found in central and northern Palawan. They practice shifting cultivation of upland rice, which is considered a divine gift, and are known for their rice wine ritual called pagdiwata. Central Tagbanwas are found in the western and eastern coastal areas of central Palawan. They are concentrated in the municipalities of Aborlan, Quezon, and Puerto Princesa. Calamian Tagbanwa, on the other hand, are found in Baras coast, Busuanga Island, Coron Island, Linipacan Calibangbangan, a Cultural Preservation area (off limits to foreigners and the largest Contiguous grouping), and in some parts of El Nido. Shifting cultivation of upland rice is part of their cultural and economic practices. Rice is considered a divine gift and are fermented to make rice wine, which they use in Pagdiwata, or rice wine ritual. The cult of the dead is the key to the religious system of the Tagbanwa. They believe in several deities found in the natural environment. Their language and alphabet, practice of kaingin and common belief in soul-relatives are part of their culture. This group are excellent in basketry and wood carving. In addition, they are also famous for their beautifully crafted body accessories. Their combs, bracelets, necklaces and anklets are usually made of wood, beads, brass and copper. III. Economy (Products) Palawan’s economy is basically agricultural. The three major crops are palay, corn and coconut. Mineral resources include nickel, copper, manganese, and chromite. Logging is also a major industry. Palawan has one of the richest fishing grounds in the country. About 45% of Manila’s supply of fish comes from here. Having natural gas reserves of approximately 30,000 trillion cubic feet, the province is the only oil-producing province in the country. In addition, tourism is also a thriving sector. Pearl diving used to be a significant economic activity for Palawan until the advent of plastics. The world’s largest pearl, the 240mm diameter Pearl of Lao Tzu, was found off Palawan in 1934. Palawan’s insular characteristics endow it with vast fishing grounds. The varieties of fish caught in commercial quantities are milkfish (bangus), eel and moray (palos, pindangga), grouper (lapu lapu, kolapu), sea bass (apahap), snapper (maya maya), surgeon fish (labahita), slipmouth (sap sap), pomfret (pampano), mackerel (tangingi), sardines (tonsoy, tamban), anchovies (dilis), yellow fin and big eyed tuna (albacore, tambacol), swordfish (malasugi), shark (pating), rays (pagi), blue crabs (alimasag), mangrove crabs (alimango), lobster (banagan), white shrimps (hipong puti), oysters (talaba), green mussels (tahong), giant clam (taklobo), squid (pusit), octopus (pugita). About 35% of the total national catch comes from Palawan. Palawan also has rich deposits of minerals. Actual mining and exploratory operations are ongoing for nickel, mercury (the biggest deposit in South East Asia), chromite, manganese, barite, feldspar, silica, guano, limestone, marble. There are new discoveries of copper, gold, iron, asbestos, talc, quartz, clay and sulphur. In the northeast of the province – offshore – there is oil and gas. Palawan has 52 rivers, 4 small lakes and countless small streams. The most unique amongst all these is the Princesa Underground River, emptying in St Paul’s Bay on the west coast. The economic and agricultural business growth of province is at 20% per annum. Coconut, sugar, rice, lumber, and livestock are produced here. IV. Notable Sites a. Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary A game reserve and wildlife sanctuary of exotic African animals and endangered endemic animals of Palawan. The reserve was established on August 31, 1976 by virtue of the Presidential Decree No.1578, this was initiated in response to the appeal of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to help save African wildlife when former President Ferdinand Marcos attended the 3rd World Conference in Kenya. By virtue of the Republic Act 7611 (SEP), administrative jurisdiction of DENR was given to the local government of Palawan, effective December 31, 1993. Management of the area is the responsibility of the Office of the Palawan Council of Sustainable Development (PCSD). It is located in Calauit Island in Busuanga. b. Coron Reefs, Coron Bay, Busuanga Seven lakes surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs attract hundreds of nature lovers to Coron Reefs in Northern Palawan, near the town of Coron. Busuanga Island, whose main town is Coron, is the jump-off point for numerous dive operators. The principal dive sites are 12 World War II Japanese shipwrecks sunk on September 24, 1944 by US Navy action. They range in depth from the surface to 40 meters. This large variety offers exciting wreck exploration for enthusiasts, from novice divers and snorkelers and recreational divers to experienced TEC divers. The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba sites in the world. Dive operators offer PADI dive courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Assistant Instructor, Technical and Enriched Air Diving, as well as other specialty courses. Dive operators offer day diving, snorkeling trips, and overnight dive safaris. Live-aboard and charter boats also offer diving in the area. c. El Nido Marine Reserve Park One of the many beaches of El Nido, a marine reserve park and municipality at the northernmost tip of Palawan Island. d. Malampaya Sound Land and Seascape Protected Area Located in the Municipality of Taytay, this important ecological and economic zone is a watershed and fishing ground, and the habitat of Bottle-nosed and Irrawaddy dolphins. e. UNESCO World Heritage Sites * Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park This park features a large limestone karst landscape with an underground river. One of the river’s distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full ‘mountain-to-sea’ ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. Tubbataha Reef Marine Park The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 332 km ², including the North and South Reefs. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100 m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands. Ursula Island This game refuge and bird sanctuary is situated near the Municipality of Brooke’s Point in southern Palawan. The islet is a migratory and wintering ground for shorebirds and seabirds. AKLAN I. About Aklan Aklan is considered to be the oldest province in the country and is believed to have been established in the 12th century by settlers from Borneo ruled by the chieftain Datu Dinagandan which traded with its neighbouring islands. Despite its vibrant tourism industry and substantial agriculture, the province is still considered as one of the poorer provinces in the country with more than 30% of the population living below the national poverty line. II. Languages The most prominent languages in the province are Akeanon (Aklanon Proper), Malaynon and Buruanganon. Akeanon is spoken by a majority of the people, while Malaynon is spoken in Malay and Buruanganon is spoken in Buruanga, Aklan . Other regional languages used include; * Ati* Hiligaynon * Kinaray-a * Capiznon III. Culture Despite the prevalence of Christianity native beliefs about the aswang and the babaylan are still prevalent among the people. Kulam or witchcraft, locally known as â€Å"amulit† is still feared by many residents. IV. Festivals The province is known for its festivities which includes the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo. Originally, the festival was to celebrate the treaty between the Ati and the Malayan tribes who settled in the Island. The Ati live in the mountain regions and the Malay people in the flatlands or close to the water. The festivity begins on the dry season, at which time the Ati come down from the mountains to trade and celebrate with the Malayan tribes. When the Spaniards settled in the region and converted the Malays to their Christian religion, they asked the Malays to celebrate this festivity to coincide with the Feast of the â€Å"Santo Nià ±o† (Holy Child) which is usually held during the third week of January. V. Fauna Several endemic species in the Philippines are located in the province. Examples include endangered animals such the Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi), the Visayan warty pig (Sus cebifrons), and the Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini). As of 2007, conservation efforts Vare being made by the Aklan State University and the DENR with varying success VI. Festivals The province is known for its festivities which includes the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo. Originally, the festival was to celebrate the treaty between the Ati and the Malayan tribes who settled in the Island. The Ati live in the mountain regions and the Malay people in the flatlands or close to the water. The festivity begins on the dry season, at which time the Ati come down from the mountains to trade and celebrate with the Malayan tribes. When the Spaniards settled in the region and converted the Malays to their Christian religion, they asked the Malays to celebrate this festivity to coincide with the Feast of the â€Å"Santo Nià ±o† (Holy Child) which is usually held during the third week of January. VII. Economy and Livelihood Aklan depends greatly on agriculture. The massive and sustained education and research in agriculture production, the implementation of national program in agriculture, well-established marketing strategies, as well as the support of the agribusiness industry and other private and non-government sectors, result to better production and higher income of the farmers. Kalibo’s main industry is agriculture where the primary product is rice and coconuts. Kalibo is the hub for the Pià ±a cloth industry of Aklan. The Pià ±a and Abaca cloths are exported to various parts of the world, most particularly North America and Europe. Kalibo is known for other native products such as handbags made of buri leaves which is a favorite for Caucasian females visiting the town. Pineapple silk is considered the queen of Philippine fabrics and is the fabric of choice of the Philippine elite. During the 1996 edition of APEC in the Philippines, world leaders donned a pineapple silk Barong Tagalog from Kalibo during the obligatory class photo. Kalibo also has a burgeoning meat-processing cottage industry and is beginning to be noticed in the processing of locally made chorizo, tocino and other meat products, particularly with Rosa Foods in the Linabuan Norte district. Remy Nadal Duck Meat is also a well-known processor in the province, located at Magdalena in Kalibo