Beat Me Skeet Me: A Critical Analysis of “Secretary” Essay

â€Å"Secretary,† the movie, is a provocative and warped love story. Viewers may go purple with rage or gray with disgust, while many may turn pink with embarrassment in order to hide the red of arousal. This movie crosses dangerous psychological territory: the threshold between desire and pain, between surrender and subjugation. Gaitskill’s â€Å"Secretary† is more about submissiveness and â€Å"sexual perversion† (Garrett 1). Critic Regina Weinreich argues that Gaitskill’s debut is startling and refreshing due to the neediness she portrays in her characters; their â€Å"vulnerablility makes them . . . victims of their own behavior† (Weinreich 1). Steven Shainberg’s film, working from a short story by Mary Gaitskill, is about two specific characters. Some will claim that Shainberg’s film makes sexual abuse palatable, maintains that women secretly crave submission to a dominant male, and makes the case that humiliation at the hands of a man can lead to psychological freedom, not to mention all the awful things it implies about the position of secretaries. Yet, â€Å"Secretary† is so consistent in its characters that it’s fair to say that only in the case of these two weirdly satisfying people are any of the instances true to life. The film shows how specific characters bridge their isolation (Shainberg 3). The additions to the film adaptation of Mary Gaitskill’s â€Å"Secretary† makes the story more fascinating and better justifies the characters’ actions. See more: how to write a good critical analysis essay Mary Gaitskill’s â€Å"Secretary† is about a frumpy wallflower who’s so â€Å"bruised emotionally† that she’s struggling to â€Å"connect with [her]self† (Weinreich 1). She gets a job as a secretary and ends up in a strange sadomasochistic relationship with her employer. It’s a great premise for a story, especially in its absurd moments, as when the lawyer begins to spank his new hire for every typo she commits. Gaitskill is an insightful writer; her stories are â€Å"lean and quick and tightly controlled,† yet the end of â€Å"Secretary† is flat, and too serious (Garrett 1). Gaitskill’s humor in â€Å"Secretary† is dry and teasingly salacious; it’s a more subtle incitement of sadomasochism. Having been spanked and sexually humiliated by her employer, the narrator feels estranged from her own body. And she likes that estrangement; it fires her sexual fantasies. When you finish reading the story, you think to yourself, â€Å"So what? Why should I care for this character?† The secretary begins and remains much the same. She is the kind of person who suffers from such low  self-esteem that she invites and accepts abuse. She â€Å"frequently wonder[s] if there’s something wrong with [herself]† (Hallgren 2). You can’t blame the lawyer for maltreating her and you find yourself wishing that he’d managed to knock some sense into her. It’s hard to feel for anyone so stubborn and resigned. The protagonist in the story wasn’t known to enjoy pain before the incident, so it’s hard to justify how she responds to her boss’s abuse. The only explanations for her reaction are that she was bewildered, curious, or simply passive and submissive (Kakutani 1). In the movie, Lee Holloway is a lost young woman with family issues. She’s just been discharged from the asylum and has gone right back to what put her there in the first place, a compulsion to cut herself. Lee finds a job as a legal secretary at the office of attorney Edward Grey. When she first enters the office on a rainy morning, she’s wearing a hooded rain coat, which makes her look innocent and introverted compared to Grey in his business suit. The description of the lawyer in the story gave no real feeling of dominance, except that he had an aggressive hand shake. The movie, on the other hand, gives the audience a very clear image of his strength and control, and all his little quirks, such as the red markers he keeps and his built up energy that he exhausts by working out. In the film, the characters’ motives and personalities are â€Å"not only dramatically palatable but emotionally plausible† (McCarthy 1). Once we get to know Grey, we learn that he’s trying to let out his inner pervert, and the effort is making him into a repressed wretch; his eyes bulge with suppressed rage and fear. Lee is the fly the spider cannot resist. Through their increasingly bizarre relationship, Lee follows her deepest longings to the heights of masochism and finally to a place of self-affirmation. The boss-secretary relationship starts to take on master-slave overtones before the big moment when, as punishment for a couple of innocent typos, Grey demands that Lee bend over his desk so he can administer a few thwacks across her ass. Lee is transformed. As Lee submits to this humiliation, she experiences an â€Å"exhilarating release and a shock of recognition† (Ansen 1). The episode allows her to stop the impulse of cutting herself. Louise Pembroke, a self-mutilator herself, argues that â€Å"S&M  is not a self-harm substitute. Pain as pleasure is not the same as pain from self-injury† as the film suggests (Pembroke 3). Joe Queenan believes that â€Å"Lee has [just] found a less destructive and more socially acceptable outlet for her . . . masochistic tendencies† (Queenan 1). As she and Grey continue their dominance/submission games, she begins to dress better, carry herself with confidence and lose the social awkwardness that was her personality. In Gaitskill’s story the spanking incident was â€Å"just another quality in the cumulative discovery of character† (Johnson 1). Debby came to little if any revelation in the story. The characterization of Lee makes â€Å"Secretary† a charming comedy. As she puts up with the conventional courtship practices of her gentle but dull boyfriend, who is not in Gaitskill’s story, she’s as ungainly and self-conscious as a stranger. Peter asks Lee â€Å"‘I didn’t hurt you did I?’ after a bout of imagination-free sex. Lee stares into space, her gaze signaling, ‘If only'† (Kemp 2). The spanking incident leads to a flowering of Lee’s sexual self that pushes aside the boyfriend, her twittery mother, her snotty sister and her drunk father. Grey’s imperious manner and his imposing office are the triggers that allow Lee to escape her cocoon and become a kinky sadomasochist butterfly. The twist here is that Grey is hounded by shame and it’s up to Lee to rescue him from his self-loathing. This helps show the film’s point that sexual liberation lies with surrender to one’s own kinks, and that even perverts deserve to find a soul mate. Lee was â€Å"so profoundly moved by someone having discovered her secret source of satisfaction† that she was able to be open about it (McCarthy 2). â€Å"Secretary† is, at its core, a little love story which dares to suggest that genuine love can come from sexual dominance. In the written story, the lawyer doesn’t show any remorse, except to send Debby a severance check. And, Debby barely comes to any epiphany over the strange occurrence with her boss. In the film, however, the secretary begins as a self-conscious cutter and transforms into a free and beautiful woman. This is what distinguishes the film as truly perverse; it envisions S&M not as a stereotypical session with whips and chains, but rather as a force capable of transforming a person.  Before the sadomasochistic relationship developed, Lee mutilated herself privately. When their relationship began to unfold, â€Å"it [was] as if [Lee admitted] somebody else into [her] private world† of masochism (Shainberg 1). The protagonist of Gaitskill’s story seems to accept the sadistic behavior of her boss as a reinforcement of her own piteousness, whereas the protagonist of the movie attains a kind of self-liberation through it. When Lee submits to the lawyer’s demand that she sit at his desk until he returns in order to prove her love, she undergoes an endurance test. She waits there with her hands flat on his desk as day turns into night and back again to day, eating and drinking nothing, urinating on her fiance’s mother’s wedding dress, and enduring confrontations with her fiance, family members, a priest and tv crews. The effect of this incredible act of submission, which is found in the film but not the story, is not to reinforce the secretary’s low self-esteem, but to demonstrate that she finds within herself a power to endure. She approaches the act not as though it were a psychodrama but as though it was a contest of self-restraint. Her ability to suffer surpasses the lawyer’s ability to enjoy the spectacle of suffering, her masochism exceeds his sadism, and with this realization they enter into a strange new territory: a loving relationship in which the usual imbalance of power between sadist and masochist is offset by the strength of her masochism. The two characters seem destined for each other. Mary Gaitskill’s short story is well written, but touches more on abuse and submissiveness than sadomasochism and love. Gaitskill shows the characters relationship as being determined â€Å"by the convergence of mutually compatible fantasies,† rather than â€Å"such abstract passions as love, hate or desire,† which are portrayed in the film (Kakutani 1). The movie is much more intriguing and effective at getting a point across. Short stories, unlike films, are limited in the amount of information that can be portrayed, and the depth of which characters can be depicted. The protagonist’s self inflicted pain, her horrible family ties, and her boyfriend are just a few of the additions to Gaitskill’s story that make the plot and characters in the movie stronger. Works Cited: Ansen, David. â€Å"Hostile Work Environment: Typing, Filing, Bondage: This ‘Secretary’ Aims to Please.† Newsweek 17 May 2003: pg.70 Garrett, George. â€Å"Fun and Games for Sadomasochists.† New York Times 21 Aug. 1988: BR3 Hallgren, Sherri. â€Å"Stories Explore the Tangled Emotions of Complex Lives.† San Francisco Chronicle 29 Dec. 1996: p3. Johnson, George. â€Å"New and Noteworthy.† New York Times 18 June 1989: BR34. Kakutani, Michiko. â€Å"Seedy Denizens of a Menacing Downtown World.† New York Times 21 May 1988: pg.17 Kemp, Phillip. â€Å"Secretary.† Sight and Sound 13 (2003): 54-5 McCarthy, Todd. â€Å"Secretary (Sundance).† Variety 385 (2002): 36-7 Pembroke, Louise. â€Å"Secretary.† Mental Health Practice 6 (2003): p 26-7 Queenan, Joe. â€Å"The Story of an Office Romance With a Twist.† The Guardian (London, England) 17 May 2003: p12. Shainberg, Steven. Interview by Terry Gross. Fresh Air. WHYY-FM. 31 Oct. 2002. Weinreich, Regina. â€Å"Small Affirmations.† The American Book Review 11.3 (July- Aug. 1989): 12, 19

Romeo And Juliet Analysis Film And Play Versions

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses many ways in which he builds tension in certain scenes. In Act 3 Scene 1, Shakespeare uses a whole variety of ways to show and build tension in the play and between the characters. The film director Baz Luhrmann also made an adaptation of the play as a film. In his film there are many different visual ways in which Luhrmann builds and creates tension. My first point is, right at the start of the scene, Mercutio keeps pushing for a fight. Benvolio on the other hand, keeps telling Mercutio to retire, but Mercutio will not.In lines one and two, Benvolio says, ‘I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire: the day is hot, the Capels are abroad, and if we meet we shall not scape a brawl†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ This suggests that Benvolio is aware of the Capulet presence, and is not comfortable with where they are, this builds tension. However Mercutio’s reply is quite sarcastic and confident and it taunts Benvolio, ‘Thou art like one of t hose fellows that, claps me his sword on the table, and says ‘God send no need of thee! † This basically says to Benvolio that, if he carries a weapon, but does not use it, why does he carry it in the first place?This suggests that Mercutio carries a weapon for its purpose. In Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet, there are many more Montagues than we get in the play. Then Tybalt and Petruchio enter, just two against around six, you just know something’s going to happen. Mercutio starts off just agitating Tybalt, but then when Romeo arrives and Tybalt says, ‘Well peace be with you sir, here comes my man. ’ Mercutio gets really angry that Tybalt wishes to see Romeo. This hectic mood is portrayed by the camera getting jerky, as if it has turned into a handheld camera, like a documentary following a war scene.Mercutio starts shouting at Tybalt which definitely builds tension because he chases him at the same time. This leads to the fight. In Baz Luhrmann’s version Romeo is getting badly beaten up by Tybalt, and Romeo does not fight back. Mercutio sees this as an act of giving in, as shown in line 66 when he says, ‘O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! ’ Mercutio then gives chase of Tybalt, he drops his gun into the sand, suggesting he does wish to kill anybody, let alone Tybalt, all he wants to do is aid Romeo. This builds tension with the viewers because they do not know what the outcome is going to be.In the film and the play, Mercutio helps Romeo by fighting for him, however Romeo does not wish for them to fight at all and the audience knows this as Romeo keeps trying to intervene. In the film, Mercutio fights Tybalt and eventually slams Tybalt to the ground onto a mirror which shatters underneath him; this builds tension as the audience believes that Mercutio has done some serious damage to Tybalt. However after this Mercutio goes to strike Tybalt again with a plank of wood, but Romeo stops hi m by getting in the way and holding him back.Whilst doing so, Mercutio gets struck by Tybalt with a shard of glass. This builds tension as Mercutio was one of the main characters of the scene, he did a lot and now he has been killed by Tybalt, the audience know something is going to happen. In the film, a lot of tension is built by pathetic fallacy, which is where the weather reflects the mood at the time. At the start of the scene, the sun is burning and is very hot and hazy, suggesting that it is unclear what is going to happen or that a person is unclear about something such as Benvolio being unclear on why Mercutio will not leave.Also, in the fight it could suggest that the outcome is unclear. When Mercutio dies, the weather changes dramatically to a very turbulent, stormy weather. This shows the chaos that is involved in the scene. The weather also turns from day to night, light to dark, which suggests that there is lots of deceit in this scene because Romeo is confused about M ercutio dying in his arms. The darkness also reflects Romeo’s mood as he gets angry and evil. He then set out to kill Tybalt. In the darkness Romeo also kills Tybalt by shooting him multiple times in the back.I have found that Shakespeare has used many ways in which he makes the play chromatic and exciting for the audience. I have discovered that the main fight itself is spurred on by Mercutio building tension between the characters and in the scene. I have also found that in Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation of the play that he used many techniques such as pathetic fallacy to create drama and tension in this scene. Overall Shakespeare has used many ways to build drama and tension, he has conveyed excellently in this scene love and hatred.

Organizational behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Organizational behavior - Essay Example On the other hand, these programs focus on the dimension of leadership and culture of the organization since these two perspectives are instrumental in the overall achievement of high performance results in an organization. Importantly, change management and leadership are the most important aspects that any program that seeks to achieve high performance should focus on in order to ensure effective results that guided the success of an organization. Based on the foregoing, this expose is an evaluation of how Hewlett-Packard handled the process of change within its organization structure. Hewlett-Packard introduced an ambitious worldwide program that intended to ‘reinvent HP’ into the technology company, it was before its slow growth. Under the leadership of Carly Fiorina as CEO, HP implemented a program dubbed â€Å"Dynamic Leadership’ that was responsible for managing change in the organization. Importantly, the role played by the CEO in leading the process of c hange management was instrumental since the company achieved its objectives and managed a 15:1 ROI after implementing the program (Carter, Ulrich, & Goldsmith, 2005). In order to carry out a successful evaluation, this investigation will rely on secondary research and individual knowledge regarding the areas of leadership, organizational change, and change management. First, there will be a discussion about the idea behind creating the vision for the change process in Hewlett-Packard. In this case, the article will evaluate the process of constructing the future envisioned by the company. Secondly, there will be an evaluation of the motivation for creating change. In line with this, the factors contributing to the creation of readiness for change and overcoming resistance to change will undergo intense scrutiny. The third step involves an investigation of influencing stakeholders and an assessment of the agents for the change process. In order to achieve effective change management, it is important to manage the transition effectively. In effect, this expose will evaluate the process of transition that Hewlett-Packard followed while implementing the change process. Finally, the expose will evaluate the structures that the company implemented in order to sustain the momentum created by the change process. Creating a Vision An organization will engage in an activity that aims at ensuring that the long-term vision of the organization remained achievable. Hence, any process of change includes creating a vision that directs the organization towards achieving its objectives. For HP, its vision aimed at changing into a program that ensured that the company’s management of change was in line with its objectives and overall aims. Describing the Core Ideology In 1999, HP started experiencing lapses in its response rate and slowing down of their progress, which was worrying for a company that was leading in the technology industry. In effect, this contributed to s lowed growth with the company’s top management devising ways that would ensure that the company controlled the slow down and was back to its continued growth while maintaining the leadership position in the technology field (Carter, Ulrich, & Goldsmith, 2005). In order to achieve this objective, the top management designed a program that focused on ensuring that the management of the company remained focused to the key goals of the organization, which effectively meant that there were no overloads on the

Chapter 9 assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chapter 9 assignment - Essay Example er Quebec Civil Law, in case of illegal contracts, the court must order restitution between parties and that illegal clause in the contract may be deleted and the remainder of the contract upheld in appropriate cases. However, a court may refuse restitution in favour of a party who has acted fraudulently, immorally or by deliberately breaching the law. Anent the protection granted to the true owner of a property subject of an illegal contract, the Civil Code of Quebec has already contained provisions regarding this matter. Under US Law on the other hand, illegal contract is a promise that is prohibited due to its very nature. Such contracts are prohibited since the performance, formation, or object of the agreement is against the law ("Illegal Contract Law, n.d). Despite the definition of the defective and illegal contracts, it does not automatically render the contract as null and void, unenforceable or ineffective, if the formation or performance or existence did not comply with what is required by the enactment unless the result is required by the enactment or to further the purpose of the enactment. Anent the protection granted to the owner of a property, the US law the concern is where the property is purported to be transferred under an illegal contract and the property is then the subject of a further transfer to a person who is not a party to the contract. The court may grant only the relief if there is question as to title of the

Family Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Family - Research Paper Example As stated above, Sami suffers from chronic bronchial asthma, which was discovered at birth.Mohammed used to suffer from asthma;however, it disappeared many years ago.Besides following their family doctor's orders in Saudi Arabia, the parents were treating their child with a well-known type of herb, called Magr in Arabic, which is believed to improve asthma.When they travelled to Australia, they had to change their doctor and stop using the traditional treatment.Sami's case intensified when they arrived in Australia, which worried his parents very much.However, their doctor told them that this was a result of the change of environment.He advised them to live in a house without trees around which were found to increase the severity of Sami's asthma.They also took great care of their child during winter, when he gets more affected.In addition, they deal carefully with fumes and odours such as perfumes.Above all, they were assured by their doctor that Sami's case will improve as he gets older. According to Wright and Leahey (2005), the proper way in which the family will be evaluated is to use the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM). The CFAM categorizes the family assessment into three main sections, namely, structural, developmental, and functional assessments, each of which are addressed separately below. IV.STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT. The sub-dimensions of internal structure, external structure, and context are explicated by the following categories (Wright & Leahey, 2005). Internal Structure: The internal structure covers the categories of the composition of the family, the gender of the people in the family, the parents' sexual orientations, the rank order, the family's sub-systems, and the personal boundaries of the family members. Family Composition. Mohammed's family is a nuclear family consisting of the father, the mother, and two offspring. They are married under Shari'a, or Islamic law. They still kep in contact with their respective families. When they were in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed's parents were living in the same house as his family. Gender. The fact that Mohammed is a man and

Piracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Piracy - Essay Example Practicing piracy may bankrupt a business and may causes human lives thus it should not be supported. Piracy may cause the business go bankrupt. In the study of Gopal and Gupta (p 1946), they stated that piracy had accounted for a yearly $40 billion revenue losses in software products alone. When this practice of piracy continues, time will come the branded software industry may loss its business. People may not patronize the original software products since counterfeited products may be offered at a lesser price. With the worldwide crisis, the presence of counterfeited products may suit the budget of the customers. In a Billboard news report, Tony Fernandez, Chairman of the local music industry in Malaysia gave a warning that the music industry might be destroyed for the next twelve months by piracy. He further noted that major departments in the country had closed as a result. He explained that business is impossible to continue and flourish if they stay to â€Å"bleed† (Pat rick, p 47) as a result of decrease in sale of their legal products. In the sector of online infringement, piracy as a result of file sharing had in turn affected the sale of CD’s to decrease.

Social Networks in Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Social Networks in Marketing - Essay Example In turn, the relationship between consumers and branding is arguably paramount in determining the centre of how value should be marketed to retain and persuade new customers (Merz, He & Vargo 2009). Therefore, the increase of consumer power arguably forces organisations to undertake a more lateral approach to marketing as opposed to merely focusing on competitors (Avlonitis & Indounas, 2007). This argument is reinforced by the proposition of Weinberg et al that organisations shouldn’t assume what the customers want, but that it is imperative for organisations to add value in addressing consumer needs to survive in the multi-channel marketplace particularly in light of the growing influence of social networking on consumer choice (2007). With regard the contemporary business environment the application of CRM is also impacted by the increase of online business and in particular social networking (Cova, 2006). The ecommerce business model has dramatically reshaped consumer consu mption and the classic bricks and mortar business mantra of â€Å"location, location, location† (Chaffey, 2006). ... Therefore it is important for businesses to understand the internet medium to apply CRM effectively in the current retail climate with reference to the power of social networking. This is particularly important in light of the strategic driver of the internet medium being information sharing and increased knowledge as highlighted by the social networking phenomenon (Cova, 2006). For example, the incoming of the second media age and multiple digital platforms has created new societal trends and business opportunities through the multimedia business model, which has challenged pre-existing methods of information dissemination (Volmer & Precourt, 2008). On one side of the spectrum this has led to increasing commercialisation of the customer, which is further reflected by changing consumer habits and multi-chain retail strategy (Volmer & Precourt, 2008). On the other side of the spectrum, the digital era has redefined how the people interact with each other, thereby marking a shift in so cietal relationships and trends, which in turn informs cultural norms and enables innovation in building consumer/business relationships where the objective of marketing strategy should be to ensure that consumers are at the core (Beckett & Nayak, 2008). This paper critically evaluates the impact of social networking on marketing strategy. It is submitted at the outset that whilst increase of consumer control has been acknowledged in academic discourse, there has been some debate as to the role of social networking and its inclusion in marketing strategy to reflect increased consume power (Saren, 2007). For example, Brown (1992) had argued that the postmodern socio-economic paradigm has led to an increased focus on marketing

3 Element's The Need for Affordable Healthcare is Now Essay

3 Element's The Need for Affordable Healthcare is Now - Essay Example The above statement is adequate for the audiences as well as the readers because it informs them of the perceived benefits. It makes them paint a picture of what they are likely to encounter with the implementation of the policy. â€Å"Businesses and corporations that offer benefits packages to their employees spend a large portion of their budget to ensure that in case of a medical emergency, their families and themselves are covered through private insurance companies." "in 2011, a report predicted that by 2014, 30% of health insurance benefits packages were going stop being offered due to the increasing awareness and accessibility to alternate care packages like ObamaCare." "In a 2001 survey, 46.2% filed bankruptcies were directly related to medical problems. Since then, the number has risen to 62 percent of filed bankruptcies in 2009, where over 90 percent of medical debtors were at least $5000 in medical debt or 10% of their family income before taxes". The writer has used evidences to support the thesis statement by giving out figures. Similarly, the figures show the statistics that the policy will have positive effects on the employees as well as employers. Generally, the content o the essay was up to the task because it fulfilled its purpose, had a clear thesis statement, which was supported by evidence. Through all these, the reader is convinced of the content as well as the reliability of the

Traditional versus Online Shopping Essay Example for Free

Traditional versus Online Shopping Essay Through the innovations of technology, human activities changed. Technology has indeed influenced the daily lives of men. Impossible things were made possible. Complicated and tiresome jobs were made easy through technological gadgets and internet. Convenience and efficiency are indeed the end purpose of these technological innovations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One aspect of life that is significantly influenced by internet is shopping or purchasing. In shopping people can now choose between traditional and online shopping. Traditional shopping is the usual way people buy their items which is in supermarket or stores, while online shopping is done through internet. Meanwhile, traditional shopping is also referred as brick-and-mortar store (Olsen, 228) Both serves a purpose of catering the needs of buyers and at the same time profit from the transaction. In addition, both kinds of shopping offers advantage and disadvantage to the buyers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are some similarities of the brick-and-mortal and online stores. As to availability, buyers can buy at any time of the day and night. Due to competition some stores open and serves 24/7, even during holidays. Shopping online can also be done at any time by simply browsing through the website.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, they differ in many ways. As to physical location, a space, store or warehouse is very important for traditional shopping, while online store do not need such space (Olsen, 235). For the buyers convenience, online shopping offers more than traditional shopping. In traditional shopping, the buyer need to go to supermarkets or stores, while in online shopping, the buyer just need to go to the URL or marketing site of the seller. Moreover, as to availability, some stores are open only within opening hours, while online shopping is available at anytime and anywhere (Olsen, 235). Besides online shopping do not require transportation to the advantage of the customer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In traditional shopping, the buyer can see, hold, try, and test the items while online shopping only offers the buyer to see and read the description of the product (Olsen, 235). The products will directly be presented to brick-and-mortar store while it is done indirectly in online shopping. In addition to online shopping, customers are able to easily browse the types of the products, compare the features and prize to others, and check its availability (Grewal, 5). Thus, searching is made easier, convenient, and effective. Moreover, time and effort of the customer is saved in online shopping.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As to product information, the buyer needs the service of a staff to answer his queries. However, in online shopping, any additional information or inquiries is available on page or by hypertext links (Olsen, 235). Payment method also differs. In traditional shopping, payment is done manually and can the products are paid in cash, check, credit card or store card (Olsen, 235). In online shopping, the transaction is done automatically and is paid through a credit card (Olsen, 235).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In delivering the product, the buyer in traditional shopping usually gets the product at the time he purchases it. In online shopping, the customer has to wait for days before he would really enjoy the product he bought. For impatient people, online shopping is not suited for them (Olsen, 235). Sometimes, in online shopping, the customer receives a copy or similar to the description he required. Furthermore, online shopping can be stressful because the customer pays additional fees such as shipping and bank charges.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a customer and seller relationship, traditional shopping is more beneficial. In online shopping, the merchants cannot be seen by the merchants (Philosophe.com, n. pag.). Customers cannot wander in stores, and they only have access to the presentations in the website (Philosophe.com, n. pag.). On the other hand, in traditional shopping, the customers can build relationship with the staff of the store and trust that the products they choose are quality guaranteed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In ascertaining the type of shopping needs, it is important to weigh the benefits to be gained. It is also essential to consider the practicality of each type of shopping. These are merely alternatives but the buyer has his freedom to purchase the way he wants. Works cited Grewal, Dhruv, Iyer, Gopalkrishnan. R., Levy, Michael. â€Å"Internet retailing: enablers, limiters and market consequences.†Ã‚   Journal of Business Research 57 (2002): 703-713. Olsen, Kai, A. The Internet, the Web, and Ebusiness: Formalizing Applications for the Real World. Scarecrow Press, 2005. â€Å"Online vs Traditional Shopping.† Philosphe.com. 5 July 2008   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     http://www.philosophe.com/commerce/traditional.html

Vanish automatically Essay Example for Free

Vanish automatically Essay The pages of human history, daubed in bloodshed, more recently that of World War I, World War II and the war in Nanking (China) ask a crying question. How to make this Planet Earth heaven-like? The answer is simple and direct. Eyes full of understanding, heart full of love and the life that refuses conflicts—these alone are enough! But then how to fight this malicious tendency among human beings and intense craving for violence and hatred? Heartfelt care and concern, an understanding approach, and tender regard for the feelings of fellow human beings are the necessary prerequisites to heal the inner wounds of one section of humanity caused by another. If human beings have to find a new identity for them, and make tangible efforts towards achieving the goal of ‘the world is one family,’ we need to learn to forgive and forget the bitterness of the past in order to build a new identity. This goal can not be achieved by any ‘isms. ’ The inner core of every human being is essentially divine, even that of the worst villain. It just needs to be revealed to him to help him align himself with his true personality Peace is possible†¦. Kurt Vonnegut perhaps feels that such an ideal state is not achievable on this Planet Earth; therefore, he introduces Planet Tralfamador in his book. Even that is not going to solve the problem relating to peace. It is futile to cross the moon and beat the stars, to get peace. Peace is within; one has to dive deep and fire the Light missiles for inner construction; then only outer destruction is preventable. Kurt argues that war conditions create total loss of humanity. As for the individual undergoing special suffering, as the prisoner of war, the collapse of his individuality and self-respect is complete. He undergoes most humiliating experiences that totally shatter him. Billy Pilgrim is one such prisoner-of-war, but he is unstuck in the wheel of time after he is abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. Vonnegut’s devastating experience as an American prisoner of war, the firebombing of Dresden, is candidly reflected and explained in the book. Kurt’s other argument is that power corrupts—absolute power corrupts absolutely and brings out the worst in man, in war-situations. Slaughterhouse-G-Five is the name of the camp where Prisoners of War are held as captives. Prisoners of War and slaughterhouse—these words make a horrible combination and one is frightened to think about the consequences that would follow. The story of the book is known for its peculiarities. With no characters and no dramatic confrontations, a strange situation manifests. Most of the characters have lost charm for life, they see no definite purpose in living, resigned to the circumstances, and live as if they are born to walk up to the grave. In the grim circumstances prevailing with no hope for improvement, humanity has turned cynical. One is unable to meet the vicissitudes hotly pursuing one after another. Everything is so hopeless and one is unable to see the ray of hope or peace from anywhere. Each one lives like the punctured tier—directionless and destination less. With no forward movement, the life turns like the rudderless boat controlled by other external, powerful forces, which subdue the personality of human beings. In a war situation or when you live life as the prisoner-of-war, many grave uncertainties bother you. You don’t know what is in store for you the next moment. Another technique employed by Kurt is that he reveals the story from the voice of the narrator Ethan Hawke, who reads it in his inimical style. The reader gets the feeling that a secret is being revealed to him slowly and steadily, without intermission. You feel as if you are flying in the outer world with the wings of imagination provided to you by Hawke’s narrative style. As his narrations and explanations crystallize and struggle to achieve the form, Kurt reaches the borders of spirituality. The ignoble human beings will always remain ignoble, without any possibility for forward movement, unless they take shelter under the immutable laws of Nature (God). Because only that power is Immutable and Omnipresent! All else is transient, Kurt argues. This is an anti-war novel. All wars are enacted in the minds by the ambitious politicians and generals first. An ordinary soldier has no role in creating tragic histories for the sake of personal aggrandizements of the leaders. Some leaders create the war, on some leaders the war is thrust, but once the war begins, their mental make up becomes identical-to win the war at any cost and for that they destroy the enemy employing the most savage methods. Kurt expresses his great anguish why the city of Dresden was bombed killing over 100,000 civilians, who had no direct role in the war. The important theme of the book is fate. It is in the fitness of things that the prayer of serenity appears twice in the book. Permanent peace will not dawn by fighting wars first and then sitting across the table in big conferences to negotiate peace. Such exercises have proved futile in the past; they give the same results even now. Kurt seems to say that wars can not be avoided—but he is wrong on this count. An individual, ipso facto, the politicians and the leaders need not cross the frontiers of their enemy country but transcend their own mind-barriers. When the mind barrier is transcended, all differences of opinions cease. With no scope for confrontation, it is peace at last! When the thought process is changed, the action process also changes. When the thoughts are changed, the mind is changed; when the mind is changed, the man is changed; when the man is changed, the society is changed; when the society is changed, the nation is changed; such changed nations are hopes for world peace, a world without wars! World War III will rest for ever in the bosom of Nature!

Quality of Service (QoS) Requirements for ROIA

Quality of Service (QoS) Requirements for ROIA Real-Time Online Interactive Applications (ROIA), demand very high Quality of Service (QoS) on the underlying network. These demands can vary on run time depending on number of users. However, Traditional networks cannot fulfill dynamic QoS requirements. SDN based networks use Northbound API to provide communication between applications and SDN. For SDN community, creating and standardizing Northbound API is still in progress. In this paper specifications of SDN Northbound API are described that allow ROIA to fulfil dynamic network requirements. ROIA using SDN based networks, Northbound API allows applications to specify their requirements on the network and communicates these requirement to SDN controller. The SDN controller then tries to accommodate requested requirements by reconfiguring the network. The North bound API is divided into two parts a) A base API; which provides generic network control functionalities along with management of QoS requirements and b) An Application lev el API; that targets ROIA developer to specify about achieved QoS demands. This provides a promising dynamic QoS demands for ROIA. The proposed specifications of Northbound API are also analyzed based on different scenarios of ROIA. Large scale or multi domain and multi operators SDN with distributed control plane and multiple controller are easy to manage as each operator wants to manage their own domain according to their own requirements. This paper presents an OpenFlow based end-to-end QoS architecture for distributed control plane architectures. Each controller calculates an optimal QoS based route within its domain and then shares its aggregated information with other domain controllers for secure and scalable inter-domain routing. To support this effect, a network topology aggregation and link summarization methods are also proposed. The main advantage of proposed methods are i) Scalable QoS support; the size of optimization problem depends on boarder nodes rather than total number of nodes and ii) security; the topology aggregation does not completely reveals its network information from one domain to the another domain. To analyze the performance of proposed techniques in terms of quality, cost and memo ry overhead are applied on streaming of layered video. The received quality of video showed that proposed distributed solution works better for large scale networks. Currently, Quality of Service (QoS) requirement over the Internet is a major concern for a business customers. However, present network infrastructure and architecture are inflexible to fulfill increased QoS requirements. SDN well-known technologies OpenFlow, OF-Config (OpenFlow Configuration and Management protocol), and OVSDB (Open vSwitch Database Management protocol) for the Future Internet, enables flexibility by separating the control plane and networking devices. A resilient differentiation framework for OpenFlow networks is implemented and tested for single AS (Autonomous System) and multiple AS scenarios. The results showed that high-priority traffic can get precedence over best-effort traffic even on failure condition. Moreover, the implemented framework is in fact resilient to failures and is able to maintain the desired QoS performance, adapting to the available links and providing the necessary configurations in real-time. In SDN-enable devices, Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) stores critical hardware rules for high-speed processing of packets. TCAM is an expensive and energy-consuming it cannot be applied to each switch individually. A multiplexing scheme for rule placement is proposed to efficiently use TCMA. Same set of rules are deployed on each node and are applied to the whole session flowing through but with different forwarding paths. Rule placement problem minimizes the space occupation for multiple unicast sessions flowing under some QoS constraints. An optimization problem is also formulated by considering routing engineering (with or without candidate path) and rule placement under both the existing (Without rule multiplexing) and proposed (with rule multiplexing) schemes. Simulations are also performed to show effective use of TCMA resources by using proposed techniques. For a large scale networks with centralized controller, per-flow admission control is a challenge for scalability of OpenFlow enabled switch. Processing each individual flow causes traffic overhead in frequent communications between switches and controller. To solve this problem, a model for QoS provisioning in SDN is proposed that works on admission control with flow aggregation. Flow aggregation combines an individual flow with same forwarding and performance requirement into an aggregate flow, which can be processed as one flow for admission control as well as forwarding decisions. Some analysis techniques are also developed for determining required amount of allocated bandwidth and buffer space at switches to guarantee delay and packet loss performance requirements. Numerical calculations are also provided in the paper that show the effectiveness of proposed techniques. SDN and OpenFlow allows the implementation of traditional networking techniques like routing, load balancing and QoS approaches. QoS of network can be determined by analyzing these factors that how a particular network treats and handles a packet. Packet-switched networks usually cause low through put, packets dropping, jitter latency and many more. In this paper a quality of service mechanism that is to use DiffServ (DSCP) module with common queuing policy is discussed. Floodlight is an Open SDN Controller used by companies such as BigSwitch for faster adoption and network virtualization in SDN. Resource management is the major problem in computer networks and is still not resolved. Unfortunately, with the innovation of technology the network architecture remained in same state for decades. SDN is an emerging paradigm that allows to control entire network behavior through logically centralized software program. This made network management possible through the separation of control plane that controls the network and the physical devices i.e. switches and routers that are used for the routing of traffic. An OpenFlow protocol enables top control layer to communicate with ground data layer. The network operators thus can control the whole network behavior through high level written control programs. Also, centralization of control logic allows to perform complex operations on network e.g. management and control of network resources. With the growing QoS demands of real time applications, SDN allows network programmers to design protocols that ensure required performance. In this thesis, the SDN and OpenFlow is used to manage differentiated network services with high QoS. Initially, an architecture for QoS management and orchestration is defined, that allows to manage the network modularity. Then, an integration between the presented architecture and the paradigm defined by SDN is provided. The designed network architecture offers a stringent and differentiated QoS requirements. The model is then executed using different parameters, depending on the communication protocol, and provided optimal results to be implemented on a network.

The Field of Radiology: What role do you see for yourself? Essay

The Field of Radiology: What role do you see for yourself? The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radi obiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine. For as long as I remember, I only had one dream in mind, which was to become a doctor when I grow up. As I grew older, my dream did not change; in fact, it only grew more significant. However, the only aspect of my dream that did change was the type of field that I wanted to pursue. At first, I honestly did not have an inkling of an idea as to what kind of a type of doctor I wished to become. Then, I started to lean towards pediatrics and/or neurology. Now, on the other hand, I decided that I want to study nuclear medicine in medical school. This enlightening revelation came about as I began to volunteer in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. My time spent there has had an amazing impact on me because I believe that this was the time that I truly realized my dream. Nuclear medicine is medical specialty that uses radioactive substances, or radiopharmaceuticals, combined with imaging techniqu... ...ine in their work. Overall, my interest in nuclear medicine is at its peak currently, which is most likely due to my science research project for Intel. My ideas for this particular project were based on my knowledge in nuclear medicine. My research topic, deep-vein thrombosis (a blood-clot in the deep-veins of the body), actually transpired from a list of impending projects that my mentor provided me with when I first started volunteering last year. I worked very hard on this project and I even gained some recognition, but all in all, my reason for participating in Intel competition has to do with my dream of becoming a physician in nuclear medicine in the near future. I hope to successfully finish high school, university, and medical school with a Master’s Degree (MD) before crossing all boundaries and working to attain my Physician’s Degree (PhD) in radiology (nuclear medicine). Ofri, D (2000). Diagnosis and Treatment of Deep-Vein Thrombosis. Western Journal of Medicine; 173: 194-197. Wells, Philip S., Anderson, David R., Rodger, Marc et al (2003). Evaluation of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Deep-Vein Thrombosis. New England Journal of Medicine; 349: 1227-1235.

Essay --

The leader of the new political party named â€Å"The Blue Party† organise an open air rally is Sydney. He contract John to provide catering facilities for $5000 and request NSW police authority to provide additional protection for $3000. On the other hand, Hanson who is a committed supporter of Paul agrees to fly an aircraft over the rally for free of charge and after the rally Paul agrees to reimburse him with the full payment. Ian, who is a prominent sympathiser of Paul’s political program, writes Paul saying that he will provide $10000. However at the end of the rally he refuses to pay Paul due to the dramatic decline of his profitability of the business. (A)Paul and John The defendant Paul entered into a contract with the plaintiff John who is a catering service provider for the rally. The plaintiff was to provide catering facilities to the rally. The price was $5000. Paul is determined that the rally should be successful and, at the last minute, he agrees to pay John ‘a bonus of $1,000 to ensure that things run smoothly. At the end the defendant Paul failed to pay the extra money. Issue: The issue is whether the plaintiff's (John) performance of its existing contractual duty to complete the catering service could amount to sufficient consideration for the promise of the additional payment. In Australia, the doctrine has developed beyond the restriction following the High Court’s decision. According to the case law of Walton Stores the following pre-conditions for promissory estoppel: i. Defendant (Paul) must make a promise of some kind. ii. Defendant (Paul) must also create of encourage an assumption on Plaintiffs (John) part that promise will be performed. iii. Plaintiff (John) must rely upon this to its detriment; and iv.... ...rt held that Thomas promises or warranties were not supported by consideration, since their contract had been concluded when the promises were made, and hence there was no consideration. Similarly, we can say that Paul’s promises to Hanson were not supported by consideration, since their contract had been concluded as soon as the rally ended. On the other side, Hanson was already bounded to Hanson to perform an existing contractual obligation of flying an aircraft on during the rally for free of charge. Therefore, Paul should not enforce to reimburse Hanson because there was no consideration given by the plaintiff for the promise to pay. (D) Paul v Ian: To succeed Paul’s political program, Ian who is a prominent sympathizer, promise to donate $10000 in writing. Due to sudden decline in business Ian was unable to donate the fund after the successful rally. Essay -- The leader of the new political party named â€Å"The Blue Party† organise an open air rally is Sydney. He contract John to provide catering facilities for $5000 and request NSW police authority to provide additional protection for $3000. On the other hand, Hanson who is a committed supporter of Paul agrees to fly an aircraft over the rally for free of charge and after the rally Paul agrees to reimburse him with the full payment. Ian, who is a prominent sympathiser of Paul’s political program, writes Paul saying that he will provide $10000. However at the end of the rally he refuses to pay Paul due to the dramatic decline of his profitability of the business. (A)Paul and John The defendant Paul entered into a contract with the plaintiff John who is a catering service provider for the rally. The plaintiff was to provide catering facilities to the rally. The price was $5000. Paul is determined that the rally should be successful and, at the last minute, he agrees to pay John ‘a bonus of $1,000 to ensure that things run smoothly. At the end the defendant Paul failed to pay the extra money. Issue: The issue is whether the plaintiff's (John) performance of its existing contractual duty to complete the catering service could amount to sufficient consideration for the promise of the additional payment. In Australia, the doctrine has developed beyond the restriction following the High Court’s decision. According to the case law of Walton Stores the following pre-conditions for promissory estoppel: i. Defendant (Paul) must make a promise of some kind. ii. Defendant (Paul) must also create of encourage an assumption on Plaintiffs (John) part that promise will be performed. iii. Plaintiff (John) must rely upon this to its detriment; and iv.... ...rt held that Thomas promises or warranties were not supported by consideration, since their contract had been concluded when the promises were made, and hence there was no consideration. Similarly, we can say that Paul’s promises to Hanson were not supported by consideration, since their contract had been concluded as soon as the rally ended. On the other side, Hanson was already bounded to Hanson to perform an existing contractual obligation of flying an aircraft on during the rally for free of charge. Therefore, Paul should not enforce to reimburse Hanson because there was no consideration given by the plaintiff for the promise to pay. (D) Paul v Ian: To succeed Paul’s political program, Ian who is a prominent sympathizer, promise to donate $10000 in writing. Due to sudden decline in business Ian was unable to donate the fund after the successful rally.

Behaviourist Thoery Essay

E.L.Thorndike(1874-1949) was the chief exponent of th theory of connectionism or trial and error. He was an American Psychologist who conducted Stimulus – Response(S-R) theory experiment with the help of animals. Thorndike was the first to study the subject of learning systematically using standardized procedure and apparatus. All learning, according to Thorndike is the formation of bonds or connections between Stimulus- Response. The Puzzle Box Experiment Thorndike’s Experiment on cat in the puzzle is widely known and often quoted in psychology of learning. The experimental set up was very simple. A hungry cat was confined in a puzzle box and outside the box a dish of food was kept. The cat, in the box had to pull a string to come out of the box. The cat in the box made several random movement of jumping, dashing and running to get out of the box. The cat atlast succeeded in pulling the string. The door of the puzzle box opened, the cat came out and ate the food. He promtly put the cat to next trial. The cat again gave a lot of frantic behaviour but it soon succeeded in pulling the string. It repeated for several time, Thorndike noticed as the repetition increases the error also reduced i.e., Thorndike’s cat showed slow, gradual and continous improvement in performance over successive trials. He concluded that learning of cat in the puzzle box can be explained in term of formation of direct connectionism between stimulus and response. Features of Trial and Error Learning 1. Learning by trial and error is gradual process. 2. For learning to occur, the learner must be definitely motivated. 3. The learner makes random and variable response. 4. Some responses do lead to the goal (annoying response) 5. Some responses lead to the goal. (satisfying responses) 6. With the increase in number of trials the annoying responses will tend to be eliminated and the satisfying responses will be strengthened and repeated. 7. The time taken to perform the task (to repeat the satisfying response) decreases with successive trials. The experiment sum up the following in the process of learning: 1. Drive : In the present experiment, drive was hunger and was intensified with the sight of food. (motivation) 2. Goal : To get the food by getting out of the box.  3. Block: The cat was confined in the box with a closed door. 4. Random Movement: The cat, persistently, tried to get out of the box. 5. Chance of Success: As a result of this striving and random movement the cat, by chance, succeeded in opening the door. 6. Selection (of proper moevement) : Gradually the cat recognised the correct manipulation of latch. 7. Fixation: At last, the cat learned the proper way of opening the door by eliminating all the incorrect responses and fixing the only right responses. Through the experiment, Thorndike explains that the learning is nothing but the stamping in of correct responses and stamping out of incorrect responses through trial and error. Thorndike’s Laws of Learning i) Law of Readiness : The law states â€Å"When any conduction unit is ready to conduct, for it do so is satisfying. When a conduction unit is not ready to conduct. for it to conduct is annoying. When any conduction is ready to conduct, for it not to do so is annoying.† ii) Law of Effect: The law states â€Å"When a modifiable connection between a stimulus and response is made and is accompanied or followed by a satisfying state of affairs the strength of connection is increased. When a connection between stimulus and response is made and accompanied or followed by an annoying state of affairs , it strength decreases. iii) Law of Execise: The law states â€Å"Any response to a situation will, other things being equal, be more strongly connected with the situation in proportion to the number of times it has been connected with that situation and to the average vigour and duration of the connection.† The law has two sub parts: a) Law of Use and b) Law of Disuse a) Law of Use states that â€Å"When a modifiable connection is made between a situation and response that connection strength is increased if it is practised.† b) Law of Disuse states that â€Å"When a modifiable connection is not made between a situation and response, during a length of time, that connection’s strength is decreased.† This means, any act that is not practised for sometime gradually decays. Educational Implication 1. Thorndike’s theory emphasize the importance of motivation in learning. So learning should be made purposeful and goal directed. 2. It stresses the importance of mental readiness, meaningful practise and incentive in learning process. 3. The law of readiness implies that the teacher should prepare the minds of the students to be ready to accept the knowledge, skills and aptitudes before teaching the topic. 4. More and more opportunities should be given to the learners to use and repeat the knowledge they get in the classroom for effectiveness and longer retention. 5. To maintain learned connection for longer period, review of learned material is necessary. 6. The law of effect has called atention to the importance of motivation and reinforcement in learning. 7. In order to benefit from the mechanism of association in the learning process what is being taught at one situation should be linked with the past experience of the learner.

Globalisation Is a Positive Force in the World. Discuss.

Globalisation is a positive force in the world. Discuss. In recent years, amongst all the claims and counterclaims, the argument over whether globalisation is a positive force or not has become rather controversial. Advocates claim globalisation facilitates economic growth, international financial integration, and cooperation between nations while critics vigorously argue that globalisation leads to a fierce exploitation of the labour class, a disparity between rich and poor, and a concentration of resources.Peng (2009) has indicated an innovative perception, the pendulum view, in order to emphasize both ups and downs of globalisation. As a pendulum, not only one direction swings, but also the other. The influence of globalisation raises the caution that dominant culture and multinational corporations (MNCs) control the most power which destroys not only local enterprises, but also local cultures and values. Despite the defects mentioned above, regarding the MNCs' international strat egy, it is often said globalisation as a foundation is conducive to the extension of profits.In this essay, the impact of globalisation on MNCs will be examined and will mainly concentrate on the following forces: market, cost, and efficiency. As the domestic market gradually matures, it is essential for a corporation in developed country to extend its market. The invisible pressure behind this phenomenon originates from keen competition with other companies, especially multinational enterprises possessing a large amount of capital. Gradually, the sum of profits decreases and the stockholders' grievances escalate. As a result, the board has to search for the solution to mitigate the clash.Facing this challenge, corporations attempt to sell products to consumers in emerging markets because these potential customers are many times greater than domestic consumers. Moreover, globalization transubstantiates not only the field of market but also the formation of industry. According to Sch olte (2005), Globalisation has transformed the constitution of predominant industries. During the late nineteenth century, older heavy industries such as chemicals and oil occupied the entire market. After that, approximately three-fifths enterprises have transferred to the region of finance, information and communications.In other words, the system of accumulating capital has been converted from merchandise to intangibles since 2000. However, globalisation creates not only advantages but disadvantages. In order to develop market overseas, MNCs utilize advertisement and mess media such as Hollywood movies to spread the value and cultures which might be considered materialistic and capitalistic. For example, McDonald has been accused of not only misleading many young people into believing fast food is beneficial but also destroying the local catering culture.Therefore, it is often said that cultural destruction is possibly triggered by enterprises, which brings about the steadily ero ded local culture and the state of collapse in cultural identity. Despite this, it is undeniable that globalisation still plays a pivotal role of expanding the market and a prerequisite for enterprises to thrive. The ultimate aim of production is ascertaining the location, closest to customers, to achieve the minimization of production costs. Thus, there is a motto for international business to consider where to establish the factory, which is â€Å"Location, location, location. Peng (2009) suggested that an ideal location requires not only location-specific advantages, associated with the uniqueness of geographical, but also agglomeration. The former provides the company with the traffic convenience such as Miami, known as the gateway of the Americas connecting North American firms to South American; the latter, clustering economic activities in certain locations to create a pool of specialized labor force, suppliers and purchasers, creates an advantage for a company to reduce cos ts thereby obtaining maximum of profits. Peng, 2009) In addition, a company attempting to decrease its production costs expands its operations overseas due to the effect of economies of scale. The more enormous the production scale, the lower a producer's average cost per unit. It is especially influential for those industries without production differentiation, producing certain manufactures such as steel and iron, tires and cars. As a result, they are forced to search for the advantages of cost leadership. In this situation, the advisable solution to the pressure of reducing costs is enhancing the scale of production to lower the fixed costs.In order to achieve it, enterprises have a tendency to pay the employee’s salary as less as possible, which contributes to exploitation. Consequently, exploitation result in unfavorable working conditions and  the unequal distribution  of wealth; increasing number of people living below the poverty line can cause social problems suc h as homelessness. In sum, it is necessary for enterprises to ensure proper working conditions while searching for cost leadership. Considering human resources deficiency, industries should be dedicated to the core business, and outsource the other less important departments or business to boost efficiency.Globalisation offers enterprises a new category of outsourcing, called offshore outsourcing. Differing from onshore outsourcing, a company utilizes offshore outsourcing for the purpose of decreasing costs and employing experts with high efficiency to economize on the inessential organisations or departments. For example, â€Å"IT is outsourced for many reasons, ranging from a bandwagon effect from the subject’s high profile to cost pressures due to competition and economic recession† (Lacity ; Willcocks, 2009, p. 212).To conquer these obstacles, offshore outsourcing is fully implemented to accumulate data, experts, and intellectual transactions in IT industry. Beside s this, in order to promote a company's efficiency, the high-speed internet as a connecting net is applied for various companies to communicate in the world, which creates low-cost business process outsourcing (BPO). BPO is introduced to those developed countries with high standardization in which a company transfers their non-core business to the countries with lower labor costs.Through twenty-four hours communication and production, two business-related companies have potential to continue working without cessation, which eventually assists both of them. Despite the advantages mentioned above, in the process of BPO, it is possible that the knowledge could be stolen. If a company’s intellectual property rights are infringed, their competitive strengths might suddenly vanish and it will lose a large number of money. To determine outsourcing or not, enterprises have to consider the importance of the task and how to avoid infringement.Therefore, it is viable for them to outsour ce those non-core businesses to enhance efficiency. To conclude, this essay briefly illustrates the effects of globalisation, as a foundation, offering a fundamental basis for market, cost and efficiency. This material foundation attracts enterprises to invest overseas, resulting in an assumption that enterprises can boost profits when they obtain complete qualifications, including multinational market, cost leadership, and high efficiency. However, as a pendulum, globalisation does have negative forces to enterprises, especially local business.As Peng (2009) commented that â€Å"some factions in emerging economies complained against the onslaught of MNEs, which allegedly not only destroy local companies, but also local cultures and values as well as the environment. †(Peng, 2009, p. 19) Based on these conflicts, the urgent issue for enterprises to face is how to reduce the unfavorable circumstances and, simultaneously, on a  global  scale, pursue the maximum value throug h managing the following four tensions: â€Å"strategy,  people,  costs, and  risk. † (Dewhurst, 2012, p. 77)

Foods/Typical Meal Essay

Talking about Belgian food, Earl Steinbicker (2006) says: Regular meals tend to be enormous and lengthy, as compensation for the small continental breakfast. A great deal of fat is often used in traditiononal Belgian cooking, so you will probably want to limit yourself to one full meal a day. some typically Belgian meat dishes are:Carbonnades flamandes(beef cooked in beer),Biftek et frites(beefsteak with French fries) and jambon dArdennes(smoked ham). the favorite seafood seems to be moules(mussels)served in very large quantity. Shrimps is often prepared as tomatoes aux crevettes (stuffed in tomatoes). Vegetable dishes: Chicoree-witloof (Belgian endive)-Asperges a’la flamande (white asparagus with egg sauce). the most common snack, sold every where is frites (French fries eaten with mayonnaise), and try gaufres (Belgian waffles). Belgium is the land of beer no one can make better brew. Like: pils, kriek. Another fowl treat is Oie aIinstar de vise'(goose boiled and then fried). Daily Schedule There is no illiteracy in Belgium. Schooling is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 14. The nation’s primary and secondary school systems are divided between private denominational (usually Roman Catholic) schools and nonsectarian government schools. The subsidized private schools educate more than one half of the pupils. Most schools work a half-day on Wednesday, though the afternoon is sometimes given over to sporting or cultural activities. These can also happen on a Saturday morning (Encyclopedia Britannica Online, 2007). Your Reaction Place you’d like to see The Castle of Veves A fascinating castle in the village of Celles . It has been built on 1410 and still lived in by the same family and is fully furnished. The castle is overlooking the picturesque village of Celles, which is considered one of the â€Å"Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia†; it is composed of five magnificent towers. Inside, there’s a remarkable half-timbered gallery from the 16th century. From far a way you may think that it’s a fairy tail castle and a charming prince will come out of it any time. (See Figure 4). Figure 4. Event you would like to attend Choco-Late, the Bruges Chocolate Festival This festival takes place from 6 April until 10 April, in the historic city centre of Bruges. 72 exhibitors presented their products of chocolate to a large number of visitors. For the chocolate lover, it will be a good opportunity to taste many kinds of it with different new ways of preparing it. Once again visitors to the festival will have the privilege of tasting, experiencing and appreciating chocolate in all its forms. Well it would be a great chance to be missed. Time of year/Place to avoid Any time of year is good time to visit Belgium, but you may avoid July and August are since many take vacation during that period and Most Catholic holidays are celebrated in Belgium so check dates before attempting to schedule. Also avoid visiting Ghent on Monday when many of its important sights are closed. References Belgium. (2007). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia . Retrieved April 23, 2007, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www. britannica. com/ebi/article-228985 The Belgian school system. (2006, Oct). Expatica. Steinbicker, E. (2006). Daytrips Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg: 40 One Day Adventures by Rail, Bus or Car. Winter park, Florida: Hastings house/Daytrips publisher. The Belgian Tourist Office (BTO) in the US. Retrieved April 23, 2007, from http://www. visitbelgium. com/.

Colors of Love Essay

They say in love nothing is impossible. Height, weight, distance and of course age is just a damn number. To love is a great feeling but to be loved is a much greater feeling. But it’s hard to be hurt, that feeling like when your heart’s gonna burst and while in pain, you’re just crying and crying and crying. The first time I saw him, I was starstrucked! â€Å"Wow, he’s so tall and kinda handsome. Does he have any talent and is he that smart enough? If he does, then he’s already!† When my classmates and I began to study with him the girls were like â€Å"Oh my gosh!† they started to like him. â€Å"If only I could, tsk† I murmured. At first, I thought that love isn’t true because reading then studying and vice versa are the things I only do, because my goals are to finish my studies in the best university, then to have a job with a high salary, and to have my own family, as simple as that. We are not very rich just rich alone. My mother is a doctor; in fact she belongs to the family of doctors, while my father is an engineer and a president in one of the biggest hotel and casino here in the Philippines. They both met in Europe while having a vacation in Switzerland. My family owned a lot of businesses and properties worldwide. But, even though, I can live without working, I still wanna pursue my dreams on my own. I have an older sister and she’s eight years older than me, but we are still very close. She is my best friend and mentor. She has no boyfriend; I mean she doesn’t have a boyfriend anymore. By the way enough with my life, let’s go back to my story. After a while I get to know him and to my surprise he doesn’t have any girlfriend. The more we have conversations the more I fall to him. Then one day, he uttered all the characteristics he wanted for a girl. â€Å"Of course I want an honest and loyal in a way that she won’t flirt with others, responsible, kind-hearted, loving and sweet ‘cause I want a girl who can take good care of me, smart, has a great sense of humour, since I don’t want a boring girl and she should know how to make me smile and laugh, knows how to cook well, pretty and with a killer smile and also a prayerful one.† He said that while smiling. â€Å"Shit! His voice is so attractive. The way he smiled made me speechless† I mumbled. Then jokingly he asked me. â€Å"How about you what do you want for a guy?† â€Å"I want a guy who loves me a lot, and only me alone, protective and concerned but not in a way that I’ll not be suffocated, I want a guy who allots his time for me, I also wants who loves me not with what I have but with who I am, an honest one that will not hurt and give me pain, brave and strong and ready to stand-up for me, of course I also think about our future, so that, I want a smart, resourceful and an industrious one. The looks and talent should be there also but being taller than me and a sport minded one is an edge.† â€Å"Whoa! You are still young but you think and plan deeper than me, on the other hand, is it really possible that we can find the one for us that has the attitudes we like?† â€Å"Yes, if God and the future will be good to us. But God won’t give us the things we wanted, but, instead, He bestows us the things we needed.† â€Å"You’re right; by the way I ha ve a class to attend to. Just study first, your too young for love.† When I got home, I was like an idiot smiling and laughing alone. Until my sister noticed me, she asked â€Å"Hey, why are you smiling like a freak there? Want to share? Is it about your lovelife?† â€Å"Ye†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"But I want to share my story to you first† â€Å"Okay† â€Å"Do you know that my ex-boyfriend’s cousin has a friend. Then his friend has a brother that I saw a while ago in one of our stores together with JJ, my ex- boyfriend. He introduced Grey to me and vice versa. Grey is the perfect for an ideal boyfriend!†. â€Å"Wow, he’s name is like mine’s it’s so manly too.† â€Å"So a guy is the cause of your smile right?† â€Å"Yeah† â€Å"Are you in love?† â€Å"No! It has only been five months since we met.† â€Å"Denying is also lying right? So are you lying to me? Ok, fine I’ll gonna sleep!† â€Å"Ok, Purps good night!† The next day we meet again and talked about the girl he likes. â€Å"You know what she’s so kind, even though, we just known each other for a short period of time. I think that I like her, but I shouldn’t be.† â€Å"Huh? But why?† â€Å"No, nevermind!† â€Å"Wait are we considered as close friends already?† â€Å"Of course. I think we are more than close, we are best friends.† â€Å"Really? Aren’t we awkward?† â€Å"Of course not! We are not doing anything bad naman ah!† â€Å"Okay, it’s my turn now, do you know that there’s a guy I like?† â€Å"Whoa! Really do you have a love life now?† Laughingly I said â€Å"Lovelife in an instant, can’t I have any crush first? By the way, aside from his looks, he also dances naturally plus he’s smart also!† â€Å"Really? If that so, he would be very lucky.† He answered in a low tone of voice. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Oops, the bell already rang. Okay, catch yah later!† Tsk. Crap that’s it na nga eh! He’ll gonna tell the reason. Badtrip! I went home so late because of the plenty requirements my teachers gave plus I have so many things to bring! Then my friends went home early and my driver can’t fetch me because he has to attend his son’s wedding tonight! This is an unlucky day. I really don’t want to ride in a cab and I’m not used to commute alone. â€Å"As I was waiting for a cab to arrive someone shouted† â€Å"Hey!† I looked back and said â€Å"Oh, it’s you! I thought you already went home† â€Å"Yeah, I was walking straight to my apartment but I saw your driver near the church. So I hurriedly go back here to check if you already have gone home. Let me have your things, I’m gonna accompany you, so that, I am ensured that you will be safe.† I was really so flattered about the things he said and didn’t have the chance to answer him back or even thank him. After an hour of standing there, he finally decided that we should take a jeepney. As we sit upon, the people are all staring and were like â€Å"Seriously?† Since I am really tired I almost fall asleep, he hugged me, so that, my head will be supported. An ensuing silence between us two was felt. And as the driver said the destination, I hurriedly thank him and got down the jeep. â€Å"Take care!† he shouted. And I replied him with a smile. As I am walking a group of men suddenly grabbed my hair and pointed me with a knife. I tried to scream but they are too strong for me. My things fell off on my hands. I am really scared, there was nothing that I could do, but to cry and cry as they were unbuttoning my blouse, I am really hopeless. But out of the blue, I heard gunshots, and as I open my eyes, all I can see darkness, and a man wearing a yellow shirt, but I didn’t have the chance to thank him or even see his face. The next thing I know is that it is already morning and I’m in a hospital, my things are also there too. The nurses already contacted the number in my I.D. They said that a man named Y.L. brought me there. I am fine and still not touched, although I got some bruises. Purps texted me that she can’t come because her boss didn’t still arrive in the office, she just advised me to call my driver quickly, so that, I can already rest. As we arrived in our house, I quickly sleep, and when I woke up my sister texted me that she can’t go home early, because she have to visit her boss in the hospital who had been beaten up and has deep stab. The next day, I ignore everyone, as if I’m the only one living in this world, and I pay no attention even to my bestfriend. â€Å"Hey are you okay? What happened why were you absent yesterday?† he asked when I was about to ride in the car. â€Å"I’m sorry I’m really tired. I’m not in the mood to talk about anything today.† I answered. As Manong Fred is preparing to start the engine, I heard my bestfriend whispered. â€Å"Is she okay? Is it my fault? I really miss her a lot.† It has been weeks since we had our last convo. He texts, calls and even send me cards to know my situation, although I really appreciate his efforts, I still avoided him, I just don’t know why I’m doing this to him, maybe I’m just blaming him to what had happened to me. Today, a month before my birthday, Purps told me something. â€Å"Sis, do you remember my boss?† â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"Well he was the one who saved you last month from those maniacs.† â€Å"Really, how’d you know?† â€Å"He accidentally saw your picture on my phone and told me the story.† â€Å"But why didn’t he show up?† â€Å"It is because he had a deep cut and needed an operation quickly, that’s why you had blood stains on your uniform right?† â€Å"Oh. But why is he strolling around our village?† â€Å"He will pick me up because we had a date that night; actually until now we are dating. By the way, do you still rememb er Grey?† â€Å"Kinda?† â€Å"Well, he’s Y.L’s brother and he’s teaching in your school, in fact he’s real name is Derrick Kryp.† Those words of Purps made me speechless. I am really surprised. â€Å"Wha†¦What did you say? Because Grey or Sir Rick is the one I love.† â€Å"Really? Whoa! Actually I asked Y.L to bring Grey together with him, for you two to meet each other, but to my surprised I’m the one who needs to know my sister’s love more.† I have nothing to do but to be amazed, ‘cause we are so connected with each other. â€Å"Red, they also have a little sister named Gelai or Green. Isn’t it amazing our names just like them are like colors?† â€Å"Yeah, it is.† In any minute they’ll be here. And I’m not yet ready to face them. Then they arrived, and as we ride the car, no one speaks, as if the four of us don’t know each other. Rick and I are seemed to be very surprised of what is going on, then an ensuing silence was heard To bring out the mood, Y.L began to speak â€Å"How are you now Red? Aren’t you traumatized?† Then Rick started to ponder â€Å"Huh? What’s going on? Are you two knew each other? What traumatized?† â€Å"Yeah, Y.L, I’m much better now than last month. By the way, thank you very much.† I answered. Then Purps replied to Rick’s question. â€Å"Y.L was the person who saved my sister from those maniacs who attempted to rape her last month.† â€Å"Really? Red, is that the reason why you had avoided me these past weeks? Are you really okay now?† Rick asked me, but I didn’t answered. When we arrived in the restaurant, Purps reserved as another table. â€Å"Red, why didn’t you tell me about that incident? You know what I’m really mad that you aren’t talking to me last month.† â€Å"I’m really sorry, I just didn’t want to talk about it and maybe I’m too scared of what had happened.† â€Å"I really miss you Red, I thought that you are about to forget me, without knowing the reason why. â€Å"I missed you too Derrick, but remember that I won’t forget you, you’ll always be in my heart.† â€Å"Red, I love you, I love you more than anything else in this world. I even love you more than my life.† Those words of him made me wordless, I feel like I has been struck by a lightning, my heart beats so fast and I feel like I am jumping in the cloud nine, I’ve never felt this feeling before. â€Å"What? Are you crazy? I’m a graduating highschool student who is deeply inlove with her teacher, and 15 year-old girl who has a relationship with her educator. What will others say to us? What will be our future?† â€Å"Really, do you also love me? I don’t care what will others will say to us, as long as we are both happy of what we are doing and we aren’t hurting others. I’ll just resign being a teacher after you had graduated and work for my brother in our company, is it okay with you?† â€Å"Yeah, as long as we will be together legally. I really love you.† He suddenly hugged me and whispered unto my ears the words I love to hear everyday â€Å"I love you and I will always do.† â€Å"We will be legalized after I graduated don’t worry, just wait for a month and you can call me your girl and not your student anymore.† â€Å"Of course, for you I’ll do everything.†

Psychology and Family Law Essay

Introduction: The Rise in Divorce Rates.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rasul began his paper on the economics of child custody with an observation and analysis of the American family. For him, the last thirty years had been witness to dramatic transformations involving the American family (Rasul, 2006, 1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This dramatic change since the 1970s consists in the composition of American families. Where thirty years ago, more than half of the American families consisted of a father, mother, and child or children, today such composition only forms one in five families (Rasul, 2006, 1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Such significant change is attributed to one factor alone, which is divorce. Rasul observes that the instances of divorce have risen dramatically over the years, such that it affects more than one million children every year (Rasul, 2006, 1). In the United Kingdom, another industrialized region, forty-one percent of marriages end up in divorce within fourteen years (Lamb, Sternberg, & Thompson, 1997, 394).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While divorce rates also increased in industrialized countries other than the United States, and the divorce rates in the United States already reached a plateau, the fact remains that the United States Bureau of Census estimated in 1992 that more than forty percent of first marriages in the country is bound to end in divorce. Moreover, the relative decline in divorce rates is accompanied by an equivalent effect, which is the number of people cohabiting without marriage and nonmarital child bearing. These other arrangements cause the decline in divorce, but end in the same situation of a broken family. (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 22).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The increase in divorce rates can also be attributed to the certain developments since the 1970s, which include the growing tolerance of society for divorce. Moreover, society is no longer strictly insistent on the maintenance of stereotypical family arrangements (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 104). Changes in Family Law.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As a consequence of these dramatic changes, changes in the field of family law also occur. These changes can be found both in substantive and procedural law (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 104-105).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Substantive law has changed due to observations of the effects of restrictive and punitive laws on divorce. Thus, many jurisdictions already steered away from the rule that one of the spouses must have committed some transgression before they can be granted divorce. Now, the prevalent rule in most jurisdictions is in accordance with the â€Å"no-fault† doctrine. This doctrine allows married couples to file for divorce on the simple ground of â€Å"irreconcilable differences (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 104).†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another change in substantive law and policy can be found in the gender-neutral stance taken by courts in cases of divorce. The past decades illustrated a bias, manifested in the assumption that mothers have more inherent capability to take care of their children. Today, such an assumption is no longer strongly held. Rather, courts are now showing neutrality in gender and the determination of a family law case now hinges on the consideration of the â€Å"best interests of the child (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 104-105).†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another change in substantial law and policy is manifested in the observation that there is a growing predilection over self-determined divorce and child custody arrangements. This trend of change is largely attributable to the belief that divorce is a private matter that must be left amongst them to be resolved. This belief is a break away from the previous prevailing thought about the state’s interest in protecting the sanctity of marriage through the regulation of its dissolution (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 104).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   These changes in substantive law on divorce and family law necessarily caused changes in the procedural aspect of the law. Thus, the increased ease by which couples could seek divorce and the option of individualizing post divorce arrangements heavily increased the dockets of courts with divorce cases. This led the courts to encourage divorcing couples to find other alternative means of resolving their issues (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 105).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are also other factors that make alternative means of resolving family disputes and divorce issues more appealing. The lack of necessity for proving fault in a divorce action removed the need to adjudicate family issues. Moreover, the removal of the presumption in favor of the mother’s capability to care for the child involved courts into making a determination about vague issues, such as love and care, which could be difficult to measure in a court setting. These factors all contributed to the growing popularity of other modes of dispute resolution, such as mediation (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 105). Divorce Mediation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One such alternative mode of dispute resolution recently applied in family law is mediation. Thus, divorce mediation, under which process a neutral third party intervenes to help the couple settle their differences through negotiation, receives the most attention lately (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 105) especially among parents who wish to get divorced (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 22).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When applied to help couples arrive at self-determined arrangements on matters of divorce and child custody, mediation is believed to cause four benefits, namely, â€Å"(a) more satisfaction with the terms of agreements, (b) greater compliance with agreements, (c) less postdivorce conflict between ex-spouses, and (d) better postdivorce emotional adjustment (D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 105).†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Indeed, mediation posed itself as a solution to the ever-increasing rates of divorce in the Untied States, as well as an alternative to ineffective and traditional methods of dispute settlement, such as litigation (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 22). Mediation is becoming the alternative method of dispute resolution of choice since it provides professional help to divorces, which have a high probability of getting acrimonious. Thus, there are only few couples that could manage to suffer a divorce in amicable terms. In a survey of two California counties, it was found that 24 percent of divorces therein required professional intervention, while 25 percent involved intense conflict (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 23).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mediation is also popular among couples seeking divorce because unlike court action or litigation, it has the ability to facilitate administration of justice and reduce cost, specifically in terms of money and time. Moreover, adversary settlement procedures are now believed to cause problems involving post separation family relationships, arising from parental conflict and divorce. (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 23). Comparison of Divorce Mediation and Adversary Settlement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is not uncommon for mediation to get compared from other forms of dispute settlement, such as adversary settlement. In a study conducted by Emery, Sbarra and Grover, a comparison was made between mediation and adversary settlement through random assignment (2005, 25). They randomly approached families that were interested in contested custody hearing and offered them a mediation program as an eleventh hour settlement attempt (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 25).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This study yielded positive results with respect to the time of settlement of issues. Thus, the authors found that cases assigned to mediation were settled in half the time that settlement using adversary settlement occurred. On the other hand, there are other studies that conclude that mediation is better over adversary settlement in terms of cost, because the former is less expensive than the latter. In addition, it was observed that there is a â€Å"trend for greater compliance with child support orders among nonresidential parents who mediated† (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 27).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They also observed that there are more families coming from mediation that go back in order to update or change their existing arrangements. The authors view this in a positive light, saying that parenting plans should be viewed as living agreements that must be changed in accordance with corresponding changes in the stakeholders’ lives. Such changes are best made by going back to the mediation process (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 27).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, Emery, Sbarra and Grover noticed in the follow-up sessions to their study that most of their subjects who belonged to the mediation group were more open to the idea or suggestion of changing their original agreements. They are also the ones who actually adjusted their arrangements more often than those subjects who belonged to the adversary system (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 28).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The authors noted that the willingness of the subjects to modify their original arrangements, coupled with the actual facts of modification, is a positive finding. Aside from the fact that the changes had been far from chaotic, they prove that parents who underwent mediation had become more flexible in accommodating changes that are important in the lives of their children and their own (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 28).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The authors also looked into another factor to compare mediation with the adversary process. This factor is party satisfaction. They noted that each kind of method of dispute settlement has certain strengths. For example, the adversary system’s known strength is that it ensures that the rights of both parties are protected. On the other hand, mediation is known for being more understanding of the feelings of the parties involved (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 28).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, this main difference, which had looked so glaring before study, disappeared in view of the results that showed that mediation consistently got high rates of party satisfaction over the adversary system, even if the assessment was based on the criterion that is known for being the strength of such system. More importantly, the authors observed that such high rate of party satisfaction remains relatively unchanged among different time durations. Thus, a party may be satisfied with mediation six weeks after mediation, but surprisingly, parties remain satisfied even after a period of more than a year (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 28). Important Elements of Mediation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mediation remains on the top of the list of effective methods of dispute settlement, especially in divorce rates, because it boasts of certain elements that ensure the process’ success. One such element is its capability of enlisting the cooperation of parents in order to take the long view, and consider the best interests of their children in the future (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 32).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Considering that divorce cases often involve high conflict, open hostility, and tension, it is difficult to call upon parents to cooperate with each other. However, mediation allows parents to take a look at the future of their relationship, maybe not as a couple, but as permanent parents (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 32).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mediation is also effective in educating divorcing parents and couples about emotions. These emotions involve not only those felt by the couple involved, but more importantly, those of their child or children. There are several techniques by which the goal of emotional education can be achieved, but one effective way is through the mediator’s reflection of a child’s possible emotional reactions to the crisis situation using his self as a medium. For example, the mediator could say how uncomfortable and scary an experience becomes when the couple starts fighting each other. Thus, mediation allows parents to realize that their bickering actually affects the emotions of people around them, and thereby stop thinking about themselves. It is apparent therefore that mediation does not necessarily provide therapy for the emotional problems of the parties, but it allows them to understand the feelings and emotions involved in order to help them control such emotions in the best possible way and, in the process, achieve a good plan for the family (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 33).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Finally, mediation is an effective process because it helps parties avoid treating each other as adversaries. A business-like approach such as the one commonly used in mediation allows the parties to approach issues in a distant and less emotional state. Moreover, not treating each other as adversaries avoids the road to strained relationships that only cause the wounds of the divorce to get worse (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 34). Effects of Divorce on Children   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The trend in favor of divorce and single parenthood in industrialized countries has raised concerns about the effects of such family arrangements to children involved. Unfortunately for children, divorce often leads to negative immediate effects, such as serious emotional and psychological disturbance. Considering that psychological symptoms such as emotional disturbance, loneliness, depression, anger, helplessness, and many others are common among the parents or couples involved, it should be expected that such negative effects would be experienced more severely by the children trapped inside the crisis (Lamb, Sternberg, & Thompson, 1997, 394).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is worth noting that the difficulty of children in dealing with their parents’ divorce is aggravated by the fact that the parents involved in the crisis are often too preoccupied with their personal emotions such that they fail to give much-needed support to their children. Worse, these parents often fall in the temptation to make too much demand that worsen the situation for their children (Lamb, Sternberg, & Thompson, 1997, 395).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another problem common to children in divorce situations is the economic problem brought about by the need to maintain two separate residences, and the common situation of mothers who are more economically-challenged than the fathers. However, such situation is avoided or minimized in cases where the parents resolve their conflicts and work out a way of providing for the educational, emotional, and economic needs of their children (Lamb, Sternberg, & Thompson, 1997, 395-396). Conclusion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Divorce and single parenting is increasingly becoming common in industrialized regions such as the United States and the United Kingdom. This trend is caused by several factors and, in turn, causes several issues, practices, and concerns in many different levels, such as the family, children, substantive and procedural law, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (Rasul, 2006, 1; D’Errico & Elwork, 1991, 104).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Divorce causes deleterious effects on the parties. However, the negative impact of divorce is more squarely felt by the affected children who, in their tender age, are forced into adjusting and coping with the emotional stress and burden necessitated by divorce proceedings (Lamb, Sternberg, & Thompson, 1997, 394).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Such hardships could be minimized by different factors, such as cooperation between parents in providing emotional, economic and educational support to their children. Parents also have the option of minimizing or totally avoiding antagonism and hostility in the divorce proceedings by choosing to undergo mediation rather than court litigation. Indeed, mediation provides many advantages and avoids the stress involved in court action (Emery, Sbarra & Grover, 2005, 22). References D’Errico, M. G. & Elwork, A. (1991). Are Self-Determined Divorce and Child Custody   Ã‚   Agreements Really Better? Family and Conciliation Courts Review 29(2), 104-  Ã‚   113.  Emery, R. E., Sbarra, D. & Grover, T. (2005). Divorce Mediation: Research and Reflections. Family Court Review 43(1), 22-37.  Lamb, M. E., Sternberg, K. J., & Thompson, R. A. (1997). The Effects of Divorce and    Custody Arrangements on Children’s Behavior, Development, and Adjustment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Family and Conciliation Courts Review 35(4), 393-404.  Rasul, I. (2006). The Economics of Child Custody. Economica 73, 1-25.