Essay on Australian Culture Essay Example for Free

Essay on Australian Culture Essay The composers of In Sydney’s Suburbs, An Endless Summer and Love Letter: McIver’s Baths have helped me to further understand Australian culture by using a variety of language devices and techniques to uncover the Australian culture. Chris West, the author of In Sydney’s Suburbs, An Endless Summer reveals that Australians respect the harsh landscape and presents beach culture as a prominent aspect n the lives of Australia. Helen Pitt, the author of Love Letter: McIver’s Baths, uncovers Aboriginal beliefs in Australian principles and shows that multiculturalism is freely accepted in Australian society. West conveys the Australian landscape to be harsh and rugged, yet respected and valued by Australians. West personifies the land and describes how it â€Å"points like a crooked finger†. The use of the verb â€Å"points† gives the land an intimidating quality. West continues to describe the land as â€Å"a patch of God’s country. † The juxtaposition of the two phrases suggests that the Australian is feared but respected and cared for by Australians. This comparison has broadened my understanding of the Australian culture. This idea is similar to Pitt’s description of the beach â€Å"which is as curvy as the female form. † The simile creates a unique attractiveness, which is intriguing but is appreciated in Australian culture. Both West and Pitt expose an underlying appreciation of natural beauty in Australia, confirming my understanding of Australian culture. Pitt has employed the use of figurative devices that helped extend my understanding of Australian culture. â€Å"You nursed me†¦your swell embraced me in a way she no longer could. † The use of apostrophe gives the baths motherly qualities. The verbs â€Å"nursed† and â€Å"embraced† mimic the actions of a mother caring for her child. The quote also alludes to the old Aboriginal beliefs that the land is mother. This reveals that Aboriginal culture and beliefs are still present in today’s society and highly respected in Australian culture. In West’s article, there are also allusions to Aboriginal culture. He describes children playing on the beach â€Å"under the watchful eyes of black-clad elders†. Both composers display an aspect of Aboriginal culture and its importance in Australian society, thus deepening my understanding of Australian culture. In West’s article, beach culture is displayed as a prominent aspect in the lives of Australians. He describes businessmen and how they â€Å"peel off their swimsuits in the beachfront parking lots, towel down and don sober business attire then drive straight to work. † The use of the verb â€Å"peel† suggests that the beach and beach culture is part of them, that it’s in their skin and soul. Pitt reinforces the idea that being at one with sea and its surrounding environment is what is truly valued in Australian society. â€Å"I took refuge in your barnacled depths, reacquainting myself†¦with what it meant to be Australian. † Both composers explore the notion that having connection with the beach is genuinely valued in Australian culture, thus challenging my understanding of Australian culture. In Pitt’s article, multiculturalism is celebrated by showing the freedoms that we as Australians, no matter what cultural heritage we have, are able to enjoy. â€Å"Muslim women frolicking in burkinis†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The use of the verb â€Å"frolicking† suggests that the women feel comfortable enjoying the Australian environment without fear of prejudice from other cultures. The revelation of the carefree attitude towards cultural diversity in Australian culture has expanded my understanding of Australian culture. West also presents the acceptance of a diverse range of culture in his article. â€Å"Families of newly arrived Mediterranean immigrants fetch extravagant picnics†¦from the trunks of Japanese-built sedans† Both composers clarify that people of other cultures and religions are accepted and welcomed in Australian society. The confirmation has contributed to my understanding of Australian culture. By manipulating a range of language devices, both composers have challenged and reinforced my understanding of Australian culture, beliefs and values. West and Pitt both confirm that the harsh yet spectacular landscape of Australia is respected and cherished in Australian culture. They both uncover Aboriginal beliefs that are still present in today’s society. Multiculturalism and beach culture are both thoroughly exposed by West and Pitt. In Sydney’s Suburbs, An Endless Summer and Love Letter: McIver’s Baths have definitely helped me to further understand Australian culture.

Causing Child Support Problems Essay -- Social Work

When the economy is bad, providing for a family can be extremely difficult for a single-parent household. It becomes more difficult when a non-custodial parent stops making court-ordered child support payments that the family depends on. One would think that a government funded program that claims to provide the same variety of services to both welfare and non-welfare recipients would be beneficial in retaining the support from the non-residential parent. However, this is not true in all child support cases. Single-family households, who do not receive their child support, are living in poverty because child support specialists are overwhelmed with welfare cases that they make a priority. In the case of the child support specialist, it is all about the return of investment for the government. Because of the increased percentage of welfare cases, it is the understaffed child support specialist’s position to focus primarily on collecting money for the federal government, which i n many cases leaves non-welfare recipients without help. Single-family households are suffering in a world of poverty because of overwhelmed child support specialists who focus primarily on their welfare cases due to the growing child support policies, high volume of divorce rates, poor economic conditions and teen pregnancies. With the policies changing frequently, it can be difficult for child support specialists to stay informed of the laws and the procedures that are required by them to perform their job duties. Also with so many responsibilities, it is difficult for specialists to complete their duties in the limited time given per case. With so many changes in the federal and state policies, I wonder if the child support specialists are staying informe... ...rt Effective Programs to Reduce the Number of Child Support Enforcement Cases.† Policies Studies Journal 35.3 (2007): 546-547. Social Sciences Full Text. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. Cornanor, William. Law and Econimics of Child Support Payments . N.p.: Elgar Publishing, 2004. ABC-CLIO eBook Collection. Web. 9 Dec. 2011. â€Å"Divorce Rate.† Divorce Rate. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. Laakso, Janice H. â€Å"Child Support Policy: Some Critical Issues and the Implications for Social Work.† Social Work 45.4 (2000): 367-370. ProQuest Research Library Prep. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. Lamb, Michael. Role of the Father in Child Development. 4th ed. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004. ABC-CLIO eBook Collection. Web. 2 Dec. 2011. United States. Child Support Enforcement. Handbook on Child Support Enforcement. Washing D.C: n.p., 2008. U.S. Department of Human and Health Services. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.

The Chinese State Environmental Protection Agency

Case Study Report Introduction This case study report will explore the company Phase Separation Solutions (PS2) and identify the key problems and alternatives. An analysis and application of models will then be conducted. Specifically, the five models chosen consist of a PESTEL analysis, Porters Five Forces, a SWOT analysis, the VRIN model and the organisational configuration model. An evaluation of alternatives involving advantages and disadvantages for the alternatives are then investigated. Finally, a conclusion and recommendations are presented for PS2.Identification of Key Problems and Alternatives Within the case study there are a set of key problems and alternatives presented. The first problem deals with whether PS2 should enter the Chinese market. To investigate this further, economic problems, regulatory problems, and the problem of potential limited markets in Canada and North America may compel PS2 to internationalise. Declining economic markets and volatile industry prop ensity in Canada and North America display limited sustainable future revenues and weakening PCB-contaminated soil allocation.Regulatory issues prohibit PS2 from transporting soils from the US to Canada in addition to PCBs only providing PS2 with short term momentum as PCB treatment is a declining market in Canada. Currently, in the Canadian market there is a potential limit in regards to the amount of PCB-contaminated soil and unfavourable cost advantages which may require PS2 to look abroad in order to increase their business activities. These factors raise issues of constraints in PS2s existing markets (Canada and North America) which will cause assessment whether PS2 should internationalise into China.The second problem deals with which of the two opportunities should PS2 pursue. PS2 needs to weigh up the two options. Option one is a joint venture (JV) with Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences (NIES) in the remediation POP-contaminated soil while option two is a JV with Z houshan Nahai Solid Waste Central Disposal (Nahai) in oil recovery from oil sludge. Either none, option one, option two, or both need to assessed and then selected. Would it be feasible to pursue both? Assessments of internal capabilities would need to be undertaken, focusing on financials and costs to determine the possibility of pursuing both options.In order to undertake both options, PS2 has to assess the cost and benefits. The third problem deals with whether PS2 possess the required resources and capabilities to pursue an equity-based entry. An internal assessment of resources and capabilities will need to be undertaken to determine current capacity and any future resources and capabilities needed to expand. Additionally, determining the affect cooperative opportunities with NIES and Nahai in China would do to impact the metrics of PS2 and the flow-on impact on corporate resources and the organisational structure.The fourth problem deals with what ownership levels PS2 should a ssume for each option. Investigating both options and determining the percentage of ownership levels for both options (i. e. equal joint control, majority control or minority control) needs to be undertaken. Therefore contract negotiations with potential JV partners must suit PS2. Based on ownership levels, the fifth problem would be how PS2 would staff its Chinese operation(s) if they decide to pursue the opportunities in China.Organisational structures, systems, and staffing need to be considered when determining the JV and the collaboration of staff. The sixth problem could be that the Chinese market is still in an emerging stage which brings about issues of lagged development of industry in terms of research capabilities and techniques of treatment facilities even though the potential size of this market appears a decent size for small firms such as PS2. The seventh problem deals with competitors (i. e. BEV) who have been seeking opportunities for geographical diversification wh ich could saturate the market and put pressure on PS2.Competitor analysis and determination of future potential industry outcomes are needed to determine a long-term plan for PS2 to internationalise into China. Lastly, the modes of international involvement have previously been on a non-equity basis, in the form of equipment exporting, licensing and service contracts. The eighth problem is that PS2 has no experience in international expansion of an equity-based manner which could present unforeseen issues PS2 has not previously faced. Therefore determination of company capabilities to set-up operation systems to effectively implement an equity-based entry will require copious assessments.Analysis and Application of Models 1)PESTEL Model (macro analysis) PS2 is no stranger to international markets and is presented with the opportunity to enter the unfamiliar yet seemingly attractive Chinese market. An analysis of the Chinese market is necessary to determine the expansion viability. P ESTLE is a model which can provide comprehensive information about the macro-environment of the Chinese market and can help answer the problems of whether or not PS2 should enter the Chinese market and which option(s) to choose.Political Factors: The Chinese government has realised and reached a consensus on the importance of prioritising environmental protection beyond a â€Å"basic policy† of country agenda from 2009. The Chinese State Environmental Protection Agency spent $162. 5 billion on environmental protection in 2009 and the Chinese government strongly committed to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which meant the government needed to pay more attention and spend more money on environmental protection (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 9).Furthermore, in 2010, the Chinese government claimed that $3 billion would be invested to oil investigation and oil remediation from 2011 to 2016 (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 10). Economic Factors: In the past 30 years, economic development of China was rapid where the real GDP per capita rose from $220 in 1980 to $2,883 in 2010 and the annual growth rate was around 9% per annum (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 8). The huge economic development will provide many opportunities for companies to enter. The Chinese economic environmental is still at the early stage however it has great potential to grow.Social Factors: Environmental pollution has become a serious social issue facing the Chinese government due to its negative consequences on society’s health. Around 410,000 people die every year in China because of environmental pollution (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 9). Meanwhile, the number of protests related to environmental pollution increased with an annual rate of 29% in recent years (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 9). Technological Factors: China’s technological capabilities are not as developed as other nations and causing lags in potential growth.TDU technology is widely used in China’s POP market. Compared with TDU, PS2’s TPS technology has higher mobility. In China, the oil sludge industry is in its infancy so advanced technologies are needed to propel development. Environmental Factors: China is critically affected by environmental pollution with smog causing negative effects on worker attendance and productivity. Environmental pollution has placed a burden on the country’s medical system causing pressure on the government to solve the problem.Dumping of untreated oil sludge into pits or the fact that they were incinerated is also bad for the environment. Legal Factors: The government is on its way to addressing environmental pollution. On one hand, it takes measures to reduce pollution. On the other hand, regulations have been created in order to treat pollution properly such as the regulation to forbid the traditional way to deal with the oil sludge, which can be positive for PS2 to compete in the market. Overall, the PESTEL model analyses the ma cro-environment of China. Generally the environmental industry of China is attractive.On one hand, China has seen huge economic growth so that the country has the ability to spend money on environmental protection. On the other hand, the economic development was made at the cost of the environment and people in China have been negatively affected by the environmental pollution, which means it is necessary to take measures to protect the environment. Moreover, the technology of the environmental industry in China is not developed. To sum up, the macro-environment of China is positive for companies to enter with advanced echnologies. Both the POP industry and oil sludge industry are at the early stage with great potential, so the external factors are positive for PS2 to pursue both options and enter into the Chinese market. 2)Porters Five Forces Model (micro analysis) The treatment of POP and Industrial Sludge micro-industry analysis within China addresses the aspects which directly i nfluence PS2 and its competitive behaviour and responses. Porter’s Five Forces interact and determine an industry’s attractiveness and profit potential.One problem PS2 can review to gain a clear picture of whether they should enter the Chinese market in order to determine its viability and what forces offer potential attractiveness or barriers. Another problem PS2 can review is the competitive nature of the Chinese industry with potential opportunities or obstructions as well as varying competitor market saturation levels. Industry analysis will enable an overall assessment of the desirability to enter, difficulty to enter, and potential of the industry.Threat of New Entrants: Low threat of new entrants as there are high barriers to entry which would be difficult to overcome however regulatory changes are transforming industry operations. Both options would mean PS2 would have high start-up costs in conjunction with the JV as they would have high capital requirements f or allocation of site locations and treatment facilities as well as high fixed costs with the latest technology and transportation. The industry capabilities are specialised and require knowledge built through years of immersion in the industry.Legal barriers make entry more difficult to comply with environmental and legal policies which can restrict operations. Threat of Substitutes: Low threat of substitutes as there are no direct substitutes to the raw materials used in operations, such as POP contaminated soil and oil sludge. As both soil and oil are natural resources, the likelihood of substitutes are low however government pressures for preservation of environmental reserves means there are various substitute processes towards conversation of soil and oil which would be dependent on technology and cost advantages.The ability to switch between substitute processes is moderate however contracts with companies would limit the ability to switch as site locations grant permission t o treatment of the resource. Bargaining Power of Buyers: Low bargaining power of buyers as they have limited capacity to acquire or produce natural resources, such as clean soil and oil on their own. There are a multitude of buyers who would purchase large volumes of either soil or oil however they would lack the ability to influence the products as the technological processes are highly specialised and restricted to government policies.Buyers do however have the ability to switch between similar operational organisations if switching costs and contract negotiations enable such business transactions. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Moderate-to-high bargaining power of suppliers as they are reliant on natural reserves that determine the allocation of such resources (soil and oil) to organisations. Governments and private organisations would need to give permission for site allocation as well as importation of resources to potential buyers which can be a rigorous and costly task.The sp eciality of the resource and finite nature makes the bargaining power strong within the Chinese market. There are also other suppliers, such as the companies that supply PS2 with materials for their technology and devices. These suppliers have a high bargaining power as it is assumed that only specialised companies can provide PS2 with the materials and equipment that they need. The Threat of Competitive Rivalry: Low-moderate threat of competitive rivalry as there are a few competitors in the market with various location sites, technological processes and operational capacity.The industry growth is immensely high with regulations and environmental outlooks encouraging preservation of natural resources (soil and oil) encouraging organisations to compete. There would be limited differentiation between resources however production and technological processes would ensure some differentiation enabling PS2 to apply such processes to deliver a competitive advantage in the Chinese market. Overall the POP and Industrial Sludge industry is moderately attractive as a majority of forces pose limited threats. The process systems between buyers nd suppliers are complex however power distribution is fairly un-proportionate. The high barriers could be concerning however once entered into the market, the threat of substitutes and competitive rivalry is limited. Addressing the problems, PS2 has the ability to enter the market as it is attractive and can compete and differentiate with other competitors with the assistance of a JV. PS2 has TPS technology which has the ability to provide the Chinese industry with a highly unique and differentiated competitive alternative especially as the market has the capability for such treatment processes. ) SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis takes an overall approach to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats presented to PS2 in the case. Specifically, the SWOT analysis can review the problem of whether or not PS2 should enter the Chinese market, which of the two options they should select, the feasibility of pursuing both options, ownership levels, the problem of competitors wanting to enter the international arena, and the fact that the market was still at an emerging stage. Strengths: PS2 is no stranger to internationalisation into other markets with technology deployed in 14 countries in the past 15 years. -PS2 possesses internationally proven technology (TPS), the only one to be able to extract 90% of oil from industrial sludge (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 3). It is recognised as being world class for performance, reliability, mobility and its lack of harmful air emissions. -TPS technology can easily be deployed at fixed locations and has several advantages (stated in above point). -PS2 is well suited to the Nahai JV as they have global experience.Both owners have similar personalities and stories. A solid trust had already been developed and Nahai had solid assets with a wide range of permits already obtai ned. -The Government agency (NIES) has a degree of safety to it which reduces the risk of the project. They had extensive expertise and experience and had identified and inventoried 300+ sites in three provinces. This option also acted as a free advertising campaign for PS2. -Being an early entrant into the emerging market of remediation of POP-contaminated soil,PS2 would most likely enjoy first mover advantages. Weaknesses: -The oil recovery from oil sludge market was fragmented and the industry was still in its infancy. -The cost of both JV’s are expensive ($3 million each option). -For option one (POP-contaminated soils), the JV would need to design, engineer, manufacture and market TPS units in China for use in various regions of China. -There is no guarantee that option one will work as the JV would need to design, plan, launch and bid for, operate and participate in projects in China. Some competitors already have the rights to other regions of China which will make it harder for PS2 to gain permissions to other areas in China and cause competitive intensity in the industry. Opportunities: -The contaminated soil market has opened up significantly since regulations imposed by governments required more adequate processing of soil. -China was becoming more environmentally aware making protection a priority. Previously waste would be dumped, however now it can be treated with new regulations in some provinces. More sludge would be generated from increased oil imports which equates to more business for PS2. -Nahai was a leader in the area, possessed the only waste management processing permit in the area, and had an excellent infrastructure. -If option two goes ahead, it opens the doors up for other opportunities like consulting services and applying the technologies to other parts of China. Threats: -The main threat is the issue of the JV’s. Issues of control, management and staffing are present and could undermine PS2’s abilities. Conta minated soil sites were widely dispersed across the country. The soils would therefore need to be transported; however this is not easy due to their bulk. New laws and regulations were expected to ban the importation of waste containing POPs from province to province. Based on the SWOT analysis, it appears that the strengths and opportunities outweigh the weaknesses and threats. From the model, it looks certain that indeed PS2 should enter the Chinese market, and pursue both options as it is feasible to pursue both options.Entering the market would beat any competitor in entering the Chinese market and may even deter them, hence eliminating the problem of competition. The problem that the market was at an emerging state helped PS2 as it was in a growth stage and this seems likely to continue. Regarding ownership levels, there seems to be a good fit between the two groups who PS2 would enter the JV with, so this should not be much of a problem. 4) VRIN Model In order to determine whi ch option to pursue, or whether PS2 should choose to pursue both, the strategic capabilities and resources as a basis of competitive advantage must be explored.The internal capabilities will be examined, alongside the required resources and capabilities to pursue an equity-based entry. Furthermore, company capabilities to set-up operation systems to effectively implement an equity-based entry will be determined. Value: With the Chinese government understanding the current environmental concerns in their economy, a need for the protection of the environment was a priority for the government. Pollution was not only an issue, but posed a social issue to residents of the country.As a result, environmental protection became a â€Å"basic state policy† (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 9). Contaminated sites were randomly dispersed across China, and the mobility of PS2’s TPS technology provided them with a possible competitive advantage in this market. This ease of use across the va rious sites in China was not something offered by PS2’s competitors. Also, due to application of PS2’s technology regardless of the POPs to be treated, the opportunity in China could allow them to compete in a $725 million market (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 0). The technology PS2 possesses offers value to the company and an entry into China could extract extra value for PS2 based on favourable policy changes. Rarity: The history of the company, providing a management team with extensive knowledge of the industry, and the geographical experience possessed by these individuals provides PS2 with a supremely talented and knowledgeable workforce. With the president and CEO Paul Antle’s 25 years of experience behind him, his abilities to pursue projects have contributed to his many awards.He was recognised for his success as an entrepreneur, suggesting similar qualities to that of Nahai’s owner. This similarity, alongside an ability to direct and manage, provides PS2 with the advantage of identification with individuals and knowledgeable people to run such a project. Moreover, PS2 offered services on a â€Å"fee-for-service basis† creating a desirability surrounding their product and service Furthermore, their adoption of previous ways to raise capital, such as the Capital Pool Company program, and their insight into becoming a public company suggest that PS2 has been a strategic player in their ambition to create funds.All this confirms that the resources and capabilities that PS2 possesses are rare and hard to find in other companies within the industry. Inimitability: The TPS technology differed to that of its competitors. It produced safe soil with an 85% decrease in volume that could be returned to the environment. The TPS process not only enabled the recovery of oil and other hydrocarbons for reuse or resale, but also generated its own fuel source to fire the system. Compared with incineration and land filling, TPS technology p roduced no harmful air emissions and no land and water pollutants.And finally, compared with incineration, the TPS process produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental benefits presented by this technology dealt with the current environmental concerns facing the Chinese government (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 3). This makes the TPS technology hard to imitate by any other competitor as there is no other technology that can match its superiority. Non-substitutability: There are always risks of competitors entering the market, but not necessarily substituting PS2’s technology with the same. Rather, competitors may enter the market and look to potentially enhance PS2’s technology.The driving force behind PS2’s technology is the development of a technology that allows for the protection of the environment (p. 6). This technology may only be substituted by the use of incineration or landfills, and if substituted, to the detriment of the enviro nment (p. 6). These forms of substitution do not create the same outcome as that of PS2’s TPS technology. The VRIN model explores the resources and capabilities currently possessed by PS2. Option one allows PS2 to enter a somewhat new market in China, allowing NIES to act as an agent for PS2’s technology.Option one presents a lower level of risk for PS2, but in doing so, results in a lower level of return, contrary to option two. Option two allows a certain level of identification between the management team of Nahai, and PS2’s current management team. This, alongside Nahai’s tangible resources, may present an attractive venture for PS2. Either option presents PS2 as a new, and highly competitive, entrant in the Chinese market. Therefore, the VRIN model confirms that PS2 may have a sustainable competitive advantage and should therefore enter the Chinese market.Both options look suitable. PS2 currently has the required resources and capabilities to pursue an equity-based entry. 5) Organisational Configuration Model The organisational configuration model looks at six main elements in organisations and can be applied to PS2. Specifically, this model can review the problem of whether or not PS2 should enter the Chinese market, which of the two (if not both) options that they should select and whether PS2 possess the required resources and capabilities to pursue an equity-based entry.Leadership: Paul Antle is the CEO of PS2 and leads a team of employees who all possess skills and abilities around the TPS technology. Nahai’s owner had a similar personality to Antle and was also an entrepreneur. They both identified with each other from the beginning, so there is definitely a match in regards to the leaders and their ways of thinking. They had a solid trust based on this. The NIES had made the first call to PS2 about their technology (based on the State Environmental Protection Agency of China) so it is accepted that the leaders som ehow matched and got along well.Vision & Strategy: PS2s strategy wanted to involve international geographic diversification to propel it to not just a domestic player, but an international one. This would at the same time improve their growth potential. Since both these opportunities were international expansions, it suited the strategy of PS2 and there was a match. Their vision was to become an international player and expand in more areas on new terms (equity basis) and these options to enter into China allowed them to do just that. Formal structures: Antle as CEO leads his team of employees.Among these employees there are certain positions held such as marketing manager, operations manager and R&D manager. PS2 has a fairly rigid and hierarchical structure where certain people report to others above them. However, due to the small number of staff, there are quite frequently vertical hierarchical jumps and everyone interacts with each other. Technology: The Thermal Phase Separation (TPS) technology that PS2 possesses is an internationally proven technology which is the only one to be able to extract 90% of oil from industrial sludge (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 3).It is recognised as being world class for performance in regards to its reliability, mobility and its lack of harmful air emissions. It has been internationally proven and produces safe oil, enables the recovery of oil which can then be reused or resold. The technology produced no harmful air emissions, no land and water pollutants, and fewer green house gas emissions. This would be appreciated by the Chinese and their government in regards to recent policy changes and environmental protection developments. Processes: At PS2, there exist several processes that act in harmony to accomplish tasks and achieve goals effectively and efficiently.There are processes that deal with inputs and outputs such as information, people and materials. There are also processes formed around customer service and after sa les service for existing customers, new product development, order fulfilment as well as things like decision making and resource allocation. These could all be successfully employed in China. Informal structures: As mentioned above, although the hierarchical structure exists and is respected by all employees, informal structures are present. These informal structures don’t cause conflict as primarily it is the formal structure that employees follow.However, the CEO and management understand that sometimes it is easier to work with informal structures and that friendship groups work better with one another. For this reason, these structures exist and are granted by management to continue operating. This also leads to a higher motivated workforce. Based on the organisational configuration model that looks at six main elements of PS2, it appears that PS2 should enter the Chinese market as the leaders have good fit, the vision and strategy align with moving into global markets, and the technology is sufficient in regards to China’s new environmental standards.Both options look suitable to be pursued. From the model, it appears that PS2 possess the required resources and capabilities to pursue an equity-based entry and therefore should enter the market. Evaluation of Alternatives Option 1: Remediation of POP-Contaminated Soil Some advantages of option 1 include: -The total amount of high-density PCB waste was about 50,000 tons, a decent proportion of the low-density waste which was calculated to be 500,000 tons – this was three times the amount of the Canadian PCB market (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 9). If the government improved its measures to protect the environment, the number of POPs in China would rise (currently a $470 million and the potential to be a $725 million market) (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 10). -The TPS technology differed to that of its competitors – the TPS process was able to produce safe soil with an 85% decrease in vol ume which could be returned to the environment (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 3). The TPS process not only enabled the recovery of oil and other hydrocarbons for reuse or resale, but also generated its own fuel generated its own fuel source to fire the system. Compared with incineration, the TPS process would produce less greenhouse gas emissions. -Compared with the TDU unit (the current technology from a competitor), PS2’s TPS technological unit had higher mobility, which would be attractive to the Chinese market because there were numerous small contaminated sites in China. -PS2 would cooperate with NIES. NIES was a government agency so the risk of this project would be reduced significantly. NIES had extensive expertise and experience and had identified more than 300 sites in three provinces. This also acted as a free advertising campaign for PS2. Being an early entrant into the emerging market of remediation of POP-contaminated soil, PS2 would most likely enjoy the first move advantages. -PS2 was involved in conducting market research with the Chinese government over the past one-and-a-half years, which meant PS2 had already gained experience cooperating with the Chinese government. The experience would be helpful if PS2 entered the Chinese market. Some disadvantages of option 1 include: -The JV would need to design, engineer, manufacture and market the TPS units in China for use in various parts of China.There is no guarantee that this option will work as the JV would need to design, plan, launch and bid for, operate and participate in projects in China. -The JV would need an investment of about $3,000,000, which is a large investment for a company the size of PS2. Option 1 is attractive because the positive factors outweigh the negative factors for PS2. The Chinese market is huge and has great potential. Furthermore, PS2 has a competitive advantage to compete in the industry of remediation of POP-contaminated soils.However, there are some risks that PS 2 needs to take into account such as the big initial investment. Option 2: Oil Recovery from Oil Sludge Some advantages of option 2 include: -Chinese oil sludge industry is large with treatment of 6. 1 million tons with Zhoushan’s facilities located close to costal oil terminals such as Aoshan Oil Terminal which is China’s largest oil transhipment base (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 13). -New regulations in Chinese market is encouraging organisations not to dump but rather enforcing proper treatment to respond to environmental issues. Cooperation with Zhoushan Nahai Solid Waste Central Disposal Co. Ltd. (Nahai) in Zhejiang means PS2 would be in partnership with the largest and only permitted solid waste management system in the area of Zhoushan. -Nahai had become a â€Å"leader in the management of hazardous waste and oil sludge in the Zhoushan area† (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 13) therefore providing more tangible resources such as an oil storage facility, a waste oil recovery facility, bilge water treatment process and a solid waste destruction facility. The JV would expose PS2 to a greater window of opportunity through the capability of processing from 10,000 to up to 100,000 tonnes of oily sludge per year (Peng & Beamish, 2012, p. 13). -The ability to leverage off PS2’s international management teams experience through development opportunities of processing oil sludge recovery into other regions of China. -The internationally recognised TPS technology provided by PS2 addresses the environmental concerns of the Chinese government, and thus, partnering with Nahai will present this JV as the preferred vendor for oil sludge recovery systems. PS2 is well suited to Nahai as they have global experience, similar personalities, he is an experienced entrepreneur and they identify with each other. Some disadvantages of option 2 include: -The permit for waste management held by Nahai is only limited to the Zhoushan area. While this area may conta in a large potential of oil sludge remediation, gaining rights in other areas of China may pose an issue. -Some competitors already have the rights to other regions of China, thus gaining these permissions to other areas in China may be a drawback and saturate the industry. As Nahai is a privately owned company, and PS2 is a public company, the provisions between the two are not definite. This JV, as with any JV between a public and private company may present a lack of accountability and blur the distinctions with regards to risk, performance and funding. -The Chinese oil sludge industry is still in its infancy and is very fragmented due to various oil sludge generation locations making it difficult to expand operations into other regions. -The JV would need an investment of about $3,000,000, which a large investment for a company the size of PS2.When determining whether PS2 should enter into a JV with Nahai it is important to explore both the advantages and disadvantages that exis t. While there may be some disadvantages present, there are also advantages for PS2 to enter into a JVwith Nahai that will allow for the international growth and expansion of PS2. While it may not allow for the exploration of other suitable industries, such as research into rural environments, it does provide PS2 with substantial financial gain should they consider entering into this JV with Nahai.Recommendations and Conclusions Based on the above evaluation of alternatives, it appears that for both option one and option two, the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. However, taking a closer look at both options, it appears option one has the same amount of advantages as option two but at the same time option one has far less disadvantages than option two. From this, it could be concluded that option one is perhaps better than option two in regards to which option PS2 should choose.Therefore option one is the better opportunity on face value however this is not to say that option two is not viable as the analysis illustrates both provide high potential future prosperous outcomes for PS2. It is therefore recommended that PS2 enter both option one and option two, but at different times and stages. It is recommended that PS2 pursue and enter option one, the remediation of POP-contaminated soil first and foremost. The only negatives for pursuing this option is firstly the cost, which is a price of doing business and will need to be undertaken no matter how or where PS2 expands internationally.The next negative is that there is no guarantee that the JV will work, as PS2 has to do extra work such as bidding, planning, launching, operating and participating. Therefore an element of risk does exist, but the advantages and potential return outweigh this risk. The advantages consist of large amounts of PCB waste present, the fact that the TPS technology was different to any other company including its use (such as a higher mobility) and the environmental protec tion is enforced. Nevertheless, this does not mean that PS2 should not pursue the second option of oil recovery from oil sludge.Some of the major disadvantages deal with limited permits and areas where PS2 can use its technology, the fact that other competitors have the right to other regions of China, and possibly the problem of conflictions between the JV agreements as PS2 and Nahai are private and public respectively. There are though, more advantages than disadvantages, and stronger ones as well. For example, PS2 would be exposed to a greater opportunity, Nahai has a strong reputation and possesses the only permits in the area in question, the large oil sludge industry and the fact that both PS2 and Nahai had similar founders with similar personalities.From the evaluation of alternatives, option one is preferred, but option two still appears viable. Therefore, it is recommended the corporate level strategy is to enter into option one and be monitored based on the above conclusio ns. Entering both options at the same time is unrealistic and would bear financial strain on PS2. It seems a more strategic move would be to pursue option one and monitor it in terms of its financial performance – return on equity and return on investment as well as its success. If it is successful and some of the expenses are recuperated, this could be used for potential enter into option two.Therefore, it is recommended that an entry into option two is followed by the entry of option one at a later stage (based on the assessment outcomes of option one). If however option one is a failure and there is no return on the $3 million, option two will not be pursued. Further, it is also recommended that PS2 embark on a new operational level strategy of hiring additional employees and expanding resources required to increase the probability of any entrance into China ending in a successful move for PS2.It is expected that any move into China will require a collaboration of resource s with the JV and further employees to cope with the increase in activities and make sure the entry runs smoothly. The increase and hiring of new staff should specifically involve potential employees who have some cross-cultural experience and perhaps even some business experience within China. Reference Peng, G. Z. , 2012, ‘Phase Separation Solutions (PS2): The China Question’, Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario, p. 1-18

An Analysis Of The Homeland Security Advisory System

As the need for a more uniformed response system that not only notified federal agencies but that would include state, local and civilians the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) became obsolete and was replaced with National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). This instrument is not only beneficial in planning how to prepare for terrorist attack but also provides guidance to all whom may be involved on procedures and policies. First responders need to be aware of all risks they may be exposed to prior to, during, and after an event occurs. Lack of proper personal equipment (PPE), training and funding for their agency may be detrimental not only to them but those they are trying to assist. There are many risk that first responders are†¦show more content†¦There have been times when government agencies have not been able to assist those in need during an event, and if the public is aware of the needs of the community they may be able to contribute and assist during disaste r. Having the community involved in preparedness is essential in the â€Å"success in achieving resilience and national preparedness† (DHS 2013). Secondary explosive devices are usually placed to cause casualties among emergency personnel and law enforcement responding to an incident. The delay in detonation following the primary explosion are designed to draw in and then target those who respond, to maximizes injury and damage. Even though the U.S. is a relatively low risk country we have seen an increase in bombing incidents, â€Å"36,110 bombing incidents occurred between January 1983 and December 2002, resulting in 5,931 injured and 699 deaths† (Thompson, Rehn, Lossius, Lockey 2014). During the Madrid train bombings of 2004, repeated evacuation of the incident site and rapid evacuation of casualties was necessary due to the discovery of four undetonated explosives. These were cited as an attempt to target the emergency response teams at a later time. On the morning of 9/11 many of those first responders were not aware of the magnitude and impact their actions would have on them and those they came in contactShow M oreRelatedCriminal Justice Organization. Among The Criminal Justice880 Words   |  4 Pages standards, analysis, and training and education. The Department of Homeland Security has a mission to secure the nation from any threat it may face (â€Å"Homeland Security†, n.d.). The Department of Homeland Security duties are wide-ranging and their goal is to keep America safe. The Structure of the Department of Homeland Security The organizational structure of the Department of Homeland Security consists of over 240,000 employees in jobs that range from aviation and border security to emergencyRead MoreThe Impact of September 11, 2001 Essay1221 Words   |  5 PagesMiddle East which caused deaths of innocent Americans. Crisis management and response post the attacks focused on terrorist travel information, according to (Crisis management and response ). The CIA spearheads this initiative called the Passport Analysis Program. This program identifies possible terrorist through documents submitted for their passport. In addition, it deciphers fraudulent passports, inspects passports for terroristic affiliation, and verifies citizenship upon entering the U.S. FurthermoreRead MoreIntelligence, Terrorism, And Terrorism1481 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Homeland security is all about ensuring the safety and security of the United States (U.S.) and its citizens. It was apparent that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were lack of intelligence. Since then, the U.S. has given great emphasis of intelligence to prevent terrorist events such as 9/11 from happening again. Homeland security has emplaced variety of efforts in order for the U.S. to address safety and security issues as well as in addressing the ever-growing threats of terrorismRead MoreLaw Enforcement Today763 Words   |  4 PagesLaw Enforcement Today Paper Chelsea Berry Foundations of the Criminal Justice System June 2, 2013 Gary Lair Many police departments are facing budget problems, forcing them to cut their police force down. Many officers are being asked to do things they normally dont do such as patrolling. Police departments are also facing increasing crimes due to the poor economyRead MoreThe Role of the Department of Homeland Security573 Words   |  2 Pagesï » ¿The Role of the Department of Homeland Security Objective The objective of this study is to clearly and specifically address the principles, goals, and missions of DHS and FBI. Introduction One of the primary roles of the Department of Homeland Security is intelligence and threat analysis and the protection of the countrys critical infrastructure. The Department is reported to fuse and analyze intelligence and other information relating to homeland security threats and multiple resources areRead MoreInformation And Information Systems From A Cyber Threat1329 Words   |  6 Pagesto increase security and safety regulations at its nuclear plants. Furthermore, the company is also researching additional environmentally friendly opportunities such as geothermal energy. Accordingly, this document has been developed to provide information regarding DTL Power and the measures that have been developed and implemented to safeguard its information and information systems from a cyber threat. This document is broken down into several sections that will provide an analysis of DTL PowerRead MoreEssay about Analysis of the United States President1425 Words   |  6 PagesThis essay will focus on the analysis of the President through News article that show government egain at work, but first I must explain the authority of government granted by US constitution and court case engal, then the structure of executive branch, starting with the president ending with the cabinet. Lastly I will give my analysis pertain to the current president. The Authority of government is derived from the US constitution in regards with the executive branch the authority comes from articleRead MoreEssay about Securing Our Country: The Department of Homeland Security1532 Words   |  7 Pagesoperations of the Department of Homeland Security are as follows; the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 was introduced after the September 11, 2001 attacks and mailing of anthrax. It was signed into law by then President George W. Bush in November 2002. It created both the United States Department of Homeland Security and the cabinet-level positionRead MoreCjus254 Unit 5 Ip1349 Words   |  6 PagesDepartment of Homeland Security and private sector companies. She has requested an information paper that shows her why these relationships are important, as well as how the DHS uses these companies as a tool for the protection of critical infrastructure and key resources. To: Director, Executive Secretariat of the Office of the Secretary, DHS From: Action Officer, Executive Secretariat of the Office of the Secretary, DHS Ma’am, Cooperation with all levels and forms of security entities isRead MoreThe Department Of Homeland Security2700 Words   |  11 PagesDepartment of Homeland Security was created through the incorporation of 22 different federal departments and agencies into a joint, integrated Department.† DHS has become a more efficient and integrated Department that has become highly strengthened; the homeland security is an agency that has a more secure America. Without a doubt, it is highly equipped to confront the vast range of threats the United States of America faces. This analysis will explain why the Department of Homeland Security exists.

Mothers vs Fathers Making Parent # 1

Mothers vs Fathers Making Parent # 1? Traditionally, most societies considered a man as a breadwinner responsible for the material well-being of his family, whereas a woman performed the role of a hearth keeper in charge of the children and home. However, the situation have changed considerably in the last several decades: men now participate more actively in the upbringing process starting from being present at childs birth and finishing with some babysitting if their wives choose to pursue a career. However, many people still believe that women are better at parenting than men. One of the main concerns behind this attitude is that women usually have more housekeeping skills. But personally I believe that they are not something we are born with: women learn them, so why cannot men do the same, especially when electrical appliances have made housekeeping so much easier? Another idea, which is often referred to, is that women are gentler and kinder in nature, so a child will get more affection. However, this point seems to be only partially true. First of all, men are generally not so hard-hearted. They just do not tend to express their emotions. But their attitude to their child can still be full of love and care, which the child would undoubtedly feel. Secondly, newspapers and TV reports are abundant in stories when mothers, being addicted to drugs, treated their children in an absolutely inhuman way, which proves that love and care are actually the matter of personal features rather than a gender issue. The only real advantage women have over men as parents is the ability to breastfeed. But lets face it: if a woman does not care about a baby, she is very unlikely to breastfeed. To sum up, parenting is more a call of ones heart rather than an inherent characteristic and a gender issue. So, men can make as good parents as women.

Gay Marriage Research Paper - 1970 Words

It is rooted in our traditional Western values that marriage is intended to be between man and woman. The dictionary defines it as the social institution under which a male and female establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments and religious ceremonies.1 I do not believe marriage should have an alternate definition. President George W. Bush once addressed our nation stating: â€Å"The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith. Ages of experience have taught humanity that the commitment of a husband and wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society. Marriage cannot be†¦show more content†¦It is argued that gay marriage does not harm society in any way therefore it does not make a difference whether it is legal or not. On the contrary, people who are against gay marriage hold the idea that homosexualit y is a sin and is considered immoral. They believe that extending the definition of marriage diminishes the true meaning of traditional family. It is proven that children who are raised in homosexual homes are exposed to negative influence. Homosexual relationships deny a child a mother or father. Females who grow up without a father are more likely to engage earlier in sexual activity. They are also more likely to become pregnant during their teenage years. Research suggests that children who do not have mothers are deprived of emotional support and valuable advice.4 Another argument against gay marriage is also believe that homosexuals cannot procreate. Procreation is a prominent reason to marry. People also argue that legalzing same-sex marriage could lead to polygamous and interspecies marriages.4 If the exception is granted for gays and lesbians than other groups will expect the right to wed as well. Another prominent argument against gay marriage is that it negatively impacts children. This makes adoption for gay marriage extremely controversial. Gays and lesbians must adopt if they want children because they cannot procreate. If same-sex marriage isShow MoreRelatedGay Marriage Research Paper899 Words   |  4 PagesIn recent years, the debate over gay marriage has grown from an issue that occasionally arose in a few states to a nationwide controversy. People have opposing viewpoints on whether gays should be allowed to marry or not, and the sub topics that coincide with gay marriage. People wonder if it is okay for gays to marry, and if so, should it be legal everywhere? In the United States I 2009, some states like Iowa, Vermont, and Connecticut allow gays to marry, while states like California, Florida,Read MoreGay Marriage Research Paper1852 Words   |  8 Pagesmarried or reap the benefits of said marriage. Marriage is basic to the recognition as equals in society and any status short of this becomes inferior, unjust and unconstitutional. Our nat ion cannot live up to its promise of equality and the fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, until the invidious discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is done away with. Equality under the law extends to all persons. Legalizing same-sex marriage, a recognition of basic AmericanRead MoreHomosexual Marriage Should Be Legal Essay1111 Words   |  5 PagesHomosexual marriage should be legal because marriage is a symbol of love and passion for one another, the homosexual family life is just as good as heterosexual family life, and prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional discrimination. Homosexuality occurs in over four hundred and fifty species, but homophobia (irrational fear or dislike against homosexuality) only occurs in one. (Gay Marriage Research Paper) We live in the â€Å"land of the free,† but we still have laws that ban marriage of homosexualRead MoreThe Legalization Of Gay Marriage1411 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract The legalization of gay marriages is one of the most controversial issues throughout particularly in modern life. This paper, based on secondary research, arguing for legalizing same-sex marriage through specific analysis of its positive influences. In particular, there are two main benefits regarding society as well as economy. The finds of the research indicate that gays or lesbians are completely an important part of society. Therefore, they must have the rights to live and marry legallyRead MoreGay Families are Still Families Essay1051 Words   |  5 Pagesare legalizing same-sex marriage, new questions arise. Regardless of ones position about whether gay marriage should be legal, it is clear that the definition of family is changing and the legal system will need to address these changes. Whether it is determining who should be a custodial parent, clarifying adoption processes, or implementing legal protections in cases of divorce, family law must grow and change along with the definition of family. Through my research, I hope to present point/counterpointRead MoreMarriage Equality For Same Sex Couples1480 Words   |  6 PagesStudies Interest Research Project Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples in Australia. Tiarne Milton Year 12, CAFS Mrs Stamoudis Table Of Contents Abstract/summary†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..3 Acknowledgments†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 Review of existing research†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreFeminism Of A Post Feminist Period Essay1692 Words   |  7 PagesPosition paper 1. An introduction This paper will be presenting a position paper focusing on the debate whether we are living in a post-feminist period in which gender is no longer a major barrier to equity. The paper will utilise feminism theory through use of article to create an argument to support this debate. It will also incorporate some compelling case justifying the researcher’s position. †¢ Identification of the issue (background information) Post Feminism simply can be referred toRead MoreGay Marriage Should Be Legal1434 Words   |  6 PagesGay marriage has slowly become a significant factor amongst individuals of today’s society. On June 26, 2015, it was ruled out by the U.S. Supreme Court that gay marriage was now legal. The first thing that I thought was that â€Å"Wasn’t it already legal in the United States?† Well, apparently no it has not been legalized in the United States! (Dumb me.) The U.S. is known to be a nation of equality and gives everyone the freedom of the speech, but it is actually a nation full of racism, sexism, and homophobiasRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legalized1309 Words   |  6 PagesKaterina Do Dr. Clay ENGL 1302-013 29 September 2015 Issue Proposal I would introduce this issue to an audience explaining that same-sex marriage, also called gay marriage, is a marriage or a civil union between couples of the same sex. I would continue to explain it as a controversial and moral issue discussed worldwide today, due to many gay couples coming out and openly expressing their need for equal rights. I would add onto and explain how supporters of equal rights and those who oppose theRead MoreDifference Between A Good Survey And A Bad Survey941 Words   |  4 Pagesto try understand what we can get from it, it is important for us to know the difference between a good survey and a bad survey. Methods In this research paper I went online and found two different surveys that had the same topic in their questions. I looked on the proposition 8 that the U.S. Supreme Court had handed down regarding same sex marriage in California. The reason I choose this poll was because many of the misunderstanding the people had when they voted. I got this information from Kathy

The South African Youth Free Essays

Reflecting back on the tragedy that just occurred at Columbine High School in Denver Colorado and the generalizations being made about the U.S youth and the crisis that we are in and supposedly are experiencing ,I decided to research the youth crisis in South Africa. There is at present no â€Å"youth crisis† as such. We will write a custom essay sample on The South African Youth or any similar topic only for you Order Now However young people find themselves in the midst of a range of crises that should be addressed urgently by the state and society. † South African youths† as a category refers to South Africans between 15 and 30 years of age; they constitute 29,5% of the population, yet there is no comprehensive youth policy in place to attend to their needs. Most young people share common values of society – signs of radicalism and militarism are found in only a minority of youth. Only a small percentage of South Africa’s youth can be considered truly marginalized as the country’s youth as a whole and therefore cannot be called a â€Å"lost generation†. Thirty-seven per cent of South Africa population were below the age of 15 in 1991. It can be compared with the average of 40% for similar countries in the world, less-developed countries averaging 44% and industrialized countries 23%. The composition of people between 15 and 30 years, comprised 29,5% of South Africa’s population. Figures for racial categories indicate a total of approximately 8,3 million (75%) black, 1,4 m. (12%) white, 1,1 m. (10%) colored and 300 000 (3%) Asian youths in this group. There are many problems for the South African Youth and some of the most challenging problems include family and community instability that leads to a wide range of other social problems for youth. The black family has been under enormous strain partly because of an education system that is not providing all youth with relevant and quality education. Economic stagnation, together with inadequate education, has resulted in high levels of unemployment and poverty, especially among women and blacks. Demographic factors which continue to impact on the South African population and more specifically the youth. It has been estimated that by 1995, 50% of the age cohort 15 to 19 will live in urban areas. The extent to which young people from the different racial and cultural groups have become isolated from one another, with the accompanying negative stereotypes, intolerance and racism. A historical survey in the report leaves little doubt that South African youth have over the years been victims of political and socio-cultural crises. They have been subjected to poverty, blatant political manipulation, racial and other divisions that tore the country apart, and a lack of any systematic youth policy to attend to their needs. As a group, they have for many years been largely ignored by the leaders in control of their destiny. And yet, from the earliest decades of the century, they have attempted to assert themselves by forming youth organizations, by protesting against injustices and by insisting on a decent education and living conditions. Unemployment has been a struggle for the South African Youth. Studies show roughly 42% of youth between the ages of 15 and 30 were unemployed. Young women were particularly disadvantaged. In the first place, they were less likely to be part of the labor force because large numbers were involved in unpaid domestic work. Secondly, they found it difficult to find employment while being involved in unpaid domestic work. Unemployment affects the unmarried, junior members of households more adversely than the other members. Unemployment is higher in the homelands and in urban areas that comprise squatter and informal settlements close to the major metropolitan area. It is however unclear as to whether unemployment is higher in rural or in urban areas. At the time, studies indicate 45% of the black, 12% of the white, 40% of the colored and 29% of the Asian youth were unemployed. Family structure and living conditions play an important role. The core family has been seriously affected by social upheavals. Studies indicate that 22% of white, 20% of Asian, 32% of colored and 40 % of black families are currently headed by females. Stability may be found in nuclear, extended, compound or single-parent families. The extended kinship system among blacks and Asians seems to cushion the negative effects of disrupted nuclear family units. However, many youths are not experiencing stability of an enduring nature, and it emerges from surveys that a lot of young people are receiving only fragmented care. The lack of control, supervision and attention is clearly linked to teenagers’ negative behavior such as alcohol and drug abuse, crime, indiscriminate and unprotected sexual activities, etc. Percentages of teenage pregnancies and births out of wedlock are unacceptably high and AIDS is a frightening reality. Amenities such as electricity, on-tap water, waterborne sewerage, refuse removal, etc, are massively under provided to blacks. Black youth live in homes of which 46 % do not have running water and 57 % have no electricity. Only 53 % blacks have access to television Over the life span of today’s youth, a third of all Asian families, nearly a quarter of all colored families and nearly a fifth of the black population were forcibly moved by one method or another. Culture and youth organizations play a very important role in the South African youth of today. Studies affirm that one cannot really speak of a single, monolithic â€Å"youth culture†. In an era of rapid social transformation, stereotyped binary cultural oppositions such as urban/rural, elitist/popular, modern/traditional, are also losing their essential distinctive value. For example, some research point to the possibility that the position that youth occupied in â€Å"traditional†, conservative societies has changed with urbanization and westernization. Recognition of youth’s new, more assertive position has important implications for policy formulation regarding their diversity and their ability not only to react to change and development but actually help guide it. On the other hand, one study showed that, in spite of lingering signs of racism, 60% of adolescents from all the population groups preferred to identify themselves as â€Å"South African†, which may indicate an increasing sense of shared identity, if not unity. The present processes of societal transformation and democratization make the promotion of a shared culture and values essential; something that should start at school level. Recreation and sports play an important role in young people’s lives: 41,7% of male youth and 18,7% of female youth in South Africa are active members of sports clubs. Only 16,3% of all youth however belonged to a youth club and only 8,4% belonged to a cultural organization. Facilities for sports, recreational and organizational activities are urgently needed. The crisis in education is well documented. Black education was seriously disrupted during the 1980s. However, black education expanded greatly in an attempt to fulfil its community’s needs, and improved its retention rates at the same time, despite a range of crises that were almost beyond human imagination. For the majority of black youth in South Africa, access to secondary education is restricted to traditional secondary schools where places are limited, facilities are not up to standard, teachers are not properly qualified and access to subjects such as mathematics, physical science, economics, business economics, accounting, etc, is limited because of a shortage of teachers qualified in these subjects. This causes the whole system to be skewed in favor of such subjects as biology, geography, history and biblical studies, which are the four most â€Å"popular† non-language subjects among black pupils. Clearly if this trend were to continue, the youth would be even more frustrated with the learning opportunities offered to them. Violence and crime remain endemic in the country and have many destructive effects on youth. Scientific research has shown that black respondents generally rejected violence as a political option, but that about 20% of the white the respondents tended to be militarized in their outlook. In a new democracy like South Africa it is imperative that all its citizens should be politically literate to enable them to participate fully in all facets of a democratic society. Several studies on political literacy among young South Africans have suggested that this country’s youth are not well informed about politics. There is probably no area of South African life which has more compellingly shown the extent to which apartheid has isolated and insulated different sections of this country’s youth from one another than the area of politics. Youth who grew up in the security and tranquillity of white neighborhoods could fully participate in the parliamentary politics of apartheid South Africa if they wished to do so. They had very little knowledge or understanding of the harsh realities of township life which confronted the vast majority of South Africa’s youth every day. For most white youths the events, that have taken place in South Africa’s black townships since the mid-seventies, were nothing more than images on the television screen – events they were socialized to interpret as being initiated by radical (communist inspired) people who were attempting to take away their (whites’) privileged position. Indeed, white and black youths under apartheid lived in different worlds. Studies have shown that the above problems are ameliorated by two sets of findings, namely that â€Å"the South African youth† by no means represent a uniform category of people, and that the majority of South Africa’s young people want to play a constructive role in the creation of a new South Africa. Their rejection of violence, their respect for the cultural and racial diversity in South Africa, the value they place on education and training are all very important to the South African youths of today and in that sense we American youths should learn a thing or two from them. They have adapted in remarkable and innovative ways to the often painful processes of rapid change, and although they may lack skills and opportunities, they are eager to face the challenge of reconstruction and development. Most of them share their communities’ values and are basically conservative in their views. Only 8% of the sample claimed no religious affiliation – the majority felt that religion played an important role in their daily lives. In conclusion that the tide may be turning for the country’s youth. Population growth rates are decreasing, income distribution is becoming more equal, the assault on family structures was balanced by the growth of the compound family, a legitimately elected government is in place and a national youth policy has been promised in the RDP. June 16 has been declared a public holiday and renamed Youth Day. Not only youth’s many contributions to the country, but in particular their sacrifices and hardships have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. How to cite The South African Youth, Papers