Chicano Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chicano - Essay Example These people belonged to the poorest families in rural areas of Mexico, and did not had any identity in the society, used the term Chicano during the Civil rights Movement in order to amalgamate themselves so that they can be recognized by the world. Chicano descendents reflected distinctive culture of Mexican Americans (Arturo, pp. 197-208). The natives speaking slang language with different pronunciations mocked these people, which was an insult for them. The basis of Chicano was contradictory, as the pronunciation and spelling of Spanish language revolutionized causing discrepancy in differentiating between Chicano and Mexicano, but it was apparent that the word Chicano did not have any effect from this language change. The dual identity of Chicanos entails that these people have neither U.S. origin nor they reflect the Mexican society. This combination of customs of both the nations makes them strive for their acceptance into the American society while retaining their Mexican tra ditions and practices (Arturo, pp. 41-55). A culture reflects the traditions, beliefs, practices, customs, and lifestyles of any society or race. Likewise, Chicano also pertain a diversified culture (Isabel, pp. 63-67). The aspects of Chicano culture are mainly literature, arts, and music. ... 47-61). The people of Chicano possess a very simple yet a colorful lifestyle. The life of Chicanos does not characterize by technology; therefore, they depend upon natural resources to acquire information. These people have poor housing and do not have the access to health facilities. Because of the cultural restrictions, Chicanos have to marry a person of opposite sex within the same race (Isabel, pp. 23-38). They have a strong family relationship, where members are interdependent, and elders are open to suggestions from youngster. Chicano cuisine is famous for its dishes that are very delicious due to inclusion of variety of chilies in it. The basic sources of food such as beans, corn, and peppers are present in huge quantities in their food. The people consume simple, healthy, balanced, and short meals on specific times during the day. Life, death, family bonding, and religious practices are of prime importance to them. They are strong followers of Catholics and those who do not a bide by the obligations, have to face strict consequences. They believe that their religion gives them power to survive through the crises they come across, in their lives (Isabel, pp. 47-61). The idea of death for Chicanos is unlike the concept of death for any other faith as they have a pleasing relation with the dead. Spanish and Catholic have an immense influence on the concept of death for Chicanos. The traditions and practices include a wide variety of celebrations, amongst which the most significant event celebrated by the people of Chicanos is the ‘Day of the Dead’ (Johnston & Winter, pp. 10-14). It resembles the festival of Halloween, celebrated by Americans but the difference

International Management Research Paper Essay Example for Free

International Management Research Paper Essay Assessing the Environment As we look to take our business, International Jean Company, into the ever expanding global market, it’s important that we choose locations that are going to fit our needs. This location selection cannot just be random, nor can it be done hastily. Our time learning how to be International Managers have taught us that only through careful research into many topics like the Environment, the Geography and Climate, the Culture, and Communication, can we really have the information necessary to make an informed decision. Therefore, we began to look at Denmark, and extensively researched the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that lay before us here. Denmark is a small country with a population of just over 5 million inhabitants. It has achieved a remarkable degree of economic success over the last 50 years or so. With GDP per head of around $56,000 the country ranks fifth in the world and ahead of both Japan and Germany in terms of purchasing power. This remarkable economic success has been achieved by the Danes thanks, in no small measure, to their pragmatic business style.(1) According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, it has the most efficient distribution system, the best labor regulations, and the second highest GDP per person. According to Forbes.com, Denmark is the best country to do business in. The Danish economys mix of low inflation and low unemployment along with emphasis on entrepreneurship and lower taxes make Denmark an attractive company to business investors and entrepreneurs. These qualities combined with high marks for innovation and technological savvy lift Denmark to the top of the business worl d. Denmark is a country that is filled with many small and medium sized, independently owned businesses. Compared to the rest of the European Union, Denmark has a significantly less amount of large corporations, with the exception of Spain. They are known for their top quality production standards. Danish companies tend to concentrate on highly specialized products with a high margin production and rely more on product innovation and design instead of improvements in production technology and price competitiveness. Many small and medium sized companies are able to have major control over their market because they base themselves in small towns and rely on relationships with the community. This makes it difficult for large corporations to take their market share. Although Denmark has a significant amount of independent businesses that support its economy, it is highly dependent on foreign trade and international cooperation. Denmark is made up of a highly developed infrastructure, an advanced telecommunications system and a well-educated and stable workforce. Throughout all relevant levels of the workforce, English is spoken and written at an exceptionally good level. This is a very beneficial factor to the role that Denmark plays in the global market. Geographically, Denmark is in the perfect position for international trade. It is in the center of the Scandinavian countries and has easy access to the Northern and Eastern European countries. International surveys show that Denmark has top ratings in transportation, in all modes, energy, communications, and distribution systems. It is also highly rated in product quality, organizational quality, customer relations, credibility, and social responsibility. Denmark’s legal system is very similar to those of other European countries. Foreign business men may find some difficulty in legalities due to the use of civil law system and statutory law. Unlike the common law system used in countries such as the US, the Danish courts are not limited to the strict lettering of the law, but instead the purpose of the statute. This interpretation is also applied to private agreements. Compared to other countries, lobbying of the government is not as common and not as organized as in other countries. Usually, trade bodies will bring up issues to the government instead of individual persons or companies. The most common forms of companies used in Denmark are Public Limited Companies and Private Limited Companies. Denmark is known for having a high tax rate although when taking to account other costs of doing business (wages, benefits, cost of living, etc.) it balances out. The Danish tax regime relies heavily on direct taxes, such as taxes from labor, but there is little to no dependence on indirect taxes, such as social security and contributions from employers. Managing Interdependence Denmark is a significant player in the global market when it comes to social responsibility and ethics. It has the lowest rate of corruption of any other countries in the European Union. It also has very strict government regulations and very beneficial reasons to be socially responsible. Since the 1970’s, Danish environmental law has developed as part of public, private and European Community law. The National Agency for Environmental Protection, the National Forest and Nature Agency and the Department of Planning all make up the Ministry of the Environment. The have local and regional councils which are elected by the public and are responsible for environmental and planning procedures that conform to local wishes. Denmark is one of the few countries that have several kinds of green fees and green taxes. This is to motivate companies to use cleaner technologies, resource management, and/or environmental audit and management schemes. In 2008, Danish parliament passed a bill that forces large corporations to report on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) on their annual report. The Danish companies that have engaged in CSR have reported that it has had a positive effect on the companies. They claim that while it is flexible, it does bring up some legal burdens on them. It is the belief of the Danish government that the legal requirement marks the starting point for increased reporting on CSR, and in the forthcoming years the government intends to encourage progress and improvement of Danish businesses’ CSR work and reporting. Upon this laws implementation, 1100 companies were required to report CSR on their next annual reports. According to the 2009 reports, 89% of the required companies complied and 3% did not comply (8% complied by default because of being a subsidiary of a company that complied). The most common form of CSR among Danish companies related to environmental and climate issues. According to International Management, by Helen Deresky, Denmark is tied for the number one spot for the country with the least amount of corruption. This is because the Danish culture has a much more direct approach to business practices. They prefer openness and honesty, which sometimes seems rude to foreigners. It is clear to see that Denmark is ahead of almost all other countries in being Socially Responsible and having sound business ethics. For a new company, good ethics and social responsibility can be a make-it or break-it issue for a company. In one aspect, these issues can cost the company money. When just beginning, you should try to get your costs to be as low as possible. On the other hand, being viewed as an ethical company and by being socially responsible you improve the image and branding of the company. That will give the public a better perception of the company and can increase the demand for your product. Fortunately, in Denmark, only large companies are legally required to report their activities relating to social responsibility. While it would be a smart choice to make, not having to spend money on social responsibility during the beginning phases of the company will allow ease for penetrating the market and will allow us to be more socially responsible in the future. Overall, Denmark’s cost of doing business is about the same, if not lower than other countries, and the benefits of doing business in that country are much more significant. As long as our company helps locals and abides by their cultures and their rules, then the company should be very successful. Understanding the Role of Culture Before we can truly consider starting our business in Denmark, we need to understand the culture of the area. The viability of the economy, the labor market, the work environment, are all crucial to our success overseas. Taking the time to build a cultural profile of Denmark can help International Jean understand how to transition our business, and our expatriates to a very new experience. We begin our cultural profile by looking at the Government and Economic systems of Denmark. The politics of Denmark could best be described as a â€Å"Social Democracy† Though they do have a constitutional monarchy, like England it is a mostly ceremonial position. Elections occur democratically, similar to the United States without the Electoral College, which leads to a more direct representation of democracy. There are very low levels of corruption, not just in Denmark but in the entirety of the surrounding Nordic countries. As far as picking a market to operate out of, Denmark is a very excellent selection. Denmark has a prosperous, well-developed mixed market economy, ranking 16th in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) per capita. They use the Nordic Model, which is a version of what is traditionally called a â€Å"welfare state† The Nordic Model differs from other welfare states with an emphasis on maximizing labor force participation, promoting wage and gender equality, and a large amount of wealth distribution. A so called â€Å"welfare state† goes hand in hand with wealth distribution, citizens can count on monetary support during periods of unemployment and on welfare. The redistribution of wealth goes towards many societal needs, which will be explained further. Furthering supporting our transition, Denmark features low barriers to free trade, as well as little product market regulation. In fact, according to OECD rankings, Denmark has one of the highest ratings as far as product market freedom is concerned. We will be able to easily enter into this market, and will have a lot of freedom in regards to product selection, as well as advertising and marketing. This plays into the next few sections of our cultural profile: Kinship and attitudes towards leisure and recreation. Denmark, similar to most of the Nordic region, is one of the most liberal nations in Europe. They have an open attitude towards sex, nudity, and freedom of expression. As you walk around cities in Denmark, you can find advertising that features risquà © situations, and even cursing. The people of Denmark tend to have a darker sense of humor than what we’re acclimated to here in the United States, and often find ways to poke fun even at traditionally somber topics like death. Though we should be careful of how we utilize humor, both in our advertisements and in our work environment. Though good natured, citizens here tend to intensely dislike any joking at the expense of Denmark and its culture, particularly from outsiders. They are very proud of their country, and their family units reflect this. Families in Denmark are traditionally tight, well-knit units, who enjoy a good quality of life. They tend to live a relaxed lifestyle with a focus on family and friends. Bicycles are one of the predominant ways to travel around, especially in bigger cities like Copenhagen. We come to a big difference between the United States and Denmark, in terms of the attitude towards work. Whereas most Americans â€Å"work to live†, in Denmark the opposite is true. The Danish are taught from an early age to choose a profession that they would enjoy working, as opposed to a job taken out of financial necessity. This is reflected on Denmark’s scores in G.L.O.B.E/ Hofstede cultural dimension rankings in â€Å"masculinity†, which are very low, as well as â€Å"Uncertainty Avoidance† also being low. This is partly due to the fact that most of the labor market is a part of Trade Unions, as of 2008 Denmark had 67.6% labor union density. There is a partnership between employers, trade unions and the government, whereby these social partners negotiate the terms to regulating the workplace among themselves, rather than the terms being imposed by law. As we transition, we will need to make contact with these unions, and work closely with them to come up with rules and regulations for International Jeans that work for the native population. Another workplace difference is in the amount of work per week and the vacation time allotted. The Danish work an average of 37 hours a week, generally calling it a day around 4pm local time. Expatriates should be made aware that the Danish are not impressed with managers that work 50-60 hours a week. As mentioned previously, they believe in a balance between work and life, and would view those who worked considerably more hours to be less efficient at their jobs. In the United States, there are no laws concerning paid vacations or time off. To contrast, in Denmark paid time off is actually mandated by law. The Danish usually receive a minimum of 5 weeks of vacation, plus national holidays. These are factors we need to consider when hiring local workers. Other characteristics of the Danish work environment include high job mobility, as employees and managers are encouraged to take risks and make decisions that a more conservative American manager might not make. In general, Danish company activities are less structured and less formal, which is reflected again by the low score in the â€Å"Uncertainty Avoidance† category. There is a low level of Assertiveness on the Hofstede scale, as the strength of unions and the desire of the Danish to care about their work come together to make a highly productive and group oriented workplace. We would do well to hire a lot of local talent immediately. We mentioned the large amount of wealth distribution earlier. Denmark ranks highly on the Collectivism scale. Being a social welfare economy, much of that money is poured into both the Educational system as well as Healthcare. The Danish education system provides access to primary school, secondary school and higher education. All university education in Denmark is free; there are no tuition fees to enroll in courses. Danish universities and other higher education institutions offer international students a range of opportunities for obtaining an internationally recognized qualification in Denmark, and many classes are taught in English. Our company should take advantage of this when looking to hire. In addition to free education, there is also Universal Healthcare for all Danish citizens, paid primarily by taxes. Denmark spends 9.8% of GDP on healthcare. The life expectancy in Denmark is 78.6 years, and there is one doctor for every 294 persons in Denmark. It should be noted, that these social services also leads to a high tax rate for Danish citizens, hovering near 48-49% Communicating Across Cultures As we work towards bringing International Jean Co. to Denmark, we need to be aware of the similarities and differences in the way our two countries communicate. The characteristics of that communication, and the interplay between American expatriates and Danish locals will determine how well our new company will function as an overseas entity. We will begin by looking at native language, as well as the amount of English saturation in Denmark. The native language of Denmark is Danish, with other regional languages such as Faroese, Greenlandic, and German officially recognized. In selecting expatriates, we should look to be choosing managers that are able to speak Danish, or willing to quickly learn. However, we shouldn’t feel like the ability to speak the language is mandatory for expatriates. One of the great aspects of setting up our business in Denmark is that there is a very high proportion of Danish citizens who speak English. In the educational system, it is taught as the primary foreign language. English will be spoken and written well by all relevant levels of the workforce. This is further demonstrated by the fact that many commercials and advertisements, as well as trademarks, are used directly in Denmark without translation. The people of Denmark are, generally speaking, friendly but blunt in their speech with one another. Concerning Hofstede dimensions, they rank very highly in the â€Å"Humane† category. They tend to shy away from confrontation, so our expatriates are going to need to tread softly when it comes to moment of direct communication regarding mistakes or problems. Direct debate is encouraged, but keeping confrontational phrasing out of it is important. The Danish tend to be very plain speaking when communicating, which can be mistaken for rudeness in other cultures. Our managers need to be aware of this, so they know that they aren’t necessarily being insulted when talking about work issues. Like the United States, Denmark is a â€Å"low-context† culture. They tend to be direct and explicit when communicating among one another, and tend not to rely on non-verbal communication. They prefer to have direct conversations, either by phone or face-to-face, though increasingly more electronic communication has taken over. Also like the United States, Denmark is also considered a â€Å"low-contact† culture. They prefer a minimum of an arm’s length of personal space, and do not enjoy overly aggressive physical contact. Body language is very restricted, which can make interpreting responses and feedback difficult. Time is another major factor that we as Americans have in common with Denmark. The Danish follow a monochronic time system, which is more linear in structure as compared to polychronic time. Those practicing monochromic time, such as the Danish, tend to complete tasks one at a time as well as adhere to a stricter schedule. We also share similar views on proxemics, or proximity. The Danish see larger offices and more space as reflective of having more power and esteem. The United States and Denmark have a surprising amount of similarities in how we communicate, both in regards to interpersonal communication as well as in a work environment. This should greatly aid International Jean Co. in a smooth transition from the United States to Denmark. Cross-Cultural Negotiation and Decision Making The Negotiation Process: Danish people of business are usually very experienced in interacting and doing business with visitors from other cultures. They pride themselves on their Danish culture and tend to sometimes not be very open to information or assistance from the outside. Similar to many other countries, people of Denmark shake hands upon meeting. This is also the case when departing. It is good to familiarize yourself with the Danish culture before going in full steam. The Danish official language resembles Swedish and Norwegian, and shares a few commonalities with German, but DO NOT remark or even assume that they are similar. Most businessmen and women in Denmark speak English well, but it is recommended to stay away from using jargon and slang. Danes like to leave space between themselves when interacting, so be aware of other’s personal space and try not to be too touchy-feely. They usually speak in quiet, gentle tones and interrupting is considered rude. Danes usually do not openly show their emotions. Come well prepared! The Danes are meticulous when it comes to analyzing information and proposals. Know your information and bring in copies for your Danish counterpart to examine. Everything should be well organized and do not steer off topic; straight and to the point. Business relationships are often only fairly important in the country, and are typically not a needed requirement for initial business interactions. Just like your goal is to get to know one’s contacts in a host country and build mutual trust before embarking on business discussion and transaction, your counterpart is also trying to learn about you. Danes are cautious and appear to be reserved and proceed slow. Once the trust is well known, there will be a sense of allegiance to you as a respected business partner. Denmark is a democratic and understanding country. It can be cohesive to criticize other people or systems. Bosses are expected to be team leaders rather than private decision-makers. In the country’s business culture, the respect a person takes pleasure in depends mainly on his or her achievements. Well-liked personal traits include individual initiative, knowledge, and expertise. To the Danes, negotiation is a joint problem solving process and the buyer and seller in a deal are equal partners. The primary negotiation style is cooperative and they believe in the concept win-win. It is strongly advisable to avoid any open disagreement and to remain calm, friendly, patient, and determined. The Danish believe in information sharing as a way to build trust with their counterparts but this doesn’t mean that they are going to say everything. A good part of the communication may be in writing, which Danes often prefer. They move through things rather quick and are less observant over detail. They strive to conclude negotiations quickly but this does not mean they will readily accept unfavorable terms. Danes do not like bargaining or haggling such that they do not appreciate aggressive sales techniques. They do prefer negotiating in a straightforward and honest style and may use pressure techniques. When persuading your counterpart avoid aggressive tactics and negotiating with the Danish. If confronted, they will not shy away, but this is almost guaranteed to deteriorate your bargaining position rather than strengthen it. It can also eliminate your relationship. Although a verbal agreement can be considered binding and will most likely be kept, do not consider them final. Only a contract that is signed by the two parties makes up a binding agreement. Written contracts are a serious matter in Denmark. It is best to keep them concise without including too many legalistic details. Signing the contract not only shows your commitment but a strong confirmation of your Danish partners’ commitment also. Works Cited Brunson, Winnon â€Å"Cultural Perspective: A Year in Denmark† 2008 http://blogs.denmark.dk/winnon â€Å"Danish Communication Styles† 2012 http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Danish-Business-Communication-Style.html â€Å"ET Ã…R I KØBENHAVN: FOLKESUNDHED OG KULTUR† 2011 http://brunsonw.wordpress.com/tag/denmark-and-u-s-cultural-differences â€Å"The Monarchy today† – The Danish Monarchy 16, June 2012 kongehuset.dk â€Å"ETLA: The Nordic Model† http://www.etla.fi/files/1892_the_nordic_model_complete.pdf â€Å"The Nordic Model† Nordic Labour Journal: In Focus. 2001 http://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-fokus/in-focus-2001/the-nordic-model â€Å"Business Negotiations in Denmark† http://www.danishnet.com/info.php/business/negotiation-76.html â€Å"Business Etiquette in Denmark† http://www.danishnet.com/info.php/business/meeting-etiquette-38.html â€Å"Negotiating International Business The Negotiator’s Reference Guide to 50 Countries Around the World† Katz, Lothar. 2007 www.globalnegotiationresources.com/cou/Denmark.pdf â€Å"Doing Business in Denmark† Kroman, Reumart. 11 February, 2005. www.mittlerer-niederhein.ihk.de/media/upload/ihk/imap//daenemark_doing_business_050211

Shakespeares Othello - Desdemona the Wonderful Essay -- Othello essay

Othello: Desdemona the Wonderful  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   The innocent and charming personality of the wife of the general in William Shakespeare’s tragic drama Othello can hardly be rivaled – and yet she died the victim of a horrible murder. Let’s consider her case in this essay.    Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello† comment on the virtue within the innocent wife of the Moor, and how pain came into her life:    Desdemona is warmhearted, tender, faithful, and much in love with her husband. No thought is further from her mind than the infidelity that Iago suggests to Othello. The suspense of the play increases as we watch Iago subtly poison Othello’s mind and witness Desdemona’s bewilderment, despair, and ultimate death, and this suspense is retained until the last lines when the spectator is left to imagine the tortures awaiting Iago, who is dragged off the stage to judgment.(129)    Just how innocent is the heroine? Robert Di Yanni in â€Å"Character Revealed Through Dialogue† examines the dialogue between Desdemona and Emilia, and finds that it reveals the former’s innocence:    In this dialogue we not only see and hear evidence of a radical difference of values, but we observe a striking difference of character. Desdemona’s innocence is underscored by her unwillingness to be unfaithful to her husband; her naivete, by her inability to believe in any woman’s infidelity. Emilia is willing to compromise her virtue and finds enough practical reasons to assure herself of its correctness. Her joking tone and bluntness also contrast with Desdemona’s solemnity and inability to name directly what she is referring to: adultery.(122)    Angela Pitt in â€Å"Women in Shakespeare’s Tra... ...   Di Yanni, Robert. â€Å"Character Revealed Through Dialogue.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Literature. N. p.: Random House, 1986.    Pitt, Angela. â€Å"Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Shakespeare’s Women. N.p.: n.p., 1981.    Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.    Wright, Louis B. and Virginia A. LaMar. â€Å"The Engaging Qualities of Othello.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Introduction to The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare. N. p.: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1957.   

Margaret (peggy) Timberlake Eaton Essays -- essays research papers

Margaret (Peggy) O’Neal (who preffered to be called Margaret) was born in 1799 in Washington DC. She was the daughter of William O’Neal, who owned a thriving boarding house and tavern called the Franklin House in that same town. It was frequented by senators, congressmen, and all politicians. She was the oldest of six children, growing up in the midst of our nation’s emerging political scene. She was always a favorite of the visitors to the Franklin House. She was sent to one of the best schools in Washington DC, where she studied English and French grammar, needlework and music. She also had quite a talent for dance, and was sent to private lessons, becoming a very good dancer. At the age of twelve, she danced for the First Lady Dolley Madison. Visitors of the Franklin House also commented on her piano playing skills. During Margaret’s teenage years, there were many rumors circulating about her romances. The stories included one of a suitor who swallowed poison after she refused to return his affections, one of her being briefly linked to the son of President Jefferson’s treasury secretary, and one of her botched elopement to a young aide of General Winfield Scott. As the story goes, she accidentally kicked over a flowerpot during her climb down from a bedroom window, which woke her father, who promptly dragged her back inside. When Jackson first met Margaret at the age of 24, he took an immediate liking to her. The tavern had been recommended to him by his close friend John Henry Eaton, who would later marry Miss O’Neal and cause quite a scandal. Jackson’s wife, when meeting Margaret a year later, was equally taken with her. Margaret married a navy purser named John Bowie Timberlake. They had three children together, one whom died while still an infant. When John was gone at sea, John Eaton entered the picture again, escorting Margaret on drives and to parties. The rumors flew around town of Margaret and Eaton’s supposed affair, and of her husband’s drunkenness. The people around town were all saying that the reason Timberlake kept sailing was to avoid his wife’s obvious philandering. Timberlake was soon reassigned to the Mediterranean squadron. The Mediterranean was very hot and contained few friendly ports in those days, making it a less than pleasant assignment. Timberlake died while in the Mediterranean, the official cause was pulmonary disease. ... .... It was common protocol that if two members of the cabinet resigned, the rest would do so out of courtesy in order to allow the president to reorganize his cabinet. With some resistance, all of the cabinet members resigned, allowing Jackson to rename the members and hopefully end the affair once and for all. The newspapers attributed the cabinet’s fall the Margaret Eaton, and everyone thought that Jackson had doomed any hope for reelection. Jackson was reelected, with Van Buren as a running mate. He quickly sent Eaton to the Florida territory, where he became governor. Two years later, Jackson appointed Eaton as the United States minister to Spain. Margaret and John thoroughly enjoyed their lives in Spain for a period of four years. John Eaton died in 1856, leaving Margaret a small fortune. She lived in Washington DC with her two daughters, both of whom married into high society. It seemed as though Margaret finally had the societal life and respect she had always wanted. She changed all of that when, at the age of 59, she married her granddaughter’s 19 year old dance tutor, Antonio Buchignani. A mere five years later, he ran off to Italy with her money and her granddaughter.

Language

To have another language is to possess a second soul. † said Charlemagne, which may sound like a clich © but is actually very accurate. I believe that learning a language expands our life views and provides us some significant opportunities. Firstly, I strongly believe that the language we learn directly affects our way of thinking as we start to think in that particular language.For example Turkish is my mother tongue and I am learning English as a second language, so I know that there s not exact translation for most of the words from Turkish to English. In this situation if I think like a Turkish, I will probably be misunderstood and cannot state my ideas clearly. So I have to think like an American when I am speaking English to appropriately express my thoughts. This way I will have a different way of thinking of a different culture and I can get to know that culture better.I think this experience ives me a second identity, and this second identity diversifies the way I l ook at the things as well as my knowledge. In other words, I become a different person than I was before I learned that particular language. The other benefit of learning a second language is obviously being able to communicate with many people. Especially when a person is learning a widely spoken language like English or Spanish, it becomes a lot easier to get to know other people from different countries nd cultures.Additionally learning foreign languages provides huge benefits when it comes to the career, as it is a necessity to know foreign languages to apply for a Job or to work abroad. In conclusion learning a new language will expand our knowledge of the world as we have the mentality of a foreign culture while speaking that language and we gain a second identity with that experience. And of course new languages provide us to get to know more people and contribute to our success.

Exponential Functions - How to Find the Starting Value

Exponential Functions - How to Find the Starting Value Exponential functions tell the stories of explosive change. The two types of exponential functions are exponential growth and exponential decay. Four variables - percent change, time, the amount at the beginning of the time period, and the amount at the end of the time period - play roles in exponential functions. This article focuses on how to find the amount at the beginning of the time period, a. Exponential Growth Exponential growth: the change that occurs when an original amount is increased by a consistent rate over a period of time Exponential Growth in Real Life: Values of home pricesValues of investmentsIncreased membership of a popular social networking site Heres an exponential growth function: y a(1 b)x y: Final amount remaining over a period of timea: The original amountx: TimeThe growth factor is (1 b).The variable, b, is percent change in decimal form. Exponential Decay Exponential decay: the change that occurs when an original amount is reduced by a consistent rate over a period of time Exponential Decay in Real Life: Decline of Newspaper ReadershipDecline of strokes in the U.S.Number of people remaining in a hurricane-stricken city Heres an exponential decay function: y a(1-b)x y: Final amount remaining after the decay over a period of timea: The original amountx: TimeThe decay factor is (1-b).The variable, b, is percent decrease in decimal form. Purpose of Finding the Original Amount Six years from now, perhaps you want to pursue an undergraduate degree at Dream University. With a $120,000 price tag, Dream University evokes financial night terrors. After sleepless nights, you, Mom, and Dad meet with a financial planner. Your parents bloodshot eyes clear up when the planner reveals an investment with an 8% growth rate that can help your family reach the $120,000 target. Study hard. If you and your parents invest $75,620.36 today, then Dream University will become your reality. How to Solve for the Original Amount of an Exponential Function This function describes the exponential growth of the investment: 120,000 a(1 .08)6 120,000: Final amount remaining after 6 years.08: Yearly growth rate6: The number of years for the investment to growa: The initial amount that your family invested Hint: Thanks to the symmetric property of equality, 120,000 a(1 .08)6 is the same as a(1 .08)6 120,000. (Symmetric property of equality: If 10 5 15, then 15 10 5.) If you prefer to rewrite the equation with the constant, 120,000, on the right of the equation, then do so. a(1 .08)6 120,000 Granted, the equation doesnt look like a linear equation (6a $120,000), but its solvable. Stick with it! a(1 .08)6 120,000 Be careful: Do not solve this exponential equation by dividing 120,000 by 6. Its a tempting math no-no. 1. Use Order of Operations to simplify. a(1 .08)6 120,000 a(1.08)6 120,000 (Parenthesis) a(1.586874323) 120,000 (Exponent) 2. Solve by Dividing a(1.586874323) 120,000 a(1.586874323)/(1.586874323) 120,000/(1.586874323) 1a 75,620.35523 a 75,620.35523 The original amount, or the amount that your family should invest, is approximately $75,620.36. 3. Freeze -youre not done yet. Use order of operations to check your answer. 120,000 a(1 .08)6 120,000 75,620.35523(1 .08)6 120,000 75,620.35523(1.08)6 (Parenthesis) 120,000 75,620.35523(1.586874323) (Exponent) 120,000 120,000 (Multiplication) Practice Exercises: Answers and Explanations Here are examples of how to solve for the original amount, given the exponential function: 84 a(1.31)7Use Order of Operations to simplify.84 a(1.31)7 (Parenthesis) 84 a(6.620626219) (Exponent)Divide to solve.84/6.620626219 a(6.620626219)/6.62062621912.68762157 1a12.68762157 aUse Order of Operations to check your answer.84 12.68762157(1.31)7 (Parenthesis)84 12.68762157(6.620626219) (Exponent)84 84 (Multiplication)a(1 -.65)3 56Use Order of Operations to simplify.a(.35)3 56 (Parenthesis)a(.042875) 56 (Exponent)Divide to solve.a(.042875)/.042875 56/.042875a 1,306.122449Use Order of Operations to check your answer.a(1 -.65)3 561,306.122449(.35)3 56 (Parenthesis)1,306.122449(.042875) 56 (Exponent)56 56 (Multiply)a(1 .10)5 100,000Use Order of Operations to simplify.a(1.10)5 100,000 (Parenthesis)a(1.61051) 100,000 (Exponent)Divide to solve.a(1.61051)/1.61051 100,000/1.61051a 62,092.13231Use Order of Operations to check your answer.62,092.13231(1 .10)5 100,00062,092.13231(1.10)5 100,000 (Parenthesis)62,092.13231(1.61051) 100,000 (Exponent)100,000 100,00 0 (Multiply) 8,200 a(1.20)15Use Order of Operations to simplify.8,200 a(1.20)15 (Exponent)8,200 a(15.40702157)Divide to solve.8,200/15.40702157 a(15.40702157)/15.40702157532.2248665 1a532.2248665 aUse Order of Operations to check your answer.8,200 532.2248665(1.20)158,200 532.2248665(15.40702157) (Exponent)8,200 8200 (Well, 8,199.9999...Just a bit of a rounding error.) (Multiply.)a(1 -.33)2 1,000Use Order of Operations to simplify.a(.67)2 1,000 (Parenthesis)a(.4489) 1,000 (Exponent)Divide to solve.a(.4489)/.4489 1,000/.44891a 2,227.667632a 2,227.667632Use Order of Operations to check your answer.2,227.667632(1 -.33)2 1,0002,227.667632(.67)2 1,000 (Parenthesis)2,227.667632(.4489) 1,000 (Exponent)1,000 1,000 (Multiply)a(.25)4 750Use Order of Operations to simplify.a(.00390625) 750 (Exponent)Divide to solve.a(.00390625)/00390625 750/.003906251a 192,000a 192,000Use Order of Operations to check your answer.192,000(.25)4 750192,000(.00390625) 750750 750

Ethnic and racial identity and adolescent Well-Being The WritePass Journal

Ethnic and racial identity and adolescent Well-Being Bibliography Ethnic and racial identity and adolescent Well-Being Identity is often termed as a way of thinking and analysing about oneself, which usually takes place during adolescence. However some studies have suggested that the development of identity starts with the infant’s discovery of self, which as a result continues throughout childhood. This then eventually becomes the main centre of attention during adolescence, which clearly indicates the importance of understanding ones identity. Similarly understanding the ethnic part of identity is also regarded as a vital task of self discovery. As to why adolescence during the process of understanding their identity they also begin exploring their culture as well as their ethnic background. This article analyses the empirical and theoretical literatures that notifies us about the development of a positive understanding of oneself, mentally as well as ethnically. This article also explores how exploring the ethnic identity affects the mental health of the adolescent. This article also reviews this specific area of study by including research on both behavioural and the psychological outcomes of the adolescent in regards to discrimination, their mental health and the relationship in the midst of the ethnic identity. However the authors have specifically paid more attention to the ethnic identity and the academic achievement of the adolescent. Since these two factors often tend to have a link according to some studies. Similarly this is what Phinney and Kohatsu (1997) have suggested, as they argued that the achievement of a positive ethnic identity can eventually lead to a higher self esteem, better relations with friends and family but more importantly better grades. As during early adolescents some adolescents may often tend to deny any form of interest in their cultural or racial background but they quickly however become more and more aware of it due to conflicts that maybe occurring between their subculture and the dominant culture. As a result of these conflicts  Ã‚   some adolescents begin to develop some form of understanding of their heritage and background. This new knowledge that the adolescent has gained as result can encourage a sense of pride and acknowledgment of their ethnic bac kground. An increase number of research has suggested that adolescents of colour, ethnic identity in actual fact plays a major role in healthy changes that occur in their lives. Rotheran and Phinney (1998) have similarly suggested that ethnic and racial attitudes among the majority of children seem to have come together by about the age of 10 years. According to Rotheran and Phinney (1998) this outlines how important it is to examine and analyse the role that ethnic identity plays in the development of early adolescents. Other research have found that among minorities, at about only one and a half have not explored their ethnicity, about one quarter have been involved in exploring it and finally about one quarter have explored it and were committed to an ethnic identity. Phinney (1992) analysed that the procedure of developing the identity were alike across the three minority groups that the research was based on however particular issues that the each group were facing were very different. As Phinney and Kohatsu (1997) also gathered that unlike most Caucasian adolescents, the minority adolescents feel that they are required to make the decision of what extent their racial or cultural background will be part of their identity. As painful issues regarding ways in which their subculture is identified in society can lead to racism or inequality. This very common during early adolescence where minority adolescents tend to show any interest in their racial or cultural background. Similarly for example a headscarf; this item is often seen as religious as well as a cultural garment where the individual may feel they need to adjust it in order to avoid isolation or discrimination. Instead they may wear a more acceptable head garment or clothing in order to fit in with everyone else. Society is becoming more multicultural and multiethnic and being part of an ethnic group has become an important part of personal identity for most adolescents. During this specific phase or stage in life the adolescents often faces physical and mental adjustments. Arguably this particular stage in life is often associated with substantial number of changes in one’s self. Erikson (1968) and Blos (1962, 1979) both suggested that adolescence is regarded as a major life stage in terms of the formation ones identity as well as the development of the social perspective of life. Erikson (1968) and Blos (1962, 1979) argued that in order for the adolescent to understand the social aspect of their identity they must receive community acceptance for their behaviour.   Erikson (1968) in particular discussed the role intergenerational socialization plays in society. Intergenerational socialization suggests the social interaction between members of different generations.   Erikson (1968) further added that society therefore is required to provide a shared values and interests. This is to prevent the clashing of different values and beliefs but instead this allows those members of different generations to have shared ideas on what norms, values and beliefs are. According to Rotheran and Phinney (1987), they defined ethnic identity as one’s sense of belonging to particular ethnic group. Rotheran and Phinney (1987) also added that becoming a member of a specific ethnic group can somewhat determine the perceptions, thoughts, feelings and attitudes of certain issues regarding society. Rosenthal and Feldman (1992) suggested that because the family equips the child with their first experience as members of a specific ethnic group, it is therefore evident that parent’s have some form of involvement in the adolescents understanding of ethnic identity. Similarly Rosenthal and Feldman (1992) argued that those adolescents, who are confronted with conflicts with their own ethnic identity, may have been facilitated from the parent’s difficulties with the process of accepting their own ethnic identity. With the increased ethnic diversity in society, adolescents as a result are now interacting across ethnic and racial lines within their schools and communities that are a making the differences amongst ethnicity more apparent. As one is more likely to identify how different another’s ethnic identity is. According to Maldonado (1975) ethnic self-identity is a term used to define the combination of race, self image and self concept. It is when one fully recognizes their ethnicity instead of the self image that is based on the views and prejudices of the larger society towards a specific ethnic group. Maldonado (1975) argued that ethnic identity forms from within rather than the stereotypical images society imposes on ethnic identities. However Maldonado (1975) did state that it is important to mention that the stereotypes that are formed by the large society on certain ethnic groups can be a positive addition to the adolescent’s sense of pride or shame regarding their own ethnicity. Maldonado (1975) also insisted that this stereotype formed by the larger society can be the basis for the adolescent recognizing why they are faced with identity conflicts. A number of researchers have modelled what the process of ethnic development includes. Many of these models of ethnic identity and racial identity developments have been based on the work of Erik Erikson (1968). According to Erikson (1968) during the fifth stage of his model, the adolescent’s identity development becomes the primary developmental task in others words the most important part of their development. During this specific time, Erikson (1968) argued that adolescent starts the process of self discovery in many aspects of their life regarding their future, their career, their religious and cultural identity but also their racial and ethnic identity. Whereas Marcia (1980) argued that one views their identity as a structure of beliefs or past experiences regarding their self.   According to Marcia (1980) the better developed the structure of the individual’s identity is, the more able they are in identifying their own strengths and weakness. However the less developed the structure of their identity is, the more confused the individual may seem about their own individuality from others in which instead they may have to rely on outer sources to assess themselves. Furthermore Marcia (1980) regarded identity as a dynamic, not a motionless psychological structure. The way the adolescent’s identity is arranged sets the stage for changes that will continue to occur throughout the adult years until one is content with their identity. Many researchers have disagreed on the use of the terms ethnicity and race. As Marshall (2002) stated that both ethnicity and race are related to one another. However Marshall (2002) argued that ethnicity and race extends further than what is visible amongst specific groups, as this also includes the social history that these groups of individuals have experienced themselves which is different to other groups. This is because for example Afro- American groups are also known for their social history, as most of their ancestors have been part of the slavery this is what is recognisable within their racial or ethnic group other than their skin colour. Some researchers simply refer ethnic identity as a shared view of the world, language, behaviour which can also be associated with the cultural and religious background.   Alba and Waters (1990) analysed that ethnicity is regarded for some as an important factor of identity, in particular those who are from ethnic groups of colour in comparison to those who are from European/ White American backgrounds. Bernal and Knight (1993) also viewed ethnic identity as way of referring to one’s ethnic group membership. Bernal and Knight (1993) observed that ethnic identity is an essential aspect to the way an adolescent views themselves.   In addition to this Bernal and Knight (1993) argued that the ethnic identity of the adolescent is also associated with the feeling of belonging somewhere. Although there is a clear link between ethnic identity and group membership, Cross (1991) examined ethnic identity as not being a categorical variable. However Cross (1991) suggested that ethnic identity is rather a complex, multidimensional construct that is different dependent on what group the adolescent is part of. Races and ethnicity often play significant roles in minority group members self concept since these terms interact with the way society views them as well as the privileges that comes with it.   According to Wakefield and Hudley (2005) those adolescents with unexamined ethnic identities have not explored their ethnic membership group and therefore have very little understanding of issues regarding ethnicity and identity. Although at some point many adolescents may move into finding and searching for their ethnic identity. Contrary to Wakefield and Hudley (2005), some research has shown some disagreement as to what contributes to the developmental progression that occurs during adolescences in regards to ethnic identity. As some argue that when an adolescent has encountered some form of racial or discriminative abuse, this shifts gradually from unexamined ethnic identity to searching for their ethnic identity. However other research suggests that adolescents who live in multicultural societies happen to mature socially and cognitively because they are becoming more aware of their ethnic backgrounds where they then form some kind of desire or interest of understanding it better. Guanipa-Ho and Talley (1991) have both also suggested that ethnic identity is a fundamental component of how an individual functions psychologically.   Since one’s ethnic identity and self identity has proven to be highly influential to their behaviour which is also directly linked to their personality as well as their mental health. Moreover those adolescents who come from ethnic minority backgrounds must develop a positive as well ethnic and racial identity, this is so that they are able to protect and defend themselves against any racial, prejudice and discriminative abuse that still remains in society today. This for example the Black Americans often are viewed by the rest of America as low achievers in schools or involved with crime for instance. However Phinney (1992) analysed that belonging to a certain ethnic minority group doesn’t necessarily predict how high or low one’s self esteem is, whereas it is that sense of belonging that contributes to one’s self esteem. To conclude with, all these different findings agree that a positive and strong ethnic identity contributes to a good mental healthy which also encourages academic achievement.   An increasing number of studies have all suggested that the ethnic identity process determines how well the adolescent does academically but it can also trigger a number of negative factors which includes having low self esteem, getting involved with crime or drugs etc. Overall this article clearly outlines why it is essential that schools promote and encourage same race as well as cross race peer relationships. This is important as adolescents today live in a very diverse and multicultural society so it is important that they are not only surrounded with those people who are from similar as well as different ethnic, in order to prevent discrimination and racism. Bibliography Erikson, E. (1968) ‘Identity: youth and crisis, New York: New York Times company. Phinney, J. (1992) ‘The multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure: A new scale for use with adolescents and you adults from diverse groups’, Journal of adolescent Research, 7, (1), 156-176 Wakefield, W.D Hudley, C. (2005) ‘African American male adolescents’ preferences in responding to racial discrimination: Effects of ethnic identity and situational influences’, Adolescence, 40 (1) 237-256 Phinney, J. Kohatsu, E.L.   (1997) ‘Ethnic and Racial identity development and Mental health, in Schulenberg, J Maggs, J Hurrelmann, K. (ed.) Health risks and Developmental Transitions during Adolescence, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.