Employment Law and Employee Relations Assignment

Introduction Employment relations between employers and employees are managed by several different sources. There are a variety of statutory provisions which govern the acceptability of certain behaviours by either party. Key legislative provisions that will be referred to throughout this case study include the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA) and the Equality Act (2010) EqA, amongst others. Each of the three situations here will be looked at individuals although it is noted that each of the three people in question are employees and there is no need to consider the tests of whether or not the individuals are self-employed or employed for the purposes of statutory protection (although this was not as clear with Sally, see below for analysis). Each employee has also been issued with a contract which is presumed to be compliant with the minimum statutory requirements. Each scenario will be looked at in turn. Jim The discussions associated with Jim and his recent civil partnership indicate that there is a prima facie argument being presented by Jim that he is being discriminated against by virtue of his sexual orientation. Jim has argued that he has been given a less favourable shift pattern and that this is due to his sexual orientation and his statement that he is likely to be seeking to take time off to raise a child in the near future. He has also indicated that he has been subject to abuse from a colleague by virtue of his sexual orientation. Jim is now off work ill and has suggested that he may wish to resign. The danger from the Council point of view is that Jim resigns and states that he was constructively unfairly dismissed by virtue of his treatment due to sexual orientation. Although he has only been employed for a period of 18 months and this would typically mean that he had not have the appropriate qualifying period for unfair dismissal. However in accordance with section 19 of EqA there is no qualifying period and this therefore presents a danger to the Council. In order to potentially argue this, Jim would have to show that he had suffered from discrimination, harassment or victimisation in the work place as a direct result of his sexual orientation. In accordance with the EqA 2010 direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation are all outlawed. Jim is seemingly arguing that he is being directly discriminated against as he is being given worse shifts than his counterparts who are heterosexual. In order to prove this there would need to be a comparator so that he could show that he has been treated comparatively worse than his counterpart, the comparator having circumstances that are not materially different to Jim (Shamoon, 2003). Therefore in this case it would be necessary to look at the treatment of someone who is in all ways similar to Jim with the exception of sexual orientation. The facts as indicated here are not sufficiently clear to show whether or not on balance Jim has been treated any differently than other colleagues with the revised shift patterns. There is also an additional concern faced by Malcolm in that in the case of Martin (2006). In this case it was held that the investigation of the grievance process was in itself discriminatory as the manager had failed to give the complainant the necessary time and a ttention, instead dismissing his grievance as petty. Malcolm’s response to Jim’s verbal statement is therefore a concern and although a formal grievance has not been raised the matter needs to be treated with greater concern in order to investigate the complaint fully. In relation to the investigation of victimisation and harassment, the full process needs to be followed in order to comply with the requirement of the EqA to protect Jim. Section 26 of the EqA deals with the conduct that has the effect of being discriminatory by virtue of victimisation and harassment. Again the full facts have not been ascertained as yet and although Jim feels the emails are coming from a colleague this would need to be investigated fully. The crucial aspect of this scenario however is to deal with the grievance in an appropriate manner. Malcolm’s previous brushing aside of Jim could in itself create allegations of discrimination and this needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency. A failure to do so could result in Jim bringing a claim for constructive, unfair dismissal with the possibly of the tribunal awarding compensation for injury to feelings. This is aimed at being compensatory and not punitive but nonetheless presents a real danger to the Council (Corus, 2005). Frank This scenario deals with an employee that is known for several misdemeanours over the two years of his employment, most notably going out during the week and weekend and attending work in a manner that is seen to be unacceptable. His latest error as a result of this activity has resulted in a potential substantial loss to the Council. There is no indication that his action with the transcription error happened when he was doing anything outside of his authority within work. It is also noted that he is paid a minimum wage or ?5.13 at 19 years of age which does not indicate that he is an apprentice. That said being 19 and recognised to have substantial weaknesses in his performance which do not seem to have been picked up previously places the Council in a weaker position. Despite this, it is evident that his error has caused a substantial loss and as such it is reasonable for the Council to look towards a disciplinary. The principles of fairness when conducting a disciplinary are contained in the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Produces (2012) as well as the non-statutory guide that is also created by ACAS. More formally, S98 of ERA states that in order for an individual to be dismissed the employer is required to have acted reasonably and following a suitable disciplinary process would be a key component of this. In the event that the process is not followed and Frank then claims unfair dismissal the failure to follow the process could result in an uplift of any award by 25% (Section 207 of Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992). Firstly it is necessary for the employer to consider whether formal action is necessary. It is not clear whether previous misdemeanours or poor performance has been dealt with formally or informally and this should be looked at as a matter of priority. However for the purposes of this advice it is suggested that these have not been dealt with formally in any way. Where a discussion is to be recorded formally on the record of an employee, as is likely to be the case her section 11 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 will become relevant and the statutory right to be accompanied needs to be taken into account. It was confirmed in the case of Sarkar (2010) that where the disciplinary could result in dismissal it is not acceptable to use an informal process. The potential loss here is substantial and therefore it is possible that the Council could be looking at gross misconduct. Frank has the qualifying period of 2 years service and could therefore potentially claim unfair dismissal making it vital that the processes are followed correctly. The employer needs to act promptly as if it fails to indicate the severity of the situation to the employee there is a danger that it would be seen to have affirmed the contract and accepted the employees repudiatory breach (Cook, 2009). A full investigation is necessary which will then potentially lead to the disciplinary procedure. The position of the employer should however be reserved for the duration of the investigation. During the investigatory meeting and the disciplinary meeting (if there is one subsequent) the employee has the right to be accompanied. The level of investigation necessary is dependent on the severity of the accusation (A, 2003). Where an employee is at a serious risk of long term impact for example being dismissed and receiving a professional detriment a much more thorough investigation is required. Based on this and the underlying need to act reasonably Frank should be suspended in order for the investigation to take place. He should be informed of his rights and obligations during the period and also how long he is likely to be suspended for. As the conduct is sufficiently severe that it could result in dismissal this is a crucial step and the investigations should be very thorough. There are concerns that the Council has been aware of performance issues and has not yet dealt with the matter. Furthermore it would seem unreasonable that a junior individual was able to make such a costly error and this will have to be born in mind when determining the severity of the disciplinary process to be followed. Sally Sally’s contractual status is questioned initially as she is currently working various hours with a weekend on call every month. Sally has been located at the Council office for 3 years with a set desk and specific hours. This level of control is considered to be sufficient to comply with the definition of employee as per section 230 of the ERA 1996. This is a matter of fact and law and it is suggested that as she was required to personally preform the contract and the Council had a high level of control she would be deemed to be an employee (Carmichael, 2000). Based on this it would be the case that Sally is entitled to the statutory minimum holiday which is 20 days (excluding 8 bank holiday days). Sally has requested a change to her current working hours which is dealt with a flexible working request and secondly she is likely to be interviewed alongside others for the full time vacancies which have now arisen, should she wish to apply and would not want to be discriminated against by virtue of her caring role for her terminally ill mother. Since June 2014, employees with at least 6 months’ continuous service have been able to apply for flexible working for any reason. The employer is then under a duty to deal with the request in a reasonable manner and be fair in the way that they treat the application (Duncan, 2012). Crucially, in accordance with section 13 of the EqA it is possible for an employer to be directly discriminating against an individual who is treated less favourably due to the disability of an associated person (Coleman 2008). This situation is potentially difficult for the Council to manage and there is at least some argument that Sally is not in fact an employee. On balance however this is not a valid argument given the prescriptiveness of the hours of work and the physical base in the council as well as the personal nature of the services provided. The Council would therefore be required to provide paid holiday and to provide Sally with her contract of employment. Furthermore any requests for flexible working would need to be dealt with fairly and when looking to fill full time roles, Sharon would have to ensure that she did not discriminate against Sally as this could result in disability discrimination despite the fact that the disability is not suffered by her directly. Conclusions In summary, Jim should be offered a full and diligence grievance procedure to prevent him resigning and later claiming constructive unfair dismissal by virtue of sexual orientation discrimination. Frank should be dealt with formally through the use of the disciplinary procedure with a full investigation and if necessary a disciplinary that conforms with statutory requirements. Sally is, on balance, an employee and needs to be managed with due care to the disability discrimination rules and the need to be fair and reasonable when considering any flexible working requests. References ACAS (2012) Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures Available at: http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/k/b/Acas_Code_of_Practice_1_on_disciplinary_and_grievance_procedures-accessible-version-Jul-2012.pdf A v B [2003] IRLR 405 Carmichael v National Power plc [2000] IRLR 43, Coleman v Attridge Law and another [2008] ICR 1128 Cook v MSHK Limited and another [2009] EWCA Civ 624, Corus Hotels plc v Woodward and another UKEAT/0536/05, Duncan, N (2012) Employment Law in Practice, City Law School (London, England, Oxford University Press) p.216 Employment Relations Act 1999 Employment Rights Act 1996 Equality Act (2010) Martin v Parkam Foods Ltd ET/1800241/06 Sarkar v West London Mental Health NHS Trust [2010] IRLR 508 Shamoon v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary [2003] ICR 337 (HL) Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

Ibsen `The Dolls House` Essay

The theme of Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’ is the rights of an individual to live his life in his own way which is more important than the conventions and codes of society, understanding and love are the essential ingredients for a happy married life. The theme is present in the play through the presentation of the married life of Nora and her husband. The significance of the theme is that if too much importance is given to the norms of society than to individual freedom, his emotions and feeling, it brings disaster as shown in the play. The theme of ‘The Doll’s House’ by Ibsen is depicted mainly through the characters of Nora, and her husband Helmer. Nora breaks the rules of society initially to save his husband’s life and finally leaves her home, her husband and children to educate herself. Helmer on the other hand lives his life by strictly adhering to the rules of society. He is unable to understand his wife’s feelings and emotions and so his wife leaves him forever. Their marriage breaks down because they lacked understand and love which are required for a happy married life. In Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’, Nora is the protagonist who lives the life of a dutiful wife and mother as approved by society. She plays her role beautifully which is restricted to activities like creating a beautiful home, meeting the needs of her husband and children and singing and dancing prettily and seductively for her husband. She is portrayed in the play as a helpless creature; Helmer towards the end of the play calls her his ‘helpless darling’. She is also thought as a housewife protected by her husband from the troubles and burdens of life (said by her friend Mrs. Linde). However, when crisis strikes, she acts as a man. She herself takes the decision. She borrows a large sum of money from a man named Krogstad to save her husband’s life. She spares her dying father from the worry of his son-in-law’s heath. She forges her father’s signature, (the male member of the family who was supposed to act as a guarantor) and procures the money. She follows the advice of the doctor and takes Helmer to the south, to Italy to recover his health. The loan caused a lot of worry for her. She suppressed her desires for finery, saves a little from housekeeping money and worked in the evening till late at night to pay the loan back. She sometimes felt very tired but in spite of all her struggles, she felt great happiness in working and earning money. As she tells her friend: ‘It was like being a man’, (Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’). On the other hand, Torvald Helmer, her husband strictly follows the rules of the society. He considers his wife Nora as a plaything and his possession. He worries about the reaction of the people in the bank, when his wife Nora requests him to allow Krogstad to keep his position in the bank. They are already aware that he will dismiss Krogstad, so if they come to know that the new manager has changed his mind at his wife’s request, he will become a laughing stock in their eyes. Helmer tells Nora that: â€Å"Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence? †, (Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’). At the end, when Helmer receives the letter from Krogstad revealing Nora’s crime of forgery, he is inconsolable: â€Å"What a horrible awakening! All these eight years–she who was my joy and pride–a hypocrite, a liar–worse, worse–a criminal! †,(Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’). He not only abuses her but also blames her father: â€Å"all your father’s want of principle has come out in you. No religion, no morality, no sense of duty†, (Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’). We find from the play that Helmer is more concerned about the disgrace that he may face in society more than the seriousness of crime that Nora commits. He blames Nora for the mishap: â€Å"He can make the affair known everywhere; and if he does, I may be falsely suspected of having been a party to your criminal action. Very likely people will think I was behind it all–that it was I who prompted you! † (Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’). He decides to appease Krogstad in one way or another and shut up the matter at all cost. He believed that because of this incident, they can no longer share a close relationship as before and also he cannot allow her near his children. But still he wants Nora to continue staying under his roof as his wife for the sake of appearance to the world. As he is afraid that he will be stigmatized by society. However, later when he receives the second letter from Krogstad stating that the man repents for his action and has returned the bond, he calms down. Helmer realizes that he is saved from disgrace and thus he becomes the loving husband as before. He changes his stance, he forgives his wife. However, the damage is done. Disaster strikes the family; he loses his wife and mother of his children. On the other hand, Nora does not live her life according to the dictates of society. She breaks away her traditional role of a devoted wife and loving mother. She leaves Helmel and frees herself from the bondage of marriage. Thus she outrage society and stigmatize herself. In the play, Nora and Helmer look on the outside as a happy married couple. However at the end of the play, the curtain moves away to show a more realistic picture of marriage. As Nora realizes at the end of the play, there is a lack of understanding and love between the couple. Helmer considers Nora as his doll and his treasure. He also wants her to act according to his wishes. He tells Nora after he forgives her: â€Å"There is something so indescribably sweet and satisfying, to a man, in the knowledge that he has forgiven his wife–forgiven her freely, and with all his heart. It seems as if that had made her, as it were, doubly his own†, (Ibsen’s ‘The Doll’s House’). As Nora mentions, they could not understand each other even after eight years of marriage. Nora understands that her husband is a man with strong opinions about the role of woman in family and that his male ego would be hurt if he finds out about her secret loan. Also that he is very possessive about her. But she is unaware of the fact that her husband is a narrow-minded and selfish man. Helmer also fails to understand Nora. He does not realize Nora’s motive behind forging her father’s signature. He failed to understand his wife’s deep love for him which compelled her to borrow such a large amount in the first place. In the play, it is evident that Nora loves her husband and Helmer has great affection for Nora. But their love and affection for each other is not strong enough to keep them together in marriage. In the play, ‘The Doll’s House’ by Ibsen, Torvald lives his life by the guidelines that are acceptable and respectable to society. He is concerned more about his wife’s attractive looks and the beautiful appearance of his home than for his wife’s happiness. So his marriage breaks down. Nora realizes that she has imbibed the tastes and opinions of his husband and thus has lived a life according to his terms. She always though she was happy but was never really happy but rather jolly. Nora leaves her husband and her family and goes away to live her life according to her own terms. She wants to educate herself, to understand herself and everything around her. She goes away to fulfill her duties to herself which come before her duties as a wife and mother. She wants to understand who is right, the world or herself. The significance of the theme is beautifully presented in the play. Work Citation: â€Å"A Doll’s House†. Novelguide. com. 18 June 2008. â€Å"A Doll’s House†. Henrik Ibsen. 18 June 2008

Leadership and Team Building Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership and Team Building - Essay Example Different circumstance thus results in different leaders as such relative situations. According to this, an effective leader must offer the best solutions for the prevailing situation. Situational theorists, on the other hand, dictate that the best leader must develop a team that provides the best course of action based upon the relative situational variables (Coggins, 2009). This follows the understanding that every situation is different from the other and therefore requires a unique set of actions. Behavioral theorists dispel the notion that leaders are born. They believe that leaders are made and the process depends on the behavior of the leader. People see their leaders as role models and would, therefore, like to see admirable qualities in the leaders. This way, they develop teams consisting of obedient members who therefore achieve the success required of the projects. Participative theorists explain that leaders should consider the input of others in their group thereby appreciate the contribution of their followers. Such motivate creativity thereby developing the right mental states in the team members. The management theory of leadership bases its importance on the supervision, performance, and organization of a group. An effective leader must, therefore, be capable of organizing his or her group thereby achieves the successes required of such teams. Relationship theory of leadership lay more importance on the interaction between leaders and their followers (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2011).

Are Solar Panels Cost Effective in Massachusetts Research Paper

Are Solar Panels Cost Effective in Massachusetts - Research Paper Example These incentives include tax credits, improvements in household asset valuation, cost reductions stemming from higher demand and supply capabilities by licensed installers, and even rebates that provide instant cost recovery on solar photovoltaic system installation. Because of Massachusetts’ total basket of potential incentives, solar panels are not only cost effective, but can provide long-term financial benefits for consumers and businesses that can relatively quickly recoup the initial costs of installation. Why Solar Panels are Cost Effective in Massachusetts Solar photovoltaic cells are installed either on the rooftops of homes and businesses or as ground-level panels depending on the wattage required by the user and their available square footage or acreage. Most consumers install five kilowatt-capable solar panels which will require 500 square feet of available space in order to install this efficient system (Boston Solar, 2011). Typically, this type of solar energy sy stem will completely remove dependency on standard electric utilities which allows the consumer to be 100% self-reliant in electric energy production. Such a system ranges, in general, between $20,000 and $27,500 before considering any incentive enhancements. There are, however, less efficient solar packages that produce significantly less energy output and will force the consumer to be partially reliant on power production from their local utility companies to supplement solar-produced output. Despite this initial high cost of installation, it is estimated that a five kilowatt solar photovoltaic system will generate enough electricity to power the entire home and be equivalent to $2,200 in savings on annual electricity costs (Local Solar Panels, 2009). Thus, in one year, a $20,000 system provides a return on investment, before considering incentives, at 11 percent. Now, many consumers are turned away from installing a solar panel system due to the initial expenditure required. Not many consumers can readily afford such a high price for solar panel installation and will be forced to procure financing options (e.g. second mortgage or home mortgage refinancing) in order to have the system installed. Despite this, there are significant long-run advantages for having their own solar energy production system that are provided by the Federal government and Massachusetts government that enhance the initial 11 percent return on investment. The state of Massachusetts has created a Commonwealth State Rebate that provides consumers with up to $8,500 in repayments when installing a solar system with higher output levels. This rebate system was established in 2010 in order to entice consumers to consider installation. In fact, demand for the program was so very high that the program ran out of its initial funding capabilities, requiring Massachusetts government to provide an additional $222 million in funding over the initial budget of just $108 million (Boston Solar, 2011 ). With potential rebates of up to $8,500, the Commonwealth Rebate System now maintains the capability to increase return on investment from 11 percent to 53.5 percent, thus recapturing over half of the initial installation costs for the system. In 2008, the Federal gover

Professional solutions to the impact that the increasing concern of Research Paper

Professional solutions to the impact that the increasing concern of how alcohol consumption affects the rate of interpersonal vi - Research Paper Example Excessive consumption of alcohol in most cases pose a health risk for many individuals and each year several deaths related to alcohol consumption are reported (Smith 145). Understanding genes causing alcoholism is vital in finding lasting solutions to the problem of alcoholism, and scientists in Finland have been concentrating in gene therapies to identify these genes related to alcoholism. Individuals addicted to alcohol consumption have numerous gene constitutions that interact with environmental factors to influence them into drinking and result into the drinking problem. Gene therapy has helped in understanding gene vulnerability which is significant in finding curative measures in helping those individuals who are heavy consumers of alcohol. In addition, scientists have discovered and are still discovering various drugs that have the ability to suppress the alcohol genes in individuals. An example is that aldehyde dehydrogesnase has been discovered to help in neutralizing the G ABA gene which has been discovered influence addiction of alcohol in individuals. Scientists are also advocating for educational programs to help in solving the high rate of interpersonal violence caused by excessive alcohol consumption amongst individuals. ... Therefore, scientists are emphasizing on the need to sleep to help in solving the problem of loneliness and prevent consumption of alcohol in individuals who drink because they are lonely or need instant gratification from various issues affecting their lives (Hardie & Ben 54). Examples of these programs include off-time pubertal training which is used to predict physiological activity of individuals to interpersonal stress caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. In addition, the government and non-governmental organizations have introduced programs on drug and alcohol abuse to help alcohol addicts to recover and quit their drinking habit by pointing out the risk and involved and also offering counseling services for those who are affected and those who are already addicts. Scientists have also proposed educational programs within the country to help in solving the problem of underage drinking amongst teenagers and grown-ups within the country. This assist in solving the problem of interpersonal conflict amongst individuals. They are school strategies which are emphasizing on the adaptation of behavioral theory and useful information amongst individuals. In addition, they have actively involved the community and family to form strategies to prevent drinking amongst individuals and bring to an end interpersonal conflict associated with alcohol (Criminology and Criminal Justice: Theory Research Methods and Statistics 120). An example of these programs includes strengthening families program which was started to improve relationships in families and also social skills of individuals. Resistance skill programs have also been introduced to help in the prevention of interpersonal conflict associated

Analysis of Personal and Organizational Ethics and Values between Essay

Analysis of Personal and Organizational Ethics and Values between For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Organizations - Essay Example Not For Profit Organization: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Organization Profile The United nations Children’s Fund is a not for profit organization which was established as an initiative of the United nations Organization to provide humanitarian as well as developmental assistance to children and mothers, especially in the developing world. The organization is commonly known by the initials UNICEF, which were derived from the original name of the organization which was The United nations Children’s Emergency Fund. The name was shortened to the United nations Children’s Fund in 1953.The organization had its headquarters in New York, USA and is one of the key members of the United nations Development Group, being part of its executive committee. The organization was created and established in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide emergency services to children and women in the countries that had been adversely affected by the e ffects of the World War II. Among the emergency services provided included provision of food and healthcare services to the children and their mothers. In 1953, the organization had grown and was made a permanent part of the United Nations System since its services were considered very vital in helping the United Nation meet its objectives. The organization relies heavily on contributions from private donors and governments. About two thirds of the resources of the organization come from member governments, the rest of the resources come from private corporations and individuals. Individual contributors are estimated to be about 6 million people who make their contributions through the national committees in member countries of the UN. The services of the organization are aimed at assisting development at the community level in the developing countries while promoting the well-being and health of children. The organization’s services were recognized internationally when it wa s awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1963 and the Prince of Asturias award of Concord most recently in 2006. The mission and vision of the organization revolves around improving the lives of children and women in the developing countries through provision of health care services and development projects in the communities. Ethical Dilemma Like any other not for profit organization, The United Nations Children Fund faces a lot of challenges. Some of the challenges that not for profit organizations face include legal, financial, leadership or ethical problems. Ethical challenges often involve a conflict of interest. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) faces a conflict of interest in financial management. The organization has limited resources while there are many children and women in the developing world who need the services provided by the organization. Despite getting financial backing from governments as well as individuals and corporations including other not for prof it organizations the organization still faces a lot of challenges in reaching out to its target population across the globe. Most of those who need the services of UNICEF are located in rural areas of some of the poorest countries in the world. The organization faces a challenge of reaching out to these individuals in order to help improve their loving standards. With this situation, the organization faces an ethical dilemma of whether to continue with its operations to individuals in some of

Schizophrenia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Schizophrenia - Essay Example This difference in levels of cognition in various patients led to more research into other underlying pathologic pathways responsible for severe cognitive impairment in NPI patients but was apparently working fine in patients on NPNN category. Brain morphometry was used to analyze differences. Both groups were tested against each other on the basis of four tests to asses the attention and working memory (verbal and nonverbal) and were confirmed by California verbal learning test and degraded stimulus continuous performance test. The standard deviation within 0.5 was the cut off for near normal cognition whereas 1 standard deviation below normal rendered the patient cognitively impaired. They gray matter was found to be smaller in both the groups along with larger third ventricle. An additional pathology found in NPI was that along with the gray matter, their white matter was also decreased in volume. The lateral ventricle cavity was also enlarged. Whitford et al (2007) further invest igated the white matter abnormalities in schizophrenics and also studied whether the degenerative changes are progressive. T1 weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 41 first- episode schizophrenics were compared against those of 47 normal comparable people for baseline volume of white matter using voxel-based morphometry in statistical parametric mapping- 2 (SPM2). The schizophrenics had decreased volume of white matter in frontal and temporal lobes. However there was an increase in white matter at frontoparietal junctions on both sides. The longitudinal changes at follow up after 2 to 3 years were compared using tensor based morphometry which showed decreased white matter bilaterally in middle and inferior temporal cortices of schizophrenics. The neural connection abnormalities were attributed to this progressive loss of white matter. The structural brain abnormalities at the time of first psychotic episode were studied by Fannon et al (2000) whose research involved 37 patient s going through their first episode of psychosis. T1 weighted steady brain scans of 1.5 mm contiguous sections were obtained and volumetric brain measurements were taken. The patients were found to have structural deviations and there was generalized reduction in brain volume, along with enlarged third and lateral ventricles. Cortical and temporal gray matter was found to be decreased. Schizophrenia is a chronic progressive mental disorder. It is associated with cognitive impairment and worsening interpersonal skills. The attacks are accompanied by hallucinations and delusions. Person feels that he is hearing different sorts of voices and has false beliefs and perceptions. There is extreme emotional instability and the patient may suffer from depression or social isolation. Cognitive decline involves memory impairment, decreased ability to pay attention and difficulty in functional execution of activities. The abnormalities are attributed to abnormal distribution and ratios of gray and white matter in the brain. Apart from that, increase in size of ventricular cavities as well as generalized reduction in brain volume also adds to affect the typical schizophrenic picture. The result is alterations in various brain functions owing to

Application Letter, Resume, Follow Up Letter Essay

Application Letter, Resume, Follow Up Letter - Essay Example I also possess skills in mentoring and counseling through the long years of social service activities in the Girls Scout movement. I have over 5 years of work experience in customer care and frontline operations in banking and other field of business and possess excellent interpersonal and communications skills, which I have developed and sharpened during my career. I am positive that my extrovert personality with commitment for excellence will allow me to integrate well in to the Titans culture which is known to be a community designed by employees who expect to achieve excellence. Enclosed herewith is a brief resume of my work experience and educational background. Personal bio data with reference contacts can be provided upon request. I am most keen in receiving a positive feedback for my application and look forward to hearing from you. First of all, I would like to express my appreciation for the job interview that was granted to me upon reviewing my application for the post of Human Resources Manager. I am delighted to hear of being selected for the position and wish to thank you for the attractive offer of employment made. I am available for taking up the new position on immediate basis upon my confirmation of accepting the offer. However, I would like to request for a period of one week from today, to confirm my acceptance of the job offer. As mentioned in the interview, I have applied for similar positions in two other companies and both are based in my home state, Maryland. The two firms have indicated that they will be notifying me of their decision not later than 20th of November and therefore, I would like to await their decision prior to accepting the offer from Titan Corporation. I must however express clearly, my enthusiasm of joining your firm, which offers a unique opportunity in terms of the specialized nature of business in which the firm operates as well as the prospects of serving the human resource

Supplier and Vendor Selection Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supplier and Vendor Selection Process - Essay Example Their past records supplying for other companies should be viewed. This is to enable the company determine the risks at hand. If a supplier has a record of giving excuses and not delivering the supplies on time, they should be discarded as quickly as possible. This is also to prevent falling behind schedule due to problems caused by a party external to the company. The second element in choosing a supplier is their experience especially in serving similar contracts. In essence, the focus should be selecting the very best of suppliers to meet the needs at hand. An experienced supplier would have many benefits to the company. First of all, the supplierwould provide the very best quality materials. Secondly, their experience would most likely make them efficient and thus the chances of a discount are high. The third aspect to consider in choosing the supplier is the costs demanded by the supplier. Every company focuses on the reduction of costs and thus such a contract should be aimed at the same. The supplier with the least costs but with the best quality should be chosen upon. The fourth element to base the choice upon is the amount of time available. Given that time is more or less limited for all activities, the company that can deliver the supplies required in the shortest time possible. This should consider the quality of supplies since the hurry could be an opportunity to deliver poor quality items. The last element is the future plans of the company. If the company aims at a continued contractwith the supplier, a strict set of requirements should be used since all the company should focus on is obtaining the best supplier both in terms of quality and reliability. In conclusion, it is you, as the chief executive of this company, should endeavor at ensuring that the supplier given the deal is the best as stipulated by the conditions of the contract at hand and the goals of the company.

Starbucks Logistics Essay Example for Free

Starbucks Logistics Essay To help Starbucks on its way to successfully reach the supply chain goals they redefined and changed their distribution and warehousing strategy too. In March 2011 Starbucks signed the agreement with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to distribute Starbucks coffee and teas for Keurig single-serving systems (2) Green Mountain Coffee Roasters owns the biggest distribution network for the single-serving systems in North America and Starbucks was able to increase their stock prices significantly after singing this deal. Also, leaving out the old partner Kraft Foods out of the distribution of its coffee in supermarkets and grocery shops Starbucks can generate some surplus income and invest it into business (3). Another example of changes in distribution is the intention of Starbucks to capitalize the distribution channels of Tevanna and continue to open more stores in malls tweaking the model (4). The relationship with their long-standing 3 PL partner company OHL has been redefined after Mr.Schultz returned as chief executive and have been improved enormously implementing day-today and peer-to-peer relationship instead of having a relationship ‘within arm reach’ as per Greg Javor, Vce President of Global Logistics for Starbucks Coffee Company (1). The relationships were leveraged to the key levels between the partners and allowed OHL to react quickly and in a more effective way to a changing and Starbucks strategy. Also, the improved communication helped to introduce more innovation into the business and now Starbucks and OHL use voice picking technologies, finger scanning technology and introduced the EDI labeling in their warehousing system. All this definitely allow Starbuck to secure a reliable supply of high-quality products and reduce the cost using all the opportunities, technologies and re-defining their distribution and warehousing objectives. Doing it in a smart way and using effectively integration of various activities for reaching the goals the company not only solves the current problems while recovering after the recession hit but builds a new capabilities and opportunities for expanding business for the future. (1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa_C7-W_r18 (2) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/business/13coffee.html?pagewanted=1_r=0ref=starbuckscorporation (3) http://www.gezabottlik.com/310/07_Project20120Report_billyjun_Starbucks20Coffee20Report.pdf (4) http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/starbucks-to-buy-teavana-for-620-million/?ref=starbuckscorporation

Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening

Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening Prostate Cancer: A Man’s Dilemma Afzal Hussain Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian men. In 2013, the Canadian Cancer Society estimated that 23,600 men will be diagnosed with cancer; a further 3,900 will die from the disease in Canada (Canadian Cancer Society, 2014). The prostate is part of the male reproductive system; it surrounds the urethra (tube that carries urine and semen through the penis). Prostate Cancer Canada (2014) states, â€Å"Prostate cancer is a disease where some prostate cells have lost normal control of growth and division. They no longer function as healthy cells (Prostate Cancer Canada). Potential barriers to screening includes socioeconomic status, lack of health care, culture, and false experiences of medical treatments. These barriers and other misunderstandings of the causes of prostate cancer impede the process for early screening further delaying early diagnosis and treatment. This paper explores socioeconomic status, race, fear, and sexual function as perceived barriers to prostate screening; it also identifies strategies that promote successful screening and eventual recovery. Canadian Cancer Society in their statistical report of 2013 reports, â€Å"Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 50, most of the deaths associated with prostate cancer are found in men older than 75 years. Canadian males are more likely to develop prostate cancer, with 1 in 7 males expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. On average, 65 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every day. On average, 11 Canadian men will die of prostate c ancer every day. (CCS) Socioeconomic Status Better survival is a testimony to the advances in research and treatment, but improving survival and reducing prostate cancer diagnosis is more resourceful to a better quality of life. Treatments and technological advancements in diagnosis and medications have transformed survival rates in cancer tremendously. Despite the overall improvement in survivorship in prostate cancer patients, socioeconomic inequalities in survival of prostate cancer patients remains a constant challenge in healthcare. Most men diagnoses with prostate cancer are at high risk, mainly because of their low socioeconomic status, unemployment, lack of education and inability to afford health care services. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Care without Coverage: Too Little, Too late states that, â€Å"People without health insurance often go without appropriate care. For example, the uninsured more often go without cancer screening tests, delaying diagnosis and leading to premature death. † (Institut e of Medicine [IOM], 2002) In Canada, a fragment of the population lives on social assistance and cannot afford quality health care services, these â€Å"disadvantaged people† faces many health challenges and are at high risk for health issues. Residents faced with these challenges find it harder to have prostate cancer screenings despite doing their best to facilitate socioeconomic changes in their life. Fortunately, in Canada, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) provide prostate screening to low income citizens who cannot afford the screening. One such organization in Calgary, Prostate Cancer Centre has been a model of excellence in this service to the community. However, in Alberta, Quebec, and British Columbia, prostate screenings is not medically covered by provincial health plans. Therefore, men persuing screening will have to pay out of his pocket or will incur charges through his health plan. Crawford (2010) in her online news article states, â€Å"The PSA test has been used as a widespread screening tool since the mid-1990s, but has been dogged by controversy. While seven provinces pay any man to get tested, B.C., Alberta and Quebec do not, unless there are risk factors such as a family history of the disease (Crawford, 2010). This clearly shows the partial distribution in persuing health care services within Canada. Jamuir, Robinson Shavers (2008) found that, â€Å" Underinsurance is of particular concern for racial/ethnic minorities, who are more likely than others to report having difficulties paying medical bills despite having medical insurance coverage16 and it may contribute to the lower rates of cancer screening observed for these groups.(p. 843). Patients having the privilege of an extended private insurance coverage feel a sense of economic security. The real question is what is the case with the ordinary person without any coverage? Someone with a minimal wage and/or without coverage may feel the pangs of hopelessness, neglect, and long-term suffering. This disadvantage stems from differences in the receipt of treatment and access to high-quality healthcare treatment presented with low economic status. Furthermore, considering the imbalance between economic classes in regards to access to prostate screening, it is viable to suggest a level playing field where screening should be available to all men, despite their income status or health care coverage especially considering the Canadian Cancer Society reports on new instances of the disease annually. Also reducing the cost/payments for screening will be a significant boost for uninsured patients, because patients can express greater satisfaction of having the screening done despite having a low-income status. Another important strategy is to make sure that an all-accessible approach towards this screening, where men can afford the screening despite not having enough income or insurance coverage, in doing so having the satisfaction of economic security. Race In their research titled â€Å"Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Survival among Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer White, Coker, Du, Eggleston Williams (2011) found that, â€Å"Racial/ethnic disparities in prostate cancer survival have also been documented in the literature, and can be attributed to differences in socioeconomic status (p. 1080). In Canada, race is also a key risk factor for prostate cancer; it is prevalent in people of (Black African or Black Caribbean descent) who are at increased risk compared to white Canadians due to their genetic disposition, family history of prostate cancer, or age. Brooks (2013) states,† Black men are 60% more likely than white men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and is more than twice as likely to die from the disease. † (Brooks, 2013). Furthermore, besides ethnicity and age, numerous other factors contribute to prostate cancer. Canadian blacks are also higher risk due to the prevalence of comorbidities and heavy smoking or alcohol intake. These risk factors are common in Caribbean culture where people tend to take their health and lifestyle habits less seriously compared to North American culture. Despite the largest improvement in medication and technology Blacks remains a high risk of prostate cancer and is twice, more likely to be affected and die from the disease compared to whites. Having support groups plays a significant role in times of stress, especially when faced with a disease like prostate cancer. Establishing family networks and religious beliefs will offer a strong support base, especially when the patient is making health-related decisions that will establish his future life. Oster, Hedestig, Johansson, Klingstedt Lindh (2012) states, â€Å" Conversational group support can help men to realize that it is normal to experience mixed emotions including sadness, anger, or despair over losses c aused by the disease, and such interventions have shown improvements in anxiety, depression, men’s abilities to cope with the situation, and their quality of life.† (p.332) Fear. Many patients are afraid of prostate cancer screenings. With the increased amount of prostate cancer, patients diagnosed each year; countless men are still avoiding screening tests because it makes them uncomfortable with the results. This emotional and defensive action stems from the lack of independent knowledge patients have about the screening and the cancer itself. Presenting fear towards prostate screening changes the overall attitude towards treatment. This fear could provide a negative response to treatment. By expressing elevated levels of fear, a patient will be denied access to treatment and further delayed interventions, which may evolve into an advanced stage of the cancer. Furthermore, a patient presenting minimal levels of fear will be motivated to peruse screening, leading to an eventual diagnosis. Male patients are also hesitant to take screenings for prostate cancer due to many misconceptions, many believe the cause of their disease is due to sexual promiscuity or sexual orientation, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and unhealthy lifestyle attributed to alcohol and smoking. Consedine, Adjei, Ramirez McKiernan (2008) found in their research, â€Å" The high incidence and mortality rates for prostate cancer among African American and other men of African descent may be expected to be reflected in elevated anxieties surrounding prostate cancer and the associated screening in these men. African Americans report greater fear of prostate cancer and screening, particularly for the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). When applying these findings to advance nurse practitioners’ practices, it can be said that men in the high-risk groups must first be educated on the risks of prostate cancer (p. 1631). In preparing a patient for prostate screening, it is wise for the nurse to engage in careful planning and use best nursing practice while encouraging the patient to participate in screening thus eradicating some of his fear. Education on the risk of prostate cancer should be distributed among high-risk group. Patients in this group need to understand the implications of non-screening. One good nursing approach is the application of â€Å"change talk†, an important concept of motivational interviewing; the nurse will carefully implement strong concepts on why the patient should be screened, carefully supported with strong evidence of the clinical benefits. Apodaca, Magill, Longabaugh, Jackson Monti (2013) state, â€Å"more change talk predicted better outcomes, whereas more sustain talk predicted poorer outcomes† (P.35). Another important strategy to improve accordance to screening is through programs/ advertisements, which opens awareness of prostate cancer about the ge neral male public over 50 years of age. Proper media coverage will enhance the importance of the disease, the causative agents, and the importance of screening for a wider public. It will also help patients to self-reflect on their lifestyle and make progression towards health interventions. Himelboim, and Han (2014), in their research on Community Structure and Information Sources in Breast and Prostate Cancer Social Networks found that, â€Å" the past decade has witnessed a phenomenal growth in the use of the Internet—especially social media—in health care and management. From the user side, this means more opportunities to connect with others, obtain needed health information from available sources, and potentially benefit from that information (p. 211) Sexual Function. Prostate cancer will have an effect on the sex life of many prostate cancer patients. Most men affected by prostate cancer will develop erectile dysfunction after diagnosis. Men will also lose interest in sex and will have difficulty maintaining an erectile penis or performing penetrative sex. Beck, Robinson, Carlson (2013) found in their research that, â€Å" Sexual dysfunction is the most significant long lasting effect of prostate cancer (PrCa) treatment, despite the many medical treatments for erectile dysfunction, many couples report that they are dissatisfied with their sexual relationship and eventually cease sexual relations altogether. (p. 1637). Because one of the risk factors of prostate cancer is age, it is important to point out that many patients because of impotence may have already contacted symptoms of erectile dysfunction prior to developing prostate cancer. Treatment also plays an important role in the outcome of sexual functioning in patients, if patients are tolerable and react to the proper treatment regimen, the likelihood of sexual dysfunction will be minimized, and sexual urge will remain normal and intact. The stage of cancer also identifies the outcome of sexual functioning and the ability to deal with sensual life post surgery. Early screening can help a patient to identify possible malignant cancerous cells; it also can be helpful in managing impotency. Sex after diagnosis can be dreadful for various partners, especially when sexual desires may be minimal or much diminished. It may also dampen any chances for future families wanting to have kids in the distant future. A patient with impotence may consider sexual counselling by a sexologist to diminish any fears of sex. Chung Brock (2013) in their research states, â€Å"Sexual function remains an important issue in many men, who often continue to be interested in sex after pr ostate cancer treatment. It has been shown that the impact of sexual dysfunction is greater than the impact of urinary incontinence and over 70% of men felt their quality of life was adversely affected following cancer diagnosis and treatment † (p. 103). Participation in prostate cancer support groups helps patients to better be educated on sexual life after prostate cancer, just as support groups are helpful to eradicate the fear on early screenings, these groups will prepare patients on the trials of sexual intimacy after recovery, also providing coping mechanism for sexual dysfunction. Another strategy to cast away fears of sexual dysfunction is to promote sexual preferences amongst partners, which may bring a sense of satisfaction to both partners. Conclusion Prostate cancer patients continue to suffer from many dilemmas. Patients are continually faced with barriers to cancer care, which impede screening and treatment. Socioeconomic status, race, fear, and sexual function are all contributory factors in a patient dilemma when intrigued with tribulation of prostate cancer. Despite all the technological advancements, prostate cancer remains high in Black African or Black Caribbean descent compared to white males in Canada. Decision-making process when considering prostate cancer screening is influenced greatly by socioeconomic status, race, fear, and sexual dysfunction. These beliefs often result in a lower rate of compliance of prostate screenings. By establishing strategies to promote care for patients, the said barriers can be eradicated making treatment and recovery possible. Support groups, non-governmental organizations, media, and better insurance coverage for low-income families can all be used to effectively promote successful pros tate screenings thus eradicating social inequality, racial and sexual barriers and increasing compliance through educating prostate patients’ ways to address these barriers. Effective strategies will help to decrease morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer in Canada. References Apodaca, T. R., Magill, M., Longabaugh, R., Jackson, K. M., Monti, P. M. (2013). Effect of a significant other on client change talk in motivational interviewing. Consult Clinical Psychology, 81(1), 35-46. doi: 10.1037/a0030881 Beck, A., Robinson, J., Carlson, L. (2013). Sexual Values as the Key to Maintaining Satisfying Sex after Prostate Cancer Treatment: The Physical Pleasure–Relational Intimacy Model of Sexual Motivation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42 (8), 1637-1647. Brooks, D. (2013). Why are black men negatively affected by prostate cancer more than white men? Retrieved March 3, 2014, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/expertvoices/post/2013/09/24/why-are-black-men-negatively-affected-by-prostate-cancer-more-than-white-men.aspx Canada Cancer Society. (2014). Canada Cancer Statistics 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer information/cancer101/Canadian cancer statistics/canadian-cancer-statistics-2013-EN.pdf. Canada Cancer Society. (2014). Prostate Cancer Statistics. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/prostate/statistics/?region. Chung, E., Brock, G. (2013). Sexual Rehabilitation and Cancer Survivorship: A State of Art Review of Current Literature and Management Strategies in Male Sexual Dysfunction among Prostate Cancer Survivors. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10102-111. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.03005.xginger Consedine, N. S., Adjei, B. A., Ramirez, P. M., McKiernan, J. M. (2008). An Object Lesson: Source Determines the Relations That Trait Anxiety, Prostate Cancer Worry, and Screening Fear Hold with Prostate Screening Frequency. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers Prevention, 17(7), 1631-1639. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-2538 Crawford, T. (2008). Prostate test a lifesaver with surveillance: equally important is the right course of treatment. Retrieved March 3, 2014, from: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Prostate+test+life+saver+with+surveillance/3588621/story.html Himelboim, I., Han, J. Y. (2014). Cancer talk on twitter: community structure and information sources in breast and prostate cancer social networks. Journal of Health Communication, 19(2), 210-225. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2013.811321 Institute of Medicine. (2002). Care without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from: http://www.iom.edu/reports/2002/care-without-coverage-too-little-too-late.aspx Oster, I., Hedestig, O., Johansson, M., Klingstedt, N., Lindh, J. (2012). Sharing experiences in a support group: Mens talk during the radiotherapy period for prostate cancer. Palliative Supportive Care, 11(4), 331-339. Prostate Cancer Canada (2014). What is prostate cancer? Retrieved February 18, 2014, from: http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Prostate-Cancer/About-Prostate-Cancer/What-is-prostate-cancer#.UxQQK4WmbIk. Robinson, J., Shavers, V. (2008). The Role of Health Insurance Coverage in Cancer Screening Utilization. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 19(3), 842-856. White, A., Coker, A., Du, X., Eggleston, K., Williams, M. (2011). Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Survival Among Men Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer in Texas. Cancer, 117 (5), 1080-1088.

India and Pakistan- Conflict over Kashmir Essay -- International Confli

Introduction In late 1947, the newly created states of India and Pakistan went to war over the valley of Kashmir. A United Nations brokered ceasefire divided the state into Indian and Pakistani controlled territories, and resolved that a referendum would be held in which the people of Kashmir would be able to choose to join either country. The referendum has not been held to this day. India granted its portion of Kashmir a special status within its constitution, allowing for a great degree of self-autonomy. However, successive Kashmiri governments have been dissolved by the government of India, and elections have only been held in the presence of its armed forces. In 1965, Pakistan and India waged a second indecisive war over Kashmir. In the 1980s, resistance within Kashmir itself against the Indian government took on a violent nature, with guerilla attacks against Indian army bases. India responded with heavy army clampdowns, and since then the situation has only escalated and get worse. It is e stimated that well over 34,000 people have died within the valley, and the relations between the two countries have become increasingly acrimonious. India blames Pakistan for the militant uprising, claiming Islamabad is supporting cross border terrorism. Pakistan responds that it merely provides diplomatic and moral support arguing, furthermore, that India’s history of human rights abuses in the valley is to blame. With both countries now in possession of nuclear arms; the recent war in KARGIL and the increasing number of civilian deaths, refugees, and other human rights issues within Kashmir, the conflict seems to be taking on a more serious nature. In this paper I will discuss the Kashmir conflict in some depth, examining the problem in... ...there is poverty. Kashmir is the finest place to start, and not merely because it is the core of the Indo-Pakistan conflict. Our histories, cultures and religions have converged in Kashmir. Our rivers begin there, mountains meet there, and our dreams rest there.† Works Cited "The Hindu : A View from Pakistan: Resolving Kashmir Now." The Hindu. Eqbal Ahmad, Nov. 1996. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. . "BBC News | SOUTH ASIA | Protest against Kashmir 'disappearances'" BBC News - Home. 10 Mar. 2000. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. . Kashmir - A Way Forward. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. . "Indian Predicament In Kashmir | Pakistan Daily." Pakistan News | Pakistan Daily. 26 Aug. 2009. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. .

Obesity In the U.S. Essay -- essays research papers

Obesity in the U.S. Subject Sentence: Obesity in general has become a major concern in the U.S. Mainly because of three major factors dealing with obesity how quickly it became a problem, the U.S. being the most overweight nation, and the increased health risks. Introduction: Are you overweight? Do have a little junk in the trunk? To answer these questions either you or someone you know has a problem with obesity. This has come to be a problem of epidemic proportions in the U.S. Body: I) To begin how is that obesity has become such a major problem in our country. A) One being the fact that we are the most agriculturally advanced nation. And unhealthy foods are so easily accessible with drive thrus and promotions of products in grocery stores. B) Unhealthy foods such as fast food have become easy, cheap, accessible, and convenient and that is what everyone wants convenience. C) And in response some fast food chains have now come up with ideas to keep their customers and have them eat healthier. Now fast food restaurants now serve personal size salads and other healthier alternatives and carbohydrate counting menus. II) Another reason for the U.S. obesity problem is that we are the most overweight nation in the world. A) People have been sacrificing healthy food for fast food and microwaveable meals. We and people in general do all if this is for the sake of less hassle and more convenience to parents for themselves and children this world is now becoming more and m...

How to Succeed in College Essay -- College Education Organization Essa

How to Succeed in College College 101 has been a very informative class. It has taught me a lot about college and the changes you have to make while attending college. I learned a lot about certain programs that the school offers, I knew nothing about these programs before I took this class and I probably never would have known anything about them if I never would have taken this class. In this class I have learned about three important concepts that can be very useful throughout my college years to come. I think time management, determining values and balancing lifestyles are the three most important concepts you need to help you succeed in college.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I think planning a day to day schedule of the things you have to do is very important and that’s why time management is a very important factor while in college and even life after college. You can start out by making a chart and writing down everything that you have to do and write the time limit it should take you to do it. You have to work hard at disciplining yourself and try not to go over the time that you have designated for yourself. I think you should even set a time where you have free time to yourself. You should carry this schedule every where you go because if you forget it than you are more likely to do something else or spend more time while doing a certain task. You should also reward yourself when completing some tasks and that way if you do this you would want to keep going and complete the next one....

Honor Killings of Women Essay

The question of gender equality has always been one of the most acute in the present day world. In the western world a number of countries are promoting equal rights between men and women. The United Kingdom and the United States have always been known as the countries that gave birth to the suffragette movement, feminist movements and the struggle for female equality has always been one of the most discussed themes in the UK and the USA. It is not surprising that such a significant event as the suffragette movement and other equality organizations provided a he impact on the development of social, political and legal spheres of the United Kingdom: For years the United Kingdom had championed gender equality in public policy, in democratic institutions and through extensive anti-discrimination laws, but erasing disparity between the sexes was an unfinished project that the country’s officials were striving to complete through legislative reform and stronger women’s empowerment policies and programming, a parliamentary Under-Secretary and Minister for the East of England told the Women’s Anti-Discrimination Committee today (Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 2008) . But the threatening signals have appeared already in the Western Countries. The Immigrants find possible for honor killings even it is prohibited by the laws of the country they are living in and it significantly bothers the governmental and international human rights organizations, which assist struggle of women equality. It is not surprising such a significant event as the struggle for equal rights for women (and it should be noted that it is lasting for more than hundred years already) has significantly impacted the social life in the western world and such breaking news have become a real shock for those who participate in gender struggle. There are a number of investigators who provided numerous researches dealing with the question of equality in the Muslim countries as well as in the Western Ones. The burning question which is examined within this essay is honor killings. The problem area is why the civilized countries such as the United States are involved in the Affairs with the countries, which have such Barbarian laws and even observe this among the immigrants, who dwell in the US. Honor Killings in the Western and Islamic Countries: the Reasons, Prevention and Perspectives On February 12, 2009, Muzzammil Hassan informed police that he had beheaded his wife. Hassan had immigrated to the United States 30 years ago and, after a successful banking career, had founded Bridges TV, a Muslim-interest network which aims, according to its website, â€Å"to foster a greater understanding among many cultures and diverse populations. â€Å" Erie County District Attorney Frank A.  Sedita III told The Buffalo News that â€Å"this is the worst form of domestic violence possible,† and Khalid Qazi, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York, told the New York Post that Islam forbids such domestic violence. While Muslim advocacy organizations argue that honor killings are a misnomer stigmatizing Muslims for what is simply domestic violence, a problem that has nothing to do with religion, Phyllis Chesler, who just completed a study of more than 50 instances of North American honor killings, says the evidence suggests otherwise (Phyllis Chesler, 2009). It goes without saying that honor killing was a real shock for the both societies Christian and Muslim. The person, who could hardly be expected to violate anyone’s human rights, suddenly killed his wife. It is essential that it significantly undermining of confidence of the Muslim society in the eyes of the neighbors as it is not just domestic violence as it was reported by the Erie County District Attorney, but it is severe crime, which ought to be punished. It is natural that the society would be eager to learn what the reasons for such actions as honor killing are and how this could be explained, by the researches. The cultural background of the honor killings is obvious and it roots go deeply into the Muslim perception and understanding of female nature, their rights and patriarchate, which is observed in the Muslim Countries. It is a well known fact that the Muslim countries have very significant problems with the gender equality and women are not allowed even to wear the clothes they would like to, the punishment for this could be the one and only â€Å"death. Families that kill for honor will threaten girls and women if they refuse to cover their hair, their faces, or their bodies or act as their family’s domestic servant; wear makeup or Western clothing; choose friends from another religion; date; seek to obtain an advanced education; refuse an arranged marriage; seek a divorce from a violent husband; marry against their parents’ wishes; or behave in ways that are considered too independent, which might mean anything from driving a car to spending time or living away from home or family (Phyllis Chesler, 2009). The religious and ethnic prejudice does not let young people to reveal and express them. There were noticed a number of cases, when children, mostly young girls, were killed by their parents (even mothers assisted the fathers) in killing young girls, who did not want to follow the religious dogmas of Islamic culture. Unfortunately some adults do not want to understand that contemporary life goes far beyond the religi on dictates and it is essential that children want to be alike their classmates, do not wear hijab, use make up and other. The same time the parents should be also understood as they want to keep traditions as cultural as well as religious to preserve their ethnic and cultural identity. These honor killing have already become a part of their life for thousand years and they consider that westernizing is a kind of disgrace, which could be cured only by a kill. It is like some kind of ritual. The same time it does not excuse their intention to violate the human rights and kill those who do not want some have viewed honor killings as a logical extension of traditional Islamic gender practices, the natural consequence of system that enforces sex-segregation through veiling and female seclusion and harshly punishes violations of these boundaries. Others have argued that honor killings are the antithesis of Islamic morality. This latter view is essentially correct from the perspective of Qur’an, prophetic traditions (hadith), and Islamic legal thought, as a careful analysis of the relevant texts shows (Kecia Ali, 2003) It is not very hard to define whether the Islamists have a right to kill, the answer is undoubtedly no human rights are still the same for every individual: the nationality, the race, the religious beliefs. In the Muslim countries the situation is worse than in the western ones as the honor killings is majority authoritarian countries is allowed legally. Women in the Muslim Countries are living under the threat of constant death if they would bring shame on the family: Women in Pakistan live in fear. They face death by shooting, burning or killing with axes if they are deemed to have brought shame on the family. They are killed for supposed illicit’ relationships, for marrying men of their choice, for divorcing abusive husbands. They are even murdered by their kin if they are raped as they are thereby deemed to have brought shame on their family. The truth of the suspicion does not matter â€Å"merely the allegation is enough to bring dishonor on the family and therefore justifies the slaying (Amnesty International, 1999) and Pakistan is not the single country, where women live under the total oppression of men. The religious dogmas grew significantly and alongside with religious dogmas there have appeared a number of social dogmas, which does not allow women to get equal education with men, to drive cars and visit public places alone. It is a well known fact that women in Saudi Arabia do not actually participate in business and legislation prohibits a number of activities for women. We should not also forget about the fact that Saudi Arabia is a Monarchy, and Islamist country, where religion provides a significant impact on cultural and social life of people, women as well: Saudi Arabia follows a strict form of Islamic law that does not allow women self-guardianship, mandating a male guardian for women of all ages. A woman cannot travel, appear in court, marry or work without permission from a male guardian, sometimes her own son (Faiza Saleh Ambah, 2008). The female activists consider that life in the countries like Saudi Arabia could be defined as the sexual slavery. It is not surprising that men are using their power to force women doing something and oppress them in different ways. Describing relations between men and women in Islamic countries there should be noted that the women are not protected legally and could be killed according to the current legal implications of Saudi Arabia: Honor killings are justified under Islam in some Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia. For example, tenth-grade textbooks teach Saudi children that it is permissible to kill adulterers. In April 2008, a girl was killed by her father for talking to a boy on Facebook, an online social networking website. A leading Saudi cleric, Sheikh Ali al-Maliki, was outraged that girls had access to such websites where they could post pictures of themselves and otherwise â€Å"behave badly,† but showed no concern over the girl actually killed (Supna Zaidi, 2008). We see that there is no even a slight hint of equality observed within the Islamic world, the foreign activists struggle for the gender equality and it is considered that they succeeded in some areas, especially in the educational on. But the same time the legal implications that let honor killings still exist. Honor killing occurred in Islamic and non-Islamic countries and the poor statistic illustrate the number of victims of religious dogmas. According to the data provided by the United Nations Organizations every year there are up to 5,000 people killed due the honor killings reasons. Should the United States become involved in the affairs of other countries, particularly pertaining to human rights, when they include that country’s traditions, philosophies of religious practices?

Fast food restaurant Essay

The pace of modern life is fast, and nowhere is it faster than in America. We want fast transportation, fast communication, fast computers, fast photos, fast music, fast repairs, and fast service from the businesses we patronize. It is from the last of these that we got fast food. At first, it was a matter of fast service. Fountain and Fast Food Service was the title of a trade magazine, which published statements like this from 1951: â€Å"The partners have become old hands at spotting the type of conventioneer that will patronize their fast food service. † Gradually service disappeared, and in 1954 we find fast food by itself in the title â€Å"Fountain and Fast Food. † Incidentally, the trade magazine renamed itself Fast Food by 1960. In February of that year, the magazine noted, â€Å"Delicate scallops are really fast food†¦ because they come ready to cook. † And in July it remarked, â€Å"Fast food type restaurants do the lion’s share of business for breakfast and noon meals eaten out. † The fast food revolution was a quick success throughout the land, and two decades later it was conquering the world. â€Å"The U. S.outcry against infiltration from the south is matched in vehemence by our neighbors’ outcry against fast-food imperialism and the gradual Americanization of their own societies. † noted the Christian Science Monitor in 1982. Thanks to fast food, families that formerly ate home cooking now eat out or bring back take-home fast food in record numbers. Its virtue is speed, not quality. Its less than ideal nutritional value may have influenced the coining of another term twenty years later, one that also puts a four-letter epithet in front of food: junk food (1973). Gale Encyclopedia of US History: Fast FoodTop. Home > Library > History, Politics & Society > US History Encyclopedia Fast food is what one eats in the vast majority of America’s restaurants. The term denotes speed in both food preparation and customer service, as well as speed in customer eating habits. The restaurant industry, however, has traditionally preferred the designation â€Å"quick service. † For hourly wage earners—whether factory hands or store clerks—take-out lunch wagons and sit-down lunch counters appeared at factory gates, streetcar stops, and throughout downtown districts in the late nineteenth century. For travelers, lunch counters also appeared in railroad stations nationwide. Fried food prevailed for its speed of preparation, as did sandwich fare and other fixings that could be held in the hand and rapidly eaten, quite literally, â€Å"on the run. † Novelty foods, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, came to dominate, first popularized at various world’s fairs and at the nation’s resorts. Soft drinks and ice cream desserts also became a mainstay. Thus, â€Å"fast food† also came to imply diets high in fat and caloric intake. By the end of the twentieth century, the typical American consumed some three hamburgers and four orders of french fries a week. Roughly a quarter of all Americans bought fast food every day. The rise of automobile ownership in the United States brought profound change to the restaurant industry, with fast food being offered in a variety of â€Å"drive-in† restaurant formats. Mom-and-pop enterprise was harnessed, largely through franchising, in the building of regional and national restaurant chains: Howard Johnson’s, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and Taco Tico. Place-product-packaging was brought forcefully to the fore; each restaurant in a chain variously shares the same logo, color scheme, architectural design motif, and point-of-purchase advertising, all configured in attention-getting, signlike buildings. Typically, fast food restaurants were located at the â€Å"roadside,† complete with driveways, parking lots, and, later, drive-through windows for those who preferred to eat elsewhere, including those who ate in their cars as â€Å"dashboard diners. † Critical to industry success was the development of paper and plastic containers that kept food hot and facilitated â€Å"carry-out. † Such packaging, because of the volume of largely nonbiodegradable waste it creates, has become a substantial environmental problem. In 2000, Mcdonalds—the largest quick-service chain—operated at some 13,755 locations in the United States and Canada. The company’s distinctive â€Å"golden arches† have spread worldwide, well beyond North America. Abroad, fast food came to stand as an important symbol of American cultural, if not economic, prowess. And, just as it did at home, fast food became, as well, a clear icon of modernity. Historically, fast food merchandising contributed substantially to the quickening pace of American life through standardization. By the beginning of the twenty-first century, it fully embraced mass production and mass marketing techniques, reduced to the scale of a restaurant. Chains of restaurants, in turn, became fully rationalized within standardized purchasing, marketing, and management systems. Such a system depends on a pool of cheap, largely unskilled labor, the quick service restaurant industry being notorious for its low wages and, accordingly, its rapid turnover of personnel. Bibliography Jakle, John A. , and Keith A. Sculle. Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999. Pillsbury, Richard. No Foreign Food: The American Diet and Place. Boulder, Colo. : Westview Press, 1998. Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. New York: HarperCollins, 2002. —John A. Jakle Gale Encyclopedia of Food & Culture: Fast FoodTop Home > Library > Food & Cooking > Food & Culture Encyclopedia What is termed â€Å"fast food† in the United States today most commonly consists of hot, freshly prepared, and wrapped food items, served to customers across a counter or through a drive-up window. Known as both â€Å"fast food† and â€Å"quick-service food† in the restaurant industry, these items are routinely sold and delivered in an amount of time ranging from a few seconds to several minutes; they now vary widely in food type, encompassing virtually all kinds of meats, preparation methods, and ethnic cuisines. Inexpensive hamburgers and french fried potatoes are still the products most readily identified as fast food, but the list of items sold in the format continually increases. Fried fish and shellfish, hot dogs, chicken, pizza, roast beef, and pasta are commonly sold at quick-service outlets. In addition to these staples, many quick-service restaurants sell a broad menu of Americanized Mexican, Greek, and Chinese foods. Some fast-food outlets offer specialty items, such as sushi, clams, or ribs, and others even sell complete â€Å"home-cooked† meals over their counters. Though menus and delivery formats vary greatly, fast food’s chief common denominators include immediate customer service, packaging â€Å"to go,† and inexpensive pricing. The precise origins of fast food are vague, probably predating written history. Hungry people are as old as civilization itself, as are entrepreneurs eager to satisfy their hunger. Food vendors in ancient cities sold prepared items to passersby on the street. The actual foods varied greatly, depending on period and culture, but they generally comprised simple, inexpensive fare sold to people of modest means. Immigrants brought a variety of food styles to America, often preserving these for decades as a comforting connection with their ethnic past. Though many immigrant foodways were elaborate and ritualistic, most groups had one or two simple items that they consumed on a daily basis. As a rule, immigrant groups preferred their indigenous grains: corn from the Americas, rice from Asia, and wheat from Europe. Often these served as the basis for the â€Å"peasant† foods of their homelands. Pasta and flat breads came over with Italians; tortillas, beans, and tamales arrived with northbound Mexicans; and Germans brought dark breads, along with a variety of fatty sausages (which later mutated into the hot dog). Asian immigrants continued to eat rice as the basis of their diet. In the early twentieth century fast food remained primarily the fare of the masses. Vendors wheeled their pushcarts daily to factory gates, selling their wares to hungry workers. Often catering to the tastes of the particular factory’s dominant ethnic group, they charged customers pennies for basic items such as sausages, meatballs, or stew. Though popular among male industrial workers, this pushcart version of fast food never became mainstream cuisine. The urban diner was the transitional phase between the vendor’s pushcart and modern fast food. Most early diners were small restaurants, with limited seating, sometimes constructed out of converted railway carriages or streetcars. They served simple foods to working-class customers on a â€Å"short-order† basis, usually cooking each meal individually when ordered. Menus varied, but fried foods were common. Though diners often emphasized speed in delivering food, customers routinely lingered before and after eating. The hamburger still stands out as the single most important American fast food, though the precise origin of this meat sandwich is the subject of historical disagreement. People have eaten chopped beef throughout the ages, and it was long a fixture in many world cultures. The lineage of the American hamburger seems to point directly, as its name indicates, back to the German city of Hamburg. First appearing on American restaurant menus in the mid-nineteenth century, ground beef patties bore the title â€Å"hamburg steak. † By the century’s close, vendors regularly sold meatballs wrapped in slices of bread at county fairs and summer festivals. Regional legends attribute the invention of this snack to several different individuals, but its true originator remains a mystery. The Rise of Modern Fast Food Our modern image of the fast-food restaurant dates back to 1916, when Walt Anderson began selling â€Å"hamburger sandwiches† from an outdoor stand on a Wichita street corner. Anderson simply flattened a meatball and placed it between two halves of a bun. His sandwich quickly became popular, attracting long lines of hungry buyers. By 1921, Anderson had joined local insurance broker Edgar â€Å"Billy† Ingram to form the White Castle System. After opening several identical restaurants in Wichita during their first year, the partners quickly spread their business to neighboring cities, then to nine major urban areas throughout the Midwest and on the East Coast. What separated the White Castle System from earlier short-order restaurants was its very streamlined menu, comprising only hamburgers, coffee, Coca-Cola, and pie; a uniform architectural style; and strict standardization of food quality, preparation methods, and employee performance. By the close of the 1920s, White Castle’s aggressive marketing and rapid spread had made the hamburger one of the most popular foods in America. Other entrepreneurs soon noticed White Castle’s success in the hamburger business. Very closely copying White Castle’s products, architecture, and company name, competing new chains also thrived, carrying the hamburger craze across the nation to smaller cities and towns. The White Tower chain appeared in 1925, eventually challenging White Castle’s dominance in several northern cities. Krystal’s, opened in 1929 in Chattanooga, soon became the hamburger powerhouse of the southeastern states. White Castle’s hamburger sandwich, along with its many imitators, became a daily staple for many working-class Americans. It proved so successful, in fact, that by 1930 the president of the American Restaurant Association identified the fast-food hamburger as the most important food item in the nation. Hamburgers became even more a mainstream food during the 1930s. The larger restaurant chains began marketing their products to middle-class buyers, and even more Americans became burger lovers. Despite the harsh economy of the Great Depression, most fast-food chains continued to thrive, and in many cases grew considerably. Most continued selling the White Castle–style hamburger, but late in the decade the Big Boy chain spread east from California, introducing its new double-decker hamburger sandwich along the way. By the end of the Depression, America was a solidly hamburger-eating culture. After prospering in the Depression, however, the fast-food industry suffered a serious setback during World War II. Shortages of necessary foodstuffs, such as meat, sugar, tomatoes, and coffee, meant limited menu offerings and often a significant loss of business. Attempting to continue providing meals to their customers, fast-food restaurants experimented with different items that were still in abundance, including soy patties, chili, and french fried potatoes. Even more damaging than commodity shortages was the very low unemployment rate, which meant that most workers bypassed the restaurant industry in favor of higher-paying work. Adjusting to this labor shortage, chains soon replaced their all-male workforce with women and teenagers, two groups who would become their most common employees. Despite attempts to find palatable alternative foods, and despite the shifts in workforce, much of the fast-food industry was a casualty of the war; by 1945, more than half of America’s restaurants had closed down, including several of the major fast-food chains. Rebuilding the fast-food industry after the war proved a slow process. No single chain emerged to claim dominance, and little innovation occurred. Individual companies struggled to restore their prewar prosperity, and new regional chains tried to gain a foothold. Suffering the effects of escalating costs and still under the threat of continued shortages due to unstable food supplies in war-torn countries, fast-food restaurants often had to double prices to remain in business. As population shifted from America’s cities to suburbia during the 1950s, the fast-food industry quickly followed. Early chains such as White Castle and White Tower, resisting moving to the suburbs, were quickly eclipsed by upstart franchised chains. Burger King and McDonald’s outlets became common fixtures at suburban crossroads, selling burgers, fries, and shakes to hungry families. Burger King’s Jim McLamore and McDonald’s Ray Kroc each sought to build one of his restaurants in every American town, and they opened hundreds of new Burger Kings and McDonald’s each year in the 1960s. To accomplish this rapid expansion, they relied heavily on franchise investors, enforced strict product uniformity throughout their chains, and aggressively advertised in every newly opened territory. With McDonald’s and Burger King’s success, Burger Chef outlets soon appeared nearby. Arby’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Taco Bell were not far behind. By the late 1960s, fast food no longer meant just hamburger restaurants, but had diversified to include quick-service pizza, roast beef, chicken, and tacos. To give an idea of the dimensions to which the fast-food industry has grown, in 1999 Americans consumed over 26 billion pounds of beef, much of it as hamburgers. In that year McDonald’s alone had more than ten thousand restaurants in the United States, from which it grossed in excess of $13 billion in revenue. Criticism of Fast Food Despite the widespread popularity of fast food in modern American culture, critics abound. Since the 1930s, articles and books have condemned the industry, exposing allegedly poor sanitary conditions, unhealthy food products, related environmental problems, and unfair working conditions. Whether it warrants the attention or not, the fast-food industry is still regularly cited for exploiting young workers, polluting, and contributing to obesity and other serious health problems among American consumers. American beef consumption, and more specifically the fast-food hamburger industry, is often blamed for the burning of the Amazon rain forests to make way for more grazing lands for beef cattle. Early foes of fast food cited the deplorable filth of many hamburger stands, in addition to claiming that the beef ground for their sandwiches was either spoiled, diseased, or simply of low quality. In fact, many critics maintained that much of the meat used in fast-food hamburgers came from horse carcasses. The high fat content of fast food was also controversial. Despite deceptive industry claims about the high quality and the health benefits of their products, in the 1920s and 1930s concerned nutritionists warned the public about the medical dangers of regular burger consumption. This distrust and criticism of fast food continue today, extending even further to include dire warnings about the industry’s use of genetically modified and antibiotic-laden beef products. Most major chains have responded to recent attacks by prominently posting calorie and nutritional charts in their restaurants, advertising fresh ingredients, and offering alternatives to their fried foods. Despite a few more health-conscious items on the menu, fast-food chains now aggressively advertise the concept that bigger is better, offering large â€Å"super-size† or â€Å"biggie† portions of french fries, soft drinks, and milkshakes. Critics point to this marketing emphasis as a reason for an excessive and greatly increasing per-capita caloric intake among fast-food consumers, resulting in fast-growing rates of obesity in the United States. Increased litter is another problem that critics have blamed on the fast-food industry. Selling their products in paper wrappings and paper bags, early outlets created a source of litter that had not previously existed. Wrappers strewn about city streets, especially those close to fast-food restaurants, brought harsh criticism, and often inspired new local ordinances to address the problem. Some municipalities actually forced chains to clean up litter that was imprinted with their logos, but such sanctions were rare. Fast-food wrappers became part of the urban, and later suburban, landscape. Since bags and wrappers were crucial in the delivery of fast food, the industry as a whole continued to use disposable packaging, superficially assuaging public criticism by providing outside trash receptacles for the discarded paper. Years later, environmentalists again attacked the industry for excessive packaging litter, criticizing both the volume and the content of the refuse. By the early 1970s, the harshest criticisms focused more on the synthetic materials used in packaging, and less on the carelessly discarded paper. Critics derided the industry’s use of styrofoam sandwich containers and soda cups, claiming that these products were not sufficiently biodegradable and were clogging landfills. Facing mounting opposition from a growing environmental movement, most of the major chains returned to packaging food in paper wrappings or small cardboard boxes. Labor activists have criticized fast-food chains’ tendency to employ inexpensive teenage workers. Usually offering the lowest possible wages, with no health or retirement benefits, these restaurants often find it difficult hiring adults for stressful, fast-paced jobs. Many critics claim that the industry preys on teenagers, who will work for less pay and are less likely to organize. Though these accusations may have merit, the industry’s reliance on teenage labor also has inherent liabilities, such as a high employee turnover rate, which result in substantial recruiting and training costs. Companies have countered criticism about their use of teenage workers with the rationale that they offer young people entry-level work experience, teaching them: both skills and responsibility. Despite the relentless attacks, hundreds of millions of hungry customers eat fast food daily. The media constantly remind American consumers about its supposed evils. Most are conscious of the health risks from fatty, greasy meals; most realize that they are being served by a poorly paid young worker; and if they choose to ponder it, most are aware that the excessive packaging causes millions of tons of trash each year. But they continue to purchase and eat fast food on a regular basis. Fast food remains central to the American diet because it is inexpensive, quick, convenient, and predictable, and because it tastes good. Even more important, Americans eat fast food because it is now a cultural norm. As American culture homogenized and became distinctively â€Å"American† in the second half of the twentieth century, fast food, and especially the hamburger, emerged as the primary American ethnic food. Just as the Chinese eat rice and Mexicans eat tamales, Americans eat burgers. And fast food has grown even beyond being just a distinctive ethnic food. Since the 1960s, the concept has extended far beyond the food itself, with the term becoming a common descriptor for other quick-service operations, even a metaphor for many of the negative aspects of mainstream American life. Theorists and pundits sometimes use the term â€Å"fast food† to denigrate American habits, institutions, and values, referring to them as elements of a â€Å"fast-food society. † In fact, â€Å"fast-food† has become a frequently used adjective, implying not only ready availability but also superficiality, mass-produced standardization, lack of authenticity, or just poor quality. In the last two decades of the twentieth century, fast food gained additional economic and cultural significance, becoming a popular American export to nations around the world. Some detractors claim that it is even deliberately used by the United States, as a tool of cultural imperialism. The appearance of a McDonald’s or Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on the streets of a foreign city signals to many the demise of indigenous culture, replacing another country’s traditional practices and values with American materialism. In fact, the rapid spread of American fast food is probably not an organized conspiracy, rather more the result of aggressive corporate marketing strategies. Consumers in other countries are willing and able to buy fast-food products, so chains are quick to accommodate demand. Thought of around the world as â€Å"American food,† fast food continues its rapid international growth. Bibliography Boas, Max, and Steve Chain. Big Mac: The Unauthorized Story of McDonald’s. New York: Dutton, 1976. Emerson, Robert, L. Fast Food: The Endless Shakeout. New York: Lebhar-Friedman, 1979. Halberstam, David. The Fifties. New York: Villard Books, 1993. Chapter 11 discusses the origins of the McDonald’s empire. Hogan, David Gerard. Selling ’em by the Sack: White Castle and the Creation of American Food. New York: New York University Press, 1997. Jakle, John A. , and Keith A. Sculle. Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999. Langdon, Philip. Orange Roofs, Golden Arches: The Architecture of American Chain Restaurants. New York: Knopf, 1986. McLamore, James, W. The Burger King: Jim McLamore and the Building of an Empire. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998. Mariani, John. America Eats Out. New York: William Morrow, 1991. Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Tennyson, Jeffrey. Hamburger Heaven: The Illustrated History of the Hamburger. New York: Hyperion, 1993. Witzel, Michael Karl. The American Drive-In: History and Folklore of the Drive-In Restaurant in the Car Culture. Osceola, Wisc. : Motorbooks International, 1994. —David Gerard Hogan AMG AllGame Guide: Fast FoodTop Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Games Guide Release Date: 1989 Genre: Action. Style: Maze Random House Word Menu: categories related to ‘fast food’Top Home > Library > Literature & Language > Word Menu Categories Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier For a list of words related to fast food, see: Cuisines, Meals, and Restaurants – fast food: cheap, mass-produced dishes served quickly at walk-in or drive-in outlets; convenience food Wikipedia on Answers. com: Fast foodTop Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia For other uses, see Fast food (disambiguation). A typical fast food meal in the United States includes a hamburger, french fries, and a soft drink. Pictured here are burgers from In-N-Out Burger McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut fast food restaurants in the United Arab Emirates Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated or precooked ingredients, and served to the customer in a packaged form for take-out/take-away. The term â€Å"fast food† was recognized in a dictionary by Merriam–Webster in 1951. Outlets may be stands or kiosks, which may provide no shelter or seating,[1] or fast food restaurants (also known as quick service restaurants). Franchise operations which are part of restaurant chains have standardized foodstuffs shipped to each restaurant from central locations. [2] Contents 1 History 1. 1 Pre-modern Europe 1. 2 United Kingdom 1. 3 United States 2 On the go 2. 1 Filling stations 2. 2 Street vendors and concessions 3 Cuisine 3. 1 Variants 4 Business 5 Employment 6 Globalization 7 Criticism 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links History.