A Social Determinant Of Health And The Effects It Has On...

This essay will explore housing as a social determinant of health and the effects it has on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of families, communities and individuals. Poor housing and poverty may be a result of overcrowding, dampness, mould, insufficient heating and poor ventilation. It can have detrimental effects on the behaviour of individuals, how families cooperate and friendliness within communities. Poor housing can cause anything from colds and flus to cardiovascular disease but also may affect mental health. This may lead to individuals experiencing depression and anxiety. It is also common for children’s development to be disrupted due to poor housing and poverty. Different housing-related conditions results in different physical and mental health illnesses for different age groups, for example, overcrowding affecting the respiratory system is more common in childhood whereas insufficient heating having a negative affect and causing excess winter deaths i s prone to those age 65 and over. â€Å"The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life† (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2009). The social determinants of health can be divided into 5 categories, age, sex and hereditary factors, individual lifestyle factors, social and community networks, living and working conditions and general socioeconomic, cultural andShow MoreRelatedAn Insight Into Their Individual Effects On A Person s Health999 Words   |  4 Pagescontributing factors, automatically translates to good health. This is not true. This essay will look into how factors such as Housing, Income and Employment, affect the overall quality of health and wellbeing of an individual. Using various research findings, this essay aims to explore the various determinants, and give an insight into their individual effects on a person’s health . WHAT ARE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow,Read MoreThe Current Canadian Health Care System Essay1103 Words   |  5 Pagesprimary method of patient care. The current Canadian health-care system is moving from this approach, to a more holistic ideal of healthcare which encompasses all the determinants of health. Although each determinant of health may individually have effects on health, all are interrelated to create a web of elements that form the principles of our physical and mental health (Potter and Perry, 2014 p. 10). Two such determinants of health are social environment, and healthy child development. These twoRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health1458 Words   |  6 PagesThere is growing research into what has become known as the social determinants of health; the central claim arising from this research is that â€Å"various social factors have a strong influence on population health and on inequalities in health outcomes across social groups†. (Preda Voigt, 2015) Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality of life outcomesRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health1555 Words   |  7 PagesIndigenous people, has had a tremendous impact comprehensively. After so, this contact decimated every aspect of the Indigenous way of life. The health and well-being of Indigenous people initiated to worsen severely not only in the physical aspect but also mental. According to National Household Survey conducted in 2011, 1,400,685 people have been identified as being a member of one of the Aboriginal groups within Canada. Within these Aboriginal groups, critical mental health issues such as majorRead MoreSocial Determinants of Health Essay1139 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to the dictionary, the word health is â€Å"the state of being free from illness.† A t a first glance, this defination seems to be very direct and simple, however the meaning of the word ‘health’ nowadays is much more complex. The above definition pretty much sums up our view of health in the first half of the 20th century. But over the past few decades, the definititon and concept of health has evolved to encompass more elements than just the physical well-being of a person. This is partlyRead MoreHealth Policies and Health Determinants1438 Words   |  6 PagesReceived - A Discuss the ways that health can be conceptualized by a society. What are the determinants of health in humans? What is the connection between how a society defines health and how it pursues health? Has increased access to technology changed that perception over the last decade? Discuss the connection between health policies, health determinants, and health. Abstract Health policies, health determinants and health are all categories that are intertwinedRead MoreA Brief Note On Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health1590 Words   |  7 PagesAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience social disadvantages which significantly impacts their physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social health. This essay analyses the impacts of the social determinants of health such as socioeconomic status, early life and psychological distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health which causes the wide gap in the social disadvantages experienced by the Indigenous community. According to the assessment of a ProductivityRead MoreThis Essay Will Discuss The Impacts Of Social And Environmental1638 Words   |  7 Pagesof social and environmental determinants of health on the well-being of an older person named Bill. Per The Ministry of Health (2016), The Healthy Aging Strategy takes a life-course approach that ultimately seeks to improve the health and well-being for all older people. Bill lives in a rest-home, which as an environmental determinant, positively affects his well-being. This helps Bill to manage his health-related issues by surrounding him with adequate health services. The social determinant thatRead MoreThe Social Determinants Of Health1623 Words   |  7 PagesStress has been identified as one of the social determinants of health. It has different meanings in various contexts, so a proper definition will give a good insight of the term.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stress can be defined as a state of emotional or mental disturbance resulting from adverse or demanding conditions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stress can also be defined as a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental disturbance and could be a causal in disease formation. StressesRead MoreSocial Determinants Of Cardiovascular Diseases1618 Words   |  7 PagesThe overall health of the population can be due impart to the living conditions in which they experience, rather than traditional risk factors of health we first think of. The umbrella term social determinants of health (SDH) can be defined as: the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. Communities are sometimes largely unaware that social factors rather than medical ones, such as income, and employment

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Essay examples

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare was written between 1594-1596.It is classified as a comedy; it is also a work of good triumphs over evil, but serious themes are examined and some issues remain unresolved. In the play Shakespeare has woven together plots from different books. Shakespeare gets the bond story and the story of the ring from an Italian novella, LL Pecorone, in a collection put together by Sir Geovanni and published in 1558. The story of the bond occurs in several sources including the Gesta Romanorum. In the modern post-†¦show more content†¦This quotation clearly expresses the bigoted view of all Christians in the past days. Shylock is the highlighted character here who is judged because he is a Jew. He is often addressed as the Jew or Jew by Belthazar (Portia in disguise). He is given many chances to withhold the bond but due to his blatant hatred for Antonio and Christians and the knowledge of the law, he refuses I would have my bond. He is also a character, who shows love for his daughter Jessica, who then runs away with Lorenzo (a Christian) with the wealth that belongs to Shylock, so he disowns her. In the trial scene the Duke confronts him with the question How shalt hope for mercy renring none? Shylocks answer to this is, how the Venetian seem to treat their slaves degradingly as if some piece of worthless property, so he has the right to his bond. His stubbornness due to the lack of mercy builds up the audiences hatred for him. Even when Portia gives him one more chance to give mercy, he refuses. Here the quality of mercy speech is said. Portia is not only beautiful as well as intelligent but she is also a clever conniving woman. She is the wife of Bassanio (Antonios friend) who she dearly loves. She is disguised as a lawyer (Belthazar). In this lawyer role, Portia examines Shylock and Antonio .She tooShow MoreRelatedThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare1445 Words   |  6 PagesTalia Warshawsky Ms. Rembert CGI English 11 HH 12 November 2014 Crashing Thru Venice William Shakespeare, possibly the most esteemed writer of all time, wrote a play titled The Merchant of Venice, near the end of the 1500 s. The play takes place in Venice, and while it can be described as what we now call a romantic comedy, it also draws attention to the harsh divides in the Venetian society brought on by conflicting beliefs and religions. Centuries later, in the early 2000 s, Paul Haggis wroteRead MoreMerchant of Venice by William Shakespeare830 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice is a story about man seeking justice for the forfeiture of his bond. Shylock the Jew created a bond loaning three thousand ducats to his rival Antonio. In the event that the loan could not be paid back, Shylock was entitled to a â€Å"pound of flesh from the breast† of Antonio. Antonio’s invested the money in his merchant ships hoping to gain profit. Unfortunately he loses his ships at sea, losing everything Shylock had loaned him. Shylock h appily takes AntonioRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare1102 Words   |  5 Pagespassed, but even today, women are being treated unfairly in certain situations. However, in The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare challenges the concept of women being unequal to men. He conveys this message through the actions of Jessica, Portia, and Nerissa. The female characters empower themselves, accomplishing various tasks in order to gain control over the men in their lives. The Merchant of Venice is a highly effective feminist play, which is demonstrated through the assertive and cleverRead More`` The Merchant Of Venice `` By William Shakespeare1147 Words   |  5 Pagesjeopardy. It is an inescapable labyrinth that plagues the lives of all ever since humanity’s first existence. Yet it,s double-edged sword like characteristics of also providing opportunities and gains keeps many enthralled in it. In William Shakespeare s’ The Merchant of Venice, Antonio, a protagonist, gives himself over to a life-threatening contract with the villain, Shylock the Jew, in order to provide the means for one of Antonio’s friend the opportunity to woo a lady. Over the course of the playRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare1036 Words   |  5 Pagesauthentic and respectable character. The Merchant of Venice by renowned playwright William Shakespeare is in itself a story about religion and religious tensions; however, one’s religion is not what defines them. One’s character does, and in the Merchant of Venice we encounter two characters, Antonio and Shylock, who share similarities throughout the play, but are overall different people with different morals. On one hand there is Antonio, a sad, christian merchant and a dear friend, while on the otherRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare1153 Words   |  5 Pagesprogressed as time has passed, but even today, women are treated unfairly. However, in The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare challenges the concept of women being unequal to men. He conveys this message through the actions of Jessica, Portia, and Nerissa. The female characters empower themselves, accomplishing various tasks in order to gain control over the men in their lives. The Merchant of Venice is a highly effective feminist play, which is demonstrated through the assertive and cleverRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare1685 Words   |  7 Pages  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The play The Merchant of Venice  by William Shakespeare is anti-semetic because anti semetic thoughts and actions are incorporated in a majority of his charcters. The actions of these Christian charcters go against Shylock, and other Jews presented in the play; as a result, establishing a clear seperation between the two ethnic groups. The constant hatred and mistreatment towards Shylock only enhances the division since it develops the idea that Christianity is the sup erior religion. AlthoughRead MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare2046 Words   |  9 PagesEssay Abbesath.K Throughout the education system, there seems to be an unofficial consensus that pieces of literature that are deemed â€Å"controversial† should not be taught in school. The Merchant of Venice falls into this category due to the Anti-Semitism which exists within the play making it â€Å"controversial† therefore, banned. On the contrary, this play should not be considered controversial and it should not be banned due to the learning experiences and knowledge that can be gained by readingRead MoreThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare2080 Words   |  9 PagesThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare The play revolves around one main plot and three sub-plots. The main plot centres on the question of mercy and forgiveness as seen in the relationship between Antonio, the kind Christian, and Shylock, the unrelenting Jew. The three subplots revolve around the romances of Portia and Bassanio (the most important couple in the play), of Lorenzo and Jessica, and of Gratiano and Nerissa (the least important couple of the play)Read MoreThe Merchant Of Venice By William Shakespeare Essay2233 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Å"The Merchant of Venice† by William Shakespeare, explains the differences of religion and greed. There was a guy who needed a loan so he could go across the country to marry the girl of his dreams. He didn t have the money so he asked a Jew name Shylock. Shylock lends the guy money but he told him â€Å"If you don’t pay me back, I get to take a pound of your flesh† (pg. 143). We all know if someone needs money and you have it you would give it to them and you’ll have power over that person. Therefore

Coming of Age free essay sample

A coming of age experience can happen any time during ones life, most often when it is least expected. It is the thread that sews humanity together, a phenomenon, which is undeniable. Society tells us, it is a defining moment in a childs life, when the world somehow becomes his or her own. Why then is Coming of Age simply relegated to the young? We all experience this phenomenon, from the tender age of four till the ripe old age of ninety-four. It is not an experience based solely on chronological milestones. Coming of age is a defining moment when a persons wide-eyed nnocence is replaced with something deeper and at times something darker and more sinister, a snapshot in life when one realized the answer rests inside us, not relying completely on God. Consequently, in that way, we are always coming of age, always-losing innocence, gaining understanding, and always discovering new truths about ourselves, emotionally, and intellectually. We will write a custom essay sample on Coming of Age or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Coming of age is the act of experiencing a definitive shift in ones perspective, a greater realization of ones place in the world, and a further understanding of how personal actions and reactions are ntegrally linked. Thats not fair was my signature quotation as a little girl. A life full of Barbies, tea parties, and several rounds of Go-Fish card games was very demanding for a five year old. I could only assume the world revolved around which Barbie I wanted to be, what frilly dress I wanted to wear, and my pristine skills of winning every round of Go-Fish. As a little princess, fairness was vital to what made me happy. When I was eight years old, the word fair took on a whole other meaning the day my mom and her best friend, Muffy, took my sister and me to lunch. As we at down at the table, Muffy, the mother of my best friend, Sam, hesitantly twisted the diamond protruding from her gold wedding band. We waited for our lunches in silence, my sister and I only knowing that they had something to tell us, but not knowing what. The silence was unbearable; waiting for something that must have no positive outcome was definitely, as I would term, unfair. After the waitress brought our food, my moms voice filled the intolerable silence. Unlike her usual motherly lectures, my moms voice seemed Just as excruciating as the previous silence; it was uncertain, unfamiliar, and distant. My mom has always been the woman that I admire and would hope to become. The smiles and love she has given to my sister and me have been unconditional and contagious. At the moment, the slightly tilted frown and the unfulfilled eye contact was not the woman that I knew as my mother. All I wish for was to read her mind, fgure out who she had become so that I could make everything better and change her back to the woman I see myself being one day. Muffy began with her understanding voice, a quality that she and my mother share, Emily and Peggy, I can see the concern on your faces and we are here to tell ou that Sam has cancer. He will be undergoing surgery next week and all I ask from you is to be as understanding, mature, and as helpful as possible. I know you are both strong and that it is going to be hard for all of us. My best friend, at eight years old, has cancer. I continued to repeat this in my mind. There was no He will be find or Everything will be taken car of. My mind was running with questions, How long has he had cancer? Will he have to undergo chemo? Will he lose all his hair? But unfair. Two years later Sam went through his third treatment. At this point we were told hat he was not going to make it and at that moment, as a young eight year old, I began to understand that lifes trials cannot be won like a game of go-fish. I began to understand that life is not fair because I did not understand why someone so caring and loving like Sam would be put through this. I do wish that fguring these things out at such a young age would not be as tortuous as my best friend getting cancer and passing away. However, for me, maturing at that age is accepting that the world does not revolved around me. That losing in a game of go-fish is not the end of the world and to treasure every day of life.

Forensic science course free essay sample

Herculaneum is important to society because they have a better chance of piecing together the mysteries of Herculaneum than any other site. All the evidence has been well preserved making it easier to piece together this ancient society. 3. What are some of the challenges that archeologists face when examining the city of Herculaneum? A challenge that the archeologists faced when examining the city of Herculaneum was the presence of decay and the risk of it falling apart. 4. How do you think the archeological investigation of Herculaneum relates to forensic anthropology? In what ways are similar techniques and processes used in both of these situations? I think the archeological investigation of Herculaneum relates to forensic anthropology in the way in which both are trying to discover what happened by analyzing the skeletons, paintings, or any other evidence found. Some similar techniques and processes that are used in both situations are looking at the bones to try and figure out the gender or age, and also trying to determine the cause of death. We will write a custom essay sample on Forensic science course or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 5. What is surprising about the ruins in Herculaneum? How is this different than Pompeii? In Herculaneum, most of the sites were preserved extremely well and there were almost no human skeletons unlike Pompeii which had many more. 6. How do archeologists know that other people have been to the ruins in Herculaneum before them? What were the people searching for? What dangers did they face? Archeologists know that other people have been to the ruins before them due to the discovery of strange labyrinth of ancient tunnels. They were looking for treasure. They risked suffocation or dying by dangerous rock falls. 7. How did the bodies in Herculaneum differ from those in Pompeii? In Pompeii the bodies of humans and animals were preserved in a cast which showed a lot about life and everyday life in Pompeii but the most of the bodies in Herculaneum were incarcerated in the eruption but the bodies that have been found have been preserved but are very fragile. 8. Do you think it would be interesting to work on a site like Herculaneum to discover what happened? Why or why not? How would this work differ from a traditional crime scene? I do think it would be interesting to work on a site like Herculaneum because it can give you an insight on a whole new culture and it’s basically a secret city that not that many people are aware about so it would be interesting to find some major discovery. I think this would differ from a traditional crime by the fact that you’d find older and more fragile evidence compared to a more recent crime scene which would have less fragile and newer evidence.

A Guide to Understanding Homeschool Laws

A Guide to Understanding Homeschool Laws Homeschooling has been legal in all 50 U.S. states since 1993. According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, home education was illegal in most states as recently as the early 1980’s. By 1989, only three states, Michigan, North Dakota, and Iowa, still considered homeschooling a crime. Interestingly, of those three states, two of them, Michigan and Iowa, are today listed among the states with the least restrictive homeschooling laws. Although homeschooling is now legal across the United States, each state is responsible for drafting its own homeschool laws, which means that what must be done to legally homeschool varies depending on where a family lives. Some states are highly regulated, while others place few restrictions on homeschooling families. Homeschool Legal Defense Association maintains an up-to-date database on the homeschooling laws in all fifty states. Terms to Know When Considering Homeschool Laws To those who are new to homeschooling, the terminology used in homeschool  laws may be unfamiliar. Some of the basic terms you need to know include: Compulsory attendance: This refers to the ages children are required to be in some type of school setting. In most states that define a compulsory attendance age for homeschoolers, the minimum is usually between the ages of 5 and 7. The maximum is generally between the ages of 16 and 18. Declaration (or Notice) of Intent: Many states require that homeschooling families submit an annual notice of intent to homeschool to either the state or county school superintendent. The content of this notice can vary by state, but usually includes the names and ages of the homeschooled children, the home address, and the parent’s signature. Hours of instruction: Most states specify the number of hours and/or days per year during which children should be receiving instruction. Some, like Ohio, state 900 hours of instruction per year. Others, such as Georgia, specify four and one-half hours per day for 180 days each school year. Portfolio:  Some states offer a portfolio option in place of standardized testing or professional evaluation. A portfolio is a collection of documents outlining your student’s progress each school year. It may include records such as attendance, grades, courses completed, work samples, photos of projects, and test scores. Scope and sequence: A scope and sequence is a list of topics and concepts that a student will learn throughout the school year. These concepts are usually broken down by subject and grade level. Standardized test:  Many states require that homeschool students take nationally standardized tests at regular intervals. The tests that meet each state’s requirements may vary. Umbrella schools/cover schools: Some states give the option for homeschooled students to enroll in an umbrella or cover school. This may be an actual private school or simply an organization established to help homeschooling families comply with the laws  in their state. Students are taught at home by their parents, but the cover school maintains records for their enrolled students. The records required by cover schools vary based on the laws of the state in which they are located. These documents are submitted by parents and may include attendance, test scores, and grades. Some umbrella schools help parents choose curriculum and offer transcripts, diplomas, and graduation ceremonies. States with the Most Restrictive Homeschool Laws States that are generally considered to be highly regulated for homeschooling families include: MassachusettsNew YorkPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVermont Often regarded as one of the most regulated states,  New York’s homeschooling laws require that parents turn in an annual instruction plan for each student. This plan must include information such as the name, age, and grade level of the student; the curriculum or textbooks you intend to use; and the name of the teaching parent. The state requires annual standardized testing in which students should be at or above the 33rd percentile or show a full grade level improvement from the previous year.  New York also lists specific subjects that parents must teach their children at various grade levels. Pennsylvania, another highly-regulated state,  offers three options for homeschooling. Under the homeschool statute, all parents must submit a notarized affidavit to homeschool. This form includes information about immunizations and medical records, along with criminal background checks. Homeschooling parent Malena H., who lives in Pennsylvania, says that although the state is â€Å"†¦considered one of the states with the highest regulations†¦it really isnt that bad. It sounds overwhelming when you hear about all the requirements, but once you have done it once it is pretty easy.† She says, â€Å"In third, fifth and eighth grades the student has to take a standardized test. There is a variety to choose from, and they can even do some of them at home or online. You must keep a portfolio for each child that has a few samples for each subject taught and the results of the standardized test if the child is in one of the testing years. At the end of the year, you find an evaluator to review the portfolio and sign off on it. You then send the evaluator’s report to the school district.† States with Moderately Restrictive Homeschool Laws While most states require that the teaching parent have at least a high school diploma or GED, some, such as North Dakota,  require that the teaching parent have a teaching degree or be monitored for at least two years by a certified teacher. That fact puts North Dakota  on the list of those  considered to be moderately restrictive with regards to their homeschool laws. Those states include: ColoradoFloridaHawaiiLouisianaMaineMarylandMinnesotaNew HampshireNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOregonSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeVirginiaWashingtonWest Virginia North Carolina is often considered a difficult state in which to homeschool. It requires maintaining attendance and immunization records for each child. North Carolina also requires that children complete nationally standardized tests each year. Other moderately regulated states that require yearly standardized testing include  Maine, Florida, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. (Some of these states do offer alternative homeschooling options that may not require annual testing.) Many states offer more than one option to legally homeschool. Tennessee, for example, currently has five options, including three umbrella schools options and one for distance learning (online classes). Heather S., a homeschooling parent from Ohio, says that Ohio homeschoolers must  submit an annual letter of intent and a  summary of their intended curriculum, and  agree to complete 900 hours  of education each year. Then, at  the end of each year, families â€Å"†¦.can do state-approved testing or have a portfolio reviewed and submit the results... Children must test above the 25th percentile on standardized tests or show progression in their portfolio. Virginia homeschooling mom, Joesette, considers her state homeschooling laws reasonably easy to follow. She says parents must â€Å"†¦file a Notice of Intent each year by August 15, then supply something to show progress at the end of the year (by August 1). This can be a standardized test, scoring at least in the 4th stanine, a  [student] portfolio†¦.or an evaluation letter by an approved evaluator.† Alternately, Virginia parents can file a  Religious Exemption. States with Minimally Restrictive Homeschool Laws Sixteen U.S.  states are considered minimally restrictive. These include:   AlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaDelawareGeorgiaKansasKentuckyMississippiMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew MexicoUtahWisconsinWyoming Georgia requires an annual Declaration of Intent to be filed by September 1, annually, or within 30 days of the date you initially begin homeschooling. Children must take a nationally standardized test every three years starting in 3rd grade. Parents are required to write an annual progress report for each student. Both the test  scores and progress reports  are to be kept on file but are not required to be submitted to anyone. Although Nevada is on the minimally restrictive list, Magdalena A., who homeschools her children in the state says that it is, â€Å"†¦homeschooling paradise. The law states only  one regulation: when a child turns seven...a notice of intent to homeschool should be filed. That is it, for the rest of that childs life. No portfolios. No check-ups. No testing.† California homeschooling mom, Amelia H. outlines her state’s homeschooling options. â€Å"(1) Home study option through the  school district. Material is provided and weekly or monthly check-ins are required. Some districts provide classes for home study kids and/or allow kids to take some classes on campus. (2) Charter schools. Each one is set up differently but they all cater to homeschoolers and provide funding for secular curriculum and extracurricular activities through vendor programs†¦Some require that kids meet state standards; others simply ask for signs of ‘value-added growth. Most require state testing but a handful will allow parents to generate a portfolio as a year-end assessment. (3) File as an independent school. [Parents must]  state the curriculum goals at the start of the school year†¦Getting a high school diploma through this route is tricky and many parents choose to pay someone to help with the paperwork. States with the Least Restrictive Homeschool Laws Finally,  eleven states are considered very homeschool-friendly with few restrictions on homeschooling families. These states are: AlaskaConnecticutIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaMichiganMissouriNew JerseyOklahomaTexas Texas is notoriously homeschool-friendly with a strong homeschool voice at the legislative level. Iowa homeschooling parent, Nichole D. says that her home state is just as easy. â€Å"[In Iowa], we have no regulations. No state testing, no lesson plans submitted, no attendance records, nothing. We dont even have to inform the district that were homeschooling.† Parent Bethany W.  says, â€Å"Missouri is very homeschool-friendly. No notifying districts or anyone unless your child has previously been public schooled, no testing or evaluations ever. Parents keep a log of hours (1,000 hours, 180 days), a written report of progress, and a few samples of [their students’] work.† With a few exceptions, the difficulty or ease of complying with each state’s homeschooling laws is subjective. Even in states that are considered highly regulated, homeschooling parents often state that compliance isn’t as difficult as it may appear on paper. Whether you consider your state’s homeschooling laws restrictive or lenient, it is essential to make sure you understand what is required of you to remain compliant. This article should be considered a guideline only. For specific, detailed laws for your state, please check your statewide homeschool support group’s website or Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Tap Water in 42 States Contaminated by Chemicals

Tap Water in 42 States Contaminated by Chemicals Public water supplies in 42 U.S. states are contaminated with 141 unregulated chemicals for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has never established safety standards, according to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Tainted Tap Water Used by Millions of Americans Another 119 regulated chemicals- a total of 260 contaminants altogether- were found by the environmental group in a two-and-a-half-year analysis of more than 22 million tap water quality tests. The tests, which are required under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, were conducted at nearly 40,000 utilities that supply water to 231 million people. Pollution Threatens Tap Water Quality According to a report by the EWG, the top 10 states with the most contaminants in their drinking water were California, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Illinois- in that order. EWG said the biggest sources of contaminants were agriculture, industry, and pollution from sprawl and urban runoff. Utilities Need More Enforceable Standards for Tap Water EWGs analysis also found that almost all U.S. water utilities comply fully with enforceable health standards once they are developed. The problem, according to the environmental group, is the EPAs failure to establish enforceable health standards and monitoring requirements for many tap water contaminants. Our analysis clearly demonstrates the need for greater protection of the nations tap water supplies, and for increased health protections from a number of pollutants that are commonly found but currently unregulated. said Jane Houlihan, vice president for science at EWG, in a prepared statement. Utilities routinely go beyond what is required to protect consumers from these contaminants, but they need more money for testing, and for protection of vital source waters. Additional Information: Why Is Chlorine Added to Tap Water?Does Fluoride in Tap Water Improve or Harm Your Health?

Short critical reflection paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Short critical reflection paper - Assignment Example "The survey proves that mobile devices and technology have changed the traditional college experience and the role technology plays in students academic abilities and success," said Jessica Nelson of CourseSmart. "Todays students are truly carrying a digital backpack." (Olavsrud, 2011) Keeping up with the increasing trends, instructors are also doing their best to use the digital means for teaching. Research concludes that about ninety seven percent of the students receive digital course material from their instructors each day. â€Å"Cyber bullying is bullying through email, instant messaging (IMing), chat room exchanges, Web site posts, or digital messages or images send to a cellular phone or personal digital assistant (PDA)† (as quoted from Olweus,2011). Cyber bullying has been on an alarming rise since the past 5 years. According statistics published in the ‘CyberBullying Alert’ site, the National Crime Prevention Centre has quoted the following statistics about cyber bullying in the last five years: The reasons behind Cyber Bullying primarily are that due to ineffective and non-promulgation of privacy laws abusers tend to make false identities over social media and thus openly abuse other users often youngsters. It is because of cyber bullying and some other misuse of the social web that it is highly recommended that ethical and social guidelines be defined and followed whenever interacting over the said media. There are high possibilities that due to the promulgation of internet etiquette guidelines cyber bullying would reduce considerably. The world is not flat for all of us. Consider a haircut†¦can you outsource that? What about repairs on your home? Is that service part of the â€Å"flat† world coined by Friedman? So then, what is globalization all about and how is technology one of the drivers? The world definitely is not flat in line with what Friedman says. There are geographical and

Article Summaries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Article Summaries - Essay Example 1-2). GDP estimation in the US begins with a best level estimate that is usually produced once every five years. It is typically calculated on an annual and quarterly basis. The annual estimates uses data collected from surveys done by the National Census Bureau’s covering about 150,000 reporting units. On the other hand, the quarterly estimates come from the monthly surveys done by the Census Bureau covering about 35,500 reporting units (Landefeld et al. 4-5). The estimates done every five years also incorporate new definitions and ideas that update the accounts to keep with up-to-date with changes in the economy. A method called â€Å"commodity-flow† is, for example, used by the Bureau of Economic Analysis to develop best level estimates for final sales based on product category (Landefeld et al. 7). The bureau also uses price-times quantity method to provide estimates for products with inconsistent data (Landefeld et al. 9). Estimates for investment, exports, imports, and government components also have their unique methods of determination. The final expenditures for the federal government, for example, are determined using budget data (Landefeld et al. 11-19). There are, however, several challenges associated with GDP measurement and determination of national accounts. There is no enough data for measuring sector services. There are also components that are difficult to value. There is, therefore, need to develop comprehensive estimation methods that can value all products by virtue of their nature (Landefeld et al. 22) The article is informative and provides detailed information concerning GDP and the methods used in its estimation. I particularly appreciate the author’s contribution in detailing the history behind the development of the framework that estimates GDP. It is, however, unfortunate that in spite of the developments

Principles of Political Liberalism Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Principles of Political Liberalism - Article Example In Political liberalism, all processes, the society revolves to further the ends of the individuals, who are considered as the center of all laws and institutions. Ranks imposed by the society and its institutions such as monarchy, government and businesses are held in less favor to the rights of the individuals to which the society and these institutions are based on. In Political Liberalism, it is the individuals who make the laws and norms of the society. Such characteristic is reminiscent although in a slightly different manner, of the previous ideas on social contract as thought of by Hobbes in his Leviathan and Rousseau in his treatise, The Social Contract. Basically, the social contract3 holds that it is the individuals who make the laws to which they agree to abide by, under the premise that individuals have the knowledge of what is best for them. In other words, while the individuals are the basis of the laws, the individuals who collectively agree to abide by the law are each under the rule of the said law and have equal rights regardless of age, sex, race, economic and social status. Whereas in classical liberalism, such as in Hobbes' Leviathan, social contract3 refers to the subordination of individuals to the sovereign, particularly the one who governs, to which they are bound to by the consent under the "contract", the modern Political liberalism's emphasis on individualism is in opposition to such stand. Rousseau, in his Social Contract, posits that each individual is a member of the collective and must submit not to the government but to the general will without regard to the individual interest, for the good of the society, thus, the term popular sovereignty. The principles of modern Political liberalism, however, are most commonly associated with the works and theories of John Rawl4. In general, the Political Liberalist theories of Rawl assume a position on justice as well as an idea of fairness that can be related to the economic game theory. It aims to provide answers to current issues on the political stability as a result of pluralism (Blunden 2003) by generating an ideal for a society founded on justice through concepts on citizenship and political education (Callan 1997). According to Larmore (1990), Political liberalism has been dealing with two main problems. One of which is the problem of defining the limits to the power of the government which by essence limits the freedom and respect accorded to each individual and thereby limiting the conditions in which each would be enabled with self-realization and fulfillment (Young 2002). Given the known plurality of ideas, which could almost always be contradicting, the problem lies in the difficulty in defining the limits to which the individuals can agree on (Young 2002). The second problem, according to Larmore (1990) is the identification of the ideas and values that would represent the general will or the common good. In other words, it is the presence and necessity of pluralism and diversity that makes the aims of Political liberalism difficult to achieve. The challenge to Political liberalism now is to create a set of principles that would target justice without impairing diversity. As it is, the principles of Political liberalism are set to avoid any threat to diversity and with consideration to such diversity that characterizes

Analysis of Indian Food in the UK Food Industry

Analysis of Indian Food in the UK Food Industry EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Eating out in U.K has become a haute gastronomical adventure with lip smacking results. Curry houses are a British institution, as much a part of the national fabric as the local pub. Surprisingly there are more Indian restaurants in London than in Delhi (Capital of India) (Hemisphere Magazine, 2005). The study was aimed at discovering the various problems that besiege the industry in UK. The dissertation weaves through various problem scenarios and the search to find it solutions. The three main problems which were discovered through face to face interviews were Problem of retaining customer through Service Quality Problem of retaining customer due to limited workforce Problem of promotion policy: advertising and sales promotion For these problems two theories of Hospitality marketing were chosen. These two theories i.e. Theory of Service quality and Promotion policy in restaurant industry were taken in conjunction with the fieldwork analysis of the restaurants in London. Problems were then discussed in parallel to the theories. The discussion gave rise to some hypothetical situations which were again tested in further research. The methodology used in the study was selected after careful consideration of the research question and the limitations. Using the appropriate research tools, an in-depth study was done and it was known that all three problems were not isolated in themselves rather they were well connected. The concept of Service Quality was seen missing extensively in the philosophies of the Restaurateurs. In a nutshell, it can be mentioned that nearly all problems seem to stem from deficiencies in service quality. However at this point, it should be noted that no single problem can be the main culprit nor a particular solution, a panacea for all ills. It is with this in mind that this study should be viewed. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION For the purposes of this research, the term Indian food covers food from the Indian, Bengali and Pakistani traditions. The market includes sales through restaurants, pubs and takeaways. ready meals (both frozen and chilled) sauces pastes, accompaniments and curry powder. The introductory part of this research contains Present Scenario The largest ethnic minority group in Britain are Indians (approx 10,000,000 people) (Crown,2004) with over 40% of them (approx 800,000) living in the Capital i.e. London which contribute to 6% of the total population of London (LFC,2004). These facts justify the existence of over 1000 Indian restaurants in UK and 4000 only in London and the South east (Grove International,2004). The survival of these Curry Houses is a blessing for the true Indian food connoisseur. But recently the Indian Food Industry in UK have undergone some major structural changes. With the popping up of Giant restaurants in the Capital like the Cinnamon Club (Westminster), Tamarind (Queen Street) and Zaika (Kensington High Street) in the past couple of years, this has invited the interest of lot of the professional bodies like Time Out Guide, Evening Standards, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times etc. The various reviews (Iqbal Wahab,2004) given by them to the acclaimed Indian restaurants in London speak of their v aried interests. ‘Indian food is a  £3.2 billion industry in Britain, accounting for two-thirds of all eating out (Geraldine Bedell, May2004). This modern evolved Indian Cuisine in London has sparkled since the time when Tamarind and Zaika, Indian restaurants in London, were awarded the Michelin star. The famous dish ‘Chicken Tikka Masala is now an authentic English national dish (Robin Cook,2004) All these facts about this Industry makes it big and at the same time it evolves many prospects and problems in itself. Importance of Indian Restaurants In the last half-century, curry has become more traditionally English than English breakfast. Some fitting facts in this milieu are According to Mintel reports, Indian restaurants is  £ 1733 million industry in Britain which is more than two third of the total food industry in Britain.(Appendix 1) In an exclusive consumer survey commissioned by Mintel, 42% of the respondents stated that Indian/Bengali/Pakistani food was among the types of food that they most enjoyed, up from 38% in 1999. Indian food is most popular with 25-54-year-olds and, in contrast to Chinese food, shows a strong up market bias (Mintel, 05/2004) It is one of the biggest industries in Britain employing over 60,000 people (menu2menu, 2005) There are over 8500 Indian restaurants in UK and 3500 only in London (Grove International, 2004). Indian restaurants are the major players in Brits ethnic cuisines overshadowing Chinese outlets which are around 7400. (Mintel,2005) Indian restaurants serves 2.5 millions Brits every week besides David Beckham celebrated after scoring the goal that qualified England for the World Cup, at Manchesters Shimla Pinks, with his favorite chicken korma. Madonna, more and more the Anglophile, has apparently taken to ordering the taxi curry takeout from the Noor Jahan restaurant near her London home in Westbourne Grove (Guardian,2004, Issue 2). Every high street has its Star of India or Taj Mahal. Surprisingly twice as much Indian food is sold in Britain as fish and chips (Economist, 1999) and McDonalds have had to adapt their British menus to include â€Å"curry and spice†. These ubiquitous curry houses are coming up in the world. They are no longer consigned to the ranks of post-pub grub besides there is a gradual growth rate in the Indian restaurant market since 1999. (Appendix 1) Also the fact that Indian restaurants have a strong influence on the retail sector is undeniable. They have provided most of the recipes and are the sole benchmark for authenticity for products like Indian ready meals, sauces, pastes and accompaniments. UK Food Industry The food industry in the UK has undergone dramatic change over the last few decades, a phenomenon which has been named the consumption revolution [Ritson, C. and R. Hutchins (1991)]. Fragmentation of demand has been coupled with concentration in supply, so that the majority of food expenditure is now channeled through five major supermarket groups [Waterson, M. J. (1995)]. This has posed threats to the small agrifood producer, who is typically unable to meet the volume and consistency of supply requirements of the large retailers. However, opportunities have also arisen: many small producers have successfully targeted niche markets, often through direct marketing or distribution through independent outlets. Their offerings commonly carry the typical characteristics of niche products, in that they possess added value, are differentiated from competitive offerings and charge a premium price. With such characteristics it is possible for small producers to succeed within a highly competi tive environment [Phillips, M. (1994)]. However, recent opportunities have also arisen in the food multiple sectors, as supermarket groups show an increasing interest in stocking specialty and value-added food products. This interest stems in part from a desire to improve product range and enhance consumer choice. However, it could also be viewed as a response to public criticisms of the negative social and environmental effects of concentration in food distribution: in particular, the development of centralized distribution systems which mitigate against the use of smaller, local suppliers by food multiple chains. Some supermarket groups in the UK are now attempting to improve links with such suppliers, by, for example, devolving decision-making power to store managers, improving purchasing technology and creating opportunities for buyers and producers to meet and discuss one anothers needs [Carter, . Shaw (1993)]. There was a Greek community in Greek Street, London as long ago as 1677 so Greek cuisine is not exactly new to Britain. The influx of Cypriots started in the 1920s and 1930s and they began opening restaurants after the Second World War. Greek Cypriots tended to settle in Hackney, Palmers Green, Islington and Haringey and Turkish Cypriots in Stoke Newington. Greek Cypriots appeared in Soho in 1930s then Camden Town after the war and then Fulham by the mid 1960s. The main influx of Turkish Cypriots was in the 1960s and by 1971 the Greek Cypriot community had turned its attention to Wood Green, Palmers Green and Turnpike Lane. Only around one third of the 550 or so Greek restaurants in Britain are in London, most of these being in North and West London. Some 40% of the 150 or so Turkish restaurants are in the capital with a heavy concentration in North London. Turkish cuisine is also well represented in Scotland. One of the earliest Greek restaurants was not in London at all but Georges in St Michael Street, Southampton in 1940, slightly pre-dated by The White Tower in Londons West End in 1939. Kalamaras in London W2 opened in 1966 and remains popular today. The most successful of the Turkish restaurants at present is the Efes Group which started in London but is now in several locations throughout the country. Aims and objectives of the research The mechanisms of globalization has made the world a `smaller place and, while this has helped to introduce various cuisines to new regions, it has subsequently resulted in the development of `fusion foods, which has implications for the Indian restaurant market. The image of men behaving badly, gulping downing super-hot curries with several pints of lager, are long gone. Today, a trip out for a curry is a posh affair, with some of the countrys top chefs cooking up sophisticated dishes of complexity and variety. (LFC,2004) With these growing fashion of globalization, there is a huge threat to Indian restaurants which are traditionally managed by the family members. According to the Economist:- But once trends become clichà ©s they have a way of nose-diving. Open the pages of the â€Å"Good Curry Guide, and you will discover that all is not well. According to the guide, last year there were at least 300 closures of Indian restaurants in Britain, compared with just over a hundred openings. Indian restaurants, while still the biggest players in the industry, are losing market share eastern cuisine, such as Thai and Japanese food. (Economist, 2005) The main aim of the research is:  · To assess the major issues that determines the performance and efficiency of the Indian foods/restaurants in UK. The Objectives are to  · To Assess the Service quality and the Supply Chain Management.  · To Assess the consumer Perception towards Indian Foods and the relevant Marketing Mix to exploit the opportunities Rationale Indian Cuisine which the westerners commonly call ‘Curry is highly popularized by the Indian restaurants in UK. These restaurants which are generally owned by Indians reflect the specialty of every region of India. The spread of curry beyond its home in the sub-continent is inextricably linked to the presence of the British Raj in India. Army personnel and civil servants acquired a taste for spicy food whilst in India and brought their newly found dishes home. Since then spicy Indian dishes are highly liked by the people in UK. London is a hub of Indian foods and restaurants. With the growing area of specialization and people trying new and creative things in their restaurants in London the problems have started increasing. Problems of not only external environment like increasing competition , strict food and health policies or inflation, etc but also the internal problems which relate to the marketing strategies, sourcing of raw materials or inefficient management, etc. This study will explore SCM issues with reference to market fragility and market access; purchasing power; purchasing decisions and relationships; understanding of customer needs; barriers and frustrations; and strengths and successes. This report is premised on the belief that supply chains are important for maximizing efficiency. But supply chains are far more important than that: the management of supply chains increasingly influences the nature, scale and participation in enterprise development and sustainability. In other words, supply chains are re-structuring the lines of business development in knowledge-based economies. This study will further high light the consumer perception and the Marketing mix. CHAPTER 2 Literature Review 2.0 Chapter Overview As Indian Restaurants are a part of the hospitality industry, this chapter contains the literature taken from the subject of marketing in hospitality industry. Two main theories are used to analyze the three main problems stated in the previous chapters. They are * Service Quality and Supply Chain * Promotion Policy: Advertising and Sales promotion The two theories are then analyzed in light of the problems. A relationship is developed between the industry and theories by researching the trends. These theories are then used for drawing conclusions and recommendations in further chapters. For the reader, this chapter will be the base of understanding the ongoing trends in the Indian Restaurant industry. 2.1 Introduction to Hospitality Marketing in Restaurants Nowadays marketing isnt simply another function of business rather its a philosophy, a way of thinking and a way of organizing your business and your mind. The customer is the king (Iverson, 1989). According to Kotler (2000, Ch. 1), satisfying the customer is a priority in most businesses. But all customers cannot be satisfied. There has to be a proper selection of customers which enable the restaurants to meet its objectives. In the Restaurant industry, many people confuse marketing with advertising and sales promotion. It is not uncommon to hear restaurant managers say that they do not believe in marketing, when they actually mean that they are disappointed with the impact of their advertising. In reality, selling and advertising are only two marketing functions, and often not the most important. As Kotler said in his book, Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism (1996, Chapter-1), advertising and sales are components of the promotional element of the marketing mix. Other marketing mix elements include product, price and distribution. Marketing also includes research, information systems and planning. The aim of the marketing is to make selling superfluous. The aim is to know and understand customers so well that the product or service fits them and sells itself.(Drucker,1973,p. 64-65) The only way selling and promoting will be effective is if we first define customer targets and needs and then prepare an easily accessible and available value package. The purpose of a business is to create and maintain profitable customers. Customers are attracted and retained when their need are met. Not only do they return to the same restaurants but they also talk favorably to others about their satisfaction. Customer satisfaction leading to profit is the central goal of Hospitality Marketing. (Kotler Bowen Makens, 1996, Chapter- 1) Fewer repeat customers and bad words of mouth are deeds of the manager who interprets profits above customer satisfaction. A successful manager will consider profits only as the result of running a business well, rather then its sole purpose. So in this service based industry (Indian restaurants) the entrance of corporate giants with mesmerizing marketing skills have increased the importance of marketing within the industry. Now lest see how far these Hospitality marketing stunts can save the appalling scene in the industry. 2.2 Service Quality Daryl Wyckoff has defined service quality as, â€Å"Quality is the degree of excellence intended, and the control of variability in achieving that excellence, in meeting customers requirements.† ( Wyckoff, 1984, p 81) This theorem of quality is however not accurate as experts says ‘Quality is whatever the customer says it is and the quality of a particular product or service is whatever the customer perceives it to be (Powers,2000, p 179). So the main emphasis is on the customer and perceived quality. A more professional way of looking at quality is by conceptualizing it broadly along the two critical dimensions i.e. technical quality and Interpersonal quality. Technical Quality is generally the minimum expected from a hospitality operation.(Did things go right, Was the food hot) (Powers, 1997). This dimension of quality is relatively objective in nature and is thus measurable. Interpersonal Quality is a comparatively difficult dimension (Was the waiter friendly? Did the service staff go out of their way to be helpful? Did the customer feel welcome or out of place?) As Gronroos (1980) points out â€Å"Even when an excellent solution is achieved, the firm may be unsuccessful, if the excellence in technical quality is counteracted by badly managed buyer-seller interactions.† And vice versa the charm in this world will not make up for bad food or a lost reservation. So each dimension is critical. 2.3 Concept of building customer satisfaction through quality The fundamental strategic decision to be taken by the Indian Food manufactures at the outset is to consider the service system either standardized or routine/customized. In the former, more importance is given to technical quality, operation goes by the book and little importance is paid to employees discretion. While the later gives importance to both qualities and more discretion is given to the employee. Customized system of service is recommended to the restaurants as consumers go to the restaurant that they believe offers the highest customer delivered value or customer satisfaction i.e. the difference between total customer value and total customer cost: * The customer derives value from the core products, the service delivery system and restaurants image. * The costs to the customer include money, time, energy and physic costs. Quality is made up of two components viz. technical and interpersonal. Managers must keep in mind that in the end the customer perceptions of the delivered quality are what is important. Customers assess delivered services against their expectations. If perceived service meets expectations, they view the service as good quality. If perceived service falls short of expectations, they view the service as poor. Expectations are formed by past experiences with the restaurants, word of mouth, the restaurants external communication and publicity. A widely used model of service quality is known as the five gap model. This model defines service quality as meeting customer expectations. The principle behind the formation of this model was to discover the expectation of the customer which is possibly the most critical step in delivering service quality. This model is closely linked to marketing since it is customer based. This model has five gaps, Gap 1: Consumer expectations versus Management Perception Gap 2: Management Perception versus Service Quality Specifications Gap 3: Service Quality Specifications versus Service Delivery Gap 4: Service Delivery versus External Communications Gap 5: Expected Service versus Perceived Service The detail study of this 5 gap model is out of the boundary of this research. But the question is whether this aspect can solve the issue, can it benefits the industry? The answer is discussed in Chapter 4. 2.4 Supply Chain Most Important aspect for increasing service Quality performance is Supply Chain Integration. Effective Supply Chain Management can:- * Cut Down The Total Cost Significantly. * Increase the productivity and Performance. * Improve time and labour economy. * Can differentiate Service quality. * Can provide optimum Speed and comfort in quality Service delivery. In other words it provides better economy of scale and competitive advantage. The Value Chain Source: Johnshon and Scholes, 2004 The Value Chain will be discussed in the essence of the Supply Chain Management Issues. These elements of a brand are illustrated in 1. It has long been recognized that products have meanings for consumers beyond providing mere functional utility. Symbolic consumption was recognized by Veblen (1899) in his Theory of the Leisure Class and termed conspicuous consumption. Noth (1988) quotes Karl Marx and his metaphor of â€Å"the language of commodities† in which â€Å"the linen conveys its thoughts† (p. 175) while Barthes (1964) discussed a semiotic threshold with the semiotic existing above the â€Å"utilitarian or functional aspects† of objects. Given the symbolic usage of brands it is no surprise that semiotics, as the study of signs in society, is increasingly being used in understanding consumer behavior. Initially used in facilitating understanding of the consumption behavior surrounding cultural products such as film and other works of art (Holbrook and Grayson, 1986) and fashion (Barthes, 1983), its widespread usage to interpret symbolic consumption in all aspects of consumer behavior is anticipated (Mick, 1986). The theory behind this research technique is that brand equity is built on consumers perception of the emotional benefits or brand affinity, combined with physical or Concrete benefits The performance delivered by the product or service offered. The technique attempts to evaluate each of these two aspects in detail, providing a clear understating of its importance for the category under investigation as well as for the brands in that category. During the development of this technique we identified and coded the emotional factor that repeatedly appeared in all markets in the study, allowing us to conclude that They are valid for virtually any product or service category when the subject is brand equity evaluation. These aspects can be classified into three groups: brand authority, level of identification that the user or consumer has with its positioning, and level of social approval it offers to its user or consumer. Authority might be defined by the brands heritage or long-standing reputation and leadership, by the trust or confidence it inspires to consumers, and by aspects associated to innovation or technological development as perceived by consumers. Thus all the branding theories leads to the consumers Perception. 3.2 Consumer Perceptions Of Foods Investigation and analysis of food purchase and consumption is well-documented within the discipline of consumer behavior. Studies in this area tend to stress the complexity of factors which drive food-related tastes and preferences, and some authors have proposed models which attempt to categories and integrate these factors and so offer insights into the formation of food preferences and choices. Shepherd. R, (1989) provides a review of such models, from Yudkin, J. (1956), which lists physical, social and physiological factors, to Booth and Shepherd (1988) which summarizes the processes influencing, and resulting from food acceptance, and lists factors relating to the food, the individual and the environment. However, none of these models incorporate a consideration of the role of place in food, and consumer perceptions of this attribute. It may be noted that, by their very nature, food products have a land-based geographical origin (Bà ©rard, L. and P. Marchenay 1995), which would suggest that people readily make strong associations between certain foods and geographical locations. On the other hand, the process of delocalization of the food system in the twentieth century, as described by Montanari , (1994) has weakened the traditional territorial and symbolic links between foods and places. The inference is that the concept of Indianity in foods may no longer be important or attractive to the modern food consumer, who is faced with such a wide array of exotic and international products all year round. Thus it may be that in the mind of the consumer, specific names, production methods or presentational forms of particular foods are no longer associated with the geographic areas from which they originate. An opposing view is taken by Driver, (1983) however, who describes resurgence in the interest in traditional Ind ian dishes in the UK, which perhaps reflects the symbolic importance that particular foods have in our lives and culture. These debates highlight the need for empirical investigation of peoples perceptions and understandings of Indianity in food. Linked to this debate of the perceived meaning of Indianity in foods is the concept of authenticity. If Indian foods are linked in some way to origins and tradition, it implies that producers of Indian foods are involved in providing and communicating intangible attributes of heritage, tradition and authenticity in their product offerings. These require careful management, particularly in view of authors such as MacCannell [1989], Hughes, (1995) and Urry, (1995), who, in relation primarily to tourist experiences, point out the difficulty in defining what is authentic, and in communicating this to an increasingly sophisticated and diverse audience of consumers. In relation to Indian foods, information is needed on consumer perceptions of app ropriate attributes of products, which are the most attractive and why. CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY A-RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY APPROACH In the previous chapters, author has outlined research aim and objectives with examining the relevant literature review. However, the successful completion of any study is heavily dependent on the choice of an appropriate research method and approach. Moreover, the appropriate research methodology provides guidance for the development and evaluation process of study. Wit the appropriate methodology the author can justify the achievement of the objective. Research process The research process adopted is based on exploratory approach, but prior to that it is necessary to highlight upon the methodological frame work. The recognized exponents in this field are Hussey Hussey (1997), Zikmund (2000), Saunders et al (1997, 2000) and others who presented different methodological framework from which researchers can conduct their research. Most of these frameworks follow certain similar central theme. The author has adapted the below-illustrated methodological framework to fulfill the research aim and objectives. This is chosen, as it supports the author research design and process, Furthermore, methodology has been designed where data is collected and interpreted. The findings and analysis with conclusions and recommendations at the end follow this. METHODOLOGY Research aim The main aim of the research is:  · To assess the major issues that determines the performance and efficiency of the Indian foods/restaurants in UK. Research objectives  · To Assess the Service quality and the Supply Chain Management.  · To Assess the consumer Perception towards Indian Foods and the relevant Marketing Mix to exploit the opportunities Research Philosophy Easterby-Smith et al (1993) states three reasons why it is useful to state the research philosophy about proposed research before collecting data: * To clarify the research design-the method by which data is collected and analyzed-taking a holistic view of overall configuration. * To help recognize which designs will work and which will not * To help identify and create research design to adopt research approach according to the required research aim and objectives. There are two main types of research philosophies in existing literature. They are Positivism and Phenomenological. â€Å"They are different, if not mutually exclusive, views about the way in which knowledge is developed and judged as being acceptable. They have an important part to play in business and management research†. (Saunders et al, 2005, p 83) The positivistic philosophy which â€Å"seeks the facts or causes of social phenomena†(Hussey Hussey,1998) is more objective, analytical and structured and the researcher is independent of the subject. (Remenyi et al., 1998:33). In addition, the quantitative data should be collected and statistical analyzed when test the certain theories.(Saunders et al, 2005, Hussey Hussey,1998) On the other hand phenomenological philosophy which â€Å"understanding human behavior from the participants own frame of reference† (Hussey Hussey, 1998) is more subjective and the researcher is dependent on their mind. Qualitative method can be used such as a case study. It is important that which philosophy is better for my project. Saunders et al. (2005) state that no philosophy is better than others so choosing philosophy depends on the research question. Having considered the aims of this research project, I will choose phenomenological philosophy because this research question is â€Å"How the Supply Chain helps the Indian Food Industry in UK in achieving efficiency and the significance of Consumer perception to the marketing mix†. The research will be qualitative. In order to answer the research question, I would do case study on Chinese and UK textile and clothing firms and collect data by using interviews. Research Approach Inductive or Deductive Research Undoubtedly the research approach is very important for the project. There are two research approaches, which is the deductive approach and the inductive approach. As mentioned in Saunders et al (2000), the major differences between the deductive and inductive approaches to research are as follows: Deduction emphasis Induction emphasis Scientific principles Gaming an understanding of the meaning humans attach to events The need to explain cause and effect relationship between variables A close understanding of the research context The collection of quantitative data The collection of qualitative data The application of controls to ensure clarity of definition and highly structured A more flexible structure to permit changes of research emphasis as the research progress Researchers independence of what is being researched A realization that the researchers is a part of research progress The necessity to select sample of sufficient size in order to generalize conclusion Less concerned with the need to generalize Deductive approach aims to develop a theory and or hypothesis and design a research strategy to test it. Deductive approach is a rigid methodology, which not permits alternative explanation. It emphasizes on scientific principles and moving from theory to data. It is a highly structured approach and need more operationalisation of concepts to ensure definition. Oppositely inductive approach is which the researcher would collect data and develop a theory as a result of data analysis. It is an alternative approach and theory building followed data collection. In addition, it is the better way to study the small sample because of concerning with the context in which the events are taking place. (Saunders et al, 2005, p 85) Easterby-Smith et al. (2004) state that if the researcher have interested in understanding why something happening the inductive approach is more appropriate. Having considered the aims of this research project, it seems that inductive approach is more suitable. First ly, according to Saunders et al (2005), inductive approach is closely related to phenomenology. Secondly, although there are many author contributed to theories about international branding but not specifi

Essays --

Theodore Levitt’s contribution to marketing is undoubtedly un-measurable in any quantity, un-describable in a matter of words and unfathomable to any one who did not have the chance to meet the legendary scholar. The German moved to America after serving in the Second World War, where he received a PhD from the Ohio State University in economics. He later acted as a Professor in Harvard Business School and went on to become an editor for the â€Å"Harvard Business Review† (1985-1989). Through the captivating articles he wrote for this, he changed the face and idea of marketing completely. What could have once been summed up in four Ps; price, product, place and promotion, now had depth, dimensions and true meaning. In a few short pages Levitt had the ability to expand, alter and moderinise marketing. The economist managed all this through his compelling article â€Å"Marketing Myopia† in which he describes how too much attention is paid to the product and n ot enough to the consumer. This was a foreign outlook, which no longer looked at just the physical good and maximizing profits but at who was purchasing this product and attempting to entice them to repeat purchase. He saw globalisation as a future phenomenon and saw standardisation as key to global success for a business. Theodore Levitt also had a profound impact on the lives of his students, colleagues, family and friends. He influenced them to think in new ways and to push the boundaries on how they saw the world. The German-American professor contributed greatly to the world of marketing and looked at businesses, selling products and service and where and how to sell them, in a new light. Levitt’s article â€Å"Marketing Myopia† (1960), which won the McKinsey Award in 1960 (h... ...with the improvements in technology. Everyone wants what everyone else has. The days of customisation and originality are long gone. His ability to influence new thinkers was he greatest attributes. He was both provocative and startling which made him so bold and brilliant. People were intimidated by his presence and wanted to keep up with him. His trail of thought never stopped and he unconditionally allowed this brilliance to be shared with all of those whom he came into contact with. His writings and words touched the lives of various people and allowed them to explore new areas. Theodore Levitt’s contribution to the marketing world knows no bounds nor will it ever. His simplistic, long-term, future focused ideas changed the world of business and served as a spin-off effect for other scholars allowing his work to assist in the future of marketing.

Gypsies, the Work Ethic and Hungarian Socialism

In his work Socialism; Ideals, Ideologies and Local Practice, Chris Hann includes the text in which Michael Steward analyses the Gypsy responses to Hungarian social policy providing the image of the sources of popular resistance to the massive experiment in social engineering undertaken by the socialist governments of the Soviet bloc. The text focuses on the twenty five years period in which the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party led a vigorous campaign to assimilate the near half-million Gypsy population into the Magyar working class by trying to eliminate all traces of Gypsy lifestyle and behavior. In the author’s view there was there was an important plank formed in the social policy of the Hungarian regime. This happened due to several reasons: the largest minority in Hungary lived shocking poverty conditions, the state was looking to renew its socialist pledge by modernization under social equality and the economic, social and cultural distinctiveness of the Gypsies. The result of this campaign was not the one intended because Gypsies were in 1985 as prominent in the Hungarian society as they were in 1960. Moreover, the state had managed to create conditions in which, in popular imagination at least, being a Gypsy seemed the most viable way to survive the privations and humiliations of a planned economy. The campaign to assimilate Gypsies in socialist Hungary The campaign lasted from 1961 to 1985 and it began with the decision that Gypsies were neither an ethnic group nor a nation. Cultural factors did not play a significant role in the reproduction of Gypsies and the attempts to turn them into a nation had been misguided. Gypsy nationalists programs slowed down the process of assimilation and their self-organization and expression were to be discouraged. The author states the Gypsies were characterized by a way of life marked out behavioral traits such as scavenging, begging, hustling, dealing and laziness, all being products of their exclusion from the society and the economy of the past. Gypsies had been sustained by the feudal division of labour in which they had played an important role but lost their social importance as capitalist industrialization displayed their skills as redundant. The Hungarian social government thought in the early 1960s that â€Å"the Gypsy problem† could be solved once and for all.

Free Essays on Sisterhood

Building lasting relationships is one of the most important aspects of life. It not only affects a person’s social life, but their personal life as well. The stronger the bond is, the more it influences their daily life and habits. While many relations have positive effects, there are just as many that negatively affect someone. The people, whom one builds these bonds with, may vary greatly from their grandparents and cousins to their teachers and classmates. Out of the many possible relationships one builds, the most powerful one is sisterhood. It is a sacred friendship between young women, who greatly love each other, which positively affects them even though opposing situations may arise. The power of sisterhood binds girls together with their immense amount of love for each other. Although they tend to fight tremendously, sisters will realize that their yells and tears simply came out of love and will eventually make up. On the other hand, some sisters will quickly apologize knowing that it is the only way for them to receive what they want from the other sister. Sisterhood is also about sharing one’s moods and feelings, whether they are good or bad. If the feelings are good, a sister will openly share the other’s excitement, and if down, the sisters help them through it and even lend them a shoulder to lean on. As sisters learn from each other’s mistakes, they guide one another through life, teaching each other morals and values. Most sisters also look up to each other. Several times the younger one is caught dressing, acting, and wanting to be like their elder sisters. Although some sisters get annoyed of each other, they still hang o ut and enjoy each other’s presence. The respect and closeness between sisters will make them want to do anything for each other, like helping each other deal with their parents and covering for them if they get into trouble. Moreover, sisters are friends as well, who will ... Free Essays on Sisterhood Free Essays on Sisterhood Building lasting relationships is one of the most important aspects of life. It not only affects a person’s social life, but their personal life as well. The stronger the bond is, the more it influences their daily life and habits. While many relations have positive effects, there are just as many that negatively affect someone. The people, whom one builds these bonds with, may vary greatly from their grandparents and cousins to their teachers and classmates. Out of the many possible relationships one builds, the most powerful one is sisterhood. It is a sacred friendship between young women, who greatly love each other, which positively affects them even though opposing situations may arise. The power of sisterhood binds girls together with their immense amount of love for each other. Although they tend to fight tremendously, sisters will realize that their yells and tears simply came out of love and will eventually make up. On the other hand, some sisters will quickly apologize knowing that it is the only way for them to receive what they want from the other sister. Sisterhood is also about sharing one’s moods and feelings, whether they are good or bad. If the feelings are good, a sister will openly share the other’s excitement, and if down, the sisters help them through it and even lend them a shoulder to lean on. As sisters learn from each other’s mistakes, they guide one another through life, teaching each other morals and values. Most sisters also look up to each other. Several times the younger one is caught dressing, acting, and wanting to be like their elder sisters. Although some sisters get annoyed of each other, they still hang o ut and enjoy each other’s presence. The respect and closeness between sisters will make them want to do anything for each other, like helping each other deal with their parents and covering for them if they get into trouble. Moreover, sisters are friends as well, who will ...

Australia And Apec Essays - International Trade, Free Essays

Australia And Apec Essays - International Trade, Free Essays Australia And Apec Economics assignment: APEC When the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies, its goal was to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community. When the cooperation was established, there were 12 founding member economies, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. Since then there has been more countries/economies joining APEC. APEC has come a long way since 1989. It has built steadily on the efforts of the past and looks forward to further positive progress. The initial years of APEC were focused largely on exchange of views and project based initiatives. As needs of the member economies has evolved into a forum of higher purpose: to build the Asia-Pacific community through achieving economic growth and development through trade and economic cooperation. In the Osaka meeting in 1994, APEC leaders adopted the Osaka Action Agenda, which firmly established three pillars of APEC activities: Trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation and economic-technical cooperation. Its main objective is to develop a region-wide, free trade and investment regime by the year 2000. APEC operates by consensus. In 1991, members committed themselves to conducting their activities and work programs on the basis of open dialogue with equal respect for the views of all participants. The APEC chair, which rotates annually among members, is responsible for hosting the annual ministerial meeting of foreign and economic ministers. At the 1989 Canberra Ministerial Meeting, it was agreed that it would be appropriate that every alternative ministerial meeting be held in an ASEAN economy/country. Senior Official Meeting (SOM) are held regularly prior to every ministerial meeting. APEC senior officials make recommendations to the ministers and carry out their decisions. They oversee and coordinate, with approval from Ministers, the budgets and work programs of the APEC for a. Mr. Fischer, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, said Australias IAP (Individual Action Plan) would address the main trade liberalization issues of tariffs, non- tariffs, investment and services, although the 1996 IAP would not pre-judge the outcomes of the existing and previously announced reviews into the passenger motor vehicle, textile clothing and footwear and sugar sectors. Other elements of the IAP deal wit the important trade facilitation issues such as standards and customs procedures, intellectual property rights, competition policy, and mobility of business people and deregulation. Australias plan is fully consistent with the general principals of the Osaka Action Agenda agreed by that leaders in November 1995, including comprehensives, Mr. Fischer said. Australias done a great deal to liberalize our market consistent with APEC goals, and we expect others to match our record. The government will pursue vigorously Australian trade and investment priorities within APEC, Mr. Fischer stated. Australias IAP address the objectives and guidelines of the Osaka Action Plan in a comprehensive manner: Tariffs Australias IAP includes reduction in applied tariffs to the year 2000. Table: Tariff Reductions in the APEC region Simple Average Applied Tariff 1988 1993 1997 Australia * 15.6 7.0 5.3 Brunei 3.9 3.9 2.0 Canada (*) 3.7 2.4 1.3^ Chile 19.9 11 11 China 39.5 37.5 17 Hong Kong 0 0 0 Indonesia 18.1 17 11.7 Japan * 4.3 3.4 4.6 Korea 19.2 11.6 7.9^ Malaysia 13.6 12.8 7.8^ Mexico * 10.5 12.6 9.8^ New Zealand 14.9 8.5 5.2 PNG NA NA 23^ Philippines 27.9 23.5 12.1 Singapore 0.3 0.4 0 Chinese Taipei 12.6 8.9 8.6 Thailand 31.2 37.8 17 United States (*) 4.2 4.2 3.4^ Note: Does not include calculation of non-ad valorum tariffs Indicates trade-weighted advantage ^1996 data Source: aph.gov.au/library/pubs/cib/1998-99/c99cib05.htm Australias applied simple tariff has fallen from 15.6% in 1998 to 6.1% in 1996 and will reduce further to 4.5% by the year 2000. Australia is also hoping to have tariffs reduced to zero in numerous sectors of our economy by the year 2000. Sectors Selected for Early Voluntary Sectoral Liberalism Sector EVSL Proposal Toys Progressive reduction to zero of tariffs on toys, preferably by 2000. Elimination of unjustified non-tariff barriers. Economic and technical cooperation Gems and jewelry Elimination of trade-restrictive measures on these products (phased out by 2005), which include pearls, diamonds, silver, gold, platinum, jewelry, goldsmiths and silversmiths wares. Environmental Goods and Services Elimination of tariffs by 2003 on environmental goods and liberalization of environmental services. Work on non-tariffs barriers. Economic and technical cooperation. Food Further impetus to trade

ECONOMICS FOR GLOBAL BUSINESS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

ECONOMICS FOR GLOBAL BUSINESS - Essay Example The general prognosis is that even though the Irish economy had in the recent past undergone a massive cratering, it has been on a slow but steady path towards sustained growth. The fact that it is ranked so highly in terms of economic freedom augurs well for the general condition of the Irish economy. That freedom, it is said, is based on a stable legal climate that has a deep tradition of respecting rights related to property, as well as a regulatory environment that is conducive to openness in business as well as in terms of supporting Ireland’s efforts to make its economy competitive in the global economic arena (The Heritage Foundation 2012). That general climate is characterized by several key strengths in key areas such as the rule of law, the role of government, efficiency in regulation, and openness of markets. The legal environment, for one is said to be robust and stable, with Ireland having the reputation of having one of the most stringent regimes for the protecti on of intellectual property rights, as well as in the securing and honoring of contracts. Moreover, the regard for law extends to a low level of corruption in the country, making the country a favorable destination for those wanting to deal with a clean and honest government. Meanwhile, as far as government is concerned, its recent levels of spending have been cited to reach a total of close to 50 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product or GDP, resulting in the ballooning of the country’s deficit. The level of public debt of the country, as a result also, has reached levels equal to about 90 percent of the country’s GDP. The government has come to impose a tax on all business activities amounting to about 28 percent of the GDP, with income taxes at 41 percent, corporate taxes at 12.5 percent, and consumption taxes making up a substantial portion of total tax revenues as well, in the form of VAT and taxes on capital gains. Meanwhile, the government is sai d to have done well keeping monetary policies relatively stable, while at the same time fixing macroeconomics so that costs of labor are reasonable, costs of business establishment are minimal, and red tape associated with the conduct of business likewise being considered minimal. In terms of market openness, meanwhile, the facts are that tariff rates for products entering Ireland have been considered lower in comparison to other EU states, even as barriers that are not related to tariff are substantial, and somewhat negate the lower tariff regime in the country. Investors are treated relatively with parity regardless of whether investors are local or foreign, in an environment where the Irish government seems to have done well to make the investment climate efficient. The recent past has seen the country cave in because of the financial crisis tied to the property bubble there and elsewhere, as the banking system in Ireland had been similarly overexposed alongside banks in the othe r EU states, but as of 2012 the banks have been noted to have achieved a certain level of capitalization

Business Intelligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Intelligence - Essay Example The systems are diverse and highlight every perspective of the business such as the customer profiling and support, market segmentation and research and statistic evaluations among others. Several companies gather enormous quantities of information from their various business processes. The collection of data of such quantities enables the business to determine the problems facing the organizations in its desire to fulfill the needs of its customers and the understanding the quality of their services. The desires of providing best quality of products and provision of outstanding services to the customers might demand the use of many software programs especially in data mining and data entry. Here, there will be detailed analysis of the business intelligence with respect to human resource functions. Therefore, the piece would provide suitable solutions to problems such as employee absenteeism, delays to the customers and the associated complaints. Generally, there will be the analysis of the application of business intelligence to ensure ideal operations of a business organization. Nonetheless, it is essential to understand that business intelligence depends on data mining to a greater degree. ... Applications of Mashups Mashups are essential in every organization due to their relevance and capacity to execute desirable functions in an organization. There are server based and web based mashups grouped according to the source of data, analysis and reformatting of information. The functionality of the mashups are based on three main components – the presentation, web services and data. Mashups include the applications, which reuse and join information together with services that are present online and they are created in a sudden ad-hoc manners to facilitate automation of procedures together with remixing the data. Mashup creation promotes faster, easy and affordable program creation by reusing resources that have been developed already, evaluated, and catered for by the large quantity of raw material found on the Web. The Use of Mashups in Human Resource In human resource, staffing is the essential element that determines the performance in an organization. Mashups are c apable of upholding all the staffing features due to its ability to fit their functionalities. The components considered in the Mashups creation entail selection, human resource planning, job evaluation and recruitment. Mashups are useful in the evaluation of time and attendance of the employees. Mashups have automation feature that computerizes the activities of the managers. The Masups are capable of determining the time frame within which particular staff reported and or engaged in given activities. This system is capable of collecting information on ideal time and activities-related engagements. The system is also composed of a searching capability, which enables it to find the information of an employee in the profile category and opt for the allocation of work.

Defining theme of The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon Essay

Defining theme of The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon - Essay Example Thomas Pynchon gives the message that nature constantly moves life from order to disorder. It is worth noting, at this level, that Pynchon publishes the book following his full knowledge of history, pop culture, and paranoia whose identity cannot be easily recognized or combined. Entropy creates a patterned system that is tight and whose progression is unavoidable. The pattern also appears chaotic in nature. Pynchon’s theme of entropy focuses on America’s movement of culture to modernism. This movement seems unstoppable because culture is not static and is representative of trends in societies other than America. Analysis Pynchon centers on entropy from the start of the novel. His introduction to the learner contains this information. Pynchon shows his dissatisfaction in the introduction by explaining that his works seem to be out of various abuses on paper. The abuse to him is overwriting. Analysis of this assertion leads to the conclusion that Thomas Pynchon deliberat ely the dislike as a stylistic device. He claims in his personal critique that writers, in most cases, develop themes for characters. In his effort to introduce entropy, Pynchon avers that characters should generate themes in the novels through their personalities. He arranges his work to flow in a way that gives rise to entropy as the main idea put across. ... Oedipa does this continuously while refining them. This is a comparison to Pynchon’s assertion that characters in novels should generate themes and the other way round (Pynchon, 1965, 51). Just as Oedipa attempts to refine the stories after testing them, the author changes literary renditions in the best way. Furthermore, Oedipa creates a mystery to the reader by finding substantial leeways through coincidence but under very odd circumstances. The mystery involves either comprehending whether life is very amorphous that actions only occur through coincidence and affect people’s live greatly or if it is so void that characters such as Oedipa begin to imagine what they can do because of availability of unlimited information. Oedipa’s quest brings out the theme of entropy. The author combines ideas from other disciplines of studies such as physics and sociology to invoke the concepts of entropy. In addition to the two disciplines, he uses philosophical phenomena to underscore the main concept. The author creates a closed world that is an equivalent of physics’ closed system where particles move in a disorderly way. People and information in Pynchon’s world move in the same way towards entropy. In the continuation of his metaphor, Oedipa moves to correct the disorder from the ugly situations in the closed system. Considering the fact that she develops a closed world, it is difficult to understand whether Oedipa will succeed in her efforts or it is a process in futility. If she succeeds, then she will put truths in a world full of controversies. However, if she fails, she will have faced the normal actions of the world where it

Virginia Hamilton Essay Example for Free

Virginia Hamilton Essay Virginia Esther Hamilton was born on March 12, 1934 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She was the youngest of 5 children. She lived on a farm with her family ever since her grandfather Levi Perry was brought as a baby through the underground railroad. Virginia proved to be a wonderful learner, especially when it came to writing. She graduated as one of the best students from her high school. She then attended Antioch College, but soon decided to transfer to Ohio State University. Virginia dreamed of becoming an author and decided to major in literature and creative writing. Virginia soon moved to New York in 1958 where she worked as a museum receptionist, cost accountant, and nightclub singer. Even while doing all these activities, she kept on trying to become an author. She began to study at the New School for Social Research. In 1960 met Arnold Adoff, a teacher who loved poetry. They soon married. Since Arnold could now make money for them, Virginia kept her full attention on writing. However, her writing took a break when she gave birth to two children. Virginia and Arnold soon built their dream house back in Yellow Springs where they both focused on literature. Soon, Virginia became one of the most well known authors in the U. S. During her entire lifetime, she had published 41 extremely popular books. The genres of her books differed, but in them there was much feeling and emotion. Some of her stories described the lives  of African Americans. Virginia won many awards for youth literature. February 19th, 2002 was a sad day for America, as Virginia Esther Hamilton’s death had arrived. Breast cancer had done too much damage. However, the Hamilton family’s blood was still Virginia’s granddaughter Anaya Grace Adoff, was born on November 26, 2008 and is still living today. Virginia is still known as one of America’s most honored writers of children’s literature and will always be.