Family and Cousin Essay Example for Free

Family and Cousin Essay Human behavior can be explored by taking a look at the different aspects of a person’s life. These aspects include the biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual. These aspects can help social workers better understand the background history of a person’s life and gather information in order to do an accurate assessment of a person. This paper does not intend to make an assessment but it’s rather an informative paper in order to discover and understand the various systems of a person’s life. Furthermore this paper will also focus on how these systems interact with one another. I chose to do this paper on my cousin who just became a mother and she is currently learning how to adapt to her new way of life. I think she is in an interesting stage in her life and that is also why I chose her. My cousin and I are only a year apart in age and she chose a different path from the one that is expected after she graduated from high school. She decided not to go to college and began to work doing random retail jobs until she found a permanent job as a hostess. We are so different now but a few years ago we did get along and had a lot of things in common. Her relationship with her mother has also changed and now that my cousin is a mother, they seem to understand each other better. BIO-PHYSICAL My cousin’s name is Carla Sanchez and she is twenty two years old and the youngest of three. She is 5’5 and before she had the baby she had lost so much weight but now she regained some of that weight back. She has dark long hair and dark brown eyes. Before she became pregnant she fell in love with her baby’s father and lost a lot of weight. During her teenage years she was not as determined to lose weight as she was when she was nineteen when she met her significant other. During her pregnancy her body went through some physical changes. She did not have impulsive cravings and she ate the foods she normally eats but in larger portions. She gained around sixty pounds and now she looks like the way she did before she lost the weight. Her weight when she was a younger child before the teenage years resembles that of her mother. My aunt had an average weight because she was not skinny but she was not overweight either. My cousin’s weight then was average like her mother’s because due to the genes that were passed down to her through her mother. My cousin’s baby is a girl and looks more like her father but she has my cousin’s straight hair. Now that it has been several weeks after childbirth my cousin plans and is determined to lose the weight again. She looks like her mother and both have a healthy mother and daughter relationship. She is very open-minded and very out spoken. Her mother is also an open-minded person. According to the biological determinism theory it is evident that a person’s personality and physical appearance is embedded into a child from birth trough genetics. My cousin’s parents divorced when she was a young child and therefore she has always been close to her mother and that is why my aunt has been able to greatly influence my cousin’s behavior. Most of her life she has been more attached to her mother. PSYCHOLOGICAL According to Erikson’s theories of psychological development my cousin is in the intimacy versus isolation stage. My cousin’s childhood and teenage years have passed by. All that is left of her childhood and teenage years are memories. She began working at restaurants during her high school years and has stayed with that career. She has gone from being a waitress when she was sixteen to a hostess. However she is thinking of going back to school because she was her daughter to look up to her when her daughter is older. My cousin did not get married and she is not living with her boyfriend. She lives at home with her baby and her mother. All her time is devoted to her baby however there have been times when she is overwhelmed with the task of raising a child and her mother helps her so that she can at least have some time to rest. According to Paiget my cousin is at the stage four which is based on formal operations. At this level problems are now approached using logic, reason and combinational thought. Also individuals at this stage with formal operations can think about their own thoughts, feelings and think about thinking. I think that at this point Paiget is focusing on how we can look back at our past and reflect. My cousin is able to do this now and she now reflects on how her mother raised her so that she can raise her daughter the same way. My cousin constantly worries whether or not she is raising her child in a proper way or to the extent that it is expected of a mother to raise her child. She lives with her mother and her mother helps her by giving her advice from how to comfort the child to how to give the baby a bath. My cousin’s friend had her baby before my cousin and when her friend met my cousin’s child she was also giving her advice on hoe to take care of the baby. She is acquiring knowledge on how to raise her child from people such as her mother that have had years of experience raising children. Her friend told her that she worries to whether she is taking care of her baby the right way. My cousin has to endure a psychological as well as physical adaptation. Paiget describes adaptation as the process by which structures of the mind develop over time to achieve a better fit with the environment and external reality. My cousin is still eating food in large portions as she did when she was pregnant but now she is drinking more milk because she chose to breastfeed her baby. Therefore she keeps gaining weight and is also stressed out. As far as her mental state she is stressed and cannot focus on herself because she is constantly thinking about the well-being of her baby. She worries just as much as other mothers do because she wants her baby to be happy. She said that her baby seems to be cranky most of the time and basically she is dedicating all her time to comfort the baby. My cousin had learned to adapt to her new role as a mother and she will need to keep up as the baby goes through different stages of her life. SOCIAL She has not been working since July and her social life is not as it used to be before she had the baby. However she was visited by her godparents and many friends when she brought the baby home. They have showered the baby with gifts and seeing how other people have acted towards the baby makes her happy. My cousin is trying her best to imitate her mother because she loves her mother and wants to follow her advice so that she can raise a happy child. According to the social learning theory behaviors are mediated by thoughts, expectations as well as emotions and stresses the importance of observational learning or modeling. In my cousin’s case she sees her mom as a model mom that she wants to imitate. As far as I know my aunt really sacrificed a lot so that my cousin’s could have a better life than the one she had. I have seen how selfless my aunt has been especially with my cousin Carla because she is the youngest one. My cousin wants the approval of her mother in everything she does because she has been very attached to my aunt. Her brother and sister live far away from them. My cousin has kept in touch with her fellow co-workers and many of them came to visit her when she brought the baby home. One of her friends who is a teacher and brought her a huge box of pampers. He also gave her some parenting advice because he, as a father of three, thinks that he has had enough experience with kids. He was very happy to see the baby and many of her friends came to see the baby as well. Even though my cousin has not gone out since she gave birth in November 30th, she has had her friends come over to her place to see the baby. However her weeks have turned into the same routine of just staying at home to take care of her baby. The baby’s father also visits her but not too often because their relationship is not in good standing. My cousin is trying to be the mother that society expects her to be but most importantly she is trying to imitate her own mother. My aunt is a fervent believer in the Catholic faith and she raised her children in the same faith as she was raised in. All of her three children were baptized, did the communions and attended mass on Sundays. Until this day my aunt does not miss a mass at her local church. Her children however have not been as devoted as my aunt has been. My cousin Carla stop attending church after her teenage years when she graduated from high school and spent her weekends working. However my aunt always tries to make sure that my cousin does not loose her faith. According to James V. Fowler’s theory of faith development my cousin is at the stage 5 which is the individuative-reflective faith. In this stage young adults question the beliefs and stories they have received from family, friends and other social groups. My cousin does not believe everything that my aunt was taught about Catholicism. For example my cousin did not get married and decided to raise a child as a single mother. My aunt did not approve of this because she was taught that a woman must be a virgin until she gets married. Her other daughter moved in with her boyfriend and then got married. My aunt did not approve of this either. My aunt believes that salvation is obtained by following the church’s sacraments but my cousin believes that no one really knows how to obtain salvation. She also thinks that God is everywhere and therefore she does not need to attend mass every Sunday. My aunt was raised in a very religious home and in her native country religion plays an important role in life but her children who were raised in the United States have found a way to practice their religion however way they think is the proper way. My cousin plans to baptize her daughter and she has picked the godparents already. My family is from Ecuador which is in Latin America so that makes us part of the Latino community. My cousin Carla was born in New Jersey. She had to learn about the Ecuadorian culture and the American culture. When she was a kid my aunt would travel with her and her other siblings to Ecuador so that they could visit their grandmother and learn their cultural roots. My cousin had to learn both languages English and Spanish. She now knows them fluently and this has helped her a lot because she was able to make a lot of friends. In Ecuador gender roles are so delineated. Men are expected to work and women are expected to stay at home raising the children. It is not common for females to work outside the home. Most females graduate from high school and after high school they start raising families. My cousin knows both cultures but since she was born and raised in the United States she identifies more with the American culture. When her baby gets older she expects to go back to work and even go back to school so that she can be able to provide a better living for both. She is a single mother but has learned a lot from her mother who got divorced from her husband when my cousin was a young child. In conclusion these several aspects of a person’s life help us understand how each one relates to the other and how they affect human behavior. Human behavior can be affected by the people we associate with and by the culture we are raised in as well as other factors. These several theories described in this paper are very helpful to understand why a person behaves a certain way.

NAFTA and Mexico Essay -- essays research papers fc

Mexico’s economy is undergoing a stunning transformation. Seven years after the launch of the North American Free Trade Agreement, it is fast becoming an industrial power. Free trade with the U.S. and Canada is turning the country from a mere assembler of cheap, low-quality goods into a reliable exporter of sophisticated products from auto breaks to laptops computers. Although Mexico has seen economic growth lately, it still faces tremendous problems in the aftermath of the 1995 recession and the revolution that took place in the Chiapas which still wages on today. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects that NAFTA has had on the economy and it’s people during the implementation of NAFTA and in what NAFTA will bring in the future. The North American Free Trade Agreement was designed to open borders and promote free trade between three countries: Canada, the United States and Mexico. Signed in 1992, ratified by the U.S. Congress in November 1993 and implemented January 1, 1994, NAFTA reduced some tariffs immediately while others are scheduled to fall to zero over a 15-year period. NAFTA follows the prescription of liberalization- including the deregulation of government restrictions to allow increased trade, direct foreign investment, and foreign ownership of businesses.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On January 1, 1994, a Mexico still sleepy from New Year’s celebrations awoke to discover a passionate new revolution sweeping across the state of Chiapas. The Zapatistas, a small, yet powerfully forceful group of indigenous people, exhausted from centuries of oppression, poverty and corruption, rose up to end this societal injustice, and most specifically, to battle the new tyrant that would be born that very day: The North American Free Trade Agreement. This revolt was viewed by the indigenous population of Chiapas as an essential act to stop the debilitating cycle of injustice and to prevent future harm to the Mexican people by opposing NAFTA. â€Å"The Zapatistas have pulled back the curtain that covered up the other Mexico. It is not the Mexico of eager entrepreneurs lined up to open Pizza Hut franchises or consumers eager to shop at Wal-Mart, but rather the Mexico of malnourished children, illiteracy, landlessness, poor roads, lack of health clinics, and life as a permanent struggle.† (Quoted in Russell, p. 1)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NAFTA was ... ...nmental Issues Under the NAFTA. Canadian – American Committee. Toronto: 1993. Marinez, Elizabeth and Arnoldo Garica. (No Date). What is â€Å"Neo Liberalism†? [Online]. Avaible:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.corpwatch.org/trac/corner/glob/neolib.html (June 27-29, 1997). NAFTA’s Failure to Deliver [Online]. Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www/coha.org/pressr/naftapr/html Nelan, Bruce W. (April 4, 1994). Days of Trauma and Fear [Online]. Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.time.com/time/magazine/archieves/1994/940404/940404.mexico.html Perlo, Vicotr. (March 4, 1995). The Rape of Mexico [Online]. Available:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/46/031.html â€Å"The President, the peso, the market and those Indians.† The Economist 24 Dec 1994: 43. Russell, Philip. The Chiapas Rebellion. Mexico Resource Center. Austin: 1995 Shadows of Tender Fury: The Letters and Communiques of Subcomandante Marcos and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. Monthy Review Press. New York: 1995 Wise, Carol. â€Å"The Post-NAFTA Political Economy.† Mexico and the Western Hemisphere. Pennsylvania State University Press: September 1998.

Importance of Roger Mason in ‘The Spire’

Roger Mason is a vital character in the novel, without whom there would be no spire at all. Even before the reader is introduced to Roger there are hints that he will be important to the plot. Jocelin's first mention of the phrase ‘cost what you like' coincides with the first introduction to Roger; this foreshadows the sacrifice of Roger and the breakdown he suffers due to the pressure put on him by Jocelin, the spire and even his relationship with Goody Pangall. In many ways Roger can be seen as the strength behind the spire. From Golding's physical description of him, using phrases such as ‘bullet head', ‘like a bear' and ‘his heavy eyebrows', the reader gains the impression that he is solid and his expertise in building shows him to be very factual and rational. Nearly all of Roger's attributes are the antithesis to Jocelin's; where Roger is down-to-earth, Jocelin is spiritual and deluded. Both men are compared to animals in the novel, Roger is likened to ‘a bear' and a ‘dog' whereas Jocelin is described as ‘an eagle' and ‘beaky', Golding's choice of animals here show the reader how the two men have completely different views of the world. Roger's confrontation with Jocelin highlights the antithesis between them. Roger, as an earthy man, can see that the spire is dangerous and a nearly impossible concept and regards Jocelin's vision with ‘contempt and amusement', whereas Jocelin believes that it will be held up simply by his faith and prayer, ‘God will provide'. These contrary descriptions reappear throughout the novel and intertwine their lives until, ironically, it becomes clear that the spire only gets built due to a combination of Jocelin's delusion and insistence on his vision and Roger's skill. Roger and Jocelin not only have opposing natures but also relationships and interactions with women. Jocelin fails, or refuses, to understand women but Roger has an unusually equal relationship for the medieval times with his wife and they are often seen together around the cathedral, ‘inseparable'. His relationship with Rachel is important as it emphasises Jocelin's inability to deal with a woman who is ‘not like a decent reticent Englishwoman' or ‘silent Goody Pangall', Jocelin spends much of the novel trying to avoid Rachel and Golding continually describes her as a ‘body' or a ‘face'. The fact that Roger can have a friendship with a woman that Jocelin cannot stand outlines their differences. Roger's other relationship with a woman is with Goody Pangall. Unlike his relationship with Rachel, his affair with Goody is passionate and is portrayed as love; Roger watches her walking ‘as though nothing and no one in the whole world mattered'. When the reader first finds out about the affair, it is through Jocelin's perspective, ‘he saw this was one encounter of many. He saw pain and sorrow'. The pain and sorrow may be Jocelin's realisation that he will never have Goody or it may be sorrow in Roger for he has been forced into this by Jocelin. The novel has an inchoate structure that not only shows Jocelin's gradual descent into complete delusion and madness but the loose time frames with some chapters taking place over a month, others over six months also show Roger's growing dependence on alcohol. Golding finally turns the attention of the reader back to Roger when Jocelin visits him at the end of the novel. Roger has suffered a breakdown and is ‘moo-ing' and the reader can see the entire effect that Jocelin and the spire have had on his life. Roger's mental breakdown has turned him into a ‘crab', he is no longer the skilled and reliable ‘bear' he was at the start of the novel. This presentation of Roger shows that he, too, has an irrational side and that he is not in fact that different to Jocelin, Roger turns to alcohol in times of stress and Jocelin turns to prayers, neither of which aid the two characters and these actions eventually end in their downfall. Roger and Jocelin are also not that different in their visions either. The first description of Roger contains the phrase ‘he could see nothing else, or hear or feel nothing else' showing that when Roger is working, nothing distracts him and he becomes oblivious to those around him. The presentation of Roger in this way once more joins him to Jocelin, before the reader has even been given a description of him. This illustrates how important Roger is to the novel and to Jocelin as a tool to build his vision. Overall I think that Golding's language when describing Roger is important because he is antithetical to Jocelin and therefore provides a comparison point. This has been used by Golding to draw attention to Jocelin's delusion and to allow the reader to see Jocelin's growing madness more clearly; however as the novel progresses it also becomes clear to the reader that Roger and Jocelin's characters become less and less contradictory. This is significant as it makes Jocelin's revelation at the end of the novel more pronounced and allows the reader to see that pure facts or pure faith are not effective, but it is a combination of the two that is needed for anything to be achieved.

Memorial Day Thoughts - 1012 Words

I usually write a piece for Memorial Day. I didn’t write one this year because I had written a memorial piece just this past Veteran’s Day. But, within minutes of last week’s item posting on May 30, three things happened that made me regret my decision. First, I received word that a fellow Vietnam veteran had died a few days before. Then, I received a Memorial Day ecard from another friend. And, third, between May 31 and June 4, emails from regular readers filled my inbox wanting to know why I had not written one. It is ALWAYS fitting to remember our military personnel that have died in the defense of this nation. I could NEVER forget it. I rarely talk about my own ventures into the world of combat. In fact, most of us older coots go†¦show more content†¦I revere Memorial Day, but it isn’t the only day that I remember our war-dead. Not a day of my life has passed since then that I don’t recall the horrors of decades ago. And, while it doesn’t happen with persistency any longer, I still bolt upright in bed in a heart-pounding cold sweat. Only I’m clutching my pillow and, mercifully, I realize that the blood-soaked lifeless soldier’s body and the horrible stench of thick, sticky, bloody goo are, once again, only a nightmare. And, somehow, I’m able to fall back to sleep. An image of a young woman lying prone and sobbing inconsolably before the grave marker of her beloved at a veteran’s cemetery set me off big time. And, we’d better understand that this is only the tip of an emotional iceberg of deeply rooted grief that loved ones of fallen troops must somehow get through. It doesn’t go away. I still feel it after several decades. As I finish typing this, my eyes are trying to see through a wall of flowing water, a stark reminder that learning to live without our loved ones is not the same as forgetting them. As long as we live, we don’t forget†¦ EVER! We possess the most powerful and dedicated military in the world. We’re deeply indebted to all currently serving as well as to all that have had their lives taken from them in the battle to keep us strong and free—I’ve never met anyone eagerly awaiting the chance to â€Å"GIVE† their lives. I certainly know that I wasnt. But, with the same level of fervor,Show MoreRelatedA Day Is A Special Holiday For Those Who ve Lost A Soldier921 Words   |  4 PagesMemorial Day is a special holiday for those who’ve lost a loved one in military service. For me, the holiday is two-fold. Yes, I remember the passing of my military dad, , but it’s also the day I remember all the best things about my father. It’s when I celebrate Father’s Day. My father was always proud to be a soldier. Sure, he would grumble about Army politics or how the service caused him to have bad knees and feet. Yet. he was good at being a solider. This was ironic because he did not chooseRead MoreCoping With Chaos Of A Storm1803 Words   |  8 Pagesaromatherapy candle, a back rub and a hot yoga session. There are times - and if they haven’t happened yet, they will - when your work lives will be wrought with chaos and you have to figure out how to cope with crisis or disaster. For me, it was Memorial Day weekend 2015. This is my story, and these are my tips for finding your peace in a storm. My Storm Back in May 2015 I was four month into my new position as a communication director for a central Texas town when I came down with a terrible caseRead MoreThe 9 / 11 Memorial And Museum900 Words   |  4 PagesThe 9/11 memorial and museum in New York City, is one of the most brilliant, exquisite, and complicated memorials ever made. Even though the memorial sets out to commemorate the awful event that affected not only the people killed in the event but also all their friends and family members that were affected, the memorial does a great job to achieve that goal, but even still there is still some controversies surrounding the memorial. The Most prevalent controversy is with the names on the walls aroundRead MorePreserving Memory : The Struggle For Creating America s Holocaust Museum871 Words   |  4 PagesMuseum gives the reader an extensive overview in the development of the Holocaust Memorial Museum that is located in Washington D.C. In this edition of the book, Linenthal writ es a preface. In his opening preface, Linenthal discusses the importance of teaching the Holocaust. He writes about how over time, those in power saw it necessary for there to be a national memorial. Linenthal mentions how some thought that a memorial dedicated just to the Holocaust would cause people to ignore the rich historyRead MoreThe Poem Facing It By Yusef Komunyakaa744 Words   |  3 Pagesvisiting the Vietnam veteran’s memorial for the very first time. The author describes the emotional impact the visit has on him. The author uses lines such as â€Å"I said I wouldn’t, dammit: No tears.† (Komunyakaa, 1947, line 3-4) and â€Å"I’m stone. I’m flesh† (Komunyakaa, 1947, line 5) to drive home the emotion and deep feelings in the poem. Throughout the poem the author utilizes personification to add to the effect and tone of the poem as well. The author talks about the memorials stone as if it were aliveRead MoreCulture and Grief1667 Wo rds   |  7 Pagesfear is usually missing in the affective mnemonics of memorial sites, which, after all, are signifiers of some of the most horrific violence in human history? 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I’m flesh† (Komunyakaa, 1947, line 5) to drive home the emotion and deep feelings in the poem. Throughout the poem the author utilizes personification to add to the effect and the tone of the poem as well. The author talks about the memorials stone as if it were aliveRead MoreAnalysis : The 9 / 11 Memorial 1381 Words   |  6 Pagesthe scene as we walked up to the 9/11 memorial. The first sight that is visible in the area as we approach the exhibit is a small, antique church. In a way, this church symbolizes God’s presence in the crowd of people taking in the scenery. Th is moment in time, my view of life was changed as I realized the phenomenal event that we recognize with a moment of silence every year is so much bigger than I thought. It’s not until a person explores the 9/11 memorial that they fully understand the sorrow

In The Philosophy Of Mind, One Of The Most Prominent...

In the philosophy of mind, one of the most prominent philosophical theories is Monism. Monism, by itself, is the theory that reality consists of only one kind of substance. Likewise, Anomalous Monism theorized and developed by Donald Davidson in his work, Mental Events, proposes that reality consists of one kind of substance, namely, physical substance. That is, according to Davidson, all mental events are a part of the physical realm. Furthermore, Anomalous Monism, also known as the token-identity theory, is Davidson’s attempt to rectify the problem of the mind-body relationship – which questions how the human mind and the body can causally interact. However, it appears that Davidson’s Anomalous Monism states a contradiction. As such, in†¦show more content†¦However, the acceptance of the principle of anomalism of the mental would have us deny that there is such a causal law. On the other hand, if one accepts the truth of the principle of the nomologica l character of causality and the principle of anomalism of the mental, it would imply that mental and physical events do not causally interact. But how can this be the case if we were to accept the truth of the principle of causal interaction? Lastly, the third contradiction arises from accepting the truth in the principle of causal interaction and the principle of anomalism of the mental. By accepting these two principles/statements, it would imply that there are no causal laws that dictate such causal relationships. Acknowledging these contradictions, Davidson proposes a solution to reconcile these contradictory principles/statements. The solution is to have mental events be described as physical events. In other words, Davidson argues that mental events which causes physical events are subject to a causal law only when the mental event is described under a physical description. If, however, the mental event is described as a mental event then the principle of anomalism of the mental would dictate that there is no causal law. But, as David argues, the solution is to not describe it as a mental event but to describe it as aShow MoreRelatedAnalytic Functionalism As A Philosophy Of The Mind1247 Words   |  5 PagesFunctionalism as a Philosophy of the Mind In an attempt to bridge the gaps between the philosophy of behaviorism and the identity theory, I have determined that functionalism presents us with the best solution. Although there are several concerns to the methodic explanation of mental states, I believe that analytic functionalism is a credible model that describes the mind. Analytic functionalism establishes an ontological method that provides more acceptable ways to describe and characterize the mind. I willRead MoreGreek Philosophy And The Greek Creation1593 Words   |  7 Pages The word â€Å"philosophy†, comes from the Ancient Greek word (Phileo), meaning â€Å"to love† or â€Å"to befriend† and (Sophia), meaning â€Å"wisdom†; making philosophy stand for â€Å"the love of wisdom†. Philosophy is about understanding the fundamental truths about ourselves, the world in which we live in, and our relationships to the world and amongst each other. It is the study of general problems connected with existence, values, language, and mind. Those who study philosophy (philosophers), engage in askingRead MorePhilosophy Is The Idea Of Knowing One s Mind By Asking The Simplest Question1494 Words   |  6 PagesPhilosophy is the idea of knowing one’s mind by asking the simplest questions. It’s a love of wisdom, which originated in Ancient Greece around 2500 BCE. In philosophy, people undertake a journey to discovering and understanding the fundamental truths about; themselves, the world, and relationships both personal and public. Philosophers like Plato believed that our ideas influence the way we live, and therefore offered a simple yet practical approach to wisdom. As over time, philosophers haveRead MoreEssay on John Locke: Illuminating Path to Life, Liberty, and Property642 Words   |  3 Pages(â€Å"Declaration†). These words, spoken by a wise and prominent man by the name of Thomas Jefferson, were greatly influenced by the Enlightenme nt’s most profound philosopher, John Locke. Since the beginning of Enlightenment to the 21st century, Locke’s ideas have been behind countless innovators, philosophers, and politicians; including our very own Founding Fathers. From being an enlightened philosopher to creating bold, new ideas, John Locke is the single most influential person in history because he helpedRead MoreWilliam James on Free Will1523 Words   |  7 Pagessubsequently dabbled in works of philosophy and psychology (in which he officiated as a formal study through lectures) (Goodman, 2009). As did many philosophers, Jamesian thinking seeded many discussions on various philosophical topics such as metaphysics, morality, free will-determinism, religion and the afterlife; however, what truly made his ideas notable was his uncanny ability to borrow and integrate knowledge from branches of physiology, psychology and philosophy to weave new insights and dimensionsRead MoreWilliam James on Free Will1537 Words   |  7 Pagessubsequently dabbled in works of philosophy and psychology (in which he officiated as a formal study through lectures) (Goodman, 2009). As did many philosophers, Jamesian thinking seeded many discussions on various philosophical topics such as metaphysics, morality, free will-determinism, religion and the afterlife; however, what truly made his ideas notable was his uncanny ability to borrow and integrate knowledge from branches of physiology, psychology and philosophy to weave new insights and dimensionsRead MoreIn the eyes of many his book is seen as a worldwide classic and according to Clark Davis’900 Words   |  4 Pagesthe eyes of many his book is seen as a worldwide classic and according to Clark Davis’ composition he brings forth two important elements into his writing, his vivid imagination and philosophical sense. Another way Herman Melville grabs the audience’s eyes is by the way he clashes fact, fiction, and adventure into one piece of work. 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Edwards was enrolled in Yale University where he read Newton and Locke, and â€Å"he begun to put together his thoughts on natural science (t hen called â€Å"natural philosophy†), a subject that particularly excited him in his late teen years and one that would remain a lifelong interest. In New York he began a notebook of â€Å"Miscellanies,† in which he placed his thoughts on theology and philosophy. By the end of 1723Read More John Locke Essay1215 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Locke John Locke is considered to be England’s most prominent philosopher. He was born August 29, 1632 in a small town of Somerset, which is south of Bristol, England. Locke was the oldest of three children. His mother died when he was 22 years old and Locke spoke of her very well. Locke’s father was a Puritan attorney and clerk to a justice of the peace in the town where Locke was born. He was very strict with his son when he was younger. which Locke later believed that parents should

Effects of Energy Drinks - 1114 Words

Are Energy Drinks Safe? Whether it is a long night studying or just not ready for the day, college students choose to drink energy drinks to get full energy. These highly caffeinated drinks come with stimulating names such as Red Bull, Monster, Full Throttle, or Rockstar. Although these drinks are marketed as a healthful stimulant, consumers should be aware of the potential side effects, as they can be very harmful to one’s health. Energy drinks are beverages whose producers advertise that they â€Å"boost energy†. These advertisements usually do not emphasize energy derived from the sugar they contain, but rather increased energy is due to a variety of stimulants, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Energy drinks generally contain†¦show more content†¦Like a shock to the system, an energy drink can give your body a caffeinated jolt. According to an article in ScienceDaily, â€Å"Researchers believe the caffeine and taurine levels in energy drinks could be responsible for increases in blood pressure and heart rate† (â€Å"Energy Drinks May Be Harmful To People With Hypertension, Heart Disease†). The increase in blood pressure and heart rate is known not to rise to dangerous levels among healthy individuals under the age of 30, but it could be significant in individuals with a cardiovascular disease of those with high blood pressure. By drinking energy drinks in excess, researchers a lso say that energy drinks could lead to heart complications. Along with increased heart rate, energy drinks dehydrate the body. The caffeine in energy drinks acts as a diuretic and promotes dehydration. Energy drinks are formulated to boost energy, not to replace lost fluid during exercise like sports drinks do. During exercise, your body is constantly losing water through sweat. Also, the high amounts of caffeine stimulate urine production, which removes more water from the body. It is important for you to keep your body hydrated if you are drinking energy drinks. In addition, college students are going to extremes by mixing energy drinks and alcohol. Red Bull and vodkas and Four Lokos have become popular mixed drinks at bars because they reduce the fatigue of alcohol while enhancing the â€Å"feel good† buzz.Show MoreRelatedEnergy Drinks And Its Effects On Society1546 Words   |  7 Pagesare a lot of media coverage for energy drinks. Energy drinks are a drink intended t o boost mental energy, typically containing sugar and caffeine or other stimulants. If you look around there are commercials for energy drinks everywhere on billboards and at stores. 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It can be an eye-opener in the morning, could be drunk or eatenRead MoreThe Effects Of Soda, Sports Drinks And Energy Drinks On The Enamel Of A Persons Teeth1094 Words   |  5 Pagescontain added sugars and acid, but what effects does this sugar and acid have on our tooth enamel? Are sports drinks better for you than soda? This paper will discuss the effects of soda, sports drinks and energy drinks on the enamel of a person’s teeth, what is enamel and why is it important. Dental erosion is a chronic loss of dental hard tissue that is chemically etched away from the tooth surface by acid. Most people would believe that the sugar in drinks was the main reason for the damage to theirRead MoreThe Effects Of Energy Drink Deprivatio n On Concentration And Perseverance2374 Words   |  10 Pagesthe effects of energy drinks on two cognitive abilities- concentration and perseverance. 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The debates concerning the effects among energy drink consumption in all age groups are realRead MoreEnergy drinks mixed with alcohol: the interactive effects on risk-taking behavior, alcohol priming and related negative consequences4173 Words   |  17 Pagesï » ¿ Energy drinks mixed with alcohol: the interactive effects on risk-taking behavior, alcohol priming and related negative consequences School of Social Science SLSY100: Psychology 100 Energy drinks mixed with alcohol: the interactive effects on risk-taking behavior, alcohol consumption and related negative consequences Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between risk-taking propensity; AmED use and the effects these variables had overall

Does Traffic Light Labelling Have the Potential to Reduce Obesity Rates in the Uk free essay sample

Does traffic light labelling really have the potential to reduce obesity rates in the UK? Student ID: c3256845 The current situation regarding obesity in the UK The past twenty years has seen obesity rates in the UK increase dramatically (HSCIC, 2013), resulting in the reduction and prevention of obesity becoming a major public health priority. The World Health Organisation (WHO) (2013) defines obesity as ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health’ and body max index (BMI) is commonly used in the classification of overweight and obesity. A BMI of 25-29 makes an individual overweight and a BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese (WHO, 2013). A concerning statistic showed that in 2011 a mere 34% of men and 39% of women were defined as being a healthy weight; with a BMI between 18. 5 and 25 (NHS, 2013), compared with rates in 1993 where 44% of men and 50% of women fell into this category (HSCIC, 2013). The Health Survey for England in 2010 (NHS: The Information Centre, 2012) stated that 62. We will write a custom essay sample on Does Traffic Light Labelling Have the Potential to Reduce Obesity Rates in the Uk or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 8% of adults and 30. 3% of children are overweight or obese, with 26. 1% of these adults and 16% of these children being obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, some cancers and may be detrimental to certain social aspects of life, such as finding work and can affect mental health (Department of Health, 2013). As a result of these obesity trends in 2011 it was found that approximately half of obese men and women suffered from high blood pressure and there were nearly 12,000 admissions to hospital for obesity related illnesses in 2011-2012, which had increased more than 11 times compared with figures in 2001-2002 (NHS, 2013). In 2007, the Foresight Report (Department of Health, 2007) predicted that without action being taken 60% men, 50% and 25% children would be obese by 2050. Alongside these serious implications for health and quality of life, obesity is a growing burden on the economy; the Foresight report, 2007 predicts that by 2050 ? 9. 7 billion a year will be spent on treating obesity related illnesses (Department of Health, 2007). In addition to this costs to society attributable to overweight and obesity are predicted to reach ? 9. 9 billion by 2050 (WHO, 2013). Fundamentally overweight and obesity are caused by an energy imbalance over a prolonged period of time, where energy intake is higher than energy output (WHO, 2013). However there are societal influences which may contribute to the epidemic in the UK and globally: * Easy access of high energy and high fat foods, resulting in increased consumption. * Convenience and accessibility of fast foods and fast food outlets e. g. Mc Donald’s , takeaways which offer free delivery. These foods are also often affordable and are commonly on offer in shops and supermarkets e. g. buy one get one free. * Low levels of physical activity due to factors such as sedentary jobs, increased car users, spending long periods of time watching television/ playing computer games (NHS Choices, 2013). What is being done to tackle obesity? The Government’s aim is to see evidence of a reduced prevalence of excess weight in both adults and children by 2020. Due to the wide range of factors which contribute to obesity e. g. ociety, family, education, income, there are different initiatives underway to tackle the problem including the ‘Chage4life’ programme, encouraging businesses to display calories on their menus and guidance on increased physical activity (Department of Health, 2013). All businesses have been encouraged to sign up to the Public Health responsibility deal, which has been designed to aid people in making healthier choices through pledges such as r educing consumption of harmful ingredients (salt and saturated fat) in food, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and consuming fewer calories (Department of Health, 2013). The initiative which will be focused on in this assignment is the single system for nutrition labelling, which aims to give consumers a universal system across the food and drink industry to make understanding of nutrition labels easier and consequently enable them to make more informed food choices. The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: ‘Offering a single nutrition labelling system makes common sense, it would help us all make healthier choices and keep track of what we eat. (Department of Health, 2012) This assignment will discuss the single system for nutrition labelling and assess the evidence base as to whether it could potentially reduce obesity rates. Front of Pack Labelling Currently the Food Standards Agency have recommendations in place regarding front of pack labelling, although this is not currently mandatory and is not consistently displayed across brands (Food Standards Agency (FSA), 2007). If anufacturers choose to use front of pack labelling four nutrients m ust be displayed, which are fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars; guidelines daily amounts (GDA’s) and energy content are optional. There are guidelines in place, set by the FSA (2007) to determine whether the product has a low (green), medium (amber) or high (red) amount of each nutrient which can be applied both per portion and per 100g (see appendix 1), which should be made clear to the consumer and what constitutes a portion should also be stated. Any addition nutrition claims e. g. fibre, iron, calcium which are made should be displayed separately from the signpost displaying information on fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars and must also comply with legislative amounts. The recommendations are not applied to all food products but are applicable to foods such as processed foods and meat; prepared meals, both hot and cold e. g. ready meals, pasta salads, sandwiches, burgers, pies, breaded meats, fish in sauce, pizzas and breakfast cereals (FSA, 2007). Currently 80% of products use a type of hybrid front of pack labeling but as it is not consistent this can be confusing for consumers to understand, compare products and consequently make informed choices on food. If the seven biggest supermarkets used the system on all their own brand foods it would cover 50% of all foods and would encourage other brands to adopt the system (Department of Health, 2012). The new single nutrition labelling system is currently being developed and it is hoped that by 2016 it will be mandatory for most pre packed foods to use the same system (Department of Health, 2012). The new system would incorporate colour coding, percentage GDA and the high, medium and low text to display information on energy, fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt (see appendix 2) (Department of Health, 2012). The evidence base Several studies have researched different labelling systems and which is best understood by consumers. Borgmeier and Westenhoefer (2009) and Roberto et al. (2012) both found that in when compared with other labelling systems (see appendix 3 and 4) that the traffic light labelling group performed best when tested for nutrition knowledge and healthy decisions. It was also noted that the more information consumers were given the more likely they were to make a healthy decision and had greater label perception. Unlike other studies who such as Kelly et al. (2009) used a limited selection of food types, Roberto et al. (2012) included a range of products in their study (see appendix 4) which supports that traffic light labelling is the easiest labelling system and can be generalised to a wider range of food products. However participants were recruited online, meaning those without access to the internet were not included in the study, missing a whole population. The study conducted by Borgmeier and Westenhoefer (2009) did not record nutritional knowledge of the participants, meaning knowledge levels may have differed, influencing decisions and answers, consequently affecting the validity of results. The interviewers also recruited participants themselves increasing the chance of reporter bias and a less varied sample. Another issue with both studies was the self reporting of body weight which may have led to misclassification and issues when results were adjusted for weight. The location of both studies (America and Hamburg, Germany) limits the application of results to other populations. In 2009, Kelly et al. compared different types of front of pack (FOP) labelling in Australian supermarkets to determine which design was preferred by consumers and also which one produced most accurate identification of healthy products. The majority participants agreed FOP labelling would be useful, especially for fat, saturated fat and salt and 90% thought consistent messages would be easier to understand. Four FOP systems were used in the study (see appendix 5), two using traffic light labelling and two using percentage dietary contribution (%DI) per nutrient based on the estimated nutrient requirements of an average Australian adult. Results found both the traffic light systems to be significantly easier to compare healthiness of product that %DI and a consumer was five times less likely to identify a healthy product using monochrome-%DI and three times less likely using colour coded-%DI than either traffic light system. This study has numerous strengths; there was a large sample size of 790 participants, all of whom were responsible for the food shopping in their household. Dieticians, nutritionists and other health professionals who may have had superior knowledge to the general population were excluded and results were controlled for gender, age, education and income. Mock brands were also used to reduce risk of bias towards well known brands and all other information which may have influenced the decision making process was removed from the packaging. This being said, removing information takes away other factors influencing food choice and so may not be representative of normal choice. There were only three products tested (cereal, crisp bread and lasagne) which bears the question of whether these results could be generalised to other foodstuffs. Although there was a large sample size there was a low response rate of just 15. % and so may not be representative of the population and as the study was carried out in Australia may not be applicable to other countries. There have been few evaluations of the successfulness of the traffic light labelling system. In spite of this one study that was conducted in the UK used the sales of a major UK retailer in 2007 to measure the percentage change in sales of sandwiches and ready meals before the traffic light system was introduced and four weeks later. There was no significant change in sales of sandwiches and sales of ready meals increased by 2. %, suggesting no association between sales of these foods and healthiness of product (Sacks et al. , 2009). However, this was in 2007 and now the traffic light labelling has been present in the food industry for longer, consumer are more aware and results may be more significant. This study was also carried out over an extremely short period of time and only evaluated the sales of two products, limiting the application of the findings. In order to fully evaluate the effect of the system it would be necessary to carry out a more detailed and lengthy evaluation study. A modelled cost effective analysis carried out which estimated change in energy intake on a 10% shift in consumption of healthier foods in just 10% of adults. This was then used to calculate predicted change in weight and body mass and then applied to the effect on disability adjusted life years (DALY’s). Cost was discounted at 3%. Results found a mean weight reduction of 1. 3kg, 45100 DALY’s prevented and cost outlays of 81 million Australian dollars. However, these were based on the Australian population in 2003 which limits application to other populations and present figures on weight and cost. In addition only four categories of food were included (breakfast cereals, pastries, sausages and pre-prepared foods) (Sack et al. , 2011). The analysis was also modelled so is a prediction rather than evidence of the traffic light labelling system being successful. On the other hand, it does suggest that a very small change would be a worthwhile financial investment by the Government. From the research studied in this assignment it appears current evidence suggests the traffic light labelling is the most effective system to understand, as ighlighted in several of the studies above e. g. Roberto et al. , 2012. Kelly et al. (2009) indicated the majority of consumers felt they would benefit from having a universal system, as it would cause less confusion when trying to compare products and make healthy choices. Although it is important to discover what the consumer wants and educate and equip them to make informed choices, the primary aim of introducing a universal FOP labelling system is to reduce obesity rates (Department of Health, 2012). However, there is a lack of evidence suggesting that obesity rates would be reduced; it is more an assumption that this will be the case. The evaluation comparing consumer purchasing before and after the traffic light system being introduced found no significant difference, which despite being several years ago would indicate traffic light labelling does not influence consumers to purchase healthy foods (Sacks et al. , 2009). Conclusions and Implications for Public Health Nutritionists (PHN’s) There will be implications for PHN’s when the new single system of nutrition labelling is launched. The main outcomes of the research discussed found that consistent messaging could be easier for consumers to make informed decisions on food and the traffic light labelling system is the most comprehensible. Whilst the system will be a beneficial tool for consumers to compare products and make healthy decisions, it is also essential that communities are aware of the nutrition labelling, how to interpret this and incorporate it into a healthy balanced diet. Many of the foods which use FOP labelling are pre-prepared and processed foods (Department of Health, 2013), so it is important that communities are provided with services that will allow them to develop their cooking skills and eat fresh foods, both healthily and on a budget e. g. cook and eats, tasting sessions and neighbourhood fruit schemes, which was found to be successful in low income seniors in America (AbuSaba, 2011). Health promotion interventions could be run to increase awareness of the health implications associated with these nutrients commonly found in processed foods e. g. fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt (NHS Choices, 2013). It is also important that communities are made aware of the other contributing factors to obesity such as lack of physical activity and are given opportunities to increase levels by participated in physical activity e. g. exercise classes in community centres, running clubs. In conclusion, from the existing evidence it is difficult to say whether the traffic light system would be an effective obesity intervention. Evidence around the effectiveness of consumer purchasing and the traffic light system is limited and to effectively evaluate the single system of nutrition labelling it would be necessary to monitor statistics from supermarkets regarding purchasing trends and obesity trends in the UK. It would not be possible to do this until the system had been scaled out over a large area, allowing trends to be monitored for a substantial period of time.