Evaluation of the Effects of Poverty in Alexandra Informal Settlements Essay

A vast majority of people in the World’s population live in extreme poverty. Poverty is multi-faceted. It can be linked with hunger, unemployment, exploitation, and lack of access to clean water, sanitation, health-care or schools. It can be about vulnerability to crisis and homelessness. While clearly many of these issues are related to not having enough money, it is simplistic to ignore the non-material aspects of the experience of poverty. The poor are not concerned exclusively with adequate incomes and consumption. Achieving other goals such as security, independence and self-respect may be just as important as having the means to buy basic goods and services. The research is focused on the evaluation of the effects of poverty in Alexandra, in particular, people living in informal settlements. There is evidence from several studies that indicates high levels of poverty in the numerous informal settlements in Alexandra. Various reasons such as lack of skills, unemployment and retrenchment have been pointed out as the cause. In informal settlements of Alexandra, most people live in corrugated iron shacks and where they are often unable to acquire basic needs such as food and clothing. This condition is further exacerbated by environmental factors such as lack of proper toilet facilities, the absence of employment opportunities that result in feelings of helplessness, which in turn leads to drug and alcohol abuse. Thus the family and home in this environment becomes dislocated which in turn affects the wider community and society as a whole. The choice of Alexandra for the study was made due to its history of neglect during the apartheid era which has made it one of the most impoverished towns in South Africa, notwithstanding that it borders the most affluent part of Johannesburg. In order to gain an understanding on the effects of poverty in Alexandra, a literature study and site analysis will be employed as research method. Data will be collected using a literature review and empirical investigation. The research will help the government on how they can assist the people of Alexandra to alleviate poverty.

Different forms of budgeting and their purpose

The intent of budgeting system is the set of processs used to function the demands of direction maps of planning and control that refers to the importance of communicating and motive as an facet of direction to which direction accounting should lend or develop. Budgeting systems have five ( 5 ) primary intents which include ; planning, easing communicating and coordination, apportioning resources, commanding net income and operations and measuring public presentation and supplying inducements. However, be aftering and control are the major activities in most administrations and budgets are at the Centre of these activities. The footings planning and control are used to propose that they mean the same thing, but they are two different constructs. Planing involves on persons who make up an administration to be after in front in other to accomplish those aims, whereas control involves in set uping budgets for different sections giving duties to single directors in the addition that the aims set down at the planning phase are all working toward that end through the parts of administration. Therefore, budgeting is important portion of planning and control because they both plan for the hereafter. A company public presentation determines by budgeting as a direction tool to back up motive, planning, communications and determination devising. Budget is a elaborate degree program which sets out, in money footings, where companies plan and maintain budget on either an accrual or hard currency footing. A budget is besides refers to as a fiscal footings or quantitative footings used to project future income and disbursals such as labour hours, stuff purchases, or units of gross revenues. Budgeting helps administrations implement specific schemes to run into ends and aims. Budgets are of class internal to the administration and like most direction accounting information, does non organize portion of the administration ‘s published fiscal statement. Hence, non everyone is responsible for fixing budgets, but everyone within an administration will be affected by them. ( Hugh Coombs, et.al, 2005, pg91 ) . Many senior direction duties are to enforce different budgets on different sections. Hence, if the readying of the budgets involves the employees in the administration at a lower degree so budgets is more likely to be accepted. These will do people work as a squad ensuing in increased motive. Employees will be more motivated with increase engagement and encouragement as this could besides be more good to hold a wages system such as addition on wages, publicities etc. All this will hold a large impact to the company and enables the company turn hence, if employees do n't acquire what they requested so, employees may disregard the system holding small importance to the concern and this could impact the aims of the company. In order to hold a successful budgeting, a good communicating should be efficaciously in order to run into marks and aims. Different types of budgets serve different intent. The type of budget includes maestro, capital, operating ( for income statement points comprised of gross and disbursals ) , fiscal ( for balance sheet points ) , gross revenues, capital, production and undertaking. These budgets are briefly explained below. Master Budget is the chief end product of a budgeting system. It is normally prepared yearly or quarterly. The maestro budget has three ( 3 ) constituents: the budgeted net income and loss history for the twelvemonth, the budgeted hard currency flow statement and the budgeted balance sheet. Operating and Financial Budgets the operating budget trades with how operations are carried out to bring forth an administration ‘s goods or services. The fiscal budget accent on how an administration will get fiscal resources during the budget period. Gross saless Budget is used to make company gross revenues ends that show the jutting gross revenues in units and the projected gross revenues gross. Capital Budget shows a anticipation of company demands in respect to capital assets, such as land, equipment, vehicles, edifices, and machinery. The capital budget helps the company program for acquisition and disposal of assets that include the usage of available hard currency or outside funding. Production Budget indicates the figure of units of services or goods that must be produced each budgeted period to run into gross revenues demands and to supply for the coveted stoping stock list. Undertaking Budget shows the anticipation of the costs associated with a peculiar company undertaking such as labor, stuffs and other related disbursals. The readying of budgets forces directors to believe about and program for the hereafter, which assumes to be the most of import characteristic of a budgetary planning and control system. This planning procedure encourages staffs from a administration to lend on regular footing to the formation of the overall program and to place possible troubles at an early phase. People ‘s personal budget allows them to cognize how much money they have to direct, how their financess are allocated to be after for the hereafter. A budget is tool usage to supply a agency of pass oning direction ‘s programs that guarantee all parts of the administration are kept to the full informed of the programs and of the policies. For illustration, if a household are traveling through a trouble with their budget, a good communicating will be a good tool to give a better apprehension of their budget. Furthermore, benefits of budget allow you to take the chance to cognize your exact fiscal place that kee ps the lines of communicating unfastened. Budgeting is one of the most of import direction constructs in modern concern administration. Harmonizing to Dawn ( 2003 ) , approximately 69 % companies in Europe still operate their twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours activities with formalistic traditional budgeting systems. This has develop the hereafter an administration and its environment, organizing activities and undertakings, advancing communicating between sections and actuating employees ( Webber & A ; Linder, 2005 ) & lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jcuedu.au/tldinfo/writingsskills/models/papers/ CO5103essay1.pdf & gt ; . Budgeting consumes excessively much clip and dearly-won to little concerns. For illustration, it could take 60 yearss for a large company to be after their budget.

The impact of student misbehavior in reaching processes Essay

The impact of student misbehavior in reaching processes - Essay Example 3. Focus/scope Different student subgroups 4. Location & duration The study was carried out in UK between 1994-1998 5. Research design & method(s) Qualitative analysis: calculating differential attainment. 6. Key concepts and ideas Achievement gap exists across various student groups with diverse capabilities such as social status and mobility. 7. Key findings, recommendations & implications for your enquiry Students from middle class families have lower educational attainment as compared to the working class categories. More research needs to be done on the topic to prove the efficiency of social class and mobility. This research enables me to understand that educational achievement is normally influenced by sociological and physical issues. 8. Your critical evaluation of this paper: Although the paper offers scientific facts, it fails to go past the Middle Class and the working class population segments in regard to education. 9. Critical comparison (Paper 1 is better than paper 2 because it was done in many faces over a decade. However, the long period of time could have impacted the scope. Your student number: 2 Admiraal, W., & Wubbels, T. 2005. Multiple Voices, Multiple Realities, What Truth? Student Teachers' Learning to Reflect in Different Paradigms. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 11(3), pp315-329. 1. What is the study about? The study focuses on the challenges that student teachers experience during practice. 2. Purpose What are the main aims? The purpose of the paper is to provide a rare comparison of two reflective practices of teachers. 3. Focus/scope The scope of the paper is to offer readers a rich and balanced literature on the experiences of student teachers from different researchers. 4. Location & duration Utrecht University, UK (1990-2000) 5. Research design & method(s) Qualitative methodology and reflective reports 6. Key concepts and ideas The researcher based ontological, epistemological and methodological concepts upon ration al beliefs. 7. Key findings, recommendations & implications for your enquiry Student teachers saw numerous challenges related to practice but which were almost similar in the two studies analyzed in the paper. These include poor interaction with learners. 8. Your critical evaluation of this paper Although, the research provides a balanced approach to pertinent issues facing student teachers, it is based on secondary data which may be prone to some inaccuracies. 9. Critical comparison (This paper is better than the rest because, it offers real-time experiences of the student teachers in practice, however its focus on secondary data makes the findings less credible. Your student number: 3 Cooper, H., Robinson, J.C., & Patall, E.A. 2006. Does Homework Improve Academic Achievement? A Synthesis of Research, 1987-2003. Review of Educational Research, 76(1), pp1-62. 1. What is the study about? The study explores the academic importance of homework. 2. Purpose What are the main aims? This p aper explores the impacts of homework on students. 3. Focus/scope The paper focuses on the significance of homework to education in the USA 4. Location & duration United States since 1987 5. Research design & method(s) Quantitative analysis: sampling of various research designs 6. Key concepts and ideas Homework is a form of remedial work 7. Key findings, recommendations & implications for your enquiry Homework achieve relatively moderate learning achievements. The findings can form the basis for empirical research. This research enables me to

Hospitality Careers Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hospitality Careers - Research Paper Example Subsequently, in the food and beverage industry, positions or rather career options for banquet manager, beverage manager, catering manager, dining room manager, general manager (fullservice), general manager (quick service), human resources manager, kitchen manager and public relations manager among others can be offered, as illustrated in the career website of the National Restaurant Association (National Restaurant Association, 2013). As can be apparently observed from the above list presented for the management careers offered in the lodging and the food and beverage industries are quite vivid in nature. Moreover, both these industries are observed to deliver adequate training assistance to the management professionals as well as fresh graduates that have evidently widened the scope for future development among the employees. Therefore, it can be affirmed that these industries not only reward sufficient scope of career building to the management professionals, but also delivers d ue assistance in personality and professional development of these personnel. 2. Compare and contrast the differences between the General Management (GM) positions within the two (2) industries. Companies in the lodging industry fundamentally need to perform various functions of hospitality services along with providing travel assistance to its customers. Apparently, the role of a General Manager (GM) in lodging industry is quite challenging as the personnel will have to manage the aspects of customer satisfaction, quality of services and regular costs simultaneously with proficient skills and understanding. The GM in lodging industry is also responsible for performing other day to day operations in the business such as accounting for regular transactions, managing the staff and their payroll, handling customer complaints and requests, as well as looking after the efficient use of resources. Being in a role which benefits with the scope of regular interaction with the employees and the customers, the GM is also liable to motivate the employees and make sure that the customers are satisfied with the lodging services delivered by the industry (American Hotel & Lodging Association, 2013). On the other hand, the role of GMs in food and beverage industry may be considered as more complex than that observed in the lodging industry, owing to the additional responsibilities of bakery, food quality regulatory norms adherence and healthcare interventions. Unlike the GMs appointed in the lodging industry, GMs in the food and beverage industry are responsible to prepare reports regarding the food safety measures taken by the staff when cooking and serving the customers accordingly. The GM in food and beverage industry also needs to ensure that at every stage of the operations, laws and regulations concerning health of the customers and the maintenance of quality foods are adhered. Additionally, GMs in the food and beverage industry also share some common responsibilities such as motivating and managing the regular staff members,

Marks & Spencer plc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marks & Spencer plc - Essay Example The management of the company may want to contemplate a change of strategy, for example by reducing its current liabilities, to avoid landing into financial problems. The ratio has declined from 0.74 in 2011 to 0.73 in 2012, which could be attributable to leaner working capital cycle or deteriorating liquidity position (Bodie, Alex, and Alan, 2004; Damodaran, 2002). 2011 2012 Industry Current Asset 1,641.7 1,460.1 Current Liabilities 2,210.2 2,005.4 0.74 0.73 1.44 Quick ratio Quick ratio = [cash and equivalents + short-term investments + accounts receivable]/current liabilities 2011 2012 Industry Cash and equivalents 470.2 196.1 Short-term investments 18.4 67.0 Accounts receivable 250.3 253.0 Total Current liabilities 2,210.2 2,005.4 Quick ratio 0.334 0.257 0.82 Unlike the current ratio, this ratio is more conservative because it does not include inventory from the current assets. This ratio further shows that Mark & Spenser is likely to have problems meeting its short-term obligatio ns with its most liquid assets, especially considering the ratio is significantly below the industry average (M&S, 2012; Weston, 1990; Houston and Brigham, 2009). Leverage against KPI As discussed, the company’s leverage is unfavourable, but with the continuing efforts to build the company to become more international.ly focussed, with the sales expected to increase by 5.8% by 2013, the increased revenue can be used to offset the excessive shot-term debt. This will lead into a more balanced liquidity position, hence freeing the company from the risk of bankruptcy (Weygandt et al., 1996; HayGroup, 2006). Solvency ratio Solvency Ratio = [After Tax Net Profit + Depreciation]/ [Long Term Labialise + Short-Term Liabilities] 2011 ?m 2012 ?m After Tax Net Profit 782.7 371.4 Depreciation 467.5 479.7 Total 1250.2 851.1 Long-Term Liabilities 2,456.5 2,489.1 Short-Term Liabilities 2,210.2 2,005.4 Total 4,666.70 4,494.50 Solvency Ratio 0.27 0.19 Solvency is used to measure the companyâ⠂¬â„¢s ability to meet its long-term obligations. In other words, it measure’s the ability of the company to go on with meeting its debt requirements. The solvency ratio of 2011 was financially healthy, but that of 2013 was not healthy because as a general rule of thumb a ratio that is greater than 20% is considered financially healthy. It is discouraging to note that the company’s solvency ratio is dropping because this could expose the company to a situation of defaulting on its debt obligations (Gates, 2002). Debt to equity ratio Debt to equity ratio = Total debt/ [Owner’s Equity] 2012 2011 Industry Total debt 2,778.8 2,677.4 Owner’s equity 4,494.5 4,666.7 Debt to equity ratio 61.8 57.3 42.35 The debt-to-equity ratio indicates the degree of financial leverage that the company is using to improve its profitability. This ratio has increased to 61.8 from 57.3 in 2011, which may imply that the management should restrain use of additional increases in debt caused by purchases of fixed assets or inventory. The

Business Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 8

Business Plan - Essay Example Food provision market is a market that is constantly growing and at a high rate. Food provision is turning to be more professional in order to attract customers in the growing market. The market is assumed to be constant with no seasonal trends since its target customers work daily hence sales are expected to be constant throughout. The market is segmented in that there are quality hotels, restaurants, fast food and some providing food in open air kiosk. Oyster hotel is expected to include services of a quality hotel through provision of quality dishes and also meet the demands of travellers by providing fast foods. (Clifford, 2001) The hotel industry has varied customers. There are residence customers who usually frequent quality hotels for rooms. There are also travellers who mainly buy fast foods to consume as they are travelling and there are usual customers who frequent hotels for quality dishes in a relaxing atmosphere or to hold discussions as they take their meals. The hotel will be targeting all these customers. The hotel will use a variety of marketing strategy aimed at attracting and retains customers. The business will look toward cutting an edge in the market through provide of high quality meal, offering wide range of menu at reasonable prices and operating for 24 hours. The hotel will also carry out direct marking strategies to reach individual customer and also it will advertisement in the mass media. It will also be proving special nights on weekends for couples as a way of advertising. (Ron, 2003) The business will have a central procurement procedure for raw material which will be used to prepare quality meals. The menu for the hotel will provide quality dished and buffet meals. Apart from buffet meals there will also be plate service served by well trained food waiters. The hotel will be headed by the hotel manager who will be responsible for coordinating the activities of

Assignment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Assignment 2 - Essay Example A very good example for this is how manufacturers design the specification of the newer models that are launched in the market. Another result of the global recession is the overwhelming increase of prices of materials used for production in the automobile manufacturing industry. Because of this, production cost for automobiles went up, which resulted to higher capital cost for automobiles. Consumers are not in the mood or rather refraining in engaging in big-ticket purchases, which resulted to low generation of revenue through sales (Crescenzi 2008 p.193). Major automobile manufacturers are now focusing and concentrating in the features and benefits of each model. Since automobile sales have been decreasing drastically over the past year, this proves that the market has lost its capability to buy. And if they could, they become more cautious and concerned about the automobile’s features and the benefits they can get from the automobile. Considering that transportation is one of the most important aspects in everyday life, not only with businesses but households as well, the automobile industry has taken advantage of this aspect to generate demand of supply in the market. This is one strategy to somehow level the ratio of market demand against production and automobile sales. The global recession’s effect in businesses and households is mainly on the income and revenue side. Since prices of petroleum products drastically went high numerous times in the world market these past few months, the need of maximizing revenue and funds against businesses and household expenditures for transportation and automobile maintenance was addressed by upgrading and innovating new automobile features. Engines that are low in maintenance and low fuel consumption had been a recent addition to the newer models that was launched in the market. Non-price competition is a form of traditional automobile market competition that was further inspired by the decrease of

Simulation Analysis Report Lab Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Simulation Analysis - Lab Report Example It is therefore true to say that the strategy adopted by the company was successful as it helped the company in achieving its operational and strategic goals. The companys strategy has also been effective in the achievement of the operational and strategic goals of the company. The effectiveness of the company strategy can be evaluated using activity ratios. Judging from the activity ratios, it is clearly evident that the company has been effective in its operations. For example, the inventory turnover of 0.24 clearly shows that the company has been efficient in the management of its inventory as well as in the generation of sales from the inventory. However, a low ratio of accounts receivable turnover of 20.58 recorded by the company is an indication that the company has not been quite efficient in the collection of its receivables. To improve its future operations, the company will have to change its strategy in order to improve on its marketing outcomes. That is, there is the need for improvements in the company’s operations and strategies. The company through its Board of Directors and management should improve its R&D outcomes in order to improve on its operations efficiency and profitability. This will include investing more in R&D in order to create new and innovative products in the High-End Segment (Capsim Manual). Highly innovative products will enable the company to remain a cost leader with a focus on the product life cycle. There is also the need for the company to change its strategy to a differentiator with product lifecycle focus. This strategy will enable the company to gain a high competitive advantage with innovative new products that have excellent design and easy accessibility. The new products will also keep pace with the market and will offer improved performance and design, which w ill earn the company increased sales, profitability and overall improvement of its marketing outcomes (Baum,

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 57

Case Study Example in Blacks position, I would persistently grow the remunerations of the female directors more than a sizable long period as raising it suddenly will disturb the male managers whose pay rates ought to be unfaltering in the midst of the compass. (Yellin & E. S. 2013).  Whats more, to keep up a fundamental separation from any clear division or biases in the middle of the system of alertly extending the pay rates, it would in like manner consider conferencing the HR boss, the three female supervisors, and an in number senior from the male accomplice. While the critical part will be to enlighten them about the paid course of action change, their points of view and proposals will be investigated to bring sex value, legitimization of remuneration and fortify the solidarity that is dominant for Acmes triumph (Yellin & E. S. 2013).   Regardless, the association got into this terrible situation due to wrong presumptions, underestimation of the female workers and a startling absence of mindfulness in occupation assessment. As the president, George by and large added to Acmes accessible issue firstly by tolerating that women had working mates consequently did not require goliath remunerations, besides be conceding pay enlargement in perspective of his association with a laborer apparent through the individual arrangements general in the midst of his organization. The HR boss too much held the presumption that the female agents should be paid less since they control less gifted and competent specialists when appeared differently about their male accomplices. The area culture exceedingly affected the payment process. Whether the mate is salaried or not cannot avoid being not the bit of the master compensation game plan, but instead in Acme, the organization allowed such a supposition to drive the association into iss ues. Furthermore, considering the sheer reality that the association was encircled 35 years back when underestimation of people was the standard, and Acme was

Research methods applied to the cyber crime like identity theft( use a Thesis

Research methods applied to the cyber crime like identity theft( use a proper name if you want) - Thesis Example Such developments has made communication a second’s task, where a large amount of data and information can be collected and used for a number of purposes easily. However, these developments can be seen as positive for human beings, but these can also be seen as a negative phenomenon. It is usually called as the â€Å"double edged sword†, where it has both bright and dark sides. Though computer and information technology has proved to be much useful for communication and business development, but it has also created new ways for doing illegal or criminal activities (Gordon, Hosmer, Siedsma, & Rebovich, 2003). A number of commercial websites are performing business activities online, or others using computers to gather and accumulate critical information in order to use it for business purposes. Such businesses have been nowadays facing the issues of misuse of information or other kinds of crimes with regard to the sensitive information. In order to combat these criminal and delinquent activities, they have to perform overwhelming, and expensive job of safeguarding their critical information, which can be used for delinquent actions. In these days, it is easier to do crime, as criminals are able to encode the data, which is showing some proofs against their delinquent actions, and also transfer such data regardless of having fear of being noticed from Police side or Law agencies. Such criminal activities has made it more complex to detect any corruption. As the internet has astonishing effects on this area, where it is being impossible to detect a person due to the fact that the crime can be held regardless of any geographical area. This situation has convoluted the enquiry of cybercrime to the greater extent (Gordon, Hosmer, Siedsma, & Rebovich, 2003). In this regard, there are a number of new studies and fields of a study are emerging, and among these a Cybercrime Science is such an evolving field of study targeting to thwart the

Aboriginal Quality of Life in Canada Essay Example for Free

Aboriginal Quality of Life in Canada Essay The state of health and health care for Canadian Aboriginal people is currently not improving, â€Å"Canadian Aboriginals tend to bear a disproportionate burden of illness; an outcome linked to their economic and social conditions [and] oppression† (Newbold 1998). European contact would forever change the course of life for the Aboriginals and their communities in Canada. It was only after the encounter between the old world and new world that two completely separate ecosystems had interaction between each other. Both worlds changed in radical ways through people, plants, animals, varmints and pathogens, this is known today as the â€Å"Columbian Exchange†. The New pathogens introduced to the Indigenous people who had no immunity, caused major depopulation up to 80 90% during the 1500’s. See more: Recruitment and selection process essay This completely changed the Indigenous people and posed as a massive threat to extinction of their population and culture. Contact between the Canadian Aboriginals and European voyagers brought in a mass amount of deadly and infectious diseases. Some of the diseases included smallpox, typhoid, the bubonic plague, influenza, mumps, measles, whooping cough, and later on cholera, malaria, and scarlet fever. Smallpox was a virgin soil epidemic, meaning that it was the first outbreak ever to the population that has had no previous experience with it. The Aborigines of the new world had no immunity to smallpox and the entire population was in danger of extinction. At around that time smallpox had a very high mortality rate which broke down the Aboriginal communities social mechanisms. This brought forth the break down of social the devices which were built within the Aboriginal culture, because the people were unable to hunt and gather food for the elders. This caused great knowledge loss as the elders in the Aboriginal community would perish from the disease. The greatest example of this is when Spanish explorer Cortez defeated the Moctezuma at Tenochtitlan. Cortez, had only 500 soldiers going up against the Aztec population of 200,000. When the battle began Cortez surely should have been defeated but it was not the strength of his army but the diseases they had brought with them that defeated the Moctezuma. Smallpox and the other various diseases brought over from the old world to the new world contributed to millions of deaths, severely diminishing communities, and it some cases erasing populations and communities completely. The disease was not controlled until the 1870’s when vaccination campaigns were introduced and implemented. After the epidemic of contagious diseases had slowed the Canadian Aboriginals were in the midst of assimilation, residential schools were established in the mid 1850’s to the 1990’s. Residential school were implemented by the Canadian government to assimilate Aboriginal people into the dominant society. The Aboriginal children removed from their communities and placed in the Residential schools. â€Å"Children as young as three to age eighteen were removed from their homes, mostly forcibly, and placed in boarding schools, where they stayed isolated from their family, community, culture, and the rest of Canadian society† (Barton, Sylvia S., Thommasen, Harvey V.,Tallio, Bill ,Zhang, William, Michalos, Alex C. 2001 pg. 295). Residential schools assimilated Aboriginal populations, however in doing so drastically reduced the health of the children being forced to attend these schools. Children were beaten, raped and starved while attending these schools leaving them p hysically and mentally scarred for life. â€Å"Children who attended these schools, in particular, suffered from the loss of culture, identity, and language as residential school life altered the traditional ways of Aboriginal peoples and broke up traditional ways of Aboriginal family life. In addition to physical, sexual, mental, emotional, and spiritual abuse, many children who attended residential schools were exposed to unhealthy environmental conditions, as well as malnutrition. Low self-esteem and self-concept problems emerged as children were taught that their own culture was inferior and uncivilized, and it is believed that as a result, many residential school survivors suffer from low self-respect, and long-term emo- tional and psychological effects† (Barton, Sylvia S., Thommasen, Harvey V.,Tallio, Bill ,Zhang, William, Michalos, Alex C. 2001 pg. 296). The main aspect of the Residential schools was to make the children abandon their heritage and traditions taught to them by their Aboriginal communities. This is the most significant reason why today’s Aboriginal youth is confused about their culture and heritage. If the children were not separated from these traditions the Aboriginal youth may not have been so vulnerable to substance abuse and other from of health constraints. Canada in its present day does not have diseases like smallpox to destroy. Aboriginal populations, also Residential school have been eliminated and no longer assimilate the Aboriginal youth. Still, the deteriorating health conditions for the Aboriginal community are dangerously high. This is mainly because of poor quality of living conditions, very limited access to doctors or healthcare centers, and the major diseases that affect the modern world today. The Aboriginals that live in highly populated urban areas still have poor quality living standards. Nearly two thirds of the Aboriginal population lives in the western part of Canada, the majority being in 4 or 5 cities. The issues that are considered social detriments to Aboriginals in these regions are education, health care, employment, Aboriginal status, social exclusion, unemployment rates and job security. Society’s negative attitude towards Aboriginal people has been a significant link between their living conditions and the overall quality of life. As stated by Hanselmann â€Å"In spite of the size of the urban Aboriginal population†¦[the] discussion about treaties, self-government, finance, housing, and other issues focus exclusively on First Nation communities and rural areas†. This is a problem because the majority of the Aboriginal population is left out of the equation, â€Å"it ignores the urban realities†¦ [and] an acute public policy [should] therefore exist for broadening of perspectives to include not just on-reserve Aboriginal communities but also urban communities† (Hanselmann 2001 pg. 1). The Canadian Aboriginal populations living in urban areas have been exposed to worse living conditions, also â€Å"aboriginal families are over twice as likely to be lone parent families, and more likely to experience domestic violence† (Hanselmann 2001 pg. 4). Lone parents tend to have lower living conditions, therefore lowering the quality of health for Aboriginals. Emotional stress and poverty are common factors among single parent families; these cause children to have lower social capital because they are unable to be active to develop social skills. Consequently, children with a single parent will likely be subject to psychiatric disorders, social problems, and academic difficulties, which all can lead to further health problems and issues. Another major aspect regarding health and the quality of life of Canadian Aboriginal communities is education. In a study done by Michael Mendelson he states â€Å"The category â€Å"less than high school†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦the Aboriginal population fared much worse than the total population, with at least 54 percent failing to complete high school compared to 35 percent in the population as a whole† (Mendelson 2006 pg. 10). Urban populations of Aboriginals have more individual without the education of grade 12 then the rest of the country. Education is important to the quality of life for Aboriginal communities because â€Å"Aboriginal males and females contingent on whether or not they earn a high school diploma, attend technical school or go to university†¦results show that an Aboriginal male who drops out gives up over $0.5 million†¦[and a] female can earn over $1 million by obtaining a high school diploma† (Mendelson 2006 pg. 8-9). This can better the quality of living for Aboriginals through better health care and living conditions . Living conditions as stated before can severely decrease the health and quality of life of Aboriginal communities, but it is not the only factor. Aboriginal people have a high susceptibility to chronic diseases and HIV/AIDS causing a higher mortality rate, higher suicide rate, and the reason for high alcohol and drug abuse. The Aboriginal people of Canada â€Å"bear a disproportionately larger burden of disease and die a decade earlier than the average population†. This is a shocking reality but not more then knowing the mortality rate for children of Aboriginal decent, â€Å"the infant mortality rate for Aboriginals is double the national average†¦they experience high rates of infections, diabetes, substance abuse, renal disease, mental illness, and suicide† (Sin, D., Wells, H., Svenson, L., Man, P. 2002) . The two leading diseases that are currently affecting the Aboriginal population are cardiovascular disease/tuberculosis and diabetes. Cardiovascular diseases like tuberculosis among Aboriginal people are â€Å"more at risk than other Canadians of getting [a tuberculosis] infection. Some of the root causes are related to poor socio-economic conditions where they live† (Health Canada 2010). This is because Aboriginal people have significantly higher rates of smoking, glucose intolerance and obesity. Type 2 diabetes is a major problem among the Aboriginal youth and is increasing at a rapid rate. Health Canada says, â€Å"First Nations on reserve(s) have a rate of diabetes three to five times higher than that of other Canadians. Rates of diabetes among the Inuit are expected to rise significantly in the future given that risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy eating patterns are high† (Health Canada 2011). A reason for the high levels of diabetes in Aboriginal communities is because there is low participation in physical activities and traditional food is not consumed as much. Cardiovascular/Tuberculosis disease and diabetes considerably decrease the health and quality of life of the Aboriginal population. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are a very dangerous and major health concern for the Aboriginal population. HIV if left untreated will cause AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system, as the illness progresses it results in chronic and deadly infections. Health Canada states â€Å"HIV severely weakens the immune system, leaving people vulnerable to many different types of infections and diseases. HIV is transmitted through: unprotected sexual intercourse, needle-sharing and pregnancy/delivery through birth† (Health Canada 2010). Due to the lower level living conditions, low grade incomes, and under developed education are more probable to be exposed to HIV/AIDS. Aboriginal women in Canada are at higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS â€Å"Aboriginal women constituted 49.6 percent of newly diagnosed HIV cases among Aboriginal people while Non-Aboriginal women comprise 20 percent of newly diagnosed† (Ship, Norton 2001 pg. 25). Injection of drugs is the major contributor to contracting HIV/AIDS for Aboriginal women, which stages the affects of drug use and disease and how it negatively affects the Aboriginal populations health. Substance abuse, such as drugs and alcohol, has been documented as having harmful affects to the human body. Aboriginal communities have been exposed to the addiction of these substances and have cause significant deterioration of the individual’s health and social attributes, ruining relationships within their families and community. As more and more Canadian Aboriginals become addicted to the substances the more the degradation of the community and weakening of the quality of life within the community. Aboriginals are more exposed to substance abuse then others. This puts them at risk of being introduced at a young age and taught it is a social norm. â€Å"My father was a chronic alcoholic. His parents had seven children and five died of alcoholism, including my father. My mom drank also and I started drinking at age eight. I was in and out of group homes and foster care and by the age of fifteen I was ordered to attend AA. I started on IV drugs at sixteen† (Chansonneuve, Deborah 2007). With the combination of alcohol, drugs, and smoking the Aboriginal population is seemly wasting away. The leading issue occurring today is the age at which Aboriginal youth are beginning to abuse substances. The use of these substances only enhances chance that youth will not complete their high school diploma, will be at greater risk for criminal offences, and will only get lower grade incomes. Aboriginals being highly vulnerable to disease as mention before (Tuberculosis/CVD, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS) add with the substance abuse, the Aboriginal population have greater health care needs then that of the Non-Aboriginal population. Bruce Newbold explains the greater need to access physicians for healthcare and needs for greater funding. â€Å"Analysis reveals that geographic location, as compared with Aboriginal identity, appears to have a large impact with respect to health status and use of physician services. On-reserve Aboriginals, for example, reported a lower likelihood of having seen a physician and were more likely to rank their health as fair or poor. Location also influenced perceived community health problems and solutions. Self-identified problems included drugs, cancer and arthritis, while corresponding solutions included education, counseling and service access. Although the problems and solutions were relatively consistent across space, they too varied in their importance. In general, the results tend to reinforce the determinants of health framework, suggesting that the provision of health services is insufficient to remove health disparities on its own. Instead, broader social-welfare provisions must be considered.† (Newbold 1998 pg. 59) It seems that Aboriginals who consider themselves of good health are considered to be actually of low health by the rest of society. From a Geographically view, Canadian Aboriginals on reserves do not have the same access to physicians as urban communities do. This causes Aboriginals on reserves to travel, which reduces the chance of them using a physician. The quality of proper health care is out of reach for most Aboriginal communities, mostly because of geographical isolation, cultural barriers and jurisdiction disputes by the federal and provincial government. Improving health conditions and the quality of life for Aboriginal people of Canadian current issue that solutions are being reviewed and implemented annually. The task is not easy because of the substance abuse and low education levels of the Aboriginal youth. Government politics play a huge role in the funding and improving the health care system for the Aboriginal communities, but over time the aboriginal people will have to look to themselves to improve their quality of life. Both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people need to be more educated of the health risks concerning the Canadian Aboriginal population. The health of Aboriginals has not been treated in the proper manner Bruce Newbold explains â€Å"past attempts to improve aboriginal health status have tended to focus upon a narrow definition of health as the absence of disease or illness†¦this focus neglects a much broader range of determinants, including poverty, living conditions and education†. The government needs to put into prospective that â€Å"Improvements in health will likely depend on the improvements in the socioeconomic conditions faced by Aboriginals†¦by the direct participation of Aboriginals in the health reform process† (Newbold 1998 pg. 70). Therefore, to improve health condition in Canada for the Aboriginal population the people and the government cannot be narrow minded, every aspect that being social, financial or physical must be addressed. The major improvement of the Aboriginal financial economy and social conditions is needed to repair the deteriorating health and quality of life of the Aboriginal population. Aboriginal Health in Canada has drastically deteriorated since the first contact with European decedents. The early contagious diseases such as smallpox and tuberculosis have threated to destroy Aboriginal populations and now have become chronic diseases like CVD, diabetes and HIV/AIDS for existing Aboriginal communities. Substance abuse among youth and seniors mixed with low level education and poor living conditions are advancing the decline for the quality of life in Aboriginal communities in Canada. The Government and Aboriginal communities must work together and not have a narrow mind when solving these issues and implementing them in society. Improving the socioeconomic conditions in the regions of Aboriginal communities along with health care issues is the start to improve the quality of life for Aboriginals in Canada.

Overview and Analysis of Emirates Airline

Overview and Analysis of Emirates Airline Emirates airline: aN overview Dubai based airline company is the subsidiary of Emirates Groups. The airline is the leading as well as the largest airline of not only UAE but also of Middle East. The airline operates more than 3400 flights per week. These flights take off from its hub at UAE to more than 133 cities in 73 countries around the world. The Emirates Groups service Emirates Sky Cargo undertake the cargo activities of this airline. According to 2007 report the airline is declared as the leading airline in term of revenue it generate, fleets (group of planes), and the passenger it carry, of Middle East. The airline is also the 10th largest airline in the world in term of travels who travel every week from this airline. From Dubai to Houston, Los Angeles, Sans Francisco, and Dallas company operate four of the world largest no stop commercial flight. Twenty year ago, Emirate Airline was born as the official airline of UAE. The airline in 1985 e started its operations, when in mid-1980’s the Gulf Air cutback to Dubai. From tan till now the airline has shown tremendous growth. The airline purchase its aircraft from the top companies in the world Air Bus and Boeing. The airline operates the mixed air fleets which are the wide-body aircrafts. And the company is one of the few in the world to use all wide-body aircraft. Recent by ordering 140 Air Bus A380s, the company is become the second to operate these air craft after Singapore. In aviation industry the company has established the strong brand name. Moreover, as the aviation leader in Middle East the company is providing quality services to its passenger from long ago. And this airline is hopeful in maintaining it strong growing position in future also. With many award in 2012 the company is also ranked 8th best airline in term of services it is providing around the world. culture and ORGANIZATIONAL structure The company has diverse culture, as it has many subsidizers and more than 50 parent company. And it’s operating in many industries and sectors. The industries company is catering are airport services, hospital industry, catering, and engineering. The total number of employees in this company were 38797 in the fiscal year 2011 (Group, 2011). The prime aim of the company as well as its employees are to deliver the unique and superior customer services. As for as, their employees are concerned, for them employees are their key assets and they provide many benefits to the employees including the old age benefits, fringe benefits, bonuses and many other benefits. They pay they gives to their employees are merit base pay as well as the pure performance based pay. Therefore, their employees are also loyal to the company (Group, 2011). Environmental Context Analysis of the UAE Organizations are referred as an open system, where there are many forces that directly or indirect affect the organizations. Environmental analysis is the analysis of forces around the organization that affect or make an impact on the ability of the organization to take decision. These forces are further divided as the macro forces as well as the micro forces. Micro forces are closer to company and have influence on company ability to full fill its customer’s needs and wants. These forces include the customers of the company, company itself, its competitors, the market intermediaries and many other stakeholders (Global Marketing Environmental Factors Affecting Marketing Strategy, 2013). Moreover, the macro environment of the company is the political, social, economic and technological forces around the company that affect the micro economic forces. In term of UAE, the environment of UAE is the dynamic environment. Economically the country is one of the fastest growing country in the world. The GDP growth of the country is exceptional. Some of the major contributor factor to this growing economy are the different sectors in the country ‘i.e.’ oil and gas sector, tourisms sector, transportation industry, education sector, trade sector, foreign direct investment, as well as many other sectors(). Micro environment of UAE is its trading partners, competitor ‘i.e.’ other countries in the Middle East region and UAE itself. While the macro factors are the political condition of the country its economic condition, society and the technological development in the country (PESTLE Analysis of UAE 2012, 2012). Economic Environment Economically the country has seen many ups and down in the previous years. However, the country has successfully take out itself from the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009, which was mostly due to world economic crisis and decline in trade. Today the economy of the country is growing on fastest pace and the recorded economy in 2013 was 4.4 percent, which was expected to reach at 4.8 percent this year. Due to ideal place for conducting businesses and due to best tourist spots in the country, the country is the ideal place for foreign investors. Socio-cultural Environment On social-cultural basis the country is one of the diverse in this Middle East region. People from many other countries come to live in UAE or for visiting UAE. Moreover, as the country has flourishing tourism industry therefore, from many country every year millions of people travel to UAE for holiday. Due to increasing diversity in the country there is mixed culture flourishing in the country (interact, 2014). Political and Legal Environment Politically UAE is strong and the political condition in UAE is stable. The environment is ideal for doing business as government does not interfere in business activities. The government has also establish a trade free zone for conducting businesses activities. Moreover, it has also provide lot of opportunities for foreign investors. In short, the government of UAE is stable politically, with strong political reforms. And the government is working hard for the development of UAE. Factors that may affect the airline industry are worldwide terrorisms and war. Technological Environment AND Natural Environment Technological the country is also growing, likewise in telecommunication industry Etisalat is the market leader, and providing best services in telecommunication industry around the world. The introduction of new technology will also affect the airline industry in positive as well as negative way. As for as natural resources are concerned UAE is rich in two of the biggest natural resources ‘i.e.’ petroleum and natural gas reserves. Competitor Analysis The competitors of Emirates Airline are the all other airlines from UAE. Some of the prominent airlines from UAE other than Emirates Airline are Etihad Airline, and Qatar Airline. Etihad Airline is another growing airline of UAE. The airline started its operations in 2003 and from that time till today the organization has shown exceptional growth in term of providing quality to the passengers who travel through this airline. Qatar Airline is another major competitor of Emirates Airline. In very short time span the company has establish it some a major competitor of other airlines. Right after its pre-lunch in 1997 Qatar Airline has awarded with many prestigious awards (Ceos message | Qatar Airways, 2014). However, the Emirates Airline is growing on a faster pace than its competitors. Direct Competitors In airline industry there is lot of competition. This section of the report will in-detail analyze some of the major direct and indirect competitors of Emirates Airline. And try to rate them on term on 1 to 5 rating in scale in term of quality by asking from people. We ask sample of 15 people to rate out competitor’s brands and our brand price quality on rating scale of 1 to 5. The analysis provided us with the certain weakness and strengths of Emirate Airline with regards to its competitors. Rating scale 1-5 Emirates Airline Etihad Airways Qatar Critical Success Factors rating rating rating Quality 5 4 3 Price 4 3 4 Availability 5 5 3 Good Will 4 3 4 Promotional Activities 5 4 3 Table 1 Emirates Airline receives rating of 4.6 rating, whereas, Etihad Airways receives an average of 3.8 rating and Qatar Airways receive the rating of 3.4. So it shows that over all Emirates Airline is working better as compared to other competitors. Moreover, there brand is better in term of quality, packaging and other factors to score higher these from customers. Analysis of Competitive Strategy and Position Positioning referred as the creating the image of the product in the mind of the customers as well as the consumers. These airlines mostly position there brand on following factors. These are mentioned in their mission statements, vision statement and as well as on their web site. Therefore we take the rating scale of 1-10 to rate these factors. The reason is that to know on which basis these organizations position their products. Rating scale 1 to 10 Emirates Airline Etihad Airways Qatar Airways Factors on which these airlines positioned their brands Rating Rating Rating Quality 10 9 8 Price 8 9 10 Availability 10 10 9 Good Will 9 9 8 Promotional Activities 10 10 10 Table 2 Above data clearly show that in term of quality, price, availability and promotional activities the top of the mind brand is Emirates Airline. While, Etihad Airways is the second brand in term of quality, good will and other mentioned factors in the mind of people. In term of quality people rate airlines as 10 for Emirates Airline and 9 and 8 for the rest two airlines Competitive Advantage In today world every organization is engaged in competition. In airline industry the competition is increasing day by day as the competitors are trying to provide more quality services then each other. in case of Emirates Airline as it is the oldest airline of UAE and has shown the tremendous growth over the time therefore, toady it’s as clear cut competitive advantage over it competitors. Market Research The airline industry of UAE ha lot of potential for growth as the UAE is the hub of tourism and millions of people as a tourist visited this country. Therefore the demand for services provided by many airlines is increasing day by day as the population of UAE is increasing. The main point that has to be cover are as follows: first thing that is required, is the identification of the targeted audience. Furthermore, the second that have to make clear is the need and wants of that targeted audience. The later part will in detail mentioned the targeted audience and the need and wants of that targeted audience. Mentioned earlier the main and the foremost thing in the marketing is target market identification. From this mean that we have to clarify that who are our potential buyer who will enjoy our services. For the purpose of identifying the target audience marketer first have to divide the market into different segments and then on the basis of their needs and wants offering them the desired product (DeMers, 2012). Emirate Airline target audience includes people of: business people, families, and transit passengers. Once a targeted audience is identified we have to look the need and wants of that targeted audience. Moreover, we have to look which need is least and which one is of most importance. Second aspect is that how the particular airline is going to satisfy or dissatisfy with the available services with respect to each of the priority important needs and wants. As for as Emirate Airline is concerned the basic need of people through this airline are comfortable journey, quality services, quality food during traveling, and may other required facilities during traveling. Like facilities that should be provided to disable and aged people are also cater by Emirates Airlines. (Special Needs | Essential Information | Emirates Online Booking and Planning | Emirates, 2014). Customer Analysis This section will in detail analyze the targeted market of Emirates Airline. Basically, the customer analysis is the way of gathering data from customer to known about their purchase decision. Therefore, the section in detail analysis the potential customer of this airline and the different factors that affect their purchase decisions. Three type of people is the target audience of Emirates Airline business people, families, and transit passengers. Target Market Segmentation Description Area / Region: UAE, and all six continent in the world AGE:people of all ages Gender:Both Family Life Cycle:Bachelors, married, working women, office working people, old age people are the targets. Other people:Business people, families, professional and other people from all over the world Table 3 Decision Making Process Analysis external consumer behavior variables Consumer behavior is the acts and decision processes of the consumer which they shows during the purchase the product as well as services. Different studies of consumer behavior has indicated that how individuals, groups and organizations make purchase decision and buy goods and servicer according to their needs and desires. While making purchase decision many factors affect consumer buying behavior (Dudovskiy, 2013). Factors that may affect the people travel through Emirates Airline are as personal factors, cultural factors, psychological factors and most important the social factors. Personal factors Factors such as our income, occupation, our life style which include daily basic activates, interests, as well as opinions. These factors are one of the most vital predictor of people buying behavior. Therefore, people choice regarding whether to travel through this airline or any other and if yes whether to travel through economic class or business class totally depended on these factors ‘i.e.’ on the income and their way of living (Personal Factors Affecting Buyer’s Behavior, 2010). Cultural factors and social factor Buying activities are deeply influenced by cultural factors such as: culture, subculture, and social class. Culture is defined as totally learned behavior that contain shared values believe, norms, customs and rituals of particular region. These shared values and beliefs have great impact on consumer behavior while making a purchase a certain product. Society has also great influencer on purchasing decision of consumers in different situations. Different forces that combined together create society are references groups, family groups and opinion leaders. Family also have great influence on buying behavior (Perreau, 2013). Positioning Strategy Emirates Airline Factors/ attributes on which airline positioned their brands Rating Quality 10 Price 8 Availability 10 Good Will 9 Promotional Activities 10 Diversification 10 Market segmentation research is an understanding of the market’s product needs and wants. It is the process of dividing potentialmarketsor consumers into specific groups and offering product according to their needs. Positioning is referred as creating the image of your product in the mind of that divided potential market. Moreover, positioning referred as factors on which companies differentiate their brand from their competitors. In analyzing product positioning, needs and wants are commonly referred to as product attributes. Some of the bases on which Emirates Airlines position their products are price, quality, demographic, by providing diversified products and many other basis. The Emirates Airline also position their products on following above mention factors in mind of their divided potential market. Additionally, the airline has become number choice of the families around the world. Moreover, the airline is economically strong and it will never turn down. Three type o f passengers toward whom they tailored their marketing and positioning strategy are business people, families, and transit passengers. Diversification is referred as offering new services to new market. The Emirate Airline also adopt that strategy. And toady Emirates Airline also known as low cost carrier (rodrigo, 2012). product strategy Being a service provider the major aim of the airline is to provide comfortable journey to its customers. And, as they also cargo carrier then their major aim is also provide on time delivery to its customers. Therefore, ensuring the quality services is the foremost strategy of the airline. Moreover, the airline always try to remain first in adopting new technologies and providing unique services. pricing strategy Emirate Airline is positioning their product on the basis of price. For example Emirate Airline has succeed to avoid its prices matching with what other airlines are offering product to customers at lower price. They have competitive pricing strategy. Moreover, another pricing strategy that Emirate airline is following is the premium pricing strategy (Emirates flight pricing sales strategy, 2014). The prices are not fixed they are flexible and it’s due to economic condition around the world. distribution CHANNELs The wholesaler and retailer through the use of their cargo services send their products to end customer. Therefore the no of channel between end customers are three. advertising strategy For Promotion of their brands Emirate Airline uses of traditional marketing techniques like: Word of mouth Web site promotional campaigns Social Networking TV and Print media Ads They allocate a handsome amount for their advertising budget. They also follow Informative Advertising: where they try to create brand awareness and knowledge of new products or new features of existing products. customer services and relationship activities Their cargo service provide on time delivery to its customers. Moreover, their major aim is provide the quality services for that they have dedicated team that work day and night for ensuring the quality (Special Needs | Essential Information | Emirates Online Booking and Planning | Emirates, 2014). For them their main aim is that they provide such services that their customers get full satisfaction. Over the time they have built strong relationship with their customers. Therefore, the airline is first choice of customer around the country and around the world. CONCLUSION Dubai based airline company is the subsidiary of Emirates Groups. The airline is the leading as well as the largest airline of not only UAE but also of Middle East. The airline operates more than 3400 flights per week. These flights take off from its hub at UAE to more than 133 cities in 73 countries around the world. The Emirates Groups service Emirates Sky Cargo undertake the cargo activities of this airline. With the only aim of providing the quality services as well as the comfortable journey to its travelers the airline is the leading airline of Middle East region. From long ago the airline is applying full fledge marketing strategies to ensure the quality services they are providing to their clients. They are following the best promotional strategies, pricing strategies, advertising strategies, and distribution strategies. Their position in the market is better than its competitors. Recommendation The only recommendation is that, they have to position their marketing activities while considering all their competitors. As, Etihad Airline is also doing well and providing tough time to its competitors. According to an article it is clearly mention that Etihad along with Emirate Airline are providing tough time to its competitors. Moreover, Etihad Airways is also providing best services and providing full customer satisfaction. Therefore, Emirate Airline has considered that also as Etihad may become threat for the Emirate Airline in future.

Prison Life History And Today

Prison Life History And Today Prison deals with prisoners from all kinds of backgrounds. Every prisoner has different problems and there are a range of services on offer to help them while in prison to prepare them for their eventual release. Prison is a place used for confinement of convicted criminals (Gaines, Miller, 2009). Aside from the death penalty, a sentence to prison is the harshest punishment imposed on criminals in the United States. On the federal level, imprisonment or incarceration is managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a federal agency within the department of justice (Gaines, Miller, 2009). State prisons are supervised by a state agency such as a department of corrections. Confinement in prison, also known as a penitentiary or correctional facility, is the punishment that courts most commonly impose for serious crimes, such as felonies. For lesser crimes, courts usually impose short term incarceration in a jail, detention center, or similar facility (Gaines, Miller, 2009). Prison life of the 1700s of an accused was not as strict. There were windows that the prisoners could look through in order to solicit for charity from the people walking by, and sometimes prisoners would be allowed to sell things at the prison gates (Prison life, 2011). Although there are many differences between the life of a prison in the 1700s and the life of a prisoner today, there are also many similarities. Each accused individual was captured by the police and taken to the nearest holding cell (Prison life, 2011). These cells were in prisons called local prisons. The individual was then let free or convicted of his or her crime. If convicted, the individual was taken to the closest common prison (Prison life, 2011). During the 1700s there were only local holding jails, common prisons, and houses of correction; later, during the 1800s prisons became more separated and prisoners were assigned to the appropriate prison (Prison life, 2011). The convicted were not stripped of their belongings like in todays prisons, but they were searched for weapons or objects that could be used to escape. Once inside, the prisoner was assigned a small cell made of hard walls, floors covered in dirt and rodents, and a bed (Prison life, 2011). If the prisoner was lucky, this bed consisted of a small hammock tied to opposite walls, but often times it was made of a wooden bench or the floor. For meals the prisoners were scarcely fed, but if they were, little rations of bread and water were given. Many times the prisoners died of starvation and thirst (Prison life, 2011). According to the Burlington County in New Jersey, in the 1800s when the prison was initially designed, each inmate was to have his or her own cell with a fireplace and a narrow, unglazed window placed above eye level (Prison life, 2011.)The rules of the jail directed that prisoners were to be bathed, deloused, and have their clothing fumigated, and that each cell should have a bible or prayer book to improve the soul. Individual cells, planned for felons or criminals, were arranged in sets of four, opening off a short hall at each end of the building (Prison life, 2011). These blocks of cells were to house separate groups, such as routine criminals, first offenders, or women. The bigger rooms on the main hallways were to provide accommodation the debtors, imprisoned for owing money. These were common rooms, sometimes holding three or four men at a time, although there are some records that indicate that up to 30 debtors were housed at one time in the jail(Prison life, 2011). During t heir day, debtors were to be allowed to move about the jail, working at various cleaning chores or employed in the basement workshop (Prison life, 2011). Then the dungeon or maximum-security cell was in the center of the top floor (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). That location was carefully chosen to prevent escape by digging, to minimize communication with criminals in the cell blocks, and to ensure constant surveillance by guards making rounds. This was the only cell without a fireplace. It is flanked by niches for guards or visitors and has one very high, very small window and an iron ring in the center of the floor to which the prisoner could be chained (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). Until 1888, the jail keeper and his wife and family would live in two rooms on the first floor of the jail. The Keepers wife was anticipated to supervise the female inmates and the Keeper was to execute the rules of the jail as devised by the prison board, which was composed of members of the freeholders. The Keeper and his family lived in these quarters until the adjacent brick house, connected by a passageway, was constructed on the corner of Grant and High Streets (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). In keeping with the purpose designed into the structure, the basement level enclosed workshops where prisoners were expected to learn a useful trade, such as how to make brooms, baskets, or shingles (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). The notion didnt work, given the short time most inmates spent in the jail, and over time, the workshops became used as minimum security cells. Another, less supervised pastime of the inmates that endured through the ages was prisoner graffiti (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). Depicting humor, despair, and a belated piety, several fine examples of this art have been photo conserved and are on display throughout the building. The felons eating room, also in the basement, allowed controlled access to the exercise yard with its twenty foot wall. Outside, prisoners could tend a small garden of fresh vegetables. In one corner of the yard, an area was set aside for the gallows, which were dismantled and stored between hangings (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). Food, linens, cleaning supplies, and craft materials were stored in the basement near the kitchen, baking, and washing facilities. Once a day, the prisoners were to be served a main meal of meat and vegetables. The other two meals were usually cooked cereals or grains. They had milk and cider to drink, as well as water (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). One of the inmates was made chief cook, preparing all prison meals, and that inmate slept in a basement cell next to the kitchen. Large washtubs were provided for laundry and regular baths for the prisoners (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). Also the relatively few women who were imprisoned at the beginning of the 19th century were confined in separate quarters or wings of mens prisons (Sullivan, 2006). Like the men, women suffered from filthy conditions, overcrowding, and harsh treatment. In 1838 in the New York City Jail known as the tombs, for instance, there were forty two one person cells for seventy women. In the 1920s at Auburn Penitentiary in New York, there were no separate cells for the twenty five or so women serving sentences up to fourteen years (Sullivan, 2006). They were all lodged together in a one room attic, the windows sealed to prevent communication with men. But women had to endure even more. Primary among these additional negative aspects was sexual abuse, which was reportedly a common occurrence. In 1826 a woman named Rachel Welch became pregnant while serving in solitary confinement as a punishment and shortly after childbirth she died as a result of flogging by a prison official (Sullivan, 2006). Such sexual abuse was in fact so acceptable that the Indiana state prison actually ran a prostitution service for male guards, using female prisoners (Sullivan, 2006). In addition, women received the short end of even the prison stick. Instead of spending the money to hire a matron, women were often left completely on their own, defenseless to attack by guards. Women had less access to the physician and chaplain and did not go to workshops, mess halls, or exercise yards as men did. Food was brought to their quarters, and they remained in that area for the full term of their sentence (Sullivan, 2006). As fearsome as the prison seemed, it was not escape proof. The walls were scaled and the roof penetrated many times in its history. The chosen routes to freedom seem to have been through the roof of the jail, and along the yard wall or the roof of the passageway to a place of descent. One notable escape occurred in 1875(Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). Four inmates punched a hole through the ceiling of an upper corridor cell to gain access to the roof, went down the sloping front wall and down around the woodpile beside the prison yard gate. A fifth accomplice was too large to fit through the hole and insisted at being left behind (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). Despite a quick response by the warden, it seems that at least some of these escapees were never caught. In the Burlington County Jail, some criminals were fated to spend their last days on earth. State law mandated that criminals convicted of a capital crime were to be executed in the County in which they were found guilty, and Burlington County was no exception (Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). Several public hangings were conducted in the prison yard on a gallows erected for each occasion. Originally designed to house approximately 40 prisoners, the Burlington County Prison held over 100 inmates when they were moved to a converted armory that formerly stood behind the jail. Overcrowded conditions required yet another, larger prison which was erected in 1983(Johnson, Wolfe, Jones, 2008). The daily life in Folsom State Prison back in 1880, prisoners were woken up by an early morning bell and were dressed and beds had to be made and stand in their cell doors with their night buckets (Prison life, 2011). Once they were unlocked they marched down to the middle of the building where there was a set of steel doors that were hinged to the floor (Prison life, 2011). When they filed out for the day, they would all dump their nights waste from the bucket down a hole and then limestone would be thrown in the hole and water to flush the waste away. At dinner they would take to with them at so when the prisoner got locked up for the night again, they had their toilet with them (Prison life, 2011). During that time the prisoner would eat beans for dinner which were place on plate and not utensils were used. You had to eat with your face down in the plate and no talking was ever allowed. If you were good prisoners could earn the right to eat boiled beef and vegetables (Prison life, 2011). However if you were a con boss, which is somebody who is the boss of other prisoners, prisoner could then eat a variety of stewed meats and vegetables that were in season and use tin dishes and have utensils and talk during dinner(Prison life, 2011). Prisoners of Folsom State Prison generally worked seven and half hour days with no break. They completed their work day by early afternoon and lights out was enforced by eight o clock with no exceptions (Prison life, 2011). Another example of past prison life was in the Andersonville prison during the late 1800s; to cope with the horrible conditions within the stockade, prisoners turned to various activities (Prison life, 2011). They carved objects, sang songs, played games such as checkers and cards, read any material they could get, and wrote letters and diaries. Letters home were censored by prison officials, and many never reached their destinations. Other prisoners, intent on escape, spent time digging tunnels (Prison life, 2011). Although there are no records of successful escapes via tunnels, some men did escape, mainly from work crews when outside the prison. The horrendous living conditions at Andersonville resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners (Prison life, 2011). Now moving forward to current day prison life, In Arizona, the state prison system has four levels; minimum, medium, closed and maximum. As an inmate goes up in custody level, the less freedom they are allowed. A minimum custody inmate typically lives in dorm style housing units and an open yard (Ranzau, 2009). Inmates would get woken up at 5:30 a.m. and they have free rein to walk the yard, go to chow on their own at the designated times and attend any classes and work assignments they have chosen until the yard locks down for the evening at 8:30 p.m (Ranzau, 2009). A closed custody inmate lives in a two-man cell with controlled movement. Controlled movement means that officers escort the inmates anytime they leave their housing unit (Ranzau, 2009). A closed custody unit usually has a cluster of cells in a building with one control room called a pod. The control room uses a computer to access the doors to the cells though keys can be used to open cells in case of a power outage (Ran zau, 2009). This particular closed custody unit is staffed with one officer in the control room and one floor officer in charge of two pods of inmates (Ranzau, 2009). The inmates are escorted by an officer everywhere they go, either individually or as a group. They are escorted as a group to the chow hall for their meals and to the recreation field for their exercise (Ranzau, 2009). Medium custody inmates also live in a dorm style setting similar to minimum custody inmates. Medium custody inmates have some controlled movement but are not escorted by officers (Ranzau, 2009). The control room officer, only letting out certain segments of their dorm at a time to eat or go to recreation, controls the movement. There are officers on the yard to make sure the inmates get to where they are supposed to go (Ranzau, 2009). A maximum custody unit is strictly controlled. The inmates are only allowed to leave their cell one hour a day to go to a recreation pen. These inmates are fed in their cells through food traps in the door (Ranzau, 2009). These inmates are usually considered the worst type of inmate or they may need protection from the general population for information they have given staff or for something they did on the yard (Ranzau, 2009). One would think prison life everywhere would run as smoothly as this, but no. Currently at Pelican Bay State Prison in northern California there are more than 1,200 inmates, its one of the largest and oldest isolation units in the country, and its the model that dozens of other states have followed. It is a maximum security prison. Although all the inmates are in isolation, theres lots of noise such as keys rattling, toilets flushing, and inmates shouting out to each other from one cell to the next(Sullivan, 2006). Twice a day, officers push plastic food trays through the small portals in the metal doors. It is said they only contact that you have with individuals is what they call a pinky shake, which is when you stick your pinky through one of the little holes in the door. The hallways shoot out like spokes on a wheel(Sullivan, 2006). In the center, high off the floor, an officer sits at a panel of blue and red buttons controlling the doors. The officer in the booth can go an entire shift without actually seeing an inmate face to face (Sullivan, 2006). Far below, an inmate walks a few feet from his cell, through a metal door at the end of the hallway, and out into the yard. The exercise yards at Pelican Bay are about the length of two small cars. The cement walls are 20 feet high. On top is a metal grate and through the grate is a patch of sky (Sullivan, 2006). According to Sullivan, Associate Warden Williams says they dont allow inmates to have any kind of exercise equipment. Most of the time, they do push-ups. Some of them just walk back and forth for exercise. (Sullivan, 2006). It is just basically to come out, stretch their legs and get some fresh air. Each month, officers squeeze soap, shampoo and toothpaste into paper cups for the inmates (Sullivan, 2006). Even though are issued a jumpsuit, in two days at the facility, there doesnt seem to be a single prisoner wearing one. All of them are wearing their underwear, white boxer shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops (Sullivan, 2006). In the psychiatric at Pelican Bay, some inmates stand in the middle of their cell, hollering at no one in particular. Anothers bang their head against the cell door. Many of the inmates are naked, some exposing themselves. Obviously prison life can play a huge toll the mentality. One in 10 inmates in segregation was housed there. Theres even a waiting list (Sullivan, 2006). Recently in Georgia the horrible treatment and conditions of the prison made headlines. Finally fed up with bad food, unjust treatment, poor education and inadequate health care, thousands of inmates in Georgias prison system staged Lockdown for Liberty, which was a peaceful protest on Dec. 9, 2010. According to Charlene Muhammad, a national correspondent for the Final Call newspaper; all of the Black, White, and Latino inmates from Augusta, Baldwin, Hancock, Hays, Macon, Smith, and Telfair State Prisons refused to leave their cells for work and other activities, partly because they feel the Georgia Department of Corrections treats them like slaves(Muhammad, 2010). Ironically in a 2006 report, Human Rights Watch characterized conditions in Georgia prisons as appalling. Many inmates were vulnerable to degrading treatment due to overcrowding and unsanitary facilities, the report added (Muhammad, 2010). More recently, the State Departments 2008 human rights country report for Georgia noted that the countrys prisons and pre trial detention centers failed to meet international standards. It also expressed concern about Georgian Justice Ministry data that showed 94 inmates died while in custody in 2008(Muhammad, 2010). Overcrowding is a huge issue also. Today, there are approximately 20,000 prisoners in Georgia, a 300-percent increase over the past five years, according to a 2009 PRI report (Muhammad, 2010). Georgias prisons are some of the worst in the U.S. Cells are overcrowded, packing prisoners into confined spaces like sardines (Muhammad, 2010). Prisoners are forced to work, doing the maintenance and servicing of the prison for little or no pay. The guards are corrupt and violent, instigating fights between prisoners for their amusement (Muhammad, 2010). Prisoners are forced to pay outrageous costs for the most minimal health care. On top of that most prisoners are denied access to programs for education beyond obtaining a GED. Overall Georgia spends $10,000 less per year per prisoner than the national average. The lack of funding shows in how prisoners are treated. (Muhammad, 2010). Every day prison life for women differs from daily prison life for men. Unlike male inmates, women in general do not present an direct, violent physical danger to staff members and fellow inmates. In fact, hardly any female prisons report any major instances of violence (Saxena, 2008). Violence is more often than not concentrated only in male prisons. In addition, female prisons do not involve the anti authority inmate social code oftentimes established in male prisons (Saxena, 2008). In male prisons, life in prison is normally governed by mandates set forth by gang leaders. This includes no snitching, not cooperating with authorities, and attacking disloyal members. Gang activity is greatly reduced in female prisons (Saxena, 2008). Furthermore, the little bit of gang activity that does occur in female prisons doesnt end up affecting the whole infrastructure like in a male prison (Saxena, 2008). However, being restricted does cause a lot of sever anxiety and anger for many women, especially since they are separated from their families and loved ones (Gaines, Miller, 2009). Sometimes, women are in prison while pregnant and are oftentimes forced to give birth in the prison. Afterwards, their child is either instantly removed, or permitted to stay with the mother for a short period of time (Gaines, Miller, 2009). Woman can also partake in conjugal visits, but this will not make up for all the lost time. Women in prison also cope with their problems differently. Unlike men, who direct their anger outward, female prisoners tend to revert to more self destructive acts in order to deal with the situation. In fact, female inmates are much more likely than male prisoners to mutilate their own bodies and attempt suicide (Saxena, 2008). These activities include simple scratches, carving the name of their boyfriend on their body, and cutting their wrists. Wrist cutting is actually a huge concern amongst prison officials (Saxena, 2008). Blood released from wrist cutting can spread to others and drastically increase inmates and staff members risk of contracting an STD like Aids or hepatitis (Saxena, 2008). Another method utilized by female prisons for adapting to prison life is the falsehood of a make believe family (Gaines, Miller, 2009). These groups normally contain masculine and feminine figures that act as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters. Unceremonious marriages and divorces may even be performed (Gaines, Miller, 2009). Sometimes, an inmate may hold multiple roles. For example a woman can play a sister in one family and a wife in another. Oftentimes, gay women play the male roles (Gaines, Miller, 2009). Although an extreme difference in prison life exists between men and women, the hurt and frustration still remain the same (Gaines, Miller, 2009). What can be said, though, is that women deal with the situation differently than men. In a study conducted by Mark Fleisher in 2006, according to Heidi Cool, Fleishers research was the first cultural study ever conducted on prison rape in U.S. prisons. This study includes research that he has done over the past twenty years on prison culture. Between 2003 and 2005, Fleisher composed information about prison life rapes by interviewing 564 inmates in mens high security and womens medium and high security prisons in the United States (Cool, 2006). The controlled interviews, with open ended questions, lasted between 90 minutes to, in numerous cases, six to seven hours and generated a widespread compilation of prison slang involving sex and rape and national cultural themes about prison rape shared by inmates across the country. Fleisher figured out that prison inmate life is a culture that is determined by a need for social order and the behavioral rules of prison sexual culture is drastically different from sexual conduct rules for outside of prison (Cool, 2006). The problem of consent is complicated on so many levels but in the end, consensual sex as we know it doesnt have an equivalent meaning in prison inmate culture, he states horrible images of unsafe prisons and widespread rape. The culture of prison sexuality, as well as ideas on rape, are not simply community beliefs transported inside prisons, rather they are different beliefs and create a different social reality (Cool, 2006). There is no equivalent in inmate sexual culture thats equal to our perception of rape. Once a person enters and begins their prison life, they start reexamine their sense of sexuality; men and women who may have never before engaged in same sex relations will probably try it at some point during their sentence (Cool, 2006). Majority of same sex relations are voluntary, which means they dont have to do anything they dont want to do (Cool, 2006). However not all same sex relations are essentially deemed by inmates as homosexual relationships in the prison culture. Theres a broad range of same sex behavior but inmate culture views several acts as homosexual while other related acts are considered straight (Cool, 2006). The only true freedom they have in prison life is their sexual freedom. Another finding that surprised Fleisher according to Cool, was that in the worldview of both men and women inmates, there is a strong belief that men and women have a homosexual identity at their core and that having same sex relations in prison help them come to terms with this emergin g sexuality(Cool, 2006). As for lesbian experience for women, studies have established that even experienced inmates come across heterosexual women with husbands and children, begin same sex relations within days and weeks of their arrival but upon released return to heterosexual behavior (Cool, 2006). Both men and women inmates put in plain words that same sex relations among those different with it as curiosity (Cool, 2006). Within prison life, inmate society interprets mens slow but sure involvement in same sex behavior as getting in touch with their feminine tendencies (Cool, 2006). Inmates say that the bulk of them dont have sexual affairs but eventually an inner homosexual prevails in the life of a prisoner (Cool, 2006). Furthermore, it is very infrequent for the women to be raped or obligated into sex by male or female staff; nevertheless personal relationships can develop between sexual relations. Believe it or not female inmates state they do not participate in having sex with male or female staff members unless it benefits them in some material way (Cool, 2006). Some of the benefits may include bringing them perfume or cigarettes or giving them money, which can be used for food, soap or stamps (Cool, 2006). Within Fleishers report, women prisoners say they will not deal with unnecessary sex among them and staff, although they have been notorious to use allegations of unwanted sex to acquire a transfer or to get revenge in a against a staff member (Cool, 2006). Evidence informs us that presently over 300,000 instances of prison rape occur in a year. 196,000 are projected to happen to men in prison in addition to 123,000 are estimated to happen to the men in county jail. (Cool, 2006). Obviously life in prison has evolved for the better but yet seems to get worse for todays times. It maintains that survival of the fittest mentality and almost an updated caveman reality. Prison life will never get better unless we get over crowding under control and get better standards as to how they are ran.

Why Do Parents Abduct? Essay -- essays research papers

Why Do Parents Abduct? According to the U.S. Department of Justice, over 354,000 children are kidnapped by a parent each year in divorce custody disputes. Some of the children are recovered or returned quickly while others may be on the run for years. Unfortunately many of these children are never found. Generally, people are concerned with the traumatic effects of these events on the child involved. However, both the searching parent and the abductor have many pending issues with which to deal. Some people believe that children "kidnapped" by their own parents are the lucky ones. In fact, because revenge is often the driving force for these abductions, the child may become subject to physical, sexual and mental abuse. While "When Families Are Torn Apart," is written by Mary Morrissey, the majority of the article is quoted from Geoffrey Greif and Rebecca Hegar. In the article, Greif and Hegar explain how they attempted to fill in the gap of information about the trauma of long-term abduction. Their findings appear in the book When Parents Kidnap. Each parent, child, and abductor may deal with the kidnapping differently. For some it is very frightful and requires years of psychological evaluation to overcome. According to Greif and Hegar, abducted children develop extremely close bonds with their abductors. Often the abductors lie to the children about the other parent. They may say that the other parent does not want the child or is dead. The longer the child is away the harder it is for everyone involved. At these times, professional help is strongly suggested. Issues for Parent - their own feelings about the abduction - helping them to be able to care for the child - helping them to bring the whole family together - helping them to help readjust the other children - helping them to cope with any odd behavior that may be exhibited by the abducted child - developmental changes of the child Issues for Children - trust - sexual abuse - anti-social behavior - why the child thinks the abduction occurs - dealing with the length of the abduction and the time that they missed with the rest of their family - experiences during the abduction - they child may have been brainwashed by the abducting parent - whether or not she wants to return to the abductor - being scared about the chance of being abducted again - + many others Issues for Abdu... ...ence. You can hurt someone just as much emotionally as if you had stabbed them with a knife or cut off their arm. Just as applicable is that this is an extreme, and excessive end to a divorce dispute. What I found interesting about the reunification process in these cases is that they are often depicted in both movies and books as a joyful reunion. When if fact, the assimilation of an abducted child to the family that they have not seen in years is not always so smooth. I was appalled by the lack of assistance from the police and the ignorance of the courts. The idea that a parent would kill their own child and take their own life as well, solely to prevent their ex- spous e from being with the child is incomprehensible. Both of the articles were extremely informative. The techniques used to write the articles were equally effective, giving a different perspective on the stories. The possibility of recovering after an event as traumatic as abduction through psychological counseling is a welcomed and exciting idea. The course on "Introduction to Psychology" has opened my eyes to the extent that psychology can go to help make a difference in the lives of people everywhere.

The Glass Ceiling for Women in the Workforce Essay -- Glass Ceiling, w

In America many groups have fought hard to gain equality in treatment, rights, and everyday living standards. Women are included amongst these groups. At one point in history women were not allowed to vote or carry the same positions as men in work. Due to amendments and affirmative action these hindrances for women have been abolished. What still remains to day is the inner struggle within jobs also known as glass ceilings? Glass ceilings are daily obstacles for most women in their jobs every day. As country of equal opportunity should we Americans continue to fight for more equality or accept the situation and be grateful for the change that has already come into place? What exactly is a glass ceiling and how were these ceilings put up in the first place? A glass ceiling defined by Webster is â€Å"an intangible barrier within the hierarchy of a company that prevents women from obtaining upper level positions† (Miriam - Webster’s†¦ 1). The first big controversy was that women were not being hired for positions offered to men. Women were expected to be homemakers, nurses, or teachers. Men argued that women were not educated enough. But due to affirmative action this changed too. Women were allowed and admitted to Universities. By bettering their educations they became more qualified for business positions. Working in corporate offices or as doctors was still an unheard of idea. Through much fighting this too changed and women were hired whether by choice of the employer or by new state regulations women were hired. Now that there is equality within the work field women are complaining about salaries or rates of pay. Wome n who are equally qualified for positions if not more qualified for positions are being p... ...e our children to be and expect more than we did, and teach them to live life as a person and not as a gender role. By the time they reach adulthood glass ceilings will fall. Why because girls would have been taught that they are equally capable and that equality is what is right. Works Cited Su, Sophia. Glass Ceilings: The Working Woman’s Guide to Overcome Them. 2002. Jobstreet, 1 Aug. 2002, Mapping Out a System to Shatter Glass Ceilings and Glass Walls. 2000. Advancing Women, 1 Aug. 2002, Miriam. Webster. Miriam – Webster’s Collegiate Dictinary. 1984. 1 Aug. 2002. Marger, Martin N. Social Inequalities: patterns and processes. 2nd ed. Michigan : Lansing, 1999.

The Cycle of Vengeance in Aeschylus’s Oresteia Essay -- Oresteia Essay

The Cycle of Vengeance in Aeschylus’s Oresteia    The cyclic thread of vengeance runs like wild fire through the three plays in Aeschylus’s Oresteia. This thread, with its complexity of contemporary and universal implications lends itself quite well to – in fact, almost necessitates – deeply interested study. While a brief summary of the Oresteia will inevitably disregard some if not much of the trilogy’s essence and intent, on the positive side it will establish a platform of characters, events, and motives with which this paper is primarily concerned. As such, I begin with a short overview of the Oresteia and the relevant history that immediately precedes it. The house of Atreus is cursed, it would seem, with the perpetual cycle of vengeance, the law of an eye for an eye. The curse originated with Tantalus, who angered the gods by feasting them on the flesh of his own son, Pelops. Pelops was restored by the gods and effected the birth of two sons, Thyestes and Atreus. Thyestes angered his brother by seducing his wife and challenging his claim to the throne. Consequently, Thyestes was banished from the kingdom, only to be summoned back by Atreus in false friendliness. Atreus, in the mode of his grandfather, feasted the unknowing Thyestes on small bits of Thyestes’ own children. Upon discovery of his doing, the distraught Thyestes fled into exile with his only remaining son, Aegisthus. The Agamemnon picks up with Agamemnon and Menelaus, sons to Atreus, who joined together in the war of Troy after Paris, son of Priam, seduced Helen, wife to Menelaus. Angered by his ruthless man-sacrifices in the war, Artemis required that Agamemnon take the life of his daughter Iphigeneia in order to save the army and fleet o... ...y nature one who questions, one who hesitates, one who considers his own actions from a variety of perspectives. This, by far, appears to be both the simplest and most sound argument. As Oedipus’s persistent pursuit of truth and constantly questioning nature made him a hero in Sophocles’ Oedipus, so did the similar nature of Orestes in the Oresteia.    Works Cited          Aeschylus. â€Å"The Oresteia.† Aeschylus: The Oresteia. Tran. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1979. 99-277.    Aristotle. Poetics. Tran. Gerald F. Else. Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor Paperbacks, 1986.    Finley, John H. Jr. Pindar and Aeschylus. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1955.    ---. Four Stages of Greek Thought. Stanford: Stanford UP, 1966.    Pollitt, J. J. Art and Experience in Classical Greece. London: Cambridge UP, 1979.    Taplin, Oliver. Greek Tragedy in Action. London: Routledge, 1993.