Nutrition †Obesity Essay

Objective: To assess the association between the consumption of fast food (FF) and body mass index (BMI) of teenagers in a large UK birth cohort. Methods: A structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was chosen to allow direct statistical testing of a theoretical model. SEM is a combination of confirmatory factor and path analysis, which allows for the inclusion of latent (unmeasured) variables. This approach was used to build two models: the effect of FF outlet visits and food choices and the effect of FF exposure on consumption and BMI. Results: A total of 3620 participants had data for height and weight from the age 13 clinic and the frequency of FF outlet visits, and so were included in these analyses. This SEM model of food choices showed that increased frequency of eating at FF outlets is positively associated with higher consumption of unhealthy foods (b ? 0. 29, Po0. 001) and negatively associated with the consumption of healthy foods (b ? A1. 02, Po0. 001). The SEM model of FF exposure and BMI showed that higher exposure to FF increases the frequency of visits to FF outlets (b ? 0. 61, Po0.001), which is associated with higher body mass index standard deviation score (BMISDS; b ? 0. 08, Po0. 001). Deprivation was the largest contributing variable to the exposure (b ? 9. 2, Po0. 001). Conclusions: The teenagers who ate at FF restaurants consumed more unhealthy foods and were more likely to have higher BMISDS than those teenagers who did not eat frequently at FF restaurants. Teenagers who were exposed to more takeaway foods at home ate more frequently at FF restaurants and eating at FF restaurants was also associated with lower intakes of vegetables and raw fruit in this cohort. International Journal of Obesity (2011) 35, 1325–1330; doi:10. 1038/ijo. 2011. 120; published online 28 June 2011 Keywords: fast food; overweight; ALSPAC Introduction Childhood obesity prevalence have risen dramatically in the last 30 years in the Western world with the most recent figures for England and Wales show that 17% of boys and 16% of girls are obese. 1 An increase in the availability of calorie dense foods is implicated as one of the factors in the aetiology of the obesity epidemic. Fast food (FF) is one section of the food market that has grown steadily over the last few decades and it was worth d8. 9 billion in the United Kingdom in 2005. 2 FF is typically quick, convenient, cheap and Correspondence: Dr LK Fraser, School of Geography, University of Leeds, University road, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. E-mail: l. k. fraser@leeds. ac. uk Received 6 February 2011; revised 21 April 2011; accepted 12 May 2011; published online 28 June 2011 uniform in its production,3 but FF is often high in saturated fats, energy dense and has low micronutrient content. 4–9 Studies from the United States of America have shown that children who consume FF (when compared with children who do not eat FF) have higher energy intake and higher fat intakes9,10 as well as lower vegetable and milk intake. 10,11 Therefore, the consumption of such foods could possibly result in a positive energy balance; and hence, weight gain. There is some evidence from longitudinal studies in the United States of America that consuming FF as a teenager can result in weight gain in both early12 and middle adulthood. 13 FF is often marketed to children and adolescents through television, internet and movie advertising,14–17 with brand recognition being present from an early age. 18 The addition of toys as gifts with FF meals also attracts children. There is growing body of literature that has assessed the location of FF outlets and has found that areas of higher deprivation Fast food and body mass index LK Fraser et al 1326 have more FF outlets19–21 and that FF outlets are often located close to schools. 22–24 The majority of research to date has been undertaken in the United States of America, but a study that analysed the fat content of a FF meal in McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets in 35 countries showed that the amount of fat varied considerably between countries, within the same FF outlet. 25 This means that results from studies in the United States of America may not be generalisable to other countries. This study aims to assess the cross-sectional association between the consumption of FF and the body mass index (BMI) of teenagers in a large UK birth cohort. Methods The data for this study were obtained from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC),26 which is a birth cohort study where pregnant mothers who lived in the old Avon County in the United Kingdom (the Bristol region) were recruited in the early 1990s. A total of 14 541 mothers completed recruitment. Because of retrospective recruitment the total sample size was 15 224 fetuses and 14 610 live births. This paper presents data on the teenagers who attended the year 13 clinic and completed the year 13 questionnaire. Variables The food frequency data were collected from the questionnaires completed by mother (or carer) and separate questionnaires completed by the teenagers themselves at age 13 years. The data used from the carer questionnaire (collected at the same time point) referred to the questions ‘How often does s/he eat in a FF restaurant? The responses to this question were collected as never/rarely, once a month, once every 2 weeks, once or twice per week, 3–4 times a week, 5 or more times a week. The carers were also asked ‘In total, how many portions of vegetables does s/he eat in a week (do not include potatoes)’, ‘In total, how many portions of raw fruit does s/he eat in a week? ’ These were free numerical responses, which were retained as a continuous variable for analyses. In the food frequency part of the teenager completed questionnaire the teenagers were asked ‘If you ever buy food yourself from outside school, or from school vending machines, how often do you buy and eat each of the following things (include after school and weekends): chips, burger, pizza, sandwich, pies or pasties, chocolate, crisps, fruit and other food. ’ The height and weight data were collected at clinic visits at B13 years. The exact age, sex, height and weight were used to calculate a BMI standard deviation score (BMISDS) for each participant (1990 UK reference dataset). 27 The teenagers International Journal of Obesity were classified as obese if their BMISDS was greater than the 95th percentile (BMISDS41. 64). The physical activity data were collected via accelerometry at the age 13 clinic visit. 28 The participants wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days and the measure used from this is mean counts per minute, which is a continuous variable. A deprivation score was assigned to each participant by matching the coordinates of their residential address (when carer questionnaire was completed) to the appropriate lower super output area. Each lower super output area has an index of multiple deprivation score (Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 (IMD))29 assigned from the local census data. This is a continuous variable in which a higher number indicates an area of higher deprivation. Ethnicity was assigned as per the child’s ethnicity into a binary variable of ‘white British’ and ‘other’ ethnicity. Statistical modelling Descriptive statistics were performed in STATA version 10 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). A structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was chosen to allow direct statistical testing of a theoretical model. SEM has many benefits over traditional regression techniques, which include the ability to model equations simultaneously and the incorporation of latent variables. 30 SEM is a combination of confirmatory factor and path analysis, which allows for the inclusion of latent (unmeasured) variables. 31 This approach was used to build two models: the effect of FF outlet visits and food choices and the effect of FF exposure on consumption and BMI. The SEM analyses were undertaken in AMOS version 17. 0 (IBM SPSS, USA). The hypothesised model for food choices is shown in the results section (Figure 2). The observed variables are displayed as boxes and latent variables as circles. Each observed variable has an associated random error term and each latent variable has an associated disturbance term, which represents the variance in the latent variable that has not been explained by the observed variables associated with that latent variable. Regression paths are shown by singleheaded arrows and covariances by double-headed curved arrows. The model fit was assessed by two indices; the comparative fit index (CFI) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). The CFI is a comparison of the hypothesised model compared with an independence model where all parameters are assumed to be independent. The RMSEA gives an indication of ‘how well would the model, with unknown but optimally chosen values, fit the population covariance matrix if it were available’. 32 A combination of CFI40. 95 and a RMSEA of o0. 50 is a sign of good model fit. The w2-test of overall fit is very sensitive to large sample size so has not been used in these models. 30 The two models were constructed a priori using previous research. The nutritional content of chips, burgers, pizza and Fast food and body mass index LK Fraser et al 1327 pies are known to be high in saturated fat and energy and therefore are ‘unhealthy’,4–9,33 whereas fruit and vegetables are known to contain fibre and vitamins and so are classified as ‘healthy’. Exposure to FF outlets is known to be higher in areas of higher deprivation. 19–21 In the food choices model, unhealthy consumption (latent variable) was modelled from the frequency of consumption of chips, burger, pizza and pies (reported by the teenagers themselves), and the healthy consumption was modelled from the number of pieces of vegetables and raw fruit consumed by the teenager (maternal report). The number of times that the teenager visited a FF outlet (maternal report) was regressed on the unhealthy and healthy consumption variables. The model for the effect of FF exposure on consumption and BMISDS is shown in Figure 3. Here exposure is a latent variable modelled from maternal and paternal takeaway frequency and deprivation score. The exposure is regressed on the number of visits to FF outlet. The BMISDS at age 13 years is the main outcome of this model. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the ALSPAC Law and Ethics Committee and the local research ethics committees. Results A total of 3620 participants have data for height and weight from the age 13 clinic and the frequency of FF outlet visits, and were included in these analyses (SEM cannot use individuals with missing data). A total of 1711 (47. 3%) were boys and 456 (12.6%) obese. The descriptive statistics are shown in Table 1. Frequency of visiting FF outlets and food consumption frequencies are shown in Figure 1. The results of model 1 are shown in Figure 2 with regression weights shown in Table 2. This model showed that increased frequency of eating at FF outlets was positively associated with higher consumption of unhealthy foods (b ? 0. 29, Po0. 001) and negatively associated with the consumption of healthy foods (b ? A1. 02, Po0. 001). The CFI for model 1 was 0. 98 and the RMSEA was 0. 05 (90% confidence interval 0. 044, 0. 058). These represent good approximate model fit. Table 1. The results of model 2 are shown in Figure 3 with regression weight shown in Table 3. This model showed that increased exposure to FF increased the frequency of visits to FF outlets (b ? 0. 61, Po0. 001), which in turn was associated with higher BMISDS (b ? 0. 08, Po0. 001). Deprivation was the largest contributing variable to the exposure (b ? 9. 2, Po0. 001). The CFI for model 2 was 0. 98, and the RMSEA was 0. 021 (90% confidence interval 0. 009, 0. 033). These represent very good approximate model fit. Discussion This study shows that teenagers who are exposed to more unhealthy foods at home are more likely to eat at FF restaurants and have a higher BMISDS. The negative association of increased visits to FF outlets on consumption of healthy foods (fruit and vegetables) has also been demonstrated. The FF restaurant use in this analysis was reported by the mother or main carer of the teenager and showed that nearly 60% of all the teenagers ate at a FF restaurant at least once a month. This appears to be less frequently than in the United States of America, where studies showed that 60% of older children and adolescents ate FF more than once per week34 and that B30% of children ate at a FF restaurant on any typical day. 9. As one part of the SEM this study showed that eating at a FF outlet was associated with a higher BMISDS. There were no previous UK studies to compare these results with, but previous studies from the United States of America have not found consistent results. Boutelle et al. 11 found no association between frequency of FF consumption and adolescent BMI or weight status, and an Australian study Descriptive statistics Mean BMISDS Deprivation (IMD 2007)29 Physical activity (c. p. m. ) Raw fruit (portions per week) Vegetables (portions per week) s. d. Median IQR 0. 29 13. 7 541 9. 5 9. 5 1. 14 11. 4 190 7 7 0. 024 10. 6 511 8 8 A0. 47, 1. 06 5. 9, 17. 0 404, 653 5, 14 5, 12 Abbreviations: BMISDS, body mass index standard deviation score for age and sex; c. p. m. , cycles per minute; IMD 2007, Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007; IQR, interquartile range. Figure 1 Food frequency data. International Journal of Obesity Fast food and body mass index LK Fraser et al 1328 Figure 2 Results of SEM model of food choices. Table 2 Results of SEM model of food choices Regression weights a Unhealthy’fast food Healthy’fast food Chips’unhealthy Burger’unhealthy Fruit’healthy Vegetables’healthy Pizza’unhealthy Pies’unhealthy Estimate s. e. CR P 0. 285 A1. 023 1. 000 0. 732 1. 000 1. 157 0. 774 0. 530 0. 021 0. 124 13. 439 A8. 274 o0. 001 o0. 001 0. 016 45. 243 o0. 001 0. 148 0. 018 0. 016 7. 802 42. 483 32. 720 o0. 001 o0. 001 o0. 001 Abbreviations: CR, critical ratio; SEM, structural equation modeling. aAll consumption variables units: never/rarely, once a month, once every 2 weeks, once or twice per week, 3–4 times a week, 5 or more times a week. showed that FF eaten at home (but not away from home) was associated with higher BMI in adolescents (MacFarlane). Two longitudinal studies using data from the CARDIA study found that higher FF intake in adolescence was associated with higher BMI in young adulthood12 and those who ate FF more than twice a week had put on an extra 4. 5 kg of weight 15 years later. 13 The teenagers who ate more frequently at FF restaurants were more likely to eat less fruit and vegetables, as well as consume more unhealthy foods (chips, burger, pizza, pies) than those teenagers who ate at FF restaurants less frequently. This is an indication that the consumption of unhealthy foods may displace healthy food choices. This is similar to previous research in the United States of America, International Journal of Obesity which showed that children who ate FF consumed 45 g less vegetables per day than children who did not eat FF. 10 At age 13 years the food frequency data were a combination of maternal and self-report from the teenagers, but the total macro- and micronutrient values could not be assessed in this study as these data were not yet available at the time of writing. Deprivation was the largest contributor to the FF exposure variable. This could be explained by the fact that those of higher deprivation eat more FF because of the relative cheapness of FF. It has also been shown in many studies in the United Kingdom and the United States of America that areas of higher deprivation have more FF outlets than more affluent areas therefore, FF is more readily available. 35 An interesting economics paper from the United States of America showed that increasing the cost of FF by $1 could decrease BMI by 0. 78 units. 36 The increased consumption of unhealthy foods (chips, burger, pizzas and pies) by those teenagers who ate more frequently at FF outlets was not surprising, but the associated negative effect of the consumption of fruit and vegetables by these participants is important. These teenagers will not only be consuming more of the saturated fat and salt from the burgers, and so on, but at the same time they are not consuming important nutrients from fruit and vegetables. Although many FF outlets now offer more healthy alternatives such as fruit and vegetables, the consumers may still be choosing the unhealthy foods. Fast food and body mass index LK Fraser et al 1329 The FF question completed by the carer did not specify what constituted FF so some respondents may only count large franchises as FF whereas others may use a broader definition that includes independent takeaways. Although the frequency of eating at a FF restaurant was asked, the carers were not asked about the food eaten from these establishments and many FF restaurants now offer more ‘healthy’ alternatives. Although the majority of FF items do not meet the Food Standards Agency nutrient standards for total fat, saturated fat, sugar and sodium there are wide variations in similar products from different FF outlets with sodium content varying by up to four times in fried chicken products. 37 Therefore, having data on which food items were consumed from which FF outlet would further enhance future studies. There was no information on why the teenagers ate at FF restaurants, and key questions for the future include; was there no alternative eating establishments in their neighbourhood? Did they prefer FF to other meals or was the cost of food important? Conclusions This study has shown that the teenagers who ate at FF restaurants consumed more unhealthy foods and were more likely to have higher BMISDS than those teenagers who did not eat frequently at FF restaurants. Teenagers who were exposed to more takeaway foods at home ate more frequently at FF restaurants. Eating at FF restaurants was also associated with lower intakes of vegetables and raw fruit in this cohort. Figure 3 The SEM model of FF exposure and BMI. Table 3 Results of SEM model of FF exposure and body mass index Regression weights Fast food ’exposure. Maternal fast food’exposure Deprivation’exposure Paternal fast food’exposure BMISDS’fast food BMISDS’c. p. m. a Estimate s. e. CR 0. 61 1. 000 9. 20 0. 66 0. 08 0. 00 0. 07 8. 654 1. 07 0. 08 0. 02 0. 00 8. 605 8. 680 3. 586 A3. 351 P o0. 001 o0. 001 o0. 001 o0. 001 o0. 001 Abbreviations: BMISDS, body mass index standard deviation score for age and sex; c. p. m. , cycles per minute; CR, critical ratio; FF, fast food; IMD 2007, Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007; SEM, structural equation modeling. a All consumption variables units: never/rarely, once a month, once every 2 weeks, once or twice per week, 3–4 times a week, 5 or more times a week. Strengths/limitations This is a large dataset with good-quality height and weight data taken at clinic visits by trained staff using validated equipment. There were food consumption data about the teenagers available from both the teenagers and their carers, but this is a cross-sectional study so causation cannot be implied from this data. As expected in a longitudinal study there is attrition and the subcohort used in this study may not be truly representative of the whole cohort. Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. Acknowledgements. We are extremely grateful to all the families who took part in this study, the midwives for their help in recruiting and the whole ALSPAC team, which include interviewers, computer and laboratory technicians, clerical workers, research scientists, volunteers, managers, receptionists and nurses. The UK Medical Research Council (grant ref: 74882), The Wellcome Trust (grant ref: 076467) and the University of Bristol provide core support for ALSPAC. LKF was funded by ESRC/MRC studentship. References 1 Craig RS. Health survey for England 2007, 2008. Available from http://www. natcen. ac. uk/study/health-survey-for-england-2007. 2 Keynote.UK fast food and home delivery outlets, 2006. International Journal of Obesity Fast food and body mass index LK Fraser et al 1330 3 DeMaria AN. Of fast food and franchises. J Am Coll Cardiol 2003; 41: 1227–1228. 4 Astrup A. Super-sized and diabetic by frequent fast-food consumption? Lancet 2005; 365: 4–5. 5 Brown K, McIlveen H, Strugnell C. Young consumers and the hospitality spectrum. Appetite 1998; 31: 403. 6 Harnack LJ, French SA, Oakes JM, Story MT, Jeffery RW, Rydell SA. Effects of calorie labeling and value size pricing on fast food meal choices: results from an experimental trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2008; 5: 63. 7 Lewis LB, Sloane DC, Nascimento LM, Diamant AL, Guinyard JJ, Yancey AK et al. African Americans’ access to healthy food options in South Los Angeles restaurants. Am J Public Health 2005; 95: 668–673. 8 Paeratakul S, Ferdinand DP, Champagne CM, Ryan DH, Bray GA. Fast-food consumption among US adults and children: dietary and nutrient intake profile. J Am Diet Assoc 2003; 103: 1332–1338. 9 Schmidt M, Affenito SG, Striegel-Moore R, Khoury PR, Barton B, Crawford P et al. Fast-food intake and diet quality in black and white girls – the national heart, lung, and blood institute growth and health study. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2005; 159: 626–631. 10 Bowman SA, Gortmaker SL, Ebbeling CB, Pereira MA, Ludwig DS. Effects of fast-food consumption on energy intake and diet quality among children in a national household survey. Pediatrics 2004; 113: 112–118. 11 Boutelle KN, Fulkerson JA, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, French SA. Fast food for family meals: relationships with parent and adolescent food intake, home food availability and weight status. Public Health Nutr 2007; 10: 16–23. 12 Duffey KJ, Gordon-Larsen P, Jacobs DR, Williams OD, Popkin BM. Differential associations of fast food and restaurant food consumption with 3-y change in body mass index: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 85: 201–208. 13 Pereira MA, Kartashov AI, Ebbeling CB, Van Horn L, Slattery M, Jacobs DR et al. Fast-food habits, weight gain, and insulin resistance (the CARDIA study): 15-year prospective analysis. Lancet 2005; 365: 36–42. 14 Sutherland LA, MacKenzie T, Purvis LA, Dalton M. Prevalence of food and beverage brands in movies: 1996–2005. Pediatrics 2010; 125: 468–474. 15 Powell LM, Szczypka G, Chaloupka FJ. Trends in exposure to television food advertisements among children and adolescents in the United States. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2010; 164: 794–802. 16 Hillier A, Cole BL, Smith TE, Yancey AK, Williams JD, Grier SA et al. Clustering of unhealthy outdoor advertisements around child-serving institutions: a comparison of three cities. Health Place 2009; 15: 935–945. 17 Lingas EO, Dorfman L, Bukofzer E. Nutrition content of food and beverage products on Web sites popular with children. Am J Public Health 2009; 99(Suppl 3): S587–S592. 18 Robinson TN, Borzekowski DLG, Matheson DM, Kraemer HC. Effects of fast food branding on young children’s taste preferences. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007; 161: 792–797. International Journal of Obesity. 19 Cummins SCJ, McKay L, MacIntyre S. McDonald’s restaurants and neighborhood deprivation in Scotland and England. Am J Prev Med 2005; 29: 308–310. 20 Fraser LK, Edwards KL. The association between the geography of fast food outlets and childhood obesity rates in Leeds, UK. Health Place 2010; 16: 1124–1128. 21 Macdonald L, Cummins S, Macintyre S. Neighbourhood fast food environment and area deprivation-substitution or concentration? Appetite 2007; 49: 251–254. 22 Neckerman KM, Bader MDM, Richards CA, Purciel M, Quinn JW, Thomas JS et al. Disparities in the food environments of New York City public schools. A J Prev Med 2010; 39: 195–202. 23 Davis B, Carpenter C. Proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools and adolescent obesity. Am J Public Health 2009; 99: 505–510. 24 Seliske LM, Pickett W, Boyce WF, Janssen I. Density and type of food retailers surrounding Canadian schools: variations across socioeconomic status. Health Place 2009; 15: 903–907. 25 Stender S, Dyerberg J, Astrup A. Fast food: unfriendly and unhealthy. Int J Obes 2007; 31: 887–890. 26 Golding J, Pembrey M, Jones R, Team AS. ALSPAC-The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children – I. Study methodology. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2001; 15: 74–87. 27 Cole TJ, Freeman JV, Preece MA. Body-mass index reference curves for the UK, 1990. Arch DisChild 1995; 73: 25–29. 28 Riddoch CJ, Leary SD, Ness AR, Blair SN, Deere K, Mattocks C et al. Prospective associations between objective measures of physical activity and fat mass in 12–14 year old children: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Br Med J 2009; 339: b4544. 29 Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 (IMD 2007). 30 Kline R (ed) Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling. The Guildford Press: New York, 2005. 31 Tomarken AJ, Waller NG. Structural equation modeling: strengths, limitations, and misconceptions. Annu Rev Clinic. Psychol 2005; 1: 31–65. 32 Byrne BM (ed). Structural Equation Modelling with AMOS. Lawrence Erbaum Associates: London, 2001. 33 Astrup A, Dyerberg J, Selleck M, Stender S. Nutrition transition and its relationship to the development of obesity and related chronic diseases. Obes Rev 2008; 9: 48–52. 34 Taveras EM, Berkey CS, Rifas-Shiman SL, Ludwig DS, Rockett HRH, Field AE et al. Association of consumption of fried food away from home with body mass index and diet quality in older children and adolescents. Pediatrics 2005; 116: E518–E524. 35 Fraser LK, Edwards KL, Cade J, Clarke GP. The geography of fast food outlets: a review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2010; 7: 2290–2308. 36 Powell LM. Fast food costs and adolescent body mass index: evidence from panel data. J Health Econ 2009; 28: 963–970. 37 Dunford E, Webster J, Barzi F, Neal B. Nutrient content of products served by leading Australian fast food chains. Appetite 2010; 55: 484–489. Copyright of International Journal of Obesity is the property of Nature Publishing Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.

Study: Early Marriage Likely Cause of Divorce in UAE

Early marriage is probably the main cause of divorce in the UAE; some 31. 5 percent of divorced women of all nationalities in the Gulf state were married before age 14, according to a recent ministry of labor and social affairs study. The study said that 23. 7 percent of the divorced men married between the ages of 20 and 24. â€Å"This and other statistics feature in a recent study on divorce carried out by the ministry of labor and social affairs which found, for instance, that 43 percent of the time it was the woman who sought divorce,† said the study, cited by the Gulf News. With men, the figure stood at 39 percent. Twelve percent of divorce cases were arrived at on mutual agreement. † The study stressed that in many cases couples were divorced after they chose to share accommodation with their families. Thirty-four percent of divorced women lived with their husbands' families, and 8. 7 percent of divorced men lived with their wives' relatives. Financial reasons were another key reason for divorce, said the study: 45 percent of divorced people demanded independent budgets and allegedly refused to render any financial help to the other partner.According to the paper, the study warned that the ease in obtaining divorce papers from Sharia Courts was another reason for the UAE's rising divorce rate. Some 67 percent of divorced people said they found it very easy to obtain divorce papers and process their separation without any requirements or conditions. The study said the cultural and intellectual level of divorced couples played no role in the divorce. It found that 78 percent of divorced people had virtually equivalent cultural standards.But a similar study on divorce conducted by the UAE Center for Strategic Studies and Research found that the educational level of women and divorce rates were linked, with 70 percent of divorced women holding only preparatory certificates or less, the paper said. The study pointed out that 35 percent of divorced women held no certificates, and said that these women faced great difficulty in life after separation.The study pointed out that the divorce rate was 40 percent in the UAE, but the rate in the rural areas was less than that in cities. It added that the children of divorced parents were the main victims and that the rate of juvenile delinquency among these children was high. This could create a major social problem, it warned. The study urged parents to stand by their marriage agreements under any circumstance even if they did not like it, for the sake of the children – Albawaba. com

Are Young People More Materialistic In Modern Society Philosophy Essay

Are Young People More Materialistic In Modern Society Philosophy Essay Materialism, in philosophy, a widely held system of thought that explains the nature of the world as entirely dependent on matter, the fundamental and final reality beyond which nothing need be sought. Certain periods in history, usually those associated with scientific advance, are marked by strong materialistic tendencies. The doctrine was formulated as early as the 4th cent. B.C. by Democritus, in whose system of atomism all phenomena are explained by atoms and their motions in space. Other early Greek teaching, such as that of Epicurus and Stoicism, also conceived of reality as material in its nature. The theory was later renewed in the 17th cent. by Pierre Gassendi and Thomas Hobbes, who believed that the sphere of consciousness essentially belongs to the corporeal world, or the senses. The investigations of John Locke were adapted to materialist positions by David Hartley and Joseph Priestley. They were a part of the materialist development of the 18th cent., strongly manifest ed in France, where the most extreme thought was that of Julien de La Mettrie. The culminating expression of materialist thought in this period was the Systà ¨me de la nature (1770), for which Baron d’Holbach is considered chiefly responsible. A reaction against materialism was felt in the later years of the 18th cent., but the middle of the 19th cent. brought a new movement, largely psychological in interpretation. Two of the modern developments of materialism are dialectical materialism and physicalism, a position formulated by some members of the Logical Positivist movement. Closely related to materialism in origin are naturalism and sensualist. Materialism is sometimes allied with the methodological principle of reductionism, according to which the objects or phenomena individuated at one level of description, if they are genuine, must be explicable in terms of the objects or phenomena at some other level of description — typically, a more general level than the r educed one. Non-reductive materialism explicitly rejects this notion, however, taking the material constitution of all particulars to be consistent with the existence of real objects, properties, or phenomena not explicable in the terms canonically used for the basic material constituents. Jerry Fodor influentially argues this view, according to which empirical laws and explanations in â€Å"special sciences† like psychology or geology are invisible from the perspective of, say, basic physics. A vigorous literature has grown up around the relation between these views. â€Å"Materialism† has also frequently been understood to designate an entire scientific, â€Å"rationalistic† world view, particularly by religious thinkers opposed to it and also by Marxists. It typically contrasts with dualism, phenomenalism, idealism, and vitalism. For Marxism, materialism is central to the â€Å"materialist conception of history†, which centers on the empirical world of actual human activity (practice, including labor) and institutions created, reproduced, or destroyed by that activity. In today’s society, materialism takes part in every person’s life, no matter what social class they are. The idea of being materialistic can be considered immoral, but there is a fine line between morality and personal interests. It is safe to say that everybody is materialistic to a certain extent, whether it be from buying the same brand of jeans because they fit nice, to purchasing a wide variety of hot rods. It is obvious that the latter of the two is the one which can be considered to cross the line. Buying some nice clothes here and there is normal for people and everybody does it once in a while. While on the other hand, buying 5 or 6 sports cars can be considered somewhat pretentious.

Service Recovery Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Service Recovery - Research Paper Example Proper handling of complaints can, therefore, act as a key to service recovery and hence the need to research and evaluate literature associated with service recovery as well as the potential outcome of the process. Understanding buyers’ behavior is the key to unlocking the reasons for dissatisfaction and finding possible solutions. Companies produce goods and services for consumption and then market them to attract customers hence customer acquisition. Customer preferences change with time and therefore continuous assessment of the market is needed. The aim of the research is to make sure customers derive satisfaction after consuming the goods hence buy more. Buyers’ behavior is determined by various factors such as attitudes, personality, motivation, gender and the environment in general among others (Folkes, 1984). On the other hand, Blackwell et al (2006) argue that the buyer’s behavior is prompted by need or problem recognition. They make purchases but not all goods are up to expected standards hence customers are bound to make complaints. Consumer dissatisfaction poses a great risk to organizations as they risk losing market share due to bad mouthing by the affected customers (Singh, 1988). On the other hand, service recovery after service failure is the strength to the company as it enhances positive word of mouth and retention (Barlow & Moller, 2008). This can be achieved by handling the grievances amicably and ensuring customers are convinced and satisfied. The paper will evaluate consumers’ complaints and complaints handling for service recovery and benefits that are expected from the process. Consumer behavior involves making decisions on buying products or services by individuals or organizations. The decision to buy or not to buy may be impromptu or planned where consumers make the budget for goods they want to buy.

Risk management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Risk management - Essay Example The fire disaster has occurred in the tower once and destroyed significant part of the floor of the tower under construction then. Therefore, there is no proof that it would not occur again anywhere in the tower. With increasing activities of terrorism it is important to be wary of explosions cause by them. There is no known political risk at the moment known to V-bite restaurant. Human risks that may face the restaurant are numerous including but not limited to sickness and absenteeism of the employees as well as embezzlement and pilferaging perpetuated by the employees. According to Malcom, Ward and Smith (36), the probability that the market will not be large enough to sufficiently generate enough revenues as outlined in the business plan is a serious market risk. This occurs when there are few customers in the locality or when there is a fierce competition among the market players. The market risks facing V-bite restaurant include product risks, market existence risk, sale volume risk and pricing risks. A product risk refers to the small size and poor quality of the menu available to customers. Pricing risks are evident when the prices of delicacies in the menu are higher than what other similar restaurant offer. The above risks may bring with it reputation damage, interruption of business operations, customer loss, reduced productivity as well as high damaged reduction and control cost. The cells shaded red is extremely high risk zone. Market risks have been identified as extremely high risk facing the enterprise. V-bite restaurant would not be the only restaurant that offers purely vegetarian delicacies. Instead, there are other nine restaurants offering identical or similar menu. The restaurants are Spice Kraft JLT, 77 Veggie Boutique, Sukh Sagar Swift, Sukh Sagar at the Beach, Saravanaa Bhojan Shala, Yogurberry, SMS Restaurant, Kamat and Kamat Shireen. Most of the named restaurants have been in operation for longer time.

Research Finding and Analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Research Finding and Analysis - Coursework Example It is imperative for online retailers to understand the features of online shopping that attract, or repulse, patrons not only to hold on to its present market share, but also widen that share. The following are reviews of customers of various online retail shops such as M&S, Chums, MarshallWard, Tescos, Generation Online, AA, ASOS, Dressespro, Woolovers, Gothic Shop, Pink Girl Dresses, Jacamo, Discount Urban Wear, M and M Direct, Dorothy Perkins, Home, Universal Textiles, EnVie Lingerie and Swimwear, My Tights, Laskys, Figleaves, Dress4Less, Evans, DressRail, FF Chloe replica Bags, Fancy Dress Outfitters, and Fallen Hero UK, on various issues related to online shopping. I. CODING THEMES A) PCHSNGPRO = Purchasing Procedure R: 1 â€Å"The website of Chums.co.uk provides complete information about the procedure of online shopping to the naive shoppers.† R 2: â€Å"M&M is an ideal website.† R 3: â€Å"All the customers also find this procedure simple and understandable.â €  R 4: â€Å"Most customers know about the procedure of online shopping however, if not, they can find it on the respective website.† R 5: â€Å"The woolovers site is easy to navigate.† R 6: â€Å"Almost every customer opined that clothing online shopping websites provide simple and easy procedure of purchasing.† B) PRODQLTY = Product Quality R: 1†M&S is one of the best shops to visit, lots to choose from and the best quality goods you can get at a good price.† R 2: â€Å"Of high quality product, well on time and same as it was seen on internet.† R 3: â€Å"Fantastic quality is the main factor that is influencing the decision of the people to purchase clothes online.† R: 1 â€Å"The quality of the gown I bought from an online retailer best exemplifies the reason why I like purchasing online.† R 2: â€Å"Good advice from front line staff. First rate delivery service. Quality products at a reasonable price.† C) DELSPEED = Speed of Delivery R 2: â€Å"The AA is brilliant. Its service is fast and the AA man was very nice.† R: 1 â€Å"Although there are some problems while placing order from Canada but later on, all the issues were addressed properly therefore, it was a mixed experience.† R 3: â€Å"Fast delivery of the items and even the issues of quality and fitting also not making problem for online shoppers.† R 5: â€Å"Very fast delivery. Good quality item and excellent value for money. Very pleased.† R 6: â€Å"It is an excellent website, cheap products and great delivery.† R 7: â€Å"Fast delivery and excellent service provided by online retailers, huge range and variety of clothes.† D) CTMRSVCS = Quality of customer services R 1: â€Å"The AA is brilliant. Its service is fast and the AA man was very nice.† R 2: â€Å"Staff is very helpful and understanding.† R 3: â€Å"Good customer service is one of the reasons of clothing online shoppi ng.† R 4: â€Å"Good advice from front line staff. First rate delivery service. Quality products at a reasonable price.† E) BUSREP = Business Reputation R 3: â€Å"I have always found and will continue to say M&S are of the highest standard.† F) PRS = Prices of products R 4: â€Å"Laskys is great, after much research, I found Laskys.com to be the cheapest internet shop I could find, so I went ahead and bought from them.† R 2: â€Å"Good advice from front line staff. First rate delivery service. Quality products at a reasonable price.† R 6: â€Å"It is an excellent website, cheap products and great delivery.† G) PO = General Positive Comments R: 1 â€Å"Placing order online saves telephone bill.† R 2: â€Å"†¦the availability of perfect and easy navigating sites and delivery of the i

History of the third world Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of the third world - Essay Example And a major part of the third world nation doesn't agree western nations intervening In the ruling matters of the developing countries also the third world countries are inclined to spend its nations income in war and ammunition because of which could not progress in the way of they are to be and for all this the reason are the western countries which support and help the rival nations what they earn. They are already developed nations and instead of giving a helping hand to under developing nations if they raise objections it is nothing but they are not progress loving and peace loving nations. Also when the super powerful nations are struck by natural calamities they received a financial aid from the third world nations. They need something to learn from. How can the progress of third world bear equality to their leave. The contemporary third world that exists along with the developed and underdeveloped countries is an experience to all the countries what the third world has experienced is never experienced by the developed countries. The pain and agony through which the third world has experienced has become the eye opening. The primary reasons for such experiences are the developed countries, which used to exploit underdeveloped countries in every possible manner. ... These countries slowly emerging from the clutches of the slavery and the bonded labor have become internally strong, independent and with rich cultural heritage. This glorious journey is a result of centuries of struggle for independency. The global changes like World War I and World War II were truly influencing the third world countries to reclaim their national sovereignty. The slump in the financial position of the ruling countries because of the two world wars Lead them in slowly started slowly backing off men and military from each country. Apart from that during their regime in two countries the bounded labor and slavery slowly revolutionized and started opposing and revolting against the colonial rule. After decades and decades of struggle and fight for independence was finally achieved. But along with independence there were umpteen numbers of responsibilities. There are not only responsibilities but also new challenges to foresee with. Tackling poverty, diseases, insufficient, funds, armed forces, foreign affairs, internal issues etc. William J brought many heart wrenching facts to light. Most of the facts point out the inept handling by the American nation into its foreign affairs and relief work offered. The capitalistic nature of behavior is clearly seen the way they handle their foreign counter parts. The gruesome incident reported by William J. in the detention centers of American relief operations has put the readers to shock. The manner in which the incidents were reported brought severe criticisms from all walks of the society. The ugly American since when it is published has become a rage and it also made the President Eisenhower to put a committee and order a probe into the dealings of the foreign affairs. The author tried his

Pfizers unsuccessful takeover of AstraZeneca Essay

Pfizers unsuccessful takeover of AstraZeneca - Essay Example government to take interest and eventually intervene with the series of committee hearings in the UK Parliament involving heads of the two drug companies. The failed takeover has affected the share price of AztraZeneca more than Pfizer. The company stock price rose sharply prices during the process, beginning the day after the takeover bid was announced (BBC 2014). The uptick would only dramatically decrease in the very day the bid was rejected in May 19. The share price, however, rebounded the day after, paving the way for better and stronger performance as the details of the failed bid became known. The same could not be said in the case of Pfizer. Its share price was tagged at 31.12 before the takeover bid and gradually fell to 28.75 by the end of May as the negotiations drew to a close (Yahoo Finance 2014). The attempted takeover came on the heels of Pfizers intent to merge with AstraZeneca for the purpose of relocating its headquarters to the UK, using it as a tax domicile, avoiding high corporate taxes in the US in the process (Drawbaugh 2014). This trend has been going in recent years for several pharmaceutical companies in the US. This year alone, thirteen tax-inversion deals have been completed, with US drug companies buying foreign counterparts in order to relocate their tax bases abroad (Lorenzetti 2014). Pfizer has made this particular motivation public when it made its bid for AstraZeneca. The corporate tax in the UK is 21% and is expected to fall to 20% in 2015 whereas the US charges corporations 35% (Farell 2014). The UK government was dragged into the issue because the takeover became a matter of public interest, requiring intervention. The takeover came to mean, for the UK polity, a risk for the country because of the prospect of job loss as evidenced in previous merger and acquisition cases. Policy makers, for example, recall the case of Kraft’s Cadbury acquisition. After the takeover, the company failed to honour its promises during the

Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 76

Journal - Essay Example I took part in the creation of an effective campaign process that entailed the creation of posters and placing them strategically. â€Å"Leadership plays a huge role in improving organizational policies and protocols.† (Stevens & Cooper, 2009). Besides the intense teamwork, I spared time to proof read my project in readiness for submission. The week presented various value addition opportunities as I met preceptor with who I shared vital information on various discourses in the nursing profession (Budd, 2002). I attended yet another leadership meeting where I interacted with various departmental leaders. Furthermore, I continued working on the awareness raising exercise and saved time to polish my DNP project. I spent time working on the awareness creation project. Working with a teammate, we visited hospitals and clinics creating awareness and encouraging hand washing among other hygiene behavior (Baldwin, 1977). I learnt numerous interpersonal skills besides the ethics necessary in maintaining successful and efficient teams. Additionally, I saved time to work on my

Reflection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Reflection Paper - Essay Example The desire of children is to have parents that who take a strong personal interest in helping them develop their skills and have find their way in life (Treybig, 2007). Higher parent involvement in a kid’s life increases the influence these power figures have in their children. The ethical values and moral development of adolescents are therefore shaped towards the value system of the particular family. Another source that influenced my ethical values was the education I received during my teenager years and early on in college. I always looked up to my teachers and college professors. They taught me the importance of integrity, professionalism and high ethical standards in life and in the workplace. I’ve taken some college courses on the matter and they have been very helpful at providing me with the theoretical concepts and practical examples on ethical matters. 2. How do your personal influences and your Defining Moments impact your decision making in the workplace? Remember Badarraco (1997) states that defining moments have three elements: revealing, testing, and shaping (57). One defining moment I had in a professional setting was when I work as a consultant for a family member during a summer in a start-up project. My uncle wanted advice on how to raise capital for his business. He had a great product, but needed money to bring it to the market. He heard of a consulting firm that had political influences and could help him land some seed money from some governmental programs for small businesses. I told him to go along with the idea and recommended a meeting with the individuals. During the first meeting I got a real glimpse of what corruption is all about. I originally thought these individuals were legit businesspeople whose connections were based on years of experience networking and dealing with the common problems of small companies. The first things they asked was for a few thousands dollars to get

Tea with the birds Essay Example for Free

Tea with the birds Essay The human being is a social creature with an essential need to socialize, but in our modern society many people feel that they are isolated and lonely in a world surrounded by people. The people of modern society are prejudice and judgmental towards the ‘unknown’ person, and we will rather observe and assume things about each other than getting to know one another. This is also the case for the main character and her neighbors in Joanne Harris novel ‘Tea with the birds’ from 2001. The narrator lives in a flat in Mortimer Street. The narrator describes Mortimer Street as being â€Å"busy without being comfortable; crowded without being friendly†.Mortimer street has a sense of coldness around it, and no-one really knows their neighbors even though they â€Å"live like birds in cages†. The coldness suits the narrator, because she enjoys the solitude, privacy and silence of her own flat. This has aroused her neighbors’ curiosity and suspicious towards her, because as she describes â€Å"I’m a completely different race from my neighbors†. Both the narrator and her neighbors consider her as an outsider, but this does not bother the narrator. Her neighbors consider her as being snobby cause of her reluctance to speak with them. Therefore her neighbors observe her and presume, she is a student nurse and she doesn’t bother to correct them. Mortimer Street is a reflection on the narrators own personality. She is very introverted and doesn’t have an interest in getting to know her neighbors. The narrator lives her lonely life, until the day when Mr. Juzo Tamaoki moves in the apartment opposite to hers. â€Å"Another foreigner said the Mortimer Street grapevine, with barely concealed disapproval†. This once again shows Mortimer Streets residents’ insecurity towards anyone different from them self. When the narrator and Mr. Tamaoki meet, his expression reminds her of a bird, she once saw in a zoo and still sees every morning, when she looks in the mirror. The bird resembles the narrator in the way that it has been bred in captivity, and the narrator has been kept in captivity in the two years she spent in a psychological hospital. The two years of solitude and silence and being hidden away from others has affected the narrator’s psychology, as she is now overwhelmed by the free and loud world and she has become introverted. The narrators` only wishes towards Mr. Tamaoki is that he will be quiet and leave her alone, and to her surprise he is the most silent neighbor, she ever had and he keeps to himself. Mr. Tamaoki begins to awaken her curiosity and interest, as she realizes that he is as much a foreigner in Mortimer Street as herself. He always nods and smiles, when he meets the narrator. This is the only kind of social contact, they have with each other. Mr. Tamaoki seems as the perfect neighbor, until he starts receiving a delivery of groceries at five-thirty in morning, which wakes the narrator because she suffers from insomnia. The narrator tries to complain to Mr. Tamaoki by pinning notes to his door, and she starts to resent Mr. Tamaoki for his lack of responds. The narrator’s irritation over Mr. Tamaoki lack of responds shows that she has an interest in social human contact. The narrator doesn’t want to admit her interest in social human contact, so she disguises her interest as irritation and resentment. The narrator starts observing Mr. Tamaoki and becomes like the neighbors’ without noticing it herself. Mr. Tamaoki is both a reflection of the narrator’s current person and the person, she wishes to become even though the narrator is ignorant of this fact. Mr. Tamaoki is a foreigner in a new country, where he does not speak the native language. This isolates him from the rest of Mortimer Streets residents. The narrator thinks that Mr. Tamaoki resembles herself ,because she believes that he has chosen to isolate himself from the other residents’ of Mortimer Street. This however is not the case. The narrator overhears Mr. Tamaoki practicing English phrases and this shows that Mr. Tamaoki has a desire to interact with people. This desire is shown again, when Mr. Tamaoki invites the narrator in for a cup of tea. This interaction translates to the title of the novel. The narrator has previously compared Mr. Tamaoki and herself to the bird from the zoo. Now the two birds are sitting in Mr. Tamaoki apartment drinking tea. Even though the narrator and Mr. Tamaoki sit in silence, she feels comfortable around another person. Mr. Tamaoki stands op after a while and get the narrator to look in the refrigerator. There she sees a colorful display of vegetable birds. She is amazed, and she notices how beautiful and detailed every bird is. The narrator`s anger towards the vegetable delivery disappears. When the narrator was unaware of the use of the vegetables’ ,they were an irritation to her but after she discovered the use of them, she sees the beauty in them. The narrator describes how people would perhaps wonder the birds briefly but they where most likely to ignore them altogether and therefore ever discover their beauty. These birds are a symbol of how the people of modern society observe and do not make an effort to discover the beauty and details of others. Mr. Tamaoki leaves Mortimer Street soon after the visit. Mortimer Street was Mr. Tamaokis nest. It was isolated and safe from the rest of world, but Mr. Tamaoki has left the nest by moving and is now facing the world. The narrator starts missing the sounds and movements coming from Mr. Tamaoki apartment after his departure. The coldness of Mortimer Street is no longer a comfort to her, and the narrator starts noticing her other neighbors. One day she finds the door to Mr. Tamaoki apartment open, and she goes inside where she finds a packet of Japanese green tea with her name on it. The narrator decides to invite her new neighbor in for a cup of tea. The departure of Mr. Tamaoki has made the narrator realize that people are not supposed to live like birds in cages. People should interact with each other like birds are meant to be flying among other birds and not be watched though the bars of a cage. The novel also ends with â€Å"†¦ In the semi-darkness of my room, with the fire casting stilted red shadows on the wall, the rising steam looked like a bird’s wings fluttering, ready to fly away.† The narrator is now ready to fly freely among other people.

The Ruined Maid in the Novel Essay Example for Free

The Ruined Maid in the Novel Essay For dreariness nothing could surpass a prospect in the outskirts of a certain town and military station, many miles north of Weatherbury, at a later hour on this same snowy evening if that may be called a prospect of which the chief constituent was darkness Both appearances of Fanny Robin have been undercover of night and in darkness which suggests that she has such an element of tragedy about her, she cannot be seen in the light which usually signifies positivity and purity; she has been ruined by something unknown to the reader at the present time. The bell was in the open air, and being overlaid with several inches of muffling snow had lost its voice for the time. The bell represents Fanny Robins and it being in the open air illustrates her vulnerability. Hardy then goes on to reveal that it was overlaid with several inches of muffling snow which signifies Fannys increasing insignificance and decreasing strength as a bell is usually something clearly heard but now it almost cannot be heard at all. It shows how her fate is out of her control just as the weather affecting the bell is unpredictable and uncontrollable. In this chapter Fanny Robin is shown not out of place with her destitute surroundings, even trying to become part of it as her stature is stooped as if she is trying to be as unnoticed as possible. Hardy aids this by again not revealing her identity but by referring to her as a mere form and spot that only seemed human. The throw was the idea of a man conjoined with the execution of a woman. No man who had ever seen bird, rabbit, or squirrel in his childhood, could possibly have thrown with such utter imbecility as was shown here. Here hardy makes it clear that Fanny has lost all notion of what a respectable woman would do as her actions of throwing snow at Sergeant Troys window is likened to that of a mans. However, she still conforms to what would be expected if a woman were to do so by Hardys sexist notion that her throw showed such utter imbecility the blurred spot could not possibly be a man, also signifying her physical weakness. Fannys identity is not even recognised by her lover Troy as he asks What girl are you? which backs up the reputation of a soldier in which one is not entirely devoted to only one woman at a time. The dialogue to follow shows their complete opposite affections for one another; Troy shows how undependable he is and that he does not return the same love for Fanny as she does for him, or even treat it seriously at all. Their difference in character and position in the relationship is demonstrated by hardys use of similes likening both to the setting around them; Fanny being so much like a mere shade upon the earth shows how she is part of an unpredictable and vulnerable substance which is at the mercy of Troy being so much a part of the building signifying his strength in the relationship and knowledge that he can take advantage of Fannys vulnerable state. They are likened so much to these inanimate objects that One would have said the wall was holding a conversation with the snow. Due to her naivety towards Troys true nature, Fanny then asks the question of when they shall be married; a preposterous action of a woman of that period. However, their marriage is thwarted by an explainable misunderstanding and it is not surprising that Troy uses this as an excuse to break off all relations with Fanny leaving her alone and deeper in the poverty for which he is responsible for. Fanny is now truly a ruined maid as both pregnant and unmarried she has no place in any respectable society and so we as the reader are made to feel sympathy and pity for her through Hardys description of the pathos of her circumstance. Page 230 marks a change in Troys nature as he imparts that Fanny has long ago left me I have searched for her everywhere almost suggesting that he regrets his previous actions towards her. In chapter 29 Troy, newly married to Bathsheba, comes across a woman of extreme poverty and sadness of face; undeniably Fanny. This section of the novel evidences Troys altered emotions towards Fanny as he offers her money and agrees to meet her in two days time. Troy also protects her identity to Bathsheba though for whose benefit it is unclear. Chapter 40 marks the start of the quick ultimate downfall of Fanny in contrast to before as we noted her slow demise to ruination over a number of chapters whereas now, when she becomes a significant part of the novel, her end is narrated almost consecutively without much interval. Her extraordinarily strenuous walk to Casterbridge marks the last journey she will take. We are still not told directly that it is Fanny Robin as Hardy still masks her identity and describes her only as the woman but it is easy enough to assume. Her undeniable perseverance shows that she is still naively at the mercy of Troy and his actions towards her have made no real emotional impact on her, even after such a long time. Hardy again uses pathetic fallacy much like in chapter 11 by describing the sky to set the tone in which Fanny is then presented. When the woman awoke it was to find herself in the depths of a moonless and starless night. A heavy unbroken crust of cloud stretched across the sky, shutting out every speck of heaven. Fanny again finds herself in darkness, a recurring theme in the novel although the fact that it is moonless and starless and the cloud is shutting out every speck of heaven sets a more formidable mood than ever associated with Fanny as any possible positive aspect is gone; Hardy again prepares the reader for the dire events to come. When Fanny no longer has the strength to carry herself she leans on a dog which proves ironic that she does not receive any human aid. The dog is extremely significant as it illustrates Fannys final fall in both social status and ruination and she now finds comfort and reassurance from an animal; much like when Gabriel likens himself to his sheepdog in the early chapters marking his own drop in social status. It is then revealed that a man has stoned away the dog symbolising mans attitude towards Fanny as it was a man who reduced her to poverty, left her ruined and then chased away the dog; the only thing that has ever shown her true kindness and compassion. Fanny never makes it to Casterbridge but tragically dies whilst having Troys child in the poor house. Her death is extremely significant and marks her complete transformation into a ruined maid; she dies whilst having an illegitimate child unknown to the father who left her poverty stricken in a world where she is insignificant and alone. Her death also has an almost domino effect as Hardys theme of chance and fate spreads Fannys tragic end onto the other characters leading to the ruination of Bathsheba and Troys marriage. The truth is revealed about Fanny and her child and the blame is not placed on her but on Troy, the sole villain that ruined her. Fannys utterly pitiful situation invokes the sympathy of even hard-headed Bathsheba; showing the intensity of her ruination. Throughout Far From the Madding Crowd, the meetings with Fanny Robin illustrate what happens to a person who unnoticeably falls through the crevices in society, who is neglected and transparent to humanity and so lives a brief life of poverty, ending in tragedy. Hardy uses a constant isolated and distant tone, never directly identifying her, when describing Fanny, portraying the scarcity of attention she receives from others. Due to this it is clear that her ultimate ruination was inevitable from the start.

Financial Services Reforms Act

Financial Services Reforms Act SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION What are the main aims of the two financial services reforms from 2001—2012? There are two major reforms from 2001-2012 in the financial service industry, such as: Financial services reforms Act (2001) The FSRA introduced in October 2001, administrated by ASIC, become mandatory on 11th March 2002. The FSR amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act) introduced three main changes which are: Licensing and conduct of financial service providers. The FSR amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act) introduced a single licensing regime for financial advice and dealings in relation to financial products. An entity that operates a financial services business must now hold an Australian financial services (AFS) license or be authorized by a licensee. Introduced the training policy Known as RG 146, required to get the new AFSL (Australian Financial service License). The Act also seeks to provide consistent and comparable disclosure in relation to financial products and services (including) advice. A single authorization procedure for financial markets and clearing and settlement facilities Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms:- FOFA became mandatory on 1 July 2013 (and was voluntary from 1 July 2012). The objectives of FOFA are to improve the trust and confidence of Australian retail investors in the financial services sector and improve access to advice. The FoFA reforms key elements are: A legal requirement for financial advisers to act in the best interests of their clients. A ban on conflicted remuneration being monetary and non-monetary benefits given to a licensee or representative who provides financial product advice (personal and general) to retail clients which could reasonably be expected to influence the choice of financial product recommended or the financial advice given. On-going fee arrangements requiring the provision of fee disclosure statements and renewal notices to retail clients receiving personal advice. Increased ASIC powers to enforce elements of the FOFA reforms. What does the best interest of the client mean? From the July 1st, 2013, as per new legislation known as The Future of Financial Advice (FOFA), financial advisors and planners in giving advice to their retail clients gives priority to the best interests of the customers. Now advisors didnt only advise their clients about only the products they have on their approved product list (APL) but also refers to their retail clients to other advisors APL, if it is in their best interest. They should not focus on their own fees, but it’s their duty as per legislation (FOFA) to consider the client interest ahead of their own interest. ASIC has explained this duty in the ASIC Regulatory Guide 175 as: Acting in the best interests of the client: best interests duty (s961B) Advice providers must act in the best interests of their client in relation to the advice. One way an advice provider can demonstrate they have done this is by showing they have carried out certain steps in advising their clients. These steps, which act as a ‘safe harbour’ for complying with the best interest duty, are set out in s961B (2). To satisfy the steps for safe harbour in s961B (2), an advice provider must: 1. Identify the objectives, financial situation and needs of the client that were disclosed by the client through instructions. 2. Identify the subject matter of the advice sought by the client (whether explicitly or implicitly). 3. Identify the objectives, financial situation and needs of the client that would reasonably be considered relevant to the advice sought on that subject matter (client’s relevant circumstances). 4. If it is reasonably apparent that information relating to the client’s relevant circumstances is incomplete or inaccurate, make reasonable inquiries to obtain complete and accurate information. 5. Assess whether the advice provider has the expertise required to provide the client with advice on the subject matter sought and, if not, decline to provide the advice. 6. If it would be reasonable to consider recommending a financial product: conduct a reasonable investigation into the financial products that might achieve the objectives and meet the needs of the client that would reasonably be considered relevant to advice on that subject matter; and assess the information gathered in the investigation. 7. Base all judgements in advising the client on the client’s relevant circumstances. 8. Take any other step that, at the time the advice is provided, would reasonably be regarded as being in the best interests of the client, given the client’s relevant circumstances. The licensee or authorized representative will bear the financial liability for any breach of duty. Individual advisors may be subject to administrative sanctions, but not financially liable for any breach of the duty. Prepare a checklist of what documents you must provide to your clients as per the reforms. As per Financial Service Reform Act 2001 the financial planners must provide FSG (Financial Service Guide) to the existing as well as new expected retail clients. The FSG is an important disclosure document as it helps the clients to decide whether to get financial services from a licensed. FSG must be given to the client as soon as practicable after it becomes apparent that the client will or likely to acquire financial service and in any event before the financial service is provided. It is important to know that FSG is not required when the client is not a retail client and where no financial service is provided. As per section (942 C), FSG must include:- The title â€Å"Financial Service Guide †on the cover of or at or near the front of the Financial Service Guide document. The FSG must be dated. The name and contact details of the licensee and (their license number) and the authorized representative and the statement showing that the advisor is an authorized representative of the licensee. Information about the types of financial services (as authorized under the license) offered to retail client. Information that a (SOA) statement of advice (not required for general advice) and /or a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) may be provided to the client. Information about all the remunerations (including commission) and other benefits received or likely to be received on provision of financial services, including for referrals. Details of any associations/ relationships that may reasonably influence the licensee or the authorized representative in providing the services to the client. Information regarding client concern and the licensee dispute resolution systems. Details regarding the privacy of clients personal details and how such details will be used and handled (as per the privacy act regulation). Describes the different types of client leads? There are three types client leads:- Cold leads, generally referred to just name with little or no other information normally obtained from sources like database, phone book or third party. Their priority to contact is very low as they lack of qualifying information. When making contact with cold leads, it’s important to know that Hawking provisions may relate. Warm leads there is some prospect that contact will be productive and their detailed and specific information availability will ensure that they do not breach the hawking provisions must be specific. Hot leads are the ones where the prospect is known to be interested to take services of a financial planner. They may have asked directly for a product or service and these leads should be contacted at as early as possible. Which of the six basic steps in the financial planning would include lodgement of the paperwork and obtaining all the signatures necessary for the recommendations in the financial plan to be actioned? The six basic steps in the financial planning process are:- i. Preparation Fact Finding Data Analysis and developing a recommendation Preparing a written Recommendation Implementation Review On Implementation stage – Presenting recommendations and gaining agreement to proceed. At this stage after preparation of written recommendations, financial planner plan to take appointments from the client and well prepared financial planner at this stage have all the relevant documents ready for the clients signature. On completion of presentation, interview the paper work needs to be lodged promptly so that recommendations can be implemented and the plan commenced Why a financial plan may need to be reviewed? With the passage of time many things changes, so the financial plan also requires regular reviewing and change in order to make it more realistic. Here are a few reasons that call for to review and change of your financial plan. Variation in financial conditions: changes in the financial / economic condition in the economy have a greater effect on many investment decisions when you feel that your progress towards the achievement of planned goals becomes slow besides the required time lapsed because of changes in external conditions then you should modify /change your investment goals, make them achievable and profitable in present situations. Changes in income / Job: Because of uncertainty and unemployment in the market it is possible that any time may be you lose your job or your income not increase as expected, in both situations your contributions towards your financial goals will be reduced. On the other hand, if your salary increases beyond your expectations as because of promotion / bonus, this enables you to achieve your current financial goal earlier than planned or because of surplus funds you may look for new investments. Unexpected increase in expenses: Sudden medical / accident expenses rise in household expenses as overall prices of goods and services have increased may require to cut down your savings and if you have no other contingency fund in yours plan this can upset your financial goals and enforce to review and bring changes in your financial plan. New Goals: Trend in market change e as time passes like if you have invested in savings accounts, then you may want to invest your funds in building societies or credit unions or s unit trust if they are now offering better interest rates and lower tax benefit. Number of dependent: At the time when your children are small dependent on you then the yours financial goals will be to increase life insurance coverage, but as they grown up and settled in their life your priority changes and now you want to spend more for your health insurance, secondly no of children (dependent) or death of any family loved one also impact upon yours cash flows and yours financial plans Risk Tolerance Fator: When a person is young, he may take risky investments young and energetic and have less responsibilities, but as the time passes that person in older age will try to go for investments where the risk factor is very low as to safeguard his principal. What are the key recommendation areas? In developing the recommendations the key areas which the financial planner will consider are:- How the financial position can be improved - share, property, bonds, unit trust. Ways to accumulate funds for retirements. superannuation. Options to generate funds in retirement rollovers, pensions. Protection of beneficiaries will, life insurance, estate planning. How to protect lifestyles income protection, disability insurance. Protection of assets general insurance cover. Keeping in view the above mentioned key main areas, financial planner also follow the rule of â€Å"Know your client† which means trying to understand clearly what your clients want to achieve from investments of their fund. After clear understanding of the clients needs/ goals, following the rule ofâ€Å" Know your product† financial advisor determine by which available products or strategies the clients needs can be fulfilled in the planned time frame. Selection of different investment options /product advisors also keep in mind that there are certain external factors like economic and financial conditions in the economy, which may call for a change in investment strategies or increase in planned time frame of objectives. Finally, the advisors develop the actual recommendations of a financial plan and discuss these recommendations with the client so that at this stage they can be reviewed or altered as per client input. According to best business practice, how often should a client review interview take place? Financial advisors frequently review the financial plan to access its progress as it is still appropriate or required alteration with the consent of the client. Short term reviews normally take place in every six months on the basis of following reasons: Significant changes in the clients current life circumstances, such as get married, increases or decrease in dependents, change in income status or loss of job etc. Changes in the economic conditions like establishment of new monetary laws, inflation, changes in tax rates as these can affect the investments. Its clients own desire to have more frequent reviews However, routine reviews should take place about approx, every 12 months.

The Perverse in the Short Stories of Edgar Allan Poe Essay -- Edgar Al

Edgar Allan Poe is perhaps the best-known American Romantic who worked in the Gothic mode. His stories explore the darker side of the Romantic imagination, dealing with the grotesque, the supernatural, and the horrifying. He defined the form of the American short story. As one might expect, Poe himself eschewed conventional morality, which he believed stems from man's attempts to dictate the purposes of God. Poe saw God more as process than purpose. He believed that moralists derive their beliefs, and thus, the resultant behavioral patterns, from a priori knowledge. In Eureka, we find that Poe shunned such artifices of mind, systems which, he professed, have no basis in reality. Yet Poe employed in his writing the diction of the moral tome, which causes confusion for readers immersed in this tradition. Daniel Hoffman reiterates Allan Tate's position that, aside from his atavistic employment of moral terminology, Poe writes as though "Christianity had never been invented." (Hoffman 171) Poe did offer to posterity one tale with a moral. Written in 1841 at the dawn of Poe's most creative period, Poe delivers to his readers a satirical spoof, a literary Bronx cheer to writers of moralistic fiction, and to critics who expressed disapprobation at finding no discernible moral in his works. The tale "Never Bet the Devil Your Head: A Tale with a Moral" presents Poe's "way of staying execution" (Poe 487) for his transgressions against the didactics. The story's main character is Toby Dammit, who from infanthood, had been flogged left-handed, which since the world revolves right to left, causes evil propensities to be driven home rather than driven out. The narrator relates that by the age of seven months, Toby was chasing down and ki... ...act, we can also perceive the Reverend's desperation. He was bright enough to see what Poe undertook, and was scared silly. So what is being undertaken here is a psychical study of man, an examination of the seasons of intellect, body and spirit, through which we all cycle. Also attempted is a portrayal of Poe's creative spirit. Though hyper-aware of his own tendency to perversity, what creative impetus must have been requisite for Edgar Poe to have penned poems and stories which so closely mirror the psychic patterns of his own mind! WORKS CITED Hoffman, Daniel. Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe. 1972. Reprint, Baton Rouge and London: Louisiana State UP, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. Complete Tales & Poems. New York: Vintage Books, 1975. Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-Ending Remembrance. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1991. The Perverse in the Short Stories of Edgar Allan Poe Essay -- Edgar Al Edgar Allan Poe is perhaps the best-known American Romantic who worked in the Gothic mode. His stories explore the darker side of the Romantic imagination, dealing with the grotesque, the supernatural, and the horrifying. He defined the form of the American short story. As one might expect, Poe himself eschewed conventional morality, which he believed stems from man's attempts to dictate the purposes of God. Poe saw God more as process than purpose. He believed that moralists derive their beliefs, and thus, the resultant behavioral patterns, from a priori knowledge. In Eureka, we find that Poe shunned such artifices of mind, systems which, he professed, have no basis in reality. Yet Poe employed in his writing the diction of the moral tome, which causes confusion for readers immersed in this tradition. Daniel Hoffman reiterates Allan Tate's position that, aside from his atavistic employment of moral terminology, Poe writes as though "Christianity had never been invented." (Hoffman 171) Poe did offer to posterity one tale with a moral. Written in 1841 at the dawn of Poe's most creative period, Poe delivers to his readers a satirical spoof, a literary Bronx cheer to writers of moralistic fiction, and to critics who expressed disapprobation at finding no discernible moral in his works. The tale "Never Bet the Devil Your Head: A Tale with a Moral" presents Poe's "way of staying execution" (Poe 487) for his transgressions against the didactics. The story's main character is Toby Dammit, who from infanthood, had been flogged left-handed, which since the world revolves right to left, causes evil propensities to be driven home rather than driven out. The narrator relates that by the age of seven months, Toby was chasing down and ki... ...act, we can also perceive the Reverend's desperation. He was bright enough to see what Poe undertook, and was scared silly. So what is being undertaken here is a psychical study of man, an examination of the seasons of intellect, body and spirit, through which we all cycle. Also attempted is a portrayal of Poe's creative spirit. Though hyper-aware of his own tendency to perversity, what creative impetus must have been requisite for Edgar Poe to have penned poems and stories which so closely mirror the psychic patterns of his own mind! WORKS CITED Hoffman, Daniel. Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe. 1972. Reprint, Baton Rouge and London: Louisiana State UP, 1998. Poe, Edgar Allan. Complete Tales & Poems. New York: Vintage Books, 1975. Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-Ending Remembrance. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1991.

Essay on Sacrifice in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Sir Gawain Green Knight Essays

Sacrifice in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are many different types of heroism that exist among the heroes of past and present. Heroism usually is thought of as battling and triumphing over an obstacle, or conquest of a fair-maiden’s love. But notice what this passage from the Mahabharata says about â€Å"The True Hero.† Heroes of many kinds are proclaimed: hear from me, then, their goals. Rewards are assigned to the families of heroes and also to the hero himself. Heroes of sacrifice, heroes of self-control; others who are heroes of truth; heroes of battle are also proclaimed, and men who are heroes of giving. Others are heroes of intellect, and heroes of patience are others; and also heroes of honesty, and men who live in tranquility . . . There are forest-dwelling heroes, and householder heroes, and heroes in the honoring of guests. (Mahabharata XIII.74.22-27) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight encompasses every point brought out in the Mahabharata about what a hero truly is. Sacrifice is a quality that many persons choose to ignore. But Sir Gawain, throughout the book, magnified this virtue to its extent, even to the brink of death. When the Green Knight challenged the knights of King Arthur for a game, and King Arthur volunteered, it was Sir Gawain who stepped in. Sir Gawain was quick to explain to Arthur, â€Å"When a challenge like this rings through your hall/To take it yourself . . . For battle. Think of your bold knights,/My life the least, my death no loss. . .† (58). Of course all of King Arthur’s knights were valuable to the kingdom, so the phrase of â€Å"my death no loss,† merely meant that the kingdom of King Arthur would continue without Sir Gawain, but it would not continue with the death King Arthur. Sacrifice continued to play a part even to the halfway point of the book and beyond. Such as that of sacrificing the pleasures of a woman which quite possibly was the greatest of all sacrifices, one that we know Sir Lancelot would have failed at miserably. This sacrifice would indeed save Sir Gawain’s life at the end of the story. Throughout the three days spent in Bercilak’s castle, Morgana tried to seduce him, but each and every time he refused (86-90). From line 1830-1865 (104) we read of one moment that Sir Gawain’s virtuous ways faltered.

Foucault, Consumerism, and Identity Essay -- Philosophy

Foucault, Consumerism, and Identity Michel Foucault presents those revolutionary sorts of analyses that are rich not only for their content but for their implications and novel methodological approach. Just beyond the surface of his works lies such philosophical wealth that one can be overwhelmed by considerations of which vein to mine first, and what to make of the elements therefrom extracted. I’ve broken earth in several attractive sites this last week. Some, it seemed, hid their treasures too deep for the scope of this excavation. Some presented me with granite barriers which I do not yet have the tools to penetrate. At other sites, the earth gave way easily and I made great progress, only to be flooded out. Finally, at the fifteenth hour, I have struck something shiny. I wish to use Foucault’s accounts of socialisation, categorisation, and discipline, as the background for my analysis of a modern entity I call the â€Å"identity package.† I will define this concept and show how it fits into and is suggested by Foucault’s works. Following this I will deal briefly with supposed problems with Foucault’s account (or lack of an account) of subjectivity. Narrative gives coherence to a life. Particular episodes make sense in light of a uniting theme. The simplistic world view of the Middle Ages left people satisfied with fairly simple narratives. One knew their personal obligations and had a vague idea of how they fit into the systems of king and God. For the sovereign and the elite, their special status was confirmed in ceremony and artistic representations.1[1] The masses were unrepresented. The lack of demand for empowerment or change may be partly due to the fact t... ...of this system. The process of categorisation seems to have an assimilative function. If you can’t beat them, label them. If it fits into our picture, it is ours. Put this way, it seems like we are imprisoned in a menacing matrix of metaphysical manipulation. However, as I have shown to be the case in pop culture, we are complicit in our captivity, in fact, all too willing to participate. 1[1]Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish, tr.Alan Sheridan (New York: Vintage,1995) p.192 2[2]With an increase in bureaucracy came an increase in the importance of meticulous knowledge; with this, more power and a more distinct role for the researcher. 3[3]Modern advertising calls this â€Å"appeal to a certain demographic†. 4[4]Quoted in: Michael Clifford, Politcal Genealogy After Foucault, (New York: Routledge, 2001) p.99 Foucault, Consumerism, and Identity Essay -- Philosophy Foucault, Consumerism, and Identity Michel Foucault presents those revolutionary sorts of analyses that are rich not only for their content but for their implications and novel methodological approach. Just beyond the surface of his works lies such philosophical wealth that one can be overwhelmed by considerations of which vein to mine first, and what to make of the elements therefrom extracted. I’ve broken earth in several attractive sites this last week. Some, it seemed, hid their treasures too deep for the scope of this excavation. Some presented me with granite barriers which I do not yet have the tools to penetrate. At other sites, the earth gave way easily and I made great progress, only to be flooded out. Finally, at the fifteenth hour, I have struck something shiny. I wish to use Foucault’s accounts of socialisation, categorisation, and discipline, as the background for my analysis of a modern entity I call the â€Å"identity package.† I will define this concept and show how it fits into and is suggested by Foucault’s works. Following this I will deal briefly with supposed problems with Foucault’s account (or lack of an account) of subjectivity. Narrative gives coherence to a life. Particular episodes make sense in light of a uniting theme. The simplistic world view of the Middle Ages left people satisfied with fairly simple narratives. One knew their personal obligations and had a vague idea of how they fit into the systems of king and God. For the sovereign and the elite, their special status was confirmed in ceremony and artistic representations.1[1] The masses were unrepresented. The lack of demand for empowerment or change may be partly due to the fact t... ...of this system. The process of categorisation seems to have an assimilative function. If you can’t beat them, label them. If it fits into our picture, it is ours. Put this way, it seems like we are imprisoned in a menacing matrix of metaphysical manipulation. However, as I have shown to be the case in pop culture, we are complicit in our captivity, in fact, all too willing to participate. 1[1]Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish, tr.Alan Sheridan (New York: Vintage,1995) p.192 2[2]With an increase in bureaucracy came an increase in the importance of meticulous knowledge; with this, more power and a more distinct role for the researcher. 3[3]Modern advertising calls this â€Å"appeal to a certain demographic†. 4[4]Quoted in: Michael Clifford, Politcal Genealogy After Foucault, (New York: Routledge, 2001) p.99

Hot Cheetos Essay

Teenagers and children today are not only suffering from serious health issues, but also are putting their lives at risk. It is not only the fact that they choose to eat unhealthy, but more so that they have these delicious, mouthwatering, and cheap foods right in their cupboards. â€Å"Junk food†, as stated by Gregory Lopez, soared during the 1980’s and 1990’s, doubling among adults in the U.S. and tripling among children (Natural News). Studies show that the number one â€Å"Junk food† consumed by children and teenagers were Hot Cheetos. Not only may gastritis come from the consumption of Hot Cheetos, but are also at arm’s length for children, following up with health issues that are quite devastating and are also addicting, to top things off. Hot Cheetos were invented in the 1900’s, as a simple experiment. At first it was seen as a simple and innocent creation, but later on took a toll on the children. I was able to discuss the Hot Cheetos topic with my cousin Guadalupe and understand the effects these chips caused her. At first she did not feel any sort of symptoms or pains, but little by little, she began experiencing a pain in her stomach. She began throwing-up everything she ate, right after eating the chips. She would spend sleepless nights getting up and down, just to throw up, because Hot Cheetos irritated her stomach way too much! â€Å"As soon as I ate Hot Cheetos, I would feel my stomach begin to burn up, but I did not understand why. If everyone else could eat them, why couldn’t I. Sometimes I wondered if I was the only one.†Clearly she wasn’t the only one, and her stomach pains had a name. As addressed by ABC News, Hot Cheetos cause gastritis and a change of pH in one’s stomach. â€Å"Super spicy chips and snack foods have come under attack as being unhealthy,† ABC News addressed. The health issue is not so much of an issue, but more directly, what the effects of the spiciness can cause the body to undergo. Doctors have seen cases where kids are going into the ER with gastritis, â€Å"an inflamed stomach lining.† According to Andrew Medina, he experienced stomach pain on and off for weeks before seeing a doctor, as told by ABC News.  "It’s like if you have a bruise or something. It really hurts a lot.† Regardless of the symptoms Andrew, along with other children still consumed 20-30 bags including snacks, a month. Not only are kids messing up their stomachs, but more so making unnecessary visits to the ER. Dr. Martha Rivera, a pediatrician at White Memorial Medical Center in Los  Angeles said, â€Å"We have a population who loves to eat the hot spicy, not real foods, and they come in with these real complaints.† Dr. Rivera was not only a witness of the negative effects of Hot Cheetos, but also came to the awful conclusion that kids do not think of their health for once. Following up with Dr. Rivera’s comment, Dr. Robert Glatter, an ER physician, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, agreed that kids are constantly eating this snack that has quantities of unreal spicy flavoring. According to Glatter, he has not had many cases where patients come in complaining that their stomach is burning up due to consuming large amounts of spicy salsa. More cases of visits to the ER are seen when ingesting unreal foods, rather than natural ones, like the spicy salsa. It makes sense that spicy salsa does not cause as much problems as the one on Hot Cheetos, because where one is made of natural ingredients, the other one is not. Not only are we feeding venom to our bodies, but also killing it, little by little. Think how much in excess and unnecessary ingredients are used when making unhealthy foods, rather than when one makes healthy foods. Hot Cheetos are known to be, â€Å"an affordable snack that is sweet and calorie-dense† and is available in urban environments as stated by the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. Not only did the Yale-New Haven Teachers find that living in the poorer and urban parts of the city highly affected the health and well-being of children, but more so that because of this â€Å"flammable† unhealthy food, the rates of obesity were increasing. Studies shown that the poorer the community was, the more convenient stores there were. â€Å"This trend is statistically significant across the United States with 1.3 times as many convenience stores as compared to middle-income urban neighborhoods.† Although this is a very good technique for any corporation, the ones suffering are the children and their health. Any child would be delighted to have one of these â€Å"convenience stores† at arms-length, but it is the parent’s job to incorporate the child’s mind into knowing what is good and what is not. Hot Cheetos have become an addiction for students. Guadalupe could not understand why Hot Cheetos were so addicting for her and could not get out of the habit of eating them. Whenever she would go to the store, she would strictly look for these chips and think of all the wonderful things she could do with them. â€Å"I would always buy a bag of chips, take it home and shower it with Tapatio and extra lemon juice.† Even though she knew that  doing this was very unhealthy, she chose to do it either way because of the exquisite feeling you feel due to the smell of it. â€Å"Once you start eating them, they are kind of addicting, and you can’t help it, you feel like you can do anything and everything is possible.† Studies have shown that Hot Cheetos trigger a response, which is similar to those created by controlled substances in addicted individuals; something called â€Å"hyper palatable foods.† These hyper palatable foods have become an addiction among students of Noble Street Charter School Network and the entire Rockford school district has banned Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, due to nutritional concerns as addressed by Monica Eng. â€Å"Although Hot Cheetos deliver high levels of salt, fat and artificial flavors with little nutrients or fiber in return, the same can be said for similar snacks.† Regardless of the lack of healthy nutrients, there are many other snacks that are just as bad as Hot Cheetos, but still are not the best choice. Also, because of the lack of nutrients, obesity rates have tripled since 1980, as expressed by the Chicago Tribune. Hot Cheetos have not only been shown to make people addicted (students in particular), but also have high levels of unhealthy n utrients. Due to the lack of nutrients and â€Å"addicting† chemicals did the Chicago Tribune argue against Hot Cheetos, but won nothing, because students are still eating them or purchasing from anywhere close by that sells them. Hot Cheetos will always be sold, but it is up to the adult, as a parent to take charge of their children’s health, before lamenting something. Studies and nutritionists can only do so much in trying to help us to know what it is we are putting into our bodies. As stated by ABC News, the Yale-New Haven Teachers, and the Chicago Tribune Hot Cheetos are not a healthy snack for children, teenagers, or anybody. Not only does it cause major health problems, like obesity and gastritis but it is also an addicting substance that we might see as scrumptious and tasty, but in reality, it is something that is causing children to have mishaps and unnecessary visits to the ER. It is the parent’s job to know more and take care of their child’s well-being.

2002 Ap Euro Dbq: Manchester

The Effects of industrial enterprise on Manchester, England 1750-1850 England in the 18th and nineteenth centuries changed dramatically as a result of the industrial Revolution, which had many effects on the complaisant structure of England and increased the gap betwixt the rich and the light. Because of this, industrialized incline towns such(prenominal)(prenominal) as Manchester were both criticized and admired by poets, politicians, journalists, and outsiders, who were particularly from France. The around powerful points of take in were from supporters of industrialisation, those who impertinent industrial enterprise, journalists, and outsiders.Supporters of the industrialization of Manchester were typically British politicians or businessmen, impressed by the ramp up and production of Manchester. One of these was Englishman W. H. Thomson, writer of write up of Manchester to 1852. Thomson provides a interpret that shows the ontogeny of Manchester over a period of on e c years in which in alter from a small town into a robust industrial urban center with railroads and canals. This map shows how industrialization leads to rapid population growth and expansion, making Thomson an obvious supporter of industrialization. some other supporter of industrialization was Englishman Thomas B. Macaulay, a liberal member of parliament and a historian. In his essay, Southeys Colloquies, Macaulay praises industrialization and Manchester for producing riches for the nation, which in turn would improve the smell of life for the heart socio-economic class and peasantry. A final supporter of industrialization was cyclist and Co. , which praises the industrious spirit of Manchester in the prolusion to an 1852 business directory, shortly after Manchester was given(p) a royal charter as a city.The authors owe the fruits of the citys labor to its energetic exertions and enterprising spirit, which is an surreal description of the motivations of the ca-cain gs class, and the preface was seeming propaganda, being in association with the Crown. The supporters of industrialization were the ones becoming richer by it. They were separated from the working class and did not understand their plight. Those who contrasted the industrialization of Manchester were more concerned with the public assistance of those affected by it.These were poets, women, socialists, and wellness reformers who were ghastly by the living and working conditions of the middle class and the peasantry. One dissenter was Robert Southey, an English Romantic poet and author of Colloquies on the attainment and Prospects of Society in 1829. Being a Romantic poet, Southey laments on the industrialization of the city and describes it as a miserable regulate where the buildings which are without their antiquity, without their beauty, without their holiness, and where, when the bell rings, it is to call the wretches to their work instead of their prayers. Another protest er is Frances Anne Kemble, an actress, poet, and dramatist, who, in her account of a journey of the Liverpool and Manchester railroad track in 1830, depicts a protest by the disgruntled working class over Corn Laws, which were tariffs on imported grain. In her depiction, the protesters scorn the triumphs of machinery and the gain and glory which blind drunk Manchester men were likely to derive from it. This is a very Romantic depiction, as the protesters are breaking free from their bonds to choose acquaintance over wealth.A final protester was Edwin Chadwick a public health reformer, who, in his Report of the Sanitary Conditions of the Laboring race of Great Britain, argued that the cramped conditions, unsanitary practices, and vent pollution of Manchester greatly lower the just lifespan of its citizens, and that more lives are disoriented due to unsanitary conditions in industrial cities than in modern wars. Journalists reporting on life in Manchester were sometimes in up grade of industrialization, only if some opposed it.One journal in favor of the industrialization of Manchester featured an article by William Alexander Abram, a journalist and historian, in 1868. Abram claimed that conditions had increased dramatically since the early Industrial Era through law reform. A journal that was opposed to the industrialization of Manchester was the lancet, a British medical journal founded and emended by Thomas Wakley. In 1843, The Lancet published a chart displaying the intermediate age of death in quaternity districts, two of which were industrial and two of which were rural.The average out age of death in the industrial districts was far recenter, but was especially young in Manchester, showing that Manchester was indeed the unhealthiest of industrial cities. A final journal that protested the industrialization of Manchester was The natural, a magazine that dealt with social issues. The Graphic published a picture of a view from Blackfriars Bri dge over the river Irwell in the 1870s. The picture was a very stinking depiction of Manchester, showing smokestacks that blotted out the cast out with lack plumes of smoke and waste move directly into the river Irwell, both of which caused tremendous health issues for the people of Manchester. Outsiders who visited Manchester in the nineteenth carbon were often disgusted by the monochromatic, unsanitary, and good lifestyle of the laboring class of Manchester. These were typically French socialists who spoke out against the ill-treatment of the poor by the rich. One such Frenchman was Alexis de Tocqueville, author of Journeys to England and Ireland in 1835.De Tocqueville, a socialist, tells us that the city of Manchester is based on the successes of individuals and the captivity of others, rather than the success of society as a whole. Another French collectivised opposed to the industrialization of Manchester is Flora Tristan, a womens rights advocate, who published her jour nal in 1842. The fact that it is her private journal makes it the most credible source to the opposition of industrialization because she is merely reflecting and not attempting to sway anyones mind. Tristan describes the working class of Manchester as hurl and emaciated, and ends her entry with this lamentation O godCan progress be bought precisely at the cost of mens lives? The industrialization of Manchester in the 18th and 19th centuries created wealth for the rich, but conditions for the laboring class worsened, and the gap between rich and poor increased. Many poets, socialists, and health reformers criticized the industrialization of Manchester, but politicians and business praised the industrious spirit of the city that filled their pockets. All of these feelings led to the revolutions of the 19th century and the rise of socialism and communism.