Equality and Diversity Essay

It would be very discouraging for children to be subjected to discriminatory beliefs that are held by either myself or other teachers for example my cousin wanted to be a ballet dancer when he was a child but after teasing from other members of the family suggesting that dancing is only for girls and gay men he did not continue to attend classes. This was something that he regrets as it was a dream of his and now he has grown up he wishes he had been encouraged to dance. By taking any of families or, friends or even my own beliefs in to school is unfair on the children I am there to support. They could be made to feel that if because of their background or who they are means they cannot aspire to be what they want to be so will not reach to achieve their full potential.As with another example my father-in-law is sexist and believes that a woman’s place is in the home cooking, cleaning and looking after the children and if I was to take that to school with me I could treat the girls differently dismissing their work and only encouraging the boys, giving the girls the false idea of they are not good enough. For example: â€Å"Both men and women teachers have low expectations of girls intellectual skills’ since it is thought that girls are inherently less intelligent than boys† (www.right-to-education.org) The support I give the children should be fair and equal in order for every child to feel safe, an equal part of society and that they are worthwhile. Each child should feel that their opinions count and that they have a voice that should be heard, they should not feel excluded or feel that they can exclude any other person because their race, religion, background, sex as this can affect their self-esteem, their confidence and will in turn effect their learning as proved by Jane Elliot in the â€Å"brown eyed-blue eyed experiment† (The Eye of The Storm) in 1968 where the children wearing the collar (to show they were the lesser pupils) took longer than they did the day before when they weren’t wearing the collars in a card pack reading practice. The children had low expectations of themselves and their body language changed (they looked shrunkeninto themselves). To challenge discriminatory behaviour there are many different methods that could be used for different types of discrimination for example if I heard a child being racist, calling each other names such as â€Å"paki† I would go to them straight away and say: â€Å" Excuse me children I heard what you just said why are you calling each other names?†Ã¢â‚¬Å" We don’t use language like that at school how do you think that has made Ron feel?†Ã¢â‚¬Å"What do you think would be right thing to say to him†. It is my responsibility and I am legally obliged as a T.A to challenge any kind of discriminatory behaviour. If there were problems in the playground at lunchtime when the boys were excluding the girls from football at lunchtime I could make changes to the playground so I would have an assembly to explain to the children why they would be having a week plan for the use of the footballing area and it would be as follows: Monday: Girls only netball. Tuesday:Boys only football.Wednesday: Mixed netball.Thursday: Mixed football.Friday: Something completely diffrerent, a team building game to get them working together.After this I would find from them what has worked well and what hasn’t.If children in year7 were sending offensive emails I would use the computer to suite to get them to research the consequences of their actions which they will then present to the class or in assembly. This would give them an insight into how such behaviour can affect the victims, they would also be made to apologise to the person or people they were harassing.| | In conclusion by not discriminating we give every child the same opportunities and support them equally, every child has the same right to an education no matter their background, race, religion, sex or disability. Children will have confidence in who they are and will be more productive in the classroom.| | Excellent and thoughtful answer. This also covers 4.2.5 – just add this at the top of the page. SJ 4.3.13

Analysis of the Cultural Framework of Norway

All human beings are affixed to some form of cultural system which dictates the way they do things and how they relate to one another (Tavanti 106). These unwritten norms, beliefs and values are affixed firmly to a cultural framework which is a blue print that enables them to be expressed. Each community has got its own cultural framework which binds people who share a lot in common e. g. a nationality and live within a distinct boundary like for example a country. In instances where the country has a large geographical area or has a mixture of distinct races there could be an existence of more than one cultural framework. An example of a country like this is the United States which has got two distinct races: black and white existing side by side although each race has got its own cultural framework. No country in the world exists without its own unique national culture. This paper will attempt to examine the cultural framework of Norway using findings from a study carried out by renowned professor Geert Hofstede who has studied the cultural frameworks of various countries and communities in the world at large overtime. Hofstede studied the cultural framework of Norway and came up with five dimensions. These are Power Distance Index, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty Avoidance Index, Long-Term Orientation (Hofstede). Hofstede describes masculinity as the opposite of femininity and in culture it refers to the roles that the males carry out as compared to the females in a community. This dimension by Hofstede shows what it means to be male or female in any community. Holland, Blair & Sheldon argue that in most of the western countries, masculinity is hegemonic while femininity is emphasized (Holland, Blair & Sheldon 7). The characteristics exhibited by masculine members of society are power, authority, competence on technical matters etc while feminine members of society are tied down more to fulfilling the desires of their masculine counterparts (Holland, Blair & Sheldon 7). Hofstede’ scale places Norway’s masculinity index low at around 5%. This is low compared to many countries e. g. Germany where the masculinity scale is 65 percent. This shows that compared to other countries the difference between the values of the males and females of the country is not very large and both of them are treated with almost an equal status. For instance in a country with a low masculinity index like Norway both the men and women can do similar jobs without people raising their eyebrows like babysitting or cooking. The girls are also educated to the same level as boys and the number of boys and girls who graduate from university are almost similar. The similarity though is that most of the females in the world are concerned with how they look while males are measured according to their achievements. Individualism refers to the degree to which members of a society operate as single sovereign entities and are treated as such. Hofstede adds that it is the opposite of collectivism where individuals live as a community. Or groups e. g. extended families that consist of several relatives e. g. grandfathers, uncles, in-laws, aunts etc. in the individualism index provided by Hofstede places the country at 62%. This shows that most of the people in Norway are used to living and being treated as individuals rather than a collection where people think on their own and pursue their dreams as individuals. Countries with high individualism scores like the United States are also the ones with the highest economic strengths. On the issue of individualism Ponderator argues that the advantages of living in a country with a high individualism index are the treatment of all people with equality, freedom and independence (Ponderator 23). Furthermore individualists are considered to be high achievers and are very competitive as compared to collectivists who work as a group as this slows down the progress of the group as whole. However with individualism cohesion between people of an individualistic country tends to loosen with time and families are the ones that are affected mostly. For instance high divorce rates exist in most of the western countries. Power distance index refers to the division of wealth and power between the members of a population of a country. Hofstede says that it also shows how unequal the societies of the world are in terms of wealth and power distribution and the fact that the people without power have come to accept that power and wealth distribution is indeed unequal. His findings place Norway’s power distance index at 25% which is relatively low compared to most of the countries. According to Moij, a low power distance index represents a society that has its people operating on almost the same economic levels as the governments try to focus on providing equal opportunities and rights to its citizens (Moij, 83). He further gives illustrations like for instance in high power distance index economies people attempt to dress as nicely as possible in that you can know the economic strength of people from their outfits. On the contrary in low power distance index economies people do not care too much on what they wear as they are the same. He also adds that a low power distance index country like Norway is as a result of high levels of education within its population. Moij defines uncertainty avoidance as the level of fear of uncertain occurrences happening to them through their instincts and the steps that they take to avoid these unplanned occurrences (Moij, 83). The results shown on Hofstede’s index show Norway’s uncertainty avoidance index at 45% which is just below the centre mark. Moij further adds on that countries with low uncertainty avoidance index are more open to change and innovation. They also do not seem to care much about the quality of food that they eat e. g. it is uncommon t find people insisting to drink mineral water when piped water is clean. They also do not care too much about their physical appearances and are less emotional and more tolerant (83). The fifth dimension is an addition to the first four and was part of Hofstede’s plan to find out the difference in thinking between the people who live in western countries and those who live in the east. This was after it was discovered that the east is developing rapidly in terms of business and economy and no information was available originally to explain the success of some countries from the east in innovations, business etc (Moij, 84) Norway’s long-term orientation is placed at a low of 20% which in essence means it is a short term orientation country. Characteristics of the population of Norway with respect to their orientation could be they respect their culture, appreciate presents and give back, protection of personal reputations etc. Conclusion The 5 cultural dimensions outlined by Professor Geerte Hofstede gave a good framework for studying the difference in cultures in the world. It shows why people uphold certain beliefs and even passing them through generations. This paper has evaluated a case study of Norway which is in Europe while at the same time comparing it with other countries to show the difference in cultures.

Vulnerable Populations in Current Events

Defining a Vulnerable Population A vulnerable population is any group that has been identified by an epidemiological or there study that classifies them at a higher risk than the general population from a specific or broad condition (Oxford Reference Online, 2011). The elderly population is considered a vulnerable population because they must face not only self-image disturbances related to an aging body, but also problems with mental and spiritual well -being as well. Barriers older adults must face are generated by these issues.Barriers of a Vulnerable Population According to Smith, et. Al (2010), is important for community and local governments to the aging population and provide age-friendly services (p. 15). As the population continues to grow, change, and age, there are numerous barriers the elderly face. Financially, the elderly population Is mostly surviving on a fixed or limited Income making It difficult at times to afford prescriptions. Doctor visits, and other healthcare related expenses. All of these issues place them in a state of vulnerability.Impaired or limited mobility creates yet another barrier especially for the elderly related to the side effects of an aging body. Consequently, they are more prone and apt to have injuries from falls leading to other serious debilitating healthcare issues. Many of the elderly population do not have the ability to drive safely or access to a vehicle due to their compromised health Issues related to aging such as poor vision, Alchemies, and severe arthritis: transportation becomes another barrier. According to Smith, et. L (2010), without proper transportation in place, communities will have a higher incidence of injuries and increased emergency response costs. Life experiences with Vulnerable Persons My parents are both of the elderly population. They both suffer from symptoms of an aging body. My dad Is hard of hearing, has chronic renal failure, terribly severe artless, thinning skin, and Impaired vision. My mother has Just recovered to a double knee replacement surgery because she had become immobile related to her severely arthritic knees.I have spent several years caring for them both and helping them through these difficult times of aging. I have noticed various discriminations by society of the elderly and the poor attitude towards them. People have very little patience, understanding, and compassion. I have also seen the moments of sadness, frustration, and depression that my parents have encountered related to having to race ten Tact's Nat teeny are aging; teeny are no longer addle to phonically ay want teeny used to be able to do and think that they can still do.This has been the hardest for me to witness because I can remember when they were able to do anything they wanted to physically. They have both overcome many barriers, but continue to be vulnerable and I know that they're level of vulnerability will continue to increase with the passing years to come. Knowing this, I continue to learn and look for ways to help and advocate for them. Summary With the aging population, it is important to assess what vulnerabilities the elderly faces and address them to improve the quality of life.

Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Which social groups are marginalized, Essay

Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Which social groups are marginalized, excluded or silenced within the text - Essay Example Africa, as portrayed in this book, is the direct opposite of the civilised continent of Europe where civilised human beings live. In writing his book, Conrad makes use of Marlow’s character to give voice to his own feelings about the inhabitants of the Congo. He compares the civilisation of Europe to the ‘uncivilised’ existences of the Congo’s inhabitants and shows Marlow moving into an oasis known as the ‘Outer Station’ to lend further meaning to this subject. The Outer Station is situated in the coast of Africa, and is administered by white Europeans who force African natives to perform most of the drudgery connected with running the outfit. Once Marlow reaches the oasis’ shores, he glimpses the darkness in the atmosphere of the place as well as in its inhabitants. The African natives whom Marlow encounters are depicted as sub-humans or animals. They are marginalised by the author in that they are not given a chance to explain their pr edicament. Nor are their feelings on being forcibly pushed to work away from their homes expounded upon. Rather than seeking to invoke pity for the wretched creatures that have been turned into slaves, the author strives to provoke apathy in the reader by stating that the natives ‘sat near the same tree in acute angles. ... In essence, the writer succeeds in changing Africans into irrelevant entities in such a way that the reader learns to adopt the position of the writer in ignoring the fact that they are human beings. In places in the novel where the derogatory names are not being used, there is a patronising tone used by the colonialists towards the natives. The author appears to try and convince the reader of the stupidity or idiocy of Africans in asserting through his European characters that the Africans had to have simple concepts explained to them in very childish ways, such as an analogy of the boiler tender, to understand matters such as the European work ethic. Naturally, the author neglects to mention that Africans worked in their own plots of land and fully understood what work was even before the White man reached their shores. The author also neglected to mention that the Africans may have been reluctant to work for the White man because they were being forced to do it for hardly any real wages. All through the book, the African natives are identified as savages. This is done without explaining to the reader what would make an entire ethnic group savages; apart from the refusal to work when they are told, as they are told, in their colonial masters’ lands- which had been stolen from the natives. In truth, it is the white people in the book who proved to have even more qualities of savagery than they accused the African natives off. To further encourage the perception of African natives as semi-human creatures, the colonial masters would often fire their rifles into the jungle for no apparent purpose. The reader is also informed that the natives had revolting customs

The Technology Effects in Human Life Research Paper

The Technology Effects in Human Life - Research Paper Example The paper will focus on the impact of technology to the lives of humans. Technology has transformed the manner in which people perform their function; this has had both positive and negative impact to their lives. According to Hall (2007) has enhanced the manner in which student’s access information. The concept also has enabled the teacher- student interaction. Software development has enhanced tolls that accommodate different curriculum integrated. The technology has enhanced e-learning in that people are able to work and study at the same time. This has in essence enhanced access to information. Different search engines have made information available to different technological users. People can access information regardless of their age or financial status. The internet has increased the literacy levels of individuals by relaying information to direct users at different time. The ability of the tool to accommodate a higher number of individuals at a given period has reduced the connections within schools and other higher learning institution. Technology interacts with different age groups hence ensuring convincing to both young and old. Information seeking has been a tool utilized by different parties in designing their models and technology has enabled the part access this information. Technology has enhanced the manner in which people interact with the household spaces. The televisions, radios and mobile phones have been an effective tool as far as entertainment is concern. These tools have reduced boredom. The interactions with these gargets have reduced the need for human interaction. Technology has enhanced the manner in which people carry out their daily chores. Vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, drycleaner have enhanced the need for human labor in performing duties. This has reduced the amount spend by households in hiring helps. Technology has enhanced multitasking among individuals. People can

Egonomics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Egonomics - Assignment Example The nature and pattern of human consumption has evolved significantly over the years with a significant move away from goods produced under mass production (initiated by the car maker Henry Ford) towards specialized production and finally customized production. It is not surprising that the focus of many companies today is no longer just the provision of an exceptional quality product or service but one which caters to niches and has the capability of being adapted as per individual requirements of the customer. In other words, personalization and the creation of unique customer experiences has become the new source of gaining competitive advantage in the midst of largely undifferentiated products and services. To set themselves apart from the crowd, consumers are increasingly flocking towards products that others do not have. This is because, as humans, our behavior is more often â€Å"irrational† than rational and that various purchases cannot be explained in the light of ae sthetics, utility of performance. In other words, the fact that most of engage in building and sustaining our self-esteem and self-confidence means that we often pay a price much higher than the actual worth of the product just for the sake of its exclusivity or limited availability. One such example is that of the recent launch of limited number of exclusive Apple iPhone 24 carat gold handsets that cost a fortune ($2853) to consumers (Trivedi).The pricing reflects the exclusivity of the product which, most consumers may find as a cushion to their self-image. Similarly, the LeBron James Limited Edition watch by Audemars Pigue is designed to cater to enthusiasts who would like to own this $51,500 watch (Adams) as a status symbol and to set them apart from the crowd. The high price reflects the (monetary) worth of the owner/consumer which is consistent with psychology that suggests that human beings are prone to engaging in impression management or casting favorable impressions of one self in the society. Furthermore, considering that humans have imperfect knowledge about themselves, they constantly strive for feedback from others (through praise of appreciation) to boost their perception of themselves. An example is of a customer who is praised by his friend for wearing a $51,500 watch and who receives increased attention from others by virtue of this valuable possession. This can be referred to as â€Å"personal branding† or differentiating yourself from other brands or individuals. In other cases, the same may be considered as a â€Å"requirement† as per social benchmarks (Benabou and Tirole). For instance, an individual attending high profile dinner of delegates may consider it as a disgrace to his self-worth to wear anything less than a custom-made designer outfit or designer shoes. Keeping these trends in view, it is no wonder that companies are looking towards the personalization of their service offerings as well. This is commonly known as o ne-on-one marketing or micro-targeting whereby promotional tools such as the e-mail, internet, direct mail, special events and others are used to target customers with specific psychographic profiles or lifestyles. For instance, HSBC posted banner ads on its websites that were highly personalized meaning that the bank offered special â€Å"offers† depending on the account balance of the customer and the content

HIST 2112 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HIST 2112 - Essay Example While industry had been around for quite a while before the turn of the century, this was the first time it became nearly impossible to survive in a purely rural environment. At first, many skilled workers joined unions in an attempt to save their jobs from unskilled machine workers who could do the exact same work in a factory as them for cheaper and more quickly. This did not last long, however, as more cooperation was needed for success. Often times, the actions of these unions would lead to violence, which means more problems would be caused by their protests than would be solved by them. The Coal Strikes between 1900 and 1902 became somewhat of a national crisis, as coal was a necessary commodity. The workers did gain higher wages and less hours with these strikes, although the government refused to admit that the union had anything to do with this. As time moved on, workers attempted to create a union for all to be a part of, which would end the wage system and would give the w orkers the power. These attempts were suppressed by the capitalists, however, as they knew that paying too much in wages would put a damper on the significant profits they were making during this time period. The entrepreneurs got the government involved in these disputes in order to protect their interests. The government knew that it was in its best interests to keep the capitalist entrepreneurs happy, so it did whatever it could to prevent the workers from winning these disputes. These unions were, however, important because they allowed for wages to rise and hours worked to fall for skilled workers in the United States. The lives of African Americans between 1877 and 1928 were transitional, as African Americans began to search for a niche in American society. In 1877, North troops left the South, which meant that former African American slaves in the South could no longer rely on them for political protection. Many issues