How can we help homeless people in our community Research Paper

How can we help homeless people in our community - Research Paper Example Consequently, about fifteen percent of this population is chronically homeless (Shumsky 136). The figures for homeless children are even more disturbing. It is estimated that about fifty children become homeless annually implying that the misery is worsening. This challenge is a major concern that requires not only the government support but also the general community response if both short-term and long-term antidotes are to be found. One way in which the community can be sensitized about this is through broadcasting the film, Bad Grandpa. The film Bad Grandpa is a commentary on American morality because of its use of hidden cameras and unscripted scenes involving people in danger and public’s response to those in need. To remedy the current situation much more needs to be done than merely removing the homeless from the streets and providing them with houses. Surprisingly, government is not addressing these problems for the first time. It has been done severally not only in the United States but also in other countries. Third world nations particularly those that have huge populations in the sub-Saharan regions and Middle East as well as Asia have been challenged greatly by this issue. One of the common responses is the provision of shelter (temporary or permanent, depending). However, the problem seems to persist even with these myriad humanitarian supports. One would, therefore, wonder how come the problem of homelessness cannot be fixed once and for all to save the next generation from experiencing it (Longwell 56). Unfortunately, the weed is been dug from the top leaving the roots to proliferate and cause more harm. As a matter of fact â€Å"†¦homelessness can best be solved through an approach that targets the whole society and not just the victims† (Hombs 58). The perception of the society members has to be changed so as they may be responsive to the needs of fellow members if

Identify and describe the major problems of domestic violence by Essay

Identify and describe the major problems of domestic violence by comparing present-day American society to that of at least 2 ot - Essay Example The problems related with domestic violence are numerous, and these issues are managed in different cultures in different ways. In the United States, the problems of domestic violence are frightening and it is established in several studies that, on an average, four women are murdered by male partner on a daily basis in the nation and the number of women killed due to domestic violence is alarmingly high. Whereas the magnitude of domestic violence in the U.S. is shocking, this appalling social evil is not confined to the U.S. alone and it is a global phenomenon. â€Å"Increasingly, domestic violence is being recognized as a very serious social problem in most countries around the world. Perhaps through studying the problem in other countries, we can continue to make progress in our own.† (Summers, xvi) Therefore, this paper makes a comparative analysis of the major problems of domestic violence in the present-day American society with those of other cultures such as Australian , Russian, Jamaican, and Japanese in order to offer a greater insight into problems related with it. ... In the United States, family or domestic violence is a reality happening on a frequent and frightening level. Several studies on the topic have maintained that sixty percent of the families in the U.S. use violence on a regular basis, while the rate of child abuse in the nation is more than ninety percent. â€Å"Further statistics indicate that 1 in 4 young American women will be raped, and 50 percent of all women will be beaten at least once in a relationship†¦ In the United States, 2,000 children a year are killed at the hands of their parents or guardians. The estimates of physical child abuse are between 2000,000 and 2.8 million a year†¦ Sexual abuse estimates range from 130,000 to 1.3 million cases a year.† (Leeder, 238) Therefore, it is essential to realize that domestic violence in the United States has been a major threat to social stability and gender equality. Several social security policies and legislations such as the Violence against Women Act in 1994 h ave been adopted in the nation to fight against the increasing number of domestic violence. A careful analysis of the current trends in the country indicates that domestic violence has been recognized as a tragic and costly phenomenon. â€Å"Since the 1970s, more accurate methods of measuring its incidence have been developed, new laws have been enacted, and a plethora of agencies have been established to not only support victims but also prevent its occurrence.† (Summers, 170) However, domestic violence has not been confined to the U.S. alone, and nations across the globe are affected by the results of this social plague. An understanding of the extend of the problems of

Project Learning Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Project Learning Plan - Essay Example Additionally, the decisive factor gained from my own personal and professional experiences are by establishing parameters and determination to learn initiatives within those boundaries at being the most effective as a professional in my career. Furthermore, my Master of Professional Studies will be based on my studies that I achieved throughout my career along with my reflections from those experiences. â€Å"With these skills† I am able to relate to projects that are endeavoured to undertake in my business as a Safety Professional with Qld/NT BCM Boral Ltd. The Company operates as a Global and National Construction and Materials company. I am responsible for ensuring that all Queensland sites include the effective safe management and support mechanisms in regard to safety of employees throughout the organisation. My role increasingly places me as an internal leader with my peers. By providing the use of effective interpersonal skills in the provision of leadership, advice and support, I maintain the standards of the principles in performance and standards that I have established as a role model within the safety team. In order to continue my inclinations to succeed, I must essentially set my own conclusions of focus settings within my organisation and externally. Additionally, I must continue to be adaptable in all situations of this position and everyday life experiences. Therefore, by employing and utilising my strategies of project management within the Company and researching the best practices outside the industry, my planned learning methodology will align with the Company’s business objectives and be an active role model of the team. In my Professional Masters, I will be directing my studies into all aspects of my Company: 1) Researching methods and techniques, while drawing on comparisons within the industry; 2) Utilising frameworks and structured approaches to solving project orientated areas; 3) Develop and implement the best practices and procedures within the industry; 4) Work towards managing risks of my organisation to function effectively with these projects. Furthermore, my Professional Masters studies will forward my professional standings within the industry and grading as a Fellow of the Safety Institute of Australia as a proven leader in my profession. In summary, of my Masters, the remaining subjects to finalise this qualification include: WBL 8000: Learning Plan: 1 Unit WBL 8020: OHS Safety Management System National Implementation Project – two Units (submitted). I am currently self-sponsoring my degree in my Masters. However, early indications that these projects have the full support of the Company in regard to time and resources for project completion are assured. Moreover, my mentor in the company has considerable expertise learning in all aspects of my projects, which will greatly expand my existing knowledge to his standard. As I extend my journey, my University lecturer will lead me thro ugh the system by having extensive

Rites of Passage Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rites of Passage - Research Paper Example This gives him the energy and spirit to enter the next stage with valor and delight. The theme behind is that such rites help us stay connected to our natural events of life or life cycle. A person is able to go through a happy flashback of his life when he thinks in old age how cheerfully he entered each stage and coped with the hardships that come with every phase. This paper intends to compare and contrast the rites of passage in modern American and Indian cultures. Modern American society celebrates many rites of passage, like baby showers, bar mitzvahs, quinceaneras, and school graduations. There are very few definite events that mark a person’s shift from adolescence into adulthood. We see an absence of clearly defined rites of passage in the contemporary culture, which have prevailed in olden times in America. Indian culture also does not have very clearly defined rites of passage except some important ones like birth, marriage and funeral. However, there are some simil arities that both cultures share, for example grief is symbolized with color. American society relates black with grief and Indians link white with sadness. For example, on funerals, Americans wear black and Indians wear white. There are more differences in the carrying out of the rites of passage than similarities, in the two cultures. ... The expectant mother is dressed in a heavy dress with a lot of garlands. Elderly ladies shower blessings on her, and women share tips and tricks of mothering a child. The home deity is worshipped. The mother is given the gifts which are meant for her and not the baby. American culture celebrates adolescence ceremonies both for boys and girls, to honor their stepping into puberty. The most prominent adolescent rite of passage celebrated in America is the quincearena. Quinceanera celebrates a girl’s fifteenth birthday thus commemorating her past fifteen years into a get-together where people related to her make merry and congratulate her for her coming adulthood (Alvarez). Her journey from childhood to adulthood is recollected and she transforms from a naughty little kid into a delicate, pretty lady. The invited families are encouraged to select the customs that have special meaning to them and to add to the customs as they wish. That is what makes the celebration unique and ver y special. In contrast, in Indian culture, there is no such ceremony that celebrates the passing of fifteen years or steeping of a girl or boy into the sixteenth year of life. American practices have more or less become dependent on the economical and psychological aspects of life. For example, funeral practices in America depict true picture of capitalism and materialism. Corpse is displayed in the public for last viewing. This is a general acceptance of the fact that death is expected of all human beings and none of us resist to it. Corpses, nowadays, are prepared with makeup and expensive clothes before burial. Memorial services and cremations are also in practice. Hence, American funeral is an organized and

Top 10 New Years Resolutions Essay Example for Free

Top 10 New Years Resolutions Essay New Years Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. Its a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make our top ten list? 1. Spend More Time with Family Friends Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a favorite Pittsburgh restaurant or take the family to one of these popular Pittsburgh places for family fun. Work shouldnt always come first! More: Home Family in Pittsburgh 2. Fit in Fitness The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape for one of these popular Pittsburgh Area Charity Walks, Runs or Rides? More: Getting Fit in Pittsburgh 3. Tame the Bulge Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Years resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Years commitment to shed extra pounds. More: Weight Loss Help in Pittsburgh 4. Quit Smoking If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now  provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if youve tried to quit before and failed, dont let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! Even Allegheny County is trying to go smoke-free, and its taken them a few tries as well. Locally, there are a variety of free support services, hotlines and smoking cessation classes to help you kick the smoking habit. More: Quit Smoking Classes Support Groups in the Greater Pittsburgh area 5. Enjoy Life More Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that enjoying life more has become a popular resolution in recent years. Its an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider one of Pittsburghs holistic healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa. Pittsburgh offers a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyones wishes. More: Things to Do in Pittsburgh 6. Quit Drinking While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. Pittsburgh Alcoholics Anonymous offers meetings throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. There is also a Pittsburgh group for Parents of Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abusers. There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics. More: Alcohol Recovery Support in Pittsburgh 7. Get Out of Debt Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. Its a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year  ahead. More: Find a Financial Planner in Pittsburgh 8. Learn Something New Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, youll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Years resolutions to keep. The Community College of Allegheny County offers a wide variety of lifelong learning courses, and local YMCAs offer great recreational training for beginners of all ages. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, places such as the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts offer adult studio classes. Lifelong Learning in Pittsburgh 9. Help Others A popular, non-selfish New Years resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. The Pittsburgh Cares organization makes it easy by connecting volunteers with projects to fit practically any schedule. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills. More: Volunteer Opportunities in Pittsburgh 10. Get Organized On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life. Pittsburgh has quite a few professional organizers who can help you reduce the clutter in your life and find peace in your home. Professional Pittsburgh organizer Patty Kreamer even offers a a six-month But I Might Need it Somday! ecourse.

Politics and Religion Essay Example for Free

Politics and Religion Essay To answer the hypothetical question whether or not, if I was a political leader in the early seventeenth century, I would use religion to my own ends would be very difficult and daunting. At the very outset, it should be noted that the 17th century was a very exciting period. It was characterized by major movements, shakers, upheavals and pivotal points. To be brief and concise, allow me to offer a timeless, albeit simplistic answer to this above mentioned hypothetical question. My answer would be NO, and I offer three reasons to back my answer. 1. Politics and Religion must never mix. Most democratic countries declare in their state principles and policy that there should be a separation of Church and State. So much so, matters of spiritual import can not and must not exist alongside matters of political and ‘worldly’ dominions. To mix both would be to invite chaos and perhaps, bigotry, social injustice and create inequities due to over zealous religiosity. 2. Lessons in History tell us that religious standards imposed by those who wield political influence crumbled in time. Such lessons definitely point out that indeed, sound judgment dictate that a political leader should not use religion to advance his own ends. We see abdications, uprising and other violent overthrows and civil uprising involving religious disquiet and bigotry towards political leaders, not only in the 17th century, but all throughout history, when religion is used by political hands. Religion, being the opium of the masses may prove beneficial at times, but in the long run, like the effect of drugs or opium, people come to their senses, and again, as earlier pointed out, there must be a separation of matters of faith and matters of state. 3. Using religion to advance one’s ends, no matter how noble is morally wrong. One should use sheer power of conviction, political will and strength of character and unbridled and sterling leadership qualities if one is to be an effective political leader. The use of spirituality or religion in advancing one’s political ends is a moral wrong. This by example, as the Spaniards once were, is called mammon after Christ/Cross. Up until now, the Roman Catholic Church is plagued and beset by the wrongs committed by the Church officials during the dark ages. This only shows that again, Religion and Politics are two ‘incompatible’ concepts, and should be avoided. While an enlightened governance or political leadership is a paradox, it should not be an impossibility. After all, conscientious leadership is a desired trait for a political leader, however, out and out, politics and religion should not be put out in one outfit, especially so in such turbulent a time as the 17th century. For the above stated reasons, I reiterate my answer; No. If I was a political leader in the 17th century, I will not use religion for my own end.

The Effects Of Climate Change In North America Politics Essay

The Effects Of Climate Change In North America Politics Essay Climate change is one of the biggest issues of discussion in the world today and is already affecting societies around the globe. North America, being one of the most influential areas of the planet, has the added pressure of setting the proper example in preparing its society to adjust for the possible changes to be made in regards to climate change. Given the economic power that North America holds over various countries worldwide, the decisions and actions that are taken are going to have a direct impact on the other nations as well. The US is put in a place of control when it comes to the matter of climate change, and as a result, if the US continues to deny the changes that are occurring in the world of today, other countries will continue to suffer and will not be able to take the necessary actions in order to prevent the downfall of their own societies. Actions are starting to be taken by both the government and non-governmental organizations, who are trying to inform the gene ral public on what the current situation is with climate change and the possible outcomes. There is a clear effort being made to help slow down, or even prevent climate change from making a large impact on society, but if there is a major impact, unfortunately society will not be able to cope accordingly. The programs to prepare society for the worst to come exist, but there is not enough focus on these programs to get the message across. If this information is not distributed around the world, and if this subject is not taken seriously, human civilization could very well already be on its way to downfall. North America is taking steps in order to prepare its population for change in order to deal with climate change and make sure that society is affected as little as possible. In order for the world to be able to tackle the subject of climate change, all nations will have to come together and educate their own people on the dangers and potential problematic outcomes of this ongoing shift in the worlds climate, starting with the United States. The governments of North America have programs which are made to inform the general public about the current situation of climate change; however, there is not enough emphasis put on these programs to convey this message to societies. It is a known fact that climate change is one of the main issues of discussion in the world today, and that it is going to take a global effort in order to get results. North America is one of the leading polluters of today, and therefore it is extremely important for the US to be aware of what is happening in terms of climate change. The United States government has programs that are specifically designed to inform the general public about what is going on with climate change and what can be done to prevent it, cope with it, and prepare for the worst. This is despite the fact that the reports of several governmental agencies in the United States and around the world cite human activity as one of, if not the primary driver of global climate change, (Nag el et al, 2008). The programs exist, the government is aware of what needs to be done, but there is simply not enough focus on these programs. For example, on June 16th, 2009, the White House helped launch the Global Climate Change Impacts on the United States report, which is a representation of thirteen agencies that, in the course of a year and a half, focused on potential climate change impacts on the United States. Yet, a large group of the United States public is completely unaware of the fact that this report was written. Sadly, the government knows this and even takes it into account, as stated in the document Responses to climate change impacts in the United States will almost certainly evolve over timeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Implementing these response strategies will require careful planning and continual feedback on the impacts of policies for government, industry, and society, (Waple, 2009). Non-governmental organizations are the ones at the front lines, informing the general p ublic one person at a time, letting people know what steps need to be taken in order to cope with, or even prevent climate change. Even though these organizations are putting in the hours of effort to inform the public, the majority of people shy away from the NGOs and choose to not take them seriously and not regard this as a real problem that will eventually have an impact on the world. In order for the human race to respond appropriately to the results that climate change will have on society, people have to be made aware of the expected outcomes. As stated by the National Assessment Synthesis Team in Washington, D.C. Climate change will affect different segments of society differently because of their varying exposures and adaptive capacities (NAST, 2000). There are many different environmental issues that the world is being faced with. Some are local, where others will have an impact on a global scale. Environmental issues are comprised of social interactions and natural phenomena, in this sense, they are hybrid issues of society and the environment, (Giddens, 2009). Due to the amplification of social awareness dealing with environmental problems in the 1970s, sociology has focused part of its reasearch on global climate change, known as environmental sociology. Environmental sociologists study the complex and versatile relationship between human beings and their natural environments, which also covers the question of why social systems have a tendency to exceed their ecological carrying capability. The report done on understanding climate change suggests that there are certain areas of research that scientists must take as a priority. These areas include 1) human activities that alter the earths environment; 2) forces that drive these activities; 3) consequences of environmental changes for societies and economies; and 4) how humans respond to these changes, (Nagel et al, 2008).The main issues that the world has to deal with are pollution and waste, resource depletion, genetic modification of food, and global warming. Air pollution clearly has a global influence, and is mainly caused by outdoor pollution, produced mainly by industrial pollutants, and indoor pollution, causes by burning fuels at home such as heating. Human societies depend on natural resources from the planet wood, water, plant life, animals. These are mainly classified as renewable resources, however, if there is no balance between consumption and reproduction, there is a risk that there will be no more left. Rapid population and economic growth in the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern California, the central valley of California, and the front range of the Rocky Mountains has radically increased exposure to water shortages (NAST, 2000). Along with consumption rates, population shifts and development choices are making more Americans vulnerable to the expected impacts of climate change, (NAST, 2000). North America being one of the more heavily populated areas in the world also raises the vulnerability of the specific regions that are densly populated. The four most populous states in 2000 California, Texas, Florida, and New York accounted for 38 percent of the total growth in U.S. population during that time, and share significant vulnerability to coastal storms, severe drought, sea-level rise, air pollution, and urban heat island effectsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Over 80 percent of the U.S. population resides in urban areas, which are among the most rapidly changing environments on Earth, (N AST, 2000). In some cases the negative outcomes of climate change do not directly affect North America, but the nations that supply North America with their export. Which in turn also has a negative affect on North America. The main component of climate change, which is global warming, has the most noticeable impact on societies, scientists have recently estimated that global warming kills about 160,000 people every year (Giddens, 2009). In general, the groups of people that are going to be affected the most are the youth, the elderly, and the economically disadvantaged (NAST, 2000). This is due to the fact that people who are at a disadvantage, socially and monetarily, are unable to acquire the resources necessary in order to cope with these changes. The rise in global temperatures during the summer and the fall of temperatures during the winter are at an all time high and low, respectively, and human beings are not prepared to the best of their abilities, and consequently human beings are the ones who are losing the battle against the shift in climate. Another problem area that is beginning to arise is that of health and the mutation of pre-existing disease and viruses, public health researchers have begun to note variations in seasonal diseases, like the flu, and the geographic spread of malaria and diarrheal diseases resulting from ill-equipped sanitation services and a lack of access to clean, fresh water, (Nagel et al, 2008).Yet, with these facts, there is still no drastic change or effort being made to prevent this from happening; and there is further research that must be done before scientists will be able to estimate how much these changes will result in negative societial outcomes. Other areas of the world are also making an effort to inform the general public about climate change and the potential changes that will have to be made in order to prevent negative outcomes. The Kyoto Protocol was created in 1997, in Kyoto, Japan and was put into action in February 2005, and since then 187 states have signed the protocol. The Kyoto protocol is a convention that was created in an attempt to fight global warming and lower greenhouse gas emissions by restricting countries gas emission percentages. Ironically enough, the United States is the only nation that has not signed and has no intention to ratify the protocol. The Kyoto Protocol was created when George W. Bush was still president of the US, and he was of the firm opinion that climate change not only was not a problem, but did not even exist as an important global issue. As a result, the US has been put far behind the rest of the world in terms of acknowledging and acting on this matter. This is a set-back to the global effort in fighting climate change and will continue to create problems, in the long run, if there is no agreement reached on this subject shortly. If information about climate change does not reach the majority part of the planets population or the subject is not kept in mind with the main events that are yet to come, human civilization may as well accept the steady downfall of our planets wellbeing. With North America continuing to play its role in the world regarding the issues of climate change, noticeable actions need to be taken for the prevention of climate change, from a societal perspective. The reactions to the impacts of climate change in North America will transform over time as people learn more about what they are dealing with, and the extent to which it will affect the population. In addition, there have to be more comparative studies of the political dynamics of climate change across multiple nations. Evidently, this is not left up to the hand full of people in a position of power in the world to do; there are other factors that can also contribute to this evolution. Cultural habits, religion, and personal norms and values are able to influence the majority, if not, everything from population growth to beliefs about the environment as a whole. There has to be a better understanding of how and where these social groups stand, in terms of the global movement, towards a better environment, and how the general public, political powers, and non-governmental organizations can work together to effectively improve it. North America has huge potential to deal with these issues, compared to other countries in the world, however their methods of informing the population and the advice that they give to their people as a means of being able to improve their situations is not yet at its best. Although North America has considerable adaptive capacity, actual practices have not always protected people and property from adverse impacts of climate variability and extreme weather events, (Parry et al, 2007). There is still much that must be shared between people of power and people who belong to those societies. Climate change is a real issue that will eventually affect the entire world, and measures must soon be taken, on a serious level, if societies worldwide are to try and overcome this new life threatening obstacle.