Effectiveness of Exercise Programme to Prevent Falls

Effectiveness of Exercise Programme to Prevent Falls This chapter deals with the information collected in relation to the present study through published and unpublished materials for foundation, to prepare and to carry out the research work. SECTION A: Reviews related to need of exercise programme SECTION B: Reviews related to effect of age on balance SECTION C: Reviews related to effect of exercise on balance A: Reviews related to needs of exercise programme. Gardner, M.M.et al., (2000) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of exercise programme in preventing falls. The design used for this study was controlled clinical trials. A total of 4933 older adults were participated, including both Men and women.11 trials met the criteria for inclusion, in which 8 of them were separate exercise interventions. Out of 8, five of them showed a significant reduction in falls rate. The conclusion of this study was, exercise is effective in reducing the fall risk in selected groups. Faber, MJ.et al.,(2006) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of exercise programme on mobility and falls among prefrail and frail older people. The design used for this study was multicenter randomized controlled study. The setting of the study was 15 long term care centers in Amsterdumin Netherland. 278 men and women (mean age ±SD, 85 ±6y) were included in the study. Exercise programmes were randomly distributed across 15 Homes. Each home participant was assigned to an intervention group and control group. The main outcome measures were performance oriented mobility assessment, physical performance score, and the Groningen activity restriction scale. Fall incidence was higher in control group 2.5 falls/year, but in case of experimental group2.4 falls/year. The conclusion of this study was fall incidences were higher in elderly people, who didn’t undergo exercise programme as compared to experimental group. Sherrington,C.et al.,(2008) conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis among old age people to assess the effectiveness of exercise programme on falls and to find out any particular components are associated with reduction in falls. The design used for this study was systematic review with Meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials that compaired falls rate in older people of both experimental group and control group. The pooled estimate effect of exercise was that it reduces the incidence of falls rate by 17% with 95% confidence interval p Theou, O.et al., (2011) conducted a study to examine the effectiveness of current exercise programme on frailty management. The study design was systematic review. For the randomized controlled trial 8 electronic databases were searched, which helps to identify the participants were frail either in title, abstract, text, or in exercise. Three of the 47 studies utilized a validated definition of fragility to categorize the participants. Evidence suggested that exercise had a positive impact on functional ability outcomes. Cadore, E.L. et al., (2013) conducted a study to review the effect of exercise on functional ability of frail older adults. The study mainly focused on falls rate, lower body strength, and gait and balance. The data were collected from science direct, Medline from 1990-2012.Twenty studies were investigated, in that ten trials were mainly regarding the effect of exercise on balance performance and seven of them showed enhanced balance. As conclusion the authors says that there was great significance in multicomponent exercise intervention on gait ability, balance, strength, and reduction of falls rate among physically frail older adults. Fairhall,G., et al., (2006) conducted a study to examine the perspectives of older people in a community falls prevention programme. The design used for this study was grounded theory approach. The intervention was based on 2 hour sessions, which took place in a community group setting once a week for 7 weeks. The cohorts of the older people were recruited through editorials in local papers and from mail shots. The volunteering older persons were to be more than 70 years, with previous history of falls or have concerned about falling. Participants were interviewed after 3 months following the fall prevention programme. The participants were able to recall all the aspect of content learning during the programme. From those interventions, exercise was the only beneficial and enjoyable intervention to the participants. The conclusion of the study reveals that exercise is one of an important fall prevention programme. Seoa B.D et al., (2008) conducted a study to compare the effectiveness of resistance and balance exercise for the reduction of fall risk among elderly females above the age group of 65 years. The design adopted for the study was single blind controlled trial, conducted for 12 weeks with pre and post exercise assessment. Ninety-five participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: resistance-training group, balance training group, and control group. The first two group showed significant improvement in balance as compared to control group after the intervention(p Debolt, L.S et al., (2004) conducted a study to examine the effectiveness of home based resistance exercise programme on mobility, power and balance in people with multiple sclerosis. The study was conducted in general community. The design used for this study was experimental group design. The sample size was twenty seven.19 of them were women and 8 of them were men.The group randomly divided into experimental group and control group. Experimental group underwent resistance exercise programme and control group for normal physical activity. The results of the study assessed by using, mobility assessment with the Up and Go test scale and leg extensor power rig. According to pretest score 3.19 and for posttest score was 3.95. So the authors concluded that home based resistance exercise training is effective to improve the leg extensor power within a short period of time. B: Reviews related to the effects of age on balance Teimoori,A.et al., (2012) conducted a study to examine the age at which loss of muscle velocity, balance in adult healthy Iranian Females.928 Iranian female participated in this study. They were in the age group of 20-26 years. The participants were divided in to four age groups. Balance ,velocity were assessed for each group according to the age group and timed by digital stop watch. The study showed that, between the age group of 23-30 years the muscle velocity and balance were same. But in case of 40 age group balance and muscle velocity were declined. By using one way ANOVA test balance and muscle velocity were differed with pnd and 3rddecades.The authors identified that age, balance, and muscle velocity had significant relationship with aging Tiffani E et al., (2006) conducted a study to examine the association between measures of dynamic and static balance and performance of mobility task in elderly people of Western Carolina University. The design used was cross sectional analysis. The subjects were 195 community dwelling participants. Associations between balance and mobility measures were examined by using correlation and regression. Dynamic and static balance were moderately associated(r=-.462).Regression age and balance were significant predictors of walking speed outcome. The authors concluded that, assessment of dynamic and static balance is an important, to know the physical functioning and mobility of elderly people. Abrahamova,D. et al., conducted a study to examine aspects of balance control changes with age. The subjects participated for the study was between the age group (20-82).Centre of foot pressure positions used to evaluate body sway during a 50 second interval. Seven cop parameters were used to assess quiet stance and were analyzed in three groups. The regression analysis showed evident increase of body sway over 60 years of age. The normality of distribution of each cop parameter was examined by using the Kolmogorov –smirnov test. Mann Whitney test was used to analyze the differences between the age groups, if not normally distributed. If the cop parameters were normally distributed than two ways. ANOVA was used to analyze the differences between the age groups. The level of significance was set at p Gomes,M.M al., (2012) conducted a study to analyze the postural control at different age. The aim of the study is to evaluate static and dynamic balance as well as the pattern of muscle activation in elderly women from different age groups. A total of 57 women, divided in to 3 groups according to their age. Group 1(n) =17, group2 (n) =20, group3 (n) =20.The center of pressure were analyzed. According to the age group, the participants showed similar displacement and muscle activation during static posture and dynamic posture. As by conclusion, the study proved that aging had an influence on balance and posture among elderly group. Osama, B et al., (2004) conducted a study on 30 normal elderly individuals and 40 normal young adults between the age group of (20-40) years. The purpose of this study was to know the balance in elderly, and to compare postural stability, balance control and gait pattern in normal elderly persons to those of normal young adults. All participants were subjected to history taking, full routine balance test and functional test. When comparing the balance scales there was a significant difference between the two groups were noticed. (p=0.005).From this study, the results proved that there was a significant decrease in scores of different balance scales in elderly persons compared to young adults, besides that there was significant decrease in percent of maximum stability and was lesser in older subjects as compared to younger subjects C: Reviews related to effect of exercise on balance Knerl,CJ et al.,(2009) conducted a study to examine the effect of 6 weeks of balance training and strength training on dynamic balance in older adults.51 seniors were participated.(17male and 34 females) between the age group of 60 and 93 years. Participants were divided in to 4 groups. 3 treatment groups and one control group. Each group were tested on measures of dynamic balance, flexibility and strength before and after 6 weeks of the exercise programme by using the outcome measures like Fullerton advanced balance scale. Repeated ANOVA’S shows that upper body strength and lower body flexibility including balance increased significantly (p Gusi,et al., (2013) conducted a study to determine the effects of balance training protocol with the balance system in institutionalized older people. 40 older adults were involved in study. The experimental group completed 12 week balance training protocol,2 sessions per week. Both the groups ‘received the same multidisciplinary care. The outcome measures were dynamic balance with the use of fall risk scale. The outcome measures were measured before and after the intervention. As compaired to control group, the experimental group had greater improvement at 12 weeks in case of dynamic balance. By conclusion the authors says that exercise programme was feasible on dynamic balance in institutionalized older people. More, T.S, Rao, K., et al., (2012) conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of 10 weeks of balance and strength training on dynamic balance of older adults. The study design was randomized controlled trial consists of 52 older adults between the age group of (60-75) years with having poor balance and strength. They were divided in to strength training group (Group A), balance training group (Group B) and combination group(Group C).The duration of the training programme was 10 weeks. Outcome measures used were berg balance scale and senior fitness scale. Within the group statistical analysis done by using paired t test within the groups, which shows that marked improvement in all age groups with (p Ullumen, G et al., (2010) conducted a study to examine the effects of exercise in improving balance, balance confidence and mobility in elderly people. The design used for this study was randomized control trial. The participants were randomly assigned to experimental group(n=25) and control group(n=22).The experimental group were attended 5 week of exercise programme,60 minutes 3 times per week. The outcome measures were (timed up and go), balance confidence scale, falls efficacy scale. Pretest and post test were conducted. After the intervention, in experimental group balance (p=0.030) and mobility (p=0.042) were increased, while fear of falling (p=0.042) decreased significantly. The participants of experimental group showed improvements in balance confidence (p=0.054).As by conclusion the researchers suggests that exercises are an effective way to improve mobility and balance, thus by reducing the risk of falling among community –dwelling elderly people. Zamanian, F., (2011) conducted a study to investigate the effects of balance exercise training on fall risk and postural control among older adults especially women.40 elderly people were participated in this study. The static balance and fall risk were measured by using Tandem and semi-tandem test, berg balance scale questionare.The subjects were divided in to experimental group and control group. Experimental group underwent 8 weeks of exercise programme. The control group didn’t participate in any of training programme. Outcome measures were analyzed after the intervention. Comparison was carried out by using paired t test and independent t test and correlation analyzed by Pearson correlation. After balance training the ability of older women in semi tandem and in tandem position was (p=0.007) and (p=0.02) respectively. So from this study, the authors concluded that balance control improves the postural control and reduces the risk of fall in older women (p=0.001). Helbostard, JL et al., (2004) conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of home training exercises on functional abilities of old aged people with functional disabilities and balance problems. The design adopted for this Study was randomized trial with 77 persons aged 75 or more than that. Home training and combined training group were included in this study, for a period of 12 weeks. The exercises, rate of falls and balance functions were assessed with the outcome measures like Timed up and Go test, Maximum step length and timed pick up and sit to stand(p Bird, M et al.,(2009) conducted a study to examine the long term effects of a multicomponent exercise on balance ,mobility, and exercise behavior among healthy older adults between the age group of (65-75) years. The design used for the study was randomized control intervention. The duration of the study was 12 months. Differences between those subjects, who continued to exercise and those who discontinued were investigated. The subjects who continued exercise had significantly greater improvement in strength after the intervention as compaired to those who discontinued. (p=0.004) Bird, M.L et al., (2012) conducted a study to evaluate the effects of a Pilates intervention on balance and function among community dwelling older adults above 60 years. The design used was randomized cross over study for 16 weeks, conducted in university exercise clinic. Community dwelling older adults (n=32) were selected. Out of 32, 27 were completed the intervention. Participants were allocated to either 5 weeks of a group Pilates training intervention for experimental group and 5 weeks of usual activity for control. After the 6 week, subjects performed alternate intervention. The outcome measures were 4 square test and Timed up and Go test. The results revealed that there was a significant improvement in static and dynamic balance from pre post Pilates (p Bulat, T et al (2007) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of group functional balance training on balance outcomes in community dwelling elderly people. The study was conducted in Haley Veterans hospital in USA. The research design adopted for this study was one group pretest post-test. The participated study subjects were 51.These study subjects were participated in functional balance training programme once in a week and it lasts for a period of eight weeks.1 hour classes were conducted weekly ones.84% of elderly people were completed five or more classes weekly. The outcome measures were evaluated by using berg balance scale, Limits of stability, before and after the balance training classes. The result of the study reveals that, there was a significant improvement in the Berg Balance Scale (p

Self Reflection on Communication Skills | Essay

Self Reflection on Communication Skills | Essay Introduction: The desire to have an understanding of the methods to use in improving relationships has led to the emergence of interpersonal communication. People normally assume that to effectively understand the process of interpersonal communication, they have to give an explanation of how relationships emerge and grow, factors that lead to their deterioration, and what makes these relationships to become static (Webster, 2002). Ever since scholars managed to demonstrate that people are able to grow relationally or personally through communication, information experts are sensitive on the importance of interpersonal interaction. It is virtually impossible to understand this process of interpersonal communication, without understanding the various theories and principles formed to explain the concept of interpersonal communication (Cherniss, 2001). Most of these theoretical frameworks normally address a wide range of topics, and some of themes they address include, social conflict, quality of relationship, interaction, communication competence and planning, accuracy required for people to understand one another. Therefore, the intention of this assignment is to compare two theoretical frameworks that are within the scope of interpersonal communication. These theories are, social penetration theory, and uncertainty reduction theory (Ellis, 2002)s. This paper is divided into five sections. The first section is the introduction, the second section highlights the concepts and philosophies of these theories, the third section identifies the similarities of these two theoretical frameworks, the fourth section highlights their differences, and the fifth section is a conclusion. The conclusion is a summary of the major points highlighted in this paper. Uncertainty Reduction Theory and Social Penetration Theory: Uncertainty reduction is a theoretical framework that seeks to understand the manner which people are able to reduce any uncertainty that occurs between them, during the early stages of interaction. This is always based on a sense of self-disclosure. Furthermore, this theoretical framework seeks to explain the different communication techniques that can be used for purposes of reducing uncertainty amongst two people, or a group of people, who have just met (Cherniss, 2001). The developers of this theoretical framework denoted that uncertainty is always unpleasant feeling that people normally want to avoid. For purposes of reducing this unpleasant feeling, people would try to look for information that seeks to address this uncertain feeling, hence create a more comfortable feeling. On the other hand, social penetration theory normally involves the development of a deeper intimacy, between the communicating parties, through a mutual self-disclosure. This theoretical framework has four major assumptions, and they include (Goleman and Boyatzis, 2004), The progress of relationships normally moves from non-intimate level, to the stage of intimacy. Development of relationships is systematic and predictable. The aspect of self-disclosure forms an integral part, in developing relationships. The development of relationships normally includes depenetration and dissolution. It is important to explain that the closeness between individuals under the social penetration theory is normally achieved through a sense of self disclosure. Without this aspect, it is virtually impossible for any relationship to occur. This is also one of the methods advocated by the uncertainty reduction theory, aimed at reducing uncertainties, and a feeling of uneasiness. Similarities: One of the major similarities between these two theoretical frameworks is that they deal with the creation of a relationship between individuals or people. For example, the social penetration theory explains that developing a close relationship with people, is achieved in an orderly and gradual manner, leading from a less intimate, to a more intimate relationship. On the other hand, uncertainty reduction theory explains that relationships are built through effective communication, between the parties involved (Blundel and Blundel, 2011). This means that the two theoretical frameworks are concerned with the creation and sustenance of relationships. Another similarity is that both theoretical frameworks advocate for a systematic and gradual process of building relationships. This means that a relationship is built through a systematic process that involves efficiency in the use of language tools and standards. For example, the two theories denote that it is possible to achieve and develop a close relationship through the process of self-disclosure (McLuhan and McLuhan, 2011). Differences: One major difference that exists between these two theoretical frameworks is on the process they use, to achieve their objectives. Under the uncertainty reduction theory, there are a series of steps and processes that an individual should use, for purposes of acquiring information. It seeks to acquire this information, by creating seven basic assumptions (Childre and Rozman, 2005). Some of these assumptions are, experience of uncertainty on personal issues, uncertainty is normally an aversive state, and it has the capability of generating cognitive stress, etc. On the other hand, under the social penetration theory, a relationship is created by disclosing information about an individual. Tools to use in improving my performance: For purposes of improving my communication performance, in a work related situation, there is a need of using the following tools of communication, Memos. Computer systems and technology, i.e. communicating through emails. Mobile phones and gadgets. Face to face communication. Conclusion: Interpersonal theories play an important role, in explaining the most efficient methods that an individual should use while communicating with other people. The social penetration theory and the uncertainty reduction theory are effective in explaining the most efficient methods of creating a personal, social, and work related relationships. Reflection Paper: This paper contains a reflection on my strengths and weaknesses in relation to how I communicate, and relate with my friends, family members, and colleagues. As an individual, I have come to appreciate the importance of developing and coming up with strong and good communication skills. This is because they would play an important role in determining whether I would sustain, create or develop a relationship. One of my major strengths lies in my ability to maintain a face to face conversation, through eye contacts (Worth, 2004). This is an important strength, mainly because I have the capability of gazing into the eyes of an individual that I communicate with, and hence instilling a sense of confidence, and creating some trusts. For efficient communication to occur, the parties to the communication must show some elements of confidence, and trust, amongst one another. Eye contact is one of the major methods that can be used to create a sense of confidence, amongst the parties to the c ommunication. It is important to explain that most people are always reluctant and unable to maintain some eye contacts. This is because they do not feel confidence about themselves, or some of them, are telling lies. Based on this fact, it is always difficult for an individual to maintain a relationship that is full of trust, if he or she finds it difficult to communicate while maintaining some eye contacts. It is also important to understand that, in most interviews, one of the characteristics that they look in an individual is his or her ability to maintain some elements of confidence (Worth, 2004). They are always concerned, if an individual can communicate without maintaining some eye contact. This means that the person under consideration is either telling lies, or is not confidence of him. Based on this fact, the candidate may fail an interview. Therefore, I would gladly say, that this trait, is one of my stronger points. Another major strength, that I have, is the capability of efficiently using the modern gadgets of technology to communicate (Worth, 2004). This includes, computers, mobile phones, tablets, etc. It is important to explain that these digital tools of communication are important in facilitating efficient communication between parties involved. Take for example the computers. Through the computers, an individual manages to get the capability of accessing the internet. The internet facilitates communication, mainly because it makes it possible for people to use the social media, as an avenue of meeting friends and communicating (Worth, 2004). As an individual, I have a heavy presence in the social media, and I am a member of virtually every social media platforms that exists. This includes twitter, Google +, Face book, Instagram, Linkedin, etc. These social media platforms normally help me to express myself, and to also create a network of friends. It is through these platforms, that I managed to learn on the importance of having efficient and good communication skills. However, it is important to explain that some of the relationships created through the social media platform are not necessary, and cannot last long (Stein, 2007). This is because of different personalities, and tastes that people would always have. Another major strength that I possess is my outgoing personality. I am an individual who likes to make friends, and sustain the friends under consideration. Because of this personality, I managed to develop some communication skills that involved better listening, and following up on any communication issue or problems that may occur between my friends and I. Through this personality, I have managed to create a number of friends, whom we understand each other. In conclusion, where strengths exist, weaknesses are also depicted. I have two weaknesses. One of my major weaknesses is my anger. I am an individual who is easily aroused to anger, and this is a very negative inter-personal communication skill. This is because; it has the capability of scaring my friends. This could result to inefficient communication between me, and my friends. Another major weakness is my talking habit. I am fast talkers, and it is always difficult for me to keep quiet, when I am with people. This normally compromises my ability to keep secrets, or confidential information. Despite these weaknesses, I normally make some efforts, aimed at concentrating on my strengths, while minimizing my weaknesses. Bibliography: Blundel, R., Blundel, R. (2004). Effective organisational communication:  Perspectives, principles and practices (2nd ed.). Harlow, England: Financial  Times Prentice Hall. Cherniss, C. (2001). The emotionally intelligent workplace how to select for measure,  and improve emotional intelligence in individuals, groups, and organizations.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Childre, D., Rozman, D. (2005). Transforming stress: The HeartMath solution for  relieving worry, fatigue, and tension. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Ellis, R. (2002). Communication skills stepladders to success for the professional.  Bristol, UK: Intellect. Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R. (2004). Primal leadership: Learning to lead with emotional  intelligence. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press. McLuhan, E., McLuhan, M. (2011). Theories of communication. New York: Peter  Lang. Stein, S. (2007). Make your workplace great the 7 keys to an emotionally intelligent  organization. Mississauga, Ont.: J. Wiley Sons Canada. Webster, F. (2002). Theories of the information society (2nd ed.). London: Routledge. Worth, R. (2004). Communication skills (2nd ed.). New York: Ferguson.

Improving Mother/Daughter Relationships in Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club Essa

Improving Mother/Daughter Relationships in Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club One day everything is going great, in fact things could not be better and then you say something and your friend turns to you and says â€Å"oh my god, you sounded just like your mother†.   That is when you freak out and think to yourself it is true I am turning into my mother.   This is every daughters worst nightmare come true.   When a young girl is growing up her mother always says and does things that the girl vows she will never say and do but she does.   Very rarely do we see cases of women wanted to be like their mother but it usually happens even if they do not want it to.   In the book The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan tells stories of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their relationships with the American born daughters.   In this novel, Tan shows us the struggle these mothers face in teaching their American daughters about their heritage.   Throughout the novel it becomes evident that the daughters feel it is important to learn about their history and dev elop stronger relationships with their mothers Throughout the novel the reader is introduced to the characters one by one learning about their past and their present lives.  Ã‚   Each chapter deals with individual stories of relationships between husband and wife, mother and daughter,   and even daughter and daughter.   Every story helps the reader learn how important the mother daughter relationship is in The Joy Luck Club. First, Suyuan Woo who is actually dead but story is told by her daughter Jing-Mei Woo.   Suyuan Woo started the Joy Luck Club when she came to America so she and other Chinese immigrants could talk about Chinese culture and how to carry on traditions and make living conditions better for her... ...ws us that for young women to understand themselves they must understand their mothers.   The mother daughter relationship in The Joy Luck Club is illustrated through a learning process especially in Waverly and Jing-Mei’s situations.  Ã‚   Each women has to learn though her mother and her own feelings what it is like to become Chinese because that is basically what this book’s theme is.   Through the novel the women are developing mentally through experience some positive and some negative.   Each women finds herself through her mother and comes to peace with themselves Work Cited Tan, Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York: Random House, 1989. Sources Consulted Do, Thuan Thi. Chinese-American Women in American Culture. 1992 http://www.ics.uci.edu/~tdo/ea/chinese.html Jokinen, Anniina. Anniina's Amy Tan Page. 1996 http://www.luminarium.org/contemporary/amytan/

Fight Club Essay -- Literary Analysis, Chuck Palahniuk

Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club is a seductive novel which chronicles an unnamed narrator’s ability to cope with an emasculated, self-centered, materialistic society by creating an alter ego. Throughout the text, the theme of the emasculated modern man is presented both in the life of the narrator, and in the lives of the male characters he surrounds himself with. Through notions of absent fathers, consumerism and an innocuous/aimless existence, Palahniuk presents how men in modern society have lost their masculine identity and the extreme actions they go to in order to obtain it again. Belittled by their absent fathers, broken homes, and a feminine-centered society, the men in Fight Club present an incisive notion of the lives of modern men. With no outlet for expression the modern man is, in all aspects of his life, physically emasculated and emotionally castrated. Palahniuk represents the cultural loss of masculine identity in the second chapter of the text. A group of men sit together in a support group, helping one another cope with the emasculation they are destined to face. The support group, â€Å"The Remaining Men Together,† is for testicular cancer, meaning the men gathered are literally castrated. The men presented in the group struggle with emotional castration as well. One man, â€Å"Big Bob,† is revealed as a former body builder (a rather masculine profession) who abused steroids: trading in his â€Å"huevos† for â€Å"bitch tits† (Palahniuk 21). Bob has also been divorced three times and is now â€Å"bankrupt [with] two gr own kids who [will not] return his calls† (22). Big Bob and the rest of the group are emasculated and revert to emotional release, crying and group hugging, as their form of therapy. An emotional release such as crying is... ...he world free of history† (124) and create a new order where men are prominent. Similar to the experience of fight club, the men in the new order must rely on instinct and strength in order to succeed. Therefore the ability to endure pain is a way to attain power and masculinity. Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club is the story of the emasculated man living in the postmodern world. With no father to raise him he is left to his own devices. The grown man will ultimately succumb what culture tells him a man is, often relying on materialistic possessions to define his identity. As a result, the postmodern man becomes a slave to the social order and power relations of conventional society. Although he fits in with this society the emasculated man is miserable with his innocuous existence. Fight club, however, is the means in which he can restore his masculine identity.

Rural American Family Farms :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oxfam America is a supporter of small family farm based business, according to Laura Rusu the US government spends up to 16 billion dollars a year on farm payments. Most of those funds from the US government go towards large commercial farms. Oxfam America is supporting the act called the Rural America Preservation Act, which will help smaller based farms with funding. Since there are so many loopholes in the current government system that are only helping the larger commercial based farms, this Act will help prevent these loopholes and help the smaller farms with more funding. There are many misleading ideas about the small scale farms, some of which are that small scale farms cannot support a family, that they need to grow into large scale farms to make money, and that small scale farming is usually just a hobby or for extra income. After researching the agribusiness, most of these accusations and most because small scale farms could be more successful if they w ere provided the support from state and federal governments like they should be.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the statement of Barbara Fiorito (2005), the US government spends up to 16 billion dollars each year on farm payments, and 70 percent of the money goes to the farms that are already receiving government funding either through different federal grants or state funding. The article discuses how the large commercial farms also hurt smaller farms abroad. Since a large farm can mass produce a product they can sell their product at a much lower price because of the supply they have, verses the smaller farm that can not produce as much so it must then have higher prices. Even though this example that Oxfam give us is using farms from abroad it is the same kind of situations small American agribusinesses are facing. Andrea Perera of Oxfam said that the Rural America Preservation Act if passed will limit the subsidy payments to industrial farms and corporations and will help family farmers make a living. If passed, this Act will now have a cap on payments the farms will receive; the payments will be lowered by 30 percent from $360,000 to $250,000 said Perera in her article and most loopholes in the current government allow the largest farms to collect enormous subsidies, which can exceed $1 million will also be taken care of too.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In doing research it seems that most â€Å"common† people or people that grew up in larger cities have been mislead to what a small farm is.

Effective partnership working Essay

A partnership is an arrangement between two or more groups, organizations or individuals to work together to achieve common aims. Effective partnership working must have some sort of personal stake in the partnership. All partners should work towards the same goal. The partners should have similar system of beliefs and work together over a reasonable period of time. Partners should understand the value of what each of them can contribute to the set aim. Both should respect and trust each other. Partnership working also shares creativity, and responsibility. Working together can highlight different issues, problem and solutions and there is more potential for productivity or effectiveness. All partners must always tell each other what is planned and consult everything together before making any decisions. They must act together as everyone working towards the same outcome. 1.2 Working in partnership with colleagues it’s very important .We all need to work in the same way and be consistent. People I work with on daily basis are the best source of advice and information needed when some issues may arise. By working together I am able to see all recorded information and being able to use them when needed .Communication within the home is a key to effective support .By working together everyone can be supported and all ideas can be taken into consideration on meetings and solving issues become easiest. Working with other professionals like Learning Disability team or Intensive support team also gives me a different point of view on situation and this way I receive support from qualified and understanding people. I can share information and seek advice .This way I get an excellent feedback and much needed support .Some individuals have a complex needs which are very difficult to cope and seeking support from others is very important .Organization receive different training and do specialize in giving help .Therefore maintaining good relationship with them is important to provide the quality support for Service Users. Working in partnership with advocates is needed when Individuals have a lack of capacity and have no one who can act on their behalf . Working together with independent advocates shows that setting follows the guidelines and regulations .Independent person can see the different point of the situations discussed and help to decide what is  the best for the person concerned .As a support staff will share all relevant information with them and act on the best interest of the individual. Working with families, Service users, friend of individuals give me a never ending source of information’s so I’m able to provide the care they want .By working together we gain information and that can help make Individuals live easier in the care setting. This way parents feel valued and respected. Parents and family feel comfortable when visiting the setting talking to and planning with workers .Every opinion must be valued and treated seriously as we all want the best for the Service Users .Talking and working together with individuals gives us a chance to get to know they likes and dislikes and be able to make them happy. 1.3 Partnership is about relationship between people and the aim of it is to achieve what couldn’t be achieved alone. By working together we build a relationship. We improve outcomes and achieve more equal life for the individuals and better future for them. Because everyone works together Service User can feel safe and have choice of where and how they want to live. As staff I need to listen to them and give them choice and information’s must be available in the right format .Individuals feel valued and respected. They know that there is a lot of different people who are happy to help and give advice .It also makes staff feel more valued as they have they say and their opinion is more valued what means that they are more happy to stay in the work place like that.

Globalization and Environmental Effects on our planet Essay

Globalization and the Environmental Effects on our Planet We live on a very fortunate planet that allows the human race to not only survive on it, but also to thrive in its consistent temperatures, natural resources, and prosperous ecosystem. But the effects of globalization, pollution, global warming and other environmental problems threaten our survival as a species in this ecosystem. Many believe that through technology, commerce, and travel globalization will lead us to economic prosperity, while conservationists and scientists are working hard to preserve the priceless resources that our earth has to offer us. The widespread changes that are brought about due to globalization have a lasting impact on our environment and threaten our survival. These global changes make understanding our world both challenging and a necessary task if our future depends understanding these concepts in all their various forms. Our ecosystems are altered by the financial decisions we make today and the energy we use, the pollutions we create will affect our lives for our children and our children’s children, if we don’t destroy ourselves by then. Globalization is a very real phenomenon and a concept hat most people do not fully come to grasp in order to understand the ramifications of it. Globalization does not Just affect our societies economically, but also politically and socially as well. The media does an extensive Job at portraying the ideologies and opinions of globalization through politicians and activist groups, but does not accurately portray the arguments or the ever expanding inequality gap between the rich and poor and the lack of evidence to demonstrate the achievement of the â€Å"trickle down† effect. Globalization is most commonly defined as , â€Å"the increasing nterconnectedness of people and places through converging processes of economic, political, and cultural change† (Rowntree, Lewis, Price, & Wyckoff, 2003). This means that once-distant regions and cultures are now linked together through commerce, travel, and communications causing an economic reorganization of our world’s systems. Early forms of globalization have been seen since the early years of our societies, including the first era of globalization before World War I seemed to shrink our global finance capitalism system. The inventions of the steamship, telegrams, and ventually the telephone are all examples of the increase of globalization in our earlier societies that have had a huge impact on our political, cultural, and economic systems. But this â€Å"new era of globalization,† as mentioned by Thomas Friedman, is not only different in degree than the previous era of globalization, but is also driven differently and is increasing at a pace never witnessed before (Friedman, 2000). Since the Industrial Revolution, many may argue that contemporary globalization is the most fundamental reorganization of the socioeconomic structure, but few agree on whether the benefits actually outweigh the costs. In previous eras, inventions such as the railroad, steamships, and automobiles increased globalization and the falling transportation costs allowed people to get to more places cheaper and faster than ever betore. Now, the talling costs ot telecommunications allow todays era ot globalization to link the world together even tighter than before. Microchips, the internet, satellites, and cellphones allow societies and cultures of greater distances to connect quickly and cheaply in order to conduct business, form relationships, and transfer information from one geographic location to another. Travel has become aster and more cost effective, communications with other countries have become easier, and people are able to offer and exchange services globally. This is why Friedman defines globalization as, â€Å"The inexorable integration of markets, nation- states and technologies to a degree never witnessed before- in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations and nation-states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper than ever before, and in a way that is enabling the world to reach into individuals, corporations and nation-states farther, faster, deeper, cheaper than ever before. (Friedman, 2000, p. 9) Not everyone has profited from economic globalization, nor have the benefits been felt equally in certain world regions. The multitude of economic changes due to increases in communication, travel, and financial decisions have triggered fundamental cultural changes to many populations, which have threatened local cultural diversity. Globalization, especially in its economic form, is one of the most contentious issues today. Economic globalization is often applauded by those who believe that economic efficiency will result in a rising prosperity for the entire world, ut in actuality it will only largely benefit those who are already prosperous, increasing the gap between the rich and poor, all while reducing cultural and ecological diversity around the world. Globalization is not a natural process, instead it promotes free market and export oriented economies at the expense and exploitation of localized activities and resources. The inequality between the rich and poor from this â€Å"trickle down† effect is actually increasing the percentage of poor people in most world regions. To put this into perspective, 20 percent of the world’s richest people onsume 86 percent of the world’s resources; equally the wealthiest countries have grown much richer (Rowntree, Lewis, Price, & Wyckoff, 2003). While the richer seem to be getting richer, the poor grow more and more impoverished, with the least amount of consumption of these global resources. The poorest 80 percent use only about 14 percent of global resources, with the poorest 10 percent seeing their income decline in the past couple decades (Rowntree, Lewis, Price, & Wyckoff, 2003). Economic globalization is an unavoidable phenomenon that holds both promises and drawbacks. At certain levels, we can use globalization to reduce some economic inequalities and protect the natural environment. In order to make globalization work for our future generations and our planet, there needs to be a kind of openness in education and social cohesion that stresses the need for strong, efficient governments that can create networks of environmental and human rights groups with government policies. With these interrelations between the 2 extremes of pro- globalization and anti-globalization wings, we can create the opportunity for profit and growth through complementary institutions, such as the government and social ssurance. Although these economic activities seem to be the driving force behind globalization, the consequences attect every aspect ot lite and land in our day and age. Our ecosystem is affected due to the demand for natural resources as global commodities and our planet’s physical environment is at risk. As Rowntree, et al. points out, â€Å"our local ecosystems are altered by financial decisions made thousands of miles away†¦ these activities have profound and detrimental implications for the world’s climates, oceans, and forests† (Rowntree, Lewis, Price, & Wyckoff, 2003). Unfortunately for our global environment, the pace of destruction has worsened and our reaction to the climate crisis is much too weak if we plan on inhabiting this planet for the next 50, 60, 70+ years. Our earth is a beautiful and magnificent place for life to form and grow, but our time on this planet is not going to last much longer if we do not do something about our environmental impact on the planet’s natural resources. In a biological sense, our environment is defined as, â€Å"the complex of climatic, biotic, and social factors that acts upon an organism and determines its orm and survival† (Class lecture,week 6). Nature is our basis of well being and the biodiversity has delcined glabally 30 percetn between 1970 and 2008. As A1 gore discusses in his book An Inconvient Truth, Many people still rely on our planet as if it is big enough to sustain our habits forever. Some still assume that the earth is so big that we could never use up all its resources. Due to globalization and population growth, we are influencing many parts of our earths environments, especially the most vulnerable, the atmosphere (Gore, 2006). Humans see themselves as apart from ature, instead of as a part of nature. How we live, what we consume, all impacts our environment. The earth’s atmosphere is so thin that we are actually capable of changing its composition by the massive amount of carbon dioxide we have pumped into it. High income countries, much like the U. S. , have a footprint 5 times greater that that of low income coutnries, thus leading to the loss of biodiverstiy and impacting the ecosystem. (WWF Global, 2012). The world is undergoing major changes, glacier are melting, species are on the verge of extinction, sea levels are rising, and temperatures are heating up. Global warming is a direct result of humans living in disharomony with the planet and its natural resources. We are beginning to live in a more and more human created environment causing carbon dioxide levels to increase because of the burnign of fossil fuels. The problem that we are faced with now is that every living system in our biosphere is delcining and we are a part of nature that can not afford to lose these valuable resources. As the temperature increases all over the world, we are putting ourselves and our fellow species at risk of extinction. This begins to affect our storm systems, because the armer the oceans get the stronger the storms get. These consequences are all due to the basic understanding our earth’s atmosphere, and the most important agents, the green house gases. Due to huge quantities of human caused carbon dioxde, we are thickening this this atmopheric layer, causing the gases to trap the sun’s radiation inside and causing the planet to â€Å"heat up. (Gore, 2006). Just a suttle increase of a few degress can have a dangerous effect on our plantes ecological system. Areas around the world are experiencing undesirable amounts of rain in short periods of time, while others are facing immeasurable droughts. This shift in temperature not only causes glaciers to melt and oceans to rise, but it also disrupts migration patters, how or where certain plants grow, and the species that depend on those climates. Our ever growing demand on resources is putting an immense burden on biodiversity. The continued provsion of ecosytem resources, our furture security, our health and well being are all in Jeapordy due to the current rate of consupmtion of non-renewable resources. According to the living planet report, as of 2012 the Earth would need 1. 5 years to produce and replenish the natural resources hat we have consumed in only a single year (WWF Global, 2012). And this number has only increased since the last report. The technology and the consumption of resources in the Unites States alone contributes to 30. 3 percent to global wamring. That is more that South America, Canada, Africa, the Middle East, Australia , Japan, and Aoutheast Asia combined (Gore, 2006). It is no doubt that the U. S. is the biggest contributor to not only globalization, but also to the poor environmental quality of this planet. We have rightfully earned our name as the biggest polluter in the world, but it may not be too late. The first step in reducing our global footprint is by accepting and understanding the consequences our actions have on our planet’s environment and that there are ways we can reverse some of the negative impacts we have had on our planet. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the effects we cause on our ecostyems. A1 gore proposes many solutions to how we as individuals can help this climate crisis. Considering that this problem is a vast and complicated, we can each do our part to help reduce our carbon footprint and together we can make a difference. Sacing energy at home by using energy efficient light bulbs, turning off ights when we do not need them, and heating and cooling our house efficiently are just a few ways we can help out individually. In the communtiy, not driving so much, taking public transportation, reducing emissiones from our cars, and being conscious of our daily consumptions are all ways we can reduce pollution in our air. And most importantly consuming less, reusing water bottles, bags, buying things that last, buying local, and modifying your diet are all important changes that we can make to ensure our health for ourselves and for future generations. Globalization and our nvironmental impact are very important factors that we must always consider if we plan on existing in this environment with other species. We are fortunate to live on a planet that can sustain life and allow it to thrive, but if we are not careful, we will use up any and all resources that Earth provides. Our consumption and the effects it has on the environment is detrimental to our survival and the survival of our ecosystems. These global changes make understanding our world both challenging and a necessary task if our future depends understanding these concepts in all their arious forms.