Gender roles Essay

Gender roles refer to the set of social, attitudinal and behavioral roles, norms and expectations that, within a definite culture, are also formally or informally required or widely measured to be socially appropriate for persons of a precise gender identity. They are constructed for a variety of genders in order to channelize their energies towards some socially intended goals, which are either frequently shared or affixed from many of the experimental differences in behaviors, attitudes and personalities, amid various genders, come naturally, a lot of of these characteristics are, either in part or wholly, socially constructed, therefore, a product of socialization experiences. Qualities of a meticulous gender identity do not need to be imposed through rules and norms, while artificial roles have to be ‘enforced’ on people throughout some kind of psycho-social mechanism. Gender roles of a particular sex may not always be in accordance with the normal or biological traits of that gender, and they may turn out to be too strict or constricting so as to cause in the oppression of that gender. This is because of the potential of the gender roles to manage the behavior of people that these roles have been tremendously politicized and manipulated with the ruling forces, for several millenniums now, resulting in severe oppression of every gender of humans. Gender has numerous valid definitions, but its here in reference to an individual’s inside sex or psychological sense of being a male or female irrespective of one’s (outer) sex identity as determining one’s sexual organs. We find three major genders: masculine (inner male identity), feminine (inner female identity) and neutral (a balance of inner male and female identity). In conclusion gender roles of women have been enforced on them through force, and have thus been extra visible. Men gender roles are difficult to enforce but are indirectly enforced. References Bem, S. L. (1981). Gender schema theory: A cognitive account of sex typing. Psychological Review 352-365. Connell, Robert William: Gender and Power, Cambridge: University Press 1987.

Wicked And Messy Environmentals Problems Environmental Sciences Essay

Human activities over the decennaries have doubtless affected the environment.The coming of industrialisation and technological advancement is one such activity that has been argued as the cause of great harm to the natural environment. Coupled to the increasing demand to supply for the turning populations around the universe, this has led to a myriad of environmental jobs some of which have been described as â€Å" mussy † or â€Å" wicked † . Amidst the huge technological promotions, these wicked jobs still remain unraveled and elusive. They challenge our administration constructions, our accomplishments base and our organisational capacity. It is of import, as a first measure, that wicked jobs be recognized as such. Successfully undertaking wicked jobs requires a wide acknowledgment and apprehension, including from authoritiess and Curates, that there are no speedy holes and simple solutions They are the antonym of â€Å" tame † jobs which have straightforward distinct solutions. Rittel and Webber ( 1973 ) describe wicked environmental jobs as withstanding categorization and devoid of clear cut solutions. They have besides been associated with â€Å" extremist uncertainness † and â€Å" plurality of legitimate positions † ( Funtowicz and Ravetz, 1991 ) .What does this mean for natural resource direction? This suggests that natural resource direction has been plunged into an epoch of turbulency with decreasing effects of the traditional/conventional attack to job resolution. This brings to bear the challenges conservationists and policy shapers have to postulate with in the direction of wicked environmental jobs rather commonplace in modern times. This essay attempts to propose ways by which natural resource direction can be effectual in covering with these wicked jobs. It begins by discoursing four challenges that wicked jobs present: alteration, struggle, complexness and uncertainness. It does that by utilizing the Sierra Nevada Forest and the European cap- and trade plan for C dioxide emanations in the European Union as instance surveies. Finally, proposes that for effectual direction of environmental jobs through policy and pattern, a combination of the precautional, adaptative and participatory attacks must be considered to cut down the uncertainness and complexness associated with wicked environmental jobs. The first challenge associated with wicked jobs is complexness ; a trait Gunderson ( 1999 ) suggests is built-in in natural resource jobs. Complexity implies a trouble in set uping cause and consequence forms due to the presence of mutualities and multiple variables. Complexity is determined by the grade of uncertainness and societal dissension on a peculiar issue ( Patton, 2011 ; Stacy, 1996 ; Zimmerman, 2001 ) .For illustration, the status and tendency exhibited by wildlife populations are as a consequence of the interactions between factors such as anterior population, conditions, marauders, home ground, disease, off-site factors and opportunity events. If there is species decline in a population, which of these factors can be blamed for this result? The reply is non every bit simple as a work outing to a mathematical job since the job may be caused by one of the factors or many moving in concert. The proficient and societal facets of complexness have besides been identified. The former is linked to restrictions in quality of information and a lack in cognition systems which makes the diagnosing of a job really feverish and introduces high degrees of uncertainness. A quotation mark by Lawrence J. Peter alludes that † some jobs are so complex that you have to be extremely intelligent and good informed merely to be undecided about them † . The societal facet on the other manus, emanates from troubles in the coordination of information, activities and stakeholders across several subjects. The differences in positions, values, perceptual experience and beliefs of assorted stakeholders introduces struggle: another challenge in deciding wicked environmental jobs. Adding to complexness is the diverseness and scope of stakeholder values, a formula for conflict.Values have been observed to be a cardinal component in the actions of people ( Rescher, 1969 ) .There is frequently small consensus on what the job is, allow entirely a general solution ( Ritchey, 2005 ; Rittel and Webber, 1973 ) .Whether the issue is about air quality, H2O usage, constructing a dike or protecting forest species, the differing values of stakeholders is non in doubt.Parties normally involved in environmental policy preparation normally span the full length and comprehensiveness of administration, from the politician to the peasant husbandman. Given the trouble of integrating the divergent positions all the parties may lawfully set frontward, struggles have left most environmental problem-solving efforts stranded and engulfed in judicial proceeding. For illustration, a H2O resource contention in Colorado started over a proposed dike ( Bingham, 1986 ) .Some parties declined to take part in the treatment until the inquiry of whether or non a dike was needed was answered. Others thought, a dike was the lone manner to work out the H2O deficit job. However, inquiring the inquiry † how much H2O do we necessitate? † is indispensable to understanding the job which brings into crisp focus problem-framing ; a critical but quite debatable measure in environmental policy preparation. The procedure of problem- bordering involves inquiring inquiries that explore different facets of the job. It ‘s amazing how frequently people fail to inquire what or why a job is happening instead than presuming the solution is apparent ( Watzlawick et al, 1974 ) .This premise of cognizing the solution before researching the job farther has chiefly been associated with experts who may see new jobs every bit precisely as old 1s ( Kaplan and Kaplan, 1982 ) .The presence of conflicting values, hazard and uncertainness does non intend a definite determination can non be taken.It merely stresses the director ‘s demand to believe beyond the traditional attack to job framing and job resolution. neglecting to see that most wicked jobs alone and associated with alteration, another challenge of wicked jobs. As discussed earlier, the assorted mutualities and multiple variables in wicked environmental job makes alteration inevitable phenomenon. Horst Rittel in his paper â€Å" Dilemmas in General Theory of Planning † explains that when covering with wicked jobs one must acknowledge that every wicked job is a symptom of another problem.Considering the fact that ecosystems, societal, econonmic, cognition, engineerings and public attitudes are so dynamic it is sensible for direction schemes and patterns to be dynamic as well.Policies must be continually be adapted to alter every bit good as constructed for local application.Wildavsky et Al, ( 1995 ) suggest that the lone manner to guarantee consistent advancement in dynamic and unsure state of affairss is to take incremental stairss that are bold plenty to go forth room for possible mistakes that enhance acquisition. Uncertainty is another challenge associated with wicked jobs due to the changeless alteration and reappraisal of scientific discipline and development. Therefore, it is rather rare for scientists to hold nem con on something as complex on an environmental or ecosystem level.In a complex unfastened system like the environment, cognition has bounds and certainty is far-fetched. What is the narrative today with the attack to work outing wicked environmental jobs? Is it working? It can be argued that uncertainness truly has played a function in the many statements that have characterized environmental direction treatments and a subscriber to the overplus of entreaties and judicial proceeding. The responses form authorities bureaus have been to bring forth more complex policy paperss warranting their actions and recommending for more research to do up for the cognition spreads that exists with the premise that differences are centrally about scientific discipline. On the contrary, grounds shows that difference in stakeholder places have more to make with conflicting values than with scientific uncertainness. This side of the statement is barely explored ensuing in the formulating of more paperss which have small to make with the underlying jobs. Owing to the fact that environmental direction makes determinations that affect both hereafter and present coevalss. There is a demand for better regulations and moralss to steer environmental directors. Bearing in head the challenges of changing ecological and societal conditions across big and spacial graduated tables, multiple stakeholder groups with really divergent values, high degrees of perceived hazard and scientific uncertainness, many research workers and environmental directors have espoused several theories and patterns which they deem are most appropriate for covering with wicked jobs. In the following subdivisions of this essay, three attacks ; adaptative direction, participatory procedures and the precautional rule will be introduced as the most appropriate for covering with modern-day environmental jobs. Adaptive direction has been argued as a direction scheme that will cover with scientific uncertainness and existent universe illustrations of its pertinence is apparent as reviewed in Stewart et al. ( 2004 ) . It has been associated with changing grades of success across a gamut of instances, each with results that enhance larning. The adaptative attack has been described as a acquisition attack that continually improves policy and pattern in the face of uncertainness and a tool to border philosophical, methodological and practical challenges that come with natural resource direction ( Holling 1978 ; Walters 1986 ; Lee 1993 ; Gunderson et Al. 1995 ) . † Learning by making † is the basic construct of adaptative direction. This attack has been recognized by international interdisciplinary attempts such as the sustainability scientific discipline plan ( Clark and Dixon, 2003 ) , the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment ( 2005 ) and the Equator Initiative of the United Nations Dev elopment Programme ( UNDP, 2005 ) as holding the possible to cover with the complexness of socio – ecological procedures and enhance acquisition. A instance survey of the on-going success of the adaptative direction attack is shown by Canada ‘s Model Forest. To cut down the uncertainness, complexness while advancing the development of advanced thoughts and sustainability the Federal authorities initiated Canada ‘s theoretical account Forest Program in 1992.The Program consists of 11 theoretical account woods across Canada selected to reflect the diverseness of ecosystems and societal systems present in Canada ‘s Forest environment. Each theoretical account Forest is designed to work as a life research lab where novel integrated forest direction techniques are researched, developed, applied and monitored in a transparent forum that engages and spouses with stakeholders from environmental administrations, industry, native groups, educational and research establishments, community – based associations, recreationists and landholders every bit good as all degrees of authorities. The success from this adaptative attack have been many and includes the development of voluntary wetland preservation plans for private lands ; establishemenrt of protocols for describing on socio economic indexs based on Statistics Canada nose count informations ; developing an ecosystem -integrated resource direction program for the Province of Saskatchewan, production of a codification of forestry pattern to assist landholders understand and use the rules of sustainable forest direction ; constitution of the Grand River Reserve to protect three eco-regions and home ground for the endangered Newfoundland pine marten. Research workers have identified two signifiers ; the passive and active types of adaptative direction ( Wilhere, 2000 ) . The passive is strongly science centred and formulates policy based on theoretical accounts and revises the theoretical accounts as monitoring informations becomes available. The active signifier nevertheless conducts direction action as deliberate experiments. Though the passive is rather simple and cheap the active signifier consequences in better apprehension of the responses of natural systems to direction and can assist develop better policy. However, no individual attack has the complete armory for contending wicked jobs and though adaptative direction has had many successes it has its restrictions. Short term undertaking frames, stiff marks and a focal point of success prompt directors to go on with conventional and controlled direction attacks, even when encouraged by authorities rhetoric to use adaptative attacks ( Allen and Curtis, 2005 ) This restriction is due to the fact that wicked jobs do non merely have scientific uncertainness but besides is engulfed in a overplus of stakeholder struggles. Therefore adaptative direction demands to integrate a societal side as good including institutional barriers. For illustration, institutional stableness, organisational civilization hinged on acquisition and equal political and administrative committedness of resources ( Lee,1993 ) .To be effectual, adaptative direction will necessitate to include cognition from multiple beginnings, system theoretical accounts and support cooperation among stakeholders ( McLain and Lee, 1996 ) .This demand has led to adaptive co-management an attack that combines adaptative and collaborative direction in which rights and duties are jointly shared to better battle the challenges that wicked jobs may convey. Thus, coaction brings into crisp focal point the demand for carefully designed public engagement. Public engagement has become an entrenched construct in the preparation, execution and direction of environmental issues owing to its suitableness for turn toing the involvements of multiple stakeholders and cut downing struggle. It is rather common to see National and subnational authoritiess require the input of the populace in managing and development of environmental policy. An illustration being the US National Environmental policy Act and the US Federal Advisory Committee Act. Thus engagement in decision-making is progressively regarded as a democratic right ( Reed, 2008 ) .Increasing calls for public engagement remainders on many factors including turning misgiving of public establishments and functionaries, inareaing legislative demands for public engagement, the complexness and uncertainness of modern-day jobs, different hazard perceptual experiences and a turning acknowledgment that determinations are non wholly scientific but societal values and political relations are bui lt-in in all administrative determinations. Politicss has non been extricated from how the environment is managed, degree of public engagement and at what point in the policy doing procedure it is incorporated. Participatory procedures besides have a challenge of placing groups of stakeholders and conveying these involvements together in an environment conducive for larning ( Gray,1989 ) .It has besides been associated with intensive resource committednesss ( money, clip and human capital ) , drawn-out determination devising, reduced determination quality, increased struggle and diminished likeliness of a successful result ( Sample, 1993 ; Steelman 2001 ) . The Precautionary attack is one possible response to wicked jobs in the face of uncertainness and hazard. Some bookmans assert that it is a powerful tool for protecting human wellness and the environment under unsure conditions ( Cameron and Boucher, 1991 ) whiles other believe it is ill- defined, unscientific and of small value to policymaking ( Manson 2002 ) . Still many states have some signifier of precautional rule in topographic point when confronted with unsure wellness hazards though they may non explicitly refer to it ( Zander, 2010 ) .While the chief importance of this rule is embedded in proverbs like † better safe than sorry † it cardinal thought is that engineerings or patterns that have the possible to jeopardize the environment should be banned or strongly regulated until proved safe. Under the precautional rule, the absence or deficiency of grounds refering the harmful nature of a substance or pattern can non function as a justification for detaining action to modulate them ( Raffensperger and Tickner, 1999 ) . For illustration, the issue of planetary warming normally includes statements that either favour business- as -usual or the precautional rule. Oppositions against the rule base their statements on scientific uncertainness sing how worlds have contributed to climate alteration and the badness of effects that may happen. They by and large advocate for farther research to cut down the uncertainnesss before dearly-won emission-reduction policies are implemented. Advocates of the precautional attack on the other manus argue that the likely inauspicious effects of the accretion of nursery gases in the ambiance are serious plenty to warrant potentially dearly-won ordinance despite staying uncertainnesss. Its part to long term, multigenerational effects of policy determinations has been emphasized nevertheless it can non individual -handedly provide a practical usher to covering with wicked jobs.

Legalization of Drugs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Legalization of Drugs - Essay Example In addition to marijuana, others, such as Douglas Husak, want to decriminalize all drugs as he explains in Four Points about Drug Legalization, a philosophical commentary on the irrationality of the â€Å"war on drugs.† Of course the idea of legalization to some, such as James Wilson, suggests legitimizing the use of dangerous, mind-altering substances which would lead to the increase of addiction therefore crime and the decline of society. Wilson’s comments are based more in real-world terms rather than philosophical but both arguments are similar to the ones held in the medical, legal and philosophical arenas along with those by common citizens at the office, home and social settings. Husak favors decriminalization but not necessarily legalization. He believes users should not be punished for drug use just as alcohol possession was not illegal during the Prohibition era during the 1930’s. It’s a subtle yet important distinction in the national debate. Wi lson contends the war on drugs is working. As an example, he points to the use of heroin, which has not increased since the drug war began in earnest during the early 1970’s. This is because it’s essentially the same - people are using it as back then. Young persons are afraid of getting caught and suffering through long prison terms in addition to not being able to afford the very expensive drug. Had heroin been made legal both those impediments to use would not exist. He provides evidence of the more liberal drug laws in Britain where heroin use has been climbing every year since the 1960’s to illustrate his point. On the other hand Husak argues that punishment should be reserved only for those who harm others such as assaults and theft. Imprisoning drug users is not rational. Millions of Americans use drugs but they use alone, and only very seldom does that do any harm except, possibly, to the person using. Yes, if that person commits robbery to support their drug habit, that’s a punishable crime but the actual use should not be. Additionally, the drug war has been employed unfairly, a circumstance that should nullify any law. â€Å"Drug prohibition would have vanished long ago had whites been sent to prison for drug offenses at the same rate as blacks. This is one of the features of prohibition that should outrage us all.† (Husak, 2003). Heroin is a debilitating drug, which, according to Wilson, serves the public good to be kept illegal. However, crack cocaine is worse and the thought of it being legalized is preposterous. At least when people are using Heroin, as Wilson says they are â€Å"helpless but at least harmless.† When using cocaine, people tend to become violent with the only goal of obtaining and using more, becoming binge users at the expense of their job and family. These addicts are impulsive, irritable, hyperactive, violent and uninhibited making them a constant danger to society. Therefore the user should be taken out of society. Women use crack cocaine more than men and cannot stop when they become pregnant which has very harmful effects for the innocent child. These are not isolated incidents, it is estimated that up to 50,000 babies are born every year addicted to cocaine in New York City alone. The reason people use crack more than heroin is the price. If we legalize drugs the price will drop for all varieties. We will see other drugs rise to the usage level of crack and beyond. Crack cocaine is a precursor, a lesson for future drug policies. (Wilson, 1990). Husak counters that one should not assume decriminalization will act to decrease the price of drugs. Again, the difference in legalization and decriminalization matters when discussing the method

The Jungle by Sinclair Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

The Jungle by Sinclair - Research Paper Example Though being classified as a naturalistic novel, it has been argued by many that the tone is one of interpretation and not of description (Taylor, 171- 172). In this paper, a great deal has been focused on physiological aspects. Sinclair’s perspectives, observation, outlook, presentation, etc are dealt with. Also, adequate amount of emphasis is given upon characterization in The Jungle. My psychological traits are described and compared with that of another major character of the story, the protagonist himself. Besides analyzing the similarities in character sketch of the protagonist, limitations of his character are also dealt upon. Jurgis, as a character is not almost perfect, but flawed in some aspects according to my point of view. At the same time, drawbacks of other characters are also sorted out. While doing so, we come to know about his inspirations, real facts about Lithuania, metaphors used, cultures and lifestyles of the inhabitants associated with meatpacking indus try in Chicago, etc. the final impression is one of awe and pity towards the suffering characters in The Jungle. 1) PSYCHOLOGY OF SINCLAIR: creation of authors mind It is not easy to trace the psychological flow of thoughts Sinclair had while composing this story. The plot of the story is a mixture of various elements and gives an aura of realist- utopian narrative. Like the ‘Souls of Black Folk’, Do Bois Sinclair’s motive can be divided as Preaching, the Picture and the Frenzy (Wienen, 166) The central figure, the protagonist was highlighted in the first theme because Sinclair wanted to highlight the voice of rebel within the Lithuanian community. That is what Jurgis becomes towards the end of the narrative. He wanted his character to take his steps slowly towards supremacy and power. In the music theme, Sinclair explored the true spirit of Lithuanian culture and society. In the last theme, the negative passion and its appeal was spread among various social clas ses (Bloom, 77) Sinclair had three chief objectives in his mind. Firstly, he wanted to bring out the pathetic conditions of the Lithuanians immigrants in US. Secondly, he wanted to hold the capitalist system responsible. Thirdly, Sinclair was an ardent follower of socialism. It was his belief that only socialism could bring the required change. The â€Å"body and soul† of the protagonist is saved when he has completely surrendered himself amidst a Socialist rally. Despair, anguish, exploitation and disillusionment of the contemporary world have been projected through the unfortunate life led by Jurgis. He loses his wife, his son, his father remains an invalid, and Ona’s cousin becomes a drug addict and prostitute, and finally seeks peace in a socialist meeting. What Sinclair emphasizes is the capability of the â€Å"egalitarian and democratic spirit† to end chaos and bring about reformation (Wienen, 165- 166). Approach towards ethnicity: Sinclair was aware of th e cultural distinctiveness of the Lithuanians, as he was aware of the â€Å"intrinsic value† of one’s self. On several occasions he had merged this with the cultural identity by equaling the self with others who share a common heritage and identity. More so, ethnicity is projected as collective cultural identity. What Sinclair endeavors is to put the roots of identity into firm grounds. This is the reason why Sinclair fabricated several ethnic bonds within the story. Thus, we can find contrasts

The Presence of Family History and the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Research Paper

The Presence of Family History and the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors in Rural Children - Research Paper Example The existence of several risk factors in the samples reporting a positive family history of diabetes Vs those with no history on diabetes was not statistically significant (Richard, 2010). According to the results, other factors apart from family history can also influence the development of this kind of diabetes in rural school going children. Purpose, problem and statement and sampling of the study The study sought to find the effect of the selected risks and how they lead to the development of the type 2 DM in rural children. The problem and purpose of the study clearly states the association between the variables used in the study. The focused population of the study is the children from rural areas and the study clearly indicates that on the problem statement. The objectives of the author were obtainable due to the inclusion of adequate information that will help achieve the purpose and hence will aid the solutions to the problem (Ogundipe, 2005). Hypothesis The study used both the combination of the null and research hypothesis. The prevalence of diabetes is related to genetic factors among the rural children There is a relationship between rural children type diabetes and family history Type 2 diabetes is prevalent among children from rural areas The study does not stop there or rather utilizes, for efficiency, the directional hypothesis. The hypotheses are having a strong base from the purpose of the study and their statements are clear and focused in the study. The hypotheses are appropriately tested using the t-statistics. Variables Independent Variable Type 2 DM Dependent Variable The family history. From the results 13.7 percent of 1255 participants recorded BMI which was greater than 27. And among the 13 percent, 46.5% reported a history of DM on their family. The independent variable is family history while the dependent variable Type 2 DM. these variables are consistent with the hypothesis, purpose and the questions of the study. However, these v ariables lack adequate conceptual and operational definition. Data collection methods The method of data collection employed was qualitative and qualitative techniques. For instance, open ended questionnaires were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Data collection instruments The study utilizes appropriate data collection methods and instruments by applying the use of the questionnaires to collect data. Data Analysis The samples were subjected to BMI and the results analyzed statistically. These instruments represent the validity of the results hence the general validity of the study. However, I suppose more data collection and instruments such as in self-reports, medical records and observation and also the sample size would have been increased so as to increase the representation of the target of the population. Methodologies The study uses a more advanced correlation research design. The study aims at screening about 4000 rural nursery school kids through 12t h grade children from families who has history of DM children from families with no history in DM, and then determines the frequency of preferred risk factors. Screen is a good method for this kind of analysis; however, a better analysis such as Body Mass Index has

Summery of Celia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summery of Celia - Essay Example The main character of the narrative is Celia, who is a black slave and is a victim as the story unfolds at each stage (McLaurin.). The theme of enslavement is as put forward by the American constitution then. The constitution saw it right to enslave people, and the irregularity was popular in the south. However, the north did not pursue the slavery institution in the various economic as well as the political endeavors. The story depicts a man who faces the demise of his wife and later on gives in to his sexual desires. The man chooses slavery as a way of fulfilling his desires. Celia is thus the unlucky girl, and she becomes an asset to the man at the age of fourteen years. She did not survive the test of time, and she tends to believe she is born for the fulfillment of the man. His master, Newsom, treats her as a sexual object. Celia bears two children for Newsom. After five years of unbearable life in the homestead, she finds a lover by the name of George. Due to their relationship, she tends to go to her master to end their sexual contract. The effort is unsuccessful. Due to the harassment, she kills her master and is taken to court to answer the charges. The enslavement institution tampers with her proceedings in court before the jury. It is due to the fact she is not able to defend herself in court. She is not given the capacity to narrate the numerous incidents that she experiences with her former master. The right of defending herself in court was as per the American constitution, but the granting of the opportunity was impossible since she was a slave. The narrative articulates that the Negroes in America were the main race that was suitable for enslavement. The Atlantic slave trade was a major boost for the racial discrimination. The story also puts forward that court proceedings and rulings did not recognize blacks as

Analysis and Summary of Health Risk information about Abilene Research Paper

Analysis and Summary of Health Risk information about Abilene Community - Research Paper Example From this population, the approximate number of people considered homeless is 625-1,875 per night. This is based on a formulae used by Housing and Urban Development to determine the number of homeless people in an area. Housing and Urban Development uses 0.5%-1.5% of the overall population to determine the number of homeless people. Local homeless population in Abilene has been determined to be around 1000 people. Hope Haven Incorporation confirms that the number of homeless people served and turned away every year is approximately 1000 (AHHI, n.d). Homelessness in Abilene is different from that observed in urban areas considering the living conditions and even the race. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, in urban areas, most homeless people are African-American males. The definition of homelessness by the federal government and the perception of homelessness by the people also affect the face of homelessness in Abilene. Abilene is a semi-rural city with white sing le males as most of its homeless people. The federal government considers homelessness as lack of regular, fixed and enough night-time residence. Most people have the impression that homelessness is living on the streets or in shelters. In Abilene the homeless are likely to be hidden because it is a semi-rural city. In such areas, homeless people mostly live in make-shift lean-tos, abandoned houses or in automobiles. Under these conditions, the homeless lack water and electricity (Eiserer, n.d). Additionally, homeless people in semi-rural and rural areas are less likely to live in shelters or on the streets. Most of them live with their relatives in substandard or overcrowded housing (Eiserer, n.d). This status increases the number homelessness related diseases, especially when they go unrecognized. It increases the risk of infection and affects control of already existing diseases. Abilene community also has the problem of overcrowding in elementary schools. Abilene has been experi encing increased numbers of student enrolment over the years. This however, has not been accompanied by increased elementary educational facilities leading to overcrowding. Because of overcrowding, AISD has proposed a boundary rezoning that is expected to balance the number of students in different schools. Overcrowding is expected be eased at Jackson elementary school, overcrowding is expected to create more space at Ward Elementary, and increase enrolment at Reagan and Dyess. This rezoning is expected to affect Dyess, Jackson, Ward, Bassetti and Reagan Elementary schools (Powell, 2013). Overcrowding causes health problems both directly and indirectly. It enhances the spread of infectious diseases directly, and causes strain on existing facilities, which then cause various types of health problems and diseases. Community Health Nursing Diagnosis 1 Health Risk: Higher Prevalence or Existence of Homeless Diseases than expected The conditions of the houses that the homeless people liv e in are a contributing factor to their health status. Hope Haven Incorporation indicates that in a year, approximately 1000 homeless people are served or turned away (AHHI, n.d). This could be exclusive of other homeless people who could be living with their relatives, in abandoned houses, make-shift lean-tos and in automobiles among other areas. It means that the number of homeless people that the city planners and charity organizations are aware of could be more than 1000. Homeless people suffer from various diseases such as tooth decay, trauma, respiratory infections, vision disturbances, trauma, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse,

Influence on family structure Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Influence on family structure - Assignment Example Ying Ying’s marriage to an American is explored. Lindo’s escape from a child marriage is related. This club helped the women deal with their home lives in a positive manner almost like group therapy. The negative community influences for the mothers were the expectation of the Chinese toward women. Chinese women were supposed to be meek and mild. Although as seen these women were far weak, having been through harrowing situations. An Mei mother’s family disowned her for becoming a man’s concubine despite her being forced is an example. Ying Ying’s marriage to the American man that was not generous to her is another example. Lindo’s forced marriage at twelve and Suyaun’s forced abandonment of her twins are all examples of how the Chinese community restricted these women negatively. The pressure on the daughters are different in America, but the pressure is still present. Jing-Mei, Suyaun’s daughter, and Waverly, Lindo’s daughter, become childhood rivals at their mothers’ urgings. Lena, Ying Ying’s daughter, becomes as passive as her mother to be the perfect wife. An Mei’s daughter is treated poorly by her husband until she hears an Mei’s story. All of these daughters had the pressure of hope from their mothers. These daughters had their mothers’ hopes pinned on them. Hopefully the hope was well founded, but the pressure of their mothers’ hopes was

Analysing Online Consumer Shopping Motivations For Luxury Products Research Paper

Analysing Online Consumer Shopping Motivations For Luxury Products - Research Paper Example Each day more and more people take the leap to purchase online. Several organizations desire to capitalize on the growing momentum of the online revolution. According to Javadi & et. al., as compared to physical outlets, online stores possesses a number of unmatched benefits. They are much expedient than physical outlets and allow customers to save time on traveling or waiting lines. Online stores remain accessible at any time and provide customers with rich information regarding different products and services offerings. In present days, online customers possess a greater extent of control along with bargaining power in comparison with physical stores because online medium renders more interactivity between customers and product or service providers. Online shopping has shifted the balance of bargaining power in favor of the customers because it has become quite convenient for them to make comparisons and assess different alternatives without being pressurized by the sales persons. Online shopping facilitates to minimize the transaction expenses along with providing benefits for both customers and suppliers. Consumer behavior is regarded as the dynamic collaboration of thought of persons and its effect. It is determined as the procedures and the activities people involve with while searching, purchasing and evaluating products. As stated by Perez-Schafer, there are three key domains which can define purchasing behavior of consumers. Fig 1 depicts the three vital domains of consumer behavior. ur. Fig 1: Three Domains of Consumer Behaviour Source: (Perez-Schafer & et. al., 2007, p. 2) Consumer Affect and Cognition: Consumer affect denotes consumers’ feelings and emotions. Emotions are collaboration between thought and physiology. These emotions generate different feelings amid consumers such as fondness, disliking, satisfaction, pleasure and sadness among others. On the other hand, cognition commonly refers to the rationale of people. It is a mental process of understanding, assessing, planning, determining and thinking. These feelings, emotions and cognitions are related with each other and determine consumer behaviour by a considerable extent (Perez-Schafer & et. al., 2007). Consumer Behaviour: Consumer behaviour denotes physical activities of consumers which can be directly perceived and measured. Usually, different perceptions of people generate explicit behaviour amid consumers. The traditional model of purchasing procedure was usually followed by single explic it behaviour. However, in present days, the purchasing procedure involves multiple behaviours comprising interaction between thought and perception (Sukato & Elsey, 2007). Consumer Environment: Consumer environment signifies external constituents that affect purchasing behaviour. These constituents comprise physical objects such as products and outlets, longitudinal relationships such as store location and social comportments such as

Integration of Financial Markets over past 25 years Essay

Integration of Financial Markets over past 25 years - Essay Example The world has become a smaller place and globalization has contributed towards the growth of international credit as a result of an international integration of the goods and services market and the growing presence of multinational companies. The GNP has seen more than twice growth in the share of imports and exports for most nations which in turn brought about a large increase in international lending and borrowings for the purpose of addressing the needs of current account transactions (Bekeart, Harvey, and Lumsdaine, 2002). Open financial markets have been regarded as an opportunity for expansion of investor’s portfolio diversification scope and therefore has a higher potential for greater risk-adjusted return. For the country, smooth consumption is allowed and saves them from potential shocks. Financial flows also result in the flow of capital with potential welfare gains and growth and international risk sharing. The costs of financial integration might also be as drastic as its benefits. Countries run the risk of reversal of capital flows and the risk of increased volatility through a largely open capital market. The recent financial crisis has been an example of the drawbacks of financial integration worldwide where the financial meltdown in one country has impacted the complete global economy. Although there was some misalignment of fundamentals, the financial crisis has brought focus to the instability inherent within the financial markets as a result of the financial integration process. This calls for a stronger regulatory supervision and more stubborn financial systems (Agà ©nor, 2001). The paper is organized beginning with a discussion on the operational significance of international financial markets and moves on to evaluate determinants of foreign exchange markets for the long run and the short run. The paper also analyses the international stock exchange and its role and reflection on the financial integration.

International Student Life Essay Example for Free

International Student Life Essay I am a international student who are studying in America. My goals are improving my English and enter a collage. Studying in America has a lot of advantages, such as we can learn new cultures. But Studying in different country is a difficult thing for teenager, for example, we need to adapt to new surroundings. First, studying in America, it is a good thing for me. For example, I can improve English faster, because I have to communicate with teachers, students and my homestay in English every day, I can more practice my spoken. But in China, even though I studied in English school, I spoke Chinese most of the time in my life. The second, I can study a lot of new cultures. For instance, I can study ways of greetings in America. When people get back home, they will say â€Å"Did you have a good day? † then, people will talk about their life. When my homestay ask me, †Did you have a good day? † I am feeling very warm. But in china, when I got back home, I just said† Dad, Mum, I am coming back! † So in my opinion, American greetings could promote sentiment between the parents and friends. Finally, I can make friends who can speak English. Such as my friend who name is Myahri. She is from Turkmenistan. She is very nice to me. She taught me how to stay with American family, how to make American friends and how to write essay. She often encourages me. I had a lot of benefit from her. I really cherish this friend. Everything has two handles. Studying in America also has a lot of disadvantages. we need to adapt to new surroundings. For instance, American schools have different school system. In China, students take their all the classes in the same classroom, and the student locker is in their own classroom. But in America , I need take next period book and find next period classroom in five minutes. Sometimes I even have not time to go to bathroom. Then because of cultural differences, for example, American like using Email, but Chinese do not like using Email such as me. I hardly use Email in China. At beginning, because of my regular habit, I missed lots of important information. The last point is language problem. For instance, my English is not good. So some of the classes is very difficult to me. Sometimes I need spent many times doing my homework. Because I need translate questions and handouts. It is hard to keep grade for international student. Studying in America is a difficult thing, but if you try to make America friends, it is very helpful to you. American friends will make your like more colorful. You need spend more time staying with homestay, it will develop relationship between you and your homestay. It is helpful for your daily life. Finally, I think that football is good to know. Everyone in America likes football game. This is a good topic to talk with people. In general, also studying in America is difficult thing to me, but I think that studying in America has more good than bad. This is good chance to improve myself. And studying America , I can have more chance to enter famous university.

Town of Manchester Essay Example for Free

Town of Manchester Essay In the article â€Å"Kentucky Town of Manchester Illustrates National Obesity Crisis,† Wil Haygood demonstrates how the dangers of obesity are rampant in small towns. Specifically, how their surroundings are contributing to the alarming obesity rate in this charming little town of Manchester. While Haygood depicts how the locals â€Å"celebrate the joys of community closeness,† he also reveals how â€Å"it is one of the unhealthiest places of all†. In fact, he points out that an estimated 52% of the 2,100 residents are considered obese, and that a majority of those are young children. To illustrate, Haygood cites a research study conducted in Manchester and surrounding counties by Jill Day, a local resident. The findings revealed that â€Å"Of the 277 [children surveyed], eight of those fourth- and fifth-graders were underweight, 135 were healthy, 49 were overweight, and 85 were obese†. In other words, he is indicating that roughly 48% of children are suffering from this obesity epidemic. Haygood suggests the problem originates from having too many fast food restaurants without enough healthy alternatives; paired with the fact that there are not enough locations that promote activity or exercise. For example, Manchester has at least 8 fast food restaurants as well as a Wal-Mart that sells mostly snack food. The only place for exercise is a physical therapy office. He also addresses the notion that obesity is more hereditary than anything else. He quickly refutes this argument by simply quoting Jill Day: â€Å"Since 1980, obesity has tripled in children, so we can’t totally blame genetics for this increase†. Overall, Haygood highlights that while being from a small town is comforting and favorable, it may be just as damaging and detrimental.

History and background of medical tourism

History and background of medical tourism CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The practice of travelling abroad to obtain medical and health care services is called as medical tourism. The benefits of medical tourism are getting widely popular among people because people are getting aware about the benefits of medical tourism like the lower cost of the medical procedures and can enjoy their holiday in a exotic location during the recovery period. This outsourcing for health care is grown as a new trend and many American and European tourists prefer medical tourism for cosmetic and medical procedures. The countries which are lack of advanced medical procedures leads the people living there to fly abroad to get appropriate medical services. The practice of travelling abroad is a trend which developed from the ancient period and there is a long history of people travelling to other countries for health purposes. In Italy and throughout the Roman provinces, the Ancient Romans constructed resorts with thermal health spas, and the Ancient Greeks would travel to [on the Saronic Gulf] to visit the sanctuary of the healing god, Asklepios, who revealed remedies to them in their dreams (Bookman and Bookman 2007: 4-5). From the 15th to 17th centuries, the poor sanitary conditions in Europe prompted an interest by the rich in medicinal spas, mineral springs and the seaside for health purposes. These wealthy individuals would also travel to renowned medical schools for medical assistance (Swarbrooke and Horner 2007: 16, 33). This continued into the 18th and 19th centuries where spa towns, particularly in the south of France, became popular for health cures, the sun, and escaping the cold climatic conditions in the north of Europe (Holden 2006: 21-23). The rapid urbanisation and social change experienced during Industrialisation aggravated the unsanitary and poor living environments in Britain and some sections of Europe, with anti-urban values and a growing concern for health developing as a result (Holden 2006: 30). The formation of the railways allowed increasing and diverse flows of people to more distant seaside and coastal resorts, which provided a distinctive and escapist environment from urban isation, and the opportunity to practice what was viewed as a healthy pastime of sun-seeking (Holden 2006: 30; Swarbrooke and Horner 2007: 16,33) Spa tourism and sun-seeking persisted into the 20th century. Medicinal springs, spas, Beaches and resorts, particularly in warm and dry climates, continued to be considered therapeutic through long exposures to the sun, fresh air and water (Swarbrooke and Horner 2007: 33).Thus it is easy to understand that the health tourism has developed from the ancient age with myths and beliefs and as cure from natural resources to the current stage of various medical and surgical procedures and cosmetic therapies and for alternative therapies like yoga, naturopathy and ayurvedic medicine. Michael Moody (2007) indicates that the medical tourism trend began when residents of one country would go to another country to have cosmetic or dental procedures completed while on vacation or to recover from such procedures in a vacation like destination. Today, countries like India, the East Indies, South America and South East Asia offer treatment facilities at par with international standards at just a fraction of cost. The factors such as high cost of healthcare in developed countries, long waiting list in government medical facilities and the reduction of air fare are the majority of reasons which contributed for the growth of the medical tourism. The hospitals in India, the East Indies, South American countries and South East Asia offer a high quality medical care which is par with international standards in very cheap money compared to developed nations. India is one of worlds favorite tourist destinations and has many hospitals of international standard and English speaking staffs and therefore there are less chances of language barrier for the western patients. India has alternative therapies like Yoga naturopathy siddha and ayurvedic medical practices. One of the recent survey conducted in India on the healthcare indicates that the medical tourism in India will grow to US $ 125 to 250 million in the year 2012.(CII McKinsey study).The low cost and high standard treatment and care are the reasons which accelerates the medical tourism in India. The following example will illustrate about the economical as well as tourist benefits of medical tourism in India. Howard Staab, a self-employed carpenter from North Carolina, flew to India for his medically necessary heart surgery, scheduled a side trip to the TajMahal, and returned home to work in North Carolina. He spent a total of less than $10,000, instead of the $200,000 required from t he local hospital ( Milstein and Smith 2006).This indicates that India has patients for procedures like heart surgery which requires state of art facilities and highly skilled medical team. Other than that it also shows the money difference when compared with developed nations. Kerala like any other states in India also has lot of potential to be a market leader in medical tourism. Kerala often described as Gods own countryis one of the favorite tourist destinations in India. The geography of Kerala is embellished with lush green coconut groves, scenic beaches, tranquil backwaters and enriched culture. There is a pride of place in the field of medicine for this Indian state and medical tourism is the new facet of Kerala. Medical tourism is very popular in some states of India and this study focuses on a city of Kerala state. Kerala is considered one of the most favorite tourist destinations in India because of its beaches, hills, lagoons, backwaters and enriched culture. This state has tremendous potential to boom its medical tourism and the tourism industry is promoting itself with several ayurvedic and health packages. This study focuses on the trends of medical tourism in the city of Trivandrum which is located on the southernmost state of India called Kerala. This city is the current capital of the state of Kerala and it is known for its scenic beauties and beaches.This city also has several international standard hospitals and traditional ayurvedic resorts and clinics. Objective of the Research Study The principle aim of this study was to investigate and critically analyse the recent trends in the medical tourism in the Trivandrum, the southernmost city of India. This study also analyses the behavior of the medical tourist and their expectations in the services provided by the hospital or the clinic and the tourist operators or agencies. This study also focuses to address the a gap that exists in similar study conducted before. The aim was to address the gap between available literature and demand for further research on the subject by adopting a clearly defined and structured research design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Find the factors that drive Medical Tourism in Trivandrum Analyse the issues which determine success of medical tourism in Trivandrum Identify the problems faced by Medical Tourism in Trivandrum Make suitable suggestions for improvement of Medical Tourism in Trivandrum Rationales The first and foremost reason for choosing the topic of the study is to lay out before the readers the state of the Indian medical tourism sector at a moment in time when it is in great flux. Moreover the author was working in one such hospital which was market leader in medical tourism in the city of Trivandrum. The medical tourism sector is believed to be a great boon of economical growth in Kerala and therefore by doing a study at this particular time may give readers awareness about the situation challenges and scopes. Other than that medical tourism it is an area of interest of the author as he wants to analyse the trends and issues involved in the medical tourism industry in Trivandrum city. The purpose of this research note is to outline some of the challenges and opportunities ahead, as health tourism finds its prominence in the practical and conceptual domains of tourism. Further there are predictions for Trivandrum city to flourish with medical tourism in next five to ten y ears and it is right time to analyse the challenges and scopes ahead. Structure of the study This study explores the trends of medical tourism in Trivandrum city and the issues around it. The need for further research on the topic has been established with carrying out a secondary research followed by primary research and by comparing evaluating the primary and secondary research. According to McDaniels carrying out exploratory research will gave the researcher clarification to understand the magnitude of topic area and thereby permitted a clearer and stronger perception of the environment and the situation which arise within it. (McDaniels, 2001). CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW The medical tourism has an advantage of providing cost effective medical care collaborating with the health care industry and with the travelling industry to the patients who need medical treatment in a location different to their home town. Thus medical tourism occurs with the combination of healthcare services and tourism and travel domain. The facts that led the growth of the medical tourism are the availability cheap and high quality medical care in one geographical location and existence of long queue of patients for medical procedure and high prices of medical care in one geographical region. The outcome of these factors is the growth of medical tourism resulting in people moving to another geographical location for health care. DEFINITION The term medical tourism is a term coined in recent period but the practise seems to exist from ancient period and the trends in medical tourism have changed with the time. The health tourist travel to their favourite destination for different medical and surgical procedures, cosmetic surgeries, alternative medicine, and spas and health resorts. The considerations and risk for different procedures vary accordingly. The medical tourism has gained social, economical and political interest but it has gained scant attention in tourism literature generally. Bookman and Bookman (2007) define medical tourism as travel with the aim of improving ones health, and also an economic activity that entails trade in services and represents the splicing of at least two sectors: medicine and tourism. The health tourism is seen as means of leisure oriented and stress relief as many people opt for sun and spas. Although there is no single definition for health tourism, it could be broadly defined as people traveling from their place of residence for health reasons (Ross 2001). Several demographic, economic, and lifestyle factors are driving such tourism (Handszuh and Waters 1997; Ross, 2001). Bennett et al. (2004: 123) acknowledge a liberal definition of health tourism would be any pleasure-orientated tourism which involves an element of stress relief, meaning it is an enjoyable and relaxing activity Pollock and Williams (2000: 165), Laws (1996 in Henderson 2004: 112) and tries to see the health tourism with the view that it is a separation between the ordinary and the extraordinary; the everyday world of work and home versus the combination of health and tourism in leisure, recreational and educational activities. Then Schofield has a view that health tourism is a means to achieve improvement in physical, mental and social well being. (Schofield 2004: 137). The above all definitions try to define health tourism as a means to escape from every day routine and improve stress free healthful life. Henderson (2004: 113) insists that health tourism as travel where the primary purpose is treatment in pursuit of better health that may involve hedonistic indulgences of spas and alternative therapies, while medical tourism incorporates health screening, hospitalization, and surgical operations. Ross (2001) after analysing various factors and literature tries to define health tourism as any kind of tourism that involves a person or his family member for the purpose of wellbeing and he considers that health tourism mainly focuses on two main domains as pampering and wellness. Pampering are services like massage, herbal wraps and exfoliating scrubs whereas wellness involves with improving physical and mental state and sometime it may involve with the treatment. MEDICAL TOURISM AND ITS TRENDS The concept of medical tourism have undergone many changes in recent times and there is a change in the trends like people from developed countries moving to developing countries for medical procedures for the difference in the cost. The global medical standards and regulations have been implemented in different countries and this in turn raises the number of people seeking cost advantage and best treatment in their preferred destination. The market of medical tourism depends on awareness and application of significant issues such as social diversities, consumer benefits, branding of products, legal frame work infrastructure, target markets, the actual product and communication channels (Dannell Mugumba).Therefore it is understood that the people from developed countries choose their destination after analysing various features and therefore there exist high competition between the countries to promote medical tourism. The one more key component in this medical tourism is the medical concierge services. These are medical travel companies that provide service to the traveller and they act as a link between tourist and the destination (Lagiewski, 2007).They have a vital role in the tourist experience from planning, stay, and post stages of the trip. The medical travel guide meets the tourist at the airport and he is the local agent who works as interpreter, guide and assists the tourist to stay in communication with his loved ones in his home. (Smith and Forgione, 2007). According to Connell (2006) the ability to the countries to ensure the medical tourist that healthcare is of safe quality is a vital factor and this will be the main barrier for a destination to promote itself as most favourite destination In order to combat this concern, international accrediting agencies are in the process of certifying the quality and safety of global healthcare delivery. The tourist decides to engage in medical tourism on the basis of five a factor identified by Lagieweskii.Her study identifies the first and foremost as the alternative healthcare facility to their countrys facility which should be of high standard and at affordable cost. This factor is the main factor and when the tourist is satisfied with first factor the next will be cost of treatment and travel of great importance. The tourist may seek other country because of the e big waiting list in their home country. There may be some reasons like remote destination for tourist for certain cosmetic proced ures. The nature of the country is also an important factor because tourist seeks a country free from risk factors associated with safety, security and actability. ( Lagiewski,2007). The country trying to make itself as most preferred destination for medical tourism it should emphasize on the fact that its overall appeal and the experiences offered to the other competing destinations. (Dwyer and Kim 2003).Dwyer and Kim insists that the destination should have the competitive advantage to become successful in the medical tourism industry. According to Dwyer and Kim the existence of two type of resource group may lead to achieve competitive advantage. They are the endowed resources and created resources. Endowed resources are natural heritage and cultural attributes to a specific destination and created resources are services associated with the tourist such as accommodation, food and beverage establishments, and manmade attraction. There can be created resources such as special events entertainment and shopping which adds extra value to he destination. There can be supporting factors such as general infrastructure; quality of service; accessibility of the destinat ion; hospitality of the host population; and market ties. Growth has been facilitated by the rise of the Internet, and the emergence of new companies, that are not health specialists, but brokers between international patients and hospital networks. It has also grown because of rapidly improving health care systems in some key countries, where new technologies have been adopted. Above all it has followed the deliberate marketing of health care (in association with tourism) as medical care has gradually moved away from the public sector to the private sector, ensuring that a growing majority of people, especially in the richest countries, and particularly in the United States, must pay-often considerably-for health care Finally, the factors like growth in medical tourism is done by the changing life style where people are ready to undergo cosmetic surgery, involving such elective procedures as rhinoplasty, liposuction, breast enhancement or reduction, LASIK eye surgery and so on, or more simply the removal of tattoos, have created new demands. Various forms of dental surgery, especially cosmetic dental surgery, are not covered by insurance in countries like the UK and Australia; hence dental tourism has become particularly common. In Asia these trends are the unlikely child of new global realities: the fallout of terrorism, the Asian economic downturn, internet access to price information, and the globalisation of health services (Levett, 2005) India and medical tourism India is a country of rich culture and heritage and one of the most favorite destinations for tourism. It is one of the existing oldest civilizations in the world for a period of more than 4000 years and it has fusion of traditions, customs and diversity. (myindia).The survey conducted by lonely planet about the worlds favourite tourist destination among 134 countries ranks India as one among the worlds top 5 tourist destination.(lonelyplanet) There are similar surveys and rankings for India as National Geographic describes India as Land of mystery and majesty. The company i explore also ranks India as one of the tp 5 destinations in world. The Forbes traveller states India as one the fast growing travel markets. (ICRImedical tourism) A number of destinations within India developed as havens for rest and recuperation such as hill stations at Darjeeling and the lakes in Kashmir where during the colonial era members of British era would retreat for cool breeze and a change of scenery. Late during the 19th century people began travelling India in search of alternative life style often focusing on yoga or meditation and following the footsteps of celebrities. India is building on these traditions as a wellness destination by a developing expertise in medical tourism (Garcia Altes 2005: conell 2006a). The main marketing segments for medical tourism in India are patients from USA and European and middle east nations, while growing niche is formed by Indian expatriates ,particularly those live in USA and the UK.(Conell 2006), who combine medical treatment with visits to family and friends. Medical tourism as a niche has emerged from the rapid growth of what has become an industry, where people travel often long distances to overseas countries to obtain medical, dental and surgical care while simultaneously being holidaymakers, in a more conventional sense. It has grown dramatically in recent years primarily because of the high costs of treatment in rich world countries, long waiting lists (for what is not always seen institutionally as priority surgery), the relative affordability of international air travel and favorable economic exchange rates, and the ageing of the often affluent post-war baby-boom generation. Growth has been facilitated by the rise of the Internet, and the emergence of new companies, that are not health specialists, but brokers between international patients and hospital networks. It has also grown because of rapidly improving health care systems in some key countries, where new technologies have been adopted. Above all it has followed the delibera te marketing of health care (in association with tourism) as medical care has gradually moved away from the public sector to the private sector, ensuring that a growing majority of people, especially in the richest countries, and particularly in the United States, must pay-often considerably-for health care Medical tourism is an important part of the Indian tourism industry and holds immense growth potential. The medical tourism sector had experienced a phenomenal growth in the flow of medical tourists from10,000 patients in 2000 to stupendous 180,000 by 2005. (Source: RNCOS report on Indian Tourism Industry Forecast (2007-2011) The Indian government takes meticulous steps in promoting medical tourism and it tries to increase the growth of foreign medical tourist by providing medical visas called M visas. These M visas are valid for one year and it is issued for the accompanies and Indian ministry of tourism has stocked its 13 overseas offices with information regarding these visas.( Meleigy) In 2002,2.2 million foreigners visited India :those numbers increased by 20 percent the following year(Mathew 2004).The tourist literature produced by the Indian government portrays India as a country rooted in tradition and also sufficiently modern to offer western style amenities (Bandyoupdhay and Morais 2005) A study by McKinsey and Confederation of Indian Industry says that at its current pace of growth, healthcare tourism alone can rake over 8,000 crore additional revenue by 2012.(cii mckinsey study) There are several states in India and the private hospitals in India target for the medical tourist other than the home patients. The southern state of Kerala which is very rich in culture and heritage and ancient medical practice like Ayurvediac ,Siddha and Yoga leads in attracting the foreign tourist for medical health and leisure tourism. Kerala Kerala is a bizarre anomaly among developing nations, a place that offers real hope for the future of the Third World. Consider: This small state in India, though not much larger than Maryland, has a population as big as Californias and a per capita annual income of less than $300. But its infant mortality rate is low, its literacy rate among the highest on Earth, and its birthrate below Americas and falling faster. Keralas citizens live nearly as long as Americans or Europeans. Though mostly a land of paddy-covered plains, statistically Kerala stands out as the Mount Everest of social development; theres truly no place like it. The National Geographic Traveler, which once made Kerala the cynosure of all eyes in the world travel circuit by describing it as one of the 50 paradises in the world. (National Geographic) Kerala is one of the most visited tourists destination of India. It is globally famous for its enchanting tourists attractions that are off beat than any other tourists places in the world. Every year hundred and thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Kerala to enjoy holidays in splendor. The state is endowed with palm fringed beaches, verdant hill stations, captivating beaches, emerald paddy fields, historical churches and more of all picturesque backwaters. This makes the marketing medical tourism easier in Kerala. Accreditation of health centers The quality of the medical care is the first and foremost factor considered by the medical tourist. According to the medical tourism association the accreditation is the means of way to attain safety and overall positive results to the patients who travel from one country to another for treatment purposes. The medical tourist can look into the accreditation to ensure the safety of the treatment in the hospital. The accreditation program is very essential to help patients, employers and insurance companies who can look into the accreditation status and thereby can find the hospitals with highest quality of care during their entire patient experience. The medical tourism industry grows day by day and therefore there is a necessity to ensure that hospitals, clinic and rehabilitation centers entering medical tourism posses proper infrastructure to meet the medical tourist. There is a need to certify that the center has proper communication facilities, transparency in quality and pricing, informed consent, proper medical care and further follow up facilities. The accreditation is focused on the fact that international patients have special needs and requirements than domestic patients. The accreditation is usually given by bodies which may by government or non government with the panel of expert members to examine and find whether the organization meets the requirements.(medical tourism association) The accreditation to the allopathic medical practice in Trivandrum is provided by the international accreditation bodies such as Joint Commission International (JCI), ISO 9001 2000 etc. Other than the international bodies Trivandrum city has hospitals certified by NABH, a board set up by government of India. (See appendix).These are the major accreditations of medical service in India. The ayurvedic practice is the unique specialty and most popular medical practice in India and they have accreditation done by Body set up by Government of Kerala as Green leaf and Olive leaf and green leaf is the highest degree of accreditation and its followed by olive leaf and these accreditation ensures the quality of ayurvedic treatment in Kerala. (expresshealthcare) Ayurvedic tourism in Kerala Kerala is usually marketed as a health destination for its ayurveda packages. Medical tourism is marketed along with ayurveda and other health packages. Kerala ayurveda tourism has becoming a huge selling point for Kerala tourism industry. State promotes Kerala ayurveda tourism as a part of medical tourism to the world. Today popularity of Kerala ayurvedic treatment has gained such a momentum that tourist from across the world come to Kerala to rejuvenate and for therapeutic treatment. Ayurvedic medical practice is the most ancient medical system originated in India before 10,000 years ago and in India the ayurvedic practice is more popular in kerala where it is practiced in traditional way. As per ayurveda specialists, the rainy season (June August) is the best time for ayurvedic treatments as the atmosphere remains dust free and cool, which helps open the pores of the body to the maximum.(Messerli and Oyama 2004) Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the affected part, but the individual as a whole. Kerala ayurvedic treatments and rejuvenation therapies are natural way to refresh and eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body and to regain resistance and good health. Most of the ayurvedictherapies help to strengthening the immune system, preventing and curing diseases without any side effects. There are number of resorts and hospitals throughout state which are integral parts of Kerala ayurveda tourism and offering customized ayurveda holiday packages which help you to rejuvenate the body and soul and to start a fresh life. Kerala ayurveda provides number of treatments ranging from de-stressing, anti-ageing, weight loss, joint pains and general rejuvenation. Elements of medical tourism in Trivandrm Review of similar studies.

VARIOLA VIRUS Essay examples -- Essays Papers

VARIOLA VIRUS SMALLPOX INTRODUCTION The Variola virus, which is the most virulent member of Genus Orthopoxvirus, is the causative agent of smallpox. It specifically infects humans. The primary reason for infection in humans is due to its ability to evade the host immune responses, and avoid complement activation. Over the centuries, this naturally occurring virus has spread throughout the earth, through various environments, to cause severe outbreaks. The most devastation outbreak had a case-fatality rate of 40 percent in individuals who have not been vaccinated. The Variola virus is a double-stranded DNA virus. It has two envelopes: the outer envelope is present only in the extracellular state. The outer surface or the core membrane, which surrounds the core of the virus, contains lipids and proteins and has a complex symmetry. The core, which has a dumbbell-shape, contains a large amount of the double-stranded DNA (186kbp), about 10 enzymes to mediate gene expression and lots of nucleoproteins- both specific and common. These proteins are involved in DNA transcription, as well as inducing cross-reactive immunity (IOM, 1999). The space outside the core contains lateral bodies – which do not have any known functions. There are two forms of the variola virus: variola major and variola minor. Variola major is the lethal strain, while variola minor is not lethal, but a mild strain, which is very similar to major but is only genetically different. The most common strain is the variola major, which produces the more severe symptoms, and with a fatality rate of 20% to 40%, within the 7th day of infection. The variola minor is the milder form of the disease that has a death rate of less than 1%. Surviving infection from... ...o, Pere, MD. "Smallpox: The Triumph Over the Most Terrible of the Ministers of Death." Annals of Internal Medicine. 1997; 127:635- 42. Ellner, P.D. "Smallpox: Gone but Not Forgotten." Infection. 1998; 26 (5); 263-9. CDC overview: www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/facts.asp CDC overview2: www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/overview/disease-facts.asp CDC vaccine : www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/contraindictions-public.asp Koplow, David. "Smallpox: The Fight to Eradicate a Global Scourge. 2003 IOM(Institute of Medicine): "Live Variola Virus – committee on the assessment of future Scientific needs for live variola virus. National Academy Press; 1999. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). October 1, 2002 http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=ds00424 Nature Reviews Immunology 2, 544 (2002); doi:10.1038/nri868

The Race to Understanding and Manipulating DNA :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Early 1953. Three labs, two in England and one in California, raced to discover the structure of deoxyribose nucleic acid. At Cal Tech in Pasadena, California, Linus Pauling had recently discovered the alpha-helix. Now he was turning his attention to DNA. At King's College in the University of London, Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin, although hampered by their inability to get along with one another, had taken actual pictures of DNA using x-rays and were hot on the trail. The most unlikely pair in the race, a 24-year-old American biologist and a 36-year-old English physicist, were also close to identifying the elusive molecule, although they were forbidden from directly working on it. And so the race intensified for the secret of life itself. Get Ready, Get Set... Mendel and Pea Plants The events leading up to this race actually began with an Austrian monk named Johann Gregor Mendel. Although in reality Mendel wanted to be a high school teacher, he failed the mandatory examination three times and decided to become a monk to pursue his studies in the peace of a monastery (Asimov, Genes 11). Interested in the inheritance of characteristics, he began working with pea plants in 1857. He crossed true-bred plants and then their offspring and recorded the results. From these results he established general rules or laws for inheritance. He worked for eight years and with over ten thousand different plants (Arnold 20). Looking for a sponsor for his work, Mendel sent his paper to noted botanist Wilhelm von Nageli. Nageli sent it back after barely glancing at it (Nageli died in 1891 and would be remembered, not for his own vast scientific work, but for his failure to pay attention to Mendel) (Asimov, Genes 19-20). Mendel finally did publish his results in the magazine of the National History Society of Brunn in 1866 (Arnold 7). Other botanists paid little or no attention to his work, and his ideas about inheritance became lost for thirty-four years. Mendel became the abbot of his monastery in 1868 and was too busy and discouraged to continue his experiments. He died in 1884, never knowing that he would be touted as the "father of modern genetics." The Early Work on DNA In 1869, just after Mendel had quit working with plants, a 25-year-old Swiss chemist, Johann Friedrich Miescher, discovered a substance called nuclein inside cells. This substance was later found to be attached to a protein which was named "histone" from the Greek word meaning "cell.

Wuthering Heights :: Essays Papers

Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights is the only book Emily Bronte ever wrote. It is a very powerful story about love and hate and sorrow and death. It spans thirty years and is all narrated by, first Mr. Lockwood, and more importantly, Ellen Dean, the faithful housekeeper. At the beginning of the book, Mr. Lockwood had just arrived at Thrushcross Grange as a tenant. He went to see Mr. Heathcliff, the man he was renting the house from. When he arrives at Wuthering Heights, he meets a young lady the he assumes to be Heathcliff’s wife. However, Heathcliff tells him that she is not his wife, but his daughter-in-law. When he then meets a young man, he naturally assumes it to be Heathcliff’s son, but again Heathcliff tells him that he is wrong. Heathcliff makes it very clear that Mr. Lockwood is not welcome. However, Mr. Lockwood vows to visit Wuthering Heights a second time. The next day he does visit Wuthering Heights again and is snowed in over there. He spent the night in a room with three diaries in it - one labeled Catherine Earnshaw, one, Catherine Heathcliff and the last, Catherine Linton. That night he dreams he hears Catherine’s spirit at the window, and after hearing that, Heathcliff throws open the window and implores her to come in. Mr. Lockwood leaves early the next morning and catches cold. He is bedridden for the next few weeks and asks Ellen Dean to tell him what she knows about the people residing at Wuthering Heights. She agrees. The story really began with Mr. Earnshaw and his son, Hindley and daughter, Catherine. Mr. Earnshaw left town on business and brought back with him an orphan they named Heathcliff. Heathcliff soon turned out to be Mr. Earnshaw’s favorite and he and Catherine became great friends. Hindley despised him for that. When Mr. Earnshaw died, Hindley returned from school married and took over as the master and treated Heathcliff awfully. His quick mind was dulled and he and Catherine became very rebellious. One day, they were over at Thrushcross Grange and saw Edgar and Isabella Linton. They saw Heathcliff and Catherine and thought they are burglars. Edgar sicced his dog on them and Catherine was injured. She stayed at the Grange for a few weeks and returned to Wuthering Heights a sophisticated lady with a furious temper and attitude. Hindley’s wife, Frances gave birth to a child named Hareton and then died shortly after.

Education of Pakistan Essay

Introduction: Education has always been considered as one of the main factors for socioeconomic and subsequently the national development because of its ability to raise the quality and productivity of the human capital. Education also creates awareness, tolerance, self esteem and confidence, which empower people to defend their rights, reduce poverty and inequality and improve in health, status and good governance in implementation of socio economic policies. It also enables the people to protect their ideological inspiration and help in developing national cohesion. Source: Wikipedia, MoE GoP Education in Pakistan is overseen by Ministry of Education of Government of Pakistan. The academic institutions are the responsibility of the provincial governments whereas the federal government mostly assists in curriculum development, accreditation and some financing of research. Background: The Government of Pakistan recognizes education as one of the fundamental rights of a citizen as well as extends its commitment to provide access to education to every citizen. According to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the State is responsible, â€Å"to provide basic necessities of life, such as, food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief, for all citizens, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, [38 (d)] †¦ to remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary education within minimum possible period. † [37 (b)]. In this context, the public sector has invested in education in both urban as well as in rural areas, and in formal as well as non-formal institutions. The private sector also participates, though on a limited scale, in extending education and has established formal schools, mostly located in urban localities. Besides, some NGOs and non-profit organizations also offer primary schooling, both under the formal as well as non-formal systems. Stages of formal education. The education in Pakistan is generally divided into five levels: primary (grades one through five); middle (grades six through eight); high (grades nine and ten, leading to the Secondary School Certificate or SSC); intermediate (grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary (School) Certificate or HSC); and university programs leading to graduate and advanced degrees. Primary education Only 63% of Pakistani children finish primary school education. Furthermore, 68% of Pakistani boys and 72% of Pakistani girls reach grade 5. The standard national system of education is mainly inspired from the British system. Pre-school education is designed for 3-5 years old. After pre-school education, students go through junior school from grades 1 to 4. This is preceded by middle school from grades 5 to 8. The two commonly used indicators for measuring changes in primary and middle schooling are the Gross Enrolment Rate (GER and Net Enrolment Rate (NER). The Primary education is divided into the following three stages. i) Pre-Primary Education Pre-Primary Education is an important component of Early Childhood Education (ECE), Prep or Kachi classes of children having age of 3-4 years. An increase of 2. 6 % in Pre-Primary enrolment (8. 434 million) in 2008-09 over 2007-08 (8. 218 million) has been observed and during 2009-10, it is estimated to increase by 2. 2 percent. Primary Education (Classes I – V) A number of 156,653 Primary Schools with 465,334 Teachers are functional. An increase of 0. 6 % in Primary enrolment (18. 468 million) in 2008-09 over 2007-08 (18. 360 million) has been observed and during 2009-10, it is estimated to increase by 1. 3 percent. Middle Education (Classes VI-VIII) A number 40,919 Middle Schools with 320,480 Teachers are functional . A decrease of 0. 2 % in middle enrolment (5. 414 million) in 2008-09 over 2007-08 (5. 426 million) has been observed and during 2009-10, it is estimated to increase by 0. 6 percent. Sources: 1. Figures of Primary, Middle, High and Higher Sec. from 1992-93 to 2007-08 is based on Annual Pakistan Education Statistics Reports, AEPAM, Islamabad 2. Figures of Inter Colleges and Degree Colleges for 2004-05 and onwards is based on Annual Pakistan Education Statistics Reports, AEPAM, Islamabad 3. Figures of Private School data from 1992-93 to 1999-2000 is based on 8th Five Year Plan : Planning Division, Pakistan 4. Figures of Private School data from 2000-01 to 2004-05 is based on ‘Census of Private Education Institution 1999-2000’, Federal Bureau of Statistics, Ibd 5. Figures of Private School data of 2005-06 onward is based on ‘National Education Census, 2005’ AEPAM, Ministry of Education, Islamabad Secondary education Secondary education in Pakistan begins from grade 9 and lasts for four years. After end of each of the four school years, students are required to pass a national examination administered by a regional Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (or BISE). Education intermediate indicators include functional public schools, basic facilities in public schools, posts filled against sanctioned strength in public schools and percentage of trained teachers in these schools. Number 24,322 Secondary Schools with 439,316 Teachers are functional. An increase of 2. 9 % in middle enrolment (2. 556 million) in 2008-09 over 2007-08 (2. 484 million) has been observed and during 2009-10, it is estimated to increase by 5. 6 percent. Sources: Figures of Primary, Middle, High and Higher Sec. from 1992-93 to 2008-09 is based on Annual Pakistan Education Statistics Reports, AEPAM, Islamabad Figures of Inter Colleges and Degree Colleges from 2004-05 onward is based on Annual Pakistan Education Statistics Reports, AEPAM, Islamabad Tertiary education According to the OECD’s 2009 Global Education Digest, 6. 3% of Pakistanis (8. 9% of males and 3. 5% of females) were university graduates as of 2007. Pakistan plans to increase this figure to 10% by 2015 and subsequently to 15% by 2020. There is also a great deal of variety between the different age cohorts. Less than 6% of those in the age cohort 55-64 have a degree, compared to 8% in the 45-54 age cohort, 11% in the 35-44 age cohort and 16% in the age cohort 25-34. An enrolment of 1. 147 million is estimated in 2009-10 over 1. 074 million in 2008-09 and 959,690 in 2007-08. 3,291 Higher Secondary Schools / Inter Colleges with 76,184 Teachers are functional Sources: Figures of Technical & Vocational from 2003-04 onward is based on Pakistan Education Statistics Reports, AEPAM, Islamabad Figures of Universities from 1992-93 to 2007-08 was downloaded from website of HEC, Islamabad (www. hec. gov. pk) Quaternary education. Many Master’s degree programs only require one and a half years of study. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) education is also available in selected areas and is usually pursued after earning a Master’s degree. Students pursuing PhD degrees must choose a specific field and a university that is doing research work in that field. PhD education in Pakistan requires at least 3–5 years of study. An enrolment of 458,835 students is expected during 2009-10 in Degree Colleges over 429,251 in 2008-09 and 383,810 in 2007-08. 1,238 Degree Colleges with 21,176 Teachers are functional and 205 new Degree Colleges have been added since July 2008. Universities Education (Classes XV onwards) An enrolment of 948,364 is estimated in 2009-10 in Higher Education over 803,507 in 2008-09. In order to boost-up higher education four new universities have been established during the year 2009-10 making the total number to 132 universities with 50,825 Teachers in both Private and Public Sectors Sources Figures of Technical & Vocational from 2003-04 onward is based on Pakistan Education Statistics Reports, AEPAM, Islamabad Figures of Universities are provided by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad (www. hec. gov. pk). Spending on education As a percentage of GDP, Pakistan spends only 2. 9% of it on Education. However, the government recently approved the new national education policy, which would result in education being allocated 7% of the GDP. The government plans to raise the literacy rate to 85% by 2015. In accordance with the target set by the Millennium Development Goals for Pakistan and EFA Education for All. Public Expenditure on Education as percentage to GDP is lowest in Pakistan as compared to other countries of the South Asian region. According to official data, Pakistan allocated 2. 5% of GDP during 2006-07, 2. 47% in 2007-08, 2. 1% in 2008-09 and 2. 0 % in 2009-10 which shows persistent declining trend. According to UNESCO’s EFA Global Monitoring Report 2009, the Public Sector expenditure on Education as percentage of GDP, in other countries of the region was 2. 6% in Bangladesh, 3. 2% in Nepal, 3. 3% in India, 5. 2% in Iran and 8. 3% of GDP in Maldives. The breakup of investment in education by the Federal Government and the Provinces for the year 2009-10 is given. [pic] Ministry of Education [pic] Education statistics, ministry of education Objectives/ Goals. †¢ Promote the educational and economic interests of backward classes or areas with special care. †¢ Remove illiteracy, and provide free and compulsory secondary education within minimum possible period. †¢ Make technical and professional education generally available on merit. †¢ Enable the people of different areas, through education, training to participate fully in all forms of national activities, including employment in the service of Pakistan. †¢ Decentralize the Government administration to facilitate expeditious disposal of its business to meet the convenience and requirements of the public. †¢ Ensuring that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning, life skills and citizenship programmes; †¢ Achieving 50% improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for adults; †¢ Improving all aspects of the quality of education and ensuring excellence of all so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills. †¢ Ensuring that by 2015 all children with special emphasis on girls and children in difficult circumstances have access to and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality. †¢ Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2015 and achieving gender equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality. †¢ Improving all aspects of the quality of education and ensuring excellence of all so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills. Source: MoE website. Situation analysis: [pic] GER at primary education The primary-level GER for children 5-9 years old, excluding katchi16 class, according to the PIHS, was 72 percent in FY 2001/02. Sound progress has been made so far in improving both GER and NER and is evident when the comparison is made between FY 2000/2001 and FY 2006/07 based on PSLM. The PSLM results are encouraging in many aspects. The overall increase in primary school GER is impressive in PRSP period, from 72 percent in FY 2001/02 to 91 percent in FY 2006/07 The role of the private sector in primary education has increased overtime. Of the total primary level GER of 87 percent in FY 2005/06, the government school GER was 57 percent and private school GER 30 percent. The government school GER increased by 15 percent between FY 2001/02 and FY 2005/06 period while the private school GER increased by 33 percent during this period. It suggested, on the one hand, that new enrolment has taken place in both public and private schools. On the other hand, the relatively higher increase in private school GER suggested some shifting of children from public to private schools. However the PSLM shows that the coverage of the public school system increased to 69 percent in FY 2006/07 compared to 65 percent in FY 2005/06 but witnessed an overall decline from 72 percent in FY 2004/05 to 69 percent in FY 2006/07. Source: Annual Report, SPRSM Isb. Percentage change in education from year 2000-2001 to 2008-2009 Education related expenditures in FY 08-09 recorded increase of 28. 10 percent relative to FY 07-08 with largest increase in â€Å"Others† followed closely by Secondary and Primary Schools. There is considerable provincial variation in the sub sectors of education; Punjab achieving highest percentage increase in Secondary and Professional Education; in Khayber Pakhtoonkhwa, two sub sectors of higher education, General University and professional education taking precedence over primary education; Baluchistan and Sindh expenditures in Technical and Vocational Training depicts increase in FY 08-09 as compared to year 07-08. Statistics show that Primary and Secondary Education hold major share in total education related expenditures. Professional education and Vocational Trainings hold least share in years 08-09. A uniform pattern emerges at the provincial level with Primary and Secondary Education contributing the most to respective aggregate provincial education expenditures. In university/college education, all the provinces exhibit identical trend with a share of 8-10 percent while professional education depicts highest share of 7. 85 percent in the year 08-09. Teacher and Vocational Training assume the least contribution in all but two provinces Baluchistan with 1. 96 percent and Punjab with 2.93 percent of aggregate education expenditures. |Percentage distribution of education expenditures in FY 08-9 and FY 08-09 by province | | | |Federal |Punjab |Sindh |KBRPKTNKWA |Baluchistan |Pak| | | | | | | | |ist| | | | | | | | |an | |Primary Education |6. 2 |37. 4 |40. 71 |38. 01 |34. 9 |32. 4 | | |Secondary Education | 08. 52 |24. 21 |29. 24 |38. 88 |31. 64 |24. 68 | | |University/College |63092 |8. 21 |11. 97 |8 |9. 63 |19. 3 | | |Professional Technical universities |10. 81 |1. 78 |5. 26 |7. 85 |4. 94 |5. 13 | | |Techs & Voc training |. 16 |2. 9 |0. 77 |0 |1. 96 |1. 53 | | Others | |10. 39 |25. 23 |12. 05 |7. 2 |16. 93 |16. 9 | | |Total | |100 |100 |100 |100 |100 |100 | | |Source: Annual Repot SPRS Monitoring Islamabad. Literacy: According to the latest Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2008-09, the overall literacy rate (age 10 years and above) is 57% (69% for male and 45% for female) compared to 56% (69% for male and 44% for female) for 2007-08. The data shows that literacy remains higher urban areas (74%) than in rural areas (48)and is prevalent for men (69%) Compared to women (45%). However, it is evident from the data that overall female literacy is raising over time, but progress is uneven across the provinces. When analyzed provincially, literacy rate in Punjab stood at (59 %), Sindh (59%), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (50%) and Balochistan at (45%). The literacy rate of Sind and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has improved considerably during 2007-08 to 2008-09. According to the data, the overall school attendance, as measured by the Net Enrolment Rate (NER), for 2008-09 was 57% as compared to 55% in 200708. All the provinces have shown an increasing trend, with Sindh recording the highest increase, followed by both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was well as Balochistan. Nationally, the Gross Enrolment Rate (GER), sometimes referred to as the participation rate, which is the number of children attending primary school (irrespective of age) divided by the number of children who ought to be attending, in case of both male and female saw no change and remained at 91% between 2007-08 and 200809. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have shown Noticeable increase in the respective period. According to latest Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2008-9 the literacy rate (age 10 years and above) is 57% (69% for male and 45% for (female) compared to 56% (69% for male and 44% for female) for 2007-08. The data shows that literacy remains higher in urban areas (74%) than in rural areas (48%), and is more prevalent for men (69%)compared to women (45%). However, it is evident from the data that overall female literacy is rising over time, but progress is uneven across the provinces. When analyzed provincially, literacy rate in Punjab stood at (59 %), Sindh (59%), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (50%) and Balochistan at (45%). The literacy rate of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has improved considerably during 2007-08 to 2008-09 According to the data, the overall school attendance, as measured by the Net Enrolment Rate (NER), for 2008-09 was 57% as compared to 55% in 2007-08. All the provinces have shown an increasing trend, with Sindh recording the highest increase, followed by both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as Balochistan. Nationally, the Gross Enrolment Rate (GER), sometimes referred to as the participation rate, which is the number of children attending primary school (irrespective of age) divided by the number of children who ought to be attending, in case of both male and female saw no change and remained at 91% between 200708 and 200809. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have shown noticeable increase in the respective period. [pic] [pic] Source: Annual Pakistan Education Statistics Reports, AEPAM, Islamabad National Education Policy 2009 The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2009 has been formulated after lengthy deliberation initiated way back in 2005. NEP formulation process remained almost dormant during the years 2007 and 2008, owing to fluctuating political situation. The present Government re-activated the NEP process and convened 15th Inter-Provincial Education Ministers (IPEM) Meeting in February 2009 at Islamabad to share the draft NEP and getting implementing partners new political and bureaucratic leadership of education departments of provinces as well as other federating units on board. After establishing consensus at aforesaid IPEM meeting, a summary for the Cabinet on â€Å"National Education Policy 2009† (NEP 2009) was submitted to Cabinet Division in early March 2009, which was  considered by the Federal Cabinet on 8th April 2009. The Honourable Prime Minister directed Ministry of Education (MoE) to share the Policy document with all stakeholders for evolving more broad-based policy actions. MoE also made a presentation before the National Assembly Standing Committee on Education, which endorsed most of the policy actions contained in NEP 2009. Finally, Cabinet in its meeting held on September 9th, 2009 approved NEP 2009. A shift has been made by making national policy a truly ‘national’ rather than a federal matter. For this, it has been recommended that the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers’ (IPEM) Conference, with representation of all the federating units, will be the highest body to oversee progress of education in the country. Problems Of Educational systems of Pakistan. 1- Academic Problems: †¢ Inefficient use of available resources. †¢ Unequal distribution of Faculties among Public & Private Sector †¢ Lack of Monitoring †¢ Lack of standardization of Private Universities. †¢ Emphasize on quantitative education rather than qualitative aspect of education. †¢ Inadequate attention to research and support for it. 2- Management Problems: †¢ Ineffective governance and management structures and practices. †¢ Inefficient Regulatory steps †¢ Strong skepticism about the realization of reform †¢ Politicization of faculty, staff and students †¢ Poor recruitment practices and inadequate development of faculty and staff. 3- Practical Problems: †¢ Lack of internship facilities for students of higher Education institutions and universities. †¢ Week coordination between Universities and industrial, agricultural, and other sectors of the economy. 4- Financial Problems: †¢ Inadequate funding. †¢ Un adjusted fee structure of private universities †¢ No share of Foreign Direct investment in Education sector †¢ No concept of Debt Financing in Education sector 5- Social Problems: †¢ Lack of moral training in Higher Education Institutions †¢ Promoting Westernization on the name of Modernization †¢ Creating social misbalances EFA Education For All Financing education, in general, and especially in the context of the six goals of EFA has Emerged as a key area, which needs urgent attention. More specifically, the study attempts to: i) develop a sound financing plan, based on the financial requirements and available resources to meet EFA targets in the country; ii) accurately estimate the financial resources gap, and serve as a credible instrument to indicate the magnitude of assistance required from external development partners’ iii) understand the financial management procedure prevalent in the country (under a devolved set up, if any); iv) capture the essence of public private partnerships in vogue and its financial implications /benefits through case studies; and v) Recommend a set of suggestions to improve education finance – related to financial management procedures, collaboration between various government departments, coordination with private sector / NGOs and civil society and effectiveness of donor assistance. Based on information obtained from provincial population census reports and population projections by NIPS, the net enrolment in primary education is expected to reach 17. 536 million students in 2015/16. Of these, 9. 041 million will be boys and 8. 495 million will be girls. The total cost of primary education to be incurred by the public sector is estimated to be around Rs. 955,571 million, with Rs. 582,300 million projected to maintain the present participation rate and Rs. 373,271 million to finance the additional students for the achievement of the EFA goal related to universal primary education. The total cost of achieving 86% adult literacy rates for all Pakistani males and females is Rs. 208,197 million while the total cost of achieving a participation rate of 50% in early childhood education for both boys and girls in both urban and rural areas is Rs. 48,329 million. The total bill for achieving EFA goals and targets by 2015/16 is, therefore, about Rs. 1,212,097 million. Problems The main question arising is whether this bill can be met from domestic resources? In Pakistan the absolute amount of budget allocated to education is low. Although education enjoys the highest priority on the social sector agenda, yet allocations are relatively modest due to the intrinsic rigidities in the financial system of Pakistan, arising from more pressing commitments of the country. As national expenditures have always far exceeded revenue collections, fiscal deficits have remained high. To close the resource gap, there has been a historical heavy reliance on external borrowing. In addition, the present geo-political situation of the country is such that high defense allocations are required for maintaining security and national sovereignty. As such, interest payments and defense expenditures make up bulk of expenditures. During the past four years, defense expenditures and interest payments consumed about one-fifth and one-third of total expenditures. The amount spent on social, economic and community services is approximately 15 % of total expenditure. Estimates suggest that of this, almost one-half i. e.about 7%-8% is spent on education. Projections of the financial resources available to meet EFA targets in the three themes, i. e. , primary education, adult literacy, and early childhood education for the thirteen years show that the total budgetary resources available by 2015/16 would be Rs. 786,005 million. Given the financial requirements of Rs. 1,212,097 million, the resulting â€Å"financing gap† is to the tune of Rs. 426,092 million. It may be highlighted that these estimates include an annual average additional cost of achieving Given the financial requirements of Rs. 1,212,097 million, the resulting â€Å"financing gap† is to the tune of Rs. 426,092 million. It may be highlighted that these estimates include an annual average additional cost of achieving UPE by 2015/16 of US $495 million, which compares well with the average annual additional cost of achieving UPE by 2015 for Pakistan estimated by international agencies such as UNICEF (US $790. 38m); UNESCO (US $394. 91 m); and the World Bank (US $660. 69 m. ). However, if a more idealistic approach based on good quality i. e. , five-classroom in urban and two-classroom in rural model schools, is considered, the financing gap is considerably higher and expected to exceed Rs. 2,031,292 million. How these problems can be met? Recommendations? Problems in education can be solved by solving following series of effective approaches. †¢ More resource generation and higher budgetary allocation to education: The major issue in education finance in Pakistan is the low public sector investment. Although education enjoys the highest priority on the social sector agenda, yet allocations are relatively modest due to the intrinsic rigidities (such as resource constraints, large establishment bills due to a large salaried workforce and heavy debt interest repayments) in the financial system of Pakistan, arising from more pressing commitments of the country. Public sector allocations to education have steadily declined over the past five years from 2. 7% of GDP in 1995-97 to 1. 8% of GDP in 2001/02. It is, therefore, recommended that all efforts should be made to enhance the budgetary allocation to education to 4% of GDP, as suggested in the National Education Policy (1998). In addition, innovative approaches should be designed to generate additional resources for increased funds for the education sector, especially to primary education, adult literacy and early childhood education if Dakar targets have to be met by 2015. †¢ Higher proportion of development spending in education: At present, an extremely high proportion (over 95%) of education budgets at the provincial levels are spent on recurrent heads, particularly on salaries of teaching staff, with negligible proportions i. e. , below 5%, remaining for development expenditures due to avoidable delays and budgetary cuts in view of shortfall in resources. It is recommended that besides improving these procedures, more emphasis should be placed on quality improvements such as teachers’ training, curriculum development, assessment systems and overall supervision of delivery of education. †¢ Higher participation of the NGO and private sectors: Though considerable progress has been observed during the past decade in the participation of NGO and private sectors in the field of education, especially primary and university education, but more involvement of NGOs and private organizations would benefit the delivery of educational services . To facilitate this, the national and provincial education foundations also need to play a more active role in guiding and coordinating NGOs and private organizations in â€Å"adopting† public schools and supporting rural community schools to achieve rapid progress in achieving the Dakar goals. Costing of such arrangements needs to be worked out in greater detail and its implications for the financing gap of meeting EFA goals up to 2015. Also, it is essential for the government to provide a legal and policy framework as well as a regulatory mechanism for a realistic and sustainable public-private partnership. †¢ Better efforts to seek required foreign assistance: In view of its commitments to the achievement of EFA goals, the Government of Pakistan has developed a National Plan of Action (NPA) on Education for All for the period 2001-2015, supported by the study based on estimates of financial need and availability of resources, incorporating targets, strategies and investment requirements of primary education, adult literacy and early childhood education. The gap in financial resources required to implement this plan is enormous and will, most certainly, have to be met from external assistance. It is, therefore, recommended that efforts should be made to obtain the required assistance through grants, loans, debt SWAP and/or Fast Tracking Initiative (FTI). Based on the EFA goals of universal free and compulsory primary education of good quality, the study estimates the total cost requirement of the achieving these goals by 2015/16. The total cost on primary education to be incurred by the public sector is estimated to be around Rs. 955,571 million, with Rs. 582,300 million projected to maintain the present participation rate and Rs. 373,271 million to finance the additional students for the achievement of the EFA goal related to universal primary education. [pic] Source Research paper on â€Å"Education for all† ministry of education, GoP Challenges: †¢ Declare education as the highest priority of the government. Explain that unless the impediments of illiteracy and lack of education are removed, the road to democracy will remain fraught with the danger of exploitation of.