Mexican Immigrants in the United States Essay Example for Free

Mexican Immigrants in the United States Essay Abstract Choosing to focus on the Mexican Immigrant in the United States workplace will help to develop an understanding of how organizational decisions insure the acceptance and inclusion of the group with those of the organization’s in-group creating a unified work environment. Chao and Willaby (2007) theorized that everyone had their own vision of how the world works and acting upon it based on what they have perceived as being true; sometimes the visions of others are difficult to understand or accept, which can cause strife and alienation in the workplace. According to Adu-Febiri (2006) the responsibility of transformational leadership is to raise employee awareness; thus, beginning the journey for an all-inclusive and unified work environment. Mei and Russ (2007) identified that management’s objective should be to help organizational employees to establish a foundation of developing the core and cultural competencies that are critical to developing effective methods for advocating change and cultural blending. The results of this essay and the completion of employee interviews will help to heighten areas of self-actualization and ethnic and linguistic competencies of the author and all cultural groups she will be accountable. Mexican Immigrants in the United States Workplace Introduction Chao and Willaby (2007) advised that everyone had their own vision of how the world works and that everyone performs according to their perception of the right way to live as a part of that world. Greenwood (2007) contends there are differing perceptions of how the world operates creates complex challenges when working to blend differing beliefs toward a unified environment. The following literature review focuses on raising the level of diversity consciousness as it relates to Mexican immigrants in the workplace. Deaux, Reid, Martin, and Bikmen (2006) identified that the Hispanic sociohistorical perspective provided significant information reflecting an independent group that is dedicated to their families and struggling to survive in an environment that often resents them being in the workplace. Parrado and Kandel (2010) contend the Hispanic group is one of the fastest growing minority groups that has magnified the supply of low-skilled workers. The author also identified the group’s struggle with linguistic challenges as being what prevented many from achieving educational needs, which exacerbates the group’s equality in the workplace. Trends in Workplace Diversity Globalization, technology, and increased mobile ability have created diverse ethnic and linguistic challenges felt around the globe. Greenwood (2008) contended that some of the Hispanic group chose to move to the United States in pursuit of a higher quality of life; others made their decisions based on a lower cost of living and others came only to make an income that could be sent back to their homeland to take care of family left behind. Whatever the reason for the influx challenges to achieving unity in the workplace begin at the onset and will become more complex in nature as the number of ethnic and linguistic minorities continue to grow. The qualitative study performed by deCastro, Fujishiro, Sweitzer, and Oliva, (2006) theorized the negative workplace experiences of minority groups were inclusive of linguistic barriers, poor and unsafe working conditions, illegal methods of pay, work related injuries, and, finally, a consistent loss of jobs. Adu-Febiri (2006) theorized that workplace environments require the creation of opportunities for inclusion of all associated with the organization that matriculates all toward a true multicultural identity. Impact of Global Economy deCastro, et al (2006) provided that the impacts of a global economy are far reaching and have served to change the very fabric of cultural beliefs and community structures. The authors explain that many of the in-migrants see the expanding economies as a new and promising dimension of prosperity; while many of the native group believes it to be the portent of doom. For better and worse, everyone will have to learn about and from one another. Rizvi (2009) theorized the impact of a global economy as being realized in everyday activities such as processes at work, cultural interrelationships, capital, information exchanges, food and goods, and ideas. The global economy changed the dynamics of doing business with the enhancement of technology, communication, politics, and immigration. Adu-Febiri’s (2006) contentions of the global environment included the potential for cultural erosion due to a lack of human factor competency. As employment globalization grows so do the challenges for maintaining ethnic cultural norms in a manner that creates workplace inclusion. Chao and Willaby (2007) echoed Adu-Febiri’s thoughts when they asserted the globalization has created the challenge of the hiring of immigrants around the world; the authors maintain, â€Å"†¦has no geographic, political, or cultural bounds† (Chao and Willaby, p. 32, 2007). The authors further identified challenges of minority ethnic and linguistic groups have been to hold onto their cultural and linguistic makeup: Globalization has encouraged many to dress the way the other dresses and eat what the other eats, the result being a cultural homogenization process and the subtle emotions of ethnic cultural shame within groups. Chao and Willaby (2007) explained that reducing and ultimately eliminating the impact of cultural homogenization, the overt and more subtle forms of discrimination, ethnic and linguistic bias requires the expansion of diversity consciousness in the form of implicit cognitive awareness of management and employees. Discrimination Practices Carr-Ruffino (2005) explained that challenges to ensuring discrimination does not exist in the workplace requires a thorough understanding of the context it occurs, which requires high levels of self-awareness and a significant understanding of all ethnic groups in the workplace. Findler, Wind, and Mor Barak (2007) asserted that the ever growing challenge of diversity has worked to create demands that organizations determine and implement methods for effectively coping with workforce diversity. A number of theoretical viewpoints and studies identify common threads that include perceptions of inclusion or exclusion, fairness, social and organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and the overall sense of well-being. Another study performed by Krings and Olivares (2007) questioned the impact of ethnicity, job type, bias, and the commitment to interview discrimination practices from the employer perspective. The study resolved there was a higher potential for bias and discriminatory practices when there was a lack of diversity consciousness. Echautegui-de- Jesus, et al (2006) explained that working alongside an ethnic and gender group the native group perceives as being different from themselves creates challenges arising from imbalanced group powers. The Rubini, Moscatelli, Albarello, and Palmonari (2006) study compared the discriminatory effects of group power and social identification as it relates to linguistic discrimination. The study found higher levels of discriminatory practices were present when in-group participants responded in more positive way to other in-group members than they did with those considered the outside group. Another study completed by Echautegui-de-Jesus, Hughes, Johnston, and Hyun (2006) examined the effects of the employee’s psychological sense of well-being and job satisfaction as it relates to employee performance. Echautegui-de- Jesus, et al (2006) identified that minority groups often perceive themselves as being threatened with the loss of their interpretation of the world; the result being the loss of ability to achieve a sense of belonging, which brings into focus Robinson’s (2008) contention that identifying discriminatory practices often relies on perceptions of contentions of discrimination of the receiver. The need for higher levels of understanding diversity and the relationship between achieving a sense of well-being will be critical to the Hispanic group’s continued growth as a part of a global world. The studies and theoretical viewpoints reviewed provided a deeper insight to potential discriminatory practices arising from the diversification of the workplace. Ruane (2010) elucidated that as globalized employment continues to evolve and grow, talent pools will increase in a way that greatly enhances an organization’s ability to do business anywhere in the world. Taking advantage of the globalized potential requires management and employees raise the bar on diversity consciousness to create a sense of well-being for everyone in the workplace environment. Accommodating Diversity Ruane (2010) identified the need for accommodating diversity in the workplace and that it required training, strategies, and methods for managing diversity that created equality and a sense of well-being for everyone involved with working environment. A critical step toward identifying the level and expanding needs of diversity consciousness requires the identification of attitudes and implemented plans that will maintain and increase the common ground between all related to the workplace. The study performed by Greenwood (2008) stipulated the more a workplace environment diversifies the more difficult it would become for employees to maintain the sense of being a part of a unified work environment, which necessitates high levels of commitment to diversity practices on a consistent basis. Ruane (2010) theorized the importance of willingly and openly creating opportunities of inclusion begins with creating opportunity for shared diversity experiences that will increase diversity consciousness over time. The Nielsen and Fehmidah study (2009) identified the relationship between transformational leadership and the employees’ sense of well-being. Understanding that creating an effective diversity oriented work environment will help to ensure workers’ job satisfaction, inclusiveness, and sense of well-being continues to grow is not difficult; however, establishing strong leadership that is committed to ensuring prior underrepresented groups, such as the Mexican group requires strong diversity skill sets. Nielson and Munir’s (2009) article argued that the multifaceted workforce environment of the United States requires transformational management, laws ensuring equitable equality, and strong diversity training practices: Practices that encompass the perceived challenges of a Hispanic workforce. Most can agree the only way to manage diversity is to plan for it. Effects of Cultures in the Workplace Greenwood (2008) rationalized the world’s workplace environment is consistently changing and with each change comes different cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and ethnic groups; the objective is to welcome and support each group equally so as to create a new unified environment. Robinson (2008) provided that efforts to blend diverse cultures can have both negative and positive effects on operations, interrelationships, productivity, and the future growth of the company. Understanding differences between groups is a critical first step toward understanding how to make diverse cultures work together. The interviewing of three separate organizations helped to provide a better understanding of how both negative and positive effects of differing cultures can affect organizational outcomes. Greenwood (2008) explicated that cultural diversity affected each member of a work group; he also identified that challenges arising from linguistic barriers, differing work ethics, communication misunderstandings, and group power imbalances represented major trials to diversity. de Castro, Fujishiro, Sweitzer, and Oliva (2006) explained that diversity challenges require the commitment of management to ensure the positive effects outweigh the potential negative effects. Each of the three organizations interviewed believed strongly that it is only by creating flexible and inclusive work environments that organizations can reap the benefits of diversity in the workplace. Organizations that have planned for diversity understand that the right employee and management diversity planning and training will open the tap for contributions resulting from the perceptions of a multicultural workforce that is focused on one objective; the health and growth of the organization and the communities being served (Gabe Hooper, Personal Communication, January 20, 2011). Employer Attitudes The three organizations interviewed for the review work in the service delivery areas of healthcare. Each organization is focused on providing care and services to the communities under their care. The three interviewees chosen for the project presented diversity attitudes that were similar in their perceptions of cultural diversity. Each offered a definition of diversity that relates to being anything and everything associated with human life inclusive of the way an individual thinks, feels, dresses, communicates, and behaves. Each considered the value of diversity consciousness as being a critical component to the continued success of the organizations. However, each of the interviewees offered differing perspectives for overcoming culture challenges and the elimination of bias and discriminatory perceptions of all concerned. Some of the differences in perspectives are due to a noted lack of diversity within the organization; some of the differences are due to a lack of prior experience dealing with multicultural groups within the workplace. Appalachian Community Services (ACS) of western North Carolina offers strict protocols for agency professionals and support staff to ensure agency service delivery eliminates the potential for bias, prejudicial and any other discriminatory practices. Gabe Hooper the Program Manager for ACS was open to allowing a review and discussion of agency published agency policies as it relates to diversity initiatives of the organization. The agency policy offers stipulations inclusive of 1) a working environment that promotes dignity and respect, 2) the commitment to diversity and equality, good management practices that make sense, 3) the commitment to monitor and review on an annual basis, and 4) promises to address all forms of misconduct as defined in the organization’s code of ethics manual. After reviewing the agency standards for diversity management Mr. Hooper was asked why the agency did not seem to have a diverse base of employees within the agency. Mr. Hooper explained that ACS was largely a non-profit organization requiring high levels of professional credentialing to even be employed with the agency and that eliminated a number of the minority populace. Another reason provided was the fact the organization was based in rural environment, which does not lend well to the procuring and retaining of high quality and diverse professionals. Mr. Hooper stated, â€Å"The organization holds what comes their way and whether or not it balances diversity initiatives is secondary† (Gabe Hooper, Program Manager, Personal Communication, January 20, 2011). ACS professionals participate with one another and with their communities to create a strong sense of inclusion and well-being; the agency participates and supports community group histories and cultural celebrations. Hooper identified that everything experienced represents a new knowledge and it is brought into the work environment. ACS requires ongoing and consistent training for diversity related challenges that are becoming a part of the changing landscape; however, the organization has been unsuccessful with attracting minority groups to the organization. ACS has and enforces strong diversity protocols that are designed to ensure clients of the agency are not subjected to any forms of bias, prejudicial, or any other discriminatory practices and these same protocols are intended to serve the organization as the workplace culture evolves (Gabe Hooper, Program Manager, Personal Communication, January 20, 2011). Harris Regional Hospital offered by far the most culturally diverse workforce reviewed and diversity was represented at all levels of the organization. Janet Millsaps, Vice President of Human Resources explained the hospital’s objective for being ‘the place to work’ in western North Carolina. To fulfill the hospital’s objective requires the valuing, utilizing, and recognizing the unique potential of everyone working for the hospital. Millsaps explained that every new employee, no matter the position or department, is required to attend diversity-training sessions prior to stepping into their assigned positions and to attend annual seminars as they are presented. Finally, all employees must read and sign an agreement to uphold the organization’s code of ethics, which includes a number of diversity professional conduct requirements. The objective of the hospital is to achieve a 90 percent consumer success rating from each employee that serves that consumer. Diversity consciousness represents the biggest challenge to the hospital and it is taken very seriously. All employees are encouraged to share in community celebrations whether from the perspective of the resident Cherokee, Mexican immigrants, or any other group; employees are expected to share and respect each other’s cultural beliefs as well. Harris Regional takes a great deal of pride in their commitment to all staff members and encourages each one to share and promote ideas and concepts that will serve to unite the hospital with the communities it serves (Janet Millsaps, VP, Personal Communication, February 01, 2011). The third and final interview performed was conducted with the Hospice House Foundation of WNC, Inc. Michele Alderson, President defines the objective of the Hospice House as being to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place, for the right patient, and on their terms. Alderson explains the development of a diversity-sensitive organization as being a part of the groundwork that is critical to being an accepted help facility in any community. Mrs. Alderson believes overcoming diversity challenges in western North Carolina represents a tougher obstacle than in other areas of the country. The diversity of her workforce is currently limited to three or four multicultural subgroups inclusive of Cherokee, Mexican, African American, and Caucasian groups that outnumber the other organizational groups. Hospice House encourages all of their employees to learn from one another and the clients they serve. Alderson also explained there is no official diversity training program in place to raise the organization’s diversity consciousness; however, the organization does have formal written codes of ethics that include organizational directives for ensuring equal treatment and respect for all employees of Hospice. Contribution of Policies and Procedures Each of the three organizations interviewed offered formal written policies and procedures’ for guiding their respective organizations toward a balanced multicultural environment. ACS enforces their guidelines, encourages their employees to collaborate with the communities being served, and provides continuing diversity education; however, the organization’s management has been unsuccessful with creating opportunities for hiring multicultural staff and professionals due to the rural environment being served. The Hospice House Foundation of WNC has formal policies put into place but those policies do not seem to function as a part of the organization’s processes, nor was there a lot of organizational diversity noted at the time of the interview. The organization does not offer ongoing diversity training to their employees or professional staff members; however, the organization is supportive of community event attendance. Finally, Hospice House does not have any initiatives for creating a balanced multicultural workforce, which would make the environment more difficult for the smaller subgroups as the environment changes. Again, Harris Regional Hospital was the most thorough and impressive organization interviewed as it relates to diversity sensitivity. The hospital’s commitment to diversity and individual needs is readily evident. The hospital’s staff is encouraged to not only acknowledge and respect the needs of one another they are provided critical training to accomplish organizational objectives. All staff is encouraged to share knowledge and to create opportunities for inclusion that brings with it a strong sense of well-being; the employees spoken with confirmed they liked working with the hospital. Real-Life Practices and Recommended Practices Each of the organizations interviewed reflected a level of understanding for the needs of diverse employee populations and the needs of multicultural communities. Each of the professionals interviewed understood the relationship between work place environments and employee satisfaction. Each of the interviewees expressed their organizations had the commitment levels necessary to ensuring employee inclusion and the elimination of power group struggles. Adu-Febiri (2006) revealed that creating shared experiences and maintaining the balance of unity in the workplace as being a significant component to achieving a well-blended work environment. Not one of the organizations has a plan that will help workers overcome linguistic barriers. Rizvi (2009) identified one of the more critical needs of minority groups were programs and training modules designed to help with eliminating linguistic barriers in the work environment. Harris Regional was the only organization that believes they were up to the challenge of globalization and the evolving impacts of ethnicity. ACS and Hospice House of WNC have put the right policies and procedures in place but have not created the initiatives to attract minority groups to the workplace, which also infers the organizational leadership is not in a position to offer transformational skills that would unify all employees (Ruane, 2010). Harris Regional has already experienced challenges arising from perceptions of discrimination and worked to resolve struggles relating to power groups. ACS and Hospice House are relying on the formal policies that were put in place at the time they opened operations, which means the leadership has not had the opportunity to see if what was established works in real-life practice. Robinson (2008) contended that without having experienced diversity the potential for implied segregation will be high as the organizations expand and new groups come seeking employment; both organizations agreed this would be a potential event with their organizations. Harris Regional has been afforded the opportunity to actively recruit multicultural groups; the other two organizations claim they have not had applicants apply for available positions and both agreed they had not pursued any recruiting initiatives. Harris Regional Hospital reflects transformational leadership and they are committed to high levels of minority representation, subgroup retention, staff skill development, and the inclusion of everyone as a unified group, which is in line with the thoughts presented in an article published by Dreachslin (2007). ACS and Hospice Home of WNC have only begun the journey toward achieving objectives of diversity consciousness but both organizations are committed to learning and welcoming the new workplace trends. Myths and Stereotypes of the Mexican Group. Nielson and Munir (2009) recognized that the opening of dialogue in the workplace that addresses cultural myths and stereotyping challenges can be difficult and complex as many do not even realize their part in promulgating myths and stereotyping. Much research inclusive of Nielson and Munir (2009) identify that cultural myths and stereotyping have been a part of the world likely since the beginnings of the human race and that myth and stereotyping is alive and well in the United States. People believe and then attribute that belief by applying it generally. An individual that bites into a bad apple offers the potential for creating myths that all apples are bad rather than taking the time to sort through each one. The Mexican group has not been an exception to stereotyping and myths. Aaracho and Spodek (2007) identified that many have perceived the Mexican American father as being cold, distant and the authoritarian, which often translates into an unwillingness to be an active participant with a community or even with their own children. The stereotype of being a cold, distant, and unforgiving individual can give way to stereotyping that all the male portion of the group is interested in what they might gain in the workplace environment rather than what they can give. The authors, Aaracho and Spodek (2007) also identified that women of the Mexican group are portrayed as being quiet, submissive, and dedicated to their husbands, which creates even further myths and stereotyping as it relates to the potential of the Mexican women’s abilities in the workplace environment. Mulholland (2007) identified challenges arising from the myth that the entire Mexican group was uneducated and thereby, qualified for only the most rudimentary jobs, which represented the jobs no one else wanted. Krings and Olivares (2007) noted there were higher levels of stereotyping when Mexican applicants applied for positions that required linguistic skills. Language, accents, and body language represents the foundation of all cultures and it represents self-identification. Bernstein’s (2007) thoughts provided that Mexican Americans have been made to feel their communication style is incorrect and somehow lacking; the group has been stereotyped by others believing the differences in language integrity means the group is less intelligent. Schwartz, Domenech, Field, Santiago-Rivera, and Arredondo (2010) identified the challenges of minority professionals entering the workforce without sufficient linguistic competency as having attributed to stereotyping and myths of cultural groups. Bernstein (2007) revealed that many of the in-groups were quick to point out the Mexican groups were in the United States to earn monies, send them home to be put toward economic security needs in Mexico, and returning themselves when enough had been earned. Introducing these types of myths and stereotypes creates challenges to the group in the workplace because it gives momentum to even more harmful forms of stereotyping; a minority group entering the workplace environment where myth and stereotyping is present and unchecked will be all but forced to suffer the consequences of belief systems they had nothing to do with creating. Effects of Stereotyping and Cultural Myths The effects of stereotyping and cultural myths can cripple the working environment. McDonald (2010) described the stereotyping and cultural myth challenges to minority groups as being representative of a cycle. First, the stereotypes and myths begin with the unknown and this is often followed by competition between groups; most often, the competition is in the perspective of an in-group rather than the minority group. The next step occurs as conflicts between groups arise and this is followed even deeper rooted and malignant stereotyping and myths. McDonald (2010) contended people learn and apply attributes to what they perceive and this represents only one of less dangerous effects of stereotyping and myth. The Mexican American populace struggles with becoming a part of the mainstream environment, whether in the workplace or at home. Aberson and Gaffney (2009) revealed that the struggles of minority groups can find its root in the forced isolation caused by stereotyping and cultural myths they feel has been made their self-image. The articles presented by Mulholland (2007) and Wolfe, Cohen, Kirchner, Montoya, and Insko (2009) agree that the effects of stereotyping do not stop with the Mexican American adults it is funneled down through children via their parents, which infers the damaging effects continue through the generations of Mexican American group. Bernstein (2007) pronounced that failing to address and education all cultural groups within the workplace will result in deeply seeded divisions between the workforce; between group competition that will cause anger and frustration for all involved, and it will continue growing and expanding until the minority group has been squeezed out of the environment entirely. Exposing and Discrediting Myths and Stereotypes. Carr-Ruffino (2005) provided that exposing and discrediting cultural myths and stereotyping require that everyone be listening and hearing one another. MacDonald (2010) identified that people achieved their understanding by believing their perceptions and that it influenced the way they think and behave thereafter. Individuals helped to realize how important it is to recognize the beginnings and nuances of cultural myths and stereotyping are more likely to change attitudes and behaviors in a way that compliments the whole rather than individual groups. Wolf, et al (2009) provided that a critical step to creating a unified workplace environment required tools and methods that will help everyone to learn to critically interpret different cultures, uncover embedded ideologies, and learn to become socially responsible employees and citizens. Schwartz, et al (2010) articulated the critical need for getting everyone to question the deeper meanings of all cultural groups within the workplace will enhance knowledge that will provide the potential for critical thought; thus, bringing awareness of individual beliefs and value systems that can be blended with others. Sarach and Spodek (2007) revealed the need for organizations to create shared experiences between groups supports acculturation and assimilation processes that are critical to creating a unified environment dedicated not only to the good of the organization but to the good of one another. Transformational leadership is also critical to safeguarding initiatives to expose and discrediting myths and stereotyping. Schwartz, et al (2010) identified that leadership that is positioned to help overcome cultural linguistic challenges such as the Mexican American that can speak English but cannot write it is able to overcome it without being subjected to the stereotyping that hinders self-esteem will help level the playing field between groups. Creating multicultural teams in a workshop that is designated as support groups is another method of bringing differing groups together to achieve a truer and more just understanding of one another. The objective of bringing everyone together in a workshop should be to make certain no one is alienated; it is also not about identifying the one committing a wrong he or she does not even realize as being done or said. The workshop is a great environment for working together to grow cultural awareness, agree on methods and strategies for overcoming the challenges, and unify to eliminate the harmful effects of cultural myths and stereotyping. A workshop is for getting to know one another, learning about differences, and asking questions about perceptions received. Debunking cultural myths and stereotyping requires a long-term commitment from the leadership and all employees of the organization to one another and it begins with implemented learning strategies. Conclusion As previously identified globalization and new technologies have created opportunities for connecting differing cultural groups from all over the world; the Mexican immigrant is no exception. Aberson and Gaffney (2009) identified the Mexican cultural group as being one of the fastest growing cultural groups in the United States. The authors also identified the group is being consistently challenged by some that wish the group to maintain a social stratification level that is far below that of an in-group in the workplace. Chao and Willaby (2007) provided that bringing unknown cultural groups into the work environment can serve to alienate those of the minority groups from those of the in-group; some of the exhibited behaviors have included everything from forced segregation to critically malignant forms of discrimination that can contribute to group elimination. Mei and Russ (2007) identified that the establishment and upholding of organizational policies that have been designed to protect immigran

Pink Flamingo Essay Example for Free

Pink Flamingo Essay In Jennifer Price’s essay entitled â€Å"The Plastic Pink Flamingo: A Natural History†, she uses rhetoric devices to convey her opinions of the emptiness of American culture. Price interprets the pink flamingos as a symbol of affluent American culture during the 1950’s. Price’s comparison of pink flamingos to American culture is demonstrated through the use of tone, satire, irony, comparison, and diction. Price varies her writing style as she varies the usage of rhetorical devices in this essay. She blatantly uses irony when she mentions that it is â€Å"a little ironic, since Americans had hunted flamingos to extinction†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Lines 13-14)Price mentions this historical fact to criticize that Americans are using the image of a bird that they had themselves once killed with no serious thought behind it. She belittles Americans because Americans would only use the image of the bird without any interest in the actual bird itself. She compares pink flamingos to American culture in order to illustrate the flamboyant and affluent society that America now experiences like the color of the flaming after the gray days of The Great Depression. The author wants the readers to understand: Flamingos now serve as an icon, a symbol of the wealthy, affluent, and thriving American culture. Price sets the positive away from the noun that presents with dashes to accentuate the importance and the meaning of the word that it conveys. â€Å"Las Vegas: the flamboyant oasis of instant riches† gives more emphasis on the extravagance and the richness of the atmosphere of Las Vegas through the use of a positive saying. Price often uses periodic sentences in order to give more explanations on what she is trying to say. They are often used when she gives the historical information of the pink flamingos: â€Å"When the pink flamingo splashed into the fifties market, it staked two major claims to boldness. † But not only does it add the explanation, but also highlights the â€Å"claim† of the pink flamingos. What had once been only an option available for the wealthy high-class of America, vacations had started to open up to even people of the middle-class. The flamingo not only showed that there was a need for change in American lifestyle, but that a time for change in the way Americans behave is now. The flamingo was a motivator of behavior and cultural change in the U. S. , and even today it is still the symbol of the essential 1950’s lifestyle. Now is this Author really talking about â€Å"pink flamingos† or is she really saying something more? Almost like a hidden message, Price is telling just how we as Americans consume anything and everything we have access to. Price says â€Å"Americans had hunted flamingos to extinction,† can this bird be representing the power of Americans to us thing up as way to live? Jennifer Price is telling us something in her passage, and that is us consuming and diving out something to extinction. Americans as well as the rest of the world have been doing it for years and we will keeps doing it until the world is dried up. Therefore, until we find the next big break through everyone wonders what is going to be its future on us.

The History Of The Viral Marketing Marketing Essay

The History Of The Viral Marketing Marketing Essay Purpose-Viral Marketing globally today has evolved due to an inherit need to publish marketing campaigns and messages quicker and through cheaper mediums than traditionally expensive Print, TV Radio advertisements. Today the customers are more technologically savvy, have less time to shop and are more vigilant when it comes to researching a product or services they might be interested in. These are just a few of the reasons listed within this research to constitute a detailed discussion on the subject. It all starts with understanding the key components and stakeholders of todays marketplace and the behaviors or processes associated. The document below will highlight areas for key interest whereby the inherent behavior of todays technological client base will be studied and analyzed. In todays global e-commerce society where everyone wants information faster and the ability to interact with others through technological mediums like the cell phone, internet, emails, sms services or any other format its imperative to incorporate technology into the marketing arena. Successful companies have already started to embed these requirements of todays demanding customers into their business processes, however there still remain a lot of companies struggling with these new age requirements and the ability to transform at the pace of todays marketplace. Methodology-The methodology used in this dissertation is descriptive in nature. The study is based on geographical region of India specifically towards the technology brands which have engaged in Viral or Buzz marketing campaigns. Findings- Technology infrastructure, buying power, and community structures as a result of the study showed that a number of brands have had great success with changing their business processes to adopt to the current customer driven instant information based services experience. Peer pressure, opinions and trends seem to drive successful viral campaigns. We have also seen impact of mere peer pressure along with technology preference in shaping the consumers choice which drives business and consumer behavior. Value-This research is to showcase Viral marketing trends in India used specifically in the technology space by different companies to enhance and retain more consumers in todays changing marketplace where limited buying power with higher technological awareness enables long and short term marketing results to successful brands. This methodology plays a pivotal role in making their business sustainable. Keywords-Viral marketing, word of mouth marketing, case studies, digital networks, social media marketing. Acknowledgement This project has been a team effort, many people provided me with support and assistance to conduct this study. First and foremost, thanks must go to my supervisor Dr Usman Mahboob for his continuous guidance and support. I would like to thank London College of Business and The University of Wales for providing me with this opportunity to complete my MBA. There have been a number of highs and lows during the synthesis of this dissertation. The support and encouragement from family and friends has kept me moving in the right direction. Everyone has supported me especially my loving brother Naveed Iqbal. He has been the only one who has never doubted that I would finally submit a dissertation. Without that confidence in my ability, this dissertation would never have become a reality. Thank you my dear brother. A very special thank you, goes to my friend Dr Asma Naz for his assistance in data analysis, support and motivation throughout this period. List of Figures List of Tables List of Abbreviations C2C Customer to Customer ETP Epidemic Threshold Parameter P2P Peer to Peer RVM Random Viral Marketing WOM Word Of Mouth Contents Introduction The world of marketing is ever evolving and growing. New and better marketing techniques are invented frequently to enhance or augment the obsolete trends. Although a lot of the older marketing techniques still hold well in todays marketplace but with the introduction of new mediums like the internet, sms, mms, emails and blogs etc. The approach to reach the masses for capturing a new customer base or enhancing a current one has needed to be reassessed. Same is the case with the world of marketing that in general terms is known as WOM(word of mouth). WOM has now evolved and gone digital. Viral Marketing has also been quoted and defined as a marketing practice whereby present customers float companys marketing message to their colleagues, family and friends (Lauden and Traver 2001 p. 381). It is similar in nature to the previous eras word-of-mouth marketing. One person will make an impression about the product and spread the word around. The element of peer pressure takes precedence i n the Viral Marketing phenomena. Viral Marketing has recently gained increased popularity, furthermore world renowned brands have jumped on the bandwagon i.e. Budweiser, Kelloggs, Levis, Nestle, and Virgin cinemas. Although there is still a limited amount of understanding that exists of this marketing technique (Borroff, 2000). It is a rather new marketing tactic but due to the popularity of cyber space it has started to gain pace with all the conventional marketing methodologies. Other names given to viral marketing are buzz marketing, word of mouse marketing or virus marketing etc. But whatever the name the idea is same as that of the word of mouth marketing. This techniques works on the technique of sharing the news or information with friends and family and so it passes on. Viral marketing is often considered as the gossiping marketing tool. People share their experiences, say good or bad things about their experiences and build a peer pressure to make others experience the same. However viral marketing is more like a bubble and it bursts very soon. YouTube is a great source for viral marketing videos. A number of videos are thrown on this website so that people can come and view it. If the idea clicks, they start sending it to their friends and family and thus it starts growing exponentially. Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter are also a great source for viral marketing. Its considered relatively easy to spread the word around through social networks that have bulk of visiting them every minute. Viral marketing is especially very well known in the regions where the technology is robust and people are used to using online sources for information sharing. Viral marketing can also work through WAP and mobile phones. The more the technology will start growing the more innovative this concept will become with time. Brief Background The advent of e-commerce has changed the shape of doing business around the world. It has given birth to a novel atmosphere where the needs and desires of the customers and the consumers keep changing every minute. Thus new challenges are coming forth for the marketers and the business organizations as they totally divided between the old ways of market and the new proceedings taking place every now and then. To some people it isnt something new in fact the good old word of mouth marketing. It works on the same principal of sharing the experience with the peers, friends and the family. For some orthodox marketers believe that maintaining and adding data to website can make customers coming back for the product and in certain instances they completely ignore the element of World Wide Web in the progress of a business. Others act progressively and pick thediffering tack assuming change as the only constant and keep working for it. (Feather 2000, Murphy 2000). Although the concept of vi ral marketing is as old as WOM marketing, yet the tools are new and innovative. Viral marketing has been successful in the markets where WOM prevailed. With the advent of technology WOM is replaced with viral marketing. 1.2. SUMMARY Viral marketing is the modern implication of the word of mouth marketing. This is also known as the buzz marketing. People will get to know about one product or brand and spread the word around to other people. Viral marketing usually appears to be completely dependent on the image of the product in the eyes of the respondents or the customers. It is not just a spread word by the customers however whatever image the product makes in front of the customer, they spread it out. Viral marketing has proved to be a new concept and thus a limited number of brands and companies have started to adopt this new marketing regime. However the future of the viral marketing holds a lot due to the usage and reliance on the cyber world. Viral marketing videos create a great amount of buzz with the people. There are a number of examples of such videos and if such videos are liked by the people they forward it to their friends and thus the cycle goes on. Viral marketing spreads like a virus around. Onc e a video starts getting the hits and clicks, its viewership starts increasing exponentially. Viral marketing is brief, effective and crisp and thus has managed to gain much likeness even despite of it being a newer tool of marketing. Some believe that the viral marketing is not effective since it never helps in positioning the brand rather simply creates a hype for it and this fades away soon. However viral marketing is still used to spread the information around. 1.3. PROBLEM Viral marketing or the buzz marketing as people call ithas created much of the hype amongst the marketers and the people around. It comes with its supporters and critics both. However viral marketing is the future of marketing due to e-commerce and the web the cyber space that has entangled us all in its aura of endless possibilities. Certain problems encountered by the viral marketing that has forced us to get to the root of the matter are: Critics believe that viral marketing can build the fads and fashions and not the iconic brands. Iconic brands popularity is much more durable and goes a long way. However the fashions and the fads will only last for some time and then fade away. Critics also believe that viral marketing depends on the customers and not the marketers to develop the brand image. Thus the company will take the back seat the customer will do the rest. Viral marketing may dilute the image of the brand by making it utter from the mouth of another person. Obviously company knows where to emphasize and where to subside but the mouth marketer (viral marketer) will work with his own ideas. There is always a danger of netiquette or spamming. Since these things are hard to control. 1.4. THESIS statement To critically analyze the factors that impacts the viral marketing and its influence on the Indian market with respect to the field of technology. 1.5. AIM Aim of this study has been focused to examine and analyze the factors which impact Viral Marketing efforts of Technology organizations or product lines specifically in the Indian market. India is a huge market with the people receptive towards the use the computers and internet as the mean to communicate. Studying a market like India reveals great insights in to the marketing techniques used in this vast land to gather more audience and prospect customers. Different case studies are studied and each of them is analyzed to find out the factors affecting the viral marketing in India. Each factor will be examined carefully with the help of case studies published some of the renowned companies who have worked in the field of viral marketing.Viral marketings success is hard to measure; this study will help in understanding the how to measure the impact of viral marketing through its viewer ship. The concept of viral marketing is sometimes hard to grasp the aim of this study is to make it a comprehensive understanding of viral marketing. 1.6. Objective To work on a study, it is very important to clearly define the objectives of the study. Objective of this study is devised to be in line with the literature study and the methodology. The objectives are thoughtfully laid down to get a deeper insight in to the idea of viral marketing and the factors influencing it. To spot out the major factors and its results, taking place on the product or the company name as a result of Viral Marketing. To discover the most ideal factors that can contribute towards the success of the viral marketing campaign. Analyze which business sectors can support the viral marketing technique. To discover the effectiveness of viral marketing. To analyze the influence of viral marketing on the customer base and sales generation. 1.7.Purpose The purpose behind this study is to analyze the relatively new introduced concept of viral marketing. The cyber world has taken over the world of marketing and communication through its endless possibilities. Social networking website, social media websites etc. are already being used for the purpose of exploring new trends to market and sell the products. Viral marketing is thought to be similar as the word-of-mouth marketing. People tell share about experience, idea and thoughts about a certain product and spread the word around. Viral marketing is growing over the period of time yet very limited research has been conducted on the topic. Keeping in mind the importance of this subject it is very important to lay down some of the details for the future work and references. Viral marketing has proved to very effective in many cases, those cases will be discussed in detail to understand the logic behind the success of this new marketing mantra. By critically analyzing the factors influencing the viral marketing we can deduce some very interesting results. This paper will define the purpose and need of this study in more detail and help the researchers to build another research topic on this subject matter. Reasons for selecting topic The history of Viral Marketing is not primitive in nature, it all started in near past with the catchy tagline introduced by Hotmail Get your free e-mail from Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.comto attract more users (Helm 2000, Porter Golan 2006). As per Welker (2002, p.7) this form of marketing is nothing but the new presentation of old idea of word-of-mouth marketing, Viral Marketing is not an old concept thus the amount of work present on the topic is also limited. There is a need for more research studies on this ever increasing topic of interest. This topic has been selected keeping in mind the limited work done on this topic. This study will deeply analyze the factors influencing the viral marketings success. Viral marketing works well in the community where people are receptive towards the use of technology and processes. India is a market with great potential and keen interest in technology. Also in India WOM and viral marketing strategies work well because of the community se t up. In this study various case studies of viral marketing would be studied and its impact would be critically analyzed. Viral marketing is appreciated in youth because it is easy for them to forward or send a page as a reference to their friends, especially if they are given some incentive to perform the activity. Viral marketing is done through a number of means. Social networking websites are also considered very important to do the viral marketing activity. Twitter is considered a great source of viral marketing. Facebook and YouTube are also used to conduct viral marketing activities. Blogs and online referrals are also a great source of viral marketing. This form of marketing is new yet is old enough to create the buzz in the viewers of the ad campaign. Studying the progress of this marketing technique is of great importance in todays era where technology has taken precedence over every other means of communication. This study will help in analyzing the success factors behind a good viral campaign in the technology market which is quiet admired in India. The youth in India is one of the early adapters of the technology thus studying the impact of viral marketing in this part of the world will reveal great insights about viral marketing success. Literature Review Word of Mouth marketing techniques could not only influence consumer choices and purchasing decisions (Arndt, J; 67), but rather shape clients expectations [Zeithaml and Bitner, 1996], pre-usage perception [Herr, Kardes, Kim, 91] and even post-usage attitudes of product lines or service areas [Bone, 95]. [Katz, E.; Lazarsfeld, 55] indicated the influence of Word of Mouth technique is greater than that of a classic advertising medium. Researchers (Kaikati Kaikati 2004) look at this phenomenonas digital word of mouthmethod distributing advertiserscallthrough the click of mouse and making sure to target thecuriosity level required to move ahead the message to their peers. (Dobele et al 2005) intriguing the customers or the potential customers, to throw the message, they receive through digital mediums (emails, chat or websites) is defined as Viral Marketing. Bidirectional communication has become possible because of the digital word of mouth marketing (Dellarocas 2003)as a result it ha s left intriguing marks on the individuals (Goldenberg et al 2001) Brewer (2003) agrees at viral marketing otherwise known as referral marketing is a thorough process of getting a digital marketing message (about a product or idea) and sending it forward to the peers and the family. (Lauden and Traver 2001) but warns about the cost of viral marketing as only incremental. Different writers have different opinions about the concept and the process of viral marketing like Laudon and Traver who defines this as Viral marketers utilize consumer-to-consumer preferred method of communicating, which is rapid and cost effective (Laudon and Traver, 2001). Another eminent writer Helm (2000) emphasizes viral marketing as a type of advertising which is almost like an online version of word-of-mouth advertisement (c.f., Beckmann Bell, 2000). According to viral marketing report published in 2011 by the YouGov, the 7th Chamber, social video seeding, and its worth remembering at this point that, when peering through the mists of time, things were very different back then. Social media was still a relatively new commodity to most (MySpace was the major player and Facebook the scrappy young upstart), podcasts were in their infancy and the iPhone and Twitter were just glints in their makers eyes. Meanwhile viral marketing was moving away from being funny little videos or client bolt-ons and starting to find its feet alongside traditional advertising and marketing mediums, yet YouTube was part of the Wild West, to be generally avoided by brands. Ross Mullane, Paddy Power, points out: YouTube barely existed five years ago. Broadband penetration was much lower, less people watched content online and it was not as easy to track i.e. when people may have sent a wmv around the place. Michael Sugden, the managing director at VCCP whose clients include Compare the Market and O2, says: The main reason for the rises that we do digital work for moreand more clients. In fact, we nowhave more clients for digital for thanadvertising.However, he warns: Branded contentis not immune to the fundamentalsof effective marketing. It has toengage and disrupt. Creatingbranded content is not enoughand currently too much dross, oflittle interest to consumers, is beingchurned out by brands. Daniel Goodall, the senior marketing manager at Nokia, says: Video is now an essential part in the decisionmaking process when it comes to high-consideration products and services. If, for example, a person wants or needs a new phone, they will go to Google or even straight to YouTube to search for a video. This is part of the increasingly complex consideration phase, during which video content enables people to make informed decisions before they go to retail stores or buy online. The survey conducted by the viral marketing report published in 2011 by the YouGov, the 7th Chamber, social video seeding shows that, YouTube is far and away the most used source for viewing videos with 30% of respondents saying that they use it. Facebook comes in second with 19%. Slightly more unexpected is the low scoring for blogs, Vimeo, Twitter, Bebo and MySpace barely registering on the consumers consciousness (none achieving higher than 2%). The report further states, The percentage of peoplewho have shared branded videocontent over an app is now higherthan all the best-known videosharing sites apart from YouTubeand Facebook coming in at 6%. And that thehighest number of respondentsthat said they used apps wasactually in the 55+ age group,which is not only a testament to thepower of the grey market but alsotheir ability to adopt mobile-basedtechnology (in no other categorydo the 55+ respondents seem tohave such an acute understandingof technology). These two thingstogether poi nt to an exceptionallyfertile ground for growth that isready to be exploited. Now this shows a huge success and growth for the viral marketing. Social media websites are already being used as the base for the viral messages however the mobile phone apps are also taking the high grounds for success. Viral marketing has basis to become successful tool for marketing because it is now being adapted by the people of greater ages as well as seen from this report. The same survey report asked its respondents of the online videos help in improving the brands image, 57% of the base answering neither agree nor disagree (28%agreeing, 15% disagreeing) it wouldappear on the surface that thepublic, on the whole, are eitherapathetic towards branding inonline videos or, more likely, theydo not fully understand how onlinebranding works. The report concludes by stating, Its also obvious that there is not only a greater understanding of what viral and branded content is but also that consumers are now much more trusting and happy to engage with branded content. Yet 70% of people claimed they didnt pass on branded videos, but 37% of people thought a brand could influence what a person bought. Strangely, this is worrying but also encouraging. As our offline lives become more disposable so do our online lives and content now need to be consistent as well as creative? Because consumers are now happier and familiar with branded content, this opportunity has to be taken but without content being over diluted, otherwise advertising messages will become lost in the maelstrom of the hundreds of hours of content uploaded to the internet every day. The opportunity is there for an intelligent strategy driven approach to creating online content, which, if correctly placed, the target audience will engage with, and ideally share. This research showsthat a lot of the fear and trepidation felt by consumers four years ago has been shrugged off with the market changing from new and fearful to mat ure and fearless. With more and more places to engage with and share content, these are exciting and opportunistic times for consumer brands to reach their audience, effectively and efficiently. The referral mechanism behind viral marketing resembles the same as of the word-of-mouth marketing (Buttle 1997; Helm 2000; Lindberg-Repo Gronroos, 1999); where a positive WOM is considered the take place when people write good and encouraging testimonials about the company and the mirror image is conceived with the negative WOM (Buttle 1997) As per Bansal and Voyer (2000, p. 166)), there is surprisingly limited empirical research that examines deeply (word of mouth) procedural aspects Beckman and Bell however were able to find some differences between viral marketing and word-of-mouth marketing, therefore resulting both in having different implications when it comes to marketing. Some of such differences are listed below: Viral marketing flows to more people in much lesser time. WOM is mostly verbal and face-to-face; however viral marketing uses images, visual stimuli as well as text. Viral marketing gives more control on the content to the company however WOM totally depends on the words of the communicator. WOM is a two way communication i.e. it comes with the feedback from the responder. This point makes the likely hood of the receiver to attend the message greater. Brodie (2001) establishes that one of the oldest possible examples of viral marketing campaign can be the Gospel and the Christian missionaries preaching the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, thereby making viral marketing a centuries old phenomenon with a rich history and background. Helm believes that although viral marketing products are diffused quickly because users are usually taken to the website home page by the person who referred them to this link page (Helm, 2000). (Kaikati 2004) statesthis marketing technique like stealth method but however stealth advertisingis new in the world of marketing viral marketing refers to the advertisement (Phelps et al 2004, Porter Golan 2006) and brand (Dobele et al 2005, Moore 2003) factors of conventionalbrand promotion. The definition of [Hennig-Thurau, Gwinner, Walsh, Gremler, 2004] are alike definitions of Word of Mouth [Arndt; 1967], whereby [Montgomery 2001] links the phenomenon with advertisement and understands it as a communication strategy. [Helm 2000] and [Subramani; Rajagopalan 2003] expand the scope of this distribution and communication. Still the definition of [Helm 2000] limits viral marketing to the products and offerings available digitally even though services are neglected. Modzelewskis propositions [Modzelewskis 2001] that viral marketing differentiates from traditional word of mouth due to the positive network external factors interestingly enough, as it integrates viral marketing and with network effect theories. (Subramani, Rajagopalan 2003) Viral marketing involves: Consumers who are connected and know each other (Reichheld and Schefter, 2000) Consumers who might not know each other (Laudon and Traver, 2001) Since the customers or the users are the main elements of viral marketing technique. An organization can choose due diligence the consumer set that must first approve on the Viral message, since the development and progress of such messages is on the shoulders of these individuals (Bennan 2000; Harvard Management Update 2000; Helm 2000). Viral marketing is explained as a process with certain strategies and Helm indicates how this is accomplished. Viral marketing strategies tend to be classified according to the degree of requirement of the individuals part in the forwarding of marketing messages (Helm, 2000) low level as well as high level incorporation strategies. The former strategies include Send this story to a friend icons and can be utilized for web hosted address book links, calendars, list servers, news group readers and greeting cards services or service providers. The later strategies dictate active participation of the client in reaching new clients who may have to downloa d unique programs (Helm, 2000; Jurvetson Draper, 1998). De Bruyn and Lilien (2003) also state this when they discuss intentional viral message disseminations (e.g., PayPal or the Recommend It which is published and known from numerous websites) and unintentional viral communication message disseminations (e.g. hotmail.com). The current data available for the said topic shows four emerging research methods so as to make theory, conception and contribution, easy. These include VM comparisons, VM C2C, communication media study and positioning VM. Comparisons drawn let us compare viral marketing techniques to other marketing techniques like TV etc.(Porter Golan 2006). C2C VMstudies particular problems with-in the perspective of consumers for example consumer loyalty and value (Gruen et al 2006). Communications media defines particular distribution models like emails and other online transmissions (Welker 2002). The lastmethod is VM positioning, this research is concerned with only the tracking of proper positioning for VM (Dobele et al 2005, Helm 2000). The effortby Dellarocas (20032005) depicts the results that models like eBay can produce. Trust, however is doubtful in the online recommendations due to the changing of facts (Dellarocas 2003) the possibility of online frauds also increase due to this (Boltonetal 2004). Online reputation is like a capital asset that must be maintained and invested in (Rob Fishman 2005). Viral marketing over social networks has been analyzed for the purpose of influence maximization (P. Domingos, M. Richardson. D. Kempe, J. Kleinberg,) or revenue increase (J. Hartline, H. Akhlaghpour,) In the influence maximization scenario models (P. Domingos, M. Richardson. D. Kempe, J. Kleinberg,), a consumers decision to buy a product is influenced by a set of other people who own similar products. In the revenue maximization case model (J. Hartline, H. Akhlaghpour,) people dont simply adopt products, but rather must spend money to buy them. Researchers like Mayzlin (2006) and counterparts like Chevalier (2006), Godes (2004) set up on both behavioral management science customs and methodologyclientsproduced distinctiveness and attitude as cases thatmay be used as recognizedamounts in arithmetical models. Dellarocas (2003) asks for additionalinvestigate on responsetechnique or mechanism planthat may be extensive more generally to other features of VM or P2P communication together with theoretical experiments and experiential research that believes the worldwidecontact of buyer seller attitude and aimproved understanding of the way managers shouldsettle in their strategies in online circumstances. Measuring the viral marketing impact The end result of VM campaigns may certainly be prejudiceddue tomagnetism of message, promotionintend and otherpertinentinterference policies. The apparentworth of the viral marketing promotionalong withpresenting an enticement to improve the impact cooperate a central role in formatting a users tendency to promote the viral communication (Bampo, et al, 2008). Bampo et al (2008) in one of the studies defined the parameters for the propensity and reach of the viral message. The study discusses in depth the mathematical way to measure the expected reach of the message. There are different factors defined in the study which help in understanding the link between those parameters and the results or outcomes of the linkage between said factors and parameters. According to a theory by Bampo(2008) once the message reaches the destination system, the system becomes infected with the viral marketing now if the infected system forwards the message to another system this mechanism is defined by a parameter of forwarding. The forwarding parameter can be further described as, contagion parameter as described in outbreak theory (Becker 1989). In the digital circumstances the contamination parameter refers to the possible probability of forwarding a message. This leads to the formation of another parameter known as the activation factor or parameter. Acc ording to Bampo et al (2008) suggest of starting with the broader level absolute social network thatsummarizes all types of relationsin between the connectionse.g., family ties or social or professional connections. Number of such connections can be computerized and we call them digital subset of the absolutesystem as the relevant underlying digital social network. Asa digital message is received by an individual within the particularprimary digital social network, they are faced with two separate choices, first being either or not to pass on the message, according to the forwarding stricture or secondly if they

Phobia, Afraid of Death Essay -- Psychology, The Nick Adam Stories

Most people are afraid of death. Some people are scared of being dead; others are terrified of the act of dying. However, the fear of death does not occur naturally; usually little kids do not even know what death is. This kind of fear can originate from early childhood, especially in brutal environments. Facing a horrifying experience may result in psychological trauma, which causes fears and nightmares. When we are little we have our family to take care of us and make fears manageable. But what if parents are not capable of doing that? What if they think that it is better for their child to go through fears alone? Ernest Hemingway in The Nick Adams Stories provides an example of the consequence of parents’ refusal to guide their child through his early and difficult experiences. Nick Adams is afraid of death as a result of his violent environment and lack of parental support. Nick’s childhood begins in the Michigan woods where his father takes him to fish and hunt. From those early years Nick is scared of the unknown and indefinite which is an indication of death: â€Å"He was not afraid of anything definite as yet. But he was getting very afraid.† (14). Then he realizes that he would die someday too. Here the child firstly realizes what the death is and then gets scared. However, his parents do not help Nick overcome those fears earlier, which lead to Nick’s obsession with death later in his life. In â€Å"Indian Camp† where Dr. Adams takes his boy to watch a woman in labor, Nick has his first encounter with both birth and death. Watching his father perform a very rational but fierce surgery and witnessing woman suffer from pain leads to psychological trauma of Nick. Although Nick is trying â€Å"not to see what his father is doing† (19), D... ...llow color of the house signifies Nick’s cowardice† (32). When Captain Paravicini tells Nick that he is very courageous, he answers: â€Å"No†¦ I prefer to get stinking. I’m not ashamed of it.† â€Å"Besides associating yellow with cowardice, most scholars agree that Nick’s mind has provided ‘the yellow house in place of the sensory details of his wounding and death’† (Quick, 32). The phobias people have can be due to different reasons, most of the time these come from something they either experienced or have somebody told them (second hand experience). In Nick's case it was both. More over, the intensity of the events happening in his life is tremendous. The outcomes can be seen in Nick's deep trauma and his psychological disability that causes significant distress and fear of death. The state Nick is in can be very harmful and can even have lethal effect on him.

Genderless Society, an Illusion or Reality Essay -- essays research pa

According to dictionary.com, gender is defined as â€Å"the condition of being female or male.† Gender and Sexuality conjure up images of the male and female and the roles that each sex is supposed to fulfill. Of the two forces (Biology and Environment) influencing human development, especially gender, environment is more influential. Environment is basically the surrounding conditions or forces capable of influencing a person or any entity, for example, family, culture, peers, society, etc. In view of this, let us now think about these thought provoking questions. Do you believe there will ever come a day when boys will play with dolls and girls will play with trucks and no one will notice? Suppose parents could successfully forget about the gender of their child. What would be the advantages and the disadvantages of this? These are the questions that would be examined and answered in this article. Reasonably, I opine that a day might come when boys will play with dolls and girls play with trucks, but people will take note of this, depending on their sense of perception and cultural backgrounds, and since neither this situation had ever occurred nor has it ever been that way from time being. Also, since the environment people live in could either positively or negatively contribute to their physical, spiritual, and social well being, so, gender should be seen more of a social structure that forms the basis for individuals’ norms which are anchored into the major societal organizations of our world today (Lorber 5). This might make one to ask again - Is a Genderless Society Attainable? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Apparently, parents, as a factor, have the power and the responsibilities to shape the gender identity of their wards from childhood. The socialization theory, in terms of gender, suggests that â€Å"children are taught to behave in a certain way according to their sex. Boys are taught to be masculine and girls to be feminine. For example, parents will often buy trucks or army toys for boys while girls will have dolls and playhouse sort-of toys† (Cohen and Ian, 78). So why would a genderless society be unattainable since the primary factor of childhood gender-shaping is the parents? In fact, from the socialization theory, it could be deduced that genderless society might be achieved if parents would act in other way round- allow boys to play w... ...A day might come when boys might play with dolls and girls might play with trucks, but people would surely notice this. Since our mode of life- morals, physical, social, gender, etc are being modeled, nurtured, and influenced by many factors of our immediate environment such as our family, culture, peers, society, education, community. If on the other hand, the environment nurtures or influences us the way the â€Å"fabulous baby X† was nurtured, there might be a success of a genderless society, but this will sound too strongly unattainable and an illusion of reality! WORK CITED PAGE Cohen, Jack and Ian, Stewart. â€Å"Our Genes Aren’t Us.† Discover Apr. 94, Vol. 15 Issue 4, p78, 7p, 6c Gould, Lois. â€Å"X: A Fabulous Child’s Story.† Mirror on America: Short Essays and Images from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Popular Culture. 2nd Ed. Mims, J.T and Nollen, E.M. NY: Bedford/ST. Martin’s, 2003:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  63-76. Lexico Publishing Group. â€Å"Gender.† Dictionary.com. (2003) 23 Jan. 2005.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  . Lober, Judith. Paradoxes of Gender: sex role, gender identity, social theory, and feminist   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  institutions. Yale UP: New Haven, 1994.

Killer Angels The Human Factor Essay examples -- essays research paper

Killer Angels Paper The Human Factor in the American Civil War   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Michael Shaara’s fictional novel, The Killer Angels, is based on the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. The novel allows the reader to recognize the heart and courage of the more than two million men that fought in the war. Shaara focuses the reader to better understand the reason why these men fight and the meaning of the war. Ultimately, the reader observes that the war is fought on an individual level as much as a governmental level. These men are there to fight for what they believe is truly right. The Confederates fought for their rights to hold slaves, their freedom tyranny of the Federal Government, and their independence from the Union. The Federal soldiers fought for the Preservation of the Union, the freedom of black men, and the Constitution’s integrity. In this is book the reader is able to perceive the human element of battle that creates a very unpredictable outcome. Factors of humanity, such as friendships, sense of characte r, conflicts and brotherhood, play an important part in making the war. The friendship between Confederate General Lewis Armistead and Union General Winfield Scott Hancock has an effect on their fighting. Garnett’s sense of honor effects his psychological outlook on the battle and how he is to fight. The Chamberlains are two brothers in the Twentieth Maine of the Union Army. Both men are constantly looking...

Case Review

CASE: THO YOW PEW & ANOR V CHUA KOOI HEAN MATERIAL FACT: The plaintiffs in this case were the elder and younger brother of Dr. Tho Yow Cheong (the deceased) who died testate on 5 December 1996. They were the executors and trustees of the will executed by the deceased which dated on 20 October 1995. On 16 June 1997, the plaintiffs applied to the High Court of Kuala Lumpur by way of petition for a grant of probate of the said will.The defendant who was the wife of the deceased however then entered a caveat with the Registry on 10 July 1997 in order to prevent the grant of probate to the plaintiffs without the defendant being given notice. On 21 October 1997, the plaintiffs commenced this probate action against the defendant praying to the court to decree probate of the said will in solemn form of law. The defendant then counterclaim seeking a declaration that the said will is null and void and prayed that she be grated letters of administration to the estate of the said deceased.ISSUES : 1. Whether deceased had requisite testamentary capacity to execute will 2. Whether suspicion satisfactory discharged by the party propounding the will 3. Whether the will valid 4. Whether probate should be granted HELD: Plaintiffs claim dismissed with cost and defendant’s counterclaim allowed with cost REASON FOR JUDGMENT: 1. The burden of proving the deceased had the requisite testamentary capacity laid with the parties propounding the will, which were the plaintiffs in this instance. 2.The deceased suffered from nose cancer and was heavily dependent on a steroid drug called â€Å"dexamethasone† to obtain relief from its resultant pains and discomfort. â€Å"Dexamethasone† used long term can give rise to several physical and psychiatric side effects. There is also doubt that the deceased who experienced weakness of his limbs and muscles with reduced motor function could have typed the will in question. 3. The plaintiffs did not impress as having done what the y did for the welfare and interest of the deceased.On the other hand, the defendant impressed as being a truthful witness. Her evidence was accepted as being the true version of the events that transpired. It was evident that the plaintiffs had not satisfactorily discharged the suspicion raised. RATIO DECIDENDI 1. Dr Shanmuganathan v. Periasamy Sithambaram Pillai [1997] 2 CLJ 153 * it was emphasised that where there are suspicious circumstances lurking behind the execution of the will, the onus is on the party propounding the will, to remove, by way of explanations such suspicious circumstances. . Foo Fio Na v. Hospital Assunta & Anor [1999] 8 CLJ 184 * †¦ I am of the view that a doctor could not give any opinion what more an expert opinion as to the injury of any person without seeing and examining that person and also in the present case without seeing the x-rays of that person. 3. Tyrrell v. Painton [1894] P 151 * The rule in Barry v. Butlin 2 Moo PC 480, Fulton v. Andrew LR 7 HL 448 and Brown v.Fisher 63 LT 456, is not, in my opinion, confined to the single case in which a will is prepared by or on the instructions of the person taking large benefits under it, but extends to all cases in which circumstances exist which excite the suspicion of the Court; and wherever such circumstances exist and whatever their nature may be, it is for those who propound the will to remove such suspicions, and to prove affirmatively that the testator knew and approved of the contents of the document, and it is only where this is done that the onus is thrown on these who oppose the will to prove fraud or undue influence, or whatever else they rely on to displace the case made for proving the will. 4. Udham Singh v. Indar Kaur [1971] 2 MLJ 263 * It is trite law that the burden of proving that the deceased had the requisite testamentary capacity whilst executing the will lies with the party propounding the will. COMMENT: In this case, the burden to prove at the time of exe cuting the will the deceased was in sound mind, memory and understanding position lies with the plaintiffs since they are the one who propounding the will. However the laintiffs failed to prove that the deceased was in that capability to execute the will. This is because there was evidence that the deceased was suffering from the side effects of the drugs taken by him in order to cure the pain that he suffered. The deceased was found euphoric, had muscle weakness and suffered from psychiatric effect of the drug, thus it is impossible for the deceased to type the will. In addition, the deceased also suffered â€Å"hemiparesis† which according to the expert, the strength of the deceased body was less which mean he can only write slowly and not type. A perusal of the will shows that it was type and the plaintiffs failed to prove who actually prepared the will.The suspicion raised in this case was not satisfactorily discharged by the plaintiffs when they failed to give all the ne eded prove such as whether the will was read to the deceased. The deceased was right handed and suffered â€Å"hemiparesis† which unable him to type the will. The love of the deceased to the defendant also cannot be denied by the conversation of the deceased with her daughter however the psychiatric problem that he suffered as the side effect of the drug taken had made him to show the contravention. The statements given by the witnesses of the plaintiffs also doubtful, thus it is concluded that the will was invalid and the probate should not be granted.