Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Methods - Essay Example This implores into the reader’s imagination. For example, she characterizes the puffins with phrases such as â€Å"clownish faces†, â€Å"waddling walk†, â€Å"chubby-dumpling bodies†, and â€Å"fluffy chicks†. This, she describes using a sense of humor to draw the reader (Nijhuis 1). The writer also uses definition in her essay, though not much of it. At the same time, the definition method used is emotional. For example, the statements â€Å"puffins are adorable† and â€Å"seabirds are social creatures† try to spark some emotion in the reader. Therefore, the element of definition plays a significant role in drawing the readers (Nijhuis 2). Also, the writer uses the element of classification in her essay when she talks about some types of birds. For instance, she uses the phrases â€Å"predatory gulls† and â€Å"terns†. By explaining the relationship between the various aspects and the puffins, the writer ensures that th e essay covers everything and that the reader does not get

Defend the position that Plato takes that philosophers should be Essay

Defend the position that Plato takes that philosophers should be rulers, or the contrary, that rulers should not be philosophers - Essay Example Democracy in Athens has been full of individualism and political selfishness. In addition, most people living in Athens captured governmental jobs for their own self-centered reasons and finally divided the city into two hostile groups of the rich and poor. The other group formed was that of the oppressor and the oppressed. Conversely, Plato’s philosophy on virtue and justice greatly impacted democracy. Plato’s viewpoints provided a well-known place to the notion of justice. He was not happy with the existing decaying conditions in Athens. A number of his attacks majorly criticized the unpaid meddlesomeness and extreme uniqueness. He criticized the system of government through the creation of an ideal society where justice was embraced in all the activities within the city. This is because Plato had discovered that the problems in this context could only be treated by ensuring that people are treated equally and with a lot of justice. It is important to note that there had been a number of hypotheses of justice before Plato came into the limelight. Therefore, he had to reject the theories. For instance, he did not support the traditional theory of justice since he believed that justice was about saying the truth and settling one’s debt. According to Plato, the theories which were presented by Cephalus, Thrasymachus, and Glaucon had a common element. They handled justice an achievement, importation, or convention. Therefore, he was able to verify that justice is not based on chance, togetherness, or external forces. He was able to provide different meaning of justice hence people could easily understand what he meant. For instance, the people living in Athens accepted that justice cannot be obtained without three elements (reason, spirit, and appetite). Democracy also prevailed after people had realized that their souls operated without affecting other elements in the body. There are also three categories of the social organism-philosopher

Olympic games effect on the east london property market

Olympic games effect on the east london property market ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to examine the 2012 Londons Olympic Games and implication it caused on the property market within East London area. The paper delivers an area and infrastructure development overview, economical and ecological analysis, and shows both the advantages and disadvantages of hosting the games. Economic Impacts of Olympic Games report 2009 by PWC stated that national and international recognition of the host city through extensive media exposure; community benefits including job creation, training and education programs; funding for community economic development projects and cultural programs; infrastructure benefits; new company investment in the city, and increased trade; and housing impacts is immense are expected to be achieved after the end of the Olympics. Additional plans for regeneration of East London include creation of green spaces and a new energy centre in the west of the Olympic Park to support London 2012 commitment to use renewable and energy-efficient technology, and affordable housing. The benefit from extensive investments in transport infrastructure will make it ideally connected both internationally and locally. The arrival of DLR and the Jubilee Line has made a huge impact on revitalizing East London. Further, Crossrail Stratford to Heathrow, Eurostar International Station at Stratford, City financial developments and Canary Wharf office space expansion will make a substantial contribution. With its excellent transport links, the area is a regeneration hotspot and has positive impact, which the London Olympics help creating. A location that sees a regeneration and development for the better is likely to attract strong demand and see prices rising substantially. The money started moving in and prices have rocketed and still expect a potential growth after a residential and commercial development emerging until 2020. The extent of impact on house prices appears to be dependent upon the size of the housing market in the city. The Olympic legacy is that after the games, East London will receive facelift; a large park and the athletes village will become at least 5000 homes. Many of the key investment areas within once bleak East London are likely to be positively impacted by new infrastructure developments in the years to follow. Despite the recent global financial recession a rapid recovery is soon expected with property price increase in East London starting 2010 and onwards. (PropertyInvesting.net team, 2009) London is likely to stay a significant global financial centre that provides relatively high paid employment. CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION The legacy of the Olympic Games will be manifold. Many areas of London and other parts of the UK and the lives of thousands of individuals will be touched by the Games. There will be many intangible benefits, and a significant effect on the reputation of London lasting for decades. (Going for Gold: Transport for Londons 2012 Olympic Games, 2006) The primary and secondary research of East London (Newham) regeneration arrangements was conducted, and the findings provided valuable information for the context of this study project. For the purpose of the paper a case of Barcelona Games and their influence on property market and area profile was used, demonstrating the correlation between Olympics and the property market in Barcelona in 1992 and will draw likelihood parallel. The case aimed to provide the experience and implications of hosting of major world event. The study examines anticipated benefits for the real estate perspective. It also profiles the impact of hosting the Games on the office, retail and residential sectors. 1.1 Background The planning and preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London have already generated a significant activity. The coming years expect even more intense action towards the delivery of the 2012 Games the regeneration plans for a large number of urban green spaces and upgrading of amenities in the area. The Olympic legacy is that after the games, Stratford high street will receive a 10 million pound facelift; a large park and the athletes village will become at least 5,000 privately owned and affordable homes. This research project was set up to develop an analytical framework for investigating and reporting the impacts from the Games, concentrating on East London property market, both now and in the future post Olympic period. One of the key objectives is to be able to demonstrate and understand the impacts on people, communities, the economy and environment. 1.2 Rationale The existing studies have explored the relationship between Olympic Games, the planned regeneration of the area and property values. However, few have looked at the relationship between Olympic Games and desire for people to invest and relocate to this part of the city. It is hoped, therefore, that, at a higher level, this paper shall make a contribution to a field of research, which has been little studied, but which undoubtedly has implications for planners, businesses, investors and the local population. It should, however, be noted that Olympics are never held in the same country twice, thus constructing predictions based on the previous case studies should be made with care, and take into account that all views are merely speculative as Olympic development is yet to be completed in London. 1.3 Objectives The objectives of this dissertation are (1) to indentify and analyze influence of factors such as Olympics development, (2) difficult economic climate and exchange rates fluctuations, and (3) explore the effects of regeneration characteristics on property market in the area. In order to pursue these objectives, a detailed literature review of previous researches, including scholars, was carried out, as well as an analysis of the economic situation at the time the Games were announced and the present. Several case studies were looked at and supplementary secondary data was also used in order to understand the reasons behind Londons bid for the Olympics 2012. 1.4 Research Questions The following questions are to be answered: Understand the residential market in East London and whether the development of the area with Olympic games being held in 2012 will make it possible to see likely trends? Could the view on Olympic games as a catalyst for delivering sustainable communities and affordable homes transform East London live up to expectations? Is Londons plan to use the Olympic Games to re-urbanize its eastern suburbs realistic? 1.5 Scope The limited time frame of this project has necessitated a focus on specific area of East London. This research study is focusing on the property market of the primary location of Olympic Games. As the property industry is a vital component in the UKs economy the scope of this paper is to analyze the East London borough in order to identify whether there is any evidence to suggest that the Olympic Games have an effect upon residential standards of living, desirability and property prices within the same locality. 1.6 Structure The report is structured in a way in which firstly, the ambition and desired legacy is briefly described. Aspects related to the property impact will not be considered at this stage, but rather, demographics can be portrayed in terms of population, education, employment and socio-political benefits as a base to what will fundament the primary research. The study then moves on to the understanding of the property industry. This part covers an overview of recession and business interest in the future property market of East London. The analysis continues with an examination of the regeneration of the area and property figures as key enablers of the economic growth. Alongside, the analysis will include the views of economists, businesses and individuals main motivations for choosing previously economically deprived area for their investment and relocation. All findings derived from literature research, analysis and summary of questionnaires are presented in the conclusion. Having an understanding of the current situation will allow investors and other interested parties to have the clear picture that will certainly help to make decisions whether investment/relocation will be the correct move for the future. The limitations and recommendations are to follow in the last section of this project. CHAPTER II METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH 2.1 Research Approach Given that the subject requires observations, statistical numbers, and the experts opinion in the industry for conducting a thorough research and analysis, the methodologies used for this project were based on a qualitative research mostly based on the opinion of economists, property market analysts and journalists who can describe the Olympic events, its social environments and the impact on the property market. In supporting this project the data collection involved the use of both primary and secondary data research. The primary data was collected in the form of questionnaires that were answered by east London property market professionals; these discussions were focused on the Olympic developments, explore the strategic pitfalls of regeneration form their experience and review of future market predictions. The primary research consisted in formal interviews to various individuals working as full-time employees in varied areas of property market, such as sales, research analysis, and developers, provided insightful views about the area of regeneration. Furthermore, a case study approach was chosen as the research method, as it investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context and addresses situations in which the boundaries between phenomenon and content are not clearly evident. (Meyer, 2001) This way the research benefited from combination of various levels of analysis: data collection methods such as observations, interviews, questionnaires and archives. (Eisenhardt, 1989) It also allowed producing answers to questions like why and how. (Saunders et al., 2009) The data collection was conducted in a form of open questions, however, due to the nature of the facts revealed, the participants identities were agreed to be confidential. For the compilation of secondary data, extensive literature reviews of the real estate industry were done. For this purpose, various data was sourced from existing market analysis, such as: market and governmental bodies reports from various literature publications and online resources, including Google Scholars, related books, business and industry reports via the EBSCO database. The focus was made on overall market performance in the UK and consumer behavior patterns in previous Olympic hosts. Additionally, a variety of articles in the FT, Mintel and industry reports were reviewed to investigate the UK property market industry and its present and future trends. Other articles based on individual review of writers in newspapers and periodical journals were mentioned within the literature review. 2.2 Primary Data (Qualitative Research) 2.2.1 Data Collection Qualitative primary research was undertaken through data collection from a number of in depth questionnaires given the exploratory nature of the project. The primary qualitative data approach was chosen as it provides more descriptive textual information of parties opinions and data collected this way generally is a better tool for describing and understanding a phenomenon. (Weston et al, 2001) The questionnaires allowed interviewed public for greater time in considering their answers and encouraged a free expression of views within respondents own frames of reference. The questionnaire (Appendix A) consisted of a standard number of questions for each respondent with the closing question: Would the interest for east London properties, in particular Stratford, increase after the 2012 Games? the question of the main interest of the research. It will demonstrate the professional view for relocation and investment desirability in East London. Seven questionnaires contained 12 questions and were sent to the following parties: Executive employees within real estate agencies Property market analysts Private Developers and entrepreneurs Real estate industry consultant. A range of respondents presented a well-rounded sample of views. 2.2.2 Data Analysis summary review Based on the questionnaire the most frequently mentioned factors were drawn and the effects are discussed below summarizing the viewpoints of real estate professionals and property investors. The demographic situation in East London area at present is low to mid income individuals and families, with a greater number of students based within the University of East London area. Since the games were announced in 2005 property prices rose by approx 10 per cent virtually overnight. Further they have ebbed and flowed with the rest of the London property market, with no significant uplift as yet. The situation has not stabilized, as recession influenced the buying ability of customers enormously. Large deposits require by lenders have stymied the market. Reasons for buying in the area at the moment, two years before the Olympics, is mainly investment, as in the mid to long term it should see a significant capital appreciation on the property. The predictions are based on the fact that in general Olympic effect has not yet taken place and, for instance, Stratford properties are one of the cheapest areas to buy in London. Post Games investments should see the rise through the rank s to become fairly sought after, thus in couple of years after the Games it is likely that people will be looking to live in the area for its amenities, lifestyle and what will be superb facilities. Buy-to-live purchasers will choose the area because of shopping, bars, restaurants, sports facilities, parks, new schools etc. There are, however predictions, that East of London might experience the post Games slump in the property prices, especially for modern style flats, due to high supply of new properties onto the market. Shoreditch and Hackney are closer to the city and have a higher proportion of large housing stock. The demand for large houses also increases the demand for better bars, restaurants, etc., which then further lead to the increased desirability of the area. Stratford has smaller properties and though the new infrastructure is being constructed, none of it is yet open or in use. Once it is, the prices will be likely to rise accordingly. Olympic effect on quality of east Londoners life should improve greatly, however it will take place only in the mid-long terms, when parks, shopping, schools, sporting facilities are transformed and complete in year 2014. That is the time when professionals predict the increase in interest in East London properties. Socio-political climate will potentially improve in the future. It is though unlikely in a short term to attract a higher income households, as they have more freedom to choose where they wish to live. A neighborhood, at the same time, will o ffer a range of dwelling types by size, configuration, tenure, design and price, accommodating households of lower incomes with a place to start and get into the property ladder. It is expected to have an enormous number of first-time buyer to be moving into the area and young families, and professionals, who will relocate for amities of the area with its bars, restaurants and shopping, and good transport connections. 2.2.3 Findings and Conclusion To summarize the questionnaires it has to be said that house prices arguably influenced by the Olympics are expected to rise at least 5 per cent faster per annum than the UK market generally. Although many districts close to the Olympic Park have already seen 10 per cent house price growth, Stratford is the exception. It is predicted that the prices in E15 will likely to grow in the long term, because the area socio-political climate is unlikely to improve over night. Despite the slow rise in the prices, the area sees grown interest from investors. Further, most of the professionals who took part in the research agreed that the area is most likely to be popular among first-time buyers, as the prices near Olympic Village are still lowest in London. 2.3 Secondary Research (Case-Study) 2.3.1 Urban Transformation of Barcelona Prior to 1992 Barcelonas coastline was one of the least desirable districts of the city, full of disused warehouses and dilapidated industrial land. A prime reason for the bid to host the Olympics in 1992 for Barcelona was the need for a catalyst to boost the local economy of the Catalonia. The region was in desperate need of a major urban regeneration. The greatest legacy achieved in Barcelona was the total makeover of area leaving Olympic Village seafront one of the most desired property locations. All these factors significantly affected superior property price growth in house prices with more than a three times increase in house prices during the six years prior to 1992. The Mayor of Barcelona: The Olympics was the big excuse to change Barcelonas position in the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦before, it was an industrial city. Now it is a city of knowledge, a global city. (Slot, 2008) Funding: Barcelona adopted a mixed public/private sector model with the government financed approximately 65 per cent of the total cost (5.3 billion US Dollars) of the Games. (Brunet, 1995) Economic Impact: The Games are estimated to have generated the greatest economic benefit, adding 16.6 billion US Dollars to the Spanish economy in seven years, between 1986 and 1993. (Sà  nchez, Plandiura, Valià ±o, 2007) Investment in the area helped reduce Barcelonas unemployment rate from 18.4 to 9.6per cent in 1986 and 1992 respectively. (Autonomous University of Barcelona, 2007) Urban impact: The revitalization of increasingly run-down urban areas was an explicit aim of the Barcelona Games. The development of Olympic Villages was a key part of the regeneration urban centers were constructed, including not only housing, but also supporting retail, other community facilities. While largely utilizing existing infrastructure, some additional facilities were built, e.g. shopping mall. (Brunet, 1995) Infrastructure: Another major benefit is the chance it offers to develop new infrastructure projects from which the host city benefits long after the Games have moved on. The most obvious additions are new stadium and other facilities built specifically for the Olympics, and generate ongoing income for cities through the attraction of subsequent major sporting events. (Slot, 2008) Real estate: Construction activity that upgraded the housing stock, occupancy rates, rentals and prices had the major impacts on real estate markets. Barcelona experienced rapid increases in housing prices and rentals in their respective Olympic years. The impact on the residential market was pronounced the Olympics cited as a major contributor to increases in residential values of between 250 and 300 per cent over the period 1986-1993. The residential construction increased by 23 per cent between 1988 and 1991, compared to increases of 5 per cent in the hotel and 12 per cent in the office markets. (Reaching Beyond the Gold, 2001) The supply of housing: Between 1986 and 1991 a significant amount of residential construction took place in Barcelona, although this increase was not constant. The amount of housing for sale decreased, even though the building sector was in expansion. The supply of newly-constructed houses during the period experienced a cumulative increase of 101.5 per cent. From 1993 onwards, the economic recession had a harsh effect on the building sector with reduction of 34 per cent in the amount of housing for sale. (Reaching Beyond the Gold, 2001) The prices of houses for sale and to rent: From 1986 to1993, there was a 139 per cent cumulative increase and increases in housing prices were more restrained (2 per cent increase in 1993). Between 1986 and 1993, there was also a 144.5 per cent increase in rent, which remained high in successive years until 1993, when rents started to decrease. (Sà  nchez, Plandiura, Valià ±o, 2007) Office Market: The Olympic inspired economic boom of 1986-1990 led to a major increase in construction of office space approximately 850 thousand square meters was built. However, the office market peaked in 1991, with rentals declining by almost 50 per cent influenced by increasing supply, but by 1994 the market once again reached equilibrium. (Sà  nchez, Plandiura, Valià ±o, 2007) 2.3.2 Conclusion The Olympics represented the beginning of a new city Barcelona, with the expansion of its geographical borders and the massive development of infrastructure. The new roads contributed to the increase of employment, retail and residential mobility and due to the nature and the size of regeneration of the project between 1986 and 1993, Barcelona carried out the most important urban change in Europe at the time. CHAPTER III LITERATURE REVIEW The hosting of an Olympic Games has a significant impact on the Host City however, publication The environment and sustainable development update asks a valid question: to what extent, with what results and with what benefits . (International Olympic Committee, 2009) Most of the publications on Olympics and other major events that were researched are relevant in order to answer the main question of this project paper, whether the regeneration of East London will make it attractive for people to relocate to, and will the likely trends follow. The main subjects covered in the literature are the economic impact of the Games on the city and its implication of consumer spending behavior, improvements in infrastructure and transport that makes the area more desirable for people to live in. The literature review was conducted through research of academic journals, mainly found through Google Scholars, on-line database including Bloomberg, FT, Business week and other reliable sources. Number of books and publications were used to help explain the situation of the property market and the factors that have significant influence on the demand and prices of the real estate. Furthermore, the publications of the Governmental bodies: the International Olympic Committee, the British Olympic Association, the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Commission for a Sustainable London among others, as well as, Internet research, mainly the EBSCO database, were accessed several times in order to find any relevant and up to date information to form a basis for the solid argumentative analysis of the project. The economic downturn has affected every aspect of business market in one way or another, and property market is not an exception. This notion drove a release of an immense amount of different information formats, including: articles, columns, blogs, websites and printed publications. Only some of this information is relevant to the research project, thus it is extremely vital to extract the relevant points of information required for the purpose of this paper without moving too far away from the set aims and objectives. After extensive research two relevant publications were selected. The views of PWC and Halifax estate agency were used within this paper as to express the professional opinion on the property situation at the time of the recession, present and in post Olympic period. Moreover, the PWC report examined several categories of impact in London: the socio-economic health impact, which takes into account how potential socio-economic development affect public health through levels of income and job security, and on social cohesion, access to housing and education. Further, Olympics 2012 are believed to inspire children to choose Olympic sports, promoting better social environment, less teenage crime. (Price, Dayan, 2008) The above factors are crucial for the successful area regeneration and creation a family oriented climate, however these effects will only be visible in the long run. Research focused around the Olympics 2012 housing market and the regeneration. A key article that links strongly to the title of the project is: Olympic Games Impact Study (OGIS). (PWC, 2005) The material has proven to be extremely useful, containing a substantial amount of information about the bid and benefits of hosting the Olympics in London 2012. It defines the scope of the potential impacts on social, economic and environmental life. Section four of the paper that has mainly been used and believed to have high credibility, concentrates on the analysis of the environmental impact. It concludes: the overall environmental impact is expected to be significantly positive in the Lower Lea Valley during and after hosting the Olympics although there are some negative environmental impacts to be managed during the construction process. Academic study Reaching beyond the gold: the impact of global events on urban development (Vrijaldenhoven, 2007) deals with three types of global events, one of which is Olympic Games. Global events are used for numerous city problems. These problems can fall into various categories. Cities could, for example, be dealing with rapid expansion, a decrease in the number of inhabitants, a lack of tourist visits, or major infrastructural disorder. Many city governments believe that these problems can be solved by organising a global even in the city. (Vrijaldenhoven, 2007) Indeed, The Mayor of London, through the London Development Agency, is investing in new infrastructure and in the remediation, release and development of land for new industry and housing. Through creative masterplanning and urban strategies, we will ensure that regeneration will be sustained. (Bishop, 2010) In fact, Londons five legacy commitments that were set out by then Mayor Livingstone and after re-election since 2005; validated by Mayor Johnson are, as follows (A 2012 legacy for London and Londoners, 2010): increase opportunities for Londoners to become involved in sport ensure Londoners benefit from new jobs, businesses and volunteering opportunities transform the heart of east London deliver a sustainable Games and developing sustainable communities showcase London as a diverse, creative and welcoming city. The Legacy Masterplan Framework publication, 2009, highlighted that quality of life is fundamental to the well-being of Londoners and to attract capital. All contemporary cities need to address: the way they house their citizens the relationship between transport and development the quality and attractiveness of their physical spaces and the way they meet the challenges posed by climate change. Vrijaldenhoven, further in his work, discusses in details the increased interest of different countries to be chosen to hold such event. It illustrates a perspective on the urban strategies cities use when dealing with global events, insight into the character of global events and their impact on city development, and past cases, such as Barcelona, that has proven to be a useful example for this research. The similarities are clear. London, like Barcelona, has in mind an Olympics that will transform a large area of industrial wasteland. (Slot, 2008) The Olympics was the big excuse to change Barcelonas position in the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦before, it was an industrial city. Now it is a city of knowledge, a global city. (Hereu, 2010) London Olympics bid for the Games 2012 highlighted the plan to provide affordable housing for people; in fact, the goal of the government was to provide 50 per cent of affordable houses for people in East London area the center of Olympic Village and the biggest regeneration in London ever taken. Although, the improvements already taking place show the likelihood of people to change their perception and outlook on the area and its surroundings, thus, boosting demand, this is likely to push the prices to rise. Another issue with affordable housing target is that it might be extremely tough, almost impossible to achieve as the cost of the land in London area is expensive, especially taking into account the current economic climate. If anything, number of constructions has been dramatically reduced in an economic downturn. Many developers slow or stop their rate of building completely as the margin they are trying to achieve is squeezed by increasing land values, as a result, less affo rdable housing being built. Although the argument above looks valid, the publication by Greater London Authority of 2008 states: the weakening market is likely to cause a fall in the number of affordable homes being built. However, as development slows down throughout the industry the proportion of affordable units being built in London may increase. Furthermore, because the population of Greater London is forecasted to expand by 2015, most experts predict building requirements to keep up with this demand. (Propertyinvesting.net team, 2009) The combination of the market slowdown and the credit crunch will affect some of the regeneration schemes taking place across London more than othersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Well established, desirable and/or prime residential areas are less likely to be affected by the softening market and the credit squeeze due to the underlying strong demand in these locationsAreas associated with the 2012 Olympics will also be less affected by the current market conditions, particularly the area a round Stratford and the Lower Lee Valley. This is because these areas will be the focus of the global media in four years time and will offer developers the opportunity to show case what they can do. (Greater London Authority, 2008) Many literature sources on East London and its regeneration show a drawn buyers interest. The area is increasingly considered for residential property investment, as it is still a lower priced region that is in a close proximity to central London and city East commercial borders. Most of the biggest developments usually take place in the degenerated and deprived urban areas, where land is usually cheaper and the planning regulations are not so tight and easier to follow, thus more attractive for investors and developers. Therefore, relaxed government policies attract public or private development funding, intending to re-generate areas with the aim to create a new environment, provide employment and improve quality of life. The Olympic village will bring to the market a large amount of new-built properties that are mainly attractive for first-time buyers, investors, young families and city professionals. Obviously, the changes will in the long run and do bring valuable alteration to the infrastructure of the area, but the literature fails to reflect on how socio-political situation of the area is changing and how much effect it will have on housing market, if any. Thus it could have been helpful to see the analysis and comparison to similar cases to enable to make predictions and to reflect on them in this paper. Google Scholar proved to be a useful tool for finding academic journals on the subject of this research paper. One of the extremely useful publications by Adam Blake helped to draw the fuller picture about the economic impact of the Games. Blakes work not only concentrate on demonstration of the positive influences, that are increasingly discussed by the media prior the bid for the Games, but gives negative past examples that needed to be acknowledged. Hosting the Olympics has not always brought financial reward. The 1

lets get drunk :: essays research papers

People I have been influenced by   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people have influenced me through out my life. I have chosen only one person to talk about today. This person is my girlfriend she has influenced me in many different ways. In this paper I will explain some of the ways she has had an influence on my life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This whole thing started about one and a half years ago I was in the 12th grade.I met a girl named Brandi Morton we started talking to each other and then we went on a few dates. And you know as well as I do what happens after a few dates. You go on more dates and then you consider yourself boyfriend and girlfriend or dating. One of the things that I noticed about this girl is that it was in December and she was wearing flip flops. So after we had been dating for a while summer was here and I really did not wear sandles but she insisted on me buying a pair of flip flops. So I tried them out and now here it is in January and I am still wearing them right along with her. So I dont think she is crazy anymore for wearing sandles in the winter time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Up untill just recently I had a bad habit that a lot of people share unwantedly. I had a smoking problem it was not bothering me very much. But Brandi did not like it at all she kept telling me not to do it, but you know I still did. I just decided I would not smoke around her so I tried not to be around her when I had been smoking. But that did not work she would surprise me and come visit me then she would get upset because I had been smoking. So finanlly I decided to quit smoking completely and now when I see her I dont have to worrry about her smelling smoke on me or tasting it on my breath.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Here is a little something that she influenced me to do. For a while I had been thinking about getting my tongue pierced.Well I talked to her about it and we agreed that it would be a good thing that we both would enjoy. So the day before Halloween I went to a place called Tattoo Charlies and got it done. I was surprised

Diana: Story of a Princess

Princess Diana was paradoxical human personality that epitomizes determined humanitarian figure and a beautiful woman who hankers after fame and luxurious lifestyle. She was born as Lady Diana Frances Spencer on 1 July 1961 at Park House near Sandringham, Norfolk. She was the daughter of 8th Earl Spencer of Althorp. She was the youngest among two sisters, Sarah and Jane, and had a younger brother, Charles. She got her primary education at a preparatory school, Riddlesworth Hall at Diss, Norfolk, and further at a boarding school, West Heath, near Sevenoaks, Kent.Diana married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981 at St Paul's Cathedral but separated her ways in 1992. She held an important place in history due to her royal marriage with Price Charles and pathetic parting of ways. She is also acclaimed as an international humanitarian figure. Her marriage is the most celebrated and cherished marriages of the world as the Archbishop of Canterbury rightly said, â€Å"Here is the stuff of which fairy tales are made. † But it also brought her the pathos and afflictions. Prince Charles still had an amorous affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.This betrayal shattered her whole self and she attempted suicide several times. Later she diverted her attention to the charity work and soon became an international aid worker. She worked assiduously for charitable causes around the world and charity. In the domestic sphere, she worked to expose the problems of homeless and also disabled people. While in the international sphere, she vigorously worked for a ban on the production and use of land mines. For this purpose, she visited Angola and other countries affected with land mines but her decision to visit Bosnia was a daring step as country was afflicted with war at that time.Although she possessed a complex and intricate personality but her overall personal aura, her renowned and distinct style and her charitable works enabled her to win the status of a celebrity rather than a m ere royalty. Her charitable work, especially to support the humanitarian services for the third world countries, is the most admirable characteristic of her personality. â€Å"Diana: Story of a Princess,† by Craig and Clayton offers a balanced view about Princes Diana.It is not mere a eulogy and plain fact narration but it delves deep into the motives of Diana’s acts. It further provides the other side’s view for example the inconvenience that Charles experienced he entered in marriage with Diana. It further narrates her motivations to join charity services i. e. to get fame and to divert her from matrimonial worries. Overall, this book encompasses all the events and psychological turmoil of Diana’s being in an illustrative and lucid way. References Clayton, Tim. & Craig, Phil. Diana: Story of a Princess. Atria. 2003

Education Girls

High bride price and low intellectual capabilities Girls are a source of instant wealth, therefore, are retained at home for bride price. Research confirms that parents value most of their young girls like gold, coffee and other commodities to be traded at the immediate market value. They are only few and scarce that their value has soared recently. This is even worse around Ialibu area and some parts of Central Province. Some young girls can cost around K20 000. Women are used as the medium to achieve human prosperity.They facilitate for the channelling of wealth like pigs, shell money, pearls, food, modern money and other goods from one person or tribe to another. Poor families with many girls have the fate of becoming rich one day from the wealth that the girl would acquire through bride price payment. Thus, girls are reserved for marriage by their siblings. Some parents question the females’ intellectual capabilities and say they will not perform as well as the male studen ts.They say that males are naturally intelligent and can solicit solutions for academic problems quite easily than females. In the cultural arena, opinions and advice from women are not entertained by men in all forms of decision making. All decisions are based entirely on the men’s instincts as to what they think is right. Women are merely seen as trailers or followers. Investment in girls’ education lost to husbands at marriage Some parents say that their investment in their girls’ education will be lost to the girl’s husband at marriage.In the parochial cultural system, most parents’ fear that their resources spent on their daughter’s education will be shifted to the husband at marriage as she will be subject to the husband. The woman is equivalent to any asset the man may have, with no human value. Her value and worth is measured by the number of pigs she rears and the number of children she bears. There is no guarantee for her to go bac k and share the benefits of her education with her parents. Therefore, parents restrict their girls from attending school as their investment will be wasted.Moreover, parents do all the arrangements for their daughters’ marriage and this could happen while the girl is still at school. They can withdraw their daughter from school at any time, sometimes, without her knowledge. Whether or not the girl is doing well academically, she has to comply as it is embedded in the cultural and tribal jurisdictions and she will be coerced to marry. Girls, as pillars of local economy Girls are the backbone of the local economy. Therefore, parents retain them at home. Culturally, some societies perceive women as a utility asset to undertake all household chores.They fear that educated women will not listen to the dictates of men. They view education as an instrument that alienates women from their environment and makes them less submissive to the dictates of men. The continuation of men hold ing high positions in the traditional hierarchy is fading away as monetary value and those who work for money become more important because they gain respect in the society, irrespective of whether they are men or women. Men’s continuation of dominance in the society is facing a new threat by educated girls.Girls must be stopped from going to school and the existing cultural phenomena are potentially capable of barring girls from going to schools. Distance and tribal fights Parents fear for their girls’ safety and stop them from walking long distances to schools when there is a tribal fight. Most tribal fights are caused by land disputes, rape and payback killings and are fought on all frontiers without any truce to limit and control the scope of fighting. In such conditions, girls become vulnerable to being abused and injured when walking long distances to schools as some of the schools are situated in enemy territory.Walking through valleys, climbing gorges and mount ains, crossing fast flowing rivers or walking along bush tracks to reach their schools places them at the mercy of enemy clans. The only alternative is to leave school because their continued safety is not guaranteed. There is dire need for awareness to be carried out on the importance of equality and participation in education. Various stakeholders must fund a continuous intensive awareness program until people are fully aware on what to do to eradicate under-representation of girls in schools.Moreover, the educated elites must inform their parents not to stop girls from going to school. Parents must be told that girls are not commodities to be traded as currently, this is what is happening. Faith-based organisations should be supported to carry out awareness through their services and activities so that their congregations are informed of the disadvantages of denying girls their rights to education. Finally, it is everyone’s responsibility to carry out awareness by asking, pleading and informing parents to send their girls to school.There is a general perception in India that women in tribal societies face fewer restrictions than other women. For example, the National Commission for Women was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1990 to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women, through Sarva Sikshya Aviyan, up gradation of Primary Schools under SSA, New Residential Girl's High Schools/Educational Complexes, and Teaching in Tribal Language, Bicycles of ST Girls, and Scholarships to tribal women and Micro Projects etc.These reviews are the regions which raised the question to further study on this matter: A seminar on the tribal education in India (1967) organized by National Council of Educational Research and Training analysed the various aspects of tribal education like the educational facilities available, coverage, wastage and stagnation, basic problems of tribal education methods and voluntary agencies in the education of tribal people an d utilization of financial assistance.The Seminar made recommendations regarding aims, objectives and policy of tribal education, teacher's qualification, and medium of instruction, school facilities, text books and curriculum etc Educational attainment is a key component of children’s success as adults in multiple spheres – including the labor market and later childrearing. A child’s educational attainment is strongly influenced by characteristics of his/her parents, such as their own educational attainments, economic resources, and expectations.Attitudes and preferences regarding children’s educational attainment are important determinants of parents’ childrearing behavior. While much demographic research has focused on fertility preferences such as desired number of sons and daughters, less work has addressed â€Å"quality† preferences for boys and girls once they are born A range of basic socio-demographic factors shape parents’ a ttitudes toward the education of boys and girls in developing settings, including parents’ education, wealth, age, urban experience, and their own parents’ education.School attendance is likely to decrease children’s availability to contribute to family enterprises, potentially creating a serious tension, especially for families that could benefit from the short-run income provided by working children or that could suffer from the direct costs of educating children (Tan 1983; Chekki 1974). In environments where males have more job opportunities and higher wages, an attitude favoring higher levels of education for boys than to girls could reflect parental strategies regarding investments in the future.If so, parents with lower levels of economic security may express attitudes favoring more education for boys than girls, or less certainty regarding these attitudes. Increasingly, however, expansions of the industrial and service sectors replace household and farm l abor with paid wage labor for women and men. Accompanying these changes are increased access to educational opportunity, decreases in desired family sizes, and the promotion of more egalitarian views toward raising boys and girls.Ideas of investing in the â€Å"ideal† child spread, and childrearing is viewed as a rewarding and fulfilling undertaking in and of itself rather than as an economic investment or an inevitability. Together, these changes might influence parents’ attitudes toward the educational worth of boys and girls. CHILDREN’S EDUCATION IN SOUTH ASIA In South Asia, however, economics and modernization alone do not capture the full dynamic of parents’ attitudes toward children’s education.With South Asia’s primarily agrarian and patriarchal systems, these attitudes also reflect gender roles created by family structure, including the different nature of sons’ and daughters’ ties to natal family. The region’s p atrilineal and patrilocal kinship systems generate differential standards and expectations for girls and boys. Traditionally, a girl leaves her family upon marriage to join her husband’s family, and so her worth as a child is primarily in her labor contribution to the household (Das Gupta, Zhenghua, Bohua, Zhenming, Chung, and Hwa-Ok 2003).As an adult, her worth is as a source of children and labor for her husband and his family. In India, this trend is particularly true in the North, where women’s autonomy is more constrained, than in the South, where women have more freedom to maintain ties to their birth families (Das Gupta et al 2003). In Punjab, Pakistan, the most populous province of Pakistan, the situation mirrors aspects of both north and south India. As in north India, women in Punjab have limited inheritance rights, little access to economic resources, and few opportunities to work (Sathar and Kazi 2000).But as in south India, kin marriage and close natal fam ily ties ensure that women are not cut off from their birth families to the same extent as in north India (Jejeebhoy and Sathar 2001). Along with region, religion further influences gender roles as Muslim marriage patterns in north India and Pakistan are less alienating from natal kin than Hindu marriages (Mandelbaum 1986). In relation to women, men in South Asia are relatively freer to pursue employment and benefit their families as adults. In this analysis of parents’ attitudes toward boys’ and girls’ educational attainment, autonomy, natal family ties, and religion are all considered.