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The world has transformed at a great speed after the invention of computers. Technology has made the once large and almost impossible to travel across world a global village where people can share information at the click of a button. This has facilitated finalization of deals and online business deals from the comfort of ones office, home or country. Along with this technology have come a lot of other things like Facebook, Twitter, Badoo, MySpace and many more chat sites.

However, the use of internet to conduct business and check on friends has exposed yet another problem in the human race which needs to be dealt with immediately. Apart from the usual suspects of human trafficking and spread of sexual materials over the World Wide Web, social life will soon be a thing of the past. Internet availability at homes and offices as well as most transactions being carried online means that interactions have reduced tremendously. Nowadays children can even take their studies online meaning they will miss the aspect of growing up among other kids.

People have lost work because one computer can effectively carry out several peoples work. It only needs one person competent enough to handle it and the rest will be rendered jobless. And so many other things which affect the social life positively and negatively have happened due to technology

The issue of technology has been addressed again and again by different scholars, but its daily advancement leaves a room for further studies. I chose the topic because apart from bringing out the positive and the negative about technology, it will also be a forum to look at what can be done to avoid some of those problems. It always interests me to see great minds coming together on a very personalized form of media in the name of internet to share ideas. The internet has replaced tedious research, as well as what has come to be termed as ‘snow-mail’ nowadays. Governments have continued to face increase pressure to embrace technology and still keep their people at work. It is a challenge because with every technology that comes abroad, two or more people are replaced. This topic will therefore offer some information on how the governments can balance technology and the creation of jobs in their countries. It will also address the loopholes that have been brought about by the use of technology.

The fact that most people now own mobile phones and those cells have got internet validates the claim that technology is crosscutting. From children to the old, there is a common understanding of what technology is but a difference in understanding its use. The children and the youth might use it to download and play games, watch pornography, writing research papers and watching movies; the old will use the same internet to conduct businesses and catch up with their friends from distant places. For the purpose of this study, I will mostly target the young adults as they are the people who largely consume technology related services. They are in school or are working and as much as they do their homework and assignments respectively, they also engage in activities like blogging and social network sites.

I am one-hundred percent positive about the technological advancements we have witnessed in our globe at this era. I have come to like the way things have been simplified and some even done perfectly. The privacy which has come along sending emails and receiving documents from friends has made it easy to effectively handle and conduct businesses online. However, if the use of technology is not put under checks, many more vices are about to come up and spoil its otherwise good intended purpose. It’s a great medium which can be used in fighting crime, creating jobs as well as give news at the click of a button. I therefore maintain that as much as this technology is helping people in many ways, it should not just be made available without censoring sites which are regarded harmful by the society.

Preliminary thesis

The growth of technology is radically changing the way people interact in the world today. Currently many businesses have taken online with others retrenching their workforce as they move to embrace the newest technologies. It may be due to the ineffectiveness of the workers that they are fired; however, one computer that can serve many purposes has replaced over twenty very effective employees. Despite protests that technology has also a bad side by the humanitarian groups and individuals alike, its increasing accessibility and use is now a worry. It may create zombies out of the once interactive creatures known as human beings leading to an each man for himself society. At this point, those who will not have access to technology will be like aliens suffering in unfamiliar territories.

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Each gender has a particular style of speech with which they communicate their messages with. This is where genderlect style roots from. Genderlect is defined as the variety of speech pattern that a particular gender-male or female, uses to communicate (The Washington post  1994). Many factors influence our speech styles, including regional and ethnic backgrounds, family experience and individual personality. The differences in speech and communication patterns have caused miscommunications and sometimes conflicts as a result.

Argumentation on the other hand is the way in which logical reasoning should and is utilized to come to agreeable conclusions. Conclusions from argumentation are drawn largely from premises and rules or inference as well as those of logic are utilized. Debate, as well as negotiation is the key ingredients in an argument directed at coming to a mutually acceptable close. In some instances, as portrayed in eristic arguments; argumentation is used not for truth or finding any truth to a particular problem or discussion thus instead of coming to agreed upon conclusions, only one party goes home happy having won the argument.

Argumentation is a verbal activity as well as a non verbal activity. it usually takes place in a language that is understood by the audience. Argumentation is also a social activity in that it occurs within a social context. It is also an activity of reason in that people bring forth their arguments and they will be considered by the audience for a position in the realms of reason. An argument will always be related to a particular stand point which is why argumentation occurs to validate or to disprove that particular standpoint.

Argumentation has four main principles.

The first one is externalization which concentrates not on the psychological aspects of the audience but rather on the way they externalize things. This is because argumentation requires a standpoint and an opposition factor to the standpoint to be complete.

Socialization. Argumentation cannot occur when there is only one person involved. A social context is required for argumentation to occur. This is because arguments are a people driven expressive process. An arguer has to prove a point’s validity to another or a group.

Argumentation is a way of managing disagreements verbally. Thus the functionalization of arguments. If an argument does not lead to a resolution in the end then that argument may be deemed failed.

Dialectification. This is the procedure through which people depend on to win an argument. Argumentation is only helpful when you are able to use it to help you in the process of arguing for the sake of efficiency.

Argumentation, has five key components that it encompasses. One of them being the identification of the argument and the goals the participants wish to achieve by engaging in it. Further it is important to know the premises that are being used to argue out a conclusion. It is also important to know who bears the burden of proof and as such ascertain who is to bear the burden of providing the evidence to support what they are purporting and to give evidence why the position they hold is correct. The holder of a certain position is also required to be able to carry an argument in such a way that it will not be easily attacked and does not show any evidence of weakness. While the initiator of an argument carries the burden of proving it true, the listener‘s burden is to find cracks in it and try to bring it down. As such he will go on a fault finding mission to locate fallacies within the argument and prove that the argument cannot be used to derive a logical conclusion.

Typically any argument will have a structure that can be exploded and defined. It usually follows the following pattern. As a rule an argument has to have at least one premise and a conclusion. In between is a method of reasoning that is supposed to carry the argument from premise to conclusion.  Within thw confines of this definition, two schools of argumentation exist. One of them is classical logic where the conclusion automatically follows the assumptions or supporting information. But not all times does the assumption come out as inconsistent then it means that anything will come after. For the consequent to be inferred, then it is important to have a minimal set as with the set inclusions of the assumptions.  This is usually referred to as minimal consistent. The second considers argument a primitive term and as such an argument lacks any form of structure internally. This form of argumentation looks at abstract arguments.

Any argument that has the three parts indicated above will have components that make it a full argument (Toulmin 1958). For an argument to begin, there has to be a claim. No argument can commence without anything that requires verification and support. The second part will come in the form of data. This data should specifically be about the claim that has been made. The claim has to have foundation and the data provides just that. For the data to support the claim there has to be a warrant which bridges the two. The third part should be the backing. Backing is usually applied when the listener does not see the warrant as credible. It is usually supplied in the form of official provisions. The next component is a rebuttal which recognizes the restrictions up to which the claim is valid. This restricts the legitimacy of the claim. The qualifier is the last component. It is usually a word which denotes the extent of certainty in the claim that has been made. These include adverbs such as possibly, certainly, presumably and probably.

There are different kinds of argumentation. One of the most spread out is political argumentation. This form of argumentation is usually used by politicians who may be up for election for political office, government officials when defending government activities, media practitioners, academics and the public in general in the quest of understanding or commenting on political occurrences.

The second form of argumentation comes in the form of mathematical argumentation. Mathematics has for a long time been considered a truth and as such mathematical truths can be derived from entirely rational axioms and therefore are, in the end, logical truths. If an argument can be cast in the structure of sentences in representative Logic, it can be tested by the appliance of established confirmation methods. Although that may be so, an argument in Mathematics, as it is in any other field, can only be considered legitimate only if it can be proven as not having a true hypothesis and a fallacious conclusion. It should not contradict itself.

The next form of argumentation is scientific argumentation. Since argumentation is founded on foundationalism, scientific argumentation is regarded as a non form. This is because if the collective methods of verification of claims are deemed untrustworthy then there cannot be an argument. This is because scientific knowledge is produced rhetorically.

Legal arguments are carried out in a court of law by lawyers and are usually in front of a judge or jury or both but not the latter in singularity. They are usually done to convince of the guilt or innocence of the person being tried. They are usually done to prove why their point is of a greater magnitude and why their claim should prevail.

 

In genderlect the differences in how male and female communicate may bring about arguments. This is because of unavoidable differences in gender modes of communication which stem from culturally defined gender roles influence on language. Conversations are by and large negotiations through which we try to realize control and keep it-this applies to men while women opt to use this to enhance connection with other people. While communication happens

Tannen 1992 says that although boys and girls will grow up in the same family, cultural orientations on how they are supposed to behave differentiate their behavior as they grow up. There are various things that differentiate men and women in their communication. One of them is the main concern in communication. While men aim to gain the upper hand and be in control, women will strive to make connections and nurture them. This is seen in the interactions of boys and girls. Boys at play will challenge each other and jostle for positions of hierarchy within a group while girls will rarely play in large groups, preferring to play in small groups or pairs and competition for higher hierarchical position is not encouraged. (Tannen 1990) adds that girls are not accustomed to competing for position since they are more concerned with their likeability. This can be summarized as boys need to establish dominance while girls seek to preserve relationships in their conversations.

Girls will communicate in a way that establishes rapport, a way of founding and negotiating relations. For men conversation is used to preserve their sense of independence and establish or impose their dominance thus solidifying their place in the social hierarchy.

To affirm relationships, girls will share secrets, show concern by nodding and showing attention by looking into the eyes of their friends and talking back. This is done to re affirm their friendships. On the other hand, men will seldom talk about how they fell instead opting to talk about general interests like sports and politics. Emotions and secrets are internalized for boys and men. Showing and Sharing of emotions is considered weak and as such discouraged. Tannen , to explain this phenomena divided this into different areas of study.

On eof the areas she looked at involved conversation. Women have been known to speak freely and enjoy private conversations while men rarely engage in small talk. Men will speak freely in discussion groups and in public whereas women will not voice their opinions in public. This defines the difference in their styles of communication women prefer the rapport form will men report. These methods, as seen above are meant to reaffirm relationships for the women while for the menthe report style is used for getting attention, communicating the message and seeking agreement.

The differences are further displayed in the different sexes mode of telling stories.  A man will tell as story in a humorous way, setting himself on a pedestal as the hero of the story. Women on the other hand wish to share and relate with them. They will seek to gain acceptance by how they tell their story. They do not like to seek attention and as such will share the story in a way that disparages them.

When listening women will nod and talk back to show that they are listening and try to build a rapport. Men on the other hand will be quiet and listen. Men regard these interruptions as challenges to the social hierarchy while for the women, these disruptions and talk backs are a way of showing the speaker that they are interested in what they are saying. For women, a silent man during conversation shows that the man is not listening and lacks interest in what she is saying.

When it comes to questioning either gender does it for different reasons.  For women, questions are a way of showing that they are interested and to show agreement on the subject. Men on the other hand use questions to check how well the speaker knows on the subject they are speaking on. Further, men will seldom ask questions to get help and display dependence as this will move them lower the rung of social hierarchy but for women, they are comfortable asking questions and direction from people who have the information that will help them. This further cements the men’s need for independence and importance of position while showing how comfortable women are with lowering their status to gain information.

When it comes to conflict, men thrive in tit as it is the tool they use to climb up the social hierarchy, on the other hand women view conflict as a threat to their social connections and will do all that they can to avoid it.

Conclusion

Interactions, although differing in their modes are wards particular goals. For women it is connection while for the men it is status. It has been proven that the interactions between men and women are cross cultural due to the differences in communication differences. Status and connection are not the primary goals but they are within human beings and these define the journeys through life. For the women a lot of emphasis is placed on creating and maintaining connections and doing things in small groups, active listening and asking for help whenever they need it. For the men, they are defined by a sense of independence, maintaining status and competition define by conflict to go up the hierarchy. These attitudes are learned from childhood and carried into adulthood and for conflict between the sexes to be reduced, both genders need to understand their differences.

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 Introduction

Behavior plays a major role in determining the health of a person or a population. Unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles such as smoking, drinking and diet may provide a useful insight into rampant chronic disease development in a particular community. Moreover, human’s social nature may also influence their behavior into engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as unsafe sex and injections which may cause transmission of infectious diseases. The complexity of human behavior is attributed to some factors such as environmental and social factors and thus the populations need to be sensitized on the dangers of engaging in risk behaviors (Gostin & Fund, 2002).

Mass communication programs also play a role in inducing a shift of an individuals or public’s behavior from bad to worse. This can be through business promotions and advertisement of illicit drugs like tobacco and alcohol. This leads to uninformed decision making by many people thus engaging in unhealthy behavior. On the contrary, the media can play a role in promoting health behavior by limiting certain information in the industry and providing information that is conducive to the health of the public. Health-promotion activities are increasingly becoming important and in order to reach the grassroots, community participation needs to be encouraged (Gostin & Fund, 2002).

A change in human’s behavior attributed to their social environment could be the reason for patterned distribution of diseases in a population which is maintained even when an individual in the population changes. Therefore, according to the public health, it would be more appropriate to change the social environment than to change the population’s behavior one by one. Demographic factors such as race, religion, gender, marital status among others have also been found to influence health. Studies carried out in the United States show that married couples tend to be much healthier that the unmarried and women tend to live longer than their male counterparts (Schneider, 2010).

Likewise, the population should be encouraged to participate in activities that promote their health as seen in Californians who engage in community based disease prevention programs. They do this by engaging themselves in various activities such as community sidewalks, encouraging school athletic activities, availing fresh fruits and vegetables to communities where supermarkets are few or not there and implementing laws and policies that forbid smoking in public places. These programs have proved to be very effective as health within the community has greatly improved (Okey, 2011).

Theories and Models for health behavior

It is important for public health practitioners to understand the processes of program models and theories for intervention purposes. Human behavior theories and models aid in the development of health promotion efforts and positive behavior change.  Such models and theories include the following:

Health belief Model

It is a psychological model which acts as a point of reference to understanding a person’s change in behavior. Different individual actions vary and health belief mode attempts to predict the change in behavior of an individual when faced by a health problem. It does this by looking at some factors which include, the extent of vulnerability to the threat as perceived by the individual, the perceived severity of the illness, the perceived benefits of taking a preventive measure and the perceived barriers from taking preventive measures to reduce the risk (Health Behavior Theories, 2009).

Trans-theoretical model

It is a model which envisions behavioral change as a process involving five stages; the pre-contemplation stage where the individual has a problem and has no intention of changing it, the contemplation stage where the individual is aware of the dangers of the problem but has not yet taken action because of barriers to change, the preparation stage where the individual has made a decision to change and efforts of taking action are seen, the action stage where the individual has changed and is seen abstaining from bad behaviors such as smoking, and finally the  maintenance stage where the individual has successfully changed to a health behavior and must struggle to avoid recurrence (Schneider, 2010).

Social cognitive theory

It explains human behavior change as being affected by the environment, behavior and personal factors. Each or either of the other two factors may influence an individual’s behavior and suggests that, that behavior is largely regulated in the mind of the individual. Therefore, by forming expectations, an individual is able to predict the outcome of a behavior before it is performed. It is through these cognitive processes that an individual’s behavior is able to be predicted and changed (Health Behavior Theories, 2009).

Ecological model

This puts emphasis on the fact that the social, cultural and physical environment affects the way humans behave. Several factors that influence human behavior has been described by this model and they include; intrapersonal factors, interpersonal factors, institutional factors, community factors, group factors and public policy (Grizzel, 2007).

Theory of planned behavior

This theory is based on the basis that a person’s intention to perform a certain action determines their behavior. Personal attitude and personal social environment influence are two major factors that determine a person’s intention. This is compared to the concept of self-efficacy where the sense of one’s self confidence controls their behavior and this is seen as an aspect to change in behavior (Grizzel, 2007).

Learning theories

This theory stresses on gradually adapting to a new pattern of behavior and gradually abandoning previous sedentary lifestyle. In order to achieve this, an individual must have a goal; say engaging in physical activity every day by gradually increasing the time for exercise. This is repeatedly done each day until the target is reached and former behavior replaced or outcompeted. This theory normally has a reward in the end which motivates the individual (Grizzel, 2007).

Conclusion

It is essential to plan future health services, and in order to do this, preventive measures must be taken into consideration. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the present public health problems is a reflection of the past risk behaviors. In order to safeguard the future population, current behaviors must be rectified to fit into the required health standards as the future largely depends on the current exposures. In addition constant surveillance of population must be carried out to detect health changes and similarities and this can be done through population census, surveys and vital registration. Provision of environmental education and community rural appraisal programs to the population are equally important.

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Introduction

Agriculture in America is rapidly changing, advancing in technology and becoming more intensified in food production industrialization. This system of industrial agriculture has largely contributed to air pollution, water pollution and depletion of the top soil among many other forms of environmental destruction. All these consequences have occurred as a result of unsustainable consumption of non renewable resources such as fossil fuel, water and erosion of topsoil through industrial activities. Moreover, the system has raised human health concerns of workers and product consumers who are victims of degenerative diseases and pollution from highly concentrated animal waste (Horrigan, Lawrence and Walker). This paper seeks to examine how factory farming affects human and animal health and also the damages it causes to the environment.

 

 

Background

 Farm animals are expressly taken as business commodities to be exploited for profit and when this is the case, animal welfare become least of the concerns. They are expected to produce to consumer satisfaction and to do this they are pushed to their biological limits for maximum production which renders them vulnerable to numerous diseases. These diseases are passed to humans when they consume these products, an example being the avian influenza passed from poultry. To top it up all, industrial farming poses great damage to the natural environment by using up non renewable resources to depletion and by polluting the ecosystem (farm sanctuary).

Consumption of plant food products is much healthier as compared to animal related products which have been associated to many diseases including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Chemicals such as hormones and drugs are used as a shorter route to realizing high production in egg, dairy, poultry and meat industries. Apparently, excessive use of these chemicals has resulted in antibiotic resistant pathogens which cause human illnesses and even death. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and avian influenza are fatal diseases that affect humans when they eat cows affected with “Mad Cow Disease” and poultry with “bird-flu” respectively (farm sanctuary).

Environmentally, many of the chemicals used in factory farming generate a lot of wastes which are highly harmful to the environment. Natural resources such as soil, ground water and fossil fuel, which take a long time to regenerate, are being depleted at a faster rate than it can replenish. Livestock are fed with grains instead of pasture which means that a lot of energy is used up by the animal during the conversion of grains eaten to meat. Extensive monocultures of grain feedlots used to supply diet in factory farms means more use of chemicals such as herbicides and insecticides which pollute ground water aquifers (Horrigan, Lawrence and Walker).

In addition, farm animals produce a considerably huge amount of waste which contaminates waterways with pfiesteria bacteria. This contamination results in fish kills and humans are inflicted with diseases such as nausea, memory loss, fatigue and open sores. Immense natural ecosystems such as forests and wetlands have been destroyed to pave way to intensive feedlots and animal rangeland. This wasteful exploitation of resources has disrupted the ecosystems natural balance of nature (farmsanctuary).

 Questions

What happens in the farm?

Factory farm animals across the U.S. face unbearable cruelty as they are exploited for selfish gains. Egg laying hens are overcrowded with barely any space to move, they are kept in wired cages which expose them to extreme feather loss and bruises all over their bodies when they rub themselves against the wired-wall cages. Each hen is expected to lay over 250 eggs per day and this makes them vulnerable to fatty liver syndrome which occurs as a result of the hens liver being overworked to produce more fat and proteins for the egg yolk. In the end their bodies become too weak to pass another egg and are termed as spent hens. They are disposed off to slaughter houses or discarded as seen in the case of Ward Egg Ranch in California where they tossed live hens into a chipping machine (farmsanctuary).

Meanwhile, dairy cows are put under a demanding task of calving every year through artificial insemination. This condition exposes them to many diseases as mastitis and milk fever which occur due to abnormal milk production by the cows.  Immediately they are born, calves are separated from their mothers and those born male are used for veal as they are unproductive to the dairy industry. Veal calves are normally kept for eighteen weeks during which they are fed on iron and fiber deficient milk that makes them anemic. As a result, their meat becomes light in color and is expensively sold in the market as veal (farmsanctuary).

How did it start?

Animal product consumption has greatly increased in developing countries since 1950 and this is attributed to industrialization in agriculture. While this is seen a step forward by the developing nations who have not dietary increase in meat at all, it is actually a source of chronic diseases. Some of the developing nations like china have begun to adopt this pattern of dietary shift where the whole country and mostly the urban dwellers doubled meat consumption in 1990. China has also begun industrial agriculture, a practice dominant in western countries (Horrigan, Lawrence and Walker).

Farm industrialization has posed a threat to rural community livelihoods throughout the U.S. and they are working towards pollution prevention and protection of their health. The benefits of traditional agriculture over the negative effects of factory farming have been indicated by many studies. Traditional farming have been practiced thousands of year’s way before industrialization and showed no environmental damage. This is because the farmers did not produce more than the carrying capacity of the land as they understood the ability of the soil in sustaining diverse crops seasonally (farmsanctuary).

Who is affected?

Communities living around factory farms and factory workers are placed at risk of contracting contagious diseases which incubate in the factory’s facilities before they become transmissible to humans. Swine flu, an example of such contaminable diseases was first discovered in 1998 at a Smith field facility in Mexico. An industrial pig farm in North Carolina is another farm factory that has produced the recombinant strain of pig, bird and human that has plagued today’s world (farm sanctuary).

Conclusion

Though traditional farming is not as productive as factory farming, it is sustainable and friendly to public health and the environment. This system should be adopted in order to curb the increasing environmental damages and public health problems caused by factory farming. Human beings are supposed to be stewards of nature, but this is not so in the agribusiness industry where animals are seen as commodities and are subject to harsh treatments. This animal cruelty together with production of toxic wastes from factory farming calls for environmental and animal rights activists to come forth and address these concerns. Every living thing on earth whether forests, oceans or animal species has the right to exist because of the interconnectedness of nature. An individual can also make a difference by making a choice: adopting a meat free diet.

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Abstract

An earthquake can be described as natural phenomena that cause shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface. Earthquakes cause lots of damage to property and even result in deaths. The destruction caused by an earthquake depends on the magnitude and the depth at which it occurs. Earthquakes have been experienced in various parts of the world including Haiti, Japan and New Zealand among others. An earthquake cannot be prevented from happening as it is a natural occurrence; however, its damages can be reduced by taking inhibition measures. This paper seeks to deal with how earthquakes can be mitigated and the obstacles facing measures mitigation.

Introduction

Most of the disasters faced by man in today’s world are attributed to the rapid growth in population especially in the cities. Normally, the cities expansion is unplanned which makes it prone to natural and manmade risk disasters like earthquakes and landslides. Most of the natural disasters may not be avoided but its consequences can be minimized. Urban sprawl can be avoided; early warning systems developed and planned disaster management strategies put in place (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Impediments for disaster prevention in megacities

One of the obstacles to disasters prevention in megacities is implementation of policies. Implementation of disaster management measures in megacities have not been put in place due to political, social and economic obstacles. Prevention is seen as costly and does not go hand in hand with economic development goals. In addition, where there are already scarce economic resources to meet human needs, risk mitigation become the least national priority (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Rapid population growth is another hindrance to disaster mitigation measures in megacities. The available social amenities in the city are strained, thus unplanned construction projects take place in order to accommodate the ever rising population. Normally, these project developers do not consider environmental constraints and as a result new hazards may be caused and existing ones triggered (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Also, poverty increases disaster occurrence and the reverse is also true. In most developing countries, urban sprawl is attributed to poor development policies unlike the developed countries where such is because of industrialization. The slum areas are the most populated in such cities with use of poor technology in construction. This renders the city vulnerable to disasters as the carrying capacity of the natural environment cannot support the urban growth (The Effects of Disasters on Modern Societies: World Conference on Nauiral Disaster Reduction, 1995).

Strategies for addressing barriers to disaster prevention

Disaster preparedness: this involves the early warning systems being put in place so as to predict and allow the people to avoid the disaster before it strikes. It is normally done prior to a foreseen disaster. Regions like Japan that have been hit by earthquake have put these measures in place (Mitchell, 1999).

Sustainable urban planning: this is the adoption of high technology in building codes as seen in Haiti where constructions of buildings that can resist earthquake have been built. By adopting quality building codes, the local planning authorities have the opportunity of curbing the future natural disasters (Mitchell, 1999).

Adopting sustainable development in disaster prevention: non-technological alternatives provide the best opportunities in mitigation of natural hazards thus alternatives should be provided (Mitchell, 1999).

Conclusion

Lives of many people are disrupted by natural catastrophes such as earthquakes through displacement, livelihood and property damage, injuries and even death. Prevention is a responsibility to all citizens of a regions affected by earthquakes. In order to attain sustainable prevention strategies, it is necessary to devote all efforts to prevention measures such as prevention education and disaster preparedness. The government policies and programs that prevent natural disasters from recurring should be made and implemented.

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Many baseball players have been tested for use of prohibited or rather burned steroids. Research has revealed that most professional players indulge in this act in order to boost their performance during the game; these steroids are meant to increase the protein synthesis level, resulting to large body mass and extraordinary strength. It is obvious that the above features enable athletes to perform very well especially in field and track events, bearing in mind that sports athletes require explosive energy during this activities.

However, there are speculations that baseball players don’t find it necessary to use steroid for performance enhancement as the way the game is played, since the presumption of explosive strength a hitter could be used to bat the ball with extreme force and also the hitter must make contact with the ball first and the increase in body mass may hinder this actions (Schmotzer, Kilgo and Switchenko,  22).

Steroids are just a single type of drug that an athlete may use; there are divided into classes, high performance popularly known as performance enhancing drugs (PED);

These drugs incorporate the growth hormones in human beings and are responsible for building muscle and general body mass. A report dabbed ‘Mitchell Report’ written by former Senator George Mitchell submitted to the commissioner of Major league baseball, showing the magnitude to which (PED) and steroids had been abused in the larger fraternity of baseball. The summarized report involved top league baseball players and touched on the season that is rampantly used and the type of PED used by the accused.

Steroids were first tested in 1991, but major testing for the baseball players started in 2003. A series of injuries and changes in nature resulted in rapid increase of steroids being used among the players. Furthermore these injuries transformed to other ailments due to large muscle moving away from the bones that cannot support them. Harsh penalties were put in place for the players who tested positive in 2003 and they range from counseling for the first test failure to a suspension of one at maximum for a fifth offence. Majority of this test were conducted on random basis to keep players steroid free at all times, stricter penalties were imposed to victims in 2005 and included ten days unpaid for the period of suspension in first offence and a life burn for the fifth offence (Assael 2005).

Dr. Harrison Pope of McLean hospital in Belmont agrees that steroids work effectively to users, but it shortens their life span by a significant duration although specific time is still not known, since the life expectancy of a major baseball player cannot be perfectly predicted (Baily 2003). Steroid brings a form of elusion that while a player’s performance increases in the pitch the gains are not achieved through the required process like more hours of practice, less intake in alcohol and other dangerous effects that can result from luxuries.  Steroid users’ posses a notion that they can get richer within a shorter time and less cost is incurred as compared to achieving the success without steroids (Osborne 2005).  Children in the society should be educated and protected from viewing these players as their role models, since they can easily fall into using steroids when they grow up.

Athletes also purchase over the counter drugs, example of creatine; a supplement that most manufacturers claim that they don’t come with side effects and boosts body strength within a short period of time, although some nutritional supplements may not be harmful when consumed in small doses, but when mixed with other components like alcohol and aspirin they can affect the normal functioning of the body. Creatine has been linked to muscle injuries and kidney complications, also it has been associated with diarrhea and cramping.

When anabolic steroid is not correctly used it can really cause dangerous complications from high blood pressure, liver damage, cancer, heart disease and even blood clots. There are various side effects that are associated with steroid and have these symptoms; risk of ligaments, nausea, severe body ache and vomiting among others.

Performance enhancing drugs should have zero tolerance in Major league baseball players, since it tarnishes the picture of the beautiful sport especially in the Latin America. Nevertheless, these drugs destroy our young stars and even rip them of their careers forever; Countries should practice very strict policy measures to help curb these drug malpractices within the society. Pharmaceuticals should not be allowed to sell drug s over the counter and those who are found committing these offences should be punished.

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The world is meant to be a liberalized place; nevertheless, the harm principle provides sufficient proof for the need for the curtailment of the free speech. Ideally, very few speeches are meant to be restricted (Lucas, E, p 29). In essence, the restriction is only aimed at ensuring that the speaker and the perceived audience both remain content with the message.  It is also worthy hastening to add that the contention does not necessarily imply agreement with the speech, however  provided the speaker does not, in any way, infringe on the rights of others, freedom of expression should be given.

In a liberal society, the whole issue of free speech is very contentious. In retrospect, speech does not necessarily cause harm but it does become very offensive. Whether the speech is offensive or harmful, curtailment based on democratic reasons is relatively protracted and acceptable. The analysis of the entire concept of freedom of speech therefore presents a very multifaceted idea, traversing bounds of paternity, offensiveness, morality and the idea of pornography. The analysis of the issue therefore imperatively looks at these inalienable concepts.

According to Fish, there is no freedom of speech. For him, speech is neither independent nor is it free, but it is short and of political returns. Presumably, there is no society that does not attach limitations to speech. Virtually every society has some hidden but extensive curtailment on the speech. Further, Stuart (Petley, J., p 203) cements the entire contention by arguing that there is always inherent competition between authority and liberty. Ultimate, one carries the day and both of them would not coexists without conflicting interests.

                        In the light of Stuart’s argument, it is myopic to argue for unlimited speech domain. In addition, it is quite unrealistic arguing for such a course. The central components of speech that should be emphasized should be the value placed on the speech and the speech should be given in some ideal and good setting. Nonetheless, extensive speech limit slips one into a tyrannical and censorship world. The contrary presents an equal challenge that tends more towards social anarchy.

            Appreciably, the freedom of speech is available; however the shear fact that one does not exist in isolation does imply that our actions will always be contained by the actions of those whom we live or interact with. Ideally, blanket acceptance of speech of whatever standards goes as far as implying that the there should be no prohibition of libelous speeches, release of state secrets and child pornography (Petley, J., p 197). If we consider these actions that would have far reaching ramifications, then we can accept that there is need to place a limit on the freedom of speech.

Stuart argues that if man had the same opinion over, then there could be no need to curtail the freedom of speech. According to Stuart, (Peonidis, F., p 609) one can only push his argument through if they are allowed to have freedom of speech. Through free speech, one can always push his argument to the preferred logical end. In the light of Stuart, (Eisenach E J., p 67) the act of speech curtailment is simply meant to regulate the actions of the political class. It doing this, Stuart asserts that one adheres to the harm principle. Contextually, the principle implies that the any speech given should not invade on the rights of any other person. Coincidently, the extent of the harm caused by speech is undefined. For the liberals free speech is utterly unconceivable and it was evidenced when at some occasion, the free speeches invaded on individuals’ rights.

Stuart argues (Cohen-Eliya, M., Hammer, Y p 172) that some harm may be caused by speech indirectly. For example, if one does make a statement implicating another person then such could be harmful to the individual who is implicated. Ideally, the speech tends to imply that the implicated person was up to some mischief, ultimate; harm is caused (Knight, A., p 83). Essentially, the whole speech amounts to libel.

There are speeches that would simply lead to blackmail.  Where the speech puts blame on someone who is not responsible for the actions placed upon him. In addition, if speech is given blanket green light, then advertisements would take advantage of this state and give the wrong information to consumers.

This may ultimately translate to harm. Besides, the blatant lies told to the market would end up causing losses in society or to the individuals who happen to fall prey (Lucas, E, p 32). Under such circumstances, one will argue that one has committed some harm and that subsequently the rights of an individual have been violated.

In accordance to Feinberg’s offensive principle, rather than curtailment of speech in total, some expression could be legitimately prohibited particularly those that were very offensive. For Feinberg, offending someone was less offensive that harming someone (O’Rourke K C., p 67). Yet the whole act or feeling of offense is utterly undefined. Feinberg argues that because many people tend to take offense simply because of overly sensitive dispositions. In extreme cases, he argues, individuals get offended because of bigotry and unnecessary prejudice.

Despite the difficulties in applying these standards, the offense principle is commonly and expeditiously applied in liberal democracies (Bracken H M., p 23). In these democracies, citizens are penalized for varied activities including speech. Feinberg postulates that various factors are supposed to be taken into account when deciding whether speech can be limited by the offense principle (Newman, C.G., p 192). This is inclusive of the extent, duration and social value of the speech, the ease with which it can be avoided, the motives of the speaker, the number of people offended the intensity of the offense, and the general interest of the community at large.

Pornography, for instance is very offensive given its violent or degrading content. The offense here is quite profound (Eileen B, p 316). By any standards the simple knowledge that the film of the movies does exist is in itself very offending. The challenge is that the shear knowledge elicits such offense. However, allowing the films to be banned because some individuals get offended because of the existence of the film even without watching them is quite illogical; logical (Mahoney K., p 25) consistency does demand that allowance is given for prohibiting numerous forms of expression.

Though Stuart appears fully opposed to the whole idea of speech limitation, he accepts that there are instances where some interventions are warranted. Fish looks at the whole concept differently any how. He argues that in certain cases it is the speaker who needs protection and not those listening. Ideally for Stuart, the speaker may just be perceived wrongly and therefore there is the dire need for the speaker’s protection.

In addition, Fish (Loury G C, p 29) argues that the speaker would not be aware of the dire consequences of the speech. In the realm of paternalistic intervention, the state is supposed to know what is right and wrong for its citizens. Fish therefore argues that the state should regulate the freedom of speech and should evaluate thereof the speeches.

It is evidently clear that liberal have a tendency to unite in opposing paternalistic and moralistic justifications for limiting free expression. Liberals have a presumption that favors individual liberty. This, it’s argued, is the sole method through which the autonomy of any person would be respected.  Prohibiting speech for some reason besides the discussed implies that one has to content with the fact that it is permissible to put some limit particular as a result of the nasty content (Loury G C, p 21). According to Feinberg, it is morally legitimate for any government, through law, to prohibit certain action.

Fervently, actions would be deemed evil if they appear or pose some danger to the traditional mode of life (Ripstein A., p 31). Take pornography for example, the materials are termed wrong because of the moral harm they pose to the customer. For liberals, it is not the responsibility f the state to mold the moral character of its citizens and therefore by entering into such matters means overstepping.

In conclusion, freedom of speech is most welcome. However, the speech should not infringe in other people rights. Subsequent, given that there is some likelihood of speech infringing into other people’s rights, the state should prohibit legitimately some types of speech that it so feels may deprive some of the citizens their rights.

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Host Organization

The organization where I gained practicum experience is called VNS CHOICE. It is a long-term care program that is managed by MEDICAID. The patients should be sixty five years or older; they have MEDICAID for insurance and have medical conditions or co morbidity that require care management by a registered nurse. Most of the patients have chronic medical conditions and decreased functional conditions that would qualify them for long term care in a nursing home. These patients can however remain safely in the community thus saving costs of having them put in a nursing home. Most of the patients are dually eligible which means that they also have insurance by Medicare.

 

VNS CHOICE is under the direct oversight of a Chief Executive Officer who is also President of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. VNC CHOICE contributes to an estimated forty one per cent of the total revenue for VNSNY. There is an executive management group that is responsible for various functional domains of the organization’s health plan. The domains are administrative operations, clinical operations, medical leadership and finance. The Chief Medical Officer oversees the administration of medical policy and medical services for the health plan products that VNS CHOICE offers. He also oversees the medical utilization, quality management, grievances and appeals and evaluation of physician reimbursement models.

 

VNS Choice has several strengths; VNS Choice offers a varying range of home health care services which include management of chronic conditions, medical and nursing services. The Hospice Care program provides compassionate and skilled care for people who are at the end of their lives. The hospice services are available to patients who live at their homes, nursing homes or in the residence of VNS Choice. The organization is also home to a national research center where practical problems are solved and research is generated for the purpose of increasing knowledge that helps patients recover from illnesses that are short-term, to manage the challenging chronic conditions and to prepare effectively for advanced illnesses. Innovative research from the Center has enabled the center and attracted large amounts of grants from government and philanthropists. The people who reap these benefits are the VNS CHOICE patients and families.

 

The information generated from the Center’s research is shared with other clinical staff through national initiaves such as the CHAMP Program (Collaboration for Homecare Advances in Management and Practice). The CHAMP Program shares information on geriatric expertise with several home care agencies all over the US in order to promote quality home health care for the older generation. VNS Choice also shares results of research by publishing in professional and peer-reviewed journals, making presentations to students, professionals, the public and policy makers and also to the media to enhance coverage. The current strategy of the organization is to monitor research developments and changes in healthcare as well as changes in the demographics of patients such that patients receive the proper treatment in the setting that the patients prefer.

Working at VNC CHOICE

While working at VNS Choice, I was in the VNS CHOICE Community Care department, where I was reporting to the team manager. The purpose of the position was to provide care management through a process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocating for options and services that can meet a patient’s health needs. The aim of the position was to maintain the members in the most independent living situation possible while ensuring that health care remains consistent throughout the health care continuum. The position also required close communication and collaboration with the primary care practitioners, family members and the interdisciplinary team.  In the position of nurse consultant, the responsibilities included assessing, planning and providing intensive and continuous management across various settings ranging from home, acute and long-term care settings. It involved developing and negotiating care plans with patients, physicians and families. The nurse consultant assessed the patient’s living conditions, cultural influences and functioning. Other responsibilities included planning for the patient’s care, coordinating this care, assisting patients with daily living activities, providing nursing care, documenting services given, and evaluating  the effectiveness of the plan of care formulated.

 

The work had several tasks associated with it. One of the major tasks was that of direct patient care which involved clinical assessment, administering medications and providing assistance with activities of daily living. This last task involved helping patients to position themselves, to move and lifting or transferring patients with different physical conditions sometimes with assistance and sometimes with out. The assistance could come from family members or paraprofessionals.  Another task related to the health care of the members was transporting the medical equipment and supplies that would be required in delivery of nursing care from and to homes or care facilities and VNS Offices.

 

Participation in outreach activities that are aimed at promoting knowledge of the Program and its services is another task that was carried out by the nurse consultant. Some of the outreach activities included community health screening and in services and coordination of Program activities with those agencies outside the community and with health care providers. Closely related to this task is the development of programs that meet the specific needs of the selected patient population.

 

The major outputs of the position include nursing care plans that contain the nursing needs for the members and the objectives and goals of care. A budget of expected expenditure to indicate responsible fiscal spending that ensures all the necessary services are covered. Documentation of services rendered to the patient and their family is another of the outputs for the position. The documentation is done as per the standards of VNC CHOICE and the regulations of Managed Long Term Care and Licensed Home Care Services. A final output is the development of a program that meets the specialized needs of the patient population.

 

One of the major management actions that were required of the position was reduction of repeat hospital admissions for the patients. Return to hospital following discharge indicates a setback in the recovery of a patient (Ebersole, 2006). It also adds to the cost of healthcare (Boyce et al, 2007). To reduce this, the nurse consultant was required to plan for home care improvement initiatives, plan for a smooth transition from home to the hospital and to note the high-risk patients and manage them with the appropriate resources. Part of coordinating and ensuring a consistent continuum of health care is through having adequate home health aides, therapists and nurses to meet the needs of the patient population.

 

To meet the needs of the patients receiving home health care, I tried to assist the LVNS and health care aides who would be working with the patients who have dementia. The aim of the learning program was to assist the target group to develop competencies for care in dementia by using online teaching methods. The LVNs were chosen as they were the largest number of people dealing with the patients who required long term care. The health care aides were added to the group to ensure that there was a smooth transition for those patients who went back home and required the services of a health care aide from time. Because of the increase in the number of patients requiring geriatric care, the program was developed in such a way that the LVNs developed some kind of entrepreneurial bent. The point of this is to assist the spousal caregivers and other family caregivers to navigate through the complicated maze of multiproblem management. The program also had an aspect of soul-feeding and creativity that is still present in the brain of the elderly patient (Cohen, 2005). With this in mind, the nurse or healthcare aide delivers care with the knowledge that the elders can raise above loneliness, pain and chronic disorders to experience various phases of later life (Ebersole, 2006). These phases as described by Dr Cohen include midlife reevaluation, liberation, summing up and the encore phase (Cohen, 2005). The liberation phase includes a desire to innovate and experiment while the phase of summing up includes instances of life review, identification of legacies and resolution of conflicts (Cohen, 2005). The program was developed along Dolores Alford‘s model which gives a framework for the development of practice nurses who have some advanced training (Ebersole, 2006). The program thus while aiming at creating competencies for dementia care was also holistic as it tried to incorporate ways of meeting these needs for the elderly people. Geriatric nursing specialists explained the need for having nurses who are dispatched from nurse managed clinics and senior centers into the community to give guidance and counseling to caregivers.

 

Some difficulties were encountered in trying to implement this program. The budgetary appropriation for it was somewhat limited and not all the LVNs could benefit from the program. In addition, the normal resistance to change was there and the perception that learning the material would increase the nurses’ work was prevalent as a restraining force towards the adoption of the program. The time period in which to implement the program and measure its impact was short. To manage the difficulties above, the nurse manager in my department advised that I should have first conducted a needs assessment before launching the program as well as a force field analysis for change (Lewin, 1951). The aim of the analysis for change would have been to identify possible driving forces and restraining forces towards the change that I wanted to implement. Alternatively I could have applied the principles of adult learning more in the program, where the major principles that would have formed the basis for formulation of the program. The team manager also felt that Prochaska and Diclemente’s change theory would have served as a useful framework for introducing the learning program and ensuring its successful adoption by the nurses (Prochaska and Diclemente, 1985; Thomas, 1985). These would have ensured that the program dealt with the issues that the nurses felt were actually a problem in the department and that the solutions provided were solutions that could be practically implemented.

 

The program was not entirely thrown out but the team manager suggested that it could be fine tuned to the needs of the organization and the nurses. Additionally, the program would then be introduced to LVNs and the healthcare aides following a learning needs assessment that would be followed by a sensitization process that would make the nurses and health aides less resistant to change.

 

The financing for the program was also a problem so the team manager suggested that perhaps the LVNs and healthcare aides could not all be included in the program. Medicare could not finance the program as it finances long term care and services provided by nurses and health care aides (Geyer and Nayum, 1989). Medicare however does not cover care given at home. The deficit in funding arose because the program itself was not a service that affected the elderly directly. Medicaid would also not fund for the program as it funds long term care for those patients who are poor or may become poor from spending on long term care or medical care.  Thus the team manager suggested that the program could start as a pilot program. The success of the pilot program will be crucial in increasing the buy-in for the program among the members of the executive team who can then authorize increases in spending towards the program. Medicaid has the provision for covering personal care given to members in their homes (Geyer and Nayum, 1989). However it still would not have covered the costs of implementation of the program.

 

VNS CHOICE gets its funding from Medicare, Medicaid and philanthropists. The grants from other sources make the out of pocket expenditure for VNS CHOICE. The teaching program would thus be funded from this hence the need to convince the executive team of the program’s positive effect and potential for increasing quality of care.

 

Curriculum connections

The practicum position was very relevant to the academic program I am currently undertaking. In delivery of long term health care, the use of the nursing process is very evident and cuts across the delivery of direct nursing care and the implementation of programs to increase awareness on long-term care and care for the elderly. This is evident from the need to assess and identify patient needs and manage them in a holistic manner with reference to the living conditions of the patient, their family support and the illnesses they may have.

 

The functions of management such as planning, organizing and controlling have also been very present during the practicum. Budgeting is an important component of nursing management. This has been made even clearer by the practicum experience. The experience provided an opportunity to see the nurse manager’s financial responsibility for maintaining fiscal health. The amount and quality of services delivered by nurses depends to a very large extent on budgetary plans (Swansburg, 1997). This makes it very necessary for nurse managers to be proficient at availing the necessary resources such that there is efficient use of resources that will facilitate delivery of effective and efficient care. Though the cost of nursing has always been recognized the income obtained from these services is usually included in bed and board in the budgeting process (Swansburg, 1997). Thus while basing nursing practice on the various functions of a nursing manager; I also identified an area that nurse managers would do well to explore with regard to the budgeting process. Achieving reimbursement for services provided by nurses by changing certain policies may lead to nurses being paid directly for services they have rendered depending on the skill of the person giving the care and the amount of care given (Geyer and Nyman, 1989). This may have the advantage of increasing the amount of money that can be redirected to meeting nurses learning needs and thus solving the problem of financing for education programs for nurses.

 

Other theories learnt that have been applicable to the practicum experience include the change theories which describe the process by which humans adopt change or respond to change. These theories have become more relevant and practical as their application has become apparent in efforts to get the LVNs and the health aides to participate in an educational program and apply the teachings of the education program to their practice.

 

Personal development and career choices

With regard to personal development, the practicum experience provided an opportunity for professional development. Some of the problems identified in trying to work in the department led to the development of better problem solving skills as well as organizational skills. The need to adhere to a budget also led to a better understanding of the role of the nurse manager in organizing and planning for resources within a healthcare unit setting. Additionally the practicum period provided for more opportunity to develop behavioral competencies such as proper documentation, patient teaching and the nursing process. In observing the nurse manager make corrections to my proposed program, I learnt several things about leadership such as constructive criticism, motivation and the role of leaders in building on the basic knowledge that those out of school have.

 

The practicum strengthened my decision to be involved in the delivery of health care in the community as opposed to an acute care hospital setting. I found the experience of working in the community to be more fulfilling as it made the concept of holistic care more applicable. Nursing care in the community cannot be complete without giving consideration to other components that affect health.

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Refers to giving them the right not to disclose their sources of information. Incase of a case hearing they are exempted from giving out any information based on their sources. There are several advantages as well as disadvantages of journalist’s privilege.

Press freedom facilitates for quality and standard works, in that the journalist is able to get detailed information from various sources without having the fear that they will be forced to disclose sources of their information. If journalists are to fully play their role in government they must rely on confidential information as stipulated by Riddler. (1) Failing to disclose sources helps to protect the lives and social welfare of the informants in that they are protected from being recognized as the ones who disclosed such information.

Among the negatives, information given without having anyone responsible may lead to lies, which may simply be used to defame the person in question. This has a negative effect on that person’s life as it may cost him his freedom, fame, job or even life. This is so because one freely gives information bearing in mind that he will not be identified.

Another issue is that sometimes very important information may be nullified incase there is urgent need for concrete evidence and the source refuses to be disclosed whatsoever. Sometimes such information will be rejected despite it being very important and relevant information otherwise it is acceptable on given circumstances especially those that concern matters of national security, to have the reporters testify (Riddler 1). The government has all the same tried to balance the conflicting aspects of it by implementing subpoena protection for reporters.

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Global stratification can be defined broadly as the existence of a particular social order in a setting that defines the positions of individuals on basis of class, gender, income group or even race. (Newmann 2009). Looking at global stratification from a national point of view; it is quite easy to categorize people into particular groupings based on facts about them. Clear differences exist between the classes. Taking a case study between the rich and the poor, there exists great variations in way of life that range from mode of dressing, schools attended, diet end even the mode of transport. For the rich;

flamboyant clothing, exclusive schools and top of the range family cars.

On the other hand for the poor;

cheap clothing, public schools and mostly use public transport. Globally stratification is evident in every statement made that categorizes nations as either developed or developing.

Stratification, more often than not sets limits for those that are undermined by setting their standards so low that it diminishes their chances of success in their ventures to a great extent. Taking the case of racial stratification whites are considered superior over blacks. Though without any scientific basis to this perception, there are clear differences in their way of life.

Gender stratification refers to the degree to which social and economic resources are awarded to individual s on the basis of their gender. (Carl, 2009). In most societies men are always considered first in allocation of opportunities while women are just options. This contrasts comparative research that shows that women are almost as productive as men in societies that have a gender perspective in their policies. African societies have the most extreme cases of gender stratification where women’s position has always been defined as the household chores. The woman is not viewed as an individual who can contribute to nation building in any way.  Looking at the above cases it is evident that global stratification creates an uneven ground for healthy living where the conditions and opportunities available to a person are not as a result of an individual’s abilities but a product of stratification and nature. Global stratification causes a scenario of extremes; for the extremely rich there are extremely poor and for a society full of opportunities there is always another that is does not have any.

The world systems theory approaches the global setup as an integration of smaller sub-units that operate. It does not focus on social classes as it is not constrained by socio-political boundaries. The World Systems Approach unearths the unequal exchange relationships between geographical regions. (The globalization website). It goes ahead to claim that the world operates as a capitalist system that is not as competitive as it appears to be. The world has two divisions of nations; the core and the periphery. The core is made up of a few nations wielding excess economic and production power. On the other hand the peripheries are the developing nations that have massive labor force and endowed with natural resources. The core nations exploit the labor force and the resources possessed by the periphery nations. There is an unfair balance of trade where the peripheries are oppressed; all the economic policies in the world revolve around the suppression of the peripheries and the uplifting of the core nations.

Fareed Zakaria discredits the world systems theory. He notes that the Core nations have to undergo a change in order to survive in the new era of globalization. To redefine their roles since the sudden rise of nations such as Brazil and China is countering America’s dominance over the global economy, science and culture.(2008).He asserts that America will not be losing its powers but it’s the other countries that will be rising significantly. It explores the enormous possibilities that have arisen as a result of decentralization of the economic powers and an increase in freedom of trade. (Annabelle 2005).

Just as an economic gap exists between the rich and the poor individuals, so does it exist between the rich and the poor nations of the world? Newmann observes that the average per capita yearly income for Western Europe, Canada and Japan is $28000 while in the less developed countries is $5000, almost six times the figure ( 2009).

One of the biggest differences between rich and poor nations is the rich and poor nations are in their populations. Poor countries comprise about 3 billion people, close to half the world’s population. In developed nations women on average have 1.2 children in a lifetime while in developing nations a woman has an average of 5 children. Clearly the developing nations do not have the capacity to cater for these rapidly growing

Populations and consequently there is a very high death rate and low life expectancy. Quality of life is low and also more than half the population does not have a supply of safe drinking water. Among the developing countries there is high dependency on the developed countries, a lack of self belief in the nation that they can empower themselves economically without aid and a reluctance to take up opportunities. This is followed by a general hopelessness among the citizens which leads to crimes and vices. It is worth noting that globally, the nations with the highest crime rates are the most underdeveloped and that among the developing nations the rate of crime is higher within the nations that are most internally stratified.  According to Wes

Globalization means different things to different people. However, most    commentators would identify two fundamental elements: An ever accelerating pace of international economic integration combined with rapid population       growth and improved education levels in developing countries.

Globalization seems to reduce the divide that has been caused by years of stratification. This will eventually lead to a situation of relative equality amongst nations. In developing nations; “Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) have clearly benefited from globalization-the most positive effects being on growth, capacity utilization and continuity”. (OECD. 1997). This has been occasioned by the opening up of markets, renewed trade policies and better international relations across the globe.

“The labor market is one of the channels through which globalization can affect developing countries. Increased import penetration, export sales, competition in services, foreign direct investment and exchange rate fluctuations prompted by international capital movements could all in principle, have an impact and labor earnings. A common concern is that ‘cheap labor’ and a ‘race to the bottom’ may be the flipside of globalization.” (Rama 2003). In his work he further asserts that it is imperative for countries to lift any existing trade barriers, to minimize the numbers of persons employed by the state as well as discourage or do away with enterprises that monopolize their activities in order to be on the competitive edge. He further adds that if countries privatized the firms owned by the state, they would be better placed with other countries in terms of competition. The fact that nature has distributed resources irregularly across the globe poses a challenge for humanity. This challenge is far much greater when it comes to the poor countries. As is common knowledge, adversity is the main cause of conflict and therefore in conditions of little or total absence of a needed resource conflicts are bound to arise. Unequal distribution of resources and population pressure common poor nations triggers competition for scarce resources. These are mostly land and water. This fierce competition leads to social breakdown as individuals compete for the best and continued use of the resource leads to its depletion. Deepened poverty is always a cause of conflict due to desperation especially due to food insecurity. needs. A hungry man is an angry man. (FAO, 2002)

Gender roles are a product of socialization and culture and are in no way a reflection of person’s capacities. There are societal expectations of what a person can or can not do baser on one’s gender. All world over the women are not expected to be vocal on issues and only partake in less critical issues. They are mainly relegated to the menial jobs. In the workplace women mostly work as secretaries. It is often hard for a woman to rise to senior administrative positions. The gender wage gap is sufficient evidence that the number of working women is significantly smaller than that of the working men. The salary scales differences also point to that even the few working women occupy very junior positions in institutions.

The society views the roles of men and women in various settings in a gendered lens. This way it has pre-conceived expectations. For a woman in the family is supposed to be involved in all activities and oversee that children and husband are well taken care of. She should be subjective and reserve her opinions. The man plays a peripheral role of providing and decision making, period. Women are not for politics, this is the notion held allover the world and no wonder when a woman takes a high elective position, everyone is surprised. Clearly attending a women’s college opens up the reality that one is not limited by gender and the possibilities are endless if one takes up the challenge.