Education and Acculturation in Our Lives :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Do you believe that there is more than one way to â€Å"see† things? If you were given a piece of art to look at, what would you â€Å"see†? Would you see the same thing as a three year old, as your friend in Korea, or as your art teacher? Why is it that each person would see the picture differently? Is the picture not the same in each case? Why would each person not see the same thing or interpret it the same way? According to Cole, the way we perceive things in our day-to-day lives is highly due to our education and acculturation. Each person sees things differently because of the way they have been raised, and the culture and education they have been given.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The senses play a vital part in the lives of individuals and the way they interpret the things around them. â€Å"[The sense of] touch has been described as the most primitive and the most personal of the five senses† (Colombo, Gary pg.27). Touch, though often unnoticed, is the physiological sense by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body. Lopez writes, â€Å"Eventually I visited many places, staying with different sorts of people. Most worked some substantial part of the day with their hands† (pg.32). Many times touch is overlooked as an educational tool. Touch is one of the things that are very significant in developing people both physically and emotionally and in linking us to other human beings. The sense of sight plays an important role as an educational device. We use our sense of sight to visually interact with our surroundings. With this sense we can recognize objects around us and make new discoveries. The mind plays a direct role in the way we respond to and interpret the things we see. The human eye provides the brain with vast amounts of visual information, in which the brain then registers or disregards in memory. The brain oftentimes transmits signals back to the person which cause a physical or emotional reaction. For example, when one touches a pointy object or hits one’s knee on a hard surface, one feels pain not from the pointy object or the hard surface but by the interpretation in one’s mind from electrical signals inside the brain. This is what causes one to yell out in agony when these particular situations occur. The more educated one becomes, whether it is by learning through experience as one gets older and/or being educated in school, the greater ones capability to sense their surroundings is. Education and Acculturation in Our Lives :: essays research papers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Do you believe that there is more than one way to â€Å"see† things? If you were given a piece of art to look at, what would you â€Å"see†? Would you see the same thing as a three year old, as your friend in Korea, or as your art teacher? Why is it that each person would see the picture differently? Is the picture not the same in each case? Why would each person not see the same thing or interpret it the same way? According to Cole, the way we perceive things in our day-to-day lives is highly due to our education and acculturation. Each person sees things differently because of the way they have been raised, and the culture and education they have been given.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The senses play a vital part in the lives of individuals and the way they interpret the things around them. â€Å"[The sense of] touch has been described as the most primitive and the most personal of the five senses† (Colombo, Gary pg.27). Touch, though often unnoticed, is the physiological sense by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body. Lopez writes, â€Å"Eventually I visited many places, staying with different sorts of people. Most worked some substantial part of the day with their hands† (pg.32). Many times touch is overlooked as an educational tool. Touch is one of the things that are very significant in developing people both physically and emotionally and in linking us to other human beings. The sense of sight plays an important role as an educational device. We use our sense of sight to visually interact with our surroundings. With this sense we can recognize objects around us and make new discoveries. The mind plays a direct role in the way we respond to and interpret the things we see. The human eye provides the brain with vast amounts of visual information, in which the brain then registers or disregards in memory. The brain oftentimes transmits signals back to the person which cause a physical or emotional reaction. For example, when one touches a pointy object or hits one’s knee on a hard surface, one feels pain not from the pointy object or the hard surface but by the interpretation in one’s mind from electrical signals inside the brain. This is what causes one to yell out in agony when these particular situations occur. The more educated one becomes, whether it is by learning through experience as one gets older and/or being educated in school, the greater ones capability to sense their surroundings is.

Two Sides Essay -- essays research papers

Pablo Neruda’s Sonnet XLIV â€Å"You Must Know That I Do Not Love And That I Love You† clearly illustrates that love has two sides. Neruda uses the text as an example throughout his poem to explain that love has two sides. These two sides are that he loves and that he does not love.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This is explained through Neruda’s words:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You must know that I do not love and that I love you,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  because everything alive has its two sides;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  a word is one wing of silence,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  fire has its cold half. (107) This statement separates Neruda’s poem into two parts. Neruda clearly explains that everything has two sides. One of the examples that Neruda uses is the fire having its cold half. Neruda is saying that the fire is hot but at the same time it can give a cold feeling. The point of this poem is that love has two sides. Neruda explains, in my understanding, the sides of love are that he loves her with his entire heart but does not love her enough to marry or commit to her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"And† is the most valuable word in Neruda’s poem. â€Å"And† is used to describe the different ways that he loves and does not love. This is more clearly explained in three passages. The first: â€Å"You must know that I do not love and that I love you.† (107) The word â€Å"and† in this line tells the reader that Neruda loves but also does not love. The second: â€Å"to start inf...

Different sociological views on changes Essay

â€Å"Examine different sociological views on changes in the experience of childhood in the last 50 years or so.†(24 marks) Childhood is a special time of life; where children are fundamentally different from adults, it is time that is based solely on society. Children are seen as physically and emotionally incompetent and therefore need influence and guidance of adults to be prepared with life skills needed to be independent; children are seen as most important. According to Aries (1962), childhood can be defined as being a social construct; something that is created and defined by society. Children had been seen as being like ‘mini adults’ and being an economic liability rather than being treated like children and being unconditionally loved by their parents. The elements of the modern childhood gradually began to emerge from the 13th century onwards. Schools started to specialise purely on the education of the young. There was a growing distinction between adult and children clothing. By the 18th century there was a sign of the growing child-centred of family life, mostly among the middle classes. According to Aries these developments lead to the ‘cult of childhood’. He argues that we have moved from a world that did not see childhood as in any way special, to a world that is obsessed with childhood. He describes the 20th century as the ‘century of the child’. Some sociologists have criticised Aries for arguing that childhood did not exist in the past. Linda Pollock (1983) argues that it is more correct to say that in the middle ages society simply had a different view of childhood. Aries definition of childhood as a social construction can also be supported by cross-cultural differences and more specifically Punch (2001).Punch had studied children in Bolivia and found that at age 5 children were expected to work and take responsibilities. This cultural variation shows childhood to be a social construction as if it were biological everyone would have the same experiences. However, changes have been made and it is now made clear by Pilcher, that childhood is now becoming separate from adulthood. Childhood is seen as a  clear and distinct life stage and children in our society occupy a separate status from adults. Children also differ from adults through the differences in dress. Pilcher argues that children have only started to be seen as vulnerable and innocent recently when laws started defining what they can and cannot do. Also now that we are in a ‘golden age’ of innocence and vulnerability adults have then decided children need more protection from the adult world. Functionalist sociologists agree with the ‘March of Progress’ view, as they believe that the experience of childhood has massively improved over the last 50 years. They take the view that childhood is socially constructed and vary between times, places and even cultures. There are important differences between childhoods in western societies today as compared with European societies in the past. For example, in the middle ages, child labour was a basic fact of life for most children; schooling was only available for the wealthy. The ‘March of Progress’ view argues that, over the past few centuries, the position of children in western societies have been improving. Aries also holds the ‘March of Progress’ view. They argue that todays children are more valued, better cared for, protected, educated and have more rights. For example, children today are protected from harm and exploitation by laws against child abuse and child labour. Conflict sociologists such as Marxists and Feminists argue against the ‘March of Progress’ view that the position of children has improved dramatically in a relatively short period of time. They argue that society is based on a conflict between different social groups such as social classes or genders. In this conflict, some groups have more power, status and wealth than others. They also argue that the ‘March of Progress’ view of modern childhood is based on a false and idealised image that ignores important inequalities. Firstly the conflict sociologists say that there are inequalities among children in terms of opportunities and risks they face; many today remain  unprotected and badly cared for. For example, poor mothers are more likely to have low birth-weight babies, which could lead to intellectual developments. Secondly, the inequalities between children and adults are greater than ever: children today experience greater control, greater care and protection. For example, neglect and abuse. In relation to this all, Neil Postman (1994) argues that childhood is ‘disappearing at a dazzling speed’. He points to the tends towards giving children the same rights as adults, the growing similarity of adult and children clothing, are taking part in adult activities like smoking and drinking and are committing adult crimes such as murder. These ideas clearly demonstrate that societies need for children to act older than they are is causing trouble psychologically for children. On the other hand, unlike Postman Iona Opie (1993) argues that childhood is not disappearing. She argues that there is strong evidence of the continued existence of a separate children’s culture. Her studies show that children can and they do create their own independent culture separate from adults. This contradicts Postmans claim that children’s own unsupervised games are dying out. In conclusion, the evidence suggests that ‘March of Progress’ view that the status of childhood has improved is much stronger. Although the conflict views are true to some extent, in terms of inequality, there is a clear improvement in the status of children in the society in comparison to previous generations.

Employee of the Month Essay

Zack Bradley, a box boy at Super Club, a Price Club/Costco/Sam’s Club type store. He’s more than content with his life as a box boy. He lives with his grandmother, hangs out with his buddies in their homemade lounge in the center of the store’s shopping racks, trades away dented goods, and gets along with just about everyone. In fact, there’s only one person Zack can’t seem to get along with: lead cashier Vince Downey (Dax Shepard), the epitome of retail world brown nosing. Vince has been employee of the month at Super Club for seventeen months straight and winning the eighteenth time means big prizes (including a â€Å"newish† Chevy Malibu) and a promotion. Usually that title wouldn’t mean anything to a slacker like Zack, but when the new hot cashier Amy (Jessica Simpson) appears on the scene with rumors that she goes for employee of the month, Zack decides to give Vince some competition. This is, at its heart, an underdog film, which I almost always enjoy to some degree. Zack is constantly trod upon by Vince’s overwhelmingly good luck. Even when Zack and his friends try to get the best of the big suck up, something good happens for the egotistical wonder that allows him to come out ahead. It’s a real testament to the power of positive thinking once you learn that Vince sees his job as a big success (â€Å"why climb a mountain when you can win the land race? † he asks) while Zack knows his job sucks but took it as a way not to hurt anyone after a business failure cost his grandmother her retirement savings; Vince thinks well so he does well, Zack doesn’t. But really it’s a way of making the audience really want Vince to get his comeuppance, and feel a great sense of satisfaction once he begins to. With a cast comprised of stand-up comedians, singer turned actors, and former Ashton Kutcher â€Å"Punk’d† assistants one doesn’t exactly expect Oscar caliber acting from Employee of the Month, however the performances aren’t terrible either. Dane Cook acts as a subdued Ryan Reynolds which is exactly what this role needs. Reynolds’ normal antics would be too much for the tempo of this movie. Jessica Simpson only has the demand of being attractive and an object of desire; a role she fills perfectly, although a few of her lines are still wince-worthy. Dax Shepherd is a bit over the top in the villain role, but it works. The true standout performances come from the supporting comedic roles, filled with actors like Andy Dick, Harland Williams, Brian George, Tim Bagley, and Napoleon Dynamite’s Pedro, Efren Ramirez. With a cast able to capture laughs in just about every direction, the film keeps the audience snickering, if not making them laugh a little louder. Indeed, Employee accomplishes more chuckles with a little subtlety than with its attempts at the big laughs, although there are more than a few of those. Observant audience members will notice just how much the employees of Super Club abuse the store’s merchandise, from using broken products as bargaining chips to having gallon buckets of ice cream and massive bags of chips in their homes. People willing to consider the movie even further will find hilarity in the way the employees of Super Club treat their retail jobs so seriously, as if cleaning up that spill or the speed of a cashier’s pass-through rate really matters. Dane Cook and Dax Shepard may not offer the best underdog comedy this year, and the movie certainly doesn’t stand up to Wedding Crashers (which shared the same producers as the advertisements are more than happy to remind everyone) but it’s still an enjoyable, silly little comedy. Consider it along the same guilty pleasure lines as Jingle All the Way or Dodgeball or a more viewer friendly version of that Steve Carell comedy. It’s good for lighthearted fun, just don’t expect any life changing experience watching two store clerks competing for the grand title of Employee of the Month.

Library Science Essay

An integrated library system (ILS), also known as a library management system (LMS),[1][2] is an enterprise resource planning system for a library, used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed. An ILS usually comprises a relational database, software to interact with that database, and two graphical user interfaces (one for patrons, one for staff). Most ILSes separate software functions into discrete programs called modules, each of them integrated with a unified interface. Examples of modules might include: acquisitions (ordering, receiving, and invoicing materials) cataloging (classifying and indexing materials) circulation (lending materials to patrons and receiving them back) serials (tracking magazine and newspaper holdings) the OPAC (public interface for users) Each patron and item has a unique ID in the database that allows the ILS to track its activity. Larger libraries use an ILS to order and acquire, receive and invoice, catalog, circulate, track and shelve materials. Smaller libraries, such as those in private homes or non-profit organizations (like churches or synagogues, for instance), often forgo the expense and maintenance required to run an ILS, and instead use a library computer system. [citation needed] Contents [hide] 1 History 1. 1 Pre-computerization 1. 2 1960s: the influence of computer technologies 1. 3 1970s-1980s: the early integrated library system 1. 4 1990s-2000s: the growth of the Internet 1. 5 Mid 2000s-Present: increasing costs and customer dissatisfaction 2 Examples 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External links [edit]History [edit]Pre-computerization Prior to computerization, library tasks were performed manually and independently from one another. Selectors ordered materials with ordering slips, cataloguers manually catalogued items and indexed them with the card catalog system (in which all bibliographic data was kept on a single index card), and users signed books out manually, indicating their name on cue cards which were then kept at the circulation desk. Early mechanization came in 1936, when the University of Texas began using a punch card system to manage library circulation. [3] While the punch card system allowed for more efficient tracking of loans, library services were far from being integrated, and no other library task was affected by this change. [edit]1960s: the influence of computer technologies Following this, the next big innovation came with the advent of MARC standards in the 1960s which coincided with the growth of computer technologies – library automation was born. [3] From this point onwards, libraries began experimenting with computers, and, starting in the late 1960s and continuing into the 1970s, bibliographic services utilizing new online technology and the shared MARC vocabulary entered the market; these included OCLC (1967), Research Libraries Group (which has since merged with OCLC), and Washington Library Network (which became Western Library Network and is also now part of OCLC). [4] [edit]1970s-1980s: the early integrated library system Screenshot of a Dynix menu. The 1970s can be characterized by improvements in computer storage as well as in telecommunications. [4] As a result of these advances, ‘turnkey systems on microcomputers,’[4] known more commonly as integrated library systems (ILS) finally appeared. These systems included necessary hardware and software which allowed the connection of major circulation tasks, including circulation control and overdue notices. [5] As the technology developed, other library tasks could be accomplished through ILS as well, including acquisition, cataloguing, reservation of titles, and monitoring of serials. [6] [edit]1990s-2000s: the growth of the Internet With the evolution of the Internet throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, ILSs began allowing users to more actively engage with their libraries through OPACs and online web-based portals. Users could log into their library accounts to reserve or renew books, as well as authenticate themselves for access to library-subscribed online databases. Inevitably, during this time, the ILS market grew exponentially. By 2002, the ILS industry averaged sales of approximately US$500 million annually, compared to just US$50 million in 1982. [5] [edit]Mid 2000s-Present: increasing costs and customer dissatisfaction By the mid to late 2000s, ILS vendors had increased not only the number of services offered but also their prices, leading to some dissatisfaction among many smaller libraries. At the same time, open source ILS was in its early stages of testing. Some libraries began turning to such open source ILSs as Koha and Evergreen. Common reasons noted were to avoid vendor lock in, avoid license fees, and participate in software development. Freedom from vendors also allowed libraries to prioritize needs according to urgency, as opposed to what their vendor can offer. [7] Libraries which have moved to open source ILS have found that vendors are now more likely to provide quality service in order to continue a partnership since they no longer have the power of owning the ILS software and tying down libraries to strict contracts. [7] This has been the case with the SCLENDS consortium. Following the success of Evergreen for the Georgia PINES library consortium, the South Carolina State Library along with some local public libraries formed the SCLENDS consortium in order to share resources and to take advantage of the open source nature of the Evergreen ILS to meet their specific needs. [7] By October 2011, just 2 years after SCLENDS began operations, 13 public library systems across 15 counties had already joined the consortium, in addition to the South Carolina State Library. Librarytechnology. org does an annual survey of over 2,400 libraries and noted in 2008 2%[8] of those surveyed used open source ILS, in 2009 the number increased to 8%,[9] in 2010 12%,[10] and in 2011 11% [11] of the libraries polled had adopted open source ILSs. [edit]Examples Open-source Evergreen Greenstone Invenio Koha Kuali OLE NewGenLib PhpMyBibli OpenBiblioÃ'Ž VuFind Proprietary Aleph from Ex Libris Innovative Interfaces Library†¢Solution, Library†¢Solution for Schools, and CARL†¢X from The Library Corporation LibraryWorld NOSA Qulto System SirsiDynix, Symphony—current version and Unicorn—a legacy system. SydneyPLUS International Capita Alto formerly Talis Alto (UK and Ireland) Virtua, former VTLS, from VTLS Inc. Voyager from former company Endeavor Information Systems, later acquired by Ex Libris (Polish) MOL, Patron and MOLIK – interface created for children (Polish) SOWA, SOWA2, SOWA2/MARC21, SOWA2/MARC21/SQLÃ'Ž Legacy NOTIS Dynix [edit]See also Library and information science portal Library computer system OPAC List of next-generation catalogs History of Library Automation [edit]References ^ Adamson, Veronica, et al. (2008). JISC & SCONUL Library Management Systems Study PDF (1 MB). Sheffield, UK: Sero Consulting. p. 51. Retrieved on 21 January 2009. â€Å"†¦ a Library Management System (LMS or ILS ‘Integrated Library System’ in US parlance). † Some useful library automation software are: KOHA ,Grennstone . LIBsis, and granthlaya. Tennant, Roy (16 April 2008). â€Å"Picking When to Jump, Part 2†. Library Journal. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 20 January 2009. â€Å"Across the pond they use the term library management systems (LMS) for what we call the integrated library system (ILS). † ^ a b Wallace, Patricia M. (1991). Gary M. Pitkin. ed. Library Systems Migration: An Introduction. Westport, CT: Meckler. p. 3. ISBN 0-88736-738-0. ^ a b c Wallace, Patricia M. (1991). Gary M. Pitkin. ed. Library Systems Migration: An Introduction. Westport, CT: Meckler. p. 4. ISBN 0-88736-738-0. ^ a b Kochtanek, Thomas R. (2002). â€Å"1 – The Evolution of LIS and Enabling Technologies†. Library Information Systems: From Library Automation to Distributed Information Access Solutions. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. p. 4. ISBN 1-59158-018-8. ^ Kochtanek, Thomas R. (2002). â€Å"1 – The Evolution of LIS and Enabling Technologies†. Library Information Systems: From Library Automation to Distributed Information Access Solutions. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. p. 5. ISBN 1-59158-018-8. ^ a b c Hamby, R. ; McBride, R. , & Lundberg, M. (2011, Oct. ). â€Å"South Carolina’s SCLENDS optimizing libraries, transforming lending†. Computers in Libraries. 8 31: 6–10. ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2008. pl ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2009. pl ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2010. pl ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2011. pl [edit]Further reading Olson, N. (2010). Taken for Granted – The Construction of Order in the Process of Library Management System Decision Making (Vol. 45). Goteborg / Boras: Valfrid publishing. [1] Rubin, Richard E. Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. , 2004. [edit]External links MARC Records, Systems and Tools : Network Development and MARC Standards Office, Library of Congress Higher Education Library Technology,(HELibTech) a wiki supported by SCONUL (Society of College National and University Libraries) that covers many aspects of library technology and lists technologies in use in UK Higher Education Key resources in the field of Library Automation Categories: Library automationÃ'Ž

Interesting Ideas in Unwind Essay

In the novel ‘Unwind’ by Neal Shusterman, an interesting idea is the idea of the collective vs. the individual. This interesting idea was shown to me in three manifestations. The idea of the collective vs. the individual was shown to me through an individual conquering a collective, language manipulation and human rights. In the dystopian world of ‘Unwind’, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, a teenager may be signed off to the Authorities for the process of unwinding. Unwinding is where the parts of the child are separated and given to donors who need them. Under the Bill of Life, this is perfectly legal. As long as the teenager’s life doesn’t ‘technically’ end. Connor, Risa and Lev find themselves marked for unwinding. And all find themselves drawn together when escaping the process. Firstly, Neal Shusterman highlights major characters to show us how an individual can conquer a collective. A major character Neal Shusterman highlights is the character of Connor Lassiter. At the end of a novel, Connor finally conquers the collective. As Connor stands under the wing of the jet that brought the runaway unwinds to the Graveyard – an old air force hanger that holds old unused planes and runaway unwinds in the middle of Arizona – he addresses them with courage, respect and determination of conquering the collective. â€Å"†¦ †¦ They let us stay here because they don’t see us as a threat. Well we’re going to change that. † In this quote, I see Connor finally able to conquer the collective. I see that he is able to finally conquer the Authorities as an individual unwind wanting freedom, though he is able to achieve it with the support of Risa, Haydn and each and every runaway unwind who arrived in the Graveyard. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and the Second World War began. England’s King at the time was King George VI. It was his duty as the King of England to deliver a speech to the people empowering them and assuring them that though the world was at war again, everything would be okay. However, speeches were not King George VI’s favourite duty as he had a speech impediment. He had a stammer. Due to his stammer, many believed he could not deliver the speech well enough. Many people believed that a speech on live radio, delivered to the entire nation would be too much of a challenge for their King. But he did it. He did it so well that throughout the entire Second World War, King George VI was a symbol of resistance in the face of Hitler. He was a leader who the people of England were able to stand against. Through his wartime speech, I see how King George VI was an individual able to conquer the collective. Secondly, Neal Shusterman employs language manipulation to illustrate the ways in which the collective controls the individual. Neal Shusterman uses euphemisms to illustrate this interesting idea. A euphemism is a term or phrase that is used to make something seem nicer that may otherwise be considered harsh, unpleasant or offensive. Throughout the entire novel of ‘Unwind’, Neal Shusterman uses a euphemism to describe the process of unwinding in a way that doesn’t make it seem like dying. â€Å"It’s not dying. You will still be living, just in a divided state. When Risa is told that she is marked for unwinding, a social-worker uses another euphemism to describe the same process. â€Å"It’s change, that’s all. You will live, Risa. Only in different form. † These two different uses of euphemisms by Neal Shusterman to describe the process of unwinding illustrates to me the many different ways in which a collective can control the individual through language manipulation. In the real world, the government uses euphemisms frequently to distance public people form the horrors of war. Euphemisms such as friendly fire (accidentally killing a member of your own side) and collateral damage (killing civilians) are used to describe things which may distress many members of the public. Another for of language manipulation that Neal Shusterman uses is neologisms. Neologisms are words which describe new concepts or an existing word that has taken on a new meaning. In â€Å"Unwind†, Neal Shusterman has brought to life many new concepts in the dystopian world he has created. ‘Clappers’ is one of these neologisms. Neal Shusterman has used this word throughout the novel to describe a group of extreme terrorists. â€Å"Clappers again†¦ What did they hit this time?†¦ They blew up an Old Navy in the North Akron Mall. † Neologisms are used to describe new concepts in our ever growing society of technology. ’Cold –finger’ of not emailing or texting somebody back. A neologism in our technological society. Finally, Neal Shusterman uses human rights to make the reader aware of how a collective can control an individual. The Authorities of in the world of ‘Unwind’ breach many articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. One of the most significant articles which are broken throughout the novel is Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. In short – The law is the same for everyone, it should be applied in the same way to all. I see this article breached many times in the novel. The first time I see it breached is in the third chapter of the book when Lev has his tithing party. â€Å"†¦ dirty unwind †¦ Just because he’s to be unwound does NOT mean he’s an Unwind. † This to me shows what the society thinks of unwinds. That they are though of as lower class citizens. No matter how innocent they are, once they are signed over to the government – they are criminals. Wanted by the law, juvey-cops and many of the average citizens. I further see this article breached when Connor, Risa and Roland arrive at Happy Jack Harvest camp. Connor is discriminated against and paraded past the rest of the unwinds as to show the power and how futile it is to resist to the rest of the inmates at Happy Jack. â€Å"On the fourth of February, three kids arrive by police escort. Two are brought unceremoniously into the welcome centre. The third is singled out to take the longer route that passes the dormitories, the sports fields, and all the various places where unwinds are gathered. † Connor is discriminate against due to his status as the ‘Akron AWOL’. Though he has done nothing more than Risa or Roland.

A Study of How Teamwork Can Help Eliminate Homelessness in Canada

A Study of How Teamwork Can Help Eliminate Homelessness in Canada Abstract Canada is an internationally known country with the long reputation for high quality of life with the growing number of citizens competing for limited resources, hence; making homelessness a reality. The main populations making up the homeless people in Canada are women, youths, and children. Most homeless youths engage in some criminal activities such as drug addiction, illicit drug trafficking, robbery and unprotected sex. Stakeholders should work as a team to cut across research and policy sectors to create a solution that coordinates response to homelessness in Canada. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of teamwork in finding the solution to homelessness in Canada. The teamwork composed of stakeholders namely: the homeless people, all government agencies, and the community groups. The paper utilizes Tuckmans Teamwork Theory that uses four stages of team development to analyze the effectiveness of identified stakeholders in addressing homelessness. The outcome re veals that designing affordable and quality housing in both rural and urban centers would be the best solution to homelessness in Canada. Introduction Canada is one of the nations in the world with the highest number of homeless people. The state of homelessness in Canada started in the 1980s after the governments reduced spending in social support, structural shifts in the economy, and investment in high-cost housing (Gaetz, Dej, Richter, Redman, 2016, p. 4). The main populations making up the homeless people in Canada are women, youths, and children. Homelessness has become a major crisis in Canada with thousands of women, youths and children across the country calling streets, parks, and emergency shelters their homes. The problem has since persisted calling for a joined action between stakeholders across the country to establish a solution to homelessness. The joint action requires teamwork and collaboration largely based on establishing strategies that would end the problem of homelessness in the coming five years. The following discussion utilizes Tuckman’s Teamwork Theory to find solutions to the problem of homeless ness in Canada. The solution identified will utilize principles of teamwork and benefit different stakeholders. These stakeholders are the homeless people, different levels of government, and community groups. Overview of homelessness in Canada Canada is an internationally known country with the long reputation for high quality of life with the growing number of citizens competing for limited resources, hence; making homelessness a reality. In the older days, only single men and older people suffered from the problem of homelessness in Canada, but the crisis has become more diverse today to include the women and young people. The 2016 government report on the state of homelessness in Canada revealed the exact number of homeless people, their demographics, and the exact experiences they face each day. The report shows that approximately 35,000 Canadians spend the night out in the cold each night and 235,000 Canadians are homeless every year. Also, 2016 report revealed that 27.3 percent and 18.7 percent of the homeless population in Canada are women and youth respectively. Older adults aged between 50 and 64 and those aged 65 and above are at greater risks of experiencing homelessness in the future (Gaetz, Dej, Richter, Red man, 2016, p. 5). The government suffers the most from the homelessness. Homelessness worsens the state’s economy, increases insecurity, and creates a bad reputation for the nation such that international partners develop a negative attitude leading to poor trade and business relations. The interest of all levels of the government is to ensure no more people are homeless in the country. The government could make this possible by formulating policies and strategies capable of addressing the issues. For instance, the Canadian government developed the homelessness policy in 1999 through effective collaboration with communities and individuals aimed at addressing homelessness issues (Doberstein, 2011). Most homeless youths engage in some criminal activities such as drug addiction, illicit drug trafficking, robbery and unprotected sex. Stakeholders should work as a team to cut across research and policy sectors to create a solution that coordinates response to homelessness in Canada. Stakeholders involved in homelessness in Canada Many parties are actively and passively involved in addressing the problem of homelessness in Canada. A strategic approach to the issue requires the engagement of all stakeholders to take part in decision-making processes in looking for solutions to homelessness to ensure representation of every concerned party. The following paper concentrates on three key stakeholders that have a lot of influence in developing strategies and policies alternatives to homelessness. The key stakeholders included in the strategic planning are the homeless people, all levels of government (policymakers, Departments of Health, Housing and Urban Planning), and community groups (non-profit organizations, private developers, and other foundations). Each of the three stakeholders has a big role to play in finding the solution to the prevailing problem. The homeless people are the key stakeholders and the victims of homelessness. The following group should have many interests including the need to know the plans other stakeholders, the government and community groups, have for them. Homeless people should select their representatives to take part in the decision-making process to ensure their interests are tabled and addressed. Also, the homeless play a significant role in the success of the plan because they bear the experience and stand a better chance of explaining to policy makers circumstances that led to them becoming homeless. Policy makers would use these details to create an intervention that would help prevent homelessness cases in the future. Finally, the community groups including non-governmental organizations, humanity foundations, and developers have a great role to play in developing strategies to end homelessness. Community groups advocate for equality and rights for the people. These groups will aid in creating awareness to the government to speed up the process of generating solutions to homelessness. Also, groups such as private developers may offer to build simple and affordable housing through government contracts to house the homeless. The success of any initiative agreed by the three stakeholders requires a teamwork approach. The discussion will utilize principles and theories of teamwork to ensure all stakeholders interests are considered in the final solution. The application of Tuckman’s Teamwork Theory to find solution to homelessness Effective management of a team requires skills, dedication, strategies and plans. Researchers in different fields have conducted numerous studies to investigate factors that influence quality team performance. Many theories explain the formation and management of teams with Tuckman’s teamwork theory acting as the most widely known to have produced excellent results. Tuckman’s Teamwork Theory was developed in 1965 and plays a critical role in ensuring teamwork and team building. Tuckman used to work with a team of social psychologists in the United Stated Navy where he studied small group behaviors using different perspectives. In his analysis of various articles and books on team development, Tuckman identified two main features that contribute to the performance of a group: the task activity and the group structure/interpersonal activity. Tuckman then introduced the Tuckman’s Teamwork Theory that describes four primary stages of development that make up a good team. The four stages are forming, storming, norming, and performing (Egolf Chester, 2013, pp. 142-143). The four stages of Tuckmans teamwork theory can be applied in the case to help bring together stakeholders and establish the solution to homelessness in Canada. The basic assumption of the theory is that a team that stays together over a time changes and develops (Nestor, 2013). Identifies stakeholders, the government, the community groups, and the homeless people have lived together to realize a common homelessness problem affecting the country. According to Nestor (2013), Tuckman’s Teamwork Theory describes three elements that determine the performance of a team, namely: content, process, and feelings. Application of four stages in the content issue The content relates to activities of the team, which in this case are finding the solution to homelessness. Some members of the team will utilize the content element to define the stakeholder-based type of solution they want and how they want it done to meet their interests. Additionally, the storming stage may face some rebellion as each stakeholder tries to make their interests included in the decision-making process. In the norming stage, the stakeholders will have cleared their differences and each member desires to become part of the team. Finally, the performing stage is characterized by all members having a similar concern of looking for the solution to homelessness. According to Nestor (2013), the effectiveness of the team is felt in the performing stage. Team members should always take precautions to avoid disintegrating during the first three stages of teamwork development. Application of the four stages in the process issue Process refers to the way the team works towards achieving its goals. The following case relates to the process of bringing together the stakeholders, the homeless people, the government, and community groups, into developing strategies and planning implementation plans for the problem of homelessness in Canada. In the forming stage, team members engage in searching for external forces that can give guidance and direction. For instance, the homeless people look for help from the government and community groups to help find better housing for them. Second, the storming stage involves members selecting tasks that fit their interests and ignoring those with less impact on their problems. The third stage on the process issue involves team members coming together to set procedures aimed at finding the solution to the problem. Finally, the team reaches the performing stage where they start implementing proposed solutions. Nestor (2013) claimed that teams that fail to accept the storming s tage as a way of preparing them for future tasks never perform. Application of four stages of the teamwork theory in the element of feelings The feeling element refers to how teams relate with one another. A good relationship between stakeholders must exist for the teamwork to succeed. The most significant stage in the feelings elements is the performance level where team members share a common focus, have good communication and become closer to each other to achieve the expected result. Recommended solutions that satisfy all stakeholders Following the five stages of Tuckman’s theory of Teamwork, it will be possible to have all stakeholders work together and find solutions that fulfill each stakeholder’s interests. The teamwork from selected stakeholders must have capabilities of solving problems faced by the homeless in Canada and implement strategies that will see the country do away with the problem of homelessness in the future. One of the proposed solutions to homelessness in Canada is building of affordable housing units. The three stakeholders, the homeless people, the government, and community groups would all agree that victims of homelessness lack proper and affordable housing units. In January 2015, four homeless people died in Toronto with the cause of death attributed to extreme cold and burning of a makeshift shack. Mayor John Tory responded to the incident by creating a plan to rent 90 motel rooms for all homeless people for the remaining part of winter to act as temporary shelters (Daro, 2015. The case above reveals that overcrowding homeless shelters and lack of affordable housing in Canada are the primary cause of homelessness. The collaboration between stakeholder, especially between the government and community groups, should act in speed to create a plan for providing long-term and stable housing for the homeless in the future. The government of Canada came up with an initiative termed â€Å"Housing our Future† that aimed at solving the issue of homelessness between 2014 and 2024. The Canada’s population increases each year with the probability of the country recording double population growth by the year 2030 (The County of Simcoe, 2014). Some stakeholders including the County members, members of the Municipalities, Community, and Cities came up with a team to propagate the initiative towards the performing stage. Working together with various stakeholders would help establish cheap and affordable housing units to shelter the homelessness in Canada. The private sector played a critical role in the plan by offering services and workforce to help design and implement the project. On the other hand, a similar plan for ending homelessness that focused on the housing strategy was started in the Calgary City of Canada. The plan established in 2008 aimed at making Canadians more self-reliance and independent. The government realized that it would have to deal with the problem of homelessness in the future, hence; came up with the plan. Individuals experiencing homelessness at that time was given a permanent housing and provided with government support. The key stakeholders that included the government, the community groups, and other interested parties worked as a team to coordinate all operations to support the plan (Calgary Homeless Foundation, 2015). The Calgary City homelessness plan is an example of a successful solution that ended up reducing the number of homeless people in Canada and making many independent of dating. Conclusion According to Gaetz, Dej, Richter, Redman (2014), the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Canada is expected to grow should the government fail to take quick actions to end the problem. Homeless people should never be viewed as victims of social structures and not social misfits. Homeless people in Canada have for the last two decades undergone a lot of challenges including marginalization. The issue brings more problems especially considering the vulnerability of these people. Homelessness causes major health and social problems that affect the individuals lifestyle. Guirguis-Younger, McNeil Hwang (2014, pp. 28-29) argued homelessness in Canada, especially among youths, has increased tremendously requiring a systematic response. The working together of stakeholders using teamwork principles and dynamics will help end the problem of homelessness in Canada. The analysis of the issue came up with the solution to homelessness as having affordable housing unit s, especially in Cities. Making housing affordable will get rid of many families spending their nights in makeshift shelters out of streets and start enjoying a safer lifestyle.