Family Variations and Implications to Children Essay

Family Variations and Implications to Children - Essay Example Therefore, the economic, social, and cultural background of a family has a great impact on the behaviors and the upbringing of a child in the community. Children from single parenting portray different characteristics from children with two parents, with the gender of the child being a factor in determining how the family structure and relationships affect children in particular families. Wright & Chrysalis (2007, 16) argue that the rapidly changing family dynamics result in varying characteristics and behaviors in children, indicating that the structure of a family has a direct impact on the upbringing of a child. Therefore, children adopt behaviors and characteristics that mirror the family cultural and economic backgrounds, and family structures in the society. In this report, the various effects of family structures and their effects on children influenced by the social, economic, and cultural factors will be investigated. Berthoud (2) further notes that in black families, the issue of extended family is more profound, and may include grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, among others. Generally, research in most U.K families portrays most traditional family structures are more stable compared to the current marriage structures, which include single parenting and cohabitation forms of marriages (Mooney, Oliver & Smith 2009, 3). Children in stable marriages portray healthy and stable development psychologically, mentally and are in most cases protected from vices experienced by children in the other two forms of marriages (Mooney, Oliver & Smith 2009, 3). Such children are likely to be morally responsible according to stable upbringing, or the favorable atmosphere in these families; they have to learn their cultural orientations and the expected code of behaviors in the society.  

Nervous Conditions Themes Essay Example for Free

Nervous Conditions Themes Essay Tambu was born a girl and thus faces a fundamental disadvantage, since traditional African social practice dictates that the oldest male child is deemed the future head of the family. All of the family’s resources are poured into developing his abilities and preparing him to lead and provide for his clan. When Nhamo dies, the tragedy is all the more profound since no boy exists to take his place. Tambu steps into the role of future provider, yet she is saddled with the prejudices and limitations that shackled most African girls of her generation. Her fight for an education and a better life is compounded by her gender. Gender inequality and sexual discrimination form the backdrop of all of the female characters’ lives. In the novel, inequality is as infectious as disease, a crippling attitude that kills ambition, crushes women’s spirits, and discourages them from supporting and rallying future generations and other female relatives. The Influence of Colonialism The essential action of the novel involves Tambu’s experiences in a Western-style educational setting, and the mission school both provides and represents privileged opportunity and enlightenment. Despite Ma’Shingayi’s strong objections, Tambu knows the only hope she has of lifting her family out of poverty lies in education. However, the mission school poses threats, as well: Western institutions and systems of thought may cruelly and irreversibly alter native Africans who are subjected to them. Nyasha, who has seen firsthand the effect of being immersed in a foreign culture, grows suspicious of an unquestioning acceptance of colonialism’s benefits. She fears that the dominating culture may eventually stifle, limit, or eliminate the long-established native culture of Rhodesia—in other words, she fears that colonialism may force assimilation. The characters’ lives are already entrenched in a national identity that reflects a synthesis of African and colonialist elements. The characters’ struggle to confront and integrate the various social and political influences that shape their lives forms the backbone and central conflict of Nervous Conditions. Tradition vs. Progress Underpinning Nervous Conditions are conflicts between those characters who  endorse traditional ways and those who look to Western or so-called â€Å"modern† answers to problems they face. Dangarembga remains noncommittal in her portrayal of the divergent belief systems of Babamukuru and his brother Jeremiah, and she shows both men behaving rather irrationally. Jeremiah foolishly endorses a shaman’s ritual cleansing of the homestead, while Babamukuru’s belief in a Christian ceremony seems to be rooted in his rigid and unyielding confidence that he is always right. As Tambu becomes more fixed and established in her life at the mission school, she begins to embrace attitudes and beliefs different from those of her parents and her traditional upbringing. Nyasha, ever the voice of reasonable dissent, warns Tambu that a wholesale acceptance of supposedly progressive ideas represents a dangerous departure and too radical of a break with the past. Motifs Geography Physical spaces are at the heart of the tensions Tambu faces between life at the mission and the world of the homestead. At first, Tambu is isolated, relegated to toiling in the fields and tending to her brother’s whims during his infrequent visits. When she attends the local school, she must walk a long way to her daily lessons, but she undertakes the journey willingly in order to receive an education. When the family cannot pay her school fees, Mr. Matimba takes Tambu to the first city she has ever seen, where she sells green corn. Tambu’s increased awareness and knowledge of the world coincides with her growing physical distance from the homestead. The mission school is an important location in the novel, a bastion of possibility that becomes the centerpiece of Tambu’s world and the source of many of the changes she undergoes. At the end of Nervous Conditions, Tambu’s life has taken her even farther away from the homestead, to the convent school where she is without family or friends and must rely solely on herself. Emancipation Emancipation is a term that appears again and again in Nervous Conditions. Usually, the term is associated with being released from slavery or with a country finally freeing itself from the colonial power that once controlled it. These concepts figure into the broader scope of the novel, as Rhodesia’s citizens struggle to amass and assert their identity as a people while still under British control. When the term emancipation is applied to Tambu and the women in her extended family, it takes on newer and richer associations. Tambu sees her life as a gradual process of being freed of the limitations that have previously beset her. When she first leaves for the mission school, she sees the move as a temporary emancipation. Her growing knowledge and evolving perceptions are a form of emancipation from her old ways of thinking. By the end of the novel, emancipation becomes more than simply a release from poverty or restriction. Emancipation is equated with freedom and an assertion of personal liberty. Dual Perspectives Dual perspectives and multiple interpretations appear throughout Nervous Conditions. When Babamukuru finds Lucia a job cooking at the mission, Tambu is in awe of her uncle’s power and generosity, viewing it as a selfless act of kindness. Nyasha, however, believes there is nothing heroic in her father’s gesture and that in assisting his sister-in-law he is merely fulfilling his duty as the head of the family. In addition to often wildly differing interpretations of behavior, characters share an unstable and conflicting sense of self. For Tambu, her two worlds, the homestead and the mission, are often opposed, forcing her to divide her loyalties and complicating her sense of who she is. When she wishes to avoid attending her parents’ wedding, however, these dual selves offer her safety, protection, and an escape from the rigors of reality. As her uncle chides her, Tambu imagines another version of herself watching the scene safely from the foot of the bed. Symbols Tambu’s Garden Plot Tambu’s garden plot represents both tradition and escape from that tradition. On one hand, it is a direct link to her heritage, and the rich tradition has guided her people, representing the essential ability to live off the land. It is a direct connection to the legacy she inherits and the wisdom and skills that are passed down from generation to generation, and Tambu fondly remembers helping her grandmother work the garden. At the same time, the garden represents Tambu’s means of escape, since she hopes to pay her school fees and further her education by growing and selling vegetables. In this sense, the garden represents the hopes of the future and a break with the past. With a new form of wisdom acquired at the mission school and the power  and skills that come with it, Tambu will never have to toil and labor again. Her mother, however, must water the valuable and fertile garden patch despite being exhausted from a long day of work. The Mission For Tambu, the mission stands as a bright and shining beacon, the repository of all of her hopes and ambitions. It represents a portal to a new world and a turning away from the enslaving poverty that has marked Tambu’s past. The mission is an escape and an oasis, a whitewashed world where refinement and sophistication are the rule. It is also an exciting retreat for Tambu, where she is exposed to new ideas and new modes of thinking. The mission sets Tambu on the path to becoming the strong, articulate adult she is destined to become. The Ox In the family’s lengthy holiday celebration, the ox represents the opulence and status Babamukuru and his family have achieved. Meat, a rare commodity, is an infrequent treat for most families, and Tambu’s parents and the rest of the extended clan willingly partake of the ox. At the same time, they secretly resent such an ostentatious display of wealth, since the ox is a symbol of the great gulf that exists between the educated branch of the family and those who have been left behind to struggle. Maiguru closely regulates the consumption of the ox and parcels out the meat over the several days of the family’s gathering. Eventually the meat starts to go bad, and the other women chide Maiguru for her poor judgment and overly strict control of its distribution. At that point, the ox suggests Maiguru’s shortcomings and how, in the eyes of the others, her education and comfortable life have made her an ineffective provider.

The Writing of Arab Female Novelists :: Culture Cultural

The Writing of Arab Female Novelists The Story of Arab women novelists reflects, in many ways, the story of most women in different disciplines: it is the story of abundant creativity with very few rights or sometimes no rights at all. It is the story of a group of women who were absented from the literary scene simply because their creativity and attitudes proved to be different from men's, who were and still are, the "mainstream" and the only arbiters who decide what is literally valuable and what is not. It is a story that went on unnoticed for a hundred years because, as men related it, there was only one version of the official history of Arabic literature.' In the recent half-century, Arab woman writers have acquired a distinctive position in the field of literature, with an impressive richness, diversity and creativity in their writing. Woman novelists lead the reign of storytelling now just as they did right at the beginning. 'The first Arab novel was written by a woman, fifteen years before any Arab man tried his hand at this literary genre. Hush al Awaqib, by Zaynab Fawaz, was published in 1899.' For them, storytelling was a way of self-expression, and individualism. The intention is not to imply that it is gender difference itself that determines the nature of literary creation, on the contrary, it underscores differences in experience, differences that are manifested in literature. But it is often viewed that "individualistic" works by many woman writers can be read as feminist in the context of Arab culture. This culture denotes that values such as collective ethnic and religious identity conformity behaviors are caught up in the power structure. Therefore, feminism is also institutionalized in these values. Other criticisms in regard to women's novels are that they their works were merely an extension of their bodies, that the heroines in the text are representatives of themselves. Another criticism was that the subjects and issues the women writers dealt with could not possibly be of any public interest due to the fact that the majority of the works were about love, family and children and reflected the restricted world they lived in. Even other women critics dissociated themselves with women's works and concentrated on the works of men instead. But the truth is that not only were women the first to write novels in Arabic, they were also the first to deal with major issues, even before men addressed them. Also, evidence from works such as Liyana Badr's A Balcony of the Fakhani demonstrate beyond any doubt that Arab women novelists were intensely involved in the social and political concerns of

Legalization of Marijuana

Marijuana Background and Use in U.S. Marijuana is by far the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States and in most other countries as well. More than seventy million Americans have tried marijuana, and more than twenty million have smoked it in the last year, but does marijuana really affect people and their thinking process, and should pot be legal in the United States. I believe that marijuana should be legal because people should live life how they want, even though it could lead to harm. Marijuana hit the United States big in the 60’s and 70’s. (Wikman) Through this time period many people thought this drug was harmless. Today we know that pot is much more dangerous than previously believed. There are many slang terms used for marijuana, some are pot, weed, cannabis, Mary Jane, hash, dope, bud, green, smoke, to name a few. (Zimmer, Morgan) Pros and Cons to the Use of Marijuana There are many pros and cons to the use of marijuana. Many people use this drug for medical use, and others use it for entertainment. In the United States, using marijuana for medical purposes is illegal. Since the 1970’s thirty-five state legislatures have passed laws supporting marijuana’s use as a medicine. (â€Å"Legalizing Marijuana-The Pros and Cons.†) People suffering from nausea and vomiting, who are unable to swallow and hold down a pill, smoking marijuana is often the only reliable way to deliver THC. Another pro to the use of marijuana is diminishing glaucoma; it also can be affective in stimulating appetite in AIDS patients. There is also evidence that smoked marijuana and THC reduce muscle spasms from spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis. Physicians have reported that smoked marijuana provides relief from migraine headaches, depression, seizures, insomnia, and chronic pain. (â€Å"Medical Marijuana Truth and Lies†) I think marijuana should be legal because if people sold pot in their stores, pot smokers would buy it, and it would boost the economy. I also think some drug crimes and innocent killings would go down an enormous amount. Effects of Marijuana on Health and Activity Even though I think pot should be legal, it does cause harm to your lungs. The effects of one marijuana joint on the lungs are equivalent to four tobacco cigarettes, placing the user at increased risk of bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma. A single joint contains the same amount of tar and other noxious substances as approximately fourteen to sixteen filtered cigarettes. Marijuana smokers typically inhale more deeply and retain smoke in their lungs longer than tobacco smokers. As a result, marijuana smokers get more dangerous material in the lungs each time they smoke. Smoking pot is very harmful to your health, family, and friends. Some myths of marijuana and highway safety are marijuana-like alcohol- seriously impairs driving in some respects; pot is even more impairing than alcohol. (â€Å"The Effects of Marijuana.†)   I think this is true because marijuana does affect perception and driving ability. I believe that pot makes many people drive different, and it makes you a dangerous person at the wheel, while on this drug. Conclusion There are very little problems associated with the legalization and there is no mad scramble for the drug since it is legalized.   In conclusion, marijuana has very little harmful effects, and the effects it does have are very similar to tobacco and alcohol.   It also has medicinal uses where people can have significant benefits by using marijuana for their illnesses.   By prohibiting marijuana billions of dollars are being spent and people’s lives have been ruined. Legalization of Marijuana. In the year 1937, the United States government made the drug marijuana illegal.   This ban had little effect on people until the mid 60’s and 70’s.   This was a time where many mind altering drugs where experimented with and widely used.   During this time was also when marijuana research took place.   Early researches was vague and bias, but in the years after many legitimate studies have been conducted, and both sides of the issues have been revealed.   While looking at these studies with an open mind, one can conclude that marijuana should be legalized.   Even though there are some health risks associated with marijuana, it is no different than legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco. (Wikman) Ever since marijuana has become illegal, enforcing it has been an issue.   The federal government of America spends millions of dollars each year trying to keep it off the streets and into dealer’s hands, but their tactics barely do a thing.   The amount of money the federal Drug Enforcement Agency spends each year is $1.3 billion a year.   Overall, federal anti-marijuana efforts have cost taxpayers $30 billion (Zimmer, Morgan).   All of this money can be easily saved if the federal government can just legalize marijuana and regulate it.   Also, the government would be making money off taxes, as they do with alcohol and tobacco. Moreover, this would allow for farmers to grow marijuana and sell it to the government or individual buyers.   By allowing the cultivation of marijuana, farmers who grow tobacco would be helped because tobacco farmers these days are struggling because of the high taxes put on cigarettes.   The climate for growing tobacco is the same climate needed to grow marijuana, so this would help their incomes.   (â€Å"Legalizing Marijuana-The Pros and Cons.†) I think people that get caught with marijuana should not be punished as hard as they do. Marijuana arrest in the United States has doubled last 10 years. Tens of thousands of people are now in prison for marijuana offenses. An even greater number are punished with probation, fines, and civil sanctions, including having their property seized, their driver’s licenses revoked, and their employment terminated. Under federal law, possessing a single joint (or less) of marijuana is punishable by a fine from $1,000 to $10,000 and up to a year in prison . (Wikman) For people on probation or parole for any criminal offense, a marijuana arrest can result in their immediate incarceration. For people who live in public housing, the arrest of any family member for a drug offense can cause eviction of the entire family. Under state and federal law, mere investigation for a marijuana offense can result in the forfeiture of property, including cash, cars, boats, land, and houses. Despite these civil and criminal acts, pot continues to be readily available and widely used. (Wikman) Another reason legalizing marijuana would help the economy is the fact that there would no longer be dealers.   The use of dealers makes the price of marijuana much higher than it should be.   Mainly this is only due to the fact that marijuana is currently illegal, and dealers can set high prices.   By legalizing marijuana the price would drop to a more reasonable price, and the people who use to strain their money to buy the drug will no longer have to.   Legalizing marijuana would help the economy as a whole and for the individual. In 1996 voters in both California and Arizona approved ballot measures exempting physicians and patients from criminal prosecution when marijuana is prescribed for medicinal purposes in the relief of pain or other symptoms caused by cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, arthritis, and other illnesses and chronic conditions.  Ã‚   Four other states passed similar ballot initiative that year, including Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Nevada, and legislatures in 37 states have passed bills in support of medical marijuana.   Medicinal purposes for marijuana give people who have tried all different types of drugs for their illnesses hope for relief. (Wikman) In order for marijuana to be legal, the government would have to regulate it as they do with alcohol and tobacco.   First the government should set an age limit on the purchasing of the drug.   This age should start off at eighteen, like tobacco, and if there seems to be a problem with the age then raising the age limit should be considered.   Overall, the government should first look at countries in the world where marijuana is currently legal.   In the Netherlands, the city of Amsterdam allows the usage of marijuana.   (Zimmer, Morgan)   The usage comes with many regulations though.   For example smoking marijuana can be only smoked in coffee shops administrated all over the city.   Also people can only buy a certain amount at one time, so the distribution of it illegally can be reduced. Marijuana is still the most commonly used drug in the United States and probably will be for years to come. Marijuana is on the rise and will increase in popularity throughout the United States. I’m sure that our government will eventually legalize marijuana, but not soon. Many people argue the pros and cons of pot. I think our government should at least try to see what would happen to the economy if pot was legal, even though it is a huge risk to take. This problem is argued as much as should the alcohol age be lowered again, many teenagers argue this because if there old enough to go to fight in a war, then you should be able to drink. Many younger kids smoke pot without a care and they don’t realize the affects of the drug. America needs to start taking a larger action, and try to get the point across to the youth of America. This will always be a huge argument throughout the world. The question that everyone asks, should pot be legal in the United States. Bibliography: Zimmer, L., Morgan, J. Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence. New York: The Lindesmith Center, 1997 â€Å"Medical Marijuana Truth and Lies.† Drug Watch International. Atlanta: DWI, 1995 â€Å"Legalizing Marijuana-The Pros and Cons.† Growing Marijuana Seeds. 2002.    Legalization of Marijuana Legalization Of Marijuana By: Sam Montgomery Research Paper Emily Rodgers Legalization of Marijuana Why shouldn’t marijuana legalized? Are there actually good reasons for making it legal? Critics say marijuana is a gateway drug, but honestly, everything could be considered a gateway drug. People get high off of all kinds of things, and as soon as the high is over, they look for additional things that might give them the same effect. This includes common household products such as cough medicine, bleach, air dusters, and even permanent markers (Borba, 2012).Alcohol is legal and caused 24,518 deaths as recent as 2009; while in comparison marijuana is illegal and no one has died from overdosing on marijuana. A lot of people drink alcohol to get that â€Å"buzz† or good feeling alcohol gives in drinking large amounts, especially when one’s life might be full of problems. They think it will help them feel better, but this is only a temporary solution to their problems . There is really nothing good about drinking alcohol and it is legal, but then on the other hand, marijuana does have some good aspects and is illegal!This really doesn’t make much sense at all. Drinking alcohol is a choice made by us, and that is what marijuana should be. Similar to alcohol, the government needs to leave the responsibility for using marijuana to us. In this essay one will see that legalizing marijuana will optimize our liberty by limiting corruption, eliminate the cost to keep it illegal with the added bonus of monetary gains of making it legal, and will take out the failure to keep it illegal along with helping our country and government out for the better.The first and most basic reason that marijuana should be legal is that there is no good reason for it not to be legal. Some people ask â€Å"Why should marijuana be legalized? † when the question should be â€Å"Why should marijuana be illegal? † From a philosophical point of view, individu als deserve the right to make choices for themselves. The government only has a right to limit those choices if the individual's actions endanger someone else. This does not apply to marijuana, since the individual who chooses to use marijuana does so according to his or her own free will.The government also may have a right to limit individual actions if the actions pose a significant threat to the individual, but this argument does not logically apply to marijuana because marijuana is far less dangerous than some drugs which are legal, such as alcohol and tobacco (Keeler, 2009). Legalizing marijuana would make free all those people in jail for possessing or smoking marijuana. Prison overcrowding is a serious, expensive, and persistent problem in our country. It makes the prison environment, violent and faceless to begin with, even more dangerous and dehumanizing.Governments at all levels keep building more prisons, but the number of prisoners keeps outpacing the capacity to hold t hem. Those in prison for marijuana law violations are the largest single category (â€Å"Earth protector,†). Marijuana-related police corruption takes one of two major forms. Police officers either offer marijuana dealers protection in their districts for a share of the profits (or demand a share under threat of exposure) or they seize the dealer's merchandise for sell for themselves.There are known cases where police officers were indicted on charges of falsifying records of money and marijuana confiscated from dealers. Legalizing marijuana would eliminate this inducement to corruption, and help to clean up the police's image. Eliminating marijuana law violation and corruption cases would further reduce the strain on the courts, freeing judges, and investigators to handle other cases more thoroughly and expeditiously (â€Å"Earth protector,†). Legalizing marijuana would immediately relieve the pressure on the prison system, and optimize the people’s liberty by cutting out the corruption.Now, if you are diagnosed with cancer or something that causes so much pain it’s intolerable, would you want to be taking all kinds of pills that could hurt your body even further in the long run or smoke marijuana with really mild side effects? Researchers from Tel Aviv University say that smoking a little marijuana could help provide dramatic relief for the elderly who suffer from a variety of chronic ailments. The scientists tested the effects of marijuana treatment on 19 residents of the Hadarim nursing home in Israel.During the study, the participants reported dramatic physical results, including healthy weight gain and the reduction of pain and tremors. According to the study authors, the elderly participants also experienced an immediate improvement in their moods and communication skills after smoking cannabis. Zach Klein, a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Film and Television Studies, said that the use of prescription medications was also significantly reduced as a result of using medical marijuana (Rannals).The answer to the question is evident here, and that is why marijuana should have been legal for decades now. The second important reason that marijuana should be legal is that it would save our government more money than it would to keep it illegal. In the United States, all levels of government (federal, state, and local authorities) participate in the â€Å"War on Drugs. † The cost to interdict the marijuana traffic and the cost of incarcerating users and traffickers runs into billions of dollars.The crisis in inmate housing would disappear, saving taxpayers the expense of building more prisons in the future (â€Å"Earth protector,†). These people get locked up in prison, and the taxpayers have to foot the bill. We have to pay for food, housing, health care, attorney fees, court costs, and other expenses to lock these people up. This is extremely expensive! The savings would be redirected toward better police protection and speedier judicial service, or it could be converted into savings for taxpayers. For a change, it's a happy problem to ponder, but it takes legalization to make it possible.In addition, if marijuana were made legal, the government would be able to collect taxes on it, and would have a lot more money to pay for effective drug education programs and other important causes. Two states, Colorado and Washington, became the first to legalize marijuana, sparking celebrations, distinct, but not mutually exclusive from those rooting for Barack Obama. The states could see a major economic boost because of the legalization. The new measure is expected to bring the two states more than $550 million combined, with more than 300 economists previously estimating that legalizing pot could save the U.S. up to $14 billion a year (Bradford, 2012). The market for marijuana is already large and will almost certainly grow substantially. Large profits await savvy and successful growers, sellers, and entrepreneurs in associated enterprises such as fertilizer and grow-light vendors; pipe, bong, and vaporizer manufacturers and dealers; banks and other financial-service providers; not to mention munchie selling convenience stores and all-night diners (Worthington, 2012). In addition, a once-thriving hemp industry could again produce high-quality cloth, paper, nutritious oil, and biodiesel fuel.Obviously, all of these businesses will need employees, providing another boost to the economy. There is nothing but gains for legalizing marijuana; so, we should hop on the train sometime soon, and it will be beneficial. The third major reason that marijuana should be legal is because prohibition does not help the country in any way, it just causes many problems. There is no good evidence that prohibition decreases drug use, and there are several theories that suggest prohibition might actually increase drug use (the â€Å"forbidden fruit† e ffect, and easier accessibility for youth).One unintended effect of marijuana prohibition is that marijuana is very popular in American high schools; because marijuana is available to everyone that has friends. You don't have to be 21 to buy marijuana. Marijuana dealers usually don't care how old you are as long as you have money. It is actually easier for many high school students to obtain marijuana than it is for them to obtain alcohol, because alcohol is legal and therefore regulated to keep it away from kids (Pope,2011).If our goal is to reduce drug consumption, then we should focus on open and honest programs to educate the youth, good regulations to keep drugs to protect underage persons, and continue to improve treatment programs for people with drug problems. The current prohibition scheme does not allow such reasonable approaches to marijuana; instead we are stuck with ‘DARE' in which police officers are not telling the truth about drugs in schools, and policies that result in jail time rather than treatment for people with drug problems.The considerable police efforts now expended against marijuana activity; marijuana related crimes could be redirected toward protecting people from those who commit real crimes. The police could protect us more effectively by focusing resources on catching murderers, rapists, and the other perpetrators of crimes against people and property. Our country tried prohibition with alcohol, and that had failed miserably. We should be able to learn our lesson and stop repeating the same mistakes. If you are accused of a crime, it takes months to bring you to trial.Guilty or innocent, you must live with the anxiety of the impending trial until the trial finally begins. The process is even more sluggish for civil proceedings. There simply aren't enough judges and staff to handle the skyrocketing caseload. Since it would cut crime and eliminate marijuana use as a type of crime, legalization would wipe thousands of cases o ff the court dockets across the country, permitting the rest of the court cases to move sooner and faster. Prosecutors would have more time to handle each case and judges would make more considered decisions.Improved efficiency at the lower levels would have a ripple effect on higher courts. Better decisions in the lower courts would yield fewer grounds for appeals, reducing the caseloads of appeals courts; and in any event, there would be fewer cases to review in the first place. Next discussion is about how traffickers are well prepared to defend their crops against intruding government forces. Legalizing marijuana would affect organized crime and subversion abroad as much as it would in the United States.A major source for guerrilla funding would disappear. So would the motive for kidnapping or assassinating officials and private individuals. Once again people could walk the streets and travel the roads without fear of marijuana-related violence. Countries would no longer be para lyzed by smugglers. The United States continued pressure on foreign governments to fight their domestic marijuana industries has clearly reinforced the image of America as an imperialist bully, indifferent to the concerns of other peoples. To marijuana farmers, the U. S. overnment is not a beacon of freedom, but a threat to their livelihoods (â€Å"Earth protector,†). Legalizing and regulating marijuana would remove some of the reasons to hate America, and deprive local politicians of the chance to exploit them. The U. S would have a new opportunity to repair its reputation in an atmosphere of mutual respect. In summary, all of these factors related to legalizing marijuana would help our government and our country in dealing with a very difficult problem for our society while providing many benefits during this time in history.In conclusion, the information provided proves how legalizing marijuana would solve many of our current problems associated with enforcing the marijuan a laws. Legalizing marijuana will optimize our liberty by improving the justice system through removal of the numerous court cases involving marijuana and to allow the courts to better focus on the hard crimes, increase the efficiency of the prison system by providing much needed space for the real criminals in the overcrowded prison system, remove the difficult task of law enforcement agencies to enforce marijuana laws hile reducing the potential for corruption. Each of these changes would produce a major cost savings to the government while opening a brand new business market with taxable revenue which would create substantial monetary gains for the government and business. There would some costs involved in regulating this new business market, but the gains would clearly outweigh the costs.Legalizing marijuana would also eliminate one component of the drug market that is very difficult for the government to enforce the laws and has been an epic failure in the past. In addition, c hanging the United States stance on marijuana to match that of neighboring countries would most likely benefit foreign relations with those countries. Ultimately, legalizing marijuana would improve our government and our country. All of these pieces of evidence provide a strong argument for why marijuana should be legal.I don’t even smoke marijuana, and I still think our country is wrong for not having legalized marijuana by now, when you consider all of the facts. The United States needs to change its old-fashioned thinking and stop being close-minded about issues like this and start looking at solving these problems from outside the box. It is time for a real change, Obama, and one that actually will benefit all of us American citizens! Reference Page Adams, J. (2008, August 18). latimes. com. Retrieved from http://www. atimes. com/features/health/la-he-marijuanapro18-2008aug18,0,3084928. story Bradford, H. (2012, November 07). 14 ways marijuana legalization could boost the economy. Retrieved from http://www. huffingtonpost. com/2012/11/07/marijuana-economy-14-reasons_n_2089107. html Borba, M. (2012, May 31). 13 dangerous (and stupid) ways teens get high. Retrieved from http://www. micheleborba. com/blog/2012/05/31/dangerous-and-stupid-ways-teens-get-high/ Earth protector. (n. d. ). Retrieved from Legalization of Marijuana Legalization Of Marijuana By: Sam Montgomery Research Paper Emily Rodgers Legalization of Marijuana Why shouldn’t marijuana legalized? Are there actually good reasons for making it legal? Critics say marijuana is a gateway drug, but honestly, everything could be considered a gateway drug. People get high off of all kinds of things, and as soon as the high is over, they look for additional things that might give them the same effect. This includes common household products such as cough medicine, bleach, air dusters, and even permanent markers (Borba, 2012).Alcohol is legal and caused 24,518 deaths as recent as 2009; while in comparison marijuana is illegal and no one has died from overdosing on marijuana. A lot of people drink alcohol to get that â€Å"buzz† or good feeling alcohol gives in drinking large amounts, especially when one’s life might be full of problems. They think it will help them feel better, but this is only a temporary solution to their problems . There is really nothing good about drinking alcohol and it is legal, but then on the other hand, marijuana does have some good aspects and is illegal!This really doesn’t make much sense at all. Drinking alcohol is a choice made by us, and that is what marijuana should be. Similar to alcohol, the government needs to leave the responsibility for using marijuana to us. In this essay one will see that legalizing marijuana will optimize our liberty by limiting corruption, eliminate the cost to keep it illegal with the added bonus of monetary gains of making it legal, and will take out the failure to keep it illegal along with helping our country and government out for the better.The first and most basic reason that marijuana should be legal is that there is no good reason for it not to be legal. Some people ask â€Å"Why should marijuana be legalized? † when the question should be â€Å"Why should marijuana be illegal? † From a philosophical point of view, individu als deserve the right to make choices for themselves. The government only has a right to limit those choices if the individual's actions endanger someone else. This does not apply to marijuana, since the individual who chooses to use marijuana does so according to his or her own free will.The government also may have a right to limit individual actions if the actions pose a significant threat to the individual, but this argument does not logically apply to marijuana because marijuana is far less dangerous than some drugs which are legal, such as alcohol and tobacco (Keeler, 2009). Legalizing marijuana would make free all those people in jail for possessing or smoking marijuana. Prison overcrowding is a serious, expensive, and persistent problem in our country. It makes the prison environment, violent and faceless to begin with, even more dangerous and dehumanizing.Governments at all levels keep building more prisons, but the number of prisoners keeps outpacing the capacity to hold t hem. Those in prison for marijuana law violations are the largest single category (â€Å"Earth protector,†). Marijuana-related police corruption takes one of two major forms. Police officers either offer marijuana dealers protection in their districts for a share of the profits (or demand a share under threat of exposure) or they seize the dealer's merchandise for sell for themselves.There are known cases where police officers were indicted on charges of falsifying records of money and marijuana confiscated from dealers. Legalizing marijuana would eliminate this inducement to corruption, and help to clean up the police's image. Eliminating marijuana law violation and corruption cases would further reduce the strain on the courts, freeing judges, and investigators to handle other cases more thoroughly and expeditiously (â€Å"Earth protector,†). Legalizing marijuana would immediately relieve the pressure on the prison system, and optimize the people’s liberty by cutting out the corruption.Now, if you are diagnosed with cancer or something that causes so much pain it’s intolerable, would you want to be taking all kinds of pills that could hurt your body even further in the long run or smoke marijuana with really mild side effects? Researchers from Tel Aviv University say that smoking a little marijuana could help provide dramatic relief for the elderly who suffer from a variety of chronic ailments. The scientists tested the effects of marijuana treatment on 19 residents of the Hadarim nursing home in Israel.During the study, the participants reported dramatic physical results, including healthy weight gain and the reduction of pain and tremors. According to the study authors, the elderly participants also experienced an immediate improvement in their moods and communication skills after smoking cannabis. Zach Klein, a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Film and Television Studies, said that the use of prescription medications was also significantly reduced as a result of using medical marijuana (Rannals).The answer to the question is evident here, and that is why marijuana should have been legal for decades now. The second important reason that marijuana should be legal is that it would save our government more money than it would to keep it illegal. In the United States, all levels of government (federal, state, and local authorities) participate in the â€Å"War on Drugs. † The cost to interdict the marijuana traffic and the cost of incarcerating users and traffickers runs into billions of dollars.The crisis in inmate housing would disappear, saving taxpayers the expense of building more prisons in the future (â€Å"Earth protector,†). These people get locked up in prison, and the taxpayers have to foot the bill. We have to pay for food, housing, health care, attorney fees, court costs, and other expenses to lock these people up. This is extremely expensive! The savings would be redirected toward better police protection and speedier judicial service, or it could be converted into savings for taxpayers. For a change, it's a happy problem to ponder, but it takes legalization to make it possible.In addition, if marijuana were made legal, the government would be able to collect taxes on it, and would have a lot more money to pay for effective drug education programs and other important causes. Two states, Colorado and Washington, became the first to legalize marijuana, sparking celebrations, distinct, but not mutually exclusive from those rooting for Barack Obama. The states could see a major economic boost because of the legalization. The new measure is expected to bring the two states more than $550 million combined, with more than 300 economists previously estimating that legalizing pot could save the U.S. up to $14 billion a year (Bradford, 2012). The market for marijuana is already large and will almost certainly grow substantially. Large profits await savvy and successful growers, sellers, and entrepreneurs in associated enterprises such as fertilizer and grow-light vendors; pipe, bong, and vaporizer manufacturers and dealers; banks and other financial-service providers; not to mention munchie selling convenience stores and all-night diners (Worthington, 2012). In addition, a once-thriving hemp industry could again produce high-quality cloth, paper, nutritious oil, and biodiesel fuel.Obviously, all of these businesses will need employees, providing another boost to the economy. There is nothing but gains for legalizing marijuana; so, we should hop on the train sometime soon, and it will be beneficial. The third major reason that marijuana should be legal is because prohibition does not help the country in any way, it just causes many problems. There is no good evidence that prohibition decreases drug use, and there are several theories that suggest prohibition might actually increase drug use (the â€Å"forbidden fruit† e ffect, and easier accessibility for youth).One unintended effect of marijuana prohibition is that marijuana is very popular in American high schools; because marijuana is available to everyone that has friends. You don't have to be 21 to buy marijuana. Marijuana dealers usually don't care how old you are as long as you have money. It is actually easier for many high school students to obtain marijuana than it is for them to obtain alcohol, because alcohol is legal and therefore regulated to keep it away from kids (Pope,2011).If our goal is to reduce drug consumption, then we should focus on open and honest programs to educate the youth, good regulations to keep drugs to protect underage persons, and continue to improve treatment programs for people with drug problems. The current prohibition scheme does not allow such reasonable approaches to marijuana; instead we are stuck with ‘DARE' in which police officers are not telling the truth about drugs in schools, and policies that result in jail time rather than treatment for people with drug problems.The considerable police efforts now expended against marijuana activity; marijuana related crimes could be redirected toward protecting people from those who commit real crimes. The police could protect us more effectively by focusing resources on catching murderers, rapists, and the other perpetrators of crimes against people and property. Our country tried prohibition with alcohol, and that had failed miserably. We should be able to learn our lesson and stop repeating the same mistakes. If you are accused of a crime, it takes months to bring you to trial.Guilty or innocent, you must live with the anxiety of the impending trial until the trial finally begins. The process is even more sluggish for civil proceedings. There simply aren't enough judges and staff to handle the skyrocketing caseload. Since it would cut crime and eliminate marijuana use as a type of crime, legalization would wipe thousands of cases o ff the court dockets across the country, permitting the rest of the court cases to move sooner and faster. Prosecutors would have more time to handle each case and judges would make more considered decisions.Improved efficiency at the lower levels would have a ripple effect on higher courts. Better decisions in the lower courts would yield fewer grounds for appeals, reducing the caseloads of appeals courts; and in any event, there would be fewer cases to review in the first place. Next discussion is about how traffickers are well prepared to defend their crops against intruding government forces. Legalizing marijuana would affect organized crime and subversion abroad as much as it would in the United States.A major source for guerrilla funding would disappear. So would the motive for kidnapping or assassinating officials and private individuals. Once again people could walk the streets and travel the roads without fear of marijuana-related violence. Countries would no longer be para lyzed by smugglers. The United States continued pressure on foreign governments to fight their domestic marijuana industries has clearly reinforced the image of America as an imperialist bully, indifferent to the concerns of other peoples. To marijuana farmers, the U. S. overnment is not a beacon of freedom, but a threat to their livelihoods (â€Å"Earth protector,†). Legalizing and regulating marijuana would remove some of the reasons to hate America, and deprive local politicians of the chance to exploit them. The U. S would have a new opportunity to repair its reputation in an atmosphere of mutual respect. In summary, all of these factors related to legalizing marijuana would help our government and our country in dealing with a very difficult problem for our society while providing many benefits during this time in history.In conclusion, the information provided proves how legalizing marijuana would solve many of our current problems associated with enforcing the marijuan a laws. Legalizing marijuana will optimize our liberty by improving the justice system through removal of the numerous court cases involving marijuana and to allow the courts to better focus on the hard crimes, increase the efficiency of the prison system by providing much needed space for the real criminals in the overcrowded prison system, remove the difficult task of law enforcement agencies to enforce marijuana laws hile reducing the potential for corruption. Each of these changes would produce a major cost savings to the government while opening a brand new business market with taxable revenue which would create substantial monetary gains for the government and business. There would some costs involved in regulating this new business market, but the gains would clearly outweigh the costs.Legalizing marijuana would also eliminate one component of the drug market that is very difficult for the government to enforce the laws and has been an epic failure in the past. In addition, c hanging the United States stance on marijuana to match that of neighboring countries would most likely benefit foreign relations with those countries. Ultimately, legalizing marijuana would improve our government and our country. All of these pieces of evidence provide a strong argument for why marijuana should be legal.I don’t even smoke marijuana, and I still think our country is wrong for not having legalized marijuana by now, when you consider all of the facts. The United States needs to change its old-fashioned thinking and stop being close-minded about issues like this and start looking at solving these problems from outside the box. It is time for a real change, Obama, and one that actually will benefit all of us American citizens! Reference Page Adams, J. (2008, August 18). latimes. com. Retrieved from http://www. atimes. com/features/health/la-he-marijuanapro18-2008aug18,0,3084928. story Bradford, H. (2012, November 07). 14 ways marijuana legalization could boost the economy. Retrieved from http://www. huffingtonpost. com/2012/11/07/marijuana-economy-14-reasons_n_2089107. html Borba, M. (2012, May 31). 13 dangerous (and stupid) ways teens get high. Retrieved from http://www. micheleborba. com/blog/2012/05/31/dangerous-and-stupid-ways-teens-get-high/ Earth protector. (n. d. ). Retrieved from

After Apple-picking by Robert Frost Essay

The â€Å"apple†: In this poem, Robert Frost uses the symbol of picking apples to represent the speaker’s hard work and decisions throughout his life. In the Bible, the apple symbolizes knowledge; this analogy reinforces the knowledge gained from the speaker’s life experiences. â€Å"My long two-pointed ladder’s sticking through a tree/Toward heaven still† emphasizes that the act of picking apples can be interpreted as something related to religion. In the book of Genesis in the Bible, Eve was tempted by a snake to eat the forbidden fruit of the apple because the snake convinced her that eating it would make her more knowledgeable than God. This story can be related to the poem because when Eve eats the apple, she can go up the â€Å"ladder to heaven† because she is â€Å"omniscient† enough to do so. A freshly picked apple could also symbolize opportunities in one’s life. In the poem, the speaker does not successfully pick all the apples, this shows that there were a lot of opportunities in his life that he never accomplished. â€Å"Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough/But I am done with apple-picking now† show that the speaker is quick to give up on the opportunities he was offered during his life. The imagery of the thousands of apples that struck the earth and became bruised also means that the speaker has wasted a lot of opportunities in his life. â€Å"Winter† Frost also uses â€Å"winter† to symbolize a long resting period or death. Towards the end of the poem, the speaker contemplates whether death is merely the state of hibernation, meaning that there is life after death or just â€Å"human sleep† where the speaker is able to wake up the next day only to find that he has to continue living his old life. In line 12: â€Å"And held against the world of hoary grass†; the word â€Å"hoary† means frosty, the poet has chosen this specific word in order to show the speaker’s pessimistic view about the world and reiterate the speaker’s contemplations about death. > Structure: The poem is not structured into any stanzas because the whole poem is one stanza. It contains forty-two lines but only fourteen sentences. If the sentences were highlighted, it would look like the steps of the ladder mentioned in the second line of the poem. These â€Å"steps† emphasize the speaker’s longing to die in order to go to heaven. The poem has multifarious end-rhymes, but it doesn’t have a regular pattern. â€Å"I was well/Upon my way to sleep before it fell/And I could tell† is an example of some end-rhymes that allows readers to vicariously imagine an image where the speaker is drowsing off with his head slowly going down and up again. The rhyme words â€Å"well†, â€Å"fell†, and â€Å"tell† emphasizes deep sleep. There were also some assonance present in the poem: â€Å"Stem end and blossom end,† and â€Å"Magnified apples appear and reappear†. These assonances were also used to provide readers with a drowsy feeling. The number of syllables of each line of the poem varies from two to eleven syllables. The longer lines of the poem add to the sleepy mood of the poem but the short and abrupt lines create a sense of hesitation and the sudden awake of the speaker from his sleep. For example: â€Å"Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall† shows the speaker’s dreaming state of mind while â€Å"For all† emphasizes a sudden alarm for the speaker. > Tone: The overall tone of the poem is pessimistic because the speaker is upset with his failures in life and is just passively waiting for his ‘long sleep’ or death. This can be seen when the speaker was picking apples and gives up when he was unable to successfully pick all the apples. â€Å"Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough. But I am done with apple-picking now† shows that the speaker gives up his opportunities in life so easily by simply saying he’s done with â€Å"apple-picking†. Towards the end of the poem, he sarcastically says: â€Å"Long sleep, as I describe its coming on/Or just some human sleep†. By adding â€Å"or just some† in front of â€Å"human sleep†, the speaker hints to the reader that he is sick and tired of having to wake up from his sleep to find that he has to run the same old, monotonous life that has no meaning. The speaker wants to be like the woodchuck that is able to hibernate during winter and is able to start a new life after it wakes up from hibernation. The speaker wants to have a new life and not the current one he’s leading. > Repetition: The word sleep is repeated six times in the poem, to strengthen and reiterate the speaker’s feelings of drowsiness. The word â€Å"sleep† gives the strongest effect at lines 35-40. There is a rhyme between the word â€Å"Heap† in line 35 and the word â€Å"sleep† in line 38†³. Another â€Å"Sleep† is repeated in the same line: â€Å"This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is.† The last the lines of the poem: â€Å"Long sleep, as I describe its coming on/Or just some human sleep† nicely ends the poem with a sleepy tone. This ambiguous line leaves readers uncertain whether the speaker is indeed just having some â€Å"human sleep† or has already entered his â€Å"long sleep†. â€Å"Long sleep† as mentioned above, was an euphemism for death. Frost juxtaposed the words â€Å"long sleep† and â€Å"human sleep† in order to contrast the fact that â€Å"long sleep† implies ‘life after death’ and â€Å"human sleep† implies ‘boring and old life†. The speaker is being a little sarcastic because he doesn’t even care whether he is going to die or not. He says he might go for a â€Å"long sleep† or just a normal â€Å"human sleep†. The poet raises a question to readers about whether humans know what happens after they die. Humans cannot know what comes after death; it is only through their faith in a religion that can give them a sense of where they are going after death.

The Ultimate List of FREE Writing Contests in 2019 - Jerry Jenkins

The Ultimate List of FREE Writing Contests in 2019 - Jerry Jenkins Your Ultimate Guide to Writing Contests Through 2019 Regardless where you are on your writing journey- from wannabe to bestseller- you can benefit from entering contests. Why? Because the right contest can tell you: Where you stand How you measure up against the competition What you still need to learn Not to mention, you could win prizes. :) That’s why my team and I conducted extensive research to not only find free, high-quality writing contests, but to also give you the best chance to win. (We’ll update this post frequently with new writing contest details.) Need help writing your novel?  Click here to download my ultimate 12-step guide. Free Writing Contests in 2019 (and Beyond) 53-Word Story Contest Prize: Publication, a free book from Press 53 Deadline: Frequent contests Sponsor: Prime Number Magazine Description: Each month Prime Number Magazine invites writers to submit a 53-word story based on a prompt. The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans Prize: 1st: $1,000 and publication in The Iowa Review 2nd: $750 3rd (3 selected): $500 Deadline: 5/1/20 5/31/20 Sponsor: The Iowa Review Description: Due to a donation from the family of veteran and antiwar author, Jeff Sharlet, The Iowa Review is able to hold The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans. Note: Only U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel may submit writing in any genre about any topic. St. Francis College Literary Prize Prize: $50,000 Deadline: TBD 2021 Sponsor: St. Francis College Description: For mid-career authors who have just published their 3rd, 4th, or 5th fiction book. Self-published books and English translations are also considered. New Writers Awards Prize: The winning authors tour several colleges, giving readings, lecturing, visiting classes, conducting workshops, and publicizing their books. Each writer receives an honorarium of at least $500 from each college visited, as well as travel expenses, hotel accommodations, and hospitality. Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Great Lakes Colleges Association Description: Every year since 1970, the Association has honored newly published writers with an award for a first published volume of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Note: Publishers (not the writers) are invited to submit works that â€Å"emphasize literary excellence.†Ã‚  All entries must be written in English and published in the United States or Canada. Young Lions Fiction Award Prize: $10,000 Deadline: 9/6/19 Sponsor: New York Public Library Description: Each Spring, the Library gives a writer 35 years old or younger $10,000 for a novel or a collection of short stories. This award seeks to encourage young and emerging writers of contemporary fiction. The Iowa Short Fiction Award Prize: Publication in the University of Iowa Press Deadline: 9/30/19 Sponsor: University of Iowa Press Description: Seeking 150-page (or longer) collections of fiction by writers who have not previously traditionally published a novel or fiction collection. Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction Prize: $15,000 Deadline: 10/31/19 Sponsor: Pen/Faulkner Foundation Description: Mary Lee established the Award in 1980 to recognize excellent literary fiction. It accepts published books and is peer-juried. The winner is honored as â€Å"first among equals.† Friends of American Writers Literary Award Prize: $1,000 $3,000 Deadline: 12/10/19 Sponsor: Friends of American Writers Chicago Description: Current or former residents of the American Midwest (or authors whose book takes place in the Midwest) are invited to submit to the FAW Literary Award. Published novels or nonfiction books are welcome. Authors must have three or fewer books published, including the submission. Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards Prize: $10,000 Deadline: 12/31/19 Sponsor: Cleveland Foundation Description: The Award seeks fiction, poetry, and nonfiction books published the previous year (books published in 2019 are eligible for the 2020 prize) â€Å"that contribute to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of cultural diversity.† Self-published work not accepted. Cabell First Novelist Award Prize: $5,000 Deadline: 12/31/19 Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University Description: Seeks to honor first-time novelists â€Å"who have navigated their way through the maze of imagination and delivered a great read.† Novels published the previous year are accepted. The Gabo Prize Prize: $200 Deadline: Every February and August Sponsor: Lunch Ticket Description: Awards translators and authors of multilingual texts (poetry and prose) with $200 and publication in Lunch Ticket. Transitions Abroad Expatriate and Work Abroad Writing Contest Prize: First: $500 Second: $150 Third: $100 All Finalists: $50 Deadline: 9/1/19 Sponsor: Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc. Description: Seeking inspiring articles or practical mini-guides that also provide in-depth descriptions of your experience moving, living, and working abroad (including teaching, internships, volunteering, short-term jobs, etc.). Work should be between 1,200-3,000 words. All writers welcome. Short Fiction Prize Prize: $1,000 and a scholarship to the 2020 Southampton Writers Conference. Deadline: TBD Sponsor: Stoney Brook University Description: Seeking short stories by undergraduates at American or Canadian colleges. The Wallace Stegner Prize in Environmental Humanities Prize: $5,000 and publication. Deadline: 12/30/19 Sponsor: The University of Utah Press Description: Wallace Stegner was a student of the American West, an environmental spokesman, and a creative writing teacher. In his memory, the University of Utah Press seeks book-length monographs in the field of environmental humanities. Projects focusing on the American West preferred. Drue Heinz Literature Prize Prize: $15,000 and publication Deadline: TBD Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh Press Description: Seeks short fiction or novella collections. Writers who have published a novel or a book-length collection of fiction with a traditional book publisher, or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in magazines or journals of national distribution are accepted. Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence Prize: $15,000 Deadline: 8/15/19, TBD 2020 Sponsor: Baton Rouge Area Foundation Description: Honors novels and story collections by African American writers. Entries that will be published in 2019 are accepted. Brooklyn Nonfiction Prize Prize: $500 Deadline: TBD Sponsor: Brooklyn Film Arts Festival Description: Showcases essays set in Brooklyn. Five authors will be asked to read their pieces at the Brooklyn Film Arts Festival. International Flash Fiction Competition Prize: First: $20,000 Three runners-up: $2,000 Deadline: TBD Sponsor: The Cà ©sar Egido Serrano Foundation Description: With over 40,000 participants last year, this prize invites authors to submit flash fiction in Spanish, English, Arabic, and Hebrew. David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction Prize: $1,000 Deadline: 12/1/19 Sponsor: The Langum Foundation Description: To make American history accessible to general educated readers, the Foundation seeks American historical novels published in the previous year. Novels should take place in America before 1950 (split-time novels accepted). Novels set outside American but including American values and characters accepted (such as about the American military). Self-published novels not accepted. W.Y. Boyd Literary Award Prize: $5,000 Deadline: TBD Sponsor: American Library Association Description: The Association seeks Military fiction published in the previous year. Children’s books not accepted- young adult and adult novels only. Thomas and Lillie D. Chaffin Award Prize: $1,000 Deadline: 12/1/19 Sponsor: Morehead State University Description: Accepts outstanding books of all genres by Appalachian writers. Writers will have the opportunity to interact with students. BCALA Literary Awards Prize: $500 Deadline: 12/31/19 Sponsor: Black Caucus of the American Library Association Description: For literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books as well as first novels. Books written by African Americans and published the previous year accepted. Desert Writers Award Prize: $5,000 Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Ellen Meloy Fund Description: Accepts proposals for creative nonfiction about the desert that reflects the spirit and passions embodied in Ellen’s writing and her commitment to a â€Å"deep map of place.† John Gardner Fiction Book Award Prize: $1,000 Deadline: Accepts submissions September 1, 2019 through February 1, 2020. Sponsor: Binghamton University Description: Seeks original novels or collections of fiction published the previous year. Nelson Algren Short Story Award Prize: First: $3,500 Finalists (5): $750 Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Chicago Tribune Description: Original, unpublished short stories under 8,000 words accepted for this award given in honor of the late Chicago writer. Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize Prize: $12,000 and publication Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Graywolf Press Description: Awarded to the most promising and innovative literary nonfiction project by a writer not yet established in the genre. Accepts memoirs, essays, biographies, histories, and more, but emphasizes innovation over straightforward memoirs. New Voices Award Prize: $2,000 and publication ($1,000 for the Honor Award winner) Deadline: 8/31/19 Sponsor: Lee and Low Books Description: Seeks a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color or a Native/Indigenous writer. Only U.S. residents who have not previously published a children’s picture book are eligible. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry accepted that addresses the needs of children of color and Native nations by providing stories with which they can identify and which promote a greater understanding of one another. Work should be under 1,500 words. St. Martin’s Minotaur / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition Prize: Publication and a $10,000 advance Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Minotaur Books and Mystery Writers of America Description: Seeks mysteries by writers who have never published a novel (not including self-publishing). Serious crime must be at the heart of the work. Stowe Prize Prize: $10,000 Deadline: TBD Sponsor: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Description: Named for the abolitionist and author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, recognizes a U.S. author whose work has made a tangible impact on a social justice issue critical to contemporary society. Can be for a single work or a body of work (fiction or nonfiction) within two years of submission. ServiceScape Short Story Award Prize:  $1,000 Deadline: 11/29/19 Sponsor: ServiceScape Description: Accepts original, unpublished work (5,000 words or fewer) in any genre. The Marfield Prize Prize: $10,000 Deadline: TBD Sponsor: The Arts Club of Washington Description: Celebrates nonfiction books about an artistic discipline published the previous year. The Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry Prize: $1,000 Deadline: TBD Sponsor: African Poetry Book Fund Description: Honors published books by African poets. The Roswell Award Prize: $500 Deadline: TBD Sponsor: Light Bringer Project and Sci-Fest L.A. Description: Explore the future of humankind with science fiction short stories between 1,500 and 500 words by authors over 18. Also includes prizes for translated work and feminist work. Narrative Prize Prize: $4,000 Deadline: 6/15/20 Sponsor: Narrative Description: Awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative. Bacopa Literary Review Contest Prize: $300 Deadline: TBD (Spring 2020) Sponsor: The Writers Alliance of Gainesville Description: Seeks work in the categories of haiku, poetry, prose poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award Prize: $.07 per word and publication Deadline: 2/1/20 Sponsor: National Space Society and Baen Books Description: The National Space Society and Baen Books applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen. Black Orchid Novella Award Prize: $1,000 and publication Deadline: 5/31/20 Sponsor: The Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine Description: Seeks mystery novellas in the tradition of the Nero Wolfe series. Hektoen Grand Prix Essay Competition 1st Prize: $3,000 2nd Prize: $800 Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Hektoen Institute of Medicine Description: Seeks essays about medicine under 1,600 words. Topics might include art, history, literature, education, etc., as they relate to medicine. James Laughlin Award Prize: $5,000, an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, and distribution of the winning book to approximately one thousand Academy of American Poets members. Deadline: Submissions accepted yearly between January 1 and May 15 Sponsor: The Academy of American Poets Description: Offered since 1954, the James Laughlin Award is given to recognize and support a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Parsec Short Story Contest Prize:   First: $200 Second: $100 Third: $50 Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Parsec, Inc. Description: This annual contest seeks science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories from non-professional writers. Owl Canyon Press Short Story Hackathon Prize:   First: $3,000 Second: $2,000 Third: $1,000 Finalists (24): Publication Deadline: 9/30/19 Sponsor: Owl Canyon Press Description: Seeks stories with 50 paragraphs, but the first and twentieth paragraphs are provided by the judges. Tony Hillerman Prize Prize: Publication and a $10,000 advance Deadline: TBD 2020 Sponsor: Western Writers of America and St. Martins Press, LLC Description: Seeks unpublished mystery novels set in the Southwest by authors who havent previously published a mystery novel. Need help writing your novel?  Click here to download my ultimate 12-step guide.

Origin of the Saying Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts

Origin of the Saying Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts Background The adage Beware of Greeks bearing gifts is heard often, and is normally used to refer to an act of charity that masks a hidden destructive or hostile agenda. But its not widely known that the phrase originates with a story from Greek mythologyspecifically the story of the Trojan War, in which the Greeks, led by Agamemnon, sought to rescue Helen, who had been taken to Troy after falling in love with Paris. This tale forms the core of Homers famous epic poem, The Illiad.   The Episode of the Trojan Horse We pick up the  story at a point near the  end of the  ten-year long Trojan War. Since both the Greeks and the Trojans had gods on their sides, and since the greatest warriors for both sidesAchilles, for the Greeks, and Hector for the Trojanswere now dead, the sides were very evenly matched, with no sign that the war might end soon. Despair reigned on both sides.   However, the Greeks had the cunning of Odysseus on their side. Odysseus,  King of Ithaca, devised the idea of constructing a large horse to pose as a peace offering to the Trojans. When this  Trojan Horsewas left at the gates of Troy, the Trojans believed  the  Greeks had left it as a pious surrender  gift as they sailed for home. Welcoming the gift, the Trojans opened their  gates and wheeled the horse within their walls, little knowing the belly of the beast was filled with armed soldiers who would soon destroy their city. A celebratory  victory festival ensued, and once the Trojans had fallen into a drunken slumber, the Greeks emerged from the horse and vanquished them. Greek cleverness won the day over Trojan warrior skill.   How the Phrase Came into Use The Roman Poet Virgil eventually coined the phrase Be wary of Greeks bearing gifts, putting it into the mouth of the character Laocoon in the Aeneid, an epic retelling of the legend of the  Trojan War.  The Latin phrase is  Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes , which literally translated means  I fear the Danaans [Greeks], even those  bearing gifts, but it is usually translated in English as Beware (or be wary) of Greeks bearing gifts. It is from Virgils  poetic retelling of the story that we get this well-known phrase.   The adage is now used regularly as a warning when a supposed gift or act of virtue is thought to hold a hidden threat.

The Present Participle in English

The Present Participle in English A present participle is a  verb form  (or verbal)- made by adding -ing to the base- that often functions as an adjective. Present participles are the only verb forms that are completely regular. The present participle (also known as the -ing form) is used with a form of the auxiliary be to express the progressive aspect. For a discussion of the differences between present participles and gerunds (both of which end in -ing), see gerunds. Examples and Observations The hotel were staying in is super deluxe, and we have a working television set.(Cristina Garcia, I Wanna Be Your Shoebox. Simon Schuster, 2008)The Mole had been working very hard all the morning.(Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, 1908Working in shifts, we get the grave dug by early afternoon and return to the bunkhouse.(Guy Vanderhaeghe, The Englishmans Boy. McClelland Stewart., 1996Im looking for something in an attack dog. One who likes the sweet gamey tang of human flesh.(Mr. Burns in The Simpsons, 1992Looking back you realize that a very special person passed briefly through your lifeand that person was you. It is not too late to find that person again.(attributed to Robert Brault)And standing on the sidelines during those first games were the veterans, holding the spaldeens, bouncing them, smelling them in an almost sacramental way.(Pete Hamill, A Drinking Life, 1994When suffering comes, we yearn for some sign from God, forgetting we have just had one.(Mignon McLaughl in, The Complete Neurotics Notebook. Castle Books, 1981 I drive through the electric gates of a three-acre estate, passing landscaped gardens before I pull up in front of a neocolonial mansion, parking beside a Bentley, two Porsches and a Lamborghini Spyder. Moonsamy, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, is waiting for me at the door.(Joshua Hammer, Inside Cape Town. Smithsonian, April 2008Their hair in curlers and their heads wrapped in loud scarves, young mothers, fattish in trousers, lounge about in the speed-wash, smoking cigarettes, eating candy, drinking pop, thumbing magazines, and screaming at their children above the whir and rumble of the machines.(William Gass, In the Heart of the Heart of the CountryAlthough we have traditionally thought of the participle as an adjectival (and that is certainly its more common role), some participles and participial phrases clearly have an adverbial function, providing information of time, place, reason, and manner, as other adverbials do.(Martha Kolln and Robert Funk, Understanding English Grammar. A llyn and Bacon, 1998 Walking through Sherwood Forest at sunset, we could feel an air of mystery, as if the ancient trees had a story to tell, if only we could hear.(Winsoar Churchill, Robin Hoods Merry England. British Heritage, April 1998Standing near the door, we dipped our fingers in the holy water, crossed and blessed ourselves, and proceeded up to the sleeping-room, in the usual order, two by two.(Maria Monk . . . StandingIn the shoes of indecision, I hear themCome up behind me and go on ahead of meWearing boots, on crutches, barefoot, they could neverGet together on any door-sill or destination- (W.S. Merwin, Sire. The Second Four Books of Poems. Copper Canyon Press, 1993 Whats the Difference Between a Gerund and a Present Participle? Both of these -ing forms are verbals. A gerund functions as a noun:  Laughing is good for you.  A present participle functions as an adjective: The old laughing lady dropped by to call Usage Advice: Not Simultaneous Not Simultaneous. The misuse of the present participle is a common structural sentence-fault for beginning writers. Putting his key in the door, he leapt up the stairs and got his revolver out of the bureau. Alas, our hero couldnt do this even if his arms were forty-feet long. This fault shades into Ing Disease, the tendency to pepper sentences with words ending in -ing, a grammatical construction which tends to confuse the proper sequence of events. (Attr. Damon Knight) (Bruce Sterling, A Workshop Lexicon. Paragons: Twelve Master Science Fiction Writers Ply Their Crafts, ed. by Robin Wilson. St. Martins Press, 1997 Time and the Present Participle The problem of teaching the participle is certainly not simplified by the fact that this term is obviously a misnomer. The student, accustomed to present tenses which indicate present time, and past tenses which indicate past time, cannot comprehend the sophistry of a present participle which indicates now present, now past, now future time. . . . Why insist on calling the participle in -ing present no matter what time it happens to be indicating? (Karl G. Pfeiffer, The Present Participle- A Misnomer. The English Journal, 1931) Also Known As: active, imperfect, or -ing participle

The Role of the Internet and Crime Research Paper

The Role of the Internet and Crime - Research Paper Example Such information attracts criminals. Moreover internet is the fastest way for information transfer. It is very important for criminals. Also such types of criminal activity as computer viruses and malicious codes, cyber stalking and information warfare can damage our personal information. All these criminal activities are greatly influenced by the Internet, because it is the world of a great amount of information, in many cases unprotected information, and it is the place where person can stay incognito (Johanna Granville). Let’s take a closer look how the Internet aids criminal activity. â€Å"Work-at-home† schemes. In this scheme victim finds a job opportunity or receive an e-mail from fake company. The job is part-time and has a generous salary. The main â€Å"job† responsibilities are to rewrite articles or translate texts or to be middleman for charity organization that collects donations for victims of a natural disaster. Then the scammer asks the person for her personal information such as bank account numbers, Social Security number and date of birth. As the fraudsters says all these personal information is needed for hiring process, but in fact with these information they can monitor the victim’s account balances. When a big amount of money appears, the fraudster drains the account. Drug trafficking is another example of the Internet influence on criminal activity. Cyber world has become very popular among drug dealers. They use the Internet cafes to arrange their deals and courier web sites to track the drugs. They even create chat rooms with restricted access in order to swap recipes for amphetamine. One more example worth of remembering is changing information among terrorists through the Internet. They can easily plan their actions no matter where they are. It is better than phone, because you can stay incognito longer and it is harder to find such kind of information. As the Internet is World Wide it

Economics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Economics - Research Paper Example (Clark, (2006)) In the early 80's the economy experienced a recession and this was followed by an economic boom in the late 80's, the fiscal policy measures were aimed at imposing cyclical adjustment, the fiscal policy for the recession of early 80's was contractionary fiscal policy and this led to a reduction in public sector deficits. In the economic boom of the late 80's fiscal policies were expansionary was recorded following and surpluses of the late 80's were turned into deficits in 1990. Expansionary fiscal policies were used in the following years and this saw a further increase in deficit whereby a 5.5% of GDP deficit was recorded for the year 1992 and 1995, this increase in borrowing led to an increase in deficits whereby it reached 7.8% of GDP in the year 1993, there was a further decline in borrowing and in 1998 the economy recorded a surplus reaching 2.0% of GDP in the year 2000. From the above it is evident that in 1997 and 1998 and also for the year 2006 and 2007 sound policies were implemented and this was a reduction in borrowing leading to better economic growth and performance. (Clark, (2006)) From the above chart it is evid... In the economic boom of the late 80's fiscal policies were expansionary was recorded following and surpluses of the late 80's were turned into deficits in 1990. Expansionary fiscal policies were used in the following years and this saw a further increase in deficit whereby a 5.5% of GDP deficit was recorded for the year 1992 and 1995, this increase in borrowing led to an increase in deficits whereby it reached 7.8% of GDP in the year 1993, there was a further decline in borrowing and in 1998 the economy recorded a surplus reaching 2.0% of GDP in the year 2000. From the above it is evident that in 1997 and 1998 and also for the year 2006 and 2007 sound policies were implemented and this was a reduction in borrowing leading to better economic growth and performance. (Clark, (2006)) Part (b) Data plot for the years 1996 to 2006: (i) The public sector net borrowing The chart below summarises the public sector net borrowing for the year 1996 to 2006, data was retrieved from National Statistics (2009) From the above chart it is evident that in 1996 to 1997 public borrowing was negative, however public sector borrowing increased and for the year 1998 to 2001 public sector net borrowing was positive, this was followed by a decline in borrowing in 2002 to 2006 the public sector net borrowing was negative. This means that there has been cycles of increase and decline in the public sector net borrowing, this also shows that there are period of deficits and surpluses from the chart above meaning that in some years the government spending was less than income resulting into surpluses, while in the other period spending was greater than income resulting into borrowing. From

American Imperialism (American History) Research Paper

American Imperialism (American History) - Research Paper Example It said that America was interested in the development of the countries in the western hemisphere and that any European country should not wield its imperialistic power in its domain. Though America was not as powerful as Great Britain or France in its powers at that time, it used the Monroe Doctrine to back its action of sending troops to Mexico against the French in 1866 and its acquiring of Alaska in 1867. One of the economic reasons for the foreign policy was to acquire more markets for American Industrial products. When one of American battleship exploded suddenly under the sea, US pointed its blaming fingers at Spain. The foreign policy made the US send troops to Cuba to fight against Spain domination of Cuba. William McKinley, the US president sent military troops to Cuba leading Spain and Us to declare war against each other. Eventually, Spain lost Puerto Rico and Guam to the US. Soon, America was contesting for the position of world power manifesting its power in the world scene. American journalist John used the term ‘Manifest Destiny’ in 1895, which was used to justify all actions of US in imperialism and expansion, acquisition of California and Alaska. As Michael Chimes says, that in the years that led to the Spanish American war, America saw the rise of ethnocentrism, manifest destiny, and Anglo-Saxonism. It was further fueled by nationalism. These gave the rationale behind America’s imperialism and foreign policy of the 18th and early 19th century. He discusses the philosophical underpinnings of the American Foreign Policy that led to Imperialism. He says: America’s rise to world power occurred in the fifty-year period between 1870-1920.   The Spanish-American War may be seen as the â€Å"point of no return,† the foreign policy event that conclusively committed us to imperial strength and a global presence.

Impact of IT Outsourcing and Off-shoring on Companies Research Paper

Impact of IT Outsourcing and Off-shoring on Companies - Research Paper Example Impact of IT Outsourcing and Off-shoring on Companies Information technology is an important factor in the modern world given the advance in technology. It helps firms innovate and produce high quality products that meet customer needs and demands. Due to changing business environment, firms have found it necessary to reduce operating costs while exploiting the comparative advantages of human IT skills offered by other countries (Manaschi 87). Therefore, companies have opted to outsource critical IT skills from other firms from other nations that are endowed with the expertise. In spite of the benefit of cost reduction and improved operations, IT outsourcing poses security and generic risk issues to the firm (McKendrick 130). If these issues are well managed, the outsourcing firm is likely to benefit through increased innovativeness and high product quality that could positively improve customer satisfaction hence increasing customer loyalty. This study examines outsourcing and explores outsourcing as applied in IT organizations. Outsourcing is the act in which a company or an organization pays another firm to produce goods or offer services on their behalf (Blokdjik 98). In many cases, the company could have produced the goods or offered the service themselves but sometimes it involves higher costs. Off-shoring on the other hand is a business process that companies use when they decide to relocate their operations to lower cost locations, mainly overseas.

Macro and Micro Economics. What is the subject matter of economics Essay

Macro and Micro Economics. What is the subject matter of economics - Essay Example The scope of Economics revolves around many things some of which are factor pricing, product pricing, income, demand, economic growth and welfare. The study of economics attempts to gain a glimmer of light on how and why the wealth of the world gets produced, distributed and finally consumed. It not only examines the local market, but it also everything at the global levels. Class structures and wealth distribution, the role of government and politicians, demand and supply of products and services, division of labor and other countless factors are all encompassed in economics. It attempts to explain the production system in the world and why they function the way they do (ILO, 2013). Arguably, one of the most inalienable factors in the definition of the subject matter of economics is division of labor. According to International Labour Organization, the current distribution of labor is a positive factor contributing to the economic climate today. Labor gets distributed not only betwe en companies and countries but also within a company. Wage disparity occurs between the laborers and capitalists, a condition that results from division of labor. The laborers will thus have low buying powers in comparison to the business owners. This means that their economic standard will always be lower than that of capitalists. Division of labor is thus effective as a clear vision of the subject matter of economics. Economics study is not effective if we fail to discuss the two main divisions of economics namely macroeconomics and microeconomics. Macroeconomics is a branch of economics which looks into, the behavior, decision-making and performance of an economy as a whole and not as individual markets. The World Trade Organization makes use of GDP, unemployment and price indices in a bid to understand how the economy functions. In macro economics, models get used to explain the relationship between such factors like national income, output, consumption, unemployment, savings, i nflation and international finance (IMF, 2013). Macro economics is such a broad field of study and there are two main areas of research considered emblematic of the discipline. This is the attempt to give an account of the causes and consequences of short-run fluctuations in the national income (the business cycle) and an attempt to understand the determinants of a long-run economic growth. In most cases, macroeconomic models and their focuses get utilized by governments to assist them in their development and evaluation of economic policies. Some of these policies include the monetary policies, fiscal policies and comparison policy. Further, macroeconomics encompasses output and income, unemployment and inflation & deflation as the three major variables of its research (IMF, 2013). Thus, the subject matter of macroeconomics revolves around the three aspects of national aggregates; stability, growth and stability of the community at large. Most variables of macroeconomics get relate d with employment, inflation, unemployment issues and import and export matters of a nation or between nations. Microeconomics is the branch of economics that analyzes market behaviors at a level of individual consumers and firm. This it does in the attempt to understand the underlying decision-making processes of firms and households. It majorly concerns itself with the interaction between individual buyers and sellers (IMF, 2013). In particular, macro economics mainly focuses on supply and demand patterns, as well as price and output determination at these individual markets. The strength of microeconomics crops from the simplicity of its underlying structure and its closeness in contact with the

The Role of Religion in the Chinese and Indian Societies Research Paper

The Role of Religion in the Chinese and Indian Societies - Research Paper Example The people within a society collectively act and share the same interests (Carroll & Buchholtz, 2009). With this brief definition on hand, it can be inferred that societies differ from each other. In line with this, this paper will identify the differences and similarities of the Indian society from the Chinese society in terms of their religious beliefs, and on how these differences affect their standard of living and their employment. Indian and Chinese Society Geographically speaking, the geographic unity of the Indian society is bounded by the strong cultural roots of the Indians. The variety of culture and traditions of the different groups in the Indian society has become one of the strong bonds of the people, which are greatly depicted in their literature. The Indian society had transitioned from Sanskrit to a Secular society; however, this did not alter its unity. An Indian household has a natural familial relationship between parents and children. Endogamy is also practiced within the family in order to maintain bloodlines within royal families. With this on hand, hypergamy also exists in the Indian society, such as in the case of the caste Indian system. Â  Aside from hypergamy, the Indian households also practice disintegration, which allows the family to be independent from one another. Aside from this, two bases of feudalism are also presented in India including the fiefs and the benefices. On the other hand, the basic characteristic of a Chinese society is also feudal. Moreover, it has buried the social system; however, the Chinese society still maintained some of the characteristics of a social system in order to influence and regularize the behavior of the Chinese. In summary, the typical Chinese can be considered as a dual, closed, integrated, and stable society (Sharma, 2004; Peilin, 2012). The Effects of Religion in the Indian and Chinese Society In relation to religious beliefs, the Indian society also tolerates different religious sects du e to the wide array of different groups in India. The Indian society in terms of religion is considered as one of the Asian societies that allows a free competition among religious sects. Also, the Hindu religion believes in the model of promise in two forms. The first is the incarnation that can be improved by following the specific norms, and the second is the struggle for life that can only be ended through rebirth. Lastly, the Hindu religion believes in contemplation and salvation. In this manner, salvation can be achieved through the grace and forgiveness of the saviors who are alive. They believe of the soteriology or the act of salvation from the outside, which can be achieved through the forgiveness of faith (Marx Weber, as cited in Madan, 1979). In relation to the standard of living and employment, the Indian society practices the caste system, which is one of the core characteristics of the Hindu region. One of the bases of employment in the Indian society is a religion th at creates a line between the oppressed, the Dalits or the untouchables, and the rich. With the differences and the heterogeneous of the employees in India, there is a difficulty in organizing unions and parties for the variety of employees. Also, their jobs are often affected due to the fatalistic beliefs in destiny and other superstitious beliefs enveloping their religion (Prakashan, 2008). Similar to the Indian society, the Chinese society allows the freedom to choose one's religious preference. On the other hand, in Chinese society, religious beliefs do not prohibit or affect their employment as stated and implemented in their law. There are governmental sanctions and punishments that can be given to employers who use religion as a basis when hiring or

Macro and Micro Economics. What is the subject matter of economics Essay

Macro and Micro Economics. What is the subject matter of economics - Essay Example The scope of Economics revolves around many things some of which are factor pricing, product pricing, income, demand, economic growth and welfare. The study of economics attempts to gain a glimmer of light on how and why the wealth of the world gets produced, distributed and finally consumed. It not only examines the local market, but it also everything at the global levels. Class structures and wealth distribution, the role of government and politicians, demand and supply of products and services, division of labor and other countless factors are all encompassed in economics. It attempts to explain the production system in the world and why they function the way they do (ILO, 2013). Arguably, one of the most inalienable factors in the definition of the subject matter of economics is division of labor. According to International Labour Organization, the current distribution of labor is a positive factor contributing to the economic climate today. Labor gets distributed not only betwe en companies and countries but also within a company. Wage disparity occurs between the laborers and capitalists, a condition that results from division of labor. The laborers will thus have low buying powers in comparison to the business owners. This means that their economic standard will always be lower than that of capitalists. Division of labor is thus effective as a clear vision of the subject matter of economics. Economics study is not effective if we fail to discuss the two main divisions of economics namely macroeconomics and microeconomics. Macroeconomics is a branch of economics which looks into, the behavior, decision-making and performance of an economy as a whole and not as individual markets. The World Trade Organization makes use of GDP, unemployment and price indices in a bid to understand how the economy functions. In macro economics, models get used to explain the relationship between such factors like national income, output, consumption, unemployment, savings, i nflation and international finance (IMF, 2013). Macro economics is such a broad field of study and there are two main areas of research considered emblematic of the discipline. This is the attempt to give an account of the causes and consequences of short-run fluctuations in the national income (the business cycle) and an attempt to understand the determinants of a long-run economic growth. In most cases, macroeconomic models and their focuses get utilized by governments to assist them in their development and evaluation of economic policies. Some of these policies include the monetary policies, fiscal policies and comparison policy. Further, macroeconomics encompasses output and income, unemployment and inflation & deflation as the three major variables of its research (IMF, 2013). Thus, the subject matter of macroeconomics revolves around the three aspects of national aggregates; stability, growth and stability of the community at large. Most variables of macroeconomics get relate d with employment, inflation, unemployment issues and import and export matters of a nation or between nations. Microeconomics is the branch of economics that analyzes market behaviors at a level of individual consumers and firm. This it does in the attempt to understand the underlying decision-making processes of firms and households. It majorly concerns itself with the interaction between individual buyers and sellers (IMF, 2013). In particular, macro economics mainly focuses on supply and demand patterns, as well as price and output determination at these individual markets. The strength of microeconomics crops from the simplicity of its underlying structure and its closeness in contact with the