Children and Families in UK Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Children and Families in UK Policy - Essay Example Secondly, it is a benefit payable to workers via the tax system which leads to increased net income for the concerned. Before 1997, all governments did not deal with family policy explicitly. However, the rest of the Europe highly embraced this. Under New Labour, there has been a tremendous change with regard to family policy. They have adopted the ideas of "social investment" in children. They have also realized that the great changes in family forms and the nature of contributions made by women and men in the families can not be ignored any more (Lewis, 2007). However, family is not an easy territory for these policymakers. Consensus on what a family should look like nowadays remains elusive as politicians find themselves treading on dangerous grounds. They avoid making any judgement regarding sexual morality or intimate relationship forms. Before 1997, the instinct was to look back to the traditional two-parent and married family. This is where the men were to be bread winners while women took care of the home and children. The earliest policy document was titled "Supporting Families." The aim of this approach was to address the changes. They have stopped condemning single mothers as a moral and social problem and a threat. Instead, the major focus has shifted back to that of the 1970s. Labour decided to increase employment rates for these single mothers since they could not provide enough money considering there was only one person providing both care and wages. Labour has been a bit too radical in its mission to address the issues caused by the changing nature of women and men's contribution to families, which is the increase in the increase in women's participation in the labour market. Initially, the UK did not so much concern itself in issues regarding work and family balance, specifically those regarding various types of leave for fathers and mothers and childcare. This has since changed and is now at par with the rest of Europe. Many families now have two incomes since many women also work, although part time in many cases. To respond to this trend, Labour has invested heavily in subsidies for childcare. They have also increased from fourteen weeks to nine months. This is expected to further increase to twelve months by 2010. They have also introduced the right to request flexible working patterns for young children's parents and caretakers of adult dependants. In addition, they have doubled maternity pay. During the initiation of these changes, Labour had a difficult task guarding against becoming a "nanny" state and responding to claims that it was undermining family privacy. The critics particularly did not like Labour to instigate parenthood programmes. Labour has shifted from the false position of the 1980s and early 1990s that parents are the most knowledgeable. It continues to insist on the importance of parental choice in respect to family practices. In particular, the way parents choose to combine care work and employment. However, these family members' interests often conflict. For instance, by men choosing not to do care work, it affects the women's choice to work. This issue of choice more often than not only masks inequality and power in family issues whenever it is applied in family policy. It has been argued that not enough has been done to encourage men to do care work. Giving fathers a "daddy leave" would really help achieve this (NAO,

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

Precis - Essay Example Majority of the oil exporting nations are generally sidelined as being no-safe zones for travel and residence but still they serve as major sources of getting oil. The largest share of oil imports done in the world is done by the USA. In order to ensure the continued supply of oil the American government ensures that the regimes within the oil exporting nations stay stabilized. The revenue spent to ensure that stability along with the drawback that it indirectly facilitates non-allies to the country are hard facts that need to be addressed. Severe climatic changes are taking place due to the burning of fossil fuels at an extremely hazardous rate. The revenues being spent in obtaining oil are destabilizing the economies world over. The only solution to this dilemma is the switching over to renewable energy as a means of substituting fossil fuel consumption eventually resulting in stabilization of the entire human race. Lefton, Rebecca, Weiss, J. Daniel. â€Å"Oil Dependence is a Dangerous Habit†. Center for American Progress. January 13, 2010.

Internal combustion engine Essay Example for Free

Internal combustion engine Essay Electric cars should be used instead of cars that run with gasoline because electric cars do not harm the environment, are quieter, quicker, does not require gasoline and include a significant reduction to air pollution. Firstly, electric cars have a lot of benefits. One of them is that they are quiet, quick and smooth, making most regular cars look clunky and outdated. What surprises people the most is the torque (axle-twisting power) offered by the electric cars. Step on the accelerator and power is delivered immediately to the wheels, providing a thrilling driving experience. Secondly, after a while with an electric car you will forget that gas stations existed. Imagine never going to a gas station and spending all that money for fuel. All you have to do is pull your vehicle in your drive way or garage and plug it in to the charging inlet. It is very convenient to just wake up the next morning and have a fully charged vehicle that can go up to 100 miles. In addition they are cheaper to operate. Almost everywhere in the world, electricity is very cheap. So when you compare an electric vehicle to a regular car, the cost per mile to fuel an electric vehicle is approximately one-third to one-quarter the cost of gasoline (on a cost per mile basis). Nevertheless, owning a car is associated with the responsibility of maintaining it. Regular cars require frequent maintenance but this is not the case in electric cars. These cars do not suffer same level of stress as traditional engines acquire and do not require frequent oil changes and other regular maintenance. On the other hand, electric cars have a lot of disadvantages too. First of all the limited range of the electric cars is probably the biggest disadvantage. Most affordable electric cars only have about 80 to 100 miles of range. Which is not enough if you are for instance going on a long road trip. People who have electric cars need to properly plan, assuring that they will not go over the limited range. Not to mention, they also have a long refueling time. It is not like going to a gas station and adding a couple of hundred miles of range in five or ten minutes. To recharge a completely empty electric car would take about 10 hours depending on the voltage. With 120 volts (which is the current voltage in every house) it will take ten hours. With 240 volts it takes about four to five hours to fully charge the electric vehicle. Also, you would have to have the right place to charge your electric vehicle. You cannot go more than the car’s limit but you the right place to charge it. For instance people who are living in apartments cannot own electric cars because they do not have a garage to charge their vehicle. Big electric car companies have charging stations where you can get your vehicle fully charged in 1-2 hours but there are not a lot like gas stations. Furthermore the higher cost is probably what keeps people away from electric vehicles. The current electric cars are priced between 30. 000 and 40. 000 dollars. While you can buy, for instance the Honda Fit, Ford Focus etc. for less than 20,000 dollars. Last but not least, electric cars are costly to maintain and repair if there is a big problem with the car. Since electric cars are in a class of their own, owners may wind up paying more on repairs and maintenance because not every mechanic is trained to repair and maintain electric cars. In conclusion, when considering the pros and cons of electric cars, it is clear that there are some major advantages and disadvantages of owning an electric car. At the end, if these cars help people save a tremendous amount of money and help the environment, the pros of owning an electric car will outweigh all of the cons.

Concepts At Servant Leadership

Concepts At Servant Leadership According to Greenleaf servant-leaders are driven to serve first, rather than to lead first, always striving to meet the highest priority needs of others. In comparing Christianity and Islamic religion in regards to servant leadership, the characteristics must be observed: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. This paper will address two religions Islamic and Christianity one that is compatible and the other not compatible with Greenleafs characteristics of servant leadership. It will focus on TDIndustries, which has demonstrated servant leadership. Also, it will explain the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence and the role it play in enabling leaders. In 1977 Robert Greenleaf introduced the concept of servant leadership. Servant-leaders emphasize the development and elevation of followers. Servant-leadership is a natural feeling; it serves others by investing in their development and well being for the benefit of the common good. The core Christian values include hope, righteousness, love, and putting God first in our lives. Christianity share similar values of servant leadership. In Matthew 20:26-28, Christ tells us that we need, first of all, to lead in an attitude of servant hood. Christianity is about a personal relationships with God and with others. Christian servant leaders serve God through investing in others so that together they may accomplish a task for Gods glory. Christians, non-Christians, and women are treated equally in society and American court of law. The majority of Christians regard women with dignity and respect, having been created alongside men in the image of God. The Islamic religion share some but dose not share the essential characteristics of servant leadership. The Islamic religion treats Muslims and non-Muslims very different. Non-Muslims are referred to as dhimmi, which are considered second class citizens. They are not allowed to present evidence against a Muslim in a court of law governed by the Koran. Since his oath was unacceptable in an Islamic court his Muslim opponent could not easily be condemned. In order to defend himself, the dhimmi was obliged to purchase Muslim witnesses at great expense . The punishment that a guilty Muslim received for a crime would be greatly reduced if the victim were a dhimmi. The Islamic state is forbidden from discriminating between citizens on the basis of race, creed, colour or anything else. In origin all the rules of Islam apply equally to Muslims and non-Muslims. Under Islamic Shariah law, non-believers Christians and Jews anyway are permitted to live as long as they support Islam through thei r Dhimmi taxes and are willing to accept what amounts to a third or fourth class existence, always subject to false accusations and ill treatment. Dhimmis always live in fear. Dhimmi is the status of infidels under Islam who are permitted to live in Muslim jurisdictions but only with restrictions as second class citizens. Additionally, Muslim women also suffer under a dual standard and experience second class status. Jack Lowe, Sr. founder of TDIndustries dedication to servant-leadership began many years ago; he developed a leadership approach based on his religious convictions. It was the responsibility of his leaders to build his organization by ensuring the achievement of their employees personal and professional career goals. This servant leadership approach to and management has enabled TDI to make the necessary changes for survival during difficult times. For the last five decades, they seemed increased profit growth and employee satisfaction. By taking care of their employees, TDI is ranked number 36 on Fortune magazines 100 Best Companies to Work For (2006). What makes this organization so great? This is an employee-owned contractor company. The board of directors is elected by employees. According to Jack Lowe Jr. (2006) there are key elements of servant-leadership that are continuously emphasized at TDIndustries: being a servant first, making sure that other peoples needs are served, and serving through listening. Firstly, we are committed to providing outstanding career opportunities by exceeding our customers expectations through continuous aggre ssive improvement. Secondly, to ensure their employees needs are served annual survey are compared to a national average. Finally, top management would invite employees in to discuss critical issues and brainstorm ideas to solve business related problems. Jack Lowe Jr. believes in open communication and through these key elements all employees has an opportunity to share their views and suggestions at least once every two years. TDIndustries has consistently practiced and call attention to the success they have experienced as a result of institutionalizing these key elements of servant leadership. Their strong commitment to servant-leadership has created an environment of mutual trust and respect between employees and leaders. By encouraging and respecting an individual value, team trust is increased. Any by respecting others, the leader in turn earns respect. Where there is strong trust, there is strong commitment to a vision that creates value, meaning, and purpose. Employees know their voices are he ard and leaders are genuinely interested in their ideas. On an interpersonal level, the importance of self awareness to Marvin knows his strengths and weaknesses can help gain the trust of others and increase his credibility, which will increase his leadership effectiveness. On an organizational level, acknowledging the he does not have all the answers and will make mistakes and knowing when to ask for help. Marvin believes having good human skills will have a high degree of self awareness and a capacity to understand or empathize with others. By developing his emotional intelligence, he establishes a strong bond with employees and management. His emotional intelligence is key to his skills as a respiratory therapist. Being compassionate about serving his patients is an emotional competence base on empathy. Trustworthiness is a competence that is based on self-regulation. Both of these competencies are critical in helping to make him an outstanding therapist. In closing, servant leadership is not a particular style of leadership, but rather relates to the motivation behind a leaders thoughts, words and actions. Servant leaders must ensure that their vision and principles are in line with other in their organization. While serving other first may not appear easy and is the heart of servant leadership; it could be easier when leaders hold a similar vision and value for themselves. Christianity show more similar characteristics of servant leadership than Islam. Christian servant leaders serve God through investing in others so that together they may accomplish a task for Gods glory. This ultimate accomplishment of Christian leaders will spread to help mentor and grow additional leaders who can be sent out to establish new ministries and train even more leaders. Significant oppositions with servant leadership theory were found within Islam. These oppositions do not preclude servant leadership from being practiced within those traditions but r aise serious questions as to how compatible these traditions actually are with the whole theory and its implications. The Islamic state is forbidden from discriminating between citizens on the basis of race, creed, color or anything else. However, under Islamic Shariah law, non-believers Christians and Jews anyway are permitted to live as long as they support Islam through their Dhimmi taxes and are willing to accept what amounts to a third or fourth class existence, always subject to false accusations and ill treatment. Jack Lowe, Sr. of TDIndustries is regarded as a true visionary in taking this company to the next level in servant leadership. He utilized servant leadership and religious convictions, by consistently treated their 1400 employees the way he wish to be treated and a partner. This is reflected by being a servant first, making sure that other peoples needs are served, and serving through listening. Being true to himself and his employees through servant leadership, h elp to bridge the respect and trust between employees and leaders. Showing self awareness and emotional are key characteristics in servant leadership. Expressing compassion when serving patients and being conscious of what you are good at while acknowledging what you still have yet to learn. This includes admitting when you dont have the answer and owning up to mistakes.

Should there be limits on new drivers? :: essays research papers

There have been many debates on whether or not there’s should be limits oppose to new drivers. New drivers tend to get a little out of hand when first driving. I believe that there should be limits on new drivers. Although this is my point of view, others have an opposite view. One reason is that many teens depend on driving these days. This is the time they begin to depend on their parents for rides, which can become an inconvenience to them. Also if there was a limit then teens would be limited to where and when they can go out, or with whom they go out with. In fact, no one is the perfect driver when they start out. With limitations a teen will gain more experience along with responsibility while behind the wheel. A new driver will be more careful with limitations against the license then a person without limitation. The reason why is because the teen will have something to work towards to get more privileges. Not all things are always handed to anyone. You have to earn it by proving that you can handle more responsibilities, like driving. New drivers at the age of sixteen tend to take driving for granted rather then as a privilege. With limitations on young new drivers it will help them have a clear mind while driving. A sixteen year old with other peers in the car, music pumped up, and so forth tend to get distracted easily. With such distraction it may cause the new sixteen-year-old driver to have a better judgment while driving. In conclusion, the controversial for limitations on new young drivers are very high these days. New young drivers want the same privilege as an older driver. It is common for young drivers to make mistakes as well as

Lord of the Rings: Two Towers vs. Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban Com

Lord of the Rings: Two Towers vs. Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban Comparison In the two novels, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling, there is a distinct relationship that is created through the idea that there are the chosen individuals are the only ones that can save the world. The first novel, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a novel generally focusing on uniting  ¡Ã‚ §Middle Earth ¡Ã‚ ¨, a term used to describe the human world, to defeat the enemy forces of evil controlled by a character described as pure evil named NAME. The actions of one small hobbit name Frodo Baggins, a race similar to humans, that will in fact determine the outcome of who is triumphant; not the actions of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers protecting the vast armies of Saruman. Although author ¡Ã‚ ¦s style is completely different, considering the novels were written in separate generations, you could find many comparisons when relating back to the idea of  ¡Ã‚ §good versus evil ¡Ã‚ ¨. In the second novel, Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban, there is a young boy named Harry Potter, whose parents were famous wizards but were allegedly murdered by an evil wizard named Sirius Black. His past is constantly being reminded to Harry, as news that Sirius Black has escaped from prison and is seeking out Harry. Harry and his close friends set out of an adventure to find the truth and lies of his past, only to uncover more treachery, lies, and deception. These chosen heroes often follow a  ¡Ã‚ §collective unconscious ¡Ã‚ ¨ [1], meaning that patterns emerge in all  ¡Ã‚ §good versus bad ¡Ã‚ ¨ scenarios that are generally alike. There is the hero ¡Ã‚ ¦s beginning, where a character is destined to do great things but is constantly in a struggle for power, the call to adventure, where heroes become very important is given a chance to prove himself, and the reward, when a character successfully completes his quest, there is some form of gratification and celebration [2]. Regardless of overwhelming odds to defeat evil, the forces of good call for reprisal, uniting their forces to defeat the enemy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In hero ¡Ã‚ ¦s beginning, the characters are introduced as very important and are going to serve a purpose, greater than him self which indefinitely will lead to the next stage of a hero ¡Ã‚ ¦s recognized stature. Although it may not be evident at a specific time, ... ...d ensure peace for the future. Their goals were separate, but the reward of pride, respect and honor are generally the same among heroes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The heroes share very many qualities, but it is their differences that set them aside from each other. Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins would be considerable adversaries consider how hard they tried to achieve their goal. Not once did they stop because they were scared, not once did they turn around because they were tired, not once did they doubt the people that mattered to them. Frodo and Harry may be some different time periods, even in their fictionist world, and even the novels were written in different generations, but the idea of good triumphing over evil rules.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So you are still asking yourself,  ¡Ã‚ §What makes a hero? ¡Ã‚ ¨ The general answer that can be given is based around the principals that good is fighting to eliminate the ghastly. In both of the novels, not only are the heroes the heroes, but the people that do not get the gratification. The people that help out the main characters are just as important than people like Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins, but the elimination of evil is a reward that can be justified by anyone.

Jewish society Essay

Bread Givers offers an insight into the life of Jews, particularly Jewish women during the early 1900s. This semi-fiction is a journey of the then Jewish settlers in virgin America. The plot is interwoven with a number of conflicts common in that era. Anzia Yezierska has beautifully penned a story about the life of a Jewish woman, her two sisters and her parents; how she carries the burden of being the bread earner of the family, and yet have all her decisions made by her father. The book shows us many facets of the lives of the Jewish settlers in the early 1900s. Through its themes it showcases the many roles the Jewish people especially the women, had to live up to after their immigration into the United States. In this era, general law in the Jewish society was that the man had the final say in everything . which was evident from the fact that Reb Smolinsky was able to thrash every single one of his daughters romances. If we follow the life of Sara we will see that gender roles in this era were evidently changing, as Sara made her own decisions and lived her own life. However, society did not accept this change and at the end of the day she was nothing more than an outcast. It’s ironic that at the end of the day happiness only came to her after she had found Hugo. Looming over the heads of the females in this era was the conflict between generations. We see that â€Å"family† keeps the girls from running away and doing what they want in life. According to old traditions, males dominate the decisions as per tradition. But here we see the youngest of the three sisters, Sara rebelling against these traditions and going against the tide and doing what she believes in and not what the generations have taught her. An unavoidable situation arises and the weight of expectation pushes Sara into taking her father into her own home. Hugo, her fiance, sees only the community belief of what is expected of them and takes their father in without question. Despite how far she has come, the life her culture requires and expects is still waiting for her, ready to take advantage of the slightest slip. As the story evolves, we see how each of the three sisters’ grows up and longs for a man in her life. However, their course in life shows a sharp contrast between their expectations and reality. After they are married, Eternal happiness and satisfaction eludes them while the actions of their male counterparts slap them in the face and bring them back to reality. We can see that each of the girls thinks marriage or in Sara’s case, achieving her goals would solve their problems, but it turns out it isn’t the magical solution they thought it would be. Bessie and Fania get married, only to face the fact that life wasn’t all rosy and carefree as they thought it would be. When Sara gives her own room on rent, she visualizes about how amazing and enriching it will be, only to find herself greatly longing for someone to talk to. In essence all three have set ideas of love in their minds and later on realize just how different real life really is. The book showcases entire generations that moved to America. It was the golden time of opportunity and the part that the Jewish women played in society is of phenomenal interest. Bibliography Takaki, Ronald. , A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America (New York: Little, Brown & Co. , 1993), 508 pages Gjerde, John. , ed. Major Problems in American Immigration and Ethnic History: Documents and Essays. (Cengage Learning, 1998) Jacobs, Harriet. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861, rep. 2001). Reimers, David. Unwelcome Strangers. (New York : Columbia University Press, c1998). Yezierska, Anzia. Breadgivers. (1925)