A Movement Away From Colloquial Singapore English :: Singapore Language Papers

A Movement Away From Colloquial Singapore English ‘The need for intelligibility and the need for identity often pull people – and countries – in opposing directions. The former motivates the learning of an international language, with English as the first choice in most cases; the latter motivates the promotion of ethnic language and culture’ (David Crystal, 1997). Language planning policies in Singapore have often been characterised by the ‘desire to achieve a balance between the national pride of linguistic ownership and the need for international intelligibility’ (Khoo 1993: 67). This is evident, for instance, in the state’s current move to promote the use of Standard English (particularly the variety known as Standard Singaporean English, or SSE) and to discourage that variety known as Colloquial Singapore English (CSE, or Singlish as it is popularly known), although in this case, the state’s ‘desire to achieve a balance’ between intelligibility and identity appears to be one involving conflict rather than compromise – one in which these two principles (embodied by SSE and CSE respectively) appear to be opposing linguistic forces, and in which the former appears to be espoused and the latter (at least in the case of CSE, though not that of the ethnic ‘mother tongues’) denigrated. T his essay will study whether (and if so, why) these two principles are truly opposed to each other, as seemingly implied by both the David Crystal quotation and the English language policy in Singapore, and in what way the application of these principles may result (as stated in the Crystal quotation) in the ‘pulling apart’ of people and countries, especially in the sense of socio-economic inequality and marginalisation on both international and intra-national levels; and all these will in turn be related to the present-day situation in Singapore. At first sight, the need for identity and intelligibility appear to be irreconcilable on a linguistic level, the former requiring the adherence to a dominant language variety (such as Standard English) as well as its set of linguistic norms in order for speakers to maintain mutual comprehension, and thus implicitly demanding the non-usage or even abandonment of alternate varieties (Leith and Graddol, 1996: 139); the latter demanding, by contrast, the use of languages or varieties apart from this dominant variety as a way of identifying with one’s culture and distinguishing it from the rest (Crystal 1997: 133–134) – languages and varieties that are, however, incomprehensible to a large proportion of the world population and will therefore (as some perceive: e. A Movement Away From Colloquial Singapore English :: Singapore Language Papers A Movement Away From Colloquial Singapore English ‘The need for intelligibility and the need for identity often pull people – and countries – in opposing directions. The former motivates the learning of an international language, with English as the first choice in most cases; the latter motivates the promotion of ethnic language and culture’ (David Crystal, 1997). Language planning policies in Singapore have often been characterised by the ‘desire to achieve a balance between the national pride of linguistic ownership and the need for international intelligibility’ (Khoo 1993: 67). This is evident, for instance, in the state’s current move to promote the use of Standard English (particularly the variety known as Standard Singaporean English, or SSE) and to discourage that variety known as Colloquial Singapore English (CSE, or Singlish as it is popularly known), although in this case, the state’s ‘desire to achieve a balance’ between intelligibility and identity appears to be one involving conflict rather than compromise – one in which these two principles (embodied by SSE and CSE respectively) appear to be opposing linguistic forces, and in which the former appears to be espoused and the latter (at least in the case of CSE, though not that of the ethnic ‘mother tongues’) denigrated. T his essay will study whether (and if so, why) these two principles are truly opposed to each other, as seemingly implied by both the David Crystal quotation and the English language policy in Singapore, and in what way the application of these principles may result (as stated in the Crystal quotation) in the ‘pulling apart’ of people and countries, especially in the sense of socio-economic inequality and marginalisation on both international and intra-national levels; and all these will in turn be related to the present-day situation in Singapore. At first sight, the need for identity and intelligibility appear to be irreconcilable on a linguistic level, the former requiring the adherence to a dominant language variety (such as Standard English) as well as its set of linguistic norms in order for speakers to maintain mutual comprehension, and thus implicitly demanding the non-usage or even abandonment of alternate varieties (Leith and Graddol, 1996: 139); the latter demanding, by contrast, the use of languages or varieties apart from this dominant variety as a way of identifying with one’s culture and distinguishing it from the rest (Crystal 1997: 133–134) – languages and varieties that are, however, incomprehensible to a large proportion of the world population and will therefore (as some perceive: e.

Action Plan of the cooperative food Essay

What do they do about their plan.The plan will take according to year ahead. That means when any employee join in the organization they will be sitting with the manager they have to make a plan about their targets. Target means what is their vision and objectives. When they set their plan they would be planning on that.After that they do. Do refers what r u going to do and how are u going to do? So its like whatever their vision and objective. Accordingly their employee they have to do their work and they done their vision and objective. Next they will be reviwed that means where are they and what trac are they? And are they satisfying their customer or customers giving feedback. Those things are rivewed. And later it will be evaluated. On evaluation overall performance will be evaluated. According to how they have treat customers support and customers satisfaction. Every company has some strengths and weekness. Cooperative has also some proble. In Amstrong theory we find that compan y concentrate on their mission,vision and objective. In cooperative they have vision and objective but they don’t have mission. They calculate vision is a mission. Because they don’t know what is their mission? They have something lacking. They don’t care of their employee they always concern about their company that means customers. If we consider Blake Mouton Theory we will find that manager never follow middle of the road management. Manager follow impoverished management. In this particular theory company gives more concentrate on production not on the employee. Amstrong want to manageing people but cooperative follow their own style,because their thing is customer is more important than employee. They want to be best cooperative store in the uk. That’s what they want to expand their company. They concernless about their employee. For example. If any employee are going to out of the org they wont identified him or they wont recognized him. If any employee claim that,I stayed here three years,but I did not get any promossion or I did not get anything. They will said ok,if u r not happy u can go out. They never consider about their employees hardwork only they consider how employees cooperative with cus tomer. And what are the feedback from the customer and the productivity.They always want to finish their work just on time. They always gives emphasis on service and availability so that customer offer and great service is delivered.

Postmodernism and Feminism

Ailene Brukman-Stivi Professor: Haim Deuel Lusky Postmodernism and Feminism The question of what happened to feminism during the postmodern times is not easily encapsulated in one phrase or idea as it is actually an amalgam of often purposely ambiguous and fluid ideas. One would have to start researching about postmodernism and what it means, let alone search about the history of feminism and its development. After one would research a little bit about postmodernism he or she would realize the knowledge about modernism is also extremely crucial to understand fully about postmodernism and feminism.Therefore this writing will conclude a few words about modernism. How did we as a culture develop into a postmodernist era? And of course how does this era have to do with feminism? This research paper will include different critiques about the subject of postmodernism and feminism as well. Before starting the writing on reviews, critiques and more in depth research of our subject I would li ke to give a general description, and background research, I would like to start with the two main terms: Feminism and postmodernism. FeminismRozen Tali, the writer of the book, What Is Feminism Anyways. Opens her book saying that she never really understood what feminism is exactly. She says people just call her a feminist every time she speaks her opinion about â€Å"differentiating her and a floor rag. † She writes about a sentence that was said in 1913 by a woman, was a British reporter, by the name Rebecca West, saying that if you are waiting for a current and modern definition of feminism, you have nothing to wait for. There is no definition. It is not that a definition does not exist, it exists and that is a for sure thing.It’s just that, there are so many definitions that there is no specific one. (Rozen) Rozen writes that the word ‘feminism’ actually was born about one hundred years ago. In the beginning this word was used as a medical term for a man that has female characteristics. As time passed the word feminism turned in to a term in the psychological world; also got a negative connotation to it, but this time not a male with female characteristics, but as a description of a woman with male character. Examples of a diagnosis for â€Å"feminism† would be like desire to study, courageous, and ambition.Tali Rozen gives a great example of this psychological diagnosis; thirty years ago, people said about the governor of the state of Israel, Golda Meir, that she is â€Å"the only man in the government† and until today the best way to describe a great woman in business is to say â€Å"she got balls. † The reincarnation of the term feminism indicates and highlights the problem of the actual term itself. Not only it was used in negative connotation but also millions in the past and even today have a hard time to define feminism.In the dictionary feminism is written to be the ideology of the emancipation of wo men. According to this definition, there is something in common to all the definitions and ideas that is, the one important belief that women suffer from injustice because of their sex. Rozen Suggests that instead of getting confused with the actual meaning of the word we can agree on the definition: Feminism is a theory that is based on the point of view of a woman, and that point of view give new light to knowledge that already exist.This knowledge could come from anywhere, film, literature, history, everything. But that does not mean that every woman that analyzes a specific subject, is doing a feministic act. To look and analyze something from a woman’s perspective means to put a woman in the center of the discussion. Bottom line is that, the question of what is feminism is not one answer. Rozen asks and answers: is feminism a woman who stands and fight for their right, yes. And is feminism a movement of freedom? Yes!Is it the history of half humanity? Also yes. And there is much more to what is feminism. Postmodernism Postmodernism represents the converge of three distinct cultural trends. These include an attack on the austerity and functionalism of modern art; the philosophical attack on structuralism, spear-headed in the 1970s by poststructuralist scholars such as Jacque Derrida, Michel Foucault and Gilles Deleuze; and the economic theories of postindustrial society developed by sociologist such as Daniel Bell and Alain Touraine. Callinicos 1989) In the book of Jean-Francois Lyotard, The Postmodern condition, where he summarized postmodernism as above all maintaining â€Å"an incredulity toward metanarratives† (1984:xxiii-iv, 5). Postmodernists, he argues, questions the assumption of the modern age, particularly the belief that rational thought and technological innovation can guarantee progress and enlightenment to humanity. They doubt the ability of thinkers from the West either to understand the world or to prescribe solutions for it.T he grand theories of t past, whether liberal or Marxist, have been dismissed as products of an age when Europeans and North Americans mistakenly believed in their own invincibility. The metanarratives of such thought are no longer seen as â€Å"truth,† but simply as privileged discourses that deny and silence competeing dissident voices. (Merchant & Parpart) Michel Foucault, one of the leading postmodernist (and poststructuralist) thinkers, has emphasized the inadequacies of metanarratives and the need to examine the specificities of power and its relation to knowledge and language (discourse. He dismisses â€Å"reason† as a fiction and sees â€Å"truth† as simply a partial, localized version of â€Å"reality† transformed into a fixed form in the long process of history. He argues that discourse- a historical, socially and institutionally specific structure of statements, terms, categories, and beliefs- is the site of where meanings are contested and powe r relations determined (Scott 1988:36. ) The ability to control knowledge and meaning, not only through writing but also through disciplinary and professional institutions, and in social relations, is the key to understanding and exercising power relations in society.According to Foucault, the false power of hegemonic knowledge can be challenged by counter-hegemonic discourses which offer alternative explanation of â€Å"reality† (Foucault 1972; 1979; 1980. ) The search to understand the construction of social meaning has led postmodernists/ poststructuralist scholars to recognize the contingent of the subject. As Judith Butler points out, â€Å"No subject is its own point of departure† (Butler, 1992; 9) Jacque Derrida (1976) emphasizes the crucial role played by binary opposites.Indeed, he argues that Western philosophy largely rests on opposites, such as truth/falsity, unity/diversity, or man/woman, whereby the nature and primacy of the first term is also superior to the second. These pairs are as embedded in the definition of their opposite as they are I the nature of the object being defined, and they shape our understanding in complex and often unrecognized ways. In order to better understand this process, Derrida and others have alled for the critical deconstruction of texts (both written and oral) and greater attention to the way differences, particularly those embedded in binary thinking, are constructed and maintained (Culler 1982) To conclude, postmodernist thinkers reject universal, simplified definitions of social phenomena, which, they argue, essentialize reality and fail to reveal the complexity of life as a lived experience. Drawing on this critique, postmodernists have rejected the search for broad generalizations.They emphasize the need for local, specific and historically informed analysis, carefully grounded in both spatial and cultural contexts. Above all, they call for the recognition and celebration of differences, the impor tance of encouraging the recovery of previously silenced voices and an acceptance of the partial nature of all knowledge claims and thus the limits of knowing. (Marchand &Papart) Postmodernism/feminism Today in the postmodernism era, the women’s identity is not stable, it changes.Postmodern researchers are against this idea, because the â€Å"I† is an autonomic identity that is disconnected from the social conversation. Also feminists and feminist writers, that identify themselves with the postmodernists, are objecting the enlightenment period; because there is an existent subject and because there is a possibility to reach the objective truth through the â€Å"bina† and the straight mind. (Zaken) Zaken claims that feminism is actually leaning on postmodern values, and it exists today to breakdown and defragment in a new way the idea or word â€Å"the woman. Simone de Beauvoir, a French writer, intellectual, existentialist philosopher, political activist, femin ist, and social theorist. While she did not consider herself a philosopher, de Beauvoir had a significant influence on both feminist existentialism and feminist theory. She had claimed that a woman is not born a woman, she is made a woman. Female traits are built through social influence and not biological destiny.She sees the social construction of femininity, which in it exists the subject; isn’t she a woman, the woman who thinks of herself as a woman, in a specific situation that her environment creates. A great example is the fact that most girls and boys play with their gender’s toys, girls with Barbies and dolls while boys with trucks and cars. From her article, The Ethics Ambiguity, comes up that women have internalized their gender hierarchy, to the point where it is hard for them to disconnect from their hierarchal position.Simone de Beauvoir came to a conclusion, in which the female subject had suffered from suppression- the woman is ‘different,’ lower, inferior in relation to men, and because of this suppression, the independence of a woman is destroyed in social situations. With that, there is an argument between postmodernism and feminism, which due to a postmodern claim, that power does not control and there is no axioms like private/public, or motherhood. If there is no category â€Å"woman,† then woman can be anything. She is free from the stereotype and the coercing.That being said, there is no general and unified identity for women. Feminists have responded to postmodern ideas in a number of ways. The strongest opposition has come from feminists working in the liberal (modern) or Marxist traditions, both of which are embedded in Enlightenment thinking (modern era). Liberal feminists, who have been preoccupied with policy formulation and the improvement of women’s statues within the structures of western thought and society, generally write as if postmodern critiques have little or no applicability for their own work.The possibility of â€Å"modernization† and â€Å"progress† may be unobtainable and undesirable goals in a postmodern world have rarely been considered by liberals working within these structures. (like World Bank, United Nations, and the International Labor Organization) Mackinnon Catherine’s influence on shaping feminism is extremely deep in the 80s and the first years of the 90s, so deep that the different â€Å"post-feministic† currents, in many ways are â€Å"post-Mackinnon,† and to be exact, â€Å"anti-Mackinnon. † Therefore whoever wants to become familiar with the feministic thinking there is no better place to do so with Mackinnon’s variables.The starting point of Mackinnon’s feminism is that the group of women are discriminated against and oppressed by the group of men, which are first and foremost caused by the way sexuality is built by society. According to Mackinnon, sexuality is the subject that its social patriarchal meaning changes the men to be in control and the women to be controlled. Dr Yaakov Gorbitz, in his book, â€Å"Postmodernism- Culture and Literature in the End of The 20th Century,† writes on the issue of feminism that modernism and postmodernism needs to remind us of two main phases: the first, the woman who tries to stand and tries to fortify herself against the en. -This is the model where women rebel against men and say we are not going to take of hair from our legs, we will not give you the pleasure of wanting a â€Å"feminine† woman. In the postmodern stage the woman understands that the seed of the problem is that she is always looking at herself in relation to men, and contrary to them, and so she says; â€Å"I am allowed to put makeup on and take care of my beauty- and not for the man but for me or for my friends. † When a woman stops being just an opposite model of a man she can internalize some new heterogeneity.Some feminists beli eve feminist theory has always dealt with postmodern issues and indeed, has more to offer women than male-centric postmodern writers. Feminist anthropologists, Frances Mascia-Lees, Patricia Sharpe and Colleen Cohen (1989), attack postmodern anthropology for it's profoundly sexists nature, nothing that studies such as George Marcus and Michael Fischer's Anthropology as Culture Critique, ignore feminist contributions to the discussion of the â€Å"other† and long-standing feminist critiques of Western notions of â€Å"truth. † Michel FoucaultContrary to liberals and Marxists, Foucault did not see the mechanisms of power in society, as something held by groups or institutions in society, and which does not exist for others; distribution that enables the control of a group of other parts of the society. Foucault referred to †political power†, as network relationships, imaginary strings interwoven within the community, and he saw no, one dominant factor, such as the state or economic elite. This means that in a society there are power centers that are not subject to economic relations (such as madhouses, for example).Foucault goes on to argue with the liberals and the Marxists. According to them every relationship, in which forces, is characterized by imposing restrictions and denial of freedoms. He argued that this approach stems from the fact that they recognize the political power with the legal system and enforcement. But for him, it is only one of the forms of expression of political power, embodied throughout history. Foucault examines the relationship between institutions (social) and the body (human). He opposes the very concept of â€Å"sexuality. According to him, in the 19th century, when sexuality was taboo, it increased desire to break the taboo and talk about sex, that also created behaviors which were categorized as social deviance. For example, sex between men, were â€Å"homosexual. † This was a setting, which has reference for those people, people who were born different. This is one of Foucault's contributions to understanding the relationship between sexual orientation and identity. According to Foucault, identity is created as part of a dialogue, in particular power relations in society.He demonstrates the change in sex ratio from permissiveness of the Middle Ages, where words related to sex revealed associations of â€Å"pleasures† and â€Å"alliance†, and the language of the 19th century, which has the sex talk not allowed or shameful to talk about. Hence, definitions of â€Å"heterosexual† and â€Å"homosexuality† are the product of modern times, from the 19th – century. As someone who has studied the sexual discourse in society, Foucault argued that the discourse on sexuality limits and defines the sexual content and created a social pattern. Once we understand how we talk about sex, we understand sexuality.That is, language reflects the thinking and perception also on sex and sexuality. The mechanisms of power in sexuality, expressed the distinction between what and what is not acceptable in society. Namely, that the discourse on sexuality is a society regime (as expressions of political power mechanisms); language created a situation, when the subject of sex is brought up, the person might feel sinful (sexual). Feeling which helps to suppress the desire for sex, because that person did not want to feel a sinner. The goal behind this repression is, to get the â€Å"different† forms of sex out of the people.That is, except for the non-reproductive sex. The society defines normal sexual norms, from early childhood to old age. Whoever goes beyond the norm, is placed under the situation of the â€Å"controlled mechanism† in order to create helpful sexual drive economically and politically beneficial to society. These mechanisms determine what is allowed and what is not right in society and what is wrong. Foucault arg ued that since the 18th century, the deviation began to violate the law (courts could, not so long ago, to convict homosexuals or partners who betrayed their spouse).By, new sexual settings, to different sexual behaviors (that were always there but never received cultural significance) changed the face of society. This means social definition creates the identity. The new terms â€Å"gay,† â€Å"lesbian† and â€Å"straight†, are the result of modern discourse, which created categorization and sub-categories of conversation. The term â€Å"homosexuality† has two interpretations, one, sexual preference. Second meaning is social labeling. This labeling is the concept of the rule of the person which identifies himself or herself, as †gay†. That is, each character turns shades of defining sexual identity.Experts (such as pedagogues, psychologists and psychiatrists), can be social power, which determine the legitimate content – normal and ide ntify the pathological contents of a person. Their power, according to Foucault, is due to their proximity to the dominant group in society, the bourgeoisie and the political elite. Extreme conclusion is that gender regime serves the interests of those groups, and that by using the institutions of marriage and heterosexuality. (Zaken) Conclusion Society is the cause of sexual identity and what makes the difference between sexual orientation, and how we identify who we are; A woman or a man.But there is change occurring and there could be more change as soon as we, as a society start â€Å"unlabeling† and just living with all types of sexual orientation, genders, and labels that are not labeled. This is all through a social process, of course. A note, it is extremely crucial to know the difference between sex and gender, because then we are giving legitimacy to popular belief, commemorating the situation in which women are subject to male social order. This follows the histori cal tradition of the patriarchal family and society.This approach considers the biological differences between the sexes, as the distribution of the different roles. In other words, gender inequality is prevailing social perceptions. Ultimately, the goal is to get into a relationship of equality between men and women in society, there would be no more women who are discriminated against on the basis of sex and / or gender. For, as de Beauvoir said, man and woman, depend on each other for sex and continuity of human society. Thus, each and every one will be able to shape their identity in accordance with their wishes and needs, and not according to social codes dictated and dried. ———————————————— Work Cited * Ankersmith, F. R. (1990) â€Å"Reply to Professor Zagorin,† History and Theory 29, 3: 275-96 * Beauvoir de Simone. The Ethics of Ambiguity. 1949. Translated by Bernard Frechten: Citadel Press, 2006 * Beauvoir de Simone. The Second Sex. 1949. Translated by Parshley, Penguin 1972. * Butler, J. (1992) â€Å"Contingent Foundations: Feminism and the Question of Postmodernism,† in J. Butler and J. W. Scott (eds) Feminists Theorize the Political, New York and London: Routledge. * Collinicos, A. (1989) Against Postmodernism, Oxford: Polity Press. Culler, J. (1982) On Deconstruction: Theory and criticism after structuralism, Ithaca, NY: Cornell university Press. * Evans, Judith. Feminist Theory Today: An Introduction to Second-Wave Feminism. London: SAGE publication, 1995. * Foucault, M. * † (1972) The Archaeology of knowledge and the Discourse on Language, New York: Tavistock Publications & Harper Colophon. * â€Å"(1979) (published in French, 1975) Discipline and Punish, Translated by S. Sheridan, New York: Penguin Books. * † (1980) Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other Writings, 1972-1977, translated by C. Gordon, New York: Harvest Press. Jameson, F. (1990) Postmodernism or, the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, Durham, NC: Duke University Press. * Mackinnon A Catherine, â€Å"Sexuality, Pornography and Methods- Pleasure under Patriarchy,† Towards a Feminist Theory of the State, 1990. Translated and Permission of Harvard University Press. Reprinted by Permission of Catherine A Mackinnon, Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, Copy Right c 1989 by Catherine Mackinnon. * Marchand H. Marianne and Parpart L. Jane. Feminism/Postmodernism/Development. London: Routledge, 1995. * Mascia-Lees, F. Sharpe, P. and Cohen, C.B (1989) â€Å"The Postmodernist Turn in Anthropology: Cautions from a Feminist Perspective,† Signs 15, 1: 394-408. * Palmer, I (1990) Gender and Population in the Adjustment of African Economics; Planning for Change, Women, Work and Development Series No. 19, Geneva: International Labour Organization. * Rozen, Tali. What is Feminism Anyway? And Why don’t we know anything about it. Tel Aviv: Zmora Bitan, 2000. * Scott, J. W. (1988) â€Å"Deconstructing Equality – versus Differences: Or the Use of Poststructuralist Theory of Feminism,† Feminist Studies14, 1: 33-50. * Sylvester Christine. Feminist Theory and International Relations in a Postmodern Era.Cambridge University Press, 1994. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Some western scholars, most notably Marxist reject postmodernism as dangerous and naive (Callinicos 1989; palmer 1990. ) Others , while sympathetic to Marxism, see Postmodernism as an outgrowth of the culture of late capitalism. Fredrick Jameson, for example, endorses an approach which draws on the strength of postmodernism without abandoning political action (Jameson 1991. ) Some scholars find postmodernism’s emphasis on difference and multiplicity useful for their work and not necessarily inimical to other app roaches (Ankersmit 1990; Parkash 1990)

qwerty essays

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Unattainable ideals Essays

Unattainable ideals Essays Unattainable ideals Essay Unattainable ideals Essay Despite the health risks of some procedures, cosmetic surgery has boomed in commercial cultures. In Brazil the number of plastic surgery procedure jumped between 1996 and 1999 by 50 percent, to three hundred thousand, with the majority for purely aesthetic reasons. (Guernsey 2006, p. 180). In the United States the number of women who had breast enlargement surgery increased from thirty thousand in 1992 to eighty seven thousand in 1997. While number of men getting tummy tucks and nose reduction also increased, women represent 86 percent of the total 7. 4 million cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States.Outside the West as well, women now go to great lengths to conform to a white, Western physical ideal. Young women in East (Guernsey 2006, p. 181). Asia undergo cosmetic surgery to create creased eyelids, while in China dieting has become a fad for urban teenage girls. With raising standards of living and an expanding market for beauty products, the Chinese body ideal has changed from large to small, When I was young, people admired and were even jealous of fat people since they thought they had a better life, the manager of a Chinese weight loss center recalled. She explained in 1999 that fat is now considered awful. Binge eating is commonly connected to bulimia, with cycles of binge eating and vomiting closely intertwined (Blackburn et. al 2006, p. 24). It is also commonly connected with the culture of being overly concerned of looking fat that is initiated by family, friends and the media (Guernsey 2006, p. 181). The extent to which women feel dissatisfaction with their physical appearance is evident by adolescence. In the contemporary United States over half of thirteen-year-old girls and three-quarters of eighteen-year-old girls express dissatisfaction with their bodies.A 1986 study found that 70 percent of fourth-grade girls reported concern about their weight and that about half of them dieted. By age eighteen 60 to 80 percent of Americans girls, but only 15 percent of boys, had been on diets. According to British therapist Susie Orbach, up to 60 percent of six-to-nine-year-old girls worry about their body shape and size. (Liu Yufanf, 1999, p. 23) A study of both white and Asian girls in Great Britain revealed that a preoccupation with thinness among nine-year-old girls had a direct beating on the development of eating disorders.Liu Yufang, a diminutive young woman in China, expressed the sentiments behind this widespread phenomenon: I always want to lose weight. Everyone I knew is trying to be thinner. Women who do not meet the standards of the ultra-thin models are more than likely to compare their own bodies to those of the thin models in advertisements. According to Gayle R. Bassenoff, author of this study, Women who already have low opinions of their physical appearance are at an even greater risk for negative effects from media images. (Liu Yufanf, 1999, p. 24)Distorted body image is the result of comparison with unattainable ideals. This motivates people on the preoccupation with dieting. Three quarters of a large sample of American women considered themselves fat, even though one-quarter were not technically overweight and an-other 30 percent were actually underweight. Of those now diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia in the United States, 90 percent are female. Obsessed with the intake of food and control of their weight, these women can lose more than 25 percent of their body weight, either through dieting and exercise of through eating bingers followed by purging.Long-term effects include loss of bone density and heart problems. Some, such as singer Karen Carpenter and gymnast Christy Henrich, have literally starved themselves to death. Although the anorectic women are usually portrayed as a white, middle-class American, other women are by no means immune from eating problems. In the United States, Becky W. Thompson argues, Latina and African American women may use food to anesthetize the traumas of racism and poverty.Between one-thirds of the American women of color she studied had been sexually abused, and Thompson found that these women were likely to dissociate from their bodies. As one of her subjects, Rosalee, put it, dieting is one of those last-ditch efforts to make everything all right in your life when that is not the cause of the problem to begin with. Dieting, Thompson suggested, provided a way to transform the abused body, while purging represented a rejection of the body held responsible for its own abuse (Media’s Effect on Body Image).

Catholic Social Teaching

Dignity of the human person and common good are two factors that make life enjoyable or worst in our planet earth. Human dignity holds the central position on respect for life and the human person irrespective of race, ethnicity or social status. In sense dignity of human person refers to respect of any life of human person regardless of background. On the other hand, common good summarizes the collective conditions that cause every benefit of all people as community. As professional nurse it is my responsibility to uphold dignity of human person and to work toward the realization of common good in nursing practice through provision of lifestyle education. Lifestyle education refers to teachings, trainings and counseling on personal health care and disease prevention. There are various catholic social teachings principles that work harmonically to achieve human dignity and common rule in nursing practice (Calo, 2015).   Catholic thought principles are important guidelines in nursing practice and help in promoting human dignity. Nursing practice issue of lifestyle education which include disease prevention, counseling and personal health care are perfectly guided by catholic thought principles to promote human dignity. Firstly, in event of counseling or training client on personal health care, human dignity provide the basis of these teaching and counseling (Melà ©, 2005). In this respect, education on personal care and illness prevention is provided with the view that human beings are important and are image of God. Secondly, protection of human rights and responsibilities is fundamental for good nursing practice. Catholic thought principles offers connection between human rights and responsibility and nursing-client relationship during training services to clients. Nursing practice therefore play a critical role in respecting patient’s right to good health and it is my responsibility to pro vide them good counseling on health lifestyle (Thomas, 2012). Thirdly, catholic thought principles require nurse to be steward of creation. Nursing practice especially disease early prevention and personal health require nurses to respect the sanctity of creation and this is vivid in handling of trainees. Therefore, provision of health care to human person and other creation is upholding the dignity of humanity. Fourthly, the principle of solidarity reminds is critical and mark human person as family regardless of ethnicity, race or ideological differences. Nursing profession is a key player through offering teaching to clients and showing love for clients as a dignified person. Finally, nursing practice applies the catholic thought principle of work dignity and right of workers by promoting good cooperation and relation between nurses and other health workers such as clinical officers, physicians, and laboratory technologists (Calo, 2015). Application of various catholic thought principles in nursing lifestyle education is important for promotion of common good in hospitals and health care facilities. Firstly, nursing practice is laid on community and common good principle (Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, 2008). The current realization of social nature of humanity serves to as the basis or guidelines for our involvement in educating community on health and disease prevention. As nurse it is my aim to interact with clients and hence provide the required training and respect for the good all of individuals. Secondly, I seek to minimise division between the poor and vulnerable individuals in the society. To achieve this objective my role as a nurse is to offer equal and best health care to the poor and the rich in the society. Thirdly, according Melà © (2005), to realize common good, participation and subsidiarity is important in nursing practice. This implies that all people are give equal opportunity to receive counseli ng in community affairs. It is my responsibility as community servant to harmonically include everyone in the social health workshop. Fourthly, promotion of peace is a step to realization of common good. According to Verity and Yasmin (2015), mutual respect and confident for others play a critical role in promotion happy life and this is evidence in the uttermost respect and confidentiality nursing offers to patients. In addition, involvement in community lifestyle education, training and counseling is good avenue to promote peaceful leaving in society. In conclusion, nursing practice uphold catholic thought principles in ensuring dignity of human person and promotion of common good. As nurse provision of lifestyle education on disease prevention and personal health care has an aim to respect life of human person. On the other hand, lifestyle education for individuals or community goes beyond individual interest. The core catholic social teaching operates on respect for human life and collective benefit of all people. In nutshell, nursing lifestyle education works within the context of human right responsibility for individual and as community in general. All practice within the nurse profession considers respect for Creator and the sanctity of human life as principles of catholic thought. Calo, Z. R. (2015), Catholic Social Thought and Human Rights. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 74: 93–112. doi: 10.1111/ajes.12088 Bishops of England and Wales (1996), The Common Good and the Catholic Church’s Social Teaching n.70. Melà ©, D. (2005), â€Å"The Principle of Subsidiarity in Organizations: A Case Study.† Journal of Business Ethics 60, no. 3293-305. Verity, W. and Yasmin, P. (2015), "Golden triangle of happiness: Study finds three simple things needed for a happy life".   ABC News 1(1): 20. Posted on Sat 17-10-2015. Thomas, M. (2012), Living Justly: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Plymouth, UK: Rowman & Littlefield. p 85. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2008), "Securing the Common Good in a Time of Global Crises", speech, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, MA, October 21, 2008.

What are Yang and Yin in Chinese philosophy Essay

What are Yang and Yin in Chinese philosophy - Essay Example This philosophical concept also has a rich chronological record since its discovery and elaboration by ancient Chinese philosophers. The philosophical ideology was approximately formulated in 700BC (Mou, 2003). Since the onset of this period, every phenomenon in the physical and social domains was reduced to yin and yang. The concept of yin and yang was introduced and enhanced by ancient scholars in the Yin dynasty (Mou, 2003). The scholars developed the ideology in gradual steps through history. Yin and yang mainly involves the opposite and complementary association among two different phenomena. The philosophical concept represents two opposite principles in all factors of nature. Yin and yang concepts are key contributors towards specific processes of change. Therefore, the relationship of yin and yang is only observable and evident in the progression of change (Mou, 2003). The end result of this affiliation of the opposite forces is development. Development therefore is attained through the complementary interaction of the opposite forces of yin and yang. The attainment of change through the gradual interaction of the opposite forces gives a new definition to situations (Mou, 2003). Events are always dynamic in the interaction of yin and yang. In this case, the affiliation of the yin and yang forces keeps shifting throughout the interaction. Dominance of either force determines the progression of the development process. Despite of the dominance of a single force, the yin and yang keeps complementing one another for the process of development (Mou, 2003). The association of yin and yang is universal in all situations of change or development. As denoted previously, the principle of yin and yang applies universally in diverse contexts of change and development. It explains social and physical processes through evaluation of diverse affiliations amongst complementary and opposite phenomenon (Mou, 2003). As a philosophical ideology, the concept of yin and yang explains social as well as physical processes. For example, there has been a significant application of the yin and yang concept in Chinese medicine. This is one of the physical domains that illustrate the concepts of yin and yang in explaining change processes (Mou, 2003). The yin force represents a block of specific characteristics. The yin force represents passive, female, as well as negative principle of nature. It comprises a shaded orientation, the moon, and the north or shady side of a hill. The yin force also represents the south of a river (Mou, 2003). The yang force represents the opposite constituents of the yin force. This force comprises of active, positive as well as male principle of nature. It entails the sunny or south of the hill. It as well represents the north of a river (Mou, 2003). Evidently, the yin and yang forces reflect and characterize opposing features. The forces are therefore mutually exclusive to each other. The medics in China borrow this association significantly in the explanation of change processes in the field. Yin and yang relationships have basic features in their interactions. Aspects of Yin and Yang relationship Inter-transformation Yin and yang relationships are characterized by inter-transformational courses. One force can change into the other through the process of their interaction (Mou, 2003). This aspect is facilitated by the complementary affiliation of the two opposite forces. The inter-transformational feature is however not a random event. It has its appointed time as determined by the course of the affiliation that exists within the forces (Mou, 2003). The time dependent inter-transformation also defines the nature of the ultimate result of development. Therefore, when the