Cross Cultural Studies Essay

Beauty, is anything that appeals, and is incorporated in current fads and trends of the area. Its features drastically vary across the globe where antagonizing manners are adopted. Obesity is such an example, where in the west, obesity is shunned, and admonished, and on the contrary, in the African countries, obesity lures and is considered to be a blessing, exhibiting richness. Beauty may be skin deep, but there are cases when such becomes a paradox. Obesity is not just about the weight, or the physical and genetic rationalities we can derive from it. Obesity can also be derived from its psychological roots. What is obesity and how it affects the reputation, personality, or even the attitude towards it varies across cultures as mentioned earlier. In this paper, obesity is seen as good and wanted physiological trait, compared with as a social cancer plaguing the health in most Western countries. RESEARCH FINDINGS Norimitsu Onish (2001), in his article entitled, ‘On the scale of Beauty, weight weights heavily’, has explained in a formidable manner the craze obesity has amongst teenage girls in Nigeria. He has depicted the ways ladies will employ to go beyond their means so as to become fat, and conducts market surveys determining which types of steroids, pills or chemicals they would use. The paper explains how obese women are idealized and looked up onto. Onish indicates that women would tend to consume harmful chemical to gain fatty tissues, and have become so obsessed with becoming fat, that they would go to ‘fattening farms’ and get massaged weeks before their weddings. Likewise, some of the poorer women would consume animal feed in order to get fat and become attractive, as they cannot afford the rich foods. Historically, fleshy African women were considered well endowed financially, because they can afford food, are healthy and fertile. Women in African culture are revered to as the food provider, the one who plants and supplies food in the community. A fleshy African woman connotes someone from an affluent family or perhaps a potential good provider for her family. The heavy African woman was valued and held in high esteem. However, it is important to note that African women labored diligently, working sun up to sun down, and their laborious tasks were not conducive to being big. The arduous work kept African women basically on the thin side (Johnson and Broadnax, 2003). STRATIFICATION: Stratification is an integral part of a community and society that occurs due to a division in the classes which is determined by the economic situation of the household or community. This horizontal stratum is also prevalent among some countries which have a male dominant society, on the pretext of religion. This has been depicted in Onish’s article, where obese women are a status symbol, exhibiting their resources, and that they belong to well to do families, compromising their health in this way. A very good example is quoted explaining how a girl since the age of 11 years, was forced to become obese on the pretext of getting a ‘good match’, and now she suffers from hip dislocation, and bone disorders, as it has become difficult to carry herself around. Culturally, being large was not customary. In the African view, women who are fleshy, had hips, and a voluptuous body are the women to marry. Body size was also perceived to make them excellent mothers. African women who are large have more adipose tissue, and were perceived to carry a fetus to full term and suspend for some time the effects of starvation should there be scarcity of food (Johnson and Broadnax, 2003). In a class lecture by Mead back in 1974, culture was defined as the transmission of values and behaviors and concepts. It is the way one eats, the way one walks, and the way one raises a child. In Africa, the cultural level was subtle for little girls to learn that African men and families values large women and was highly acceptable. But being voluptuous was deemed in a different way when slaves were transported to the new world. African women then were viewed and even designated to be breeders and has a duty to give birth as many times as her owner wants to. Alex Haley documented this in his book by relating how large African women beats slave children and hands them to a slave owner as a sexual prize (Johnson and Broadnax, 2003). In another article, ‘Culture: A sociological view’, Becker (Becker, 1982) explains the significance of culture in a society and how it is regularly modified in order to meet the modern fashion and fad. Culture is being regularly changed, and newer versions of principles and practices are adopted. Likewise, stratification in terms of race and gender is also now being diluted, as a sense of equality is prevalent within most of the societies across the globe. A society is organized by its cultural values, which is the essence to its development, and thus although newer concepts are adopted, older principles should not be ignored and should be passed onto generations in order to preserve a society’s cultural heritage. The gradual changes in society together with the culture in which one grows takes generations. There are a few and core cultural traits which are passed on from one generation to another, preserved in families, despite the many changes that are constantly happening. In the sociological context, this also reflects how society influences the individual’s views and perceptions with the many changes happening around him/her. At some point, the person knows what his culture is inherently, but also adjusts to fit in and cope up with the many cultural changes in our societies. CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES: Cross cultural studies was a very interesting subject that depicts the various anthropologies around the globe. The primary essence in this study is an element of tolerance which various ethnic groups have to incur so as to accommodate and intermingle with various cultural set ups. A united stand in which people from entirely different cultures will team up and constructive serve towards the progress and development of a society is prevalent in most countries. A good example is depicted by the people of Malaysia, in which various ethnic groups coexist and play their respective roles in order to make Malaysia one of the most rapidly developed nation in the past decade, and it is now a role model for others to follow. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism coexist and temples are built right next to mosques and churches, where people go shoulder to shoulder to preach in tolerance and harmony. The same can be derived when slaves where transported to the New World. As African women became sexual prizes to their owners, some Westerner has fathered a child, and bore an African-American child. In the existing culture, being thin is in. Bulimia and anorexia has become an epidemic amongst teens and younger women because of the images of thin women being cultivated in the new society. The cross cultural examination between how women in Africa in comparison with African-American women view obesity is different and is a reflection of how views and perception change over time and across cultures. CONCLUSION: Culture differ across the globe, meeting the geographical requirements of a region, these can vary and be contrary, like the case of obesity, which is endeavored by some, and admonished by other societies, like the westerners. Likewise, cultural set ups are modified and changed in order to meet modern day requirements, and simultaneously maintaining and preserving the ancient cultural values that have been passed on. Similarly, cross cultural set ups also do exist, and various ethnic groups coexist and serve proactively for the development and progress of nations, thus exhibiting discipline, unity and tolerance. REFERENCES: Becker H. (1982) Culture: A Sociological View, Yale Review, September 2, , 71:513-527 Johnson, R. W. and Broadnax, P. A (2003). A perspective on obesity – analysis of trend of obesity in African-American women. ABNF Journal. Onish N. (2001) Maradi Journal: On the Scale of Beauty, Weight Weighs Heavily New York Times dated Feb 12

Interpreting Policies and Expectations Research Paper

Interpreting Policies and Expectations - Research Paper Example Evidently, discussion posting aims to assist the candidate to acquire new knowledge and to improve his/her knowledge base. Components of Scholarly Response The three components of scholarly discussion posting response are comprehensive, in-depth, and focused writing; APA style and citations, and relevance of the topic. The first element requires the candidate to provide comprehensive responses and to keep the responses specifically focused on the topic under consideration. It also requires candidates to give thoughtful postings after paying particular attention to week’s readings, relevant news, and other sources such as colleagues’ postings. It is vital for the candidate to depend on course sources as well as external sources to contribute to the authenticity of the posting. While using such sources, candidates are required to follow APA style so as to maintain uniformity and a high standard of scholarship. The use of APA style and citations are greatly beneficial to f acilitate the participation of all course participants. The relevance of the topic is the key tool for assessing the effectiveness of the participation. In order to ensure effective participation in discussion posting, candidates are expected to maintain the logical thread of discussion, which would enhance developing appropriate and useful ideas. Course Grades and Feedback Course grades will be based on participation in discussion postings and completion of assignments listed in the course syllabus. As described in the syllabus, the Course Grading Matrix gives an exact idea of course grading. A grade will be given for scores of 90% and above (900-1,000), B grade for scores of 80%-89% (800-899), C grade for scores of 70%-79% (700-799), and D grade for scores of 69% and below (699 or less).Feedback on all assignments will be given to the candidate by the 7th day of the week following the one in which the assignment was due. To illustrate, if the assignment was due in Week 3, the cand idate would receive feedback on that particular assignment by the 7th day of the Week 4. If a candidate thinks that he/she is not obtaining enough feedback, he/she is strongly encouraged to contact his/her instructor and ask for more feedback. The candidates can find contact information for his/her instructor under the Contact the Instructor area. The candidate may also refer to the Faculty members’ accessibility area of the Student policy excerpts in the Guidelines and Policies area to obtain further information on feedback. Walden University e-mail If the candidate has a course-related question, he can post his doubt in the discussion area or in the Contact the Instructor area. Since responses to a candidate’s question can be probably useful for others in the class, candidates are not advised to e-mail course-related queries to the Instructor or fellow classmates. Candidates are provided with Walden e-mail account to carry out their all official Walden University bus iness. They are expected to check their Walden e-mail account every day throughout the course period. Students are not expected to send copies of their postings to the Instructor or fellow classmates via e-mail. According to this course schedule policy, all postings have to be made in each week’s Discussion area of the course.  Ã‚  

Allied strategy in WWII for campaign on mainland Italy Essay

Allied strategy in WWII for campaign on mainland Italy - Essay Example We are raising a generation of young people who are historically illiterate to a large degree. Everything we have--our institutions, our material advantages, our laws, our freedom, not to say our poetry...music and...architecture--all comes to us from people who went before us. And to not know anything about them, to be indifferent to them, which is even worse than being ignorant...is...really...mass ingratitude1. The allied invasion of mainland Italy began in September 1943. General Harold Alexander's 15th Army Group was responsible for starting this invasion. The first step was invasion of Sicily. This was completed successfully during the campaign. How did it all start After the defeat in North Africa, the differences between the axis powers began to grow. The next strategic step of the allied forces was now not clear. Winston Churchill said the next step should be to invade Italy. He wanted to remove the influence of Regia Marina on Italy. The invasion of Italy would open the routes for the allied forces to enter the Mediterranean. The entrance in the Mediterranean was important as later on it could give way to the allied forces to enter Middle East and Far East. Another important reason for this was the increase in supply from America and Britain. This invasion would also help stop Germans who were planning to execute operation Overload. Operation overload was about invading Normandy. General George Marshall was against this operation. He did not want to delay the operation overload in any circumstances. However, when no solution could be made and differences started to grow, it was planned that first Sicily should be invaded . Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ planned out all of this operation. They ordered the invasion of Sicily and the Italian mainland. Operation Husky, or in other words the invasion of Sicily began in July 1943. It was a very successful operation. Many of the allied forces escaped to the mainland Italy. Benito Mussolini was overthrown by a rebellion. He was the head of the Italian government. The actions were quick and swift. They thought that Italy would surrender if a quick invasion is done. However, they did not know that Italians and Germans together will be very strong. Even after Berlin was invaded, the Italians put up really good. The allied forces were now in a difficult position. They now had to provide food and other supplies to the troops in Italy. Germany was putting up resistance too. In fact it was because of the Germans that the Italians felt so strong. Even though Germans whole economy was at war too, they were putting up a lot of resistance. According to Milward "here was little that was new and less that was orderly in the New Order"3.Solely in economic terms, the new German Empire in Europe would have been a large-scale structure organized for, and run on the principles of, a colonialism of the crudest kind. Germany's economic policy toward occupied countries can in essence be summed up in two terms: exploitation and colonization. "Anti-Semitism as a political movement neither can nor should be based on fleeting emotions, but on the acceptance of

Gamal Abdel Nasser Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Gamal Abdel Nasser - Essay Example The nationalist revival during the period of British occupation revealed a public awareness among a segment of Cairo's population, but this seldom was transacted into positive achievements. Instead, the Egypt of 1952 was a stagnant country. Beset by political strife, successive national governments did little to foster the country's development. An archaic structure of land ownership, abysmal living conditions among the great majority of the population, an economy geared to benefit a privileged few, and political instability--this was the legacy after thirty years of independence (Frederick, 268). The existing political parties abdicated their right to govern. In their struggle with the King and their quest for power and office, they treaded ruthlessly on the welfare of their country. Egypt's political structure blocked progress, rooted as it was in the status quo. No parliament controlled by wealthy landowners and Cairo's privileged social elite would support sweeping reform programs to the detriment of the vested interests. Few groups were untainted by the corruption which permeated Cairo. Many ranking civil servants owed their positions to partisan politics; landowners gained protection from the Wafd; businessmen were dependent upon the government for favors; and high ranking military officers often owed their posts to the King's personal support. Only the middle-class military--the captains, majors, and colonels, and, perhaps, a few generals--had the moral credentials for a bona fide movement of reform. And, after the sordid manipulation of the Alexandria cotton market and the collapse of national government in 1952, only the military was prepared to take action in the name of the people. Humiliated in the 1948 Palestine War, the Egyptian army generally had done little to distinguish itself. In its ranks, however, was a cadre of sincere and talented, though inexperienced, officers, and it was they who toppled the government in 1952. Initially, a junta sought to establish a nonpartisan civilian government, but this body proved unwilling to initiate the reforms desired by the young officers. Thus, the job of governing fell to the Free Officers by default. Governing had not been their initial purpose, and they were ill prepared for the task; but they alone were in a position to raze the "old order." And the destruction of the "old order" was a prerequisite for the implementation of profound reforms (Frederick 269). Role in Modernizing Egypt Rapid development in Egypt required an authoritarian government, and it became increasingly obvious that the Revolutionary Command Council could not measure up to the task. Instead, a single leader, a man with dictatorial powers, was needed. Gamal Abdel Nasser became dictator of Egypt in April, 1954. His was a difficult task. The country had not rallied to the military movement. Moreover, there was no panacea for Egypt's problems, and his every move drew the sniping attacks of those without the responsibilities for government. To his credit, he approached his mission boldly. Easy as it was to be irresolute, he determined what was best for

E-Marketing Report for www.northbrisbanelandscapes.com.au Assignment

E-Marketing Report for www.northbrisbanelandscapes.com.au - Assignment Example A ranking of the four companies, North Brisbane Landscape, C Price Landscapes, Australian Native Landscapes, and Frosts Garden Centres, chosen in this paper, has also been done to deduce the comparative position of each company. The overall result suggested a lowly position of North Brisbane Landscape, the company discussed in the paper. The company was found to lack in its 7 I’s and 6 C’s components. The recommendations have been done, keeping in focus the deficiencies observed in these two components respectively. Introduction E-marketing is the marketing using digital technologies in order to help selling of the products or services. E-marketing provides businesses houses of any size an easy access to the general mass market within an affordable price range. Specific benefits achieved from e-marketing include the following aspects: global reach, lower cost, results that can be tracked and measured, 24-hour marketing, personalization, one-to-one marketing, etc (Develo ping an E-Marketing Plan, 2005, pp.2-3). Business websites should be maintained by every running company in order to propagate their products and services online. As websites are so important for a company, this needs to be audited on regular basis in order to determine their effectiveness as well as any broken link, i.e. a link which cannot be accessed by the user. A good website audit report would provide information on how often the website is accessed by the users, whether by subscribing or paid advertisements, etc (Website Audit – an Analytical Approach, 2007). In this paper, we will talk about North Brisbane Landscape and compare it with three other websites at the local, national and international levels, namely at local level - C Price Landscapes, nationally - Australian Native Landscapes, and internationally - Frosts Garden Centres located in Oxfordshire, UK. In this research, two tools of the 6Is and the 7Cs will be used to compare and evaluate these three websites. These websites belong to the same industry. The audit report of North side Landscape supplies says that the website of North side Landscape has been experienced in their services for the past 36 years but not experienced in the effectiveness of their website. This is because the website requires more information and features for providing information for their customers or even in dealing with their suppliers. The company lacks in features such as identification, individualization and interaction with customers (North Brisbane Landscape, 2010). The local company, i.e. C Price Landscapes, is better in terms of its homepage contents (C Price Landscapes, 2010). The information is clear and it has communication with the social network users like Facebook. The company chosen at the national level, Australian Native Landscapes, is far better than the rest of the company websites going by its contents and features. The website has made good use of color combination and provides correct li nks to guide its customers (Australian Native Landscapes, 2011). The last company chosen at the international level is Frosts Garden Centres in Oxfordshire. The company has a well maintained website. Interactive marketing Interactive marketing is the ability to address the customer, remember what the customer has said, and address the custo

Challenges in Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Challenges in Writing - Essay Example For example, after writing about the ‘moment of truth’ in my protagonist’s life (in a short story I wrote), I pondered for a long time for an alternative word but had to be satisfied with ‘the yes moment’ and then still unhappily replaced it with ‘the cool moment’. Similarly I had to spend a sleepless night being unable to break free from the ‘having said that’ and ‘at the end of the day’ syndromes in my writing. To disentangle one’s thought process from the mundane discourses of one’s own mind is another great challenge, as far as I am concerned. This demands great amount of concentration and clarity. This approach to writing is rooted in attaining a crystal clear consciousness when one starts writing, which can surely be cultivated. It is an unconditional opening up of one’s senses to the surroundings so that you can hear a cuckoo’s song heard from far away (which otherwise you may n ot even notice), you can hear the feeble murmurings of wind, and also you can feel forgotten experiences and memories from distant recesses of the past. In such a moment of deep contemplation, I always had the experience of new words, new sensations and new ideas pouring in.

Choose one from the essay4 topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Choose one from the essay4 topic - Essay Example McKeon sounds a bit more pragmatic since he informs us about how the separation of the household from the business enterprise has left a substantial impact in the materialization of the capitalism and the modern culture. It was, however, Bordo’s notion of male-body that I found most interesting. Bordo focuses upon the cultural and psychological understanding of the male body in the post-modern world. Her writing also provides a good deal of argument on the gender issues related to body exposure in a variety of media. Though the issues discussed by McKeon and Bordo are not directly relevant to the pedagogical issues, yet we can derive a theory of education out of what they have presented in their works. My concept of education before reading the three authors was somewhat different. The study I believed that education was all about teaching and learning and that a teacher had to play pivotal role in the pedagogical process. The notion of education cannot be limited to formal education. Students spend more time at home or at other places than in schools. Their learning is a continuing process, which involves a variety of factors. A child’s education starts from the lap of her/his mother and then the exposure to society, peers, media, and a number of other factors directly or indirectly teach the child how to live, behave, interact, and handle problems. I also believed that a student-centered and activity-based education is better than the teacher-based education which involves extensive lecturing. I believed that a teacher must follow reflective teaching which involves creativity, experimentation and melioration of the pedagogical process through flexibility and acceptance of new formal/informal methods of teaching. The most important thing, in my opinion, was joy of learning. An ideal teacher should strive hard to teach in an interactive manner and make the students enjoy while learning new concepts. The authors we read during the course have