Market Analysis LOreal

Introduction L’Oreal was established in 1909 in the personal care industry in France. The firm’s operations involve the production of diverse cosmetic and beauty products. The firm has managed to penetrate the global beauty and cosmetic market. Currently, L’Oreal ranks as the largest cosmetic organisation in the world. L’Oreal has adopted internationalisation as one its business level strategies in an effort to maximise its profits.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Market Analysis: L’Oreal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The firm has targeted China as one of its marketing destinations. Currently, the firm ranks as the second largest skincare and beauty firm in China. Procter Gamble leads the market as it has introduced all its major brands in the Chinese market. Likewise, L’Oreal has introduced most of its brands in the Chinese market such as Maybelline New York and Lancome. In a bid to market its products successfully in the Chinese market, L’Oreal has adopted the concept of localisation in its marketing processes. The firm has set up a research and innovation centre in China. Moreover, the firm has established manufacturing centres at Yichang and Suzhou. Liu (2013, p. 178) argues that the ‘degree of market localisation is reflected in the effort made by an organisation to match local customer needs or requirements and it is measured by its local market orientation’. The manufacturing centres enable L’Oreal to produce most of its professional and mass products, which allows the firm’s products to align with the market needs. Despite its localisation efforts, the firm has not fully localised all its products such as Yue Sai, which is still manufactured in the international market. This paper entails a comprehensive analysis of L’Oreal’s marketing efforts in China. The paper also recommends the ad justments that L’Oreal should consider in order to enhance its market dominance. International market evaluation The world is experiencing a growing trend with regard to the rate of inter-connections and inter-dependencies (Andexter 2008). It is imperative for businesses to develop sufficient competitiveness in order to stay relevant in the international market. Understanding the prevailing market condition is one of the ways through which organisations can remain competitive. Aswathappa (2010, p. 501) asserts that the ‘existence of uncontrollable and controllable factors makes international marketing more complex as compared to domestic marketing’. Firms that have adopted the concept of internationalisation have trouble in understanding the international market. However, surviving in such a market requires an organisation to align its marketing strategies such as marketing mix to conform to the prevailing market needs. The uncontrollable factors in the internati onal environment relate to forces emanating from the political, social, economic, technological, cultural, ethical, competition, and the legal environments. The external business environment is characterised by diverse market changes.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Firms do not have control of most external forces such as technological changes. Consequently, it is imperative for marketers to ensure that their products and services align with the prevailing market changes. Such an adjustment will enhance an organisation’s competitive edge. Aswathappa (2010, p. 501) further argues that the ‘varying environments may rule out uniform marketing strategies across countries’. According to a study conducted by the World Bank, it is projected that China will outdo the United States as the largest world economy in a few decades to come. Currently, the Chinese consumers are experiencing a remarkable increment in their purchasing power. Subsequently, they are in a position to purchase luxury products. Moreover, the Chinese have undergone a significant change in their purchasing behaviour, as evidenced by their preference for premium consumer products such as skincare and beauty. The attractiveness of the Chinese beauty and skincare market has attracted a large number of multinational cosmetic companies over the past two decades. Some of the major industry players include Procter Gamble, L’Oreal, Shisedo, Amway, and Unilever. The firms have developed adequate competitiveness by integrating marketing expertise, product development, research and development, and effective financial management. By 2010, the aforementioned five cosmetic companies dominated the Chinese cosmetic market. However, the firms only covered 40% of the total market. Moreover, the firms faced intense competition from local firms such as Jala and Shanghai Jahwa w hose products were effectively positioned in the local market. Consequently, there is a significant market potential in the Chinese cosmetic and beauty market. Moreover, the likelihood of L’Oreal succeeding in China is evidenced by the view that a large number of consumers are appreciating the international brands. This trend is mainly evident amongst urban consumers in tier 1 cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. Consumers in these cities are increasingly becoming sophisticated with regard to consumption of beauty and cosmetic products. One of the factors that have increased their level of satisfaction relates to growth in the rate of information explosion on premium cosmetic and beauty brands. Therefore, western brand names and images do not have substantial potential to attract Chinese consumers. Therefore, it is imperative for firms intending to enter the Chinese market to understand the prevailing market dynamics for such a move will give the firm’s management team insight on the most effective strategies to adopt in order to succeed. Global branding and standardisation Marketing in the international market presents businesses with an opportunity to expand their businesses and enhance their brands. Multinational corporations face diverse challenges in their marketing efforts (Ghantous 2008). However, branding in the international market is a major challenge for most businesses.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Market Analysis: L’Oreal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Glynn and Woodside (2009, p. 27) define a brand as ‘a name, symbol, design, term, or a combination of all which is intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of competitors’. Therefore, branding enables an organisation to differentiate its operations from its competitors. Subsequently, an organisation is in a posit ion to address the consumers’ emotional and functional demands. Consequently, surviving in the Chinese market beauty market will depend on the quality of marketing strategies adopted. There are different options that multinational corporations can integrate in their operational and strategic marketing decisions (Ghantous 2008). Integration of global branding is one of the strategies that multinational corporations can integrate in their operations. Global brand strategy is mainly integrated in companies’ effort to attain market success in their new markets (Malaval 2001). Global branding strategy does not entail developing a product for the total global market. One the contrary, it entails modifying a particular product to meet the specific market needs (Malaval 2001). Standardisation and localisation are some of the strategies that businesses can integrate in an effort to attain market dominance. Kotler, Pfoertsch, and Michi (2006, p. 89) propose that global ‘br anding strategy is characterised by the strong focus on increasing profitability by reaping the cost of reduction that come from standardisation’. Standardising an organisation’s global branding strategic leads to the development of a strong market position; furthermore, standardisation improves an organisation’s brand image in the international market and leads to improvement in an organisation’s brand and perceived prestige and quality. L’Oreal hired a renowned Paris-branding agency in order to reposition Yue Sai brand. The Chinese external business environment is very complex (Liu 2013). Therefore, in a bid o survive in such a market, it is imperative for businesses to integrate a high degree of localisation. This move will enable a firm to cope with the market, which can be characterised by being disorderly, fragmented, and dominated by fluctuating levels of corporate control by the Chinese government. Such controls have made major multinationa l companies in China such as Wal-Mart to lose substantial market opportunities (Liu 2013). The tight control imposed by Wal-Mart headquarters with regard to its Chinese market has led to ignorance of the Chinese culture. Ignoring the Chinese culture is a major challenge in an organisation’s effort to attain market dominance. In an effort to penetrate the Chinese market, L’Oreal adopted the concept of standardisation as evidenced by the introduction of the Yue-Sai in 1992. The product was initially owned by Yue Sai Kan and was specifically targeted to the Asian women. In a bid to meet the beauty and skin care needs amongst the Asian women, L’Oreal identified Yue Sai as a potential product that was designed for the Asian market.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Consequently, L’Oreal purchased Yue Sai from the initial entrepreneur. The decision to acquire Yue Sai was perceived by many marketing analysts as a strategic move that would enhance L’Oreal’s effort to penetrate the Chinese market. The acquisition was in line with the firm’s mission, viz. ‘beauty for all’. L’Oreal also acquired another Chinese brand known as Mininurse. Consequently, L’Oreal has developed a strong market position in China through acquisition and licensing. Standardisation enables an organisation to set the desired standard of quality. Through standardisation, an organisation is in a position to maintain the uniformity of its products in the international market. Moreover, standardisation enables an organisation to widen the market for its products. Glynn and Woodside (2009, p. 26) assert that standardisation ‘assures the consumers that the goods are pure and uniform in quality and performance’. Afte r acquiring Yue Sai, L’Oreal undertook a comprehensive product improvement and development in an effort to ensure that the product aligns with the Chinese skin needs. This move led to the introduction of the Vital Essential line in 2007. The product was developed using ganoderma mushroom extracts. In China, the mushroom is considered to have medicinal value and such a move illustrates the firm’s commitment to align its products to the Chinese culture. Market targeting, segmentation, and strategic positioning The market for a particular product or service is comprised of several different segments. Every segment has specific consumer characteristics and buying behaviours, and thus in a bid to capture the prevailing market demand, it is imperative for marketers to understand the heterogeneous market. This goal is only achievable via the concept of market targeting and segmentation. Targeting entails narrowing down to specific needs of the consumer. Furthermore, targeting can be defined as the process of selecting the most effective market segment. Shimasaki (2009, p. 102) asserts that targeting ‘lets one to focus and tailor products to the specific preferences of the best customers’. Market segmentation is the process through which the total market is divided into homogenous subgroups. The marketing strategy for every segment varies from one segment to another. The market segments have unique promotion, pricing, product, and distribution strategies (Shimasaki 2009). On the other hand, positioning entails the process through which an organisation intends its customers to view the available products. According to Shimasaki (2009, p. 102), ‘positioning conveys a product’s value to the buyer and solves the customers’ problems’. An organisation’s positioning strategy determines the effectiveness with which the consumers understand the product or service value. In a bid to attain an effective market position , it is imperative for businesses to integrate a comprehensive differentiation strategy. L’Oreal is cognisant of the importance of market targeting, segmentation, and positioning. In the process of penetrating the Chinese market, L’Oreal segmented the market by using age as its core demographic market variables. During its initial market entry phase, the firm adopted concentrated market targeting strategy. Concentrated targeting strategy entails selecting a specific market segment and concentrating the marketing efforts on the identified segment (Lamb, Hair McDaniel 2012). Concentrated targeting strategy enables organisations to understand the consumers’ motives, needs, and satisfaction. As a result, the firm is in a position to develop a specialised marketing mix. L’Oreal targeted women as the core customers. China has undergone significant transformation with regard to personal care and beauty over the past few decades (Jian 2013). The younger generati on in China is more receptive of beauty and cosmetic products as compared to the older generation as is evidenced by the increment in consumer spending with regard to premium beauty products. Consumption of beauty and cosmetic products has increased significantly amongst young male and female consumers. It is estimated that the Chinese cosmetic and beauty market is growing at a rate of 13% annually. It is estimated that the country will continue growing at a rate of 10% (Fu 2013). The graph below illustrates the markets’ growth over the past decade. Source: (Fu 2013) The high growth potential in China is one of the factors that motivated L’Oreal to enter the market. However, the firm was forced to standardise and localise its products in order to meet the beauty and cosmetic needs for the Chinese women. For example, L’Oreal was forced to acquire and improve its main product, viz. Yue Sai, in line with the Chinese herbal medicines. The concept of localisation ha s played a critical role in enhancing the firm’s success in China. Moreover, the process of continuous product improvement enabled the firm to align its operations with the changing lifestyle amongst the Chinese women. The modern Chinese women can be defined as proud, confident, and aware of their role in society. Therefore, the firm was forced to align Yue Sai to the changing consumer behaviour. During its acquisition, Yue Sai had not developed an optimal market position despite its strong market position, which means Yue Sai’s market performance was relatively poor. Its sales were relatively low as compared to previous years. This aspect presented L’Oreal with a major challenge in its quest to attain the desired level of competitiveness. L’Oreal had a relatively poor market reputation with regard to its effectiveness in acquiring and integrating other brands and this element would dampen the firm’s future acquisition efforts. Moreover, most Chine se did not perceive Yue Sai as being an inspirational brand. Therefore, they preferred foreign brands such as Shiseido, Lancome, and Estee Lauder. Moreover, the brand was characterised by an uncertain business model. L’Oreal was concerned on how it would maintain Yue Sai’s dominance as a new lifestyle brand and a brand that leads to improvement in the level of confidence amongst the Chinese women. Moreover, L’Oreal intended to position itself as the dominant Chinese icon, which symbolises luxury. L’Oreal recognises the importance of adopting an optimal positioning strategy in order to succeed in marketing the Yue Sai brand. The positioning strategy will determine the degree of market acceptance of the brand by the Chinese. In its positioning effort, L’Oreal ensured that Yue Sai brand delivers value to customers. Consequently, the firm considered matching its distinctive capabilities with regard to product development and improvement, which enabled the firm to reposition Yue Sai as a brand that addresses the Chinese women’s beauty needs. Moreover, the firm has recognised the importance of exploiting the Chinese heritage and history in marketing the Yue Sai. Moreover, the firm is cognisant of integrating the concept of affordability in its value proposition efforts. One of the value propositions that the firm should consider entails offering products that contribute to improvement in the consumers’ perception. The firm should ensure that Yue Sai gains market relevance and an enduring market position amongst the target consumers. Such a positioning strategy will contribute in improvement in the level of customer loyalty. Marketing strategy Marketers are faced by a major challenge emanating from prevailing marketing fluctuation and changes (Ferrell Hartline 2013). Therefore, in a bid to survive in such a market, it is imperative for marketers to adopt optimal marketing strategies. Marketing strategies contribute to delivery of value to customers and fulfilment of their needs and wants. Ferrell and Hartline (2013, p. 22) argue that the ‘combination of continual change and the people-driven nature of marketing makes developing and implementing marketing strategy a challenging task’. The marketing strategy is comprised of different components, which constitute the marketing mix. The marketing mix is comprised of different variables, which address varying customer and product-related issues. In an effort to penetrate the Chinese market, L’Oreal has integrated the concept of marketing mix. The firm has focused on diverse marketing mix variables such as promotion, distribution, product, and pricing. L’Oreal was committed towards ensuring that Yue Sai brand gains market acceptance after the acquisition. Consequently, the firm adopted the concept of standardisation by integrating the Chinese culture and heritage in the process of improving the Yue Sai brand. L’Oreal ensured that aspects of the Chinese traditional medicine were integrated in the process of producing Yue Sai. The Chinese appreciate their cultural heritage and culture in their consumption process. Some of the elements that they hold with high esteem relate to health, medicine, and food. Moreover, most Chinese are conversant with their country’s traditional medicine. Subsequently, they enlist diverse ancient medicinal practices such as herbs, acupuncture, and other practise in an effort to enhance their health. This trend is evident in all the age groups, and thus to succeed in such a market, it is imperative for businesses intending to enter the Chinese market to take into account the Chinese culture. With regard to promotion, L’Oreal adopted diverse marketing communication methods. The main marketing communication methods included advertising and public relations. In its advertising process, the firm has adopted the press and television as the main marketing communi cation mediums. In a bid to reposition Yue Sai, L’Oreal allocated a substantial amount in its marketing communication budget. The amount was utilised its marketing processes through television and print media. The advertising campaign featured Du Juan, who is a renowned Chinese supermodel. In a bid to attract potential customers, the firm ensured that a high level of creativity and effective designing were integrated in the television commercials. For example, during the advertising campaign, the firm adopted the tagline ‘I hold my future in my hand’. The other slogan was adopted included ‘I look forward to every day with confidence’. Consequently, the firm was in a position to appeal to the Chinese women’s emotions. However, the high cost of advertising through these mediums hindered the firm’s effectiveness in creating awareness In its effort to create awareness through public relations, L’Oreal contracted renowned Chinese pers onalities and celebrities to endorse its products. Some of the major personalities included singers, athletes, actors, and actresses. Eighty percent (80%) of the firm’s marketing communication efforts were focused on skincare product and 20% on makeup. Furthermore, the firm had not adopted effective public relations’ channel as it had not adopted new media platforms such as Weibo, which were famous platforms in China. In a bid to enhance its effectiveness with regard to market awareness, L’Oreal should have considered increasing the size of its marketing communication budget. According to Ferrell and Hartline (2013), consumers are very sensitive towards price in their purchasing patterns. Consequently, it is imperative for managers to adopt an effective pricing strategy. Initially, the firm adopted the premium-pricing strategy. However, the attractiveness of the Chinese market led to entry of a large number of industry players, which diminished the attractivenes s of Yue Sai amongst most departmental stores that carried the product. Moreover, most consumers started preferring premium brands offered by competitors, which presented a major challenge to L’Oreal. In a bid to eliminate this challenge, L’Oreal should have considered adjusting its premium pricing strategy in the process of marketing the Yue Sai brand. This move would have ensured that the product is integrated effectively in its brand portfolio. Such an adjustment on the firm’s pricing strategy would determine the extent to which a large number of consumers would incorporate Yue Sai brand in their consumption patterns. Ensuring effective and efficient market accessibility is another factor that L’Oreal should consider in marketing the Yue Sai brand. This goal is achievable via adopting a comprehensive distribution strategy. The distribution strategy should entail effective selection of distribution channel. Considering the view that L’Oreal deals with tangible products, it is imperative for the marketing manager to ensure that the customers access the firm’s products easily. This move will increase the likelihood of maximising its sales revenue. Currently, the firm’s distribution channels in China are ineffective and the firm’s management team should consider a number of decisions in order to improve its efficiency with regard to the distribution of products. Some of these decisions relate to market coverage, establishment of distribution centres, adoption of optimal order processing strategies, warehousing, and specific channel members. Currently, L’Oreal has established a number of distribution centres in different parts of China. Some of the firm’s departmental stores are located in Shanghai and the firm distributes its products through 550 departmental stores, 430 cosmetic stores, and through 98 Watson and Manning. However, the firm faces intense competition from other competitors who include Aupres, Lancome, and Herborist who have established a strong level of market dominance. In a bid to survive in the Chinese market, it is imperative for the firm to consider improving its distribution efficiency by integrating emerging marketing communication channels. One of the options that the firm should consider entails the emerging e-commerce portals. Moreover, the firm should also consider expanding its market by adopting the concept of franchising, which will increase the product’s market reach. Consequently, the firm will increase the likelihood of marketing its products to a large number of customers. Conclusion The case study illustrates L’Oreal’s effort to enter the Chinese beauty and cosmetic market. Marketing in the international market presents multinational corporations with an opportunity to increase the level of profitability. This assertion arises from the view that international marketing enables an organisation to market its products to a large number of potential customers, which leads to increment in sales revenue. Despite the above benefits, international marketing is a major challenge to a large number of multinational corporations. Consequently, it is imperative for multinational corporations to adopt optimal marketing practices. One of the elements that that multinational corporations should take into account entails developing a comprehensive understanding of the international market environment. Therefore, a comprehensive marketing analysis and evaluation should be conducted. The analysis should focus on diverse market variables such as the political, legal, ethical, social, technological, and economic environments. Such an analysis will give marketers insight on the most effective marketing strategies and practices. The market environment varies from one country to another. The analysis shows that there is a high market potential for beauty and cosmetic products in China. The market potential emanates f rom the high youth population in the country. Moreover, China is undergoing a significant market transformation with regard to consumer attitude on beauty and cosmetic products. Most Chinese consumers prefer consuming local products. Despite the high market potential, China is characterised by unique market environment. Consequently, it is imperative for businesses to adopt effective market entry strategies. In a bid to survive in such a market, it is imperative for market entrants to understand the market, which will aid in determining the most effective market entry strategies. In the process of entering the market, L’Oreal adopted the concept of acquisition. The firm acquired Yue Sai, which a local Chinese brand that had substantial market potential. This move enabled L’Oreal to localise its product offering effectively. However, the acquired product was not effectively designed, and thus L’Oreal was forced to undertake additional improvement by integrating t he Chinese culture in its product development. The case study also shows that Yue Sai was not effectively marketed and this aspect motivated the firm to integrate effective marketing practices such as targeting, positioning, and market segmentation. In order to survive in the Chinese market, it is imperative for L’Oreal to allocate a substantial amount of money in its marketing budget, which will aid the firm in conducting a comprehensive marketing research. Consequently, the firm will be in a position to undertake effective product improvement. Moreover, the firm should consider improving its marketing communication by integrating emerging marketing communication platforms such as social media, which will enhance the likelihood of the firm attracting a large number of potential customers. Reference List Andexter, T 2008, Analysis and evaluation of market entry modes into the Asia-Pacific region based on the examples of a German SME in the industrial goods business, Verlag, N ew York. Aswathappa, K 2010, International business, Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi. Ferrell, O Hartline, M 2013, Marketing strategy; text and cases, Cengage Learning, Mason. Fu, Y 2013, Potentials of Chinese cosmetic market. Web. Ghantous, N 2008, Brand internationalisation strategy beyond the standardisation and adaptation dichotomy, GREFI, Paris. Glynn, M Woodside, A 2009, Business to business brand management; theory, research and executive case study exercises, JAI Press, Bingley. Jian, S 2013, New level of China’s beauty and personal care market. Web. Kotler, P, Pfoertsch, W Michi, I 2006, B2B brand management, Springer, New York. Lamb, C, Hair, J McDaniel, C 2012, Essentials of marketing, Cengage Learning, Mason. Liu, H 2013, Chinese businesses; landscapes and strategies, Routledge, New York. Malaval, P 2001, Strategy and management of industrial brands: Business to business products and services, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston. Shimasaki, C 2009, The business of bioscience: what goes into making biotechnology product, Springer, New York. This case study on Market Analysis: L’Oreal was written and submitted by user Brady W. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Uniform Policy should be abolished in Asian High Schools

Uniform Policy should be abolished in Asian High Schools Introduction It is universally accepted that schools are the most appropriate venues from where knowledge and skills can be imparted to students. Policy makers and educators all over the world try to come up with the best form of education for the school-aged citizens. In the Asian high schools, educators make use of policies that are aimed at promoting the best outcome from students. One of the policies widely applied by high schools in South Korea, China, and Japan is mandatory school uniforms.[1]Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Uniform Policy should be abolished in Asian High Schools specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Proponents of this policy argue that it leads to the best educational outcomes by students. However, this view is not unanimous and opponents of the policy asset that students should have the freedom to wear regular clothes. This paper will set out to argue that the school uniform policy in Asian high schools should be abolished since the policy prevents students from having individuality. The paper will demonstrate that the uniform policy is unjustifiable since in one of its core aspiration, which is to enhance discipline among students. Why the Uniform Policy should be Abolished By being forced to dress in a certain way, school uniforms limit a students individuality. The school uniform promotes conformity as all senses of individuality in the student are blurred when they are forced to wear similar outfits. Han declares that the uniform policy ends up covering the differences that exist in the school setting.[2] The school uniform policy ignores the reality that we live in a diverse world where people have different tastes and preferences. This diversity is informed by the cultural background and individual experiences of the individual. When students are allowed to wear unique clothes, they have the avenue to express their unique individuality and celebrate the differences th at exist amongst themselves. One argument made by proponents of school uniforms is that it equalizes students and ensures that there is no distinction among students.[3] By wearing uniforms, there is no opportunity for class or social distinction since wealthier students and poorer students are all forced to dress in the same way.[4] However, the fact is that differences exist among individuals in society. Instead of looking for ways to suppress these differences, schools should promote good relationships among students of varying cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Some researchers argue that by suppressing the individuality of the student, the uniform policy prevents the society from addressing issues such as inequality and stereotyping. The conformity promoted by the uniform policy has a negative impact on student creativity. When students are allowed to wear their normal home clothes, they have an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity. Schools that do not have a manda tory uniform policy also convey a spirit of innovation and originality.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In such an environment, students are inspired to exercise their creativity. Creativity is necessary for the future prosperity of the society since it leads to new inventions and innovations. As institutions that nurture skills and promote the development of talents in students, schools are supposed to promote creativity. By encouraging uniformity, the school uniform policy extinguishes the flame of creativity in students making them less productive members of the society. School uniforms also decrease the independence of students since educators encourage individuals to act in a similar fashion. Nemoto declares that uniforms have a negative effect on the development of students independent spirit.[5] The uniform policy therefore discourages a culture of innovation among th e students. The school uniform policy violates the rights of the student since they are denied their freedom of choice and expression. Even through students are not fully self-reliant citizens, they are entitled to some basic rights in society. One of these rights is the freedom of expression, which articulates the right of the student to express himself to the public as long as it is in an appropriate manner. Studies indicate that most students, especially from urban areas, have a poor perception of school uniforms. However, they are still obligated to wear the uniforms since it is mandatory school policy. The uniform policy is therefore perceived by many as an infringement on their freedoms. In most cases, students in Asian high schools are unable to demonstrate against the perceived injustice against them. As such, school uniforms promote compliancy even when those in authority are trampling upon the rights of the individual. Opponents of the school uniform policy assert that it leads to the formation of students who are unlikely to value the ideals of freedom of expression. In the Asian countries, students are displeased with the imposition of the uniform policy. However, they have to wear their uniforms and there is little public opposition to the policy. Greater priority is placed on respect and obedience to the authorities. Amita suggests that school uniforms encourage a subservient attitude by the student.[6] This attitude is carried forward into the society where students will continue to demonstrate great obedience to the authorities even when they feel that their rights are being infringed upon Arguments in Support of Uniform Policy and Refutations Advocates of the school uniform policy in Asian high schools argue that uniforms eliminate competition among students as each student has the same outfit.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Uniform Policy should be abolished in Asian High Schools specifically for you for only $16. 05 $11/page Learn More They further contend that wearing a school uniform decreases non-academic distractions since students will not waste time wearing flashing clothes to impress their peers. These assertions are supported by research findings by Firmin and Smith, which demonstrate that competition exists among high school students and many students wear particular clothes for the express reason of showing off to their friends.[7] Teachers and parents are of the opinion that uniforms can eliminate teasing and competition among peers. While mitigating competition and teasing in high schools is a noble endeavor, uniforms may not be the solution to this problem. Studies demonstrate that uniforms are unlikely to alter negative interactions among students at school.[8] Even when in uniform, students still engage in deleterious acts such as teasing and bullying. Competition is still rife with students looking for new avenues to show off to their peers. In Japan, some stu dents decorate their clothes or wear bright accessories to differentiate themselves from others. The competition elimination role that school uniforms supposedly play is therefore not realized in the Asian high schools. School uniform policy supporters believe that school uniforms encourage good behavior and conformity by students. In most cases, teachers promote the enforcement of uniform policy since they believe that if students are allowed to show individuality or originality in appearance, they are more likely to be rebellious against teachers or school rules.[9] The psychological development of high school students increases the likelihood that they will engage in rebellious behavior. Research indicates that there are instances where mandatory a school uniform policy leads to the reduction in problem behaviors among the students.[10] However, the relationship between implementing a mandatory school uniform policy and bad behavior mitigation is not always straightforward. Most studies that show an inverse relationship between school uniforms and the number of students problem behaviors fail to consider the numerous school safety initiatives that have an impact on student behavior. If these external factors are considered, it will be observed that school uniforms do not lead to a reduction in the frequency of students problem behaviors. Educators are tempted to use the uniform policy as an easy way to control students problem behavior and create a safe school environment. However, research indicates that the uniform policy by itself does not fulfill these roles. In addition to this, there is evidence suggesting that imposing school uniforms on students might actually exacerbate the situation of problematic behavior.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In some Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan where teachers enforce the uniform policy strictly, incidents of rebellion are higher. Some students engage in bad behavior as a protest and deliberately break school rules or commit other misdeeds. Research by Rockquemore and Brunsma actually demonstrates that students who wore uniforms had worse behavior problems than all other students.[11] Supporters of school uniforms in Asian schools declare that uniforms prevent delinquent behavior by students outside the school setting. These advocates reveal that by forcing students to wear students, they are easily identifiable in the public and they are unlikely to engage in delinquent acts. Empirical tests confirm that uniforms may be effective in decreasing delinquent behavior such as vandalism, theft, and burglary since the person is easily identifiable as a student.[12] However, this preventative role only applies to students who are not motivated to engage in antisocial behavior i n the first place. Research indicates that students who are motivated to engage will still find ways to carry out offenses even if they are forced to wear uniforms. Students can carry a change of clothing in a bag and therefore be free of their uniforms before getting home. They can then engage in delinquent behavior without anyone noticing that they are students. Research by Rockquemore and Brunsma indicated that uniforms had no effects of the behavior of students and they did not promote positive behavior[13]. Instead, any positive behavior was the result of social relations and values held by the students. Advocate of school uniforms policy in high schools state that school uniforms improve the academic outcomes of students. This claim gives great weight to imposition of school uniforms among Asian schools since every stakeholder in the educational sector wants to see students achieve the best educational results. Some research findings on the impact of school uniforms on test sc ores suggest that there is a positive correlation between the two.[14] According to a research conducted by Bodine, students from schools were a uniform policy was implemented demonstrated better academic performance than students from schools where no uniforms were used.[15] The idea that school uniforms increase academic performance has been refuted by further research. Kerry and Brunsma contend that the claims that uniforms increase student achievement are not supported by research findings.[16] Furthermore, research findings demonstrate that academic outcomes of students are determined by multiple factors including; student capability, teacher competence, school administrative policies, and student socio-economic status.[17] It would therefore be very misguided to attribute good performance to the school uniform policy. Any attempt by educators in Asian high schools to utilize school uniforms to deliver high academic performance is bound to fail. Discussion The high school unifo rm policy is widely promoted by educators and policy makers in Asian countries. This overwhelming support for a uniform policy is prompted by perceived positive outcomes attributed to implementing such a policy.[18] The expansive implementation of the school uniform policy in high schools in Japan, South Korea, and China is not based on evidence from empirical studies on the positive outcomes from this policy. Research findings overwhelming show that there are limited positive results achieved by implementing the uniform policy in high schools. Students who wear uniforms do not demonstrate stronger pro-school attitudes or better behavior than their peers who do not wear uniforms. Conclusion This paper set out to argue that the school uniform policy should be abolished in Asian high schools. It began by highlighting that the uniform policy is enforced out of the perceived advantages to be gained by having students in uniform outfit. The paper has demonstrated that the uniform policy leads to negative outcomes by preventing individuality and creativity among students. The policy also infringe on the freedom of expression that should be enjoyed by the students. The best society is one where citizens enjoy certain freedoms and are able to confront the authority when their freedoms are violated. From the arguments presented in this paper, it is clear that the uniform policy does not promote the development of such a society. From the evidence presented in this paper, it is clear that the positive perception toward school uniforms is based on faulty assumptions. In reality, school uniforms do not have positive effects on the learning outcomes and behavior of students, or school climate in Asian high schools. The uniform policy should therefore be abolished in Asian high schools in order to avoid the numerous demerits attributed to them and therefore guarantee a better future for the students. Bibliography Bodine, Anne. â€Å"School Uniforms, Academic Achievement, a nd Uses of Research.† Journal of Educational Research 97, no.2 (2003): 67-71. Brunsma, David. The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us About American Education: A Symbolic Crusade. NY: RL Education, 2004. Brunsma, David and Rockquemore Kerry. â€Å"Statistics, Sound Bites, and School Uniforms: A Reply to Bodine.† Journal of Educational Research 97, no.2 (2003): 72-77. Firmin, Michael and Smith Suzanne. â€Å"School Uniforms: A Qualitative Analysis of Aims and Accomplishments at Two Christian Schools.† Journal of Research on Christian Education 15, no.2 (2006): 143-168. Gentile, Elisabetta and Imberman Scott. â€Å"Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior.† Journal of Educational Research 103, no.1 (2010): 17-31. Gupta, Amita. Going to school in South Asia. Boston: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. Han, Seunghee. â€Å"A Mandatory Uniform Policy in Urban Schools: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2003-04.† International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership 5, no. 8 (2010): 1-13. Ishtiaq, Ahmed. The Politics of Religion in South and Southeast Asia. NY: Taylor Francis, 2011. Nault, Derrick. â€Å"The State and Uniform Policy.† Asia Journal of Global Studies 3, no. 1 (2003): 40-49. Nemoto, Yasuhiro. The Japanese Education System. NY: Universal-Publishers, 1999. Rockquemore, Kerry and Brunsma David. â€Å"Effects of student uniforms on attendance, behavior problems, substance use, and academic achievement.† The Journal of Educational Research 92, no. 1 (1998): 53-62. Seth, Micheal. Education fever: society, politics, and the pursuit of schooling in South Korea. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 2002. Footnotes Yasuhiro Nemoto, The Japanese Education System (NY: Universal-Publishers, 1999), 75. Han Seunghee, â€Å"A Mandatory Uniform Policy in Urban Schools: Findings from the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2003-04,† Internatio nal Journal of Education Policy and Leadership 5, no. 8 (2010): 3. Ahmed Ishtiaq, The Politics of Religion in South and Southeast Asia (NY: Taylor Francis, 2011), 34. Micheal Seth, Education fever: society, politics, and the pursuit of schooling in South Korea (Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 2002), 35. Yasuhiro, 74. Amita Gupta, Going to school in South Asia (Boston: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007), 32. Michael Firmin and Suzanne Smith, â€Å"School Uniforms: A Qualitative Analysis of Aims and Accomplishments at Two Christian Schools,† Journal of Research on Christian Education 15, no.2 (2006): 165. David Brunsma, The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us About American Education: A Symbolic Crusade (NY: RL Education, 2004), 35. Nemoto, 74. Han, 9. Kerry Rockquemore and David Brunsma, â€Å"Effects of student uniforms on attendance, behavior problems, substance use, and academic achievement,† The Journal of Educational Research 92, no. 1 (1998): 58. Davi d, 40. Kerry and David, 58. Elisabetta Gentile and Scott Imberman, â€Å"Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior.† Journal of Educational Research 103, no.1 (2010): 18. Anne Bodine, â€Å"School Uniforms, Academic Achievement, and Uses of Research,† Journal of Educational Research 97, no.2 (2003): 67. Kerry and David, 58 David Brunsma and Kerry Rockquemore, â€Å"Statistics, Sound Bites, and School Uniforms: A Reply to Bodine,† Journal of Educational Research 97, no.2 (2003): 72. Derrick Nault, â€Å"The State and Uniform Policy,† Asia Journal of Global Studies 3, no. 1 (2003): 42.

Security Management Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Security Management Plan - Essay Example This paper seeks to discuss security management plan that Quick Response Security will adopt in its effort to provide adequate security to its clients. Being the owner of Quick Response Security (QRS), my objective is to have a positive relationship with our customers as well as initiating conductive working environment with my employees. I highly value my employees for without creating a positive relationships with my workers, the company will not achieve its goals (Sullivan & Steven, 2003). This is depicted on the recruitments and training strategies that are focused on improving the performance of new and existing workers. Appropriate matrix for hiring trained personnel The most vital element in the security provision fraternity is the work force that basically entails the human resource. Qualified and trained personnel are major consideration in setting up the work force in the firm. Quick Response Security undergoes quite a comprehensive recruitment drive in order to ensure that right personnel are hired to undertake the laid down duties. Customer satisfaction is one of the key goals of Quick Response Security. ... Experience Education background Honesty and Trustworthiness Psychological qualifications Observance in terms of one’s behavior Physical, mental qualifications Background investigations These guidelines will assist in selecting the best employees in the company. Various departments have been created in order to ensure that each employee undertakes his/her assignment properly. The table below indicates various positions and their qualifications. Department Qualifications Operations Manager A degree in information technology or any field related to security systems 5 years of relevant working experience in a security firm Information security specialist 1. A degree in information technology 3 years experience in a busy security firm Ability to work with minimal supervision Human resource personnel A degree in human resource management At least 4 years of work experience Knowledge in the management of security firms personnel Security guards A diploma in management 3 years working experience in a security firm Ability to work with minimal supervision. These criteria will ensure that the right people are taken for the job. After the recruitment, the employees will be taken through some training sessions to familiarize themselves with the operations at Quick Response Security. Policies laid down to address issues and concern of privacy in intelligence gathering and surveillance. Intelligence gathering and surveillance control systems are vital for the success of any security firm. In order for us to be a step ahead from our competitors in the security provision industry, we have invested a lot in security technology. High-tech surveillance devices have been put in place in order to enhance our services. Some of the devices include: closed-circuit television (CCTV),

This is a medical law problem question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

This is a medical law problem question - Essay Example She breached that duty of care by acting in a manner inconsistent with the reasonable standard of care which caused Paulo to suffer injury as a result of her breach of the duty of care. She knows that it is mandatory to obtain the valid consent of the patient before any medical or surgical treatment is performed on the patient. Hence, she must also be made liable for the damages, together with the doctor for the injury sustained by Paulo. The hospital also has a vicarious liability for the tort of battery and negligence committed by their doctor and nurse. As their employers, the hospital can be sued in the event their employees cannot compensate Paulo for the damage caused to him. Under the law, Paulo has the right to sue the hospital, and in return, the hospital has the obligation to compensate Paulo for the unsafe medical practice committed against him. Paulo should also file a case for negligence and damages against Doc Torr for his failure to warn him of the risks and side-effec ts of the surgical treatment before the actual operation. Clearly, there was a breach of duty on the part of the doctor for failure to inform his patient that there is a 0.5% possibility that he will lose his voice. Such material fact should be made known to the patient since the doctor knows that the patient is an opera singer by profession. Paulo has the right to request for his health record, â€Å"which consists of information relating to the physical or mental health or condition of an individual made by a health professional in connection to his care†( BMA Ethics). Before a medical practitioner examines and/or treats a patient, a valid consent must be given by the patient. If the said doctor proceeds with the examination without obtaining consent from the patient, whether express or implied, and done against that person’s will and without any statutory authority to do so, that surgeon may incur civil liability for violation of the tort of trespass against the per son and criminal liability in accordance with the provisions of Offences Against the Person Act of 1861. The truth is that most cases covered by this area are brought about due to negligence as the cause of action in the tort or damage committed by the doctor. However, in order for the action to prosper, the claimant must show proof that a valid consent from the patient to allow the medical treatment was absent. In this case, no valid consent was obtained by Dr. Torr from his patient Paulo. Thus, the doctor is liable for negligence. The term â€Å"consent† was best described in the case of Cardozo J, Schoelendorff v New York Hospital which provides: â€Å"Every human being of adult years and sound mind has a right to determine what shall be done with his own body.1† While in the case of F V West Berkshire Health Authority, Lord Goff has stated that: â€Å"Every human being of adult years and sound mind has a right to determine what shall be done with his own body†. 2 In the case at bar, Paulo is an adult who has the capacity to give consent to the medical treatment that will be done to his own body. The requirement of consent to treatment reflects the basic right to self-determination. The act of Doc Torr makes him liable for two things: 1.) Failure to obtain a valid consent from his client; and 2.)Non-disclosure of the vital information of inherent risk

Despite the absence of god or gods, as well as a lack of concern for Essay

Despite the absence of god or gods, as well as a lack of concern for the afterworld, Theravada Buddhism and Confucianism can be considered religious traditions - Essay Example All these aim to get enlightenment and achieve nirvana, and thus be liberated from all the cycles of births and deaths and related sufferings. There are two main branches of the Buddhist religion. Theravada is the oldest surviving form of Buddhism that is still in practice mainly in Sri Lanka and in some parts of south East Asia. Mahayana form is practiced in the East Asia, while a variant of Mahayana known as the Vajrayana is often referred to as the third branch. Confucianism is a way of thinking that is more philosophical than religious, which originated in China. The founder of this form of ethical way of thinking, was Confucius (551- 478 BC), who lived around the same time as that of Lord Buddha. Confucianism deals with the ethical, moral, social, philosophical and to some extent religious aspects of life and has exerted tremendous influence in the cultural heritage of East Asia. It has become the state religion in some countries of this region. Confucianism lays stress on devel oping the moral ethics of a person so that a state can be governed by moral rules alone, and not by any enforced legal system. This article will explore and examine the various tenets of Theravada Buddhism and Confucianism and discuss whether these two form of practices with their absence of gods or any god like figures, and their utter lack of concern for the afterworld can be referred to as a religious traditions, or best be left to calling, as only philosophical thoughts. Theravada Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism translated literally means ‘teaching of the elderly,’ originated in India and is said to be the oldest form of Buddhism that is still in practice today. It is a conservative form of religious practice, and its sutras are said to be the closest to original doctrines of Lord Buddha. It has been the chief religion of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Burma for many centuries, and is also practiced in some parts of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia,

Mills Sociological Imagination On Individual Problems

Mills Sociological Imagination On Individual Problems Mills (1959) talks of a sociological imagination when looking at the problems of the individual. How might this sociological imagination assist social workers? How might sociological theories offer useful insights into the socially constructed nature of many of the contemporary social problems encountered by social workers? Do this by reference to a contemporary social problem that social workers may have to work with. This paper will explore Mills theory of a sociological imagination when looking at the problems of the individual, and explain how this theory might assist social workers. The focus will then turn to poverty as a contemporary social problem encountered by social workers. Poverty will be explored and discussed by reference to how sociological theories (Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism) offer useful insights into the socially constructed nature of poverty. C. Wright Mills (1916 62) was, according to Cunningham (2008, p7) a flamboyant American sociologist. Slattery (1991, p210) claims his aim was to reform society as much as explain it, to popularise sociology and develop a sociological imagination amongst the American public. Matthewman (2007, p91) explains that a sociological imagination requires a special quality of mind. When we process it we are able to see links between biography and history, to see how the personal relates to the public, and the individual to the structural. Matthewman is supported by Leon-Guerrero (2005, p14). By continuing to develop a sociological imagination and recognising the larger social, cultural and structural forces, we can identify appropriate measures to address social problems. Cunningham (2008) explores this using an example of a person suffering from depression after losing their job. Without recognising factors outside of the personal (such as the current economic or political conditions), the p roblem cannot not be sufficiently understood, addressed or resolved. Consequently failure to develop a sociological imagination could result in judgements or assumptions being made upon the failure of the individual, rather than societal structures. Stepping back to see the bigger picture can avoid granted assumptions, labels or ones personal values coming into play. Finally, Cunningham (2008, pg7) argues that learning to think sociologically is one of the most important skills a social worker can bring to their practice. Poverty is a long standing social problem and one which is prevalent among service users. This is supported by Smale et al. (2000, p18) who claims those who use, and are required to use, social work services continue overwhelmingly to be poor and disadvantaged. Despite this, social workers have been criticised about their knowledge of the effects and origins of poverty and lack of awareness regarding societal structures in relation to poverty. Becker (1997) cited in Cunningham (2008, p47) claims social workers have little understanding of the complex processes that generate and maintain poverty; they have limited insight into how their political and welfare ideologies and attitudes to poverty affect their daily practice with poor people; they have failed to place poverty on the agenda for social work theorising, education, policy and practice. Krumer-Nevo et al. (2009, p225) writing for the Journal of Social Work Education agrees and argues that despite the profound commitment of soc ial work towards people living in poverty, the social work profession has failed to develop practice based on awareness of poverty. To measure poverty, it first it has to be defined. There is no universal agreement regarding how to define poverty, although Cunningham (2008) and Leon-Guerrero (2005) describe two main methods used, Absolute and Relative poverty. Absolute poverty constitutes a lack of basic necessities such as, food, shelter and clothing. It refers to a lack of physical needs and is more like to be found in third world countries. Relative poverty was developed by Peter Townsend. It focuses on the inequalities in society. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p224) states that it is based on the premise that some people fail to achieve the average income and lifestyle enjoyed by the rest of society. Relative poverty is a widely accepted definition in developed countries and is used by the government in the UK. The Poverty Site (2009) confirms that the (UK) governments target of halving child poverty by 2010 is defined in terms of relative poverty. Moulder (2000, p2) confirms that sociologists came to define social pr oblems as problems that concern large numbers of people, have social-structural causes, and require social-structural solutions. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p3) explains first, a problem is a social condition that has negative consequences. If there were only positive consequences, there would be no problem. Poverty has many negative consequences personally and structurally. Poverty is more than a lack of money. According to a report by the Department of Work and Pensions (2009, p2) research about the impact that poverty can have on peoples lives shows that the experience of poverty is almost always overwhelmingly negative, and can have psychological, physical, relational and practical effects on peoples lives. Moreover, poverty is a highly stigmatised social position and the experience of poverty in an affluent society can be particularly isolating and socially damaging. Beresford et al. (1999) concurs with the Department of Work and Pensions findings. Additionally, the media often report on links between poverty and health, educational attainment, teenage pregnancies, anti-social behaviour, mental health and social exclusion. All of which have a negative impact and consequence upon society. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p3) informs that a social problem has objective and subjective realities. A social condition does not have to be personally experienced by every individual in order to be considered a social problem. The objective reality of a social problem comes from acknowledging that a social condition does exist. It must be recognised at an agency (individual) level as having negative consequences for those who experience it. Poverty is apparent at an agency level in society: local clothing banks, annual Children In Need appeal; deprived areas we may have seen or live near, Big Issue sellers, seeing the homeless or beggars on the street, and in the media (reality documentaries such as The Secret Millionaire). Leon-Guerrero (2005, p6) addresses the subjective reality. The subjective reality of a social problem addresses how a problem becomes defined as a problem. It is defined by powerful groups in society (politicians, religious leaders, pressure groups, the media or even gr assroots). As noted earlier, the UK government has defined poverty as a social problem. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p6) states, they become real only when they are subjectively defined or perceived as problematic. Recognising the subjective aspects of social problems allows us to understand how a social condition may be defined as a problem by one segment of society, but be completely ignored by another. Cunningham (2008, p33) explains that in the 1980s and 1990s Conservative ministers used absolute definitions to refute claims that Britain had a significant poverty problem and that their policies had led to increased levels of poverty. The problem was defined away. This paper will now explore functionalism, Marxism, radical and liberal feminism. Functionalism was developed by Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) and further developed by Talcott Parsons. Functionalism views society on a macro scale. Slattery (1991, p63) uses a biological metaphor to explain Functionalism. It functions like any other natural organism as a system of independent parts the economy, the family, the government and so on held together by not a central nervous system but a central value system, a set of sociological guidelines called norms based on underlying moral consensus, or collective consciousness. Matthewman (2007) asserts functionalists view society as a complex system, involving a vast array of political, economic and social roles, all of which play an essential part in ensuring society functions and continues to develop. Consensus is at the heart of this theory. It assumes individuals are socialised to fit in, taught the norms of society, primarily by the family unit, secondly by educational institutions, peers, the workplace, and wider society. Le on-Guerrero (2005) claims social problems are not considered in terms of how severe they are, but how the problem arises from society, and whether it serves a function. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p228) argues that poverty is seen as a natural consequence of system stratification. This refers to rapid changes that took place in society economically and technologically. It created a workforce that was unskilled for the new economy. Functionalists believe inequalities within the workforce are inevitable. Social status, wealth and power is earned, rewarded and deserved, through skill and hard work. Davis and Moore (1945) cited in Best (2005, p29) support this, stating social inequality is thus an unconsciously evolved device by which by which societies ensure that the most important positions are conscientiously filled by the most qualified persons. A well-known writer from the political right perspective H. J. Gans (1971, p1-5) explores how poverty may exist to serve positive functions for society. Some of these include: the poor perform work others do not wish to do; they provide employment for the professionals that service them; activities such as drugs, pawn shops and prostitution continue to prosper; they serve as scapegoats (the honest and hard working can accuse them of being dishonest, lazy and scroungers); also poverty acts as a measuring tool in terms of status for the non-poor. However, Gans suggests that many of the functions served by the poor could be replaced if poverty were eliminated, but almost always at a higher cost to others, particularly more affluent others. He believes that a functional analysis must conclude that poverty persists not only because it fulfils a number of positive functions but also because many of the functional alternatives to poverty would be quite dysfunctional for affluent members. Ga ns believes poverty will be eliminated only when it becomes dysfunctional for the affluent or powerful, or when the powerless can obtain enough power to change society. Interestingly, Gans states his aim with this paper was, to show functionalism is not an inherently conservative approach, but that it can be employed into liberal and even radical analyses. The social construction of poverty from a functionalist perspective is seen as natural and beneficial for the affluent and society, or at least parts of it. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p228) supports this assertion. Functionalists observe that poverty is a product of our social structure. Functionalists do not inherently agree with poverty, they acknowledge it has functions as well dysfunctions but recognise that it has a role to play in the structure of society. They strongly believe power and wealth is earned through skill and hard work, not everyone has the talent to succeed, therefore, inequality and poverty is inevitable. The poor are seen as flawed, marked out from the rest of society, deviant and non-conforming. The current recession in the UK which has forced many more into poverty would, from a functionalist perspective, be viewed as a natural temporary occurrence. The role of a functionalist social worker would be to support individuals to get back into their role ensuring the smo oth running of society. Karl Heinrich Marx (1818-93) was one of the key influences in sociology according to Slattery (1991). Marxism is a conflict theory, which like functionalism, views society on a macro scale. However, they argue that poverty is the consequence of a capitalist society; it is constructed due to an unequal distribution of power and wealth. The main thread of the Marxist argument is that conflict exists between the classes: the bourgeoisie (who own the capital) and the proletariat (who provide the labour). Giddens (2006, p16) explains capital is any asset, including money, machines or even factories, which can be used or invested to make future assets. Giddens (2006, p16) asserts the bourgeoisie own their means of a livelihood, whereas the proletariat are wage-labour. The proletariat must seek employment from the bourgeoisie, who form a ruling class over the mass proletariat population. Payne (2005, p228) claims capitalism is an economic system in which a few people accumulate capital to i nvest in producing goods and others sell labour to them for wages. The profit earned by the bourgeoisie is seen as exploitation of the proletariat. Moreover, the bourgeoisie create a false consciousness controlling the media, policies, laws, religion and education, influencing and shaping the proletariats norms and values, idealising how society thinks. This false consciousness leads the proletariat to believe economic inequality is fair and just. This is supported by Best (2005) and Taylor et al. (2002). The most crucial point is the relationship between the two classes. Giddens (2006) explains that although each class is dependant on the other this dependency is not balanced. Giddens (2006, p16) explains the relationship between classes is an exploitative one, since workers have little or no control over their labour and employers are able to generate profit by appropriating the product of workers labour. Hilary Searing (2007) writes from a radical social work perspective. In an article Poverty in the Big Issue written for the Barefoot Social Worker website, Searing claims poverty is structurally constructed and the consequence of a modern capitalist society. Poverty and inequality seem to be an intrinsic part of modern capitalism. She criticises the government suggesting that poverty has been ignored in order to achieve economic prosperity. This Labour government, by continuing the neoliberal, modernising agenda of the previous government, regards poverty and inequality as the inevitable price to be paid to maintain competitiveness in the global economy. Like Marxists, Searing believes social class is a major factor. The social class a child is born into is a major determinant of their life chances. Searing believes social workers patch the cracks regarding poverty, rather than tackling the real structural cause. The government assumes that social workers can deal with poverty withou t tackling the underlying causes. Searing believes Labour demean social-structural causes, consequently placing the onus of poverty upon the individual. She states the government chooses to minimise the part played by social and economic factors, outside the control of the individual, in causing poverty and implies that in most cases personal inadequacy is at the root of peoples failure to remain independent and self-supporting. In summary, Marxists believe poverty is constructed by social structures; society fails the poor and the abolition of capitalism in favour of communism is the solution. According to Giddens (2006) Marxists believe revolution among the proletariat to overthrow the bourgeoisie is inevitable, and that it will bring about a new classless society. Giddens (2006, p17) explains Marxists do not consider inequality would be eliminated. Rather, that society would no longer be split into a small class that monopolises economic and political power and the large mass of people who benefit little from the wealth their work creates. Marxists would argue that the current recession was caused by greed and unethical risk taking amongst the bourgeoisie, and the proletariats will be left to bear the real costs. Cunningham (2008) argues that Marxists see social workers as agents of social control on behalf of the state, acting in the interests of the bourgeoisie. Their motive for helping people is to get them back into the work force. They believe that much of social work is around control, surveillance and assigning blame upon individuals. Payne (2005, p231) echoes Cunningham suggesting social workers are seen agents of class control enhancing the oppression by capitalist societies of the working class. They simply enable the capitalist system to reproduce itself in the next generation by helping people to cope with the difficulties of the system. Poverty is of particular relevance to feminist theories since Taylor (2002, p179) claims women are more likely to experience poverty than men. In an article for the BBC News website (2008) entitled Womens Low Pay Behind Poverty, womens pay was seen to be a major cause. The TUC said that mothers were being trapped in part-time, low-paid jobs. More than 75% of part-time workers were female. The gender pay gap for full-time workers was 17.2%. In the same article, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber asserts as 40% of households are now headed by single mothers, this has concerning implications for tackling child poverty. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p145) claim household incomes are not distributed equally. Women tend to have smaller independent incomes than men and there is no guarantee that they will share fully the income of their husbands or partners. Additionally, women are less likely to have occupational pensions and income from investments; married women are less likely to work than married men; more women than men rely on benefits as their main source of income; lone parents are vulnerable to poverty, and a large majority are women. The majority of pensioners are also women. Glendinning and Miller cited in Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p145) claim women are more likely to live in poverty than men because they are viewed as secondary workers, their primary role is seen as domestic and they are less important than that of their husbands so they are not expected to earn a family wage. Moreover, women are disadvantaged in access to social security benefits. Only 60 per cent of women are entitled to maternity leave and many women care for sick and elderly relatives, yet they receive very small state allowances for doing so. This intermittent and often part-time employment of women leaves many illegible for unemployment benefit and redundancy pay. Moreover, within the household men command more of the family resources (of money, of food, of space and so on) an d this is legitimised by their status as breadwinners. Hill writing for The Observer (2009) suggests women suffer financially after divorce, while men become richer. She argues his available income increases by around one third. Women, in contrast, suffer severe financial penalties. Regardless of whether she has children, the average womans income falls by more than a fifth and remains low for many years. There are varying perspectives of feminism, the main three being liberal, radical and Marxist. According to Trevithick (2005) while there are differing perspectives they generally agree on certain principles. The main aim is gender equality; however, they differ on the cause and solution to this problem. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p592) state most radical feminists broadly share the same aim as Marxists and liberal feminists they seek equality between the sexes rather than dominance. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p592) state radical feminists see society as patriarchal it is dominated and ruled by men. According to Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p602) Kate Millet was one of the first radical feminists to use the term. Giddens (2006, p471) argues from this perspective men are responsible for and benefit from the exploitation of women and that patriarchy is viewed as a universal phenomenon that has existed across time and cultures. Leon-Guerrero (2005, p230) claims feminist scholars argue the welfare state is an arena of political struggle. The drive to maintain male dominance and the patriarchal family is assumed to be the principal force of shaping the formation, implementation, and outcomes of the U.S. welfare policy. In the UK, the preservation of marriage and the nuclear family is on the political agenda. Gentlemen (2009) writing for The Guardian claims the Conservatives say marriage is key to addressing social breakdown. They also propose rewarding married co uples. Bingham (2009) in the Daily Telegraph alleges the Tories are proposing tax breaks for married couples which would allow women who stay at home to pass on their allowance to their husband. Abramovitz (1996) cited in Leon-Guerrero (2005, p230) claims that welfare has historically served to distinguish between the deserving poor (widows with children) and the undeserving poor (single and divorced mothers). For instance, Margaret Thatcher condemned single mothers in the 1980s. According to the Workers Liberty website (2007) she once infamously proposed cutting all benefits to single mothers, stating that they should live in Salvation Army hostels or give up their children for adoption if their own families wouldnt support them. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p592) allege the family is often seen by radical feminists as the key institution producing womens oppression in modern societies. Giddens (2006, p471) supports this stating radical feminists often concentrate on the family as one of the primary sources of womens oppression in society. They argue that men exploit women by relying on the free domestic labour that women provide in the home. As a group, men also deny women access to positions of power and influence in society. Firestone (1970), a radical feminist cited in Cunningham (2008, p96) claims womens inferiority is linked to their biological sex. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, p471) explore this further suggesting men control womens role in reproduction and child-rearing. Because women are biologically able to give birth to children, they become dependant materially on men for protection and livelihood. Most importantly this biological inequality is socially organised within the nuclear family. Giddens (2006) argues that not all radical feminists agree with Firestone, but rather believe that it originates from culture and socialisation. Haralambos and Holborn (1995, 592) argue that radical feminists believe that gender equality can only be attained by overthrowing the patriarchal order. Giddens (2006, p592) asserts that many radical feminists reject the assistance of males in reaching their aim, because men are seen as the enemies of womens liberation. In contrast, Liberal feminists according to Cunningham (2008) agree that equality should be more equal between men and women. However, unlike radical feminists they do not believe that patriarchy is the cause of womens oppression. Giddens (2006, p468) claims that liberal feminists look for explanations of gender inequalities in social and cultural attitudes. Cunningham (2008, p97) agrees with Giddens but probes deeper stating the roots of womens oppression lie with the irrational prejudice, stereotyping and outdated attitudes and practices that lead to sex discrimination occurring in all spheres of life. Like radical feminists they believe the family is oppressive to women. Women are expected to play the social role of wife and mother along with carrying sole responsibility for the household chores that go with it. Cunningham (2008, p97) believes it is an ideology that is perpetuated by the media and popular culture. A womens role is laid out before her, she is not free to find their own fulfilment. Life opportunities are not equal to that of mens. Dunne, Kurki and Smith (2009) assert that economic insecurity is believed to exist due to gender inequality. Women are disproportionately located at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale in all societies. Womens disproportionate poverty cannot be explained by market conditions alone; gendered role expectations about the economic worth of womens work and the kinds of tasks that women are expected to do contribute to their economic insecurity. In terms of addressing equality Giddens (2006, p470) claims liberal feminists tend to focus their energies on establishing and protecting equal opportunities for women through legislation and other democratic means. Haralambos and Holborn (1995) explain how liberal feminists supported the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Act, hoping these would help to end discrimination. They believe gradual change can be brought about within the existing social structure. Cunningham (2008, p98) states they would also support further female representation and involvement in politics by the introduction of women-only shortlists. Liberal feminists are modest in how they aim to bring about change, through anti-discriminatory legislation rather than overthrowing the system like radical feminists. Finally, Cunningham (2008, p99) points out that liberal feminists believe nobody benefits from gender discrimination. Women lose out on the ability to develop their talents, business loses out because it fails to harness the potential and ability of 50% of the population, and men lose out because they are denied the opportunity to develop close ties with their children. This paper has sought to explore how Mills theory of a sociological imagination may assist social workers when considering the problem of an individual, and how three grand sociological theories can offer useful insights into the socially constructed nature of poverty. To conclude, this paper shall consider the use of those theories upon social work practice. Cree (2000, p7) asserts sociology offers social work the opportunity to explore meanings beneath taken-for-granted assumptions about behaviour, action and social structure. It offers a knowledge and value base which is not rooted in individual pathology but instead seeks to understand individuals in the context of the broader structures that make up their lives (including social class, gender, age, race, and ethnicity) and the historical movement within which they are living. Sociology provides competing theories that offer differing perspectives to explain the emergence, existence and persistence of poverty. Moreover, they can raise awareness of oppression and disadvantage that may be constructed in social structures. Cree (2000, p208) confirms that inequality and oppression exist at both individual and structural levels. Dominelli (2002) argues that practitioners who follow emancipatory approaches seek to achieve anti-oppressive practice by focusing on the specifics of a situation in a holistic manner and mediating between its personal and structural components. To obtain this impact, social workers and their clients develop clear goals to pursue and use networking and negotiation techniques to secure change. Change usually occurs at the micro-level where interpersonal relationships are the target of the intervention(s). Such an approach could be, as suggested by Cunningham (2008, p48) task-centred. This approach offers a very practical model which is potentially very empowering. The service user decides which areas they should like to work on. Practice is based on the premise that the service user will work in partnership with the social worker and learn new methods that will equip them in the future. In this sense, workers could adopt a very practical way to address some aspects of poverty. However , Cunningham warns perhaps this still doesnt go far enough, as this method of practice is based upon an individual approach and doesnt address the bigger picture. Possibly combining task-centred working with other more radical methods of working might address this. Dominelli (2002, p86) agrees with Thompson, and suggests if poverty is causing personal hardship, institutional (meso-level) and/or societal (macro-level) changes may be required alongside endeavours aimed at helping the individual to control its deleterious effect on his or her life. Feminist and Radical methods of practice both focus on the bigger picture. According to Drakeford (2008, p310) radical social work, essentially Marxist in persuasion, suggested that alliances could be formed between clients in social welfare which would allow for vested interests to be challenged and authority to be redistributed from the powerful to the powerless. Trevithick (2005, p284) states that this approach emphasises the importance o f social, economic and political solutions to social problems, thereby shifting the onus of blame from the individual without denying responsibility. This involves social workers challenging the social structures that oppress and discriminate. Trevithick (2005, p285) claims that practitioners who work from a radical/progressive/activist perspective are passionately committed to the issue of social justice and to working alongside people from disadvantaged groups in order to initiate change. Feminist social work, according to Dominelli and MacLeod (1989, p1) is informed by a feminist analysis of social problems. Dominelli and MacLeod (1989, p.23) assert the feminist approach has focussed on identifying the specific ways in which women experience their existence; drawing peoples attention to the lack of resources, power and emotional fulfilment which hold women down; exposing the social relations and social forces responsible for creating their state of affairs; and placing the plight of women firmly on the agenda for social change. Dominelli (2008, p113) suggests feminist social work practice is also relevant to children and men. This is echoed by Cree (2000). A limitation, according to Trevithick (2005, p282) is that most women experience additional oppressions, such as discrimination in relation to class, race, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture and religious beliefs. And that these additional oppressions are not always given sufficient weight. Cree (2000, p209) informs that sociology may not be able to provide social work practitioners with answers, but the questions themselves lead to the potential development of sensitive, anti-oppressive practice. This is because all theories, ideas and practices are based on a particular set of political and moral principles. We therefore have to make choices about what theories we believe are most useful, and what actions we think are most helpful (or perhaps least damaging) for those with whom we are working. Social work is fundamentally about values and about value-judgements. Sociological knowledge can provide us with a framework for anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive practice, by giving us the analytical tools with which to begin to explore the relationship between individuals and society. Mills (1959, p8) personal troubles and public issues. Cree (2000, p5) argues sociology and social work construct the individual. It is also for this reason that social workers need a sociologi cal imagination. Additionally, social works central purpose is to work on behalf of society to help those individuals and groups who are vulnerable and marginalised. If a service users problem exists due to structural of inequalities in society, and a social worker fails to make such a connection, they risk blaming the individual/group, perpetuating the oppression and discrimination already felt by social structures. Consequently, social workers need to have an awareness of the discrimination and oppression some people or groups face in society and be guarded not to perpetuate assumptions, labels or blame. Thompson (2005, p137) claims oppressive practice can happen through naÃÆ' ¯vetà © or ignorance: failing to recognise significant issues of inequality and thus exacerbating them by not addressing them. And by reinforcing stereotypes: jumping to conclusions about a particular individual without actually assessing their circumstances. Therefore, by developing and using our sociol ogical imagination and by being aware and open to theoretical perspectives and approaches to practice, we can take necessary steps to guard against anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.

The Power of DNA in the Courtroom Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research

The Power of DNA in the Courtroom      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1893, Francis Galton introduced a remarkable new way to identify people ("Fingerprinting" pg 1 par 3). His observation that each individual has a unique set of fingerprints revolutionized the world of forensics. Soon, all investigators had adapted the idea to use fingerprints as a form of identification. Unfortunately, over the course of the past century, criminals have adapted to this technique and seldom leave their incriminating marks at the crime scene. Forensics specialists were in need of a new way to identify criminals, and DNA provided the answer. When it comes to genetic material, it is virtually impossible for a criminal to leave a crime scene "clean." Whether it is a hair, flakes of skin, or a fragment of fingernail, if it contains genetic material then it has potential to incriminate. However, there are still concerns regarding DNA fingerprinting. What are the implications of using these tests in a courtroom scenario? What happens when DNA tests go awry? It is debatable whether or not DNA fingerprinting has a place in America's court systems.    The actual technique behind DNA profiling is fairly new. According to the National Research Council (NRC), this method has been around for about ten years. They go on to say that despite "reproducibility and reliability of the methods" and "despite the potential power of the technique, there [are] serious reservations about its actual use" (NRC pg 1). Still, laboratories across the United States have undergone technological advances to bring DNA testing to the local level. These up-dated labs now have the equipment and means to handle genetic evidence, but the public must be ready to accept this ne... ...advances in genetic technology, and I believe it will not allow the courts to base their decisions solely on genetic evidence until all procedures are accurately performed. This is, after all, just one more system of identification, one that may prove to be even more momentous than Galton's fingerprints ever were. Works Cited Ballantyne, Jack, George Sensabaugh, and Jan Witkowski. DNA Technology and Forensic Science. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989. Fingerprinting. Homepage. 1 May, 1997. AIMS Education Foundation. 22 October, 1999. <http://www.aimsedu.org/activities/gimmefive/gimme2.html>. National Research Council. The Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1996. Singer, Colin R.. DNA Testing. Homepage. 22 October, 1999. <http://www.singer.ca/dna.html>

Analyse and Evaluate the significance of Fiscal Policy rules Essay

L1. Monetary policies are where the government use changes in the base rate of interest to influence the rate of growth of aggregate demand, the money supply and ultimately price inflation. In the short run economic growth is an increase in real GDP, In the long run economic growth is an increase in productive capacity (the maximum output an economy can produce) Economic Stability – the avoidance of volatility in economic growth rates, inflation, employment and unemployment and exchange rates. International Competitiveness – The ability of an economy’s firms to compete in international markets and, thereby, sustain increases in national output and income. L2. Monetary policies can be used to promote economic growth, Economic (this stability reduces uncertainty, promotes business, consumer confidence and investment) and International Competitiveness. This causes an ? in AD, which can be good for an economy. For example if a Government ? interest rates, people will have an ? in disposable income, because payments on credit cards will ?, mortgage payments will ? and it is not worth saving due to the reduced rate of interest, meaning they have more to spend on goods and services, thus AD ?. L3. Monetary policies can promote economic growth and stability and international competitiveness as changes in the interest rate affects Domestic Demand (Consumer Expenditure, Investment and Government Spending) and National Demand (Net Exports) via Exchange Rates as when the interest rate ? so the does the currency’s strength. So if the rate of interest increases, so does the strength of the pound, meaning that there is an ? in international competitiveness as more economies want to purchase our currency. This causes an ? in AD causing the AD curve to shift to the right, from AD1 to AD2. Causing and ? in employment, ? production and ?economic growth, ?international competitiveness and ?international competitiveness If economic growth becomes too rapid it can also be dampened nby an ? in interest rates causing AD to ? due to the fact that their credit card charges and mortgages have ? and it has become more worthwhile to keep money in the bank and reap the rewards from a higher interest rate rather than spend. So peoples disposable income ?. Monetary Policy can promote economic growth and stability because of the Monetary Policy Transmission mechanism; the way in which Monetary Policy affects inflation rates through the impact it has on other macroeconomic variables. It is said that low and stable rates of inflation provide the framework for economic stability as inflation reduces the purchasing power of money. When the government uses monetary policy to reduce the rate of inflation inflation targeting) they can stop economic stability from becoming unstable as when inflation occurs, and usually wage growth ? there is a danger that inflation will become out of control so much so that producers and consumers are no longer able to use the signalling function so it can become clear what goods and services consumers most want. Inflation targeting makes the consumers and investors more clear about the future and so they know what to expect so they can plan ahead. This can cause an ? in C and I and therefore and ? in AD (shifting the AD curve to the right). The fact that inflation targeting is flexible means it meets the policy target. The government can use Monetary to policy to ? the supply of money, so banks have more money to lend, so it is easier for consumers to take loans so there disposable income ?, this can cause and ? in Consumer Expectations and vestments, causing an ? in AD, ?production, ?international competitiveness, ?employment, ? economic stability and ?economic growth L4. HOWEVER whether the Monetary policy is affective depends on many factors, for example it depends on how big the increase or decrease in interest rate is, a small change could make little or no difference for example if income interest is reduced by 0.00000000000000000000001% then people are unlikely to start spending more and it will have little or no effect on AD. It also depends on when interest rates are changed as to what else is going on in the economy at that time, for example if there is a fiscal policy causing income tax to ? at the same time as a ?in interest rates the affects of the Monetary Policy may be cancelled out by the fiscal policy. It depends on Central Bank bringing creditability to the target as the central bank has to build up a reputation for meeting targets. This can lead to low economic growth being traded off for low inflation in the short run, but not the long run, which is what is needed for an economies economic growth to be sustainable! The Central bank must be good at forecasting inflation, as the Monetary Policy works with time lags, there can sometimes be a two year delay! So the Central bank will have to set today the interest rate to affect the rate of inflation it expects in two years time! For example Inflation targeting has to be guided by forecasts of inflation and all macroeconomic variables that affect inflation. It also costs a great deal to employ people who have the ability to forecast inflation well which could cost a lot to employ someone capable of doing this, this means that it ? costs, which means the possibility of an opportunity cost involved as that money could have been spent on something else for example new hospitals. There can also always be unforeseen circumstances such as unexpected recessions and natural disasters such as the tsunami, this affects the Central Banks ability to deliver economic stability and economic growth as they do not know if they may need to be doing other policies to help these unexpected situations, as they may only be able to do so when the economies conditions are stable. To conclude Monetary rules and Fiscal Policy targets and constraints can promote Economic Growth, Economic Stability and International Competitiveness, however there are many factors to take into account when doing so.

Goverment essays

Goverment essays Government, the term applied to the institutions and processes, whether formally established or not, by which individuals and groups within a state or society are controlled and regulated for various purposes, such as common defense, general welfare, or internal peace. Thus government is an agency of the state that embraces the organizations and procedures by which laws are enacted, applied, and adjudicated. The major questions and controversies associated with government are not definitional. Rather, they relate to the origins of government, the best way of classifying the various types of government, and, among other things, the distribution of authority among the institutions of government. They also include questions more philosophical in nature, such as: Why is government necessary? How far should government authority extend over individuals or groups? What is the best form of gove3rnment? A discussion of these interrelated questions is the subject of this article. Virtually all political theorists have regarded government in some form as indispensable for society. The doctrine of anarchism, however, holds that government is unnecessary because individuals possess an instinct for mutual cooperation that obviates the need for any direction or control by government. Many anarchists also view government as an instrument designed to protect private property and perpetuate inequalities of wealth. This aspect of anarchist thought is echoed in Marxist theory, which holds that the state and government will "wither away" once the institution of private property is eliminated. Most students of politics subscribe to a much broader view of government's functions and purposes. In The Federalist, a collection of essays interpreting the U.S. Constitution and promoting its ratification, James Madison points to one of the more traditional and widely accepted reasons for government. The differing opinions, passions, and interests of individua...

Deviance Essays

Deviance Essays Deviance Paper Deviance Paper The assumption that there is something Inherent In a person, behavior or characteristic that is necessarily deviant Statistical Rarity If a behavior or characteristic Is not typical, It Is deviant. Harm If an action causes harm, then It Is deviant. Folkways: If you violate these norms you may be considered odd, rude or a troublemaker Mores: Those standards that are often seen as the foundation of morality in a culture Consensual view: The law is perceived as arising out of social consensus and is then equally applied to all Conflict view: Perceive the law as a tool used by the ruling class to serve its own interests. They believe that the law is more likely to be applied to members of the powerless classes in society. Interactions view: Presents a nonsensical view of criminal law. Societys powerful define the law at the behest of interest groups, who appeal to those with power to rectify a perceived social ill. Subjectivism: Deviance as a Label Subjectivists say that we cannot recognize deviance when we see it; we have to be taught, through processes of colonization, that a person or behavior is deviant Subjectivity and the Social Construction of Deviance Social constructionist: Refers to the perspective proposing that social characteristics are creations or artifacts of a particular society at a specific time in history, just as objects Radical constructionists postulate a distinct theoretical perspective claiming that the world is characterized by endless relativism Sociologists who are soft or contextual constructionists emphasize the processes by which certain social phenomena come to be perceived and reacted to In particular ways In a given society t a specific time Levels of Social Construction: Coloratura, Institutional, International, Individual Transcending the Objective/Subjective Dichotomy On the objective side of the dualism, deviance specialists claim that there Is a shared characteristic that all deviants have in common On the subjective side of the dualism, Social typing process: Description, evaluation, prescription Theorizing Deviance The scientific study of crimina lity is recognized as beginning with the work of Cesar Limbos who explained criminality on the basis of evolution Suggested that criminals were atavists evolutionary throwbacks whose biology prevented them from conforming to societys rules Why people become deviant Positivist theories Social typing process the process through which deviance and normality are socially constructed Interpretive and critical theories Why do People Become Deviant? Using Positivist Theories Interested in explaining why people act in particular ways Positivist-sociologists seek cause-and-effect relationships in the form of statistical relationships Pursuit of planning for a better society Positivist explanations of deviance also try to prevent other people from becoming deviant Functionalist Theories: The Social Structure Creates Deviance In this perspective, society is seen as comprising various structures (e. G. The family) each of which fulfills necessary functions for social order Manifest functions: intended and recognized Latent functions: unintentional and unrecognized One of the core concerns in the functionalist perspective the maintenance of the social order Anomie Theory: The Problem of Too Much Social Change Mile Druthers addresses the notion of deviance in two ways: 1 . A certain level of deviance is actually functional for society serves a useful purpose but only up to a certain point 2. Dysfunctional deviance occurs when society changes too quickly and anomie emerges Functions of Deviance: Deviance enhances social order and increases social solidarity because seeing someone break the rules leads us to realize the importance of rules Through observing behavior, society determines what its moral boundaries are Tests society boundaries and may demonstrate when certain rules no longer work and need to be changed Reduces societal tensions in two ways: . Societal tensions can be reduced when there is some sort of scapegoat that can be blamed for a social problem 2. Individuals engage in small acts of minor deviance that act as a safety valve and let off some steam Parsons and Smeller suggest that letting off steam through minor acts of deviance activates social processes that return deviant actors to their acceptable roles in society Colonization, profit, persuasion and coercion Druthers noted that suicide rates were here in more individualistic communities less social integration and lower levels of moral regulation Mechanical solidarity (before industrialization) a society that is bonded together by likeness or by a collective commitment to conformity Organic solidarity (with industrialization) and moral regulation have the potential to keep deviance at a functional level Martens Anomie and Strain Theories: The (North) American Dream Gone Awry Morton suggested that deviance originates not only from the individual, but also from the structure of society Morton said that in North America, the goals we are to aspire to include wealth, status/power, and prestige -Society is structured in a way that ivies benefit to or rewards those who have attained these institutionalized goals Our culture is also characterized by legitimate means of attaining those goals Anomie and strain have come to characterize American society Demonstrativenesss of the means simply attaining the institutionalized goals has become more important than how one attains them According to Morton, people can adapt to the gap betw een goals and means in 5 different ways, some of which result in deviance: 1. Conformity person keeps pursuing wealth, power, prestige by working hard and going to school 2. Innovation can result in deviance. Accepts the institutionalized goals, but rejects the legitimate means and seeks alternative ways to achieve goals 3. Ritualism given up on or reduced the institutionalized goals but continues to engage in the legitimate means 4. Retreats people reject both the institutionalized goals and the legitimate means (e. G. Alcohol abuse, drug addiction) 5. Rebellion reject both institutionalized goals and legitimate means they substitute new goals and new means Differential Opportunity Theory: Access to the Illegitimate World Collard and Loins 1960) theory, like Morton, suggests that the way society is structured results in differential access to legitimate opportunities Collard and Olin go on to propose that the way society is structured also results in differential access to illegitimate opportunities depending on ones neighborhood, one may be more or less likely to be deviant May Join criminal gangs, become part of retreats gangs or Join conflict gangs (which fight for status and power) Agnes General Strain Theory: The Effect of Negative Emotions Agene proposes that strain can be produced by a variety of processes. While it can occur when we are unable to achieve goals, it may also arise when valued stimuli are removed (e. G. He loss of a Job, divorce) Deviance emerges only when strain is accompanied by negative affect (anger, d epression, anxiety) Recently, Agene developed a more macro-level strain theory: Suggests deviance will be more prevalent in certain locations within the social structure because of the large number of people who are experiencing strain Status Frustration Theory: The Middle Class Classroom Albert Cohen claims that inequalities in the structure of society are reproduced in he classroom, resulting in delinquent subcultures among lower-class boys Middle class norms dominate in society this creates a middle-class measuring rod that lower-class boys find difficult to live up to The schools emphasis on delayed gratification, politeness and the value of hard work does not correspond well with disappearing or being taken away. Politeness may compromise safety and toughness is emphasized instead The value of hard work may be unapparent see their parents working very hard with no progress Status frustration experience a taxation similar to strain Mutual conversion they Join together with other lower- class boys who are having the same experience Reaction formation develop a set of oppositional standards at which they are able to succeed Limitations of Functionalist Theories of Deviance Macroeconomic: a state wherein an individuals self-transcendence values are exceeded by self-enhancement values Learning Theories: People Learn to Be Deviant Learning theories: explain deviant behavior as a result of the learning process people learn to be deviant Edwin Sutherland developed a theory that focuses on explaining the nature of the learning process differential association Sutherland proposed that deviant behavior is learned through the same process by which conforming behavior is learned If people are exposed to more deviant definitions than conforming definitions overall, they are likely to become deviant themselves Not all group interactions have the same impact on our learning process The extent of group influence varies by frequency Duration Priority to small group interactions Intensity or in how important a particular group is to us Naturalization Theory: Rationalizing Deviance Sykes and Matzo (1957) the most important motives that are learned, which open the door for deviance, are techniques of naturalization Part of what deviant people learn are the rationalizations of their behavior, by rationalizing their behavior, they can convince themselves that what they are doing is not really wrong 5 Naturalization techniques: Denial of injury Denial of the victim Denial of responsibility Condemnation of the condemners Appealing to higher loyalties Social Learning Theory: Rewards, Punishments, and Imitation According to the Social Learning theory, all of our behavior is the result of definitions, differential association, imitation and differential reinforcement People engage in deviance because they either have been rewarded for it in the past or have seen other people being rewarded for it Akers suggests that dimensions of the social structure create the differential contexts in which learning occurs for different people focus on why not all people become deviant Suggest that deviant behavior inherently attractive, exciting, and appealing Social Bonds Theory: Social Bonds Restrain Us Travis Hirsch (1969) Four types of social bonds rein most of us in, restraining us from deviance: 1 . Attachment to parents, teachers, and peers emotional attachment 2. Commitment to conformity being committed to conventional activities like school, work, organized sports 3. Involvement in conventional activities less time for deviance 4. Beliefs in the norms, values and assumptions that compose the c onventional world Self-Control Theory: We Restrain Ourselves Hirsch and Michael Cottonseeds suggest that self-control is central to explaining why some people are predisposed to deviant acts