Impact of e-commerce in Banking sector Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Impact of e-commerce in Banking sector - Essay Example The concept of electronic commerce is descriptive of the process of conducting commercial transactions of services, goods, and information by means of computer networks. In e-commerce products and services can be bought online. Due to the fact that the banking sector is probably the busiest service sector, running it efficiently usually requires more manpower. Technological innovations such as computer based commercial transactions, however, do not usually need direct supervision from workers, and thus have contributed towards banks being more efficient in their dispensation of services. In traditional banks’ manual services, consumers usually have to queues to get to the necessary services. The introduction of e-commerce brought a much needed change to combat such inconveniences (Mahdi and Mehrdad, 2010). Banks have to make use of the offerings of e –commerce so as to remain relevant while outwitting their competitors. In the banking industry, productivity is dependent on the delivery of high quality services. E-commerce in the banking sector has to do with allowing customers to be able to access their bank accounts through the internet by means of a modem. Online banking options were first provided, in a limited capacity, by baking institutions in America in 1995. It has been speculated that this was as a result of the pressure faced by American banks as a result of aggressive competition between international banking institutions across the globe (Mittal and Sanjay, 2007). At first, the ‘online services’ only had to do with providing customers with information about the various services that were being offered by different bank branches. The rapid development of communication technology witnessed in the last two decades, however, allowed for banks to start allowing their customers ways of accessing their accounts through the internet. Banks also made it possible for customers to transfer money while also being able to procure finan cial offerings on their behalf. Since then, there has been a rapid spread of the use of online banking options across the world. While, in traditional banking, workers handle all financial activities such as the provision of loans and the collection of deposits, in e-commerce in banking, a number of distribution channels are used to supply information about banking transactions. In the use of e- commerce, banks use delivery systems such as digital television, cell phones, and laptops to relay information to their consumers. In transactions conducted through the traditional system of banking, payment transactions are conducted through a bank branch. The utilisation of e-commerce in the banking system today, however, has allowed for the automated delivery of services to banking customers by use of the internet (Khalfan and Abdullah, 2006). In most banking facilities in developed nations, the electronic banking system involves the automation of factors such as ATMs, direct deposit, tel ephone banking, debit and credit cards, web-based banking, and bill payment. Most banking institutions around the world have some sort of e-commerce function. While some scholars have observed that e-commerce in the banking sector might soon be responsible for the abolition of traditional functions of banking, this is not likely unless banks begin to gain substantial profits through e-banking services (Kjell, VebjOrn and TjOstheim, 2006).

Case 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case 3 - Essay Example The fact that they are stressed means that they cannot perform as required. Stress comes from various factors, and may affect employees directly or indirectly. In this case, the organization has put its employees under a lot of unnecessary pressure to perform by ignoring their plight (Robbins and Judge 558). This is evident in the number of employees complaining about the conditions in the company and airing their opinions about the best way to deal with the situation. Considering the industry the organization is involved – healthcare – the organization needs to pay more attention to employees’ needs because the industry is very sensitive. Deaths or serious complications could result from poor performances from employees if they are under stress. However, the company has done well to stem these concerns by developing a new approach to dealing with the situation at hand. In terms of fear, signs of change may spark feelings of uncertainty with regards to the ability to contribute to the change process and the security of their jobs. Pessimism, anxiety and different personal and professional ambitions are also a major factor in the spread of change-resistant fear. For example, an employee may feel afraid to take part in the change process because it will affect his professional development or inhibit personal growth. Employees may feel that they are capable of working with the organization to make proposed changes. Once employees start feeling that they their jobs are insecure and are threatened by proposed changes, they will withdraw their support to try and make the proposed changes fail (Robbins and Judge 561). However much employees feel afraid of changes, Parkway can mitigate these fears by managing them. Managing fear involves assuring employees of the security of their jobs and approaching them directly. Parkway can also provide employees with clear plans for proposed changes so that they can understand proposed changes and cooperate with

Humans Live in a World Where Everything Tries to Make You Something Else Essay Example for Free

Humans Live in a World Where Everything Tries to Make You Something Else Essay Identity is now so hard to define. No longer as simple as whom am I? Identity is it solid or fixed? Neither is it constantly changing from birth till death. In addition to the problems faced with growing a developing an individual also faces problems from ideas surrounding personal problems. These can be examples from the environmental influence, such as arriving into a new school or even a new culture. These experiences can be both positive and negative though, negative as they may leave an individual disillusioned with their direction and place in life, yet positive in the way that an individual may feel reinvigorated and their perception of personal boundaries removed. Growing up in Australia is a short collection of stories from various artists that entails their stories of being different to others and the challenges that they faced in order to fit in when their identities are so different. Sticks and Stones and Such Like by Sunil Badima is a story about How being different, can isolate an individual and make it difficult for them to belong. The main difference in this story is the name Sunil, it singled him out and showed his different nature compared to everyone else. The way that people couldn’t pronounce it only served to exacerbate his push for a more ‘western’ name, Neil. This changing of an identity, from the Indian Sunil to the Aussie Neil, represents how people are willing to change and conform in order to fit in and be accepted by others, even going so far as to forego cultural preoccupations. How to be Japanese by Leanne Hall is a story that Discusses the stereotypes that exist, the racial prejudices that those from a culture deemed the minority are subject to. An individual cannot control how they look yet they’re judged about this. The cultural differences usually hinder an individual, whereby once cultural values sporting exploits as that of success another views success educationally as high marks, yet it is the minority group which is subjected to being stereotyped. This stereotyping is an action that removes an individual’s identity, placing an individual into a wider group whereby they lose their identity, given a set of predetermined characteristics, which is extremely common amongst the racial groups, e. g. the Japanese love hello Kitty. Reveals how a loss of identity can occur as an individual is adjudged to be something else before qifference, alienating them, difficult to conform. A personal identity is impossible without belonging to a family, society and culture. Without Belonging to a group somewhere an individual cannot hope to find their identity, the two are inextricably linked. Without a place in the world, an individual is lost and cannot hope to find their place. This is shown progressively throughout the film of Skin. Because Sandra is coloured and her parents and brother are white, she is constantly confused about her identity and who exactly she is. rBelonging is an innate predisposition that majority of the populous seek the feeling of acceptance and a place in the groups ranks offers. Once Sandra relises she cant find this within her family and the society she grew up in she looks to the Black people of South Africa to find a sense of belonging. Belonging to a group offers a sense of security and acceptance that people seek. It is through this environment that an individual will learn and their identity flourishes under the experiences of the group and that of their own, belonging to a group reaffirms our own identity. Whilst belonging to a group may culminate in the formation of an identity, this may not be the true potential of the individual. This influence may upon an individual’s identity may be detrimental, their identity a mere extension of the group’s prerogative. May also lead to an individual being stereotyped and/or alienating their past. Therefore those that cannot belong or alienate themselves from the rest of society struggle to find their place in the world, they are constantly drifting, the question of who am I, left unanswered. This is emphasised throughout the film Skin as Sandra is constantly changing her state as a white South African to a colored South African, so that she is able to find a sense of identity and belonging. People are put into groups, like family and school, and this is a struggle when it conflicts with identity. Whilst belonging to a group, the choice to conform is one that most people must make, we are all born into a group of some degree. Yet it is this place within a group, the arrangement of parameters that can lead to conflict surrounding an individual’s identity. When we are born, we are born into a family environment, born into a group already. Yet through this group, as individual’s we learn and model ourselves off the actions of those in the group, the decisions and perceptions of its members are reaffirmed onto our own. Yet this predetermined group can cause problems for our identity as individuals. This family whilst providing a base from which an identity can develop, also masks an individual’s identity, the individual may have of been raised in the interests of the group, unfulfilling their true potential. Moreover this placement of an individual occurs through other avenues of life as well. At school an individual may be labelled, stereotyped in a particular way based upon something as simple as they way in which they dress. This stereotyping and prejudice can breed only conflict within an individual as they struggle to determine who they truly are, are they the person they are perceived as? Or are they more? Furthermore in order to fit into a group, an individual’s conformity may be misaligned with the values and perceptions of this group, only giving birth to further conflict surrounding an individual’s identity. They struggle to find who the truly are, their true identity against the restraints that conformity offers them. There is conflict between identity and belonging. Where conflict is resolved it is good for the individual’s identity. The need to belong is an innate predisposition for most humans. As we are social creatures we seek a place in the world, a place where we can be accepted, a place of security. Yet in our willingness to conform, conflict can arise between an individual’s identity and that of the group. This discrepancy something that breeds only discontent as an individual discovers that the interest of the group may be misaligned to those of their own. Furthermore in a group the needs of the group are put before those of the individual, thereby stifling the true identity. Yet this creates further conflict as some of the decisions of the group, the choices that it makes may not be reflective of those of the individual. As the individual takes second wrung to the needs of the group, the individual may become discontent about where they are, questioning their own identity.

Anaemia During Pregnancy: Case Study

Anaemia During Pregnancy: Case Study ANAEMIA DURING PREGNANCY The wonder and joy ofpregnancyis matched by the bodys ability to adapt to looking after the growing baby. In addition to the mothers physiologic needs, there is the additional need to provide the building blocks for optimal growth of the baby. All this construction requires energy and oxygen as the fuel that helps drive the engine. Oxygen in the air that we breathe is delivered to the cells of the body by haemoglobin, a protein molecule found in red blood cells. When the blood lacks level of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin it leads to a condition called anaemia. The main part of red blood cells is haemoglobin that binds to oxygen. If red blood cells is too few or the haemoglobin is abnormal or low , the cells in the body will not get enough oxygen. The body goes through significant changes when a woman is pregnant. Anaemia is a common disorder in pregnancy, which affect 20 to 60% of the pregnant women. About 20 to 30% of blood increases in the body, which increases the supply of iron and vitamins which are required in the production of haemoglobin. Most of the mothers lack adequate amount of iron during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. A mild anaemia is normal during pregnancy due to increase in the blood volume, but however a severe anaemia can put the baby at high risk of iron deficiency later in infancy. There are different types of anaemia that can develop during pregnancy such as fotal-deficiency anaemia vitamin B12, deficiency anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia. According to Cashion Alden, Perry (2009) In pregnancy, ladies need extra folate to make the red blood cells to transport oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Folate deficiency can directly contribute to certain types of birth defects. Folate-deficiency anaemia, folate which is also called folic acid, is a type of vitamin which is needed for the body to produce new cells, including healthy red blood cells. Iron-deficiency anaemia is when the body does not have enough iron to produce adequate amounts of haemoglobin, and is the most common cause of anaemia in pregnancy. To form healthy red blood cells the body needs vitamin B12 from her diet, the body would not be able to produce enough healthy red blood cells. Ladies who do not eat meat, poultry, dairy products, and eggs have a risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to birth defects. Severe or anaemia which is untreated can lead to preterm or low-birth-weight baby, postpartum depression, baby with a serious birth defect of spine or brain, prenatal mortality or maternal death. . Some of the symptoms of anaemia during pregnancy are pale skin, lips and nail, feeling tired or weak, dizziness, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Antenatal care refers to care given to a pregnant woman from the time of conception is confirmed until the beginning of labor. Risk factors for anaemia in pregnancy can be woman pregnant with more than one child, two pregnancies close together, vomiting a lot because of morning sickness, teenager who is pregnant, not eating enough foods that are rich in iron and heavy periods before became pregnant In nursing process Assessment is the first stage in which nurse carries out a complete and holistic nursing assessment. Normal ward routine of nursing care procedures in antenatal unit at booking and important nursing focus areas is followed. Antenatal booking appointment, which provides the midwife with the valuable background information. The subjective and objective data is collected. The purpose of the visit is to bring together the woman to the maternity service. The information is shared between the mother and the midwife in- order to discuss, plan and implement care for duration of the pregnancy, the birth and postnatal period. During my attachment in antenatal clinic a mother came in for antenatal booking. Collecting her personal history, she is Mrs X, Indian married female. Her date of birth is 22th January, and is now 23 years old. , she is a high school graduate, is able to read and write and follow instructions, able to maintain eye to eye contact and is married to a 25 years old taxi driver named Mr Y. She is staying with her husband, his parents, two brother’s and a sister. They live in a wooden house near the copra mill. The mother is from Waibula but lives with relatives in Namara. Her emergency contacts were of her husband xxxxxxx and cousin sister xxxxxxx. Her family history, Mrs X mother is diabetic and her sister had twins. Mothers medical history was occasionally complains of migraine, and heavy menstrual bleeding. The husband and his elder brother are driving taxi and also they do a casual job in the timber mill. Mrs last normal menstrual period was on 25th of September 2012, her expec ted date of delivery is on the 7th of January 2013. She missed her period for two months. There was no gynaecological history present. Starting with her examinations, the height is 6 feet and 4 inches (1.65m) and is 66 kilograms. The urine test was normal, blood pressure was 80/40mmHg, temperature of 37.5 °C,pulse rate: 114 bpm, respiratory rate: 28 bpm skin: (+) pallor, (-) jaundice, (-) cyanosis, head:, EENT: pale palpebral conjunctiva, negative cervical lymp adenpathy chest, lungs: symmetrical chest expansion, (-) retractions heart: adynamic precordium, tachycardia, (-) thrills, (-) murmur abdomen: globular, soft, normal and active bowel sounds, non-tender extremities: pale nail beds, cold upper and lower extremities (-) cyanosis, weak peripheral pulsesneurological: No found neurological deficits rectal exam: No haemorrhoids, no fissures, no masses, palpated, no tenderness, intact rectal vault, good sphincter tone. In the blood test, the full blood count was done and was low an d proven to be anaemic. In order to ensure that the outcome of the pregnancy is the best for mother and baby, a routine is undertaken which is embraced by the term â€Å" antenatal care†. Fraser and Copper (2009) stated â€Å" the aims of antenatal care is to monitor the progress of pregnancy to .maternal and fetal health, developing a partnership with the woman, providing a holistic approach to the woman’s care that meets her individual needs, promoting an awareness of her public health issues for the woman and her family, exchanging information with the woman and her family, enabling them to make informed choices about pregnancy and birth, being an advocate for the woman and her family during her pregnancy, supporting her right to choose care appropriate for her own needs and those of her family, recognizing complications of pregnancy and appropriately referring woman to the obstetric team or relevant health professionals or other organizations, facilitating the wom an and her family in preparing to meet the demands of birth, making a birth plan, facilitating the woman to make an informed choice about methods of feeding and giving appropriate and sensitive advice to support her decision and offering parenthood education within a planned programme or an individual basis†.(P.g 265). During booking the mothers blood was sent in the laboratory for tests. The haemoglobin level 12g/dL or if it is the haematocrit less than 30% in a pregnant woman. Then it proves that the woman is anaemic. Mrs X haemoglobin level was 8.7g/dL and hemocrit was 25% , so it proved that she is anaemic. It is the risk to the mother and the fetus., So the nursing problem was diagnosed to Mrs X that she was suffering from Iron Deficiency Anaemia. Fraser et al. (2009) stated â€Å" iron deficiency anaemia is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy, it affects approximately 15% to 25% of pregnant woman, depending on the ethnic and socioeconomic groups being studied†.(P.g 872). After the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia Mrs X was referred to the doctor. The body produces more blood to support the growth of the body. The existence of a hematologic abnormally increases the pregnant women’s risk for developing more complication such as infection or preterm delivery If the mother not getting enough iron or certain other nutrients, the body might not be able to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs to make this additional blood. Taylor, Lillies, Lemone Lynn (2011) stated â€Å" carbohydrates, protein and fats are potential sources of energy for the body†.(P.g 1158). Mrs X presented with symptoms of pale skin, lips and nails, feeling tired or weak, dizziness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate and trouble concentrating. It is very important to assess the wellbeing of the fetus. This was done by checking the fetal movement and listening to the fetal heart sound using a fetal cardio graph machine. The bloods were performed to see the changes that may indicate worsening of anaemia. The nurses has its own independent role scope of practice to ensure that the mother and fetus are healthy. The nurses role in managing the pregnant woman in this case of Mrs X are as follows. Nurses can be councillor, collaborator and advocator. The role of the nurse at first step will be taking or monitoring vital signs of the mother and thefetal heart rate. To assess the fetal heart rate, fetal heart sound and fetal kick count was monitored. Urine check is another important role of nurse in monitoring an anaemic mother. The mother will be asked to bring along a urine sample for glucose and protein level. In early pregnancy if protein level will be high it can be sign of problems including urinary tract infection, a kidney disorder , high blood pressure or diabetes. If in later pregnancy protein of high level is found is sign of pre-eclampsia. Taking of height and weight measurements is another role of a nurse, also to work out body mass index. Potter, Perry, Stockert Hill (2013) st ated â€Å" body mass index (BMI) measures weight corrected for height and serves as an alternative to traditional height-weight relationships†.(P.g 56). Since the nurse knows the diagnosis of Mrs Mrs Xshe can advise on what kind of foods to consume .She was advised to take foods that are rich in iron examples are red meat, egg yolks, dark leafy vegetables, dried fruit, iron-enriched cereals, grains, chicken giblets, beans, lentils, and liver. Establishment of quiet and peaceful environment to promote rest. During her hospitalization Mrs X was served with full diet. The nurse also taught to the woman on correct positioning while resting.The nurses also did health education with the husband on health. Nurses need to follow the physicians orders in giving the prescribed medications on time.They also advised on personal hygiene. In antenatal care the nurse needs to collaborate with other health care professionals, such as dietician, the obstetric, doctor, haematologists and physiotherapist. To enablepeople to make informed and practical choices about food and lifestyle in health and disease, the role of a dietician comes in, dietetics is the interpretation and communication of nutrition science. The role of a dietician was to prepare a food guideline for Mrs X. Obstetric team works with patients who are wanting to become to become pregnant, is pregnant or have recently delivered. The obstetricnurse have plenty roles in managing an anaemic mother. Mrs Narayan was admitted, reviewed, history taken, vaginal examination, fetal heart tones, and duration and intensity of contractions was done by an obstetric nurse. Paediatrician doctoradvised on healthy and successful delivery of Mrs Narayan, also advised on diet and medication compliance. Paediatrician doctor also took blood and urine test. The roleof midwife is to provide pregnancy care to woman during pregnancy and during birth. The midwife took Mrs X medical history and explained in detail the limitations and risks associated with pregnancy while being anaemic. The midwifealso checked urine for protein and heart beats for the developing baby. Health education was also provided by the midwife. The doctor was also responsible to prescribe medications, examination and to consider delivery if the condition of mother gets worse and fetus gets distressed. The physiotherapist taught Mrs X on exercise that was helpful to her. There are rationales behind the nurses independent roles in ensuring the well-being of the mother and the fetus. As stated earlier monitoring of vital signs, it is very important because to see if Mrs X condition is stable or not. Also same for the fetal heart rate and fetal sounds to see if everything is normal or not. Monitoring fetal heart rate and fetal sound to ensure that the fetus is not distressed. Urine checkis also important factor, it is done by the nurses to see if the glucose and protein level is normal or requires attention. Taking of height and weight is also important to see if mother is healthy and gaining weight since she is pregnant.Also to calculate the body mass index of the mother. The nurse providing health education on her diet, encouraging her to take iron rich foods to prevent or stop Mrs X from getting anaemic. The nurse administers medication as prescribed by the doctors to make Mrs X to improve on her health.Personal hygiene is really important because th e way mother keeps her self affects or reflects the fetus as well. There are rationales behind the professionals collaborative roles in establishing or giving quality care to the pregnant mother. Taking of history from the mother is to know whether she had any past medical problems, such as gynaecological issues or any surgeries that can hinder her present pregnancy. Doctors or paediatricians take samples of blood to see if mother is seriously anaemic or requires attention, or to see if there could be any complications.The rationale of doctors doing vaginal examination is to see cervical dilation or any complications which can arise. Counselling by the doctors of having proper diet or dieticians, to improve the condition of the mother and avoiding complications. Obstetric team was to ensure that if emergency develops there could be urgent need to conduct delivery in caesarean section, because they have knowledge on when and how to conduct delivery in emergency situation. Doctors presenting medication to increase iron level in the blood. Physiotherap ist needed to educate mother on exercise to help her in delivery. During the end of the antenatal clinic, the strengths and weakness of Mrs X was found and identified, it was recorded in evaluation. Mrs X was adjusted to what the plan was ruled out for her. Her strengths were that she followed her diet to what the dieticians planned for her. The health education was really effective to her and her husband supported on her diet and growing fetus. The family support was also there and she was in happy environment, free of fear and anxiety. Mrs X also took her tablets on time and gained weight. Another blood test was done and was found out that her haemoglobin level was normal. The benefitsof maternal iron supplementation on these outcomes are unclear, even for woman who develop anaemia during pregnancy. There is vivid evidence that maternal iron deficiencyanaemia increases the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. Iron supplementsimprove the iron status of the mother during pregnancy and during the postpartum period, even in woman who enter pregnancy with reasonable iron stores. Through my point of view, the mass of evidence supports the practice of routine iron supplementation during pregnancy, even though iron is most common and important for woman who have anaemia. ( Approx: 2443 words.) Reference Potter, P, A., Perry, A, G., Stockert, P, A., Hill, A, M. (2013). Fundamentals Of Nursing (8th ed.). United States Of America: Mosby. Fraser, D, M., Copper, M, A. (2009). Myles: Textbook for midwives (15th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. Lowdermilk, D, L., Perry, S, E., Cashion, K., Alden, K, R. (2012). Maternity Women’s Health Care ( 10th ed.). United States Of America: Mosby. Taylor, C, R., Lillis, C., Lemone, P., Lynn, P. (2011). Fundammentals Of Nursing: The art and science of nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott. Reeder, S, J., Martin, L, L., Martin, L, L. (1997). Maternity Nursing: Family, newborns, and women’s health care (18th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott. 1

Graduation Speech: What is Next? -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Ad

What is graduation? Some people would say that it's proof of the freedom we will soon experience. Some say that it's the end of the best years of our lives. Some would say that it's when we're forced to grow up and become adults. Some would say that it's just another day, no different than any other day, other than the scrolls, the funny outfits and the clapping. Some go into it silent, awaiting their chance to be recognized for their victory dance. Some use stupid comparisons to describe it by saying that it's like the opening of a new door or that it's like taking another step on the never-ending ladder of life. Some praise it, some dread it. Everyone has a different opinion, but there's one thing that we all agree on. There's one question on the back of all our minds that we worry about every time we think about this night. And that question is: What's next? There are a thousand things that can be compared to graduation, and some of them may be pretty accurate, but none of them can come close to the reality of what graduation really is. Graduation can't be described in words, other than it's an event 12 years in the making. We've waited 12 years, move than half our lives, to stand on a stage with a funny hat and robe, which if I'd see someone walking down the street wearing I'd throw something at them. But it's just really hard to think about. Twelve of our 18 years on this planet have been spend working towards this single night. From the building blocks in kindergarten, to kick and wallball in fourth and fifth grade. From standing in circles putting your arm around your girlfriend's waist in seventh and eighth grades, to pulling an all-nighter in Abbot's class in eleventh grade. It all prepares us. Now, the people I k... ...e questions that's on all of our minds: What is next? Well, what's next is up to us. It's up to us to accomplish those goals we set for ourselves. It's up to us to decide whether we'll choose stagnation or generativity. It's up to us to accept the reality of seriousness and the beauty that can be derived from it. And it's up to us to remember these past 12 years and move on to bigger and better things while at the same time remembering the experiences we've had with our friends and family, because these times are the best years of our lives. Everything else is just a remix. These times are the foundation of our lives, and just like a house is built up from the foundation, our lives will be built up from these past 12 years. I just made a corny graduation analogy, but I don't care. The feelings in this room tonight can't be put into words, but they can be remembered.

Do School Uniforms Really Serve a Purpose? Essay -- Education School U

In the past school uniforms have been a requirement for private schools only, however; the number of public schools requiring uniforms is growing rapidly (Brunsma). Every parent wants their child to feel safe while they are at school. This is just one of the many things that implementing school uniforms into public schools will do for students (Maxwell). School uniforms have also been proven to be a key asset in keeping gang colors and symbols out of schools (Maxwell). The requirement of uniforms has also led to a decrease in violence and theft due to expensive clothing and shoes, helped to instill a sense of discipline in students, a reduction in the number of distractions for students, and helped give the students a sense of community (Maxwell). Uniforms have also helped to blur the lines between rich and poor students, and helped to make it easier for school officials to identify individuals on campus that do not belong (Maxwell). Implementing school uniforms into today†™s public schools will help to reduce all of these problematic situations, and help the students to feel safe. One controversial point in the debate of school uniforms is the cost. Many are quick to say no to uniforms because they will cost too much for the parents. In response to this opposition, President Bush instated tax breaks for school supplies including uniforms (School Uniforms). Many states have also stepped in to help reduce the cost of uniforms to parents by offering additional deductions (School Uniforms). In addition, some school districts offer uniform vouchers to low-income families (School Uniforms). School districts have also been found to accept charitable donations from groups and individuals to help families purchase uniforms (Ma... ...reenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 November 2010. Huss, John A. â€Å"The Role of School Uniforms In Creating an Academically Motivating Climate: Do Uniforms Influence Teacher Expectations?.† Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitive Research 1. (2007): 31-39. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 23 November 2010. Dohrman, Margaret. â€Å"Uniforms Don’t Stifle Creativity.† St. Petersburg Times [St. Petersburg, FL] 1 October 2010: 12A. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 November 2010. Goodnough, Abby. â€Å"Crew Supports Having Pupils Wear Uniforms. â€Å"New York Times 9 March 1997, Late Edition (East Coast): New York Times, ProQuest. Web. 29 November 2010. Creech, Stephanie. â€Å"BOE Gets Lesson on School Uniforms.† Wilson Daily Times [Wilson, NC] 7 February 2009. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 28 November 2010.

Discuss Wharton’s presentation of the character development of Newland Archer

The character of Newland Archer is presented in this passage through his meditations on a range of issues. The scene is set directly after an Archer family dinner with a friend, Sillerton Jackson. Archer's reflections give us a glimpse into the way he thinks and the sort of person he is. Initially we learn about Archer himself and his background, he is from a wealthy family, with ever â€Å"vigilant † servants, â€Å"bronze† statuettes and his own study. We can also see from the description of the study that he is cultured, intelligent and well read. The passage allows us to see a little of his history, especially of the tale of his romance with May Welland. Her â€Å"large photograph† has displaced all others on his table, signifying that she and no other is first in his affections. Archer's view of their impending marriage is initially that he will be her â€Å"soul's custodian†, showing that it will be a very traditional relationship, that she is naive compared to him, and that he must protect and enlighten her. He was taught that marriage to May would be like â€Å"safe anchorage† in life but he tells us his belief is changing, that he believes it may be like a â€Å"voyage on uncharted seas†. This clear nautical imagery lets us see how Archer is coming to doubt his previously unquestioned conventional beliefs – â€Å"old settled convictions† – and that it may be dangerous for him to go into this marriage so unprepared. He is moving on, intellectually, questioning what he once held firm. Archer's attitude to his relationship with May is inextricably linked to his basic conventional traditional mindset. He sees himself and May as key players in a courtship ritual that they possibly could become stereotypical examples of people â€Å"linked by ignorance on the one side and hypocrisy on the other†. In a way he believes this is inevitable due to the society they both belong to, but it is not what he wants from marriage. He desires â€Å"passionate and tender comradeship† with May in their marriage; he loves her â€Å"sincerely†. However her attitude to her character shows that he does not fully understand her. He sees her as partly as an † artificial product† produced by her family, her up bringing, making her innocent and frank. He feels this is wrong that she has somehow been denied the right to be a full person, as she has been denied the experience of life, social, cultural and sexual, that he has been allowed to explore. He feels what has been created in her personality is false, but somehow we get the impression that this is something that has been hard for him to come across. He sees her as less than him intellectually, as she is not educated as he has been, in the arts and literature, and therefore senses her comprehension is less, when really it may just be her lack of exposure to his amount of learning. Newland Archer's relationship with the women soon to be his cousin through his impending marriage to May, Ellen Olenska, is that this point in the novel, still slight. He knows her partially through acquaintance but mostly through gossip. The way he thinks of her as â€Å"Countess† shows the distance and formality between them and he does believe that she has done something reprehensible that requires â€Å"championship†. This shows that although he believes † Women should be free†, this will never really apply to New York standards and he resents the â€Å"coil of scandal† her arrival has placed him in. Her arrival and the talk surrounding it seems to have acted as a catalyst to his thought patterns, hinting of a deeper relationship to come. She is this woman with foreign ways who could be â€Å"free† as men are, and she makes Newland aware of the implications and reality of his betrothal. Newland Archer's character development is presented throughout the passage as a struggle between what he did believe in and what he is coming to doubt the validity of through new experiences and thoughts. His attitude to society is important as it stands for his old conventional self, and his reactions to its dictates, especially on the theme of marriage, show how he is maturing and thinking independently. The imagery he uses to describe New York society are important, â€Å"conventions that tied things together and bound people down† – this rope imagery suggests the constricting nature of tradition and how it hods all subject to it captive. The irony betrayed by Edith Wharton's' tone in the presentation of the conscious thoughts of Newland Archer shows the slightly ridiculous nature of New York society. The situation Archer is in regarding his own defence of Countess Olenska is ironic, as he would be forced to condemn May should she ever behave similarly to her cousin. Another irony in the passage is the description of the state of typical New York high society marriages as having an â€Å"enviable ideal† when frankly they are in a pitiable state. Lefferts is described as the â€Å"high priest of form† when really he has no substance or true beliefs and is truly hypocritical, especially in regard to his treatment of Beaufort's affairs. The behaviour of Mrs Welland's simulated reluctance at the announcement of the engagement when really she expected it is sarcastically commented on showing the double standards between what is said and what is expected throughout New York society. Edith Wharton uses conflicting ideas within Newland Archer's mind to effectively present a man who is changing and developing into a deeper way of thinking about his own life and society in general.