Knowledge and Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Knowledge and Skills - Essay Example This 'Knowledge and Skills Framework' is designed in the United Kingdom, to understand, and sustain personal and career development. It helps to identify the skills and knowledge individuals should apply to their jobs so that they are provided with equal opportunities of progress throughout their careers. 1. I have served many non profit and for-profit organizations over the past years of my life. These include fulfilling the duties of an administrator, director, operations manager and as a full time social worker at many organizations. This kind of massive exposure to the real world problems related to the management of these associations has led to the development of my psychosocial abilities and I have fully utilized these abilities to the best of my capabilities. I have served as a full time social worker at the Fresenius Medical Care formerly known as Renal Care Group, Inc, Wynnewood. This facility provides dialysis treatments to adults in 3 countries simultaneously. At the DaVita Dialysis also provides dialysis treatments to adults and Delware County and South Philadelphia area. Also, I have demonstrated my skills as a Director at 'Tressler Lutheran Services, West Chester' which provides clinical therapy to adolescents and families in the area. From 1995 to 1996, I was the 'Pro gram Director' to a foster child care and adoption services facility called 'Children's Choice', in Philadelphia. I also have served as a 'Family Preservation Case Manager' at 'Family and Community Services of Delaware County'. A. During my experience as a social worker at Fresenius Medical Care, I managed a caseload of 160-180 patients. This management was in regard to psychosocial issues, insurance coverage and transportation concerns. At DaVita Dialysis facility, where I handled the case load of 140 Upland and 75 Upper Philadelphia from May 2002 to November 2002, similar challenges were faced. The psychosocial needs of the patients admitted in these facilities were tremendous. They ranged from information about their therapies to possible side effects, stress, depression and other mental and emotional conditions. Patients suffering from dialysis undergo extensive treatments and also seek assistance in the normal day routines they can't perform independently. All these issues were successfully taken care of. The psychodynamic theory was greatly applied in these situations where the patient-doctor emotional relationships were encouraged. Successful documentation of psychosocial assessment and needs was do ne at both the facilities, keeping in mind the Medicare guidelines and Federal regulations. Patients were made comfortable with their treatments, by thoroughly informing them about the medical procedures. B. While working at the Children's Choice, my range and scope of experience increased as I was subjected to handle special need groups. These groups call for special attention psychosocially and are to be handled with care and devotion. The application of psychosocial theory has been the basis of my efforts in all these situations. Special attention was given to offer increased level of care both physical and emotional. Also, it was indemnified that the Child Welfare Regulations were being effective followed as required by the Department of Human

The Leader as Communicator Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

The Leader as Communicator - Assignment Example Additionally, diversified styles of communication are needed to meet the demands of effective communication processes at different levels (Lee, 2012). Expression of ideas should not be controversial neither conservative, but it should encourage listeners to equally participate in the communication process. Otherwise, communication will be considered one-sided and balanced communication will be interrupted (Lee, 2012). Moreover, it should be understood that individual communication is considered more effective than mass communication in context of leadership competencies (Lee, 2012). It is because a leader understands cognitive and psychological patterns of his/her team members and individual communication can contribute more effectively to convey message and convince team members for a particular mission within the organization (Samovar, Porter, & McDaniel, 2011). For a leader to be a good communicator it is important to understand the significances of the good communication skills. For good communication skills a leader is needed to develop confidence and an inspiring style during communication process (Decker, 2006). He/she should designed messages strategically that could influence thoughts of the listeners at first attempt. Also, instant response without taking long time to reply also increases the effectiveness of the communication (Decker, 2006). Mostly important a leader should have an ability to develop a sense of believability in his/her listener because without believability of the listeners content of the message cannot add efficiency in the communication process. Lee, T. (2012, June 9). Core Competencies in Communication for Leadership. Retrieved from Rainbows.typepad:

Describe the main duties of an Accountable Manager. How does the Coursework - 1

Describe the main duties of an Accountable Manager. How does the holder of this position relate to the financial management - Coursework Example The accountable manager is usually considered to have some position in the Board of directors or other equivalent body of the company. This allows him a more close connection with the owners of the company. So, the objectives set by the Board of Directors contain an opinion on his part. It also assists him further to understand the objectives fully and other underlying requirements of these objectives. The presence of a person in setting objectives makes such manager more accountable as the objectives are set with full collaboration of such manager. However, larger organizations usually consist of more than one units who either dependent of each other or independently work to achieve the desired results and objectives. The regulations for each of these units are also different. So, different accountable managers are appointed for all these units who supervise the work of these units. These managers are accountable to their respective Regulatory body. Usually, accountable managers are solely responsible for the accomplishment of desired objectives. However, the tasks are not carried out by them alone. A large number of subordinates are involved and it is inevitable for the accountable manager to rely upon the work of subordinate managers. However, these subordinates are responsible to report to the accountable manager about their work. The Accountable manager is after all responsible for their own work s well as the work of their subordinates. Because of such greater responsibility, the accountable managers are not given any other task which they are capable of carrying out. The reason is that the focus is not diverted to any other work which is less important than the primary job of such manager. In case of companies which carry out air operations, the accountable manager is responsible to the regulatory body, either within or outside the company, for all the operations which are

Figures of speech Essay Example for Free

Figures of speech Essay * Why are figures of speech important? * How can figures of speech add more meaning to poetry? Objectives: * Compile figures of speech found in songs * Decode the figures of speech used in the compiled songs 1. â€Å"Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield† (Battlefield by Jordin Sparks) – Simile. The song compares love to a battlefield because love means sacrifice and compromise, just like when you’re in a battlefield. 2. â€Å"Shot me out of the sky, you’re my kryptonite† (One Thing by One Direction) – Metaphor. This song directly compares you and kryptonite which means you are compared to his/her weakness. 3. â€Å"Cause Id get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs as they tried to teach me how to dance† ( Fireflies by Owl City† – Personification. In this song, the ten thousand lightning bugs has human like characteristics which is that they were trying to teach him how to dance. 4. â€Å"Dear John, I see it all now that you’re gone, don’t you think I was too young to be messed with?† (Dear John by Taylor Swift) – Apostrophe. Taylor Swift is addressing â€Å"John† who is gone or who is absent. 5. â€Å"I know how to laugh but I dont know happiness (Love Tried to Welcome Me by Madonna) Irony. Because when you laugh, it means that you are happy but even though she knows how to laugh, she isn’t happy. 6. â€Å"Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?† (Someone Like You by Adele)- Oxymoron. This is an oxymoron because bitter and sweet are two opposite words though they are in one statement. 7. â€Å"Before the door’s closed and it comes to an end† (Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne) – Metonymy. This line of the song is metonymy because the word â€Å"door† substitutes the idea of â€Å"an opportunity†. 8. â€Å"‘Cause you know I’d walk a thousand miles, if I could just see you tonight† (A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton)- Hyperbole. This is a hyperbole because this statement was exaggerated. Nobody could walk a  thousand miles. 9. â€Å"Whatever happened to Amelia Earhart? Who holds the stars up in the sky? (Someday We’ll Know by New Radicals) – Allusion. The song refers to Amelia Earhart who is a historical character. She was the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. 10. â€Å"You’re the devil in disguise† (Walk Like An Angel by Elvis Presley) – Metaphor. It is a metaphor because the singer is directly comparing â€Å"you† to the devil. 11. â€Å"You and I go hard at each other like we’re going at war† (One More Night by Maroon 5) Simile. It is a simile because the song compares that they’re going hard at each other with going at a war 12. â€Å"I have died everyday waiting for you† (A Thousand Years by Christina Perri†) – Hyperbole. Because it’s exaggerated. Nobody could actually die just waiting for a person and nobody could die every day. 13. â€Å"Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain, even after three times he betrays me† (Judas by Lady Gaga) – Allusion. In this song, they are referring to Judas Iscariot from the bible, because like what is stated in the song, Judas Iscariot was the one who betrayed Jesus. 14. â€Å"And you shouldnt have to be alone, I would rather be alone together â€Å"(Alone Together by Daley) – Oxymoron. This is an oxymoron because alone and together is opposites yet they are joined in one statement.

Feminist Reading Essay Example for Free

Feminist Reading Essay Latina women have been dealing with the ideals of machismo for centuries. In todays society women have begun to make great strides in developing a position in the sun where their ideas and opinions are deemed worthy of examination. Many women have been striving to show their wisdom and insights. This paper will be discussing one instrumental writer who has begun paving the way for change in societys conception of female gender roles. Achy Obejas is creating female character in Days of Awe who have internalized behaviors and ideals normally exhibited by males. This paper focuses on how this specific Latina writer show the Latinas, more specifically the Cuban females, journey into finding a voice through the use of her sexuality. The dynamics of gender roles both in Cuba and the exile community is a complicated issue. For years men have played the dominant role both in and out of the bedroom. Women both in the real world and in the world created by author have been faced with a conundrum when attempting to navigate the turbulent waters of sexual relationships. The standard is set and if any woman dares break away from the male domination that is often prescribed in society she will certainly gain herself a reputation. This commonplace notion is what Obejas is trying to dispel by showing what sexual freedom gains and how it strengthens a womans position in a patriarchal society. Achy Obejas creates female character who learn by embodying the role of the sexual aggressor that she can become free from male-dominance. One of the many facets of patriarchy is that being sexually aggressive is deemed a male gender role. In Obejas Days of Awe there is evidence of a longing to be free from having to depend on the opposite sex for pleasure and approval. Alejandra is set free by their complete acceptance of becoming the dominating sexual partner. This freedom allows her to be in charge of her sexual experiences and no longer be in the submissive dependent role. This women travel the road of discovery. This quest leads one from the U. S. to Cuba. She finds a secure identity through traveling from their home to a place that tests their self-worth. Alejandra, a young exile looking for a connection to Cuba and her feminine identity, finds the sexual fever dormant within her. This woman realize that learning to harness their sexual potency gives them control over a world normally out of reach due to gender discrimination. By using her sexuality she is privy to a position usually reserved for the male. She becomes empowered by the control and strength asserting her allure provides. This paper will critically examine how Obejass character construction and experiences allow for the often-slighted Latina woman to hold her own in her class, community and culture through the suppression of the values of patriarchy via the suppression of the men in the novel. The main focus will be the dynamic between male and female interaction that ultimately leads to the shutting off of the male voice in a series of different and diverse empowering actions by the female protagonist. The text will allow a look at the process of how these Cuban-American authors show that these women characters obtain and solidify their empowerment through the removal of the males power and position. The interaction between male and female characters allows the author to showcase a womans importance and strength while lessening the males role in society through his diminished role in the novel. Through a feminine narration, women are represented in a true fashion, not as a sidebar to a male-dominated existence. Overview Achy Obejas has not been the object of popular critical study. She is often written about in terms of her sexuality and the ramifications of this existence. The label lesbian is frequently tagged with her name often overshadowing other important issues. She is often quoted in critical texts only due to her use of lesbian themes: The immigrants ruminations about what could have been are paralleled by lesbians concerns about past events that are seen in a new light The Cuban-American lesbian writer Achy Obejas illustrates these concerns in a recent story (Espin 106). As a lesbian Cuban-American writer, she is often written about in this context and how these terms fit into her fiction. Her typical protagonist is a lesbian allowing critics to focus on this aspect of the novel leaving a gap in the discussion of the male characters. (McCullough 578). Critics arent discussing how the male characters affect womans narrative voice. This paper focuses on the gaining of voice through the suppression of the male and few critics discuss the male-counterparts in Obejas fiction in these terms. Her examination of the exiles life in Days of Awe is discussed but not enough focus is centered on Alejandras sexual relationships with men, for example, in the article by Alice Sparberg Alexiou, who writes: she wrestles with all of her identities—sexual, religious, national (38). Critics will briefly pass over the topic of Alejandras sexuality not delving deep into the Alejandras relationships with men. The focus will shift to more common ideals such as political issues involving the exile condition and/or the religious aspects of Days of Awe: While the narrative relates the circumstances of Cuban-American immigration easily enough, it has more difficulty describing the impact of crypto-Judaism on Ales family (Socolovsky 236). Socolovsky goes on to say: The first part of the book consists of the narrators memories of leaving Cuba, always over determined by the discomfort stemming from her fathers secrecy (227). This criticism is missing one of the key elements of why Ale travels to Cuba; to discover who she is as a Cuban-American woman. Obejas is also widely discussed for her inclusion of Judaism in her topics of Cuban History. I found many articles written about her delving into the Cubas Jewish past: Obejass linkage of being Jewish with being Cuban is intriguing.. .The equivalence is borne out in language as well, Miami Cubans are often referred to as Jews of the Caribbean (Solwitz 123). Achy Obejas use her fiction to undermine the ideal that men have a more powerful voice and should be at the forefront of a narration by intentionally giving their male characters lesser roles in their novels. Author creates characters that show how powerful a woman can become once her voice is validated by some element of society, whether it is in the private or public world. Carmen Luke examines the role of women in society and discusses how vital the establishment of a womans opinions through her voice can be to self-worth and how key this expression is to determining a womans value: The concept of voice as a means of empowerment for women has been a key element in feminist theory and practice since the beginning of the womens movement in the 1960s. Voice, womens speech and language, has been fundamental to feminist practices of consciousness raising and to theory building based on women speaking of their experience (211). Luke is saying that women need to express their opinions and beliefs in order to solidify their position in society. The author does just this, use a strong feminine voice to narrate a womans experience. Theoretical Background Achy Obejas take on the development of the female exiles existence in a significant way that incorporates gender issues as well as the cultural. Often throughout literary history men have held the role of the powerful in several societies, both as authors and as characters: It is well documented that all societies recognize some sort of gender differentiation and that most or all exhibit some level of gender stratification-a rank ordering of men and women that signifies the unequal distribution of power and the distribution of resources (Xu 376). Literature throughout the centuries shows the patriarch is the master of the domain. Traditionally when the Latino culture is represented in fiction the women in these representations are forced into the submissive role allowing the culturally accepted machismo to prevail. There is a tremendous amount of literature that represents its women characters as one dimension and nonessential to the plot of the piece. Women, who often hold only one role such as, caretaker, object of desire, or mixer of remedies. When we examine Obejas fiction as example of the feminine writing practice, we find that this work becomes an example of French feminisms theories on lecriture feminine: a practice of writing in the feminine which undermines the linguistic, syntactical, and metaphysical conventions of Western narrative (Showalter 9). Obejas recognition of how the feminine disrupts the symbolic structures of language, meaning, and writing significantly prefigures French feminist Helene Cixous. Plurality, which is a significant part of theory of lecriture feminine, can be seen in the in The Days of Awe. Cast as a woman doomed to drown, Obejas is set outside Cixouss conception of lecriture feminine in relation to modernism. For Cixous, the flesh of the female body becomes the site where the dissection of symbolic language begins; she believes that a woman writer, must write her self, because this is the invention of a new insurgent writing which will allow her to carry out the indispensable ruptures and transformations By writing her self, women will return to the body which has been more than confiscated from her Censor the body and you censor breath and speech at the same time of language and meaning. (250) The Obejas illuminates the central component of sexual difference in relation to lecriture feminine which Cixous explore. Kristeva writes, all speaking subjects have within themselves a certain bisexuality which is precisely the possibility to explore all the sources of signification, that which posits a meaning as well as that which multiplies, pulverizes, and finally revives it (298) This vision of bisexuality, in relation to womens writing, is also explored by Cixous: writing is precisely working (in) the in-between, inspecting the process of the same and of the other. .. not fixed in sequences of struggle and expulsion but infinitely dynamized by an incessent process of exchange from one subject to another a multiple and inexhaustible course with millions of encounters and transformations of the same into the other and into the in-between, from which woman takes her forms (and man, in his turn ). (254) Obejas, however, fights against these commonly accepted identity roles by producing fiction that eats away at the man as ruler mentality of so many cultures. Author invents female character that creates a world where she is the one in a position of power and the male characters take a back seat therefore suppressing the ideal that the male has a more significant voice and more important things to say. This female novelist allows women to create their own secure space where they have the ability to be forceful and intimidating. The author gives the characters this safe space that enables these characters to use these traditional male characteristics to their advantage. This allows the woman character to fight against the marginalization they are often forced into by the men in their society. Days of Awe: Feminist Reading In Days of Awe, Achy Obejas shows her female protagonist gaining agency through removing the males will to control and subjugate the female. Through heroines sexual prowess men are diminished allowing her voice to gain momentum. She is the counterpart to every man in Cuba who puffs out his chest catcalling women as they walk by. Alejandra San Jose is a classically alluring Cuban-American woman who is afraid of her own possibilities. She has never explored the deeper side of her sexuality. She has only experienced love and sex in a surface sense, never delving into the areas of herself she is unwilling to expose for fear of appearing unfeminine. She has a yearning to discover herself and assert her true potential as a sexually viable being. Alejandras desires are manifested in her desire to understand her Cuban self and all this exotic desire holds for her. She feels that if she figures out how to embrace her Cuban identity she will become stronger and more in control of her direction. She feels a loss living as an exiled woman unable to fully understand her self and what she needs to feel whole. Once Alejandra has observed the men of Cuba and felt their energy, she begins to feel how reversing her role would be beneficial. She is finally able to express herself: being a translator has allowed Alejandra the luxury of hiding behind the words and opinions of others, Theses are not my words. I have no words of my own here (76). Until she discovers a way to present her true identity without fear she has no voice. She has to gain if, self-confidence in her individuality before she is ready to fight for the right to have her voice heard. The turning point for Alejandra is the provocative sexual encounter she witnesses between a Cuban man, Orlando and his teenager neighbor. The young girl has complete control over the sensual situation taking place between the two showing Alejandra how beneficial this role can be for the woman. Orlando, Alejandras host in Cuba is completely captivated by the girls sexual allure and her aggressive seduction. Alejandra is aroused and empowered by the girls dominance in the interaction, I smiled back, strangely calm, as I watched her caress her lovers stubbly cheek and play with the nappy hair on his head. He continued lapping until she wrapped her legs around him and trapped him there, immobile (86). At this moment, Alejandra sees firsthand what she has been missing from her own sexual experience, control. Orlando is immobilized by the young girls will and sexual strength: Orlando knelt in front of her like a supplicant as she dipped again and again. She arched her body, grinding her pubic bone into him (86). She will determine when their lovemaking session is over. She pushes into him forcing him into submission giving her the dominant role in the interaction. Alejandra learns through witnessing this encounter that women can voice their desires and express their needs. Her will to express her own true identity is strengthened by her voyeurism. She now understands the power of being the dominant or the traditionally male partner in a sex act. Alejandra takes what she has learned about the value of being the aggressive partner back to the United States. Her trip to Cuba has empowered her with the understanding of the exotic. She begins to assert herself with her current boyfriend, Seth. She becomes the man in the relationship going as far as grinding into Seth as if she was penetrating him with her sexual being, I kissed his chest, his ribs, his hips, then slowly turned him on his tummy and pushed him down, my hand still on his member. I crushed my pubic bone into him from behind (160). Alejandra pushes him down into submission and climbs on top of him taking the position of power. She controls the amount of pleasure each will receive and she controls Seth. She gains her independence from Seth by turning the relationship around on him. She takes on the male characteristics in the bedroom silencing Seth and suppressing his desires for her own. Her voice gains agency through her implementing what she has learned from watching the teen seductress. Alejandra continues to empower her new identity as well. After she has finished with Seth she begins her first lesbian affair. In this relationship she plays the masculine role. She becomes the jealous boyfriend who doesnt trust his sweet little girl and questions and accuses her constantly of being unfaithful. She rules the relationship through physical and sexual dominance, I trembled and imagined that I would always want her as much as that time when, in a state of uncontrolled rage about all the lovers she might have had, I pushed her against the wall and knelt before her in a urine-soaked subway stairwell. Pining her hips with my hands, I used my mouth, my teeth, to get at those pungent lips, at the soft core of her where I stalked all my unsteady claims of conquest. (178) She exhibits the classic behavior of the male machismo. Richard Basham defines the famous Spanish term in his article Machismo describing why the term fits Alejandra perfectly here, Machismo, itself, can be loosely translated as the cult of the male. In its essentials it is characterized by a display of sexual prowess, zest for action; including verbal action, daring and above all, absolute self- confidence (127). The Latin Lover who dominates his female conquest through his sexual prowess and his perpetual insistence is ever present in Alejandras behavior with her new lover. She has now fully embraced the power of her sexuality. She understands now how to use it to her benefit without worry about her lover. She continues to sleep with both men and women, but now she always plays the role of the dominant lover. She learns how to succeed both in her private life adding many conquests to her ego and her public life succeeding to be a successful translator who is widely respected by both men and women. One of her conquests turns out to be a bad lover, but Alejandra refuses to accept his inadequacies. He believes their lovemaking session is over because he has been quickly satisfied. She immediately regains control of the situation by grabbing his member and informing him his job is not finished, No, I didnt like it, I said, climbing on top and guiding him, so now youre going to make sure I do (230). Before she internalized the ways of the male she would have accepted his weak attempts at satisfying her never allowing her frustrations to have a voice. Now she will not be silenced or unsatisfied at the hands of a man. Alejandra dictates when the sexual encounter is over and certainly not before she has been satisfactorily pleasured. Her agency takes away the males desires and opinions. She will no longer allow the control to be in any of her lovers hands. Through these examples Alejandra shows the strength and sexual dominance. Alejandra discovers the potency and rewards of being sexually expressive. Alejandra takes quite long to understand the potential she has in herself. At the beginning of the novel she has yet to truly comprehend the power she has over the opposite sex if she chooses to use it. When she first returns to Cuba she is still intimidated by the power she realizes she has over men. Alejandra sees the way the women of the island flaunt their sexuality and how they use it to their personal advantage. It is frightening to Ale how easily some women can manipulate men to do as they wish by showing a little skin and a little attitude, All that week I dreaded the moment when some Cuban man would fix his sights on me, my heart in my throat as he decided whether I was due the complicated mix of flattery and possession that came with being island-born, or the courtesy of silence afforded foreigners (59). In the beginning of the novel Alejandra relishes being treated with silence until she realizes the power she can harness from taking her attributes and using them to her advantage. She begins to learn from the men of Cuba just as Reina has before her. She sees their openly seductive behavior allowing her to loosen her grip on her own sexuality. Alejandra is also slow to accept the beauty of being sexually secure. She is intimidated by her Cuban side and the history it holds for her. She is frightened by the exotic side of her personality and has reservations about setting it free: Havana is where I was supposed to have lived, where I should have emerged like Aphrodite from the foam—where my destiny had been denied (55). Alejandra feels her exotic nature stayed behind when she left Cuba as a child. She is slow to realize her destiny is within herself not on the island. She is more timid in her attempts to become empowered hesitating after her first realization of how to obtain her strength. She gingerly wades into the waters of sexual freedom with hesitation and a fear reminiscent of her expression of her female identity. After she witnesses Orlando and Celina, his young neighborhood fling, she attempts to experience and emulate the strength Celina exhibited by allowing Orlando to touch her and give her pleasure. The two are driving to a deserted location on the outskirts of Havana when Alejandra allows Orlando to bring her to climax with his fingers: When Orlando parted my legs and tried to lower his head, I resisted: I licked the stubble on his chin, bit at his lips (88). She takes control of the situation by not allowing him to do what he wants to her, but she is still unsure of how to lead the encounter herself. This is her first step in using her sexuality to gain a voice. Alejandra remains completely clothed in this interaction afraid of unleashing her desire and exposing her body. She is still afraid to take this knowledge and use it to its full power. She doesnt end up seducing Orlando until many years later. Alejandra San Jose is a classically exotic Cuban-American woman who is afraid of her own possibilities. She has never explored the deeper side of her sexuality. She has only experienced love and sex in a surface sense, never delving into the areas of herself she is unwilling to expose for fear of appearing unfeminine. She has a yearning to discover herself and assert her true potential as a sexually viable being. Though Alejandra is quite advanced in her acceptance of the male role, she gains strength through her Cuban journey. The women learns to embrace the exotic nature found within, allowing for a stronger fuller voice. She silences the men in her live through sexual dominance, just as a male would normally in society. Richard Balsam looks at the womans traditional role, From the machos viewpoint the natural place of the woman is in the home. She is mother first, a wife second, and a sexual being almost never. At marriage she must be a virgin. Sex must be incidental to her, its primary purpose to produce children. She must recognize and accept her role, always remembering to show deference to her husband and brothers (128). She has spurned the normal stereotype for Latina women and created a new space for herself where her voice is heard loud and clear. Alejandra is not married because she does not need a man to guide her way. She has taken it upon herself to find an avenue to strengthen her position in society. Instead of leaning on the male for support this woman has taken on common male characteristics in order to be free from traditional gender identities allowing her to create her own persona where her voice has value and depth. This empowered woman has seen the last days where she is the submissive slave to a mans desire. She has discovered the place in the sun and made it her own through expressing her sexual needs and desires. Conclusion In todays modern society there still is a common struggle for the worlds many women. Even in this era women are still striving to be deemed equal to men in all aspects of everyday life. Many different authors from all over the world create female characters that are fighting against stereotypes and prejudices building a foundation of empowerment for women through writing. This paper has set out to show how one Cuban-American author is in this type of female-centered telling in Latino Literature. This type of narration used by Achy Obejas invites the reader to understand firsthand the trials of Latina woman through this expressive telling that finally presents her story with her own individual voice. Achy Obejas successfully creates female character that strives for and achieves control in a normally patriarchal society. She tells of proud Cuban woman who have scratched and clawed for the opportunity to have their voices heard. This women writer turns the tables on socially accepted norms involving long outdated gender roles in the Latino community. Through her acclaimed fiction Obejas creates female character that is able to achieve freedom from a submissive existence by establishing her own voice and value in society. The Caribbean has long been a place of exotic beauties and luxuries. Obejas uses a womans natural seductive wiles to empower the woman of Days of Awe. Author creates character who learns that by taking away the males dominant role in the bedroom, his control in other areas will be diminished therefore strengthening the power of the new dominant sex partner, the female. Alejandra San Jose realizes the value of being the sexual initiator. In this novel the male characters fall into the background after they have been seduced leaving Alejandra with the only voices to be heard. One would agree being the sexual aggressor achieves power, but nothing achieves control like violence. In her next arena of control, Obejas shows several aspects of machismo, including the violent behavior often shown to women at the hands of their lovers and husbands. However, the things in the Cuban community are changing to meet the modern days version of an independent Latina woman and the fiction this paper examined in certainly reflects this growth. With determined character and strong representation of a Latina woman author is opening a space where the Cuban female can be sure to be respected and heard without being degraded or discounted. Obejas creates women in her fiction who refuse to bow her head in shame instead proudly showcasing what it is to be a Woman. Due to this prominent Latina writer depiction of real life struggles we are able to examine traditional patriarchal rules found within our society and move beyond her restrictions to foster real woman who will no longer swallow the lines she forces fed that require her to be submissive and afraid to speak her opinions. Achy Obejas has effectively created a realm in society where the female is the dominant figure allowing her to be successful in a multitude of arenas found throughout her life. No longer does this woman have to go to extreme lengths in order to be heard. Through strong representations in contemporary fiction the Latina woman is beginning to realize she deserves to be accepted as a viable participant in society with a competent exceptional voice that should be valued and voiced. Works Cited Alexiou, Alice Sparberg. Jewish Women, Many Voices. Lilith 28. 4 (2003): 38. Basham, Richard. Machismo. Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies 1. 2 (1976): 126-143. Espin, Oliva M. Leaving the Nation and Joining the Tribe: Lesbian Immigrants Crossing Geographical and Identity Borders. Women and Therapy 19. 4 (1996): 99-107. Cixous, Helen. â€Å"The Laugh of Medusa†. 1975. †Feminisms† An Anthology of Literary Theory and Criticism. Eds. Robyn R. Warhol and Diane Price Herndl. New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1997. Kristeva, J. Language – The Unknown : An Initiation Into Linguistics (transl. by A. M. Menke). New York: Columbia University Press, 1989. Luke, Carmen. Women in the academy: The politics of speech and silence. British Journal of Sociology of Education 15. 2 (1994): 211–230 McCullough, Kate. Marked by Genetics and Exile: Narrativizing Transcultural Sexualities in Memory Mambo. A Journal of Gay and Lesbian Studies 6. 4 (2000): 577-607. Obejas, Achy. Days of Awe. New York: Ballantine Books, 2001. Showalter, Elaine, ed. The New Feminist Criticism. New York: Pantheon Books, 1985. Socolovsky, Maya. Unnatural Violence: Counter-Memory and Preservations in Cristinas Garcias Dreaming in Cuban and The Aguero Sisters. Literature Interpretation Theory 11. 2 (2000): 143-167. Solwitz, Sharon. Days of Awe Review. Shofar 22. 1 (2003): 123. Xu, Wu, and Ann Leffler. Gender and Race Effects on Occupational Prestige, Segregation, and Earnings. Gender and Society 6. 3 (1992): 376-392.

Measuring Zinc Intake Among Children in Luwelezi Mzimba

Measuring Zinc Intake Among Children in Luwelezi Mzimba TITLE: Validating the Zinc intake amongst Children aged 24-36 months in Luwelezi Mzimba using food frequency questionnaire. INTRODUCTION Our bodies contain 1.5 to 2.5 grams of zinc, found in all organs, tissues, and body fluids .Zinc is essential for the growth and repair of tissues because it is involved in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, therefore making Zinc Very important for the Developing child (24-36 months). Zinc intake correlates directly with protein consumption, groups are at risk because of limited meat intake. Zinc deficiency in children effects growth retardation, skeletal abnormalities, impaired immunity and Poor wound healing. Zinc deprivation impairs growth and development of infants and children. Evidenced with studies that showed zinc supplements produced highly significant improvements in linear growth and weight gain of children .Consequently Zinc intake estimate are important both for epidemiological studies and in the clinical setting. A reliable assessment of nutrient intake is a difficult task, and the choice of method depends on the aim of the study. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) is a pr actical tool for validating nutrient consumption, however can the same be noted when validating Zinc intakes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the Validity of zinc intake using a food frequency questionnaire for children between 24-36 months. MATERIALS METHODS A longitudinal survey design was conducted, data was collected twice over the year.Calculation of sample Size. Total number = 96, using error of mean 10%, 50% CV and 95% confidence level. Exclusion Criteria was used, this included the ability to keep a diet record therefore only Parents and Guardians that were literate, no previous involvement in a diet assessment study, and no major diet changes in the past 6 months. Leading to the study recruiting n=85 Children (age range 24 – 36 months) from Luwelezi in Mzimba. Participants were selected using Simple random sampling. Informed consent was obtained from participating parent/guardian, and a special effort was made by the Nutritionist to illuminate the importance of an accurate and not manipulated 3 day diet record. Collecting biological samples is often culturally unacceptable, moreover with children (aged 24 – 36 months) to rural populations in countries like Malawi and opportunistically getting samples from children already compromised at Hospitals/Clinics cannot offer the correct reflection of Zinc intake due to some already being Zinc deficient. According to a study by Gibson he found that Zinc level findings of dietary recall to biochemical indexes were significantly similar of 60 women in southern Malawi, therefore this study will not be using biochemical markers. Ethical approval was sorted from Local, District and National authorities. Zinc FFQ Although the FFQ is apt to self-administration, in this study it was administered by a trained interviewer, this was done due to low literacy rates and thus to improve accuracy. The operation required less than 10 min for each interview. Biasness arises when collecting data using FFQ done once a year, which may introduce a seasonal bias because certain foodstuffs are often consumed only at one time of the year. Therefore, this study collected data during both seasons rather than just at one time then calculated the average. The steps that were taken to improved internal validity of the FFQ included, Assembled and calibrated equipment a selection of local utensils were purchased and calibrated with a standard measuring cup. Acquirement of Picture charts depicting the foods most often eaten in Mzimba. Translated and pretested the FFQ was translated into local Language Chichewa Tumbuka, a pilot draft of the questionnaire was tested on a smaller sample, using respondents similar to actual population. Trained the interviewers adequate training for the interviewers is critical. The interviewing techniques should always be consistent both among the interviewers and over time. Estimating portion sizes is the most challenging part of the recall interview but also one of the most critical for ensuring high-quality results. This study used clay molded into the correct size and shape of the food to help estimation. Converting portion sizes to weight equivalents ,portion sizes was converted into weight equivalents by using dietary scales and using leftover portions to Calculated the proportion of edible percentage. FFQ usually suffer from overestimations or underestimation, this will reduce them errors. Reviewed the recall interview data at the end of the interview with respondent being present. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Some nutrient composition values for a local staple food could not be derived, therefore the study obtained direct chemical analysis. This approach is especially desirable for zinc because their content in plant-based Staples often depends on local trace element levels in soil, agronomy practices. The principle of analysis is to determine zinc using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) based upon the absorption of radiation by free atoms .This was done by preparations of three replications of each concentration in order to get an average using 100-mL volumetric flasks. In order to determine the total amount of zinc, multiply the concentration obtained by the dilution factor (100mL). 3 day food record After completing the FFQ, subjects were asked to keep a 3 day estimated diet diary (food record), recording everything they ate and drank, at the time of eating. A list of household measures was enclosed with the diary form. Comprehensive verbal and written instructions were given to the subjects on the methods of recording data. Emphasis was put during the explanatory phase prior to diet recording to just record the actual intake without any fear of judgment relative to nutrition. Estimation of Zinc nutrient scores For each food item, zinc nutrient content per average unit was compiled. Using Nutritional composition of each food derived from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) food composition tables and Diet Master 2100 software when necessary was developed allowing the total Zinc intake for the FFQ and 3 Day Record to be calculated and compared to AAS. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Zinc intakes were calculated separately for FFQ, 3 day Record and AAS, and only then were comparisons made (refer to Fig 1). Calculating total zinc intakes Once the daily food intake has been measured, total zinc intakes can be calculated by multiplying the amount (g) of each food consumed by its zinc content (mg zinc/100 g). Specificity was defined as the proportion of those with a daily Zinc intake below 0.80mg on the FFQ. Sensibility was defined as the proportion of those with a daily Zinc intake above 0.8mg on the FFQ. Confidence intervals at 95% were also calculated using Excel 2013 software, ANOVA single Factor refer to Fig: 1. RESULTS The study had 85 respondents of which 47 (55.3%) were females and 38 (44.7%) were boys refer to graph 1. The average age of the Respondents was 29.0  ± 1.2 months. Mean dietary Zinc intake from the 3 Day diet records was 0.909 mg=day with a variance of 0.041, whilst FFQs was 0.90mg=day with a variance of 0.0366 and AAS was 0.89mg=day with a variance of 0.0366. The normal distribution of Zinc data from both diet AAS, 3 day record and FFQ revealed no significant difference between mean intakes (P ¼0.064). Fig 1: Anova Single Factor for zinc Intake for the children diets, with P-value of 0.91.Results shows they is a no significant difference in zinc intake between the 3 methods used. DISCUSSION The study findings showed that all the assessment tools used to assess zinc intake were equally precise as evidenced by Figure 1 (F= 0.09≠¤3.03, p = 0.91), this shows that they is no significant difference in findings, the different assessment tools were able to come up with similar results in zinc intakes of all the n=85 respondents . Hence increasing the reliability of FFQ, since it is one of the most used instruments in the majority of large-sample studies in nutritional epidemiology. Validation studies are carried out to measure the extent to which a method actually measures the aspect of the diet it was designed to measure with the group being measured. Validity and reliability are currently used criteria for selecting dietary assessment tools for observational research. However it is important to note that validation procedure of a dietary assessment tool is essentially impossible, as there is no absolute gold standard for measuring dietary intake CONCLUSION The purpose of this study was to validate Zinc intake for children in Luwelezi Mzimba using the FFQ. It was found that they was a significant correlation of Zinc intakes between all the methods used to calculate zinc intake, therefore the study justifies that FFQ is a valid tool in assessing dietary intake of Zinc. STUDY LIMITATIONS Using FFQ is depends solely upon the respondent’s memory. Calculating procedures based on estimation and assumptions. QUESTION 2 INTRODUCTION Systematic universal approach to determine nutrition status is an essential to achieve global health, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This assessment allows explanation of present and past occurrences, hence indicates likelihoods of future possibilities to child’s health. For this purpose, growth charts are adopted, in April 2011 Malawi also joined the 125 Countries across the world shifting from National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS/1978) to WHO/ 2006.This paper aims to explore why it was necessary for Malawi to make this outstanding change. The recommendation for adopting the WHO standards for Malawi are based on several considerations including: IMPROVED METHOLODY AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT. The production of the WHO child growth curves underwent a careful, methodical process. Which included vicious methods of data collection, standardized across sites has to be followed during the entire study, thus exclusion criteria develop. Sound procedures for data management and cleaning were applied). The selection of the best statistical approaches and State-of-the-art statistical methodologies used to generate these standards making them the highest conceivable quality Smoothed curves and empirical methods indicating a true description of the growth of healthy children, in contrast the NCHS/WHO data was collected from 1929 to 1975 and does not even match current national birth weight distributions. Also, the statistical methods available at the time the NCHS/WHO growth curves were constructed were too limited to correctly model the pattern and variability of growth. As a result, the NCHS/WHO curves do not adequately represent early childhood growth. The equipment by NCHS in 1977 cannot be matched to State-of-the-art statistics used by WHO in 2004. Equally evidenced by differences between recumbent length measurements from the Fels data and the stature measurements from the NCHS data sets were larger than expected when the transition was made from recumbent length to stature between 24 and 36 months compared to WHO standard. IMPROVED DIAGNOSTIC AND MONITORING WHO and UNICEF have developed a network with facilitators which aim at supporting training and other technical aspects of the standards’ implementation at regional and country level. They provide training packages emphasizing the importance of accurate measurement, plotting and interpretation, plus documentation of growth problems. A child that has a nutritional growth problem, is identified and appropriate action should be determined to address it. Growth assessments by NCHS/WHO is not supported by appropriate response actions to prevent and treat excessive or inadequate growth, hence it is not effective in improving child health. Some Malawian settings where parents are not able to seek and afford treatment plus no presence of an NGO leaves the diagnosed child in grave danger. Another plus for WHO growth charts is that their study was followed incrementally, with each infant measured 21 times between birth and two years. The shorter measurement intervals results in a better tool for monitoring the rapid and changing rate of growth in early infancy However, the NCHS/WHO infants were measured once every 3 months and used supplemental data due unavailable data for the first two to three months of life. The cross-sectional nature of the NCSH/WHO charts represents achieved size of infants, it does not describe rates of growth as accurately as growth represented in longitudinal growth charts BREASTFEEDING The WHO growth standard promotes breastfeeding as the custom that should be followed to attain optimal growth among children exclusively or predominantly breastfed. This is consistent with the Malawi’s Baby-friendly Hospital approach. Infant feeding guidelines recommend breastfeeding as the peak source of nutrition during infancy. Thus, the WHO standards provides a platform for advocating the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding. In this regard, the WHO standards are expected to make meaningful contributions to reducing child morbidity and mortality in Malawi. This will now allow accurate assessment, measurement and evaluation of breastfeeding and complementary feeding because it recognizes the adequacy of human milk to support healthy growth and development. However the NCHS/WHO nearly all infants included in the sample were formula-fed resulting in a reflection different to the pattern of growth typically observed in healthy b reastfed infants. This makes it gravely suitable for Malawi due to most of our infants being Breastfed, therefore exposing them the many benefits exclusive breastfeeding come with promoting optimal child health. GROWTH STANDARD NOT GROWTH REFERENCE Children in the WHO standards were raised under ideal circumstances and health conditions. As a result the WHO growth charts are designated as the Golden standard identifying how children should grow when provided with optimal conditions .On contrast with NCSH/WHO charts which shows a snapshot of weight and heights of the sampled population, irrespective of whether their rate of growth was optimal or not. Therefore the NCSH/WHO charts potentially show the growth of some infants who may have been fed sub-optimally, raised in substandard environmental circumstances; or had infections, chronic illness or disease. Adopting this â€Å"Golden Standard† is helpful for Malawi as it allows the comparison to be made with the very best. INTERNATIONAL SAMPLE POPULATION The origins of the children included in the WHO standards were widely diverse. They included peoples from Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East In this respect they are similar to a lot of populations ,due being ethnic diverse. The growth of the children in the 6 various sites was very similar because their environments were similarly healthy. This indicates that we should expect the same potential for growth in any country. Traditionally it was believed that different ethnic groups show different patterns of growth. However WHO standards has refuted this belief showing that variability in infant growth was greater within population groups than between the different country groups. The major Concern with NHCS charts is that the sample consisted primarily of white middle-class infants from southwestern Ohio (USA). So making the data obtained unrepresentative, WHO charts means Malawians are also capable of growing to these heights under optimal conditions. ‘Osat i zungu simuthu, amakula kwambiri kuposa ife Amalawi’. NEW ELEMENTS WHO Standard approach goes beyond the development of growth references towards a standard, inclusion of motor development milestones provide a solid instrument for helping to meet the health and nutritional needs of the world’s children. A further set of charts comprising: MAUCZ, HCZ, SSFZ and TSFZ were released early in 2007. All charts are available both percentiles and Z-scores, making it easier than ever before to record and assess Nutritional status of infants, one can just get a paper, pen and MAUC tape fold in the pocket and off they go into the Community. Then generate reports using WHO Anthro, which is an exciting software in itself. CONCLUSION After sensible and carefully evaluation the adoption of the WHO charts for usage in Malawi appears more helpful for the children’s nutritional screening and hence hospital admission than NCSH/WHO growth References. This is due it enables the detection of a higher number of malnourished children or at nutritional risk, thus allowing the much needed beneficial early intervention to be undertaken. Also the Development of WHO charts were promoted and supported by Stakeholders (NGO’s, Governments etc.) that are currently active in Malawi and contribute significantly to our National Budget, WHO charts makes it easier for steadfast interventions and communication between these stakeholders and Malawi .

Michael Porter’s Five Forces Essay -- Business Strategy Analysis

Porter’s 5-Force Analysis Michael Porter’s 5-forces can be used to analyze an industry and help shape and create a â€Å"competitive strategy† (Porter, 6). Understanding each of the five forces and how they interact with one another provides a clear picture of the degree of competition being faced within an industry, and therefore its relative attractiveness. The understanding cannot provide an advantage; it is what you do with the understanding. Without the understanding, a strategy can be at risk of being unrealistic. Michael Porter’s 5-force Analysis is a tool for the structural analysis of industries. There are 5 forces that always shape the competitive structure of an industry: Supplier Power, Barriers to Entry, The Threat of Substitutes, Buyer Power, and Industry Rivalry. I. SUPPLIER POWER Supplier power is the ability of a supplier to control the cost and supply of the inputs in the market. The supplier power of an industry can be altered in many ways: 1) Differentiation of Inputs – If a company needs various inputs from different suppliers, then those suppliers have a high power. 2) Switching Costs for Transferring to Other Suppliers - Supplier power is high if the cost to switch over to a new system is high. 3) Availability of Substitutes – If the raw material that’s needed for manufacturing can be replaced with alternatives, the supplier power is low. 4) Supplier Concentration – The fewer suppliers there are, the higher the supplier power. 5) Suppliers’ Dependence on Volume – If suppliers are dependent on supply volume, then the supplier power is low. 6) Cost Relative to Total Purchases in the Industry – If a company thinks that they are being overcharged, they may switch to another supplier. 7) Impac... ...dia.net (30 January 2003) Legamedia.net is mainly a foreign website written in Dutch about Porter’s Analysis. 6. http://panko.com (30 January 2003) This website is a Ray R. Panko’s personal business website. Ray Panko is a Professor at the University of Hawaii and has written a number useful sources about information systems and communications. 7. http://www.quickmba.com (29 January 2003) This website includes a detailed summary of Porter’s Analysis. Information used from this site includes a diagram of Porter’s Five Forces. 8. http://www.themanager.org (31 January 2003) This website offers a description of various management tools including Porter’s Five Force Analysis. 9. Porter, Michael E. Competitive Strategy. New York, New York: The Free Press, 1980. This book written by Michael Porter is unaltered information about his theory.