Levi Strauss - 1216 Words

Levi Strauss at Home and Abroad As one attempts to assess the business ethics of Levi Strauss and Nike in this writing assignment, we are again compelled to revisit the critical distinction of conduct that is legal, yet still unethical. In both instances, Levi Strauss and Nike behaved with the parameters of legal conduct, yet few would argue that profiting from exploitive work conditions is an ethical behavior of any socially responsible organization (broad view social responsibility). Obviously, it’s very tempting to just condense this argument to the point of â€Å"bad companies boosting profits from lower labor costs via exploiting foreign workers in sweatshops†. I am going to take a much broader approach here in my assessment, as†¦show more content†¦The end result of this ruling is that corporations that profit greatly from outsourced labor are now able to pay for the elections of our Congressmen – and gee, wonder how this economic â€Å"favor† will be repaid when attempts to rein in outsourcing come up in Congress? Let’s move on to our two protagonists in this debate: Levi Strauss and Nike. Now that we’ve got the backdrop well in hand, and a reasonable person would agree that a massive systemic failure in the U.S. has allowed and promoted unchecked outsourcing of jobs, it’s time to discuss these two corporate giants and their respective behaviors here. Do these two corporations have a responsibility to monitor the conduct of the companies they do business with--in particular, their contractors and suppliers? As a personal believer in the broader view of corporate social responsibility, I believe that they do. Notwithstanding the fact that all of this outsourcing is legal, and despite the mitigating factors that I’ve argued above that do alleviate these two companies of all of the blame – I still believe that they need to take the higher moral ground. Levi Strauss overall has conducted itself with far greater corporate social responsibility than Nike has, in my judgment. Strauss for many years withdrew from China due to their notoriety as a non-democratic country with abusive labor conditions.Show MoreRelatedLevi s Strauss And Co Essay926 Words   |  4 Pages  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Levi’s Strauss Co Two years after his father’s passing, Levi Strauss immigrated from Buttenheim, Bavaria   to New York with his sisters in 1848. His two older brothers owned a dry goods business called â€Å"J. Strauss Brother Co† located in New York City. After becoming more familiar with the trade and how the business worked, he traveled to California after word got out about the gold rush in 1853. Levi wanted to keep up with the demand, so where there were people looking for their fortuneRead MoreExecutive Summary : Levis Strauss 4444 Words   |  18 PagesUnit Codeï ¼Å¡BSBFIM601A Unit Nameï ¼Å¡ Manage Organizational Change Student Nameï ¼Å¡Chan Chung Wai Student IDï ¼Å¡TEDI2849 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Levis Strauss has been one of the world’s most successful brands in the fashion industry but is now subject to a falling market share and is no longer meeting the demands of its external environment. Levis leadership is ineffective and the approach taken to resolve its problems is futile, capital intensive and does not produce any results. The organizationRead MoreLevi Strauss Case Study1900 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction: This paper deals with the marketing strategies for the Levis Strauss brands to become the top brand in the world in various kinds of jeans and other apparels. Levis Strauss is having the 75% share in the GWG but allowed them to maintain in their own way. The GWG was also the first to produce pre-washed jeans and had a good position in the market. GWG and Levis Strauss Canada were concentrated on the high class people and not much concentrated on the retail market with this oneRead MoreLevi Strauss And The Black Jeans991 Words   |  4 Pages The origins of denim come from a man named Levi Strauss, who saw a need for type of pants that would last longer. The jeans would mostly be used for laborers during the Gold Rush in the late 1800s. So, on May 20, 1873, Levi Strauss and his financial partner Jacob Davis created the blue jeans (Our Story). His brand, Levi Strauss and Co., also known as simply Levi’s has become one of the most well-known denim brands in America. Little did Levi Strauss know, but he would be the catalyst for one theRead MoreSwot Analysis Of Levi Strauss S1666 Words   |  7 Pagesparticular, Americans love Levi Strauss, also known as Levi’s, it is a company known worldwide that is privately held and mainly produces denim jeans. Furthermore, Lewis is the largest manufacturing company of jeans production in the world due to its superb quality, the founding father of Levi’s, Levi Strauss also co-founded and patented Jeans in 1873. Levi’s is a vertically integrated company whic h means it owns or has owned factories at all levels of production, the production of Levis is spread around theRead More The History of Levi Strauss Co. Essay1849 Words   |  8 PagesThe History of Levi Strauss Co. Idly standing on a busy street corner, one cannot help but observe a plethora of denim whiz by. Entrepreneur Levi Strauss is the man responsible for creating the booming market and generating a trend in clothing that has swept the nation for nearly 150 years. Through a steady commitment of quality and reliable service, Levi Strauss Company became one of the most successful business ventures to come out of the 19th century. However, history for this companyRead MoreEssay about A case study on Levis Strauss.981 Words   |  4 Pagesstudy on Levis Strauss. Introduction Levis Strauss has been the market leader of blue denim Jeans since 1853, but of late the sales have started to plummet it has lost a huge amount of its share in the market. This has lead to closures of stores throughout America and layoff staff in this report I will look at the following questions 1. What is Levis Strauss environmental domain? 2. What factors in its environment are giving rise to opportunities and threats for Levis Strauss? 3Read MoreThe Levi Strauss Brand s Core Values1467 Words   |  6 Pages1. List the Levi Strauss brand’s core values. †¢ Creativity and hard work. †¢ Innovation. †¢ Sustainability. †¢ Progressive practices in the company’s production process. †¢ Value all work within the company. 2. List Levi Strauss brand associations/sources of brand equity. †¢ The company’s brand associations are the blue jeans that it innovated. †¢ Community volunteering. †¢ Competition in the market for fitting jeans wear. †¢ Demand for up to date clothes. †¢ Advertisement †¢ Product placement †¢ Brand awarenessRead MoreResearch Report On Levi Strauss Co. Jeans1624 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The purpose of this account planning report is to conduct and analyse consumer research data regarding Levi Strauss Co. jeans and their need to focus on the Australian male youth market. Levi Strauss Co. has lost their competitive edge throughout the years and is looking to re-establish their brand and entice new consumers to purchase their products. Throughout this report I will develop a consumer insight to the campaign, draft a set of communication objectives and offer other recommendationsRead MoreLevi Strauss Co : Global Sourcing1404 Words   |  6 PagesLevi Strauss Co.: Global Sourcing As several brand names of businesses continue to grow in the United States, most companies continue to search of different ways to maximize their profits. One of the most common ideas businesses have is to harness the potential of global sourcing. Global sourcing has been one of the many keys for owners to expand the territory of their companies. Besides the fact of low cost, owners want to expand their products line in other countries for many beneficial reasons

Small Business Idea - 1156 Words

Small-Business Idea Paper University of Phoenix ACC 561 Small-Business Idea Paper There are numerous factors affecting the type of business organizations that an owner should form, so that it is most beneficial for him and the product or services provided. In this paper, the four business structures are evaluated and the association of the legal, tax and accounting implications with the different structures are also discussed. Suppose that the government has released funds to set up small businesses, I would set up a language services company. The services will include translation, transcription, interpretation, copywriting and proofreading. Most companies nowadays provide services internationally. It is, therefore, important to be†¦show more content†¦It is, therefore, subjected to â€Å"double taxation†, which means that profits are taxed and shareholders are taxed on the dividends that are paid on the stock they own and any profits they receive on shares of stock that they sell (Tiwary, 2008). The ownership claim in corporations is defined by the amount of shares owned and can be easily transferred by selling off the shares. Because individual share can be easily bought, raising capital is easier for a corporation than the other business structures, particularly in â€Å"S† corporations. In corporations, the stockholders are protected from the liabilities and debts of the company, although they pay higher taxes on the dividends received from the company. A corporation also ensures the continuity of life if one owner dies. A corporation has more legal issues to handle than the other business structures because it is large and publicly traded. Everything needs to be documented and filed and general meetings must be held at least per annum. All actions affecting the operations of the company, such as mergers and establishing new business ventures, must be discussed, recorded and filed. This also means that because corporations trade publicly, they are required to provi de extensive financial statements such as the balance sheets, income statement, cash flow statement and retained earnings statement. They need these statements to attract more investors and increase capital. Corporations are also liable to the SOXShow MoreRelatedSmall Business Idea1521 Words   |  7 PagesSmall Business Idea ACC 561/Accounting January 30, 2012 Small Business Idea Introduction Starting a small business can be daunting, exciting, and rewarding. A proprietor must consider which form of business organization is best suited for his or her product or service. There has to be consideration with legal, tax, accounting, and other implications when selecting from the four business types. This paper will explore the advantages and disadvantages of sole proprietorship, corporationRead MoreThe Importance Of Business Ideas With Small Capital880 Words   |  4 PagesBusiness Ideas with Small Capital Filipinos are naturally creative. And it is just a waste how some would rather do nothing when they can make use of their time doing something that can help their families. Probably, one big reason that stops them from engaging themselves with worthwhile activities, such as building their own business is the lack of capital. And I do understand how some of them would rather try their luck winning the lotto instead. However, if one would really think of all the opportunitiesRead MoreEnterprise, Entrepreneurship And Intrapreneurship. Enterprise1638 Words   |  7 Pagescan use to develop a business and how a new/fresh business can help the economy and third world countries too. This report explains what can go wrong within a business and what sorts of misconceptions there are, and if they’re true or not. Definition of enterprise, entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship Enterprise is a project that is especially bold, difficult or complex such as starting a business for example THE BBC or Oxfam. An entrepreneur is somebody who creates a business/company with a higherRead MoreThe Concept Of An Entrepreneurship1345 Words   |  6 Pagesby many different people. The Business in Action textbook defines entrepreneurship as the combination of innovation, initiative and willingness take risks required to create and operate new businesses and an entrepreneur as a person with positive, forward-thinking desire to create profitable, sustainable business enterprise. According to this definition, a small business owner could definitely be classed as an entrepreneur, as anyone who runs and owns their own business is taking risks with their financesRead MoreRaising Capital For Any Startup1324 Words   |  6 PagesRaising capital for any startup in Nigeria is hard, and it is discouraging to invest in a business idea that is not easy for some entrepreneurs. Applying for secured personal loan or even a loan without collateral is not promising to anyone too. So, if you are looking for a business loan without collateral, you have to understand that getting a small business loan without collateral is certainly tough in today’s economy. That’s why you find a lot of searches on internet about â€Å"how to get loan withoutRead MoreEntrepreneurs Case Study1127 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction The White House would like to raise exports by small business, however the unreliability of the global market is frightening the enterprise. President Obama would like to help out small businesses by asking Export-Import Bank to rise export funding by more than a third, to 6 billion dollars. With these increases he hopes to double American exports and encourages small businesses to go abroad. It is extremely hard for small businesses to go abroad though when the larger businesses dominateRead MoreImpact Of Entrepreneurship On Business Management1495 Words   |  6 PagesEntrepreneurship is defined as the process of designing, launching and running a business. It typically begins as a business idea such as starting a small business, offering a product or service. What is unique about this venture is the possibility and level of risk involved for instance lack of funds, an unforeseeable economic crisis or poor business decisions. Entrepreneurship is about how people identify opportun ities, evaluate whether they are viable and then decide to exploit them or not. TheRead MoreEssay on Innovation At International Foods744 Words   |  3 PagesBig business versus small business has been an issue since business started. Small businesses need to have a solid structure and a large backing of consumers to survive against big business. Josh Novak had a successful model for Glow-Foods and International Food Group (IFG) saw that. They were so impressed with his IT plan at Glow-Foods, they offered him a job at their IT office with a team to help their demographic. Josh was excited yet hesitant as he knew IFG was nothing like his small businessRead MoreBreak Even Analysis1227 Words   |  5 PagesBreak Even Analysis In business planning, asking the proper questions and obtaining answers to those questions is arguably the most important thing. Questions such as; how much do we have to sell to reach our profit goal? How much do our sales need to increase in order to cover a planned increase in advertising costs? What price should we charge to cover our costs and allow for the planned profit goals? Is our business going to be profitable? Answers to such difficult questions become accessibleRead MoreA Study On A Business997 Words   |  4 PagesStarting a business does not necessarily make one a startup founder - as the business may not necessarily be a startup at all! While it may have the potential to make the founder wealthy, it still may be a small business that can become huge in the future. Although these sound similar concepts, startups show up stark differences from conventional small businesses once we understand their fundamentals. I have had the fortune of being and working with hugely talented and entrepreneurial folks over

Module Free Essays

There is a positive correlation between the longer a child attend pre-school and high IQ scores. Children who can afford to spend a lot of time in pre-school have parents who are wealthy and likely educated, providing them with good genes and thus are likely to have high IQ scores. Children with high IQ scores perform well in pre-school and incentives their parents to keep them in pre-school longer. We will write a custom essay sample on Module or any similar topic only for you Order Now Part C. 16. The hypothesis is that students will understand math material better when they duty while listening to classical music. 7. The independent variable is the setting in which the students study, whether that is with classical music or no classical music. 18. The dependent variable is how well the students perform on the math test administered after one month 19. The experimental group is the group of students who study math while listening to Mozart. 20. The control group is the group of students who study without listening to music. 21 . There isn’t really a placebo group, no one is receiving a fake treatment, they are either listening to music or not. 22. Mr†¦ Ross randomly assigned students to the group that they are in to help prevent confounds. He also administered the same math test to both groups of students. 23. Experimenter bias is possible because Mr†¦ Ross could have graded the math test differently based on what group the student was. Also he could have interpreted the difference between the two groups as a result of the music but it really was Just random chance. 24. The hypothesis is that Hawthorne believes that employees working in brighter light environments will have increased productivity. 25. The independent variable is he setting in which the employees work, whether it is bright or dark environments. 26. The dependent variable is the productivity of the workers. 27. The experimental group is the group of employees that work in the brighter work environment (100 watt lighting). 28. The control group is the group of employees that work in the regular lighting area (70 watt lighting). 29. There is no placebo because there is no fake treatment or pill that is given for psychological benefits of the patients, there are just 2 group, one with 100 watt lighting and one with 70 watt lighting. How to cite Module, Papers

Lord Of The Flies Essay Paper Example For Students

Lord Of The Flies Essay Paper CritiqueLord of the Flies written by Willam Golding, is a 208 page novel, written in1954. Lord of the Flies is about a group of of young english boys whos planescrashes onto a remote island. Throught the novel the boys gradually changedfrom civilzed english boys to to small savages that need to surive. The author used many metaphors and Imagery to describe the situationsand places on the island. All the places in the island where described very well forexample when Ralph first used the conch to call the other boys. The author says,Ralph pursed his lips and squurted air into the shell, which emitted a low , fartingnoise. That line tells the reader exactly how he blew the conch and he describedhow he put he is lips on it and what sound it made. He uses very descriptivewords in that line and the reader feels like they are standing right next too them. In the first chapters of the novel, Ralph, main character of the novel, is elected as the leader of the group of lost boys. These group of minors see him as a model, as a role model to follow, a tall man which has the qualities to serve them as a leader. His leadership is presented as an organized leadership, he has the quality of having everything as good as it can be, structured in a civilized manner. It is thought that Golding tries to tell us  Jack, the antagonist of the play isnt formally elected leader, but after a period of chapters start revealing himself against Ralph, showing his own rebellion as he didnt see the need of running in an organized and civilized manner, he acted in the complete opposite way, he saw the need for hunting, an uncivilized practice in the purpose of the gaining of food, and didnt see the need of being controlled by anyone he himself wanted to be his leader. After a short period of time, almost all the kids controlled by Ralph start revealing against him and setting off to Jacks hunting camp, where no rules were needed, they went with the only purpose of having fun, not having to follow rules, and to have good meals. I think Jack is an unsuccessful leader such because he runs in an uncivilized and an unorganized manner, and we all need rules for a group of people to be organized and so that everything goes well. It is then, by this descriptions clearly shown what leaderships applies best to this situation, It is Ralphs way of leadership that determines the best way of dealing with the situation, dealing with having to be stuck in an island with a group of people with no adults, no authority. Being organized and civilized is the best way to deal with it. If everybody started having no rules the world would be a disaster, and this applies to this case as well. From this we can deduce that Golding was trying to let us know how being uncivilized and having no rules can be fun, but can lead to serious disasters. In conclusion, Ralph is thought to be a better leader than Jack, he presents his way of organization as being civilized, as well organized as it can be, which makes him a better leader as without a way of organization it will all be disastrous and they might not even make it out of the island, and this was, in contrast, what Golding was trying to tell us by developing this novel, telling us how civilization beats fun, how being organized but not necessarily having fun will, at the end, lead to a better future.

Gay Marriage Legalization

Table of Contents Introduction A case for Gay Marriages Objections and Counterarguments Conclusion Works Cited Introduction While marriage has traditionally been prescribed as a union between heterosexuals, there has been a shift towards giving marriage rights to homosexual couples. This change has been brought about by the prevalence of homosexuality in the society and the widespread acceptance of gay relationships.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Gay Marriage Legalization specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More While until recently homosexuality was looked upon as vile and even criminalized by some governments, the 1960s saw a change in trend that saw many states making laws that decriminalized same-sex conduct and abolished discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (Volokh 106). Riding on this momentum, gay activists all over the country have been calling for the legalizing of gay marriages all t hrough the country. This legalization would ensure that gay couples were afforded the same rights and benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. Despite this advocacy, the ultimate goal of gay marriages legalization remains unachieved. This paper will set out to argue that gay marriages should be legalized. The paper shall outline various arguments to demonstrate that same-sex marriages should be legitimized. The major oppositions presented by anti-gay right activists will also be highlighted to give a balanced view on the topic. A case for Gay Marriages The denial of marriage rights to the gay hinders their mental health and well-being. The American Psychological Association has issued statements that demonstrate that harmful mental health effects result from the discrimination that lesbians and gay men face (Herdt and Kertzner 11). This is a notion that is corroborated by Culhane who states that marriage would result in reduction in the stress associated with the social exclusio n and legal uncertainty that same-sex couples currently face (491). As it currently stands, gay couples lack the social support system to help cope with the stress that comes about from the discrimination that they face. Legalizing gay marriages would reverse this situation therefore improving the wellbeing of the gay community.Advertising Looking for research paper on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A research on the effects of civil partnership status in Great Britain demonstrated that the partnerships resulted in better health outcomes for the couples inasmuch as stable same-sex relationships lead to better health (Culhane 491). Marriage is a benefit not only to the two people being joined by the union but to the society as well. This is true for both heterosexual and same-sex couple marriages. By refusing to recognize the legitimacy of same-sex marriages, the individual as well as the society is affected. G iving same-sex couples same marriage rights as heterosexual couples would enjoy them to enjoy the benefits that are inherent in the marriage institute (Peplau and Fingerhut 407). In particular, same-sex couples would benefit greatly from the income and wealth benefits that are realized from marriage since marital status enjoys substantial legal and financial privileges. The lack of legal recognition of gay marriages as a denial of the gay person’s right to enjoy a fulfilling life with his/her partner. This is because marriage is an institute that is fundamentally built on love and the need for companionship by the two parties involved. Research by Peplau and Fingerhut on love and satisfaction in same-sex relationships found that there were striking similarities in the reports of love and satisfaction between same-sex and heterosexual couples. Gay activists suggest that the only difference between same sex and opposite-sex couples is the procreation ability of opposite-sex cou ples. Since procreation is never the basis of legal marriage, gays should not be denied marriage since they union is not unlike that of heterosexual couples. Culhane states that the marital status would reduce the outsider status currently given to gay couples therefore allowing them to enjoy the benefits that heterosexual couples accrue from marriage (491). Past views about gay unions were based on the misconception that being gay is inherently evil and detrimental to the society. This traditional view has undergone radical changes ever as the society has evolved.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Gay Marriage Legalization specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Feldblum proposes that the world is changing significantly and as such, the principles which guide our society should also change towards a system whereby liberty for all is guaranteed (6). Feldblum contends that since homosexuality has become acceptabl e and is not viewed as being harmful to the society’s moral fiber, gay people should be afforded the same rights as heterosexuals (10). To reinforce his assertion, he reveals that according to surveys only 40% of the people object to legal recognition for same-sex couple (11). This is an important assertion since legal recognition of same sex marriages is mostly objected to on the basis that the general public is against such establishments. Duncan notes that there has been a clear change in public opinion related to sexual behavior and the law should reflect the reality of how people are living (647). Refusing gay couples the right to marriage is tantamount to unjustified discrimination and as a nation founded on the grounds of democracy and equal rights for all, the United States of America should not engage in this discriminatory behavior. While the government is adamant that it protects all citizens equally in spite of their sexual orientation, this is not the reality sin ce gay couples continue to be deprived of right to live together in consensual relationships (Volokh 106). Feldblum agrees with this view by observing that while the government purports to be neutral in the â€Å"gay marriage debate†, it in essence takes a stance on the moral question every time it fails to take action to ensure that gay people can life openly and safely from harassment. The stigma that is attached to same-sex relationships has an adverse effect on the children of same-sex couples. Clarke reveals that there is discrimination against same-sex parents in schools where their homosexuality is perceived as a threat to the education of children (556).Advertising Looking for research paper on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This has a negative effect on both the parents and the children who are stigmatized as a result of their parent’s sexual orientation. The Massachusetts Supreme Court declared that exclusion from marriage affected the children of same-sex couples in that they were prevented from â€Å"enjoying the immeasurable advantages that flow from the assurance of a stable family structure in which children will be reared, educated, and socialized† (Culhane 492). Legitimizing the same-sex unions through marriage would in essence lift this stigma therefore stopping the unnecessary suffering that children are forced to undergo by denying their parents the right to marry Denial of the right to marriage by same-sex couples has resulted mostly from the religious undertones that surround the marriage institute. The imposition of the religious definition of marriage on the larger society is what makes it difficult for many Americans to agree on whether same-sex couples should be allowed t o marry. Wilson articulates that â€Å"opposition to homosexuality and gay rights is derived primarily from religious beliefs† (564). This assertion is reinforced by statistics which indicate that the most commonly cited reason for opposing same-sex marriages is that it goes against one’s own religious beliefs. The Christian religion is especially vocal in its opposition to gay marriages and goes ahead to label homosexuality as â€Å"unnatural† and lesbian and gay parenting as sinful and a perversion of god’s plan for the human race. From this perspective, protecting lesbian and gay rights is seen as undermining religion (Clarke 559). Religious beliefs should not drive public policy and as such, same-sex marriage should not be prohibited because it goes against the religious beliefs of certain people. Wilson rightfully reveals that the Christian precept that one-man, one-woman marriage as â€Å"ordained by God† results in the superiority of heteros exual relationships and the subsequent inferior status of same-sex unions (565). This is wrong since the American constitution does not allow for any faith to impose its religious beliefs on others. Objections and Counterarguments One of the objections raised by opponents of gay marriages is that recognizing these marriages would compromise the institute of marriage. To support this claim, opponents assert that gay rights advocate see gay marriage as a step towards the abolition of the marriage institute as they seek to reorder society’s view of the family. Crawford goes so far as to claim that gay couples are only encouraged to marry so as to undermine the significance of the marriage institute in our society (244). While it is true that gay couples are encouraged to marry, the aim is not to undermine marriage but rather to reinforce the need for legalizing gay marriages. The claim that gay activists are seeking to abolish the marriage institute is false since in reality, th e gay community wants to be able to enjoy the privileges that heterosexual couples enjoy as a result of the marriage institute. Duncan suggests that the ideal of marriage is â€Å"inextricably linked to the reality that men and women become mothers and fathers as a natural result of their relationship† (661). Gay marriages would by extension endorse fatherless or motherless homes since the gay couples cannot have children in the natural way. In the event that the gay couple had children through some other means, the same-sex couple headed family would compromise the roles of father and mother. The argument about role models is based on the assumption that lesbians and gay men have a faulty gender identity and therefore lack the ability to successfully rear their children. Research indicates that lesbians and gay men do not have any faulty gender identity and raise children in the same manner as their heterosexual counterparts. Another issue raised by opponents of gay marriage s is that it negatively affects children. This argument is best articulated by Clarke who states that according to critics of same-sex marriages, â€Å"Children in lesbian and gay families grow up gay and confused† (564). According to this argument, being brought about by same-sex parents increases the likelihood that children will end up being gay or at least confused about their sexual identity. Opponents who use this line of argument propose to be concerned about the welfare of children. This argument is based on the false premise that gay parents might produce gay children; or at least pressure their children into a same-sex sexual orientation. The argument assumes that gay people actively seek children to recruit into their ranks. As a matter of fact, heterosexuality is the sexual identity that is actively imposed on children. Gay couples do not impose their values on their children and in the event that their children became gay, it should not be an issue unless the soc iety is uncomfortable with the prospect of more gays. In addition to this, research overwhelmingly indicates that gay and lesbian parents do not directly affect their children’s gender development and as such, there is little difference between the gender role behavior of children brought up by heterosexual and gay parents. Conclusion In the past half century, gay relationships have moved from being perceived as inherently evil to wide acceptability. Even so, debate still rages about same-sex marriages and despite the increasing visibility of same-sex couples, marriage rights remain unattained for many. This paper set out to demonstrate that legalizing gay marriages universally would result in great benefits to the individuals and society at large. From this paper, it is clear that denying same-sex couples the right to marriage negatively affects their wellbeing as well as their mental health. This discrimination also results in the stigmatization that same-sex couples contin ue to face. The paper has also shown that arguments that suggest that gay parents may negatively affect their children’s development are flawed. This paper has shown that the only difference between same sex and opposite-sex couples is the procreation ability of opposite-sex couples and this should never be grounds for discrimination. From this paper, it can be authoritatively stated that the denial of marriage rights for same-sex couples is unjustifiable and as such, the government should overturn this discriminative policy. Works Cited Clarke, Victoria. â€Å"What about the children? Arguments against lesbian and gay parenting†. Women’s Studies International Forum, Vol. 24, No. 5, pp. 555–570, 2001. Crawford, David. Liberal Androgyny: â€Å"Gay Marriage† and the Meaning of Sexuality in our Time. Communio: International Catholic Review, 2006. Culhane, John. Marriage equality? First, justify marriage (if you can). Drexel University Law Review, Vol. 1:485, 2009. Duncan, William. The Litigation to Redefine Marriage: Equality and Social Meaning. Journal Of Public Law, Volume 18 pp. 623-663. Feldblum, Chai, Moral Conflict and Liberty: Gay Rights and Religion. Jan 2006. Web. Herdt, Gilbert and Kertzner, Robert. â€Å"I Do, but I Can’t: The Impact of Marriage Denial on the Mental Health and Sexual Citizenship of Lesbians and Gay Men in the United States; Sexuality Research and Social Policy†. Journal of NSRC, Vol. 3, Issue 1, pp. 33-49. Peplau, Letitia and Fingerhut, Adam. The Close Relationships of Lesbians and Gay Men. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 58:405–24, 2007. Volokh, Eugene. Same-Sex Marriage and Slippery Slopes. Hofstra Law Review, Vol 33. http://www2.law.ucla.edu/volokh/marriage.pdf Wilson, Justin. â€Å"Preservationism, or the elephant in the room: how opponents of same-sex marriage deceive us into establishing religion†. Duke Journal Of Gender Law Policy Volume 14:561 2007. This research paper on Gay Marriage Legalization was written and submitted by user Kaitlynn Gould to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Growing and Maintaining Your Fig (Ficus Carica)

Growing and Maintaining Your Fig (Ficus Carica) Common fig (Ficus carica) is a small tree native to southwest Asia but widely planted in North America.  This edible fig is widely grown for its fruit and is commercially grown in the United States in California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The fig has been around since the dawn of civilization and was one of the first plants ever to be cultivated by humans. Fossilized figs dating to 9400-9200 BC were found in an early Neolithic village in the Jordan Valley. Archaeology expert Kris Hirst says figs were domesticated five thousand years earlier than millet or wheat. Taxonomy of the Common Fig Scientific name: Ficus caricaPronunciation: FIE-cussCommon name(s): Common fig. The name is very similar in French (figue), German (feige), Italian and Portuguese (figo).Family: Moraceae or mulberryUSDA hardiness zones: 7b through 11Origin: native to Western Asia but distributed by man throughout the Mediterranean region.Uses: Garden specimen; fruit tree; seed oil; latexAvailability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree. The North American Timeline and Spread There are no native temperate figs in the United States. Members of the fig family are located in tropical forests of the extreme southern portion of North America. The first documented fig tree brought to the New World was planted in Mexico in 1560. Figs were then introduced into California in 1769. Many varieties have since been imported from Europe and into the United States. The common fig reached Virginia and the eastern United States in 1669 and adapted well. From Virginia, fig planting and cultivation spread to the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Botanical Description Leaf: deciduous leaves are palmate, deeply divided into 3 to 7 main lobes, and irregularly toothed on the margins. The blade is up to 10 inches in length and width, fairly thick, rough on the upper surface, softly hairy on the underside. Flower: small and inconspicuous Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and will require pruning for clearance and weight reduction; Breakage: susceptible to breakage either at the crotch due to poor collar formation, or the wood itself is  weak and tends to break Propagation Fig trees have been raised from seed, even seeds extracted from commercial dried fruits. Ground or air-layering can be done satisfactorily, but the tree is most commonly propagated by cuttings of mature wood 2 to 3 years of age, 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick and 8 to 12 inches long. Planting must be done within 24 hours. The upper, slant cut end of the cutting should be treated with a sealant to protect it from disease, and the lower, flat, end with a root-promoting hormone. Common Varieties Celeste: a pear-shaped fruit with short neck and slender stalk. The fruit is small to medium and skin purplish-brown.Brown Turkey: broad-pyriform, usually without a neck. The fruit is medium to large and copper-colored. The main crop, begins in mid-July, is large.Brunswick: fruits of main crop are oblique-turbinate, mostly without neck. The fruit is of medium size, bronze or purple-brown.Marseilles: fruits of main crop round to oblate without a neck and on slender stalks. Figs in the Landscape Southern Living Magazine says that, in addition to being a delicious fruit, figs make beautiful trees in the Middle, Lower, Coastal, and Tropical South. Figs are versatile and easy to grow. They grow the perfect fruit, they love the heat, and the insects just seem to ignore them. You will have to share your tree with birds that flock in for a meal and partake of the fruits of your labor. This tree is a birders dream but a fruit pickers nightmare. Netting may be used to discourage fruit damage. Protection From Cold Figs cant stand temperatures that consistently fall below 0 degrees F. Still, you can actually get away with growing figs in colder climates if planted against a south-facing wall to benefit from the radiant heat. Figs also grow well and look great when espaliered against a wall. When temperatures dip below 15 degrees, mulch or cover trees with fabric. Protect the roots of container-growing figs by moving them indoors or transplant them to a frost-free area when temperatures fall below 20 degrees F. Avid fig growers in cold climates actually dig up the root ball, lay the tree in a mulching ditch and cover with their preferred compost/mulch. The Extraordinary Fruit What is commonly accepted as a figs fruit is technically a syconium with a fleshy, hollow receptacle with a small opening at the apex partly closed by small scales. This syconium may be obovoid, turbinate, or pear-shaped, 1 to 4 inches long, and varies in color from yellowish-green to copper, bronze, or dark-purple. Tiny flowers are massed on the inside wall. In the case of the common fig, the flowers are all female and need no pollination. Favorite Tips Where Do You Plant?: Figs require full sun all day to produce edible fruit. Fig trees will shade out anything growing beneath the canopy so nothing needs to be planted under the tree. Fig roots are abundant, traveling far beyond the tree canopy and will invade garden beds. How Do I Prune and Fertilize? Fig trees are productive with or without heavy pruning. It is essential only during the initial years. Trees should be trained with a low crown for fig collection and to avoid trunk-breaking limb weight. Since the crop is borne on terminals of previous years wood, once the tree form is established, avoid heavy winter pruning, which causes loss of the following years crop. It is better to prune immediately after the main crop is harvested, or with late-ripening cultivars, summer prune half the branches and prune the remainder the following summer. Regular fertilizing of figs is usually necessary only for potted trees or when they are grown on sandy soils. Excess nitrogen encourages foliage growth at the expense of fruit production. Any fruit that is produced often ripens improperly. Fertilize a fig tree if the branches grew less than a foot the previous year. Apply a total of 1/2 - 1 pound of actual nitrogen, divided into three or four applications beginning in late winter or early spring and ending in July. Fig Pests: From a Perdue University Report Fig trees are prone to attack by nematodes, but weve not found them a problem. Still, a heavy mulch will discourage many insects with the  proper application of nematicides. A common and widespread problem is leaf rust caused by Cerotelium fici. The disease brings about premature leaf fall and reduces fruit yields. It is most prevalent during rainy seasons. Leaf spot results from infection by Cylindrocladium scoparium or Cercospora fici. Fig mosaic is caused by a virus and is incurable. Affected trees must be destroyed.

Social Media Channels and Websites Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Media Channels and Websites - Essay Example In recent summers, Netflix increased their prices without taking on board the customer’s preferences and their consent and took that decision on unilateral basis. The customers of Netflix recorded their protest on the Social Media Channels and actively showed their anger against such move of Netflix. Blockbuster, the competitor of Netflix was as if in search of this kind of opportunity to prove its presence in the market and actively started off offering its discounted services on the pages of those Social Media Channels. This move of Blockbuster substantially snatched a larger customer base of Netflix and increased its market share. So in this age, where Social Media Channels can play such role of defining new market trends, the companies also need to take very good care of their strategies and their potential impacts upon their customers. Topic 4 With the invent of new health applications in the mobile phones devices especially in the smartphones, the chances of a new market to come in front for the mobile phone manufacturers have become quite bright. These new developments both in the healthcare sector as well as in the smartphones industry can redefine the smartphones markets in the next three years. The biggest motivation that these smartphones manufacturers have obtained is the clearance provided by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA has allowed these companies to provide some of the healthcare applications in the smartphones which include blood-pressure detector, CT scan, MRI and other disease detection and monitoring applications. Currently, FDA is taking fair amount of time in making new rules and regulations for the use of these healthcare applications in samrtphones as well as for their manufacturers. The analysts forecast that around 30% of the smartphone users would be utilizing these healthcare applications by the end of 2015. With these bright outlooks of these new inventions, there are some limitations and challenges that the smartph ones manufacturers might have to face which may affect the future strategies of those companies. There are uncertainties such as the nature of the regulations as how would they impact upon the companies’ strategies, how much time would FDA take to formulate those regulations etc. As long as these new regulations are not promulgated, the smartphones manufacturers will have to adopt the policy of wait and see for the commercial production of those new healthcare application based smartphones. Till that time, they have to undertake more extensive researches to produce better healthcare applications which are compatible as well as consistent and accurate in terms of their use. Topic 5 The eHealth programs have shown some real beneficial prospects with the computerization of the health activities. The emergence of computerization in health industry has played a key role in developing the care delivery process. This new eHealth programs in the province has got some ethical as well as social issues which have also been highlighted by the concerned authorities. While implanting this system, the most common ethical issues involve the security and privacy of the patients’ data as it is the moral responsibility of health ministry to