An Intercultural Comparison of Family Trends

Overview of how the concept of family is changing with the demands of modern society. This essay will look at two specific areas related to family, the age at which it is considered appropriate to start a family and the role of parents and children within a typical family. Section 1 – The ideal age to start a family Comparison of what age it is considered appropriate to start a family. Analysis of findings – It seems to be more acceptable for a couple to live together for a long period of time out of marriage in Britain. The younger generation in modern society seem to require more time to find a stable career path or even to find their own identity and know what they want to get out of life. Section 2 – The role of parents and children within a family Comparison of family roles inside and outside of the household – In both cultures it seems that women are increasingly pursuing full-time careers and taking responsibility for earning money to support the family, meaning the father must take more responsibility at home and spend more time with the children. Parents in Britain seem to have less influence over their child's choice of university course and career. Analysis of findings – Strong Confucian family values vs post-enlightenment lack of values. Modern technology means children are able to find out about the world without relying completely on parental knowledge and experience. Conclusion Although this essay has only dealt with the issue superficially, it is clear that both the age at which it is considered appropriate to start a family and the roles of the parents and the children within a typical family differ across cultures. People around the world can gain new perspectives on family and help build healthy and fulfilling relationships through an intercultural exchange of ideas.

A Case for Active Euthanasia

Death is deeply personal, generally feared, and wholly inescapable, but medical technology now can prolong our biological existence virtually indefinitely, and, with these advances, comes the question of whether we should pursue the extension of life in all cases. Most people would agree that, under certain circumstances, it would be preferable to cease our hold on life. Nearly everyone can agree that there are situations when terminally ill patients have the right to call for a halt to life-extending treatments, and that their physicians will have the moral obligation to comply.What appears to be quite difficult for us as a society to come to terms with is the thought that someone would actively intervene in the â€Å"natural† process of the death of another human being. Why is it tolerable, even desirable, to intervene in the â€Å"natural† process of death when it results in extending life, but intolerable and morally abhorrent when we act to speed the patient to his or her unavoidable death? In this paper I am going to argue that active euthanasia should become legal in certain circumstances.To do this I will argue that, in the situation of terminal illness, active euthanasia allows for the patient to end the suffering and should therefore be permissible. Secondly, I will examine a case where someone has survived a life-changing accident and wishes they had given a choice to live or die. Perhaps the most important issue at hand is the patient's right, willingness, and desire to die. For the most part, any random, healthy individual would most likely be unable to imagine or comprehend the type of pain and anguish that a terminal illness will cause.Therefore, the decision to live or die under the presence of certain, and probably painful, death should be left in the hands of the individual that is suffering. Taking its name from a Greek term meaning â€Å"the good or easy death,† euthanasia should represent exactly that. The decision to l ive or die does not belong to anyone but to the person whose life it is. According to Kantian ethics, autonomy is based on the human capacity to direct one’s life according to rational principles. Autonomy is where people are considered as being ends in themselves in that they have the capacity to determine their own destiny and must be respected.Having one's entire life slowly drained from oneself is frequently considered the most excruciating of tortures. Yet somehow the right to bring peace to oneself through a slightly unconventional method is repeatedly denied. It has been assumed since the dawn of the medical profession that the doctor's place is a healer, as the ones to cure all illnesses. A physician is seen as the one who is supposed to maintain and prolong ones health, as best as they can until no more can be done. This means that, if all treatment fails, the physician should be allowed to assist in avoiding the unnecessary agony.James Rachels’ article, calle d â€Å"Active and Passive Euthanasia,† uses the equivalence thesis. He believes that killing and letting die are equally as bad, that there is no real moral difference in certain circumstances. He distinguishes killing as active euthanasia and letting die as passive. I am going to argue that, in most cases, passive and active euthanasia are equally as â€Å"bad,† and sometimes passive is more morally wrong than active euthanasia. Rachels argues that there may be times when active euthanasia is more merciful than passive.This is often in cases with incurable cancer or disease that, if you were to stop the treatment, the patient would die within a few days. I am going to argue that active euthanasia can be more merciful by giving an example of an incurable disease. Imagine that an elderly woman is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The doctor tells her that although it is incurable, there is medicine that can help lessen the symptoms. Imagine that when it is fir st starts, things like relaxing, reading a book, and sitting still are no longer relaxing, as a tremor that has started in her hand, arm, or leg.Soon her muscles become rigid and what used to seem like an easy task is no longer so. As the disease progresses, the medicine required to keep the muscles from going rigid has a side effect of dyskinesia (involuntary movement of the body). This becomes a balancing act – she must be able to tolerate the dyskinesia in order to be able to still move her muscles. As the disease advances more, she has spouts of dementia that will soon take over completely; trouble swallowing (often choking on food) and talking, and she can no longer stand or walk on her own.She needs help going to the bathroom and is often humiliated by the need to depend on someone else entirely. As the dementia comes and goes, she able to tell her family how unhappy she is and that she no longer wants to live. The family understands and wishes for her to no longer suff er, however, for this to happen, she must suffer without medicine with no promise to immediate death, just complete rigidity of her muscles. All of these symptoms seem horrifying to those not experiencing it, and humiliating and frustrating for those that are.The life she used to live is completely gone and she rarely remembers what her family members do as a living and is stuck remembering the past. Would it not be torture to put her through staying alive, realizing that every time she becomes lucid she hates her life and realizes she has no control over it? However, stopping medicine in this case will not kill the patient, and will only result in rigidity of the muscles and inability to move. What choice is she left with? In this situation active euthanasia should be permissible. Often in times like these the family is also suffering due to the pain of their family member.When the person has an incurable disease, knows that they are not happy and that things will get worse, it wou ld be unfair to keep them alive due to selfishness and what we believe is â€Å"right. † It is ultimately the person’s choice and should be kept this way, as it is their life. One might argue that in this case the dementia prevents the patient from being fully reasonable and therefore autonomy cannot be used in this situation. I argue that when she lets her family know she is unhappy and does not want to live this way, she is coherent.Shouldn’t this person be given the right to make this choice when they are still capable, before people start speaking and making choices for their life? Furthermore, it is often argued that the side effects (such as how it will effect the family and friends, Glover) of death are what really influence a decision. In John Hardwig’s article â€Å"Duty to Die,† Hardwig argues that there are times when a person has a duty to die. His argument covers what many of us believe to be a reason for someone to stay alive- for our own well-being.A duty to die is permissible when the burden of caring for someone seriously compromises the lives of those that love us (Hardwig). In the Parkinson’s situation, the family will need to help the woman often and if not themselves, will need to hire someone to care for her all the time as the disease progresses. This can be a large financial burden on the family. There are many cases out there where autonomy was not respected. One great example is the Dax Cowart case. Dax was involved in a terrible accident in 1973 when he was twenty-five years old.He was critically injured in a propane gas explosion that killed his father and left Dax with burns to over sixty-five percent of his body including both eyes, ears and hands, which were damaged beyond repair. Large doses of narcotics were required for minimal pain relief. For more than a year, he underwent extraordinarily painful treatments. From the day of his accident, Dax expressed a desire to die, to leave the ho spital and to end his suffering. He pleaded with his caregivers to be allowed to die, and also stated several times that he wanted to kill himself.The physicians turned to his mother to obtain consent for all his treatments, even though she was not appointed his legal guardian and Dax was determined by psychiatric evaluation to have full decision-making capacity. Ultimately, he recovered from the burns, although severely mutilated. He successfully sued the oil company responsible for his burns, which left him financially secure. He eventually finished law school and married. He says he is now relatively happy, but still believes the doctors were wrong to follow his mother’s wishes over his. The case advanced respect for patient autonomy all around the country.The case of Dax Cowart illustrates the complexity of issues such as autonomy, paternalism, and quality of life. In an interview of Dax twenty-five years after his accident, Dax is absolute that he would still want the sa me choice if he were to be put in the same situation he was in. He stated, â€Å"Another individual may well make a different decision. That’s the beauty of freedom; that’s his or her choice to do so† (â€Å"Please Let Me Die†). Unfortunately, while the attitude remains the same about active and passive euthanasia, nothing will change for those who are fighting for the right to end their lives.One should have the right to autonomy without being violated and should be allowed to decide when it is their time to go in cases that include terminal illness. How is it morally just to make someone suffer a disease that is killing them just because we may not think it’s right to die? I hope that throughout this paper you have been able to see a different side to what active euthanasia can bring (peace to those suffering). Glover, Johnathan. â€Å"Sanctity of Life. † Bioethics: An Anthology. By Helga Kuhse and Peter Singer. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1999 . 66-75. Print. Hardwig, John. â€Å"Duty to Die? † Duty to Die? Hastings Center Report, n. d. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. ;http://web. utk. edu/~jhardwig/dutydie. htm;. â€Å"Please Let Me Die. † Interview by Robert White. Literature, Arts, and Medicine Database. NYU School of Medicine, n. d. Web. 3 Oct. 2012. ;http://litmed. med. nyu. edu/Annotation? action=view;annid=10105;. Rachels, James. â€Å"Active and Passive Euthanasia. † Bioethics: An Anthology. Ed. Helga Kuhse. By Peter Singer. 2nd ed. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1999. 288-91. Print.

Ambition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Ambition - Essay Example (Brim, pp. 11-12) The word ambition is often referred as aspiration and pretension, which relates it with the possibility of a higher authority influencing the individual to have a similar ambition in his life. Such practice has been very usual nowadays, as business tycoons inspire young business individuals to have ambition to be like them. On the other hand, high scope of electrical engineering motivates students to acquire an ambition to get a bachelor science degree in the similar field. Every individual is diverse in terms of thinking, and therefore, different ambitions can be seen in minds of people that work day and night to fulfill their ambitions. In other words, ambitions can be different; however, every ambition allows the individual to seek a level of advancement and improvement in his life. It is very important that a higher level of advancement should be sought by the individuals, in order to live a meaningful life. Moreover, humans are created in such a way that they require some level of desire for improvement, and therefore, ambition plays a significant role in the continuation of human lives. In a logical point of view, it is very important that an individual should desire for an advanced level. For instance, it has been observed that people with no ambition results in nothing but a machine that works when switches on and does not, when switched off. In other words, it is very imperative that daily life of individuals should be equipped with ambition, motivation, or aspiration, or else, there would be no use of intellect or other human capabilities. Thus, it is very imperative that the term ambition should be taken into logical consideration rather than just empirical manner, as human lives are based more on systematic and logical factors. Now, the paper will try to discuss some other perspectives that may support the earlier discussed definition of ambition. Ambition is often referred as motivation and aspiration, some

Accuride corporation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Accuride corporation - Research Paper Example The company’s investments in facilities that includes installation of robotics as well, clearly open up new opportunities for the company to increase its level of work and performance (Chapter 6 SWOT analysis (Accuride Corporation: company profile) (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) (Brief Article)). Currently the company has plans to build an outstanding, joint Supply Chain thus strengthening their expectations of performance from the supplier partners as well as increasing the opportunities for gaining greater number of customers being able to depend on the performances of the company (Accuride Corporation Holds Global Supplier Summit). The weaknesses and threats of the company are also essential for understanding where the major weakness of the company lies with the incident of fire that spread in the company’s factory in 2003 that left the company crippled (Chapter 6 SWOT analysis (Accuride Corporation: company profile) (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) (Brief Article)). The threats for the company arise for the competitors and increasing level of competition in the industry that the company needs to keep a continuous focus on. Accuride Corporation believes in commitment to their work and performance and hence their culture and work environment reflects the values that the company maintains. They intend to perform in ethical manners and possess tremendous respect for their people as well as for the customers. Also, the company believes in not being complex and hence follows simple and the right things for the benefits of the company and its customers. The stakeholders and customers and the people including the suppliers are significantly given importance as part of the values and culture of Accuride Corporation (Supplier Code of Conduct). Steve Holt has been announced by the company as the Senior Vice President for Strategy, Growth and Technology with the company being focused on achieving increasing

Impact of Fast Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity Research Proposal

Impact of Fast Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity - Research Proposal Example nd construction of modern transportation networks have boosted domestic and international trade, which not only created new business opportunities for entrepreneurs but also led to emergence of competition and disposable culture among general public. The life has, indeed, become a race and consumers today demand more disposable (Use, Throw and Forget notion) products so that they could adjust in this speedy external world. In a society where people do not find sufficient time to cook food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there are greater opportunities for fast food businesses that bombard people with a large variety of junk food including burgers, pizzas, sandwiches etc. The inauguration of new franchised outlets by renowned fast food chains such as Burger King, KFC, McDonalds, Carl’s Jr., Pizza Hut and Dominos etc. coupled with entrance of new firms, is the open evidence that demand of fast food has increased considerably in last 2 decades. For instance, the international fa st food chains have also created demand through aggressive informative, persuasive and reminder advertising besides derived demand, for which credit goes to advertising agencies and media resources. Kaiser Family Foundation (2004) has mentioned the following, In short, it is justified to argue that almost 80-90% population including tweens (8 – 12 years), teenagers (12 – 16 years), young adults (16 – 24 years), adults (24 – 40 years), middle aged (40-55) has become addict to fast / junk food because they tend to visit such chains frequently. However, it should not be forgotten that doctors regard fast food quite detrimental and noxious for health of children because it causes obesity and overweight issues. This later affects psychological and mental well-being of children. The research will be conducted to study the increasing use of advertisements by fast food companies and its impact on a child’s purchase decision regarding junk food. The researcher will also identify the

International business management Strategic Information Management Essay

International business management Strategic Information Management - Essay Example SIM is important because information tends to become vague and complicated and very often it can be Organisational Activity can demonstrate a lack of quality in the information.2 A Strategic Information System (SIS) aligns itself with the management strategy and the structure of a Firm and allows the timely response to changes recurring in the business environment and competition issues.3 Wiseman (1985) has defined the strategic information system (SIS) as, "The information system to support or change enterprise's strategy."4 The general perspective of Information management involves a reference to the management of any kind of information .This may involve document management, electronic document management records management, document imaging, process automation and digital asset management.(Wiseman 1985) Historically information management was subject to the nuances of bureaucratic procedures and had a limited role in management decisions.(Galliers 1991).The potential of profit by information management systems has only emerged in the recent decades and the modern businesses view information as a weapon against competition and a strategic resource. (Galliers 1991).The former attitude changed radically in the mid-sixties when organisations started viewing information as a tool for general management support. Until the decade of the eighties however information management was limited to weekly financial and management reporting and accounts of inventory and arrears.(Galliers 1991) During the early nineties these information systems emerged as serving a special purpose. At this point information systems like decision-support systems (DSS)5 and executive support systems (ESS)6 became popular with the main aim of support and the fast expedition of the decision-making process of organisations (managers and executives). (Swatman 1995). Prominent examples of Strategic information systems have included the use of SABRE and APOLLO by the US Airlines in the past for the increase in travel bookings of these Carriers by making sure their names appeared on the first screens of the travel agents.7 In the recent times Information has emerged as a strategic resource to gain competitive advantage, as well as to defeat and frustrate the competition. (Porter 1985).An important example quoted by Porter (1985) of information management is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 the philosophy behind which was to manage information by requiring federal government agencies to develop an information resource officer's role. Such systems being an integral part of SIM ensure the organisations survival in the fast track corporate world. Porter(1985) has also identified a value chain model to help identify problem areas in information systems in order to supply a strategic advantage. Porter (1980) has also identified the competitive forces model which describes a number of external threats and opportunities which can be countered by competitive strategies. See below for a model diagram of both these concepts. The potential of information systems is immense as it can be developed to not only defeat rivals but also to counter the pressure from competing substitutes and an

The world's oceans, Should Ocean Protected Areas Exist Essay

The world's oceans, Should Ocean Protected Areas Exist - Essay Example Should Ocean Protected Areas Exist (increase the area/rate)? Overexploitations of marine resources and overfishing have necessitated the need for ocean protected areas. Today marine protected areas have been proved to be essential for restoring fisheries, promoting marine biodiversity and increasing marine productivity in the oceans. Even though marine resources play a pivotal role in the economic development of the nation scientific studies reveal that â€Å"many of our marine resources are overexploited and face external environmental threats† (Sanchirico, Cochran & Emerson 1). Such overexploitation or overfishing adversely affect fragile ocean habitats, damage ocean ecosystems, cause disturbances in food chains and result in the loss of unique marine life communities. Marine resources are so much important for the humans as â€Å"97 % of all the water on the Earth is in the oceans† (Yang) and because â€Å"71% of Earth’s surface† (Woods Hole Oceanographic) is covered by oceans. Stabilizing climate temperatures, e xchanging of climate gases, and increasing biodiversity are parts of benefits that the ocean yields us. Similarly, ocean produces half of the oxygen that the humans breathe and offers a great environmental condition that keeps organisms alive and growing. As Langreth has rightly pointed out ocean offers shelter to an estimated â€Å"five million species, most of which have not yet been classified† (Langreth). However, man’s indiscriminate actions such as dumping waste materials, oils, overfishing, and noise pollutions pose great threat to the marine life in oceans. Therefore, it is imperative that man protects and conserves marine life through such radical measures as the marine protected areas. ... Certain species such as bluefin tuna have already been destroyed or disappeared from the ocean. While overfishing has led to the disappearance of tens of thousands of bluefin tuna across the seas of Northern Europe in the 1930s and 1940s it has contributed to the vanishing of Halibut from the North Atlantic during the 19th century (Overfished and under-protected: Oceans on the brink of catastrophic collapse). Similarly, trawling towards is one of the methods for fishing and it is really harmful to the ocean. Bottom-trawling which involves dropping a large net, â€Å"around 60 meters-wide into the sea and dragging it along with heavy weights from a trawler cause ‘worst and unnecessary damage’ to many species of fishes† (Overfished and under-protected: Oceans on the brink of catastrophic collapse). Marine pollution is another major harm done by the humans to the ocean. Mostly, man’s indiscriminate dumping of such harmful materials into the sea as pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, detergents, oil, sewage, plastics, and other solids result in massive marine pollution. These have caused around 400 dead zones around the world and these harmful materials â€Å"rob the water of oxygen, leaving areas where little or no marine life can exist† (Marine Pollution). In addition, noise pollution such as sound waves from the cargo ships also kills a lot of organism in the ocean. It has been identified that the presence of loud or persistent sounds from ships, sonar devices, oil rigs, and even from natural sources like earthquakes can â€Å"disrupt the migration, communication, hunting, and reproduction patterns of many marine animals, particularly aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins† (Marine Pollution). Marine protection is possible only through competent and