Analysis Of Trends For Honeymoon Tourists

Analysis Of Trends For Honeymoon Tourists In the previous, it is explained that a wedding trip or honeymoon was become easier along the way with the improvement on ways of going places that no longer hardship to stir from home to go to other places and it was a new concept of traveling for leisure purposes. The transportation kept improving and producing newer and better destinations until there was more place than the visitors. There was no record who was the first couple going for honeymoon, but no doubt they go honeymoon because everybody else did and it seems as a challenge for them to do the same as others. At the first time honeymoon was considered only for the rich, and as a cachet for distinction and further glory (Hoke, 1933). However, as time goes by, the travel get cheaper, transportation keep improving and more destination enhanced, number of couples take their honeymoon also increasing. There are many various variables that todays honeymooners may be looking for. They may be looking for the atmosphere, facility provided, romantic places, and so on. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, most couples are willing to spend more money on honeymoon rather than the regular trips. Moreover, some honeymooners also looking for the unique places for honeymoon. They want to feel a different experience once in a lifetime. For these travelers, its the time for a fantasy journey to destinations whose very names mean romance. They are choosing to go further away on their honeymoon to a different environment and that includes everything: a different language, culture, and food. However, for some couples who have a fulltime job and, as work schedules become more and more hectic, many couples are choosing to honeymoon close to home, enjoying a long weekend at local bed-and-breakfasts and country inns (Perementer and Bigley, 2000) According to MacNair Travel Management survey, it is suggested that Hawaii is the top honeymoon destination. And it is supported by Hoke (1933), Niagara Falls and Washington were the first outstanding honeymoon resort. The honeymooners are most anticipating to beach and dining as a part of their honeymoon activity. Other than that spa also was the couples preferred activity on their honeymoon. With the evolution and innovation that spa could make health better, spa becomes ideal to enjoy and fashionable newlyweds often choose it for honeymoon. 2.2. Hotel Classification Along with the desires of traveler that keep growing, Tourism Industry along with all the attributes in it also needs to be developed to meet their needs. The hotel industry is so vast that many hotels do not fit into single well defined category. Industry can be classified in various ways, based on location, size of property etc. Based on location, for example is city hotel, is the hotel which is located in the heart of city within a short distance from business center, shopping complex. Airport hotels, these hotels are set up near by the airport. They have transit guest who stay over between flights. Resort hotel, is the hotel that cater consumer who wants to relax, enjoy themselves. They could be located in beach side, hill, and recreational area. Most resort work to full capacity during peak season Based in size of property, this category is divided according to the number of rooms available in the hotel. Small hotel is a hotel with 100 rooms or less. Medium sized hotel, hotel which has 100 rooms to 300 rooms. Large hotel, is the hotel which has more than 300 rooms. Mega hotel is a hotel which has more than 1000 rooms available. Based on the level of service there are three types of hotel which are upscale or luxury, midscale, and budget hotel. Budget hotel meets only provide the basic needs of the guest compared to the midscale and upscale hotel which provide a better service than the budget. Luxury hotel offers world class service providing restaurant and lounges, concierge service, meeting rooms, dining facilities. It is easy also to identify those types of hotel from the design of the hotel itself. Based on theme, there are Heritage hotels, Ecohotels, Boutique hotels. Heritage hotel offers rooms that have their own history, serve traditional cuisine and are entertained by folk artist. Ecohotel, is an environment friendly hotels which usually use eco friendly items in the room. Boutique hotel is a hotel that provides exceptional accommodation, furniture in a themed and stylish, unique manner. Based on target market, hotels are classified into commercial hotel, convention hotels, resort hotel, suite hotel and casino hotel. First, commercial hotel, they are situated in the heart of the city in busy commercial areas so as to get good and high business. They cater mostly businessmen. Second, convention hotel usually provide a large convention complex and cater guest who are attending conference, etc. Third, resort hotel, is a leisure hotel which are mainly for vacationers, leisure traveler, who want to relax and enjoy with their family. The atmosphere is more relaxed. Fourth, suite hotel offers rooms that may include compact kitchenette. They cater to people who are relocating act as executives who are away from home for a long business stay. Last but not least casino hotel, is a hotel with a gambling facility. This hotel usually attracts those leisure and vacation travelers. Honeymooners as consumer could choose the type of hotel for them to stay in their honeymoon. They can choose to stay whether in city hotel, resort, large hotel, small hotel, upscale, midscale, budget hotel, theme hotel, and many more. However, wherever they choose the hotel to stay, there must be the reason behind why they choose particular hotel. In choosing hotel for honeymoon, there must be a decision between couples. Therefore it is important to observe on how husband and wife decision making. ( http://hotel-industry.learnhub.com/lesson/8842-classification-of-hotels) 2.3. Decision Making 2.3.1. Consumer Decision Making Process In our daily life we will always faced with various decision. When we want to purchase product or services is also a part of decision. No one purchase or consume something unless they have a problem, a need, a want or a purposes.There are seven major stage that consumer typically go through in decision making but however in this study will only explain six stage such as need recognition, search information, pre-purchased evalutaion, purchase, consumption, post-consumption evaluation. Need recognition, is the stage when the consumers will sense the things that they believe the product have the ability to solve a problem is worth more than the cost of buying it. Therefore the marketers could make a product that can fulfill the desire of the consumers but they also have to keep the cost in line with the market they are targeted. At this stage, the consumer are influenced with many variables such as, personality, social class, income, past experience, prior brand perception. Source of Information, is the stage when the consumers are obtaining informations they need to make a product choices are suitable with them. The source of informations could be obtained from marketer dominated or non-marketer dominated. Advertising, sales person, website, travel agentcy are the source of information that refers to marketer dominated. Friends, family and the words of mouth refers to non-marketer source of information. Pre-Purchase Evaluation, is the stage when the consumers are comparing the various choices of brands, products, and services that which will most likely result in their satisfaction with the consumption. In this stage the consumers will influenced with their motivation, knowledge, attitudes and personality, lifestyle. Other than that they also will consider on the price, and quality of the product. Purchase and Consumption, is the stage when the consumers have decided the ideal product or services for them and after that they consume the product or services. Post-Consumption Evaluation, the stage when the consumers have experience the product or services and they will sense whether they are satisfied or not satisfied. They will feel satisfied when the performance of the products or services are matched by the precieved performance, when the performance fall below the precieve performance there will be dissatisfaction. Those the stages above are might be went through by the individual or couples decision making process in general. During the decision making process there will be a negotiation between the husband and wife. The stages before the purchasing stage, couples will affected by push and pull factors which is come from the internal and external. (Blackwell, Miniard and Mason, 2001) 2.3.2 The Choice-sets Model Research on individuals decision making process is explained by applying the choice-sets model. There are three stages in individual choice-sets model. The final decision made by the individual is the result of consecutive process of reducing some alternatives in the consideration from large number in the early consideration set to just a few in the late consideration set. The process from the early consideration set to the late consideration set is affected by the push and pull factors. After that the situational inhibitors also influence the individual from late consideration set to the final decision. According to Jang, et al. (2006) couples and family are the substantial objects in analyzing decision making in the existing choice-sets model. In family decision making process, there are many individuals different preferences involve for the final decision. The choice-sets selection process of an individual is different from couples choice-set process in several way. First, there are two people are involved in the decision making process. Each partner brings their own preferences regarding the possible choices. Second, it is possible for conflict to be occurred because of the differences of idea and perceptions regarding the alternatives. Therefore there will be a discussion among them to find out which is the best option match for them. Third, couples will formulate ones own early consideration set, based on elements of their own preferences and their partners preferences that already mutually identified through discussion. Thus, the couple choice-sets model consist of four stages , while individual choice-sets model consist of three stages, from the early consideration set to the final choice. In addition, as explained by the individual choice-sets model, the relevant process is also competent in the couples choice-sets model in choosing honeymoon hotel. The number of hotel alternatives under each individuals consideration will be lessening at each stage, before the final decision is made. The choice-sets model below is adopted from Jang, et al. (2006) study and will be used as a reference on the following literature review. Comparing the individual destination choice-sets model to a destination choice-sets model for couples 2.3.3. Couples Decision Making within the Household The way of couple decision making is also found in a household. It is interesting to observe a relationship between household decisions making with its consuming behavior. A research on entire consumption and saving behavior can be as an example to be combined with the findings on household decision making (Ferber, 1973). Beside that the other simple example to be observed in household decision making is about economic. Every household must have put economy as their main primary concern. In traditional families, the role of householder is hold by the husband. Therefore logically all the decision within the household is decided by the husband respectively. Based on the data collection from Davis (1976), it has been proved that the decision making in the household are mostly done by the husband. He has a significant influence in the household consumption for frequently purchased on goods and services and for durable. Most of the time the husband gives his suggestion and his preferences for something and the wife is the one who purchase and spent the money for purchases of goods such as beer, liquor, shaving cream, and others. Same goes to the decision making for contraceptive usage. The husband has the important role and greater influence to the final decision (Davis, 1976; Bankole and Singh, 1998). In families today, there is more negotiation between husbands and wives occur in consumer decision making. The increasing number of career woman create the increasing number of dual-income family that leads to the influence of women have on consumer decision making (Razzouk, et al., 2007). The presence of women in the workforce today makes the women no longer seen as just homemakers and men as just breadwinner. As mentioned by Qualls (1987, pp.269) husband and wife established their own position and preferences as individual, through discussion, individual preferences evolve into joint decisions. Therefore there are some household decision making which is done by joint decision making which means that there is a corporation between the husband and wife in making decision. The simple example can be found in making decision on purchasing durable goods which is jointly consumed such as buying cars, home, villa, and many more (Davis, 1976). It is not an easy thing to make a decision by two people. Sometimes there are some different desires or preferences on each of them. Even though they make decision together, actually they still have a different tendency for each aspect to decide. For example like husband will be more on deciding the price differences, whether the price worth it or not for some items to buy and wife will be more on how many items to buy, how the design, etc. (Bernhardt, 1974 in Davis, 1976). In other words, husband tends to have a control in all decision which is taking a consideration of functional attributes, and wife would be considering on aesthetic aspect or beauty. Overall, the decision making within the household depends on the decision made by the spouse and also depends on what thing to decide. Sometimes husband has a significant influence in making a decision, and sometimes wife the one who taking a control in decision making, or sometimes both husband and wife put their idea and making a decision together, joint decision making. And how about couples decision in choosing honeymoon hotel? Is that would be the same situation with the decision making on regular consuming behavior within the household or not. Based on the notion explained, the following hypothesis is proposed: Hypothesis A1. There is a joint decision making between husband and wife in choosing honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis A2. There is a different area on making decision between husband and wife in choosing honeymoon hotel. 2.3.4. Gender Differences towards Travel Behavior There had been several studies conducted in the area of tourism and gender. It covers the role of women in tourism decision within the family. The various result gained depends on the difference roles among the family members, etc. (Fraj-Andres, 2010). Gender roles vary across cultures. There are behavioral differences between men and women that reflect the culturally determined differing roles of men and women. In some cultures, the traditional values point out the need for women to stay at home and take care of children. Women depend on men as breadwinners and womens responsibility is to take care of a family and home (Jackson Henderson, 1995). Nichols and Snepenger (1988) compared men and womens travel patterns and found that women preferred shorter trips, having fewer sports activities on their journeys and spending less money. Other than that women prefer on cultural and educational experiences when travelling, and men looked for action and adventure (McArthur ,1999). The other previous research result found that, in the choice of a hotel, expectations varied according to gender. Additionally, some demographic variables such as educational level, income level, have been useful for explaining the tourist behavior (Kastenholz et al., 2005) Based on the notion explained, the following hypothesis is proposed: Hypothesis A3. Each husband and wife has different preferences towards honeymoon hotel in the early consideration set. 2.3.4. Influence in Family Decision Making In family decision making process is often dynamic and complicated. Suggested by Jang, et al. (2006) in family decision making, individuals different preferences plays an important role deciding the final decision. These different preferences can result from the differences objective and differences perception towards the relevant topic discussed. There are might be some disagreements created in the decision making process. However, those disagreements may indicate an attempt to accommodate and resolve the problem, so that the joint decision could be made (Spiro, 1983). As mentioned by Strodtbeck (1951) in Spiro (1983), he tried to measure the power or influence of the husband and wife in the decision making. He observe the interaction between husband and wife in resolving the differences in the decision making process. There many influence strategy that might be used to make joint decision making. Spiro (1983) emphasize on six influence strategy that can be used to determine the type of influence strategy which is commonly use by couples to have a joint decision making. The result of his study was explained that there are many types of influencer strategies used by husbands and wives in attempting to resolve the differences of opinion or preferences. And some of the strategies that focus on this research are: Expert influence refers to the influence that a spouse has specific information concerning the various alternatives. She or he can try to convince the other that she or he is more knowledgeable concerning the product by giving the detailed information under the consideration. Legitimate influence reflects from one spouses attempt to shared the values concerning their role upon others feelings. The spouse is influenced by the shared belief that she or he should make the decision. For example husband is the man of the house, therefore he should make some particular decision. Individuals may use many different combination of influence strategy simultaneously during their attempt to persuade one another in discussion to reach the modification consideration set. Thus, the following hypothesis is proposed: Hypothesis A4. Husband has greater influence in making decision for modification consideration set Hypothesis A5. Wife has greater influence in the in making decision for modification consideration set 2.3.5. Conflict in Couples Decision Making Process Not only couples but also all the consumer will have a consideration and negotiation when they want to make a decision. The simple practice is how consumer selecting a product such as normal product, house, or travel destination. An individual will likely to interact with others during the decision making process and it will affect the final decision. In a couple, the husband and wife will discuss on the matters that they want to decide and undeniable that each of them should change their preference to the other alternative to reach the final decision and they will share their opinions on the desirable alternatives since they individually have different preferences (Spiro, 1983 in Jang, et al., 2007). There is a possibility that conflict might happened within the couple decision making process. Conflicts may be happened because the impact of gender role orientation reflects the atitude of the spouses toward roles played by husbands and wives (Qualls, 1987) or primarily due to the difference of perception on objectives (Frikha, 2010). However, couples will have a discussion, negotiation, to seek an agreement to the final decision. Hypothesis A5. Conflicts occur during the discussion due to the different preferences. 2.4. Push-Pull Factors Affected the Decision Making Process In decision making process, there are many variables that could affect the consumers to reach the final decision. As mention in the concept of couples choice-sets model, the final decision is made by passing through several stages which are early consideration set, modified early consideration set or discussion, late consideration set to the final decision. As suggested by Crompton and Kim (1999) in Jang, et al. (2006) those continuous processes are affected by push factors and pull factors. 2.4.1. Push Factors In making decision, consumers generally have some internal factor that will affect them in the process to find the ideal final decision. The internal factor which is the push factor, the needs and wants of traveler, are the reason of why traveler wants to get out from their home or regular place. Moreover, push factors also concern to the desire to travel (Dann, 1977 in Decrop 2006) and predispose consumer to travel. Asserted by Decrop (2006) push factors develop travelers internally causing them looking for something, situation, and events. To make it easier, push factor is a foundation of motivations (Kent,1990 in Decrop, 2006). While there are many study on attitudes, images, perceptions and learning committed on the understanding on travelers behavior, motivation seems to be liable for describing much of the consumers tourism consumption behavior (Sirakaya, et al., 2003). Another suggestion said that motivation is a driving behind the consumers consumptions behavior, therefore motivated consumers try to fulfill their needs by acting on physiology and psychology. In previous research on tourism, the researcher was emphasized on the motivation-based because it could gives idea and comprehension for the marketers in developing and promoting the tourist attraction. Without an understanding on the consumers motivation, the marketers will not be able to generate efficient tourism marketing (Fodness, 1994) and will allow researchers to have a better explain on future travel pattern and behavior (Uysal and Hagan, 1993). Iso-Ahola (1982) also pointed out that motivation is one of the crucial elements of leisure tra veler. Exploring the leisure travelers motive that affected the choice of destinations or alternatives, Crompton (1979) mentioned that variability of consumers social, cultural and psychological needs could be the main motivation for travel. He also analytically mentioned seven motives as push factors for travel which are escape from the day to day environment, exploration and evaluation of self, relaxing, prestige, regression, enhancement of kinship relationship, and facilitation of social interaction. Escape from the day to day environment, refers to the situation where the physically and socially different from the normal lives environment. Exploration and evaluation of self, motivations which travelers will get from the changes into new surroundings by physically and socially that could not be achieved by staying in their own environment. Relaxing, referred to a mental relaxation rather than physical relaxation. Prestige, it is a motive when travelers have a frequent travel, for them it is perceived to be less prestige. Regression, motive when consumers respond that leisure vacation provides a chance to do things extraordinary, different from their usual life. Enhancement of kinship relationship refers to a perceived value of leisure travel as a medium to enrich the relationship. Facilitation of social interaction, when the travelers bring motive to meet new people, therefore the travel will be people oriented rather than place oriented. According to the description above, those motives also applicable on couples in choosing honeymoon hotel. Therefore, based on this concept, the following hypothesis is proposed: Hypothesis B1. There is a motive of escape from the day to day environment when couples choose honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis B2. There is a motive of exploration and evaluation of self when couples choose honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis B3. There is a motive of relaxing when couples choose honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis B4. There is a motive of prestige when couples choose honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis B5. There is a motive of regression when couples choose honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis B6. There is a motive of enhancement of kinship when couples choose honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis B7. There is a motive of facilitation of social interaction when couples choose honeymoon hotel. 2.4.2. Pull Factors Not only push factors that affecting consumer in making decision but also the pull factors. Pull factor is an external factor which created by the information of the goal objective, tourist holds and products attraction power (Gnoth, 1997 in Decrop, 2006). Different from the push factor which concern to the desire of travel, Dann (1977) explained that pull factor concern on the destination choice and attributes, that attracts traveler to a given hotel or destination and whose value is visible to stay on the object of travel. Furthermore, pull factors are those that appears as a result of attractiveness of a travel attributes. There are a lot of pull factors which affect traveler on the hotel selection process for travel which are novelty (Crompton, 1979), heritage/culture, entertainment, nature, rural (Uysal and Jurowski, 1994), facilities, easy accessibility (Kim et al., 2003), safety (Bogari et al., 2003) and so on. 2.4.2.1. Hotel Attributes as Pull Factors Nowadays there are many tourist destination spread out over countries. Tourism industry has become increasingly growing and a highly competitive market. In the hotel environment, where competition dominates, hoteliers must study the strengths and weaknesses of the product or service they provide and accurately define their importance and performance. Many choices of product and services attract tourist differently in each destination. However, each tourist has their freedom to choose amongst a set of destination according to their motivation, preference and attitude to determine a destination to be selected. According to Kozak (1999), tourist mentally categorize destination into three categories. First is consideration, where all destination that consumer is aware and likely to visit. Second is inert, where all destination that consumer is aware but no decision is made to visit in a specific period. Third is inept, refer to destination that consumer is aware of but has no intention to visit in a specific time. Various type of consumer profile such as level of age, income, occupation and personality significantly affect the choice to vacation and select the destination. In choosing destination for vacation, there several factors attract consumer externally. Regarding the hotel industry, Chu and Choi (2000) mentioned that room rates have been considered as the main factor that increases the cost for a trip. Other than that, price also affects consumers motivation to travel. The price for a destination becomes one of main attributes for motivation to travel. And usually price directly affected by the exchange rates (Kozak, 1999). Some tourists are preferred to travel to a destination that has a lower value than their own currency (Witt and Martin, 1987 in Kozak, 1999). The positive or negative variance of exchange rate of a country or destination may lead to the increase or decrease in the level of tourist product or services prices. Following by facility and services are the major thing that consumer meet during the vacation. An adequate and qualified of both facility and services in a particular destination will affect consumer to revisit the destination itself (Kozak, 1999). The services and facilities offered by a hotel or are those features of products or services that lead consumers to choose one product over others (Lewis, 1983 in Chu and Choi, 2000). The previous study have shown that tourists satisfaction with hotel properties, including services, facilities and price, seems to be one of the factors that could bring the hotel successful and create many patronages or loyal customers (Stevens, 1992 in Chu and Choi, 2000). Safety and security also becomes an important thing to be considered in choosing destination for vacation. Making tourist feel secure will become the plus point for the destination itself to be selected (Kozak,1999). Consumer will prefer to go to a place that has a lower rate of crime and high in safety and security matters. Hotel image also one of the factors that influence the consumers choice. LeBlanc and Nguyen (1996) mentioned the five hotel factors that may determine a hotels image to travelers. These five factors are physical environment, corporate identity, service personnel, quality of services and accessibility. Moreover, it is found that that cleanliness of the accommodation, followed by safety and security, accommodation value for money, courtesy and helpfulness of staff were identified as top attributes for travelers in hotel choice selection (Atkinson, 1988 in Chu and Choi, 2000). The previous study shows that There are a lot of studies have attempted to analyze customer satisfaction in terms of both expectations that relate to certain important attributes and value of the attribute performance (Chu and Choi, 2000). According to Barsky (1992) the terms importance is accepted by customers as satisfaction. When a customer perceives an attribute as important, the customer will believe that the attribute will play an important role in influencing his or her choice (MacKenzie, 1986 in Chu and Choi, 2000). Those attributes will influence consumers purchase intention and as a comparison from competitors providing. A comprehensive review of the literature for the hospitality industry suggests that attributes such as cleanliness, location, room rate, security, service quality, and the reputation of the hotel have been considered by most tourists in hotel choice decision. Those factors above are some of the pull factors that may be taken as consideration by consumer in choosing destination for vacation. However, there are many factors to be considered which may be affected couples in honeymoon hotel and no doubt those factors above are possible as well become the factors that affected their decision making. Based on the description above the following hypothesis is proposed: Hypothesis C1. Hotel attributes which falls under facilities and services are influencing couples late consideration set in choosing honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis C2. Hotel attributes which is room rates are influencing couples late consideration set in choosing honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis C3. Hotel attributes which is falls under safety and security are influencing couples late consideration set in choosing honeymoon hotel. Hypothesis C4. Hotel attributes which is falls under hotel image are influencing couples late consideration set in choosing honeymoon hotel. 2.4.2.2. Advertising In todays globalization, marketing aspect has become an aspect which is keeps growing follow the world trends. Business to consumer e-commerce is fast replacing the traditional way of marketing. The electronic commerce is slowly changing the way businesses operating. The spread of web facility and the acceptance of the internet have requested businesses to establish internet website to maintain the relationship with customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders. The development of the internet has been a major event in the hospitality industry and it will gradually revolutioniz

Depression Essay -- essays research papers

In today’s society, we are faced with or placed in many unpredictable and stressful situations. However, many of us manage to properly analyze the situations and maintain our sanity, experiencing only a mild form of depression, if any. Others may encounter similar situations and become mentally depressed. Some reasons for being depressed are normal, such as, a death of a family member, parents divorce, or loss of job; but, depending on how long you are depressed, as a result of these misfortunate situations, can determine weather or not you are emotionally depressed. Depression is the most common psychological disorder that affects both the young and old, rich and poor, or even successful and unsuccessful people. Although depression occurs most often in individual who have little education, the truth is, we all are targets. One form of depression that plaques our society is called major depression. Major Depression is a mood disorder characterized by extreme and persistent feelings of despondency, worthlessness, and hopelessness causing impaired emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical functioning (Hockenbury & Hockenbury, 1998). Major Depression affects about 12 million American a year (Hockenbury & Hockenbury, 1998). Individuals who suffer from this form of depression is overwhelmingly sad. Often, sadness is accompanied by feelings of quilt, worthlessness, inadequacy, emptiness, and hopelessness, even though these individuals are surrounded by friends and f...

The Boy Who Will Never Be a Man :: Free Essay Writer

The Boy Who Will Never Be a Man I believe The Man Who Was Almost A Man is an example of imprudent youth. The story is of a boy who wants a gun for all the wrong reasons. His thoughts are of manhood. He associate a gun with manhood, yet fails miserably to understand the concept of manhood or the responsibility that’s closely connected with it. On the surface, the message of the story is that of a stupid, deceitful, unkind, violent, black boy with dreams of becoming a man with all its grandeur. As is seen in the text when the protagonist witness men in the field shooting their guns. The protagonist, known as Dave, decides promptly that he will purchase a gun and impress the men with his skill in handling the weapon (655). We see that Dave wishes dearly to gain the respect and power so closely associated with manhood. This man who is almost a man, deserves to be called â€Å"boy† at 17 and forever. Dave is not ready to be a man, he is not ready to except the responsibility allied with the designation of being a man. The story ends with a kindly white man being cheated out of $50 and the protagonist, the black boy-man, riding off into the night with nothing but anger, a gun and a long track record of poor judgment. Upon further examination, Dave appears to be less responsible for his shortcomings. His poverty is deep and his parents are awful and he has no future. In his environment there is practically no way he could grow up and develop self-respect and the respect of others. Dave is treated just like a mule, given no responsibility, not even the chance to hold on to part of his earnings. This is seen when Joe, the store owner ask â€Å"your ma letting you have your own money now?†(656). Dave doesn’t want a gun; he wants to be a man. This is a natural, healthy desire that hasn't yet been beat out of him. The fact that he thinks a gun will do the trick is ignorant, but the only solution his environment can have him imagine. Dave’s belief that having a gun will make him a man is ridiculous and repellent but as the story turns out, his pursuit of having a gun is his ticket out of town, his only hope for becoming a man.

Socrates Essays -- essays research papers

Socrates Philosophy was both serious and dangerous, Socrates chose to ignore both. Ignoring the first made him one of the most engaging of all philosophers, ignoring the second was to cost him his life. He was born in a middle class home in Athens, in 470 BCE. His parents were Phaenarete and Sophroniscus. His mother had a reputation for her patient and intuitive skill in delivering babies in and around the neighborhood. The latter, his father was a craftsman, stonecutter by trade.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As a young boy, Socrates was teased in school about his appearance, and often would prey to the Gods to make him beautiful both inside as well as outside. He was known for asking many questions as a child, because he was very curious about things, what they were, what importance they had? Crito noticed that Socrates in a way was beginning to think as a philosopher, always looking for the meaning of things.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As Socrates gradually began to mature and grow older, he did not see much of his friends. They would always be down at the gymnasium working seriously at the outdoor exercises. He did not like to work out like his friends or be a stonecutter like his father because he knew that sort of thing was not for him. He thought about everything in a more abstract way.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Gods during Socrates time seemed to be further away from humanity, they did not disguise themselves as humans to help or punish them anymore (1). He only knew of them from old stories, myths, and Homer. He had a voice in him that stopped him from doing certain things as he was about to, and he thought that that was gift from the gods. He knew that goodness was the very mark of the gods and that is why he tried his best to be just towards everything and everybody.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As a teen Socrates talked and studied with many other accomplished scientists and philosophers, whose names are not known. Later, from when he was eighteen to twenty-four he was in the military in the beginning of the Peloponnesian War. Along with, the rest of the army, he walked fourteen miles in one day to make it to Athens on time. In the tents, he always won the philosophical arguments between his friends, for he had pondered the subjects himself many times. If it had not been for Pythion, an experienced guide of Greece, they would probab... ...its represent Socrates as the great ironist of philosophy. He knows but ironically denies that he knows. He teaches but ironically denies that he teaches. He claims that knowledge is identical to virtue, ironically disclaiming the one yet implying that he possesses the other. Even when he is on trial for his life, he is what he says he is not and is not what he says he is. He is perpetually masked in order to stir up in those he examines a fertile and productive search for virtue. (8) ENDNOTES 1Cora Mason, Socrates: The Man Who Dared To Ask (Boston: The Beacon Press, 1957) 22-27. 2Plato, The Trial and Death of Socrates: Four Dialogues (New York: Dover Publications, 1992) 20-25. 3Plato 30-35.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4Plato 41.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5Leo Strauss, Socrates and Aristophanes (New York/London: Basic Books Inc., 1966) 311.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  6Strauss 14.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  7James W. Hulse, The Reputations of Socrates (New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc., 1995) 0.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  8C.D.C. Reeve, Socrates in the Apology: An Essay on Plato’s Apology of Socrates (Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 1989) 184.

Family structure in the United States Essay

During WII nuclear families were the most common family type. Men were the main breadwinners and the women stayed at home, taking care of the children. This has now shifted to shared and even reversed roles, as dual-earner families are also on the rise. Since WWII, there has been a rise in types of families such as extended, single parent and step. â€Å"Of all the households in 2005, 57% were couple families compared with 70% in 1971. The biggest fall has been in couple families with three or more dependent children† (Fisher Et Al 2012) There are many reasons why family structures have changed since WWll. The biggest factor has been divorced, with a dramatic increase from only 339 divorces in 1971 to 2,360 in 2015 (nisra.gov.uk 14/09/17). There are now approximately 1.7 million lone-parent families in Britain making up about 25% of families. This was due to the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 taking force in 1971. The social stigma of divorce was no longer as big an issue and financial independence is now increasing for women, making it easier on women to leave their husbands (www.theguardian.com). This devalued marriage, with many choosing not to legally marry. 36% of adults in Northern Ireland remain single (NI Census, 2011). Cohabitation is on the increase, with almost 6 in 10 babies being born to either unmarried parents or a single mother. The numbers are greatest in Belfast and Derry (The Belfast Telegraph, 23/9/15). Cohabitation during and after WW2 would have been seen as unforgivable with hardly any couple doing so. Lots of factors have changed to make couples living together out of wedlock more relaxed. There has been a decrease in social stigma and a decreasing church influence, with only 1 in 10 people now regularly attending church (www.bbcnews.co.uk). However, Northern Ireland has the highest level of churchgoers in the UKwww.faithsurvey.co.uk. Only 36% of marriages take place in church comparing to 1960 when all marriages took place in a church (www.stp.pembrokeshire.sch.uk). The introduction and accessibility of contraception have had an influence on family structures. This has had a major effect on couples starting their families, especially if they are concentrating on building their career. According to BBC News (4/12/11) in Britain in the 1960’s, the pill was available only to married women who felt their families were complete. By 1974 all women, including those who were single could have the pill prescribed. When contraception was more widely used it affected the UK by couples having smaller families. They were able to plan if and when to start and family and how many children to have. The NI Census shows a reduction in the average household size from 2.65 in 2001 to 2.54 in 2011. Many couples are now childless. The Sunday Times magazine (Christina Patterson, 20/10/13) backs up this information stating that â€Å"It is estimated that, by 2018, 25% of British women of childbearing age will never have a baby†, and this increases to a th ird of women with degrees. The dependence of women working in WW2 and the suffragette movement meant that the roles of women changed significantly and by the 1960’s, 38% of women were employed (www.bbc.co.uk). The equal pay act was passed in 1970 giving women their rights, however, according to ONS statistics on average, women are paid over 19% less than men. Followed by the Sex Discrimination Act, then shortly after women finally won the right to 14 weeks’ maternity leave in 1993 and more in recent years. These acts allow women to work in within a working environment fairly and being paid the same as men which means that single parents have a better opportunity of coping on their own rather than being having the stress of finding a partner (www.bbc.co.uk). Statistics back this up by stating that there are now approximately 1.7million lone parent families in Britain – this makes up about 25% of all families (Fisher et al 2012) There has also been an increase in families based on same-sex civil partners as a result of legislation in 2004. The first same-sex civil partnership took place in Belfast in December 2005. The number of same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland from 2005 to 2015 have gone up and down throughout the years due to media portrayals. In 2005 there were 12 same-sex marriages increasing to the highest number is ever been in 2010 at 116. The numbers have decreased since then to 89 in 2015.

Abortion and Lao Tzu’s Philosophy in Taoism: a Critique Essay

Taoism was founded by Lao Tzu, the father of Taoism. Lao Tzu believes that Tao is the Way which means that it is the Way of the ultimate reality; it is the Way of the universe; and it is the Way of human existence. Tao as the Way of the ultimate reality, can never be comprehended, described, perceived nor expressed. It can’t be comprehended by any mind. It can’t simply be described by mere words. It can never be perceived by any of our senses. Tao is the cause or the source of everything that exists. () Tao is too great to be spoken about that only those who really understand would not speak of it and that those who have talked about have not really grasped the true meaning of it. Tao as the Way of the ultimate universe is revealed in nature for it is beyond of our control. Nature has its own way that no one would be able to control its progressive move to change. According to Lao Tzu, the law of reversion is the fundamental law of change. This law implies that if there is a highest point there would also be a lowest point and vice versa just like if there is a beginning there will be an end or every ending has a new beginning. This law justifies that Tao has a â€Å"reversing movement† Lao Tzu further elaborates this reversing power through Yin and Yang, two opposing principle. Yin indicates darkness, femininity, and coldness while Yang indicates lightness, masculinity and hotness. These opposing forces could not attract each other without the help of the reversing movement of Tao. Therefore this lead to Lao Tzu to say that the Tao produces the one, that the one produces the two, and that the two produces the three. This means that the one is the Tao, the two is Tao and Yin, and the three is Tao, Yin, and Yang. (1) Tao as the Way of the human existence, Tao requires man to harmonize with nature. This is through practicing wu-wei-wu. This means â€Å"non-doing† or â€Å"do nothing† or in our modern expression â€Å"go with the flow†. But this meaning does not simply mean doing nothing it only implies to not intervene with nature’s own course. Through this practice of wu-wei-wu, man can harmonize with nature. However there are instances that people misinterpret the true definition of wu-wei-wu which is â€Å"doing nothing† and instead of harmonizing with nature it could lead to destruction of that harmony. Therefore people should further understand that you could actually do something but making sure not to disrupt nature’s natural course. In our world today, the application of Lao Tzu’s doctrine of Tao would be difficult since man has done much of overdoing that have lead to the destruction of nature. Man has succumbed to his obsession of trying to defy nature’s course of action especially in the field of science and technology. For instance, cloning, sperm implantation, sex change, and artificial contraception such as birth control pills and IUD. Therefore to summarize everything, Lao Tzu simply teaches that in Taoism man should learn to be one with nature and follow its course through the full understanding of Yin and Yang and its relation to Tao’s reversing movement and by practicing wu-wei-wu. ABORTION What is abortion? According to the dictionary, it is the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus. It can happen spontaneously or induced by human intervention. A spontaneous abortion or simply known as miscarriage occurs when a pregnant woman would experience some complications during her pregnancy. It could also happen possibly because of natural causes, accidents that may have caused a severe trauma to the abdomen or sometimes because of environmental factors. Miscarriages usually happen during the early stages of pregnancy and sometimes without the awareness of the mother. The risk for spontaneous abortion decreases after the 10th week from the last menstrual period. ()( ) An induced abortion is the type of abortion that we now simply call abortion. This is the type of abortion wherein there is already human intervention. This could be done in various ways depending on the gestational age of the embryo or fetus. There is therapeutic abortion which is done in order to save the life of the mother or to prevent any physical or mental risks. Also elective abortion which is done at the request of a woman for reasons other than maternal health or fatal disease. () However the type of abortion I am referring to as a social problem is the type where a woman chooses to terminate her own pregnancy simply because she doesn’t want the baby. It can’t be denied that there some people that would engage in something without even knowing the possible result of such action and if they are not prepared to face that consequence they would simply turn to this option, abortion. Abortion is the most convenient choice for those  people who are not prepared or who don’t want to have a child for their own certain reasons. They refused to accept the responsibility they need to accomplish. Abortions have become prevalent in our country today as evidenced by news reports about embryos or fetuses found together with the garbage, street alleys and sometimes even comfort rooms. There are many different ways that could be chosen to make such deed possible. An example would be the use of pharmaceutical drugs that are dangerous to the baby causing it to be aborted. Others could also purposely apply trauma to their abdomen disrupting the grip of the baby in the mother’s womb. Sometimes some would also prefer having the baby to be surgically removed from the uterus. The cause of these abortions is mainly centered on fear resulting to not accepting the pregnancy. Fear of the responsibility of having a child especially in terms of financial needs. Fear of what their parents or other people would say especially if they are not married. Fear to experience the hardships brought by 9 months of pregnancy and fear of the pain when giving birth. Sometimes the cause could also be anger or hatred because the child is the fruit of a horrific experience such as rape or maybe because hatred towards the father of the child. ABORTION AND LAO TZU’S PHILOSOPHY IN TAOISM: A CRITIQUE What is the relation of abortion with Lao Tzu’s Taoism? It’s simple. Lao Tzu’s teachings about Taoism is that it requires man to be in harmony with nature, to understand the concept of yin and yang and to let the course of nature continue and not interfere and abortion contradicts that teaching. Abortion, as I have observed, has become a common practice and mostly because some people simply could not accept the great responsibility that would lie ahead if they chose to continue the pregnancy. Some perceived it as a problem especially for teenagers who have engaged in premarital sex and are not yet prepared to face such responsibility. However if they’ve only seen in a different light just like Lao Tzu’s Taoism and its concept of yin and yang in relation to the Tao’s reversing Movement. In Taoism, the Tao as the Way of the ultimate universe have established that the fundamental law of change is the law of reversion. Therefore if you think that being pregnant is a punishment for something you were not supposed to do then it could also be a blessing that you should accept and be thankful for and not just merely end what is supposed to be a gift of life. Abortion should not be a choice unless the reason is for the welfare of the mother. This also brings us to the concept of yin and yang and the reversing movement of Tao. As stated before, Tao produces the one, the one produces the two, and the two produces the three and that the one refers to Tao, the two refers to Tao and yin and lastly the three refers to Tao, yin and yang. To translate this in relation to my problem, the Tao as the God in Taoism sometimes gives people a time of hardship for them to mature and this certain hardship which is unwanted pregnancy is yin. However if these two would be combined or connected in a certain way then maybe in time those people would be able to surpassed such hardship and continued the pregnancy amidst the possible difficulties ahead then they would feel a sense of fulfillment which is the yang. Now if only most people who have unwanted pregnancy would try to further understand their situation and let nature simply have its way and not turn to abortion as a solution then most would have enjoyed the joy of having such a beautiful blessing which is having a child. As for the concept of wu-wei-wu in Taoism which entails that man should do nothing to interfere with nature’s own course, abortion directly contradicts the idea because last time I checked being pregnant is only a natural response of a certain deed done by two people with opposite sex. Choosing to abort and terminate pregnancy disrupts nature’s way. It interferes with what is supposed to be natural. All and all, abortion contradicts Taoism because it would break the harmony of man with nature. Therefore to avoid such, we should simply accept what was supposed to be an expected result our action. We need to perceive our problems in a different light and try to solve it by doing what is right and not by choosing the fastest solution available. For people who have unwanted pregnancy, there are other options that could be considered other than abortion such as adoption. If their only fear is that they can’t handle the responsibility of being a parent then they could always try finding couples who wants to adopt at least with this option they did not only gave the baby a chance to live they have also given other people a chance to experience the joy of parenthood and with this option the harmony between man and nature could still be maintained. (). ——————————————– [ 2 ]. Eddie R. Babor, The Human Person: Not Real, But Existing, 2nd ed. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, 2007 [ 3 ]. ^ a b â€Å"Q&A: Miscarriage†. BBC. 2002-08-06. http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/health/2176898. stm. Retrieved 2009-04-07 [ 4 ]. ^ Nilsson, Lennart; Lars Hamberger (1990) [1965]. A child is born. Garden City, New York: Doubleday. p. 91. ISBN 0-385-40085-3. OCLC 21412111 [ 5 ]. ^ Encyclopedia Britannica, (2007), Vol 26, p. 674. [ 6 ]. Taryn Hodgson, Joy! Magazine, May ed. (Volume 16, Issue 3).

Ramji Bhai Vasava Essay

G.H.Patel Post Graduate Institute of Business Management, Vallabh Vidhyanagar, Anand In the undivided Bombay province was worked out to build earthen dams and problems faced while building a dam across the rivers Lokmata and Sadmata in northern Gujarat and further issues encountered while a proposal is made to raise the control levels of it. The objective of the case is to maximize the irrigation potential of the dam while respecting the religious sentiments of the people. The options are either to implement the former plan in its present form or the latter by convincing the people of its benefits and deal with the issues faced. The conclusion is to try and implement the new plan resulting in maximization of irrigation and revenues. PROPOSAL 1 PROPOSAL 2 Approximate cost – 1.7 Approximate cost – 1.9 Water impound – 4700 Water impound –5700 Full supply level -592 Full supply level-595 Highest flood level-596 highest flood level-606 OBJECTIVES * Government aim for economic development through agricultural development. * Build the dam PROBLEM * Opposition of people to temple getting submerged * People getting affected due to submerge of villages CONSTRAIN * Location of dam CRITERIA * Maximum irrigation * Minimum people affected * Maximum returns * Minimum time * Minimum cost PRIORITY * Minimum people affected * Minimum cost * Minimum time * Minimum returns * Maximum irrigation ALTERNATIVES * Convincing villages to shift temple * Resettlement of affected people * Raising height of the temple ACTION PLAN Government should follow proposal 1 as temple was saved using gates from flood so that minimum people are affected so the cost incurred is also low and the time required is minimum and also there is irrigation which leads to economic development. CONTINGENCY PLAN * Raising height of the temple * Go with proposal 2 if proposal 1 does not work