Heart of Darkness in the Light of Psychoanalytic Theories Essay

Psychoanalytic criticism originated in the work of Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who pioneered the technique of psychoanalysis. Freud developed a language that described, a model that explained, and a theory that encompassed human psychology. His theories are directly and indirectly concerned with the nature of the unconscious mind. Through his multiple case studies, Freud managed to find convincing evidence that most of our actions are motivated by psychological forces over which we have very limited control (Guerin 127). One of Freud’s most important contributions to the study of the psyche is his theory of repression: the unconscious mind is a repository of repressed desires, feelings, memories, wishes and instinctual drives; many of which have to do with sexuality and violence. These unconscious wishes, according to Freud, can find expression in dreams because dreams distort the unconscious material and make it appear different from itself and more acceptable to consciousness. They may also appear in other disguised forms, like in language (sometimes called the Freudian slips), in creative art and in neurotic behavior. One of the unconscious desires Freud believed that all human beings supposedly suppress is the childhood desire to displace the parent of the same sex and to take his or her place in the affections of the parent of the opposite sex. This so-called â€Å"Oedipus Complex,† which all children experience as a rite of passage to adult gender identity, lies at the core of Freud’s sexual theory (Murfin 114-5). A principal element in Freud’s theory is his assignment of the mental processes to three psychic zones: the id, the ego and the superego. The id is the passional, irrational, and unconscious part of the psyche. It is the site of the energy of the mind, energy that Freud characterized as a combination of sexual libido and other instincts, such as aggression, that propel the human organism through life, moving it to grow, develop and eventually to die. That primary process of life is completely irrational, and it cannot distinguish reasonable objects and unreasonable or socially unacceptable ones. Here comes the secondary processes of the mind, lodged in the ego and the superego. The ego, or â€Å"I,† was Freud’s term for the predominantly rational, logical, orderly and conscious part of the psyche; it works on repressing and inhibiting the drives of the id so that they may be released in sane behavioral patterns. And though a large part of the ego is unconscious, it nevertheless includes what we think of as the conscious mind. The superego is a projection of the ego. It is the moral censoring agency; the part that makes moral judgments and the repository of conscience and pride. It brings reason, order and social acceptability to the otherwise uncontrolled and potentially harmful realm of biological impulses (Guerin 128-31). Freud’s theories have launched what is now known as the psychoanalytic approach to literature. Freud was interested in writers, especially those who depended largely on symbols. Such writers tend to tinge their ideas and figures with mystery or ambiguity that only make sense once interpreted, just as the analyst tries to figure out the dreams and bizarre actions that the unconscious mind of a neurotic releases out of repression. A work of literature is thus treated as a fantasy or a dream that Freudian analysis comes to explain the nature of the mind that produced it. The purpose of a work of art is what psychoanalysis has found to be the purpose of the dream: the secret gratification of an infantile and forbidden wish that has been repressed into the unconscious (Wright 765). The literal surface of a work of literature is sometimes called the â€Å"manifest content† and treated as â€Å"manifest dream† or â€Å"dream story. † The psychoanalytic literary critic tries to analyze the latent, underlying content of the work, or the â€Å"dream thought† hidden in the dream story. Freud used the terms â€Å"condensation† and â€Å"displacement† to explain the mental processes that result in the disguise of the wishes and fears in dream stories. In condensation, several wishes, anxieties or persons may be condensed into a single manifestation or image in dream story; in displacement, a thought or a person may be displaced onto the image of another with which or whom there is an extremely loose and arbitrary association that only an analyst can decode. Psychoanalytic critics treat metaphors as if they were dream condensations; they treat metonyms- figures of speech based on weak connections- as if they were dream displacements. Thus, figures of speech in general are treated as aspects that see the light when the writer’s conscious mind resists what the unconscious asks it to depict or describe. Psychoanalytic criticism written before 1950 tended to study the psyche of the individual author. Poems, novels and plays were treated as fantasies that allowed authors to release curbed desires, or to protect themselves  from deep- rooted fears, or both. Later, psychoanalytic critics stopped assuming that artists are borderline neurotics or that the characters they fabricate and the figurative language they use can be analyzed to figure out the dark, hidden fancies in the authors’ minds. So they moved their focus toward the psychology of the reader, and came to understand that artists are skilled creators of works that appeal to the readers’ repressed wishes. As such, psychoanalytic criticism typically attempts to do at least one of the following tasks: study the psychological traits of a writer; provide an analysis of the creative process; or explore the psychological impacts of literature on its readers (Murfin 115-20). Not all psychoanalytic critics, however, are Freudian. Many of them are persuaded by the writings of Carl Gustav Jung whose â€Å"analytical psychology† is different from Freud’s psychoanalysis. Jung had broken with Freud’s emphasis on libidinal drives and had developed a theory of the collective unconscious; although, like Freud, he believed in a personal unconscious as a repository of repressed feelings (Wright 767). The processes of the unconscious psyche, according to Jung, produce images, symbols and myths that belong to the large human culture. He refers to the manifestations of the â€Å"myth-forming† elements as â€Å"motifs,† â€Å"primordial images,† or â€Å"archetypes. † Jung indicated further that the dreams, myths and art all serve as media through which archetypes become accessible to the consciousness. One major contribution is Jung’s theory of individuation which is the process of discovering those aspects of one’s self that make one an individual different from other people. It is, according to Jung, an absolutely essential process if one is to become a balanced individual; he detected an intimate relationship between neurosis and the person’s failure to accept some archetypal features of his unconscious. Individuation is related to three archetypes designated as shadow, persona and anima. These are structural components that human beings have inherited. We encounter their symbolic projections throughout the myths and literatures of humankind. The shadow is the darker side of our unconscious self, the inferior and less pleasing aspects of the personality. The anima is the â€Å"soul-image;† the source of a man’s life force. Jung gives it a feminine designation in the man’s psyche; it is the contra-sexual part that a man carries in his personal and collective unconscious. The persona is the opposite of the anima; it is our social personality and the mediator  between our ego and the external world. A balanced man has a flexible persona that is in harmony with the other components of his psychic makeup (Guerin 178-83). Through the lenses of Jungian psychoanalysis, the literary text is no longer seen as a site where the quelled impulses get through in disguise. Instead, Jung maintains that â€Å"both the individual in dreams and the artist at work will produce archetypal images to compensate for any psychic impoverishment in man and society. â€Å" He untangles texts of literature by a method he calls ?amplification’: the images of the collective unconscious are derived from those of the personal (Wright 767). Despite its monotonous rehearsing of a number of themes, psychoanalytic theory has led to a better understanding of the complexities of the relation between the human being and the artistic creativity. Heart of Darkness in the light of Psychoanalytic theories. Heart of Darkness explores something truer, more fundamental, and distinctly less material than just a personal narrative. It is a night journey into the unconscious, and a confrontation of an entity within the self. Certain circumstances of Marlow’s voyage, looked at in these terms, take on a new importance. The true night journey can occur only in sleep or in a walking dream of a profoundly intuitive mind. Marlow insists on the dreamlike quality of his narrative. â€Å"It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream – making a vein attempt, because no relation of a dream can convey the dream-sensation† (Conrad 38). Even before leaving Brussels, Marlow felt as though he â€Å"was about to set off for center of the earth,† not the center of a continent (16). The introspective voyager leaves his familiar rational world, is â€Å"cut off from the comprehension† of his surroundings, his steamer toils â€Å"along slowly on the edge of a black and incomprehensible frenzy† (52). As the crisis approaches, the dreamer and his ship moves through a silence that â€Å"seemed unnatural, like a state of trance; then enter a deep fog† (57). The novel penetrates to those areas of darkness and dream – indeed nightmare ? with which Conrad tried to define the substance of the world. It asks questions, destabilizes orthodox assumptions, and sketches an existentially absurd experience. It involves us in dramatic, crucially difficult moral decisions which parallel those of the two central characters, Marlow and Kurtz. Although it was a coincidence that Freud and Conrad were contemporaries, coincidence is reduced when we perceive the â€Å"extraordinary parallelism of their achievements† (Karl 785). At the time when Conrad was developing his concepts about the Congo and political, personal and universal involvement in a nightmarish existence, Freud was fermenting his theories on dreams and the unconscious. Conrad’s novel appeared in 1900, only months before Freud’s book Interpretation of Dreams which formed the manifesto of the psychoanalytic assumptions. Both Conrad and Freud were pioneers in their emphasis over the irrational aspects of man’s behavioral conduct which questioned the traditional analyses. Conrad insightfully stressed the irrationality of politics and its nightmarish character which rests on the neurotic symptoms of the leader, as well as on the collective neurosis of the masses. He also believed in a human behavior that answers the call of inner desires, while justifying itself with accuracy. Both he and Freud dived into the darkness: the darkness enters the human soul when his conscience sleeps or when he is free to yield to the unconscious desires and needs, whether through dreams, as Freud argues, or in actuality through the character of Kurtz and his likes. Dreams become the wish-fulfillments of the masked self. This applies to Marlow; the very qualities in Kurtz that horrify him are those he finds hidden in himself. Kurtz’s insatiable, Nietzchean fascination with power mirrors Marlow’s as well. Kurtz’s ruthless career is every man’s wish-fulfillment (Karl 785-6). In the novel, Conrad draws an image of Africa as the â€Å"other world,† the antithesis of a civilized Europe, a site where man’s accumulated years of education and sophistication are confronted by a striking savagery. The story opens on the River Thames, calm and peaceful. It then moves to the very opposite of the Thames, and takes place on the River Congo. However, It’s not the flagrant difference between the two that perplexes Conrad but the underlying allusion of intimate relationship, of â€Å"common ancestry,† since the Thames was itself a dark place, but one that has managed to civilize, to enlighten itself and the world, and is now living in the light. The peaceful Thames, however, runs the terrible risk of being stirred by its encounter with its â€Å"primordial relative, the Congo;† it would witness the reflection of its own forsaken darkness and would hear the sounds that echo its remote gloomy history. The Thames would fall victim to the ghastly reminiscences of the irrational frenzy of the primitive times (Achebe 262-3). It would be very helpful to quote one of the most interesting and most revealing passages in Heart of Darkness when representatives of Europe in a steamer going down the Congo encounter the denizens of Africa: We were wanderers on a prehistoric earth. [? ] We glided past like phantoms, wondering and secretly appalled, as sane men would be before an enthusiastic outbreak in a madhouse. [? ] They howled and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces; but what thrilled you was just the thought of their humanity ?like yours ? the thought of your remote kinship with this wild and passionate uproar. Ugly. [? ] but if you were man enough you would admit that there was in you just the faintest trace of response to the terrible frankness of that noise, a dim suspicion of there being a meaning in it which you ? you so remote from the night of first ages ? could comprehend (51-2). Here in lies the meaning of Heart of Darkness that takes us on a journey into the unconscious world of the human beings through the psychoanalytic features inherent in the novel’s â€Å"dream story. † Marlow, a man of discipline and justice, was expecting such values to exist elsewhere. They became a kind of psychological expectations. His great revelation takes place when he discovers that not all men share his belief in an orderly, fundamentally good society. His journey from Brussels to the Congo is full of elements of the absurd, elements that hint at a world that is suddenly irrational and out of focus. In the Congo, the jungle is surrounded by a dangerous feminine aura; the long river is described in â€Å"treacherous, serpentine terms;† everything about the nature conveys a sense of a mysterious and terrifying reality (Karl 786). Marlow is fascinated by the jungle woman – Kurtz’s savage mistress – and her demanding display of sex, by her provocative measured walk. He is also drawn by her surprising sense of reality and her full acceptance of Kurtz with all the savagery he embodies. Her image contradicts with his ideal of womanhood he had known all his life: the girl back in Brussels, his aunt, the naive woman who believed in the Europeans’ grand mission in Africa. Marlow tries to resist the seductive aspect of the nature, much as he shies away from the attraction of power. Sex lies heavily on the story, although Marlow never directly talks about it. The temptation is clear in his fears, in the jungle that conceals the terrors and the calls for orgiastic, uncontrollable sex. In the novel, Kurtz represents Europe; maneuvering for power, searching for advantages; he chose the route of ivory looting. His unquenchable hunger for possession is overwhelming. In Africa, he is free of all human barriers; civilized taboos are down. He is able to gratify all his forbidden desires and dwells on ultimate corruption, debarred of all restraints. This lies at the heart of Marlow’s secret attraction to Kurtz; the latter’s will to brutal, superhuman power. Kurtz has â€Å"risen above the masses ? of natives, station managers, even of directors back in Brussels. He must continue to assert himself, a megalomaniac in search of further power. Marlow has never met anyone like him, [? ]† (Karl 787). One telling part in the novel comes with Kurtz’s death and his double scream â€Å"The horror! The horror! † (Conrad 105). Marlow, out of his deep fascination with Kurtz and his need to believe in a good human nature, attributes a â€Å"Christian† reading to these words. He understands the shriek as a moral victory: at the time of his death, Kurtz has reviewed his life and the corrupt part of him has repented. It’s arguable, though, that Kurtz’s cry might be one of anguish and despair, because he has to die with his work incomplete. In other words, he laments a fate which frustrates his plans. However, Marlow has explained the horror of this experience in human terms necessary to guarantee the flow of life. He protects the lie of Kurtz’s existence in order to preserve his own illusions (Karl 788-9). Hence, we notice that Marlow, throughout his journey, has concealed from himself the reality of his own as well as others’ needs. The jungle is the mask that bars the light of sun and sky. The landscape becomes the repository of our anxieties and the vast protective camouflage that hides our inner fears. It bars the light of our conscience and rational capacities and becomes â€Å"part of the psychological as well as physical landscape† (Karl 788). It runs parallel to our unconscious mind where our repressed desires are hidden. The â€Å"prehistoric earth,† that is still untouched by the hands of civilization, is but our rudimentary soul, in its raw, savage nature, unrefined and free of the conscious disguises. The â€Å"lurking hint of kinship† that the Europeans have felt at their encounter with the Africans is but a hint of deep connection existing between the rational and the irrational, the conscious and the unconscious. The â€Å"black and incomprehensible frenzy† of the strange bodies is a reminder of the uncontrollable libido. This â€Å"wild and passionate uproar† is â€Å"ugly† because the wilderness and passion that nurture our disguised depths are a mass of animalistic drives, and our id that hosts all unfulfilled wishes carries the wildest of motivations. Yet, one cannot but heed â€Å"the faintest trace of a response to the terrible frankness of that noise† for one cannot fully resist the temptation to gratify his impulses and instinctual needs. In Freudian terms, our superego sometimes fails to have full control over its antithesis, the id. The boundaries that separate the unconscious from the conscious are blurred. This terrible â€Å"frenzy† holds a meaning that, even the man who is â€Å"so remote from the night of first ages ? could comprehend†: the refined man is able to understand the noise because it communicates with an inherent ? although masked ? part of his soul. Thus, Africa has become a topology of the mind ? its location, its shape, its cultures, its textures, its rhythms, it hues, its wildness ? all calling forth something lost in the psychology of the white European. The darkness of the African continent, of its instinctual, shadowed, primeval underworld establishes a revealing context for an examination of the Jungian concepts in the novel. Marlow’s journey, in Jungian terms, becomes a journey of individuation: a salvation realized through bringing the unconscious urges to consciousness ? a journey which can be contrasted to that of his diabolic double, Kurtz, who undergoes a psychological disintegration into his savage self and slips into â€Å"The horror! The horror! † The shadow in Heart of Darkness is thus personified by Kurtz. Richard Hughs argues that Kurtz’s last words sum up the Jungian insight that â€Å"from the same root that produces wild, untamed, blind instinct there grow up the natural laws and cultural forms that tame and break its pristine power. But when the animal in us is split off from consciousness by being repressed, it may easily burst out in full force, quite unregulated and uncontrolled. An outburst of this sort always ends in catastrophe ? the animal destroys itself† (21). Hughs adds that the novel is composed of two journeys into the hidden self, one is â€Å"horrifying, ending in personality destruction and death;† the other is â€Å"restorative, wisdom-producing, a gateway to wholeness [? ] Conrad has seized on the paradoxical quality of the descent into the unconscious [? ]† (58). For Jung, the integration of the personality is not possible without a full descent into the unconscious and clearly the novel is about the descent into the depths, the underworld, into the very heart of darkness. â€Å"Jung’s awareness that the darkness is part of himself, that to deny the darkness would be self-mutilation, and the awareness is not erased but heightened by a recognition of that dark self: this is Marlow’s discovery† (Hughs 66). Marlow’s journey toward individuation and his encounter with the darkness of his own shadow are set against a backdrop of the personal and collective unconscious. Kurtz is not only the personal shadow of Marlow, but the collective shadow of all Europe and of European imperialism. Throughout the novel there is a dense undergrowth of Congo unconsciousness, as Marlow succinctly states, â€Å"All of Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz† (73). In the midst of this journey of individuation, we encounter Jung’s concept of the anima personified by Kurtz’s wild mistress. She is a reflection of the soul of the wilderness, â€Å"she stood looking at us with a stir, and like the wilderness itself, with an air of brooding over an inscrutable purpose† (Conrad 92). She is the savagely magnificent consort of the underworld and the feminine part of every man’s psyche. Hughs calls her â€Å"the grand archetype of the unconscious, consort of the mad Kurtz and the goal of the inner search† (268-9). Conrad’s novel descends into the unknowable darkness at the heart of Africa, taking its narrator, Marlow, on an underworld journey of individuation, a modern Odyssey toward the center of the Self and the center of the Earth. Interestingly, the narrative technique and the inherent symbolism in Heart of Darkness all contribute to the overall dream-like and nightmarish mood of the story. The use of first person narrative was essential so that Conrad could distance himself from the lived experience and for the reader could identify with a common man thrown into a bizarre situation. Lacking Marlow as the narrator, the story would lose its credibility and would appear too distant from the real experience. Through repetition, difference of tone, analogy, duplicating images, doubling of scenes and characters, Conrad could form a shape for the story. He â€Å"used heightening and foreshortening, contrast and comparison to give the novella form;† from the opening scene, when the ancient Romans on the Thames are contrasted with the modern Europeans in the Congo (Karl 789). Marlow’s calm setting on the Nellie contrasts with the alarming Congo riverboat setting. Kurtz’s two fiancees represents two different sets of values, two contradictory cultures. The jungle, as death, is in conflict with the river, as possible relief. The natives’ savagery is set off against the backdrop of the apparently civilized Europeans. The contrast reaches the two central characters as well; Kurtz’s humanitarianism contradicts his own barbarism, Marlow’s middle class sense of English justice is contrasted with the Congo reality. It is also clear in their fluctuating love-hate relationship that pervades the story. The abundance of mechanical and metallic images suggests a sense of human waste and indicates that tough objects have gone beyond flexibility and softness in order to resist the passing of time, so humanity itself must become an object in order to survive. This strong sense of an absurd existence is best represented by the ivory itself. Ivory, the purest demonstration of the color white, stands in stark juxtaposition to the darkness of the jungle. It draws the white men to Africa then turns their minds from building commerce and civilization, to exploitation and madness. Wherever ivory is present, white men plunder, kill, and turn on each other. Conrad uses symbolism to suggest meanings rather than spelling them out directly. The technicalities of his style include a frequent use of alliteration, a reliance on adjectives which emphasize the unfamiliar aspects of Marlow’s experience. Words like â€Å"inscrutable,† â€Å"inconceivable,† â€Å"unspeakable† that describe the oppressive mysteriousness of the Congo are recurrent throughout the novel. The same vocabulary is used to evoke the human depths and the unspeakable potentialities of the man’s soul and to magnify the sense of spiritual horrors (Leavis 246-7). The words and adjectives Conrad applies â€Å"beat upon us, creating drum-like rhythms, entirely appropriate to the thick texture of the jungle† (Karl 789). The darkness of the jungle goes hand in hand with darkness everywhere, alluding at â€Å"the blackness of Conrad’s humor, the despair of his irony† (Karl 789). It is the nightmare’s color: the darkness surrounding Kurtz’s death, his last words, the report by the manager’s boy, the delirious escape from the jungle, the encounter with Kurtz’s fiancee; all such incidents constitute the elements of a nightmarish dream. Even the Russian follower of Kurtz who is dressed in motley seems as a figure from another world. In his ridiculous appearance, he is a perfect symbol of Marlow’s Congo experience (Karl 788-9). In this passage, F. R. Leavis argues that Conrad makes almost every aspect of his novel contribute to its overwhelming impression, one of a strangely insane world and a nightmarish existence: [? ] in terms of things seen and incidents experienced by a main agent in the narrative, and particular contacts and exchanges with other human agents, the overwhelming sinister and fantastic ? atmosphere’ is engendered. Ordinary greed, stupidity, and moral squalor are made to look like behaviour in a lunatic asylum against the vast and oppressive mystery of the surroundings, rendered potently in terms of sensation. This means lunacy, which we are made to feel as at the same time normal and insane, is brought out by contrast with the fantastically secure innocence of the young harlequin-costumed Russian [? ] (246) Using his renowned artistic and literary craftsmanship, Conrad wrote Heart of Darkness that has become, since its publication in 1899, one of the most widely read books written in English. It has also been one of the most analyzed: scores of literary critics, ranging from feminists to Marxists to New Critics, have all tried to construct their own meanings from the pages of the book. The novel does seem to invite a wide variety of interpretations. Looking at it through the lenses of psychoanalytic theories, Heart of Darkness has proven to be a â€Å"masterpiece of concealment† and a metaphor for the theory of the unconscious as a repository of all irrational and repressed wishes. (Karl 788). The journey into the heart of the continent can also be seen as Marlow’s own journey of individuation, self-discovery and self-enlightenment. Bibiography Achebe, Chinua. â€Å"An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. † A Practical Reader in Contemporary Literary Theory. London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1996. 262-4 Conrad, Joseph. Heart Of Darkness. Beirut: Librairie Du Liban Publishers SAL, 1994. Guerin, Wilfred L. , et al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. Hewitt, Douglas. â€Å"Conrad: A Reassessment. † World Literature Criticism. Ed. Polly Vedder. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 1992. 789-92. Hughs, Richard E. The Lively Image: Four Myths in Literature. Cambridge, MA: Winthrop Publishers, 1975. Karl, Frederick R. â€Å"A Reader’s Guide To Joseph Conrad. † World Literature Criticism. Ed. Polly Vedder. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 1992. 785-9. Leavis, F. R. â€Å"From The Great Tradition. † A Practical Reader in Contemporary Literary Theory. London: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1996. 246-7 Mudrick, Marvin. â€Å"The Originality of Conrad. † World Literature Criticism. Ed. PollyVedder. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 1992. 782-5. Murfin, Ross C. Joseph Conrad Heart of Darkness: A Case Study in Contemporary Criticism. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1989. Said, Edward W. Culture and Imperialism. New York: Knopf, 1979. Wright, Elizabeth. â€Å"Psychoanalytic Criticism. † Encyclopedia Of Literature And Criticism. 1991 ed. 765-7.

Error Correction Model

Introduction Exchange rates play a vital role in a county's level of trade, which is critical to every free market economies in the world. Besides, exchange rates are source of profit in forex market. For this reasons they are among the most watched, analyzed and governmentally manipulated economic measures. Therefore, it would be interesting to explore the factors of exchange rate volatility. This paper examines possible relationship between EUR/AMD and GBP/AMD exchange rates. For analyzing relationship between these two currencies we apply to co-integration and error correction model.The first part of this paper consists of literature review of the main concepts. Here we discussed autoregressive time series, covariance stationary series, mean reversion, random walks, Dickey-Fuller statistic for a unit root test. * The second part of the project contains analysis and interpretation of co-integration and error correction model between EUR/AMD and GBP/AMD exchange rates. Considering t he fact, that behavior of these two currencies has been changed during the crisis, we separately discuss three time series periods: * 1999 2013 * 1999 to 2008 * 2008 to 2013. ——————————–Autoregressive time series A key feature of the log-linear model’s depiction of time series and a key feature of the time series in general is that current-period values are related to previous period values. For example current exchange rate of USD/EUR is related to its exchange rate in the previous period. An autoregressive model (AR) is a time series regressed on its own past values, which represents this relationship effectively. When we use this model, we can drop the normal notation of Y as the dependent variable and X as the independent variable, because we no longer have that distinction to make.Here we simply use Xt. For instance, below we use a first order autoregression for the variable Xt. Xt=b0+b1*Xt-1+? t Covariance stationary series To conduct valid statistical inference we must make a key assumption in time series analysis: We must assume that the time series we are modeling is Covariance Stationary. The basic idea is that a time series is covariance stationary, if its mean and variance do not change over time. A covariance stationary series must satisfy three principal requirements. Expected value of the time series must be constant and finite in all periods. * Variance should be constant and finite. * The covariance of the time series with itself for a fixed number of periods in the past or future must be constant and finite. So, we can summarize if the plot shows the same mean and variance through time without any significant seasonality, then the time series is covariance stationary. What happens if a time series is not covariance stationary but we use auto regression model? The estimation results will have no economic meaning.For a non-covariance- stationary time series, est imating the regression with the help of AR model will yield spurious results. Mean Reversion We say that time series shows mean reversion if it tends to fall when its level is above its mean and rise when its level is below its mean. If a time series are currently at its mean reverting level, then the model predicts, that the value of the time series will be the same in the next period Xt+1=Xt. For an auto regressive model, the equality Xt+1 = Xt implies the level Xt = b0 + b1 * Xt or Xt = b0 / (1 – b1)So the auto regression model predicts that time series will stay the same if its current value is b0/(1 – b1), increase if its current value is below b0 / (1 – b1), and decrease if its current value is above b0 / (1 – b1). Random Walks A random walk is a time series in which the value of the series in one period is the value of the series in the previous period plus an unpredictable error. Xt = Xt-1 + ? t, E(? t)=0, E(? t2) = ? 2, E(? t, ? s) = 0 if t? s Th is equation means that the time series Xt is in every period equal to its value in the previous period plus an error term, ? , that has constant variance and is uncorrelated with the error term in previous periods. Note, that this equation is a special case of auto correlation model with b0=0 and b1=1. The expected value of ? t is zero. Unfortunately, we cannot use the regression methods on a time series that is random walk. To see why, recall that if Xt is at its mean reverting level, than Xt = b0/ (1 – b1). As, in a random walk b0=0 and b1=1, so b0/ (1 – b1) = 0/0. So, a random walk has an undefined mean reverting level. However, we can attempt to convert the data to a covariance stationary time series.We create a new time series, Yt, where each period is equal to the difference between Xt and Xt-1. This transformation is called first-differencing. Yt= Xt – Xt-1 = ? t, E (? t) = 0, E (? t2) = ? 2, E (? t, ? s) = 0 for t? s The first-differenced variable, Yt, i s a covariance stationary. First note, that Yt=? t model is an auto regressive model with b0 = 0 and b1 = 0. Mean-reverting level for first differenced model is b0/ (1 – b1) = 0/1 = 0. Therefore, a first differenced random walk has a mean reverting level of 0. Note also the variance of Yt in each period is Var(? ) = ? 2. Because the variance and the mean of Yt are constant and finite in each period, Yt is a covariance stationary time series and we can model it using linear regression. Dickey-Fuller Test for a Unit Root If the lag coefficient in AR model is equal to 1, the time series has a unit root: It is a random walk and is not covariance stationary. By definition all random walks, with or without drift term have unit roots. If we believed that a time series Xt was a random walk with drift, it would be tempting to estimate the parameters of the AR model Xt = b0 + b1 * Xt -1 + ? using linear regression and conduct a t-test of the hypothesis that b1=1. Unfortunately, if b1=1 , then xt is not covariance stationary and the t-value of the estimated coefficient b1 does not actually follow the t distribution, consequently t-test would be invalid. Dickey and Fuller developed a regression based unit root test based on a transformed version of the AR model Xt = b0 + b1 * Xt -1 + ? t. Subtracting xt-1 from both sides of the AR model produces xt- xt-1=b0+(b1-1)xt-1+ ? t or xt-xt-1 = b0 + g1xt-1+ ? t, E(? ) = 0 where gt = (b1-1). If b1 = 1, then g1 = 0 and thus a test of g1 = 0 is a test of b1 = 1. If there is a unit root in the AR model, then g1 will be 0 in a regression where the dependent variable is the first difference of the time series and the independent variable is the first lag of the time series. The null hypothesis of the Dickey-Fuller test is H0: g1 =0 that is, that the time series has a unit root and is non stationary and the alternative hypothesis is Ha: G1 ; 0, that the time series does not have a unit root and is stationary.To conduct the test, on e calculates a t- statistic in the conventional manner for g(hat)1 but instead of using conventional critical values for a t- test, one uses a revised set of values computed by Dickey and Fuller; the revised set of critical values are larger in absolute value than the conventional critical values. A number of software packages incorporate Dickey- Fuller tests. REGRESSIONS WITH MORE THAN ONE TIME SERIES Up to now, we have discussed time-series models only for one time series. In practice regression analysis with more than one time-series is more common.If any time series in a linear regression contains a unit root, ordinary least square estimates of regression test statistics may be invalid. To determine whether we can use linear regression to model more than one time series, let us start with a single independent variable; that is, there are two time series, one corresponding to the dependent variable and one corresponding to the independent variable. We will then extend our discuss ion to multiple independent variables. We first use a unit root test, such as the Dickey-Fuller test, for each of the two time series to determine whether either of them has a unit root.There are several possible scenarios related to the outcome of these test. One possible scenario is that we find neither of time series has a unit root. Then we can safely use linear regression to test the relations between the two time series. A second possible scenario is that we reject the hypothesis of a unit root for the independent variable but fail to reject the hypothesis of a root unit for the independent variable. In this case, the error term in the regression would not be covariance stationary.Therefore, one or more of the following linear regression assumptions would be violated; 1) that the expected value of the error term is 0. 2 that the variance of the error term is constant for all observations and 3) that the error term is uncorrected across observations. Consequently, the estimated regressions coefficients and standard errors would be inconsistent. The regression coefficient might appear significant, but those results would be spurious. Thus we should not use linear regression to analyze the relation between the two time series in this scenario.A third possible scenario is the reverse of the second scenario: We reject the hypothesis of a unit root for the dependent variable but fail to reject the hypothesis of a unit root for the independent variable. In the case also, like the second scenario, the error term in the regression would not be covariance stationary, and we cannot use linear regression to analyze the relation between the two time series. The next possibility is that both time series have a unit root. In this case, we need to establish where the two time series are co-integrated before we can rely on regression analysis.Two time series are co-integrated if a long time financial or economic relationship exists between them such that they don’ t diverge from each other without bound in the long run. For example, two time series are co-integrated if they share a common trend. In the fourth scenario, both time series have a unit root but are not co-integrated. In this scenario, as in the second and third scenario above, the error term in the linear regression will not be covariance stationary, some regressions assumptions will be violated, the regression coefficients and standard errors will not be consistent, and we cannot use them for the hypothesis tests.Consequently, linear regression of one variable on the other would be meaningless. Finally, the fifth possible scenario is that both time series have unit root, but they are co-integrated in this case, the error term in the linear regression of one term series on the other will be covariance stationary. Accordingly, the regression coefficients and standard errors will be consistent, and we can use them for the hypothesis test. However we should be very cautious in interp reting the results of regression with co-integrated variables.The co-integrated regression estimates long term relation between the two series but may not be the best model of the short term relation between the two series. Now let us look at how we can test for co-integration between two time series that each have a unit root as in the last two scenarios above. Engle and Granger suggest this test: if yt and xt are both time series with a unit root, we should do the following: 1) Estimate the regression yt = b0 + b1xt + ? t 2) Test whether the error term from the regression in Step 1 has a unit root coefficients of the regression, we can’t use standard critical values for the Dickey – Fuller test.Because the residuals are based on the estimated coefficients of the regression, we cannot use the standard critical values for the Dickey- Fuller test. Instead, we must use the critical values computed by Engle and Granger, which take into account the effect of the uncertaint y about the regression parameters on the distribution of the Dickey- Fuller test. 3) If the (Engle – Granger) Dickey- Fuller test fails to reject the null hypothesis that the error term has a unit root, then we conclude that the error term in the regression is not covariance stationary.Therefore, the two time series are not co-integrated. In this case any regression relation between the two series is spurious. 4) If the (Engle- Granger) Dickey- Fuller test rejects the null hypothesis that the error term has a unit root, then we conclude that the error term in the regression is covariance stationary. Therefore, the two time series are co-integrated. The parameters and standard errors from linear regression will be consistent and will let us test hypotheses about the long – term relation between the two series. .If we cannot reject the null hypothesis of a unit root in the error term of the regression, we cannot reject the null hypothesis of no co-integration. In this sc enario, the error term in the multiple regressions will not be covariance stationary, so we cannot use multiple regression to analyze the relationship among the time series. Long-run Relationship For our analysis we use EUR/AMD and GBP/AMD exchange rates with respect to AMD from 1999 to 2013 with monthly bases. After estimating the normality of these time series we found out that the normality has rejected.We got right skewness result and to correct them we used log values of exchange rates. Studying the trade between Armenia and Europe or Great Britain we found out that there is almost no trade relationship between them. Besides we assume, that Armenian Central Bank keeps floating rate of AMD. Taking into consideration these two factors the impact of AMD is negligible to have an essential influence on EUR/GBP rate. That is why we assume that the next models we will build show the relation between EUR and GBP. Graph 1 represents movement of EUR/AMD ; GBP/AMD since 1999 to 2013.From it we can assume that these two currencies have strong long run relationship until Global Financial Crisis. As a result of shock in 2008 the previous relationship has been changed. However, it seems to be long term co-movement between the currencies. To accept or reject our conclusions we examine exchange rates until now including Global Financial Crisis, without crisis and after crisis. Co-integration of period from 1999 to 2013 To be considered as co-integrated the two variables should be non-stationary. So the first step in our model is to check the stationarity of variables by using Augmented Dickey-Fuller Unit Root Test.EViews has three options to test unit-root: * Intercept only * Trend and Intercept * None From the first graph it is visible, that the sample average of EUR/AMD time series is greater than 0, which means that we have an intercept and it should be included in unit-root test. Although, series goes up and down, data is not evolving around the trend, we do not have increasing or decreasing pattern. Besides, we can separately try each of the components and include trend and intercept, if they are significant. In the case of EUR/AMD the appropriate decision is only intercept. Table 1. 1Table 1. We see it from the Table 1. 1, where Augmented Dickey-Fuller test shows p-value of 0. 1809 and as we have decided to use 5% significance level, Null Hypothesis cannot be rejected, which means there is a unit root. So, EUR/AMD exchange rate time-series is non-stationary. The same step should be applied with GBP/AMD exchange rates. We have estimated it and found out, that Augmented Dickey-Fuller test p-value is 0. 3724, which gives us the same results, as in the previous one: the variable has unit root. Since, the two variables are non-stationary, we can build the regression model yt = b0 + 1xt + ? t (Model 1. 1) and use et residuals from this model. So, the second step is to check stationarity for these residuals. Here we should use Eagle Granger 5% critic al value instead of Augmented Dickey Fuller one, which is equal to -3. 34. Comparing this with Augmented Dickey-Fuller t-Statistic -1. 8273. Here minus signs should be ignored. So, comparing two values, we cannot reject Null Hypothesis, which means residuals have unit-root, they are non-stationary. This outcome is not desirable, which means the two variables are not co-integrated.Co-integration till crisis period (1999-2008) Referring back to graph 1, we assume that in 1999-2013 time series two variables are not co-integrated because of shock related to financial crisis. That is why it will be rational first to exclude data from 2008 to 2013 and then again check co-integration between two variables. Here the same steps should be applied as in checking co-integration for time series from 1999 to 2013. For time series from 1999 to 2008, for EUR/AMD exchange rate, Augmented Dickey-Fuller test p-value is 0. 068. From the p-value it is clear that we cannot reject Null Hypothesis, which m eans it has a unit root. Having unit root means EUR/AMD exchange rate time-series is non-stationary. Now we should test stationarity of GBP/AMD exchange rates. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller test p-value is 0. 2556, which means the variable is non-stationary. Since, the two variables are non-stationary, we should build the regression model and using residuals check stationarity. Table 2. 1 In the table above Augmented Dickey Fuller t-test is 3. 57 and so greater than Eagle-Granger 5% significance level critical value 3. 34. That is why we can reject Null Hypothesis and accept Alternative Hypothesis, which means that residuals in regression model has no unit root. Consequently, they are stationary and we can conclude, that EUR/AMD and GBP/AMD time series are co-integrated: have long run relationship. As the variables such as EUR/AMD and GBP/AMD are co-integrated, we can run the error correction model (ECM) as below D(yt) = b2 + b3*D(xt) + b4*Ut-1 +V (Model 1. 2) * D(yt) and D(xt) are fi rst differenced variables b2 is the intercept * b3 is the short run coefficient * V white noise error term * Ut-1 is the one period lag residual of ? t . Ut-1 is also known as equilibrium error term of one period lag. This Ut-1 is an error correction term that guides the variables of the system to restore back to equilibrium. In other words, it corrects this equilibrium. The sign before b4 or the sign of error correction term should be negative after estimation. The coefficient b4 tells as at what rate it corrects the previous period disequilibrium of the system.When b4 is significant and contains negative sign, it validates that there exists a long run equilibrium relationship among variables. After estimating Model 1. 2, short run coefficient value b3 has been 1. 03 and was found significant. And b4, the coefficient of error term has been 5. 06 percent meaning that system corrects its previous dis-equilibrium at a speed of 5. 06% monthly. Moreover, the sign of b4 is negative and s ignificant indicating that validity of long run equilibrium relationship between EUR and GBP.Co-integration during crises period (2008-2013) Now is the time to check stationarity of variables in the period after crisis by the same way as we did above. From the ADF test it is clear that the two variables are non-stationary, after which we can construct ADF ; Eagle Granger test for residuals. However, because of ADF t-statistic is smaller, than Eagle Granger critical value, we could not reject that the residuals have unit-root. So, they are non-stationary and co-integration does not exist between the two currencies.

Existentialism and Film Noir Essay

Existentialism and its worldview are believed to have derived from Nietzsche’s provocative and controversial statement â€Å"God is dead†. The underlying meaning to Nietzsche’s controversial statement is that empirical natural science has replaced metaphysical explanations of the world. As a result of this, according to Nietzsche we no longer have any sense of who and what we are as human beings. He concludes that no foundation exists anymore for the meaning and value of things. Nietzsche’s philosophy shines light on what film noir is. That is, an artistic response to, or recognition of, this alteration in our understanding of the world. To emphasize the existentialist attitude in film noir, various stylistic and thematic techniques are used. Common techniques or characteristics of film noir that we see in both The Maltese Falcon and The Killers include: unconventional or non-classical narrative patterns, opposition of light and shadow, disorientation of the viewer, incoherent plot lines, inversion of traditional values and its corresponding moral ambivalence, non-chronological ordering of events, and characters whose actions are not motivated or understandable in any rational way. The similarities of characteristics between existentialism and film noir are prominent; for example, Siodmak and Huston distinguish the alienation and disorientation of a post-Nietzschean world, one without transcendent meaning or value. The constant opposition of light and shadow as seen in The Maltese Falcon and The Killers, helps communicate the dark characteristics of a post-Nietzschean world. For instance, when the swede peacefully awaits his assassins, we get a sense of estrangement and lack of sense and meaning. This lack of sense and meaning is further emphasized when the room goes dark and you see him from the neck down in light, but the face is in total shadow. A sense of despair is created through this camera technique by showing that no one else is in the room, leaving him hopeless to escape. A common characteristic of film noir that we see in both The Maltese Falcon, and The Killers, is the use of unconventional or non-classical narrative patterns. The use of non-classical narrative patterns emphasizes the cynical characteristics of a post-Nietzschean world. For instance, in The Maltese Falcon, Miss Ruth Wonderly initially claims to Spade and Archer to be searching for her sister, however her true intentions were to implicate Thursby her unwanted accomplice by killing Archer. Miss Ruth Wonderly’s contemptuous behavior coincides with the pessimistic view about the nature and purpose of human life. Non-classical patterns are established through various stylistic techniques. Such as the non-chronological ordering of events, often achieved through flashbacks. An example of this technique is seen in The Killers, when flashbacks are used to tell the story leading up to Ole Andersen’s death. The use of flashbacks and complicated sometimes-incoherent plot lines, as in The Maltese Falcon, are examples of the stylistic techniques that are used in film noir to communicate the mood and sensibility. A final common technique that is used in film noir is portraying characters whose actions are not motivated or understandable in any rational way. For example, why does Miss Wonderly lie about her name and objective in the beginning of The Maltese Falcon when she is sure to get caught at some point? By portraying the characters in this manner, Huston leaves the viewer with unanswered questions, leading to the disorientation of the viewer. It has been argued that film noir cannot be defined, therefore has no essential characteristics. That being said, considering noir as a response to the death of god helps explain the commonality of elements that philosophers have recognized in noir films. Moreover, the directors of The Maltese Falcon and The Killers use of thematic and stylistic characteristics in their films make them two of the best examples of film noir. They clearly depict a world of the post-Nietzschean period in their films, that is one of despair, alienation, and paranoia, which is essentially an existential attitude towards life.

Vietnam war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Vietnam war - Essay Example Evidently, the issue has been viewed differently as the books that will be discussed highlight. Some authors attribute the American to poor decision-making, and lack of support from the congress. Notably, several factors fuelled the failure, as this paper will indicate. Howard Zinn bases his argument on the origin, the course, and the end of the Vietnam War. Zinn sees the Vietnamese as an experienced side that had waged successful wars against the French and the Japanese. In his book â€Å"A People’s History of the United States,† Howard Zinn clearly manifests that even though Americans had the best technology and military artillery during the Vietnam War, America was destined for failure. Before their involvement in the Vietnam War, the U.S government did not seek the opinions of the people whom they represented (Zinn 440). As a result of lack of cooperation between the U.S government with her citizens in the middle of the war with a determined and organized opponent led to the inevitable defeat to America. The American citizens played a central role in the Vietnam War. It is during the war in Vietnam that America saw the greatest antiwar movements. The work of Howard Zinn, Zinn views the war in Vietnam in terms of failure and success. On one hand, Howard Zinn asserts that the American government failed and it was a victory both to the nationalists in Vietnam as well as the American Citizens who were opposed to the involvement of the government of the United States in the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was supposed to end in the victory of America, and the spread of American Policy and supremacy. It never came to be. The U.S government, instead, settled for peaceful dissolution of the war (443). By residing in peace to end the Vietnam War, Howard Zinn further argues that the U.S government was sugarcoating defeat by the revolutionary nationalists in Vietnam. An additional author who has sought to discuss the same

Germany Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 15

Germany - Essay Example These men, despite their desire for positive reform, were met with much opposition throughout their causes and careers. Frederick the Great ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He has been remembered for many things, but some of those that stand out include his contributions as a brilliant tactician and military organizer, controlled grain prices so that the government stores good provide for poor families whose crops were unsuccessful, and beginning the first official school of veterinary medicine in Austria or Germany. He was, also, an accomplished linguist, speaking several languages, and talented musician. Most importantly, he is remembered for changing Prussia from an often forgotten European â€Å"backwater† location and into a thriving, economically strong and reformed region. However, again, much of the changes he attempted to implement were met with opposition; Enlightened Absolutism was not a favored position of all of the peoples of Europe at the time. (Wikipedia) Joseph the II of Austria ruled from 1765-1790. He had a very famous family member that should not be left unmentioned; he was brother to France’s Marie Antoinette. He was a well liked and influential leader, however he, like Frederick the Great, faced a great deal of opposition due to his attempt to reform Austria with the philosophy of Enlightened Absolutism. Some of the very important acts he is known for include, making public education more available for boys and girls, inspiring legal reforms throughout Austria, and attempted to reform the Catholic Church to make it more tolerant, more akin to his enlightened perspectives. He, like others who shared his political and social views, had a great deal of respect and support for the arts. In fact, such a well loved patron of the arts that, his funeral cantata was composed by Beethoven himself. (Wikipedia) Both men strived to make changes to their lands under the ideologies of

Scenario Analysis - Filling you toolbox Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Scenario Analysis - Filling you toolbox - Essay Example In the workplace worries scenario illustrated in this paper, I can use the problem solving tool as discussed by Hicks (2010). Hicks discusses that there are seven steps in resolving issues in the workplace. The first step is on identifying the issues – to clearly identify what the problem is, while noting that different people may have different views on what the actual issues are (Hicks, 2010). In applying this step to the current issue, I need to identify the actual issue in this scenario. The way I see it, the issue is about the uneven distribution in workload. The low pay and the heavy workload in the nursing profession is already an identified given in the current health care practice. My role as a manager would now be geared towards using the tools I currently have in order to ensure the effective running of the paediatric care unit. Short of increasing the salary of the nurses and addressing the nationwide nursing shortage problem, the only means left in my arsenal are the solutions which are within my power and authority to effectively and realistically implement. By identifying the problem as improper work distribution in the paediatric unit, I am able to set it apart from the other problems which nurses perceive as their issues. The next step in the problem-solving process is to understand everyone’s interests. These interests are the needs which I would like to satisfy based on any given solution; in some cases, we often get do not take notice of our genuine interests because we have become obsessed or fixated with one particular solution (Hicks, 2010). It is important to note that the best solution which can be applied is one which would satisfy everyone’s individual interests and in order to come up with the best solution, the manager and the subordinates need to actively listen to each other, to put aside their differences, and to find a common ground which would satisfy all their needs (Hicks, 2010). In this case, my

Tributary States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tributary States - Essay Example Politically, subordinate states enjoyed independent political sovereignty only after paying the tribute. Legally, tribute states exercised legal rights only within domestic boundaries, while the superior state could exercise legal rights across all its tribute states. One example of a tributary state was Babylon, which paid tribute to the Roman Empire. Another example is the Roman Empire itself, which later paid tribute or bribe money to the invading barbarians. Also, England became a tribute state when the invading Vikings demanded payment of material bribes from the English crown. Political revolutions are transformative processes that bring changes in the social, economic, and political atmospheres of a nation. In contemporary times, the French Revolution feature as a perfect example of the transformative nature of political revolutions. Prior to the revolution, the King of France had subjectively imposed divine powers. The French population was utter subjects to the King’s unquestionable rule, and any natural human rights were impractical. During and after the revolution, ideas of human rights became popular. The popularization of inalienable human rights gave rise to the concept of citizenship in France (Katter 29). Through the concept of citizenship, liberal institutions like the national assembly were established. In essence, the transformation from subject rule to citizenship initiated a corresponding transformation from aristocracy to democracy in France. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, a substantial portion of European’s population relied on agriculture. Most people were peasants who supplemented their food and financial income through small-scale farming. During the 18th Century, there was a rapid marriage between man and machines. Establishment of factory production systems demanded laborers.

Older Vs Younger generations taste in Furniture - IKEA in Thailand Essay

Older Vs Younger generations taste in Furniture - IKEA in Thailand - Essay Example From the tabular illustration, one can easily discuss the comparative elements in terms of characteristics of both the older and younger generation; as well as the factors that influence their decision-making purchase for furniture. It can be deduced that people from the older generation are have predominantly conservative and traditional tastes due to the values handed down to them by their predecessors. Also, since their orientations come from traditional furniture styles, their options are limited making them narrow-minded and confined to select those furniture styles and pieces that they are familiar with. Trying new and innovative styles are out of the question and not a possible option for older generation. In contrast, younger generation are more open to try new things due to the exposure and orientation to different cultures and the extent of knowledge and information gained from diverse sources. Because of these, people from the younger generation are more flexible, innovative and are always embracing of new styles and options. As for the comparative details on factors affecting the older versus the younger generation, it is apparent that they are practically contrasting in terms of style, decoration and color, among others. However, they are similar when it comes to purchasing furniture depending on their capacity to pay or their income level. For example, whether they are old or young, the choice of furniture sometimes significantly depends on how much budget one has allotted to spend for the furniture. Other factors such as design, style and color are secondary. This is also true especially when buyers come from rural areas where people have limited income compared of people coming from urban areas (regardless of whether they are from older or younger generation). Another similarity is eminent in terms of

Considering the Consequences and the Importance of Character Research Paper

Considering the Consequences and the Importance of Character - Research Paper Example The right of seeing an attorney tops the list since the connection between law and justice abound (Banks, 2011). The consequences of missing out on this basic right, or its violation, leads to missing out on the basic process of arrest. This violation of basic rights, in most cases, lead to release of criminals as a consequence of skipping basic steps in making arrests leading to severe injustices to the affected. In the case of neglecting the reading of Miranda rights to the arrested persons, society queries the ability of the police force to protect society. The skipping of this basic ritual puts pressure on the police force since their capacity comes under scrutiny. As an alternative channel, citizen review presents a better option for society to tackle the situation (Banks, 2011). Citizen review processes promote accountability in the police force. They enhance the basic entry level requirements into the force, thereby affecting the recruitment process. Through engagements, the citizens give feedback to the police force. As such, they affect the training procedures by giving out information required to modify training procedures (Gross, 2007). As such, the citizenry take responsibility in ensuring that they get the qualified police force they deserve. The engagement of citizens in review meetings promotes the raising of awareness of the force on the needs of the society (Gross, 2007). Further, the proactive processes involved in the identification of issues arising from the community, as far as criminal activities get concerned, prepares the police force to prepare adequately in the task of tackling arising issues. In the event of issues arising on the ability of officers to carry out their duties in proper fashion, citizen reviews need to participate in making necessary rectifications. In these instances, both the affected and innocent, officers develop caution in carrying out their prescribed duties. This limits the carrying

The Production Function for Buses - Edgeworth Box Assignment

The Production Function for Buses - Edgeworth Box - Assignment Example Our function will reproduce increasing returns to scale. This means that with an accumulation of production factors volume of produced goods will grow. To find a number of buses with every combination of production factors, it is necessary to substitute each number of employees and the number of machines for K and L indicators. Hence, if a number of machines are 14 and number of employees who make buses is 5, the calculation of production output will be the following: In accordance with above example, we can calculate all the rest level of production. (K=10, L=3): (K=8, L=1): etc. From the table, we can also see that in accordance with the accumulation of employees, the number of produced buses grows. Part (B) Make an ‘Edgeworth box’ diagram for the production of buses in Utropica: put the number of employees making buses on the horizontal axis (0 to 6), and a number of machines used to make buses on the vertical axis (0 to 16). Draw an isoquant line for 5 buses. On the same diagram, add an isoquant for 7 buses, and an isoquant for 10 buses. To draw an ‘Edgeworth box’ diagram for the production of a specific number of buses, it is required to find all combinations of factors that are able to create the stated level of production. Hence, using a table above, it can be seen that 5 buses can be produced by 10 machines and 1 employee or 8 machines and 2 employees. So there are several alternatives for this output. Consequently, finding all possible combinations, we receive points that will form the isoquant line on the diagram. Using the same method, we find combinations of the factors for producing 7 buses.

Heal hospital Essay Example for Free

Heal hospital Essay The healing hospital paradigm emphasizes the eradication of stress and other health risks in the healthcare environment for patients and visitors. The factors that influence these health risks are inherent to the setting of the hospital, not the illnesses being treated. For instance, patients become stressed because of painful therapeutic procedures, lack of social life, deterioration of financial status because of healthcare expenditures, etc. In order to guarantee that the patients well being is maintained, the amount of stress must be curtailed. Additionally, the all-inclusive care and attention components of the paradigm guarantees that the patients recovery process are utilized to the zenith without infringing upon their dignity and privacy. Instead of just simply curing the disease, the healing hospital paradigm incorporates the healing of the whole patient (Young Koopsen, 2006). This is served from the paradigms focus on healing beyond the physical body. It intends to improve the overall welfare of the individual by not only addressing the patients cognitive, emotional, and spiritual concerns, but also those of the familys (Milstein, 2005). In order to develop a healing environment, certain barrier must be overcome within the context of the hospital setting. This paper will analyze the healing hospital paradigm, recognize its significance in care giving method, portray its aspects, and depict its connections to spirituality. Healing Hospital Aspects A healing hospital goes beyond windows, walls, and mortar. Its strong culture of love and caring is what sets it apart from traditional hospitals (Chapman, 2010). The healing hospital is composed of three essential aspects. Healing Environment Hospitals should be a healing physical environment. This denotes that hospitals should be free of any physical disturbances that could potentially cause stress. These outside factors consist of excessive noise, a morbid or  dull environment, and panic-inducing disorganization. In order to diminish these external environmental factors, employees must meticulously construct an organized hospital setting that complies with the aspects of a physical healing environment. Employees are given the proper training to become successful caregivers who are cognizant in patient and family interaction. This method of interaction will help patients and families cope with their grief and deal with their concerns. By engaging all five senses, the environment is designed to establish a spiritual relationship. Stefanidakis states that by choosing the appropriate colors, human behavior will be influenced to the desired effects and psychological systems will be established (2001). For example, the color green denotes a healing and nurturing environmentone symbolizing unconditional love and growth. This is due to the fact that color has the incredible ability to trigger emotional responses such as peacefulness, irritability, or cheerfulness. Furthermore, designing the hospital interior in a manner that resembles a church or temple promotes spirituality. This can be done by including religious artifacts such as rosary beads. However, the patient must feel in control of the environment in order for stress relief to occur. This control can be achieved with lighting, temperature, etc. Integrating Technology and Work Design Technology plays a large role in the healing hospital paradigm. Its interweaving into the healing hospital structure permits staff members to work with systematic efficiency, routing work in a way that amplified the patients and familys comfort. In this more tranquil environment, patients receive much more sleep and, thus allow their bodies sufficient time to heal. Equipped with technological advancements such as cleaning machines with internal silencers and wireless phones for direct communication with the healthcare team, employees are competent in the effective use of this technology. Thus, they advocate a quiet and healing ambience. Developing a low stress environment, the staff is prone to fewer distractions. The lack of distraction leads to a decrease in common medical errors. The Culture of Loving Care Former executive of the Baptist Healing Hospital Trust Erie Chapman believes that the most important aspect of the healing hospital intertwined treatment with a significant component consisting of love, care, and empathy (Chapman, 2010). Constructing an intriguing culture in which the staff members are cognizant of their duties and are adept at unreservedly executing them through is a fundamental aspect of the healing hospital. All caregivers must advocate unconditional love for patients as well as visitors by incorporating it into their daily actions. Compassionate care through relationships in which the patient is the center is the basis on which the development of the healing hospital rests. Staff members inspire hope by exhibiting unconditional love through the utilization of compassionate care and the minimization of grief and stress levels of the patients and their families. Additionally, prayer strengthens hope and grounds the healing hospital in a spiritual relationship. Challenges of the Healing Hospital Environment As stated by Chapman (2010), there are five challenges that healing hospitals must conquer constantly. First, the growing amount of medical technology such as wires, tubes, and pharmaceuticals has monopolized healthcare to the point that healthcare professionals have forgotten the healing essentials such as the loving care method and the belief in the unification of body, mind, and spirit. Identifying the demand for, and providing balance between loving care and technology results in a raise in patient satisfaction. Next, the progression of technology has resulted in a tremendous focus on profits and market share rather than care. Although much ignored and neglected, the â€Å"Servants’ Heart† are faithful to their duty to provide Radical Loving Care; this is where leaders play an important role in â€Å"taking care of the people who take care of people† (Chapman, 2010). Thirdly, intimacy between patients and employees are often stripped as traditional hospitals and prisons partake in a type of institutionalism that destroys identity. By substituting patients clothes with hospital garments, names with identification numbers, and privacy with sharing rooms with strangers, a common institutionalism is set. Moreover, visiting hours restrictions have  the tendency to make a patient feel as though he or she is a hostage. In contrast, caregivers are often required to perform repetitive tasks with unparalleled precision. This is referred to as a bureaucracy or an organization that resembles a difficult-to-work-with machine (Chapman, 2010). In addition, cynicism is deleterious when it comes to caring for the patient. Believer or not, love should not be seen as a â€Å"nice thing† but as a â€Å"vital part† of patient’s recovery (Chapman, 2010). Healing is multi-faceted and and embodies the physical, emotional, and spiritual concerns of the patients. Lastly, leadership is a dig munificent component in patient healing. Given the opportunity and responsibility to prioritize loving care, leaders are encouraged to make sure their caregivers provide it. Biblical Passage Supporting the Concept of a Healing Hospital James 5:14-15 illustrates Jesus healing of the ill. In particular, Jesus asks if there are any ill people in the crowd. If there are, they should call for the elders of the church for an anointing with the sacred oil. This type if anointment will heal the sick because of their faith through the power of prayer (King James Version). This advocates the healing hospital paradigm since it recognizes a clear relationship between healing and prayer. This passage enforces the same belief, whereby the importance of the spiritual aspect of the healing process is brought to light. Since it is rooted in spirituality, prayer can effectively instill hope in patients and families. Though a relatively new turn in the medical profession, the healing hospital is increasingly gaining in popularity. Not only affecting the body but also the patients and familys overall well being, the patient-centric attention and care facilities provided by the hospital adds to the healing hospital paradigm in a member that highlights radical love and compassionate care. Through spirituality, the healing hospital paradigm draws on hope and coping strategies, and thus forged support for its practices from both secular and religious communities. As in scriptures, a body frees itself of sin through piety and community, and with that community comes hope and solace. References Chapman, E. (2010). Radical loving care: building the healing hospital in America. Nashville, TN: Vaughn Printing. Milstein, J. (2005). A paradigm of integrative care: healing with curing throughout life, â€Å"being with† and â€Å"doing to†. Journal of Perinatology, 25, 563-568. doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211358 Stefanidakis, S. (2001). Healing with color and the human aura. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from www.fst.org/aura2.htm Young, C., Koopsen, C. (2006). Spirituality, health, and healing (1 ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Gender roles Essay Example for Free

Gender roles Essay Well, the topic of gender roles is a ripe one. While there is no specific outline providing benchmarks to use in classifying a person’s gender, a number of factors come into play in helping define one’s gender. One of the factors is cultural prescription as provided for by a person’s social group. A man is a man or a woman a woman depending on how the social group they belong to label or socializes them. But one should remember here that genitalia alone do not determine a person’s gender. While one’s sex is determined by one’s biology, both biology and culture (nature and nurture) determine their gender. There are different roles for different genders. Gender is more of culturally than biologically determined. In fact, a person could be born with male genitalia but be of female gender or vice versa. Differences exist between the male and female genders for instance; men are braver than women and women more emotional than men. Women like being protected while men like to protect. Also, men want to pursue a woman for relationship while women want to be pursued. The differences between the genders emanate from differences in sexes culture, religion among others. Some of the similarities include: both are jealous, self-centered and want to mend the other to live up to their own standards. Again, both genders converge in their need for recognition and love. These among other differences and similarities together with other factors such as legal have succeeded in being constant obstacles on the road to equality. Most social groups, our parents and the media have socialized us to believe that the male gender is superior to the female gender. One can ask, does sex determine one’s abilities? Pursuing such a question may elicit an endless debate but a sex-based approach in determining gender roles is bias and oppressive to women and perpetuates inequalities and patriarchy. No wonder women have to fight for equality. Kyra Sedgwick says that, â€Å"†¦we are still not really supposed to want it as much as guy does. † But I think women should be able to make their own choices. I would want to socialize my children in a manner that they will see both genders as equal and worth as much respect despite the differences. I will also want to allow them freedom to choose what they want to be in life. I will not deny them opportunities on the basis of their gender. I will also encourage them to follow their passion provided they are within the range of acceptable careers and I will endeavor to support them. A number of questions puzzle me. They include; In agitating for equality, do women become more women or less? Is a woman more woman because she enjoys same rights as a man? Is it possible to invent a universally acceptable modality of determining gender roles so as to eschew the controversy? What provisions do our societies make for those individuals who do not qualify as average male/female? These questions leave me lost in the labyrinths. The first and second questions demand that women be careful when agitating for equality lest they lose their identity. Anyway what is so serious about losing one’s identity? If forgoing one’s identity will make one have a happier life then isn’t it better to forgo it. What should be pursued, identity or happiness? Addressing the third question will save us unnecessary debates while the fourth question rises out of my worry that there are some persons that are left out in the classification of genders and this could be unfair- a more inclusive definition needs to be adopted for a fair discussion. In doing away with the dual classification such terms as feminism and others that are so ‘poisoned’ will be avoided and may be a less controversial nomenclature adopted. Andrea Wong is a brave woman. From her early age she tried her leg in leadership, a field that was erroneously perceived as a reserve for men. Also unlike most women, Andrea Wong knows how, after falling, to get up, dust herself off and keep going. Unlike Wong, most women get resigned after their first failure. If women were like her, they would also be leaders like she is today and would be doing great exploits. Rachel Roy is another woman who impresses me. She goes for what she wants and she wants nothing but the best, â€Å" If I couldn’t work at Contempo, I didn’t want to work anywhere. † This shows a resolve that most women lack. She knows what she wants that is to be a designer, â€Å"her passion started in childhood and she has never wavered†. She is final in her decision. These two women not only set good example for me but also are good role models for women. From the pieces, it is clearly depicted that success for women is dependent on their attitude and not their gender. If women changed their attitude then they would favorably compete against men and it would be easier for them and tougher for men. Works cited Newsweek, October 15, 2007.

Should Homosexuals Be Allowed To Adopt Children?

Should Homosexuals Be Allowed To Adopt Children? Homosexuality is a romantic or sexual fascination or natural behaviour between individuals having same sex. The word homosexual is a Greek and Latin mixture. As a sexual direction, homosexuality demotes to a continuing outline of or nature to feel sexual, care, or romantic attractions mainly to people of the same sex, it also states to an individuals sense of personal and public individuality, originate on those attractions, performances conveying them, and devotion in a society of other people who share them. Homosexuality is solely consisted of the three main groups of sexual orientation, all along with bisexuality and heterosexuality, surrounded by the heterosexual-homosexual band. Presently, the most universal adjectives is use are lesbian for women and gay for men, however, gay can demote to either men or women. Many individual who recognize as gay or lesbian, and the ratio of people who have same sexual looks are hard and tricky for researcher to calculate consistently for a nu mber of reasons. Gay, normally refers to affection and love between males. In the framework of sexuality, lesbian states only to female homosexuality. Homosexuality is also extensively come across in the animal kingdom. Homosexual relationships and actions have been approved in addition to condemned all through the proved history, depending on the type they took and the civilization in which they taken place. Homosexuals have made a decision to survive their lives with a person of the same sex. In the case, if it is man and man or woman and woman, they are cheerful with whom they are spending their life. Even though, many persons do not describe homosexuals as normal couples, they are capable to take care for a child only as any other couple is capable to. These citizens are also employed, working for the organization, love, fight, forgive and forget (Mucciaroni). To discuss more about the topic, I have organized my paper into several sections. In the first section, I discuss about the basic concept, should homosexual parents allow to adopting children. In the second section, I talk about the background and circumstances of homosexual adoption. In the third section, I converse about the disagreement to the homosexual adoption, will both parents are essential in the success of the family, misleading notion of challengers of homosexual adoption and there is no scientific proof and support which states that homosexual would be bad parent. Finally, in the last and fourth section, I talk about the rogerian discussion of solution. For number of years, the entitlement of homosexual parents to adopt children has been an extremely disputed concern. Homosexual parents and the requirement to adopt children comes with great anxieties for the terror of probable emotional and/or psychological dysfunctions that child may tolerate. At the same time, the population of homosexual is attempting to get more identification in the concept of marriage, they are also making an effort more their privileges as parents. Parents, both homosexual and heterosexual have relates to the happiness and comfort of their children. Homosexual couples should have a right for adoption since, they can make dependable and responsible and affectionate parents as well as heterosexuals. A major issue for homosexual parents is whether the attendance of having two same sex parents will modify or discord the adopted childrens public life and sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is not a foundation on whether an individual will be fit to a parent. Ma ny children have unsuitable parents of heterosexual orientation and those individuals are not considered by their sexual preference. Sexual orientation states to a continuing outline of or disposition to feel sexual, sentimental or romantic appeal mainly to men, to women, or to both sexes. It also states to a significance sense of personal and social identity on the basis of those attractions, behaviours, expressing their feelings to others, sponsorship in a society of others who share them. Even though sexual orientation varies all along a continuum from completely heterosexual to absolutely homosexual, it is normally explained in the labels of three categories such as heterosexual, means having sexual and romantic relationship mainly to members of the other sex, homosexual, relates to having sexual and romantic relationship with mainly to individuals of the other sex, and third category is bisexual, which means having a important and major quantity of sexual and romantic attraction to both men and women. Sexual orientation is separate from other constituents of sex and sexuality, comprising biological sex, is th e anatomical, physiological and hereditary features connected with being male or female, gender identity, is the psychological feeling of being male or female, and social gender role, and is the observance to social standards signifying feminine and masculine behaviour. Sexual orientation is usually conferred as a quality of the individual, like biological sex, gender identity, or age of an individual. This viewpoint is partial because sexual orientation is at all times explained in relational terms and essentially includes relationship with other individuals. Sexual performs and romantic attractions are classified as homosexual or heterosexual as per the biological sex of the individual comprised in them, relation to each other. Certainly, it is by acting, or requesting to perform, with another person that individuals state their heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality. This contains simple actions as holding hands with or kissing another individual. Therefore, sexual orientation is integrally connected to the close and personal relationships that human beings shape with others to meet their intensely believed essential for love, attachment and intimacy. Additionally to sexual behaviour, these relationships include nonsexual physical liking b etween partners, united objectives and values, joint support, and uncompleted commitment and dedication. As a result, sexual orientation is not just a personal feature that can be expressed in separation and loneliness. To a certain extent, an individuals sexual orientation describes the world of individuals with whom one is possibly to discover the satisfying and rewarding relationships that, for many persons, include an important section of personal identity (American Psychological Association, Sexual orientation, homosexuality, and bisexuality). American Psychological Association supports mental health professionals to ignore pretending the effectiveness of sexual orientation change efforts by sponsoring or promising modification in sexual orientation when offering assistance to individuals concerned by their own or others sexual orientation and decides that the profits stated by participants in sexual orientation change efforts can be added all through methodologies that do not make an effort to changes sexual orientation. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has described, some people think that sexual orientation is natural and fixed, though, and sexual orientation expands across an individuals lifetime. The American Psychiatric Association also explains that, most people feel little or no sense of selection about their sexual orientation. In a combined statement with other main American medical organizations, the APA talks about that different people understand at different positions in their lives that they are he terosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual. A description from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health declares that, for some people, sexual orientation is permanent and fixed all through their lives. For other individuals, sexual orientation may be solution and change over the period of time. One experiment, has explained that substantial variability in bisexual unlabeled, and lesbian womens appeal and attractions, behaviours and identities. In a recent study conducted in 2004, the female themes, both gay and straight women, became sexually produced when they pictured heterosexual and also lesbian erotic films. Along with the male subjects, though, the straight men were turned out on just erotic films with women, the gay are the ones by those with men. The experiments senior associate explained that womens sexual wishes is less strictly directed in the direction of a particular sex, as compared with mens, and it is more inconstant and unreliable from time to time (American Psycholog ical Association, Resolution on appropriate affirmative responses to sexual orientation distress and change efforts). Although, based on the American Psychological Association (APA) homosexuals were categorized as mentally deficient as recently as 1973, same-sex couples adoption emerged in the society in the response to the lack of demand for adoptable children starting in 1987. Richard Bradley, Making a Mountain out of a Molehill A Law and Economics Defense of Same Sex Foster Care Adoptions. (Jan. 2007). Homosexual couples may only obtain legal rights to a child through the process of second-parent adoption. This is a judicially created process in which the non marital partner of a childs legal parent may adopt the child, without requiring the biological parents to relinquish parental rights and responsibilities. (Bradley) However, many jurisdictions in United States do not allow homosexual couples to adopt and to circumvent this obstacle many homosexual couples resort to alternative methods for adoption, such as international adoption, the use of artificial insemination procedures, and single parent adoption prior to entering into a homosexual relationship. (Bradley) The census data from 2000 from 594000 same-sex households shows that 27 percent of the households were raising children. (Bradley) Despite the fact that many argue that children getting raised by same sex couples will be affected emotionally or psychologically, the alternative would be to leave these children in foster cares which will not afford them any permanency or stability. Children will benefit from the permanence provided by an adoptive home, as opposed to the unstable life often provided by the foster care system. Sociological studies show that there is no evidence that child of lesbian or gay parents are confused about their gender identity or that they more likely to be homosexual. (Bradley) In fact, the studies show that children, especially daughters, of lesbian parents are more accepting, have accepting attitudes toward various sexual identities, and are more willing to question their own sexuality. In 2004 the APA, an authority on human behavior, gave the following rep ort that there is no scientific basis for concluding that lesbian mothers or gay fathers are unfit parents simply because of their sexual orientations and that homosexual parents are just as likely as heterosexual parents to provide healthy and supportive environments for their children. (Bradley) Homosexual parents or heterosexual parents will have the same concerns in raising their children. Parents, regardless of their sexual orientation want to make the right decisions for their childs heath and well being. Parents are also concerned about the financial and life changes that will be imposed upon them through parenthood. In addition, to the normal parental concerns homosexuals have many other variables that they have to deal with such as, if they will adopt, have sperm donated or even get a surrogate mother to carry the child. They also have to deal with discrimination through this process since there are many social stereotypes that they will face on their journey to adopt a child. Historically, gay men and lesbians have been prevented from becoming foster parents or adopting children and have been denied custody and rights of visitation of their children in the event of divorce on the grounds that they would not be effective parents. Furthermore, they are denied legal rig hts because of fear that affects of stigmatization, poor peer relationships, subsequent behavioural and emotional problems, and abnormal psychosexual development, will damage their children. These ideologies have not been confirmed scientifically, such assumptions are too broad and vague because children of heterosexual parents still experience such problems as well. There has been a spectacular increase in the percentage of homosexual couples seems interesting to adopt children. Although, there is the increase in percentage, there have been many obstructions and difficulties from them to adopt. Such complications are like adoption agencies and some specific rules and regulations restricting them from adopting, for instance, only a number of states permit homosexuals to adopt children. As a consequence of these difficulties, they have been looking for other methods to have children. From domestic adoption agencies to independent adoptions to international adoptions to now only public adoptions, homosexuals have a range of methods of adopting, but they are behaved very in a different manner from heterosexuals. Adoption agencies should permit homosexual couples to adopt children who want love, food and protection. For many years, this argument has been taken to courts and to adoption agencies. The query is, are they so capable to be fit as parents to raise a child? In recent times, there has been an unbelievable improvement in the number of homosexual couples seeking to adopt a child. The best interest of the child is at risk when it approaches to adoption. Adoption agencies have to make sure that proper care of child will be taken, all should be supported to child, and have good responsibility in their lives also. In the case, if homosexual couples have all the superiorities to meet the necessities, they should be permitted to adopt a child. Homosexual couples must be agreed to adopt a child so as to raise a child in a secure and affectionate atmosphere. Although, they are all human beings and understand and take breathes in the same manner as a normal person, homosexuals are poorly behaved because they select to live a life in different style. There are numerous gay and lesbian people who want to become parents. Some of them bring children from their previous relationships or a number of couples permeate through artificial insemination. Other couples are looking for adoption to their favoured procedure of bringing a child into their family. Gay couples must give evidence that they have sufficient finances, good health, and emotional steadiness, proper motivation and parenting skills. These are outstanding qualifications that should be taken care of when a couple wants to adopt a child. The dilemma is, various couples are getting away with not successfully meeting with all of the given qualifications because they are heterosexual. There is a portion of preconceived propaganda about gay parenting. Such labels about gay parenting that they raise gay kids, children of gay parents have further troubles and that gay men are more possibly to sexually misuse children are inappropriate and not a true fact. In some latest studies pe rformed on the sexuality of gay parents and their children, there has been no proof to recommend that the sexual orientation of adoptive parents have an effect on the sexuality of their children. There are several citizens who are in opposition to gay couples being permitted to raise children. Homosexuals are normal people who live in our culture. The basic dissimilarity is they have decided to be attracted to people of their same gender. Homosexuals would be capable to give the love and esteem any parent gives to their child. They worry about others also, if not they are un-human and have no emotions and sentiments (Cantor, and Cantor). The gender uniqueness of preadolescent children raised by lesbian mothers has been discovered dependably to be in with their biologic sex. Having a child in a home with homosexual parents is not sufficient grounds for the child to become homosexual. There are no differences have been found in the plaything, game, or any activity, clothes, footwears, or friendship liking of boys or girls who had lesbian mother come with persons who had heterosexual mother. It is the communications and connections within the families that make the children build up their living habits instead of the sexual orientation of the parents. A rising body of scientific literature explains that children who grow up with one or two gay and/or lesbian parents and also in sentimental, cognitive, social and sexual performance as do children whose parents are heterosexual. As state laws differ on adoption rights, not all gay and lesbian individual has the same capability to adopt. The United States has a lot of children waiting to be adopted. Older children and those with some exceptional needs and requirements are specifically hard to place. Children who fit this category are in foster homes at present with gay parents who wish to adopt them. It appears to be very unwarranted and deceitful to the children to reject them for permanent and stable safety homes. Most children in the United States do not reside with two married parents. As per the 2000 census, just 24% homes were arranged of a married mother and father with their kids living at home. There are only total four states, such as, Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California allows same sex couple adoption. Some states authorizes single parent to adopt, other people opposes it. The reason for that, the gays are not permitted to get married, it can be difficult for gay people to adopt a chi ld in those mentioned states. Since, Vermont has civil unions; both parents have equivalent rights in adoption cases. The Florida court disagrees that children are better off taking care in a two-parent heterosexual household. Actually, systematic and methodical learning reveals that children who grow up in gay households are simply emotionally and socially as children whose parents are heterosexual. Researchers have proved that children are more inspired by their communications with their parents, as compared to sexual orientation. With this point keeping in mind, the American Association of Paediatrics encourages gay and lesbian couples adopting children. At last, there is no lawful reason that why gays should be rejected the right to adopt children. The rules only hurt children waiting to be adopted and withdraw loving parents who would be taking care for these children (Mucciaroni). Other communal doubts that work as obstacles to entry for homosexual parents include the fear that homosexuals have a higher propensity to pedophilia and the fear that homosexuals are simply hedonistic and cannot engage in a durable and stable relationship. There is no empirical data to show that homosexuals have higher tendencies to engage in pedophilia or child molestation. Result of a study conducted by Dr. A. Nicholas Groth shows, that there are practically no reports of sexual molestation of girls by lesbian parents and that the adult male who sexually molests young boys is not likely to be a homosexual. People are misled that the homosexual society is predisposed to sexual abuse but it is in fact heterosexuals that have higher rates of sexual misconduct with children. Furthermore, the statement that homosexuals cannot engage in a durable and stable relationship is unfair. Homosexuals have not been privileged as heterosexuals to engage in a legal marriage. And it is apparent in todays society that homosexuals still lack the recognition of a formal marriage with an exception of a few states. Many would choose to solidify their relationship through marriage and ensure stability, but are forced to cohabitate with their partner, their relationships are inherently unstable. Following are the circumstances for Gay and Lesbian Adoptions: The United States has many kids remaining to be adopted. Older children and those with particular requirements are specifically hard to place. Children who suit this group are in foster homes at present with gay and lesbian parents who want to adopt them. It is unsafe and dishonest to the children to reject them permanent protected homes. Most of the children in the United States do not reside with two married parents. In the real fact, as per the 2000 census survey, only 24% homes were created of a married mother and father with children residing at home. The Florida court disagrees that children are better developing off raised in a two-parent heterosexual family. Actually, methodical experiments which have demonstrated that children who grow up in one or two-parent gay or lesbian families only as sensitively and communally as children whose parents are heterosexual. Learnings have explained that children are more inspired by their interactions with their parents, other than by their sexual orientation. Keeping this is mind, the American Association of Pediatrics maintains gay and lesbian couples of adopting children. There is no lawful purpose why gays and lesbians should be refused the right to adopt children. The rule only harms children coming up to be adopted and removes loving parents who would be concerned for these children. If a couple has a child all through the artificial insemination, just the birth parent is acknowledged as the legal protector. All through the second-parent adoption, both parents can get hold of legal protection of the child. In the condition, that do not permit second-parent adoption, if somewhat takes place to the custodial parent, the remaining parent, still if they gave been raising the child for years, can be observed as a unfamiliar person in the sense of the law. The child may not be qualified for the non-custodial parents health insurance, social security or other insurance but that parent turns out to be debilitated. There is no other method which can be in the top attention of the child. Following are the reasons against Gay and Lesbian Adoptions: Florida disagrees that it has the right prohibition to gay adoptions since it is the states method of saying it criticizes of gay and lesbians becoming parents. The Florida court states that children are develop in homes with a mother and a father, who are married. A number of challengers fight that children of gay and lesbian parents will be the area under discussion to harassment and annoyance (Belge). Finally, this is the last and fourth section discussing about the rogerian discussion of solution. Gay couples are becoming a more common element of American society. Gays have lobbied, and in some cases at least, been awarded many of the rights that are granted to heterosexual couples (David 966). There are still many issues, however, that need to be worked out as to how gay couples fit in society and as to what rights they should be awarded (David 966). Many of these issues surround the question of whether gay couples could be fit parents (Campaigns and Elections 17). Interestingly, several states have actually banned adoptions by homosexuals (Campaigns and Elections 17). The purpose of this paper is to explore the question of whether gays should be allowed to adopt in the format of a Rogerian argument, an argument which is complete in a review of both sides of the issues and an argument which certainly results in a somewhat modified view of the positives verses the negatives of ho mosexual adoption. To do so, however, the thesis will be presented up front that: Although no scientific evidence exists that demonstrates gays would be bad parents, there are simply too many variables to be able to safely conclude they would not. To complete the Rogerian argument on homosexual adoption, we must clearly explain our elements of argument and disclaimer while at the same time avoid logical fallacies. Many feel that homosexual couples simply cannot form a nutritious family unit. There is, however, no data supporting or refuting this argument. Others argue that gays are just as capable of providing for the needs of a child as are heterosexuals. Here too, however, there is no facts demonstrating this or refuting it. Very simply, because the concept of homosexuals adopting children is a relatively new idea, no scientific studies exist that either support gay adoption or condemn it. While there is little to no facts available demonstrating that gays would be either good or bad parents, there is considerable facts showing the negative impacts of non-traditional parenting units. Consider, for example, the impacts that have been made in the name of feminism. This impact sometimes differs completely from our perceptions of the glitter and glory of modern feminism. Some of the women who have reached the peak of our quest for liberation from traditional responsibilities, responsibilities such as commitment, childrearing, and marriage, are often not really that happy or that successful. These women are more often characterized by high stress levels and emotional insecurity about whether they have really made the right life choices. The quality of parenting cannot help but be affected by this unhappiness. The point here is not that feminism is wrong but rather that immersing our children in a philosophical framework which so radically differed from the traditional frame work of earlier generations had impacts which no one had anticipated. The same could very well be true of immersing children in homosexual families. Single parent families are another example that can be used for guidance in understanding how non-traditional families can be less than optimum. These families face many unique problems related to the familial structure itself. Although the single parent structure itself does not make the single parent family inferior to traditional families, some problems ultimately result. Many more problems could be expected to result when that single parent lived a homosexual lifestyle. This is not to say that a homosexual couples in the role of the traditional mother/father unit would result in fewer problems for the child being raised in that environment, however. Problems would undoubtedly arise there as well. Among the more obvious are how would the child be accepted by its peers from heterosexual parents and how would the child form its view of gender roles? Conclusion In conclusion, the above research shows societies baseless fears against homosexual adoption. Most of these misconceptions are based on social stigmatization and stereotypes. Allowing homosexual couples to adopt will provide homes for orphans thus reducing the long-term use of foster care for children. Children flourish mentally and physically when they are afforded a stable and structured home. There is always a fear in the unknown but we cannot allow ourselves to keep the right of parenthood solely based on sexual orientation. I want you to know that I think my family is great, so why dont you people just stop all this hate? I know that love comes right from the heart. My parents taught me love from the start. -Hannah Jurs-Allen, fifth-grader, daughter of lesbian parents (Quotes from Gay Parents and Their Children). There is no exact and specific answer for the question of whether gays should be allowed to adopt a child. Certainly, there are more questions coming up than answers. Could the answer be one thing if the child being raised was intended as a subject matter of genetic makeup for homosexuality and an additional if that child were truthfully a heterosexual? The most relevant question, however is should we test with our children to find out? Logically says, no. The lack of research demonstrating that this would be in fact not unfavourably impact the child, says no.