The Debate Over Social Security Today Research Paper

The Debate Over Social Security Today - Research Paper Example The program created to aid those who are unemployed in US is still functional and the program that was created to assist the families that have dependant children has been transformed into a program created to aid the needy ones. The era of the Great Depression led to the creation of Social Security Act but the same idea existed even before this time period. For example: during the 1880s a program to aid the old aged people, pregnant women and ill people was functional in Germany. These programs are said to be developed due to the urbanization of Germany. Similarly, the program of social insurance is said to have developed due to the urbanization in US. During the period of 1880s the number of people working in industries and number of people working in farms and agricultural arena were equal. By the 1930s, the number of people working in farms decreased to 21% of the total workforce and people started gaining wage based employment in the industrial sector. Further states that the wa ges earned by people working in industrialized areas were variable in nature even before the Great Depression. Before the Great Depression, the unemployment rate between the eras of 1905 to 109 fluctuated from as low as 3.9% to 16.4% and the unemployment rate during the era of 1920 to 1924 fluctuated from 4.1% to 19.5% (Kennedy, 1999). When ever economic downtrend took place in US, the category of people who took most of the burden were the old aged people, other side effects of downtrend included loss of income due to impairments and death. These effects gained the attention of the policy makers and during the Great Depression these issues gained more strength as during this era the unemployment rate in non agricultural sectors elevated to 34%. Increase in the degree of these issues made the policy makers create the Social security program (Green, 2003). The early developed program of Social Security was not designed in a way to provide fast relief from the effects of the Great dep ression. The early program was somewhat like the Townsend plan according to which individuals aging 60 and above were provided with an old age pension of $200. This amount was only provided to those individuals who were not employed or could not work and they had to spend the entire amount in one particular months time period. This program never became a part of the US constitution but gained tremendous popularity because it focused on wiping of poverty and to obtain economic success. Body Several features of the Social Security Act of 1935 are still available in the current Social security system, over the years the system has experienced various changes. The changes made to the act during the era of 1939 have now become a part of debate. The Act in its true shape was created with the purpose of providing retirement funds to those who were no longer employed and were aging over 65 years. The formulation of the benefits that were to be offered to old aged people under this act was b ased on the income earned by these old aged people since 1937 and the benefits were offered to people coming from limited kinds of jobs. The first formulation of benefits offered very low benefits to the old aged people as compared to the wages earned by an average worker during that time period (Livingston, 2008). These benefits were never applied to the Social Security Act; the only features applied from this Social Security A

Edinburgh Rock Whisky Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Edinburgh Rock Whisky Business - Essay Example When Alan Graham was in South Africa, he happened to meet a friend of his who had managed to create a fortune for himself in the whisky industry. Graham’s friend had managed to do this by introducing a whisky by the name Mountain Range Whisky. The whisky was in a bottle that was shaped as the Table Mountain, the mountain that shadows Cape Town. Graham’s friend had steadily managed to derive profit from the sale of his whisky. Therefore, from this idea Graham thought of finding a bottling company that would he would purchase bottles that were shaped like the Edinburgh Rock and hence call it Edinburgh Rock Whisky.Market research is doing anything that gives one a better understanding of the market that one is venturing into. Market research is normally done before the production of a commodity and has often been proven a valuable thing to do. It is because a customer research guides one’s business decisions since gives one understanding of his/her competitors, mark eting, consumers and products. Since it helps one make better decision, it will certainly come in very handing in creating a successful and exceptional marketing strategy.Marketing helps one reduce the chances of getting the prices, products and promotions wrong. A suitable example is that of Alan Graham. If he had carried out a good market research, he would have known that there were chances that some institutions in Scotland would reject his product. In addition, he would have known that there was need to make a few adjustments to the ignition business plan.

Do conflicts management styles Affect group decision making Annotated Bibliography

Do conflicts management styles Affect group decision making - Annotated Bibliography Example Conflict management style has been studied in this article while looking at three approaches; integrative, avoidance, distributive; focusing on conflict management rather than resolution because there is no ideal solution to a conflict, but the ability of the conflicting parties to work through their issues. (Tim Kuhn, 2000) Group conflict management is an all inclusive process as it does not stifle the group members’ diverse perspectives, allowing for a range of alternatives that are possible outcomes of the process. These possible outcomes are looked into while assessing the quality of decisions with an emphasis on the performance and subjective outcomes of the decision making process. A decision’s functional theory is guided by group interaction leading to critical thinking thereby directly shaping the final choice of the group. (Tim Kuhn, 2000) The article while analyzing the integrative, avoidance and distributive approaches, favors the integrative approach hypothesizing that the group using the integrative approach will have the highest level of effectiveness in their decision making process as opposed to the other two because it encapsulates several perspectives therefore fostering positive, subjective and objective outcomes. (Tim Kuhn, 2000) The article examines task complexity vis a vis decision making capabilities while using a study method that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative procedures. The study design employs direct observation of established groups over a period of time. The study uses data from videotaped meetings of the group because of the sheer size and extent of the study. Out of the 47 episodes of data collected, 45 were on video tape and 2 on audio tape. The subjects seem self conscious at first owing to the presence of the video cameras but warm up to the idea of having them around and consequently relaxed. (Tim Kuhn, 2000) Group conflict management style was identified by observing how

There is a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family Essay Example for Free

There is a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family Essay Functionalism theories argue that society shapes its men and women into different spheres, these differences can be seen as functional to the maintenance of social stability and harmony. Functionalist argue that the traditional view of family in Britain was that of the Nuclear family, this was one in which married women were seen as housewives, they performed the domestic tasks and cared for their children. Their husbands were seen as naturally assertive the dominant male, the bread-winner and perform economically supportive tasks. Edmund Lech (1967) termed this view of the family as The Cereal Pack Norm, and criticised â€Å"the lawdry secrets† of the nuclear family. This view of gender roles and the family is a debate shared by many theorists. Young and Willmott (1973) accepted the view of the nuclear family and announced the arrival of the symmetrical family. They suggested that there was a movement towards symmetry, meaning joint conjugal roles, a sense of balance between the duties of gender tasks within the family. Conjugal roles can be jointly carried out, segregated or integrated. Ann Oakley (1974) and other feminists disagreed that conjugal roles were joint but were socially constructed, after the industrial revolution new laws were brought out restricting women and children’s working hours. Women were forced to become housewives and mothers, men were seen as the macho male. Some feminist theories suggest that society is patriarchal, a system of male power and control. Feminists argue women are pushed to the margins of an industrial economy by male dominated institutions, suggesting males are therefore insured power and authority with in gender roles and the family. The Media made many references to the New Man; this was a term applied to those men who have allegedly moved away from the stereotype image of the macho male, they allowed their natures to be more expressive, and would also share domestic and child-care tasks. Is this New Man a reality or a myth? Gender roles within the family our gradually changing but to what extent are male and female roles egalitarian? Young and Willmott (1973) published research findings, which suggested that the symmetrical family was now the typical family form in Britain. 72% of men were helping in the house and spending the equivalent amount of time on home-related tasks. It was found that gender roles did exist with more equality than in the past. Decisions about family life were shared moving towards more integrated conjugal roles. Ann Oakley (1974) criticised this as she found that full time housewives spent 77 hours a week on housework, she dismissed the caring sharing role of the new man. Ann Oakley disputed Young and Willmott’s methods claiming they were biased, as the only question they asked was, do you help at least once a week with any household tasks like washing dishes, making beds, ironing or cleaning. The answer given could overstate the amount of domestic labour that was actually being carried out. A man ironing a shirt once a week was hardly a big contribution to the sharing of gender roles. Oakley’s research showed a clear division in labour as regards to housework, she interviewed forty women with children under the age of five from different social class backgrounds, her research showed a clear division in labour with women spending more time n housework 77 hours and 30 % of men contributed to childcare tasks. Males were helping more with the children, gender identities were starting to evolve. There is evidence that there is a gradual move towards integrated roles and equality Devine (1992) carried out a small study of car workers it showed that men’s contribution to domestic labour increased when their wives re-entered paid employment. It is suggested this only came secondary above all women still remained responsible for childcare and housework. In the same year Gershuny’s research revealed a gradual increase of domestic labour tasks done by men when the wife was is in full time employment ,thus a gradual move to equality. The changing roles perspectives assume a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family. In recent years there has been a wider acceptance of these interchangeable gender roles. Seven out of ten women with children under the age of five are now in employment. The Equal Opportunities Commission show a Surprising 36% of couple’s say that the man is the main carer. Paid employment would seem to empower women within the family. However in more recent years The N. I. Social Attitudes survey (1994) and The N. I. Life and Times Survey (1998) show that even when women were in paid employment, the self reported hours on household and the provision of childcare tasks were greatly divided, with women carrying out 17. 15.hours of housework compared with men’s contribution to only 5. 92 hours. DETI (2003) also show inequalities with 69% of women without children working outside the home, these figures drop to 50% when women have three or more children, suggesting that women still primarily see childcare as their responsibility. O’Brien and Shernit (2002) in their study for Equal Opportunities Commission in Britain suggest that fathers are less likely to avail of family friendly working policies that are in place. The Family Policy Studies centre showed reports of new manism were greatly exaggerated with 90% of women still working part time. This also shows an imbalance, suggesting that women carry the dual burden of work. Research points towards women still suffering gender inequalities within the family. There is evidence that even while working women still have the burden of emotional and domestic work. In (1993) Duncombe and Marsden research revealed gender inequalities in power and domestic responsibilities. They add to their finding that women believe they make the primary ‘emotional investment’ in the family and marriage. Many of their female respondents complained that their husbands were indifferent to their role in holding the relationship together. In other words women are frequently responsible for the ‘triple shift’ meaning outside work, housework and all emotional work. Thus women suffered what they termed as emotional loneliness it was suggested men would rather bring in a wage as supposed to give emotional fulfilment. They were hesitant to discuss or show their feelings of love for their partner. Men did not recognise that emotion work was needed to keep a relationship together. Women’s larger involvement in emotion work can be a major dimension of gender inequalities in couple relationships. Edgell’s study in (1980) showed an imbalance when it came to power more important decisions were more likely to be taken by men. It was suggested that when it came down to important decisions like buying a house, car or other financial decisions the men had the power and authority they were the hierarchy the dominant male. Women may have had decisions on trivial things such as what colour she was going to paint the house or how much she was going to spend on the children’s clothing or the shopping. When it came to major decisions women views were secondary, gendered roles were segregated, men had the dominant role and the decisions of power. Domestic violence is another key element to conjugal roles; many radical feminists say that patriarchy still exists within married and cohabiting couples. The family statistics show that domestic violence accounts for a quarter of a percent of all assaults in the UK. Also one quarter of all women in the world experience this. Debash and Debash argued that wife beating was an extension of the husbands control over his wife. These percentages suggest that men used violence to gain authority over their partners. This may be misrepresented as not all assaults are reported and men also can be victims of domestic violence. In the 1970’s the feminist movement brought equality issues forward. The Sex Discrimination Act (1975) and the Equal Pay Act (1970) were introduced these acts were a product and a cause of more women working. These acts led to some women to reject the traditional housewife role and encouraged them to have fewer children and put a career first. Women’s roles started to have more of an equal status to that of her male partner. Feminists like Ann Oakley criticised Young and Willmott’s view of the symmetrical family and joint conjugal roles she thought they were biased and used incorrect methodology. Although Oakley’s own research found a gradual sharing in childcare tasks, women were still predominately responsible for housework. Feminists argue men seem to have less emotion work, more power and authority thus they benefit more from family life. Duncombe and Marsden and Edgell’s research back this theory up. Functionalists like Young and Wilmott (1973) and the Media suggest that gender roles are becoming more integrated. Devine and Gershuny’s research in (1992) suggest there is some evidence to a small move towards egalitarian relationships, with men contributing more when their wives were employed. Evidence from the Equal Opportunities Commission show a staggering 36% of males are now the main carer, this sharing of child-care presents us with evidence to a degree the new man exists. Gender roles are changing with more women joining the labour force and male attitudes towards are sharing of domestic labour are gradually becoming egalitarian. Sociologists and theorists in the 21st century argue that perceptions of gender roles within family and diversity have changed cross culturally and within societies, they suggest new families and gender roles are starting to emerge.

HMMs Pattern Recognition

HMMs Pattern Recognition Assignment 3 of Pattern recognition is on HMMs. It should contain a detailed report on HMMs. The topics covered should include: 1. An introduction to HMM and its uses. 1. Problems of HMM, their explanation and relation to prior, posterior, and evidence. 2. Solution to the problems of HMM and their algorithms. Pattern Recognition Assignment # 3 Name: Muhammad Sohaib Jamal An Introduction to HMM and its Uses A Hidden Markov Model HMM is a stochastic model which has a series of observable variable X which is generated by hidden state Y. In an indirect way HMM consist of hidden states which has output that is comprised of a set of observations. Simple Markov Model models the states are directly observables means the states are directly output while in HMM the states are hidden and different form the observables or output. HMM is very reliable model for probabilistic estimation. HMM have applications in pattern recognitions such as speech recognition, gesture and hand writing recognition, computational Bioinformatics, etc. Suppose we are considering three trails of a coin toss experiment and the person who is observing only know the results of the experiment when another person announces the result who is hidden in a closed room from the person noting the results. The result of this coin experiment can be any set of heads and tails e.g. THT, HHH, THH, TTT, THT etc. The person observing the results can get any sequence of heads and tails, and it is not possible to predict any specific sequence that will occur. The Observation Set is completely unpredictable and random. Lets assume that the third trail of coin toss experiment will produce more Head than the Tails. The resulting sequence will obviously have more number of heads then tails for this particular case. This is called Emission probability denoted by Bj(O). Now we suppose that the chance of flipping the third trail after the first and second trail is approximately zero. Then, the transition from 1st and 2nd trail to 3rd trail will be actually very small and as an outcome yields very little number heads if the person starts flipping the coin from 2nd trail to 3rd trail. This is called Transition probability denoted by aij. Assume that each trail has some probability associated with the previous trail, then the person will start the process of flipping from that particular coin. This is known to be the Initial probability denoted by à Ã¢â€š ¬i. The sequence of number of heads or tails is known to be the observables and the number of trail is said to be the state of the HMM. HMM is composed of: N number of hidden states S1, S2 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦., SN M number of observations O1, O2, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, OM The à Ã¢â€š ¬i (Initial state probability) Output Probability or Emission Probability B: P (OM | SN), where OM is observation and SN is the state. Transition probability matrix A = [ aij ]. Transition probabilities aij. Mathematically the model is represented as HMM ÃŽÂ » = {ÃŽÂ  , A, B} Problems of HMM and their explanations HMM has three basic types of problems: The Evaluation problem: Suppose we have an HMM, complete with transition probabilities aij and output probabilities bjk. We need to determine the probability that a particular sequence of observables states OT was generated by that model. The Decoding problem: The transition probabilities, output probabilities and set of observations OT is given and we want to determine the most likely sequence of hidden states ST that led to those observations. The Learning problem: In such problem the number of states and observation are given but we need to find the probabilities aij and bjk. With the given set of training observations, we will determine the probabilities aij and bjk. Relation of HMM to Prior, Posterior and evidence The à Ã¢â€š ¬i (Initial state probability) is analogous to the Prior probability. Because the initial probability is given before the set of experiments take place. This property of initial probability is identical to that of prior probability. Similarly, the output probability or emission probability B: P (OM | SN) is analogous to the posterior probability. The posterior probability is used in forward backward algorithm. In the same manner, evidence is the probability the next state is C given that the current state is state Sj. So the evidence is analogous to the transition probability A. Solution to the problems of HMM and their algorithms From the above mentioned discussion, we know that there are three different of problems in HMM. In this section we will briefly know how these problems are solved Evaluation problem, this type of problem is solved the using Forward-Backward algorithm. Decoding problem, for such type of HMM problem we use the Viterbi algorithm or posterior decoding Training problem, in case of this type of problem we have the Baun-Welch re-estimation algorithm to solve it. Forward-Backward algorithm The forward and backward steps are combined by the Forward-Backward algorithm to estimate the probability of each state for a specific time t, and repeating these steps for each t can result in the sequence having the most likely probability. This algorithm doesnt guarantee that the sequence is valid sequence because it considers every individual step. The forward algorithm has the following three steps: Initialization step Iterations Summation of overall states . Similarly, for backward algorithm we have the same steps like the forward algorithm: Initialization step Iterations Summation of overall states Viterbi algorithm Viterbi algorithm is used to find the most likely hidden states, resulting in a sequence of observed events. The relationship between observations and states can be inferred from the given image. In first step Viterbi algorithm initialize the variable In second step the process is iterated for every step In third step the iteration ends In Fourth step we track the best path Baun-Welch re-estimation algorithm Baun-Welch re-estimation algorithm is used to compute the unknown parameters in hidden Markov model HMM. Baun-Welch re-estimation algorithm can be best described using the following example. Assume we collect eggs from chicken every day. The chicken had lay eggs or not depends upon unknown factors. For simplicity assume that there are only 2 states (S1 and S2) that determine that the chicken had lay eggs. Initially we dont know about the state, transition and probability that the chicken will lay egg given specific state. To find initial probabilities, suppose all the sequences starting with S1 and find the maximum probability and then repeat the same procedure for S2. Repeat these steps until the resulting probabilities converge. Mathematically it can be References Andrew Ng (2013), an online course for Machine learning, Stanford University, Stanford, https://class.coursera.org/ml-004/class. Duda and Hart, Pattern Classification (2001-2002), Wiley, New York. http://en.wikipedia.org http://hcicv.blogspot.com/2012/07/hidden-markov-model-for-dummies.html http://www.mathworks.com/help/stats/hidden-markov-models-hmm.html http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/roger/HiddenMarkovModels/html_dev/viterbi_algorithm/s3_pg3.html

Romeo And Juliet 4 :: essays research papers

The Nurse and Friar Laurence are kind but powerless characters who inadvertently contribute to the tragic ends of Romeo and Juliet. The Nurse is ignorant and unthinking as she enjoys and sets up the secret marriage, but she does not think about the consequences or take responsibility for them. The Nurse helps Juliet to marry Romeo when the Nurse knows it is forbidden. The Friar is wise and insightful when he marries Romeo and Juliet, but he simply does not have the power or the foresight to stop the tragic events that come after the marriage. Friar Laurence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet, even though it is risky. These two characters share good intentions and love for Romeo and Juliet, and share the responsibility for their deaths. The Nurse helps Juliet to marry Romeo because she is just thinking about Juliet’s feelings without thinking about the problems this marriage could cause. In Act I, Scene. v., lines 137-138, she tells Juliet who Romeo is. It causes Juliet to get very upset: “My only love, sprung from my only hate.'; (I.V.139), but the Nurse doesn’t think about this. She doesn’t see the trouble that has started. After the nurse realizes that Juliet and Romeo love each other, she doesn’t stop it; instead, she agrees to carry the message to Romeo, although she knows Romeo is a Montague. After the Nurse has a secret meeting with Romeo, she teases Juliet and praises Romeo as a handsome and nice young man. She does not explain to Juliet the problems of loving Romeo. She helps and encourages Juliet to get to Friar Laurence’s cell to get married. The Nurse doesn’t consider the dangerous result of this action. She only thinks of the moment. After the marriage, the Nurse quickly abandons Juliet. The Nurse refuses to help Juliet any more after Romeo kills Tybalt. Even though the Nurse supported the marriage before, she does little to stop the forced marriage of Juliet to Paris. She does not understand Juliet’s emotional love for Romeo because the Nurse only thinks love is physical. She suggests to Juliet that Paris is as good as Romeo, and Juliet might as well take Paris because no one will know: “I think you are as happy in this second match,/ For it excels your first: or if it did not,/ Your first is dead; or ‘twere as good he were'; (III.

Critical Lenses Essay

L. a Date: 11/14/12 Critical Lenses Herodotus once said â€Å"men are at the mercy of events and cannot control them. † In saying this Herodotus meant that men cannot control any situation, but that it is fate that determines what is to occur. Prince Edward from The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain and Macbeth from Macbeth by William Shakespeare prove this statement to be both true and false. Macbeth in the play (structure) Macbeth by William Shakespeare proves the statement true.The story is about a man named Macbeth and him becoming king (plot). In the year 1040 in Scotland (setting) three witches prophesize to Macbeth that he will be King (foreshadowing). Macbeth is forced to kill the current king, King Duncan, in order to take the throne. After Macbeth kills King Duncan he feels very guilty. Macbeth ends up killing even more people to cover up his lie (characterization) As Macbeth’s life goes on as king, he begins hearing voices and having hallucinations of Banq uo’s ghost (imagery).These are just the consequences of his actions, and he had to live with them. Macbeth goes from gaining respect, appreciation and wealth to losing everything (characterization). Macbeth chooses to listen to the witches’ prophesy, rather than listening to Banquo telling him the prophecy may be evil; thus, Macbeth causes his own problems. In contrast Prince Edward from The Prince and The Pauper by Mark Twain was more at the mercy of his situation than was Macbeth. In this novel (structure), Prince Edward has been raised in luxury.Prince Edward birth was celebrated by the whole country and was wrapped in silks and satins (imagery). He is used to fine foods, magnificent clothing, and to being waited on by hundreds of servants, as well he is accustomed to being protected and to giving commands that others obey quickly. He is used to these things simply because they are part of the life of a prince. Having spent his entire life in the confines of the roy al palace, he has daydreamed about the freedom experienced by boys such as Tom Canty (the pauper).One afternoon Prince Edward and Tom Canty trade clothing and as a result, they trade lives as well. Prince Edward trades places with Tom Canty and ends up in Offal Court. Prince Edward gets to experience what Tom Canty’s everyday life was like: to be poor and be treated horribly by Tom’s father. Prince Edward is now learning how hard life is for his subjects and how unfair the laws are. Edward, as a child, is now at the mercy of adults outside the palace, both good and bad.After many adventures, matters are set right again, with the help of Miles Hendon to take him back to the palace, with one of the boys resuming his rightful, royal position and the other boy accepting a position that recognizes his innate intelligence and good heartedness (plot). Macbeth from Macbeth by William Shakespeare and Prince Edward from The Prince and The Pauper by Mark Twain prove Herodotusâ₠¬â„¢s saying â€Å"men are at the mercy of events and cannot control them† to be true as well as false.The statement means that men cannot control any situation but that it is fate that determines what is to occur. Both Prince Edward and Macbeth make poor decisions which get them into trouble . However, Macbeth, the adult, makes worse decisions that are wrong and evil and deserve punishment. Edward, the child, makes an innocent mistake and is punished anyway. Yet, fortunately, though the kindness of Miles Hendon, Edward is able to return home, having learned from his experiences, unlike Macbeth who loses everything and is killed.