Life :: essays research papers

philosophy Before I can go on to lay out the foundations of my belief system, I think it would be helpful to shed some light on the playing field in which these ideas are to be considered. This playing field is constructed of words and statements, of course, but the precise meaning of "words" and "statements" is often left unclear. I will begin by defining these things as I intend to use them. I will also make a cursory attempt to explain the different types of statements we will encounter, the importance of falsifiablity and the role of faith, in addition to a smattering of other definitions that will become important as we proceed. Statements The ultimate building blocks of any philosophical system are statements. A statement is an attempt to communicate that which is true (or perceived to be true) through the symbolic code (words) of a language. All symbols are, of course, inherently limited. There exist various properties in a symbol's object of reference, which cannot b e contained within the symbol itself. An obvious example of this is the property of real existence. We may discuss in detail the various properties of a horse and of a unicorn. Considered only from a linguistic standpoint, a horse and unicorn can be assumed to be virtually synonymous. However, the object of the symbol horse possesses the property of real existence while the object of the symbol unicorn does not. The word/symbol horse, though, cannot convey this property because it cannot be contained by the symbol. True knowledge of this property can only be obtained by finding a real horse and touching it, riding it, getting to know it. The consequence of this is the understanding that there exist incommunicable properties of all real objects. These incommunicable properties are no less real than their communicable counterparts. They simply cannot be conveyed by symbols. Knowledge of these properties can only be obtained by direct experience with the object itself. These properties will hereafter be referred to as existential properties. Please note, however, that acknowledgment of such existential properties does not negate the reality or real importance of those properties, which can be contained and conveyed by the object's symbol. All real objects contain both communicable and existential properties and to disparage consideration of either category is to limit the degree to which we can understand the nature of such objects.

Hesse Biber- Am I Thin Enough Yet? The Cult of Thinness and the Commercialization of Identity :: essays research papers

The Cult of Thinness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many modern women subject themselves to an intense day-to-day involvement in the pursuit of thinness demands. These demands resemble those behaviors commonly associated with cult hood. Three main â€Å"tools† are used in order to achieve this goal or ideal. The Cult of Thinness invests in thinness through primary rituals. The rituals are followed through by the obsession of a particular â€Å"ideal† body. There are also extremities or positions of higher authority with extreme involvement in cults, much like the level of devotion in The Cult of Thinness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Daily actions of checking and critiquing can be performed in many ways. Body monitoring offers an array of resources. Constantly weighing one’s self is a way of achieving quantitative precision. Being able to pinpoint an exact gain or loss is a necessity in this cycle. To be able to have an ideal weight and to accurately compare yourself leaves no room for misinterpretation. Counting Calories helps maintain discipline to be sure not to exceed the limit. If one eats certain â€Å"restricted† food, it is seen to be sinful or as breaking the rules. This restriction of food intake is in a highly disciplined way. This is part of a larger process of dieting and exercising which is used in an obsessive manner to obtain the â€Å"perfect† body. These diet rituals can go as far as to fast for days at a time. Another â€Å"tool† of monitoring is food watching, monitoring the intake of â€Å"good† and â€Å"bad† foods. Nutritionally healthy foods are considered good. Anything else, from sweets to foods with fat, are considered bad foods.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Other rituals are performed through comparisons. By evaluating and examining old pictures and using them as motivation. Having a constant reminder of previous slimness can push a person to regain what might be an unrealistic goal. Mirrors provide a selective image to the viewer. You only see what you want to. This is particularly important, as most members to this Cult of Thinness have low self esteem. A mirror can be used to scrutinize and dissect physical flaws. â€Å"’A mirror reflects the virtual image of an object placed in front of it.’† This provides an analogy for how society fosters women’s obsession with their weight and body image. These rituals can serve as a reminder to ones self that one is not meeting the standards, guilt and self penance are results.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In a cult, there is an object or ideal to â€Å"worship.

Stereotyping Girls Who Drive Trucks :: Sociology

Stereotyping Girls Who Drive Trucks There is nothing more thrilling to me than being a girl who drives a truck. The sense of power you get almost makes up for the harassment. Driving a truck as a female automatically places you in one of two categories, whether they're true or not. You are either the cute lil' thang in Daddy's big pick-up, or you are a bull dike. Don't worry; there are ways to tell which category you're in. Should you be the cute lil' thang, you might be a little chunky or just plain little. You cannot however, be fat. One probably wouldn't want to be very tall either. Your pants should always be really tight, and skirts should be really short. These should always be worn with really small shirts. It should be noted that just tight or short, etc. is not accepted. "Really" must precede any adjectives. You should also thoroughly enjoy being called "sugar," and "darlin'" by mechanics trying to rip you off. Your truck must be really big and new. Even ridiculously big, and you should have trouble driving it (or at least give the appearance of such). Acrylic nails are big with this group, but not too long, and always maintained. The best advice is to imagine this group the cheerleaders of the road workers. The second group of lady pickup drivers is a substantially less desirable category. To be in this group, you need to be either skinny or fat. There is no in between. The hair should be worn in a ponytail or braid; a buzz cut is also acceptable. The lady mullet makes an occasional appearance as well. Cowboy hats (not the cute kind) and roper boots are good, and a big belt with lots of keys. If this is too much, a t-shirt and khaki shorts work too, as long as you promise to wear ankle socks and sandals. You truck should never be 4-wheel

Imported Medicines: A Strategic Shift in Human Thinking Essay

Internet and online businesses gradually change our lives. What used to be impossible two years ago now has turned into a matter of daily performance. With Internet, we are no longer limited in our activities and can broaden the scope of all major operations that have previously been unachievable. Healthcare and medicines are not exceptions, and where Internet works to provide us with additional opportunities for communication, we have finally been given a chance to reconsider the costs of all healthcare services and medical preparations. Online medical markets have produced an irreversible change in the structure of healthcare services and human thinking. With the advent of the new technological age and the growing globalization, customers have become more attentive to what they buy and how much they pay for it. Imported medicines purchased online offer a competitive alternative to brand-name drugs. Simultaneously, imported drugs are not always licensed and may create serious health risks. In this situation, the state should actively work to impose severe price restrictions on the major brand-name drugs and to develop effective monitoring systems with regard to the imported drugs that are sold online, to guarantee that customers are given a viable choice and are not limited in their access to quality healthcare services and medical preparations. True, the growing customer commitment to imported medicines is the result of the national pharmaceutical markets’ being largely non-regulated. Americans typically pay the highest prices for brand-name drugs because, unlike Canada and many other countries, the United States does not impose price controls on pharmaceutical companies† (Colliver). The growing number of online pharmacies reflects the misbalanced nature of the price strategies, to which present day pharmaceutical companies adhere. Despite the fact that brand-name drugs are sold with significant discounts, the majority of healthcare insurance plans does not cover them and does not make them affordable for consumers. The current economic crisis makes Americans more attentive toward their expenditures, and online pharmaceuticals offer an excellent opportunity to obtain the needed list of medical preparations for a much lower price. â€Å"If the government doesn’t get its act together, and with 47 million who are uninsured, there is a marketplace for alternative supply of some of these drugs† (Colliver). It appears that in the current system of healthcare services customers are not given any relevant choice. With the absence of price restrictions, pharmaceutical companies feel free to establish prices as high as they deem necessary, making customers seek effective alternatives elsewhere. That is why imported drugs as such, and online imported drugs in particular have caused a strategic shift in human thinking, giving people a chance to resolve their health issues at a lower cost. With the growing number of Internet users and given the cost-effectiveness of imported drugs, customers are no longer willing to stick to traditional purchasing practices and choose a technological way of resolving their health issues. More and more people realize the benefits of online pharmaceutical marketing. Many of them enjoy the freedom of choice and convenience they are offered by online pharmaceuticals. â€Å"More Americans appear willing to take a calculated risk in the absence of prescription drug coverage† (Colliver). In other words, when health and life are at stake, customer will not think twice before ordering an affordable imported medical preparation from online suppliers. For many of them, imported medicals offer the most attractive and acceptable option; that is why online companies gradually grow to cover larger shares of online markets even without any specific advertising. Unfortunately, ordering imported drugs online is not always safe. Despite the fact that technology has forever changed the direction of human thinking and has made the process of purchasing imported drugs fast and convenient, imported drugs are associated with substantial risks. Customers cannot always be confident that they buy an authentic drug from an authentic foreign manufacturer. Some Web sites hawk controlled substances without a prescription or falsely purport to get drugs from a Canadian pharmacy or other more trustworthy source. While operators try to separate themselves from such operations, it’s tough to tell the difference† (Colliver). Even if the government imposes strict limitations on pharmaceutical prices, the shift that has already occurred in customer attitudes will require time to be reversed. The problem is not in imported drugs; given the growing globalization trends, imported drugs will keep conquering larger shares of pharmaceutical markets. The problem is that for customers to purchase imported products is a matter of â€Å"no other choice†. Many of them are no longer willing to return to conventional medical practices. As a result, and taking into account that online businesses will further work to conquer the minds and spirits of the American customers, the state should develop effective monitoring systems that will impose price restrictions and will control imported drugs sold online, to provide customers with a reasonable choice and to give them another chance for recovery. Conclusion Imported drugs and Internet have produced an irreversible change in customer attitudes toward healthcare. Beyond broader access to imported medical products, customers are given an opportunity to reduce their costs and to purchase medical products in fast and convenient manner. Given the threats which imported non-licensed products may produce on human health, and taking into account the growing customer commitment to purchasing imported medicines online, it is the state’s responsibility to develop effective regulatory and monitoring strategies that will not limit customer choice but will guarantee safety of all imported medical products.

Reaction Paper for personality developement Essay

I learned a lot with the seminar, the presentation about Personality development is appropriate with the business student like us. The discussion and the explanation are very well set, we truly understand and inspired, and we learned so much about what we are going to do. What I have learned is that, there is no end to the process of self-development, it is just like a lot of things in life which is kind of solid and maybe hard to specify now and again. Every individual should be more effective independent and self-directed learners and It is a continuous improvement process which helps an individual to improve performance in the current job, develop skill and competences realize own full potentials and of course personality makes a person distinctive, unique and exceptional. Every person has different personality and some personalities are better than the others. Human personality should be always praised and no one should ever put anyone down for having a different personality because it will determine the limit of success in order to understand what personality is. This topic that we have emphasizes the stable difference between people and social, emotional and motivational characteristic. It can limit or expand options and choices of lives. It is also been said that personality is shaped through environment, learning, parental and development factors. What I can only say is that, Personality development is a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual whom reflected upon their own learning, performance and achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development. It was been thought that we need to improve general skills for study and career management and encourage positive attitude to learning throughout life. The aim and objectives for this Is to improve our capacity to understand what and how we are learning and to review, plan and take responsibility for own learning and career choices. We as a student should keep growing and never stop on learning as it will be a way to our success. I learn so much with the talk. Now I think I will study hard more and develop my skills for me to become successful and have a good life someday.

Gender inequalities in employment

IntroductionIn this essay I shall discourse the advancement of the European Union ‘s effort to level gender inequality in employment. In add-on to this, I shall analyze current EU statute law, policy issues, societal and economic challenges faced by both work forces and adult females. Finally, I shall so notice on EU solutions and farther developments that can assist relieve the spread in inequalities in employment. The European Union is besides referred to as the European Economic Community ( EEC ) it is a brotherhood consisting of 27 member provinces ; the EU was created by theTreaty of Maastrichton 1st November 1993 upon the foundations of theEuropean Economic Community ( cited in Wikipedia ) this brotherhood is merged together to better the economical, political and societal coherence amongst people who reside in these states. After the second World War, many adult females were required to carry through the infinites of work forces, who had lost their lives in conflict or were unable to work and therefore there was a ‘gap ‘ in the labour force. Womans were hence recruited and therefore introduced in to employment to beef up and keep the delicate economic system at the clip. However, on contrary to popular belief adult females continued to work even after the economic state of affairs improved, the Suffragettes motion was highly noteworthy in adult females contending for acknowledgment. From the get downing adult females were treated below the belt in respects to hapless wage, nevertheless some were happy to hold some economic independency from work forces and therefore accepted take downing occupations. ( Cited in Euro civilization maestro ) Cockburn ( 1991 ) remarks that the relationship between capitalist economy and labor is shared between foremans and work forces, and therefore neglects the gender relationships of work and place. Much of the theory sing adult females and employment is mostly based on patriarchal theories. Duncombe and Marsden ( 1995 ) argue that adult females are subjected to ‘triple displacements ‘ this involves paid labor, domestic labor and emotional labor. The emotional labor refers to the attention and heed of the household unit, i.e. the societal function of the adult female being a married woman and a female parent towards the kids and hubby. Due to such challenges the impression of protective statute law was introduced. ( Cited in Sociology: An synergistic attack p189 ) Much pacts and directive were introduced in to some EU states in effort to level gender inequality. The EEC established the rule of ‘fair wage ‘ for work forces and adult females in Article 119 of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. However this was highly complicated to pattern in all members of provinces. This was merely due to the impression of â€Å" equal wage for equal work † but it was really rare that both sexes performed the same type of work. It was besides noted that typically male occupations were much better paid so female occupations. Hence, it was evident that the socially bing norm of male ‘power ‘ was more of import than female qualities. In 1975 the EU introduced directives to farther empower adult females in the field of employment ; the council directive of 75/117/EEC farther supported the pact of Rome on equal wage. Since 1975 there have been many cardinal directives in helping adult females ‘s function in employment, some of the directives have focused on equal intervention of adult females in respects of publicity, societal security, during gestation, and sex favoritism. ( Cited in Women Lobby ) During the 1990s the EU began to recognize the significance of gender equality and how it impacted the employment sector. In 1997 the EU introduced the European Employment Strategy ( EES ) which recognized equal chances amongst work forces and adult females. The pact of Amsterdam was besides introduced in 1997 this pact was combination of past directives and farther introduced positive action to battle equal wage and favoritism amongst work forces and adult females in employment. ( Cited in Union History ) .However, there were unfavorable judgments of these policies which merely ensured that more adult females were in work and did non concentrate on the quality of the occupations they were in. This position is farther supported in the undermentioned citation: â€Å" In pattern, more attending has been paid to raising the female employment rate than to bring forthing the better occupations for adult females that are indispensable for contracting the gender wage spread † ( in Union History ) Sadly the EU has failed to to the full implement gender equality in employment, since it still persists despite the debut of the above directives and pacts. The EU has hence proposed six cardinal aims within the Road map for gender equality ( 2006-2010 ) . These include equal economic independency for work forces and adult females, rapprochement of private and professional life, equal representation in determination devising ; the obliteration of all signifiers of gender based force, the riddance of gender based stereotypes, and eventually the publicity of gender equality in external and development policies. ( cited in Commission of the European Communities Report 2006 ) The inequality of gender spreads is the first cardinal aim of carry throughing EU ends in employment and societal coherence. The demand for increased engagement of adult females in the labour market provides a pronounced part to economic development and in bend ‘economic independency for adult females ‘ . Harmonizing to the above article, adult females still face more hazard of poorness due to being over represented in the secondary labor market. Harmonizing to Barren and Norris ( 1976 ) adult females are employed in unstable employment that is based on short term contracts, lower wage and entail unskilled work with fewer chances, they are hence more likely to be made excess and therefore suffer from a diminution in the labor market. ( in Jorgensen et al,1997 pg p192 ) .In Addition Bruegal ( 1976 ) remarks from a Marxist women's rightist position, states that such workers are used to maintain costs at minimal by replacing more extremely skilled and demanding workers i.e. work forces. ( Cited Jorgensen et al,1997 pg p129 ) Womans are hence literally restricted in their chances to work farther due to their domestic and emotional duty. In add-on, adult females enterprisers are faced with more troubles so male opposite numbers in constructing up their ain concern, in effort to level the structural inequalities and favoritism the EU has recommended the Entrepreneurship Action Plan to assist back up adult females in developing such undertakings. Womans who besides belong to cultural minority groups suffer from twice every bit much favoritism and challenge ‘s, in order to contend such multiple favoritism the EU has proposed the Framework for the Integration of Third Country Nationals. This model provides the publicity of migration and integrating policies in order to vouch adult females ‘s rights and civil engagement. In making so, adult females from all backgrounds, can utilize their full economic potency and have the equal chance to instruction and prosperity. ( Cited in Commission of the Europ ean Communities Report 2006 ) The 2nd cardinal aim of the EU is of the rapprochement of private and professional life for both work forces and adult females. Harmonizing to the ( Commission of the European Communities Report 2007 ) adult females face more challenges than work forces when it comes to managing work and private life, accordingly this affects their calling picks. Statisticss suggest that more adult females than work forces work on portion clip footing and therefore take more calling interruptions than work forces, which clearly has a harmful impact on their callings. Besides, adult females are more subjected than work forces, to take on domestic and emotional labor in add-on to taking parental leave and looking after kids and other dependent household members. The 2007 EU Commission study concludes that due to the deficiency of accessible and low-cost child care, adult females face more inequality in employment. The overall consequence of this is that adult females are placed in unstable occupations with lower wage, which makes them more vulnerable to the larger hazard of poorness. The affair is made worse for individual parent households who have dependants. On the other manus, harmonizing to the Lisbon pact, adult females ‘s employment in the EU is near to run intoing its end of 60 % by 2010. ( cited in Commission of the European Communities Report 2009, pg5 ) However, it is clear that a batch more demands to be done to carry through satisfactory degrees of child care commissariats ( harmonizing to the Barcelona aims ) in order for both parents to unite work and private life. The European Union has besides reflected farther support targeted at bettering equal chances, for case the European Social Fund ( ESF ) which caters for adult females undertakings in respects to vocational preparation in confederation with the NOW community Initiative. ( cited in europrofem ) The EU has besides established enterprises in 2008 to back up better work life balance by doing amendments to directive 92/85/EEC on pregnancy protection. The alterations introduce altering the minimal pregnancy leave from 14 to 18weeks without the loss of gaining. ( cit ed in Commission of the European Communities Report 2009, pg 6 ) Furthermore, this thought has besides been developed in respects to ‘family related leave ‘ in respects to household policies and work life rapprochement issues for work forces. For case, statute law on improved leave agreements for male parents is already incorporated in states such as Sweden, Germany, Greece, Lithuania and Spain. The 3rd EU key aim in the roadmap proposes the demand for the equal representation of adult females in determination devising stations. The unequal division of domestic labor and caring duties has clearly been a barrier in the promotion of adult females in employment, there has hence been a demand to amend and make policies to promote adult females ‘s engagement in the labor market. The Commission of the European Communities Report 2007 noted that adult females predominated occupations were undervalued in comparing to male opposite numbers. Findingss suggested that such occupations had lower rates of wage. For case about 40 % of adult females were employed in the wellness, instruction and public disposal sector in comparing to merely 20 % of work forces. ( pg 3 ) . In defense mechanism of this statement, work forces besides face favoritism in accessing non traditional employment. For case the impression of a male carer or nurse is seen with disgusts or cautiousness due to gende r stereotypes formed by society harmonizing to Acker ( 1989 ) ( cited in Theory and Practice of nursing: an incorporate attack to caring patterns By Lynn Basford, Oliver Slevin ) . This suggested a ‘segregation of the labour market ‘ which was being reinforced by traditional and societal stereotypes which farther influenced people in to gender functions. The EU has since implemented a: â€Å" ..network to advance adult females in economic and political decision-making places which was launched in 2008 to supply a platform for exchange of good patterns between bing webs at EU degree † ( Commission of the European Communities Report 2009, pg 6 ) In effort to level the inequality of gender in employment the 4th EU key aim is in respects to the obliteration of gender based force. The EU has established the Daphne programme which supports adult females and kids who have suffered as a consequence of domestic maltreatment. ( cited in europrofem ) The committee has besides encouraged the criminalization of trafficking adult females and kids through development. The EU proposes under new directives to reintegrate such vulnerable groups in to the labor market. It besides proposes the support of member provinces to promote consciousness raising runs, support webs both for the culprits of force and the victims of maltreatment. The 5th EU key aim as described in the roadmap is the impression of gender based stereotypes. At present there is still a major job in respects to inequality in employment. The EUC has identified a gender wage spread has one of the major concern for the European committee harmonizing to The Road Map for Gender Equality 2006-2010. In order to better the present quandary, there have been many legislative and non legislative developments to battle the challenges of favoritism and promote gender equality in employment. Furthermore, despite the antecedently mentioned intercessions above, there still persists a major gender ‘pay spread ‘ which reflects on the overall factors of inequalities and therefore favoritism in employment. On mean adult females were gaining on mean 15 % less than work forces in the European Union in 2005. ( Cited in Commission of the European Communities Report 2007, pg 2 ) It was found that the gender wage spread still exists due to direct and indirect favoritism factors. It can besides be attributed to societal and economic factors. In respects to leveling gender stereotypes the EU recommend ‘gender mainstreaming ‘ and promote ESF, ICT programmes in instruction and civilization programmes in schools through media tools. In respects to the 6th and concluding key aim illustrated in the roadmap for equality in employment, the EU has proposed the development and amendment of policies widening to external neighbouring states. The EU adheres to recognize values of the Millennium Development Declaration and the Beijing Platform for Action ( BPfA ) . The recent EU scheme for Africa is besides committed to promoting gender equality in external states. The EU commits to advancing the demand for instruction and freedom of chance and wellness and safety. Above all, it welcomes the engagement of all adult females in the domain of economic and political life in determination devising. Four precedence countries have been identified by the Commission these include, that preexistent legal model is to the full applied and utilized whilst placing countries for betterment. The active engagement of all parties is besides to be promoted in all Members of State. In add-on to this, the European Strategy for Growth and Jobs should be applied in full to all employers. Above all the impression of good pattern at all degrees is to be stressed to get the better of traditional stereotypes and prejudiced patterns. The European Pact for Gender Equality 2006 stresses the importance of the committednesss of the Member of provinces to take critical action in this country. Furthermore, several members of provinces have reunited to take outstanding action sing the labor market, instruction, preparation, and the balance of work and private life. Unfortunately there has been small advancement in respects to committednesss from the other member of provinces to take action turn toing this issue harmonizing to the Commissions one-year study on growing and occupations 2006. ( cited in Commission of the European Communities Report 2007, pg 8 ) In defense mechanism of the above the Commission in 2007 vowed to better the quality of statistics used in respects to the gender wage spread, in add-on they have besides promised to promote all member of provinces to put cardinal marks and bounds for cut downing the wage spread between adult male and adult females on the footing of informations and findings gathered by the one-year studies issued. The Commission is besides in advancement of puting up action programmes on equal chances for its ain staff, it is evident that within public disposal there is a major wage spread which is straight influenced by the presence of occupational segregation and the little presence of adult females in determination devising stations. Despite the overpowering grounds that an increased sum of adult females are going more extremely qualified, there is still a relentless fact they are still outnumbered by work forces in higher places of hierarchy and importance, both in political relations and concer n. ( cited in Commission of the European Communities Report 2009, pg 5 ) Harmonizing to the European Alliance on Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR ) the impression of equality besides poses as a ‘competitive advantage ‘ as it utilises the staff ‘s full productive potency. It encourages inducements to back up good pattern to undertake the inequalities in the wage. Presently the Commission already promotes good pattern by raising consciousness through the PROGRESS programme. ( cited in Commission of the European Communities Report 2007, pg 9 ) In add-on to the above, the Commission besides proposes to present gender equality policies, to eliminate structural inequalities within the workplace in respects to bettering the profile of businesss which are paid less. For case, the Framework of actions on gender equality 2007, proposes awareness-raising and preparation steps in add-on to the growing of pay comparing tools and schemes to diminish the wage spread. ( cited in Commission of the European Communities Report 2007, pg10 )DecisionTo reason this assignment the impression of ‘equality ‘ is built-in to the values of the European Union. Despite the European Union doing important advancement over clip, in respects to developing directives, pacts and statute law. In add-on to, the EU has reinforced gender mainstreaming via preparation and capacity edifice for those involved in policy devising. Statisticss indicate that gender inequality still persists in employment. The European Union have a long manner in carry throughing cardinal marks in leveling gender inequality. In my personal sentiment the EU key aims need to be more crystalline to the populace in footings of puting realistic marks to beef up gender mainstreaming across all member provinces in order to accomplish alteration.Mentions:Commission of the European Communities Report 2006Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ( 2006 ) , A Roadmap for equality between adult females and work forces 2006-2010, Brussels, ( Online ) Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do? uri=COM:2006:0092: Five: En: PDF ( Accessed 20/11/2009 )Commission of the European Communities Report 2007Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, , The European Econ omic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ( 2007 ) . Undertaking the wage spread between adult females and work forces, Brussels, ( Online ) hypertext transfer protocol: //www.retepariopportunita.it/Rete_Pari_Opportunita/UserFiles/news/com_pay_gap_.pdf ( Accessed 21/11/2009 )Commission of the European Communities Report 2009Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Brussels, ( 2009 ) Equality between adult females and men-2009 Brussels, ( Online ) hypertext transfer protocol: //eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do? uri=COM:2009:0077: Five: En: PDF ( Accessed 21/11/2009 )European Unionhypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union ( Accessed 10/11/2009 )Euro civilization maestrohypertext transfer protocol: //www.euroculturemaster.org/pdf/kunstova.pdf ( Accessed 12/11/2009 )Europrofemhypertext transfer protocol: //www.europrofem.org/contri/2_04_en/e n-gend/08en_gen.htm ( accessed 23/11/2009 ) Jorgensen, N. , Bird, J. , Heyhoe, A. , Russell, B. , Savvas, M. , ( 1997 ) .Sociology: An Synergistic Approach, Collins EducationalUnion Historyhypertext transfer protocol: //www.unionhistory.info/equalpay/roaddisplay.php? irn=785 ( Accessed 15/11/2009 )Womans Lobbyhypertext transfer protocol: //www.womenlobby.org/site/1abstract.asp? DocID=184 & A ; v1ID= & A ; RevID= & A ; namePage= & A ; pageParent= & A ; DocID_sousmenu ( Accessyoutubeed 14/11/2009 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //books.google.co.uk/books? id=WCSunMx7EJ8C & A ; pg=RA1-PA392 & amp ; lpg=RA1-PA392 & amp ; dq=theory-male+nurses+gender+equality & A ; source=bl & A ; ots=Bqru6biKWy & A ; sig=PY0uthcQiq3VFmaaivgF6YEpLPQ & A ; hl=en & A ; ei=wnsdS46lJJeZjAfU_f2PBA & A ; sa=X & A ; oi=book_result & A ; ct=result & A ; resnum=2 & A ; ved=0CAsQ6AEwAQ # v=onepage & A ; q= & A ; f=false

Coraline

Coraline is a horrific children’s book that was produced into a movie in 2009. Written by Neil Gaiman, the book was published in 2003 as juvenile fiction. Gaiman’s twisted ingenious mind has even frightened adult readers. This creepy fairy tale clearly draws much of its inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. What started out as a children’s novel became a hit movie in theaters. What is so spectacular about Coraline may be the colorful characters, the unexpected turn of events within the story, or the fact that it is the first stop(Stop? animation movie to be viewed in 3-D. The combination of Gaiman’s story with Selick’s (who is Selick? Producer? ) talent for movie presentation has made Coraline a remarkably entrancing and horrifying fairy tale for both readers and movie watchers as they experience the entrancing adventure of a little girl who learned the price of opening a door that was not meant to be opened. Before Coraline hit the big screen it made an everlasting impression as a children’s horrific fairytale. It turns out that Coraline’s name came about because Neil Gaiman kept messing up spelling Caroline. Reading Coraline makes it easy for the first time readers to relate to her character when they think back to their current or past adolescence. Most people would admit to times in their young lives when they were relentless pessimists and complainers, who acted bored and coughed up attitudes on a daily basis. Everyone could share Coraline’s plight when they had felt that there was nothing to do in a new house and were reluctant to meet new people. Viewers and readers alike have also felt a special connection between her family and their own. Children always think about what the perfect mother would be like, and parents also try to be the best for their children. However, both age groups try to imagine something better. Unlike Coraline, no one had ever found a mysterious small door in the living room that led to an almost perfect alternate reality that catered to your every whim. The movie begins with viewers seeing a doll that resembles an African-American child floating into a dark house greeted by hands made out of needles. Accompanied by the traditional chilling soundtrack that follows all Tim Burton films the doll is refashioned. Two hands disembowel a doll and then reassemble it with needle and thread. While not the most warm and fuzzy scene in any cinematic form, what makes it particularly ghoulish is the feeling that you could run your fingers through the doll’s sawdust innards and touch its button eyes† (Clark). The doll is then dressed in a yellow raincoat and blue jeans. As soon as it is finished the mysterious needle hands sends the doll out the window where it floats out in space. This is where we find out that the doll replicates our heroine Coraline Jones. Coraline, voiced by Dakota Fanning, and her parents, voiced by Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman, had just moved into the Pink Palace, it is a pink house spilt into floors as apartments in the woodsy area of Oregon. Coraline finds the house completely droll and far from the home and friends that she knew. While she explores her new home she finds, as Pratt writes: â€Å"A [Russian Gymnast, Mr. Bobinsky, who lives in the attic] tells Coraline that he's training his circus mice to play music, and Coraline finds him vaguely alarming, if only because she can't tell whether he's serious or joking. Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, two aging former actresses, live downstairs with a coterie of Scottie dogs. The ladies are happy to dispense tea, inedible cookies, and advice, and they read Coraline's tea leaves, which indicate that she's in danger. † She meets Wyborn, voiced by Robert Bailey Jr. , as Ebert describes, a â€Å"young hunchback whose full name is Wyborn, and it doesn’t take Coraline long to wonder why his parents named him that. † Wybie had found the doll that looked just like Coraline in his grandmother’s trunk and gave it to her. Little did Wybie know, he had given her the doll that was created in the beginning of the film, that was made by the feared Beldam, a witch. She also meets a very aloof cat that turns out to be one of her few allies in her greatest times of danger. In the living room she starts to unpack her set of snow globes, looking fondling on a winter scene in Detroit Michigan, her last home. Coraline discovers that her doll who was sitting on a chair had moved behind a box. As she retrieved the doll, it was found resting against a tiny door with a key hole on it. Coraline begged her mother to find the key that would unlock it. Her mother reluctantly obliged and makes Coraline promise that she will stay out of her mom’s way if she did this favor for her. Coraline replies yes, eager to see what was behind the door. Her mother shuffles through keys in a drawer, picking one whose handle end was in the shape of a button. As fast as Coraline’s heart rose, it sank. There was nothing behind the door but brick walls. Later that night Coraline had been awoken by a mouse that lead her to the door, when she open it and found a long tunnel with a light at the end. Excited for the adventure to come she crawled down the tunnel that, to her surprise, opened right into her own living room. Now though it looked like her real living room, everything was brighter and had a more welcoming atmosphere. Coraline was lured by the smell of real home cooking when she discovered her mother in the kitchen. Pullman said, â€Å"When she discovers a sinister woman there, who looks a little like her mother but has eyes that are big black buttons, the matter-of-factness of the woman's response when Coraline says â€Å"Who are you? † is both disarming and terrifying. â€Å"I'm your other mother,† she says. Coraline finds out that she has other version of all the residents including her parents in the Pink Palace. Mr. Bobinsky, is a very entertaining circus ringleader with synchronized mice that are able to perform fantastical acrobats. Ms. Spink and Ms. Forcible became active and energetic acrobatic performers on a massive stage where they took Coraline to partake in swinging from high wire swings above the crowd of terrier dogs below. Even Wybie, her newest friend is a double that mysteriously doesn’t talk. The Other Mother told Coraline that she felt she would enjoy him more that way. This perfect world that she finds changes her entire perspective on the life that she knew on the other side of the door. Her real parents were busy working for a plant publishing journal, while her other parents were tentative, caring, expressive, and just plain fun. But Coraline learns eventually that even though her other home seems perfect, there is something very peculiar and dark that lurks beneath the button eyes of all the people she meets. Button eyes are a great symbolism in Coraline. These buttons represents not having a soul. Coraline’s other mother turns out to be this cruel creature, he Beldam, who lures children through the secret door. She creates this perfect world for the child, giving them everything they wanted, promising to love them, and the only way a child could stay in this wonderful world is to have their eyes sewn shut and replaced with buttons. Once Coraline is told of this offer by her other mother, she realizes that her other mother’s intentions are hardly loving or parental. Collins writes, â€Å"Coraline meets the ghosts of several other children who had been kidnapped hundreds of years ago, and she realizes that her both her body and spirit are in danger. Coraline discovers that the black cat that has been lurking around the premises is able to talk to her in the other world. He gives Coraline clues for her to realize that everything is not as it seems. To viewers he would be related to the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. The cat tells Coraline that in order to set her parents free and the souls of the three children that she must challenge her to a game. Vejvoa said, â€Å"She has to muster the strength and courage to confront and defeat her monstrous Other Mother is she’s to rescue her real parents and get back to where she truly belongs. Her Other Mother cannot refuse any game as long as she thinks that she can win. Coraline is clever enough to come up with a game where she must look through the house and garden to find all the souls and eyes of the children before the lunar eclipse or she will give up her soul to the Other Mother. Coraline faces three dangers in three wonders that her other mother had created for her. Each of the children’s eyes were trapped in three different objects. The first soul was found in the garden where her other father had sacrificed himself for her to retrieve the soul. The second soul was found on the stage of the two actresses. The third was found in the dark and eerie mice circus tent. Once every soul was collected, Coraline had only to find her parents, who were trapped in a snow globe.. It came to the final task, defeating the witch. What used to looked so much like her real mother stood, a skeletal, towering, spider like woman that was anything but motherly. Coraline tricked her other mother to open the small door between home and the created world. As fast as she could react, Coraline tossed the cat at the Other Mother and she made a run for the door with all of the souls. The Other Mother broke free from the cat and chased after her through the tunnel. Coming through the door Coraline used all of her strength to shut it completely. But the Other Mother had her hand stuck then torn off from her wrists landing on the floor. The hand had disappeared, and the souls were set free. Although the souls and her parents were free the Other Mother’s needle hand was still at large and wanted the key to the door at all costs because there was only one. Everything seemed normal until Coraline decided to throw the key to the door away. She trekked to the well where she approached the opening of the well. Out of nowhere the Other Mother’s hand leaps out to grab the key, but since it is on a string wrapped around Coraline’s neck, she was being choked until Wybie had crushed the hand with a huge rock. The hand is tied within the blanket with the string holding the key and is thrown down the well. After vanquishing the Other Mother, all of the lost souls of the children were set free. The movie ends with Coraline and her parents hosting a garden party in which they had finally started planting and creating a beautiful atmosphere. Here all of her neighbors, Wybie, and Wybie’s grandmother come to gather. Coraline tells Wybie’s grandmother of what happened in the house and how she saved her twin sister’s soul. Coraline is no longer as pessimistic or as unpleasant when she started her adventure. The movie ends with a chilling song of children voices that makes viewers get the shivers when they recall the scariest moments. This film was hailed by all age groups, and more so towards the adult crowds. According to Ebert, â€Å"this is a movie for people who know and care about drawing, caricature, grotesquerie and the far shores of storytelling. In short, you might care little about a fantasy, little indeed about this story, and still admire the artistry of it all, [it] gets under our psychic fingernails. † Coraline is certainly a darker version of a family film when compared to Disney, but that is what makes it much more intense and rememerable. Cinema reviewer, Kernion said: â€Å"It isn't gory or excessively violent (certainly not as much as Prince Caspian), but there are some pretty frightening threats, and the peril that main characters often face can seem real and intense. It's similar in tone at times to Spirited Away — if you think your kids can handle the Miyazaki film, they should be fine with Coraline. † However, not all viewers and critics were impressed with the big hit movie. Jim Vejvoda, said, â€Å"a story where a mother plucks out kids' eyes and replaces them with buttons or sews their mouths shut might be a wee bit too torture prone for some members of toon-going crowd to stomach. † A movie blogger, Sean, said, â€Å"Coraline really clicked for me. It takes a while to get rolling, but once the twist is revealed and we understand the true extent of Coraline’s predicament, it’s hard not to be completely absorbed. The storytelling is on par with a Pixar film, or even Guillermo Del Toro’s critically-acclaimed Pan’s Labyrinth. † When comments were all said and done about the actual story, critics, and movie goers alike were both please and displeased when it came to the 3-D presentation of the film. 3-D films have become very popular in our recent movie viewing trend, however Henry Selick, the movie director, doesn’t want audiences to focus on the 3-D. According to Clark, â€Å"3-D is just a means to end, to showcase the medium he loves to work in: stop-motion animation, in which the hands and every other part of the characters in the movie are manipulated frame by frame to achieve movement and expression and to tell a story. † Selick has previously been honored for directing, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Coraline racked up a total of $60 million dollars for the stop motion animation to come to life via 3-D. Coraline has entranced and horrified both readers and movie watchers through the eyes of a once very unpleasant girl who learned the cost of being careful what she wished for. Neil Gaiman’s way of putting a twist on this story is what makes Coraline so chilling and mesmerizing. Coraline’s story is truly frightening, and Gaiman goes to great lengths to forge an ‘other’ mother world where every aspect of our lives is perverted and twisted into the macabre† (Collins). He teaches us that even though children, even adults, who think that the grass is greener on the other side, don’t know what they have until they lose it.