Wealth And Income Inequality In Uk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Wealth And Income Inequality In Uk - Essay Example The building of rehabilitation centers and provision of family counseling services in the most affected communities to help change the future of the generations to come. Change is possible if we stand together and fight for it. Enhancement of law protecting the minority, anyone caught employing or abusing a minor will face the wrath of the law. Availability of social grants, like foster care, child support, general relief, disability grant to help those in need, the government should also ensure its availability to the people who need it. The rate of corruption in the sector is not to tolerate at all costs (Yunus 2007). With a responsible government and sound management system, eradicating poverty should not be an alarming issue, income disparities between the rich and the poor will incredibly decrease. More citizens will enter the wealthy bracket, and few or none will be below the poverty line. The society of today and tomorrow should take this subject very seriously because it determines the future of tomorrow. We all need good food, health, education, houses. The list is endless. So we should come together as one and work towards creating a favorable environment for everyone.Society has made it a little difficult for equality to have a chance. The balance and the gap between the rich and the poor continue to grow every day in the UK and around the world. Eradication of poverty and the high poverty levels should be one of the highest priorities of the government for the sake of its citizens.

Stop and Frisk Essay Example for Free

Stop and Frisk Essay New York City’s stop and frisk program is a practice used by the New York Police Department. This practice is mainly used on minorities which include African Americans and Latinos. The New York Police Department policy is highly criticized for racial profiling. Racial profiling is discriminating upon a certain race, ethnic group, or religious group. I personally believe that the stop and frisk policy is a privacy concern and should be abandoned by the state. The vast majority of people falling victim to this practice are law abiding citizens. Most of these people have done nothing wrong and police officers are using pure suspicion therefore violating the privacy act of citizens. I firmly disagree with this particular tactic by law enforcement, because it does not follow correct protocol. An example of this can occur as follows. I went to visit one of my friends at their apartment building. I came across an officer in the building on my way to my friends room. The officer stopped me and and questioned if I were a resident in the building. After I tell the officer no he informs me that he’s going to frisk. I did nothing wrong and still was stopped and frisked. I was completely innocent and going about my business. Additionally, Stop and frisk is a major privacy issue. New York City police officers are choosing to stop people based on race and not reasonable suspicion. They choose to pull over drivers who are mainly African American or Latino. Very little stops lead to an arrest. Most of the time the person is innocent and has nothing illegal on them. I believe that the citizens are losing the trust in police. They are losing all trust and feeling of protection because they fear of being stopped and frisked. I would not like being treated like a criminal if I were innocent too. Some of these people worry about being targeted by police on a daily basis. Jay Z an award winning artists, was pressured to back out of a collaboration with a store called Barney’s after it was accused of racially profiling two black customers. He had something  to say about this policy in a song called â€Å"Devil Is A Lie†. He rapped â€Å"You seen what I did to the stop and frisk Brooklyn on the Barney’s like we own the bitch Give the money to the hood, now we all win†. â€Å"Got that Barney’s floor lookin’ like a VIM†. Jay Z is basically saying he has the high end Barney’s store looking like the low end VIM store. He does not agree with the stop and frisk that occurred in the store and gave all proceeds to his charity. Furthermore , the aspect that I have gathered from this practice is that it lowered the crime and murder rate. I believe people are less willing to walk around with any sort of weapon on their person. The risk of carrying a weapon or illegal substance is too high. On the other hand people that obey the law regularly feel more safe. Which is how it should be. Stop and Frisk has so many repercussions to society. Many individuals who have experienced â€Å"Stop and Frisk† have said it is unethical. Many citizens feel as though they lose the sense of privacy. In today’s society privacy is important because people do not want everyone knowing their business. If people knew each others business then they would be extremely upset , which could cause uneasiness in a persons life and in social media. In particular, instead of stop and frisking NYPD should take a different approach. They should asses the situation with a level headed approach. Instead of racial profiling, they should give all citizens a fair shot. This meaning police officers should use proper judgement to law abiding citizens. Some judgements that police use are wrong and one sided because they think that minorities are always causing trouble. Police officers should use fairer judgement when making decisions on arrests. My uncle who lives in New York has fallen victim to stop and frisk. He says the officers are allowed to patrol the halls of private buildings and proceed with stop and frisk searches. He told me this is called â€Å"Operation Clean Halls†. This should not be allowed. In Summary, I think stop and frisk is ineffective. People are targeted wrongly because of what they look like. Many citizens should not be discriminated upon because of their race. It is an invasion of human rights if police officers stop and frisk. It is important that citizens know their safety measures. Stop and frisk should not be tolerated by american citizens.

Every Tourist Is A Voyeuring Gourmand Tourism Essay

Every Tourist Is A Voyeuring Gourmand Tourism Essay This chapter will continue on from chapter two and aims to discuss in detail the culinary tourist. The researcher will define the term culinary tourist and explain how these types of tourists can be categorised. This chapter will also outline the issues facing sustainable tourism and authenticity in relation to food tourism and the culinary tourist. Furthermore, the researcher will highlight the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS) which is considered to be the most comprehensive profiles available of culinary tourists. Finally, the researcher will investigate the culinary tourist in Ireland. Although data is scarce in relation to the Irish culinary tourism industry, a Mintel report which was published in 2009 provides some knowledge into both the international and Irish tourists who holiday in Ireland. Eating is one of our most basic physiological needs even when outside our usual environment (Tikkanen 2007). Yet, information on food tourism and the culinary tourist appears rare. Chapter two outlined the fact that food is a very much overlooked element of tourism literature (Selwood 2003). As a result of this lack of direct research into food tourism, there are few insights into the demographic and psychographic characteristics of food tourists (Wolf 2006), and those insights that do exist are considered by Hall et al (2003) to be largely superficial. Murray (2008) agrees and states that terms such as food tourism or the culinary tourist could be used in ways which are misleading and, as a result, may cause inappropriate decisions to be made by tourism planners and operators. Murray (2008) suggests that once culinary tourism has been identified as a potential avenue to pursue, the natural tendency is to identify the market, and that leads immediately to segmentation. However, some tourists may be culinary enthusiasts rather than culinary tourists, and although interested in food, culinary activities are not the main purpose of travel for these types of tourists (Murray 2008). In spite of the recognition that little is still known about either the food buying-behaviour of tourists or of the role it plays in the overall travel decision, destinations are increasingly using food as a means to differentiate themselves and broaden their market base (Hall et al 2003; McKercher, Okumus, and Okumus 2008). As previously discussed, food is an important tourist attraction and enhances or is central to the visitor experience (Henderson 2009). For many, food becomes highly experiential (i.e. much more than functional) when it is part of a travel experience, it can become sensuous and sensual, symbolic and ritualistic, and can take on new significance and meaning (Hall et al 2003, p.61). Long suggests that the culinary tourist anticipates a change in the foodways experience for the sake of experiencing that change, not merely to satisfy hunger (Long 2004, p.21). Longs definition implies that intentionality is required whereas Wolf (2006, p.2) proposes a more lenient def inition; the true culinary tourist is not a snob, but rather an explorer who also happens to be an impassioned aficionado of food and drink. Therefore, the culinary tourist could be defined as loosely as someone who appreciates local food or someone who spends time in a grocery store in a foreign country. Due to broad definitions such as this, one could acknowledge why research on culinary tourists is rare. The Culinary Tourism in Ontario (2005-2015) Strategy and Action Plan makes a very noble attempt to differentiate between tourists with intentionality and those who are better described as enthusiasts. The Action Plan illustrates culinary tourism markets being broken down by an understanding of what motivates the traveller: Primary Travellers whose main focus and intent is for a culinary tourism experience. Secondary Travellers whose focus on culinary tourism is shared with another tourism motivator such as golf, shopping, visiting family and friends. However, culinary tourism is part of their itinerary. Tertiary Travellers whose itinerary or motivators does not include culinary tourism. Culinary tourism experience is impromptu or ad hoc to their original intent (Culinary Tourism in Ontario (2005-2015) Strategy and Action Plan, p.21). 3.3 Location, Sustainable Tourism and Authenticity Sims (2009) remarks on the growing body of research which is beginning to prove that sensations of taste, touch, sound and smell can play an important role within the holiday experience, adding that holiday food is becoming of particular importance to researchers (Sims 2009, p.321). Crotts and Kivela (2006, p.355) agree and cite that our sensory perceptions play a major psychological and physiological role in our appraisal and appreciation of food, as they do for other experiences at a destination. Dining out is a pleasurable sensory experience, hence, the feel good factor which tourists experience as a result of food consumption at a destination is a pull factor and a marketing and merchandising tool that cannot be underestimated (Crotts and Kivela 2006, p.355). For this reason, one can argue that tourists often place considerable emphasis on how they feel at a destination, and how they experience what the destination offers, by carefully selecting that special restaurant and/or foo d that might fulfil a particular personal desire (Crotts and Kivela 2006). Although many studies identify and address factors that affect destination choice and image, very few empirical studies address the role that food plays in the way tourists experience the destination. Dining habits can also provide an insight into ways of life, helping tourists understand the differences between their own culture and those with which they come into contact with (Hegarty and OMahoney 2001). However, it must be acknowledged that the variety of foods on offer at a destination can have major implications for the economic, cultural and environmental sustainability of that tourism location, with researchers arguing that a focus on locally sourced products can result in benefits for both the hosts and the culinary tourists (Clark and Chabrel 2007; Sims 2009). Sims (2009, p.322) argues that local food and drink products can improve the economic and environmental sustainability of both tourism and the rural host community through encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, supporting local businesses and building a brand that can benefit the region by attracting more visitors and investment. Furthermore, Sims (2009) explains that local food can play an important role in the sustainable tourism experience because it appeals to the visitors desire for authenticity within the holiday experience. At present, there is a trend towards universal standardisation and homogenisation, which is demonstrated by the spread of fast food chains (Henderson 2009; Keel 2010). Concurrently, tourists are becoming more adventurous and are open to new food experiences (Daniele and Scarpato 2003; Henderson 2009). Many culinary tourists are also seeking genuine and authentic which can be found in local foods and eating-places (Henderson 2009). Therefore, one can conclude that tourist destinations could successfully differentiate from other locations through local authentic food. As explained above, authentic food consumption at a destination creates a pull factor for the consumer (Crotts and Kivela 2006, p.355). Furthermore, increasing tourist consumption of local foods can generate a multiplier effect that will benefit the local economy and provide a boost to rural destinations looking to develop a sustainable tourism industry (Sims 2009; Torres, 2002). In addition, concerns about the environmental consequences of transporting food across the globe have led researchers to argue that buying local food products is vital if the tourism industry is to reduce its carbon footprint (Mitchell and Hall 2003; Sims 2009). In Rebecca Sims (2009) article titled Food, place and authenticity, she studied ho w local food has the potential to enhance the visitor experience by connecting consumers to the region and its perceived culture and heritage. She focused on two UK regions for her report, the Lake District and Exmoor. Her results illustrated that over 60% of the tourists interviewed said that they had deliberately chosen to consume foods or drinks that they considered local while on holiday which suggests that, tourists are seeking products that they feel will give them an insight into the nature of a place and its people Sims (2009, p.329). However, this demand for local food could also be viewed as a search for authenticity. Over 50% of the tourists interviewed in this study said that they had bought, or were definitely planning to buy, food and drink as souvenirs of their holiday, with less than 10% saying that they were not interested in doing so (Sims 2009, p.328). The souvenir purchasers varied in their levels of enthusiasm, from reluctant buyers who felt compelled to buy sma ll gifts for family or colleagues, to one enthusiastic couple who, while visiting Exmoor, had spent  £60 on specialist tea and coffee by a renowned local tea merchant in addition to the usual stuff like fudge (Sims 2009, p.328). Tikkanen (2007) concurs with Sims (2009) and relates food tourism to Maslows hierarchy. Tikkanen (2007, p.725) identifies five approaches to food with respect to motivation for a visit. These five approaches are food as a tourist attraction, foodstuffs as a tourist product component, food experience in tourism, the role of food in culture and linkages between tourism and food production. This approach to the theory surrounding the culinary tourist demonstrates that food consumption is regarded as one of the most important factors in the marketing of a destination (Tikkanen 2007). Hence, food and tourism are increasingly combined. Food can draw a person towards or back to a holiday destination, plus more and more food products are now bought as souvenirs, which, if managed correctly could result in benefits for both the hosts and the culinary tourists. 3.4 Travel Activities and Motivation Survey While few demographic and psychographic data exist to draw a comprehensive picture of the typical culinary tourist, one major study conducted in Canada can provide some insight. In April 2001, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS), Wine and Cuisine Profile Report which is considered to be one of the most comprehensive profiles available of culinary tourists. This survey offers a comprehensive assessment of travel behaviour and motivators and provides a rich and authoritative database by which to develop future marketing strategies. According to this report, both young and mature singles along with young and mature couples were most likely to exhibit an interest in holiday activities associated with food and wine (TAMS 2001). Interest in such activities also increased as the level of education and household income increased (TAMS 2001). While this information represented Canadian travellers, the results for US travellers were extremely similar. The report did not break down travellers by specific age groups but rather categorises travellers as young or mature. The report found a high correlation between culinary tourists and exploration (TAMS 2001). This concurs with Wolfs (2006) definition above and suggests that culinary tourists are explorers. Those who exhibit an interest in vacation activities associated with wine and cuisine were considerably more likely to have sought out vacation experiences associated with exploration (e.g., visiting historical sites, natural wonders), personal indulgence (e.g., to experience the good life, visiting a casino, experiencing city life such as night life) and romance and relaxation (e.g., experience intimacy and romance, relax and recuperate) (TAMS 2001, p.19). A more recent TAMS, based again on the Canadian and US markets was published in 2007. The survey revealed that 37% (or 7.7 million) of Canadian travellers and 33% (or 58.6 million) of American travellers wer e wine and cuisine enthusiasts, exhibiting either a moderate or high interest in wine and cuisine-related activities while on trips during the years 2005-2007 (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). Similar to the 2001 survey mature (35-64 years old) couples and families (those with kids) were more likely to be interested in wine and cuisine-related activities. Young couples (less than 35 years old) and senior couples (over 64 years old), though to a lesser extent, were also actively engaged in activities associated with wine and cuisine (TAMS 2007a). Once again the 2007 report shows a strong association between tourists with an interest in wine and cuisine with increasing levels of education and household income (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). Also interesting to note is the fact that wine and cuisine enthusiasts were frequent travellers, taking an average of 4.1 trips between 2004 and 2005 versus 3.2 trips for other travellers (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). Relative to other travellers, wine and culinary tourists had a higher tendency to consult a large number of information sources when they were planning trips. Using the internet (86%), considering their own past experiences (63%) and taking advice from friends and relatives (55%) were the most popular information sources (TAMS 2007a). They were also more likely to read the travel section of daily and weekend newspapers and to surf travel-related websites than other travellers (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). It must be noted that this report evaluated the demographic behaviour of Canadian and American culinary tourists; therefore, an opportunity exists to investigate whether culinary tourists from other countries share similar demographic and psychographic traits. 3.5 The Culinary Tourist in Ireland As explained above, studies into the demographic and psychographic characteristics of food tourists are in the minority. While the TAMS provide an insight into American and Canadian tourists, a Mintel report which was published in 2009 provides some knowledge into both international and Irish tourists who holiday in Ireland. Among Irish tourists, quality is the most important factor for food. Availability of local produce is also significant, it is however recognised that these factors result is a premium price for food and so are most appealing among the older and more affluent consumers (Mintel 2009). Mintel (2009) reported that younger adults and those from lower socio-economic groups were more price sensitive while holidaying in Ireland, therefore, low cost fast-food appeals to this segment, making them less important for the food tourism market. This study stated that the most likely consumers to visit fine dining and local independent restaurants, and those most likely to show a keen interest in food while holidaying in Ireland are those aged 35 to 64, and those that fall under the upper middle class, middle class, lower middle class (ABC1) age bracket. These age groups are fortunately the fastest growing in Irish society and forecasted to make up the largest segment of the Irish population for the next decade. In terms of broader tourism trends, it is consumers from these age and socio-economic categories that are most likely to visit Ireland from abroad, and are the most likely to stay in Ireland from the Irish population. Irish culinary tourists have become of particular importance during the current economic climate as many Irish consumers are now considering holidaying at home rather than going abroad. Furthermore, this report stated that the internet is the most widely used source by tourists for both bookings and see king information prior to taking a holiday or short break within Ireland. This presents a strong portal for the promotion of the Irish food tourism industry through tourist authority websites such as Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. At present, these websites provide little or no information about food in Ireland. However, it should be noted that many older consumers have been slow to adopt to the internet, and given that these consumers form the key groups for food tourism, traditional channels should not be abandoned. Also mentioned in the report was Irelands à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬200 million festival sector, another key channel for the food tourism industry, which has a large portion dedicated to food and drink. Guides such as the Michelin guide, the Michelin Pub Guide, and the Bridgestone Guide are seen as exceptionally influential on consumers choices. Positive online reviews also have an influence as more consumers than ever use the internet. Mintel (2009) acknowledge a the trend that Irish and UK consumers have a growing affinity with food, with broadening tastes and a renewed appreciation for local ingredients and modern takes on traditional dishes, as seen with the growth of farmers markets and artisan food producers. Much of this revival and new interest in food has been driven by the media with channels like Channel 4, the BBC and RTÉ using primetime slots for cooking and food interest programmes. Ratings figures from the Broadcasters Audience Research Board for the first quarter of 2009 show that some of the more popular cooking programmes are among the top five highest viewed shows, particularly Masterchef on BBC and programmes featuring celebrity chefs like Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4. However, due to the current economic crisis, a growing number of people are eating and entertaining at home, and television has become a highly influential forum for promoting good quality food. Although this may have taken somewhat from the restaurant industry, this is in turn creating potential for cookery schools. With the growing interest in food, and the growing number of people entertaining at home there are positive signals for cooking schools, particularly within the domestic tourism arena. However, the cooking courses at these centres are relatively expensive compared to other holiday activities and in recessionary times, luxuries such as these may be less accessible if pricing strategies are not reviewed. Although this report portrayed a positive perspective for the Irish food tourism market, value for money remains a major factor hindering the development of culinary tourism in Ireland. As discussed in Chapter 2, there are issues regarding the perception that Irish food is expensive, service related issues, Irish food cost issues and the lack of innovation among food producers (Coughlan 2009). The report suggests that the government has dedicated a significant amount of funding toward promoting tourism; however, high taxes are affecting competitiveness. Failte Ireland found that although nearly 98% of tourists would recommend visiting Ireland, 19% of these had some reservations. Of this 19%, 26% stated that their main reservation was the high prices in Ireland (Failte Ireland 2010). In addition to this is the concern that not enough emphasis is being placed on promoting Ireland as a food tourism destination (Mintel 2009). These issues must be addressed if Ireland is to be perceived as a desired destination for the culinary tourist. 3.6 Summary The literature reveals that there are few insights into the demographic and psychographic characteristics of food tourists. Yet, eating is one of our most basic physiological needs even when outside our usual environment. Hence, everyone needs to eat. Therefore, it is difficult to define and describe the culinary tourist. Moreover, some tourists may be culinary enthusiasts rather than culinary tourists, and although interested in food, culinary activities are not the main purpose of travel for these categories of tourists. However, for some tourists, food becomes highly experiential and consumers are increasingly aware of the benefits (economic, environmental and health related) of local produce, and there is an increased desire to sample local dishes, foodstuffs and drink. Although, there is little known about either the food buying-behaviour of tourists or of the role it plays in the overall travel decision, destinations are increasingly using food as a means to differentiate themselves and broaden their market base. From this discussion of the literature, it can be seen that local food has the potential to play a central role within the tourism experience. There is a renewed interest in local food and drinks festivals, as well as an increased interest in local markets as tourists seek out authentic food experiences. These local food and drink products can improve the economic and environmental sustainability of both tourism and the rural host community. This chapter also discussed TAMS which is considered to be one of the most comprehensive profiles available of culinary tourists. This survey offers a comprehensive assessment of travel behaviour and motivators and provides a rich and authoritative database by which to develop future marketing strateg ies. Furthermore, an insight into the both the international and Irish tourists who holiday in Ireland was provided using a a Mintel report which was published in 2009. As suggested in the above section, food tourism is a possible competitive advantage and it can be a core element in the branding of a country or destination by marketers. Domestic and international visitors are becoming more adventurous and open to new experiences overall and with specific reference to food. Many are also looking for the genuine and authentic, which, it is believed, can be found in local foods and eating-places (Reynolds, 1993).

Analysis of Field Experience Essay -- essays research papers fc

â€Å"Analysis of Experiences†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"ANALYSIS OF EXPERIENCES† Part 1 I have taken several psychology courses at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. I believe that SOSU is a very prestige school and the Psychology Department. The Psychology Professors’ are outstanding teachers and mentors. The Psychology courses that I believe have helped me the most through my Field Experience at the Crisis Control Center would have to be, Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Personality, Interviewing Skills, Social Psychology, and Psychology of Adjustment. These courses that I have listed have helped me through this internship more than I could have ever known. Being at the shelter on a daily basis, you will experience different personalities, abnormal behavior, and many adjustment problems with our clients and their children. Not only have the courses prepared me for my field experience, but I have to admire my professors, they have helped through this internship tremendously. If I ever had any questions to ask or just someone to talk to these professors in the Psychology Department were always there to lend a hand, or just to listen to what I had to say. They would help in anyway that they could. I also have to brag on the Communication Department for their hard work. I believe that Psychology and Communication goes hand in hand with one another and if I had not taken courses such as Listening, Group Communication, and Family Communication I would not have come as far as I have in my internship. Part II. Going into my field experience I was certain that I would want to be a counselor, and work with people in an office setting on a daily basis. After completing my internship at the Crisis Control Center I have found what I would like to do as a career. I now like the legal part of the Crisis Control Center. This semester I have mainly worked with our court advocate for the Crisis Control Center. Although the support counselors at the shelter are wonderful, our court advocate goes beyond her call of duty. She helps victims of domestic violence everyday. She is on call 24/7 and has made many trips to the hospital for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She will try to get them the Justice they deserve. We go to court every week with our victims to help them with protective orders, and to give... ...   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Arrange the tasks in the order you’ll need to do them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Estimate how long each task will take. Be sure to allow enough time for editing and making changes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Identify the date the report is due, and then set a schedule showing what work you’ll need to do each day in order to have your report ready on time. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Add interest   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Use graphs and charts to illustrate an idea.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Add a picture, photo, or drawing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Include a map.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Find a quotation and use it to make your point. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Make every word count   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Choose words your reader will understand. Remember that you want to communicate your ideas to the person reading your paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Avoid clichà ©s.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Use a thesaurus to replace overused words and find new ways to express your ideas.

Time Conflict Between Work and Family

The relationship between the individual and work and family has changed dramatically over the years. Jobs and families both demand enormous commitments of time and energy, especially during peak years of family formation and career growth. Today, jobs usually consume a third of a person†s day. Americans put more hours in at work to support their families, creating more stress at home, which results in a work/family conflict, pushing parents into actually seeking more time spent at work to escape these pressures and tensions in the home. Juggling work and family life, particularly undesirable domestic chores, childcare and the increasing uncertainties and pressures of home life, are a few reasons for this battle for time spent between work and family. More effort and time is also put into work to achieve greater autonomy and job satisfaction in the workplace. This upward mobility work ethic is the heart of the American Dream. This work/ family conflict and the need for job satisfaction/autonomy in America is consequently fueled by this fast and furious pace of attaining the American Dream. These are some of the issues that are clearly depicted in the books Rivethead by Ben Hamper and The Time Bind by Arlie Russell Hochschild. Less time spent at home and more time spent at work creates a vicious cycle that is eating away at our home lives. These tendencies have become trends of an entire generation that may be placing more value on work-related achievements than on the necessary nurturing experiences of family life. The issues of family/work conflict and autonomy/job satisfaction are important issues in the sociology of work today because of the continuous social and economic changes that occur in our society and effect the welfare of American workers and their families. The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home & Home becomes Work by Arile Russell Hochschild investigates the work/family conflict. Hochschild spent three summers doing field research at a company identified only as a Fortune 500 firm that Hochschild renames Amerco, which had also been credited on several different surveys as being one of America†s 10 most â€Å"family-friendly† corporations. Hochschild research consists of interviewing all employees in the company from the top executives to factory workers by observed working parents and their children throughout their hectic days. She followed six families through a whole day and much of a night, and sat on the edge of Amerco†s parking lot to see when people started work and when they left. This study raises disturbing questions about the impact of time on contemporary lives. The excessive demands of work create stresses at home because there is insufficient time to do everything. This is especially hard on women who bear the brunt of housekeeping chores, and on children, whose emotional needs require time with parents. Except for some older men, the people Hochschild interviews are aware of and concerned about the implications of this ‘time bind†. What is surprising, consequently, is their failure to take on reduced workloads, flex time, and other components of the company†s effort to help employees balance the demands of work and home. While supporting the existence of these policies, only a few employees take advantage of them. Fears about job security and career advancements are present, of course, but many employees were uninterested in such options because they perceived work, not home, as the less stressful and more emotionally fulfilling environment. With the employees family†s on the brink of disaster and parents feeling perpetually out of control of their children†s lives and their own, the office or factory floor ends up providing a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, camaraderie and overall job satisfaction to these workers. Unfortunately, after uncovering this surprising reversal of standard expectations, Hochschild buries it by simply assuming it is a passion. By escaping from the home by going to work reflects a dynamic with costs, but it also suggests a need to reconsider common conceptions of what constitutes a satisfying life. Hochschild†s solution is a â€Å"time movement,† and organized grassroots movement that would join feminists with labor activists, professionals with the factory workers, men with women. Hochschild proposes that the coalition begin by pushing companies to judge on merit rather then time spent at work, to move to a 35-hour work week and to give workers across the board greater job security would begin to create a better family and work balance for its employees. Rivethead, by Ben Hamper, is Hamper†s description of his career as a General Motors factory worker in Flint, Michigan. A fourth generation â€Å"shoprat†, Hamper explains how an irresponsible father, numerous siblings, and his own tendency for laziness, drugs, and drinking pointed directly to a future in the factory, despite his inclinations toward poetry and music. This book is a glimpse into the life on the General Motors car and truck assembly line, showing the lived experiences of people that have now become transparent voices in mainstream American society. In 1977 he reluctantly began working in the cab shop at GM. Ranging from his experience to his retirement ten years later, Hamper writes of the monotonous blue-collar work of factory labor in a very dark humor manner. Hamper describes his factory job as very monotonous, filled with repeated layoffs and call-backs. Hamper and co-workers participate in extensive daily on-the-job alcohol and drug consumption in attempts to pass the time of their mind-numbing, repetitive nature of work. Hamper is perceptively critical of American business management, practice, and values throughout the book, and nearsightedly finds little worth or integrity in his fellow workers as in himself. The lack of desire to climb the career ladder, even finding ways to avoid work altogether, is quite prevalent throughout the book as he seeks to please no one, not even himself, even though he succeeds beyond even his expectations. The major issues in Rivethead that are to blame for this type of worker behavior is the lack of job satisfaction along with work/family conflicts. Besides Hamper†s quest to go bowling with GM chairman Roger Smith, Hamper is constantly displaying a need for an easier and more rewarding job. Other issues not related to actual job duties affect worker job satisfaction as well, such as the desire to more comfortably combine work and life. The work/family conflict is seen through the time constraints that limit him and other factory workers from spending time with family. These time constraints create added stress at home on top of the existing problems that cause for a dysfunctional family. These stresses push parents/spouses into escaping these home ridden tensions by working longer hours in the factory. The less time spent at home and more time spent at work creates a vicious cycle that is eating away at all American families. The two major issues of work that I am going to analyze from a sociological standpoint are the work/family conflict and autonomy/job satisfaction. In The Time Bind and Rivethead, the issue of job satisfaction is seen through Hochschild†s and Hamper†s depiction of the priority levels of the employees† jobs and their families as seen in their lives. In The Time Bind, Hochschild†s sample was small and all her subjects worked for the same company, she found that both mothers and fathers were choosing work over home. The couples she observed regularly chose not to take advantage of the company†s policies regarding family or personal time, and they had come to find the workplace more comforting than the tensions of home and family. There is a terrible lack of support for families in the workplace in general, and work is perceived as more pleasant than home because at least at work parents are supported and know when they are doing the right thing or the wrong thing as opposed to home. Even though the job satisfaction factor varies between levels of responsibility, the accomplishments felt in the workplace versus the home is quite large. In Rivethead, the issue of job satisfaction as depicted by Hamper is seen through the effects if shiftwork on the factory workers families and social lives. Plagued by constant exhaustion and obsessed with not getting enough sleep, factory workers suffer from high levels of irritability, mood swings, and stress. All of these create complications in family relationships. Factory workers often work long hours and either conform to their family†s routine, or follow a routine of their own, otherwise they are forced to live to some extent, independent of their families as in Rivethead. The working conditions in factories play a large role in the lack of job satisfaction, â€Å"†¦ hen someone works hard all day in a smoky chamber full of sludge, noise, armpits, beer breath, cigar butts, psychos, manic depressives, grease pits, banana stickers, venom and gigantic stalking kitty cats†¦. â€Å", (Hamper:116). These work conditions are quite disturbing and inhumane to the welfare of the worker. The constant need for job satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment and autonomy is quite evident throughout the book. â€Å"There were so many of us shoprats that we were all just part of some faceless heard. â€Å", (Hamper:40). Because job satisfaction differs between levels of work and responsibility, other contributing factors, such as work and family conflict, can affect job satisfaction. Hocschild†s and Hamper†s books depict the work/family conflict as though the family is gradually being shoved out of the mainstream of American social life. Hocschild points out that the battle for time is definitely present. She raises questions like how we should be judged, either based on the hours of work we put in or our accomplishments while at work, â€Å"The time a worker works in and of itself, has to count as much as the results accomplished within that time. Time is a symbol of commitment†¦. whether time mattered more than results was a key point of contention. But it became buried in the company†s rhetoric. † (Hocschild: 69). The ultimate effects of long work hours on our lives have long term consequences on home life that become difficult to justify to our families. As in Rivethead, work seemed to function as a backup system to a destabilizing family, â€Å"My marriage to Joanie was quickly beginning to crumble. Between my nightly beer-bombing over at Glen†s and our continual teetering on the brink of poverty†¦. here was only one antidote to our marital woes; finding me gainful employment†¦. she was the breadwinner and I was the louse. The parallel between my behavior and my old man†s was something that didn†t escape me. â€Å", (Hamper:26-28). In the past decade, socio-economic conditions have contributed to the need for dual incomes for families. Dual incomes call for both parents to work, hence, no one is home with the children. In the past, it was the norm for women to stay home having a more expressive role in the family; taking care of children and providing emotional support for the family. Presently, women tend to feel that their traditional roles as child bearers and homemakers must be supplemented with a sense of achievement outside the home. This need for achievement through job satisfaction for men and women can have positive and negative effects on children. A child who observes the competent coping abilities of a working parent learns how to cope with life†s problems. The parent is then perceived as a positive role model. It can render a child to be more emotionally mature and competent in dealing with responsibility as needed for schoolwork and extra curricular activities. The negative connotations hard working parents and their children experience are much more drastic on the worker and the family. The aspects of parenting that are affected when faced with longer work hours are quality, quantity and content of time spent at home. The pressures and stresses may be created by ourselves in our home-life and only reinforced by the workplace. Different economic, social, and political surroundings foster our stress that set the stage for an overall reduced quality of life as seen in The Time Bind and Rivethead. Because society has changed, the family†s function within society has changed as well. Work/family conflict and the need for job satisfaction/autonomy have required parental and family roles to become modified to meet these changes. Jobs and families both demand enormous commitments of time and energy on the worker, especially during peak years of family formation and career growth. These controversial issues are clearly depicted in the books Rivethead by Ben Hamper and The Time Bind by Arlie Russell Hochschild. Less time spent at home which creates work/family conflict and more time spent at work in an attempt to develop more job satisfaction/autonomy creates a vicious cycle that is depleting family values and home lives. Sadly these trends are becoming more popular of an entire generation trying to compete in a global market where higher value is placed on work achievements, struggle for upward mobility and job satisfaction rather than on the satisfaction of family life and concerns. This work ethic has always been the heart of the American Dream, to work hard, move upward in your job, and be financially sound. Yet, the positive motives for success in our jobs is to blame for the negative consequences of the difficult task of creating an equal balance between work and very important satisfactions of family life. The demands and effects that society place on every American worker to keep up with the rate at which our society is competing in a fast paced global economy raises the question as to where our priorities lie, in the family or in the work? â€Å"Work may not ‘always be there† for the employee, but then again, home may not either. † (Hochschild:201).

The eNotes Blog Hey, Seniors! Words of Wisdom Before YouGraduate

Hey, Seniors! Words of Wisdom Before YouGraduate As you mightve heard, our editorial intern Yael graduated last week! Now that the penny has dropped, we asked her to share some advice with soon to be graduating seniors. At the risk of inducing a minor panic attack, we asked her, what would you have done differently? This is what she came up with. Alright†¦I messed up. In my time as an adult (3 days) I’ve acquired a lot of wisdom. As you may know, I just graduated. And with graduating comes lots of â€Å"looking back.† Let me tell ya, there are a lot of things I should have done differently in college. Here are just a couple. Maybe you can use them. We both know, though, that chances are you’ll ignore them like I did, and be thinking the same thing whenever you finish. But I’m trying to help you, here. So, FOCUS. For me, the main problem was planning. I’m not really one for planning, or for looking ahead. It makes me uncomfortable. I’m here to tell you that a little bit of planning is probably important in college. I speak from personal (painful) experience. So, here’s what can happen if you’re stubborn, like I was, and refuse to think things through: You may get dropped from your major. Okay, so I didn’t read the fine print (who reads the fine print?) and missed a key line that said, â€Å"all prerequisites must be completed by the fall quarter of your third year.† Ha ha†¦what? I got an email that said I couldn’t be a psychology major anymore, at which point I cried, and sat (for a very long time) in a pool of self pity and loathing. It all worked out in the end because I am just that persuasive and luck was on my side. But please don’t do this. Unnecessary stress, unnecessary comfort food gorging. Read your major requirements. All of them. Even the ones in really tiny print. You may not be friends with a single one of your professors 😠¦ I may have slept through most all of my lectures, but I just don’t get why my professors don’t know or like me†¦ I was not exactly the best student. I tried, I really did. Even sat up front in class. But something about being inside a lecture hall made me fall asleep, almost every time. This means that now I most likely won’t be able to find any professors who know me well enough or who think me charming enough to write me a letter of recommendation. If you plan on going to graduate school, make friends with your professors. Make them your buddies, and then ask them to write you the BEST letter of recommendation that they’ve ever written. That’s what you should do. Don’t fall asleep or yawn in class or ditch class altogether. Then you’d be me, which means you’d be ridiculous. Get it together! You may leave all your most annoying and difficult classes for your last quarter/semester. You will probably not do so well in these classes. If you can, you should probably just avoid this painful situation altogether. You will have no motivation during your last term. Studying will not be easy. You will develop anger for anything remotely academic. I suggest leaving all your most mind-numbingly easy classes for this term, if you can. Plan out your course-load as best as you can so that you can ensure smooth sailing through your last term. You may graduate with a degree in unemployment. Apparently my university has this wonderful thing called a career center. I’d heard about it but never really explored. There are magic fairies there that help you learn how to give professional interviews, write professional resumes, and get professional jobs. Man, oh man. Guess what? I didn’t go there, until the week before I graduated, at which point they told me â€Å"once you graduate you are no longer eligible for our services†. Fairies, why? Take advantage of these services when you can, or you will likely end up like me: unemployed and confused. As I’m sure you can imagine, this is just a shortened list. A taste, if you will, of my poor planning skills and their consequences. I’m sure you get the picture though. If you need more tips on things to savor in college, feel free to check out this here post. Otherwise, I wish you the best of luck. You will probably (definitely) need it. Have any thoughts on what you would have done differently if you could go back and do college again? Wed love to hear your thoughts in a comment!