Homosexuality and Sullivan Essay Example for Free

Homosexuality and Sullivan Essay There is much controversy on the rights of same sex marriage ranging from religious viewpoints to the rights as individuals being able to obtain the same rights as heterosexual couples. In the essay â€Å"My Big Fat Straight Wedding† written by Andrew Sullivan, he asks his audience to see the option of gay marriage through the eyes of each person’s own individuality. In his essay, his language, tone, and arguments seem to speak to a specific audience letting them know change is coming and naturally as it should. He gives examples of his own same sex marriage in California and how it made him feel as an individual. Sullivan’s main point was to prove as individuals we all should have the right to marry whom we want and eventually same sex marriages will be understood and accepted. Starting with the tone of the essay you get a feeling as if Sullivan is speaking to you in a conversation, asking his audience a question. Andrew Sullivan’s first line in the essay sets the tone for the language he uses throughout the text â€Å"What if gays were straight? †(102) Sullivan challenges the reader to find absurdity in even the thought of it. Reading that line alone, I could tell that Sullivan was pro for gay marriage. The tone of the essay comes across as though it is a crime to not think of gay marriage as an individual right. There are many places were homosexuality is still uncommon and it is clear the author might be writing to a younger audience in a more diverse area. Sullivan jumps back and forth through the essay with different attitudes in his text. He provides a passage from a California ruling and then asks his audience a serious question. He sets a tone for his readers to question the government and its laws, providing evidence that the laws easily contradict itself. He then uses examples from reality television show, telling his audience that suggesting homosexuals are now more accepted because they are on T. V. How are readers supposed to take the essay serious if references to MTV’s Real World as made as evidence? What about all the small towns in America who don’t have a monthly television subscription to MTV? If Sullivan wants to the readers to question the definition of individuality and how we use the term, he definitely challenges the reader to think. The definition of ndividual alone shows contradictions in civil right laws and constitutional rights we have as Americans. In some parts of his essay does not seem serious or sincere rather seems as if his readers should know what is wrong. He mocks the laws for not giving homosexuals their own right or individuality and the essay comes off less informative and more sarcastic. Homosexuality may be normal in some states of America but he speaks to his audience as if it is accepted everywhere even though gay marriage is only legal in nine out of fifty states in the United States. Sullivan sets up a whole war of counter arguments in his tone alone, because gay marriage is still not legal everywhere in America and he makes light of the issues still at hand. While reading the essay, there seem were to questions that weren’t fully answered. Sullivan sets up a good argument through his own personal experience of marriage and the sense of comfort he found when he experienced it. There is no better argument than personal experience because no one can argue with someone’s own experience. I found his experience of marriage very sincere because if one has a sense of family you can relate on the emotions you may feel with them. Sullivan touches his audience with the relation of family and the good or bad emotions you can feel when you’re with them. He makes the reader feel empathic towards his wedding, allowing them to stand in his shoes and experience the joy you feel when you are getting married. Although the gay culture is accepted in some parts of the United States it does not answer for all the other places in the United States where it is still uncommon. Just because gay culture is now shown on television, or there are now gay soldiers it does not answer the one question he asks which is â€Å"Why don’t gay people have their own individual rights to get married? † In providing fun pop culture facts he can relate to a younger more diverse audience but it does not change the fact that marriage is not legal. He also goes on in the essay saying that the gay culture is more common in this era and suggests more people are coming out at younger ages. This reference brings out a counter argument. What about all the areas in the United States and around the world where people cannot come out because it is not accepted where they live? It contradicts his whole argument that our country is going in the right moral direction of accepting gay relationships. Are we being racist or is being gay morally wrong? Sullivan leaves his essay open for a lot of counter arguments because his essay suggests that although gay marriage laws were passed in the state he lives in; but in forty-one other st ates gay couples still cannot wed. His reference at the end of his essay, suggests that it written in the time period gay marriage was legal in California. Same sex marriages were legal in California; 5 months later Prop 8 was passed and gay marriage was illegal again. At this point where same sex marriages are not legal in California anymore, the author comes off as arrogant and too confident in his thought of America changing its thoughts of homosexuality because it marriage is not possible for the gay community in California anymore. The language in Sullivan uses comes off as accessible; it is easily read and understood. The author shows his viewpoint on homosexuality with emotional language pointing out an argument and then calling it â€Å"absurd†. With his use of certain words and phrases you can set a tone and even sense a vibe from the reader that he is emotional about the topic. In one of his arguments he says â€Å"This transformation in understanding happened organically. †(103) he leaves his essay open for argument. Saying the world â€Å"organically† suggests that America is slowly and naturally is starting to understand the gay community. Is understanding the gay community going to happen naturally? And if so why hasn’t it happened yet? The language the author uses shows his emotion towards the topic, which eventually starts asking the reader to choose sides. The essay can start to become more bias and less informative. Sullivan also uses the slang â€Å"gays† and â€Å"straights†. In using the slang his essay might be less appealing to a broader audience, because although Sullivan is gay himself, it may offend people gay or not. The tone, text, and content in which Sullivan provides his audience seems like he may have a target group maybe of college students who live in California and comfortable with the gay culture and passionate about same-sex marriages. He seems although he is just reminding his audience of their rights, as individuals and letting them know that the gay community are supposed to be considered as individuals first. It seems to miss the millions of people that are unaware the unfair injustice homosexuals may face. The essay may not touch a broader audience because still in forty one states same sex marriages is still not legal and reading this essay may just remind them of that and prove his whole essay as a false hope.

Humans & Nature In The Industrial Revolution :: Essays Papers

Humans & Nature In The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was a technological transformation because during this time inventions began spreading like wild fire. The first invention came in the cotton industry. Cotton was a key part of Englands economy and the demand for it was very high, but the production was very low. A solution to this problem was found when Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. This new invention showed the efficiency of machinery as one person could now produce six-hundred pounds of cotton per day. " The cotton industry presented the most dramatic example of rapid transition from a traditional, loosely organized, dependent on hand tool technology, to a centrally managed and centrally located factory system using large scale machinery, powered by inanimate sources of energy." ( Deane, pg. 17) Another key invention was the steam engine. The dissenters played a huge role in making this invention possible. They found burning coal was much more useful than trees. Steam engines provide d better transportation, but more important it brought the factories out off the hillside. The factories and water mills that once needed the hills of the mountains now could go into the cities and prosper greatly. It was also during the revolution that many countries changed economically. With the inventions of the steam engine and cotton gin came the soaring of many economies across the country. For this rising economy the increase in production of cotton is an immediate effect. People were able to produce more product with less workers and in less time. Another key element for the rise in economies was the idea of large scale banking operations. This is best seen with the creation of the National City Bank in New York City. Another key economic addition was the idea of capitalism. " Capitalist, people who have their own materials, money, and space, bought many machines and stored them in a factory, where hired people worked the whole day manufacturing goods. Humans & Nature In The Industrial Revolution :: Essays Papers Humans & Nature In The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was a technological transformation because during this time inventions began spreading like wild fire. The first invention came in the cotton industry. Cotton was a key part of Englands economy and the demand for it was very high, but the production was very low. A solution to this problem was found when Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. This new invention showed the efficiency of machinery as one person could now produce six-hundred pounds of cotton per day. " The cotton industry presented the most dramatic example of rapid transition from a traditional, loosely organized, dependent on hand tool technology, to a centrally managed and centrally located factory system using large scale machinery, powered by inanimate sources of energy." ( Deane, pg. 17) Another key invention was the steam engine. The dissenters played a huge role in making this invention possible. They found burning coal was much more useful than trees. Steam engines provide d better transportation, but more important it brought the factories out off the hillside. The factories and water mills that once needed the hills of the mountains now could go into the cities and prosper greatly. It was also during the revolution that many countries changed economically. With the inventions of the steam engine and cotton gin came the soaring of many economies across the country. For this rising economy the increase in production of cotton is an immediate effect. People were able to produce more product with less workers and in less time. Another key element for the rise in economies was the idea of large scale banking operations. This is best seen with the creation of the National City Bank in New York City. Another key economic addition was the idea of capitalism. " Capitalist, people who have their own materials, money, and space, bought many machines and stored them in a factory, where hired people worked the whole day manufacturing goods.

Elder Abuse and Neglect: Trends and Implications Essay

Considering the growing number of elder population in the world, and more specifically in the US, the reality of elder abuse or mistreatment has increasingly become a cause of concern specially for the health sector. Political and social forums have lent a stage for policy debates related to elder abuse. Though statistics show that elder abuse is common in many households and health care facilities, it is still considered as an underreported type of family violence. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization define elder abuse as â€Å"a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action occurring within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person† (as cited by Perel-Levin, 2005). Abuse of elderly people occurs in several ways, and often the types of abuse overlap with one another. The five commonly identified categories of elder abuse are physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, financial or material abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. (Bergeron, 2005; Dyer and Rowe, 1999; Kingston & Penhale, 1995; Perel-Levin, 2005). Elder abuse is a violation of human rights Perel-Levin (2005) and it constitutes potentially serious health and social problems (Kingston & Penhale, 1995). Perel-Levin (2005) assert that because of the speed of population ageing worldwide, elder abuse will also increase unless interventions are done to address it. A study made by the National Center for Elder revealed that 1996 saw more than 500,000 victims of elder abuse in America and that the great majority (84%) were not reported. This implies that there are several millions of elder abuse victims who continue to suffer in silence and without due recourse or help from authorities (NCEA, 1996). In the UK, at least half a million older persons are abused each year, yet it is believed that most such abuse remains unreported because its victims are too frightened, ashamed or embarrassed to come forward (Department of Health, 2007; as cited in Cronin, 2007). Health professionals as well as researchers agree that elder abuse and neglect often take place in the context of illness and caretaking issues (Bergeron, 2005). It is ironic because these facilities should instead safeguard the welfare and well-being of patients and wards instead of condoning abuse and neglect or turning a blind eye. It is commonly believed that the risk factors for elder abuse are present caretaking facilities that are tasked to safeguard the welfare of the elders. These settings include home health care, mental health clinics, emergency departments, and acute settings, as well as in long-term institutional care (Bergeron, 2005). These contentions support the critical argument of this paper that the reality of elder abuse and its still blurred status in institutional policy orientations augurs many pejoratives and adverse implications for older adults particularly those residing in nursing facilities. A victim of elder abuse would most likely suffer from worsening health condition which could very well adversely affect his social relationships, mental health and life endeavours. Trends Various sectors of the society have taken the cudgel to win the battle against elder abuse, mistreatment and neglect. Heading the cry for eradication of the problem is the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) which is under the auspices of the US Administration for Aging. It is working closely with many other advocates. NCEA is composed of a consortium of professionals and experts from various disciplines, most of them being researchers, practitioners and educators (NCEA website). Addressing the elder abuse dilemma has also been pacing up at the World Health Organization and has commissioned researches to gather information about the problem for it to come up with working solutions and interventions on a global scale. The mandate of the NCEA gives an overview of the efforts of practitioners and advocates to solve the problem on elder abuse and to promote the dignity of elder persons. Elder abuse is studied and dissected in many aspects focusing on 1) causes and risk factors, 2) prevalence and incidence of elder abuse in various contexts (e. g. , the home and health care facilities), 3) clinical screening and abuse identification, 4) evaluation of risk assessment tools and elder abuse instruments, and 5) prevention and treatment protocols with emphasis on evidence-based practice, among others (NCEA website). In a research partly sponsored by the Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education and the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, it is asserted that family violence which includes child abuse, partnership violence and elder mistreatment has become a â€Å"major social, health and law enforcement issue† as it continues to impact on policy directions as well as strain the capability of law enforcement agencies, judicial bodies, social service agencies, and health care centers (Chalk & King, 1998). Elder abuse and neglect issues have been taken in political agenda. In a remarkable eye-opening testimony by Catherine Hawes (Professor and Director of the Southwest Rural Health Research Center at the School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center), she confirmed to the US Senate that indeed elder abuse is a sad reality in residential long-term care settings. The gist of her testimony contends that patients in such residential facilities are very vulnerable to mistreatment and abuse, that the problem elder abuse and neglect are caused by â€Å"low staffing levels and inadequate staff training†, that evidence suggests to the effectiveness of existing guidelines and practices to minimize the problem in residential facilities, and that the elder abuse problem in such settings have not been given the right attention (Hawes, 2002). Elder abuse and neglect has also become a critical issue in the fields of criminology and law enforcement. The number of elder abuse related studies in the field of criminal justice have escalated. A project conducted by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, with the assistance of the University of California , Irvine School of Medicine by virtue of a grant made by the National Institute of Justice, highlights several recommendations relating to medical forensic issues on elder abuse were presented and which may be used as a guide in research and policy endeavors of other practitioners. In another research, Blake & Dolon (2006) gives a comprehensive and methodical approach to the abuse and neglect issue that will be of great use to the criminal justice system and the social services sector, among others. Practical examples and situations are given to illustrate their concepts and to describe proposed interventions in the legal context (e. g. , establishment of guardianship), for the health sector (e. g. , diagnosis and treatment), and in the social services sector (e. g. , home care or counselling). Forensic studies also provide guidance in conducting research-based forensic interviews. One such study is that Cooper and King (2006), which set up clear interview guidelines in aid of forensic investigation of an offender who committed sexual assault against an elderly. An evaluation of the criminal justice response to elder abuse in nursing homes was conducted by Payne & Gainey (2006). Analyzing 801 cases of elder abuse in nursing homes revealed that physical assault is the most common form of abuse and that work stress contributes to elder abuse incidence. The researchers suggest that preventative measures should be implemented forthwith in nursing homes. Implications The health and medical sciences as well as occupational science are linked together because they focus on the health and well-being of human beings. Implications of elder abuse to the health sector come from different perspectives, but the essence of occupational science and justice are mostly integrated in these perspectives. For health care providers, they are not only in an ideal position to engage in early identification, support and referral of persons experiencing elder abuse but should also recognize and accept it as their responsibility to address the risks of elder abuse (Kingston & Penhale, 1995). However, Fulmer, et al (2004) say that the health care sector experience difficulty fulfilling these roles. Citing several studies, it was asserted that elder abuse treatment attitudes among nurses with older patients tend to be negative (McLafferty & Morrison, 2004) and that ignorance in hospitals of the problem of elder abuse is characteristic of the situation in general (Cohen, et al, 2006). Richardson, et al; (2002) found that at baseline, staff often do not recognize, record and report abuse. Still, Nahmiash and Reis (2000) found in their study that the most accepted and successful strategies for abused older adults are concrete: nursing and other medical care and homemaking assistance, thus health professionals, especially nurses, are likely to be among those accepted by abused adults. Accident and emergency departments are often the first point of contact for an abused older person (Dyer & Rowe, 1999). Notwithstanding the problems in recognising abuse and the complexities of dealing with older people, emergency nurses need not prove or disprove it is present; it is their responsibility though to act if they suspect it (Cronin, 2007) and they should not be afraid to seek help if they are suspicious of abuse, lest they fall short of their responsibility. (Dyer and Rowe, 1999). For the occupational therapist, an acute understanding of elder abuse and its symptoms could help him screen and identify elder abuse, refer incidence to authorities or to enhance therapeutic protocols to restore health and well-being of an abused elder. Knowledge of the experiences of an elderly patient will give the practitioner valuable insights on the patient’s physical state and mental condition and which will help the patient-therapist partnership in designing and implementing therapeutic programs. Conclusion The sad reality of elder abuse stares us into the face and we can’t help but stare back in terror and fear. The face of an old person with beaten black and blue or a disposition that showed the heartbreaking misery of being attacked or robbed by one’s own family are indeed not only poignant pictures but terrifying as well. Imagine millions of faces like these. It would be a terrible world to live in. As already underscored earlier, elder abuse is underreported. Even as statistics show that millions of abuse cases have been reported, there are millions more who are hidden and kept secret. The reported statistics is just the tip of the iceberg. As also discussed, elder abuse is committed in residential facilities by no less than the health professionals who are supposed to be the protectors of their health and well-being. This is a cause of panic. This is an issue that should not escape the judicious eyes and ears of law and government. Occupational science could contribute so much in policy-making as well as designing protocols to prevent or treat elder abuse. References Bergeron, L. R. (2005). Elder abuse: Clinical assessment and obligation to report. In K. A. Kendall-Tackett (Ed. ), Health consequences of abuse in the family: A clinical guide for evidence based practice.. Washington DC: American Psychological Association. pp. 109-128. Blakely, B. & Dolon, R. (2006). Elder mistreatment (from Crisis Intervention in Criminal Justice/Social Service). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher Ltd. Chalk, R. and King, PA, eds. (1998). Violence in families: Assessing prevention and treatment programs.. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. Cohen, M. , et al. (2006). Risk of abuse by their caregivers: development of a screening tool for identifying elderly people at risk of abuse by their caregivers. The Journal of Aging and Health. Retrieved Sept 25 2008 from ttp://jah. sagepub. com/cgi/content/abstract/18/5/660 Cronin, G. (2007). Elder abuse: the same old story? Emergency Nurse. Vol 15, No 3 June 2007. Dyer, C. & Rowe, J. 1999. Elder abuse. Trauma 1999; 1: 163-169 Arnold Publishers Fulmer, T. (2004). Progress in elder abuse screening and assessment instruments. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Vol 52, No 2. Retrieved January 10, 2009 from http://www. hartfordign. org/publications/trythis/issue15. pdf. Fulmer, T. , Paveza, G. , Abraham, I. , & Fairchild, S. (2000). Elder neglect assessment in the emergency department. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 26, 436-443. Hawes, Catherine. (2002). Elder abuse in residential long-term care facilities: What is known about prevalence, causes, and prevention. Testimony before the U. S. Senate Committee on Finance, June 18, 2002. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://finance. senate. gov/hearings/testimony/061802chtest. pdf.

Chemistry 101 - Introduction and Index of Topics

Welcome to the world of Chemistry 101! Chemistry is the study of matter. Like physicists, chemists study the fundamental properties of matter and they also explore the interactions between matter and energy. Chemistry is a science, but it is also used in human communication and interaction, cooking, medicine, engineering, and a host of other disciplines. Although people use chemistry every day with no apparent problem, if the time comes to take a course in chemistry in high school or college, many students are filled with dread. Dont be! Chemistry is manageable and even fun. Ive compiled some study tips and resources to make your encounter with chemistry easier. Not sure where to start? Try Chemistry Basics. Periodic Table of the Elements You need a trusty periodic table for practically all aspects of chemistry! There are links to characteristics of elements groups, too. Periodic TablePrintable Periodic TablesGroups of Elements Periodic Table Helpful Resources Use these resources to look up unfamiliar terms, identify chemical structures, and recognize the elements. Worked Chemistry ProblemsChemistry GlossaryChemical Structures ArchiveInorganic ChemicalsElement PhotographsFamous ChemistsScience Lab Safety Signs Introduction to Chemistry 101 Learn about what chemistry is and how the science of chemistry is studied. What Is Chemistry?What Is a Chemical?What Is the Scientific Method? Math Basics Math is used in all the sciences, including chemistry. To learn chemistry, you need to understand algebra, geometry, and some trig, as well as be able to work in scientific notation and perform unit conversions. Accuracy Precision ReviewSignificant FiguresScientific NotationPhysical ConstantsMetric Base UnitsTable of Derived Metric UnitsMetric Unit PrefixesUnit CancellingTemperature ConversionsExperimental Error Calculations Atoms and Molecules Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. Atoms join together to form compounds and molecules. Learn about the parts of the atom and how atoms form bonds with other atoms. Basic Model of the AtomBohr ModelAtomic Mass Atomic Mass NumberTypes of Chemical BondsIonic vs Covalent BondsRules for Assigning Oxidation NumbersLewis Structures and Electron Dot ModelsIntroduction to Molecular GeometryWhat Is a Mole?More About Molecules MolesLaw of Multiple Proportions Stoichiometry Stoichiometry describes the proportions between atoms in molecules and reactants/products in chemical reactions. Learn about how matter reacts in predictable ways so that you can balance chemical equations. Types of Chemical ReactionsHow to Balance EquationsHow to Balance Redox ReactionsGram to Mole ConversionsLimiting Reactant Theoretical YieldMole Relations in Balanced EquationsMass Relations in Balanced Equations States of Matter The states of matter are defined by the structure of matter as well as whether it has a fixed shape and volume. Learn about the different states and how matter transforms itself from one state to another. States of MatterPhase Diagrams Chemical Reactions Once you have learned about atoms and molecules, youre ready to examine the type of chemical reactions that can occur. Reactions in WaterTypes of Inorganic Chemical Reactions Periodic Trends The properties of the elements exhibit trends based on the structure of their electrons. The trends or periodicity can be used to make predictions about the nature of the elements. Periodic Properties TrendsElement Groups Solutions Its important to understand how substance dissolve and how mixtures behave. Solutions, Suspensions, Colloids, DispersionsCalculating Concentration Gases Gases exhibit special properties based on having no fixed size or shape. Introduction to Ideal GasesIdeal Gas LawBoyles LawCharles LawDaltons Law of Partial Pressures Acids Bases Acids and bases are concerned with the actions of hydrogen ions or protons in aqueous solutions. Acid Base DefinitionsCommon Acids BasesStrength of Acids BasesCalculating pHpH ScaleNegative pHBuffersSalt FormationHenderson-Hasselbalch EquationTitration BasicsTitration Curves Thermochemistry Physical Chemistry Learn about the relationships between matter and energy. Laws of ThermochemistryStandard State ConditionsCalorimetry, Heat Flow and EnthalphyBond Energy Enthalpy ChangeEndothermic Exothermic ReactionsWhat Is Absolute Zero? Kinetics Matter is always in motion! Learn about the motion of atoms and molecules, or kinetics. Factors that Affect Reaction RateChemical Reaction Order Atomic Electronic Structure Much of the chemistry that you learn is associated with electronic structure, since electrons can move around much more easily than protons or neutrons. Valences of the ElementsAufbau Principle Electronic StructureElectron Configuration of the ElementsAufbau Principle Electronic StructureNernst EquationQuantum Numbers Electron OrbitalsHow Magnets Work Nuclear Chemistry Nuclear chemistry is concerned with the behavior of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus. Radiation RadioactivityIsotopes Nuclear SymbolsRate of Radioactive DecayAtomic Mass Atomic AbundanceCarbon-14 Dating Chemistry Practice Problems No matter how well you understand the text or the lecture, sometimes you need to see examples of how to approach and solve chemistry problems. Index of Worked Chemistry ProblemsPrintable Chemistry Worksheets Chemistry Quizzes Test your understanding of key chemistry concepts. How to Take a TestAtomic Structure QuizAcids Bases QuizChemical Bonds QuizElement Number QuizElement Picture QuizUnits of Measurement Quiz Science Fair Projects Doing a science fair project? Learn how to use the scientific method to design an experiment and test a hypothesis. Science Fair Project Help Other Useful Stuff Acids and BasesBefore You Buy a Chemistry TextbookCareers in ChemistryHigh School Courses Needed for College ChemLaboratory Safety RulesLesson PlansMaterial Safety Data SheetsStudy TipsTop Chemistry DemonstrationsTop Ways to Fail a Chemistry ClassWhat is the IUPAC?Why Get a Doctoral Degree?Why Students Fail Chemistry