The Processes Of Social And Family Relations Essay Example for Free

The Processes Of Social And Family Relations Essay Culture refers to a set of attitudes, values, systems and traditions that are shared by some common people in the society. It is what defines a set of people and distinguishes them from another. There is a correlation between culture and behavior. The social upbringing of a child in a family set up would influence her future behavior. The child would recognize that way as the most appropriate one of doing things. On family relations, individualists would become emotional and aggressive. On the ether hand, Collectivists would be emphatic and tolerant people. Career development strategies would influence one’s self confidence or lack of it. Uncertainty of a career of one’ choice may lead to aggression, drug abuse due to frustration and other deviant behaviors in the society. Various stakeholders are involved in career development. These include parents, teachers and counselors. How they approach career development would affect one’s behavior. The difference between individualist and collectivist cultures is that whereas individualists believe in independence, collectivists believe in externality and group work. Political organization is a set / system of the body politic and the government. Within the political environment, there exist checks and balances whereby certain interested parties/groups like the human rights activists and trade unionists keep the government on its toes. This would lead to a reduction of deviance and other social injustices in the community. But depending on whether one is an individualist/ collectivist, political organization would determine how he/she would react to the changes in the political environment. In career development, people with individualist cultures tend to follow what they deem best. Collectivists would consult and their conclusions would encompass external opinions and ideas. Individualism makes one independent-minded who in addition is mesmerized  Ã‚   in eigocentricy. For a collectivist, he is a humble and accommodative person. Advantages of individualism are that one makes autonomous decisions. Decisions are made after they have been widely thought out. However, no single individual is perfect in all aspects. People need each other in society. Internality breeds selfishness and societal discrimination. A collective culture is advantageous in terms of problem solving especially those that determine one’s future trait/behavior. Conflicts are well solved through consultation. One also learns other people’s cultures and this brings about cultural fit in the society. However, collectivism has its own drawbacks. People are different and one may not make concrete judgments and/or resolutions when he/she engages others. This can lead to confusion and lack of independence when solving problems. REFERENCES Clyde Klukholm, Culture and behavior, Free Press of Glencoe, 2006

The Notion Of Film And Ideology Film Studies Essay

The Notion Of Film And Ideology Film Studies Essay What do you understand by the notion of film and ideology. With reference  All That Heaven Allows and or other films from this unit, write an essay that explores the ideological messages or politics of class or race or gender or ethnicity in the selected film or films. Ever since their creation in the late 1800s, films have been considered an interesting and exciting form of visual entertainment that shows stories unfolding. However, the pre and post world war one era have given films a new purpose, that of demonstrating different ideologies. Ideologies can be defined as the ideas and manners of thinking of a particular group, social class or even individuals. This essay will demonstrate how films explore different ideological messages with reference to All That Heaven Allows by Douglas Sirk. Films have been considered by the bourgeoisie, or ruling class as a timeless expression of the human condition. However, they are seen as commodities that are specific to a historical period in time which privileges capitalism as well as the ruling class, but is made to appear as a common interest of all members of society (Marx 135) through the usage of ideology. In fact, movies tend to present audiences with certain types of behavior, which are either deemed as positive or negative depending on how the characters portray them. These behaviors usually reflect the filmmakers own values which will ultimately highlight the importance of certain institutions. Some argue that a filmmakers responsibility is to show a depiction of reality (Klinger 31). However, the term reality is relative. The merging of ideology and film has permitted the endorsement of the dominant values that society approves of, thus the marginalization of other alternatives (Barthes 44) which means that the public gets what it approves of. This reinforces the values put in place by society and uses films to create utopic versions of their beliefs instead of reality. Moreover, this endorsement induces false consciousness through diversion and misinformation (Marx 72), which ultimately blocks the working class from overthrowing capitalism. This theory assumes that audiences are cultural dopes, meaning that they take in the standardized directives given by society, and carry on these roles without question (Garfinkel 54). For instance, they might express either implicitly or explicitly that a womans place is only at home or that interclass relationships are not possible. However, many movies questioned the values put on a pedestal by society (Grant 33) through different film aspects such as the colors used, the costumes as well as the mise en scene. The movie All That Heaven Allows by Douglas Sirk in 1955 is categorized under melodrama, a genre known to exaggerate both plot and characters in order to appeal to emotions. Melodramas usually portray clichà © romantic or domestic situations that mostly only appeal to female audiences. This particular genre reinforces stereotypes of genders, race, class and ethnicity. Sirk, however, uses melodrama in the movie to show the failure of the ideologies that took place in the 1950s, an era characterized by conformity, conservatism, conformity, materialism as well as anticommunism (Barry 45). The movie portrays the internal and external conflicts that an affluent widow named Carey Scott with two college aged children, Kay and Ned, goes through as she attempts to break out of her bourgeois type lifestyle through a love affair she has with Ron Kirby, her Gardner. It is clear from a number of different scenes in this film that the usage of colors, reflections and characters are important to depict a theme of stereotypical gender roles in a visual manner. The mise en -scene pushes the idea of women being trapped in the confines of their own homes. Several shots of Cary through the reflection of the triangular shaped objects of her house such as windows; picture frames and even TV sets refer to a prisoner held in a cell. Moreover, her house is a cluttered mess filled with furniture and memorabilia that refer back to her previous marriage with the father of her children, the successful businessman. A set of white flowers is placed all over the house representing Careys frail beauty as well as mental state while also setting a tone of melodrama. This approach to reflection and echoing are set to imply a feeling of despair and sadness. Moreover, the dà ©cor of Careys house falls in line with that same idea of sadness. The colors present in her house are very minimalistic and use the gray scale that uses mostly blacks, whites and greys. Interestingly enough, these are the colors that Careys character is seen wearing throughout the movie, with the exception of the riskà © red dress. According to Haralovich (Lehmann 7) different colors put into scenes can help express thoroughly the dominant ideologies behind a movie. One can therefore think of Carey as part of the house, as trapped in as the walls. Further more, the use of mid and close up shots, combined with the reflective shots create a mise-en-scene that not only illustrates Carys physical and emotional disposition but also how that affects the representation of women in relation to their stereotypical gender roles. Although gender equality was a concept that was almost attained during the Second World War (1939-1945), the majority of the films in the 1950s reused pre war ideas about a womans place in American society (Benshoff 490), a womans place was back at home. Even though Carey tries to break out of the conformity in which she lives in and the social predicament shes in due to the fact that Kirby is considered as beneath her, the traditional notions of gender politics are reinforced. Carey is asked to give up a life she started with one man, her now deceased husband, to start a new one with a different man, Kirby. To be able to further pursue her relationship with Kirby, it seems that she must abide by his lifestyle, and submit to his wishes, as he is the man. This clearly reflects the bourgeoisie gender ideology that women are to sit and wait around for a man to come build up their lives for them. This was Kays case, even though she was studying to earn a degree in Freudian psychology, which meant that she could venture out into the working world on her, own, she was waiting to be wooed by a possible suitor to eventually get married. This upper class ideology had an influence on Ron Kirby that grew over time through his exposure to Careys world. Kirby feared that by giving in to everyone of Careys requests, he would be forced to live by her ways, in her world, losing all his masculinity. Rons masculinity was already put into question. Although he does appear to be the breadwinner like how a man should stereotypically be, his masculinity appears somewhat artificial. Throughout the movie, the costumes he is wearing are very working class but seem proper at the same time. His shirt and pants always matched, and his red flannel shirt always seemed to be tucked in, in a neat way. He was very well groomed, with his hair slicked back, unlike any man who actually dabbles in groundwork. In a later scene, he instructs Carey to defy the normal conventions and become her own master, just like a man is. This completely contradicts his behavior towards moving into Careys house. In this scene, he tries to treat her as an equal but fails to respect that idea when he feels that this will threaten his manhood. Ron here demonstrates a more flexible view of appropriate behaviors for men and for women.  Ã‚  Decision-making was considered to be a task left for men, and it is clear that during and even after her first marriage, Carey made no decisions of her own at all. The economic expansion of the 1950s allowed certain individuals to upgrade their social statuses, forcing certain women to quit their jobs and become submissive, but many still belonging to the working class had to work in the same equal manner as men, all while maintaining a strong figure. This was seen through the depiction of one of the parties hosted by Rons friends. The women lifted the tables and arranged them without using or expecting any help from the men, who also didnt feel the need to aid. Kirby somehow puts Carey in a sort of transitional phase where he does not want her to be as submissive as the women in her social class, but also does not want her to be as independent as the women in his. He does allow her certain privileges when he takes her to the store late at night, a moment when a woman should be at home and not out. Although the idea of gender roles in this movie is important, it cannot stand-alone, as it is irrelevant without that of conformism The opening scene of the movie, a high angle view of a peaceful New England town with rows of an infinite amount of uniform houses, sets the color palette as well as the perfect encapsulation of the conformity, obsessed American in the 1950s. The citizens of this town are portrayed as typical upper class suburban, uptight families, who live by their conformity. The film constantly stresses Ron and Careys opposing lifestyles through their friends. Carey is constantly surrounded by her upper class professional and pretentious cliques, who follow each other like sheep. They live by strict rules and etiquette. An excellent personification of this conformity is Sara Warren, one of Careys friends who serves both as an excellent model example of what a perfect bourgeois woman should be, as well as a reminder to both the audience and her friends the importance of staying within their social confines, by stressing the importance of appearances. Although her friends are well educated, they lack a finesse that would allow them to understand Careys outcries. During one of the earliest scenes, at the Stooneybroke country club, her friends anxiously await for her arrival with Ron. She decides to wear a low cut red dress as opposed to her usual black and grey attire. In fact, the other womens proper blue, grey, white and black gowns, in contrast to Careys fire truck dress accentuated the bourgeoisies cold, stiff and uninviting nature. The harsh white lighting reflects their neediness to want to know everything, which ultimately showed in their behavior towards Carey and her dress. Her attempt to stand out from the rest of her peers backfires when she is not only heavily critiqued but also mistaken for someone who is selling their sexuality. Careys friends, especially Mona, remind Carey where her place in this society is and that she is taking a big risk by attempting to stand out. The long shots taken during this scene, distances the audience from the partygoers. It scales the room, following Carey to further extend into a panoramic view th at shows off the excessive and lavish mise en scene.    This external attempt of breaking out of the norm, by asserting her autonomy and individuality, is not clearly understood by her neighbors who do not have access to the reality beyond their confines. In fact, Ron Kirby is seen as a threat to their conformist ways, his penetration into Careys life shows her another attainable, easier lifestyle, different from their own. However, the way her clique ganged up on her forced her to conceal the misunderstood dress with a large black coat, leaving her head down in shame. This emotion is highlighted through the usage of the casted shadows of dark blue that seemed to follow Carey in a uniform way. This particular scene shed some light on Sirks critique of this conformist society through the red color, as it begins to appear in a heightened way. McCarthyism paved the way to a growing dear of the people who are different and did not abide by the social norms put by 1950s America, like the communists in Soviet Russia (Doherty 215). However, this is not to say that red, here, represents communism, it only implies that like communism, it presents an alternative lifestyle and ideology different from that of the bourgeoisie. Furthermore, Rons autonomic world is celebrated through that same vibrant color. It becomes more noticeable as the shadows that follow Ron while he is working have more of a red hue as if they not only reflect his red shirt but his charismatic lifestyle. The emphasis is also actually put on the color, through the medium frame shots taken by Sirk in which the red shirt takes up half of the screen. Moreover, the clambake party hosted by Rons friends not only had the same conformity free vibe that Ron emits but also represented a huge contrast with the bourgeoisie ideology of conformity. At the Andersons everything is improvised, the makeshift table is made out of wooden planks and is covered by an old looking checkered tablecloth. The drinks are spontaneous and improvised, like the furniture and the partygoers are of different age, job groups and even do not partake in the same hobbies. It seems a little chaotic because nothing seems to be set in stone, or can be dependent on. The question that comes at play is whether these ideologies shown are actually understood. Bourdieu explains that the socio-cultural background of the audience plays a large part in the way elements in media texts such as films are comprehended (Blewit 367). The cultural capital transmitted from a parent to their child defines the type of cultural competences that would therefore either allow or limit the comprehension of such element. In conclusion, it seems that All That Heaven Allows by Douglas Sirk explores the ideology of not only gender roles but also conformity set in the 1950s in America. It uses the melodramatic genre as a way of concealing the critique buried deep within the mise en scene of the movie. In this way, Sirk was allowed to pick apart the different functions of gender roles and conformity and show their failures.

Dualits Marketing Strategy Analysis

Dualits Marketing Strategy Analysis Over the next three years the market for kitchen products and appliances is expected to grow by up to 17.6% (Datamonitor, 2009). This growing market makes it the ideal time to be the manufacturer of these goods.   Consumers of these goods are looking for products which are both stylish and built to last.   Dualit has created a product with has incorporated both these key elements; the Dualit NewGen toaster. Dualit is a British company which designs and manufactures toasters and other kitchen appliances.   Founded in the early 1940s (Dualit, 2010), Dualit is portrayed as a company which offers high quality and well-engineered products. The first Dualit toaster to be made with a timer and manual eject button was created in 1952 and ever since Dualit has continued to produce toasters based on the original design (Dualit, 2010). In this essay Dualits marketing strategy will be assessed using the 4Ps framework.   This framework allows product, place, price and promotion to be considered (Marketing Teacher, 2010).   As well as looking at the companys marketing mix, their targeting, positioning and segmentation will also be evaluated.   By considering all of these aspects, alternatives can be suggested on how Dualit can improve their strategy.   All the information used for this essay will come from secondary sources. Dualit want to be considered as a company which offer high quality products which are superior to their competitors (Dualit, 2010).   This is illustrated in the way in which they target their customers.   Dualit use a differentiated marketing strategy to target their consumers.   Using a differentiated marketing strategy allows them to target several markets and design a separate offering for each market (Armstrong et al, 2009).   Products which use a differentiated strategy tend to be valued by customers and customers perceive the product to be better than or different from products of the competition.   Also, according to Michel Porters model if a company has a corporate reputation for quality and innovation like Dualit does, then they will usually use a differentiated strategy (QuickMBA, 2010). Dualit segment their market using psycographic segmentation, this allows Dualit to divide its buyers into different groups based on social class, lifestyle or personality characteristics (QuickMBA, 2010).   Dualits 2 slice NewGen toaster will appeal to people with a high disposable income that will pay a lot to get a stylish product like the NewGen toaster but who also care about the environment, as the NewGen has a control which allows only one slot to be heated.   Whereas, the 4 slice NewGen toaster appeals more to the commercial users such as cafes and restaurants, who might need to make several slices at any one time.   By targeting more than one target market it allows Dualit to increase its market share. After considering their target market and deciding how to segment them, Dualit can then consider all aspects of their marketing mix and how the different aspects work together. Dualits NewGen toaster can be split into three product levels.   These three levels are the core product, the actual product and the augmented product.   The core product is the benefits the customer will receive (Kotler et al, 2008).   Buyers of the NewGen toaster range will benefit from a product which makes toast but at the same time is compact and stylish and comes in over ten colours meaning it will complement almost any kitchen.   The core benefits are offered through the components that make up the actual product (Armstrong et al, 2009). The actual product includes styling, features and design.   The extra wide slots on the NewGen toaster that allow for nearly every type of bread to be toasted can be seen as a core benefit.   The augmented product is built around the core benefits and the actual product by offering additional customer service (Armstrong et al, 2009).   Dualit offer a two year guarantee on the elements in the toaster and a one year guarantee on al l other parts.   Customers are also given a users guild to allow them to see other ways to use their toaster, this guide is also available from their website.   The Dualit NewGen toaster also has replaceable parts meaning that if it breaks it doesnt need to be thrown out, it can be fixed.   This means it will last significantly longer than any other toaster. There is no obvious improvement that Dualit could make to the NewGen toaster as it has more features than every other toaster currently on the market. Dualit make some of the most expensive kitchen appliances on the market.   The NewGen toaster ranges in price from  £135 to  £195 depending on the size of the toaster and how it is finished (John Lewis, 2010).   Dualit appear to use two pricing strategies.   They appear to use product line pricing, where a company prices different models within a range at different prices (Armstrong et al, 2009).   It is more expensive for a 4 slice NewGen toaster than it is for a 2 slice NewGen toaster; this is a perfect example of product line pricing.   However, Dualit also appear to use value based pricing as a way of pricing their range, whereby buyers perceptions, not the sellers costs are key to pricing (Armstrong et al, 2009). Dualits toaster may be highly priced but the consumers perception is that the high price means it is high quality.   Unfortunately for Dualit many of its competitors offer a similar product in a similar style for a fraction of the price that is sold by t he same retailer.   Although they dont have as many features as the NewGen toaster, they still do the same job so potential customers may feel it is unnecessary to buy a toaster that costs  £135 and purchase a rival toaster instead.   Dualit may need to consider lowering their prices if it begins to affect them in the future.   The Dualit NewGen toaster hasnt been highly publicised.   The only advertising that Dualit does for the range is on their own website.   Any other advertising is mostly done by the individual retailers that sell the product.   John Lewis currently offer a five year guarantee with all NewGen toasters, this may act as an incentive to potential customers as they feel they are getting more for their money and their product is protected longer.   Dualits lack of advertising may be a way to reduce costs but in the long run it could cost them potential customers.   The NewGen toaster is currently sold out on one of its main retailers website so their lack of advertising doesnt currently seem to be affecting their sales but in the future it could, so to increase publicity Dualit may consider taking part in a joint advertising campaign with a premium bread company such a Warburtons or Hovis, which are both popular brands.   This would allow Dualit to target a wider market which ma y, as a result increase their market share. Dualit currently sell their product on their own website and through high end retailers such as John Lewis and House of Frasers, which are as reputable but expensive department stores.   This enhances Dualits image of being manufacturers of high quality products.   Department stores carry a wide range of product lines (Armstrong et al, 2009) which can attract a larger range of customers, so by selling their product they may increase their market share.   Dualit may want to appeal to a larger target market.   They could do this by selling their products in large supermarkets such as Tesco or Asda because thousands of people go to these shops every day.   Although this would allow them to reach a larger target marker, it may put off existing customers as they may feel that it takes away from the brands high end reputation.   If Dualit did consider this they would have to decide if they would rather gain new customers or risk losing existing customers. After having analysed all the aspects of Dualits marketing mix, it can be seen that although there are a few improvements which they could make to their marketing strategy such as more advertising or vary where they sell the products overall their current marketing strategy is working well as their products are sold out on retailers websites.   With the market for kitchen appliances set to largely increase, Dualit may have to consider altering their marketing if they wish to dominate more of this increasing market.   If Dualit do decide to change their marketing strategy in the future it should be for the better as long as they continue to make high quality products that out perform their rivals. References Armstrong, G.; Kotler, P.; Harker, M. Brennan, R. (2009) Marketing An Introduction. 8th Ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Dualit (2010) Dualit Our History. Available at: http://www.dualit.com/our-history (Accessed: 12 February 2010). John Lewis (2010) Search Results NewGen. Available at: http://www.johnlewis.com/Search/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=NewGen (Accessed: 13 February 2010). Kotler,P.; Armstrong, G.; Wong,V. Saunders, J. (2008) Principles of Marketing. 5th Ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Marketing Teacher (2010) Marketing Mix. Available at: http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_marketing_mix.htm (Accessed: 11 February 2010). QuickMBA (2010) Market Segmentation. Available at: http://www.quickmba.com/marketing/market-segmentation (Accessed: 12 February 2010). Datamonitor (2009) Kitchen Appliances Global Industry Guide, Special Report, London, The Data Monitor Group

David Copperfield Essay -- English Literature

David Copperfield Choose an important passage or event from the first 14 chapters of David Copperfield. Analyse the significance of that moment to the novel as a whole. You should write about themes or ideas that are relevant to earlier or later passages in the novel, The way the novel was written, published and read, Any clues Dickens provides about the future of the novel. When Mr. Murdstone arrived, David was clueless at what this dark mysterious man would bring to his life. This person friendliness was pleasant and kind towards David and his mother to start with, but David’s seemed to sense something peculiar about his attitude which he shows us by using a naà ¯ve narrator. This lets us picture it through David’s childish recollection instead of someone recalling the incidence from the past. Hence the reason he does not understand why he has this feelings towards this man and can not see it through an adults perspective. David was sent away to live Peggoty and her family for a few weeks and he believed it was just for a nice holiday away from home, little did... David Copperfield Essay -- English Literature David Copperfield Choose an important passage or event from the first 14 chapters of David Copperfield. Analyse the significance of that moment to the novel as a whole. You should write about themes or ideas that are relevant to earlier or later passages in the novel, The way the novel was written, published and read, Any clues Dickens provides about the future of the novel. When Mr. Murdstone arrived, David was clueless at what this dark mysterious man would bring to his life. This person friendliness was pleasant and kind towards David and his mother to start with, but David’s seemed to sense something peculiar about his attitude which he shows us by using a naà ¯ve narrator. This lets us picture it through David’s childish recollection instead of someone recalling the incidence from the past. Hence the reason he does not understand why he has this feelings towards this man and can not see it through an adults perspective. David was sent away to live Peggoty and her family for a few weeks and he believed it was just for a nice holiday away from home, little did...

The Devlopment of Modern Africa Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Development of Modern Africa   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are over 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the wealth of natural resources and the prevalence of wealth in the northern segments of Africa have led many to speculate about the equity and economic development in the sub-Sahara. Unfortunately, the progression of economic, political and social factors in this region have done little to improve the overall conditions, and have instead demonstrated a consistent bias towards the government and the social elites that has impacted the chances of successful development in the region. Since the end of World War II, changes in the infrastructure, the political forces, and in the capacity for collective action in many of these countries has underscored what some have described as the â€Å"Africa crisis† (Stryker, 1986).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the major issues that still remain in this region is the history of development in the sub-Sahara, generally traced back to the history of British rule, and the relinquishing of colonial control which led to greater regionalization. But there was little in place in terms of expansion planning or economic development in the period following the end of the Second World War, and it can be argued that the struggle for economic development is linked to existing and maintained inequities, based both on social conditioning and political control, that has weakened the agrarian force and impacted the development of industrialization. During the 1980s, when many countries through out the world were experiencing the successful pull away from years of recession, the countries of the African sub-Sahara were not impacted by this positive transformation, and instead, it was posited that the decline in economic conditions would result in years of continued recession (Stryker, 1986). A number of theorists have attributed this crisis to different components of the politics, the economic base, and the social perspectives, as well as basic problems like the lowest world-wide life expectancy, lowest nutritional and literacy rates, lack of access to medical care, safe water supplies, and support services, and high population growth coupled by the highest infant mortality rates in the world (Stryker, 1986). It has been recognized that of the 40-50 poorest counties of the world, most (2/3) are located in the sub-Saha... ...ility, the perception that reforms could somehow promote a major transformation within the varied communities of the sub-Sahara placed too great an emphasis on the process of development and too little emphasis on the impact that the division itself would have on existing communities. Bibliography Berry, Sara (1992, Summer). Hegemony on a shoestring: indirect rule and access to agricultural land. Africa, v62 n3, pp. 327(29). Gyimah-Brempong, Kwabena (1992, May). Do African governments favor defense in budgeting? Journal of Peace Research, v29 n2, pp. 191(16). Jaycox, Edward (1993, March). Structural adjustment spurs African development. Africa News, v38 n2-3, pp. 14(1). Lonsdale, J.M. (1970). Nationalism and Traditionalism in East Africa. in Collins, R., Ed. Problems in the History of Colonial Africa, 1860-1960. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Seitz, Steven (1991, January-April). The military in black African politics. Journal of Asian and African Studies, v26 n1-2, pp. 61(15). Stryker, Richard (1986). Poverty, inequality, and development choices in contemporary Africa. in Martin, P. and O’Meara, P., Eds. Africa. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

Home Decision

Woven Shivers It is really nice to have an investment of your own, especially when the money comes from your own pocket (2012, First Time Home Buyers). Like for example, one of the best investments that a person could have in their life is to have his or her own home, a home that he or she could call their own. When It comes to purchasing a car, new home or even clothing you must weigh the benefits and cost properly so that you do not lead yourself down a path of financial ruins.While the idea of purchasing new home Is very excellent, It can also sometimes be overwhelming. A significant amount of time for consideration and evaluations Is necessary when making a major purchase such as buying a new home. Purchasing a home can have severe financial repercussions, thus making the decision to purchase a new home a daunting and challenging choice, so when making a large financial decision, the basic principles of economics along with one's relative needs you must closely assess.Many of the decisions we make as consumers directly relate to the current state of the economy. While the search for a new home continues, a couple of key principles should be used and will prove to be rather helpful to the new homemaker. Comparing marginal costs with marginal benefits while weighing out the disadvantages and advantages of the purchase Is included In this process (NAB, 2011). As homeowners have testified, a couple of key principles will contribute to this life-changing decision. Trade-offs† Is one of the principles you will face before and after your purchase. That meaner that there Is a cost for everything. When a major purchase decision Is made nonusers definitely have to give up another thing that they equally like such as a new car, vacation, other major purchases, or savings and investment. Trade-offs exist for almost every decision contemplated, but in the real estate market, trade-offs can be serious when money is the concern.Neither buyer nor seller wants to lose money in one of the biggest transactions they will ever complete. You can make better decisions when you realize that life has tradeoffs. The cost of what one decides to buy is equivalent to the cost of what one gives up for it. Choosing entails riding off a target against another and is a fundamental Issue of the decision- making process. In order to purchase a beautiful home, one will have to sacrifice â€Å"opportunity cost†; for Instance, I have to cut-down on Individual costs like entertainment, clothing and food.When you have to choose one thing over another then you have to make do without the benefits of that which you do not have. You have to compare the cost and benefits of what you have to make the best choice. For graduate more opportunities begin for a better paying Job. However, in this market he opportunity cost is typically minimal because the buyer can simply find another home that meets his or her needs. Cost is not a matter of dollars and cents; it also re presents what we must give up to get something else.In reality, we do not always make decisions that are all or nothing. Some choices are made based on â€Å"marginal changes†. When we think of purchasing a home one must compare the marginal cost of purchasing a home. Amortization is a marginal cost, will the payments be an addition to what you are already paying if you are renting. The difference in the mount is marginal cost. You must also consider the mortgage insurance cost, as a result, of purchasing a home. Will the house be bigger, adding more room for your growing family?Will utilities be higher? Other marginal cost to be considered would be; the cost of moving, your travel time, the expense of gas and mileage on your car, which is associated with your travel time, if your new home is further away from your place of work compared to your current apartment. The maintenance cost of a new home must be considered because the owner of a home is solely responsible of aging sure their home is maintained and secure. Consider all of the benefits and costs that a home presents. What might a year of security monitoring cost?Assign a value to benefits or costs that do not have an explicit price tag. The benefits of living closer to the Job could be calculated as more pay for work from extra hours that would otherwise be spent commuting from a home further away. Your optimal goal is to find a home in which the total benefit, marginal and otherwise, exceeds the total cost. While one considers the marginal cost, you must also consider the benefits. Consider the marginal benefits of owning your own home. The tax shield with renting an apartment, and we must compare the marginal benefits (the Joy) of owing your own home.The tax break and financial security of owning a home are essential in appreciating the purchase off new home. In a decision to purchase a home you must carefully analyze the cost and benefits in order to make the most rational decision for your family. Investments can sometimes be confusing, especially on real estate. One must always be careful when investing in the purchase off new home cause this is not Just money it is your hard-earned dollars you will be investing and unlike a pair of shoes you can't return it if you don't like it.The economy plays a major role in the decision to purchase a new home. If the economy has recovered fully or still at a low point, one thing is for sure, your finances must be secure no matter the rates. The economy is made up of different factors such as trading, exporting and importing, unemployment, house market and inflation. The economy plays such an important role because home prices are usually very high and will quire a substantial down payment, (most lenders require around 3. 5% of the value of the home), which may sometimes deplete your savings.The demand for houses is considered highly price elastic. Economic theories state that the larger the proportion of income a certain purchas e requires the more price elastic the demand will be. Your lender will explain that your house payment should not exceed more than one third of your monthly income. You, as the buyer, should have an understanding, as it will require the spending of a large proportion of your income, so this will inconsiderably lower your purchasing power when you decide to make the purchase of program if unemployment falls to under 7 percent. Unemployment is projected to reach 6. percent in 2014, according to the Feeds projections. Currently, unemployment stands at 7. 6 percent (Brenan, 2013). Brenan said that if the economy continues to show improvement the Fed will â€Å"ease the pressure on the accelerator†. The Fed has kept interest rates low to stimulate the economy and the low rates have helped boost housing affordability. The federal government will adjust accordingly if the economy veers from projections. The housing sector is looking a little better so the state and local governments are in a position where they do not have to lay off many workers.That meaner that the economy is improving. Domestic economy is the made up of several components such as government spending, trade, level of consumption and investments. The strength of the economy is affected by changes in these components. Domestic economy and international trade play an important role in affecting the economy. If government spending increases, it will help the GAP (growth domestic product). Because of this, we have economic growth in which will increase Jobs and wages but if the government spending decreases, the effect is contraction.This is somewhat of a ripple effect because it reduces the GAP, which thus reduces the level of income and number of jobs in the economy. International trade affects the countries balance and trade. We make choices daily based on the benefits. We have the freedom to want whatever but the resources to obtain that is limited. In our day-to-day life, we use several prin ciples to make decisions. We often-times make choices by realizing what SST be given up to gain something else or something better.Studies show that once consumers buy a home, get a mortgage and have a positive experience owning, they wanted to continue to own. In a study concerns about affordability both for the home purchase itself and upkeep was a major factor that discouraged renters from taking the plunge (Tara Bernard, 2012). A personal example off decision in which I compared marginal benefits and marginal costs associated with the decision was the time I decided that I was not happy in my Job and that the only way for me to et a better Job would be to go back to college to earn my degree.The reason I wanted to earn a college degree was for better Job advancement and better Job opportunities. Financially, the rate of return made my decision easy. In addition, college graduates enjoy better health, save greater percentage of their income; improve quality of life for them and t heir family (Sweatier, DCE. 2011). The marginal costs of my decision was the time and effort it took to complete course work, time away from family, the commuting and the stress of starting back to school at my GE after years of not attending.The incentives that would have led me to make a different decision might have been a Job in my field of expertise, more and better Job opportunities and more opportunities that did not require a college degree. After looking over all of the pro and cons of buying a house in the current market, I have concluded that it is the perfect time to purchase a home for my family and l. The government has been influenced by the recession to increase incentives for recurring as well as new buyers, in addition to low interest rates, and the large amount of repertoires to choose from.If the market were balanced, unemployment was at an all-time low and inflation was not so high, I believe I would not be able to afford the dropped to comparable prices, then I feel I would not be able to afford the over- priced properties. For new home buyers, the tax credit is a great incentive; without it, I wouldn't even consider buying a new home. Therefore, I am only able to buy a new home in this economy and be able to take full advantage of the incentives which comes along with the market, while making the best use of my marginal benefits and re worth all of the subsidiary costs.

Charles Dickens “Great Expectations” Essay

An exploration of the ways in which issues of class and status are presented in Charles Dickens’ â€Å"Great Expectations† and L. P. Hartley’s â€Å"The Go-Between†. Both Charles Dickens’ â€Å"Great Expectations† and L. P. Hartley’s â€Å"The Go-Between† discuss the class assumptions of early Victorian England; around 1807-1823 is when most of the action can be dated too in â€Å"Great Expectations† and at the start of the 20th century, the year 1900 in â€Å"The Go-Between†. Both novels portray a class structure in decline or under threat, as the rise of trade unions and rights for women were to transform the quiet hierarchy that had existed for countless generations. In this essay I will draw out the similarities and differences in how the two authors present the issues of class and status to the reader. Hartley often seems to place great value in the tradition and history of an ancient, aristocratic, ruling class; Dickens regards beyond all else the value of hard work. Dickens argues that social status denotes nothing but money, whereas Hartley seems to glory in the upper-classes natural superiority, such as at sport and at music: none can match Marion in skill. Hartley warns against the social mobility that makes Marion too good for Ted despite their love for each other and subverts the natural hierarchical order and security that has existed for centuries, yet Dickens denounces a society that lavishes upon the few at the exclusion of the multitude. Dickens characters suffer under or bask in justice offered by the plot, as ‘good’ characters are rewarded and ‘bad’ characters condemned. Hartley shows little similar sympathy’s as discussed below. Dickens consciously relays no support for the idea that the upper classes are naturally morally superior; dispelling all pretentiousness to this tenuous link in the contrast between Drummle and Joe, whereas in Hartley’s â€Å"The Go-Between†, Triningham is by far and away the kindest character, whom the reader instinctively warms to, and enchants all with his natural grace and elegance, seemingly affirming the assumption of the ancient idea of the moral superiority of the wealthy, going back to the Bible story of Job in the Old Testament, where God blessed a good man with wealth. Ironically, Triningham is already displaying the injuries already done to the aristocracy, he has been forced to rent out the home his ancestors have held for generations as he himself can no longer afford to live there; he himself has lost his wealth in his property, even though temporarily. Nevertheless, the middle classes Maudlseys do not appear to have gained by their social rise at the end. Some critics have argued that Hartley is arguing that a socially divided society is a dangerous one; that Leo’s evaporated enthusiasm for a new century so full of unfulfilled promise is systematic of unfounded hopes of a new Golden Age if society remains segregated between the haves and have-nots. That the Boer War, which scarred the aristocratic Triningham, protracted and disastrous for Britain with a devastating display of Britain’s faltering significance and importance in world affairs, is a sign of a difficult century ahead. Triningham, a representative of a dying aristocracy with unseen wounds that a display of natural elegance and grace can hide but not heal. In spite of this, I find myself wholly disagreeing with this view of Hartley’s novel â€Å"The Go-Between†. Hartley certainly does warn of the demise of the aristocracy, yet he does not rejoice in it. On the contrary, he mourns, grieves and laments the apparent loss of nobility throughout the work. Triningham is by far and away the most gracious, righteous and gallant character presented, there is only sympathy in a reader for his early death. I certainly fall on the side of Hartley strongly defending the hierarchical social order, and the aristocracy’s right to lead it. Yet it is important to do discuss other possibilities. Triningham then represents the best features of the aristocracy. Unlike Marian, from the start and until the end, there was no ulterior motive to Triningham’s kindness: he was â€Å"as true as steel† even in the eyes of the unfaithful Marian. He is patriotic to the end too and was wounded in the defence of his countries Empire. Despite all this, in the book Hartley presents Marian displaying no reverence for Ted’s feelings, instead she is cruelly unfaithful to him whilst engaged. Every other character in the book has faults of character or of action, but Triningham is beyond such. His demise might be Hartley warning the middle-classes of the dangers involved with usurping the natural order. Even so, the story is told from Leo’s point of view, and Leo admires Triningham to such a great extent that his faults may be simply hidden from the readers view, or indeed perhaps the story is told from Leo’s point of view in order to allow Hartley to express his admiration. Even so, Leo the adolescent is also a bad judge of character and situation and so simply may be putting forward the wrong view. Be that as it may, the point still stands.