In engaging with subculture street culture, do girls simply mimic the Essay

In engaging with subculture street culture, do girls simply mimic the practices of their male counterparts or exhibit their own - Essay Example Current paper focuses on a particular cultural style: subculture street culture. Particular reference is made to the engagement of girls with subculture street culture and the points at which this engagement is differentiated from that of boys. The literature developed in regard to this issue has been reviewed; a relevant interview has been also employed so that all aspects of this study’s subject are fully explored. The key finding of the study seems to be the following: girls tend to mimic boys in engaging with subculture street culture but they may introduce elements of behaviour or dressing aiming to show their willingness for expressing own specificity. 2. Subculture and street culture 2.1 Characteristics and aspects of subculture and street culture In order to understand the modes of engagement used by girls in regard to subculture and street culture it would be necessary to explore primarily the context of culture and subculture. Then the criteria and the methods used b y girls to be engaged with subculture could be fully understood. According to Hebdige (1979) culture is a term that can be described as ‘tending’. ... rtance of culture as an indication of moral values (Hoggart and Williams in Hebdige 1979, p.5) while Barthes (1972) considered that culture should be considered more as related to everyday life (Barthes in Hebdige 1979, p.6). At this point, the following question should appear: which of the above approaches in regard to culture should be taken as the basis for evaluating the content and the popularity of subculture street culture among young people? If the first view, that of Hoggart and Williams is rejected this means that subculture in general is opposed to moral and ethics, an assumption that could not be accepted. On the other hand, the second view seems to be closer to the actual role of subculture street culture: to establish a community of ideas/ trends for its supporters, i.e. to become a style of life for those who believe that these trends reflect their personal beliefs and thoughts. In other words, subculture, as part of culture, could be regarded as being a style of life in the context of which specific behavioural and dressing codes apply and which is not necessarily opposed to morals. However, it is possible for a mode of subculture to challenge morals and ethics, an intention that it is usually expressed clearly by the creators of the relevant movement/ mode of subculture. When referring specifically to subculture, the following issue should be highlighted: in most cases, subculture is considered as opposed to social order (Hebdige 1979). For example, ‘teddy boys, punks and skinheads’ (Hebdige 1979, p.3) have been often treated as a threat for social order. Of course, it cannot be denied that these forms of subculture have been developed in order to express ‘the resistance to the existing political and social system’ (Hebdige 1979, p.3). Still,

Finance and Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Finance and Accounting - Essay Example According to most business firms, the definition employed by COSO relates to the aggregate control system of an organization. This paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the forms of documentation presented by auditors. In most organizations, the auditors obtain information regarding the internal control of an organization and summarize the information in a form of documentation. In most instances, they use questionnaires, flowcharts, written narratives in order to present their findings. For example, an internal control questionnaire contains questions regarding the organization. In this form of documentation, negative responses signify weakness while positive answers signify the strengths of the organization. Questionnaires are normally easy to use. Furthermore, they cover a wide a topic of discussion. Contrarily, questionnaires are not flexible, and they may also require assistance while filling the answers (Giove 44). This proves that questionnaires are somewhat time-consuming and ineffective. A written narrative can also be used in the description of the main transaction cycles in an organization. Written narratives have also proved to have both merits and demerits. For instance, a written narrative substantially enhances the understanding of the personnel of the organization. However, this method is time-consuming and presents a difficulty of clear clarification of the content (Giove 45). Lastly, flowcharts can be described as diagrammatic representations of documents and procedures in a sequential manner.

The Evolution of Public Relations Essay Example for Free

The Evolution of Public Relations Essay Introduction In order for us to understand how public relations have evolved through history, we must first understand what public relations are. Public relations as defined by (Wilcox and Cameron 2004) that Professors Long and Hazelton believe it to be, â€Å" a communication function of management through which organizations adapt to alter, or to maintain their environment for the purpose of achieving organizational goals†(p.5). With that said we could now go back through history and discover how it has or has not changed through time. First, we will look at how effective public relations were almost from the beginning of time and how it was relayed to the masses. Second, we will discuss how public relations changed in the 17th to the 20th century and why it changed. Lastly, we will see how the past has defined what public relations is today and see how much it has evolved through time. Public Relation Beginnings As long as there has been humans on this earth communication was the key to organization how people lived their everyday lives. There has always been one or more persons leaders of these tribes or groups. Within this groups it would be decided where they would live, when it was time to farm the lands or hunt for food, settle disputes amongst themselves and how to protect themselves from outsiders. These decisions were in turn related to the masses. This practice can be loosely described as public relations in its raw stage a one-way communication form. People had no say in how daily life was lived because decisions were made to keep life for them as organized as possible. Public Relations in the 17th to early 20th Century As time passed, the population grew and people moved about more freely, people began to change, as did technology. By the 1700s printer presses were invented and information became more readily available to the public. Before than information was slow in coming and the public was ill informed. With the invention 0f, the printer press larger volumes of publications, books and newspapers were available. Traditionally, society elite had access to information on trade and politics, and used it amongst themselves to speak and make decisions for the masses. Public relations was still a one-way communication. Over time, the public was able to gain access to publications and now were able to form their own views and opinions. They became more vocal about government and politics because they were now better informed. This was what Paul Starr (2004) called a â€Å"public sphere†, a term used by Jà ¼rgen Habermas, there was communication and accessibility to information (p.24). The better-informed people became the more open they were with their views. Public relations change from a one-way communication to a two-way communication because people now realized the power they have in their voices. This changed the way in which public relations campaigns were run. Public Relation firms now had to please the masses whereas years before they made most of the decisions and were not concerned with their opinions. Public Relations Today Today, public relations is used in every conceivable form. We use it to sell products, make people aware of social issues, promote others, and raise money and to influence or help people decide on particular issues. With the invention of the World Wide Web, information is available to the public almost instantaneously. This has become a very powerful tool to public relations firms. Firms will use it to create or repair damage to a company or an individual’s image. Kathleen Neil (2001) says it best that public relations is to inform the people about what they have available for them, to establish and maintain a good relationship with the public (ix). Conclusion The foundation of public relations has not changed over time it still used to influence, maintain and organize the environment in which we live, but has evolved to include a broader range of topics. Public relation started out as a means to organize and maintain stability in a community, to informing the people about what is going on in the community and giving them a voice. The latter is the most significant change public relations made during its evolution. It went from a one-way communication to a two-way communication with the people in public relations valuing the opinions of the masses whereas in the past their opinions did not count. Alternatively, do the really value our opinions? Have we become too dependent on them or they too powerful that the can spin any type of web they choose? Is it all about dollars and cents? This led me to a quote by Scott M, Cutlip (1995) â€Å"Let Truth and Falsehood Grapple â€Å"(xii). References Cutlip, S. (1995). Public relations history: From the 17th to the 20th century. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Neal, K. (2001). A primer on non-profit PR: If charity begins at home Florida: Pineapple Press. Starr, P. (2004). The creation of the media: Political origins of modern communication. New York: Basic Books. Wilcox, D. Cameron, G. (8th ed.). (2006). Public relations: Strategies and tactics: Boston. Allyn and Bacon.

The Concept Of Moral Panics

The Concept Of Moral Panics Societies generally appear to be the subject of moral panic now and then. Moral panic is a condition where there is a concern over the behaviour of certain group or a particular category and is a threat to the societal values and interests.(Cohen 1973). In the past it has been the drug culture of the fifties and sixties, or the disruptive behaviour of the Mods and Rockers, today we face panics over children who kill other children and also the threat to our health from outbreaks of BSE and E.coli food poisoning, teenagers gripped by a new and threatening drug epidemic, paedophile is one of the most prominent moral panic now a days( Watson 1989). To get a clear view on moral panic the essay focuses on the case study of moral panic created by the recent Paedophilia case as Craig Sweeney, 24, was jailed for life at Cardiff crown court for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in 2006. Firstly the essay discusses about how the media handles moral panic in good terms and would also explore on advantages of moral panic and the results of it. Secondly the essay expounds on the criticism of moral panic and the role of media in causing moral panic and as well as controlling it . Lastly the essay explains about the internet and in context to moral panic. Firstly the essay explains about the media handling moral panic and the advantages of moral panic. Modern moral panics are unthinkable without the media as the best way to understand the moral panics is through the media. The media used the case of a three year old girl getting sexually assaulted by Sweeney who was 24 years who was known to the girls family in 2006. The article was published in Guardian newspaper and the media issued a moral message for the nation to take on and poses that its a evil world so the nation needs strict rules. The media highlights and presents many issues and concerns to society and the public to gain awareness about the societal issues. The media played an specific role in expressing and activating hostility towards the paedophiles. Cohen ( 1973) states that the understanding the role of media becomes central . Most of the people are dependant on the media in knowing about the causes of deviance and their social reaction depends upon the information ava ilable. The media also informs about right and wrong and the boundaries beyond one shouldnt venture. Thus the media becomes central during moral panics. Furthermore, moral panics cause society to believe that the crime is worse. The path of the panic, that is in response to the growing concern and panic over child sex offences has more serious and lasting implications such as incorporation into legislation and social policy, that is the National Sex Offenders Register (Paedophile Register) in the late 1990s, However, according to Thompson(1998) there is a chance of the moral panic to either quickly die out and the intents and purpose is forgotten and also it might be that the public and media are searching for some new news. There has been criticism of moral panic and the media in the recent years. In fact according to Ben- Yehuda (1985), Moral panics serve as a mechanism for simultaneously strengthening and redrawing societys moral boundaries. The moral panic of the particular paedophilia case did not focus only on that three year old but also focused on the increasing rate of the paedophilia cases in the UK. Having looked at the g ood term of moral panic further the essay criticises moral panic. According to Watney( 1988) moral panic is criticised for implying that the state as a monolithic entity which initiates or exploits moral panics. Secondly the criticism of moral panic is in relation to the media. As mentioned above in the essay that the media is central during moral panic, However the media has been criticised in many ways. Cohen (1972) argued that the characterized press coverage of the events as exaggerated attention, exaggerated events, distortion, and stereotyping. It basically explains that the media tends to exaggerates the news and creates a greater amount of panic in the beginning of the moral panics. Thus the case of the three year old sexually getting assaulted, the media not only were the events over-reported but the coverage awarded them far outweighed their importance. Due to distorted and repeated false stories of the media seemed that the order of the day with little time or interest being given to what actually happened in fact generally the coverage of the press was seen to follow a stereotypical pattern and is a firm indicator of a moral panic taking place . For instance the case paedophilia, the media tend to cover the same stories in which the public might loose interest. The public on the other hand must show the potential to react to a particular issue in order for a media campaign to be built. For as Goode and Ben-Yehuda explain, that the media may well be infused with hysteria about a particular issue or condition but if this does not generate public concern then there is no moral panic (Goode Ben-Yehuda 1994: 26). However according to Fishman and Davis (1980) the repeated or the prolonged moral panics about the specific issues like the paedophilia cases which are a rise in UK give rise to the development of the dynamic characteristics of the social problem. On the other hand Rocheron and Linne(1989) explains that the moral panic is still criticised because it tends to attribute to the mass media which has the power to manipulate the public opinion and also fails to differentiate between what the public thinks as well as what the paper say. The new media also plays an important role in the case of moral panic. The real truth about paedophiles and the cases about paedophilia is not new to the public. What is suggested, however, is that there is now far more known about the prevalence of paedophilia. According to Curen J(1991)The news in internet are well reported, and newspapers can be browsed online on the internet which have done their bit to expose paedophile rings. Thus the public, when asked about their panic and violent fury toward paedophiles, quite understandably often point to the figures they are presented with (often by the press), figures which tell them child abuse is everywhere. However, Jenkins (1992) the internet can be the cause of moral panic, as due to the easy access now a days and the youth are exposed to the crime through the videos online and also pornography can be a reason for the increasing rate of the paedophile cases in UK. Thus the new media like the internet might be one of the causes for th e increase rate in such cases. To sum up the view of moral panic, the essay critically discussed about the concept of moral panic referring to the case of paedophilia where by a three year old girl was sexually assaulted by a 24 year old man. The essay critically analysed the concept of moral panic as it expounds on both sides of the coins that is the criticism of moral panic as well as the advantages of it. Firstly the essay discussed about the reaction of the media in context to moral panics in good terms and further more it also looks upon the advantages of moral panic like in creating awareness to the public. The essay also explains about the results of the paedophilia cases in the UK. Secondly as the essay is critically analysing the concept of moral panic, looks upon the criticism of moral panic and the reaction of the media. As the essay explains about the exaggeration of the moral panic with in the media and also states that the repeated news does not have an impact on the public. Finally the essay explain s about the new media that is the internet in context to the rise of the paedophile cases. As explained before due to the easy access to the World wide web it is possible that the youth are prone to watch pornography which might be a concern in the rise of the paedophile cases. Thus the moral panic is critically analysed. Pages: 4 Word count: 1475

Cookies & Privacy :: essays research papers fc

Data Communications â€Å"Cookies and their Impact on Privacy†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In today’s fast paced world of internet commerce it would be hard to accomplish many of the tasks without the creation of â€Å"cookies.† Since their advent, cookies have been given a bad name and associated immediately with a loss of privacy. In April of 2001 a newspaper article defined cookies as, â€Å"†¦programs that Web sites put on your hard disk. They sit on your computer gathering information about you and everything you do on the Internet, and whenever the Web site wants to it can download all of the information the cookie has collected.† (www.howstuffworks.com) This article could not be any farther from the truth. Cookies are not programs and do not perform any actions as they sit on your hard drive. According to Netscape, â€Å"Cookies are a general mechanism which server side connections (such as CGI scripts) can use to both store and retrieve information on the client side of the connection. The addition of a simple, persist ent, client-side state significantly extends the capabilities of Web-based client/server applications.† As cookies have emerged to the forefront their association with their user’s privacy has become more of an issue as time progresses.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Even though cookies serve an important role in today’s e-commerce and advertising industries, it is impossible not to think of them as a breach in user security. There is something about a seemingly forced piece of information being saved on your computer for the use of a computer hundreds or even thousands of miles away. One can only think of one word. Privacy. Who’s to say that company’s are using the information gathered by these cookies and using them for good. How do I know that you are collecting cookies for your own advertising or e-commercial purposes rather than probing me as a candidate for the ever-present adware? Do I want vendors to know exactly what it is I usually shop for when I get online? Do I really need to save my shopping time by one or two clicks with the sacrifice of decreased privacy? These are questions that each user asks themselves when we look at our internet security settings or when we are denied access to a site based on our cookie settings. Many companies have been labeled with improper actions concerning cookies. A company named DoubleClick was forced to reach a settlement in 2002 for improper conduct concerning cookies.

WHERE THERE IS SECURITY THERE IS PEACE! :: essays research papers

When most people think of Egypt they picture pyramids, mummies, deserts and beautiful beaches. While Egypt is best known for these things, many may not know that Egypt has had a long history of wars and violence with Israel. Ever since the beginning, Arabs and Israelis have been in hostility with one another. Up till this day Israelis and Palestinians still continue to commit violent acts against each other. This is why it is more important than ever now to enforce security everywhere in the Middle East. To prevent future suicide attacks and bombings committed by the Palestinian nation. The way Egypt sees security is a way to counter terrorism. With a good security plan and enforcement there is no way terrorist can commit violent acts. The Arab-Israeli conflict is a long-running conflict in the Middle East regarding the existence of the State of Israel and its relations with Arab peoples and nations. Egypt’s three wars with Israel were in 1948, 1967 and 1973, then its eventual peace agreement with its rival in 1979. In both 1948 and 1967 warfare’s with Israel, Egypt had lost both of them, and then finally in 1973 Egypt won their first war against Israel known as the Yom Kippur war which resulted to the signing of a peace treaty with Israel. The biggest issue Egypt faces right now is forming enemies with Israel, Palestine or any other surrounding Middle Eastern countries. For example if Egypt sides with either Israel or Palestine they will most definitely form bad relations with other countries. The search for peace in the Middle East dates back to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 and it still remains a big issue in the Middle East. Both Israel and the Palestinians have said that their lack of their populations’ safety is a major obstacle to peace. The major keep back to the process of Peace in the Middle East is between both Israel and the Palestinians. Both countries have called for the end of violence as a requirement to returning to the negotiating table. But, Israelis, for example, have refused to speak to Palestinian negotiators while its citizens, both civilian and military, are being blown up in terrorist acts on buses, cafes, marketplaces and checkpoints. It’s a fact that without security there is no peace! Though peace is a large issue in the Middle East, many Arabs of Egypt believe that without a stable security system in the Middle East there is no way peace can be formed.

Approaches to Decision Making Essay

There are two common ways to make decisions regarding changes in an organization, especially when others are involved in the end result. The two ways would be to make decisions individually, making the decision by yourself or by creating a committee, getting others involved in the process. Knowing that something needs to change, means that there has been a problem identified, evaluating alternatives and then selecting the solution. Depending on the problem and the criteria that will be evaluated in making the final decision, this will play an important factor on whether individually making the decision is better than a group decision. When making decisions and changes that are going to effect many, it typically is better to make group decisions. For larger companies, it is typical that a committee or a team would be created. Bringing together individuals of the organization that would be effected by these changes. Having a committee involved in the decision brings more views, thoughts, past experiences and suggestions to the table to be evaluated for optimal solutions. Advantages of a group decision is there are more options contributed, the better chances that decisions made would be accepted by those involved in the decision as well. â€Å"Quantities and diversity of information are greatest when group members represent different specialities†. (Robbins, DeCenzo, & Coulter, 2011, p. 71). Finding a suitable solution is half of the battle, the next half would be implementation. By having a group decision enforced, will increase the success of changes since they were a part of it and will encourage change. In the example provided about budgetary concerns, it would be suggested that a committee be created with upper management from finance, human resources, and department managers to discuss how overhead such as employees, supplies and other capital costs are effecting our business. Before having the initial meeting it would be suggested for each manager to evaluate their department and be ready to give suggestion of where they would be able to make individual changes without sacrificing the well being of the patients care. Once all contributions are made from each department, hearing the options of solutions would allow the committee members to discuss the  changes and place value on which options could be most beneficial. Options like reducing employee head count or hours, re-evaluating vendors where supplies are purchased from, eliminating overtime costs by having back up staff available or changing processes by reducing paper trails and going electronic. Each of these will need to be analyzed on immediate consequences or benefits and what the longer term effects will be. The disadvantage of working with a committee is that there will prolong the process of making a decision, more meetings, more time and there could be more resistant from individuals that will need to be â€Å"talked into† this decision. In the example about making budget cuts, one could make the decision alone and not consult with any other departments. The individual making decisions to cut staff, supplies or capital costs would need to have a comprehensive understanding of all costs associated with the organization and what implications could be by reducing budgets. Even though it is just one person making the decision, it is very important to still do a thorough evaluation of what the problems are, evaluate multiple solutions and weigh the benefits or consequences of these changes. It would be very important to obtaining financial monthly statements/costs that are associated with each department. The benefit of making decisions solely is that multiple meetings would be eliminated, do not need to â€Å"sell† your idea or solution to others, and a decision could be made quicker which will save time and money for the organization. The disadvantages of making a decision like this where it effects a group, out weigh the benefits. You do not have access to others input and past experiences who have dealt with similar situations or hearing what concerns your management will have. By not including others, you have a higher chance of the decision not being welcomed by all and having resistant to the change and implementation. References: Robbins, S., DeCenzo, D., & Coulter, M. (2011). Fundamentals of Management: Essential Concepts and Applications (7th ed.).