ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Gender inequality is an issue that prevails both in the Western and the non-Western worlds. Gender studies researchers are eager to develop a framework that would explain the systematic oppression of women globally. Some scholars find culture and religion to be contributing factors, thereby distinguishing between morally superior and inferior states. These researchers tend to believe that the culture of Muslim and African countries tends to be harmful and limiting to women. However, others argue that such an interpretation is dangerous as it leads to the cultural appropriation that divides women. Therefore, to understand more about the topic, it is essential to study the issues from various perspectives and find the connection of the discourse to other gender-related problems and theories. In their book, Kristof and WuDunn (2009) explored whether Islam is representative of misogynistic views and beliefs. The authors argue that the Muslim religion and worldview are designed to empower females (Kristof & WuDunn, 2009). Historically, after Islam was introduced, women’s rights were primarily improved in the region, as the instances of female infanticide dropped significantly. Moreover, women started to be treated equally within the family and outside of it, as they were able to own property (Kristof & WuDunn, 2009). However, the Koran endorses certain aspects of gender-based discrimination, and various Muslim feminist scholars are advocating against many inequalities with their societies while still quoting the Koran. Furthermore, the article by DasGupta (2012) criticizes the film Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women because various individuals misunderstood it, as the movie was often unethical. Some of the problems that DasGupta identified were a lack of representation of actual victims, but the focus was instead on the white male reporter and the actors. Thus, it ended up being used to turn women from the Western world against women from Islamic countries (DasGupta, 2012). The author believes that such rhetoric, when coming from the women from the Global North, symbolizes imperialism, misogyny, xenophobia, and racism that was projected on the way women look. The article by Molyneux (1985) examines the aftermath of the Nicaraguan revolution and its effects on women’s interests. The author notes that it is hard to determine the direct impact of the uprising on policymaking (Molyneux, 1985). Overall, the Sandinistas have certainly contributed to an appropriate representation of women’s interests, which brought in the improvement of women’s quality of living. Lastly, in her article, Narayan (1998) argues that contemporary feminists reconsider the connection that gender and other minority groups have between each other as opposed to gender essentialism. The division is primarily based upon the idea that essentialists only consider a small number of women, which tend to be white, heterosexual, and middle class (Narayan, 1998). This one-sided approach is problematic because it leaves little space for women fro
Religion and politics Somalia is at the Horn of Africa where it projects into the Indian Ocean and today it is an incredibly unstable country, beset by extreme violence and lacking central authority in the form of a national government. In fact, chaos, anarchy, and factionalized fighting between warlords have been the normative state of affairs in Somalis for more than 15 years. The current government – known as the Transitional Federal Government was installed in Mogadishu in December 2007 with help of Kenya and Somalia. Ethiopia has historically been the traditional enemy of Somalia and this is certain to hurt the credibility of the current regime among Somalis. It must be noted that chaos remains supreme and the transitional authority is unable to maintain law and order. Its current grasp on power is tenuous at best (Perry, 2008). A country is predominantly Islamic with a few Christians and dismal numbers of other religions. Owing to the religion and the rules of the religion that allow men to marry many woman, there are increasing large numbers of people owing to increased birth rates. Sometimes the never-ending wars in Somalia have been attributed to religion and not necessarily due the need for power and authority (Farah et al, 2004). Terrorism Somalia has been a country where terrorists have been training. There was speculation that Al-Shabaab was involved with the AL Qaeda. This was because of the approaches that they have been using which are rather similar. These include using weapons of mass destruction like bombings and terror attacks. These have also involved abductions, kidnappings and assassination, which are similar to the way that other branches of the al-Qaida have operated. However, the recent announcement by Zawahiri confirmed that the terror group was part of AL Qaeda. The Al-Shabaab in Somalia, an affiliate of the al-Qaida, has been known for abducting innocent people and asking for ransom from their respective families (Lewis, 2009). Al-Shabaab solely believes in Islam. The main aim of the organizations “is the overthrow of what it sees as the corrupt and heretical government of Somalia, and their replacement with the rule of Sharia” (Islamic law). They think that their belief should only be about Islam and it should
Iffland, J. A., Berner, W., Dekker, A., & Briken, P. (2016). What keeps them together? Insights into sex offender couples using qualitative content analyses. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 42 (6), 534–551. This research was aimed at interviewing people to analyze their adjustment strategies. The main idea of the study is that couples are stable and both partners are interested in maintaining the relationship because it has some features they would have difficulties finding (Iffland et al., 2016). Such a result applies to most interview participants and thus portrays the situation in sex offender couples in general. The authors highlight the answers people gave to the questions during the interview and reflected on them as linkers of particular behavioral patterns (Iffland et al., 2016). Concerning the use of this article for my essay, I suppose it would be perfect for explaining the modern perception of the sex offensive behavior phenomenon. Moreover, this research would help me illustrate how differently people’s attitudes vary despite the commonly assumed way of perception. This article would help me support arguments on the importance of public opinion on different issues society faces, including sex offenses. Furthermore, it would help me show that people do not always state their opinion honestly in public, which means that stereotypes can still predetermine huge groups’ behavior. Rowlands, M. T., Palk, G., & Young, R. McD. (2017). Psychological and legal aspects of dangerous sex offenders: A review of the literature. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law , 24 (6), 812-824. This article’s main idea is that prediction of sex violation cases requires a system of assessing the level of danger in couples, implying the “biological, sociological, psychological and ecological factors” (p. 821). The author supports his ideas by analyzing the perception of a ‘dangerous person’ in different countries and providing a clinical assessment of such risks. This article would help me demonstrate the importance of a complex approach to any problem that has to be solved by the government through the example of sex crimes. I would use this research for the arguments related to the unfairness of people’s treatment of celebrity sex offenders. For example, I would mention the necessity to understand dangerousness while assessing people’s ability to remain in society. Strange, C. (2018). Determining the punishment of sex criminals in confederation-era Canada: A matter of national policy. The Canadian Historical Review 99 (4), 541-562. This article contains a historical review of punishment for a sex offense in Canada. The main idea of the research is that punishments for sex-related crimes have become milder, and the system of punishment in this field was not clear from the beginning. Supporting the claim, the authors say that “in the decade following Confederation, twenty-six men were sentenced to death for sex crimes, but none was executed.” (p. 543). This article would be helpful for my essay because it contains a thorough overview of the stages of changing the government’s attitude to sex crimes. There
Introduction The BATNA or Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement is a concept presented by negotiation researchers Roger Fisher and William Ury, it is described in the book Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by the same authors. One’s BATNA is “the standard against which any proposed agreement should be measured” (Fisher 100). In the process of negotiating concerning a definite subject people become involved into the game, and each party wants to win the game by way of persuading and suggesting alternative variants. The BATNA is the range within which the results of the agreement can be accepted. You should develop the strategy and decide on the BATNA for the concrete case and maneuver within the boundaries you have established in advance. The examples of using the BATNA strategy can be observed in companies which have a chance to choose between several offers and have to decide on the most appropriate variant. The compromise is possible if a bottom line of one party is situated within the boundaries of another party’s bottom line (Fisher 98-100). When you buy a house, you can afford it at $150,000 which is your bottom line, while the seller wants to sell it for $200,000 but his bottom line includes your offer of $150,000. In this case, the seller will sell the house to you if he/she will not have a better variant which would be within the bottom line as well. Discussion of the Batna for the Operation Wilderness The exercise of being involved into negotiations between groups which are in conflict can help people to learn how to act in the conditions of being under the pressure and to find the most appropriate decisions. We should learn to make our best while negotiating with each other to reach the most appropriate results and to keep our dignity. Our group is called Town as we present the town in the Wilderness part dispute. The group Town has the following resources: three plots of land (D2, D3, and D4) where three units of timber are situated; 20,000 units of political influence, and $5,000.00. All these resources can be used to get 2,000 units of political influence, $85,000 for critical public works projects in the town, and around 6 plots of Wilderness Park which contain less than 10 units of timber. In this respect our BATNA includes 2-3 plots of Wilderness Park with around 4-6 units of timber, 2,000-5,000 of political influence, and $85,000.00 – $100,000.00 for critical public works projects. The Town would accept any plots which would be interesting in terms of the passive recreational activities, the Timber Company is not likely to abandon its plots which are of commercial value; so, it is better to negotiate for plots of the Forest Service. As the Town possesses 3 plots of Wilderness Park with three units of timber, we have to negotiate for at least two more plots with less than seven units of timber. The plo
The Gulf States Metal Inc is a large plant that does not bring any profits. The interviews with top plant managers and middle-level supervisors have revealed that the main problem is the lack of solid managerial practices. People are working in terrible conditions, with old corroded equipment, and they are expected to increase production level. The corporate office representatives note that the problem of low production is caused by poor management, and this belief is supported by the plant-wide interview results. Notably, both the top plant managers and middle-level supervisors agree that the problem is rooted in poor management, while no one at GSM has ever been involved in anything resembling process reengineering, and no one has ever had any training in management. Everything they have learned about management has been learned on the job. According to the interviews with top plant management, the major reason for the lack of profitability is that the cost of the mat is too high in relation to the market price of nickel. Middle managers and supervisors, on the contrary, believe that they are able to help a lot, but they are never given an opportunity to contribute. Thus, there is no organizational unity, and the cause of poor production is seen differently by all employees. The Gulf States Metal Inc has no organizational culture and no proper communication between the departments. Middle managers note that the director of operations and the production manager give direct orders to people and do not even inform their supervisors about it. Improper managerial practices are the result of the lack of managerial training. Moreover, top management thinks that middle managers and supervisors are incapable of managing people; they cannot be trusted to make decisions because when they are left on their own, the plant falls apart. Middle managers reply that they really are not managers because they are never allowed to make decisions or to change anything. As a result, when they see a problem, they do not correct it, and even if they bring the potential problem to the attention of the management, they are criticized for their initiative. Top management shifts the fault for poor production to the middle manager while supervisors are not given the opportunity to work, manage people, and control the process. In addition to insufficient managerial policies, there is a problem with information flow: middle managers are not informed about anything; they do not know what is going on around the plant. They find out about changes
Abstract This paper concerns obesity and the factors which affect it in low-income communities of the United States. The topic’s relevance comes from the condition’s prevalence and the health risks it poses. Five articles devoted to the topic were analyzed to determine the state of affairs and collect valuable information for further use. The first two studies analyze the link between family income and obesity, as low-income families are at an increased risk of the condition, with the second one emphasizing its reverse casualty. The third study focuses on severe obesity in Hispanic/Latin children and the factors which cause it. The fourth article presents an overview of the association between built environments and obesity, where the former impacts physical activity. The last one considers the family’s impact on treating obesity. In the end, some general recommendations are provided, and the conclusion about obesity causation and prevention in low-income families is drawn. Introduction Obesity is a condition caused by physical and social factors that imply other health risks. Throughout the years, its prevalence kept increasing, transforming into a major healthcare issue. Although all demographics seem to be affected by obesity, the less advantaged social population groups are at an increased risk. The means to combat the condition are well-known, but due to various reasons, including economic ones, it might be difficult for the low-income population to follow them. However, analyzing the up-to-date evidence focused on the socioeconomic group’s relation to obesity might assist in finding solutions to the issue. Study Analysis The first article on obesity discusses how family income affects a child’s fitness level. The study’s purpose was to assess the association between socioeconomic status and several values including body mass index and obesity among eight racial and ethnic groups (Jin & Jones-Smith, 2015). The data was collected through a physical fitness test taken by a big sample of Californian students ranging from fifth- to ninth-graders (Jin & Jones-Smith, 2015). The study was cross-sectional, and regression analysis was used as a method to determine the hypothesis’s validity about the inverse proportionality of family income to a child’s obesity (Jin & Jones-Smith, 2015). The dependent variables were physical fitness level, body mass index, and obesity, while family income was an independent one accompanied by those indicating sex, age, and race/ethnicity (Jin & Jones-Smith, 2015). Thus, a set of relationships was established between the two groups of variables. The study’s results confirmed the original hypothesis regarding the link between family income and obesity. More than half of the children with the condition belong to low-income famil
Keynesianism and the global recession In the recent studies by economic researchers on economic equilibriums, it has been revealed that effective demands play a crucial role on global economics. The needs and desires of traders to engage in trade in specific markets considering that some of their trading activities in other markets are constrained is referred to as the theory of effective demand (Green 1980). The theory, also referred to as Keynesianism, proposed by a renowned British economic expert John Maynard Keynes highlighting regulation of market as well as increasing government incentives to trade as well s the financial sector as a result of short fall of created by constrained markets. Keynesianism has been proposed as one of the effective ways of mitigating any economic turbulence that may arise. This theory has also been proposed as one of the solution of the global economic downtown by a number of economists. However, Keynesianism has had shortfalls in a number of times in the history of the evolution of the world economy. The failure of this theory can be traced back during the Great Depression in the 1930s American. Despite the government efforts to provide incentives to the economy, low productivity still affects the rate of economic growth. During the global economic melt down several economists suggested Keynesianism as a way of circumnavigating the crisis. However, this did not provide solution due to a number of factors. The government intervened and provided incentives to manufacturers. As such manufactures tended to increases their production levels. Meanwhile the fear that the global economy was at its knees created panic amongst manufacturers who opted to lay off workers to cushion against the productions costs. Many of the workers resulted to saving thus reducing spending either in anticipation of loosing jobs or after loosing jobs. Therefore overproduced goods did not finds ready markets. Therefore Keynesianism other than providing a solution was a catalyst that aggravated the global economic crisis by reducing normal effective demand and creating a state provoked demand (DiLEO 2009). However, Keynesianism is not a total failure in addressing matter of global economic concern. This theory has been effective in addressing and supporting recovery from the global economic down turn. Keynes suggested government intervention has been adapted in more creative ways of mitigating the effects as well as aiding counties as well as the global economy come out of the crisis. From the problem identified from the shortcoming of the initial applicati
The play ‘The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams focuses on the life of Amanda along with her son Tom, and “weakling” daughter Laura during the year 1937 at St. Louis. Having been left by their father, Tom, as the eldest son, was forced to work for the family (Bigsby, 1988). The characterization, the lines used, and the symbolisms frequently used in the play make up for one whole interesting and heartwarming play. Moreover, the feelings of isolation, disappointment, entrapment, and/or expectations coupled with failed dreams are all highlighted in this story, written in a very dramatic and effective way enabling the readers to easily relate to the feeling of each of the characters. First, there are personality differences. This occurs in the three most important characters in the play – Amanda, Laura, and Tom. Tom, as the sole breadwinner of the family, attains a strong personality along with a great determination to keep on living, not only for himself but also for the people who only live because of him. During the day, he is seen working at the Continental Shoemakers warehouse, but at nighttime, he seems to be always out, watching movies (Bigsby, 1988). Tom is a lot different from Amanda, the loving yet nagging mother, who is frequently in word fights with Tom because of her habit to meddle over her son and daughter’s lives. Her past story with her “bad” ex-husband kept on bugging her as if reminding her how she chose badly when it comes to men. And Tom is also a lot different from Laura, the frightened and shy daughter of Amanda, and his younger sibling. Her lame foot and poor self-confidence makemake herdepictedas a “burden” for the family. This is the reason why upon knowing that she has no guts to finish her class in Rubicam’s Business College, she is pushed by her Mom to look for a possible husband (Bigsby, 1988). However, Laura seldom goes out and is always seen holding and taking care of her glass menagerie, that is why Amanda entrusted to Tom the duty of finding a guy for Laura. The main problem in the play started when the father and the husband left his family. That made Amanda’s life miserable resulting in an equally miserable life for their sons and daughter. All the problems encountered by the family such as Laura’s indifference and lack of confidence in herself are just part of the results of what happened to Amanda. And with this, the solution for their problem should also start with Amanda. If only she restrain herself from thinking and burying herself with the memories of the past… if only she just encourages her son and daughter to live a happy life, advice them of what is good, and teach them how to avoid those that are not good instead of full interference with their lives even to the point of pushing her daughter to marry the guy Laura doesn’t know personally… if only she knows how to show love and concern for her family and to put a happy environment with their home, maybe