Youth and gang violence Essay Example

Youth and gang violence Essay Gang violence refers to all activities that result to psychological, emotional, physical and cultural harm to individuals, public or damage to property. Youth gangs refer to a group of at least two individuals between the age of 12 and 24 years who have a common character, use the same clothing, symbols, and even colors. They come from the same area, and form a very strong membership that performs various illegal activities together. Gang names and membership involve initiatory rituals that comprise of â€Å"beating in† or â€Å"sexing in†. Members endure the beating by all the gang members; girls are sexed in by having intercourse with all the members of the gang. The gang members have a sense of devotion to each other and have a new language they use to communicate. The devotion to the gang membership is revealed in some of their documents known as the constitution. Failure to follow their laws has serious consequences like death penalty (Spergel, 1995). Youth gang activities began the first decade of the twentieth century. The writers during that period observed gangs as mischievous and gentle although they carried out criminal activities. The gangs during that period were ethnic and not financially stable. Gang activities continued and developed throughout the twentieth century until today (Siegel Welsh, 2009). A rise in gang membership by the youth in the last few decades has called for attention from the government, social organizations and even the public. Gangs are involving themselves with illegal activities, including drug deals, sexual offenses, and even more serious crimes like murder; the more the gangs, the more the cases of crimes. They are endangering the security of the community and broadening the resources and skills of law enforcement workforce, social organizations and professionals in the court. One of the most key challenges has been the rise of crime activities by and among gang members (Spergel, 2007). We will write a custom essay sample on Youth and gang violence specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Youth and gang violence specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Youth and gang violence specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Schools are also factors in youth and gang violence, studies have revealed that 18.3% of students carried a weapon to school and 7.4% of students were injured in a period of one year. There are various factors that result to violence in school: crime rate, presence of gangs, availability of weapons, drug activity and hate crimes (Siegel Welsh, 2009). One of the major causes of gang violence is linked to drug trafficking. Youth gangs are influential in the drug sales and this involvement lead to youth violence. Today, many researchers agree that the youth involvement in drug trafficking is bounded by street-level distribution, involving gang members working on their own. It is observed that most drug operations are conducted by former youth gangs. Indirect connections between murder, drug activities and gang deals have been observed. Majority of gang-linked homicides might not have happened, if drug stores were not there to bring groups of opposing gangs into get in touch with each other. A connection between drug dealing and violence is common in prison gangs, and this relationship to the streets (Chaskin, 2010). The more serious a youth participates in illegal behaviors the higher the chances of his/her involvement in drugs. Adjustments in drug use have indicated changes in illegal activities, while changes in illegal activities have little effect on drug use. Illegal activities are higher for those who sell drugs compared to those who consume drugs (Howell, 2003). Drugs and weapons are also linked in a number of ways. The drug promotes criminal activities through modifications in cognitive function. The drug dealers have to use violence in order to source funding to finance drug use. Since drug activities are illegal, violence has to be used when transporting them to their destinations. Studies have revealed that youths that have taken drugs often get into fights; this is because of the impact of the alcohol and stimulants in the body. Parents who take alcohol and drugs may fail to give attention to their children and may involve themselves in violence. Youths who have grown in violent families have a likelihood of being violent in future and may use alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism (Howell, 2003). Gang involvement is not encouraged by the need to be involved in violence, but rather to be involved in a strong social group. They look forward to receiving things like friendship, security, loyalty and power. But, it is the reason that these social elements are sustained through violence that makes the gang a potentially damaging group. Because youth gangs are the centre of increasing violence, it is important to discuss the continuum of social, economic, political and organization challenges that led to the violence, and to outline why youth gangs have come up as the key reasons for this violence. One of the famous trials to uncover the cause of this violence is the ‘ecological model ‘based on Bronfenbrenner. He explains that no cause or level verify violence. This model illustrates violence at several levels within which they are conditions that causes it while others shape and perpetuate it (Siegel Welsh, 2009). Briceno-Leon for example outlines conditions that create violence, for instance social inequality and breakdown of family; those that encourage violence such as the structure for solving conflicts; and finally those that facilitate violence such as availability of weapons, drugs and alcohol and media impact. In particular, youth gangs flourish where it is believed that a number of conditions all serve to destroy the purpose of the family unit: unstable living standards, long working hours of parents, and the lack of basic needs .The short time that parents have to spend with their children, is viewed as the cause of gang involvement; the shortage of social resources in the family was found in the gang (Siegel Welsh, 2009). Researchers also found that family violence can result to gang membership. The youth may have the urge to join the gang so that they can feel great and overcome the experiences of violence in their homes. Therefore, it is right to say the family is no longer able to give the youth a meaningful social personality. If the youth does not get the support and love from their families, they tend to get it from other groups such as, youth gangs (Paglicci, Roberts Wodarski, 2002). Furthermore, lack of jobs, and low levels of education, imply that many youths experience economic elimination. Gangs become a substitute, because they are financially, socially sufficient.   Gangs give their members a sense of ownership, as well as chances for financial stability, gaining a feeling of power, approval and worth. The advancement in gang membership has taken place in cycles with various other trends. The presence of automobiles and their accessibility has promoted the mobility of gangs by permitting invasions to various communities. Easy access to weapons has changed streets into shootouts. Rise in accessing illegal drugs has motivated some gangs to become distribution centers. Migration and acculturation procedures have gone beyond the racial obstacles that were present. In some communities where financial stability was thought to protect youths from gang membership, parents and guardians now observe symbols and clothing that link their children to gang involvement (Spergel, 1995). The schools, families and communities function as protective measures for youths who might be involved in gang activities. They decrease the effect of risks accompanied in gang involvement. Protective aspects enhance optimistic behavior, health, welfare and individual achievement. Schools, families and peer groups form good relationships that enhance close bonds among the youth. Therefore the youth cannot think of joining gangs because they feel loved. Various strategies can be used to reduce violence in schools. Parents play a significant role with their involvement in the child’s school life. The parent should monitor their children to ensure that they don’t carry any weapons when going to schools. The students should also be open to their parents to share their experiences in school, for example when they are bullied or forced to enter into gangs. The school administration should be involved and coordinate with outside agencies including the police. This is important when violence in school have gone beyond the control of school administration, and so the need for outsiders. While at school, teachers play the role of a parent because they are very close to the students. Therefore, it is possible for teachers to prevent their students in joining gangs, they should closely monitor their students, and in case of disruptive students the teacher should invite the parents to school in order to discuss the students’ behavior and what can be done to help the student (Siegel Welsh, 2009). As gang involvement and violence continue to rise, the leaders are faced by a dilemma: Identify and tackle the problem, or assume the problem does not exist. Those who have identified the problem have tried preventing gang rise. Those who have assumed it does not exist have seen the gang crimes spread across the communities and have felt the effects (Howell, 2003). Another issue has dealt with the efficiency of law enforcement as opposed to social services reactions. Some people think that a tough reaction from police, prosecutors and the courts give the only valuable solution. Others have argued that gang issues are caused by individual and social conditions and therefore can be solved through intervention and treatment. Connected to this issue is the question of prosecutorial reaction. Some jurisdiction allows adult trial for any youth accused of a gang illegal activity. Others have incorporated new strategies like vertical trial; this is where a prosecutor is given particular members of a gang and follows them through each prosecution (Howell, 2003). Heated arguments have also risen concerning officials who try to control gang activities at the expense of individual rights. An example is school dress codes. The school authority has come up with rules that prohibit certain clothing that can symbolize any gang. By prohibiting gang members from wearing certain attire that identify them, officials hope that they can prevent gang crimes and activities. Civil democrats oppose that this policy violate the right of students to wear as they desire and should not be implemented school systems (Spergel, 1995). Several researchers have observed the danger, need, and preventive conditions linked particularly to gang involvement. They have argued that preventive and intervention activities should concentrate more on all youths rather than only those who are involved in the illegal activities. Effective prevention measures should tackle every social system, deal with every danger and protective measure, and should cover every level from the family system to the government (Spergel, 2007). Prevention can also be observed as a range that has various levels: primary, secondary and tertiary stages. Primary intervention involves dealing with actions taken to prevent the youths who are at risk of membership from joining the gang. Secondary prevention involves lessons that are targeted to the youth that have already joined the gang. Tertiary prevention is for those youth who are involved in illegal activities of the gang (Paglicci, Roberts Wodarski, 2002). Many programs have been formulated for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. The Gang Resistance Education and Training Program (GREAT) is a good example of primary prevention. Students in school are given advice concerning the negative side of gang involvement, taught how to tackle conflicts and cultural sensitivity. These classes are taught by police officers, analysis have shown that there is a small increase of students’ capacity to oppose peer pressure and gang involvement (Howell, 2003). The Boys and Girls Clubs of America give gang prevention through targeted outreach. This prevention is secondary, it comprises of recreational, informative, and life motivation skills. Case managers are given specific youths, with relevant information on program involvement, school progress, legal system involvement, and other life aspects. This information helps case managers observe the youth’s performance and become aware of behaviors that link to gang involvement like failing grades. Tertiary prevention actions involve law enforcements that aim at containing gang activities. Many police officers have created gang units and formed policy strategies. This strategies arm the police and the public with information concerning gang activities, this has increased the presence of police officers in areas with gang problems. Solutions to helping youths abandon gang activities can handle both individual traits and several social factors. They may play a crucial role in advising other youths not to join gangs. Many youth do not know what they are involving themselves with when they join gangs, therefore a youth who has joined a gang before can give advice on the implications involved with it. Peer advice is also crucial in instructing youths to abandon gangs. Such plans form part of a way of breaking the conception that gang membership is a right of passage. Outreach plans of local youth organizations are viewed as the major system for forming the counseling networks (Paglicci, Roberts Wodarski, 2002). It is important to give young people the resources and support they require, instead of modifying the managerial capital of gangs in more positive directions. This has significant effects in terms of policy, because it focuses on the purpose of youth in the attainment of community goals. The role of youth organizations gives both instructions and gives alternative social groups. Such groups give the advantages of joining a gang where in this case, there are no crimes or dangers associated with it. Organizations are therefore seen as the proper place for emotional and mental motivation. Furthermore, organizations can give advice to parents so that they can know what promotes gang membership, and thus are in a better position to help their children not join the gang. Organizations can therefore sustain the youth indirectly by increasing the supportive ability of the family (Howell, 2003). The church also plays a significant role by rehabilitating gang members; therefore it has contributed to reduction in gang membership. This is true for two major reasons. First, gangs agree to go to church as a sign of moving out of the gang. Secondly, the church gives a social system that is similar to a gang in several ways. Just as gangs have strong social bonds among their followers and follow certain conducts of behavior, the church also offers such a supportive system and functions according to its own social aspects (Paglicci, Roberts Wodarski, 2002). Gang membership can also be reduced by advancing the wellbeing of the youth by introducing youth projects. The purpose of the project is to produce source of information that improves the quality of life of the youth, both socially and financially and strengthens family, community and cultural bonds. This project is based on teamwork, participation, and ownership. The youth centers give the youth a secure, optimistic and relaxed environment (Spergel, 2007). The youths are trained to be voluntary teachers, and other several technical trainings programs. A major element of the programs is the direct employment of the youths that complete the training. Also, the sense of belonging brought crucial emotional advantages; youths feel they are in a place where they are trusted and honored and they could share their opinions freely with others. The group enhances the ability of young people to be a means of change, and motivate them to know their function in the community. The instruction they get, increase their ability to guide and help others (Chaskin, 2010).

Rhetorical Analysis of Moby Dick Google Docs Essays

Rhetorical Analysis of Moby Dick Google Docs Essays Rhetorical Analysis of Moby Dick Google Docs Paper Rhetorical Analysis of Moby Dick Google Docs Paper relationships, morality and the meaning of life. This arouses interest in the reader by forest widowing future events. In a tragedy, things are bound to go awry, so this connection made by Melville gives insight to the probable future of the crew. Through including short directions, although only riffle, Melville serves to both interest and include the audience in the unravel ling plot and to foreshadow to contribute to building suspense throughout the novel. Captain ABA largely uses appeals to the crews emotions through his diction and language in this chapter. The use of pathos is essential to persuade his crew t o search for Mob Dick and to avoid any mutiny or rebellion. Before even proposing his plan, Ah ABA instantly sets them up by asking them a multitude of questions. For example, he asks What do ye do when ye see a whale, men? Naturally, the crew replies as they are expected to. By poss. Eng things as questions rather than orders, the men are instantly more prepared to listen a ND obey Abss commands. Melville even notes that they themselves became so excited at s such seemingly purposeless questions. Abss speech of the pain Mob Dick has inflicted on him is illustrated by loaded language that not only is used to arouse the crew, but to appeal me continually to the audience. As ABA presents them with his plan to capture and kill Mob Dick, he receive s little opposition. However, Struck, being most rational, questions why a voyage meant to make a refit has evolved into a mad hunt for just one whale for the sole purpose of vengeance. ABA refutes his sensible argument through using a logical fallacy known as Bands agony. He claims that the rest of the crew has happily complied to going after Mob Dick. ABA replies, The crew, man, the crew! Are they not one and all with ABA, in this matter of the whale? None of the other men had happily complied, but rather, nobody had the sense or c our age to speak up like Struck. Despite this, Struck immediately submits to ABA without Hess taxation. Through Abss rhetoric, a highly charismatic yet extremely domineering side of ABA I shown. This strong character development adds a completely new element to the story. T he audience is now made aware of the premise of the rest of the story. As Abss insanity is begin inning to be revealed, the looming disaster of the Piqued is foreshadowed. Also, ABA use s appeals to sympathy, which also influence the crew and the reader as well to feel that his need to revenge is more reasonable. ABA clever use of language and rhetoric in this chapter hell as to set the stage for the rest of the novel. In the Quarter Deck, dialogue is a prominent feature, being strung throughout the entire chapter. Since this chapters main point is for ABA to reveal the true purpose of the voyage, dialogue is essential. It serves to not only add interest to the chapter, but to g eve the reader a more hellbender view of the events occurring. The reader can not only be e exposed to Seamless response, but the reactions of the entire crew. Again, similar to stag e directions, this connects the story to a tragedy format. While preceding chapters were chaff lull of Seamless personal thoughts and accounts, this chapter is a sudden switch to more of a dramatic play format. This maintains the audience interest by keeping variation in how the s Tory is narrated, while effectively increasing the suspense that begins to build from this chapter r on. Also, had Abss plan been simply told through Siamese retelling it, the reader would view the voyage completely differently. Siamese himself was brainwashed by ABA into believing his need for revenge is somewhat understandable. Although he has more insight than others, he is still relatively oblivious to the fact that Abss plan can only lead t o doom and disaster for the entire crew. By hearing the events of this chapter through dial guy, and directly seeing how ABA presents his plan, the audience has an advantage over the men by being able to see through his manipulation. In all, dialogue is an extremely important com anent of this chapter which gives the reader a better understanding of the situation the Pee quad and the crew is really in. In addition, imagery is a component that is used in the chapter, and continue d throughout the entire novel. In this scene, circles are especially emphasized. ABA sesame bless the crew into a physical circle, while also pulling them into his own imaginative sphere of his win perverted vision of revenge against Mob Dick. Melville illustrates that ABA stands while e his three mates stood at his side with their lances, and the rest of the ships company formed a circle round the group. This symbolism is shown again when he ABA says Round with it, ROR ND! and again when he exclaims, Advance, ye mates! Cross your lances full before me. Well done! Let me touch the axis. By now ABA has successfully bound the entire crew to him. He stands in the center of this circle he has fabricated, while the men radiate around him chug HTH in this sphere of is imagination. This is representative of how the men have now become .NET angled in Abss deranged obsession. Without much choice, they are forced to submit to ABA as he controls each of them. This circle imagery really solidifies how ABA has completely maniple dated them to gain control over them. A circle is also representative of ABA himself because he is complete in him elf and does not listen or pay attention to anything outside the realm Of this circle who ICC encompasses his infatuation with avenging Mob Dick. He is so focused on this that anything g else has no significance to him.

Applying concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applying concepts - Essay Example To address this question, managerial economic concepts and socio-political tools need to be taken into consideration. From the video Can the U.S. Maximize the Benefits of Chinese Foreign Direct Investment? It is evident that Chinese companies operation in United States has proved to be economically beneficial to the locals and the national economic performance at large. The firms like offer employment opportunities to the United States citizens and this has helped reduce unemployment rate with significant boost in overall national income level (Moran,2013). Comparative wage rate between China and United States indicates significant gap with the later having higher rate and more skilled personnel. It is therefore economically feasible to the United States allow Chinese firms operate locally and offer minimum wage rate. This reflects outsourcing of jobs that has seen states like South Carolina boast higher employment level. It is also important to note that United States do not experience exploitation as most of the Chinese firms outsource other factor input from other countries with value creation a ctivity as the central activity in United States. The socio-political framework of the United States is strongly hinged on American way of doing things including workplace practices and that has placed them at vantage point. Take the case of Haier which was compelled to hire an American executive manager in an effort to effect America-style human resource practices. This means that united States have substantial participation in the Chinese foreign direct investment entities hence increased gain to the local economy. United States firms have a competitive edge against other multinationals of foreign origin and for China to penetrate and establish its production plants, there is increased level of productivity and revival of dead industries. The case study of Top-Eastern Group which specializes in making drill bits gives a picture of gains made so far by

The International Convergence Project Assignment

The International Convergence Project - Assignment Example Globalization has undoubtedly contributed to the economic growth in developed as well a developing countries through the principle of comparative advantage and increased specialization. With the benefits of globalization, the policy makers have also recognized the need for uniform disclosures by firms engaged in multinational businesses. As accounting is a universal language for business, it becomes all the more important to have sound and comparable accounting principles to enable the capital providers, analysts and regulators to understand the health of business and make relevant decisions. Understanding this need the standard setters have come up with the international convergence project for uniform accounting standards. This project includes the discussion on need for uniform accounting standards in modern financial world. The benefits that accrue on behalf of adoption of single accounting standard framework by majority of the countries have also been provided. Furthermore the e mpirical evidence post-IFRS adoption by European firms has been included. Lastly the current state of convergence project has been provided. ... Accounting standards play important role in regulation of global financial markets. This has made it important to establish a single set of high quality financial accounting standards. The function of financial accounting standards is to define the rules for national regulators and participants of capital markets such as banks and borrowing firms. A common accounting language can provide the investors greater confidence in transparency and comparability of financial statements. The global standards are seen as a key to safety of global financial arena. These standards are purported to be means of mitigating the volatility of capital flows across markets, reduction in probability of bankruptcies and reduce systemic risks. The foundation of convergence process was laid in early 2000s when in 2002 the two major standard setting bodies IASB and FASB formalized their commitment in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the convergence of IFRS and US GAAP under the Norwalk Agreement (Kieso , Weygandt & Warfield, 2010). The objectives of the convergence of standards were to achieve completeness and improve consistency, as historically both the accounting standards by IASB and FASB have been incomplete. As a result the two boards identified short-term and long-term projects that would eventually lead to convergence. Some short-term projects were borrowing costs and fair value accounting for financial instruments, issued in 2007 and since then uniformly followed by both the standard setters. Long-term projects included issues like the conceptual framework, leases and revenue recognition. Additionally European and US regulators have agreed to the recognition of each other’s accounting standards for firms listed on various world securities exchanges. The international

Introduction to case study research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Introduction to case study research - Essay Example appraisal refers to the process of systematically evaluating the two case studies evidence to measure their validity, results and significance before using it to update a decision. Instruments created to maintain quality appraisal normally share some basic strategies for the appraisal of qualitative study (Hill & Spittlehouse, 2003). The evaluation will also involve assessment of each article strengths and weaknesses. The second part of this paper involves critical evaluation of use of case study research in terms of validity, reliability and generalizability. A case study is a precise, holistic, frequently unique case that is often designed to demonstrate a more general standard; the study of an instance in practice; and the study of a developing circumstance (Hill & Spittlehouse, 2003). In addition, case studies demonstrate ‘what it is like’ to be in a given situation. Research is the systematic process of gathering and analysing data (information) in order to augment people’s understanding of the occurrence about which people are concerned or interested (Swanborn 2010). This section involves comparison and explanation of these two studies ‘How to Do Case Study Research’ by Donna M. Zucker and ‘Assessing Staff Turnover: A View from the English Riviera’ by Andreas Walmsley (Walmsley 2004; Zucker 2009). The first case study is an interpretive research that involves exploration of a research theme or theory. In this study, researcher interprets data to make sense of it and that is what is considered the fact or truth. Therefore in this study theories are reconstructions of realities, and the strategy of a good presumption is a comprehension of meaning of the study (George and Bennett 2005). The author needed to discover how case study is effectively done. This led to questions such as how data have been interpreted it in order to create or confirm theory and ideas. Meanings in natural science are disconnected from reality, while in social

A Summary Of Utilitarianism Philosophy Essay

A Summary Of Utilitarianism Philosophy Essay Utilitarianism, also known as the English common sense philosophy dominated the Western world during most of the nineteenth century. Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that places the seed of right and wrong solely on the outcomes (consequences) of choosing one action/policy over other actions/policies, hence also sometimes referred to as the Consequentialism. The history of this theory dates back to its true pioneer Jeremy Bentham ( 1748-1832) who gave rise to a new concept in hedonism: The Social Hedonism which was quite different from the Hedonistic doctrines of Aristipppus and Epicurus who are considered to be the fathers of Hedonistic school of thought. Bentham ; the common-sense British thinker is largely held responsible for the shift from egoistic (individualistic) hedonism to the Universalistic( social ) hedonism. He declared in his book Introduction to the Principles and morals and Legislation that all mankind is ruled by two basic masters; namely PAIN and PLEAS URE and that all human race is busy in the so-called rat-race of the pursuit of pleasure and the disapproval of pain.He also asserts that good can be equated with pleasure and evil with pain. Here comes in the big question that How should pleasures be graded as far as preference is concerned? Whether one should go for short-term and intense pleasures or long-term and mild pleasure take precedence over the former. He therefore came up with a detailed outline of principles regarding the preferences of pleasures in his Hedonic Calculus. According to Benthams calculus, he emphasized the significance of seven circumstances in order to determine the value of any action, hence presented a criteria for the preference of pleasures influenced by following major factors: Intensity: of the pleasure or pain that results Duration: of either of the two Certainity: The confirmation that pleasant event will be occurring. Promptness : The nearness of the pleasant event. Fecundity: Its ability to reproduce( lead to) more pleasure. Purity: freedom from either present or future. Extent: characterized by the number of people affected by the action John Stuart Mill(1806-1873) adjusted the more hedonistic tendencies in Benthams philosophy by emphasizing that it is not infact the quantity of pleasure, but the quality of happiness that is central to utilitarianism. He further argued that pleasure couldnt be quantified as stated by Bentham and can only be measured in terms of quality only. Mill advocates his rationality of ideas in the following famous words: It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better Socrates disstatisfied than a fool satisfied The implification of this advancement by Mill lead to a belief that the calculus is unreasonable (there is a distinction between higher and lower pleasures). According to Mill, utilitarianism now refers to the Greatest Happiness Principle GHP. it seeks to promote the capability of achieving happiness (higher pleasures) for the maximum number of people. The Maxim holds as such: Greatest happiness for the greater number Act and Rule Utilitarianism The principle of utility can either either be applied to PARTICULAR ACTIONS or GENERAL RULES. The former is called act-utilitarianism and the latter is called rule-utilitarianism. Act-utilitarianism The principle of utility is applied directly to each alternative act in a situation of choice. The right act is then defined as the one which brings about the best results( good or pleasure) (or the least amount of bad results/bad or harm). Rule-utilitarianism The principle of utility is used to determine the validity of rules of conduct (moral principles). A rule, like promise-keeping is established by keeping in view the consequences of the rule. This can be achieved by imagining a society/world in which people broke promises at will and a world in which promises were kept. Right and wrong are then defined as following or breaking those rules. Some criticisms of this position point out that if the Rules take into account more and more exceptions, Rule Utilitarianism collapses into Act Utilitarianism. More general criticisms of this view argue that it is possible to generate unjust rules according to the principle of utility. For example, slavery in Greece might be right if it led to an overall achievement of cultivated happiness at the expense of some mistreated individuals Critiques on the Utilitarian Theory: The first and foremost critique grounds its claim in the definition of the notion of happiness itself. According to various thinkers Happiness is a pretty relative term. What makes one person happy does not necessarily arouses the same sentiments in another individual. The practicality of the theory is challenged by saying that its not possible to decide whos happy and who is not? There is no justification of sacrificing the benefits of the minority in order to make the majority happy, no matter what. This simply undermines the notion of justice Utilitarianism has no universal set of rules on to which morality is based The sharpest criticism of Utilitarianism comes from its most celebrated critic: Kant. Kants Ethical Formalism holds that the rightness or wrongness of an act is an inherent quality which is independent of everything-time, place, circumstances, so on and so forth. Furthermore , this inherent or absolute quality of an act is independent of any results which follow from it, hence refuting CONSEQUENTIALISM altogether. Critiques on the Act Utilitarian Theory Criticisms of this view point to the difficulty of attaining a full knowledge and certainty of the consequences of our actions. According to some thinkers the consequences of acts cannot be predicted accurately and therefore refutes the argument of establishment of the rightness or wrongness of an act to begin with. One act doesnt have a single consequence. To the contrary, it leads to a multitude of consequences which is usually described as the Ripple Effect, hereby rendering the evaluation of an act as good or bad by looking at its consequences simply impossible. It is possible to justify immoral acts using Act Utilitarianism which is not justified and acceptable on any grounds. Critiques on the Rule Utilitarian Theory: Some criticisms of this position point out that if the Rules take into account more and more exceptions, Rule Utilitarianism collapses into Act Utilitarianism. More general criticisms of this view argue that it is possible to generate unjust rules according to the principle of utility. For example, slavery in Greece might be right if it led to an overall achievement of cultivated happiness at the expense of some mistreated individuals SUMMARY: KANTIANISM Immanuel Kant (1724 1804) stands as a milestone in the history of Western philosophy. Kants theory can be categorized as a deonotological because according to him, actions are not assessed to be morally permissible on the basis of consequences they produce, but rather on the persons will therefore his actions are based on duty and not consequences( henceforth refuting Utilitarianism right at the start). Monistic deontology as subjected by Kantianism is by far more consistent of a theory and can be universally applied to all beings. It is more plausible because even if the consequences of performing an action arent necessarily the best, the agent is still obligated to perform the action because it is their duty to do so. Therefore, ethically and morally they are doing the right thing.Kants theory revolves around Duty and Obligation. It is absolute since the morality of an action takes no regard of the situation it is in. Moral duty Kant said that we all experience an innate moral duty. The existence of the conscience and feelings of guilt and shame tell us when we violate this moral duty. He believed that our moral duty could be revealed to us through reason, objectively. His theory was based solely on duty. He said that to act morally is to perform ones duty, and ones duty is to obey the innate moral laws Moral duty Kant said that we all experience an innate moral duty. The existence of the conscience and feelings of guilt and shame tell us when we violate this moral duty. He believed that our moral duty could be revealed to us through reason, objectively. His theory was based solely on duty. He said that to act morally is to perform ones duty, and ones duty is to obey the innate moral laws. He believed that we are constantly in a battle with our inclinations our raw wants and desires. We should not act out of love or compassion.He preached the most celebrated view of Duty for Dutys Sake Kant said that its was not our duty to do what is impossible for us to do. For Kant, the fact that we ought to do something means that it is logically possible to do ought implies can. Moral statements are prescriptive; they prescribe an action. If ought implies can then the statement, I ought to do x, implies that I can do x. Kant said that we all aim to reach an ultimate end call the supreme good, the summum bonum a state in which human virtue and happiness are united. However, since it is impossible to reach this state in one lifetime, he deduced that we have immortal souls to succeed. Thus, Kant believed in an afterlife where there is a possibility of reaching the supreme good. For an afterlife to exists, Kant said God must exist to aid eschatological justice. For him, God was necessary for morality not the other way round he rejected all classical notions of theism. Moral statements Kant believed that there were two types of statement possible. First, a priori analytic statements such as 1 +1 = 2 are knowable without external research and contains predicate within it. However, statements that are a posteriori synthetic such as, Jack is a butler are knowable only by empirical examination it may be true or false. Kant contended that moral statements were a priori synthetic. We cannot prove what someone should do just by seeing so moral statements are a priori. However, moral statements may or may not be true, thus they are synthetic. Therefore, Kant concluded that moral statements where knowable only through reason since they are a priori and that there must be a method by which to verify whether the statement is true or false. Good will and duty Kant argues that the highest form of good is good will. To have good will is to perform ones duty. To do ones duty is to perform actions which are morally required and to avoid those actions which are morally forbidden. Kant said that we should perform our duty because it is our duty and for no other reason. To perform an action out of desire for any self indulgent consequences is not a morally good action. Duty is good in itself. Kant believed that we should act out of duty and not emotion. A human action isnt morally good because we feel its good, or because it is in our own self interest. Even if duty demanded the same action, but it was done for a motive such as compassion, the act would be a good act, but the person would not be moral (virtuous) for choosing it. Kant is said to have devised a system of ethics based on reason and not intuition. A moral person must be a rational being. Being good means having a good will. A good will is when I do my duty for the sake of that duty. I do my duty because it is right, and for no other reason. But what does it mean to act out of duty? Kant explained that to act out of duty is to perform actions which are morally obligatory and not to perform those that are forbidden. The categorical imperative: It is the basis of Kants moral system and may be formulated as follows: Act as if the maxim of your actions were to become through your will a general Natural law The categorical imperative helps us to know which actions are obligatory and which are forbidden. Hypothetical imperatives are conditional: If I want x then I must do y. These imperatives are not moral. For Kant, the only moral imperatives were categorical: I ought to do x, with no reference to desires or needs. There are three main formulations of the categorical imperatives. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The universal law -The ability to universalize: All moral statements should be general laws, which apply to everyone under any circumstances. There should be no occasion under which an exception is made. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Treat humans as ends in themselves -Respect: Kant argues that you should never treat people as a means to some end. People should always be treated as ends in themselves. This promotes equality. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Act as if you live in a kingdom of ends -Autonomy: Kant assumed that all rational agents were able to deduce whether an argument was moral or not through reason alone and so, all rational humans should be able to conclude the same moral laws. Kant sought to create a framework by which one could discover which moral statements were true and which were false. Immorality thus involves a violation of the CI and is thereby irrational. Other philosophers, such as Locke and Hobbes, had also argued that moral requirements are based on standards of rationality. However, these standards were either desire-based instrumental principles of rationality or based on sui generis rational intuitions Freedom Kant believed that we are free to make rational choices. Reason is what distinguishes us from animals. We have to be free to do our duty. But if we cant be free then we cannot truly be moral agents. Ought no longer implies can. Critiques on the KantinianTheory: Kants refusal to allow any exceptions to a maxim is incompatible with modern politics. In war, the sacrifice of the few for the many is necessary. Kant does not allow this. Kant cannot distinguish between conflicting duties. Kants concept of universalisability encounters problems. How similar do two moral dilemmas have to be to be covered by the same maxim? Critics object that the categorical imperative, as circumscribing the form of morality, is often too ambiguous, even empty of application Kants refusal to allow and exceptions to a maxim is incompatible with modern politics. In war, the sacrifice of the few for the many is necessary. Kant does not allow this. Critics of Kants approach claim that his Categorical Imperative does not contain within it a way to resolve conflicts of duties. Lying is wrong can be interpreted as Never lie and thus Universal Principles can harden into Absolute Principles

Effects of Advertising on Children Essay

Overall view on advertisingAdvertising is the communication relayed from companies to persuade an audience to purchase their products. This communication is usually through various forms of paid media — TV and radio commercials, print ads, billboards and more recently, product placement. Ads are placed where advertisers believe they will reach the largest, most relevant audience. Commercial businesses use advertising to drive the consumption of their product, while non-profit organizations may place ads to raise awareness or encourage a change in behavior or perception. Advertising is the form of communication by fresh ways that the ad-filmmakers used to encourage, persuade or entice the consumers to buy their products. If an advertisement for a product attracts the consumers, they tend to purchase it frequently or at least give it a try. If a company has to survive in this competitive world, it has to project the image of its products in such a way that, they pick up the maximum sales. Nowadays, advertising plays an important role in the society, and since children form the major parts of the target group for advertisers, many advertisements focused on children are a proof of this fact. Today, children are watching more television than years ago, and thus viewing more advertisings. Many books have been written and many studies and reports done on the effects of TV advertising on children. In this presentation, we will look at some different positive and negative effects of TV advertisement on children, and give some suggestions as a solution to lim it negative effects of advertising on children. I. Positive effects of advertising on children – Advertising makes the kids aware of the new products available in the market. It increases their knowledge about the latest innovations in the field of technology. – Alive and flashy images with short messages like a motto, and charming models stimulate children’s imagination and their intelligence. – Certain advertisements, with strong messages motivate the kids in chasing their future prospects such as becoming a doctor, scientist or an engineer. They generate the passion in children, regarding their future and makes them realize the importance of education. – Some advertisements inculcate good habits in children, as all the toothpaste companies create strong awareness regarding dental hygiene in kids. II. Negative effects of advertising on children -Children may make excessive demands on their parents for the products they see in the advertisements. At times, they cry, pinch, pull and will not keep quiet till the parents purchase the product. Some parents who cannot control their children may fall in anger with them. -Junk food advertisements influence children greatly, leading to an increased demand for junk food by children. When children watch young adults eating junk foods in the advertisements they assume that it is good for the health. They are unaware of the fact that junk food does not contain nutritional value. They may even think that by eating these junk foods they might become like the thin and fit models in the advertisements. These unhealthy eating habits lead to diseases, such as obesity, heart diseases, high-blooded pressure. It even influences the way the kids think about the actual taste of food. – Children often tend to misinterpret the messages conveyed in commercial advertisments. They end up having wrong believes about many problems. Sometimes, they imitate the acts of models in the ad-films. For example, they can try smoking, drinking wine or beer. – As more and more advertisments are becoming animated, children are unable to understand the difference between real world and fantasy. They tend to have difficulties in doing tasks such as solving puzzles and reading. III. Solutions to limit negative effects of advertising on children – Parents play a major role in this case. Parents should teach their children of how to be critical of ads and how to become less influenced by the messages in the ads. Parents need to teach their children the importance and value of money. – Parents also need to instill good habits and help children to differentiate between right and wrong – Parents should limit the time of watching television of their children and spend more time playing with them or organize more outdoor activities for them. – Solutions from government: A few countries have banned marketing and advertising targeted at children below the age of twelve. One country has banned advertising of toys before 10 p.m. as it is at this time that children are mostly awake. Previously advertisers marketed children’s products towards parents. Parents were their target audience for these products. But nowadays, marketers aim their messages directly at children. Advertisements are made specifically in such a way that they draw the attention of children. The marketing messages are aimed directly at the children. – Advertisers on the other hand, can also try to put their message across creatively and target the entire family rather than just children. With a balanced approach, the negative effects of advertising can surely be controlled. I.Overall view of advertising 1. What is the advertising? – A form of marketing. – A method of mass promotion. – Purposes of advertising: + To introduce new products + To persuade the audience to purchase the product. + To cultivate brand identity 2. How does the advertising affect to people’s mind? – By the language – By the design – By the image and music II. Positive effects of advertising on children – Making the kids aware of the new products available in the market. – Stimulating children’s imagination and their intelligence. – Generating the passion in children and making them realize the importance of education. – Inculcating good habits in children. III. Negative effects of advertising on children -Making excessive demands on their parents for the products in the advertisements. – Increasing demand for junk food in children. – Misinterpreting the messages conveyed in commercial advertisments and imitating the acts of models. – Hardly differentiating the difference between real world and fantasy in the ads. III. Solutions to limit negative effects of advertising on children – Solutions from parents: +Teaching their children of how to be critical of ads and how to become less influenced by the messages in the ads and the importance and value of money. +Instilling good habits and helping children to differentiate between right and wrong. +Limit the time of watching television of their children and spending more time being with them. – Solutions from government: + Banning marketing and advertising targeted at children (related to time and the age of children) + Asking advertisers to target their messages to the entire family rather than just children. Advertising is all around us, it is an unavoidable part of everyone’s life. Some people say that advertising is a positive part of our lives while others say it is a negative one. Discuss both views and include your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words. Advertising is all around us, it is an unavoidable part of everyone’s life. Some people say that advertising is a positive part of our lives while others say it is a negative one. Discuss both views and include your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words. Of Course for several reasons: firstly, it motivates the psychological point in everyone, especially women. They will run to buy this advertised product especially if it’s from cosmetic roof, just to show their beauty to men, which will lead to more offender and raped cases. Secondly, you can sit comfortably with your family and suddenly the telephone is ringing, but it’s nothing important, it’s just another company try to convince you to buy one of their products. It is a real intrusive example of advertisement. Lastly, sometimes you do not have the financial ability to buy something, but with these new methods of advertisement, you will run to buy it, which will affect your budget. On the other hand, there are some good sides to advertising. For instance, it compares the prices of many companies which benefitthe consumer. Besides, it really opens our vision to see more products which we do not knowit unless the TV or Radio advertised them. In addition to, it breaks our daily routine and allows us to see new faces and learn the language better with the help of the daily updates they deliver through advertisement. In conclusion, as we can see there are many aspects to this essay. I feel that we gain no benefits at all from advertisement, it playson minds of people buy more things that they do not need it at all. Advertisements are all around us, and they vary greatly in their attempts to attract consumers. Some ads highlight the product’s features, while other ads’ content seems to be completely unrelated to the product they’re trying to sell. It’s the latter type of ads that shoppers need to be most wary of, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, and George Washington University focused on two different types of advertisements. The first type of ad, called â€Å"logical persuasion,† or LP, presents facts about the product, such as, â€Å"This car gets 42 miles to the gallon.† The second type of ad is referred to as â€Å"nonrational influence† (NI) because it circumvents consumers’ conscious awareness by depicting a fun, vague or sexy scene that seems to have nothing to do with the product. In the study, researchers showed advertising images to 11 women and 13 men while recording the electrical activity in their brains using electroencephalography (EEG). Each participant viewed 24 ads that had appeared in magazines and newspapers. The ads contained either LP or NI images. LP ads showed a table of facts and figures in a cigarette ad and suggestions about selecting food for dogs on the basis of their activity level in an ad for pet food. The NI advertisements included a liquor ad featuring an image of beading water and a cigarette ad showing a woman leapfrogging over a fire hydrant that is spraying water as a man grins behind her. The researchers found that the brain regions involved in decision-making and emotional processing (including the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate regions, the amygdala, and the hippocampus) experienced significantly higher activity levels when participants looked at the LP ads. These brain regions have been shown to help inhibit a person’s response to certain stimuli, such as preventing an impulse purchase. When participants viewed the NI advertisements, however, these regions of the brain did not show activity levels that were as high as what the individuals experienced when they viewed the LP ads. â€Å"Watch your brain and watch your wallet,† study researcher Ian Cook, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, said in a statement. â€Å"These results suggest that the lower levels of brain activity from ads employing NI images could lead to less behavioral inhibition, which could translate to less restraint when it comes to buying products depicted in the NI advertisements.† The study is published in the current edition of the Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics.

My Journey Essay

I want to take this time to share my story about my transition back in the civilian world. In 1990, I was honorable discharge from United States Army this was during peace time in which I had to leave the military due to family hardship. At this time I received changes of duty station to return back to Korea which was my second tour of duty. I just had my fourth child and she was only 10 months old. My only option was to leave fourth children with my mother. I felt that was just to much for my mother at that time. While out the military I have a difficulty time adjusting back to civilian life. During this time I was married to a soldier, so I was still connected to the military life. But transition back to civilian living was hard for me. I did attended a class on resume writing and I obtained a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the local Nursing homes were I did my training at. My emotions was somewhat abnormal in which I felt like I was abandon and depression was their also. Even though I was working in civilian job I crave the advantage that I experience with my military job. My transition took about seven months for me fully accept the civilian sector way of life. Since I like the medical field I enrolled at Central Texas College and received a diploma as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. But I still missed being in the military. But the military provide me with a solid foundation for employment, because I the military helped to adapt to any situations.

Colonial American Educational Practices essays

Colonial American Educational Practices essays America prides itself on the fact that every child in this nation is entitled to a free and well rounded education. This was not always the case. The establishment of schooling systems within America, was an evolutionary process. Each region in the country began with a system which suited them, whether that meant that children only learned what was necessary for survival or just basic reading and writing. Eventually, America began to realize that its children needed to educated. It then became a public issue, and the emergence of institutionalized learning centers originated. This still did not ensure that all children were educated, especially when it came to girls. Up until the aftermath of the American Revolution, education for girls was not a priority and not deemed very important. Only with the new ideology that emerged from that war, did the amendment of womens educational rights become considerable. Very few colonial children received formal educations in the early years. As members of the family workforce, children were vocational apprentices of the parent of their own sex: fathers trained sons in agriculture or in the family trade, while mothers taught housewifery to their girls. Children were to be prepared for the immediate world of their upbringing, if reading and writing skills were not needed to tend to tobacco, then they were last to be taught. The attitude that prevailed, consisted of the idea that book learning, as a part of educational preparation for those headed for a career in the family trade or for girls destined to be housewives, was audacious, although this form of learning may have been present. However, male children were more likely to be literate and possess a variety of training in comparison to their sisters, who usually only acquired skills through everyday life activities. Often neighbors (usually a indigent widow) would teach children reading, writing and spelling...

Selectone of the works of art that are featured in Ch. Essays

Selectone of the works of art that are featured in Ch. Essays Selectone of the works of art that are featured in Ch. Selectone of the works of art that are featured in Ch. Providea response of approximately 150 words for each of the Describe the artwork in terms of the six elements of visual design: line, space, light and color, texture, pattern, and time and motion. Focus on the elements that are most relevant to your selected work of art. Joseph the Carpenter by Georges de La Tour is a simple work with minimal background and few objects in front to detract from the overall execution of the painting. The spacing of the painting suggests the night as cold, dark, and oppressive. The detail in this work is very rich in such subtleties as the smoke from the candle flame that seems to move as you watch it. The faces of the man and the boy seem almost photographic in their attention to detail. The symbolism here is rich and succinct especially in the one represented by the candle. The candle is the single light source surrounded by shadows and creates contrast. The boy holding the candle references Jesus as the Light of the World. The power of the candle appears almost mystically from his hands but is in part, not fully visible, suggesting that his full potential has not yet been revealed but rather held back, kept in check until the time is right for it to come out. Analyze the work in terms of the five principles of visual design: balance, emphasis and focal point, scale and proportion, repetition and rhythm, and unity and variety. Focus on the principles that are most relevant to your selected work of art. Georges de La Tour specialized in religious themes and utilized the technique known as chiaroscuro which means strong contrast between light and dark (Louvre, n.d.) Using a candle for many of his works added rich contrast to his paintings. In this painting contrast is enhanced by the strong light reflected on Christs face that in turn appears to light up the room. This creates the focal point of the painting and the result is one of striking visual impact. The instrument that Joseph is using to drill the wood reflects the shape of the cross. This, along with the layout of the wood on the floor, which is set cross-like to the seated Jesus, foreshadows the crucifixion. These elements refer to three devotions that were particularly important in Lorraine in the 17th century through the motivation of the Franciscans, Saint Joseph, the Infant Jesus, and the Cross, and unifies the religious symbolism of the composition (Louvre, n.d.) Evaluate the quality of the artwork based on the elements and principles of visual design. Analyze and interpret what the artist intended to communicate through this artwork, including the significance of the title, if any. Georges de La Tour is best known for the nocturnal light effects which he developed much further than his artistic predecessors had done, and transferred their use in the genre subjects in the paintings of the Dutch to the religious painting in his (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). He was involved in aFranciscan-led religious revival in Lorraine, and over the course of his career he moved to painting almost entirely religious subjects (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). Based on this information, and the lack of factual historical data of his life, La Tours artwork seems to be a result of political and environmental influences of his era. Unlike Caravaggio, who was his greatest influence, his religious paintings lack dramatic effects. This composition is a careful geometrical and simplified painting of forms, but with a high degree of originality in color and symbolism. Its simplicity extracts both contemplative quiet and wonder, but lacks the reverence and divinity of better-known allegorical artwork. Assess the cultural and historical value of this artwork. Does it qualify as great art in your opinion? Justify your answer. As Aristotle once said, The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.(Common Cause, 2013) Great art should make the viewer feel great emotion, and this composition lacks passion for the subject matter. Although it is a representational religious painting of Joseph and Christ as a child, the painting

Discussion Board 6-1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board 6-1 - Assignment Example These experiences right from childhood to often distort the developing of psyches in the people of color leading to loss of crucial development task that brings about personal identity. In other words, the oppressive conditions that people of color often undergo as early as childhood often hinder their ability to develop their identity effectively and above all meet their potential. Racism, discrimination, biasness, and prejudice that characterize the life of people of color are undoubtedly a tough experience that they have to endure at one point or another in their lifetime (Diller, 2011). It is unfortunate that all these tough experiences comes with power and some benefits that dominant community enjoy at the expense of the minority and this aspect confuse the people of color more powerfully than anything else. The fact that racism, ethnicity and prejudice perpetrated against diverse community is meant at portraying them as either bad or inferior race does a big blow in the identity development of most people of color. As most people grow up and try to gain more personal understanding of themselves and identities with respect to their social inclination they are often caught up in dilemma owing to the preponderance of negative messages they get from other dominant race concerning

'Alternative dispute resolution is at the heart of today's civil Essay

'Alternative dispute resolution is at the heart of today's civil justice system, and any unjustified failure to give proper - Essay Example Early 1990s had been witnessing delays in the conduct of litigation in courts exacerbated due to complex procedures and interlocutory battles entailing heavy costs to the parties and the state exchequer as well. As stated by the English Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), British commerce can achieve cost savings of over ? 1 billion by avoiding time spent by the management, spoilt relationships, lost productivity and legal fees.1 Mediation method already has helped save about ? 6.3 billion since 1990.2 In a classical case decided in 2007 involving a claim of just ? 6,000, parties are reported to have spent nearly ? 100,000 as litigation costs. 3 Perceptions about mediation are still mixed as revealed by a survey of the Ministry of Justice in 2007. For 38 % of the respondents, mediation had resulted in cost savings and for 29 %, costs had increased. Those who had settled cases through mediation informed of cost savings except for 7 % of them for whom costs had increased. F or those whose cases could not be settled through mediation, 45 % of them stated cost increases, 19 % cost savings and 28 % did not see any difference in costs.4 Sequel to Lord Woolf’s report, the U.K. Government made it a condition as far as possible to provide for ADR in all government contractual disputes arising out of procurement contracts. 5 As a result, ADR was resorted to in 336 cases out of which 241 were settled with a resultant cost savings of ? 120.7 million. 6 in Royal Bank of Scotland v Secretary of State for Defence, the successful defendant was refused costs as it had not opted for ADR in line with the above said ADR pledge by the Government.7 An audit report of 2007 stated that non-availing of mediation in family disputes entailed additional cost of ? 74 million through legal aid i.e average legal cost for a non-mediated case amounted to ? 1,682 as against ? 752 for a mediated case. 8 Warren K. Wrinkler Chief Justice of Ontario notes with caution that mediati on if not successful ends up as an additional layer in litigation costs. 9 Time efficiency is another factor apart from cost factor. According to a report of the CEDR, in England 75 % of their cases were settled instantly (same day). 10 Mediated family disputes cases are settled faster at 110 days than non-mediated cases which take 435 days to settle. 11 Regardless of cost effectiveness and time efficiency, flexibility available in mediation towards mutually consensual resolution is absent in court led litigation. The English Alder Hey case that involved more than 1000 claims is a classic example of successful mediation that resulted in apology and erection of permanent memorial for the children whose organs had been withheld by the hospital. ADR provides for not only procedural flexibility but also of flexibility of outcome.12 Mediation offers larger number of remedies that include apology, explanation, enduring relationships, and undertaking by one party an obligation without any legal compulsion. 13 In order to have an effective mediation system, the 2008 EU Directive applicable for cross-border disputes states that member states should have legislation that ensures mediation that guarantees a predictable legal framework, provides for flexibility in procedures and ensures autonomy of parties. Besides, the mediation should be conducted in an effective, impartial and competent manner.14 The EU directive adds that it can be applied to internal mediation of the