Does Cohabitation build a stronger, more successful marriage Term Paper

Does Cohabitation build a stronger, more successful marriage - Term Paper Example This means that experience of children with cohabitation should stay fairly low, cohabitation should often switch into marriage, and the standard length of a phase of cohabitation should be quite short (Manning 1995). Even though Casper and Bianchi (2002 as cited in Heuveline & Timberlake 2004) differentiated between antecedent to marriage and ‘experimental’ marriage founded on the encouragement of individuals cohabiting in relation to marriage, some researchers differentiate this form of marriage, on the basis of the definite decision to marry and bear a child. Cohabitation is a phase in the process of marriage instead of a preface to marriage when live-in couples who make a decision to have a child fail to sense firmly the accurate timing and order of marriage and childbearing (Brown & Booth 1996). Hence, cohabitation does not necessarily build a stronger or successful marriage. My report makes the following recommendations: If you feel strongly or solemn about marriag e you should perhaps decide not to enter cohabitation before marriage. (1) If ever you decide to cohabit prior to marriage it would be sensible to have a definite knowledge of or plan for your relationship. If either or both of you is/are reluctant to plan about your relationship then it is time to rethink the decision to cohabit. It is better to end a relationship than to cohabit without a definite plan for the future. (2) Marriage is evidently a strong foundation for couples. It is important to have legitimate children. The absence of a committed and stable relationship will put the children at great risk. Definition of Cohabitation Cohabitation is broadly defined as couples living together in a set up similar to married couples (USLegal 2011, para 1). Statutes differ in their definition of cohabitation. A number of state laws declare cohabitation a component of adultery which makes it a criminal offense (ibid, para 1). Cohabitation is defined in one state law as ‘regularly residing with an adult of the same or opposite sex, if the parties hold themselves out as a couple, and regardless of whether the relationship confers a financial benefit on the party receiving alimony. Proof of sexual relations is admissible but not required to prove cohabitation’ (USLegal 2011, para 1). However, Georgia’s law identifies cohabitation as ‘dwelling together continuously and openly in a meretricious relationship with another person, regardless of the sex of the other person’ (ibid, para 1). Popularity of Cohabitation A widespread social pattern of the recent decades is the increase in cohabitation and the drop in marriage. A large number of couples are happy to cohabit (Goodwin et al. 2010). Cohabitation has increasingly been accepted by the society even though it opposes the most basic principles of Christianity. Present-day society rarely differentiates between married couples and cohabiting ones (Manning 1995). Prevalence of Cohabitation Roughly 9% were found in 2002 to be cohabiting, which is identified in the report of Goodwin and colleagues (2010) as an unmarried woman and man living together, while ‘46% of women aged 15-44 were currently married’ (ibid, p. 2). The popularity of marriage is higher among non-Hispanic White women and men than those of non-Hispanic black. Figures for Hispanic women and men

Personal Creativity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Personal Creativity - Essay Example It is creativity that gives meaning to our lives and it is during the process of creation that we feel life in its highest, most enjoyable form i.e. we feel happy and fulfilled at not only being connected to the highest being of the universe but also being able to benefit the existing universe as a result. But what exactly is Creativity? Is it found in a special class of human beings or is it a quality we all posses? Some definitions of ‘creativity’ explain that the idea behind the term is the conceiving of a new idea.’ â€Å"The word creativity is a noun naming a phenomenon in which a person communicates a new concept (which is the product). Mental activity (or mental process) is implicit in the definition.† (Rhodes, n.d.). ‘Creativity involves being imaginative, going beyond the obvious, being aware of one’s own unconventionality, being original in some way.† (Craft, 2000) â€Å"Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing.† (Naiman, 2011) Contrary to common belief, we are all involved in various acts of creativity without realizing it. Without creativity, not only would our lives be empty, it may even be a continuous downward spiral as life needs creative input. At every step of our lives we have to do something new to change for the better. It can be as simple as trying out a new route to work in order to create a shortcut and save time. Or taking the risk of adding an extra ingredient to enhance the taste of something you’re cooking. Creativity is not accepting things just as they are, but in order to improve them, striving for new ideas. Thus creativity is present in all of us at some level and it comes to use when there is some problem to be solved. According to Nomura Institute of Japan, we are presently living in the era of Creativity, where constant innovation is required for us to be able to survive (Naiman, 2011). This statement proves itself as we take a look around and see how the economy and the com petitiveness surrounded by it have resulted in a need for change in all fields of work. Followed by the Agricultural, the Industrial and then the Informational age (Naiman, 2011), the age of Creativity looks for the New and the most Efficient. In this age anything, even a light bulb that produces less than it is given as an input, will be thrown out of the race and only the fittest will survive. Therefore every field of knowledge has increased pressure on research to keep up, and thus we see a faster pace of development. Along with the quantity we also have much better quality. With economic and environmental sustainability in mind, more responsible technology, education, designs and services are produced in all areas of life. In spite of what I’ve said about the everyday nature of creativity, when it comes to the working environment, where there is competition, not everyone stands at the same level. There are the original genius’s who seem to make everything work in w ays so simple they surprise us. Then there are others who have followed every rule, have stuck to routines that ensure maximum productive time and yet they’re work, although detailed and complete fails to bring to attention anything new, thus lacks creativity. This can be very commonly observed in creative fields such as art and design of which I am a part and have worked through various types of creative processes. People who are more creative in nature than others usually have a certain type of personality i.e. they have certain traits that distinguish them from others. The first

Change management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Change management - Essay Example Change management has received increasing attention especially in the nursing practice. A notable area to change is the handover system in order to improved efficiency and save both time and resources.Change is difficult for stakeholders and it takes a dedicated leadership to ensure that it happens successfully. The best model of change for this case is the Three Step Lewin’s Model. Change goes through three basic steps namely: freezing, moving and unfreezing. For change to successfully occur, the leadership should be visionary and motivate its employees towards the required direction. Principles in the practice are based on the stipulations of the NHS and other governing bodies. This paper aims to discuss change management using the Lewin’s model, improvement of the handover system in the given case as well as different types of leadership and policies affecting the practice in the UK. Transforming the bedside handover system has emerged as a means of improving neonata l care in hospitals as explained by Marshall and Coughlin (2010). The current bedside system in the hospital is bedside handover but some modifications can be made to improve efficiency. The new changes are to be based on safety of the infants, patient centred care, value added processes and team vitality. These aspects are the foundation of the change process to be used in the hospital by using the Three Step Lewin’s Model. ... Mullins (2002): Higgs and Rowland (2000) assert that leadership varies according to situations and organizations. Burdett Trust for Nursing (2006) stresses on the importance on leadership in nursing, it should be done in accordance to the set rules and regulations in the field. Royal Nursing College (2008); RCN (2003); Department of Health (2011) and Department of Health (2009) state the policies that have been made over the years to introduce change in nursing. Studies done on the bedside handover system One of the studies concerning bedside handover was conducted in Queensland hospital in 2009. This study was done on only ten patients to find out their perspective on bedside handover. The study observed the patients’ approach to the bedside handover system (Murray et al. 2011). The participants were questioned on the advantages and disadvantages. Their current role in the system and the role played by family members and other members of the medical team. The issues arising f rom this study were: most patients supported the inclusive handover system, others appreciated passive engagement and others viewed it as an opportunity to correct the information being passed. From this study, we can conclude that effective bedside handover provides patients to participate in their care. Another study was conducted in Ipswich hospital where the practice had been in place for over two years. The study was conducted in three wards in a total of thirty days, thirty four nurses were interviewed. The bedside handover had worked efficiently in the hospital. The staff members interviewed had positive feelings about the system since it was introduced. This study demonstrates on the efficiency of bedside handover and

Irish Urban Regeneration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Irish Urban Regeneration - Essay Example 8). The evolution of the city saw and increase in urban expansion in the 20th Century, and the Irish economic boom led to an upsurge in the construction of private homes. Standardised housing was implemented in the 1960s, and these regulations included specifications for density, public space, services, etc. Ballymun's high rise towers were the result of experimentations at this time. However, "the classic pattern that has occurred again is that a development pattern has evolved of rapid creation of new residential communities without adequate infrastructure or facilities" (Williams and Shiels, 2001, p. 27). Previous plans to regenerate Dublin included the Integrated Area Plans (Kelly, 2005) and the Urban Renewal Act of 1986 (Suzanne, N. 2001) that came about as a result of the unwillingness of the private sector to enter many Dublin inner city neighbourhoods that had degenerated to dereliction. The government offered tax incentives to attract private business. This was successful in combating the decay of the Dublin cities, but those urban renewal schemes were only questionably effective in some cities. Because of the profit motive, architectural and design concerns were of little value to the investors. In addition, the economic benefits of the investment were mostly unavailable to the residents of those towns. This led to the newest Urban Regeneration Projects (2001). According to the Egan Review and other organisations, regeneration involves the search for long term restoration and renovation of neighbourhoods, improvement of transportation systems, and involves an outlook of encouraging social inclusion and economic stability. These objectives are to be realised concomitant with ones of sustainable use of natural resources, such as energy and water. These objectives have necessitated the support of sound local leadership as well as concurrence among local, regional, and national policies (Carley, et al., 2005). Brief History of Ballymun The Ballymun population stands at approximately 20,000 and 44.6% of these persons are unemployed. It has even been suggested by some authorities that the true unemployment figure might lie in or above the 60% mark. One third of the population is below the age of 14, and over a third of the households are run by a single parent, while the national average is 10%. The percentage of children who attain a school-leaving certificate is only 7% (Environmental Appraisal, p. 43). Before the Regeneration project, the city of Ballymun suffered from several structural, social, and economic problems. Many blocks of high-rise buildings were located in the city, and these were poorly constructed, having internal structural flaws as well as the disadvantage of being poor conservers of energy. This led to wide-scale removal by tenants, high levels of vacancies in apartment buildings, unemployment and drug problems. Voting turnout for local government elections has been as low as 15% (de Rossa, 1998). Social exclusion was also a significant problem in Ballymun that resulted from its spatially isolated location, as it was cut off because of poor links in transportation (Muir, 2003). Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. took up the challenge and with the help of other environmental agencies, constructed an energy and environmental strategy

Green cars (electric cars) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Green cars (electric cars) - Essay Example Modern consumerism often exploits this term to draw more capital. For example, a vehicle that does not harm the environment by emitting excessive carbon-compounds may not be effective or successful, if it is not popular among the people. Again, a green car such as the electric one, though do not produce pollutant, are indirectly related to the production of pollutants. Therefore, ‘green successes should be measured in a broader context. If a product can reduce the emission of carbon-compounds in a broader context, it is fit for the umbrella term â€Å"green† technology. A ‘successful green’ car needs to be less harmful for the environment while being cost-effective, popular, user-friendly, easily accessible to fuel resource, etc. Present non-polluting technologies primarily pivot on reducing the emissions. Two of such pollution-resistant technologies are: Hybrid Electric Energy vehicle (HEEV) and Hydrogen fuel Combustion vehicle (HFCV). Although many alternatives to traditional gasoline cars now exist, the fact of the matter is that each called â€Å"green alternatives† presents a host of drawbacks which has worked to keep them from gaining widespread popularity within the general public. In order to be successfully green, in other words to be more environment-friendly, ‘green cars’ –especially the electric cars- need to overcome the existing gaps and drawbacks such as electric range (mileage), cost-effectiveness, time to charge, availability of charging terminals, current electric grid build out, etc. Air pollution intervention programs often find it difficult to make themselves cost effective as well as adaptable to modern lifestyle. (Fletcher, 2011, p. 67) For example, while Hyd rogen Fuel Combustion technologies hold a great prospect of being the replacement of the fossil fuel energy, they are not cost effective. Such obstacles that make their places in the scientists’ â€Å"need to be

Learning and Development in Organisations Essay - 1

Learning and Development in Organisations - Essay Example I will use two other techniques along with direct observation. First, I will visit the nursing homes to interview some of the elderly residents who might have been living there at least for the last six months or so. I will interview them to know the problems that might have been facing in the nursing home. I will design a questionnaire which I will distribute to all residents of those nursing homes. This technique will be useful as I will be able to know the needs of the residents and the problems they might be facing while living in nursing homes. The collected data will help me identify the learning needs of the caregivers. I will analyze the responses to create a list of activities that the caregivers would need to do in order to be able to provide best services to the residents. The second technique that I will use to know the reasons of decreased effectiveness level of caregivers will be taking interviews of caregivers and nurses. This technique will help me know the problems t hat are making it difficult for caregivers to cope with more challenging residents. I will also inquire the reasons behind lack of confidence in dealing with paperwork. I think interviewing the target population is the best thing one can do to know the measures he/she can take to improve the conditions. Answer No. 2 Reading and analyzing the case, I have learned that the caregivers are falling short of providing best services to the residents of nursing homes. The learning needs that I have become aware of through analysis include lack of confidence, lack of knowledge and practice to deal with challenging residents, lack of ability to make quick decisions on their own, low academic qualification, and less wages. To design a learning solution to meet these needs, I would consider some key factors that are playing their role in decreasing the effectiveness level of the nursing homes. I would consider the nature of the job of caregivers to develop the learning solution. I would researc h the basic requirements of this job and the skills that caregivers should have to be employed for this particular job. To me, no job can be done without relevant skills and knowledge. Therefore, I would get an insight into the set of required skills and knowledge that is required by caregivers to perform this job effectively. Next, I would consider the job environment that the owner of the nursing homes has provided to caregivers for doing their jobs at their best. I think job environment plays a key role in determining the effectiveness level of employees of any company or organization. A good job environment makes employees more productive and satisfied with their jobs. On the other hand, a less secure and unhealthy job environment makes employees dull and ineffective which also puts a negative impact on the efficiency and productivity of the company. Therefore, I would analyze the job environment completely in order to know the factors that might have been causing decrease in th e effectiveness level of caregivers. Next, I would analyze the pay scales of the caregivers. I think high salary is one of biggest motivating factors for an employee. Employees receiving high salaries are satisfied with their companies and usually show more commitment and dedication towards their job tasks. On the other hand, employees who receive fewer wages are in constant search of some new job where they can get higher wages and that approach ad mindset decreases their level of productivity and efficiency. Therefore, I wou

Stakeholder Influence Essay Example for Free

Stakeholder Influence Essay Programs in the Human Service industry are directly and indirectly affected by its primary, secondary and, key stakeholders. Stakeholders could also be persons who are not directly affected by the program itself. These people can be those who have strong interest in the cause or program, those who are of political and philosophical and academic persons. Stakeholders are not just the funding companies but are also the staff members, the administrators of the program, the community the program wishes to provide services in, other businesses that may be used to serve on behalf of a company or organization and more importantly the people and families of the people who are being helped directly by the program. The needs and expectations of the stakeholders affects a program because it is important to hear everyone’s voice in the building of an organization or program. It is also important to know the expectations in order to create a working program that benefits those that should be benefitted and to acknowledge the concerns of those who will be doing the work or contributing to the program in some way. The needs and expectations of the funding agencies should be met simply because they are the funding agency and have specific drives for what they intend to fund. It is important to honor their wishes so that the program remains funded and the requirements usually shape the program in its entirety. If a funding company wants the program to include more people than what a program wants to help it is because the funding agency has done its research and want to lend more help in areas that may need more help. One of the most important stakeholders in the funding organization. Most often  the funding agencies will have their own expectations for the program and the programs evaluations. The very first need the funding agency may incur is the need for the program to fit into the requirements of the funding. The expectations are that the program does what it says it will and not misappropriates the funds given. The roles and expectations of the administrators in the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency would be to make sure that the staff are doing their jobs to the best of their ability and creating ways to improve those abilities through continuing education, seminars and necessary staff meetings. They should also do internal evaluations to point out the areas that may be lacking and help those to do better. The administrators should make sure that the staff are caring for the clients as they should be without overstepping boundaries into personal attachments that would create conflicts of interests. The program staff should be up to date in human services training and use their skills to properly assist the clients in their development of growing beyond past traumas and learning to make better decisions. They should be aware of all other human services agencies where the clients can get help to live independently. Staff should also be professional and show the clients that there is still some positivity in the world by exuding such positivity and handling the clients delicately. The community has a very differing role and expectation in this program. As a stakeholder they should be more aware of the violence and report it more often so that something can be done about it. Concerning the domestic violence between spouses the community should be more watchful and try to get those in need to help and those who are the perpetrators the attention they need as well. It is also the responsibility of those that are helped to spread the word about being helped in order to reach those who believe they have no way out. The family of the clients help should remain supportive or obtain help or counseling in order to provide such support because the lack of support to an abused family member leaves them vulnerable to returning to the same situations and the PEACE organization does  not want that to occur. It will also be beneficial for young adults and teenagers that come into the program to pass on what they have been taught to their friends and families in efforts to eliminate crime or provide a way for the friends and family to remain law abiding citizens and avoid violence and raise awareness as well. The most important stakeholder is the funding agency. This funding program is called â€Å"Supporting Families† and they seek to raise awareness about domestic violence while promoting better lives to those affected by youth violence and domestic violence by helping them cope with trauma, family members in prison and providing rehabilitation to youth who have been involved with the criminal justice system. This foundation seeks to improve â€Å"skills, confidence and personal support networks to enable them to lead fulfilled and successful lives.† (Appendix A) The role and expectations of the funding agency are to make sure that their objectives are met. If they are not the funding could very well cease and the program will end if further funding is not found. The funding agency can lead evaluations of their own and determine what needs work or a decrease or increase of funding. Keeping to the objectives put forth by the funding agency could increase the reputation of the organization and lead to future funding from other sources as well. Compromising within these roles can be as simple as being lenient with staff that develop emotional attachments to their clients but do not engage with them on an intimate level. The administrator could delegate evaluations and other tasks to other capable staff to free up more time to focus on more important matters. The funding agency could compromise with the organization by not strictly adhering to their objectives. If one objective is not met simply because it is not in the budget it can be looked over in the interest of the other programs working smoothly but with less funding. â€Å"Supporting Families† funding opportunity seeks to improve lives and the community’s lives as a whole. The expectations of their evaluations are to have documentation on all clients who are helped and feedback once they are done with the program to see how well the  program assisted them. This is to measure the success or failings of the programs intentions. The organization will also need documentation on changes, drawbacks and new information that could help the program succeed and create better areas of care to provide the clients with even more options to assist them make a positive change. Stakeholders have a great amount of influence in any human service organization and it is vital that their expectations be drawn out, developed and used to integrate differing principle so that the program can work to the best of the stakeholders abilities.