Nontraditional Families Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Nontraditional Families - Essay Example To begin with, non-traditional families are not entirely accepted in the first place; recognizing their adoption rights is an even bigger step. Therefore, this makes the following question a critical and an important one: Should Non-traditional families (including same sex, gay/lesbian couples) be allowed to adopt children Deciding whether or not non-traditional families should be allowed to adopt children is not a simple process. For example, consider a bisexual/homosexual parent, who is the biological father of a child. This parent may divorce his opposite sex spouse and take up living with another male partner. This does not change the fact that father is the biological parent, and that he has his rights to remain in touch with and look after his child. In cases where the divorce opposite sex spouse is incapable of looking after the child, there is little choice but for the child to live with his or her bisexual/homosexual male parent. Also, given that there are a number of people who live together as unmarried couples [heterosexual or homosexual] it is difficult to determine who should and who should not have the right to adopt (Waite, 1995, 483-507). Some states like Florida, for instance, pushed for married couples alone to have the right to adopt children, and this automatically meant that cohabiting couples and homosexual couples would not be able to adopt children. However, it appears that there is more emphasis now on banning homosexual couples as well as individuals from adopting children. Florida law had forbidden adoption by any "homosexual" person. [1977 Fla. Laws, ch. 77-140, 1, Fla. Stat. 63.042(3) (2002)]2. Loften challenged this law, and argued that homosexuals couples were just like unmarried couples [Lofton v. Secretary of the Dept. of Children & Family Services No. 01-16723 (11th Cir. 01/28/2004)]3. Loften was later omitted from the challenge, primarily on the grounds that Loften was not able to establish particular threats to already existing "family integrity" or "private sexual intimacy." States that Particularly Ban Homosexual Couples from Adopting Children: States that particularly bar homosexual individuals or couples from adopting children include Florida, as one can see from the above case, as well as Oklahoma, Mississippi, Nebraska, Utah and Virginia. These states have enacted laws that particularly prevent homosexual individuals or couples from adopting children4. Case Reference in Adoption Refusal to Homosexual Parents: Referring to cases similar to Lofton v. Secretary of the Dept. of Children & Family Services, states do not need to determine that homosexual individuals or couples have greater disadvantages on the upbringing of children, as opposed to heterosexual individuals or couples adopting children. It is thought that it is perhaps better to question the rationality of the decision of whether or not to rule in favor of homosexual individuals and couples wanting to adopt children5. Chances of Developing Married Households: Up till today, it has been widely stressed that it is rational to assert that heterosexual singles have a strikingly higher chance of developing a married household. This is why they are more than likely to provide adopted children with a firm and dual-gender parenting home (Horner, 2002, 472-474). However, it could be argued here that society

In your view what makes UBS successful Give evidence of how your Essay

In your view what makes UBS successful Give evidence of how your personal qualities (rather than qualifications) would contribute to our success - Essay Example The company's keen insight into the importance of providing clients services that reach far beyond each client's basic needs separates it from the rest and fuels its success. When a client begins a relationship with UBS, her financial adviser takes time to understand what her goals are. The client receives services that far surpass satisfying her financial needs. A financial firm is only as good as its analysts. UBS clearly appreciates this with depth and flair and this is one of the many reasons for its success. To be the world's leading financial firm, UBS excels at clients' success by drawing on the firm's expertise - expertise that is gained from picking the keen and sharp brains of its employees. Besides being an industry leader in terms of compensation/revenue ratio, UBS adopts a culture that nurtures the best talent and allows outstanding individuals to thrive, while encouraging an esprit de corps, teamwork and loyalty. Such a positive working environment, in turn, encourages professionalism and technical excellence, with the highest integrity and standards in the work of its staff. In today's fast developing economy, being the best also means being far-sighted. Undoubtedly, UBS' history of thinking ahead is a key ingredient in its recipe for success.

The Development of Sustainable Energy Sources in the United States Essay

The Development of Sustainable Energy Sources in the United States - Essay Example Glaciers have been melting and shrinking, weather patterns are changing, sea levels and rising, mosquitoes are spreading and corals are dying from the acidification and warming of the oceans and seas (Hansen et al., 2008, p16). According to Hansen et al. (2008), the world needs to lower the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere by 350 ppm or lower in order to avoid further- and possibly catastrophic effects of climate change (p16). While other people may see such re-orientation of the power industry as an unnecessary and expensive push, I say that it is about time that the United States does its share in the global effort to mitigate climate change and its effects. In fact, such step is, from the global political perspective, long overdue. The United States has consistently avoided signing binding treaties on climate change mitigation. There is a certain level of global consensus, evident in the Kyoto Protocol, that developed nations must bear a heavier responsibility in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as a result of more than a century of industrial activity. However, the United States (U.S.), as major world superpower refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement which binded 37 industrialized countries and the European community in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2005. In the Copenhagen Accord, the U.S. only committed a 4% reduction of GHGs from 1990 levels by 202 0 (Biello, 2010, paragraph 1) a targeted way below the commitment of other countries such as China, Brazil and the European Union (paragraph 3). From a business- and rational economic perspective, investing in the development of new energy sources and abandoning oil reserves in the Gulf Coast and in Alaska may easily be seen as wasteful, and even risky. However, given the fact that fossil fuels are finite resources, the country has no choice but to develop renewable energy sources that could replace existing energy sources before the latter  totally becomes depleted.  

Defining my Leadership Direction (Three leadership goals) Essay

Defining my Leadership Direction (Three leadership goals) - Essay Example My perspective as a leader borrows from my short stints of work experience, and has intellect from emerging topics such how to cope with emotional intelligence, to lead virtual teams, and even open up innovations. That is the leader I see myself as informed through Daft in his leadership experience. In my leadership path, I am proud of what I believe in and endeavor to seize opportunities (Daft & Lane, 2008). My personal leadership goals in architect engineering include increasing influence and leading others, increasing my knowledge, and improving my skills and interpersonal skills. A good leader never stops learning hence increasing my knowledge in architect engineering traces back to my experiences. I have gained my experience through community service, architect engineering, financial services and business, and administrative assistant position (Daft & Lane, 2008). All these are avenues where I have taken to known the sort of leader I can be. The path of experience has helped in identifying the areas I want to improve on, such as acquisition of specific skill set or my personal innate abilities. These have contributed into being a well-rounded and valuable leader. It is very important to learn from the past and harnessing all the knowledge and experience for my successful future. I never stop learning, which means I am always excited for every task and opportunity. I believe that optimistic is one of the most important aspect for work and for my life in general. Therefore, every valuable contribution and effective work I do needs to start from inside me at t he first place. According to Daft, attending to industry relevant experiences like my time in Mabnya for Contracting is my path to acquiring effective competence (Daft & Lane, 2008). I have also found myself attached to other valuable activities all in the pursuit to improve my knowledge as a goal in leadership role. For example, I have had a hand in business process analysis and reporting, work time

The Founding fathers of America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Founding fathers of America - Essay Example The result of the revolution was the declaration of independence in 1776, they also took significant roles in the revolutionary war and established the US constitution which is arguably the best in the whole world as it comprised of top geniuses in the world. The words ‘founding fathers’ as used in reference to America is subdivided into two factions; "Signers of the Declaration of Independence"-these are the individuals as who signed the US independence declaration in the year 1776 (Burke 178). The other is the framers of the American constitution-these were the delegates fondly known as the federal convention who were involved in the drafting and final documentation of the American constitution. The final subset encompasses the group that took part in the signing of the confederation article (Jaffe 227). The reference to what founding fathers entails have also had other interpretations by historians to mean a collection of all those who took part in the struggle for the attainment of the independence in 1776. According to Richard B. Morris in 1973, he considered seven individuals as the founding fathers of America, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, John Jay, James Madison, and Thomas Jef ferson (Jaffe 234). The founding father of the America had the desire to create a nation that is God fearing and strongly anchored on Christianity, this is vividly demonstrated by the first president to the United States of America, George Washington during his inauguration when he said in 1789 that nations are obliged to acknowledge the almighty providence and strive to obey the will of the God (Meacham 277). In this sense the founding fathers of America endeavored to establish a strong Christian ground with which they expected prosperity to stem (Lambert 256). The founding fathers also single out democracy and liberty to be the driving force with which the people of America discharge

Middle eastern humanities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Middle eastern humanities - Essay Example It is, therefore, paramount to consider the similarities and differences of the culinary traditions of the delegation from the Middle East before setting up the banquet. Middle East cooking uses generously herbs and spices. The cooks must apply various aromatics and spices in their cooking. Another characteristic of Middle Eastern cooking is the use of skewer cooking (Heine, 75). Middle Eastern cooks prefer skewer cooking to charcoal. The cooks should not use charcoal in line with this tradition. Slowly simmering the foods in unglazed covered pots is another cooking method that the cooks should consider. The banquet should consist of food types that are common among the countries of the visiting delegation. The banquet should consist of rice, wheat and stuffed vegetables dishes. In addition, the cooks should serve omelets, meatballs and scented rice puddings. The cooks should wrap the pies using paper-thin pastry. The pastries should also be nut-filled. Other food types required are fritters soaked in syrup and chopped pistachios served with almonds. Chickpeas served with spinach is a common food combination in the Middle East that must be served at the banquet. The major categories of cooking styles in the Middle East are Turkish, Arab, Iranian as well as North African. Turkish cooking is the most diverse. However, Turkish meal consists of a standard menu of meat and appetizers. Ozan (4) states that the Turkish cooking is sometimes called ‘saray’ cooking. Offering the Turkish cuisine would be good for the visiting delegation due to the popularity of this cuisine. The cuisine should consist of various types of kebab dishes, aubergine and a rice dish prepared with fish. Pastry served with meat or potatoes would also be an ideal meal. Drinks are an important accompaniment of the Turkish cuisine (Ozan, 134). The cooks should serve Turkish coffee and

Bible Project Essay Example for Free

Bible Project Essay 1. The difference between self-interest and selfishness could perhaps be best described as the difference between a desire to be monetarily successful and voracious greed for every last penny. Self-interest is when someone wants more for themselves, regardless of what it is they desire. A person could want more money, a bigger television, faster computers, or just better health with six pack abs. Selfishness is much more like when someone is willing to do anything, including hurt others, to get what they want. The difference is subtle, but it is there. Now, in terms of a competitive market economy, selfishness will lead to eventual collapse, while self-interest could potentially increase the general good, even if inadvertently. Selfishness is corrupting and businesses that are so will seek to draw as much profit out of their employees and customers as is possible, heedless of economic survival. 2. In my reading so far, I do believe the text will discuss normative economics. On page 178, the text has a section discussing unemployment. This set-aside section discusses the problem of unemployment, and the question of whether or not unemployment would exist at all if the market were functioning perfectly. This theory is completely untestable as the market will never function perfectly, and/or unemployment will never cease to exist to test whether the market is functioning perfectly at the time. 3. Adam Smith believes that people at heart desire others to approve of them, so their selfish attributes are restrained just enough that people don’t think less of them for it. 4. In keeping with God’s plan, a person can take part of the democratic capitalistic society, but without becoming corrupted by it. A person keeping true to faith and prayer will be more capable of sympathy, of doing more for the good will, and of creating an abundance of good will (worth far more than its weight in gold). Keeping God in one’s heart will keep selfishness out. - 1. Reparation for historical acts is a very difficult issue to discuss, let alone decide upon. Honestly, while I feel for the countries and peoples that have suffered throughout history for the malicious and greedy acts of others, I think that offering reparations of any sort to anyone would do little more knock over the first domino in a very long series of requests for reparations. It becomes a question of when to draw the line, and in that it would be unfair to say that this person doesn’t deserve reparations over that one. If we are going to discuss the sins of one, we must admit to the same sinful traits of the other. The same greed that motivated the historical acts is likely to affect those coming forward to ask for reparation. Rather than looking back, we should look forward and consider how best to aid these same affected peoples and countries in the future. 2. Benefits: 1) There are plenty of jobs to go around. 2) The quality of life improves, both through the proliferation of jobs and innovation in trade markets, whether agricultural or technological or other change. 3) People generally live longer and debatably healthier lives, through medical innovations, having more money to spend on healthcare, and better quality goods in their lives. 4) People and companies and churches and other charitable organizations are more capable of doing good in the world. More money does equal more charitable giving. 5) People can grow closer through technological improvements (the phone, computer, internet) and through changes in transportation (one day there will hopefully be some form of instantaneous transportation, making it possible to be closer to friends and family who are very far away). Costs: 1) As people come closer together, they are also driven apart. Currently technology binds people together, but also isolates people in different rooms, on different computers, and practically living on different planets. The internet is the one place where you can be with millions of people and still completely alone. 2) Environmental damage is a serious issue, as we are entrusted with the stewardship of the planet and economic growth usually means that some company somewhere is taking shortcuts and likely making profit to the detriment of everyone. 3) As much as there are jobs created, there are also many jobs lost. For example, the growing crop of future employees will be far more computer capable and technologically innovative and skilled then the current set of employees. No doubt in the future companies will fire their current older and less qualified employees to hire someone younger, more skilled, but willing to take less pay. 4) When it comes to the now plentiful state of food in most countries, there is a steep price to pay all on its own. Economic growth is usually best defined by a growth in profits, and where a lot of food companies see a growth in profits is by spreading the meal as thinly and cheaply as possible. Food has become an amalgamation of processed chemicals with a little dash of real nutrition thrown in, both to suit the profit margin and to make meals easier for people to prepare in their increasingly busy lives. This is in stark contrast to a time when people used to buy food in its whole, natural state and cook it for themselves. Health is simultaneously going up and going down. People are living longer, but the quality of their health is one that is always up for discussion. 5) Values are sometimes lost in a growing economy. As others prosper, even more see their success and covet it for themselves, losing sight of the real point of economic growth – making lives better so that everyone can better partake in their faith and therefore please God. 3. The United States can maintain its trade deficit because of an inflow of capital. Foreign markets bring in money, making it possible for the country to accept more imports. 4. In the times past, have the winners shared? Not really. But today, I would say I think that nobody is really losing as long as the trade system is working. In most cases both sides are going to benefit in some manner, although there will undoubtedly be one side gaining more than the other. But if the system isn’t resulting in the complete destruction or abuse of a people or culture as it has in the past, there isn’t a real â€Å"loser.†