Parenting Styles in Identity Essay Example for Free

Parenting Styles in Identity Essay Children are always exploring their independence and developing their identity, or in other words, a sense of self. Research has shown that those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement will emerge with a strong sense of self. Those who do not receive proper encouragement and reinforcement will remain unsure of themselves and confused about the future. For this reason, I believe an authoritative parenting style is the most beneficial factor in the formation of identity. Before we get into parenting styles, we must first discuss how an identity is formed. One of Erik Eriksons steps in his Theory of Psychosocial Development is identity versus confusion, commonly called the identity crisis. This is a period of exploration and analysis of different ways of looking at oneself.1 James Marcia expanded on Eriksons theory by stating that there are two parts in the process of identity a crisis and a commitment. He defined a crisis as a time of turmoil where old values and choices are being reexamined. The result of a crisis leads to a commitment to a certain value or role. Commitment to that value or role means not only making a firm choice, but engaging in activities to implement that choice as well.2 People who have explored and committed to an identity are more open, experience fewer problems in society, and are more effective communicators.3 Effective parenting helps children make it through the crisis stage and establish a commitment. There are four patterns of parenting authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent, and uninvolved parenting. Authoritarian parents are controlling and demanding but not very loving or responsive to their childrens needs. They intervene frequently and do not allow their children to make independent choices. Authoritative parents have high expectations and set clear boundaries, but allow their children considerable freedom. They are accepting, loving, and supportive of their children. Indulgent parents are responsive to their childrens needs but completely undemanding. They are warm and loving but set no clear boundaries or expectations. Uninvolved parents are unresponsive and undemanding. They are not warm or loving, nor do they set any type of boundaries or expectations. With these four types of parenting in mind, lets take a look at what parental characteristics help or hinder a childs identity development. The emotional characteristics that facilitate identity development are warmth, companionship, and acceptance. The behavioral characteristics that facilitate identity development are setting reasonable behavior standards and enforcing adherence to those standards, encouraging self-expression and self-exploration, and being accepting of others perspectives. The emotional characteristics that impede a childs identity development are hostility, restrictiveness, emotional distance, and rejection. The behavioral characteristics that impede identity development are rigidity, intolerance, inability to adjust, and not setting behavior standards.4These emotional and behavioral characteristics that assist or inhibit identity development tie back into the afore mentioned patterns of parenting. Both authoritarian and uninvolved parents emotional and behavioral characteristics obstruct identity development. Indulgent parents emotional characteristics help identity development, but their behavioral characteristics hamper it. Authoritative parents emotional and behavioral characteristics support identity development. As you can see, neither a neglectful or avoidant style of parenting is likely to help the development of identity. Steinberg stated that compared with their counterparts from non-authoritative homes, authoritatively reared adolescents earn higher grades in school, are more self-reliant, report less psychological distress, and are less involved in delinquent activity.5In conclusion, I believe that authoritative parenting is the most beneficial factor in the formation of identity. This is because the emotional and behavioral characteristics of authoritative parenting enable children to most effectively pass through the crisis stage of development and make a firm com mitment. Therefore, the child is able to establish a solid identity. Works Cited 1. Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York: Norton. 2. Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of ego-identity status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3, 551-558. 3. Bhushan, R., Shirali, K. A. (1992). Family types and communication with parents: A comparison of youth at different identity levels. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 21, 687-697. 4. Adams, G. R., Dyk, P., Bennion, L. D. (1990). Parent-adolescent relationships and identity formation. In B. K. Barber B. C. Rollins (Eds.), Parent-adolescent relationships (pp. 1-16). Lanham, MD: University Press of America. 5. Steinberg, L. (2001). We know some things: Parent-adolescent relationships in retrospect and prospect. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 11, 28.

Clothing And Female Self Image Cultural Studies Essay

Clothing And Female Self Image Cultural Studies Essay A womans physical appearance, size and shape form part of her body image. Body image is a very important aspect of physical appearance. A woman is intimately linked to her sense of self so much so that her body attitude spills over into self attitude. A large factor in the way we perceive the female body is that of clothing. Through clothing we create an image that grounds the initial impression you form in society. The study also states that a womans physical appearance, size and shape are part of her body image. Body image is an extremely important aspect of physiological and interpersonal development of the person (Farinah 2005:19). Kaiser (1999: 97) states that one fact of human beings is that they have bodies and they are bodies, the body is similar to a vehicle for carrying around ones thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Clothing makes up for a substantial part of a womans self image, and can very easily be misjudged seeing as some clothing has the potential to enhance flaws on ones body. BACKGROUND 1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT Kaiser (1997:97). states that the way females perceive their bodies are related to social, cultural and historical contexts and influenced by gender as well as other aspects. We can alter the appearances of our bodies through diet, exercise and clothing choices (Li M: 2003 pg). How can women change their appearance without drastic interference with their bodies? Research done by the National Textile Centre(1999:2) stated that according to Labat and Delong, female consumers feel personally inadequate when clothing do not fit appropriately, they tend to blame themselves and feel negatively towards their bodies more willingly than the ill-fitted clothing. According to Simmons, Istook and Devarajan (2002:2) despite of standard sizing systems used, they are almost all based on a myth that we as humans all have mathematically proportional bodies that grow in proportional ways. Body Shapes are classified in 5 groups, the Hourglass body shape, Rectangle body shape, Pear body shape and Apple body Shape. According to McCormack () the fashion industry is ignoring the changing shapes of womens bodies. To get the most out of your image, it is good to know what to wear for your specific body type. This allows one to choose more flattering clothing for your figure and avoid clothing that does not enhance the way you look (What to Wear for Your Body Shape LoveToKnow Womens Fashion.mht) The National Textile Centre Annual Report (1999: 3) informs us that clothing is a very important aspect of our body image, the clothes that we wear reflects our character and personality and helps to constitute our image. Grose (2009:8) reveals that, a cultural ideal body image is an idea created by society through relationships, public figures and media. Kaiser (1999: 98) states that clothing may be perceived differently by individuals in relation to body image. For instance a female may buy a large jacket to wear over dresses with the purpose of hiding parts that she sees as flawed. The fashion industry is ignoring the changing of shapes of womens bodies, designers manufacturers insist on making clothes that fit the traditional hourglass figure, when womens shapes are more likely to be top-heavy, rectangular or pear shaped. Helen McCormack. RESEARCH QUESTIONS Whats the historical perspective on womens body shape? What are the factors that influence womens knowledge on their body shapes and choice of clothing? How does clothing and body affect consumers choices about purchasing and wearing? How can women change their appearance without drastic interference with their bodies? Through these questions asked, the researcher will be able to examine SA woman in terms of understanding varied body shape in relation to clothing and its characteristics. OBJECTIVES The research aims to: Identify the historical perspective on womens body shape. Investigate the factors that influence womens knowledge on their body shape and choice of clothing. Discover how clothing and body affect consumers choices about purchasing and wearing. Determine how women can change their appearance without drastic interference with their bodies. This research will establish if SA women have the knowledge on their body types and educate them on how to determine their shape and how to dress accordingly. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 1.6.1 RESEARCH DESIGN The quantitative research methodology will be used. Quantitative research is the systematic scientific investigation of quantitative quantities and phenomena and their relationships. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical methods, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to natural phenomena. The process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides the fundamental connection between observation and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships. (www.Wikipedia.com ) A quantitative research method is chosen for the reason that the study requires more statistical answers than personal experiences. The study tends to find out if SA woman understand varied body shapes, their own shape and other related enquires. Through a quantitative study the researcher can determine the quantity of women that is in need of advice and knowledge on the mattered subject. 1.6.2 POPULATTION AND SAMPLING The population for the research will focus on South African Females from Pretoria. The researcher will select three groups of individual women with different body shapes, ethnicity and fashion style. This sample will be divided into three groups as follows: Group one: aged between 18 25, students from TUT Arts campus and The University of Pretoria. Group two: aged between 25-40, women in a working environment office? Group three: aged between 41-50 women in a working environment or retired? By creating a sample group that consists of female candidates no more than fifteen. Sampling? These groups were chosen as it is imperative stages in a womans career and life as she starts studying at 18, her career takes flight at 25 and she looks into retirement at age 50. 1.6.3 DATA COLLECTION These three groups will be asked several questions in connection with the research questions previously mentioned. This process will occur by the use of answering questionnaires as research instrument. These questionnaires will consists of a list of questions that enquires information on ideal body shapes personal body complexions, clothing in terms of body image and knowledge of clothing sought. Structured questions will be used on the target group to compile a diversity of answers. The questions will be coded and analyzed. 1.6.4 DATA ANALYSIS Firstly classify academic information, then arrange the data and lastly describe information. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_research, 2006) LIMITATIONS AND DELIMITATIONS Only South African woman living in (suburb) and city can partake in the study. No males can take part. South Africa is multi-cultural. This factor will be ignored. Culture has an impact on womens lifestyle, spending habits and fashion. Although religion has a impact on fashion, but for the researcher chose to ignore it in this study. Culture (race) also has an impact on fashion but it will also be ignored in this study. Womans income will have an impact on the amount they spend on clothing. This will have an impact on the study. Age. Womans age will be considered in this study; because it has an impact on the way they dress and where they buy clothing as well as the amount spend monthly. Location. Women that stay inner city dress differently from women that stays in a small town or on a farm. Interests. Women with an interest in fashion will spend more on clothing than those women that has other priorities. Career. The environment women work in has a deciding factor to the way they dress. Business women will dress differently from a house wife or a cleaner. 1.8 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Women complain about not looking at their best for the reason that clothes do not fit correctly or enhances flaws. Not all women were born with the ideal body shape or have the time or patience to achieve it. As the researcher my aim and objective is to alert women of the illusions that can be created with clothing to make believe that one has the ideal body shape and that through clothing flaws can be minimized instead of enhanced with the correct knowledge of body analysis and characteristics. In the previous chapter, the introduction and background was discussed. In chapter two the literature review will be discussed, 2.1 Literature Study 2.1.1 Introduction The human race is relentlessly yearning for modifications, from facelifts to haircuts, to slimming pantyhose to liposuction. Everybody seeks improvement for what they are. At one time or another, is there one part of the body that has not, been improved through artifice?(Gross Stone,1994:23 What size should I be?(Farinah 2005:1) A common individual question asked. A persons self image is frequently developed from what people say about her. De Villiers researched, that 60% of the value judgement is completed within the first 60 seconds. You almost never obtain a second option to create a first impression (Farinah 2009:16). Farinah(2009:19) mentioned that body image is a extremely significant aspect of psychological and interpersonal growth of the person, numerous women believe the more attractive they are, the more society will accept them. Throughout history societies have focused on beauty and body shape (Grose 2009:3). Several ancient cultures embellished body parts weve long ignored; Gross and Stone refers to aristocratic Egyptian woman, who would delineate, with a bright blue plant dye, the veins on their breast. Beauty is truth, truth beauty (Keats as quoted by Gross and Stone2009:23), nevertheless, a great deal of what creates physical beauty in civilization engages bending the truth modestly. 2.1.2 Historic Perspective According to Ensler (2006: 14) women are since the beginning of time obsessed about how they look. As a consequence there are historical disparities in the ideal body, (Kaiser 1997: 110) and the shape and size of the mentioned body has been varying for decades (National textile annual report1999: 2).Kaiser explains that during the fifteenth-century European women attempted a pregnant like facade, seeing that fertility was of social importance, subsequent to the plague that desolated Europe. The Arnolfi Wedding 1434, Jan van Eyck. The fruitful image was attained by the use of stuffing e.g. a pillow underneath a very full gown, to creating the appearance of a rounded stomach (Kaiser; 1997: 110). It is noted in the National textile report (1999:2) that women in the eighteenth century were traditionally pear shaped. Throughout the early nineteenth century, women in art and fashion were portrayed with tapered arms and drawn waists (Kaiser 1997: 110). In addition the American paradigm for the female body had progressed from a rectangular shape, to a bell form, to an hourglass figure in the late nineteenth century( National textile report 1999:2).From the twentieth century the ideal female body became rectangular and very slender national textile report (1999:2) The 1920s depicted the boy like figure as an ideal and in order to achieve this look, a teddy was worn underneath sheath like dresses to flatten the breasts (Kaiser 1997:115). Whilst the 1920s fashions reduced the maternal bosom, by the 1950s voluptuous and curvaceous bodies were desired and achieved by the invention of the padded bra (Kaiser 1997:115). The hourglass shape revisited as ideal and was exemplify by Marilyn Monroe, (National textile REPORT 1999:2). At the end of the sixties era, the ideal became a very slim body. (Kaiser 1997:115). The thin is in concept appears to have triumphed since the sixties; but it did not suffice just to accommodate a thin body. In the eighties a new ideal came to light when muscle toned bodies highlighted a thin physique. The nineties conveyed a thin waif like appearance and the latter of the nineties portrayed an ideal figure as slim with body tone. (Nati onal textile 1999:2). 2.1.2.1 The Corseted Women 1880s-1909 Throughout 2.1.3Factors influencing womens knowledge on body Seeing that the body ideal revolutionize over time, civilization changes how it is evaluating its individual image to the developing media representations of perfection (Grose, 2009:9).The National Textile Report (1999:3) researched that Labat and DeLong (1990) established that external factors that has affect on fit consists of societal messages concerning the ideal body, the fashion industrys portrayal of an idealized figure and industry sizing systems. On a more intimate level, individuals employ their bodies as an indicator for self assessment. Bodies recline at the core of many social and political brawls (Kaiser 1997:98). Frustration with fit can also be attributed to numerous of issues that have changed the average body types: watching ones weight, exercising and performance, inconsistent growth rates in alternative sections, dormant daily life and modifications in principles of masculinity and femininity.(Simmons, Istook and Devarajan 2004: 3) A study done by Grose indicates that research has been done in social and cultural aspects that add to the structure of an ideal body image. A lot of these researchers concur that western society prefers a thin body image. Mass media then corresponds this image. The thin ideal body image is found in beauty and fashion magazines, television programming and Internet sites. (Grose, 2009:3) It is unlikely to browse through a magazine without being infiltrated by images of the ideal body type (Grose, 2009: 3) Female Magazines are generally entirely dominated by pictures of faultless idealised bodies (Blood, 65). Rarely it is found that real bodies i.e. non model and/or non-made-up bodies are flaunted in these magazines, apart from makeover articles, which usually indicates exactly how products is the solution to difficulties females have with flawed body parts. (Blood, 65) An ideal body type in cultures is said to be propagated by the media, through displays of thin models and celebrities in photos and script on ways to acquire the perfect look.(Grose 2009: 8) . The most popular subject on television, in female magazines and advertising, is beauty. Research that has been done in this category, propose that from 400 to 600 to more than 3000 advertisements is seen per day. This also implies that at least 56 percent of commercials focused on women, articulate about beauty. Magazine readers are offered with tips from major fashion and womens magazines on how to look great by swimsuit season, how to get tighter thighs in one week, how to use makeup to camouflage wrinkles and how to look like a favourite star. (Lagnado as said by grose, 2004:3) New types of media surface in todays constantly changing technological world, discovering the latest techniques on to convoy messages of the thin ideal body image. (Grose 2009:4) Investigations imply an optimistic relationship between media utilization and the intensity of body image approval. (Grose, 2009:4) girls are urged to analyse their appearance in order to turn into a revelation of true femininity, by fashion and beauty magazines (Grose, 2009:6). Another way body image is calculated is the approach a person measures themselves to her peers and by the steps Body image is also calculated by the way a person compares herself to others and by the steps taken to manipulate ones body to achieve a standard set forth by a force in society, such as eating and exercise habits. (Grose 2009:8, 9) An accepted social ideal body image is an initiative fashioned through media, community people and relationships, by society. Nevertheless, a subjects own body image is instituted internally. (Grose 2009:9) Body image is not only the manner in which we are prejudiced by the constructive and unconstructive criticism of others but also the way we ourselves have professed our own bodies to fit or not fit the cultural ideal(Farinah2005:2). It is also calculated by the steps taken to engineer ones body to attain a paradigm set forth by vigour in society, such as eating and exercise behaviour, and the way an individual matches herself to others. (Grose 2009:8, 9) The theory on social comparison deliberates that individuals ascertain their individuality and body image through constructing judgment between themselves and others.(Grose 2009:12). The looks of other people is deflect through womens recollections of exacting occasions and their fictional projections of how others may see them. (Woodward 2007:3) Our self image symbolizes a very important constituent of the physical self and influences our judgments about ourselves. (Kaiser 1997:98) Many consumers, predominantly female, consider themselves somewhat personally insufficient when clothes do not fit appropriately, as a consequence of sizing discrepancy.(national textile report 1999:2) Rather than blaming poorly fitted clothing consumers guilt themselves and have unenthusiastic feelings toward their own bodies (Labat and Delong 1990) (national textile report,1999:2) A familiar subject in print media is that body image is intimately associated to self admiration, psychological wellbeing, eating behaviour and exercise routines; it is both illustrated in photographs or as displayed measure in articles. (Grose 2009:8) When gazing in the mirror it is an alliance of the personal and the generic, as women judge their own clothed bodies in light of wider social principles and expectations.(Woodward 2007:83). One of the most familiar medical disorders amongst females is weight fixation, the problem commences from a divergence between the cultural supreme and the actuality of being a woman (Kaiser 1997:124). stages of body discontent are calculated in studies interested about the result of the media on body image, while overestimation of body image is more closely related to studies primarily dealing with eating disorders. (Holmstrom 2004) (9)

An Article, a Short Story, and a Poem :: Writing Literature Volcanoes Essays

An Article, a Short Story, and a Poem This paper will analyze and compare an article, a short story, and a poem according to; audience, purpose, context, ethics, and stance. The article â€Å"Under the Volcano† is written by Jack McClintock and is the most informative. The persuasion to have people move away from the danger area of Mt. Rainier is very subtle. The article lists volcanoes that have erupted and when they did so. Throughout the article there are pictures of volcanoes and the corresponding text shows what is being done to monitor them. The focus of the piece is the danger to Seattle and Tacoma posed by Mt. Rainier. There is an illustration of the danger zones of Mt. Rainier when it goes off and the towns that would be destroyed by it. The next piece is a short story called â€Å"A Very Warm Mountain† which is written by Ursula K. LeGuin. This story is a first-hand account of what Mt. St. Helens was like when it erupted. She also tells of news coverage and what she writes as well. She also writes people’s reactions as well as her viewing of the eruption like a giant pyrotechnics display. The third is a short poem entitled â€Å"Loo-Wit† and was written by Wendy Rose. This poem gives Mt. St. Helens a female persona and talks about it as if it were a living woman. It tells of how humanity ignored the warning â€Å"she† gave and the destruction that ensued. All three pieces deal with volcanoes and their impact on the existing environment as well as people’s reactions. All three pieces were similar in the intended audience and the author’s stance however, they were contrasting in purpose, context, and the author’s ethics. The purposes for these three pieces were radically different. In McClintock’s article the purpose is to inform people that there is a danger that can affect them. The most blatant way this is displayed is by the map that shows Mt. Rainier’s flow lines overrunning multiple cities including Seattle and Tacoma. The article also has a landscape picture of a big town with Mt. Rainier looming over it in the background. On the opposing page is a picture of Mt.

The Negative Effects of Nuclear Energy :: Nuclear Energy Negative Essays

In 1950, the first commercial nuclear power plants were constructed. The public was promised a non-polluting and resourceful type of energy, but how safe was, and is, nuclear energy? Although there are less than 500 licensed nuclear power plants in the world, many nuclear accidents have already been endangering civilian lives. More serious accidents are not just likely, but inevitable (Fairchild 29). Nuclear energy may appear to be the ideal source of energy for the future: however, there are many negative effects of nuclear energy that can lead to very dangerous situations. Energy has always been among the basic human concerns, along with food and shelter. It takes part in all activities, from walking to the operation of even the most complicated equipment. Mankind has been faced with the challenge of meeting its energy needs without risking human health and the environment. The many types of energy are mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, radiant, and atomic (Microsoft Encarta). In 1987, oil supplied 32% of the energy worldwide. Coal was next in line with 26%, then natural gas with 17%, biomass 15%, and nuclear energy with only 4% (Galperin 19). With the main sources of our energy running low, nations look to new sources to provide our society with power. Nuclear energy, the newest type of energy, was researched to see if it would be the most promising type of energy for the future. Surprisingly, nuclear energy was discovered by accident. In 1896, the French scientist, Antoine Henri Becquerel, conducted an experiment with uranium salts and found that these salts gave off their own light when exposed to sunlight. Marie and Pierre Curie were fascinated by the possibilities of Becquerel’s rays. The Curies discovered exactly what the rays were and then named the phenomenon radioactivity (Halacy 6). During World War II, many scientists from around the world came to the United States to work on nuclear reactors and weapons. With much success, they continued after World War II and concentrated more on nuclear energy. The scientists instantly saw that nuclear energy would be a great source of power because of the amount of power it released. Splitting an amount of uranium equal to one penny would produce as much energy as seven and a half tons of coal (Lilienthal 85). A nuclear power plant is where energy is formed when nuclear fission or fusion takes place. So far, however, only the power of fission has been controlled and used for energy. There are many parts of the nuclear power plant, including the reactor, generator, control room, cooling systems, and the electrical, air, and water lines. The heart of the nuclear power plant is its reactor core, which contains a few hundred fuel assemblies. The reactor core is encased in a pressured steel tank

War on Iraq :: essays research papers

War on Iraq   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since the commencement of the controversial war in Iraq, people have been looking for other solutions to the conflict. Many suggestions have been voiced, but none so much and so loudly as the suggestion of simple assassination. People do not understand that assassination is not only impossible, but also never an end to conflict. Assassination of Saddam Hussein is not a viable option to end the U.S. conflict in Iraq.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first and main reason that assassinating Hussein is unattainable is that the U.S. has a strict policy against assassination. In a section of the order labeled â€Å"Restrictions on Intelligence Activities,† Ford outlawed political assassination: Section 5(g), entitled â€Å"Prohibition on Assassination,† states: â€Å"No employee of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, political assassination.† Even if Hussein was locatable, the U.S. cannot even hire others to assassinate him. It would be absolutely against the law. In addition, according to a former senior Special Forces officer with firsthand experience of Gulf War assassination operations, â€Å"No one can tell you we weren’t trying to kill Saddam. We were, and that’s a fact. We weren’t very good because he is a [master] at deception, and keeping his presence low-profile.† Hussein is easily smart enough to evade assassins. H e has had experience doing so, and was previously successful in eluding the U.S. Whether due to its own laws, or Hussein’s unique abilities at deception, he would not be found to assassinate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Also, Hussein is not the only threat. If we were to assassinate Hussein, we would only be putting his kids into power. This is not a smart idea. Put someone into power who was already ruthless and suspected of torture, and kill his father, and you are asking for trouble. If Hussein is killed, it will not stop the tyranny in Iraq. Are we willing to kill his entire family to attempt to keep Iraq safe?

Eastern Gear

1. What are the major problems being faced by Eastern Gear? The major problem’s Eastern Gear is facing is that they are accepting large orders to help pay their overhead, also, their sales group is not part of the business, there is no link between them and manufacturing. Their order entry is inefficient; the tolerance on products is not firm. The layout of their shop is set up to make mistakes and increased lead time has resulted in the need for an expeditor. Lastly, they are hiring too many employees for the company’s needs. 2. What action should Rhodes take to solve his problems? First, Rhodes needs to stop accepting large orders at discounted prices to help cover overhead, doing this will not cover overhead and should only be done if the company is facing bankruptcy. Accepting the large orders causes some of the small orders to wait for processing and in-turn, are late. Also, the sales group is not part of the business, there is no direct link between them and manufacturing. Therefore, no one is paying attention to the order size. This needs to be corrected by putting a direct line of communication between sales and manufacturing. Second, the order entry system needs to be more efficient. A customer is able to request a change in design after the order has already been placed, it may be necessary to stop production on these orders and wait for the new raw materials or for the new design to be clarified. They do not have a process that charges back the variance on these orders; they need to input a system where if the customer wants a design change, they have to pay for it. Also, the customer’s prints submitted with the order do not always contain the tolerances required during machining. This is a discipline issue within the organization that needs to be eliminated; the customer must sign off on the tolerances before the order begins processing. Third, Eastern Gear needs to change the layout of the shop. Lead time has recently increased from 2 to 4 weeks, which made it necessary to hire an expeditor, there is a concerning amount of bottlenecks in the production process and inspection of the products is not done until the order is completed. The shop is set up to make production errors and ship unfinished product. The tools need to be central and equipment should not be set up by type but placed in proper sequence so that the product moves sequentially from the beginning of production to the end, and quality checks and inspection should be incorporated in the production process. Also, Eastern Gear needs to change their order fulfilment approach from made-to-order to made-to-stock. Changing the layout of the shop and order fulfilment approach will help reduce bottlenecks and lead time as well as eliminate the need for an expeditor. Lastly, Eastern Gear has a workforce of 50 people and is managed using a family- type approach. They have hired 10 new employees within the last quarter. The typical order spends 90% of the time waiting for a machine to become available, and only 10% of the time is actually spent processing the order, they should not hire more employees. 3. How can this case be related to operations strategy and process design concepts? This case related to operations strategy and process design concepts because having a good operations strategy and process design are key to running a successful manufacturing company. As witnessed in this case, the operations strategy and the process design need adjustments in order to be successful. Eastern Gear 1. What are the major problems being faced by Eastern Gear? The major problem’s Eastern Gear is facing is that they are accepting large orders to help pay their overhead, also, their sales group is not part of the business, there is no link between them and manufacturing. Their order entry is inefficient; the tolerance on products is not firm. The layout of their shop is set up to make mistakes and increased lead time has resulted in the need for an expeditor. Lastly, they are hiring too many employees for the company’s needs. 2. What action should Rhodes take to solve his problems? First, Rhodes needs to stop accepting large orders at discounted prices to help cover overhead, doing this will not cover overhead and should only be done if the company is facing bankruptcy. Accepting the large orders causes some of the small orders to wait for processing and in-turn, are late. Also, the sales group is not part of the business, there is no direct link between them and manufacturing. Therefore, no one is paying attention to the order size. This needs to be corrected by putting a direct line of communication between sales and manufacturing. Second, the order entry system needs to be more efficient. A customer is able to request a change in design after the order has already been placed, it may be necessary to stop production on these orders and wait for the new raw materials or for the new design to be clarified. They do not have a process that charges back the variance on these orders; they need to input a system where if the customer wants a design change, they have to pay for it. Also, the customer’s prints submitted with the order do not always contain the tolerances required during machining. This is a discipline issue within the organization that needs to be eliminated; the customer must sign off on the tolerances before the order begins processing. Third, Eastern Gear needs to change the layout of the shop. Lead time has recently increased from 2 to 4 weeks, which made it necessary to hire an expeditor, there is a concerning amount of bottlenecks in the production process and inspection of the products is not done until the order is completed. The shop is set up to make production errors and ship unfinished product. The tools need to be central and equipment should not be set up by type but placed in proper sequence so that the product moves sequentially from the beginning of production to the end, and quality checks and inspection should be incorporated in the production process. Also, Eastern Gear needs to change their order fulfilment approach from made-to-order to made-to-stock. Changing the layout of the shop and order fulfilment approach will help reduce bottlenecks and lead time as well as eliminate the need for an expeditor. Lastly, Eastern Gear has a workforce of 50 people and is managed using a family- type approach. They have hired 10 new employees within the last quarter. The typical order spends 90% of the time waiting for a machine to become available, and only 10% of the time is actually spent processing the order, they should not hire more employees. 3. How can this case be related to operations strategy and process design concepts? This case related to operations strategy and process design concepts because having a good operations strategy and process design are key to running a successful manufacturing company. As witnessed in this case, the operations strategy and the process design need adjustments in order to be successful.

Lovely Bones

The Grieving Process of Abigail The Lovely Bones is written by Alice SeBold and is about a young girl named Susie who was brutally murdered by her next door neighbor, Mr. Harvey. No one suspected Mr. Harvey in the beginning, but with Susie’s help from the beyond, he became the lead suspect. Susie began to send clues to her family from heaven, but the problem was that only her father, brother and sister could connect with her and feel her presence. This problem expanded quickly and because of it, tore the family apart. Abigail, Susie’s mother, became the one torn from the family. Abigail dealt with Susie’s death differently than everyone else in the Salmon family. Abigail’s grieving process was slower than everyone else’s grieving process. Abigail becomes the antagonist in the novel and becomes the one character that can’t face Susie’s death. When the Salmon family first finds out that Susie is indeed dead, Abigail responds by being depressed, she is sad and shocked by the fact that her oldest child and first daughter is actually gone and will never be coming back, and much like the rest of the Salmon family, she demands answers on who, why and how her daughter, Susie was murdered. My mother sat on a hard chair by the front door with her mouth open. Her pale face paler than I had ever seen it. Her blue eyes staring† (Sebold 11). Abigail can’t believe that Susie is gone. Things like this don’t happen to a family like hers. She doesn’t know what to do or say at this moment. Abigail remains depressed throughout certain points in the novel. â€Å"You look invincible† (Sebold 211). Abigail wishes that she could be as strong as Lindsey. Abigail calls her invincible because she wishes that she could be as strong and able to care for the family and deal with Susie’s death like Lindsey. â€Å"Nothing is ever certain† (Sebold 20). Jack was the one who gave Abigail this idea, but she clings on to this saying as if somewhere out there, Susie is alive, despite the recent evidence. Abigail goes through the denial stage of grief and puts her defenses up to protect herself from the truth. â€Å"How can you be sure he killed these other girls† (Sebold 291). It seems as if Abigail was trying to defend Mr. Harvey. She doesn’t want to hear about Susie’s case anymore and she’s not interested in who killed her daughter, she just wants to be able to move on with her life. Abigail goes through the grief stages of anger and bargaining. Abigail becomes frustrated with her family and their pursuit of Susie’s killer. Abigail then begins to bargain with the one man that could solve the mystery that surrounds the death of Susie. â€Å"I don’t know what to say†¦we have a family, a family and a son and I’m going† (Sebold 185). Abigail is pushed to her limit and she’s done with her family’s foolishness. She wants to move on but her family and Susie are holding her back. â€Å"How can I be expected to be trapped by a man frozen in time† (Sebold 276). Abigail doesn’t want to be with a person who’s still dwelling on their daughter’s murder and not moving on. â€Å"I just want it to be spoken out loud by somebody. To have it said aloud. I’m ready, I wasn’t before† Abigail is looking for comfort from someone who isn’t dwelling on the past. Len provides her this comfort but really she’s just burying her feelings towards Susie deep inside. Abigail doesn’t fully accept the fact that Susie is dead and gone and will no longer return. She pushes her family away and takes herself away from the situation by moving to California to begin a new life. She becomes estranged from her family and her family becomes estranged from her. Although deep inside Abigail misses her daughter Susie, she will never be able to accept her death fully because she goes through too much of the denial and bargaining stages of grief. Abigail isn’t in touch with her emotions, like her husband Jack is, and she acts out in a destructive way which damages her relationship between her and her family. Works Cited Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones. Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 2002. Print. Dombeck, Mark, and Kathryn Patricelli. â€Å"Introduction to Grief and Bereavement Issues. † _Introduction to Grief and Bereavement Issues_. Print. Ross, Elisabeth Kubler. â€Å"Five Stages of Grief. † Death & Dying. Print.