The Westboro Baptist Church Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Westboro Baptist Church - Essay Example On the afternoon of November 27, 1955, the church held its first open ceremony (Lieblich 1). This paper will look at the Westboro Baptist Church, the church’s activities, and the first amendment. The Westboro Baptist Church has been enthusiastically engaged in events against gay individuals since 1991, when it begun concentrated efforts on a gay event at Gage Park near the church. In addition, the Westboro Baptist Church members carry out anti-gay remonstrations at military interments, picketing at celebrity funerals, and public activities that may easily attract media interest. Additionally, the Westboro Baptist Church has also held protests against Jews, and the members have also stomped on the flag of United States of America (Lieblich 1). The Bill of Rights of the United States contains the First Amendment which forbids the creation of laws that restrict the free utilization of religion, violates the freedom of the media, proscribes the petitioning for an administration remedy of objections, valuing an institution of religion, reducing the freedom of speech, or impeding the right to peaceably convene. The Westboro Baptist Church members take part in every day picketing in Topeka and tours all over the country to picket the memorial services of gay victims of gay-bashing, gay victims of murder, or individuals who have perished from complex situations associated to AIDS. They have also protested in events linked to homosexuality and live pop events. As of 2009, the Westboro Baptist Church claims to have taken part in almost forty one thousand protest in approximately six hundred and fifty cities since its creation (Lieblich 1). The Westboro Baptist Church has established its position by protesting against gay individuals in funerals and different unexpected places. Even though their choice to protest at these somber situations is unpleasant to a number of individuals, the rights of the religious group, however offensive and

There is a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family Essay Example for Free

There is a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family Essay Functionalism theories argue that society shapes its men and women into different spheres, these differences can be seen as functional to the maintenance of social stability and harmony. Functionalist argue that the traditional view of family in Britain was that of the Nuclear family, this was one in which married women were seen as housewives, they performed the domestic tasks and cared for their children. Their husbands were seen as naturally assertive the dominant male, the bread-winner and perform economically supportive tasks. Edmund Lech (1967) termed this view of the family as The Cereal Pack Norm, and criticised â€Å"the lawdry secrets† of the nuclear family. This view of gender roles and the family is a debate shared by many theorists. Young and Willmott (1973) accepted the view of the nuclear family and announced the arrival of the symmetrical family. They suggested that there was a movement towards symmetry, meaning joint conjugal roles, a sense of balance between the duties of gender tasks within the family. Conjugal roles can be jointly carried out, segregated or integrated. Ann Oakley (1974) and other feminists disagreed that conjugal roles were joint but were socially constructed, after the industrial revolution new laws were brought out restricting women and children’s working hours. Women were forced to become housewives and mothers, men were seen as the macho male. Some feminist theories suggest that society is patriarchal, a system of male power and control. Feminists argue women are pushed to the margins of an industrial economy by male dominated institutions, suggesting males are therefore insured power and authority with in gender roles and the family. The Media made many references to the New Man; this was a term applied to those men who have allegedly moved away from the stereotype image of the macho male, they allowed their natures to be more expressive, and would also share domestic and child-care tasks. Is this New Man a reality or a myth? Gender roles within the family our gradually changing but to what extent are male and female roles egalitarian? Young and Willmott (1973) published research findings, which suggested that the symmetrical family was now the typical family form in Britain. 72% of men were helping in the house and spending the equivalent amount of time on home-related tasks. It was found that gender roles did exist with more equality than in the past. Decisions about family life were shared moving towards more integrated conjugal roles. Ann Oakley (1974) criticised this as she found that full time housewives spent 77 hours a week on housework, she dismissed the caring sharing role of the new man. Ann Oakley disputed Young and Willmott’s methods claiming they were biased, as the only question they asked was, do you help at least once a week with any household tasks like washing dishes, making beds, ironing or cleaning. The answer given could overstate the amount of domestic labour that was actually being carried out. A man ironing a shirt once a week was hardly a big contribution to the sharing of gender roles. Oakley’s research showed a clear division in labour as regards to housework, she interviewed forty women with children under the age of five from different social class backgrounds, her research showed a clear division in labour with women spending more time n housework 77 hours and 30 % of men contributed to childcare tasks. Males were helping more with the children, gender identities were starting to evolve. There is evidence that there is a gradual move towards integrated roles and equality Devine (1992) carried out a small study of car workers it showed that men’s contribution to domestic labour increased when their wives re-entered paid employment. It is suggested this only came secondary above all women still remained responsible for childcare and housework. In the same year Gershuny’s research revealed a gradual increase of domestic labour tasks done by men when the wife was is in full time employment ,thus a gradual move to equality. The changing roles perspectives assume a gradual sharing of gender roles within the family. In recent years there has been a wider acceptance of these interchangeable gender roles. Seven out of ten women with children under the age of five are now in employment. The Equal Opportunities Commission show a Surprising 36% of couple’s say that the man is the main carer. Paid employment would seem to empower women within the family. However in more recent years The N. I. Social Attitudes survey (1994) and The N. I. Life and Times Survey (1998) show that even when women were in paid employment, the self reported hours on household and the provision of childcare tasks were greatly divided, with women carrying out 17. 15.hours of housework compared with men’s contribution to only 5. 92 hours. DETI (2003) also show inequalities with 69% of women without children working outside the home, these figures drop to 50% when women have three or more children, suggesting that women still primarily see childcare as their responsibility. O’Brien and Shernit (2002) in their study for Equal Opportunities Commission in Britain suggest that fathers are less likely to avail of family friendly working policies that are in place. The Family Policy Studies centre showed reports of new manism were greatly exaggerated with 90% of women still working part time. This also shows an imbalance, suggesting that women carry the dual burden of work. Research points towards women still suffering gender inequalities within the family. There is evidence that even while working women still have the burden of emotional and domestic work. In (1993) Duncombe and Marsden research revealed gender inequalities in power and domestic responsibilities. They add to their finding that women believe they make the primary ‘emotional investment’ in the family and marriage. Many of their female respondents complained that their husbands were indifferent to their role in holding the relationship together. In other words women are frequently responsible for the ‘triple shift’ meaning outside work, housework and all emotional work. Thus women suffered what they termed as emotional loneliness it was suggested men would rather bring in a wage as supposed to give emotional fulfilment. They were hesitant to discuss or show their feelings of love for their partner. Men did not recognise that emotion work was needed to keep a relationship together. Women’s larger involvement in emotion work can be a major dimension of gender inequalities in couple relationships. Edgell’s study in (1980) showed an imbalance when it came to power more important decisions were more likely to be taken by men. It was suggested that when it came down to important decisions like buying a house, car or other financial decisions the men had the power and authority they were the hierarchy the dominant male. Women may have had decisions on trivial things such as what colour she was going to paint the house or how much she was going to spend on the children’s clothing or the shopping. When it came to major decisions women views were secondary, gendered roles were segregated, men had the dominant role and the decisions of power. Domestic violence is another key element to conjugal roles; many radical feminists say that patriarchy still exists within married and cohabiting couples. The family statistics show that domestic violence accounts for a quarter of a percent of all assaults in the UK. Also one quarter of all women in the world experience this. Debash and Debash argued that wife beating was an extension of the husbands control over his wife. These percentages suggest that men used violence to gain authority over their partners. This may be misrepresented as not all assaults are reported and men also can be victims of domestic violence. In the 1970’s the feminist movement brought equality issues forward. The Sex Discrimination Act (1975) and the Equal Pay Act (1970) were introduced these acts were a product and a cause of more women working. These acts led to some women to reject the traditional housewife role and encouraged them to have fewer children and put a career first. Women’s roles started to have more of an equal status to that of her male partner. Feminists like Ann Oakley criticised Young and Willmott’s view of the symmetrical family and joint conjugal roles she thought they were biased and used incorrect methodology. Although Oakley’s own research found a gradual sharing in childcare tasks, women were still predominately responsible for housework. Feminists argue men seem to have less emotion work, more power and authority thus they benefit more from family life. Duncombe and Marsden and Edgell’s research back this theory up. Functionalists like Young and Wilmott (1973) and the Media suggest that gender roles are becoming more integrated. Devine and Gershuny’s research in (1992) suggest there is some evidence to a small move towards egalitarian relationships, with men contributing more when their wives were employed. Evidence from the Equal Opportunities Commission show a staggering 36% of males are now the main carer, this sharing of child-care presents us with evidence to a degree the new man exists. Gender roles are changing with more women joining the labour force and male attitudes towards are sharing of domestic labour are gradually becoming egalitarian. Sociologists and theorists in the 21st century argue that perceptions of gender roles within family and diversity have changed cross culturally and within societies, they suggest new families and gender roles are starting to emerge.

Wedding Toasts to the Newlyweds †Perhaps Others Have Said it Best :: Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches

Wedding Toasts to the Newlyweds – Perhaps Others Have Said it Best A health to you, A wealth to you, And the best that life can give to you. May fortune still be kind to you, And happiness be true to you, And life be long and good to you, Is the toast of all your friends to you. Down the hatch, to a striking match! Irish Toast "Marriage: A community consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves - making in all, two." Ambrose Bierce To the newlyweds: May "for better or worse" be far better than worse. "There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends." Homer, from the Odyssey "May you grow old on one pillow." Armenian toast "Two such as you with such a master speed Cannot be parted nor be swept away From one another once you are agreed That life is only life forevermore Together wing to wing and oar to oar" Robert Frost "It's still the same old story, A fight for love and glory, A case of do or die! The world will always welcome lovers As time goes by." Herman Hupfeld. And their misfortunes as light as the foam. "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed." Carl Jung "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward in the same direction." Antoine de Saint-Exupery "Here's to marriage, that happy estate that resembles a pair of scissors: 'So joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet punishing anyone who comes between them.'" Sydney Smith Here's to the new husband And here's to the new wife May they remain lovers For all of life. Anonymous May their joys be as deep as the ocean. Let us toast the health of the bride; Let us toast the health of the groom, Let us toast the person that tied; Let us toast every guest in the room. May we all live to be present at their Golden Wedding. May your love be as endless as your wedding rings. May the saints protect you And sorrow neglect you And bad luck to the one That doesn't respect you "May you have many children and may they grow mature in taste and healthy in color and as sought after as the contents of the glass." Irish toast May your wedding days be few and your anniversaries many. May your voyage through life be as happy and as free As the dancing waves on the deep blue sea Here's to the groom with bride so fair, And here's to the bride with groom so rare!

Belonging Term Paper Essay

Belonging is just as much about exclusion as it is about fitting in. Belonging is a concept wholly linked to the morality and social connections one exercises. These factors foster the sentiments of alienation and acceptance hence showing how belonging is just as much about exclusion than fitting in. It is these factors that derive one’s belonging in society and hence some are excluded naturally. This collated idea is portrayed in Raimond Gaita’s memoir Romulus my father which is supported by George orwell’s 1984. Both texts emphasise the conundrum of belonging and how exclusion can be present with belonging as well as having the ability to fit in. Gaita expresses the irony of belonging in his memoir Romulus my father exposing how morality has an influencing factor in one’s belonging. Furthermore, Romulus’ nationalism for Romania is significant for his lack of belonging for his environment expressed through the line, â€Å"He longed for generous an d soft European foliage, but the eucalypts of Baringhup, scraggy†¦ seemed symbols of deprivation and barreness.† The lexical change present emphasises Romulus’ alienation as it detracts from the positives of his new nation. This notion is further supported by his underlying desire to always â€Å"consider himself Romanian.† The morality of his nationalism therefore causes him to not belong and hence proves how belonging is just as much about exclusion as it is about fitting in. Gaita evidently comments on how belonging of an individual is influenced by their morality and hence showing how exclusion can be a result from morality therefore showing how exclusion is a part of belonging. Similarly orwell’s 1984 conveys the message of how exclusion is a large part of understanding belonging. This is mostly illustrated by the characterisation of the protagonist, Winston, and his alter ego, Julia. Winston’s morality for the freedom of individuals is portrayed in the first chapter, shaped by the repetitious diary entries of â€Å"down with big brother.† In a society where the population admire and follow the government with every instruction, the morality of the protagonist defines him from the masses and hence he does not belong. This separation of morality is present in the line, â€Å"Winston turned his back to the telescreen,† the first inkling that he is trying to reduce the power that the government has over him. This notion is further emphasised through the metaphor â€Å"He felt as though he were wandering in the forests of the sea bottom lost in a monstrous world where he himself was the monster.† The metaphor alludes to how he is trapped between the Party’s nonsense principles and his own perception of reality, and ergo Winston experiences a metaphysical crisis that ultimately leads to his demise. Hence the protagonist’s exclusion, is what creates his belonging to the cause for freedom and ergo proving how exclusion is a large a component of belonging because morality is different between individuals. In addition, Romulus my father conveys how social connections can affect belonging of one, hence excluding as much as integrating belonging. This idea is mainly expressed through the polarised life of Romulus and Christine. Christine does not belong throughout the memoir due to her minimal social affiliations she has. As a result it leads to depression being described as â€Å"She was obviously and deeply depressed. Desperately lonely, she was glad of any conversation that came her way.† The emotive language of the extent of her depression emphasises how relationships are needed to find a sense of belonging which mirrors the basic philosophies of Martin Bruber and Maslow, where relationships are needed to prosper. Furthermore, while Romulus taught Raimond the value of morals Hora taught him how to express and think. Raimond’s philosophical view on the world stems to this pivotal relationship with Hora, taking on a parental role while Romulus was in hospital following the motor bike accident, giving Raimond a sense of belonging. The parental role Hora plays creates an affectionate belonging for Romulus, as supported by the line â€Å"It was the only time I remember when my love for Hora and my father caused confused emotions in me towards either.† These social interactions in the memoir evidently affect the belonging of few characters causing them to either belong or not belong. Orwell’s 1984 describes how relationships affect one’s belonging, hence excluding individuals. These relationships throughout the novel are limited because of restrictions and hence relationships are bland and isolate many. The protagonist’s social affiliations are fake with a subtle desire for authenticity which lead to his autodidact personality, excluding him from society. This concern is supported by the philosophy associated with relationships from the dystopia as â€Å"you don’t give a damn if they suffer. All you care about is yourself.† This narcissistic attitude mirrors the idea that the lack of relationships leads to many not belonging together. This issue is supported further by the conceptual â€Å"hour of hate.† The alliteration of the ritual and repetition in the novel emphasise the harsh nature of relationships based on hate and hence excluding Winston from belonging in the dystopia. It also acts as a motif to emphasise the break down of humanity and empathy in the novel. This notion of non belonging is introduced in the beginning of the novel as well through the sarcastic tone of â€Å"from the age of uniformity, from the age of solitude, from the age of big brother,† where â€Å"from the age of† is repeated to portray the loneliness of the protagonist and how conformity is present throughout society. Therefore it is clear that orwell, expresses how belonging is just as much about exclusion as it is about fitting in.

Jet Blue Melt Down Essay

The technology department at Jet Blue airlines let down the company during the melt down. There were many areas where if the technology department had been on top of its game this melt down would not have been nearly as bad as it was. These range from simple communications problems to issues with lost bags. The first area where technology let down those at Jet Blue was that of not being able to rebook flights on the internet. This was a major problem as because the website did not allow for passengers whose flights had been cancelled to reschedule they had to call agents. The problem here is many of these agents work from home and the system was only capable of handling 650 calls at a time. If the website had been able to allow customers to rebook it would have taken a lot of the load off of these agents. The second issue we have here is the system only allowed for 650 agents to be on the phones at a time. When you consider they have the normal everyday business along with many flights being cancelled causing angry passengers to call in to rebook this problem became magnified. Customer grew angry with the amount of time that they had to remain on hold to rebook flights. The next issue that lingered was that of being able to identify who owned the lost luggage. This system was a simple one as it only took the technology department 24 hours to design a system to locate these passengers and reunite them with their luggage. However, when you are already upset and angry 24 hours is quite a long time. This was an issue that never should have been as it should have been in place prior to this event. Finally we come to the issue of being able to communicate with off duty crews and know their location when rebooking flights. This issue was one that could have been fixed in a simple manner with a system similar to that  which Nextel offers to customer’s walkie talkie options with a gps locator on the phone. To conclude my findings if the technology department had been doing its job prior to these events the problem would not have been nearly as magnified. Through some simple fixes and forward thinking there could have been several areas that would have helped to make managing this event easier from enhanced phone systems to a website with more capabilities for customers to simple gps enable cell phones this problem would not have cost the company upwards of 30 million dollars.

Free Essays on Process Assignment †Computer Hard Drive Upgrade

Thesis: A simple Step-By-Step, showing you how to quickly and easily upgrade your personal computer’s Hard Drive and simply coping everything from your old drive to the new drive without having to reinstall Windows 95/98/ME or any of your applications. Does your computer system suddenly seem to be running very sluggish, and now taking twice as long to navigate around Windows and your basic, everyday programs? Are you constantly receiving messages like, â€Å"Low Disk Space†, or, â€Å"Out of Memory†, driving you entirely insane? If this sounds all too familiar than it’s time to upgrade your computer. You’ve filled up the hard drive with hordes of information, most likely the hundreds of MP3 files you painstakingly downloaded every night for the past month, staying up till all hours of the night, red-eyed, Dr. Pepper in one hand, mouse in the other, a burning desire to have the latest song to hit the market. Sound all too familiar? But you ask yourself how this is possible, seeing as the computer is a little more than a year old, still a very new system in your eyes, and not even half way paid off yet. Your system has a run out of room. Your 20 Gigabyte Hard Drive, that was promised by the all too friendly salesman would never fill up, is now bursting at the seams. You can’t help but feel taken advantage of somehow with your incredibly large purchase, and almost cheated. Welcome to the world of electronics my friend, where new product is outdated the moment it hits the shelf, outperformed, out benchmarked, and completely outdone by something more powerful, and ironically, half the size. This is a land where warped views of reality prevail, an antithesis to the rest of the world, demanding smaller and smaller product, causing the ‘bigger is better’ mentality to be a phrase not welcome. So let’s dive into upgrading your personal computer! Disclaimer: You assume all responsibility for any problems you may... Free Essays on Process Assignment – Computer Hard Drive Upgrade Free Essays on Process Assignment – Computer Hard Drive Upgrade Thesis: A simple Step-By-Step, showing you how to quickly and easily upgrade your personal computer’s Hard Drive and simply coping everything from your old drive to the new drive without having to reinstall Windows 95/98/ME or any of your applications. Does your computer system suddenly seem to be running very sluggish, and now taking twice as long to navigate around Windows and your basic, everyday programs? Are you constantly receiving messages like, â€Å"Low Disk Space†, or, â€Å"Out of Memory†, driving you entirely insane? If this sounds all too familiar than it’s time to upgrade your computer. You’ve filled up the hard drive with hordes of information, most likely the hundreds of MP3 files you painstakingly downloaded every night for the past month, staying up till all hours of the night, red-eyed, Dr. Pepper in one hand, mouse in the other, a burning desire to have the latest song to hit the market. Sound all too familiar? But you ask yourself how this is possible, seeing as the computer is a little more than a year old, still a very new system in your eyes, and not even half way paid off yet. Your system has a run out of room. Your 20 Gigabyte Hard Drive, that was promised by the all too friendly salesman would never fill up, is now bursting at the seams. You can’t help but feel taken advantage of somehow with your incredibly large purchase, and almost cheated. Welcome to the world of electronics my friend, where new product is outdated the moment it hits the shelf, outperformed, out benchmarked, and completely outdone by something more powerful, and ironically, half the size. This is a land where warped views of reality prevail, an antithesis to the rest of the world, demanding smaller and smaller product, causing the ‘bigger is better’ mentality to be a phrase not welcome. So let’s dive into upgrading your personal computer! Disclaimer: You assume all responsibility for any problems you may...

The Roman Festival of Floralia

The Roman Festival of Floralia Although the ancient Roman holiday of Floralia began in April, the Roman month of the love goddess Venus, it was really an ancient May Day celebration. Flora, the Roman goddess in whose honor the festival was held, was a goddess of flowers, which generally begin to bloom in the spring. The holiday for Flora (as officially determined by Julius Caesar when he fixed the Roman calendar) ran from April 28 to May 3. Festival Games Romans celebrated Floralia with the set of games and theatrical presentations known as the Ludi Florales. Classical scholar Lily Ross Taylor notes that the Ludi Floralia, Apollinares, Ceriales, and Megalenses all had days of ludi scaenici (literally, scenic games, including plays) followed by a final day devoted to circus games. Financing Roman Ludi (Games) Roman public games (ludi) were financed by minor public magistrates known as aediles. The curule aediles produced the Ludi Florales. The position of curule aedile was originally (365 B.C.) limited to patricians, but was later opened up to plebeians. The ludi could be very expensive for the aediles, who used the games as a socially accepted way of winning the affection and votes of the people. In this way, the aediles hoped to ensure victory in future elections for higher office after they had finished their year as aediles. Cicero mentions that as aedile in 69 B.C., he was responsible for the Floralia (Orationes Verrinae ii, 5, 36-7). Floralia History The Floralia festival began in Rome in 240 or 238 B.C., when the temple to Flora was dedicated, to please the goddess Flora into protecting the blossoms. The Floralia fell out of favor and was discontinued until 173 B.C., when the Senate, concerned with wind, hail, and other damage to the flowers, ordered Floras celebration reinstated as the Ludi Florales. Floralia and Prostitutes The Ludi Florales included theatrical entertainment, including mimes, naked actresses, and prostitutes. In the Renaissance, some writers thought that Flora had been a human prostitute who was turned into a goddess, possibly because of the licentiousness of the Ludi Florales or because, according to David Lupher, Flora was a common name for prostitutes in ancient Rome. Floralia Symbolism and May Day The celebration in honor of Flora included floral wreaths worn in the hair much like modern participants in May Day celebrations. After the theatrical performances, the celebration continued in the Circus Maximus, where animals were set free and beans scattered to ensure fertility. Sources The Opportunities for Dramatic Performances in the Time of Plautus and Terence, by Lily Ross Taylor. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, Vol. 68, (1937), pp. 284-304.Ciceros Aedileship, by Lily Ross Taylor. The American Journal of Philology, Vol. 60, No. 2 (1939), pp. 194-202.Floralia, Florales Ludi Festival ... - University of Chicago. penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Floralia.html.