Importance of Flowers in Our Lives

Flowers are wonderful creations of nature and are one of the most beautiful gifts of nature. Flowers are of utmost importance in every sphere of human life. Flowers arrangement of various designs and types are available for making various occasions of our life more cherished. Several occasions in our society such as birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, weddings, etc. need flowers to celebrate. Colourful and fragrant flowers make every occasion bright and happy. People of all ages from child to old people love flowers.Gifting flowers is the most affectionate expression of love to the dear ones. Hence, flower is a must in each and every occasions of our life. Flowers play an important role in making the life of a human being more cheerful and happy. People use flowers in several forms and on several occasions.Flowers are used as beautiful flower arrangements for decorating homes. They are also help people in proposing their partner for life, as well as flowers are used as a symbol of mourn and tribute on loved ones funeral. Apart from above said uses, there are several other uses of flowers in various activities of our daily life.Varieties of flowers RoseA rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosacea. There are over 100 species. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. SunflowerThe sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas. Its name is derived from the flower's shape and image, which is often used to capture the sun. The plant has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves, and circular flower heads.JasmineJasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family. It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa.LotusThe Lotus, the national flower of India, is a symbol of supreme reality. Hindu religion and mythology portray goddess Saraswathi, the muse of l earning, as being seated on a lotus flower.TulipThe tulip is a perennial, bulbous plant with showy flowers in the genus Tulipa, of which around 75 wild species are currently accepted and which belongs to the family Liliaceae.LilyLily is a feminine given name directly derived from lily, the flower. In the United States, â€Å"Lily† became one of the top-100 names for newborn girls in 2002 and reached a rank of 18 by 2009. hibiscusHibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world.

Critical theory and professionalism Essay

In what ways can critical theory shed light on professionalism? This presentation explores how critical theory can provide a perspective for critiquing professionalism in education. In so doing the nature of the relationship between the professionalisation and social movement trends in education is addressed. An attempt at a definition of professionalism is going to be the focus of the first part of the presentation. Several concepts articulated within critical theory are discussed for their relevance to the issue of professionalism. The work of the Frankfurt School is underlined, drawing parallels to the work of Gramsci and Freire. In the final analysis, specific issues and questions raised by the perspective of Critical Theory are reflected upon as they apply to the professionalisation of education. The concept of professionalism Literature on professionalism is in its abundance. There have been many attempts at providing a clear definition, including the government-led agendas calling for higher degrees on professionalism in education. It can be noted at the outset that attempts at coming up with a definition of professionalism in education have struggled to agree on a particular one. Freidson (1994) has concluded that the use of the term professionalism is inconsistent. He argues that professionalism is ‘The Third Logic’, claiming that professions are occupational groupings that exercise relatively high degrees of control over the conditions as well as how they carry out their work. This kind of arrangement provides a mechanism for organising some aspects of social life in a way that properly deploys specialist knowledge. Professionalism is therefore viewed as a mode of social coordination and competes with, and provides some insulation from, both market and bureaucratic forms of organisation. It has also been viewed as â€Å"a state of mind† or ideology that reflects a way of thinking about the cognitive aspects of a profession and the characteristics that typify a professional (Van Ruler, 2005). In other words, in the case of teaching, professionalism is the cultural means by which we give meaning, purpose, definition, and direction to work as professionals and the place of practitioners in society. It can therefore be claimed that there is no universal agreement of the concept. It has been implored by some authorities for teaching to become evidence-based profession like medicine and law. Hargreaves, for example describes teaching as the â€Å"paradoxical profession†. He asserts that of all the jobs that are, or aspires to be professions, only teaching is expected to create the human skills and capacities that will enable individuals and organizations to survive and succeed. (Hargreaves, 2003). Carr (1992) has suggested that in this ‘extended’ view of educational professionalism, education and teaching are to be understood by reference to the elaborative network of public duties, obligations and responsibilities in which teaching as a social role is implicated. It can be asserted that if teaching is a profession, there has been an assumption that teachers should be equipped with capacities for autonomous judgement and the freedom to exercise this judgement. It could be considered inappropriate for politicians or employers to dictate to teachers what is or is not worthy of inclusion in the school curriculum, or what kinds of knowledge and skill are crucial for the professional conduct of teaching. It is with this view in mind that Flinders (1980) has argued that teaching is an open-ended activity. Helsby (1995) claims that professionalism is subject to geographical and cultural differences and it can be understood as relating to exceptional standards of behaviour, dedication as well as a strong service ethic. This view is supported by Bryan (2003) who argues that professional work can be seen to be increasingly influenced by politics. This can be justified by the claim that the policies of governments are ideologically driven, hence professionalism may be understood as constructs which develop in response to ideological influences. Thomas (2012) uses professionalism as a descriptor of a combination of teachers’ specific capabilities and knowledge, the purpose and ethical underpinnings of their work, the extent to which they are able to exercise independent and critical judgement, their role in shaping and leading changes in their field, and their relationship to other stakeholders. Despite the vicissitude of the notion of professionalism in education, standard analyses of how this concept can be applied in public services such as teaching and nursing have stressed the importance of specialist knowledge  and expertise, ethical codes as well as procedures concerned with training, induction and continuing professional development (Flexner, 1915; Larson, 1977; Langford, 1978; Eraut, 1994). Attached to this view of professionalism is the assumption that in exchange for a greater say in matters related to school and teaching, teachers are expected to submit to greater levels of scrutiny and work roles that go beyond classroom teaching (Stone-Johnson, 2013). In this exchange there is a shift of power whereby as the work of the teachers becomes increasingly professionalised, teachers appear to have surrendered degrees of professionalism. The critical project in education supervenes from the postulation that pedagogical practices are linked to social practices, and that it is the task of the critical intellectual to identify and address injustices in these practices. The Frankfurt School’s perception of Critical Theory was driven by an underlying commitment to the notion that theory as well as practice must inform the work of those who seek to transform the oppressive conditions that exist in the world. Their ideas influenced other great critical theorists such as Freire and Gramsci. If the notion of critical theory is to be linked to the debate on professionalism, it can be argued that the development of critical pedagogy out of critical theory has changed the way through which the role of the teacher is seen, particularly the professional position of the teacher in the society. It has been argued that there has been a widespread erosion of professional autonomy in recent years (Barton et al, 1994, Whitty et al 1998). This has been a result of the centralisation of control over all aspects of teacher’s work such as curriculum (National Curriculum, literacy and numeracy hours), assessment, (SATs, QAA/ Ofsted Inspections) and conditions of service (imposed by the employers in a controlled quasi-market regulated by centralist funding formulae, league tables and inspection regimes.) (Freidson, 2001). This can be corroborated by a survey of teachers carried by Helsby and McCulloch (1997) as it showed that the government onslaught of edicts and initiatives demolished professionalism. It has been argued the formulation of policy documents have positioned the teacher as fundamentally impotent in terms of curriculum design. The teacher  has been reduced to a mere curriculum deliverer. This is mainly to system of communication that is viewed as one-sided by educational critiques. Murphy and Fleming (2010) have attempted to deal with this issue by using the Habermas’ notion of communicative action. They argue that, for Habermas, the essential feature of communicative action is that it aims at reaching agreement. Furthermore in order for that agreement to be not only mutually acceptable but satisfactory, its participants must be willing to make and defend validity claims such as claims of truth, rightness and truthfulness. Habermas’ notion accedes to the fact that while validity claims are raised automatically in everyday communication, it is only when communication aims primarily at reaching consensus, and when participants provide reasons for their argument, that rationality actually manifests itself. It can be argued that in the case of professionalism, Critical Theory is meant to herald a liberatory education that empowers stakeholders, fosters curiosity and critical thinking, and provides a means for crucial successful bottom-up, top-down engagement in the political arena. The introduction of a prescriptive and centralised National Curriculum has greatly weakened the professional confidence of teachers, (Helsby and McCulloch, 1997). It has also left them uncertain of their ability to cope and of their right to take major curriculum decisions. This has resulted in the government having more control over the teaching profession, (Meyer- Emerick, 2004). Critical theory prefers to call this process ‘one-dimensionality’ of life. Thus this extended the existing understanding of power and its impact on the construction of knowledge. Gramsci was deeply concerned with the manner in which domination was undergoing major shifts and changes within the industrial western societies. He developed a theory of hegemony, whereby he sought to explain the manner by which these changes were exercised more and more through the moral leaders of the society (including teachers) who participated in and reinforced universal ‘common sense’ notions of what is considered to be truth in society. This is consonant with Foucault’s questioning of what he termed ‘regimes of truth’ that were upheld and perpetuated through the manner in which particular knowledge was legitimated within the context of a variety of power relationships within the society. Foucault’s perceptions of power is not  solely at play in the context of domination, but also in the context of creative acts of resistance and these are produced as human beings are interact across the dynamic of relationship and shaped by moments of dominance and autonomy. Such a viewpoint challenges the dichotomised standpoint of either domination or powerlessness of power as enticed by radi cal education theorists. Thus it can be argued that Foucault’s writing on knowledge and power shed light on a critical understanding of the teaching profession in relation to authority. More so it does open the door to a better understanding of power relations within the context of teaching practice.

Consumer and Commercial Relationship in the UK Sale of Goods Act Dissertation

Consumer and Commercial Relationship in the UK Sale of Goods Act - Dissertation Example Much has been decided based on the jurisdictional framework of cases and its surroundings, the arguments put forth by It is often seen that where case deliberations could hinge on, perhaps a wildcard or a substantive piece of argument that has perhaps, eluded the most brilliant of legal maneuverings and arguments, by either the defense or appellant counsel. Or it could also be in terms of certain crucial elements in the case that one party has missed and the other has used. The section which we propose to deliberate, viz. Section 14 has been a controversial one, more so, since it has fuelled more speculative thinking that it has laid to rest, and also because it has been acquiescent to major elucidation and explanations, depending upon the perspectives of the Jury and judges. Perhaps more than anything else, the aspects that matter relates to whether the strictest interpretation could provide and dispense justice- in terms of monetary compensation and damages to the aggrieved, and the need for recompense, on the part of the defendant, in commensuration with the extent, and level of a misdemeanor committed. And whether the best course of justice could possibly be pursued and met by adopting judicial stands and legal proclivity. While the hallowed institution of law cannot be used to perpetuate and enforce furtherance of commercial interests of one party at the disadvantage of another, simultaneously, it also needs to be seen that one party does not suffer detriment at the expense of another. Again the aspect of satisfactory quality is also a matter of heated debate. For one thing, only transactions regarding goods and services could come within the purview of Sale of Goods Act and thus be eligible for restitution should the need arise, for another, the term satisfactory quality is also subject to various meaning and interpretations, taking cognizance of the aspects surrounding it. This it is quite possible

Social Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Social Psychology - Essay Example Although we as humans, are taught to learn and think for ourselves various factors exist, which tend to influence our independent thinking and coerce us to follow the more socially acceptable norms. This paper discusses the various popular experiments conducted during that era, and deduces, based on the observations, whether human beings are naturally built to submit to authority and comply with the rules laid down for them, or is it a case of exception rather than the norm. Finally, it concludes that human beings do have a tendency to be intrinsically motivated to conform to authority and to obey authority. Conformity refers to the transformation in behaviour or attitudes of people triggered by the need / desire to pursue the beliefs or standards set by others. It entails following the group ideologies, by totally ignoring or disregarding personal opinions. Obedience on the other hand, merely implies obeying the instructions / orders. These two concepts can be studied or explained i n a better manner by way of various experiments carried out by researchers such as Asch, Milgram, Zimbardo and the likes (Andersen, Taylor, 2007). According to a study conducted by Asch, (1951): a group of individuals were involved in an experiment to study the issues related to ‘conformity’ and the manner in which individuals behave / react in a given situation. The basic objective of the experiment was to observe the reactions of the participants and substantiate the hypotheses developed by the researchers with regard to ‘conformity’. However, for the purpose of this experiment the participants were mislead into believing that they were being involved in a study on ‘visual perception’ and kept the true purpose of the experiment, a secret. They were seated in a room along with a few stooges (i.e. individuals who were part of the team of the researchers conducting the experiment) who were made to pose as participants. The participants were show n lines on a screen and were asked to point out which one out of the three was of the same length as the target line. However, their responses were manipulated by the three stooges, who deliberately made mistakes by providing wrong answers. The purpose behind such an experiment was to measure the number of times the participants were influenced in their decisions / answers, by the responses of the stooges (Andersen, Taylor, 2007; Weiten, 2008). The method used by Asch seems quite artificial in its approach as it lacks validity. This is because the participants are required to conform when a correct answer actually exists. Disagreements do occur in everyday lives when there are hardly any right or wrong answers hence this approach seems highly illogical and invalid. Furthermore the results derived from the same may not be consistent in the long run, which is evident from the subsequent experiments conducted by British researchers Perrin and Spencer (Cox, 2002). It is also argued that Asch’s experiments were conducted at a time when the nation was exposed to an external environment which generated high levels of

I have dream speeh Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

I have dream speeh - Annotated Bibliography Example Mills gives an account of what really happened on that day that the speech was given in Washington. It is a useful source since it gives an account of the reaction of people and what actually transpired on the day of the speech (Mills, 2000) Johns gives a biography of Martin Luther Jr and his struggle for liberation of the black people. This source opens up the whole history of Martin Luther and will be able to give more comprehensive information necessary for your research (Jones, 1931) The sources selected will help you in the research since some of them are the actual speech specifically from the speaker himself. The video also provide a clear view of the speech hence avoiding any form of errors. The primary sources are very accurate and very useful in the initial stage while conducting a research. Other sources discuss the views of the speech hence this will help the researcher in articulating and getting various views and critiques of the speech, which will help, in conducting this

Jim Boeheim Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Jim Boeheim - Essay Example Born in 1944, James Arthur Boeheim or famously known as Jim Boeheim is currently serving the men’s basketball team at the Syracuse University as the Head Coach (Waters, 2013). Having a huge experience in the field of sports and leadership, Boeheim has made the Orange team of the Syracuse University into the NCAA Tournament 30 times. Boeheim also guided the team for final four match appearances in 1987, 1996, 2003, and 2013 and the NCAA championship in 2003 (SyracuseUniveristy, 2014). Not only this, he has also guided the Syracuse men’s basketball team to nine ‘Big East’ regular season championships and five Big East Tournament Championships. Because of his strong coaching experience and his effective leadership skills, Boeheim is currently the second on the Wins List of Men’s NCAA Division I Coaches (Pitoniak, 2011). The 880th win of Boeheim was earned in 2012, surpassing the total of Dean Smith’s wins of 879. These wins are calculated for a head coach at a single school for his most wins (Baker, 2010). Boeheim has also served the United States men’s basketball team, during the World Championship of FIBA 1990, FIBA 2006, Summer Olympics in 2008, FIBA World Championship 2010, and the Summer Olympics of 2012 (Baker, 2010). He has also served as the chairman of the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Committee during the period 2009 to 2012. He has the honor of being President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). In September 2005, in recognition to his remarkable achievements  Boeheim was included in the Basketball Hall of Fame  in the field of basketball (Pitoniak, 2011). Jim Boeheim has guided the Orange team through various tournaments, both national and international and has brought home many titles (Pitoniak, 2011). It is because of his strong leadership skills and capabilities that the Orange team of the

Customers' attitude towards online banking services in the UK Dissertation

Customers' attitude towards online banking services in the UK - Dissertation Example Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the factors that are responsible to make certain attitude of the consumers towards using internet banking services in the UK. This research considers two banking institutions: Lloyds Bank and Barclays Bank, and two non-banking financial institutions: Tesco and Virgin. All these institutes are UK based, and internet services provided by these institutes, studied to determine the attitude of the customers for their services. The approach selected to conduct this research is quantitative approach that is based on positivistic paradigm. The result revealed that the attitude of the customers of UK is positive towards the internet services provided by banking and non-banking institutions. ... ble 1: Frequency Tables – Barclays Bank 45 Table 2: Descriptive Statistics for Dependent Variable - Barclays Bank 47 Table 3: Descriptive Statistics for Independent Variables - Barclays Bank 49 Table 4: Frequency Tables – Lloyds Bank 511 Table 5: Descriptive Statistics for Dependent Variable - Lloyds Bank 52 Table 6: Descriptive Statistics for Independent Variables - Lloyds Bank 53 Table 7: Frequency Table - Tesco 55 Table 8: Descriptive Statistics for Dependent Variable - Tesco 57 Table 9: Descriptive Statistics for Independent Variables - Tesco 58 Table 10: Frequency Table - Virgin 60 Table 11: Descriptive Statistics for Dependent Variable - Virgin 60 Table 12: Descriptive Statistics for Independent Variables - Virgin 61 Table 13: Regression - Banking 64 Table 14: Regression – Non-Banking Financial Institutions 65 Table 15: Independent Samples Test 67 Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1. Background In the retail banking services, online banking is relatively new phase and still many people are not properly aware of the offerings of online banking (Peevers, et al. 2011). There are different services that online banking offers to the customers so that they can perform their transactions and can request for the information of their accounts. This includes the â€Å"inquiry of balance, transfer of accounts, payment of bills, ATM card pin code†, and many other services that the banks are offering (Aladwani 2001). The successful key for developing economies is information, and most of the companies are thinking of switching their businesses from physical to online technology (Akinci et al., 2004). There are many factors responsible to influence the preference of the customers in terms of the online banking, and it is very important for the banks to understand these factors

Genre Is Important for Defining Works of Fiction Essay

Genre Is Important for Defining Works of Fiction - Essay Example The film, Hanna, clearly depicts characteristics of three genres: myth, superhero tales and fairy tales. According to a review of the movie by Bradshow, a Myth remains as a fictitious person, story or thing. In accordance to Jennifer, the genre of fairy tales often deals with stories that got folkloric fantasy possessing characters like fairies, elves, goblins, dwarves, plus some elements of magic or enchantment. The genres of superhero tales often contain a major character that stands out to be indestructible despite evil always trying to destroy the character. In the essay below, one will try to establish if the genre of myth exhibited in the movie Hanna more accurately reflects the truth in the film than do superhero tales and fairytales. In the movie, Hanna, the truth in the film could be extrapolated from the events related to the genre of myth. It the movie, an ex-Criminal Investigation Agent, Erik, trains her daughter in the wilds of Finland to become a ruthless assassin desti ned to fulfill on goal. The ideal setting of isolation totally contributed to the truth in the story since the father dedicated the entire girl’s life in learning to become an assassin. Furthermore, isolation from the real world provided an excellent environment for the girl to become ruthless. In having no upbringing like a normal child, the girl knew of one thing in life, to kill. By being two of them in the wild, they both learned survival tactics as they hunted for their meals. In relation to review by Rapold, the story remains more fictitious since the whereabouts of the Erik and Hanna remained unknown, even the Criminal Intelligence Agency, contributing to the truth of the story. From a critical perspective, any person that wishes to kill his or her enemy always needs to be prepared and be ready to surprise the enemy when the right time comes. Erik prepared Hanna for a single mission, to kill a Criminal Investigation Agent, Marissa. It is the above events related to the genre of myth that do bring the element of truth in the movie rather than the genres of fairytales and superhero tales. In the story, Hanna usually read Grimms fairy tales. The Grimms fairy tales often becomes associated with violent and horrific tales that became not consistent with fairy tales contributing to the truth of the story. Hanna, being a trained adolescent girl, becomes depicted in the story as a smart soldier, with stamina and strength like a well trained adult soldier. Her training remains quit fictitious to the reading since it is impossible for a girl that age to become a top notch assassin. Furthermore, Hanna had never interacted with the real world and met people apart from her father ever since she was born. In relation to a review by Rapold, it also becomes fictitious when a girl that has never killed any person in the wild turns to become a ruthless assassin in the real world. In trying to give the movie some truth in regard to the mission Hanna had been assign ed, the directors had to include some mythical elements. The director generally tries to link the character to and tries to fit it in the general society. Hanna runs away once she activates the signal to show their whereabouts to the Criminal Investigation Agency. It remains also mythical when Hanna adapts and camouflages in the society. In accordance to Bredshaw review, after Hanna becomes captured by the Criminal

Law Of Contract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Law Of Contract - Essay Example The terms of a contract determine the rights and obligations of each and every part of the contract. In other words, the terms are the basis on which the promises of a contract are carried out and it sets the standards of the contract. Chris Field states that before entering a contract, various statements must be made to induce the contract.Since a contract involves the promises to exchange consideration, the parties to a contract are bound by the contract by the terms of the contract.The terms of a contract can be stated expressly or implied. In other words, the terms of a contract can be stated in clear and defined terms. Typical examples of an express term include terms that are disclosed orally or in writing. Such terms are clear and definite. They can be acted upon with much more easily and in a clear and defined manner.On the other hand, there are terms of contracts that are implied. This includes terms that are inferred by a reasonable person by observing the conduct of the ot her party or by comparing a party's action to the normal behavior or by statute.Aside from classifying terms of contracts into implied and explicit, there is the classification of contracts based on their significance to the entire legal process. In this vein, there are conditions and warranties as well as intermediate terms. These classifications are based on the significance of the terms to the fundamental consideration and the significance of other related elements of the contract and the consideration of the contract.... Conditions The conditions of a contract are the important terms of the contract that affect the fundamental consideration that defines the contract9. The are vital elements of the contract that brings the contract into being and without it, the contract is fundamentally flawed. Conditions usually include the description of the subject matter of the contract10. In other words, the conditions are often the basis for the exchange of the main substance or essence of the entire contract. Failure to live up to the conditions of a contract will usually mean that the contract becomes non-existent and cannot be considered a contract anymore. A practical example of a condition is where Mr A offers a car to Mr. B for AUD10,000. The fundamental term of the contract or the condition of the contract involves a car and AUD10,000. Whereas Mr B is bargaining for a car, Mr. A is also hoping to get AUD10,00 from Mr B. So these two items form the basis of the contract and are the conditions for the cont ract. So conditions include the issues directly relating to the consideration that is being bargained for by both parties of a contract11. They are major matters which bind the parties into the contract for the primary purpose for which the contract was formulated in the first place. In Poussard V Spiers (1876), Poussard was engaged to perform in an opera in London that was to last for three months12. Poussard fell ill a few days before the opera was to begin and a different performer was contracted in her stead. A week later, Poussard became well and sought to take her place in the opera. It was ruled that her sickness led to a fundamental breach of the contract. In other words, her sickness made it impossible for her to discharge her fundamental role in the opera,

Communicative maturity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Communicative maturity - Essay Example Concisely, all these varied aspects of my life have curved me into a mature and ambitious individual that will be noteworthy and contributive in the life ahead. I have taken majors in Finance and Supply Chain Management, and it is my highest desire to continue my lifelong learning process that inclined me to attend your Language School, one of the most credible institutions. Since few decades, experts have indicated rapid advancement in the wave of globalization, and it has now become very imperative to be aware of other languages and cultures, essential for personal, as well as collective development and progress. Since I know that I have passion for language, I can learn French language in an effective manner. During these years, I have been managed my life through effective management of my responsibilities towards family, work, and school activities. In addition, as an immigrant, I worked very hard to learn English that was essential to be a part of American life. In this regard, English language allowed me to create relationships that I now enjoy and adore with my classmates, colleagues, and people around me. Moreover, English language enabled me to avail various opportunities in the United States that have now enhanced my quality of living. It is very important that an individual should set realistic objectives, and my desire to involve myself in a long-learning process has resulted in my application for learning French language. In other words, this language program will open new avenues.

Changing the Minimun Legal Drinking Age in the United States Essay Example for Free

Changing the Minimun Legal Drinking Age in the United States Essay Over the past twenty years the minimum legal drinking age has been twenty-one in all US states, but that has not stopped citizens of the United Sates from attempting to lower the age. Following the end of prohibition in the United Sates during the Great Depression, all states agreed on a set of twenty-one to be the legal drinking age. For almost forty years there was no change in the drinking age until a decrease in the age for voting occurred. This led to the gradual decrease of the minimum legal drinking age to somewhere between the ages of eighteen and twenty among twenty-one states. Recent data collected by Henry Wechsler and Toben F. Nelson, both of which obtain either a PhD/ScD, show that over many efforts from legislation have been presented with bills that argue to lower the minimum age, but none have been passed (986). This subject has and always will be a well discussed issue among Americans, youth, and adults until they are satisfied with the outcome. Legislation should lower the minimum legal drinking age to eighteen in the United States due to the fact that it should be consistent with all other legal rights that one acquires at age eighteen. As supporters of lowering the minimum legal drinking age argue that the age of drinking should be persistent with other legal rights such as voting, buying tobacco products, and serving their country. Statistics say the youth of today have had their first taste of alcohol by the time they are twenty-one, so that can only mean that they have participated in underage drinking (Barnett 8). This is considered breaking the law and one would go to jail if reported or if discovered by authorities unless there was an exception. That brings me to the amount of exceptions to the minimum legal drinking age in the United States. Over eight different exceptions are active in the States this year that excuse the act of underage drinking such as religious purposes, medical purposes, educational purposes, and with parental consent (40 States 468). These exceptions let anyone under parental consent or on private property legally drink without questioning them. Other people may see these exceptions as a sufficient way to only let minors drink under the careful eye of adults, but these adults that are supposed to be carefully watching these minors could easily slip up. I believe that the exceptions of minors drinking on private property with or without parental consent should not be excused. Does drinking at home mean you are not able to climb into a car and drive under the influence? These exceptions also lead to the thought of the Zero Tolerance Law not being enforced vigorously which leads to teenagers taking the Law as a joke. Many people that oppose the lowering of the minimum legal drinking age do not realize the effectiveness of the age being lowered to eighteen. These viewers see the youth as forever irresponsible and should not be trusted with anything. If the youth was taught to drink in moderation and not binge drink, changing the minimum legal drinking age would not be so risky. Barnett, a professor at Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, suggests that if the youth is aware of the risks of alcohol they may drink with more caution (8). Prohibiting teens from drinking in public location such as bars, restaurants, and clubs has forced them to drink in unsupervised places. Fraternity/sorority houses, friend’s houses, and other secret locations are places that teens turn to to be able to drink without getting in trouble. If the drinking age was lowered then teens would be allowed to drink in healthy and supervised environments that in turn teach them to be cautious of the am ount of alcohol obtained. When the age eighteen comes along it is assumed to be the year of adulthood which means taking on many responsibilities such as the right to vote, getting married, and joining the military. Joining the military includes taking the risk of losing your life. I believe making the decision to fight for your country entitles you to the right of being able to make any life decision on your own, even the decision about alcohol consumption. If one is charged with a crime then the eighteen year old is no longer tried in juvenile court; he is tried as an adult. In reality, an eighteen, nineteen, and twenty year old can do just about everything that a twenty-one year old can do, except legally consume alcohol. Who is to say that en eighteen, nineteen, or twenty-year old is not mature enough to properly consume alcohol? Previous research suggests that when there is a more strenuous alcohol policy there will be lower alcohol abuse and consumption among teens (Grube, Kypri, and Paschall 1850). This actually causes teens to feel the need to rebel instead of the thought of teens abusing the privilege. This is a rather immature personality trait to have as a teenager, but there might actually be a reduction in drinking because teens are no longer being rebellious and breaking the law. The whole point of â€Å"becoming an adult† is to give them the ability to take responsibility for their own actions, so why should we not let them? In the United Sates, statistics show that the consumption of alcohol by minors has decreased in the last twenty years, but the consumption of alcohol by adults ages twenty-one through twenty-four have increased (Wechsler and Nelson 987). Waiting until you are twenty-one to legally drink is causing adults to binge drink without thinking of the consequences. With decreasing the minimum legal drinking age in the United States, adults (age eighteen) will be able to pace themselves and learn at a younger age the risks of drinking uncontrollably. By the time that age twenty-one rolls around for an adult, the dangers of binge drinking may have already harmed them. It is all about learning early and discovering the consequences, dangers, and limits to drinking so that bad habits will not be formed during later adulthood years. Henry Wechsler and Toben F. Nelson state that seventy-nine studies were conducted to relate the drinking age and traffic fatalities (988). Although, none of the studies conducted related fewer crashes with a lower minimum drinking age, but related a higher drinking age with fewer traffic fatalities, â€Å"the minimum legal drinking age does not save lives† (Wechsler and Toben 988). The choice to save lives relies on the person being held accountable. Underage drinking going on at a house party has more guests committing the crime of drunk driving rather than going out to the bar to have a drink. These eighteen year old adults have to turn to secretly drinking and risking getting arrested because they have not reached the age of twenty-one yet. If an eighteen year old was able to go out with his family to a restaurant and consume alcohol, then he would not be committing two crimes-underage drinking and drinking while driving. I do not believe that being able to legally drink and traffic fatalities correspond any more than illegal drinking and traffic fatalities because anyone, no matter the age, can get into a car under the influence without thinking twice. The minimum legal drinking age is just another cause for breaking the law and possibly putting someone’s life in danger besides your own. Being at the age of eighteen one is not permitted to legally purchase alcohol and according to Wechsler and Nelson’s article in American Journal, evidence supports that by lowering the minimum legal drinking age there will be an increase in the consumption of alcohol (990). Few would say that giving eighteen year olds the ability to purchase alcohol will lead to the increase in drinking which in turn would cause danger and harm to others. If that was to be true, then would there not be an increase in consumption at age twenty-one now? Should that cause for a raise in the legal drinking age? If one is able to purchase and consume alcohol that is their right. No one should be in control of someone else’s life or their life choices. Whatever the minimum legal drinking age may be, there will always be an increase in the purchase of alcohol because before that time they are unable to buy it. Just because there is an increase does not mean that there will be an increase in ha rm or negative consequences. In conclusion, many points of the support to keep the minimum legal drinking age of twenty-one are understandable, but I cannot agree with the overall argument. Adults, teens, youth, and seniors will drink at whatever age they may want to whether it is illegal or not. The minimum legal drinking age is one of the only things that adults at the age of eighteen are unable to do simply because they are seen as not mature enough to handle the responsibility. If one is capable of deciding who they want to lead our country, serve for our country, and get married and begin a life with another person, then I believe there should be no reason that they are not able to make responsible decisions about the consumption of alcohol. America can only protect the youth so much until they start to rebel and take things into their control. Work Cited Barnett, Nancy P. â€Å"The Minimum Drinking Age Debate.† Date: The Brown University Digest of Addiction Theory Application 27.11 (2008): 8. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. Print. Paschall, Mallie J., Joel W. Grude, and Kypros Kypri. â€Å"Alcohol Control Policies And Alcohol Consumption By Youth: A Multi-National Study.† Addiction 104.11 (2009): 1844-1855. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. Print. ProCon.org. 40 States That Allow Underage (under 21) Alcohol Consumption. DrinkingAge.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 7 Dec. 2012. Saylor, Drew K. â€Å"Heavy Drinking On College Campuses: No Reason To Change Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21.† Journal of American College Health 59.4 (2011): 330-333. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov 2012. Print. Wechsler, Henry, and Toben F. Nelson. â€Å"Will Increasing Alcohol Availablity By Lowering The Minimum Legal Drinking Age Decrease Drinking And Related Consequences Among Youths?† American Journal of Public Health 100.6 (2010): 986-992. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov 2012. Print.

Islamic Attributes Of Destination On Tourists Motivation Tourism Essay

Islamic Attributes Of Destination On Tourists Motivation Tourism Essay INTRODUCTION Tourism can be defined for travelling purposes for recreational, vacation or trade purposes. There are number of definitions for the term tourists, thats tourists can defined as people who tour to and stay in places outside their usual location for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one alternate year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited. This is stated according to The World Tourism Organization. Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. There were over 922 million international traveler arrivals, with an escalation of 1.9% in the year 2008 as compared to 2007. International tourism receipts grew to US$944 billion (euro 642 billion) in 2008, parallel to an increase in real terms of 1.8% [1]. International travel demand suffered a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008, with growth in international tourism arrivals worldwide falling to 2% during the boreal summer month during to as a result of the late-2000s recession. Due to outbreak of outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, t  DuringdSDShis negative trend intensified during 2009, exacerbated in some countries. This gave a very big impact in a worldwide decline of 4% in 2009 to 880 million international tourists arrivals, and an estimated 6% decline in international tourism receipts [2]. Tourism is vital for many countries, such as Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Spain, Malaysia and Thailand, and many island nations, such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives, Philippines and the Seychelles, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the prospect for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxicabs, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, music venues and theatres. Tourism Industry is always exaggerated by religion especially Islam religion for its special rules and law. National and international levels in this country are discussed with the presentation of Islam in official tourism marketing. On meeting the needs, the government is shown to place a high superiority of visitors while certain states give preference to the dictates of Islamic religion, and international strategies seek to endorse intra-Islamic travel. Therefore, the outcomes are offered into the management of Islam and tourism which may have a wider applicability beyond the special circumstances of this country. The population for Islam religion may consist of 30% of the world population in the world by 2025[3]. In some of the Muslim countries, especially major Muslim countries, tourism is a major market, nevertheless less than 10% of global tourism returns goes to this market. Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Malaysia are major four Muslim countries in world. In tourism, these countries attract 17.5 million guests in 2004[4]. The world tourism organization nominated ten Muslim countries such as Algeria, Iran, Malaysia, Turkey, Oman, Syria, UAE, Bahrain, Lebanon and Egypt among 38 countries as the worlds top emerging tourism destination [5]. This is for the year 2006, December. This shows the impending of Islam country that could be one of the most essential places in tourism market among other Muslim countries but it isnt. In fact for example, Iran has a great prehistoric tradition but it is as yet little known in the West and there is much to be learnt both from it and the building techniques wh ich are integral with it. Rituals, festivals, ceremonial events and religious buildings are fundamental tourist attractions for devout followers of the particular systems of beliefs as well as for those with a casual interest. Several authors recount how Islam religion in times gone by enjoined particular types of travel that have retained an important social and religious function, albeit constantly adapting to the changing world. The pilgrimages incorporate an obligation to migrate. Hence the pilgrimage is one of Islams five pillars flanking belief in God and the prophet Muhamad, prayers, fasting and the giving of charitable trust. [6] Additionally lists ziyarat (visits to different shrines), these visits a form of voluntary pilgrimage which exemplifies the spatially idiosyncratic traditions of Islamic populations [7]. Muslims should travel in order to fully appreciate the beauty of Gods world and also visit their friends and relatives. This is what mentioned in the According to the holy text of the Koran. They have a responsibility to provide warmth to visitors who, under Islamic law, enjoy the citizens rights. Today, over a million Muslims travels annually to Saudi Arabia for the hajj [8] require a massive organizational endeavor by the authorities [9]. Its scale is depicted in accounts of Islamic religious circulation [10] but [11] argues that the large numbers who participate in religiously inspired travel to centers besides Mecca should not be neglected. Many Muslims also appear to share the common enthusiasm for leisure travel as outbound tourism rise with growing affluence. In tourism involvement, gender differences observed elsewhere [12] are very striking in some ultraorthodox and patriarchal Islamic cultures which impose severe restrictions on women. Male pre-eminence is a characteristic of many Muslim countries where women are denied in public place. [13] Claims that in the Middle East womens inferior status is legitimized by misinterpretation of the religious texts, this gives an impact on barriers to involvement in tourism as well as other spheres of actions. Simultaneity, a lar ge number of women believe that a proper textual interpretation actually protects their rights [14], veiling also seen as an assertion of not a symbol of female oppression and cultural identity. Despite these gender-based inequalities of opportunity, Islam is not fundamentally opposed to tourism, yet international tourism is adversely exaggerated by poor relations between Western and Islamic nations. Islam has been associated with oppression, terrorism conservatism and anti-Western sentiment [15] while the West is criticized as an imperialist aggressor pursuing economic, political and social domination [16] whose people are infidels of lax morals. Attitudes of hosts and tourists are likely to be colored by such conceptions, and cultures in which religion plays a completely different role may clash at destinations. The arrival of non-Muslim inbound tourists is maybe violated by tourists knowingly or accidentally and more disrupting for local Muslim communities than the situation reversed due to the religious codes which inform and however, the satisfaction of the special needs of Muslim travelers overseas may be a source of anxiety to themselves and those with whom they inter act [17]. There is evidence of a response by some in the Western tourism industry to overcome these issues with information provided about location of mosques and halal foods. This may encourage a Muslim tourist to travel more often to mentioned countries. Several hotel bedrooms also have pointed towards Mecca for the purposes of prayer, but still there is some question mark whether these measures are enough. More ever with combined political ideology, possible social problems have led several Middle Eastern countries to shun style international style tourism, deemed to be incompatible with Islam [18]. For example, Brunei is a strategy and act as a reluctant tourist destination whose wealth has undermined any economic incentive to helped to protect citizens from its worst excesses and encourage international tourism [19]. However, about what constitutes compatibility or true Islamic conduct, there is no consensus and this is reflected in the debate about the practice and meaning of Islam. The habits and sayings of the Prophet set down by his family and companions are agreed to be normative, according to the Koran and Hadith. Yet for most Muslims, new findings to the study of the Shariah, the Islamic law means that questions of interpretation, application and authenticity have become contentious issues [20]. Some Islamic countries may therefore find tourists more acceptable than others, partly depending on the degree of liberalism as well as losses and personal gains. For example, Iran is generally considered comparatively moderate and positive popular reactions have been recorded there [21]. However, survey respondents also raise concerns about moral decadence and [22], with a need for further research into Muslim views of tourisms cultural impacts on their societies. Theoretical background Research indicates that tourist motivation and satisfaction are often determined, in part, by the desire for a learning experience. For examples, the eco tourists have a desire for environmental learning and that ecotourism operators who differentiate their product through the provision of high-quality environmental education programs establish a potential sustainable competitive advantage. However, it is asserted that this potential long-term competitive advantage will only be realized if sufficient tourists can be attracted to the offered ecotourism experience. So this might be useful when it comes to encouraging the Muslim tourists to Muslim countries and fully satisfy their need, hence makes them often visit to the same country as destination loyalty. Using the results obtained, it is argued that the relatively small emphasis on Muslim tourists demand for Islam attributes learning in advertising directed at potential clients is a substantial weakness in some countries strategic t ourism. Tourism motivation in developing countries and Islamic culture has received scant attention from researchers. The key to understanding tourism motivation is to see holiday travel as a satisfier of needs and wants. The Literature on tourism often conceptualizes tourists motivation and satisfaction in terms of push and pulls factors. The idea behind this concept is that people travel because they are pushed by their own internal forces and pulled by external forces of the destination attributes. In this study, internal forces will be motivation, satisfaction and destination loyalty. Hence pull factor will be Islam attributes. One way to realize travel motivation is to examine the notion of push and pull demand inspiration. The objectives of this research were to understand both push and pull motivation for domestic tourism and the relationship between the two motivations for Islam tourists. The finding indicated three push factors (motivation, satisfaction and destination loyalty) and one pull factors (The Islam attributes). The pull factor might be seen as one, but all the attributes are covered as safety, religions, cultural value, utilitarian, and knowledge, social. This study found that the most important push and pull factors as perceived by Islam tourists are motivation value and religious. The study also confirms the relationship between push and pull factors. Perceptions and motivations are fundamental in tourist decisions and are crucial in the formation of the destination image. Despite the growing number of publications in this area, case studies are still scarce. This study investigates tourist perceptions and motivations in the destinations. A questionnaire was used to interview a random sample of tourists. Factor analysis and multivariate statistics were employed to find different exogenous variables at work for both perceptions and motivations, which varied according to the participants country of origin. Eight factors were found that help in understanding the perceived image and motivations tourists of different nationalities have about the destination. The Islam culture and loyalty also predominate as the leading motivation for tourists. The implications of these findings for explaining tourists behavior indicate future lines of research. The variables involved in tourists behaviours are motivation, satisfaction and destination loyalty. While motivation is only one of many variables in explaining tourist behaviour, it is nonetheless  a very critical one, as it constitutes the driving force behind all behaviour [23]. Motivation sets the stage for forming peoples goals [24] in travelling and is reflected in both travel choice and behaviour; as such it influences peoples expectations, which in turn determine the perception of experiences. Motivation is therefore a factor in satisfaction formation [25]. According to some researches, basic motivation theory suggests a dynamic progression of internal psychological factors (needs, wants and goals), causing an uncomfortable level of tension within individuals minds and bodies, resulting in actions aimed at releasing that tension and satisfying these needs [23]. Intention, implying such an action, requires the awareness of needs, as well as objectives. To assure these conscious, steps needed in order to create wants and move people to travel [26] .Objectives or goals are presented in the form of services, it is therefore the role of marketing to create awareness of needs and suggest appropriate objectives, promising the satisfaction of these travellers [27]. Consequently this can make a tremendous change in a tourist perception on travelling to Muslim countries, which consists of Islam Attributes known to the world a most beautiful religion of all. In the Western World free time and holidays are connected to the concept of self-actualisation or self-realisation. This was suggested [28] several authors. The latter defined by [29] as a persons dynamic relationship between the real and the ideal self, constituting a process of decreasing the distance between these two cognitive systems, themselves subject to continuous change. It is the individuals aim to achieve a state of stability, or homeostasis [26], which is disrupted when the person becomes aware of the gap between real and ideal self, or as [26] calls it a need scarcity. The resulting need to self-actualise represents the motive, which under the constraints of the situation sets the stage for the process of motivation [25]. But to what extent does tourism satisfy the intrinsic need for self-actualisation? [30] summarise 15 years of research into psychological needs, satisfied by leisure activities, and proposed leisure activities clusters such as novelty, sensual enjoyment, cognitive stimulation, self-expression, creativity, vicarious competition, relaxation, agency, belongingness and service. It is questioned however; whether these superficial needs are intrinsically motivated [26], suggesting that these motivations are merely culturally learned stereotypes or explanations for leisure behaviour to Muslim tourists as well. As [23] states, a widely accepted integrated theory for needs and goals behind motivation is lacking. This is what the researcher has studied in this case. Research into motivation can be distinguished into two categories, the behaviourist and the cognivist approach [25]. The discussion has therefore traditionally revolved around either push or pulls factors influencing tourist behaviour [31]. Push factors represent enduring dispositions, as they are internally generated drives. The individual, energised by such drives, will then search objects for the promise of drive reduction and develop a motive [25]. For examples, with a good push factors, it may drive a tourist to the destination, therefore it makes them loyal to the destination. The behaviourist view thus emphasises the emotional parameter of decision-making, while the cognivist approach focuses on situational parameters in which motives are expressed, consequently encompassing a certain knowledge which the tourist holds about goal attributes as well as a rational weighing up of situational constraints [25]. This cognitive process results in motivations, which are more object spe cific than motives, as these only imply a class of objects and may result in a range of different behaviours, depending on the situation. This one-dimensional approach has been criticised however [32], as push and pull factors influence the consumer consecutively [33], integrated by the concept of involvement, an unobservable state of motivation, arousal, or interest [26], which is evoked by stimulus or situations. This is the case, since pull factors such as marketing stimuli as well as the destinations and services attributes respond to and reinforce push factors. Consequently research increasingly seeks to assimilate emotions and cognition in the individuals decision-making process [34], [35], [36], [25], signifying a more holistic approach. As a result it became evident that peoples intrinsic needs are influenced by external factors. In post modern society [37] asserts that in post-modern society the superstructure of advertising, television, fashion, lifestyle magazines and designer values increasingly take the role of forming knowledge and beliefs. Peoples needs are neutral [38], as motives however, they require an object towards which the need is directed, and when linked to actual situations, cultural and social impacts are also applied [25]. In this study, the motivation and satisfaction oblige tourists to certain destination. Based on learned behaviour and perception on situations raise motives to the level of values, as such they are evaluations [39]. If a drive is reduced satisfactorily the individual is likely to remember the behaviour and employ the same behaviour again, thus acquiring habits [40]. Therefore tourism experiences may become learned manners and obtain the role of habit enforcers. Cognivists argue that knowledge and beliefs in future rewards, anticipatory in nature [41], are equally a product of formerly encountered situations [42] and external formation. Motives purely represent learned behaviour, which are influenced by offered objects or tourism activities, and for the motivations, it represents knowledge and beliefs formed by society and culture or tourism peoples. Therefore the psychogenic need for self-actualisation, abstract in nature, is operational in a learned and practical manner and expressed in values, which are learned strategies to either adapt ones environment to ones needs or adapt ones self to a given environment [43]. These values equally include effects of enculturation and socialisation [23]. Additionally the professed gap between real and ideal self, may signify both externally and internally controlled evaluations [25]. Some authors therefore asks what researchers can expect to know about individuals drives, by asking them about their motivations and needs as these may not be available to individuals as part of their awareness.   [44] Mentioned that people do not walk around with numerous leisure needs in their minds and do not rationalise specific causes of participation if their contribution is intrinsically motivated (cited in [26]).   Consequently it may be understood that needs are suggested by immediate social peers, and the wider context of particular social realities as well as the influence of the tourism [45].   Yet as mentioned by [46] stress, intrinsic leisure motivation, which is a global disposition and describes an affinity to seek intrinsic rewards, is characterised by self-determination, an awareness of internal needs and a strong desire to make free choices on destination based on these needs by the tourists. The current society exercises a great deal of influence on the formation of the ideal self and thus perceived needs. Which is for all individuals, self-actualisation may be accepted as a need intrinsic for them. However the notion of authentic or true self, determined by way of experience, offers a solution to the predicament. Individualism symbolises four psychological qualities. One if it is an intelligence of individual identity, based on the knowledge of which one is and what ones goals and values are, as such it is related to the philosophical concept of true self. Which indicates what an individual reckons personally significant and what it is to be actualised? This is according to [47]. The other is Maslows self-actualisation, which is the driving to be ones true self. The third is list is quality which is [48] internal locus of control, which reflects a compliance to accept personal conscientiousness for ones life. And the last and fourth is principled (post conventional), mo ral reasoning [49], which involves regularity with general conceptual principles (cited in [50]). Subsequently, only if  a tourist becomes more autonomous and therefore aware of intrinsic needs and motives are they able to self-actualise. Order is becoming less essential in Western society and a desire for disorder in the tourism experience is becoming more important as [51] explained. Some authors voice out that opportunities for unplanned action and freedom from institutionalised regulations are distinctive of Western tourists.   This explains that certain tourists exhibit a assured desire to liberate their identities. According to [52], in order for tourists to cease being just users of holidays, they must come to know themselves, their motives and other cultures.   So it is understandable that self-actualisation is an intrinsic need, characteristic of any tourist, but must be understood in terms of true self as opposed to ideal self. Such is this independent of societal pressures and involves the transcendence of habitual behaviours and mind states. This proposition req uires further elaboration and must be viewed in the context of modernity, which hinders this process but at the same time brought about its awareness. Therefore, the Islamic attributes of destination in which catering to the religious needs of Muslim tourists may play an important role between the travel motivations (push and pull) and overall tourist satisfaction, which may impact on destination loyalty. Religious attributes of destinations should be recognized more in the context of the existing competitive tourism context [53]. Background of the study There are different aspects can be looked in a tourism industry. But the major issue is the culture and religion of a certain country. As known in most of the research, tourism Industry is always affected by religion especially Islam religion for its special rules and regulation. Thus it reflects Islam as the biggest and widest religion in the world .This study is more on the Islamic religion and international tourism, using the example of Iran as a case study to show the opportunities and problems which arise when this two item come into contact. Some survey observations are made about the conflicts, difficulties of the relationship, between tourist demands such as motivation, satisfaction and destination loyalty and not to miss out the religious practices. For example, the authorities in Iran, where Islam is central to everyday life, have responded in a different method to solve this problem. Other than the main aspect of relation between Islam attributes with a tourists motivation , satisfaction and destination loyalty, the presentation of Islam in official tourism marketing, national and international levels in this country are discussed as a minor part. The government is publicized to place a high superiority on meeting the desires of tourists while certain states give superiority to the dictates of Islamic religion, and international strategies seek to promote intra-Islamic travel. Thus, results are offered into the management of Islam and tourism which may have a wider applicability beyond the special circumstances of this country. A number of authors conduct studies on how Islam religion historically enjoined particular types of journey that have retained an important social and religious function, although constantly adapting to the changing world. Five pillars in the pilgrimage is belief in God and the prophet Muhammad, prayers, fasting and the giving of charity, and at the same time pilgrimages also incorporates an compulsion to migration issue. [6] Additionally lists ziyarat (visits to different shrines), these visits a form of voluntary pilgrimage which exemplifies the spatially distinctive traditions of Islamic populations [7]. Simultaneity, a large number of women believe that a proper textual interpretation actually protects their rights [7], veiling also seen as an assertion of not a symbol of female oppression and cultural identity. There are different aspects to be studied in Islam tourism industry such as food, accommodation and mostly Islam culture places. As in food aspect, halal tourism is new merchandise in the tourism industry which provides holiday destinations for Muslim families who abide by Sharia rules. When it comes to halal concept, the hotels in such Islam destinations do not serve alcohol and have split swimming pools and spa facilities for men and women. Countries like Malaysia, Turkey and many more Islam countries are trying to create a center of attention for Muslim tourists from all over the world offering facilities in agreement with the religious beliefs of Muslim tourists. Not only halal term studied in food aspect, but foods served in flight service also follow the guidelines of halal. This is verified when halal tourism industry also provides flights where no alcohol or pork products are served, prayer timings are announced, and religious programs are broadcast as part of entertainment o ffered on board. This is studied and even there is report mentions a market for a halal startup airline, which could supply halal food, prayer calls, Quran in seat pockets and provide separate sections for male and female travelers according to the basic commandment of Islam religion. Hotel plays a vital role in tourism industry as it accommodates the tourists. In harmony with the teachings of Islamic Sharia, many international hotels do serve halal food. Halal food is slaughtered in and is free of any substances forbidden by Islam such as pork and alcohol. Some hotels have employed people of Arab or people who could understand the Islam to provide translation services and other help that may be needed by tourists from Muslim countries. For a example, Crescent Tours is a UK-based travel company, pioneering Halal Beach Sun Holidays on the Mediterranean and Islamic Heritage Tours in Turkey. Other examples are, in all Malaysian hotels, the management even provides the direction of kiblat for praying purposes. Regional instability has had a detrimental effect on tourism growth in certain instances, one example being terrorist attacks by Muslim groups in Egypt [8]. This is just mild example. Even though it is not a main issue, other commentators have clarified the consequences of this and the implication of Islam more generally in tourism research with a wider frame of reference [54]. One of the solutions might be when state decisions could inhibit Western-style tourism, while national authorities extend a wholehearted welcome to tourists irrespective of their origin and religion. It is not a matter whether the tourists from western or Muslim countries. Those at work in the tourism industry within Islam countries and its principal markets need to be aware of the changing conditions and have an appreciation of religious sensitivities, helping to educate tourists about appropriate behavior. This is can be done with a research on scope for consultation with religious features, regarding the formulation of codes of presentation and conduct of sites such as shrines and mosques as tourist attractions. The difficulties of establishing a consensus cannot be neglected; however, the struggle to enforce Shariah law is another source of unease, although PAS has stated that only Muslims would be subject to its rules and regulations. Further studies are necessary to fully estim ate the effects and outcomes of media reporting as well as attitudes amongst official decision residents and makers. Problem statement Even there is ample of issues on tourism and the activities related, yet religious issues have always influenced majorly the touristic activities. In Islamic countries where most of the communities are Muslims, some religious commandments have overwhelmed the quantity and quality of tourism. Considering the statement of communities plays a vital role, reciprocity between religion and the tourism industry this studies deal with the role of religion (Islam) in tourism industry in the Islamic countries. In this aspect, this study are keen in researching the interconnection relationship between Islam and tourism, manners of Muslims as hosts and guests, and finally the international collaboration in Islamic tourism industry. Facts show that Muslims constitute a global market of approximately two billion potential customers. Assuming that religion plays an important part in their decision making process with regard to travel destinations [55], Islamic religious attributes are bound to be very important considerations when a Muslim decides to travel abroad [56]. The Muslim tourists may decide not to travel to a particular destination due to the absence of these attributes [56]. In addition, the absence of Islamic attributes in the destination may be a source of worry to themselves and those with whom they interact [17]. Besides the push and pull motivations that can be a means of influencing tourist behavior, it is important to understand the Islamic attributes that may lead to tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty for Muslims. This study attempts to address this problem by empirically testing the relationship between Islamic attributes of destination, travel motivations, overall tourist satisfactio n and destination loyalty. The significance of the study Islamic destinations should put an effort in meeting the necessities of international Muslim tourists. By implementing this method, any risk upsetting Muslim tenets obviously is not so debatable when tourists are fellow Muslims from within or outside national precincts. Although Muslim identities are not the same [57], conflicts over dress, food, conduct and religious and social observances are less likely. While intra- Islamic travel has been narrowed to date, apart from pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, there is still growing interest in this province. It is the subject of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), an official organization of 56 Islamic nations dedicated to the well-being of Muslims worldwide; these total almost 1.4 billion or 20% of the worlds inhabitants, forecasted to rise to over 30% by 2025 [58] . Since the Muslim population is a significant market, the exploitation of which is a partial solution to the predicament of accommodation to tourists from a more alien figu res and culture reveals that how important domestic activity can be in contributing highest profit in tourism industry. Non- Muslim visitors are acceptable and there is recognition of the value of working with the international tourism agencies such as World Tourism Organization and others, but much of the emphasis is on tourism as a vehicle for reinforcing the solidarity of the Islamic societies. Within the Islamic world, the greater travel by Muslims could lead to better understanding, stimulate serve and collaboration the common good. At a most international recent meeting, a delegate advised creating more Islamic tour packages dedicated to a Muslim heritage which has been largely ignored [59]. The Islamic Development Bank, mention that the purpose to it, is to inspire social progress and economical growth amongst its 53 Muslim member countries. Yet it can be adopted in other Muslims elsewhere in accordance with the Shariah, also emphasized support for tourism. Meanwhile the efficiency of both the OIC and Islamic Development Bank have been questioned [60], their acknowledge

Reality TV Shows in the Arab World

Reality TV Shows in the Arab World Reality TV: the Reality that is Globalized Media Research Methods Arab satellite television stations have recognized themselves now as one of the major sources for information for the Arab world for they are demanding the domination of the American media. Television broadcasting in the Arab world goes back to the mid-1950s when on-governmental air operations were launched in Morocco, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. In almost all Arab countries, television services were subordinated to ministries of information or other government bodies, therefore revolving into executive mouthpieces of regime policies as well as into outlets of public civilizing look. By the end of the 1980s, the Arab world TV domination representation began to practice key cracks with the foundation of more independent television organizations in more than a few of Arab countries and the increase of profitable television service besides government spreading. One of the significant developments in the Arab television picture in the 1990s has been the disintegrated of a 40-year government domination representation of broadcasting in the Arab world. The model habitually derives from the idea of broadcasting as a device of public growth that is supposed to be positioned below the government control. In service within ministries of information, television organizations for the majority piece were funded completely from nationwide budgetary allocations and their recruits were viewed as element of state-owned establishment. Moreover, the entry of marketable broadcasters with gigantic technological and monetary possessions into the Arab world television prospect has been a central improvement. In September 1991, Arab audiences had their first experience of confidential satellite television when MBC went on the air from studio services in London with Western-styled indoctrination. More secretive broadcasters followed outfit: Orbit in 1994, ART in 1995, LBC and Future Television in 1995, and Al-Jazeera from Qatar in 1996. The Arab world Television stations had developed too much by the end of the 90s, for the huge and remarkable development era was during 2002 and 2003. The Arab nation since then had decreased the interest in watching news and documentaries, becoming addicted instead to the new trend known as Reality TV. Since 2003 and something new was occurring in the Arab world. Millions of families have closed themselves up in their homes, eyes glued to the TV monitor when the shows begin! The Reality TV had changed several characteristics of the TV broadcast image and content since it occurred, for it is an interesting phenomenon to be focused on to know more about it. Reality TV in the Arab world is built on certain basics which affects the traditions and cultures of the Arabian societies in different ways. 1. The History and The Rise of Reality TV In the past, television programs were built up to be for all family members, however nowadays most of the TV shows and mostly the Reality TV ones are built on the bases of an audience made up of females teenagers and housewives. Reality TV has a historical background that should be focused on in order to know how it arrived to the Arab world countries. Moreover, the rise of reality TV came at a point when networks were in search of a rapid secure way out to financial troubles within the cultural industries. Enlarged expenses in the fabrication of drama, sitcom and comedy ensured unscripted, accepted realistic programming became a feasible financial alternative throughout the 1900s (Hill, 2005). Reality TV has its ancestry in scandalous journalism and popular entertainment, but it owes its supreme money owing to documentary television, which has nearly vanished from television screens in the get up of popular realistic programming. Also, there are three major strands to the progress of popular realistic television, and these relate to three areas of different, and so far overlapping, areas of media fabrication: sensationalist journalism, documentary television, and well-liked entertainment (Biressi Nunn, 2005). The apprehension about reality TV as putting a finish period to documentary includes the claim that modern television or decision about the world that documentary is seen to have occupied, and therefore lacking hope for the setting up of meaning (Bignell, 2005). The quarrel for an apocalyptic finish of television history is reliant on comparing Reality TV to documentarys past but differentiates Reality TV from that past and makes it look like a split growth. Furthermore, Reality TV seems to drift liberated of the past, obtainable in a nonstop present, and therefore looks to its critics like a reckless television type. As an observation of the growth of a live on air television production in the 60s, its obvious that programmers started producing traditional dramatic works of Arab and world literature, but they also started looking at Western shows for either motivation or stealing. By the 80s, the main successes were Arabian versions of primarily European and American shows. In the 90s, it became ordinary for the perception of a Western show, its privileges and invention bible, to be bought and locally reproduced for local use. The rise of Reality TV in the Arab world was in 2003, the program Super Star rapidly became the majority important show of that period. It was broadcasted on Future TV, where by Super Star attempted a clear Pan-Arab explore for the next star singer, by means of casting calls, adjudicators, and live performances, and the audiences right to take part in the ballot. 2. The bases that are built on for the concept of Reality TV The principle of program scheduling is to arrange television performance time donating programs that will lift up ratings at meticulous periods of the day. In a broadcasting ethnicity with several channels, the plan enables channels to contend with each other for audiences by scheduling their programs considering what their competitors will be presenting. Reality TV programs are merely commercial and flourishing if they keep on giving reasons for their expenses and catch the attention of the audience over a comparatively extended run (Escoffery, 2006 ). The guarantee that a long-lasting series has on holding onto the viewers for a period of the programs run which offers the vision of a reliable viewers whose demographic demand and a mass may be eye-catching to advertisers and can lift up the broadcasting channels public profile. Schedulers offer recommendations to commissioning are prepared (Andrejevic, 2004). The last day of December 2003 witnessed the labor of the most successful Arab reality show formed in Lebanon: Star Academy. Following Endemol the production company format for the French version, Star Academys group recognized a grouping of talented Arabs and invited them to participate in the Academy, where they lived and skilled to become star singers. A graduation progression permitted the instructors at the academy to suggest two candidates and the public would vote for one of them to stay in the Academy. Joe Khalil, director and executive producer in several Arabian TV stations for more than 12 years, said in Nov. 23, 2009 that Star Academy extended the restrictions of reality television for the reason of its extraordinary fame and because it represented a complete realization of a promotion and marketing prospective. Possibly the shows major effect, nevertheless, remains its reliable audience faithfulness to both the prime episodes as well as the 24-hour enthusiastic channel. For most of the Reality Shows and especially Star Academy, the concept is based on celebrities and primes for which every Friday there is a celebrity that has to attend the prime and sing with the participants. For commercial purposes and for it to be more popular Rola Saad the executive producer of Star Academy intend to get international celebrities in the same prime collaborating with Arabian Celebrities. For Star Academy rules of participation is to accept living in the same place with people from the opposite sex, and to swim together in the same swimming pool, and to train sports and dancing together, and the most important is to accept to build up love relationships for some participants. For example, Star Academy chose last season Michel Azzi to be in love with Tania Nemer, the crew of Star Academy had discusses this case with Michel whereby he accepted in order to stay till the last prime, and this was what truly happened. 3. The Globalization and the Privacy publicized in the Reality TV Globalization of communication in the second half of the twentieth century was determined by the commercial benefit of United States corporations. Conservative local cultures are believed to be tattered by dependencies on media products, with their helping ideologies resulting from the United States, with the impact of globalizing customer way of life across regions and populations which turn out to be inhibited to get used to its logics and needs, regardless of the need in some of these regions of possessions to contribute with them (Bignell, 2005). What happens in the communication of globalization is a move from opinions for the homogeneity of media customs to opinions for the homogeneity of political financial system of the media, regardless of provincial and neighborhood differences in the intellectual forms which the media receive. The programmers formulate public the dramas of the individual and carry the ideologies of privacy exposed into new interaction with the negotiated meanings they gain from their meticulous local and provincial television contexts. The type of program develops new conceptions of the open and secret spheres and also draws on discourses of body and self those have already been in circulation in such spheres as popular magazine journalism, optional medicinal measures, and lifestyle-interview television programs (Bignell, 2005). The cultural nationality that these programs reply to displays a challenging cooperation between the plan of the perfectibility of the identity and the institutions, socio-economic constraints and networks of domestic and social dealings that limit it. Television programs have been worried with the capability of television to tolerate observation to the varieties of usual peoples lives, and its ability to become a medium for the community exposure of confessions and revelations that seem incapable to be shared with a persons close sphere (Biressi Nunn, 2005). Star Academy is a distinguished case of this style, in which young people are usually paraded on screen and where the issue of how far the contestants will go in their close relations with each other is a big element of their appeal for audiences. Noticeably, the transitional spread of this mixture of the private body and shared moral challenges and tests, is the medium for financial action inasmuch as the television formats occupied are traded supplies, and the appeal of audiences promotes profitable well being for television institutions in a diversity of ways. 4. Audience Perceptions of Reality TV Audiences most of the times consider Reality TV is there so that viewers can see for themselves, and get an unmediated imminent into some phase of life and manners. Audiences are pessimistic about the reality claims of Reality TV programs, set programs beside a range between reality and fiction, and provide the most admiration to what they distinguish as the most truthful programs. Moreover, the incidence at the present time of huge number of Reality TV programs in the schedules has not enlarged viewing hours, so audiences obviously do not rate Reality TV any more than the programs that they have replaced. If Reality TV had a particular position within the audiences, the viewing of Reality TV would be an addition to other viewing time and entire viewing hours might rise. Even though in the television business Reality TV is seen as the newest important tendency, the commissioning of such programs might have more to do with contest over audience contribution and the branding of channel s and audiences, then with an important move in lifestyle of television viewing (Hill, 2005). In addition, the focal point on younger viewers requires a clarification of the traditions in Television studies that have discussed youth audiences and appreciated their defiant attitudes to programs. The creations of television program bands, personalities and rumor have been essential for an extended era. The vulnerable outcome on recent ways of organizing television is that it would end to consist of must-see programs when crowd audience view the same live broadcast at the same time. Star Academy unpredictably became an essential part of many peoples discussions, and viewers contribution was not only with the program and the website but also with the remarks on the program with other viewers and in the media. Rumor was a significant enjoyment for viewers of Star Academy, and it became a convenient subject for discussion about people who viewers felt they knew. The production of viewer chat is expectant and mirrored by talk in Reality TV programs themselves. Television programs are conquered much more than cinema, for example, by people chatting and interacting in common situations, just as life for viewers at home is often centered on these actions. Star Academy consists largely of sequences of discussion among the participants, representing familiar contact and chat which could be then talked about the viewers. The common use of close-up shots of faces in Star Academy reinforces this wisdom of closeness between the viewer and what is publicized on television, an d contributes to an awareness of correspondence between the audiences regular world and the constructed worlds of the plan. This technique of using and experiencing television gives the fantasy of bodily intimacy, and invokes policies of communal contact which require awareness and generate social closeness. 5. Reality TV effect on the Arabian Societies Most of the participants aim in Reality Shows is to become famous, which had become a new phenomenon. Contestants have been constructed as exemplifying a fame culture in which ethos of famous to be famous has triumphed over the concepts of talent and hard work, and they are seen as diminishing victim to the controlling powers of a cruel fame-making mechanism (Escoffery, 2006). Reality TV shows in the Arab World are based on the aspect of emotional recognition among the observer and the protagonists. The Arab channels wont vacillate to split social and ethical borders in order to enlarge earnings. Its obvious to see how the participants symbolize an exceedingly tolerant social cultures and unusual for Arab society. They hug and kiss on live TV. Although most of the viewers agree on the undesirability of such actions, they cant split their eyes away from the screen. The Reality shows get such high ratings that one wonders about present priorities in the Arab world. Some people see it a s an Israeli-American conspiracy, created in order to distract the Arabs from important issues like Iraq and Palestine. Star Academy had made many changes in the concept of Arabian traditions and cultures in which viewers are being inspired by the participants activities. Several conservative families had to remove the LBC channel from their satellite not to let their children to keep on watching Star Academy because they started imitating the participants in the way they dress, communicate with the other sex, and have fun during the breaks time. Moreover, Big Brother Arabia was a 2004 Reality TV show based on the worldwide program Big Brother, in which contestants live in a unique house while competing to win in the end. The show was filmed in Bahrain, aired on MBC 2, and was planned to follow the success of Star Academy, but failed to do so, and instead the show was only aired for 11 days and then got major controversy in the countries it aired in. Big Brother Arabia producers decided to cancel the show, as there were many complaints from viewers. Joe Khalil, a member in the production crew of the program, said in Nov. 23, 2009 that the program had to be canceled because it brought new traditions to the gulf area which is none as a conservative area in the Arab World, because the audience didnt accept the fact that it featured six men and six women living together in one area, despite staying in separate parts of the house. Star Academy and Big Brother showed the women in the Arab World so close to the western Women in the way they dress, dance, and communicate with men. This is what not all of the viewers accept or welcome. Conclusion Reality TV, in the recent years, has become a very famous phenomenon that has influenced the life of viewers in the Arab world. Reality TV shows were based on some theories and techniques in the work process in which these shows were able to change certain thoughts and traditions in the Arab countries. The audience plays an important role in relation with their perception concerning the Reality TV shows. The audiences consider much reality programming to be entertaining rather than informative. These audiences draw on their own personal experience of social interaction to judge the authenticity of the way ordinary people and their behavior on TV. Reality shows works on collapsing the distance that separates those on either side of the screen by enlightening the hope that it really could be you up there on that screen. The democratized adaptation of the star-making machinery goes further than representing its ability to convert real people into celebrities apparently at will. The powe r that the airbrush once exerted over the image is transposed into the record of reality in the form of the power the blade exerts on soft tissue. Television is like religion, is basically a type of social power. Without both people would really begin to consider for themselves and the social communications would break down. Reality TV had been much popular to reach the Arab World, with certain basics built on it had affected the Arabian societies in different ways. Reality TV had arrived to the Arab World after passing by different stages and experiences. All in all, Reality TV had been a main reason for losing privacy in front of the public audience. Lastly, producing reality shows involves a variety of executive, artistic and technological aspects. Reality shows are mostly approved formats that programmers buy for a certain area, such the case of the Arab World. Reality Shows by nature have a huge number of influences, as well as an important profitable section. References: Andrejevic, M. (2004). Reality TV: The Work of Being Watched. (pp.1-23). United  States of America: Rowman Littlefield Publishers. Bignell, J. (2005). Big Brother: Reality TV in the Twenty-First Century. (pp. 34-47, 65-72, 150-160). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Biressi, A. Nunn, H. (2005). Reality TV: Realism and Revelation. (pp. 118-144). London New York: Wallflower Press. Escoffery, D. (2006). Essays on Representation and Truth: How Real is Reality TV? (pp. 7-26, 61-78, 115-133, 247- 259). North Carolina: McFarland Company, Inc., Publishers. Hill, A. (2005). Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 39,55, 78, 106). London New York: Routledge, Taylor Francis Group.

Essay --

Many countries suffered from the Great Depression during the 1930s. The United States was one of the many. During this decade approximately thirteen to fifteen million Americans were unemployed. Considering the number of men that were unemployed, women had to look in unusual places for jobs to sustain themselves, and often their families during difficult times. It was accustomed that men would be the ones providing for the family, but during this time women had to step up and work too. The few jobs that were available during the Great Depression were given to men because many required a man’s strength; therefore women had to look for jobs elsewhere. The economic downfall of the Great Depression forced some women into prostitution. Money and jobs were scarce in the United States during this time. Prostitution rates increased drastically during the depression that women were willing to work for little money. Prices on prostitutes varied depending on the woman’s ethnicity. â€Å"One establishment, for instance, charged twenty-five cents for sex with Mexican women, fifty cents for African American or Asian women, and seventy-five cents to a dollar for white or European immigrant women† (Wild 729). Ethnic differences affected the value of a prostitute. The white prostitutes knew their worth and considered themselves better than the prostitutes of color. This can be considered as white privilege; which is an advantage a white person has over a non-white person. This also shows that prostitution was common amongst women of many ethnicities, due to the desperate need of money. Another statistic states that, â€Å"in the 1930s, one in five American men lost his virginity to a prostitute† ( Weir and Laurier). Considering the high unemp... ... The Great Depression brought worries and sorrows to some people in the United States. With so many individuals unemployed, women felt forced to obtain a job they did not want. Few prostitutes did it for pleasure; however many did it as a necessity. Prostitutes were willing to work for very low prices just to earn money during the depression. Consequently, prostitution rates increased in the 1930s. Proliferation in prostitution occurred all over the United States. The increase in prostitution increased the number of brothels as well. A successful brothel was Polly Adler. The increase in prostitution also affected the way women were viewed by others. Many people were quick to judge prostitutes and forget they were exposed to many dangers. The only reason many women joined prostitution was because of the economic hardships during the 1930s.

Aristotle On Ridicule :: essays research papers

In book Four, Chapter Eight of the Ethics, Aristotle applies his philosophical ideals to the concept of humor and good company. He establishes categories and kinds of humor or wit, and sets limits for the behavior that a gentleman and a wise man will accept. At one point, however, he makes the admission that it’s hard to define when ridicule is appropriate. Because people react to ridicule in different ways, according to their temperament.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This paper will examine the second paragraph of Book Four, Chapter Eight, to determine what it is about â€Å"ridicule† that causes Aristotle to break away from his usual method of analysis to consider other ways of looking at the problem. Specifically, the question of why Aristotle says that propriety in ridicule â€Å"eludes definition† will be considered. The problem is that Aristotle defines ridicule in a later part of the same paragraph, in a way that seems not to admit any acceptable forms.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When looking at good and bad company, Aristotle considers it entirely in terms of â€Å"entertaining conversation,† such as humor, wit, or ridicule. He argues that â€Å"adaptability† in the way we talk to people is desirable, since there is a time and a place for everything. The paragraph begins with indirect definitions of two extremes of humor, the buffoon and the humorless person. A buffoon would rather be a fool and hurt people’s feelings than â€Å"fail to raise a laugh†. A man who never cracks a joke is also falling short of the appropriate behavior, which is the gentleman’s ability to give and take gentle humor in a conversation. A â€Å"wit† is someone â€Å"whose pleasantries do not go too far,† and is always ready with a witty remark or a pleasant joke:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ...as to the middle state in dealing with the humorous,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  particularly characteristic of that is social tact or   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  address, which may be defined as the gift of saying just   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  the right things for a gentleman to say and of getting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  others to say such things to him. This seems to be the meaning of â€Å"good or bad company,† where a person gives and takes pleasure in conversation with others, according to the situation and the subject.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aristotle defines ridicule, he says that it is a form of â€Å"abuse or slander, and slander in certain circumstances is prohibited by law†. How can there be any propriety in a form of abuse or slander? Aristotle seems to avoid the contradiction, going on to say that the proper gentleman will regulate his own behavior.