Supernatural Elements In Beloved Novel - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1434 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/08/07 Category Literature Essay Level High school Topics: Beloved Essay Did you like this example? Toni Morrisons Beloved is a novel set in 1873 Cincinnati, at the end of the Civil War. Beloved tells the Story of Sethe, a former slave. Sethe lives at 124 with her children two sons, Howard and Buglar, a daughter, Denver, and the ghost of her deceased daughter, known as Beloved. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Supernatural Elements In Beloved Novel" essay for you Create order Soon after the ghost starts to haunts their house, her sons run away, never to look back again. A while back, when Sethe was a slave, she sent her children away to live with her mom, Baby Suggs. A little while later, Sethe left the plantation, known as Sweet Home, to join her children and her mother. When the schoolteacher found out that Sethe ran away, he went to a mission to find her and bring her back to Sweet Home. When he confronted her, she took her kids and ran in the shed. She was about to attempt the saddest thing imaginable. Kill her kids. Sethe believed that she would rather see her children dead, than for them to live in bondage, as she did, all of their lives. She only succeeded in killing one of her children, her youngest daughter. She was only a baby, less than 3 years of age, but the baby endured some serious distress. An aspect that in most prevalent in Beloved presence of a supernatural theme. All of the characters are haunted by their past. Beloved is seen as another type of supernatural being, an energy and emotional vampire. Beloved sucks the heart, mind, and soul out of Sethe. She is the one who was beaten so badly her back is permanently scarred. She is the one who lived and escaped slavery. She is the one who murdered her child rather than return it to slavery. So, she is the one whose past is so horrible that it is inescapable. How can a person escape the past when it is physically apart of them? Sethe has scars left from being whipped that she calls a tree. She describes it as A chokecherry tree. Trunk, branches, and even leaves. Tiny little chokecherry leaves. But, that was eighteen years ago. Could have cherries too now for all I know (16). It is apt that her past is represented on her backsomething that is behind her, something she cannot see but knows that is there. Also, it appeared eighteen years ago, but Sethe thinks that it may have grown cherries in those years. Therefore, she knows that the past has attached itself to her but the haunting of it has not stopped growing. Paul D. enters Sethes life and discover a haunting of Sethe almost immediately. He walks into 124 and notices the spirit of the murdered baby: It was sad. Walking through it, a wave of grief soaked him so thoroughly he wanted to cry (9). The haunting by Beloved in its spirit form is stopped by Paul D. He screams God damn it! Hush up! Leave the place alone! Get the Hell out! (18). Beloved is the manifestation of a murdered two-year old in a 20-year old body. Her mind and actions speak as a child not an adult. Beloved has a very complex personality. Sethes first thoughts were that Beloved could be an ordinary woman who was locked up by a white man and never let out of doors. She was very baby-like. Incomplete speech. Clingy neediness. Baby soft skin. Emotional instability. Unbeknownst to Sethe, Beloveds spirit is fits the age the baby if she was still alive. She also has the same name as the name engraved on the tombstone. She first appears to Sethe soaking wet, as though newly born, and Sethe has the sensation of her water breaking when she sees her. Along with this, Beloved has prior knowledge about a pair of Sethes earrings. Beloved hums a song that Sethe previously sang to her children, she has a long scar under her chin where her death-wound would have been, and milk breath. Another interpretation of Beloved is a belief that the ghost is Sethes dead mother. Beloved has a unique smile and way of speaking and, the same traits of Sethes mother. In Chapter 26, Sethe and Beloved switch places. Beloved starts to act like the parent and Sethe as the child. This is evidence of supernatural. Usually a supernatural being likes to take charge, commanding what they want. On another hand, Beloved seems like she may stand for all of the slaves who made the passage across the Atlantic. She seems as if she may give voice to all of those who have been oppressed by slavery. Beloved is seen as a supernatural figure. Beloved represents the past returned to haunt the present. The characters interactions with Beloved are very complex. Specifically, Sethes interaction with Beloved. When Sethe refuses to put up with Beloved unacceptable behavior, they become locked in a very unhealthy destructive relationship. Sethe is paralyzed by her past. She decides to devote all her time and attention to making Beloved understand why she killed her. Beloved allows Sethe to tell the stories about her own feelings of abandonment by her mother, about the hardship she endured at Sweet Home, and what her motivations were for murdering her daughter. By engaging with her past, Sethe begins to learn about herself and the of her ability to live in the present. Beloved also inspires the growth of other characters in the novel. Although Paul D has a lot of hatred for Beloved, she allows him to love again. Denver automatically falls in love with Beloved. She sees her as a big sibling, someone to look up to. Soon enough, Denver discovers Beloveds crazy, obsessive, and temperamental behavior and leaves 124, attempting to get help from the community.   When Denver left 124, this started her social integration and of her search for independence and self-possession. By the end of the book, Beloved vanishes, but she is never truly gone. Her story, surprisingly, gives the community hope for a brighter future. She gives a chance to engage with the memories they have suppressed.   Beloveds character is seen as a ghost and of the use of the supernatural in symbolic, not only Sethes past coming back haunting her, but also slavery in general haunting an entire community.   Sethe is stuck, she cant move on from the trauma of murdering her daughter and her memories at Sweet Home. Beloved is the embodiment of Sethes past. Beloved will not be put to rest and move on to peace, and Sethe will not move on from her time warp to living in the present. The use of the supernatural adds on to the concept of slavery because tells us that the past of slavery in American history is haunting, the same way ghosts are immortal. The trauma caused by slavery is something that will not die, it might be dealt with, but it will never be forgotten. Beloveds ghostly presence shown in Morrisons novel, is to demonstrate to the reader that we can always be haunted by good and or bad decisions we make. Even though Sethe is being haunted, she is not the only one with problems. Beloved is dealing with her own issues. She cannot rest until she is at peace with herself. The ghost of Beloved connects with Sethes experiences. Sethe cannot get over her past fears until she faces them. The memory of Beloved would not go away and neither would the ghost. This is a prime example of how you cannot your past no matter how hard you try.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Beloveds spirit represents how the memories of slavery as a whole never fade. 124 was spiteful. Full of a babys venom. The women in the house knew it and so did the children. For years each put up with the spite in his own way, but by 1873 Sethe and her daughter Denver were its only victims. The grandmother, Baby Suggs, was dead, and the sons, Howard and Buglar, had run away by the time they were thirteen years old as soon as merely looking in a mirror shattered it (that was the signal for Buglar); as soon as two tiny hand prints appeared in the cake (that was it for Howard). Neither boy waited to see more; another kettleful of chickpeas smoking in a heap on the floor; soda crackers crumbled and strewn in a line next to the doorsill. (1.1) This excerpt from the novel tells just how powerful this supernatural being is and the massive amount of control that it had over everyone who stayed in 124. Supernatural is not something that we can always see or explain, but we can feel it.

The Cult Of Masculinity - 999 Words

â€Å"The cult of masculinity.† When it comes to the big screen, women are treated like second-class citizens. Women were portrayed as helpless creatures, waiting in the castle for their Prince Charming whereas men were dauntless, swooping the Princess of her feet and saving the day. This gender gap came to an end when The Hunger Games (2012) was released in theaters. The brave Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) did what no â€Å"real† man or Prince could ever do – stand up for someone else – even when it meant risking her own life. The Hunger Games was not only one of the top grossing movies of the year, but it was also one of the very few movies where a woman was able to display her stability and willingness to fight. The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Gravity are some of the few movies that show a women’s potential than to sit in a castle. They all show three common characteristics for the roles of women: courage, personality, and recognition. â €Å"May the odd be ever in your favor.† Those were some of the last words Katniss had heard before her sister’s name was called out for the seventy-fourth Hunger Games. Without thinking about anyone else, Katniss bravely accepted her sister’s spot in the games; a suicide mission. Katniss Everdeen: fearless, bold, and intrepid. While a Disney Princess would yell for her Prince, Katniss would launch arrows at her enemies. The only thing that would train along through her mind so for her to get back home to her family. If she wanted to win theShow MoreRelatedEssay about Cult of Masculinity in In the Country of Men1160 Words   |  5 PagesIn the Country of Men The Cult of masculinity In the book In the Country of Men, Hisham Matar, the author discusses his childhood experience in the 1970s during the revolution in Libya. The time when men overpowered and completely dominated women. 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Personal Cultural Diversity Essay Free Essays

The concept of globalization, which is the increasing integration and interdependence of different countries from one another in terms of economic, communication, and technological aspects, leads one to address the concept of cultural diversity or multiculturalism. Cultural diversity in the health-care system touches lives of many Americans in one way or another. No matter what our own cultural background is, when we go receive medical care, we may encounter a care giver who comes from a different cultural background than ours(Naylor 1997,291). We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Cultural Diversity Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now . In the concept of cultural diversity, it can be recognized that two terms are equally important. The first concept is culture, which refers to the total way of life of individuals, and the unique characteristic that separates the human from the rest of the world of living things. It is said to be the primary means of human adaptation and the basis for the majority of human thought and behavior. As such, human beings create, learn, and use culture to respond to the problems of their natural and social-cultural environments, to control them, and even to change them (Naylor 1997, 3). The other important term in the concept of cultural diversity is the concept of diversity, which refers to variety. Putting the two concepts together, cultural diversity refers to the presence of a variety of cultures in a particular group or area. In this sense, the difference of one’s culture with another is being recognized, thus, emphasizing one’s individual unique characteristics in relation to one’s ethnic or racial origin. However, the concept of cultural diversity does not only refer to one’s difference and uniqueness in terms of cultural difference. This is because this concept also refers to personal cultural diversity, which refers to individual differences in terms of family background, values, personal experiences, prejudices and judgments, and socioeconomic class. In addressing personal cultural diversity, the cultural or family background of an individual must be evaluated and examined. In terms of cultural or family background, personal cultural diversity can be seen in terms of differences in the place of birth of an individual, the culture and values of his or her town or city, the unique values that one has been able to acquire, and the negative and positive experiences that one was able to have. In this sense, personal cultural diversity can be seen through the influences of personal xperiences that have been acquired and accumulated by the individual through his or her lifetime. Another factor to consider is the individual’s religious background or influences, as this would determine the values and practice of morality of the individual. This would also define one’s behavior and personality in comparison to other individuals. In addition, the religious influence of an individual, along with his or her personal experiences determines his or her judgments and prejudices regarding a certain issue. Another important factor is one’s social-economic class background, which refers to one’s income levels and lifestyle backgrounds. One’s level of income and lifestyle entitles one to develop different views and perceptions regarding different issues or topics. To sum up the points, it can be perceived that in order to understand the concept of personal cultural diversity, the different aspects of one’s lifestyle must be examined and determined in order to point out individual differences in a particular group or society. This is because each individual has different genetic make-up, thus, making one unique in terms of developing approaches in addressing the different problems in the environment. Work Cited: Naylor, Larry L. Cultural Diversity in the United States. Westport, CT: Bergin Garvey, 1997. Naylor, Larry L. Cultural Diversity in the United States. Westport, CT: Bergin Garvey, 1997 How to cite Personal Cultural Diversity Essay, Essays

About Paintings James McNeill Whistler Essay Example For Students

About Paintings James McNeill Whistler Essay These artifacts were made for the sake of art which rejects the idea that the success of an art object can be measured by its accuracy, as a representation or the effectiveness with which it tells a story or suggests a moral. It actually really implies that an art object is best understood as a creation to be valued only for the success with which it organizes color and line into a formally satisfying and therefore beautiful whole. These artifacts communicate the reality of nature and village scenes. Whistler also created nudes, and portraits. In his landscapes he tried to make his paintings like a musician plays a keyboard where all elements are available, but the musician, or painter must choose which one to use. In his nocturnes he describes how at night a warehouse can look like palaces, and the whole city hangs in the heavens with the covering of the fog. In his domestic scenes he tries to re-create the flatness off picture plane. In his portraits he was a great aster and often compared to Velasquez. In Whistlers late nudes there was a sketchiness and Freer was one of the first collectors to realize their importance and beauty. Whistler worked with a variety of mediums. One of them was oil, in which he used his entire career, Many of them were his nocturnes and portraits and were the most celebrated. Another was pastels where he began using it in the sasss, but not seriously until 1879 when he created about ninety Venetian scenes, Also, e used watercolors which he learned at West point in 1876-77 and painted Sir Henry Thompson porcelain collection. He also made artifacts of drawings, lithographs, etchings, and droppings. Finally, this exhibition was great and wish it had all fisheries paintings. He has created so many throughout his career that he could hue his own museum with just his work. Really like his portraits and nudes. His sceneries are also good and like the way that he uses color and brush strokes.

Hospice †Dying with Comfort and Dignity

From early childhood, it becomes clear to every person that their time on this planet is limited, and that they will have to die one day. This realization, however, in most cases, does not manifest itself in everyday life because most people find it much more comfortable to disregard that fact and live their lives as though that moment will never come.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Hospice – Dying with Comfort and Dignity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It can be a question for a debate as to where this attitude comes from; however, when thinking about it more thoroughly, one has to conclude that this attitude is wrong because we cannot just ignore a fact that shapes the human condition on the fundamental level. Only when they become aware that they are ill and that there is no cure for their illness, do people accept this fact and try to spend the rest of their time in a best possible way. In recent years, in addition to the research in curative medicine, some scientists have decided that trying to find ways to eliminate the symptoms without curing the illness is worth the effort. This branch of medicine is called hospice or palliative medicine. The aim of the people who are engaged in hospice is to establish efficient methods that could help patients who cannot be cured to spend the final days of their life in comfort by providing them with medical, psychological, spiritual and all other kinds of guidance (Methia, 2010). First off, given the fact that the science of medicine is rapidly advancing, we are becoming able to cure more and more illnesses, it is certain that human life expectancy is going to increase. On the other hand, it is also true that a completely effective cure for deadly diseases, such as cancer, will not be found very soon. Also, many scientists predict that in the absence of other causes, the percentage of deaths from cancer will be increasing consta ntly (Cancer Facts Figures, 2012, p. 7). This places an obligation on the scientists and the society as a whole to try to find ways of improving the lives of terminally ill patients. For the abovementioned reason, various hospice centers are being established all over the world. These centers are run either by the government within such institutions as hospitals or nursing homes, or they belong to the private sector. Each of the centers typically has a team that consists of one physician, one psychologist, one nurse and if it is religious based there is also a priest (What is Hospice Care, 2003, p. 57).Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Medical help at hospice clinics has several aims. First, the chosen doctor has an obligation to explain to the patient his condition so that the patient could have an understanding of his or her situation and be able to make necessary pl ans accordingly. Secondly, of course, the main goal of the medical part of the team is to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the disease. A lot of terminal diseases cause a lot of pain in terminal stages so the physician has to prescribe an adequate pain therapy. Also, each type of condition and therapy demands a different diet so the physician has to be able to give advice or even prescribe the entire program of nutrition for a patient. In addition, if it is possible, the goal of the medical team should also be to give their best to prolong the patient’s life and make it as pleasant as possible. In some centers, this also includes alternative medicine such as chiropractic and many other alternative medical approaches (Gib, 2011). It is clear that dying patients can experience psychological problems, and for that reason, almost all hospice care teams include a psychologist. The psychologist has to have specialized knowledge in the psychological conditions that are likely to occur in terminally ill patients. The main goal of this component of the therapy is to give advice and support for the patient as long as it is necessary. In addition, psychologist might also prescribe medications that can improve the patient’s psychological well-being (Methia, 2011). Human beings are deeply social, and they have a strong need to be accepted in a group. Unfortunately, as it has been said, our culture still holds death as a taboo, and for that reason, people do not want to have a dying person in their environment. All of this makes a social challenge that dying people face perhaps the most difficult one. Therefore, in addition to a psychologist, who can also be helpful in this domain, hospice teams often have a social worker whose specialty is to address this very important issue. The goal of the social worker is to take care of social aspects of the patient’s life. He or she has to establish good contacts with the patient’s family and friends. F urthermore, if a center takes care of many people, the social worker can design activities such as group therapy in order that the patients see that they are not alone and that many people share their condition. This can be, perhaps, the most beneficial aspect of hospice, because during those activities it is not rare that the patients to make friendships, which although they are unfortunately not very long lasting, make the last days of the patients’ lives much happier (Methia, 2011). These centers address one more aspect of the patients’ well-being which is related to economy. Today, we are living in a society where almost everything is susceptible to the market, and really necessary things tend to have huge prices. It is a sad thought that terminally ill patients are one of the groups which is the most affected by this rule. The prices of everything from special medication to the necessary medical equipment impose great economic pressure on the patients.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Hospice – Dying with Comfort and Dignity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These centers are in most cases able to provide all the necessary services with reduced price, and they also provide many other ways to reduce the financial burden of patients and their families. The most important thing is that once a patient is received in an institution of this type, he or she can forget about all those economic difficulties and think about the things that are really important (Plocher Metzger, 2001, p. 222). Unfortunately, as a result of the recent economic crisis, many people are not able to provide this type of care for themselves or their loved ones. However, many government programs, like Medicare or Medicaid in the United States or similar programs in other countries of the world, are designed to cover the expenses of such care. In the United States, people who are diagnosed w ith a terminal condition, and their physician made a prognosis that they have less than six months to live can choose one of a large number of licensed hospice centers and their insurance will cover the expenses (Medicare hospice benefits, 2010, p. 43). One of the most difficult problems related to hospice is to decide when curative medicine loses its purpose, and it is time to switch to palliative medicine or hospice. Most of the people have heard of cases when a person was about to die, but they suddenly almost mysteriously recovered. One thing should be very clear to both the doctors and the patients together with their families, which is that no doctor can tell with absolute certainty that a condition will ultimately lead to death and that there is absolutely no chance of recovery. What they can do is present the patient and the family with the estimated probability of recovery together with the problems that can be faced in further curative therapy. For example, people dying of cancer usually receive very aggressive treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, these ways of treatment have side-effects which are very difficult to endure. Therefore, it is rational to want to quit the therapy if it cannot have positive results, and try to improve the quality of life. However, it happens very rarely that patients retain their rationality at such a difficult point in their life. They tend to think that it is better to continue with the curative treatment despite its unpleasant side-effects because it implies even a small chance of recovery than to give up. However, the physicians can weigh out the negative consequences of continuing treatment and the chance of recovery it implies and determine whether it is rational to pursue further therapy. Once they do this, it is their obligation to present their judgment to the patient, and give advice on the right choice of further action.Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More An extensive line of research has to be conducted in this domain to equip the doctors with reliable information about the two variables so that they could give as accurate pieces of advice as possible. On the other hand, it is absolutely crucial for the patients to be realistic in their demands because only in that way can they get the best out of that most difficult situation without overburdening the doctors who already face a demanding task. Finally, this type of care places special professional and moral obligation on the caregivers. First off, unlike the ordinary medical treatments, hospice demands that the caregivers be familiar with the patient’s life story. The team has to find out about the most important things in the person’s life, their goals, plans, etc. This is important because that way they can help the patient to bring their life to a close as a complete whole. Secondly, the team has to be informed about the nature of the person’s disease in gre at detail in order to be ready for all possible issues that can come along the way. Also, this is important because they have to know the limits of the person’s abilities so as not to get them involved in activities which are physically too demanding and potentially harmful. Thirdly, caregivers have to keep in touch with current literature on bioethics and law. This is because in case of any kind of dilemma, it is best to know other people’s opinions, and learn from their mistakes and successes. Furthermore, being informed about recent legislative changes in the domain, gives the caregivers an awareness of all legal options that are on their disposal in different situations. Fourthly, doctors and other caregivers have to know the limits of their abilities as well, because they are undoubtedly trained and able to help, but over or underestimating oneself can lead to serious consequences (Black, 1998). In conclusion, hospice is a new interdisciplinary approach to medicin e. As every other incipient discipline it faces challenges and problems. It demands a thorough cultural change in the relationship towards death and serious illness to occur first if we are to utilize the full potential of this discipline. Furthermore, the perception of hospice as a discipline has to be changed within the medical profession because many doctors tend to view it as a futile discipline because it cannot cure the patient. Everyone has to realize that we as a society have an obligation to empathize and do whatever we can to help those who are in such a difficult situation. In that light, the government and all other institutions that fund scientific research have to consider increasing the amount of money invested in research in this domain because, as it has been stated, it is an incipient discipline which faces many problems. At his point, doctors have to establish clear methods that can help in determining when is the right time to switch from curative to palliative t reatment and educate their patients about its benefits. It is certain that the importance of this discipline will increase as the percentage of unnatural deaths is decreasing and life expectance increases. In the end, we may never be able to achieve immortality, in fact many claim that it would not be good at all, but we can certainly extend our lifespan and assure that the end of life be painless. References Black, T. (1998). End-of-Life Issues: Ethical Topic in Medicine. Web. Cancer Facts Figures 2012. (2012). Atlanta: American Cancer Society. Gib, A. (2011). Hospice Care: Comfort and Dignity in the End. Web. Medicare hospice benefits (2010). Baltimore, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services. Methia, R. (2010). Hospice – Dying with Dignity and Treated With Very Special Care. Web. Plocher, D. W., Metzger, P. L. (2001). The Case Manager’s Training Manual. Gaithersburg, Md.: Aspen Publishers. What Is Hospice Care?. (2003) . The Hastings Center Report, 33(2). This research paper on Hospice – Dying with Comfort and Dignity was written and submitted by user Ph1l1p to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Foods that are being served to our youth in the school systems

Foods that are being served to our youth in the school systems Introduction Healthy eating is the biggest contributing factor to an individual’s well being and it is associated with an increased quality of life as well as longer life expectancy. For children and adolescents, schools play a major role in molding their eating habits.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Foods that are being served to our youth in the school systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Research revealed that in 2004, more than half of school-aged children received either breakfast or lunch in school (Terrence et al. 501). With this in mind, greater consideration should be placed on the foods that are being served to our youth in the school system. This is in because dietary habits and preferences are acquired during childhood and they become habitual over time (Terrence et al. 501). Over the past decade, the nutritional quality of school meals has been called to question with unhealthy eatin g among school-aged children being prevalent. This is a troubling phenomenon since unhealthy eating has many adverse effects to the individual. This paper shall set out to outline the foods that are served to our nations youth in the public school system so as to demonstrate that majority of American children have poor diets. The negative impact that poor food and dietary choices result in among children and adolescents shall then be articulated. The actions that are being undertaken to rectify the issue shall then be highlighted and further insight offered on how to end the issue of poor dietary habits among school aged children. Food Served in Public Schools Schools offer a wide array of foods at the various food outlets. Fruits and raw vegetables are some of the healthy foods that are offered. Some of these products are offered through the Farm-to-School programs which link local farmers providing locally grown produce to school cafeteria (Story, Nanney and Schwartz 81). Bread an d rolls made from whole grains also constitute the healthy meals offered by schools. However, Gordon et al notes that only 5% of breads and rolls eaten in schools were made from whole grains due to the higher cost of whole grain (34). It should be noted that even in instances where schools offer healthy meals; children opt for unhealthier foods which are not only tastier but also cost relatively cheaper. The consumption of added sugars has in the recent past increased dramatically in the US. Frary et al reveal that teenagers are the age group which consumers most added sugars with added sugars contributing 20% of total energy intake for teenagers (56).Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Added sugars are defined as sugars and sweeteners and syrups that are eaten separately or used as ingredients in processed and prepared foods (57). For the children aged between 6 and 1 7 in the US, the major sources of added sugars in their diets are: nondiet soft drinks, fruitade drinks and sweetened dairy products. These products are available through vending machines which are located all over schools (Lawrence). Added sugars increase the risk of a child becoming obese or getting type 2 diabetes. Fast foods are the biggest culprits in promoting unhealthy eating habits among youths. Fast food, by definition, is designed for ready availability, use, or consumption with little consideration given to quality or significance (Freeman 2225). According to the CDC, 20% of schools in the USA offer brand-name fast foods such as McDonalds to the children during the school day. The major fast foods consumed by children and adolescents in schools include: hamburgers, French fries and pizza. In most cases, the attraction with these fast foods is that they take very little time to prepare which greatly appeals to the schools which are in most cases hard pressed for time. Addi tionally, junk food is relatively low priced compared to healthier meals which not only take longer to prepare but also cost more (Assuras). However, the fast foods consumed contain trans fats which have been linked to increased risk of heart diseases and have also been grossly implicated other health conditions including obesity and diabetes (Burniat 142). In addition to this, fast foods contain excessive amounts of fats, sugars and cholesterol; all which are associated with obesity and heart problems. Fast foods are also known to be prepared from saturated oils that are mostly reused over a period of days thus making them vulnerable to bacteria. The overconsumption of soft drinks has also increased markedly thus further contributing to the unhealthy eating habits of high school students. This is because high consumption of soft drinks has a dilutional effect on childrens essential micronutrient intake. Soft drinks are widely accessible to school children with many school districts having contracts with soft drink companies to promote the sale of soft drinks in schools. Research conducted by the CDC found that 33% of elementary schools, 71% of middle schools and 89% of high schools had a vending machine or canteen where students could purchase foods and beverages (Story, Nanney Schwartz 73). Staveren and Dale assert that this phenomenon is mostly as a result of under funded schools making contracts with big companies to sell their brand of products to the school (21). As such, schools have a vested interest in the promotion of the sale of these products (mostly beverages) as they receive a percentage of sales. Most schools therefore spot vending machines which are a principal source of extra money for the school.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Foods that are being served to our youth in the school systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Negative results of Poor Eating Habits A maj or consequence of poor dietary habits has been the increase of childhood obesity in the US. Dehghan, Danesh and Merchant observe that childhood obesity has reached catastrophic levels with 11% of children being classified as obese (2). Considering the fact that 70% of obese adolescents grow into obese adults, this rise in childhood obesity is cause for alarm. Research further indicates that the prevalence rate of obesity has risen over the past couple of years and statistics by the Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDCb) show that according to the 2007 national youth risk behavior survey, 23% of US high school students were overweight. This was a notable rise from the 5% level in the 1980s. Childhood obesity results in a decline in child health since children who are obese are at increased risk of physical as well as psychosocial health consequences (Jelalian and Steele 52). The CDC reports that there is a threat on the rise of Diabetes among school aged children and teenag ers in the U.S. Particularly, type 2 diabetes has shown significant prevalence among children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes was traditionally associated with adults aged above 40 years. The prevalence of this diabetes in children has been blamed on the dietary practices adopted. A CDC report reveals that the obesity epidemic as well as decreased physical activities among the youth is responsible for the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Fast foods are prepared mostly through deep-frying which leads to high cholesterol rates and heart attacks. Poor dietary practices results in under nutrition which may have far reaching consequences. Under nutrition especially during childhood may have adverse long term consequences on the physical health and development of children. Terrence et al reveals that under nutrition can impact negatively on a childs cognitive development and school performance (502). This impact is long term in nature and irreversible hence highlighting the dangers that un der nutrition poses. The overall dietary quality of children and adolescents who rely on fast foods is poorer than for those who take in healthy meals.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More French et al further asserts that eating habits established in adolescence including preference for and reliance on fast food may place them at future risk for higher fat and energy intake as they move into young adulthood (1832). This predisposes them to increased sedentary behavior and excess weight gain which will impact negatively on their quality of life. Addressing the Issue Having highlighted the adverse effects that poor dietary habits may result in, it is obvious that a feasible solution is not only desirable but is the only way in which we can restore the health of the children. It has been extensively documented that the quality of food available in schools is of low nutritional value and unhealthy as it is mostly made up of snacks, fast foods and sodas. Key to solving the obesity problem is an overhaul of the school nutrition program. For this plan to work, the support of the parents, policy makers and especially the staff at school would be most crucial. This is because the funding of healthy eating programs is both expensive and would incur some resistance from supporters of vending machines and fast foods. A significant approach would be for the school to participate in the Federal Meal program. These programs adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) thus providing students with nutritious meals (U.S. DHHS). These meals are reimbursable by the state thus greatly decreasing the price per meal making them much more affordable. There is a general lack of educational programs on balanced diet in the school curriculum. School based programs can play an important role in promoting healthy eating lifestyle. Nutrition education is also fundamental to the success of any healthy dietary promotion efforts. Terrence et al. states that the school environment should be consistent with the value of healthy food choices that children are taught in the classroom (502). Having vending machines and snack bars in the school environment sends mixed messa ges to children and therefore derides the healthy food choice culture that is being inculcated in the children. Schools should come up with policies that outline the provision of comprehensive, standards-based nutrition education that is integrated throughout the school curriculum (Pekruhnk 32). The rationale behind this move is that even if students are obliged to take up health food choices in the school setting due to the programs in place, it will be of little help if they are not equipped to make health food choices outside of the school environment. Teachers should therefore posses the necessary knowledge and comprehension of health education so as to teach the same to the students. This can be achieved by the use of seminars or certification courses on health education to enable the teachers to integrate this important information in their lessons. The CDC highlights the need for provision of nutritional education guidelines to school-age youths so as to ensure that health li festyles are adopted early in life and perpetrated all through adulthood. The overreliance to corporate sponsors by schools also poses a significant threat to the success of the health food since most students will be inclined to go for the junk foods and sodas which are more attractive to the youth. Schools are in most cases forced to rely on the revenue they get from the large corporate sponsors due to poor funding by the federal government. The profit from selling fast food items in high school cafeteria helps to fund extracurricular programs and athletics. This places school administrators in a dilemma. However, the health of the students must take precedence over this money making schemes. As such, sale of unhealthy foods in school must be all together stopped or else provisions must be put in place to set nutritional standards for these products. Research by Frary et al indicated that the number of fruit and vegetable intakes by children decreased as intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages increased (61). It can therefore be inferred that decrease in junk foods and sodas will result in an increase in healthier food intake. With regard to the issue of financial benefits from unhealthy foods, a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revealed that while doing away with soft drink contract would result in lost revenue, the same could be recovered through increased participation in the school lunch program. Discussion and Conclusion While schools alone cannot solve the problems that poor diets cause, it is unlikely that childhood complications arising from poor diets can be reversed without strong school-based policies and programs to support healthy eating (Story, Nanney and Schwartz 72). This is because the school environment has the potential to hugely impact on childrens diets because they consume up to 50% of their daily calories in school. Schools cannot achieve their primary objective of education if students are unhealthy and unfit. I t is therefore imperative that schools undertake measures to promote childrens health by creating an environment that promotes the intake of healthy foods and the establishment of lifelong skills for healthy eating. An important consideration in early education is that children in elementary school will in most cases fail to understand the implication of abstract concepts such as nutritional content of food. Focus should therefore be put in actual experiences of increased exposure to the healthy foods. This paper set out to describe the nutrient intake and food choices associated with children and adolescents so as to highlight that majority of youths do not consume proper diets. It has been observed that the school environment encouraged poor dietary habits amongst children and adolescents. Considering the long term nutrition and health consequences of poor dietary choices among children and adolescents, this paper has proposed solutions to rectify the issue. The paper has reaffirm ed the notion that schools are in a position to promote healthy dietary behavior by children and adolescents. However, for schools to help ensure appropriate nutrient intake, steps have to be undertaken to offset the current poor dietary practices. By doing this, the role of schools in the prevention of obesity, diabetes and other diet related complications can be exploited to the maximum with numerous benefits both to the children and the society at large. Assuras, Thalia. Fast Food, Fat Children. 21 April, 2001. Web. cbsnews.com/stories/2001/04/21/eveningnews/main287029.shtml Burniat, Walter. Child and adolescent obesity: causes and consequences, prevention and management. Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print. CDC. Guidelines for School health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating. Jan 2009. Web.. cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00042446.htm CDCb. Diabetes Public Health Resource: Children and Diabetes. 12 Mar. 2010. Web. cdc.gov/diabetes/projects/cda2.htm Dehghan, Mahshid Danesh, Noori and Merchant, Anwar. â€Å"Childhood Obesity, Prevalence and Prevention†. Nutrition Journal 2005, 4:24. Frary, Carol et al. â€Å"Children and Adolescents’ Choices of Foods and Beverages High in Added Sugars Are Associated With Intakes of Key Nutrients and Food Groups†. Journal of Adolescent Health 2004; 34:56-63. Freeman, Andrea. Fast Food: Oppression Through Poor Nutrition. California Law Review, 2007. Print. French, SA et al. â€Å"Fast food restaurant use among adolescents: associations with nutrient intake, food choices and behavioral and psychosocial variables†. International Journal of Obesity (2001) 25, 1823–1833. International Journal of Obesity (2001) 25, 1823–1833 Jelalian, Elissa and Steele, Ric. Handbook of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Springer, 2008. Print. Lawrence, Patrick. Children Who Eat Vended Foods Face Health Problems, Poor Diet. 07. Nov. 2010. Web.. diabetesincontrol.com/articles/diabetes-news/9791-c hildren-who-eat-vended-foods-face-health-problems-poor-diet Terrence et al. â€Å"Nutrition Services and Foods and Beverages Available at School: Results From the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006†. Journal of School Health, October 2007, Vol. 77, No. 8. Pekruhnk, C. Childhood Obesity: A school Health Policy Guide. National Association of State Boards of Education, 2009. Print. Staveren, V and Dale, Daniels. Childhood Obesity: Are Schools Partly to Blame? Eastern Connecticut State University, 2004. Print. Story, Mary., Nanney, Marilyn and Schwartz, Marlene. â€Å"Schools and Obesity Prevention: Creating School Environments and Policies to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity†. The Milbank Quarterly, Vol. 87, No. 1, 2009 (pp. 71–100). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 2010 May. Web.. health.gov/dietaryguidelines/

Local government taxes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Local government taxes - Essay Example The poorest twenty percent of Americans, on average, pay a combined local and state tax rate of eleven percent while those in the wealthy bracket only pay five and a half percent. This disparity becomes even more pronounced in the Washington State, which possesses the most regressive system of tax with the poorest twenty percent paying an average rate of seventeen percent while the wealthy families pay only 2.3%. What are the most regressive and progressive states? Progressive States The most standout feature of regressive tax states is the progressive nature of income taxes and less reliance on excise and sales taxes. Vermont taxes, for example, are among the least regressive in the US due to their highly progressive income tax and decreased excise and sales taxes (Davis et al 3). Vermont’s tax system is also rendered as a little unfair because of the refundable EITC. Delaware’s income tax regime, however, is not progressive, but the high reliance it has on income taxe s and low utilization of consumption taxes makes its tax system only slightly regressive. The District of Columbia and New York have each achieved a tax system that is close to flat overall via the use of generous EITCs, as well as an income tax that has relatively high top rates (Davis et al 3). However, it should be noted that the least regressive states as far as tax policy is concerned generally still fail to meet the criteria that most people would consider as a minimal standard of tax fairness. In these states, some middle or low-income groups actually pay more local and state income tax than the wealthy actually do. New Jersey is another of the progressive states with their legislature passing a millionaire’s tax, which was vetoed; however, by the Governor for the third straight year. The revenue raised from this would have helped offset property tax decreases for middle class. Finally, Rhode Island came up with an innovative tax idea to reduce incrementally corporate taxes to companies that created employment over a 3-year period in the state, which was a progressive move. Regressive States On the other side, of the tax regimes are ten states that have particularly regressive state and local taxes. These include; Alabama, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, Florida, and Washington. In these states, residents with lower income are asked to pay almost six times as much income tax as their wealthier counterparts. Middle-income families residing in these states have to pay three times the share of their income when compared to the wealthier families. In a majority of these states, including Nevada, Tennessee, South Dakota and Washington, personal income taxes are not levied on a broad base. The rest of these states, including Illinois and Alabama, do levy income tax, although their income tax is structured in a way that makes them less progressive than, for example, New York and other progressive states. Illinois and Tennessee have an income tax at a flat rate, which taxes the wealthy using similar marginal rates to those used in taxing the poor wage earners. Nevada, Tennessee