High School Exit Examinations Essay Example for Free

High School Exit Examinations Essay In order to evaluate the educational ability of students Standardized Tests or examinations, have been designed, which do so in an unbiased manner, irrespective of social background and educational experience. One such test is the multiple-choice examination, wherein the students have to make a selection from a number of answers for a particular question and indicate their choice on a test form. Such tests are frequently given to students who study in elementary and secondary schools (Standardized Tests, 2006). These examinations benefitted students to a large extent, because they had to take just one set of examinations, in order to apply for admission to different schools. The College Board initiated the Scholastic Aptitude Test or the SAT in 1926. The SAT is a multiple choice test that was based on the psychological tests given to US Army recruits. The SAT, by the year 1940, was being widely employed by educational institutions in the US (Standardized Tests, 2006). Standardized tests are taken by elementary school and high school, and undergraduates and graduates. The majority of these tests are controlled by the Educational Testing Service or ETS and the American College Testing or ACT Program. The results of these tests help educational institutions to assess scholastic performance and to ascertain the suitability of a student for a particular undergraduate or graduate degree program (Standardized Tests, 2006). The Center on Education Policy or the CEP had made it mandatory for fifty two percent of the students studying in the public schools to take the high school exit examinations. However, the implementation of this policy became difficult as the CEP had realized that opposition from the public towards this compulsory high school exit examination had been on the increase. It was also decided that students who failed to obtain a pass mark in this examination would not be awarded the high school diploma. This decision to withhold high school diplomas to students who failed in the exit examination was greeted with a great deal of resistance (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, Pecheone, 2005). The implementation of the exit examinations also caused a gradual reduction in the number of graduate students. This was evident in the Afro – American and Latino students, English language learners and students with disabilities. This reform would result in reduced incentives for students who had been striving to remain in school, a reduction in the curriculum and a disregard for higher order performance skills, because of the utilization of limited measures and irrelevant judgments regarding student learning (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, Pecheone, 2005). The use of exit examinations varies from state to state. Some states have already implemented them, whereas other states have not implemented them. A majority of states have put forward several options and alternatives. So far only eight states have implemented the mandatory exit examination as a compulsory requirement, in which the student has to obtain a pass mark, in order to obtain a high school diploma. Further, this system does not take cognizance of the excellence of performance of the students and their academic record and is solely guided by whether the students have obtained a pass mark in the exit examination or not (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, Pecheone, 2005). Most of the states have implemented multiple measures of performance in order to evaluate the student’s capability of learning. The student requires a pass mark in the state examination, which is used as an indicator for the student’s ability to obtain a state diploma. Moreover, the student is also required to obtain a pass mark in other alternatives that test the student by using a wide range of methods so as to establish their academic learning. In these states, there is not just a single test to disqualify students from graduation but there exist an array of indicators to determine the knowledge of the students (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, Pecheone, 2005). In an important report relating to the implementation of the high school exit test in the state of Mississippi, sixty five recommendations had been proposed. Some of these are, it would be totally inappropriate to require students to obtain a pass mark in an examination that contained material that had not been taught to the students. Further, the exit examination should be based on a multiple choice system, which would test thinking skills. Moreover, the exit examination would be undesirable for the students of the state of Mississippi. In addition, the national – level exit examination would require a total restructuring of the curriculum of the district schools, which would create serious difficulties. Furthermore, measures that evaluate the student’s skills and performance should be segmented. Moreover, great care would have to be taken while implementing tests that evaluate the performance and skills of students (ED384990 – Issues To Consider in Moving beyond a Minimal Competency High School Graduation Test, 1995). The states of Arizona, California and Utah introduced high school exit examinations, in which high school students from the year 2006 have to obtain a pass mark, in order to be awarded a high school diploma. In most of the states of the Union that enforce such high school exit examinations, students are required to take it in the sophomore year. The level of these tests is of the tenth grade and students who are unable to obtain a pass mark are provided with a number of opportunities to again take this test. Sixteen of the twenty three states that have made these tests compulsory have directed the schools to provide remediation to students who fail to obtain a pass mark. Furthermore, in states that are introducing these examinations, financial help for such remediation has in most of the cases been provided by it (David, 21st June, 2006). In the state of New York students have taken these high school exit tests with a very high degree of success and have obtained a large number of diplomas. However, this has not proved to be applicable to students belonging to the minority communities. The Education Commissioner disclosed that eighty one percent of white students obtained their diplomas in due course, whereas the students of minority communities found the obtention of pass marks in English, mathematics, global history, geography, US history and science to be a daunting task. Consequently, only forty two percent of the Hispanic students, forty five percent of African American and sixty eight percent of Asian students obtained their diplomas within the stipulated time (Hoff, 23rd of March, 2005). A survey conducted by the National Center on Educational Outcomes has revealed the fact that fifty percent of the states of the Union have made it mandatory to obtain a pass mark in the exit test, in order to be eligible to obtain a high school diploma. However, very few states have implemented an alternative procedure for evaluating disabled students, which is of an equivalent standard in comparison to the test applied to regular students. This report goes on to state that the absence of tests for the disabled and regular students that are of equivalent rigor, gives rise to the impression that disabled students are not competent to undertake grade level work (Samuels, 4th of May, 2005). In the state of California, the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger passed a law that exempts disabled students from taking and obtaining a pass mark in the high school exit test. This new law states that if a student had been permitted to follow an individual education plan and if such a student had satisfied all other criteria for being awarded with a high school diploma and further if that student had received remediation for the exit test, then that student would be allowed to graduate, irrespective of having obtained a pass mark in the exit test. The objective of this law was to enable the state of California to provide better instructions for disabled students (Jacobson, 8th of Februray, 2006). In the state of Utah, even if students who do not obtain a pass mark in every portion of the high school exit test, they are awarded the high school diploma. However, such diplomas contain a statement that the student had not obtained a pass mark in the high school exit test. Several states of the Union are having second thoughts about continuing with such high school exit tests and at the same time a several students have proved to be unsuccessful in obtaining a pass mark in their graduation examinations. The law in the state of Utah has made it mandatory for high school students to obtain a pass mark in mathematics, reading and that part of the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test that comprises of tests on writing skills, in order to be awarded with a high school diploma (Olson, 25th January, 2006). In another study it was established that states of the Union, in which high school exit tests are in vogue, have a graduation rate and college entrance examination marks that are significantly lower than states that do not have such tests. In particular, students from states of the Union, that had made it mandatory to obtain a pass mark in the high school exit examination, fared worse than students from states of the Union that did not insist on such a condition, in the internationally acknowledged Scholastic Aptitude Test. Moreover, such students had a significantly lower rate of graduation (Viadero, 2nd of February, 2005). It has been opined by many people that high school exit examinations result in an increase in the number of students who discontinue their studies, before obtaining a high school diploma. The detractors of such exit examinations have very pertinently pointed out the fact that the already low graduation rates are being forced down to a much lower level. Many critics have stated that it would be patently unfair to deny a student who had completed thirteen years of schooling a high school diploma, merely because that student could not obtain a pass mark in the high school examination. Moreover, many persons consider such a denial of a high school diploma to be ruthlessly unjust, because such a diploma is essential for ensuring a bright future.

Maslows Hierarchy Of Needs Philosophy Essay

Maslows Hierarchy Of Needs Philosophy Essay Human needs are an important part of human nature. Values, beliefs, and customs differ from country to country and group to group, but all people have similar needs. As a leader you must understand these needs because they are powerful motivators. Abraham Maslow felt that human needs were arranged in a hierarchical order (Maslow, 1954). He based his theory on healthy, creative people who used all their talents, potential, and capabilities. At the time, this methodology differed from most other psychology research studies in that they were based on observing disturbed people. There are two major groups of human needs: basic needs and meta needs. Basic needs are physiological, such as food, water, and sleep; and psychological, such as affection, security, and self-esteem. These basic needs are also called deficiency needs because if they are not met by an individual, then that person will strive to make up the deficiency. The higher needs are called meta needs or being needs (growth needs). These include justice, goodness, beauty, order, unity, etc. Basic needs normally take priority over growth needs. For example, a person who lacks food or water will not normally attend to justice or beauty needs. These needs are listed below in hierarchical order. The basic needs on the bottom of the list (1 to 4) must normally be met before the meta or being needs above them can be met. The four meta needs (5 to 8) can be pursued in any order, depending upon a persons wants or circumstances, as long as the basic needs have all been met. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs 8. Self-transcendence a transegoic (see Note below) level that emphasizes visionary intuition, altruism, and unity consciousness. 7. Self-actualization know exactly who you are, where you are going, and what you want to accomplish. A state of well-being. 6. Aesthetic at peace, more curious about inner workings of all. 5. Cognitive learning for learning alone, contribute knowledge. 4. Esteem feeling of moving up in world, recognition, few doubts about self. 3. Belongingness and love belong to a group, close friends to confide with. 2. Safety feel free from immediate danger. 1. Physiological food, water, shelter, sex. Maslow posited that people want and are forever striving to meet various goals. Because the lower level needs are more immediate and urgent, then they come into play as the source and direction of a persons goal if they are not satisfied,. A need higher in the hierarchy will become a motive of behavior as long as the needs below it have been satisfied. Unsatisfied lower needs will dominate unsatisfied higher needs and must be satisfied before the person can climb up the hierarchy. Knowing where a person is located on this scale aids in determining an effective motivator. For example, motivating a middle-class person (who is in range 4 of the hierarchy) with a certificate will have a far greater impact than using the same motivator to effect a minimum wage person from the ghetto who is desperately struggling to meet the first couple of needs. It should be noted that almost no one stays in one particular hierarchy for an extended period. We constantly strive to move up, while at the same time various forces outside our control try to push us down. Those on top get pushed down for short time periods, i.e., death of a loved-one or an idea that does not work, while those on the bottom get pushed up, i.e., come across a small prize. Our goal as leaders therefor is to help people obtain the skills and knowledge that will push them up the hierarchy on a more permanent basis. People who have their basic needs met become much better workers as they are able to concentrate on fulfilling the visions put forth to them, rather than consistently struggling to make ends meet. Characteristics of self-actualizing people: Have better perceptions of reality and are comfortable with it. Accept themselves and their own natures. Lack of artificiality. They focus on problems outside themselves and are concerned with basic issues and eternal questions. They like privacy and tend to be detached. Rely on their own development and continued growth. Appreciate the basic pleasures of life (e.g., do not take blessings for granted). Have a deep feeling of kinship with others. Are deeply democratic and are not really aware of differences. Have strong ethical and moral standards. Are original, inventive, less constricted and fresher than others Maslows Hierarchy of Needs and Leadership To put Maslows theory into perspective with leadership, a short (less than 3 minutes) audio MP3 file is included: Maslow and leadership. Transegoic Transegoic means a higher, psychic, or spiritual state of development. The trans is related to transcendence, while the ego is based on Freuds work. We go from preEGOic levels to EGOic levels to transEGOic. The EGO in all three terms are used in the Jungian sense of consciousness as opposed to the unconscious. Ego equates with the personality. In Maslows model, the ultimate goal of life is self-actualization, which is almost never fully attained but rather is something to always strive towards. Peak experiences are temporary self-actualizations. Maslow later theorized that this level does not stop, it goes on to self-transcendence, which carries us to the spiritual level, e.g.. Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Dalai Lamao, or even poets, such as Robert Frost. Maslows self-transcendence level recognizes the human need for ethics, creativity, compassion and spirituality. Without this spiritual or transegoic sense, we are simply animals or machines. In addition, just as there are peak experiences for temporary self-actualizations; there are also peak experiences for self-transcendence. These are our spiritual creative moments. While the research of Maslows theory has undergone limited empirical scrutiny, it still remains quite popular due to its simplicity and being the start of the movement that moved us away from a totally behaviorist/reductionistic/mechanistic approach to a more humanistic one. In addition, a lot of concerns is directed at his methodology: Pick a small number of people that he declares self-actualizing; read and talk about them; and come to the conclusion about self-actualization. However, he did completely understood this, and thought of his work as simply a method of pointing the way, rather than being the final say. In addition, he hoped that others would take up the cause and complete what he had begun. Herzbergs Hygiene and Motivational Factors Herzberg developed a list of factors (Herzberg, 1966) that are based on Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, except his version is more closely related to the working environment: HERZBERGS HYGIENE MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS Hygiene or Dissatisfies: Working conditions Policies and administrative practices Salary and Benefits Supervision Status Job security Co-workers Personal life Motivators or Satisfiers: Recognition Achievement Advancement Growth Responsibility Job challenge Hygiene factors must be present in the job before motivators can be used to stimulate that person. That is, you cannot use motivators until all the hygiene factors are met. Herzbergs needs are specifically job related and reflect some of the distinct things that people want from their work as opposed to Maslows Hierarchy of Needs which reflect all the needs in a persons life. Building on this model, Herzberg coined the term job enrichment to describe the process of redesigning work in order to build in motivators. Theory X and Theory Y Douglas McGregor developed a philosophical view of humankind with his Theory X and Theory Y (McGregor, 1957) , which are two opposing perceptions about how people view human behavior at work and organizational life. McGregor felt that companies followed either one or the other approach: Theory X People have an inherent dislike for work and will avoid it whenever possible. People must be coerced, controlled, directed, or threatened with punishment in order to get them to achieve the organizational objectives. People prefer to be directed, do not want responsibility, and have little or no ambition. People seek security above all else. Note that with Theory X assumptions, managements role is to coerce and control employees. Theory Y Work is as natural as play and rest. People will exercise self-direction if they are committed to the objectives (they are NOT lazy). Commitment to objectives is a function of the rewards associated with their achievement. People learn to accept and seek responsibility. Creativity, ingenuity, and imagination are widely distributed among the population. People are capable of using these abilities to solve an organizational problem. People have potential. Note that with Theory Y assumptions, managements role is to develop the potential in employees and help them to release that potential towards common goals. Theory X is the view that traditional management has taken towards the workforce. Many organizations are now taking the enlightened view of theory Y. A boss can be viewed as taking the theory X approach, while a leader takes the theory Y approach. Notice that Maslow, Herzberg, and McGreagors theories all tie together: Herzbergs theory is a micro version of Maslows theory (concentrated in the work place). McGreagors Theory X is based on workers caught in the lower levels (1 to 3) of Maslows theory, while his Theory Y is for workers who have gone above level 3. McGreagors Theory X is based on workers caught in Herbergs Hygiene Dissatisfiers, while Theory Y is based on workers who are in the Motivators or Satisfiers section. Existence/Relatedness/Growth (ERG) Clayton Alderfers Existence/Relatedness/Growth (ERG) Theory of Needs (Alderfer, 1969) postulates that there are three groups of needs: Existence This group of needs is concerned with providing the basic requirements for material existence, such as physiological and safety needs. This need is satisfied by money earned in a job so that one may buy food, shelter, clothing, etc. Relationships This group of needs center upon the desire to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships. Since a people normally spend approximately half of their waking hours on the job, this need is normally satisfied to some degree by their coworkers. Growth These needs are met by personal development. A persons job, career, or profession provides significant satisfaction of growth needs. Alderfers ERG theory states that more than one need may be influential at the same time. If the gratification of a higher-level need is frustrated, the desire to satisfy a lower-level need will increase. He identifies this phenomenon as the frustration shy aggression dimension. Its relevance on the job is that even when the upper-level needs are frustrated, the job still provides for the basic physiological needs upon which one would then be focused. If, at that point, something happens to threaten the job, the persons basic needs are significantly threatened. If there are not factors present to relieve the pressure, the person may become desperate and panicky. Notice that Alderfers ERG theory is built upon Maslows, however it does differ. First he collapsing it from five needs to three. And unlike Maslow, he did not see these needs as being a hierarchy in which one climbs up, but rather being more of a continuum. While there has not been a whole lot of research on Alderfers theory, most contemporary theories do tend to support it. Expectancy Theory Vrooms Expectancy Theory states that an individual will act in a certain way based on the expectation that the act will be followed by a given outcome and on the attractiveness of that outcome to the individual. This motivational model (Vroom, 1964) has been modified by several people, to include Porter and Lawler (Porter et. al., 1968). Vrooms Expectancy Theory is written as a formula: Valence x Expectancy x Instrumentality = Motivation Valence (Reward) = the amount of desire for a goal (What is the reward?) Expectancy (Performance) = the strength of belief that work related effort will result in the completion of the task (How hard will I have to work to reach the goal?) Instrumentality (Belief) = the belief that the reward will be received once the task is completed (Will they notice the effort I put forth?) The product of valence, expectancy, and instrumentality is motivation. It can be thought of as the strength of the drive towards a goal. For example, if an employee wants to move up through the ranks, then promotion has a high valence for that employee. If the employee believes that high performance will result in good reviews, then the employee has a high expectancy. However, if the employee believes the company will not promote from within, then the employee has low instrumentality, and the employee will not be motivated to perform better.

Determinants Of Infant Mortality Health And Social Care Essay

Determinants Of Infant Mortality Health And Social Care Essay The infant mortality rate of African American newborns within the first year of life is more than twice that of white newborns and higher per 1,000 deaths than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Using social ecological model as the theoretical framework, the goal is to understand the causes of racially disparate infant mortality rates. This paper will present health disparities and related social inequities that may underlie these troubling outcomes for childbearing women and infants in the United States. Introduction Infant mortality rates are often used as a measure of a populations general health status, socioeconomic conditions, and availability and access to quality health care. The decrease in the rate of infant death in the United States has been observed for births to both white and black mothers. Although there has been general improvement in infant survival, there has been widened gap in the racial disparity in infant mortality rates. The ten leading causes of infant mortality in the United States are: 1) birth defects: 2) causes related to short gestation or low birth weight (LBW); 3) sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); 4) maternal complications of pregnancy; 5) complications of placenta, cord, and membranes; 6) accidents; 7) respiratory distress of newborn; 8) bacterial sepsis of newborn; 9) diseases of the circulatory system; and 10) intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia. Infants born to black mothers had the highest IFM due to prematurity and LBW. Additionally, low birth weight and premature infants who survive the first year of life continue to face serious health problems and developmental problems. The social-ecological model has been chosen because it takes in account factors that influence disparate rate among black American infants. Disparities in infant mortality by race and class continue to be a national disgrace. The purpose of this study using the social ecological model will be: (1) discuss individual factors that influence infant mortality and (2) discuss multiple levels of factors that influence infant mortality rate. Methods The literature was searched using the databases of CINAHL, Pub Med (Medline), Eric, PsychInfo, Science Reference Center, and SocioIndex for the years 199-2010. The search terms included social ecological, black women, African American women, parenting, infant mortality, health, social inequalities. Inclusion criteria included a) original research; b) studies published in English; c) peer-reviewed journal; d) articles on black woman and infant mortality; and e) social ecological model. Of the 140 articles identified, only those studies with health, social determinants, black women, social ecological model, African American in the abstracts and full text articles were include (n=39). Social Ecological Model Vulnerable populations are at substantially greater risk of poor physical, mental and social health and have much higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite these greater health needs, they also typically face greater barriers to accessing timely and needed care and, even when receiving care, have worse health outcomes than others . The social ecological approach considers the nested arrangement of behavioral and environmental determinants of health. posits that concepts of health promotion require analysis of the health habits and lifestyles of participants, as well as constraints and resources present within participants environments. Secondly, the social ecological approach recognizes the importance of changing interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy.Finally, the social ecological model has been chosen to analyze personal, community and societal institutions impact on infant mortality. Results Intrapersonal Resources The intrapersonal resources include individual characteristics such as perceived lack of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, health practices, age, race/ethnicity, income and education and employment status variables effect infant mortality . In order to understand the individual interpersonal characteristics one needs to critically examine the mothers knowledge regarding maternal education and health practices. Social inequities related to educational opportunities and social resources may influence health behaviors or practices that are associated with infant health. Compared with women who receive adequate prenatal care, those who do not seek a reasonable amount of care tend to be young, less educated, single, and/or to have other children . have documented the powerful association between a persons socioeconomic status and mortality. The gap in infant mortality based on mothers years of formal education has also widened significantly over time. Maternal education appears to be an increasingly important predictor of infant survival. Researchers observe that key risk factors for infant mortality, including smoking during pregnancy, delayed or no prenatal care, and lack of health care coverage, vary substantially with socio-economic status and maternal education . Behavioral factors account for about half of premature mortality, and almost all vary by socioeconomic status. The greatest behavioral risk for premature mortality is tobacco use. In 2005, the IFM rate for infants of mothers who smoked was 74 percent higher than the rate for nonsmokers . Those with less education and less income are more likely to smoke. Smoking prevalence reflects likelihood of initiating smoking as well as of quitting, and different policies are relevant for those stages of smoking. However, the more educated were more likely to try and quit, and among those who tried to quit with higher incomes were more likely to succeed. This suggest that efforts to encourage quitting need to be geared more strongly to those with less education and that the means of quitting need to be made more accessible to the poor. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce rates of infant mortality in the United States and worldwide . However, the rates of initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding are less frequent among black women than white and Hispanic women,. Maternal education again is associated with substantial disparities: women with 9th-to 11th grade education are least likely to breastfeed to 6 months, whereas women with college degrees are most likely to do so as well as to report ever breastfeeding with the most recent birth . Infant mortality rates vary with maternal age, with the highest 2005 death rates documented for infants of the youngest mothers those under age 15 (16.4 per 1,000 live birth), and oldest mothers- aged 40 and older (7.9 per 1,000 live births) . Among older mothers, especially those of low social economic status, infant mortality rates may be affected by pregnancy complications related to advanced maternal age, such as gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders. Other contributing factors are black womens higher rates of intra-uterine growth restriction, preterm premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, preterm birth, very preterm birth, cesarean delivery, light vaginal bleeding, and heavy vaginal bleeding compared to the white population . Chronic stress can affect health both directly and indirectly through its effects on health behavior. While people in all walks of life experience stress, lower-SES persons live and work in more stressful environments. Higher IFM among well- educated black women has been attributed to their cumulative experience of chronic stress over the life course, which causes wear and tear on their reproductive health over time. identified a number of factors that contribute to greater stress at lower SES levels, including economic strain, insecure employment, low control at work, and stressful life events. determined that lifelong accumulated experiences of racial discrimination by black American women constitute an independent risk factor of preterm delivery. noted association between black American womens exposure to chronic stress from interpersonal racism and infant, very low birth weight (VLBW). Black American women who were exposed to what they perceived as racial bias and internalized their responses to unfair treatment had a fourfold greater risk of hypertension as well. proposed the classic host (i.e., pregnant women), environment (i.e., chronic social stressors), and agent (i.e., immediate emotional stress or physical stressors) are ongoing stressors as well as social and cultural modifiers of stress may have influence on how particular stressors is experienced or what the physical response to it may be. Researcher have also suggested that being a woman is a characteristic that cannot be neglected in the context of maternal stressors. Being a black woman produces a double effect of racial and gender discrimination and related stress which in turn impacts their health and the outcomes of subsequent pregnancies. Interpersonal Resources Interpersonal resources include culturally relevant social support as well as social norms that may facilitate behavioral capacity and health behavior change . Research has confirmed that loneliness is detrimental to health. Good health is positively correlated with involvement and satisfying relationships with other people. Studies show that married people live longer than unmarried people and that there are lower death rates among those who have lots of social support. A social network not only assists with instrumental assistance such as childcare, finances and housing, but it is a persons major source of emotional support. A personals level of social support is one of the most potent indicators her degree of vulnerability . Broken relationships create lifelong conditions of high stress and low support, which in turn pattern physiological, psychological, and behavioral responses that put the mother at risk for poor nutrition during pregnancy, and her baby at risk for fetal and infant deaths. Black American families are disproportionately affected by broken relationships, which contributes to disparities infant mortality . Infants born to unmarried mothers had higher IMR compared to those born to married mothers in 2002. However, the IMRs are significantly higher for married black American mothers than for unmarried black American mothers. In a report, maternal grandmothers were more frequently nominated than other source of parenting help including spouses, current or former partners, relatives, friends and professionals. Grandmothers have a tremendous influence on a womans lived experiences. Maternal grandmothers tend to improve child survival rates, as do potential sibling helpers at the nest. In this study, researcher suggests that while help from family may be a universal feature of human child-rearing, who helps is dependent on ecological conditions of the family. Fathers can also have a tremendous influence on the health of mothers and their infants. Some fathers focused efforts are under way in the United State, including the USDAs Fathers Supporting Breastfeeding Program, which uses a video, posters, and brochures designed to target Black men. Poor family and social support, negative attitudes of family and friends can pose a barrier to good health practices. , observed that there was an association of single motherhood and negative birth outcomes with single parent household, which occurred more often and longer than married or coupled households. Community and Environmental Resources The community resources and environmental resources may have a significant impact on individual characteristics of the mother, for instance, substandard housing, lack of transportation, and child -care problems can prohibit a mother from attending prenatal classes or obstetrical appointments. A key to reducing infant mortality is to address the barriers that stand between low-income women and adequate prenatal care. Racial and ethnic minorities tend to live in medically underserved areas, and many black American and Hispanic families lack a regular source of care, making do with outpatient clinics and hospital emergency rooms in times of crisis . According to a study by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, low-income pregnant women are more likely to seek and be satisfied with prenatal care if they can avoid long waiting time, see providers who explain procedures, and have access to ancillary services, especially substance abuse services and childbirth education. Health pr oviders have also begun to understand the need for culturally competent providers and the availability of medical personnel who speak the patients primary language. Exposure to damaging agents in the environment, including lead, asbestos, carbon dioxide, and industrial waste, varies with socioeconomic status. Those lower on the SES hierarchy are more likely to live and work in worse physical environments. Poorer neighborhoods are disproportionately located near highways, industrial areas, and toxic waste sites, since land there is cheaper and resistance to polluting industries, less visible. Housing quality is also poorer for low-SES families. As a result, compared with high-income families, both children and adults from poor families show a six fold increase in rates of high blood lead levels, while middle-income adults and children show a twofold increase Economic differences do not fully explain the persistent high infant mortality rates of black American women and other minority groups. Several studies in the early 90s examined the effect of racial residential segregation on the health outcomes of Black Americans and a positive association between black-white dissimilarity and black infant mortality rates was shown after controlling for metropolitan area poverty rates. After an initial focus on infant mortality, several authors examined the association between racial segregation and mortality in other age groups. Their general finding indicated that black mortality is positively associated with residential segregation and with residence in predominantly black areas. Current research still indicates racial residential segregation as one of the fundamental cause of racial disparities in health. The physical separation of the races by enforced residence in certain areas is an institutional mechanism of racism that was designed to protect whites from social interaction with blacks. The degree of residential segregation remains extremely high for most Black Americans in the United States. The authors review evidence that suggests that segregation is a primary cause of racial differences in socioeconomic status (SES) by determining access to education and employment opportunities. SES was determined to remain a fundamental cause of racial differences in health. The US sociological literature suggests that residential segregation along racial/ethnic lines is not primarily a result of the residential preferences of minority groups. National and metropolitan area surveys have shown that, on average, Black Americans and Hispanics would be more willing than Whites to live in relatively integrated neighborhoods. On the other hand, several studies, including audit studies involving experimental designs, have indicated that Black American and Hispanics continue to face discrimination in housing and mortgage markets even after income has been controlled. Discrimination prevents upwardly mobile members of minority groups from becoming more spatially integrated with Whites. Organizational Resources Organizational resources have a strong effect on the individual characteristics of mother. Lack of access, provider availability and geographic distance, quality of care, timeliness, and types of services creates health disparities for minority women. If a client lives 3 hours away from the regional medical center, the client will have an increased burden placed on her because of the lack of resources available in her own community. used the ecological model as a framework for applying social justice concepts to the care of childbearing women and families. They discovered by addressing health disparities exclusively on an individual level ignores the effect of social practices and institutions on the health of childbearing women and infants and serves as a barrier to achieving the goal of social justice. Although there are a number of mechanisms through which socio-economic status influences health, there is a distinctive link between utilization of health care services and health st atus. Prenatal care most often is associated with medical care, in which case it is an important factor in the prevention of poor birth outcomes, particularly prematurity and/or low birth weight and their associated neonatal mortality . Typically, efforts to improve infant health in the United States have focused on timely, appropriate care during pregnancy and delivery. While these services remain the keys to giving babies a good start in life, they do not sufficiently address the maternal health problems that often underlie infant mortality. There is a growing consensus that prevention efforts need to begin well before conception, especially for those mothers at greatest risk for poor pregnancy outcomes. Several months of medical attention cannot overcome many years of disadvantage and poor health. Women, particularly minority women need good care between pregnancies. Good maternal health requires diagnosis and management of chronic disease well before conception. But lack of health insurance keeps women from getting the care needed to maintain their own health and improve their chances for healthy pregnancies. Before pregnancy, women qualify for Medicaid only if they have extremely low incomes- well below the poverty line (68 percent of the Federal poverty line for working women, and under 41 percent for those who do not work). Once they become pregnant, women are held to a less stringent requirement (185 percent). As a result, many low-income women who qualify for Medicaid only after a confirmed pregnancy test often experience delays in enrollment and referral to a provider suggests that disparities in neonatal mortality are primarily determined by not only the birthrate of extremely premature infants but access to specialized obstetrical and pediatric care. This analysis suggests that the epidemiology and social meaning of disparities in infant mortality are intensely dynamic and increasingly reflect the interaction between social forces and technical innovation. interviewed a total of 6, 2999 white, black American, Hispanic and Asian adults, to view their differences in perceptions of health care system. It was determined that bias and cultural competence are not fully explained by such factors as demographics, source of care, and patient-physician communication, but it may partially explain disparities in patient ratings of individual health care provider cultural competence. As such, interventions aimed at improving access to a regular source of care and enhancing patient-physician communication may improve patient ratings of interpersonal bias and cultural competence of physicians; however, such interventions alone are not likely to substantially improve ethnic minority patients perceptions of bias and cultural competence in the health care system as a whole. Moreover, disparities in preterm births have proven very difficult to overcome. In 2005, the preterm-related infant mortality rate was more than three times higher for black mothers than for white mothers . Infants chances of survival often depend on technology and expertise available at local hospitals. Hospitals serving a high proportion of minority patients have higher than expected mortality rates for infants born at very low birth-weights . In 1999, Congress requested in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, entitled Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities, in Healthcare, assess is the extent of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, the study concluded that although myriad sources contribute to these disparities, some evidence suggests that bias, prejudice, and stereotyping on the part of healthcare providers may contribute to differences in care. From the IOM report, assuming that access-related factors- such as insurance status and the ability to pay for care are the same, the possibility that overt or subtle biases or prejudice on the part of healthcare providers might affect the quality of care for minorities; suggests the need for intervention strategies to improve access to quality health care . Discussion The impact of social and environmental factors on the behavior and health of individuals and populations has been understudy for years. Addressing health disparities from an individual, community and organizational level is important to the social health of United States. Nationally, black infants have the worse birth outcomes than any other racial and ethnic group. By exploring the social ecological model a more comprehensive approach to acknowledging how individual challenges, environmental resources, and organizational structures influences the health behaviors of black women. Social inequities may contribute to differences in access to or quality of health care, which leads to less knowledge and skill in promoting personal and family health, thus results in poor health and birth outcomes. To rekindle concern about infant mortality to the level of effective action, public health professionals must refocus the publics attention on assuring that all women are provided adequate education and services to help them avoid unintended pregnancies, that all pregnant women receive services in appropriate facilities, and that the causes of preterm deliveries are discovered. Effective action in these areas would not only improve infant mortality overall; it would also reduce racial and ethnic disparities in infant health . Implications for Research and Practice In summary, prevention of an infant early death is not a health outcome, but rather a surrogate endpoint for optimum fetal, infant, and lifelong health. Racial and socio- economic disparities in rates of preterm birth and infant mortality area among the most widely recognized but, least understood aspects of infant and maternal health in this country. In particular, the persistent black/white differential requires intensive study. At any age, and at any income, education or socioeconomic level, an black American mother is more than twice as likely to lose her infant as a white woman. Given the complexity of the layered intrapersonal, interpersonal, local, and national contexts in which social justice operates, and realizing social justice is a work in progress; we can certainly help move nursing and medicine toward integrating concepts of social justice for the betterment of society, as a whole . Adoption of universal health-care coverage for women and children and providing optimum work policies for women is worthy goals. Additionally, new interventions designed with the social context of friends, family, and neighborhood associates, can be used to improve birth outcomes.

Types of Foundations, Building Frames and Partitions

Types of Foundations, Building Frames and Partitions TASK 1.1 Alternative sub-structure solutions: In any building the superstructure, substructure (foundations) and the supporting soil acts in a coordinated way to give structural stability. Therefore the foundations act as connection between superstructure and the ground. Successful foundations should be: Foundations must be at minimum depth and size without exceeding the allowable bearing capacity of the soil. They must be strong enough to provide stability to the supporting structure. They must be able to withstand natural ground movements from corrosive chemicals, frost, moisture and heat. They must be economical and sustainable. For our Englemere Village project we used Strip and Pad foundations. Foundations can be classified as: Shallow Foundations Strip Foundations Traditional Strip Foundations Trench fill Foundations Combined- Stepped Foundations Pad Foundations Rafts Pier and Beam Foundations Deep Foundations Piled Foundations Displacement Piles Replacement Piles Shallow Foundations The foundations which are placed beneath the lowest part of the structure and near to the ground level are shallow foundations. Strip Foundations Strip foundations are the most common foundations used in construction, it is a strip of concrete running under all load bearing walls. The depth and the width of the strip foundations depends on the nature of the soil and superstructure load, they can be 500-700 mm wide and as deep as per the nature of the soil/ground. Strip foundations can be either traditional strip or trench fill and both can be stepped. Traditional Strip Foundations Strip foundations are used where soil has good bearing capacity. Load is transmitted at 45 degrees angle from the base of the wall. The width of strip foundation is three times the width of the wall. Thickness should be at least 150 mm, but 300 mm is most commonly used. Depth should be 450 mm minimum measured from finished ground level to protect from frost attack. See Appendix 1. Trench fill Foundations Trench fill is quicker and more cost effective than traditional strip. The thickness should not be less than 500 mm and should finish 150 mm below ground level. Trench should be dug to a depth where subsoil provides sufficient load bearing capacity, usually it is 1m deep. See Appendix 2. Stepped Foundations Stepped foundations are used on sloping sites. As top of foundation has to be level and on slopping sites foundations can end up too deep. Stepped foundations reduce the amount of excavating and cost. The step should not be bigger than the thickness of foundation and should work with heights of the bricks. Overlap should be at least twice the height of the step. Raft foundations Reinforced concrete raft is used when bearing capacity of soil is low. It spreads the load from structure over a large area. Reduces the amount of excavating. Concrete raft is usually at least 150 mm thick. Sometimes the raft is thickened under load bearing walls. See appendix 3. Pad foundations Pad foundations are used when isolated loads need to be supported, spreading the load to the ground below. They are used for columns or framed buildings. Pad foundations are constructed from reinforced concrete. See Appendix 4. Pier and beam foundations Pier and beam foundations are made from brick, block or timber piers on concrete pads. Beams sit on the piers and are usually raised above the ground to create a crawl space underneath. Pier and beam is a cost effective foundation for smaller buildings. See appendix 5. Deep Foundations The foundations that are constructed below ground level while using artificial arrangements such as piles can be termed as deep foundations. Pile foundations Pile foundations are used to transfer load of superstructure through weak soil onto strong soil or rock. Piles can be displacement or replacement. Pile caps or beams sit on top of the piles. See appendix 6. Displacement piles are driven into the ground by pushing the soil out of the way. They are friction piles. This method is very noisy and vibrating. But there is no soil to be removed from site. One of displacement methods is helical screw piling. A helical pile consists of a galvanised steel shaft onto which is welded a series of circular steel plates. They are power drilled in to the ground. Advantages are: fast installation, vibration and noise free, sustainability (can be removed and reused). Replacement piles remove soil and replaces with reinforced concrete. They are end bearing piles. All soil needs to be removed from site but it is less vibrating and noisy than displacement pilling. Causes of Foundation Failure Failure in transferring the load between superstructure and soil can lead to building movement and cracking, but failure of foundations cannot be held alone responsible for cracking there can be other reasons for these kind of damages. Seasonal movements, chemical attack, building alterations, trees, soil creep and variable ground conditions are few causes of foundation failures. Alternative systems for structures, envelope and roof coverings Constructed structures start with architectural and engineering plans, however all structures follow basic design steps as follows; Preparing the site Installing foundations Building the framework Enclosing the structure Finishing the exterior and interior Completing the site Building the Framework The framework depends on the foundations as foundations provide base for building the framework. Floors, interior and exterior walls, ceilings and roof are included in the building process of framework. Therefore framework provides a rigid shape and structure to the buildings. Brick and block is a traditional method of building. Brick and block houses use a cavity wall construction with a gap filled with insulation. These walls are load bearing, they support floor joist and roof. In MMC (modern method of construction) systems for structures framing process is mostly done offsite and are only erected on site. MMC system provides much quicker way of building. There are different types of frames as listed below are used in MMC systems for structures. Steel frame Timber frame Portal frame Concrete frame Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) Insulated Concrete Framework (ICF) Steel frame Steel frame construction is a quick way of building as all the parts are manufactured offsite. It is a lightweight structure compared to traditional masonry or block work. Steel frame can be used from domestic housing to really tall skyscrapers and it is a sustainable way of building as steel can be recycled many times. The skeleton is formed from vertical steel columns and horizontal I beams. All the loads are transferred to foundation through columns. Timber frame Timber frame panelling system is another fast construction method used in domestic housing. All panels and roof trusses are made offsite and erected on site in a number of days. It has 30% shorter building times than brick and block. This means the house is water tight more quickly and other trades can start work sooner. Timber frame has higher insulation properties than brick and block. Portal frame Portal frames are used for a single storey construction which requires a large floor space for example: warehouse, factories or supermarkets. It has no intermediate columns that mean large open space areas can be created within the structure. It is manufactured offsite – fast construction. Concrete frame RC (reinforced concrete) frame is a very common type of building. The skeleton is made out of vertical columns, horizontal beams and slab in between. Concrete is cast into formwork. SIP (structural insulated panels) SIPS have very good insulation value and structural strength. SIPS panels can be used in walls, floors and roofs for domestic, industrial and other constructions. SIPS are made from Polystyrene (EPS) sandwiched between two Oriented Strand Boards (OSB) making them lightweight and quick to erect by interlocking them together. ICF (Insulated Concrete Framework) ICF involves building a site with laying a series of hollow blocks, made up of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and then are pumped with ready-mixed concrete. EPS provides a high insulation wrapping around the concrete once the structure is finished. This framing system not only provides speedy construction but also it gives a protection against sudden climatic changes. Although adopting ICF will cost higher than an average timber frame build but it can provide reduced construction times and lower energy bills. Thin Joint Thin joint provides improved thermal performance and building accuracy over conventional brick and block construction. The structures are made with large aircrete block and quick drying mortar. 75% less mortar is used. This thin joint framing can be erected in no time, furthermore it provides a stability to the overall structure and an adaptation to extend the building at later date. The MMC building systems are used in order to save construction time and the cost of the construction but they must be used after reviewing the local construction laws and other weather conditions. Building Envelope The building envelope acts as a physical separator between an exterior and interior environment, therefore it can be termed as the building enclosure. It provides a shell to maintain an indoor environment of any building, it also helps in facilitating the climate control. Building envelope is exterior skin of the building that separates interior from exterior. It protects building from rain, wind and sun. Envelope includes external walls and roofs. External walls used in an envelope can be classified as follows Cavity Walls Stone cladding Load bearing stone masonry walls Glazed concrete blocks Wood cladding External walls in making an envelope must provide the bearing, insulation and shape to the building. To give more insulation to the external walls they must have insulating fillings, separate insulating layer and air insulating layer. Roof coverings Roof covering must bear the following functions; Protection of the building against rainfall, snowfall etc and other weather conditions. Protection against cold, heat, overheating, wind and noise. Protection against fire. To cover all these protections roof covering must have the following items in its architectural design Water proofing insulation Thermal insulation Wind stability Sound insulation Roofs are divided into Flat and Pitched. Flat roofs could be: Ash felt, felt, EDPM, Fibre glass, glass. Pitched roofs could be: lean to, couple, purlin, mansard, trussed, hipped, trussed rafter, attic truss. MMC alternatives for partition walls Partitions are the vertical walls or panels that are used to divide portions of the building and they can be classified as load bearing or non-load bearing. Traditionally timber was used as partitions but with the advancement in construction methods and the use of light weight partitioning and light weight insulation block, its use as a partition is decreasing significantly. Partitions can be constructed using various materials, but the most common types of partitions are: Timber Stud Partitions. Metal Stud or Dry wall Partitions. Glass Partitions. Sliding Partitions Room dividers Re-locatable office Partitions Timber Stud Partition Timber stud partitions are non-load bearing and light weight partitions. Timber stud partitions consist of wooden framework between horizontal head and sole pieces at the top and bottom of the framework and a series of uprights called studs holding the whole framework. The noggings are intermediate stiffening material placed between the studs to ensure the overall stability of the framework. Timber frame partitions are formed with butt joints or framing anchors to significantly facilitate the low labour cost and speed of erection. Plasterboard is usually used as a covering material for timber partitions. Metal Stud or Dry wall Partitions Metal stud partitions are non-load bearing partitions consisting of a metal studding framework. This metal studding makes the partitions light weight but comparatively strong and stable than timber stud partitions. They can be covered with ordinary plasterboards or special fire resistant sheets, which on final sealing can make these partitions sound proof as well as fire resistant. Metal stud partitions are quick and easy to erect, they are cost effective, sustainable for all types of buildings and they are available in variety of finishes. Due to these strong characteristics metal stud partitions are mostly used in public buildings and hospitals. The metal studs are manufactured from galvanised steel sheet folded into various shaped sections which slot into each other. The sections are produced in various lengths ranging from 2.4 m to 6 m in length and widths ranging from 50 mm to 146 mm. Glass partitions Glass fulfils an important role in creating divisions between indoors and out as well as between individual interior spaces. The technical advances in the material mean that it is suitable for a wider range of applications than ever before. †¢ Double single glazed options †¢ Excellent acoustic performance up to 47db (Rw) †¢ Attractive and Stylish †¢ Full range of manifestation options †¢ Wide range of profile colours †¢ 10mm and 12mm glazing †¢ Option of standard height or full height doors Single glazing can be used where clean lines and an aesthetically pleasing design are essential. The partitioning is designed with the minimum amount of framework to give a frameless appearance. To maintain the open feel of the office environment frameless doors or framed glass doors are fitted within the system using floor pivots and patch fittings or floor springs if required. Where desired or in order to comply with building regulations, fully glazed panels have manifestation film applied to them. These can be used to simply highlight the presence of the partitions, create individual designs or incorporate company logos using either 10/12mm toughened glass depending on the height of the partition, glazing is achieved with the use of clear glazing gaskets that remove the need for silicone around the perimeter of the system. Vertical silicone joints maintain the visual simplicity of the product or clear plastic jointing sections to provide dry joints between glass panels. Appendix 1 Traditional strip foundations Appendix 2 Trench fill foundations Appendix 3 Raft foundations Appendix 4 Pad foundations Appendix 5 Pier and beam foundations Appendix 6 Pile foundations

Inequality and Global Environmental Crisis: Exploring Nexus

Inequality and Global Environmental Crisis: Exploring Nexus Introduction The planet today is at a crossroads with unrestrained consumption and production transgressing planetary thresholds, jeopardising the generativity of the earth and the social structures that are dependent on it (Magdoff Foster, 2011). A lot of environmentalists, scientists, business enterprises are all offering solution to the problem; green consumption, growth of capital markets, technocratic fixes etc. A closer examination indicates that most of these fixes elucidates an implicit optimism in the market mechanism and fails to â€Å"embed ecological challenges in tangible social realities†(Laurent, 2014) . The mainstream approaches to the environmental crisis attempt a symptomatic treatment of the issue and often fails to trace the root cause of the crisis. Understanding causation is essential to make a deeper sense of the question, â€Å"who produces what kind of socio-ecological configurations for whom† (Heynen, Kaika, and Swyngedouw 2006 pg.7). The mainstream or neo classical paradigm locates the origins of all environmental problems including climate change, to the absence of a well-functioning market for environmental goods. The source of environmental damage is that preferences for environmental goods are not revealed in market prices, and then the solution is to ensure that they are (O’Neill, 2001). When private and social costs diverge externalities arise. The term externality when used in mainstream language denotes that these factors are presumed to exist outside the purview of the system’s operation (Nadeau, 2010). Environmental externalities exist outside the purview of market and hence market prices fail to reflect the real cost of environmental damage. Thus it calls for internalising the externalities through tradable property rights or alternatively constructs shadow prices for environmental goods by ascertaining what individuals would pay for them, were there a market (O’Neill, 2001). Contrary to the neo classical conception markets are open systems that are integrated and embedded within the socio-ecological environments. The neo classical process of rationalisation involves artificial separation of different fields of human life and the narrow means end rationality fails to consider these dimensions in an integrated way (Lejano Stokols, 2013). International negotiations on climate change underplay the social costs embedded in the production process, there-by attempting only a symptomatic treatment of the issue. O’Neill 2001 argues that the origins of the environmental crisis can be traced back to the spread of market mechanisms and norms where they are completely inappropriate. The fundamental question the critics of the neo classical paradigm pose is, Can the structure which generated the environmental crisis find fixes within itself? Bookchin 1996 articulates that man’s relationship with nature reflects realities of social domination in the form of hierarchies, class, race among others. The failure of neoclassical economics is evident now with the world reeling under the twin crisis, economic and ecological. Foster 2008 argues that the mainstream fixes to ecological problems comprises of three automated responses namely â€Å"(1) technological bullets, (2) extending the market to all aspects of nature, and (3) creating what are intended as mere islands of preservation in a world of almost universal exploitation and destruction of natural habitats†. The Marxist argument directly links the production relation in the existing system of capitalism to the climate change phenomenon. Foster and Clark 2009 gives a convincing explanation for the crisis. In their language, the process of disrupting the metabolic relation of man with nature is called metabolic rift’. Metabolic rift creates a distance between the site of production and consumption. Mostly this widens the divide between urban-rural and centre-periphery, causing serious environmental hazards for bot h (Foster Clark, 2009). The ecological crisis according to Marxist argument is an inherent feature of the capitalist system which they believe is good at fermenting crisis. Environmental questions are all encompasses and all interconnected. Capitalism and its conceptualization of nature as an object separate from humankind opened the possibility of ecologically harmful methods of capitalist production. Beck 1992 argues that the modern society is a risk society and the social production of wealth is often accompanied by social production of risk. Most often the havoc wreaked by the capitalist accumulation remains unknown and is even passed on to generations. Inequalities in the form of class and strata, leads to springing up of social risk positions. (ibid). The diffusion and commercialisation of risks also creates winners who profit from the risk as well as losers who bear the costs associated with it (Beck, 1992; Boyce, 2013). The mainstream fixes of the global environmental crisis attempted within the system also typically create a group of winners who benefit and capitalise from the climate crisis. Disaster capitalism as it is popularly called precipitates disasters and employs these disasters as an opportunity to facilitate its expansion (Fletcher, 2012). The political economy of environmental degradation depicts a strong reciprocal and complex relation linking inequality and the environmental crisis. This is an outcome of the questions of class and other forms of socio economic inequality that is built into the current system of production and consumption (Magdoff Foster, 2011). Social and economic inequalities based on class race ethnicity and gender translates into environmental inequalities. Climate change, the most catastrophic form of environmental crisis was also manufactured in a concoction of socio economic inequalities generated by neo liberal exploitation and unjust appropriation of global carbon space by the developed countries. Per contra the hazards associated with climate change fluctuates rapidly among different social groups, falling disproportionately on the eco system communities, the working classes and the marginalised reflecting highly nonlinear relationship between climate and outcomes (Ribot, 2009). Szasz and Meuser 1997 notes that the distributional implications of the environmental crisis are juxtaposed on the existing coalitions of power and wealth, generated by ‘the normal workings of international political economy’. They depict â€Å"environmental inequalities as a necessary and inevitable facet of social inequalities embedded in the very fabric of modern societies† (ibid pg.113). Thus it can be argued that socio economic inequalities often act as a driver of the environmental crisis and this in turn aggravates the existing inequities and disturbs the societal resilience. On the contrary environmental crisis exacerbates and also creates new forms of inequality triggering dynamic social consequences (Laurent, 2014). Human well-being is contingent up on natural capital and eco system services. Rogers et al. 2012 puts it like this, â€Å"Key components of human well-being are dependent on well-functioning ecosystems and biosphere. Conversely maintaining a healthy environment and making the transition to environmental sustainability requires human societies that function well†. Hence it is of crucial importance to understand the process that create and contribute to the existence and sustenance of environmental inequalities. The ecological and the economic crisis the planet is reeling under today calls for a fresh perspective in economic thinking. It points to a complete failure of the traditional economic models obsessed with the religion of economic growth, the outcome of which is a system where inequalities are generated and perpetuated in a vicious circle. However it is crucial to understand the nexus or relation between inequalities and environmental degradation for the evolution of clear compelling and viable alternatives. The following section looks explicitly at this relationship and arrives at a framework that depicts how inequalities trigger environmental degradation and the resultant crisis on one hand and how the environmental crisis can exacerbate the existing inequalities and create new ones. Herein, the chapter locates the origin of current ecological crisis within the structural inequalities and resultant power differentials implicit in the current mode of production and consumption. The multiple entanglements between inequality and environmental degradation are examined to arrive at a comprehensive framework that depicts a vicious circle relationship where the former and the later mutually reinforce one another. How do inequalities lead to environmental degradation and the resultant crisis? The nexus between inequality and environmental degradation have been developed by the pioneering work of James.K.Boyce. He has an extensive array of work which exclusively explores the nexus between inequality and environmental degradation. He underpins that the quality of natural environment is a reflection of how power and wealth are distributed (Boyce, 2002, 2013). The mainstream environmental thinkers and scholars juxtapose nature to humans where environment is often treated as a subset of the economy. Contrary to the popular notion Boyce argues that humans are a part of nature and not apart from it. Environmental inequalities are an inevitable reflection of social inequalities embedded in the very fabric of a capitalist society. Hence it is of crucial importance to understand the dynamics of allocating the risks and benefits of environmental degradation. Boyce argues that environmentally degrading economic activities need to be analyses through three basic questions (Boyce, 201 3, p. 9). Who benefits or in other words who pollutes? Boyce argues that environmentally degrading activities typically creates winners who benefit from the activities and losers who bear the costs. The benefits from economic activities that generate environmental harm accrue to rich in the form of savings that accrue to the consumers in the form of cost externalisation since they consume more. For the producers the benefits accrue in the form of profits from cost externalisation (Boyce 2013:14). Inequalities in the form of income and class, among others fuels luxurious consumption patterns. In societies with higher levels of inequality, consumption is a means to seek social certification and status (Wisman, 2010). Pickett and Wilkinson 2010 notes that consumption decisions are triggered by pressures of status competition, often intensified by higher levels of inequality. Bourdieu describes consumption as a way for the higher social classes to distinguish themselves from the lower social classes (as cited in Gram-Hanssen, 2004). Bourdieu distinguishes between three types of classes the bourgeoisie, petit bourgeoisie and the working class. According to him â€Å"the taste of the bourgeoisie is closely connected with appreciating what requires much money (economic capital) or a high cultural competence (cultural capital) which other classes do not possess.The taste of the petit bourgeoisie is defined by their trying to emulate the taste and norms of the bourgeoisie whereas the taste of the working class is defined by the choice of necessity (ibid)†. Another feature of status competition is that it biases consumption in favour of private goods as opposed to public ones such as quality of the environment. [i]A lot of popular approaches link poverty to environmental degradation where the poor degrade the environment in their quest to survive. Thus the capitalist fix for the problem calls for more economic growth to uplift the poor ,the benefits of which does not often trickle done and leads to further degradation as humanity so far has not been able to isolate growth from its negative environmental effects (Wisman, 2010). Boyce depicts that if the amount of degradation per dollar were roughly the same for both groups, the richest 20 percent of the world’s people would account for 140 times as much environmental degradation as the poorest 20 percent (Boyce, 2002, p. 6). Thus it can be argued that socio economic inequality remains at the core of unsustainable consumption patterns that are energy and resource intensive (Rogers et al., 2012). The debates on sustainable consumption are dominated by powerful actors who still propagate the agenda that sustainability is compatible with increasing levels of consumption made possible by technological innovations. The absolute reductions in consumption patterns are often put off the table by powerful actors â€Å"who set the agendas and influence people’s behaviour options and their impacts†(Fuchs et al., 2015). Thus the rationale for altered consumption patterns and lifestyle is often underplayed, which puts excessive pressure on the current resource base of the planet. Who bears the cost? The very existence of socio economic inequalities renders as invisible certain groups of people. Schlosberg, 2012 notes that mal recognition promotes distributive injustices on the line of class, race, income, gender etc. When people are not recognised and their voices muted, they lose control over their own lives. Ribot, 2009 notes that the impact of a similar climate hazard varies considerably among different groups of people at the same time. Thus vulnerability to environmental change inherently exists within the system or the communities who are exposed to it. Inherent vulnerability is an outcome of underlying political economy that determines assets and patterns of access (Brooks, 2003). Sen and Nussbaum develops this notion further through the capabilities approach which focuses not only distributive inequities but also capacity to lead functioning lives (Schlosberg, 2012).Wisner, Blaikie, Cannon, Davis, 2003 notes that socio economic exclusion and marginalisation renders acce ss to livelihoods and resources that are insecure and unrewarding. Socio economic inequalities thus determines the inherent vulnerability of as system or social vulnerability defined as â€Å"those properties of a system independent of the hazard(s) to which it is exposed, that mediate the outcome of a hazard event† (Brooks, 2003, p. 5). The vulnerability associated with a natural hazard is produced when social vulnerability acts upon a triggering natural event and hence it becomes a determinant of bio physical vulnerability. Thus as Laurent, 2014 notes â€Å"inequality acts as a multiplier of social damage caused by environmental shocks†. Why is it so? The politics of risk transfer The history of risk distribution shows that like wealth risks also adheres to the class pattern; only inversely wealth accumulates at the top risk at the bottom. Newell, 2005 notes that environmental bads are distributed along the rooted structures of socio economic inequality along the lines of race, class, gender etc. The difference between the winners and the losers is attributed to power differentials. With greater inequality in the distribution of power those agents with more power are able to impose high external costs on those with less power and this there by affect the slice of the pollution pie as well as how it is sliced. Bullard depicts this clearly in his pioneering work on environmental justice â€Å"Dumping in the Dixie†(Bullard, 2000). For e.g. he shows that out of 8 garbage incinerators in Houston 6 were in black neighbourhoods and one in a Hispanic neighbourhood. All the 5 landfills in the city were also located in black neighbourhoods. He contends that sitin g decisions merely followed the path of least resistance. â€Å"The unequal sharing of benefit and burden engenders feelings of unfair treatment and reinforces racial and class distinction† (Bullard, 2000, p. 88). Boyce explains this with the help of â€Å"power-weighted social decision rule†. â€Å"When the winners are powerful relative to the losers, more environmental degradation occurs than in the reverse situation†(Boyce, 2013, p. 38). The greater the inequality of power, greater will be the social cost of environmental degradation. The process of risk transfer where the costs of environmental degradation are passed on to those who are not responsible for it is conditioned through differences in power often made possible through state intervention. Boyce depicts this as differences in purchasing power and political power which are often correlated with one another. Both these forms of power render it impossible to arrive at the optimum level of pollution prescribed by the cost benefit analysis (ibid). Besides a clean and safe environment is not a pure public good and it is also possible to purchase private insulation from public bad using the clout of purchasing and political power. Beck puts it like this, â€Å"Exponential growth of risks, impossibility of escaping them, political abstinence and the announcement and sale of private escape opportunities condition one another†. The costs to the losers are sim ply ignored by the winners who pursue the activity as long as it remains privately beneficial for them to do so, i.e. as long as they are not held accountable. Thus as Laurent, 2014 notes inequality renders the rich unaccountable for their actions by creating conducive conditions for transferring the associated environmental damages to the poor and the powerless. Environmental crisis and Inequalities The link between environmental crisis and inequalities can be examined through the notion of strong sustainability which highlights the limited substitutability of natural capital for human existence and well-being, in a unique way such that it cannot be replaced by any other forms of capital (Ekins, Simon, Deutsch, Folke, De Groot, 2003; Pelenc, Lompo, Ballet, Dubois, 2013). Ekins et al., 2003 et al depicts these contributions in the form of resources provided by the ecosystem components, life support and regulation functions that maintain stability and resilience, as well as a sink for absorption of waste from human activities. This leads to a concept of Critical Natural Capital that performs essential eco system services to present and future wellbeing characterised by its irreversibility when thresholds are crossed provoking an ecological crisis (Pelenc, 2010). Brand, 2009 notes that nature constitutes an integral part of the socio cultural identity for many indigenous communit ies and social groups often entwined with their food and livelihood security. The environmental crisis like climate change disproportionately affects those communities who are directly dependant on eco system services. Hence erosion of eco system services through its unsustainable use and degradation could lead to loss of capabilities for present generations and to some extend future generations. Thus environment crisis primarily impairs the socio ecological resilience of resource dependent communities. The welfare impact of erosion of ecosystem services as an outcome of the environmental crisis is mediated through existing power relations where certain actors can mobilise certain endowments to make effective use of some others. (eg.when rainfall decreases the rich farmers can invest capital and artificially irrigate their land through sprinklers etc.) Anu Kapur opinions that â€Å"Vulnerability is like a leak that allows forces agents and processes to break in and thus impact† (Kapur, 2008, p. 196). Environmnetal degradation or environmental crisis acts on the inherent vulnerability in a place, community or social group there by acting as a crisis catalyst.â€Å"Any weakness is susceptible to exploitation. Natural forces can roam and rein free in a land where people are disadvantaged† (Kapur, 2008, p. 205). Boyce, 2013 argues that unequal vulnerabilities before and during a disaster often continue to play out in the period of disaster. After a disaster they have great difficulty in recovering from disasters due to less insurance,lower incomes,fewer savings,unemployment,access to resources etc.(ibid).When evaluated through the cost benefit analysis lens, public policies place a lower priority on less valuable people and their assets. Thus the resilience capacity of any social group or population is not determined just by external factors such as disasters or climate shocks but the regenerative capacity of a social or an ecological system as defined by socio economic and political conditions (Ribot, 2009). Adaptation and mitigation strategies following an environmental crisis places more value on the assets of the rich and powerful. When the costs of climate protection are measured by â€Å"willingness to pay† approaches the whole issue burns down to a question of haves and have not’s. Willingness to pay is contingent on ability to pay and hence the preferences revealed in the market need not necessarily depict the preferences for environmental quality. Boyce illustrates this with a striking example (Boyce, 2014). He proposes an imaginary solution will cause world incomes to fall by 25%. For the majority of the marginalised and the poor who live on one dollar a day it leads to a loss of mere 25 cents. However this small amount entails a question of survival for them. On the other hand a real estate baron with an income of about $2000 per day will lose 500 $ daily. In monetary terms the loss is much higher for the baron and thus traditional economic models will be biased t owards protecting the baron’s interest because it rests on logic of economic efficiency that counts each dollar equally. Boyce argues that this attitude was visible brutally in the 1992 memorandum signed by Lawrence Summers ,then chief economist of the world bank when he stated that the economic logic of dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest-wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that. The ecological crisis also mystifies inequalities on ground through the emergence of new market fixes for the same. Termed as disaster capitalism by Naomi Klein it is defined by her as orchestrated raids on the public sphere in the wake of catastrophic events combined with treatment of disasters as exciting market opportunities (Klein, 2007). Neo liberal policies seek to harness crisis as opportunities for continued economic expansion. The neo liberal fixes for the ecological crisis includes commodification of nature, privatisation of state controlled resources, restricting participation of local communities by transferring governance to non-state actors, increased exploitation of dwindling natural resource for short term profits etc. (Naidu Panayiotis, 2010). Termed as accumulation by dispossession by Harvey, solution to the environmental crisis promotes exclusion by alienating the minority of their rights to use nature (ibid). Beck, 1992 argues that in the risk society, risk thems elves becomes big business opportunities. As the environmental crisis enfolds we see these patterns emerging. For e.g. under the name of CDM we see the developed countries displacing or transferring their emissions to poorer societies by paying the latter to reduce their own emissions. Neo liberal capitalism has succeeded in commodifying not just environment but also environmental concern in the form of green economy, green consumerism, and carbon markets to address climate change among others. Thus as Laurent argues contemporary ecological crisis poses a severe threat to social justice through the rise of environmental inequalities (Laurent, 2014). [i] This aspect is discussed in detail in Chapter 2. Abenomics: Summary and Analysis Abenomics: Summary and Analysis Introduction Japans fares rate a month ago at the quickest yearly rate in more than two years. The weaker yen additionally helped the vitality overwhelming import bill, despite the fact that the rose 10 for every penny from a year prior, economists said the net impact of the yens retreat stayed positive, in light of the fact that higher fare incomes decipher into higher exporter income and hence more financing and laborers rewards. Japans stock exchange is overwhelming on sending out, The Prime Minister Abes administration additionally trusts that the fare windfall will shore up general business and customer trust. This is approach to mean to haul Japan out of its liquidity trap and end about two decades’ years of monetary stagnation and flattening. This article will talk about foundation and adequacy of Abenomics and how the Japanese government ought to take care of this issue. The Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recommended monetary strategies which are called as Abenomics. Abenomics has three (3) shafts; An enormous financial jolt, More forceful fiscal moving from the Bank of Japan and Structural changes to support Japans intensity. (B. Mclannahan, B. Haslett and K. Carnie, 2013). What is Abenomics? The financial strategies that Abe backings incorporate a forceful set of money related, monetary, and structural changes intended for impelling swelling and hauling Japan out of its decades-long deflationary droop. The expansive objective is to help yearly GDP development, which right now remains at 2 percent, and raise expansion to 2 percent through fleeting boost using, money related moving, and changes that will support household work markets and expand exchange associations. Emulating the takeoff of previous national bank senator Masaaki Shirakawa, Japans national bank set an expansion focus of 2 percent in January 2013, which it swore to accomplish through quantitative maneuvering that would purchase up for the most part fleeting government obligation in an advantage buy arrange because of begin in 2014. Haruhiko Kuroda, a defender of forceful maneuvering strategies, was introduced in February 2013 as the new leader of the national bank in a move that Abe roundly touted as an administration change at the BOJ. Abe additionally requested a weighty 10.3 trillion yen fleeting jolt bundle, affirmed by the bureau in January 2013, which will run to framework ventures with a concentrate on building scaffolds, shafts, and quake safe streets. Around a third of the bundle, which is Japans second-biggest ever, is reserved to invigorate private financing, including steps to push clean vitality. Abe advertised in October 2013 that he would bring the utilization expense up in April 2014 from 5 percent to 8 percent; this is anticipated to expand to 10 percent in 2015. Some expect that the ascent could end recuperation, as higher costs havent yet been matched by higher wages. The International Monetary Fund cautioned that Japanese monetary development would moderate from 2 percent to 1.2 percent in 2014 because of the trek. While fiscal and financial strategies will do the majority of the overwhelming lifting in the short term, structural changes, which the BOJ has contended are long past due, will be the long haul linchpin of Abes arrangements. Japans alarming demographic scene the number of inhabitants in Japanese laborers between ages fifteen and sixty-four has shrunk by 6 percent in the previous decade—has been one of the biggest guilty parties in hampering development. Activities to check this pattern incorporate empowering more prominent female support in the workforce by embracing more extensive tyke forethought help strategies. Abes legislature has likewise laid out particular activities to redesign regulations in key segments like, nature, and social insurance. In October 2013, Japans parliament started debating the third shaft of its financial arrangement, albeit a few themes, including Japans work laws and medicinal protection, will probably be left off the table. As a few commercial ventures with critical political clout have passionately dissented against Japans support. The horticulture business, for example, has contended that the division would take a hit from outside rivalry because of the evacuation of high taxes and other defensive measures on imports. Some human services suppliers have additionally whined that Japans national wellbeing protection framework would be unfavorably influenced as the TPP would constrain Japanese nationals to purchase remote delivered pharmaceuticals and therapeutic gadgets. Regardless of these residential sensitivities, Abe in any case demanded that Japan required exploiting the last risk it needed to remain an investment control in. Recognize that the presumption of r = r* was dropped, which is a mathematical statement for a little economy that cant impact the world investment rate. As Japan is the third biggest economy on the planet, the suspicion that it has little impact on the world money related business sector must be dropped. Hence, the investment rate was dealt with as an endogenous variable. Accordingly, LM bend got a positive incline, as opposed to being vertical. As a matter of first importance, the Bank of Japan is focusing on a 2% CPI swelling rate and expanding the cash supply coursing in the economy by purchasing different budgetary stakes, for example, the legislature security, which is basically financial extension policy. It could be said that this inconclusive quantitative maneuvering is the center of Abenomics. On the diagram over, the expand in the cash supply moves the LM bend to the right, raising the pay from Y1 to Y2, and bringing down the genuine premium rate from r1 to r2. The decline in the genuine investment rate then builds the net capital surge as is shown on the second diagram. As the net capital outpouring builds from Cf1 to Cf2, the supply of Japanese yen in the business sector for remote trade expands. The swapping scale tumbles from e1 to e2, deteriorating the Japanese yen. This makes the Japanese merchandise moderately less expensive to remote products and the net fare climbs from Nx1 to Nx2. There are two channels for this system. In the first place, as the money related extension brings down the premium rate, this invigorates the speculation. Second, as the fiscal arrangement causes the money to devalue in the business sector for remote trade, this empowers net fares. The three arrows Abenomics incorporates a financial administration shift, monetary boost measures, and structural changes, otherwise called the three arrows. Early success of the first arrow Abenomics first bolt forceful money related maneuvering with swelling focusing on has been on target and working astoundingly well. It began to have a positive effect on the Japanese economy well before the Bank of Japan advertised strong qualitative and quantitative maneuvering in April 2013 as an intends to attain its swelling focus of 2%. It was striking that relentless talk of these arrangements changed speculator desires even without cash market intercession. Between November 2012 and spring 2013, the yen deteriorated by 20% against the US dollar and stock costs climbed by half. The resultant riches impact from higher stock costs supported utilization for the first and second quarters of 2013. Today, the yen/US dollar swapping scale stays at around 100 yen, an agreeable level for Japans exporters. Fiscal policy challenge: Second arrow The second shaft, adaptable financial approach, in spite of the fact that additionally on target, has been all the more difficult. It would have been composed as a brisk fix to lift the economy out of flattening, notwithstanding Japans disintegrating sovereign obligation circumstance. Japans horrible open obligation is in excess of 200% of the nations terrible local item and its monetary shortfalls have been approaching a disturbing half of government plan. With the Japanese government effectively one of the leanest amongst created economies, the nation would need to depend predominantly on expense expands to guarantee financial maintainability in the medium term. The second bolt is testing in light of the fact that it includes a transitory expand in government using to attain a lasting duty trek for financial combination. In the first and second quarters of 2013, Japan upped its monetary consumptions. Together with the first shaft, the nations investment development rate was briefly helped to a lively 4% in the second quarter of 2013. The quicker development rate made expense expands more worthy to the Japanese open. In October 2013, Mr. Abe chose to proceed with a utilization expense expand from 5% to 10% in two stages by 2015. To pad the effect of the first stage 3% utilization expense expands in April 2014, Japans Cabinet sanctions an extra $53 billion in financial jolt in December 2013. Source: International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, October 2012. Third arrow yet to be released (structural changes) This is the most shapeless a piece of the method and the most hard to establish in this present reality as genuine structural changes include gigantic migration. Japan experiences a declining conception rate – each Japanese lady creates 1.36 kids on normal, well underneath substitution rate. To keep on making the same welfare installments to the maturing Japanese workforce over the impending decade, Japan needs 16m foreigners. At present, net migration as indicated by the World Bank is around 70,000 a year. Whats more even in the impossible occasion that Japan gets to be altogether less separate and additionally inviting to mass migration, the British test shows that those 16m specialists will likely accompany a further 16m wards, making a cyclical requirement for more movement to blanket the qualifications of the new outsiders. The Japanese open have demonstrated no voracity for mass migration in this way, nor for monstrous families, and I uncertainty a whole lot that they wi ll do so now whatever the long haul budgetary results. Problems and Risks Associated with Abenomics There is a climbing incredulity towards whether Abenomics would truly revitalize the Japanese economy as the conversion scale acknowledged breaking the 100 JPY/USD limit and as Nikkei Index smashed. Despite the fact that, hypothetically, Abenomics has a sound Keynesian foundation, a lot of people are bringing up the way that it is excessively centered around the interest side of its economy, not on the supply side. One of the principal issues that Japan is confronting is its maturing populace. As the populace pyramid gets rearranged, the work populace is contracting consistently. This achieves number of issues for the Japanese economy. To start with, the administration responsibility in using on annuities, restorative costs and government managed savings will persistently go about as a generous trouble to the effectively obliged nation with an open obligation of 240% its GDP. This will further compound the money related trustworthiness of the Japanese government prompting a disintegration of universal certainty in Japanese economy. This would bother the circumstances and bring down the aggregate wage in the Japanese economy. This then would incite the premium rates to discourage the costs of budgetary holdings, which will then decrease the guarantee being utilized as bank advances. Therefore, this will prompt fiscal issues for Japan, further intensifying the issues. Also, its diminishing workforce cant maintain the monetary yield level that is kept up in the future. As it is demonstrated on the information, the demography will definitely change so more youngsters will need to backing for the more established populace, which intimates that this change in demography is the fundamental offender throughout the previous two many years of emptying and stagnant financial growth. This has an alternate ramifications to why the shopper interest may be falling behind. There is an alternate danger connected with Abenomics. As the yen deteriorates, net fare expands as down home items gets less expensive abroad; then again, imports get more unreasonable. This is a huge issue for Japan as following the time when the Fukushima atomic debacle, the saying vitality emergencys was waiting around the Japanese daily papers for two years. As Japanese open declined to utilize atomic force, the Japanese government needed to turn to more costly foreign made vitality, for example, LPG, oil and naphtha, expanding the month to month estimation of Japanese vitality imports from 1.4 trillion yen to 2.2 trillion yen. This could crumble the aggressiveness of Japanese organizations, as vitality costs go up. Moreover, fare represents just something like 14% of its economy. So the center of Abenomics ought to be so as to restore the household economy, not through fare. The build in vitality costs could raise the down home customer costs without really enhancing the wage o f the Japanese firms and shoppers. Consequently, there is a danger towards Abenomics in that costly vitality imports will drag the Japanese economy into an alternate lost decade. Conclusion Taking everything into account, Abenomics is a sound Keynesian arrangement that could spare the Japanese economy from emptying. The Mundell-Fleming Model was utilized to represent the financial hypothesis behind Abenomics. Then again, there were significant dangers connected with Abenomics, for example, the maturing populace, poor gainfulness and the vitality emergency. The way to accomplishment for Abenomics would be subject to whether the Japanese government adequately deals with these dangers and faces the basic changes that would enhance the supply side of its economy. Abenomics first and second bolts have put the Japanese economy solidly on the way to recuperation. The nation is currently anticipating the arrival of the third shaft. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics supplement the Abenomics technique by displaying a brilliant chance to take care of Japans obligation maintainable quality issue. In the event that the Japanese government is shrewd to build utilization charges before the 2020 Olympics, then the obligation issue that began after the 1964 Olympic Games might be ceased in 2020.