Saturday, May 23, 2020

Effective Leadership And The Leadership Essay - 1316 Words

INTRODUCTION: - This report will investigate on the effective leadership and the need for the leaders to lead from behind and put others in front in the occurrence of nice things and to take the front line when there is a danger. The quote means that leadership should be a collective activity where the leader understands all his followers and includes all of them in his leadership activity. Through the years, leadership has been outlined in many means. Northhouse (2010) quoted that leadership is â€Å"a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.† (p. 3). As noted by Rauch and Behling (1984, p.46), Leadership is â€Å"the process of influencing the activities of an organized group toward goal achievement.† In the movie, Mandela shows exemplary leadership qualities to unite the divided people of South Africa through Rugby and has proved as a transformational, charismatic and inspirational leader. In addition, this report will also analyze th e leadership theories and demonstrate different styles of leadership Mandela implemented in the movie, which aided him to triumph what many other leaders have never accomplished. 2.0 Analysis: - 2.1. Scene 1: - Mandela Invites Pienaar: - Mandel invites Francois Pienaar, a white Afrikaner and South African (Springbok) Rugby team captain, at the government office and motivates him to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. 2.1.1. Analysis Theory Integration: - Mandela invites Pienaar at the president office.Show MoreRelatedLeadership : Effective And Effective Leadership848 Words   |  4 PagesFollowership Effective followership is an essential component of effective leadership in that, without good followers, the leader’s work is difficult and cumbersome. The role of the follower is many times understated. As illustrated by Kelley (1998), â€Å"effective followers are thinkers; energetic and assertive, self-starters, independent problem solvers, and carry out their tasks with these characteristics (p. 143). Effective followers also are characterized by their ability to perform tasks withRead MoreLeadership And Leadership : Effective Leadership1257 Words   |  6 Pagesus knowledge of how effective leadership can provide positive ways to influence others in order to accomplish goals. Managers could use trait leadership perspectives to become better leaders. As a leader, motivating your employees is key to an organizational structure. Leadership is a process which commences by following. Skill set born with or learned. As a follower one can learn and improve in their performance to be an effective leader. According to the text, leadership influence can be locatedRead MoreEffective Leadership And The Leadership Essay1398 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION: - This report will investigate on the effective leadership and the need for the leaders to lead from behind and put others in front in the occurrence of nice things and to take the front line when there is a danger. The quote means that leadership should be a collective activity where the leader understands all his followers and includes all of them in his leadership activity. Leadership is defined as a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a commonRead MoreDefinition Of Effective Leadership And Leadership1487 Words   |  6 Pagesto say in regards to leadership and those in positions of leadership. The Bible tells us that leaders are to lead with integrity and values that govern the heart. â€Å"So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with skillful hands.† (Psalm 78:72 NKJV) Unfortunately, that is not the practice of many in leadership, often leaders operate with a public set of values that differs fro m that of their private life. The definition of effective leadership has changed from characterRead MoreLeadership Styles : Effective Leadership840 Words   |  4 PagesThis short paper examines effective leadership. Effective leadership may be outlined in many ways. Although exposed to several different leadership styles, I find that I respond best to a leader who believes in the works and theories of Confucius. According to McMahon, the Confucian leadership system believes that leadership is an emergent quality of the character that radiates and makes others want to follow, based on the respect and trust the leader generates (McMahon, 2010). I believe the newRead MoreEffective Leadership2729 Words   |  11 PagesEffective Leaders Abstract Leadership is the process of using power and influence to navigate followers to achieve a specific goal. The purpose of this paper is to explain that effective leaders must hone specific traits that are indispensable for managing organizations successfully. This paper explores the techniques, approaches, and practices that make leaders powerful, influential and efficient. Additionally, to help defineRead MoreLeadership And Effective Leadership For Learning1444 Words   |  6 Pageschallenges of a changing educational climate and effective leadership is crucial in helping to guide the whole school community through the potentially treacherous waters of change. This assignment will delve into the complexity of leadership and will emphasize that whilst leaders can attempt to create conditions to help schools improve, they are not solely responsible for the outcome of the education process. Fullan (2001) posits that effective school leadership has the ability to manage educational chan geRead MoreEffective Leadership2033 Words   |  9 PagesAn effective leader can be described as one who has the ability to inspire, influence and motivate people to achieve constructive change (Pierce Newstrom 2008). Zand (cited in DuBrin, Dalglish Miller 2006) further suggests that knowledge, power and trust are the three forces that contribute most to effective leadership. In assessing Gerry Harvey’s effectiveness as a leader, we have critically analysed his strengths and weaknesses in each of these areas by examining his leadership style, traitsRead MoreEffective Leadership922 Words   |  4 Pagesemployees and the communities they serve. In order to be effective, leaders must constantly strive to create a work environment conducive for team unity and collaboration (Llopis, 2012). Good leaders pride themselves on being visionaries with the ability to lead by example. They have a charismatic gift to inspire and encourage others to work together to meet a common g oal (Bateman and Snell, 2009). Contrary to what some believe, leadership is a shared vision. It involves accepting feedback fromRead MoreLeadership And Communication Strategies For Effective Leadership882 Words   |  4 PagesLeadership and Communication What is leadership? There are various definitions of this particular term according to various needs of the organizations and employees and they all qualify in one way or another. Though the definition that most resonates with me one by buckingham (2005), â€Å"what defines a leader is his preoccupation with a â€Å"the better future†, he carries a vivid image of what the future could be and it drives him on, and he shows this picture to his followers, persuades them into believing

Monday, May 18, 2020

Human Rights And Women s Rights - 955 Words

Over the past few centuries, human rights have evolved all around the world. The main purpose of human rights are to protect people and promote happiness. At one point in history women did not work outside of the home or even have the right to vote. This day in age, women have more rights, but society still finds ways to discriminate against them and limit their rights. In third world countries women are also treated as inferior because of their appearance, race, and religion. Everyday in third world countries women are abused and belittled. For example, women in some countries in Asia have to follow certain dress codes because of their religion. These women have to be completely clothed and cannot show their faces. They have to wear long dresses that go down to their ankles and veils and cloaks to cover their faces. Women in these countries are also abused and are treated like objects; many are beaten and raped. In addition, women are downgraded when it comes to the work force. Wome n are paid much less than men are and there is a stereotype that certain jobs are only for men while certain jobs are only for women. It is often thought that jobs in construction and jobs in mechanics are only for men because women are seen as weaker in those fields. Even though many women work in todays society we are still seen as housewives. It is thought that we should only cook, clean, take care of the children and provide for our husbands wants. In today’s society, there is thisShow MoreRelatedHuman Rights And Women s Rights1129 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.† On September 5, 1995, 180 countries came together in Beijing China to hear first lady Hillary Clinton s speech about women s rights. This speech was the United Nations Fourth World Conference of Women. The target audience for this speech is governments and other organizations that can help meet the goal of making women s rights human rights. She addressed problems that everyRead MoreWomen s Rights As Human Rights Essay5715 Words   |  23 PagesWOMEN’S RIGHTS AS HUMAN RIGHTS ABSTRACT The Constitution of India is imbued with the spirit of promoting and protecting the human rights of its constituents. But, merely incorporating a comprehensive bill of rights will not deliver the goods. And, although Article 32 of the Constitution assures an individual the right to move the Supreme Court of India for the enforcement of his/her rights, other constraints (like court fees, large back log of pending cases, and the intricacies of legal proceduresRead MoreWomen s Rights : Human Rights1909 Words   |  8 PagesProfessor Blajovec Woman’s rights are Human rights No country in the world has achieved complete gender equality just yet. Though some places are further along than others, some are still so far from the finish line that it’s not even in sight. For years, women around the world have been fighting for a stronger voice, and to be respected just as much as the man standing next to them. Despite increased awareness and mobilization at the local and international levels, women and girls in conflict continueRead MoreWomen s Rights Are Human Rights991 Words   |  4 PagesHilary Clinton. In the speech, Clinton made the famous remark, â€Å"Women’s rights are human rights†. Since the speech, focus on gender equality has increased, especially in the workplace. Yet, some industries, like private equity, continue to have problem in attracting women. Private equity firms have become increasingly aware of the need to get more women involved. But how big is the problem and are new perks the way to go? Women in Private Equity Preqin’s latest research in March didn’t paint a veryRead MoreHuman Rights And Women s Rights880 Words   |  4 PagesHuman rights abuse is the breakthrough for countless altered nations in the 20th century. Citizens from every country privileges were abused, they dealt with violence and strived for independence. Being denied freedom in their country! Many different people with power who established the law in terms of what many thought was the best for the people brought it out. A big major issue was women’s rights that were and still are examined as lower to men. Years after of plenty of hard work and battlingRead MoreDiscrimination Against Women s Human Rights1005 Words   |  5 PagesOne’s Human Rights Prompt: Why has it been difficult for indigenous peoples to claim human rights? Was it equally hard to establish women’s human rights to freedom from violence? Consider a series of factors such as the nature of their rights claims and the political context within which these claims were made in discussing the similarities and differences between these two cases and the process through which they became defined as human rights. The idea that indigenous people have rights is relativelyRead MoreWomen Of The United States And The World Is Violating A Person s Human Rights1364 Words   |  6 PagesStates and the world was and still is violating a person’s human rights. For century’s women, African Americans, gays, and lesbians were the grunt of such unfair treatment. Men thought a women place was in the home, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the kids. Whites thought that black people did not deserve any rights because of their skin color. People where against gays and lesbians because of their sexual preference. In some countries women are not allowed to work. In India a great part of theRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary H. Cooper s Article, Women And Human Rights1236 Words   |  5 Pagesconflicts around the world, many women and girls are left with physical scars and emotional anguish that serve as a reminder of the agony they experienced when receiving violent punishments. These acts of violenc e, which are viewed as an infringement of their human rights, are given as social punishments for, seemingly, minor infractions. This, unfortunately, is the circumstance many women face, as described by author Mary H. Cooper in the article, â€Å"Women and Human Rights†. The author’s purpose is toRead MoreMary Prince s A Vindication Of The Rights Of Women : Slaves As Human Beings Or Animals?2119 Words   |  9 PagesCatherine Vo 1203565 Dr. Grace Kehler ENGLISH 3M06 05 November 2014 Mary Prince’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women: Slaves as Human Beings or Animals? Throughout Mary Prince s narrative, A Vindication of the Rights of Women, it is clearly evident that the brutal treatment from Prince s mistresses, which she inflicts upon her slaves, is a common occurrence. Through her perspective, she tells the readers about the harsh treatment she receives from both her masters and mistresses. By doing soRead MoreWomen s Education : An International Human Right Without Any Discrimination Based On Sex895 Words   |  4 PagesWomen`s education is an international human right without any discrimination based on sex or gender. It is necessary for identity social development and a means for a prosperous life. Constantly, the United Nations emphasized women`s education and set goals for its success with gender equality. Empowering women`s education is an essential element in growing societies that seek democracy and economic advancement. For the last decade, Palestinian women education had been the concern for several reasons

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The Meditations By Rene Descartes - 1384 Words

Renà © Descartes main goal in the Meditations is to establish that one exists and that a perfect God exists. However, he first argues that the idea that everything perceived around one could be false because the senses are sometimes deceiving. In the first Meditation, Descartes introduces skepticism and brings forth a method of doubt in which he evaluates his beliefs, and questions whether they are true or false and why they should be doubted. He presents various hypothesis that prove there is reason to doubt the knowledge that one is already aware of. In Meditations one, Descartes considers his present knowledge and mentions that there are a number of falsehoods he has believed during his life, so he begins to doubt the knowledge he has obtained from these falsehoods. Essentially, he is starting over again from the â€Å"original foundations† because there is reason to doubt of the things he knows. He has to build his knowledge again by accepting only the things he is certai n about. Descartes presents the hypothesis of the senses and admits that everything he believes is true has been because of the senses. He says, â€Å"[h]owever, I have noticed that the senses are sometimes deceptive; and it is a mark of prudence never to place our complete trust in those who have deceived us even once† (Ariew, Watkins 41). We should be doubtful of our senses because sometimes perception can be deceiving. The senses have already tricked us so it is likely to happen again. For example, putting aShow MoreRelated The Meditations by Rene Descartes1003 Words   |  5 PagesIn Descartes’ Meditations, his goal to prove the existence of things could only be accomplished if he was logical, clear, and correct in his thoughts and writings. The most important issues he noted were the threat of being deceived and the potential of being incorrect in his judgments, both of which would lead him into error. Error exists as a problem that individuals encounter on a reg ular basis, and it also exists as a focal point in Descartes’ Meditations. Descartes defines error as â€Å"a privationRead MoreDescartes First Meditations By Rene Descartes1352 Words   |  6 PagesIn Renà © Descartes’ First Meditations, he introduces three main sceptical arguments for the possibility of doubt: illusion, dreaming and error. Descartes’ purpose in his First Meditations is to define knowledge by placing doubt on the sceptical arguments capacity to provide truth. In this essay, I will focus on the argument from dreaming. There are many objections against the argument; therefore I will assess the soundness of the argument and whether it establishes universal doubt based on the plausibilityRead More Renà © Descartes Meditations Essay1116 Words   |  5 PagesRenà © Descartes Meditations Renà © Descartes’ argument that he does not know his piece of wax through his senses is rather straightforward. First, his sensory perceptions of the wax are its color, scent, sound, texture, temperature and the like. However, these purported properties of the wax are not constant; if the wax is brought close to a flame, its color, sound, texture and all the rest will change. Nevertheless, Descartes claims, no one would deny that the object now by the fire is the sameRead MoreThe Meditations of Rene Descartes Essay493 Words   |  2 PagesThe Meditations of Rene Descartes In 1916 Rene Descartes wrote What I wish to finish is . . . an absolutely new science enabling one to resolve all questions proposed on any order of continuos or discontinuous quantities. (p8 Methods Meditations). He made this ambitious statement at the young age of twenty-three. Renes ambition would take him far but it kept him from becoming the Aristotle of the modern age. The Meditations were an attempt to solve the many questions about life, existenceRead MoreRene Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy1234 Words   |  5 Pages In Rene Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes does and experiment with wax to try to prove that things actually exist in this world. This essay is going to prove how we can tell that things actually exist and what can perceive the wax. Rene Descartes starts off with a description of the wax so he can prove to us the changes that will happen throughout his experiment. â€Å"Let us take, for instance, this piece of wax. It has been taken quite recently from theRead MoreMeditations On First Philosophy By Rene Descartes Essay839 Words   |  4 PagesPrà ©ciso of Meditations on First Philosophy Through his series of books, Meditations on First Philosophy, Renà © Descartes enlightens his philosophical ideas about knowledge in which we should discard all belief we aren’t absolute certain about and establishes what we know for sure. In the introduction he clarifying the main ideas of each of the 6 books and using to them build up to his belief. Starting with the First Meditations, he discusses about doubt. He believed that there are no real foundationsRead MoreThe Meditations On First Philosophy By Rene Descartes916 Words   |  4 Pages The Meditations on First Philosophy by Rene Descartes is a thorough analysis about doubt. Descartes describes his method of doubt to determine whether he can truly know something. One of his major arguments is the proof of the existence of God. In this paper, I will attempt to unravel the flaws in Descartes proof that God exists. In the meditations, Descartes evaluates whether or not everything we know is a reality or a dream. Descartes claims that we can only be sure that our beliefs are trueRead MoreMeditations On First Philosophy By Rene Descartes1062 Words   |  5 PagesIn Meditations on First Philosophy, Renà © Descartes philosophies made a substantial advancement in enabling us to understand the world around us by querying many of the Aristotelian doctrines that are still being discussed in philosophy today. He attempts to answer the question; can you fully trust your senses? Descartes uses methodological doubt, which is a process of being skeptical about truths of someone’s belief to revoke from his senses. In Meditation One: Concerning Those Things That Can BeRead MoreRene Descartes Meditations On First Philosophy1758 Words   |  8 PagesPerhaps the most startling conclusion reached by Renà © Descartes in Meditations on First Philosophy is his proposed disconnection between the Mind and Body. Striving to separate the spiritual from the corporeal to enable scientific examination of the earthly without interference from the divine, Descartes conceives that the two basic human substances, Mind and Body, are distinct and therefore able to exist separate of one another in his [in]famous claim of substance dualism. His conclusions rest uponRead MoreMeditation and Discourse on the Method by Rene Descartes831 Words   |  3 Pagesphilosophers attempt to satisfy them, such as Renà © Descartes. Descartes was a modern philosopher and rationalist, or an advocate of â€Å"the view that through unaided reason we can come to know what the world is like† (792). Descartes attempts to seal conclusions on such questions by using his mathematical knowledge and relating them to philosophy. Traces of such views can be found in many famous works that include the Meditations and Discourse on the Method. Descartes was a firm believer in the view that knowledge

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Animal Farm as a Fable Essay - 1670 Words

Everyone has encountered Aesops fables at some point in their life. Aesop is the most renowned author of fables; a fable can be any â€Å"short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters† (â€Å"Fable†). For example, Animal Farm by George Orwell can be considered a fable. In this novel, the animals on Manor Farm rebel against their oppressive dictator, Mr. Jones, forming Animal Farm. However, after the rebellion, the animals allow the pigs to take over, who become the oppressive dictators who abuse the animals; Animal Farm has come full circle. It is rather obvious that the characters and events in Animal Farm are parallels to the rise and revolution of Communism in Russia. But why would Orwell write a fable†¦show more content†¦Most of the victims were innocent, for example, â€Å"The three hens... now came forward and stated that Snowball had appeared to them in a dream... They, too, were slaughtered† (Orwell 93 ). At the close of the novel, the farm animals are in the same position they were in with Jones, if not worse. The moral here is that, after a change of government, the poor will still be the oppressed lower-class. Similarly, in the fable, â€Å"The Ass and the Old Shepherd,† a shepherd tells the donkey to flee from enemies with him, or they will both be captured. The donkey replies that he does not care if the enemies take him from the shepherd, because he will be carrying his owners panniers, no matter who the owner is. Meaning, No matter who is oppressing him, he will always bear the burden. The moral to this fable is, â€Å"In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master† (â€Å"The Ass†). Like the donkey in this short fable, Benjamin sees how pointless the revolution will be. He understands that whether the absolute leader of the farm is a person or a pig, â€Å"Life would go on as it had always gone on—that is, bad ly† (Orwell 65). After Squealer is caught in the act of altering the commandments, Benjamin just â€Å"nodded his muzzle with a knowing air, and seemed to understand† (Orwell 112). Benjamin knew that it would come to this, where the animals had the same lives as before, where they had always â€Å"carried the panniers† forShow MoreRelatedWays of Viewing Animal Farm: Historical Allegory, Fable, and Suspension of Disbelief752 Words   |  4 PagesAnimal farm tells the story of a group of animals rebelling successfully against the previous owner, Mr Jones, who was considered to be a tyrant of animal/manor farm. The farm was planned to be communist place but because of most of the animals gullibility and unintelligence the pigs who where smarter took control and made a hierarchy and exploited the animals. Then eventually the pigs became more like humans doing things like walking on two legs and wearing cloths. However would animal farm beRead MoreAnimal Farm: A Fairy Story: Why do you think Orwell chose to use a fable in his condemnation of Soviet communism and totalitarianism?1786 Words   |  8 Pagesbased on a fable usually contains characters that act and talk like human beings while retaining their human traits. George Orwell wrote a book that was called animal farm: a fairy story and was most likely based on the Russian Revolution which occurred during 1917 to 1945. There are many reasons to which why George Orwell would have used a fable in his condemnation of Soviet communism and totalitarianism. George Orwell used talking animals to show their interaction of these animals to help linkRead More Allegory is a story that works on two levels. Essay1178 Words   |  5 Pagescommunism gone wrong, while for younger readers it is a hilarious fable of the farmyard.-Animal Farm As explained in the quote above, Animal Farm is a story that works on two levels. One level is simple, and the other one is the more complex and sophisticated. I would like to explain these levels in this essay. But first, I would like to clearly explain what the word allegory means by giving some examples from well-known fables. One of the best examples is the Little Red Riding Hood. I imagineRead More Animal Farm, by George Orwell Essay978 Words   |  4 Pagespiece of satire, Animal Farm. The main targets at the brunt of this political satire are the society that was created in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, and the leaders involved in it. George Orwell successfully condemns these targets through satirical techniques such as irony, fable, and allegory. The immediate object of attack in Orwells political satire is the society that was created in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. The events narrated in Animal Farm obviously andRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1392 Words   |  6 PagesWords In what was a vastly controversial novel published in 1945, George Orwell’s Animal Farm describes the horrific brand of communism in the Soviet Union and the conscious blindness that most of the West accepted at that time. Although Orwell labeled Animal Farm as a fairy tale, this historically parallel novel branches into the genres of political satire, fable, and allegory as well. What made Animal Farm so controversial among the â€Å"British socialists† and Western countries was its criticismRead MoreAnimal Farm by George Orwell1100 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction: Widely acknowledged as a powerful allegory, the 1945 novella Animal Farm, conceived from the satirical mind of acclaimed author George Orwell, is a harrowing fable of a fictional dystopia that critiques the socialist philosophy of Stalin in terms of his leadership of the Soviet Union. Tired of their servitude to man, a group of farm animals revolt and establish their own society, only to be betrayed into worse servitude by their leaders, the pigs, whose initial virtuous intentionsRead MoreHow Has George Orwell Used Animal Farm to Present His View of Human Nature?789 Words   |  4 PagesGeorge Orwell’s Animal Farm is a satirical allegory through which he presents his cynical view of human nature. He uses the animal fable effectively to expose the issues of injustice, exploitation and inequality in human society. Orwell uses the allegory, Animal Farm, to present the story of The Russian Revolution and essentially express his opinions on the matter. By plainly exposing the unjust and corrupt system that is communism, Orwell is ultimately presenting his pessimistic view of humanRead MoreThe Nuns Priests Tale in the Canterbury Tales Essay1339 Words   |  6 PagesChaucers The Nuns Priests Tale is at once a fable, a tale of courtly love, and a satire mocking fables and courtly love traditions. To this end, Chaucer makes use of several stylistic techniques involving both framing and content. The tale begins and ends with a poor widwe somdeel stape in age (line 1), but the majority of the content involves not the widow but the animals on her farm, in particular an arrogant rooster name Chauntecleer. The first mention of the main character does notRead MoreAnimal Farm By George Orwell1397 Words   |  6 PagesAn important quote by the influential author of Animal Farm, George Orwell, is, †Å"Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism.† George Orwell, a Democratic Socialist, wrote the book Animal Farm as an attack on the Communist country of Russia (â€Å"The Political Ideas of George Orwell,† worldsocialism.org). He had a very strong disliking of Communism and the Socialist party of Russia. However, he insisted on finding the truthRead MoreSimilarities between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution874 Words   |  4 PagesRevolution Animal Farm Animal Farm is a satirical novella by George Orwell, and it can also be understood as a modern fable. The book is about a group of animals who drive away the humans from the farm which they live on, and it is primarily based on the Russian Revolution. Animal Farm is well known as an allegory. Most fables have two levels of meanings. On the surface, the fable is about animals. But on the second level, the animals stand for types of people or ideas. The way the animals interact

The increasing problem of the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest Free Essays

string(29) " completely beneath the sea\." In the following essay I am going to describe the increasing problem of the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest. The forest lies in Amazonia, an area of Brazil, so called because of its proximity to the river Amazon. The Amazonian rainforest was once flourishing with growth and teeming with wildlife. We will write a custom essay sample on The increasing problem of the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest or any similar topic only for you Order Now However, due to the rapid rate at which the forest is being decimated, few trees will remain for the next generation to perceive. This crisis is so extreme that every day an area the size of Wales is demolished, and in only half an hour approximately half a million trees are pulverised. Already, half the original rain forest has been destroyed. And the reason for this catastrophic abolishment of nature? Money! One of the foremost problems is the construction of huge roads proceeding though the forest and knocking down trees and vegetation in its path. These roads often consist of thousands of kilometres of very basic, primitive, bumpy tracks carved out of the sandy soil. The most prestigious road of its kind is the â€Å"Trans Amazonian Highway. † The roads are built to connect the rain forest with Brazil’s major cities, of which the majority are situated on the coast. Although the building of these roads should not contribute to the destruction of the rainforest, due to heavy machinery and the odd careless worker many trees are being damaged unnecessarily. They are cutting down far from the minimal amount of trees possible for the project. The consequence of the Amazonian rainforest being made accessible to major cities is the increasing potential of well established and prospering businesses set to make a fortune for some poor Brazilian families. As an outcome to this are frontier towns comprised from wood extracted and transported from the rainforest. Brazil is home to millions of impoverished citizens. The general domestic standards in homes often consist of no water or electricity and fairly severe food shortages. This poor standard of life encourages many families to move west in search of better conditions in which to work and live. The government issued each family with a plot of land to cultivate and occasionally this would include a house. The poor Brazilians began to rebuild their lives, however, before their land could be utilised it had to go through the lengthy but crucial process of removing all the trees from their plot. To do this they used destructive tools like axes and chainsaws then after to get rid of any remnants of life they would burn it. This was a further problem as many fires got out of hand and lead to major forest fires. After a while it became known as â€Å"slash and burn† Once the land was clear the settlers started to plant and grow their crops, corn, manioc and sweet potatoes to feed their families. Because the settlers had know knowledge of agriculture many wasted time carrying procedures to no effect. At first their crops were productive, however, because there were no trees left to shield the soil from the penetrating sun it soon dried out and the yield sunk into decline. After ten years there was nothing to harvest, so, the settlers packed up their positions and moved on to another plot to start again. After another ten years the same thing would happen and they would move to another plot. Many millions of trees were destroyed in this way. However after approximately thirty years the area the settlers had originally inhabited had re grown, so the people alternated between plots. These people were nicknamed as â€Å"the shifting cultivators. Although this did contribute to destroying the rainforest they were not major destroyers. An additional Contribution to the destruction of the rainforest is the trading of forest land to large companies who in exchange give money to the Brazilians. These companies are not concerned for the welfare of the forests and its wildlife. Their main interest is establishing their businesses so they will become a thriving success. However before they can commence with the construction work the forest trees have to be cleared quickly and therefore the most efficient method of doing this is fire. This process proves fatal to the environment in a wide variety of different ways. Firstly when trees are burned it causes an enormous amount of smoke and consequently lots of pollution. In addition, fire is extremely unpredictable, and depending on the direction of the wind any forest adjacent to the plot of land possessed by the company is under the risk of also being burned. This form of destruction is also far worse for the animals inhabiting the forest, because, unlike the chopping down of trees the animals have a minimal opportunity of survival†¦ early every living organism is slaughtered. The citizens of the forest are also endangered, many people die this way. Beef is currently in considerable demand all over the world; people just can’t get enough of it. The poor people of Brazil saw this as a great opportunity to make money and consequently started purchasing large ranches in the rainforest in which to nurture and breed their cattle. However, once the cows have consumed all the grass and vegetation in one field they are transferred to another, this system goes on all the time. In consequence to huge areas of land being trodden on for many years, the soil looses its fertility and therefore no seeds or crops can survive. This system is increasingly being used around Brazil and is by far the biggest and worst destroyer. For years, areas of the rainforest have been destroyed by fire for varying causes. Subsequently, all this pollution is adding to the already horrific situation of global warming. If the pollution of are planet continues at this rapid rate in as little as 100 years many peoples lives could be ruined. Islands similar to Guernsey could be completely beneath the sea. You read "The increasing problem of the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest" in category "Papers" The reason for this future disaster is the gasses which are being constantly radiated off industry and then interwoven in the Earths atmosphere, this consequently forms a warm blanket around the Earth which is starting to melt the ice at the poles, and as the ice melts the sea level rises and starts to flood flat land areas. An as a result of this many farming land will be destroyed and therefore food will become more scarce and prices near exorbitant for poor countries. The situation will be so dyer that the entire country of Bangladesh will be flooded because it is 80% flat land. It is also one of the most highly populated countries in the world. This will impact our lives as well; many areas of the British Isles will become submerged by sea. No country, person or animal will escape the effects of human disregard for the environment around us. Mining is another industry destroying the Rainforest. Large areas of land are dug up by companies wanting to make money from the precious minerals. The types of substances extracted are, tin, mananes, aluminium, iron and copper. Mining is a huge business and there are lots of additional expenses which have to be considered. For example more space is needed to provide the minors with hospitable accommodation, it is also necessary for 1000 km of railway to be dug for exporting the finished products to their required destinations. More lines are being built at an extremely fast speed. As much as 2 and a half km of the track is built a day and therefore it is not the workers priority, how they get rid of the trees and wildlife. All this construction is at the expense of the plants and animals. Charcoal making is a large occupation for many Brazilian citizens. However, because of the pollution it sends into the atmosphere it is adding to the greenhouse affect. The process of making charcoal involves baking the wood in a small mound of earth surrounded by sticks it takes a lot of time, experience and care. Charcoal is in such demand that 4 tonnes of wood only lasts for 4 minutes in a factory. Brazil is home to the 4th largest dam in the world. The purpose of these huge structures (built mostly in the 80’s and 90’s) is to generate cheap electricity. However, some people say they make more than can be used in Brazil, because the Brazilians don’t use many electrical items. The dams function by a series of clever but complicated methods; all rivers start in hills, and therefore flow down the side of the mountain or hill into the sea or a lake. As the water is flowing down the hill inevitably gathers speed and it is this speed that can be converted into electricity by things called turbines. These turbines are comprised of a large wall built across the river. A small amount of water is let through a small gap, but the rest builds up behind the wall building up force to get through the gap. It is this force which generates the electricity; because inside the turbine there is a wheel which is being turned by the force of the water this can then be transformed into electricity. Brazil makes hydro electricity. However, there are many downsides to this method of resource preserving. Firstly due to the turbine a lot of the forest has been flooded by the water which overflows. Many animals have drowned and the smaller species which in future will prove vital in the ecosystem had no chance of survival. Even the lucky ones who were rescued appeared to be suffering. The pollution is so bad that the water has become acid and therefore unsafe. The Brazilians were promised that a certain percentage of profits would be donated to support them, however, this has not been the case. It has turned out that Brazil did not originally have the money to fund this project so they borrowed money from large companies and are still paying it back, with interest! The people in charge of the project it appears have also overlooked some simple ways of making money and at the same time utilising the forest; they could have sold the trees they flooded and in exchange received additional funding. This was an extremely expensive project with what at the end appears to be no final product. The Brazilians can’t use all the electricity being generated. The flooding of the rainforest also disadvantages the Brazilian indigenous peoples. The land protected and preserved for them is being also destroyed along with its citizens. All the thousands of natives who inhabit the forest are being endangered because of the different people such as gold miners, forest workers and dam builder’s bringing with them new viruses and diseases which they are not immune to and consequently can not fight off. Gold mining is the final thing which is decimating the forests, to extract the gold they blast the banks with powerful water hoses which erode the river sides. They also use arsenic, which is a poison to extract the gold. The water is consequently polluted and the fish inedible. The land becomes toxic and unusable forever. In conclusion, I strongly believe that if this disrespect for one of the most beautiful natural phenomena’s of the world refuses to cease, the human race will have destroyed it before we truly recognise what cures and life saving treatment it can offer us. The Amazonian Rainforest is being sabotaged so quickly that unless some drastic action is taken quickly we will never realise the full potential of the forest. There is a lot of controversy and speculation about what to do with the forest, however, I believe the forest should be preserved for one prime reason, and that is the true and rightful owner of the forest†¦ nature. How to cite The increasing problem of the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest, Papers

Should Immigration Be Limited Essay Example For Students

Should Immigration Be Limited? Essay Immigration: limited or unlimited?On the subject of immigration, one student at J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia commented, we make America more interesting (Swerdlow 61). As true as these words are, the question of how much more interest should be allowed to cross our borders each year, and what exactly defines an American these days puzzle the already 281 million residents who find comfort in the freedoms of America. America is a land of immigrants, also referred to as the melting pot of the world. However, the possibility that Americas kettle is over-flowing concerns its citizens and some politicians. Ideas for capping immigration have been voiced in the past, but have not been heard. While some will argue legal immigration should have no restrictions, most Americans will agree illegal immigration is indeed a problem. With some 6 million people living in America illegally, and only 46, 750 deportations last year, a solution must take hold soon (Zarembo 26). President George W. Bush has been working on a plan to reform immigration that could make millions of undocumented workers legal. Bush may only open the application for legal residency to Mexicans, but nothing will be final for at least another year. As a result of negotiations, mayhem has broken out on Capitol Hill, with politicians pulling fiercely on both sides. Some believe this will trigger more illegal immigrants to migrate to America, and in turn cost the already tax-paying citizens more money. On the other side, politicians believe it is about principle; accepting all people who are here, legal or illegal (Zarembo 25). The fact still remains Americas population is growing rapidly each day, whether or not there is room, schools, or work for more immigrants. Immigrants who have lived in America, legally, for years have views separate from politicians whom many have lived here all their lives. The incentive for many immigrants to flock to America is for the opportunities it will offer their children. They come looking for their own piece of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, freedom, and to escape from lives of poverty and war. In the 2000 census, ten percent of Americans were born in other countries and in 1990, 32 million US residents spoke a language other than English at home, a number that has undoubtedly risen in the past 11 years (Swerdlow 46-47). Although America has become the land of immigrants, tolerance is not always upheld in the school scene, where teenage students are more concerned about gossip and the latest styles of hair and clothes to recognize the greater need for an open-minded society. Many immigrant students come to America and assimilate very nicely to the ways of life, mainly because they have learned to speak English. About one fifth of high school immigrant students are not even literate in their native language, making the task of learning English much harder (Swerdlow 50). Immigrant students who struggle with English often drop out because they have become discouraged or need to work in order to help support their families (Swerdlow 51). They work for eight dollars and hour or less, taking the jobs that no one actually wants; restaurant work and house keeping for example (Swerdlow 60). A possible solution in terms of immigration is not to open our arms to illegal immigrants, but to embrace those looking for a happy future. If America cracks down on the number of illegal immigrants, there will be more space for those who come with the purpose of making America a better mixture of cultures. The incentive for immigrants to come here illegally is the possibility they can work in America without paying taxes. There is no way around paying taxes as a legal resident of the United States, however a one year tax break could be offered to those coming here from poverty in order to get their bearings. With a tax break like that, more people who are tempted to come to America illegally might just change their mind. .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 , .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .postImageUrl , .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 , .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8:hover , .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8:visited , .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8:active { border:0!important; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8:active , .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8 .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ueaed0544e66f85aca3640edca611a8e8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Advantages Of Balanced Scorecard Accounting Essay However, the borders to Mexico need to be tightened in order to keep illegal immigrants out, whether or not a tax break is given to immigrants. The problem of who should get this tax break might cause a stir in communities all across America. Legal citizens will claim they did not get a tax break when coming to the land of freedom, and still made it on their own. As for American citizens, the complaint of paying for the immigrants children to attend public schools, may cause even more of a controversy. Nonetheless, to open our already weighted arms to illegal immigrants is an idea the tax-paying citizens can do without. Allowing them to come to America without paying any taxes yet reaping the benefits is costing Americans more money than they bargained for. Accepting people from all walks of life is Americas job, but paying for other peoples mistakes is not.Words/ Pages : 850 / 24

Friday, May 1, 2020

Paradoxes and strategies of social media consumption free essay sample

The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services. Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKS initiative for digital archive preservation. *Related content and download information correct at time of download. Paradoxes and strategies of social media consumption among adolescents Downloaded by Tides University At 1 1 12 April 201 5 (P T) Ornate H;been Barcaroles and Carols Alberta Barras Rossi Ornate H;been Barcaroles and Carols Alberta Barras Rossi are both based at Management School, Federal university of ROI Grandee do Soul, Porto Allege, Brazil. Abstract purpose The purpose of this paper is to study paradoxes and strategies Of social media consumption among adolescents. Young people belonging to Generation Y have enthusiastically embraced social media as a means of achieving connectedness and managing social relationships. However, there is still a limited understanding of how adolescents actually differentiate between the media they use and of the effects of social media on their lives. This study differs from previous work by proceeding from the assumption that social media present a number of technological paradoxes and identifying what behavioral strategies they develop to derive the greatest possible benefit from, and cope with the ambivalent outcomes of, social media consumption. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory study design was chosen, combining the use of focus groups and in-depth interviews with 50 Brazilian adolescents aged between 13 and 1 7 years. Topics Of discussion were designed to cover a range of social media relevant to young people. Findings The authors propose a conceptual model of social media consumption by young people and identify its positive and negative outcomes and the behavioral strategies of media selection and differentiation used to cope with them. These behaviors enable adolescents to derive maximum benefit from social media while minimizing the effort required to use them. Originality/ value This research contributes to marketing theory and practice by assessing the adolescent perspective of social media consumption and offering an integrated model of outcomes and behavioral strategies which they use. This model provides insights relevant to the planning of marketing communications directed towards young people. Key. Rods Adolescents, Generation Y, Social media, Media use, Paradoxes of technology, Social media effects Paper type Research paper Introduction Studies on the importance of social media had been widespread throughout the sass, principally in the fields of communication and communication genealogy (Barker, 2009; Bat, 2008; Boyd, 2008; Octet et al. , 2002). However, more recently, concern has been raised over the impacts of these media on consumption habits and their potential use in the development of communication and marketing strategies (MIS, 2010, 2012). A particular area of interest in the study of these media has been their impact on the lives of consumers in particular, those belonging to Generation Y (or Millennial). Young people today represent the first generation born since the advent of the Internet, and the first to grow up in an era of global interactivity (Bat, 008; McMillan and Morrison, 2006). Moreover, they have enthusiastically embraced the Internet and social media as a means of achieving connectedness and managing relationships with friends and acquaintances (Boyd, 2008; Huntley and Shells, 2010). Received 26 October 2013 Revised 17 February 2014 Accepted 5 May 2014 DOI 10. 1108/YES-10-2013-00408 However, while the emergence of this generation creates a wealth of opportunities for marketing through social media, the development of relevant strategies has been hindered by an often incorrect understanding of how young people really adopt and use social VOLVO. 15 NO. 2014, up. 275-295, O Emerald Group Publishing Limited, SINS 1747-3616 YOUNG CONSUMERS PAGE 275 media. Along with the widespread image of the hypertension adolescent, results showing positive consequences of social media consumption are as common as those indicating negative ones (Bassoon et al. , 2011; Helene et al. , 2006; Huntley and Shells, 201 0; Milan et al. , 2009). These incongruous results may arise, at least in part, from the exclusively adult and frequently paternalistic view of numerous consumer studies, which characterize adolescents as mere developing people and as passive subjects f consumerism and marketing strategies (Gregory-Thomas, 2007; Quart, 2003; Scorch, 2004). Indeed, some academics have pointed out a notable lack of accounts from adolescents themselves about their own consumption habits (Cody, 201 2; Cook, 2008; Mason et 201 1). Understanding how adolescents choose to adopt or abandon social media, and how they decide how to use each one according to their personal background, would be of great relevance to marketing strategies, given that the structural features of social media, while certainly important, are not the only factor determining whether young people accept and engage with them Online. In fact, a sound knowledge of adolescent behavioral strategies in the consumption of social media should be the starting point for businesses planning marketing initiatives. Downloaded by Tides University At 1 1 12 April 201 5 (APT) In the hope of shedding some light on this issue, this paper argues that young people are people in their own right and play an active role in their own consumption habits (Bat, 2008). Moreover, the study proceeds from the view that social media do not have exclusively positive or negative consequences, but actually reflect paradoxes of technological products (Mimic and Fourier, 1998). Taking these assumptions into consideration, we differ from previous work by identifying, from the perspective of the adolescents, what behavioral strategies they develop to derive the greatest possible benefit from, and cope with the ambivalent outcomes of, social media consumption. This article begins by reviewing the literature on the use of social media by adolescents. We then detail the methodology of the study, which involved the use of focus groups and in-depth interviews with 50 Brazilian adolescents aged between 13 and 1 7 years. We go on to propose a conceptual model of social media consumption by young people and identify TTS positive and negative outcomes as well as the behavioral strategies of media selection and differentiation used to cope with them. Finally, we discuss what implications young peoples approach to social media has for the planning Of marketing strategies aimed at them. Overall, this study contributes to marketing theory and practice by offering an adolescent perspective and providing insights relevant to the planning of marketing Background literature Social media Kaplan and Heinlein (2010) define social media as Internet-based applications that use the Web 2. 0 platform and allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. Hansen et al. 2011), however, use the term somewhat more broadly to refer to a set of online tools that support social interaction, including services such as email, blobs, microbiology, social networking sites (SONS), wish and online multilayer games. Many of these tools are generally well-integrated and accessible through various digital technologies, such as phones, laptops, tablets and even videotapes (Hendricks et al. , 2011). Because the limits between one kind of social media an d another are often blurred, they may be also seen as a multimedia Timescale et al. , 2010, p. 34) or a polymeric (Mindanao and Miller, 201 3, p. 170). For this reason, some authors prefer to study them together or in groups (Heinous, 2011; Killing et al. , 2012; Mindanao and Miller, 2013). This paper adopts the same approach, treating social media more as an integrated group of media with different capabilities than as a collection of distinct technologies, while, at the same time, acknowledging the different ways they are used and the different impact which each one has according to its importance among adolescent users. PAGE 276 YOUNG CONSUMERS VOLVO. 15 NO. 2014 Adolescents motivations and activities in social media Downloaded by Tides University At 1 1 12 April 2015 (APT) Adolescence is a life phase characterized by a growing focus on identity development and colonization (Livingston, 2007). Because adolescents identify strongly with each other and tend to associate into groups , the literature commonly speaks of a youth subculture (Hiroshima and Solomon, 1993). However, a phenomenon which may be particular to young members of Generation Y is their tendency to conduct social relations using the Internet and social media. As Rickrack and Solomon (2007, p. 18) point out, the place where these youth connect their touchstone -? has morphed from yesterdays coffeehouse to todays website. In this respect, Huntley and Shells (2010) and Killing et al. (2012) suggest that digital media offer teenagers social functions, such as interaction and keeping in touch with peers. McMillan and Morrison (2006) argue that the experience in virtual communities is firmly rooted in the real world and that online social life reflects offline relationships in various ways. SONS, for example, allow young people to stay in touch with their friends even when they are not able o gather in unmediated situations (Boyd, 2008). Moreover, they provide a means for the teenager to relate to other social groups, seek out people with whom he or she most identifies and undertake identity experiments (Barker, 2009; Tossup and Lacunae, 2009; Vulnerable et al. , 2005). The colonization in media use, especially in multilayer games, may also be an important source of entertainment for young people (Frosting-Hendrickson, 2009; Janis and Martens, 2005). Currently, several types of social media are widely available to teenagers via cell phones and other mobile media (Tufted and Rasmussen, 2010). Discussing these devices, Whisker (2011 ) suggests that cell phones are also important mechanisms by which young people connect with their parents and improve their self-esteem. Grant and Donahue (2007) indicate that they have become the constant companions of teenagers, serving as a convenient form Of entertainment and a way to redefine social space. It is common for teenagers to use many forms of media simultaneously for example, they may do their homework with the TV on while talking or text messaging on their cell phone, and checking their Faceable or Namespace pages, all at the same time. Barded et al. (2010) argue that young people are more prone to multitasking than other age groups because, among other reasons, it provides a heightened sense of control over media consumption and also an experience of greater assimilation within their social network. Consequences of social media consumption for adolescents While many studies have investigated the adolescents motivations for social media consumption, the impact of these media on the welfare of adolescents has remained a matter of debate. For some researchers, the Internet and social media contribute towards developing and maintaining social legislations, allowing adolescents to meet new people, stay connected with their families and maintain geographically dispersed social networks (Barker, 2009; Franken, 2002; Whisker, 2011). According to Babcock et al. (2011 online communication can complement offline relationships and, thus, contribute to friendships among young people. Moreover, as computer- mediated communication offers some anonymity, it allows people to feel less inhibited and express themselves in ways that they would not feel comfortable doing in person, due to shyness, appearance and/or sexuality (Seller, 2004; Tossup and Lacunae, 2009). This online distribution effect (Seller, 2004) is related to the reduction of social presence in online communication, i. . The level of sensory contact that can be achieved between people through a given communication medium (Short et al. , 1976). Given that adolescents are often very concerned by the way they are seen by others (Taut and Elliott, 2001), the ability to control details of their self-presentation online is particularly important for them. However, for Barge and McKenna (2004), new media are contributing to the individualizing of leisure time and t o a reduction in time spent in offline legislations with VOLVO. 15 NO. 2014 YOUNG CONSUMERS PAGE 277 friends and family members. Helene et al. (2006) also argue that relationships developed online are more superficial than offline relationships. Assuming this to be true, the reduced quality of online relationships would have particularly serious implications for young people who use the Internet more intensively (Milan et al. , 2009). According to Beckmann et al. (2005), adolescents are also particularly vulnerable due to their brains plasticity and proneness to risky and impulsive behaviors. Rebind et al. (2010), Sun et al. 2008), Www and Change (2007) call attention to an increased risk of addiction associated to some social media, while Acquits and Gross (2006) warn that there is frequently a conflict between young peoples desire to protect their privacy and their actual behavior on SONS. Downloaded by Tides University At 11 12 April 2015 (APT) In summary, there are no simple clear-cut conclusions about the impact of social media on social relations and adolescents welfare. Corroborating this view, a recent survey of Internet specialists conducted by the pew Research Center revealed that opinion is more or less equally divided on the question f whether hypersensitivity will have more positive or more negative consequences for future generations (Anderson and Rainier, 2012). Rather, it is more plausible to say that they harbor tensions between simultaneous and opposing consequences, reflecting the paradoxes of technological products (Mimic and Fourier, 1998). However, there is a significant dearth of both empirical and theoretical accounts of adolescents specific practices in attempting to mediate the intricacies of their lived experiences and social contexts (Cody, 2012; Cook, 2008). Rather than focusing on adolescents as rotor of study in their own right, many studies of youth consumption are driven by policy efforts rooted in an adult-driven paternalistic paradigm, regarding young people as fragile and vulnerable to the Machiavellian strategies and invasions Of consumerism (Gregory-Thomas, 2007; Quart, 2003; Scorch, 2004). As a result, studies of this type are still all too often devoid of young peoples own voices (Cook, 2008; Mason et al. , 201 1). In this sense, a more youth-focused perspective should be a way of providing valuable insights for understanding teen media consumption and risk negotiation. According to Bat (2008), adolescents do not simply submit to media-based marketing strategies; instead, they are active participants and producers of their cultural consumption processes. Accordingly, while social media may not automatically bring about changes to social relations among young people, it is nevertheless possible that the coping strategies adolescents apply to them may determine what their effects will be. Therefore, instigated by the issues discussed, this research proposed was guided by the following questions: RSI . Assuming that social media reflect paradoxes of technology what are he consequences (both positive and negative) of its mediation of adolescents social relationships? ARQ. What behavioral strategies do young people develop to enjoy the benefits from, and cope with the problems of, social media consumption? ARQ. What are the possible implications of the way in which young people use social media for the planning Of marketing strategies? Method Given the scant existing research approaching their activities in social media from the perspective of adolescents themselves, we chose an exploratory study design, combining TTYL qualitative techniques: focus groups and in- depth interviews. The purpose of this combination was to take advantage of the greater breadth provided by focus groups and the greater depth of one- to-one interviews (Morgan, 1997). Furthermore, it allowed us to compare the findings obtained from each source to access their validity. Focus groups allow the researcher to understand the experiences of consumers in their own terms, as well as directly exhibiting the similarities and differences between the opinions and experiences of the participants (Morgan, 1997). The use of focus groups is PAGE 278 YOUNG CONSUMERS also well suited-for the study of adolescents, as many of them feel more enforceable and give more actionable answers when in the company of people their own age (Cello, 1996). The research project was presented to the staff of a high school in a major city in southern Brazil, chosen out of convenience because the researchers had access through personal contacts. Brazil has the seventh largest online population in the world (45. Million from work or home), and one of the most socially engaged on the Web (96. 0 per cent of users on social networking sites) (commerce, 2013). Internet use in the country has been growing at high rates (1 6 per cent in 201 2), largely due to the recent integration of residential broadband access beyond the large cities (cornered, 2013). By involving the teachers of the high school in the study, we were able to organize a group of students with wide experience of Internet use and social media. Parents received written information about the study and were asked to give informed consent prior to the focus groups. All participants were assured of the anonymity of their replies from the outset. In total, a convenience sample of 30 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years (17 girls and 13 boys) was obtained in this manner. Although there is no precise benefiting of age at which a person is considered adolescent, our sampling process followed approximately the range used by Chaplin and John (2005), who consider people aged between 13 and 18 years to be adolescents. All participants of focus groups reported possessing cell phones and computers at home, besides being active users of SONS (such as Faceable and Rust) and instant messengers (such as Windows Live Messenger e Skips) see Appendix. The participants were divided according to school grade and gender into four focus groups to produce a more comfortable atmosphere for the exchange of information. Dividing by grade may be considered more appropriate than by age because grade is a better discriminator of lifestyle (Chaplin and John, 2005; Cello, 1996). For example, a 14-year-old in high school will bring different experiences to a group than a 14-year-old in eighth grade. The focus group meetings were conducted in a room designed for the purpose at the adolescents own school and lasted an average of 90 minutes. Conducting a focus group with teenagers requires following some rules to elicit the most productive discussion (Cello, 1996). We reassured the respondents that they id not need to raise their hands or be concerned about using appropriate language. Moreover, the moderators role was limited to stimulating and guiding discussion. However, it was necessary periodically to call on some participants who were hesitant to speak up, asking them to contribute and reinforcing their productive comments. Discussion in the focus groups was guided by a semi-structured script designed to stimulate and catalyst the adolescents answers on the topics of interest (Table I). Topics were designed to cover a range of social media relevant to young people, not simply focus on a single technology. This approach was adopted on the assumption that, given the widespread accessibility of various forms Of social media among young people, it would be more useful for the purposes of the study to explore the distinctions and associations which young users make between such media for their own ends, rather than being confined by existing categorization in the literature which classify different media according to their technological features. In this sense, this approach relates to the understanding of polymeric of Mindanao and Miller (2013). As mentioned, the research also included in-depth interviews.