Comment on the Positive Function and Dysfunction of Social Policy in Hong Kong.

2. Definition of Social Policy Social policy primarily refers to guidelines and interventions for the changing, maintenance or creation of living conditions that are conducive to human welfare. Thus, social policy is a part of public policy that has to do with social issues. More specifically, it also considers detailed issues in policy and administration of social services, including policies for health, housing, education and social work, and needs and issues affecting the users of services, including poverty, old age, disability, and family policy. To have more clearly speaking, terms of social needs, social integration and alienation will be elaborated. Social needs are people’s needs which are socially defined according to social conditions. Yet we can still have a look at Hierarchy of ‘Need† as a reference since social needs are part of the basic needs. According to A. H. Maslow (1943), there are a hierarchy of five sets of goals including physiological, safety, love, esteem and respect, and self-actualization. These goals are related to one another, being arranged in hierarchy of prepotency. Social integration is referred to the process of building up a sense of community and social network amongst different community groups and individuals, hence people all live together in a peaceful and harmonious manner. It is the key element to social stability and can be achieved by promoting social mobility. Alienation is opposite to social integration, which means the feeling of being neglected or isolated and excluded from the rest. Such feeling of seclusion may destroy any sense of community or belonging and hence lead to social instability. Various types of social policy are being implemented in a society, such as family policy, education policy, and healthcare policy and so forth. We will particularly focus on social policies which aim to improve human welfare and to meet human needs for health, education and housing. 3. Overview and Comment On Social Policy in Heath Aspect The health system of Hong Kong is considered as one of the best world-wide. It is divided into two parts, which are public health services and private health services. Our government heavily subsided for the former services but citizens need to pay for the fee for the latter services. The Department of Health executes health care policies and statutory functions so as to safeguard the health of the community through preventive and rehabilitative services. In order to achieve the goal, subvention for the Hospital Authority has been increased in recent years. Besides, it is expected that ageing population will increase, expectations of health care will rise, and medical costs will soar. Therefore, it is not difficult to foresee that health expenditure will become a heavy burden for our government. Based on this problem, our government proposed to have a reform and some policies were implemented. I will look at two schemes in the following part. 3. 1 Early Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme Early Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme (HCVS) was addressed in the Policy Address 2007 -2008. The Scheme is to give elders who aged 70 or above five health care voucher of $50 annually. It aims to allow elderly to gain access to health care services in the private sector with subsidy and hence minimize the number of patients on the waiting list in the public sector. Through the Scheme, the elderly can have additional choices on top of the existing public healthcare services which would continue to be provided, hence equity is encouraged as a universal access to medical services regardless of wealth or status is promoted. It will contribute as a positive function since social integration is encouraged. Besides, complaints are always arouse due to the long waiting list of the public sector, patients can now save their time by visiting private doctors with partially subsidization. However, in order to further fulfill the social needs, eligibility for joining the Scheme should be relaxed from 70 to, for example, 65 years old and the subsidized amount of $250 should be increased. It is because only small amount of people can benefit from the scheme and financial support given to them is not enough due to the high consultation fee of private doctors. 3. 2Health Care Reform A lot of people support there is an urgent need for the reform especially after consultation documents in health services and financing reforms during the past ten years. One part of the proposed reform is tax deduction should be provided for private medical insurance premium or expenses. Our government is working out a supplementary healthcare financing option operating on a voluntary participation basis, containing insurance and savings components. For using this kind of method, it is believed that indemnification can be provided for citizens, which meets the second level of basic need in Maslow’s Hierarchy Needs. Moreover, it can release the pressure on the public sector and hence ensure a high quality of services in public sector. On the other hand, the reform should be taken into deep consideration, if health insurance plan is mandatory to all citizens, it may lead to dissatisfaction of some citizens and which will at last violate the aim of social policy. In short, providing both public health services and private health services can maintain competition in the private sectors which can ensure its quality. Giving welfare to our citizens can foster a sense of belonging and unity in the community. Subsidization in health care services given to the poor by various scheme can encourage redistribution of wealth and hence promote social mobility. Though Hong Kong’s health care standards are comparable to many major European cities and always being praised at, it will be a shame if our citizens cannot receive appropriate treatment due to the long waiting list problem. Therefore, it has been urged to think of new schemes and more partnerships between the city's public and private hospitals in a bid to ease the burden on the public sector. 4. Overview and Comment on Social Policy in Education Aspect Education has long been regarded as a long term method to stabilize the society and promote economic development in the city. In Hong Kong, Education Bureau’s Vision is to provide quality school education for our students to develop their potential to the full and to prepare them for the challenges in life. Hence, it promises to deliver professional services and ensure effective use of resources, and forge partnerships to promote excellence in school education. The Bureau is responsible for formulating, developing and reviewing policies, programmes and legislation in respect of education from pre-primary to tertiary level. Those policies formulated by the Bureau will be divided into the four categories in the following part. . 1Kindergarten Our Government plays as a supporting role in pre-primary education, which provides in-service teacher training facilities, lower rent to non-profit-making kindergartens, permission of allocating kindergartens in public housing estates, and supplies financial assistance in the form of reimbursement rates to parents and kindergartens. 4. 1. 1Kindergarten Scheme In 1996 Policy Add ress, our government brought up the idea of allocating more financial assistance and providing additional training for existing kindergarten teachers through implementing Kindergarten Scheme. One of its commitments is to ensure more than 40% of kindergarten teachers would complete the Qualified Kindergarten Teacher Education Course by September, 1997. Although such policies legislated by the government were reacted because of pressure from the public, it still can ensure the quality of preschool education to all. Besides, equity is advocated as good quality preschool education made available universally. Yet, the policies can only partially fulfill social needs because our government is always taking a supporting role only, a higher degree of support for preschool education is needed. . 1. 2 Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme The Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) provides fee subsidy for parents or legal guardians or registered custodians to meet towards school fees for pre-primary education of their children in the form of pre-primary education vouchers. Eligible children who attend nursery, lower or upper classes in eligible local non-profit-making kindergar tens or Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres may benefit from PEVS. The Scheme was launched in 2007 to promote the â€Å"3A's† of early childhood education (ECE): affordability, accessibility, and accountability. The PEVS has three unique features. The first one is discriminating against profit kindergartens and hence to discourage social alienation. The second feature is promoting teacher professional development to ensure quality of preschool education so that the gap of quality between profit kindergartens and non-profit kindergartens can be minimized. Children from poor families can still have a qualified and good education. The last feature is limiting parents’ choice to only non-profit schools. On one hand, it can promote freedom of choices; on the other hand, it can encourage social integration as children may get into the school they want regardless of wealth of the families. To conclude, the majority of the parents perceive positive impacts towards schemes launched by the government. Nevertheless, principals and teachers of kindergartens reported some implementation difficulties and more sufficient support are needed for parents. 4. 2Primary and Secondary Education The Government's policy objectives are to provide a balanced and diverse school education that meet the different need of our students and help them build up knowledge, values and skills for further studies and personal growth. 4. 2. 1Universal Basic Education Compulsory primary education was introduced in 1971; afterwards, 9-year free education was implemented in 1978 to fully subsidize both primary and junior secondary education. Starting from the 2008/09 school year, senior secondary education is provided free through public sector schools. In addition, with effect from the 2008/09 school year, the Government provides full subvention for full-time courses run by the Vocational Training Council for Secondary 3 leavers to offer an alternative free avenue for senior secondary students outside mainstream education. Advocating universal basic education can promote social integration as the poor can be able to receive education. Besides, it can equip students with ample knowledge and prepare them for entrance into the knowledge-based economy. Hence, it will be easier for the poor to climb up the social ladder, without basic knowledge they may need to work as low-skilled workers for the whole life. 4. 2. 2 School Entrance System In 1978, two systems were used to determine whether the students can get into the secondary school. Secondary School Entrance Examination is a selected mechanism by which students who scored higher would be selected for places given higher priority in their school choices. Feeder and Nominated System is a mechanism allowed feeder and nominated secondary schools to directly admit a certain proportion of their students from designated primary schools. Through the Secondary School Entrance Examination, social mobility can be promoted as children from poor families can still have a chance to get into the best school. Oppositely, the other scheme would minimize the effect of promoting social mobility. It is because wealthy families can send their children to prestigious primary schools and hence let them to go into the linked prestigious secondary school. Hence, it may bias towards wealthy people. 4. 2. 3 Secondary School Places Allocation System Secondary School Entrance Examination was later changed to Secondary School Places Allocation System. It is a mechanism to allocate secondary school places to primary school-leavers. The allocation mechanism is designed in such a way so that it would help reduce public examination pressure on Primary six students and restore a more balanced education in primary schools. In addition, due regard is given to parental choices and, through regionalization, the need for students to travel long distances to schools is minimized. Moreover, it helps to achieve a degree of mixed ability intake at Secondary one level. Therefore, social integration can be promoted in this way, nevertheless, it can never be promoted into full extent since well-off families can afford to move within the proximity of prestigious schools, for instance mid levels of Hong Kong Island, to get into those famous traditional schools. 4. 2. 4School Management Initiative Programme School Management Initiative Programme (SMI), introduced in 1991, provides participating schools with school planning/staff development days, approved collection of charges for specific purposes, and computer system for school administration. It aims to attain an effective school system. In the spirit of the SMI, it was proposed that the school funding system should be able to meet the basic needs of students to ensure fairness across the school sector, provide schools with greater flexibility in the effective use of resources in order to achieve individuality. However, the teachers complained about the heavy increase of work load and reported that the accountability framework failed to make any impact on the quality of teaching. The focus of our government should be the attitudinal and behavioral change in those directly involved in delivery of services instead of structural and administrative change. 4. 3Tertiary Education The government increased the number of degree places in late 1970s and 1980s. Today, 14,500 first-year first-degree places are provided to cater for about 18% of the 17 to 20 age group through the eight institutions funded by the University Grants Committee to further develop Hong Kong as a regional education hub. Moreover, our government has financial support to students who are in financial needs. By increasing the number of degree places, equity is promoted as students can have a higher chance to admit into tertiary education. Providing subsidization to students can ensure that no qualified students are denied access to higher and post-secondary education due to a lack of financial means. Besides, it can improve the standard of living as the rate of illiteracy is lowered and hence stimulate economy of the city due to the increase in competitiveness. However, demand of post-secondary education is progressively increasing, policies, which are being implemented, still cannot meet the social needs. 5. Conclusion Based on the review above on the social policies in Hong Kong, we can see that each social policy has its positive functions and dysfunctions. With regard to the three aspects in social policy, there is much room for improvement. But at least, our government is working hard to improve the conditions of our society and paying effort to meet social needs, promote social integration and discourage alienation.

What is Chivalry Essay

What is Chivalry Originally Latin, actually spelled â€Å"caballarius† and pronounced â€Å"SHivÉ™lrē†, is chivalry. Chivalry is the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight. Such qualities include honor, courtesy, courage, justice, and willing to assist those in need. If one is chivalrous in character, then one is a gentleman and noble in his good deeds. He would in no manner hesitate to serve others and serve his God. This is evident as Honore de Balzac puts it: â€Å"the motto of chivalry is also the motto of wisdom; to serve all, but love only one.† Chivalry, besides its original usage as â€Å"calvary,† can truly only be delineated in only one way, which is to refer to a virtuous code of conduct. There isn’t any negative connotations to the word either, unless somebody called a fellow thane chivalrous in Old Anglo-Saxon times! Other than that, the only emotional association with the word is generally positive. This noble idea of conduct is constituted of several virtues in spite of the narrow usage of the word. So, how did chivalry come into existence? Journey to the medieval times and you will discover that chivalry was once an existential characteristic of every man sworn into nobility or born into it. These men were knights. Medieval knights battled horseback and practiced outstanding gallantry. Knights were always calvary in battle, and exhibited righteous morals. A group of knights was actually called â€Å"the chivalry† of the militia. They were excelled in sword craft nearly comparable to their high level of graciousness, and could ride a horse well-nigh to the speed of which they are willing to assist a damsel in distress. Chivalry came to be known as the demeanor of an ideal knight, rather than simply a group of knights. As Chaucer puts it in Canterbury Tales, an ideal knight â€Å"loved chivalry, truth and honor, freedom and courtesy; †¦ a very gentle, perfect knight.† Whatever happened to chivalry? Certain writers may say chivalry is dead, or it might just have a bad case of the flu. As long as wrongs are still righted, chivalry will survive. Chivalry cannot and will never die out. It may become exponentially less evident everyday, but underlying all the rudeness and discourtesy, chivalry is there. Chivalry does indeed need to be implemented more and more into society. Every single man’s major desire should be to act magnanimously and reveal a generous and noble state of mind. If every man were to be genuinely chivalrous then hardly would there ever be any cheating, debt, adultery, stealing, or even bad attitudes. Each and every man would be true in their religion, honest, courteous, and would have a burning passion to do what is right. Think of that chivalry based utopian society. A world where people were more worried about humbling themselves rather than raising themselves up would be phenomenal. Modern chivalry should predominate like it did with Sir Lancelot around Queen Guinevere. Contemporary America could learn from John Bowring’s â€Å"Chivalry† poem which reads: â€Å"Now tell me what is chivalry? To battle in the foremost fight For anything—for wrong—for right, For some fair lady’s scornful smile, For what is virtuous, what is vile, Come, tell me, is this chivalry? No! in the men for truth who pant, In wretchedness and woe and want, Who bear the world’s contemptuous hate, With patient soul, with heart elate. No! in the woman in whose home No peace is found, no comforts come, Yet bends in silence,—feeling still ‘Tis God’s most kind, most holy will. This—this is truest chivalry!† Chivalry essentially is the essence of all that is good, virtuous, and holy, conglomerated into one admirably cultivated code of conduct to live by.

Childhood Obesity And Its Effect On Children - 1784 Words

Obesity is a condition where someone is significantly overweight for their age and height. On a child, it can lead to life-threatening diseases and health problems in the future. This excessive amount of weight that a child bears can lead to future diseases and mental abuse from peers and even on rare occasion s parents. Childhood obesity has become a national problem in the United States and continues to grow at a substantial rate. This growing health problem presented with children is affecting them negatively for the future. Is fast food really to blame, or is it the new lazy lifestyle that revolves around technology? With technology growing quickly, children seem to be less likely to play outside and live an active lifestyle than†¦show more content†¦While all of these circumstances are unique for every child for genetic reasons, there are many ways that these unhealthy habits can still be physically detrimental to a child growing up and being obese. There are several negative effects on children struggling with obesity, these include future health problems, becoming more susceptible to bullying, and depression. In this analysis, I will explore different resources that will explore the negative effects on childhood obesity in the United States. Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is occurring in both genders across the 50 states, but now more than ever it is affecting children. While numbers vary, throughout the nation about 11%-14% of children are now considered obese (Ferraro et al. 2002). This rate is slowly increasing and according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC 2011-2012) in 2011 to 2012, that number increased to 17% or 12.7 million children. These numbers are staggering, and while parents believe it s just a phase obesity can lead to life-threatening diseases if not treated quickly and soon. Helen N. Sweeting suggests that there is an imbalance of input and output of energy (2008). Children are eating more and playi ng less. HOW MEDIA IS CONTRIBUTING TO OBESITY: Ever wonder what commercials are playing on the television when your child is upstairs? According to the documentary Fed Up, as

Graduate School Paper Writing Service Exposed

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Marketing Plan Juan Valdez - 7239 Words

CONTENTS 1. Opportunity. 2.1 Location. 2.2 Objectives. 2. Strategic Marketing 3.3 Segmentation criteria. 3.4 Customer. 3.5 Market segment or niche. 3.6 Competition. 3.7 Legal Aspects. 3.8 Product Positioning. 3. Tactical Marketing. 3.1 Product. 3.2 Price. 3.3 Distribution. 3.4 Communication. 4. Action control. 5.9 Financial Results. 5.10 Programming. Opportunity 1.1 Location. 1.1.1 Define the reason of marketing plan. the object or situation for which we made this marketing plan is first to meet an academic requirement and the effect of developing expertise in formulating marketing plans, and as a result of this marketing plan will inevitably improve our†¦show more content†¦There’s not clear information about how coffee arrived in Colombia. The historic archive says that the Jesuits brought the seeds around 1730. The tradition says that the seeds arrived threw the east of the country, and the harvest where registries in Giron, Santander and Muzo, Boyacà ¡. In 1835 the first commercial production produced 2560 bags and they were exported from Cucuta’s custom. Then the coffee extended to the center and west of the country in the departments of Cundinamarca, Antioquia and the zone of old Caldas. The consolidation of coffee as a product for exportation was from the second half of XIX century. The great expansion of the world economy in that period made that the Colombian peasa nts find an attractive opportunities in the International market. Between the end of 70s of the XIX century and the start of the XX century the annual production of coffee passed from 60.000 bags to 600.000 bags, this was made in the main big farms of the departments of Santander and Cundinamarca, having at the end of XIX century, 80 percent of the total coffee national production. There was a decline in the international prices in the first years of the XX century; this made a big change in the Colombian coffee cultivation. It can be concluded that in the period betweenShow MoreRelatedGlobal Trade : Juan Valdez And Coffee2541 Words   |  11 PagesRunning Head: Global Trade: Juan Valdez and coffee Global Trade: Juan Valdez and Coffee Erika Nieto Saint Leo University â€Æ' It is a globalised world. Being a part of this progressive society, growth is a key indicator of success. Global Trade is one such benchmark that differentiate nations and economies. Every nation has some policies to promote the strengths of their trade globally. Likewise, Colombia has been known to be the third-largest producer of coffee after Brazil and Vietnam (inRead More Executive Summary of the Hispanic Market Essay4353 Words   |  18 Pagesfoundation to begin with. Introduction â€Å"Today 50% of all bookings at Radio City Music Hall are Hispanic artists. Salsa outsells ketchup in the Midwest. Nachos beat hot-dogs at movies. What’s happening? Simple: A cultural and marketing phenomenon known as the U.S. Hispanic market.† - Bromely Aguilar Associates, media kit, 1999 With the changing face of America and the proliferation of the ‘cultural melting pot’, its more important than ever to accurately pinpointRead Morebrand audit of CocaCola4463 Words   |  18 Pagesand American countries) as cola, pop, or in some parts of the U.S., soda. Originally intended as a patent medicine when it was invented in the late 19th century by John Pemberton, Coca-Cola was bought out by businessman As a Griggs Candler, whose marketing tactics led Coke to its dominance of the world soft-drink market throughout the 20th century. The company produces concentrate, which is then sold to licensed Coca-Cola bottlers throughout the world. The Coca-Cola Company has, on occasion, introducedRead MoreEvolution Of The Starbucks Company7242 Words   |  29 Pagesthan Macy’s and other big chain clients) he decided to fly to Seattle to take a look (Koehn, 2005). Shultz was fascinated with the company, their operation, product and corporate culture. In 1982 he jo ined Starbucks as director of operations and marketing (Koehn, 2005). In a trip to Italy, Shultz’ focused on the important role coffee shops played on society and national culture. These coffee shops provided a â€Å"social† experience that gathered customers throughout the day. He envisioned Starbucks recreatingRead MoreCafe Coffee Day14374 Words   |  58 Pagesensure the highest level of hygiene and food quality. They impart training to the team on the preparation of the best quality of coffees and food at their cafes. The FB team sources and manages vendors who supply food to the cafes. MARKETING: The marketing team is responsible for the brand positioning and all brand building activities that result in increased sales and greater visibility. They are also responsible for the various sales promotion activities and tie-ups. This team designs and

Fashion and Gender free essay sample

In the western culture, fashion has affected and reflected the distinctions between the social and economical status of men and women throughout the years. From the 19th century on, gender, social understanding of femininity and masculinity, became clearer and more precise. They were identifiable through fashion and clothing and were an important aspect in distinguishing roles of men and women. However, changes in fashion will blur as much as emphasise the differences between gender, evolving in parallel borrowing from one another. Thus, as the constant changes in fashion, the level of differences between men and women varied very so often. Fashion was influencing and defining gender role and gender lifestyle was influencing fashion. Masculine men and feminine women The first signs of gender distinctions appeared at the start of the 19th century following the French Revolution. In addition to separating social classes, fashion now established a clear division between male and female clothing. Men were no longer powdered or perfumed and they got rid of ornaments and wigs, now signifies of femininity. Their clothing was characterized by a restricted use of material, tailored construction, simplified set of surface, uniformity, net and spotless garments, perfect hats and limited color (29 January). According to the trickle-down effect, fashion trends were still created by the upper-classes and were followed by others down the scale (05 February). Then, according to Georg Simmel, two types of males emerged from the middle-class. Dandies were followers of the leisure class and never went against a particular fashion dress code while bohemian were rejecting fashion (05 February). Men of the upper-class are characterized as a Flaneur by Walter Benjamin: â€Å"Empathy is the nature of the intoxication to which the flaneur abandons himself [†¦]† (05 February). The upper-class still needed to follow three rules in order to stay on top and keep the middle-class from rising; the expensive fabric, the lack of movement inflicted by the garment and the novelty of the ensemble (05 February). They conformed to a conspicuous lifestyle with their absence of labour and function in the society, but still in a more subtle way than women in terms of dress (29 January). Indeed, women became a physical display representing the husband’s wealth through fashion, assuring their social rank in the leisure class; the new aristocrats. Important gatherings such as the Grand Prix de Paris were a place where â€Å"one went to the races, as to the theater, partly to look over the women and their apparel† (Hebert, 24). They would wear multiple colors, dresses with pouf skirts, light fabrics, beading and flower ornaments, parasols and other accessories. Women were placed in the forefront with fashion and devoid of any role or power. [†¦] the adornment of both the female person and her environment was an expression of women’s inferior economic power and her social status as a man’s chattel† (Veblen, 91). Unattached and unmarried women were also expected to dressed respectfully and fashionably for the dignity of her family and for future husbands. Lower-level women such as actresses and prostitutes, who were mingling with the upper-class, wore more revealing clothes but still in fashion. Women were thought of as irrational and sensible creatures who adhered to fashion by weakness, to have a sense of belonging. During the 19th century and early 20th century, there is a clear distinction between man and woman fashion. It is reflected in their clothes and in their social status and role in the society. Gender was easily identifiable with the shape formed by the garment. While men wear clean cut, sober and solid suits, holding all the power, the women dress in soft, elaborate and colourful dresses, trophies to the men. ? Fashion upside-down With the start of the World War I, women were now helping out and filling more masculine jobs. Roles were no longer clearly defined according to hysical characteristics. â€Å"Because while war work forced women to life in new social and physical environments, they had to adapt their clothing to unfamiliar activities and spaces† (Matthews David, 101). New technology and new combat techniques meant also a change in menswear. Soldiers had to wear uniforms that hid their masculine forms to allow movement. They replaced their flat and boxy hats with a mo re feminine and round one with leaves and flowers to hide in the trenches. â€Å"A definite outline, a traditionally masculine attribute, proved a deadly handicap in battle† (Matthews David, 97). Upper-class men were traditionally supposed to show their status through clothing. The advent of the war blurred distinctions between classes as both had to participate in the war effort. Men were no longer useless and ineffective in the society, with meant a necessary change in fashion. Restrictions in luxury fabrics, such as silk, fur and ornaments, forced a transformation of men’s masculine and luxurious attire. All men were now wearing jersey fabric clothing, darker earth colours and softer silhouettes. In the early 20th century, there was a eminent need for change in fashion. While men were adopting feminine fashion to survive during the war, women started borrowing the simplified and linear masculine silhouette. â€Å"The flip side of this feminization of the sniper was the much more generalized masculinization of women’s civilian and uniform dress during the war† (Matthews David, 101). They started wearing suits with sober colours to adapt to their more active lifestyle in the warfare. The latter was the start of a changing role in society for women. Before this change, women had no power on fashion or society. They were now needed for labour and they showed to be very efficient. This allowed women to make decisions and have a definite role society. By adopting the masculine look, they gained power. They were no longer considered as an accessory to men. The exchanges of particular characteristics of gender made the distinctions and the differences more blurry. The World War I was a turning point in fashion for both men and women. Shortages of materials transformed clothing; new fabrics emerged, new silhouettes using less fabrics, less ornaments, leaner cuts, suits for women and softer clothes for men. Women were now looking more or less like men with the square suits and linear dresses, requisitioning their roles as women as though the clothes itself hold the power. While men were still the dominant figure, women were revising their position in the public and private sphere. ? Conclusion To conclude, gender is a social perception of masculinity and femininity. Through the 19th and 20th cent ury, both men and women were affected by fashion; gender leading the distinctions. Sexes were defined by gender in the 19th century with the specific trends of clothing for each. Men were wearing clean and linear cuts, showing their boxy figures, while women wore elaborate and frivolous clothes highlighting their silhouette. Roles were also clearly different according to gender. Men held all the power and women served of accessories, displaying the husband’s wealth. The World War I acted as a turning point for men and women. Both were transforming their fashion because of their active lifestyle by adopting each others gender characteristics of fashion. Men softened their figures while women started wearing masculine suits. Gender differences became were blurred and roles redefined; women gained power and all men got functional for the society. Hence, the level of distinction between gender is in constant change. Fashion influences gender roles and gender lifestyle influences fashion. The latter blurs, blends as well as emphasis the social perceptions of what a men and a women is and looks like. Gender continues to affect and reflect distinctions between sexes, both constantly borrowing and exchanging from one another.

Native and West African Women free essay sample

Before the interaction with the Spanish, Portuguese and English both Native women and African women were considerably powerful when it came to running their communities. It wasnt until the Europeans settle in the Americas that the role of both changed pretty drastically. When it came to the lives of Native women they were very much involved in everything from working the fields to making things like mats and baskets that were used daily.The whole tribes well-being was heavily dependent on not only the work of the men but the work of the women. In the case of the Ojibwa, the men were responsible for the hunting but it was the women who cured the meat and dressed skins. When it came to political matters the Native women had more rights and power than most of the European women of that time. The Pueblo had a matrilineal system, which meant through ancestry control of the land would be passed to the women. We will write a custom essay sample on Native and West African Women or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This solidified their importance in the community.Also, when married, men were the ones expected to leave their families to move in with their wifes family. Within the Iroquois clan, although the chief was also a man, they were chosen by women and they were also given the power to remove them if needed. Native American women also had sexual freedoms. They were allowed to leave the marriage, as were men, without punishment. They also were involved in many sexual rituals. Of course after the settlement of the Spanish and the Portuguese a lot of things change as far as the role of the Native women in the community.In my opinion the women of West Africa had to deal with a much more dramatic change of scenery when the Europeans showed up. Pre-European influence African women were fairly powerful and independent. They were responsible for cultivating food and producing and weaving cloth. Lots of women were even involved in the trade roots. Women, such as Queen Mina even held the thrown of the Hausa Jazz people. Although the Europeans view of African women has always been a negative one, the African slave trade made this much worse.