Does Virgin Group need a growth strategy if yes what is it if not do Essay

Does Virgin Group need a growth strategy if yes what is it if not do you find it odd justify your answer - Essay Example Product development strategy involves the creation of completely or slightly dissimilar products from the existing products. The new product contains added benefits and satisfies the customer’s new desires caused by changing trends (Grant, 2013). Diversification strategy is primarily used in businesses despite being a highly risky operation. Diversification encompasses introduction of a new product to a completely new environment or market. Needless to say, diversification does not guarantee success to a new business venture and this makes a business that adopts it vulnerable to losses. On the other hand, market penetration strategy involves marketing the same product in the same market with the ambition of attaining more market shares. This is primarily done by lowering the prices of the products (Grant, 2013). Notably, acquisition is a new growth strategy in which the business buys another company so as to develop its activities and operations. Market development growth strategy involves enlarging the market to which the goods or services are to be purchased. In essence, it expands the overall market for a particular product, service or a business. This requires an organization to lay down comprehensive and diverse procedures in order to expand its market. Conversely, an organization can try venturing into new sectors of the market, which, in turn, broadens the markets served by the company products or services. Additionally, this strategy also entails entering more than one segment of the market. The more the number of segments a business ventures the greater its market is expanded (Grant, 2013). An organization can correspondingly convert the potential customers to active customers by adding value or flavour to their products and services. Potential customers are the customers’ who can purchase the product, but do not purchase it because of unknown reasons. Changing the non-users to users expands

Thomas Friedman’s book The World Is Flat Essay Example for Free

Thomas Friedman’s book The World Is Flat Essay Thomas Friedman’s book The World Is Flat analyzes the progress of globalization and how it has changed core economic concepts. After traveling to numerous countries, he came up with the conclusion that the world is â€Å"flat,† in the sense that competitive playing fields between industrial and emerging market countries have been leveled. He provides frequent examples of how countries, such as China and India, are becoming part of large global complex supply chains. Freidman assures that change is inevitable and that internet and outsourcing tactics are shrinking the world from â€Å"small to tiny. † Through his use of empirical evidence and first-hand experiences, Friedman is able to provide the reader with a greater insight as to why to world is flat. The increasing power of the internet is a major topic that the author addresses. The internet has broadened its audience so that it is accessible to people of all ages and positions. Communication is contributing to the flattening of the world due to the ability to communicate with virtually anyone within seconds. Friedman visited Iraq and came across an interesting situation that allowed him to further support his point: â€Å"On the screen was a live TV feed that looked to be coming from some kind of overhead camera. It showed some people moving around behind a house. Also on the screen, along the right side, was an active instant-messaging chat room, which seemed to be discussing the scene on the TV†¦he explain that a U.S. Predator drone was flying over an Iraqi village, and feeding real-time intelligence images back to his laptop and this flat screen† (38-39). Technology has expanded dramatically within the last decade, and the author insists that it is going to inflate from here on out, thus continuing to flatten the world. Friedman also confronts the topic of outsourcing. He argues that outsourcing has allowed companies to split service and manufacturing activities into components, with each component performing in efficient, cost-effective ways. His travels allowed him to explore the incredible subject, and what he found truly supports the idea that the world is indeed flattening. Friedman reflects on his stay in Bangalore by saying, â€Å"I hadn’t been with him for more than a few minutes at the Leela Palace hotel before he told me that he could handle my tax returns and any other accounting  needs I had- from Bangalore. No thanks, I demurred, I already have an accountant in Chicago. Jerry just smiled. He was too polite to say it – that he may already by my accountant, or rather my accountant’s accountant, thanks to the explosion in the outsourcing of tax preparation† (11-12). Outsourcing is becoming a significant addition to today’s world, with many different businesses practicing it, such as McDonald’s and JetBlue. Friedman tries to portray to Americans that they need to get accustomed to the fact that we will not be ahead of the rest of the world much longer. He seems ambivalent about the implications of the change, and many passages point towards the idea of a system of global cooperation in which no country is dominant. However, many Americans think we will be dominated by the Indians and Chinese if we don’t get our act together. While talking with Nandan Nilekani, an Indian CEO of Infosys Technologies Limited, about the rising ability of people to collaborate and compete in the global economy, Friedman declares, â€Å"I was excited personally, because what the flattening of the world means is that we are now connecting all the knowledge centers on the planet together into a single global network, which-if politics and terrorism do not get in the way- could usher in an amazing era of prosperity and innovation† (8). Friedman offers his book as a framework on how to deal with the foreseeable changes that are being thrusted upon the world. He says, â€Å"The great challenge for our time will be to absorb these changes in ways that do not overwhelm people but also do not leave them behind. None of this will be easy. But this is our task. It is inevitable and unavoidable† (46-47). In other words, be ready. Overall, Thomas Friedman demystifies the flattening world for readers, and allows them to make sense of the globalization unfolding before their eyes. He discusses how the internet and outsourcing are contributing to the leveling of the playing field, and that change within the next decade is expected. Whether this change will be good or bad, nobody knows, but Friedman insists that the world should be ready and embrace the new era.

The Global Business Strategy Of Bmw Group Marketing Essay

The Global Business Strategy Of Bmw Group Marketing Essay The motor industry always is the most famous industry in the worldwide, because the development of global economy increasingly lead to human cannot live without cars. As a result, the demand of the market brings more intense competition in the industry. Meanwhile, the Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW AG) is a renowned motorcar and motorcycle company in the world. The major products positioning of BMW is premium segments of cars in the global motor market. Its main competitor is Daimler Motor Company with the famous brand called Mercedes-Benz which also concentrates on the same market segment. The overview of BMW Group The origin of BMW Group Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (BMW) is a German motorcar, motorcycle and engine manufacturer which was founded in 1917 by the first chairman Franz Josef Popp. It is headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMWs history can trace its roots back to 1916. Gustav Otto established the Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke AG (BFW) which was the Predecessor of BMW in 1916. In 1917, BFW renamed to BMW and also converted into a public limited company (AG) in next year 1918. During the First World War, as a quartermaster supply manufacturer, BMW established a large factory, which near the military airport in the outskirts of Munich. It continued to manufacture military aircraft engines for the military until 1918. In 1922, BMW merged BFW and became the BMW AG which we are familiar with today. However, when people trace the history of the company, the companys official statement is based on the founding data of BFW factory 7, March, 1916, as the birthday of BMW. In the start-up phase, BMW has focused on the development and production of aircraft engines. BMWs blue and white flag is a symbol of the rotation of the propeller, the portrayal of this is the companys early history. In 1923, the advent of the first BMW motorcycle has been produced by the company. Five years later, in 1928, BMW acquired the Eisenach car factory began producing cars. After integration of resources, BMW AG launched the first car which named Dixi 3/15. At the same time, BMW started its own legendary in the automotive industry and created several masterpieces in the history of its car manufacturers which appeared to the market. These products continue to inspire strong feelings and peoples desire to create an excellence reputation of BMW AG as a car manufacturer. From 1916 to 2013 by the first day of an aircraft engine manufacturer developed into a company of premium motorcar and motorcycle-oriented, that BMW was ranked the top twenty motor company of the world. Its pro cess of development is similar to Japanese Daihatsu Motor Company. The current status of the BMW Group Nowadays, BMW Group not only produce its own brand BMWs motor car, but also owns and produces the brand of MINI and owns a subsidiary which named Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. In the aspect of motorcycle production, there is a motorcycle brand is now known as BMW Motorrad which continue to produce the High performance motorcycle for BMW group. What is more, it also provides financial services, include the relationship of customer and supply chain management. BMW has always been based on a premium brand which is the foundation of business success. There are three brands in BMW Group including BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce. These brands aim at the premium market in each segment from small cars to top luxury sedans. BMW Group has become the only manufacturer which focuses on high-end cars and motorcycles in the world. In present, BMW Group which has 24 production facilities and assembly plants in 14 countries and its business network across 120 countries around the world. Meanwhile, there are 12 Research and Development (RD) plants in 5 countries around the world by BMW. On the one hand, there are several series under the brand of BMW, such as 1, 3, 5, 7, Z and M series. It also has productions of MINI and Rolls-Royce. On the other hand, there are having C, F and R Series under the BMW Motorrad in terms of motorcycle production. Currently, BMW AG continues to thrive, but not without setbacks. BMW AG has always been known for its emphasis on technological innovation and continues to set new standards for high-performance luxury car. At the same time, BMW Group company attaches great importance to the safety and environmental issues. The company has earned a reputation for its performance of active safety and passive safety; include Fully Integrated Road Safety Technology (F.I.R.S.T.). The global business strategy of BMW Group Mercedes-Benzs success factors are based on its history and accumulation of experience. Audis success is because the classic brand revival. Compare  with  other  brands, the brand strategy is the key point to the success of BMW. BMW gives a special significance for its own brand through the implementation of brand strategy. Unlike Mercedes-Benz has a long history, BMW been originally a manufacture aircraft engine for the German air force. In the 1960s, it was the smallest car company in Germany. BMW rose in the world since the 1980s. But at that time, Mercedes-Benz as the market leader of the traditional premium luxury motorcar stick to the luxury car market in the world with the accumulation of traditional brand image and market advantages, which pose some significant obstacles to the market penetration of BMW luxury car series. Deeply influenced by the high technology of German, the manufactured technology of BMW can also compete with Mercedes-Benz. But, more efforts need to be spared to its value and brands compared with Benz. There are some negative effects to BMWs brand. At that time, forming a good brand image is a big challenge for BMW. The global marketing strategies of BMW Group The BMW Group is committed to produce the outstanding and distinctive products. It also tries to gain the maximum market share in the luxury car market around the world. Through unremitting efforts for years, BMW Group has created an excellent international brand image in the world. However, the creation of a well-known brand image of the world does not mean that it can be marketed in some particular market successfully. In order to satisfy the different requirements of the different local markets, BMW Group decided to adopt a centralized and unified brand strategy which be carried out by different country. It is the marketing strategy system which called global branding and localised marketing. The following are the different marketing strategies taken by BMW Group in three major markets, including European, American and Asian markets. Localised marketing in the European market BMW AG is an export-oriented motor company in German. There are 70% of its production is exported. The orders of exports mainly concentrated in the highly industrialized countries, such as the European Union countries, Japan and the United States. 1st January, 1993 is the date which marked the formation of European market integration. After that, most of car manufacturers have adjusted their sales network of the European Economic Community (EEC) market. On the surface, the description of the companys customer structure information seems to indicate that the companys target groups are similar. Those customers who choose BMW are basically with higher education. They are either in high positions or free professional. Both of them are the high-income people. However, these things are not as simple as this situation. Although the existing target markets of BMW Group concentrated in the industrialized countries, there also are a number of European countries with relatively developed agriculture industry in its target market. In these countries, peoples lifestyles are different with the disparity of living standards. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the difference between the rich and poor regions is more than five times. Thus, there is no same preferences and purchasing power of consumers in Europe. The Management Act of EEC integration came into effect on 1st January, 1993, but the personality characteristics of the p eople will not be erased, it also will not let the different nationalities eliminate the difference in spirit. In view of this, BMW Group should implement the marketing strategy which can be adapted to the local market. The demand of European customers The first step in the formation of the marketing strategy is Conducting market research. Market research task is to determine the ideal positioning of BMW in Europe. The ultimate aim of the in-depth study of the differences between the different countries is to identify the language issues and acceptable brand features from these countries by organizing a series of group discussions. Finally, BMW Group found out that some important situation would not be understood without these problems happened. For instance, some purchasers who are from Dutch and Italy expect cars have its own special factors, but they hold totally different opinions about those factors. There are several requirements all over the Europe when customers consider to purchase a car, such as reliability, safety, quality and advanced technology. BMW Group refer to these requirements as the basic requirements of company. On the one hand, in the initial stages of the purchase decision, those motorcar products that be deemed to inconformity with above requirements will be eliminated from the list of purchasers option. On the other hand, it is considered to be an excellent car if comply with above requirements in all European countries. After the above-mentioned basic research, the next step is to choose the type of car for the special requirements of the country, also the countrys climatic conditions should be considered together. In the Netherlands, the attractiveness of the car depends on the quality of its internal, such as excellent internal configuration. In contrast, due to the concept of Austrian Drivers are stronger than any other country, Austrians prefer to drive a car which can show their self-confidence. In Italy, people hope that the vehicles are able to comply with the personal style of the driver. Italian have high requirements for their cars which including its design, aesthetics standard and the engine performance. Therefore it can shows that the Italians car pursuit are totally different from other countries. In view of the basic requirements is coincident when people purchasing a car in all European countries. Take some European countries for example, if a car be approved is excellent by French, it also have same opinion from Austrian and Dutch. Obviously, there is just a little difference that is the specific expectations of the car due to the different point of view from different countries. Therefore, BMW Group believe that it is a problem of communication ultimately if the motor products to be successfully marketed in many European countries. BMW Group deeply know that it need to pay more attention to the customers rather than the vehicles. Even though these customers might have some common view of the motorcar in terms of the same nation. But for individually, every customer wants to show their personal style is totally different. It is in this sense, these people are constituted the target audiences in the market segment of BMW who are from different countries and hold the similar requirements. The scale and characteristics of the various types of customers have been mastered by BMW Group. Also, on the core target market of the BMWs brand which can be determined according to the blueprint of enterprise strategy. BMW Group are most interested in different types of its products could be sold in some particular countries. On the one hand, there are some types of motorcar and motorcycle enthusiasts has a large proportion in each country, such as it has a large proportion of the sporty performance car drivers and normal car lovers in Italy, France, the Netherlands and Austria. Thus, the strategy of global branding have the direct attractiveness for above two types of enthusiasts. On the other hand, according to the composition of different motorists from different countries. There are many motorists who come from different countries support a certain conception in the different thought. Such as there about seventy percent of traditional drivers in France currently, but only ten percent in Italy in this situation. Obviously, the important thing is the marketing strategy which called localised marketing. The research by BMW Group found out that the drivers of BMWs products are always have several same requirements, including the superior design, excellent driving performance, modern technology and unique personality. These BMWs drivers from different countries have views in common that is the original idea for BMW Groups global strategy. Application of the results of market research in Europe The result of market research provide a strong basis for the marketing strategy which called global branding and localised marketing. In addition, BMW Group Company could find the best strategic direction through the organic combination of positioning criteria. The positioning principles and the research result are essential when BMW use a modern way to rebuild its international positioning. The previous method was unilateral consider the characteristics of technical capability and the advancement. The new method is extend to embrace some personal characteristics such as emotional factors, aesthetic value, sophisticated ideas and distinctive personality. It is broke through the emphasis on technology and sporty style, as the BMW traditional image. Thereby it is greatly increasing the pathway of expansion its brand. The formation and implementation of BMWs new brand strategy is built on the basis of the scientific market research. The results of market research provide a solid foundation for the relationships between the brand and products, brand and communication as well as products and environment. Meanwhile, it also solve the marketing problems between the BMW Groups headquarter and local branch companies. Thus, the strategy of global branding and localised marketing as a best method which can improve the strategic position of the brand and strengthen the companys competitiveness greatly. In addition to the European market, BMW Group has achieved considerable success in which this method is used in North American market and Japanese market. To gain the US market by innovation advertising The progress of BMW Group was not smooth when it enter the American market. Early as 1974 years ago, the first BMW branch company has been established in the United States. But its popularity has been low, even many local consumers mistakenly believe that BMW is the product of the United Kingdom at that moment. However, during 1974 to 1978, BMW cars has become the famous brand cars which could represent the customers identity and social status through its smart advertising campaign in United States. In the late 1980s, United States appeared a new marketing environment of low-price revolution, at the same time the Japanese premium motorcar brand was began to seize the American market share with BMW. BMW maintained and enhanced its brand position through its advertising strategy. Therefore, the advertising of BMW is smart method in the marketing warfare of expansion international emerging market. Advertising positioning: from comfortable to driving In 1974, in order to expand the potential market of BMW cars in the United States, BMW Company has invested heavily in United States to establish their own sales channels, and carried out a large number of advertising campaigns simultaneously. In the same year, Ammirati Puris Lintas advertising company won the contracts worth of nine hundred thousand States dollars when it participated in the BMW advertising bidding. At that time, there are a large number of competitors in the North American motor market, such as Cadillac b brand car with the sales of over one millions, 90000 vehicles sales of the Lincoln Motor Company as well as Mercedes-Benz with sales of 40000 vehicles. If BMW want to be successful in the North American market, it must seize the market share from these competitors. In order to test the brand image of BMW in the minds of consumers, Ammirati Puris Lintas advertising company conducted a survey in the western United States. It is a picture shows that a BMW car was parked with a Cadillac car and a Lincoln car together by Ammirati Puris Lintas to test the people reaction in the survey. The survey results shows that almost all of them had no favourable impression for the brand of BMW because their own car have some advanced equipment which does not provide in BMWs cars, such as power windows, leather seat and chrome-plated body. Due to BMW did not have a successful strategy of brand promotion, the excellent driving performance and elaborate interior design of BMW didnt attract the attention of people. Faced with above situation, the Ammirati Puris Lintas is decided that positioned the target market for the post-war new young generation. Compared with those old people who got used to buy Cadillac, the new generation desire a new brand to show their values. The values are including their personality, pursuits and preferences. BMWs excellent driving performance and elaborate interior design coincided with the consumer psychology of the post-war new generation, who have the enthusiasm and pursuit of stimulate. Therefore, BMW competed with other motorcar companies through taken the advantages of its driving performance rather than simply in the power windows, leather seats and chrome car body in the new market. Tagline The Ultimate Driving Machine. In 1970s, BMW of North America start used the tagline The Ultimate Driving Machine which created by Ammirati Puris Lintas advertising agency company. This tagline shows that being a real premium car must have excellent driving performance and also emphasizes the unique selling point of BMW. The advertising theme and positioning achieved great success because the tagline highlights the differences and advantages of the BMW and attracted the new generation with the extremely vitality. à ©Ã‚ ¦Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¯Ãƒ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚ °Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ Ã‚ ®: http://www.bmwhk.com/com/en/news/news-201201-02.html Swot: http://www.wikiwealth.com/swot-analysis:bmw English essay: http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/company-overview-and-market-analysis-of-bmw-marketing-essay.php à ¥Ã‚ ¾Ã‚ ·Ãƒ §Ã‚ ³Ã‚ »Ãƒ ¤Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ °Ãƒ ©Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ¢â‚¬Å¾: http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201301/462629-3.html Ammirati Puris Avrutick Inc.: http://adage.com/article/adage-encyclopedia/ammirati-puris-lintas/98315/

Holgraves challenges Essay examples -- essays research papers fc

Challenges and changes are a part of life. Many people, especially elderly who have set views can very easily resent changes and anything that can be seen as a challenge to their ideas and the tines they remember. Magic has always been part of life but sometimes the magic life takes on a maliciois spirit when manipulated by those who seek to bring about ruin. Society is built on traditions and revolutions to challenge others. These seemingly unconnected ideas come together in the character of Holgrave ans the plot of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The House of the Seven Gables. Holgrave works as a force of change and challenges conceptions through his profession as a daguerreotypist. But at the same time his ideas ans actions are based on his identy os a Maule, a family, which meet its downfall by the work of a Pyncheon in Puritan days of settlement. Holgrave affects changes in the novel and works to help others see the truth of the sitution. Holgrave himself and his views on th e past are changed by his actions in marrying a Pyncheon.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hepzibah is scarred by the chllenges to her own conventionally and sees what holgrave stands for as a threat to her ideas but he does not frighteen her. She had orginally seen him as a â€Å"well-meaning and ordwely young man† (Hawthorne 63). This orginal assesment, based on his appearance, is what caused Hepzibah to grant him permission to take out a room. But as time went on â€Å"she hardly knew what to make of him† (63). She observed that his friends all desired new ideas , particularly those of dress. Hepzibah also tells Pheobe that he challenged many ideas in a speech that he had made annd that she believes hinm to be involved as a practioner of the black arts. Pheobe becoms very frightened and inquires as to why Hepzibah allows such a â€Å"lawlwss person† (63) to stay and Hepzibah’s response is â€Å"†¦ he has a law of his own† (63). Even with all these conserns Hepzibah has about holgrave she â€Å"has to admit fro m her own contact with him that even by her formal standardshe is a quiet and orderly young man† (Matthiessen 371). So even though she voices all her suspicions about holgrave’s morality to Pheobe, Hepizbah, in the end, still believes in the truth of her orginal feelings about Holgrave. Not only her acceptance od Holgrave but her dependence on him as shown in the chapter entitled â€Å"The First Custemer†. She... ...;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hawthorne. Ed. Bruce Leone. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. 132-138 Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The House of the Seven Gables. New York: Banntam Books, 1981. Marks, Alfred. â€Å"Hawthorne’s Daguerrotypist: Scientist, Artist, Reformer†. The House of the Seven   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gables: An Authorative Text, Backgrounds and Sources, Essays in Critism. Ed. Seymore L.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gross. New York, Norton and Company, inc, 1967 330-350 Matthiesses, F. O. â€Å"the House of the Seven Gables American History† The House of the Seven Gables:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An Authoritive Text, Backgrounds, and Sources, Essays in Criticism. Ed. Seymore L. Gross.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New York, Norton and Company, inc, 1967. 364-375 Von Abele, Roudolph. â€Å"holgrave’s Curious Conversion†. The House of the Seven Gables: An  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Authoritative Text , Backgrounds And Sources, Essays in Criticism. Ed. Seymore L. Gross. New   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  York, Norton and Company, inc, 1967. 394-403.

Parents Should Be Active In Child Life

An adolescent’s well-being also safety are imperative besides also contribute to a well, dynamic youth and maturity. Parents can play an important role in helping their children use or strengthen behaviors, skills, attitudes, and motivation that promote their physical and mental health and overall well-being in childhood, adolescence and well into their adulthood. As you grow up, you are taught many life lessons from your experienced parents. Your parents' duty is to nurture you, so that you can grow up to become a person who is strong and able to support oneself.Parents must grasp that when it comes from raising an adolescent, together must put in an equal amount of effort so that the child acquires new things. Averts family failures or fights and stops the child from drifting off the ‘right' track as they say. It is a typical state where the dad is the one who is assumed or not currently a part of raising their kids or kid. The first reason why both parents, a pop and ma, ought to have equal chances to nurture their children is that the father, by his masculinity nature, will be better to give his child the sense of braveness and teach them.To defend themselves against anyone who could hurt them in their environment. By the father involving himself in this way in his child’s life would certainly increase the their method of analyzing any trouble they could possibly find themselves being involved in in the future and enhance and revive their self-confidence and sense of responsibility. Even though I agree that a mother should give her son/daughter a sense of tenderness to keep their children lean when they deal with people, however, a father’s role in upbringing is a vital element and role in building the child’s personality.The second reason why the father is an essential part of raising the child is that the father, and generally the man, is known for his wisdom. In fact, this feature of the father gives him the superior qua lities over the mother when dealing in any problem that could arise within the house either with his wife or with his children. Mothers are known for their emotional way of decision-making process. Therefore, children should learn from their fathers to be more logical and rational and to clarify their minds from anythingthat could affect their decision. You learn to cook when you're helping mother bake in the kitchen, you learn to fish when you're out with dad, but if only your mother teaches you how to cook and father is ‘too busy' to take you out to go fishing, then you've lost a new experience you could have discovered. There are so many different things your parents can teach you. But if only one parent puts in that effort and the other doesn't, then your knowledge and mind will not be able to become more open and aware of all the wonderful possibilities out there.Therefore, both parents should assume equal responsibility when raising a child. Sadly, today most children do n't grow up with both parents aren't their side. Kids who Grow up without both parents have been proven to have future commitment issues are more likely to resort to drugs and alcohol and are less likely to be successful in life. As they say ‘it takes two so a mother figure and a father figure is essential nearly to make it work. This is important for not only the life of the child but also for the wellness of the world.This is happening everywhere and maybe, just maybe this world would be a better place. If parents would step up and share equal responsibility in raising the child they made together. Children raised within an intact family are more likely to be mentally and physically better off in life. You need both eyes to see this clear path. Without one, it is blurred and you may get sidetracked from the path and may not be able to find your way once again. The same thing goes for parents raising children.If one nurtures the child by himself/herself, then the child may fe el far away from the other parent and because their brains are still developing, may resort to dangerous actions to make up for that loss like damaging their health by turning to alcohol and drugs. It is vital for parents to have an equal hand in caring for their child in order to help reduce this risk. In conclusion, women should share with the man, the responsibility to participate in raising up their child and be complementary to each other, in order for the child to become a balanced and withhold a strong personality. Parents Should be Active in Child Life An adolescent’s well-being also safety are imperative besides also contribute to a well, dynamic youth and maturity. Parents can play an important role in helping their children use or strengthen behaviors, skills, attitudes, and motivation that promote their physical and mental health and overall well-being in childhood, adolescence and well into their adulthood.As you grow up, you are taught many life lessons from your experienced parents. Your parents' duty is to nurture you, so that you can grow up to become a person who is strong and able to support oneself. Parents must grasp that when it comes from raising an adolescent, together must put in an equal amount of effort so that the child acquires new things. Averts family failures or fights and stops the child from drifting off the ‘right' track as they say. It is a typical state where the dad is the one who is assumed or not currently a part of raising their kids or kid.The first reason why both parents, a pop and m a, ought to have equal chances to nurture their children is that the father, by his masculinity nature, will be better to give his child the sense of braveness and teach them. To defend themselves against anyone who could hurt them in their environment.By the father involving himself in this way in his child’s life would certainly increase the their method of analyzing any trouble they could possibly find themselves being involved in in the future and enhance and revive their self-confidence and sense of responsibility. Even though I agree that a mother should give her son/daughter a sense of tenderness to keep their children lean when they deal with people, however, a father’s role in upbringing is a vital element and role in building the child’s personality.The second reason why the father is an essential part of raising the child is that the father, and generally the man, is known for his wisdom. In fact, this feature of the father gives him the superior qual ities over the mother when dealing in any problem that could arise within the house either with his wife or with his children. Mothers are known for their emotional way of decision-making process. Therefore, children should learn from their fathers to be more logical and rational and to clarify their minds from anything  that could affect their decision.You learn to cook when you're helping mother bake in the kitchen, you learn to fish when you're out with dad, but if only your mother teaches you how to cook and father is ‘too busy' to take you out to go fishing, then you've lost a new experience you could have discovered. There are so many different things your parents can teach you. But if only one parent puts in that effort and the other doesn't, then your knowledge and mind will not be able to become more open and aware of all the wonderful possibilities out there. Therefore, both parents should assume equal responsibility when raising a child. Sadly, today most children don't grow up with both parents aren't their side.Kids who Grow up without both parents have been proven to have future commitment issues are more likely to resort to drugs and alcohol and are less likely to be successful in life. As they say ‘it takes two so a mother figure and a father figure is essential nearly to make it work. This is important for not only the life of the child but also for the wellness of the world. This is happening everywhere and maybe, just maybe this world would be a better place. If parents would step up and share equal responsibility in raising the child they made together.Children raised within an intact family are more likely to be mentally and physically better off in life. You need both eyes to see this clear path. Without one, it is blurred and you may get sidetracked from the path and may not be able to find your way once again. The same thing goes for parents raising children. If one nurtures the child by himself/herself, then the child may feel far away from the other parent and because their brains are still developing, may resort to dangerous actions to make up for that loss like damaging their health by turning to alcohol and drugs. It is vital for parents to have an equal hand in caring for their child in order to help reduce this risk.In conclusion, women should share with the man, the responsibility to participate in raising up their child and be complementary to each other, in  order for the child to become a balanced and withhold a strong personality.

Bowlby’s attachment theory Essay

This essay will describe and evaluate Bowlby’s theory of attachment and maternal deprivation hypothesis. The essay will describe the two theories, weighing up the strengths and the weaknesses. It will include supporting research by Shaffer and Emerson, Ainsworth and Harlow, along with criticisms by Rutter. John Bowlby (1907-1990) was a child psychiatrist. He was psychoanalytically and medically trained. In 1945, after returning from serving in the armed forces medical service, he secured a position as head of the Children’s Department at the Tavistock Clinic, London. Believing strongly that the quality of a parent-child relationship has a profound effect on developmental and mental health, he promptly renamed it the department for Children and Parents. While witnessing the distress shown by children separated from their parents or primary care-givers, especially if the periods were prolonged, unfamiliar or in the care of strangers, his ideas surrounding attachment theor y evolved. To make sense of the extreme upset and distress displayed by the young children, Bowby pieced together a range of extraordinary thoughts and ideas from many different sciences. (Howe,D (2011) pg 7-8 ) Influenced by ethological theory, Lorenz (1935) and his study of imprinting showed attachment was innate in young ducklings; this had a huge influence on Bowlby. He believed that attachment behaviours were instinctive and would be activated by any conditions that threatened the child being near his mother or primary care giver and would cause the child insecurity and fear. He also postulated that strangers released an imprinted fear in a child and that survival mechanisms were in built via nature and that babies were born with social releasers. These innate behaviours displayed by the child help ensure proximity and contact with their mother figure, for example crying, smiling, crawling, which in turn stimulate care giving. Bowlby believed that an early bond was a framework for later adult relationships, friendships and parenthood. (Holmes 2011 Pg 62) Attachment is a term which refers to the quality of an individual’s attachment; these can be divided into secure and insecure. To feel secure and safe is to feel attached. To feel insecurely attached can manifest itself into a mixture of feelings towards the attachment figure; dependence and intense love, irritability and fear of rejection. Bowlby suggested that a child forms an initial bond with only one person, this is  called monotropy, and that this care giver acts as a secure base for the child, this attachment is a prototype for all future relationships and disruption of this can cause serious negative consequences in later life. The theory behind monotrophy later led onto Bowlbys formulation of his maternal deprivation hypothesis. Believing that the mother was the single most important figure in a Childs first two years, this being a critical period and any disruption could cause irreparable long term consequences (McLeod 2009). The development of the attachment theory was based around four distinguishing characteristics , these were proximity maintenance, whereby between birth and 6 weeks babies were born pre programmed, safe haven, six weeks to eight months secure base and separation distress. (Malim 1998) Although Bowlby was indeed the integrating force behind attachment theory, Mary Ainsworth, with her grounding in developmental psychology, helped develop and extend Bowlby’s ideas. As founders of the attachment theory they maintained a productive relationship for many years. Mary Ainsworth (1982) carried out a study called â€Å"strange Situation† as a result she identified three types of attachment, secure, avoidant and resistant. Based on a similar study she carried out in Uganda where infants were used to being with their mothers and if the mothers left the room the babies would typically cry uncontrollably, in contrast American babies were used to their mothers entering and leaving the room more frequently. Ainsworth wanted to test the secure base and decided to set up a â€Å"strange Situation† where she could observe babies reacting to their mother’s absence in a stressful environment. In a room filled with engaging toys she observed the infants as t hey explored the new surroundings while their mother was in the room, she then introduced a stranger to increase the stress levels. The infant was then left in the room with the stranger and the behaviour at separation and reunion was observed. (Mooney.C (2010) The results of the study showed that 70% of the infants demonstrated a secure attachment, whereby they trust the mother and were happy playing by the stranger but displayed caution. The child would cry when the mother left the room but was easily pacified on her return. 15% of the children were classed as avoidant, they did not appear to be affected by the stranger and treated the stranger the same as its mother. The remaining 155 were resistant, they did not use the mother as a secure base and became very difficult   comfort, clingy and would not except the stranger. (Malim 1998) Dollard and Miller (1950) suggested that attachment was due to drive reduction. This is described at hunger and cold having a driving force in a child seeking to satisfy its need to be warm and to eat. These discomforts are referred to as primary drives with food and warmth being the primary re-enforcers. The attachment only happens because the child wants the person supplying the food and warmth. This th eory is referred to as cupboard love because of the emphasis it has on food and feeding. However, Schaffer and Emerson (1964) found than fewer than half of the infants they studied had a primary attachment to the person who fed, clothed and bathed them. They carried out a longitudinal study which involved observing 60 babies, at monthly intervals, for the first 18months of their lives. While in their own homes, the children were observed interacting with their carers. If the baby showed separation anxiety after a carer left the room this was evidence for the development of an attachment. They discovered that up to 3 months of age a indiscriminate attachment was formed, this is where the baby is predisposed to attach to any human. After 4 months they form a preference to certain people by learning to distinguish primary and secondary caregivers but except care for anyone. After 7 months they form a special preference for a single attachment figure by looking to certain people for their security, protection and comfort. They show fear of strangers and sadness when separate d from that one special person. After 9 months the baby has formed multiple attachments and becomes increasingly independent, forming many attachments. They concluded that the study indicated attachments were formed with the people who responded to the baby’s signals, not the person they spent the majority of their time with. McLeod,S.A. (2009 Harrow and Harlow (1962) also carried out a study that disproved the theory that attachment was based on food. They carried out an experiment on infant monkeys. They placed them in a cage with two wire mesh cylinders. One was bare with just a bottle of milk with a teat, to signify a lactating mother, and the other was wrapped in towelling to supply comfort. If the supply of food was all that was needed to form an attachment then you would think that the monkeys would have spent the majority of the time with the milk. In actual fact the opposite proved to be true. The monkeys used the   cylinder as their secure base for which to explore, a characteristic of attachment behaviour. This experiment proved that food alone was not sufficient in the formation of attachments. (Cardwell et al pg 117) Bowlby’s second theory was that of maternal deprivation. When an attachment is broken either temporarily, through hospitalisation, or permanently, through death, it is referred to as depr ivation. Sadly, there have also been cases where children have been so badly treated, maybe kept totally isolated, that they have never formed an attachment at all. This is called privation. However, Bowlby failed to differentiate between the two in his maternal deprivation hypothesis. Further studies have suggested that deprivation and privation are quite distinct and that the long term effects of privation are for more severe than the long term consequences of deprivation. Also, that children are far more resilient to early separation than Bowlby originally suggested and he later changed his views. Believing that the relationship between an infant and his mother was crucial to socialisation, especially in the first five years of the child’s life, and that any disruption could lead to emotional difficulties and anti-social behaviour he studies 44 adolescent juvenile delinquents in a child guidance clinic. The aim of the study was to see if the long-term effects of maternal deprivation caused delinquency in the children. He interviewed the 44 boys who had been sent to the clinic for stealing; he then selected another 44 children who had been sent to the clinic for emotional problems and not for committing any crimes. He also interviewed the parents of the children to try and discover if a separation had occurred during the critical period and for how long. He discovered that more than half had been separated from their mothers for longer than six months in the first five years. In the second group only two had been separated. He also discovered that 32% of the thieves showed affectionless psychopathy, meaning they were unable to feel or show affection for others. This was not apparent at all in the second group. Bowlby concluded that the anti social behaviours and emotional problems displayed by the thieves were due to maternal deprivation. However, as the evidence that Bowlby based his findings from were in the form of clinical interviews and the parents were being asked questions retrospectively the evidence may not have been totally accurate. As he also designed and carried out the study himself it could also have been bias, especially as he was responsible for the diagnosis   affectionless psychopathy (.McLeod. S) Goldfarb (1947) carried out a study of a Romanian orphanage; the research involved two groups of children. Group one spend the first few months in the orphanage before they were then fostered. Group two were at the orphanage for three years prior to being fostered; therefore they had littl e opportunity of forming attachments in early life. Both groups were tested at the age of 12 and the children who had spend the longest at the orphanage were the least social, more likely to be aggressive and performed less well on the IQ tests. This study highlighted that early deprivation can be overcome and they are not so reversible and permanent as Bowlby had assumed. Michael Rutter (1972) suggested that Bowlby over simplified the concept of maternal deprivation. He used the term to refer to a separation from an attached figure, loss of an attachment and failure to develop an attachment. Rutter argued that they each had a different effect, particularly in the case of privation and deprivation. Rutter believed that if a child did not develop an attachment that this was privation, whereas deprivation refers to the attachment being lost or damaged. In the case of Bowlbys 44 thieves, Rutter proposed that privation had occurred as they had suffered a series of different carers thus preventing the development of one particular attachment. He suggested that private children did not show distress when separated for a particular figure, showing a lack of attachment. Following his own research of privation, Rutter proposed that it is likely to lead to clingy dependant behaviour, inability to follow rules, to form lasting relationships or to feel guilt. He also found evidence of anti social behaviour, affectionless psychopathy. (McLeod 2008) Genie (reported by Curtiss 1977) was found when she was 13 years old. She had been kept in total isolation all of her life, had suffered severe neglect and had been physically restrained. At the hands of her father she was tied to a child potty in a bare room and punished if she made a sound. When discovered she had the appearance of a child aged 6 to 7, was unsocialised, primitive and barely human. She was unable to walk or talk. Despite intervention and being taken off her parents and placed in foster care, Genie never achieved good social adjustment or language. However, the Czech Twins study – Koluchova (1976) lost their mother shortly after they were born and were cared for by a social agency for a year being fostered by a maternal aunt for a further six months. Their development was normal. Their father remarried but his new wife was excessively cruel to the twins, making them live in the cellar for the next five and a half years and beating them. Once removed from their parents the twins attended a school for children with severe learning difficulties and were later adopted. They went from a state of profound disability to being with peers their own age and later went on to achieve emotional and intellectual normality.( McLeod 2008) To conclude, in the case of Genie, the affects of her isolation proved not to be reversible, however, this could have been down to the fact that she was discovered at the age of 13. The earlier children are discovered, as in the case of the Czech twins, with good support and emotional care, it is possible. One could argue that the twins had each other and were able to form an early attachment. Rutter believed that the affects could be reversed with early adoptions. Whether the affects of privation are long lasting or not is uncertain from the studies and most of the research is around privation. Research on deprivation showed that if care and emotional support was offered, that a reasonable level of recovery could be expected. Bibliography Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum (2008) Psychology AS for AQAA. 4th Ed. London; Harper Collins Publishers Ltd Holmes (1993) John Bowlby and attachment theory, pg 62, East Sussex; Routedge) Howe,D (2011) Attachment across the life course, Hampshire; Palgrave Macmillian) http://psychology4a.com/attach%208.htm (accessed 24th April 2014) Malim,T and Birch, A (1998) Introductory Psychology, Hampshire; Macmillam Press McLeod,S.A. (2009) Attachment Theory http://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html (Accessed 24th April 2014) Mooney,C (2010) An Introduction to Bowlby,Ainsworth,Gerber,Brazelton,Kennel & Klaus. St.Paul; Red leaf Press

Overview of Sociologys Conflict Theory

Overview of Sociologys Conflict Theory Conflict theory states that tensions and conflicts arise when resources, status, and power are unevenly distributed between groups in society  and that these conflicts become the engine for social change. In this context, power can be understood as control of material resources and accumulated wealth, control of politics and the institutions that make up society, and ones social status relative to others (determined not just by class but by race, gender, sexuality, culture, and religion, among other things). Karl Marx A house may be large or small; as long as the neighboring houses are likewise small, it satisfies all social requirement for a residence. But let there arise next to the little house a palace, and the little house shrinks to a hut. Wage Labour and Capital (1847) Marxs Conflict Theory Conflict theory originated in the work of Karl Marx, who focused on the causes and consequences of class conflict between the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production and the capitalists) and the proletariat (the working class and the poor). Focusing on the economic, social, and political implications of the rise of capitalism in Europe, Marx theorized that this system, premised on the existence of a powerful minority class (the bourgeoisie) and an oppressed majority class (the proletariat), created class conflict because the interests of the two were at odds, and resources were unjustly distributed among them. Within this system an unequal social order was maintained through ideological coercion which created consensusand acceptance of the values, expectations, and conditions as determined by the bourgeoisie.  Marx theorized that the work of producing consensus was done in the superstructure of society, which is composed of social  institutions, political structures, and culture, and what it produced consensus for was the base, the economic relations of production.   Marx reasoned that as the socio-economic conditions worsened for the proletariat, they would develop a class consciousness that revealed their exploitation at the hands of the wealthy capitalist class of bourgeoisie, and then they would revolt, demanding changes to smooth the conflict. According to Marx, if the changes made to appease conflict maintained a capitalist system, then the cycle of conflict would repeat. However, if the changes made created a new system, like socialism, then peace and stability would be achieved. Evolution of Conflict Theory Many social theorists have built on Marxs conflict theory to bolster it, grow it, and refine it over the years. Explaining why Marxs theory of revolution did not manifest in his lifetime,  Italian scholar and activist  Antonio Gramsci  argued that the power of ideology was stronger than Marx had realized  and that more work needed to be done to overcome cultural hegemony, or  rule through common sense. Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, critical theorists who were part of The Frankfurt School, focused their work on how the rise of mass culturemass produced art, music, and mediacontributed to the maintenance of cultural hegemony. More recently, C. Wright Mills drew on conflict theory to describe the rise of a tiny power elite composed of military, economic, and political figures who have ruled America from the mid-twentieth century. Many others have drawn on conflict theory to develop other types of theory within the social sciences, including feminist theory, critical race theory, postmodern and postcolonial theory, queer theory, post-structural theory, and theories of globalization and world systems. So, while initially conflict theory described class conflicts specifically, it has lent itself over the years to studies of how other kinds of conflicts, like those premised on race, gender, sexuality, religion, culture, and nationality, among others, are a part of contemporary social structures, and how they affect our lives. Applying Conflict Theory Conflict theory and its variants are used by many sociologists today to study a wide range of social problems. Examples include: How todays global capitalism creates a global system of power and inequality.How words play a role in reproducing and justifying conflict.The causes and consequences of the gender pay gap between men and women. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.