Dental Amalgam and the Risks Essay Example for Free

Dental Amalgam and the Risks Essay What is amalgam? Amalgam is a combination of metals that has been used in dentistry for more than 100 years. It is still commonly used today. Although it sometimes is called silver amalgam, amalgam actually consists of a combination of metals. These include silver, mercury, tin and copper. Small amounts of zinc, indium or palladium also may be used. How safe is amalgam? Many studies on the safety of amalgam fillings have been done. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluated this research. It found no reason to limit the use of amalgam. The FDA concluded that amalgam fillings are safe for adults and children ages 6 and above. Why is mercury used in amalgam? Mercury is used in amalgam because it helps make the filling material pliable. When it is mixed with an alloy powder, it creates a compound that is soft enough to mix and press into the tooth. But it also hardens quickly and can withstand the forces of biting and chewing. Why the concern about mercury in amalgam? Everyone is exposed to mercury through air, drinking water, soil and food. Concerns have been raised, for instance, about the amount of mercury building up in fish as a result of pollution. Mercury enters the air from industries that burn mercury-containing fuels. Mercury from all sources can build up in body organs. As with most substances, the degree of harm caused by mercury in the body is related to the amount. Very low levels dont cause any ill effects. At higher levels — for instance, when workers are exposed to mercury through their jobs — mercury can cause several symptoms. These include anxiety, irritability, memory loss, headaches and fatigue. Studies have shown that the amount of mercury you are exposed to from your fillings is less than the amount that most people are exposed to in their daily environment or in the food they eat. Do some people have reactions to amalgam? In rare cases, people have allergic reactions to the mercury in amalgam. The American Dental Association says that fewer than 100 cases of this type of allergy have ever been reported. People allergic to amalgam can receive other filling materials. Should pregnant women be concerned about amalgam feelings? Research has not shown any health effects from amalgam fillings in pregnant women. However, mercury can cross the placenta. In general, dentists advise pregnant women to avoid unnecessary dental care. Women should not get amalgam fillings during pregnancy. Dentists can suggest other materials for any pregnant woman who needs a cavity filled. If amalgam is safe, why does my dentist take precautions when handling it? Because dentists work with mercury almost every day, they must take safety precautions. Without protection, dentists can inhale mercury vapors. Over time, this exposure can produce symptoms of mercury toxicity. How is dental amalgam made? To make dental amalgam, dentists mix liquid mercury with a powder containing silver, tin and other metals. Dentists buy special capsules that contain the powder and the liquid mercury, separated by a membrane. They use special machinery to puncture the membrane and mix the amalgam while it is still in the capsule. Once mixing is complete, the capsule is opened. By the time the amalgam is placed in your tooth, the mercury has formed a compound with the other metals. It is no longer toxic.

Challenges and Influences on The Salvation Army

Challenges and Influences on The Salvation Army THE SALVATION ARMY Introduction Background Hi, this assessment unit is 27763 about Analyze the impacts of influences and assesses their consequences for an organisation. The nonprofit Maori organization I have chosen is The Salvation Army. This organization has overcome poverty and spiritual pain in New Zealand. Its been helping more than 120,000 families and individuals in need each year-with budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skills programs and other comfort and support. We are committed to our mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society. Full-time officers and employees, along with soldiers (church members) who volunteer their skills and expertise, provide their social and church-based services. Our Army has over 3000 officers and employees in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga and is recognized as a high value employer. Our Army is a registered charity under the Charities Act 2005, registered number CC37312. This means we are freed from income tax. We are giving quality care and supp ort for needy people in their own homes. Influences: Â   Â   Internal Influences- i) Skills Skills are one of the important factors of an organization. We have highly trained and professional staff members providing their best efforts where needed with their skills. As it is a helping organization, we create a healthy and helping atmosphere in the organization if we are or not at work. We provide valuable skills through its unique training, employment and support services centers. ii) Staff Our army staff officers have worked as missionaries in many countries. Most recently, our army officers set up corps in Fiji since 1973 and Tonga in 1986. We have a large number of trained and experienced staff from different parts of world which shows the talent and co-operation among our staff. iii) Structure Our administrative structure of The Salvation Army can best be described by following diagram. iv) System We are updated to the new ways and technology which is affordable and beneficial for our purpose and goals. We know that we have to be always ready for any emergency for good running of the organization so we always the new technology, machines, staff according to our need. v) Shared values We are the best examples of the shared values. All Salvation Army worship services are open to everyone. We affirm that racial and multicultural combination of believers is desirable and reasonable. Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each person equal with each other, whether a person is a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. The Salvation Army is intentional in its efforts to incorporate different styles of worship to meet the specific needs of its increasingly diverse organizations. External Influences: vi) Social Our programs of social work among the homeless, unemployed, addicted and other needy people were the most visible aspect of its work in the 21st century. Moving away from our earlier, strongly independent attitude, our Army worked closely with government agencies and other organizations. We also addressed the causes as well as the effects of social hardship, and regularly advised and pushed the government on policies that affect the most weak in society. Recently, the Salvation Army gave their contribution in Nepal Earthquake and did a good job working three days in Nepal after the disaster. vii) Economic Now talking about the economic, we are well known for our economic contribution to the economy by network of Thrift Stores or Charity Shops, which raise money for its rehabilitation programs by selling donated used items such as clothing, housewares and toys. The Salvation Army has a history of free therapy from alcohol and drug abuse. Thrift stores provide the revenue to run the Adult Rehabilitation Centers known as ARCs. The ARCs, found in many global locations, are work and Bible-based operating with the 12-step program, and offer residential facilities which helps in economic condition of the country. viii) Political Moreover, talking about the politics, as an international Christian church and charitable organization, we work within a wide variety of political and social backgrounds. We are not supported by political parties. Although it pursues to influence governmental and public affairs, it will not promote or approve specific candidates or political parties. ix) Technological In extent to this talking about the technological factors, we have improved business processes including the management of finance, supply chain, asset and property management not only to overcome fragmentation of information but also to speed up the flow of information. Now, passersby can donate not only to the traditional workers with bells and buckets, but they can also swipe their credit cards, or simply enter their card information on a volunteers phone. Salvationists would receive Android smartphones donated by Sprint, outfitted with the square mobile card reader, and contributors can donate directly to the Armys account. x) Legal We are legally registered and secured and we are not interfered by any political parties so we do not have any worries about any issue if we keep on doing our job like we are doing now. xi) Environment In contribution to environment. The implications of our Environmental use of natural resources on current and future generations has to be considered and action taken to report this. The consequences of such use often have a greater impact on poorer nations, resulting in increased poverty. Furthermore, we are Promoting and resourcing work to minimize any negative environmental impact of its activities, Aligning work to the wider sustainability plan, The use of ethically sourced goods wherever possible, Reducing waste and increasing recycling. Impacts Opportunities Opportunities for the skills will be the new ideas for projects like positive lifestyle programme, parenting programs and surveys. We will give a rise to our staff by giving them bonus when they do a great job and promotions wherever needed. Moreover, salary is increased after every 6 months. This will be the opportunity for our staff. Our skills are the main key of our healthy running organization because we are doing our best with our skills for the organization. Our experienced and trained staff do their best where they are needed by their abilities. Our organizational structure and distribution of jobs is organized in the best manner by our Human Resource Management team. Our systems are up to date and it is helping the organisation by their proper use. We have an experienced multicultural staff from different parts of world in the organization which creates a positive environment in the staff to work smoothly without any discrimination and it makes a peaceful environment. We are not politically being interfered so we do not have any issues with politics. We are economically contributing in the economy by our mission and work done by us. We are socially attached and understand the conditions of needy persons so we are a socially reputed organisation. We always adopt the new technology in our use which helps us as well as the person we are helping so it is a good symbol for us. We are legally registered and secured so we do not have any worries about any issue if we keep on doing our job like we are doing now. We are environmentally helpful because we do not use or do any work which harms the environment so we are eco-friendly. These are the opportunities for our healthy running organization. Threats If an employees relation is not good with staff or feel insecure he/she might be able to case a file of physical/sexual/mental harassment or can do strikes and can disturb the confidentiality of the organisation. Sometimes there is hidden racism or partiality takes place in the working environment of the organization and it leads to the bad atmosphere within the organization and it will take the organization downwards and its the main impact on our shared values. As we all know, human does not have control on nature, so if anything goes wrong like earthquake, tsunami, and storm so we cannot do anything in that case, so it is a natural threat. People are what we working for, but sometimes we dont know what people want and think about us, so we can get negative feedback about us or may give us a negative response. We are legally approved working organization on a large scale, in case in future if there are some legal rules regulation changes that can be a major threat. As we are worki ng in a nonprofit organization with the latest use of technology, in future there might be some heavy technological change which we cannot afford easily or make in use of our organization then it will be a threat. We are politically not interfered by the politics or politicians but as we are working best on our goals, some political parties or politicians may get jealous of us or may not want to see our organization rising, they may be able to do some things which can make a bad issue against our organization. As we are contributing towards the growth of the economy and organization as well, there can be some changes in the tax rates or the policies which may not be in the favor of the organization. Consequences Skills are leading to the growth and development of the organization as well as the goodwill of the organisation by adopting new programs, projects and surveys. Our staff is now more comfortable while working with the new policies in favor of them by increasing their pay rate, and promotions. Now there is a positive atmosphere within the staff while their working hours. Our organisational structure is organized in a matter that makes our organisation a strong healthy working organisation. Our system is upgraded that it makes our organisation more advance and reachable wherever we are needed. Now we have more record of data and we are known where we are needed. Our shared values are very strong and our staff is proactive and they believe that they now have more knowledge of culture and talents of other parts of the world from their colleagues working together with them. We have no negative relations with the political parties as we are not politically interfered. Now we are economical ly highly strong that we have enough resources and assets for us. Our technological factors and our systems are so advanced that it is being the most helpful and giving a push to the organisation for its organisational work. As we are an environmental friendly organisation, we have contributed for some good causes for the organisation and we have achieved some honorable awards with our good work. As a result, we are working towards our goals in the best way and we are getting the positive results for that. Recommendations I recommend that we should always keep doing some efforts like surveys, seminars so that it will improve our organisational skills. Organisation should keep on hiring new talent and staff according to the need and changes in the organisation and when old staff which is no longer available to work should be retired with honor. For system, I recommend that there should not be any unawareness about the new systems as we have to be updated with our day to day operations. Our shared values should be same as present as our staff is working in a positive atmosphere and it is further needed in our organisation. We should not do any activity or take any step which makes us politically interfered in future so we have to be aware about that. There should not be any misuse or theft in the organisational money inside or outside the organisation as all the employees are getting reasonable pay for their work. For technology, there should not be any misuse or theft in the organisation of any technol ogical equipment and soft wares. I recommend that there should be more CCTV cameras and security options for the internal organisation. As we are doing well, we need to keep that carry on by not doing any illegal work by which our organisation have to face problems in the future. We need to be more careful about the environmental contribution because it the environment is good then we will be able to work otherwise not. References www.salvationarmy.org.nz www.educationandemployment.co.org www.wikipedia.com

Global Market Segmentation And Mode Of Entry Strategies Marketing Essay

Global Market Segmentation And Mode Of Entry Strategies Marketing Essay A market can be subdivided or segmented by geographic, demographic, psychographic or behavioral variables (Kotler, 1993, p.54). Market segmentation is the division of a market into distinct groups of buyers who act differently than other groups of buyers but behave homogeneously within their segment (Tynan, 1987, p.327). In 1956, Wendell Smith first introduced the concept of market segmentation, arguing that in place of mass markets, goods would find their markets of maximum potential as a result of recognition of differences in the requirements of market segments (Smith, 1956, p.6). Since that time, market segmentation has become a core concept both in marketing theory and real-world applications (Meadows, 1998, p. 394). In one of his seminal articles entitled The Globalization of Markets, Theodore Levitt a former Harvard professor and one of the leading thinkers of modern day marketing principles, put forward the concept of a homogenized global market, driven in large part by low cost, standardized goods (Levitt, 1983, p. 92). Levitt argued that the multinational corporation focused heavily on localization and adaptation to local market conditions, would be replaced by the global corporation that views the entire world as a single market (Quelch, 2007, p.148). Dr. Levitt popularized the term globalization and asserted that consumers worldwide were becoming more and more alike because of changing technology and communications (Quelch, 2007, p.148). All markets have one great thing in common, he wrote -an overwhelming desire for dependable, world-standard modernity in all things, at aggressively low prices (Levitt, 1983, p. 86). However, export markets cannot be regarded solely as a single entity, nor do the products offered have a universal appeal in many instances (Foedermayr, 2008, p.241). Accordingly, an export market segmentation strategy allows firms to identify both differences and similarities in various export markets and reach export segments that cut across geographically defined markets (Foedermayr, 2008, p.233). Furthermore, by focusing on similarities among export markets, firms can benefit from homogeneity in product, image, marketing tools and advertising message in different export destinations (Foedermayr, 2009, p.61). Tailoring the marketing mix for particular segments leads to better planning and more effective use of marketing resources (Kotler, 1993, p.54). Of the major segmentation criteria, geographic variables while useful are considered by some to be ranked the lowest as a basis for market segmentation (Keegan, 2002, p. 193). Geographic segmentation is segmentation based on geographical attributes such as population density, region, language and weather. For instance, consumers may be segmented by region (Wyner, 2009, p. 6). When companies choose this approach, they might consider an entire continent. Many companies opt to localize their products or services to accommodate the local needs and wants of consumers (Foedermayr, 2008, p.246). Sometimes geographic segmentation may refer to the size of the population. In other instances, population density is a basis of geographical segmentation. In such scenarios, companies classify their consumers on the basis of their rural, urban or suburban preferences. Such an approach is common among a wide range of companies (Kotler, 1993, p.54). Determining which global markets are the largest based upon geographic segmentation depends on the variable you are focused on (Foedermayr, 2008, p.233). Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) are four dominant markets based upon geographic population density segmentation variables (Kilby, 2006, p. 30). With an estimated two billion new consumers entering the global market and a population total in nearing three billion, these emerging markets afford global companies with tremendous long-term opportunities and clearly seem to be the major geographic segment of the global market. Segmentation based upon demographics is when the market is divided along personal characteristics such as age, sex, income, or occupation. These variables are easy to measure, and consumer wants, preferences, and usage rates are often highly associated with demographic variables (Selecting, 1996, p. 21). Finding groups of consumers with strong, homogeneous bonds is the Holy Grail of marketing. When such similarities exist, marketers can offer the same (or very similar) product, to a large number of potential customers who are more likely to respond in the way desired. Efficiency in marketing is realized and marketers and consumers benefit (Schewe, 2004, p. 57). A key demographic market segment appears to be teenagers. This demographic is most appealing for companies looking to adopt a geocentric strategy due to the increasingly homogeneous mature of this demographic (Budeva, 2007). By looking at groups of people based upon age related cohorts, we can easily see similarities among these groups. The Y generation cohert, born after 1977 is the youngest and most tech savvy (Schewe, 2004, p.59). The youngest cohort, it has grown up with the advent of the internet. This has become a defining event for them, and they will be the engine of growth over the next two decades (Schewe, 2004, p.61). Their core value structure seems to be quite different from that of Gen-X. They are more idealistic and social-cause oriented, without the cynical, Whats in it for me? mindset of many Gen-Xers. The internet links them in a way not seen before and provides marketers with a great opportunity to reach this targeted demographic through new media such as social networking modes (Meredith, 2002). In India, there exist more people under the age of 20, then the entire population of The United States (Schewe, 2004, p.66). With one of the youngest populations in the world, those companies looking to target the teenager demographic will certainly need to look at India. Risks and Rewards of Various Entry Mode Strategies Among the myriad of complicated decisions an international business needs to make, entry mode strategies are viewed by some as most important (Driscoll, 1997, p. 66). Apart from deciding on an appropriate market and product combination, an important strategic issue is the choice of a suitable entry mode that makes possible the entry of a companys products, technology, human skills, management or other resources into a foreign country (Root 1982, p.24). The selection of an entry mode has been identified as a crucial decision facing managers (Drakulich, 2009, p. 51). Entry mode decisions are those decisions made by a firm on how best to enter a foreign market (Rasheed, 2005, p. 47). There are several core options available to companies looking to expand into cross-border markets. Franchising, licensing, joint ventures, global strategic partnerships (GSPs), acquisitions, exporting and green field investments are some of the key strategic options available (Mayrhofer, 2004, p. 77). Entering a new market can have substantial risks. In general, political, legal and economic risk factors can and do play a central role in the decision making process of how best to enter a market (Mottner, 2000, p. 178). Historically, these risk factors have caused companies to adopt a cautious approach toward cross-border expansion. Additionally, many countries concerned about loss of national sovereignty put in place barriers designed to limit the level and scope of foreign investment (Kotabe, 1996, p.81). As a result, licensing has become a widely used option for many companies trying to expand into foreign markets (Kotabe, 1996, p.81). International licensing provides a door to global opportunities for a firm that is unwilling or unable to leave its own shores (Mottner, 2000, p. 176). It allows the firm to benefit from the overseas exploitation of its mobile assets while avoiding the greater risks inherent in foreign direct investment. Therefore, international licensing is an attractive option to be employed for a firm seeking to expand into emerging and transitional economies where there may be a higher perception of risk (Driscoll, 1997, p. 81). Among the many risk factors associated with licensing surrounds the potential violation of intellectual property (Drakulich, 2009, p. 51). Consequently, the discussion of international licensing has focused increasingly on issues of intellectual property rights (Takigawi, 2003, p. 893). Intellectual property rights are a major concern for licensors, as they deal not only with more traditional forms of trademarks and patented know-how, but also with the increased availability of copyrighted material, including emerging computer technology (Mottner, 2000, p. 180). Highly developed nations, which produce a large proportion of intellectual property, tend to have stricter laws surrounding its use and violation (Kotabe, 1996, p. 83). Whereas, lesser developed economies whose primary competitive advantage might be labor or resources, tends not to enforce intellectual property rights as effectively (Johnson, 2008, p. 9). According to Glazer (1993), firms are licensing assets that are in the form of information/ideas or knowledge, and that have some characteristics of a commodity. Today these assets may include research and development ideas, inventions, formulas, technological know-how, services, brands, art, music, designs, and trademarks (Glazer, 1993, p. 517). More recently, the role of licensing in international business has been considered part of a firms overall international strategy (Davis, 2000, p. 244). A firms decision to license is based on many different factors. Beyond the normal risks of business in general, and of international business in particular, there are particular risks associated with international licensing (Uhlenbruck, 2006, p. 412). It is evident from a review of the various streams of research in international licensing that the perceptions of seven risk factors have been identified in the literature: (1) suboptimal choice; (2) risk of opportunism; (3) quality risks; (4) production risks; (5) payment risks, (6) contract enforcement risks, and (7) marketing control risks (Mottner, 2000, p. 178). In the music industry for example, the risk of piracy has been a major obstacle to international licensing. In China, western companies have been disinclined to license western pop music to local manufacturers because of the prevalence of pirate CD plants in the southern provinces (Burpee, 1996). Licensing in Japan poses far fewer risks then in developing nations as the government of Japan appears to have focused increased attention toward protecting intellectual property. As Japan has seen its competitive advantage in production slip away to other regional countries in Asia, they have come to recognize the value and importance of innovation (Takigawi, 2003, p. 877). In fact, The World Intellectual Property Organizations Statistics on Patents 2008 puts Japan at the top of the list of all patent grants by country, ahead of the United States, South Korea and Germany(Licensing, 2009, p. 39). Based upon the research, Japan appears to be a good potential market to license a product to. The laws are such that any intellectual property will be protected and the industrial efficiencies of Japan make it an optimal initial market to begin internationalizing the firm. Distinctions Between Global Strategic Partnerships and Joint Ventures Global Strategic Partnerships (GSPs) are those alliances in which two or more companies develop a common, long-term strategy aimed at world leadership as low-cost suppliers, differentiated marketers, or both, in an international arena. Secondarily, the relationship among GSP members is reciprocal. The partners should typically possess specific strengths that they are prepared to share with their colleagues (Perlmutter, 1986, p. 139). A third attribute associated with GSPs is the focus is a global rather than regional one (Inkpen, 2004, p.591). The GSP should be focused on extending beyond a few developed countries to include nations of the newly industrializing, less developed and socialist world (Perlmutter, 1986, p. 137). The GSP model is typically more flexible about ownership and managerial control. It encourages joint decision making, vertical and horizontal planning, and the fusion of competent allies from around the world despite cultural differences (Inkpen, 2004, p. 587). Managers who want to implement GSPs must be ready to make fundamental philosophical changes. Without a new mind-set GSPs are bound to fail (Perlmutter, 1986, p. 133). Finally, the GSP relationship should be highly organized along horizontal, not vertical, lines. Technology exchanges, resource pooling, and other soft forms of combination are the rule. The participating companies retain their national and ideological identities while competing in those markets excluded from the partnership (Grossack, 1986). Increasingly, to be globally competitive, multinational corporations must be globally cooperative. This necessity is reflected in the acceleration of global strategic partnerships (GSPs) among companies large and small (El Kahal, 2001, p.227). GSPs have become an important new strategic option that touches every sector of the world economy, from manufacturing to services. GSPs are not the exclusive domain of large multinational corporations. Enormous companies will frequently combine with smaller ones to exploit their entrepreneurial capabilities and market niches (Perlmutter, 1986, p. 144). This was the case years ago, when IBM teamed up with Microsoft to exploit the latters growing expertise in software for desktop computers. The smaller companies like Microsoft, benefit by gaining access to global markets and the resource strength of their bigger partners (Schlicher, 2006, p. 14). On the other hand, another mode of entry option available to a firm would include Joint Venture Partnerships (JVPs). A JVP is formed when two or more companies combine a portion of their resources to create a separate jointly owned operation (Driscoll, 1997, p. 73). Unlike GSPs, JVPs tend to be more localized within a particular market or region (Inkpen, 1999, p. 38). Typically JVPs will have two primary partners as opposed to GSPs which can have multiple parties involved (Uhlenbruck, 2006, p. 413). The research suggests that companies that have a geocentric view and strategy would be more likely to form GSPs. There certainly are risks associated with both GSPs and JVPs, however, because the risk is shared among more members in a GSP platform, it would seem that this form of partnership tends to mitigate risks more so than JVPs.

The Changing World Of Women :: essays research papers fc

The Changing World of Women As a daughter living in a strict environment and living in a traditional ways, things get a little rough. My father is center of the household, so basically everything he says goes. In the western world it’s usually the other way around, it’s usually both the parents that have a say in things. In my society(Muslim society) my mother has a say in nothing unless my father asks. My mother is an excellent mother but she mustn’t say anything or it would be considered not being a good wife. As I get older I am always dreading the day I am asked to be married. I know times have changed but I have a major dilemma. Am I going to marry or continue my education? The problem is I like working with medicine and I want to further my education by going to college. But that requires a minimum of six years university attendance and if I want more degrees that another five years. Most of my medical friends that are females married and had children while they were studying in college. I don’t want that to be me. I want to actually finish something I start. My father isn’t exactly helping me with the situation. He hates the fact that I want to work. In his case, women are not supposed to work unnecessarily if their husbands can provide for them(or their fathers can provide for them if their not married), but in a place like Saudi Arabia where men and women don’t mix at work, working just enhances the mind and makes one wiser to the ways of the world. In my mothers opinion, women become better companions to their husbands who should be more understanding and supportive. I feel that instead of being selfish, we can work out ways that help us be good mothers, wives and also continue with our needs of life. If education is one such need, then there are ways to acquire it without causing disturbance. I think my father needs to catch up with the rest of the Muslim world instead of staying in the traditional ways. He s aid when I finish or if I finish my medical school he would refuse permission to let me work in a hospital.

The Giver :: essays research papers

The Giver - Main Character Jonas, the main character in The Giver by Lois Lowry, is a very strong person, which allows him to go farther in life then the people that surround him. Throughout Jonas's life he has known nothing but "sameness". He lives in a Utopian community where there are no choices and everyone in his world has their lives laid out for them. But, Jonas is given the job of "Receiver of Memory". He alone knows the truths of the world, a world with colors, pain, and choices. What he does with these truths will bring obstacles to his life that will show the readers not only his strengths but his weaknesses as well. Jonas is made to bear the truths of the world alone and is troubled by what he should do with it. Jonas at first doesn't want the memories because after receiving several of them, all that Jonas has known is being questioned and his world turned upside down. 'He is angry and afraid after receiving his first set of memories. Angry because of what has been kept from him and afraid because now he doesn't know what to do. Jonas is uncertain whether the world he learns of is best for his community and if people can be trusted to make decisions on their own. In a conversation to "The Giver" (person passing down the memories) about whether or not it is safe to allow people to make their own choices, Jonas say, "What if they are allowed to choose their own mate? And chose wrong? . . . We really have to protect people from wrong choices." But, by the end of that conversation he is uncertain about his feelings and about many other things. Jonas is confused because he doesn't know what he should do about it or if he should do anything at all. Jonas finally decides to change the world (at least the one he knows of), but he faces many obstacles trying to do so. Jonas speaks to the Giver about giving memories to the community . He wants to share them with everyone and change the way the community works. He wants to give them choices and show them that there are differences. The Giver says the only way the community will receive them is if Jonas goes to the beyond and loses his connection to them.

Carrion by Baudelaire in Modern Period

The life of Charles Baudelaire does not fall exactly within the period when modern style dominated in art. Living between 1831 and 1867 Baudelaire caught only the rise of modernist tendencies in literature, and it can be observed that he played an important role in the development of modern style. His writings, which were pretty scandalous for the time obviously bear features of modern style. This paper aims to demonstrate how Baudelaire’ rhymes are related to modernism, using his poem â€Å"Carrion† as an example.The distinctive features of modernist art are its symbolic nature, profound personal approach and fancy forms of outside reflection, which can sometimes be even shocking. Logical ties inside the artwork are unevident and every person is allowed to form own original opinion about it. An artwork often represents a sort of transcendent form, and it often does not really mean that, what it appears to be at first sight. Combined with sharp contrasts this forms the identity of modern style .Applying the described principled to Baudelaire’s verse it is firstly necessary to turn to symbolism. The poet actually described a rather disgusting thing – a corpse of an animal rotting near the road. That what was a taboo for artists of previous epoch and would never be aesthetic for them is described by Baudelaire with some sickly passion: The flies swarmed on the vulva, where The hordes of blackness writhed The maggots like a river, on Those rags that seemed to live.But this caused him to start thinking of beauty and its fate and even compare his sweetheart to this rotting body: And even you will come to this, This horrible infection This is a perfect example of shocking expression of the artistic idea and unobvious ties, for further Baudelaire relates the dead body to the idea or eternal beauty, which will forever live in a spiritual world: So tell them! Tell the worms for me, The ones who'll kiss and eatThat I have kept your faith divin e, My decomposing sweet! Actually the idea, that bodily beauty is temporary and spiritual beauty surpasses the bodily one is not new. Baudelaire’s merit is not in the invention of idea, but in finding new forms for its expression. Perhaps the readers would be â€Å"getting sleepy from the corpse's rank perfume† like a woman in the poem, after all, as in any modernist artwork, the reader is allowed to form a personal opinion.The poem is exclusively author’s view of the world which a reader can get acquainted with. Such withdrawal from universalism in art and providing insights into own ideas is one of the key elements of modern art. Works cited: 1. Bradbury, Malcolm, & James McFarlane (eds. ), Modernism: A Guide to European Literature 1890–1930 Penguin, â€Å"Penguin Literary Criticism† series, 1978 2. Charles Baudelaire. Carrion. Translated by C. S. Thompson. Available at: http://www. noctiviganti. com/books_flowers_carrion. html

Impacts of Alcoholism on Family Welfare Essay

CHAPTER ONE 1. 0 Introduction 1. 1 Introduction This chapter contains the background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, objectives of the study, research questions, justification of the study, limitations of the study, the scope of the study and the conceptual framework. 1. 2 Background to the Problem Seventy percent of Kenyan families are affected by alcoholism (Simiyu, 2006). Man has, over time, indeed come to acknowledge the fact that alcoholism is indeed destructive to the human race. This explains the reason as to why numerous studies have been conducted and some are still underway in relations to various areas where alcoholism is indeed a major threat. It is however important to note that most of these studies are mainly centered on the alcoholic. Alcoholism is a term that has many and sometimes conflicting definitions. In current and historic usage, alcoholism refers to a condition that results from continued consumption of alcohol despite the social and medical impacts that are raised by the vice. Alcoholism also referred to, in the nineteenth century and partly in the twentieth century, as dipsomania, may also refer to pre-occupation with or compulsion towards the consumption of alcohol and/or impaired ability to recognize the negative impacts of excessive alcohol consumption. The Macmillan dictionary (2002) defines the word alcoholism as a medical condition that makes it difficult to control the amount of alcohol you drink. 1. 2. 0 Alcoholism The dictionary definition of alcoholism is, a disorder characterized by the excessive consumption of and dependence on alcoholic beverages leading to physical and physiological harm and impaired social and vocational functionality. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research defines alcoholism as 1 a layman’s term for alcohol dependence and abuse. The medical encyclopedia defines alcoholism as a popular term for two disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependent. The definition of alcoholism adopted for this study was a disorder that involves long term, repeated, uncontrolled, compulsive and excessive use of alcoholic beverages that impairs the drinker’s health and social relations. In this study alcoholism was characterized by frequent drinking, drinking five or more days in a week. 1. 2. 1 Family Welfare The Macmillan dictionary (2002) defines a family as a group of people who live together and are all related to one another, usually consisting of parents and children. It also defines welfare as the health and happiness of people. The definition of family welfare adopted in this study encompassed physical and psychological health, finances, employment, social life and relationships Velleman, (as cited at www.alcoholandfamilies. org). Family welfare was characterized by economy, health and safety, legal proceedings, marriage stability, responsibilities, and withdrawal. The Macmillan dictionary (2002) defines economy as the careful use of money, products or time that very little is wasted. Family economy in this study was characterized by the amount of money spent on alcohol, investment ventures and savings in respect to individual’s income. The dictionary definition of health is the condition of your body especially whether or not you are ill. Safety on the other hand refers to the fact that a thing is safe. For purpose of this study health and safety was characterized by instances of alcohol related illness or disorders, domestic violence both on women and children attributable to alcohol, accidents or any other act done which exposed the individual to harm as a result of the influence of alcohol on the person (Alcoholic) or on the family, and psychological state. 2 Responsibility is defined by the Macmillan dictionary (2002), as a state of being in charge of someone or something and of making sure that they do or what happens to them is right or satisfactory. In the study responsibility was characterized by instances of family roles of individuals (for example paying school fees by the parents), good physical and psychological availability for the family, work problems due to alcohol and its consequent negative impacts (Alcoholism). Marriage stability is a situation where marriage can raise up beyond the challenges which can lead to its break-up (Akem, 2009). For purpose of this study marriage stability was characterized by instances of divorce, separation, quarrels and disagreements. Withdrawal is to no longer take part in something or stop someone from taking part (Macmillan 2002). The definition of withdrawal adopted for this study was helping the person to get rid of his/her body off alcohol as well as the harmful physical effects of alcohol, Schuckit & mace, (as cited at www. answers. com) Withdrawal in this study was characterized by attempted instances to stop alcohol consumption by either the individual or third party efforts and the respective challenges posed by the same. 1. 2. 2 Alcoholism Unmasked Up-to 50 percent of murders involves alcohol, and three or more people die in Britain due to alcohol (Holden, 1996). Approximately fourteen million people in the United States of America are alcoholics, alcohol being the third leading killer in the United States, killing twenty thousand people and injuring 1. 5 million due to drunk drivers, Drink, (as cited in Katherine, 2009). Drink also reported that 65 percent of the aggressive attacks against women involve use of alcohol by the offender with more than 60 percent of the homicides involving the use of alcohol by either the offender or the victim. According to Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) alcohol abuse affects 70 percent of families in Kenya. 3 In November 2001, over 140 people died and scores of others lost their sight after consuming an illegal laced drink. In June 2005 illegal brew laced with industrial alcohol caused the deaths of 49 people and more than 174 people were hospitalized after drinking the home made Kwona-Mbee, literally ‘see the way ahead’, brew containing methanol a toxic wood alcohol added to the concoction to give it more kick (Simiyu, 2006). According to a study carried out by WHO (2004) involving 188 patients evaluated after motor vehicle crashes in all hospitals located in Eldoret found out that 23. 4 percent were blood alcohol concentration (BAC) positive and 12. 2 percent were intoxicated. This research work indicates the impacts of alcoholism on health and safety of the alcoholic, but they fail to mention the impacts of this disorder in the family setting. Holden (1996), states that alcohol does no good for the economy, costing the British industry 1. 7 British billion pounds. There thus existed need to establish a clear link between family economy and alcoholism. About a third of alcoholics recover whether they are in treatment program or not, Vallant, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). Studies from the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAAA) in United States of America indicate that of all drugs, withdrawal from alcohol differs most significantly. This is so because it can be directly fatal, with an alcoholic having no serious situations having a significant risk of dying from the direct effect of withdrawal if not managed properly. This established the need to investigate how withdrawal as an aspect of family welfare is affected by alcoholism. One in three divorces is due to behavioral problems linked to drinking (Holden, 1996). In Kenya, most domestic misunderstandings are attributed to alcohol, (Simiyu, 2006). The study, therefore sought to find out the impact of alcohol on marriage stability. 4 1. 3 Statement of the Problem Research has shown that alcohol indeed has major impacts on the life of its victims. Indeed no man is an island; hence an alcoholic does not live in isolation. It is therefore expected that whereas alcohol is not good for the drunkard, it is also not good for the family of the drinker. It robs them the morally upright person that they looked up to. What might be the various aspects of the family that might be affected by having an alcoholic in the family? According to Cork, (as cited at www. alcoholandfamilies. org), researchers have often shown much concern for the alcoholic, while overlooking his/her family. There was therefore need to determine the various aspects of the family that were affected by having an alcoholic in the family. 1. 4 Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study was to investigate and establish the nature of relationship that existed between alcoholism and various aspects of family welfare of reforming alcoholics in Suneka division, using case study research design with a view of bringing to the light the intensity of alcoholism in our society. Alcoholism was characterised by frequent drinking, drinking five or more days per week. Family welfare was characterised by family health and safety, family economy, responsibility, marriage stability, instances of legal proceedings and withdrawal. 1. 5 Research Objectives The research sought to establish the impacts of alcoholism on family welfare by specifically finding out: 1. The challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family economy. 2. The challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on marriage stability. 3. The challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family health and safety. 5 4. Problems associated with withdrawal from alcoholism. 5. The impacts and frequency of alcoholism influence on legal proceedings perpetrated against alcoholics within the family. 6. The link between alcoholism and neglect of responsibilities. 1. 6 Research Questions In order to establish the kind of relationship that existed between alcoholism and family welfare, the research was guided by the following research questions: 1. What are the challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family economy? 2. What are the challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on marriage stability? 3. What are the challenges posed by the negative impacts of alcoholism on family health and safety? 4. What are the problems associated with withdrawal from alcoholism? 5. What is the impact and frequency of alcoholism on legal proceedings perpetrated against alcoholics within the family? 6. What is the link between alcoholism and neglect of responsibilities? 1. 7 Significance of the Study The findings of the research sought to help: 1. Site out the impact of alcoholism in the local context which will act as an eye opener to the stakeholders concerned for instance the Ministry of Health, Human rights activists and the entire NGO community to see the need to help the affected parties. 2. Occasion, as a result, setting up of appropriate programs to help curb the menace caused by alcoholism, for instance setting up a rehabilitation centre. 3. Alcoholics see the need to stop taking alcohol, having realized the pain they inflict on their families. 6 1. 8 Limitations of the Study The study was based on a sample size of 30 respondents drawn from an accessible population which consists of individuals from Suneka community in Kisii south district. Owing to scarcity of resources, precautions should therefore be taken while generalizing findings of this research to other localities. This may be majorly due to environmental and social factors that may factor in to invalidate the findings. 1. 9 The Scope of the Study The study primarily focused on the impact of alcoholism on family welfare, a case study of Suneka division, Kisii south district, Nyanza province in Kenya. The study was based on a sample of 30 respondents and was conducted between the months of February and March 2009. 7 1. 10 Conceptual Framework ALCOHOLISM FAMILY WELFARE FAMILY HEALTH AND SAFETY MARRIAGE STABILITY FAMILY ECONOMY ALCOHOLISM RESPONSIBILITY WITHDRAWAL LEGAL IMPLICATIONS Fig. 1. 0 A conceptual framework on the relationship between alcoholism and family welfare. The study sought to find out the relationship that existed between alcoholism and components of family welfare namely: family health and safety, marriage stability, family economy, withdrawal, and the legal implications. 8 CHAPTER TWO 2. 0 Literature Review 2. 1 Introduction This chapter contains past studies in relation to alcohol and alcoholism. It has also highlighted the historical background. It particularly focuses on the impacts of alcoholism on the economy, health and safety, legal implications, marriage stability, withdrawal and responsibilities which were the pillars of this study right from the global, continental and local point of view. It also contains the critical review and the summary. 2. 2 Past Studies This section will shade light on the historical background of alcoholism, researched impacts, and the global, continental and local implications here in Kenya. 2. 2. 0 Historical Background The word alcoholism was first introduced by a Swedish physician Magnus Huss (1849) to mean poisoning by alcohol. It was later mentioned in France by M. Gabriel (1866) in his medical dissertation. This marked the evolution of the word alcoholism (as cited at www. asnwers. com/library/psychoanalysisdictionary). The most rigorous definition of an alcoholic (a person suffering from alcoholism) is the one provide by Pierre Fouquet, â€Å"An Alcoholic is any man or woman who has lost the ability to do without alcohol. † The production of alcohol dates back, to around 1400-1600 BC (Before Christ), in the Munainus region between black and Caspian seas. Commercial production of alcohol was well underway by 1500 BC, Court Wright, (as cited at www. asnwers. com/library). Alcohol is probably the oldest drug known to humanity. It was easy for the primitive people to discover that fruits and juices left to stand in warm places easily fermented to form alcoholic mixtures. Alcohol production is mainly founded on yeast cells, which in presence of warmth and 9 water continue to grow by using up the sugar until the sugar is finished or alcohol content kills them. Alcohol is a deadly poison and in high enough quantities, it kills all living things including the yeast cells that produce it, Weil & Rosen, (as cited at www. alcoholicsanonymous. org)! It was initially believed (Sigmund Freud, Karl Abraham, Sandor Ferenczi) that alcohol does not create symptoms but only promotes them, removing inhibitions and destroying sublimation (Descombey, 2002). The theory of alcoholism (1905d) is summarized in terms of predominance among men, beginning at the onset of puberty, Sigmund, (as cited at www. answers. com/ library). Magnus the Swedish professor of medicine distinguishes between two types of alcoholism that is, Acute alcoholism, which is due to temporary effects of alcohol taken within a short period of time- drunkenness and intoxication; Chronic alcoholism, which is a condition caused by habitual use of alcoholic beverages in poisonous amounts over a long period of time. Prior to the nineteenth century, alcoholism was seen as a moral weakness or criminal, rather than an illness. The new, â€Å"Disease† approach to alcoholism was started in America perpetrated by the, â€Å"Alcoholism movement. † It consisted of Alcoholics Anonymous (A self help group, setup in 1935), National committee for Education on alcoholism (later The National Council on Alcoholism) and the YALE, centre for alcohol studies. The, â€Å"Alcoholism movement† Quickly spread to Britain and subsequently to the rest of the world (Heather & Robertson, 1997). According to WHO (2004) In Africa, for instance, alcohol related beverages are very predominant among ethnic groups branded in different names passed from one generation to another. Among the common alcoholic beverages are: Chang’aa-Which is common among Samburu pastoralists living in northern Kenya and the whole of Kenya at large. In fact the word seems to have gained a national appeal in Kenya along with Busaa which are often used in Kisii among 10 the Gusii community. Others include: Palm wine (common along the Kenyan coast), banana beer (made from a fermented mixture of banana and sorghum flour) and Muratina (made from sugarcane and Muratina fruit-a fruit grown in Kenya). Among the Gusii community, the common alcoholic beverages used from times immemorial include Chang’aa and Busaa. Chang’aa is a distilled product resulting from malted millet, maize or sorghum alongside molasses the mixture of which has been fermented for a number of days, for instance a week. The fermented malted millet, maize or sorghum mixture in its crude state (nondistilled) produces Busaa. 2. 2. 1 Global Impact 2. 2. 1. 0 Health Alcohol has raised major attention on the international ground mainly due to its negative impacts in the society. Topping the list is the link between alcohol and its impact on health. It is important to note that alcohol on its own can cause a medical disorder known as alcoholism which was the pillar stone of this study. Studies indicate that alcoholism can arise in a genetic disorder which can be transferred to the offspring of the victim just like any other genetic disorders. It is estimated that 60 percent of those who become alcoholics are believed to have a genetic predisposition for it, Vallant, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). Hamgin and others (1999) also reported that there is a high frequency of alcoholics in first degree relatives of alcoholics. Research has shown that alcohol damages various organs in our bodies resulting to chronic diseases. Some of these organs include: 1. The Liver: Excessive consumption of alcohol results to liver cirrhosis and liver hepatitis. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver while liver cirrhosis is a liver ailment that interferes with the liver’s normal structure and function. Both diseases can be fatal 11 2. Blood: Excessive consumption of alcohol interferes with both the structure and function of blood. High quantities of alcohol damages red blood cells making them to become abnormally large as well as the destruction of white blood cells which results to low immunity whereas damaging of red blood cells may lead to cancer in extremities (NIAAA). The NIAAA in the United States of America suggests that a connection exists between heavy alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. In fact 3. 56 percent cancer cases all over the world are related to alcohol drinking resulting to 3. 5 percent of all cancer deaths. 3. Heart and circulatory system: Alcohol drinking affects these body systems causing such disease as heart attacks, stroke (which arises when a blood clot from the heart enters the circulatory system into the brain blocking blood circulation in the brain) Alcohol is also not good for pregnant women for it can lead to various birth disorders such as, Fetal Alcohol syndrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). These are permanent birth defects on off-springs of women who consume material alcohol during pregnancy (NIAAA). Other health implications include Sexual dysfunction and epilepsy and in extremities even causing death directly. Despite the numerous researches on the implications of alcohol on health, not much has been done on the frequency of such health implications on families affected by alcoholism. However, for an alcoholic it is important to note, perhaps not for his/her sake but for the children’s sake, that if they continue the path to alcoholism they are putting their children at the exposure to this disorder since comprehensive studies have shown that children of alcoholics’ show a three-to-four times risk of developing the disorder. Recent studies have proved that alcoholism is 40 to 60 percent attributed to genes, leaving 40 to 50 percent on environmental influences, Schuckit; Anthenelle Schuckit, (as cited in Schonbeck, 2004). Alcohol is not also good for the brain causing psychological harm in the long run with instances such 12 as depression and anxiety with as many as 25 percent of alcoholics presenting severe psychiatric disturbances. Alcohol effect reveals an overall sluggish brain activity (Revolution health, 2007). 2. 2. 1. 1 Safety Alcoholism has also raised eye blows in relation to its influence on safety in the society. Top on this list is road accidents. Indeed in most accidents grossly impaired judgment reduced reflex activity and reduced visual perception all play their part. In the United States 41 percent of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related. On average, alcohol related motor vehicle accidents occur after every 30 minutes injuring 500,000 Americans yearly with 30 percent of all Americans involved in such accidents at one time during their life time while 50 percent of such trauma cases end up dead, (www. niaaa. nih. gov). According to Santrock (2005), 60 percent of homicides involve use of alcohol by either the offender or victim and 20 percent of suicide cases involve use of alcohol by the victim, with 65 percent of aggressive instances against women involving the use of alcohol by the offender. Santrock also reports that alcohol increases instances of aggressiveness; to be precise alcoholics are more easily provoked when drunk than when they are sober to unleash harsh words, throw a punch or pull a trigger of a gun, Dougherty, Benelt & others; Fale-Steward, golden & Schumacher, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). According to Seto & Barbaree (as cited in Santrock, 2005), it is unfortunate that the people who are already prone to aggression are also the ones who are likely to drink and then become violent when they become intoxicated! People under the influence of alcohol, almost commit half of the rapes and other violent crimes, Abbey, Ross& McDuffie; Abbey & others, (as cited in Santrock, 2005). All these comprehensive research focuses on the impacts of alcoholism on the alcoholic’s safety but fails to shade light on the suffering which the family has to undergo as 13 a result. Equally most of these research findings do not bring out clearly the frequency of such hazards among families of alcoholics’. 2. 2. 1. 2 Marriage Stability It is estimated that more than 40 percent of separated or divorced women were married to or live with a problem drinker with more than three fourths of non-fatal female victims of domestic violence having reported that the assailant had been drinking (www. alcohlics-info. com). According to Holden (1996) one in every three divorces are attributed to alcohol drinking. It is clear while alcohol seems to be a clear threat to stability in marriages it is unclear, on where exactly it impairs on marriage stability. 2. 2. 1. 3 Responsibility It is estimated that a bulk of 10 percent work force in the United Kingdom have problems due to alcohol (Holden, 1996). According to Velleman, alcohol affects the quality of parenting, although the aspects of quality of parenting are not well defined (as cited at www. alcoholandfamilies. org). At the prime of alcoholism the alcoholic manifests an utter disregard to everything, including shelter, family, food, and job. These occasional flights into oblivion are best described, ironically, as, ‘Drinking to get away from the problems’ caused by drinking (www. alcoholics-info. com). These studies indicate a clear link between alcoholism and the role it plays in the execution of responsibilities at large but fails to pin-point the particular impact of alcoholism on family responsibilities and the frequency of the items mentioned above in a family setting. Santrock (2005), acknowledges the fact that binge drinking, usually associated with high BAC, to be associated with class absences, physical injuries, trouble with police and unprotected sex all instances of neglect of responsibilities by children (college students) who are a unit of the family. 14 2. 2. 1. 4 Legal Implications There are at least fifty thousand recognized alcoholics in Victoria-Australia, with one-hundred thousand drunk and disorderly convictions each year (Wright, 1991). Drinking at inappropriate times can lead to legal proceedings such as Drinking and driving, beyond the legal set limits, or public disorder. According to NIAAA (1997) forty percent of assaults are alcohol related. About 3/4 of all prisoners in 1997 were involved in alcohol or drug abuse in some way leading to their current offence (United States Department of Justice Statistics, 1997). From research already conducted there seems to be a link between alcohol and crime but on the other side no studies exists on the frequency of legal situations encountered by alcoholics in a family setting or their families or challenges faced by such families when faced by such occurrences. 2. 2. 1. 5 Withdrawal Unlike withdrawal from other drugs, withdrawal from alcohol differs most significantly from other drugs, since it can be directly fatal (NIAAA, 1997). For example it is extremely rare for heroin or cocaine withdrawal to be fatal. When people die from heroin or cocaine withdrawal they typically have serious underlying health problems which are made worse by the strain of acute withdrawal. An alcoholic however, who has no serious health, issues has a significant risk of dying from the direct effects of withdrawal if it is not properly managed. When alcohol is stopped, especially abruptly, the person’s nervous system suffers from great brain imbalances. This can result in symptoms that include anxiety, life threatening seizures, delirium tremens and hallucinations, shakes and possible heart failure. During withdrawal especially acute withdrawal symptoms tend to subside after 1 – 3 weeks. Less severe symptoms (e. g. insomnia and anxiety) may continue as part of a post withdrawal syndrome gradually improving with abstinence for a year or more. Withdrawal symptoms begin to subside as the body and central nervous system makes adaptations to reverse tolerance and restore 15 functions towards normal body functioning. It is evident that from completed research the habitual user experiences hangover (a combination of head ache, nausea, fatigue and depression) a situation which may be very challenging. According to Hamigan & others, (as cited in Thom, 2009) one in nine individuals who drink continue the path to alcoholism. However, according to Vallant, (as cited in Santrock, 2005) by the age of 65 a third of alcoholics are dead or in terrible shape; a third is still trying to bear addiction and a third is abstinent or drinking only socially. Vallant found the factors leading to successful withdrawal to be predicted by: 1. Having a strong negative experience with alcohol, for instance serious medical emergency 2. Finding a substitute depends, for instance meditation, exercise or overeating (which also has serious medical implications) 3. Developing a positive relationship such as a caring employer or a new marriage 4. Joining a support group such as Alcoholics anonymous (AA). Vallant acknowledges that more than 18 million patients currently need alcohol treatment and only one fourth ever get treatment for a number of reasons such as lack of availability of such facilities lack of adequate space, limited funding or because drinkers object to the treatment. These studies clearly depict the challenges facing withdrawal from the medical stand point. However, it is important to note that not much has been done on the impacts of withdrawal on the family set-up. 2. 2. 1. 6 Economy Alcohol also does no good for the economy. In 1989 it cost British industry 1. 7 billion United Kingdom pounds (Holden, 1996). According to a recent special report prepared for United States Congress by NIAAA, the impact of alcohol on society including violence, traffic accidents, lost work productivity and premature deaths, cost America in aggregate an estimated 188 billion United States dollars 16 annually. However, not much has been done on the impacts of alcohol on family economy and personal financial management and stability as separate from National or Global economic impacts. 2. 3 Continental Impact The continent Africa is characterized by poverty and unemployment. Extensive research has shown that these factors are a contributory to the start of alcohol intake and consequently alcoholism. African countries have high reported cases of domestic violence which are largely attributed to consumption of alcohol. Since most of the drinking population is poor and they can’t afford ‘expensive and classy’ commercial brands, they have opted for the cheap non-hygienical local brews. The drinking population also spends most of their finances on alcohol leaving their families financially unstable hence their family economy is in a terrible state. Excessive alcohol consumption also causes serious negative effect on fertility in both men and women: decreasing testicular and ovarian size, interfering with sperm and egg production and viability, disrupting menstrual cycles, and reducing libido. When pregnancy is achieved reduced quality of sperm and egg may significantly and permanently affect the quality of life, pre and post-natal, of the child. A child born to an alcohol using woman has a great risk of being born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes distinctive cranial and facial defects, including a smaller head size, shortening of the eyelids, and a lowered brain capability. Developmental disabilities, heart defects, and behavioral problems are also more likely. There has been an outcry among women from Mombasa, a town in the Kenyan coast, that alcohol intake among their men folk is making them incapable of performing their conjugal duties. Alcohol consumption has also caused numerous health hazards within the continental standing similar to what is being experienced globally. Among such diseases common in Africa include: liver disease, physical injuries due to short 17 term effects of alcohol leave alone the psychological ailments that the family of the alcoholic has to go through (Asenjo, 2009). It is however important to note that unlike in western countries, in Africa alcohol is more reserved to the male population. Women who drink are seen as a social vice associated with prostitution and immorality hence, as such alcohol has gained much prevalence among men and as such most alcoholics are men. It is ironical that since times immemorial women have always prepared the brew, but they give it to their male counterparts for consumption. Alcoholism also increases instances of marriage break down due to such factors as domestic violence, neglect of responsibility (a major problem) and the psychological impacts involved mostly among the women fork and the children of the alcoholic husband cum father. However, unlike in the developed countries where there exists, in abundance, institutions dedicated to aid alcoholics shake off their habits, such facilities are very rare in the black continent. These can be attributed to the fact that in most communities, alcohol consumption is regarded as a traditional artifact and as the saying goes, â€Å"Mwacha mila ni mtumwa â€Å"(A Swahili proverb which translates into, â€Å"He who abandons tradition is a foreigner†. Also this can be cited as a reason mainly responsible for low instances of withdrawal in the continent. Withdrawal, if any, is due to ones own efforts or in some instances pressure from a particular class in the community for instance, church or ones own family. It is, however, important to note that despite the ‘naked’ impacts (negative) caused by alcohol all over the continent, not much has been done to better understand the problem from a continental stand point and whatever presumptions that exists about alcoholism, are just mere generalizations, in that case, of what happens in the west to be applicable in Africa as well, which might not always be the case owing to the so obvious cultural and social difference 18 2. 4 Local Impact The devastating effects of alcohol and drugs on young people can be felt bare today. Experts have sounded alarming bells after two studies revealed that school children as young as eleven are falling prey to alcohol. Research at the African Mental Health foundation says that in the last four years the use of alcohol and other drugs among young people has increased by a staggering 71 percent. In Kenya, unrecorded alcohol consumption is estimated to be 5. 0 litres of pure alcohol per capita for population older than 15 years for the years after 1995, estimated by a group of key alcohol experts (WHO, 2004). A 1997 to 1998 survey sponsored by the Economic ad Social Research council and The British Institute