‘Friendship Changes Its Meaning and Function Through the Life Course Essay

In many western societies, friendship is portrayed in a very positive and desirable light, and most of all something people have the freedom to choose, unlike kinship. However as examined further in this essay, friendship means and functions as many different things to different people and can be influenced by an array of different social factors. There are various stages in the life-course that provide both opportunities and threats to the development and maintenance of friendships, yet it is evident that friendship does change and evolve in meaning and function through the life course. Some sociologists believe that social change has affected the significance of friendship, and thus changed its function throughout the life course. Due to social change, choice and reciprocity have become highly valued in relationships; which is expected in today’s post-industrial society. Many see the traditional ‘nuclear’ family as diminishing. This can be explained by the individualisation thesis (Giddens 1992, Ulrich Beck and Beck Gersheim 1995), who argue that set traditions and social rules are in decline, thus giving rise to voluntarism and democracy distinct from kinship; which can be recognised in the notion of the ‘pure relationship’ (Giddens 1992). Therefore friendship can be seen as the ideal relationship in society; differing much from the ‘fixed’ or ‘given’ relationships with kin and the community, which are seen to be declining in significance. This has allowed friends to take the roles traditionally formed by families. The idea of ‘families of choice’ (Weeks et al 2001:9) suggests that trends such as increasing cohabitation, divorce rates, greater social and geographical mobility, increasing levels of female education, increased participation of females in the labour market, and the growth of non-heterosexual household arrangements along with a strong sense of individualization have led to families of choice. This social suffusion of family and friends is especially evident amongst non-heterosexuals, due to their exclusion from the ‘family’ and ‘marriage’ in which they haven’t received support from families; they’ve chosen their own networks of relationships conceived as families. However it is important not to overstate the significance of friendship compared to relationships with family with much empirical evidence stating family relationships still remain significant. Firstly, it is important to recognise that there isn’t a single universal definition of friendship; which can cause many sociologists to encounter problems when researching the notion of friendship, and thus how its meaning and function may change and evolve through the life course. There are many different forms of friendships, ranging from diverse and complex friendships which are ever-changing and evolving. Whether it is those we file in our address books to those who have a profound presence in our lives. People attach the label ‘friend’ to those whom they’ve simply had a pleasant association with or as for as those who they’ve shared a lifelong relationship with. Some believe it is ‘the valuing of the other person for whatever is perceived as their unique and pleasing qualities’ (Wright 1978), which is said to be a defining characteristic. Research into what friendship means, reveals friendship as being voluntary rather than obligatory. Though as explored further this element of choice of who we categorise as our friends, can be highly influenced by other social factors and elements of homophily; which changes as we enter different stages of the life course. There is much diversity within friendship, with every relationship being completely unique. There are many recurrent types of friendships, such as associates, useful contacts, favour friends and a fun friend which are categorized as a simple friend, which ranges to a helpmate, comforter, confidant and a soul mate; which constitute towards a complex friendship. Research has found that the degree of intimacy of a friendship is affected by the amount of time friends have known each other. Furthermore, Pahl and Spencer categories the types of friendships people have in their personal communities into different types of friendship repertoire. They identify between the basic, intense, focal and broad repertoire, these typologies allow us recognise that some friendships strengthen in meaning whereas some even tend to get lost ad fade away as people enter different stages of the life course. Through stages in the life course such as leaving school, going to college, starting work, living with a partner/getting married, having children, getting divorced, moving home and retiring etc, can provide new opportunities for friendship whilst even threaten existing ones. Kinship ties and especially primary kinship ties generally continue in some form, whereas change in friendship is routine and normal. Indeed some friendships are long-term with some even life-long, although for the majority this isn’t the case. Usually friends occupy similar social positions to one another; tending to be the same age, be of a similar class position, same gender and occupy similar positions in the life course. Friendships are active in certain periods of our life and then gradually become less significant and meaningful, due to a change in people’s circumstances as they enter in stages of the life course, therefore sustaining that relationship becomes difficult. There are a variety of domestic circumstances that can affect friendship. Typically there appears to be changes in people’s friendship patterns when they get married. This is because their existing relationships with other single people tends to become less central to their lives and be replaced by other couple friendships (Cohen 1992), this is how couples create a marital relationship in which ‘togetherness’ and mutual involvement is paramount. Along with this is sharing leisure and sociability therefore maintaining friendships with those who are single becomes difficult. Not only that but divorce can also dramatically alter friendship, for men the effect may be less who will continue to be involved in the same work and leisure activities whereas women with children, their friendships patterns will alter more significantly due a change in their social, economic and domestic circumstances (Milardo 1987). Similarly shifts can occur in friendship when children are born, the aspects of family life will affect the space available for friendship. Old activities that were once shared between two people often become problematic, especially in the early years of childhood Having children can be a very demanding job, therefore less time is left for developing new and servicing old friendships, and thus gradually old friends who are at different stages of their life course become less involved and are replaced by others who share a similar social position. In the same way, caring for an elderly relative can constrain the freedom for sociability. However, we can also see how gender is affected within childcare which affects the space for friendship. As many women have less extensive social participation, and their character of domestic and paid labour, therefore there is less opportunity to develop social ties. Whereas, men tend to have more time and financial resources to devote to sociability because of their role within the domestic and paid division of labour. Equally, as people enter old age and retirement this can also affect the opportunities for friendship. For some retirement may present them with more time to spend with friends, with the absence of work commitments. However others the reduced financial circumstances mean the engagement through social activities is limited, and the pool of social contacts is reduced through employment. Friendships can also alter due to a change in a person’s social location. For instance, if someone was to gain a promotion at work it could affect their friendship ties. Not only that but with the idea of work as someone is in a different position within a hierarchy, they may have authority over others and thus increased earning capacity and an alteration of their life-style, maintaining existing friends becomes difficult especially as friendship is seen to be based on equality. Despite friendship being based on liking and trust and not on status hierarchy or difference, in essence the friendships becomes less active, and new friends who lead similar life-styles and of similar status replace old friends. A person’s work situation affects the opportunities they have in meeting others as well as the resources of time, money and energy they have for sociability (Allen 1989). The demands and organization of a person’s work can also pattern their friendships both inside and outside the workplace. For example, different shift patterns, different levels of physical and mention exertion and different times being away from home call affect and individual’s capability and willingness to participate in sociability. Nevertheless, it may be thought that due advances in technology, email and social networking increase the possibility of forming friendships with face to face conversation being absent. Yet, despite these new forms of communication, we are still more likely to have closer ties with people who live in closer geographical proximity to us. Friendship is dynamic; it may become deeper or fade as we enter different stages of the life course nonetheless as Pahl claims it does change meaning and functions throughout the life course. Patterns of people’s friendships throughout the life course are structured around, people’s social and economic circumstances which influence their opportunities for social involvement. Different aspects of structural location such as work situation and domestic situation alter during the life course and change the meaning and function of friendship’s. Friendship is also linked to broader social and economic factors, and individual’s immediate social environment influences who they come in contact with and thus who they build friendships with. Word Count: 1,575.

Amy Chua

Amy Chua, from the very beginning dives into her thesis, which she argues from the introduction continued all through part one of â€Å" Day of Empire† and without a doubt, throughout the entire book. Chua’s clear, distinctive thesis can be condensed into two main points. To begin with, she explains how for every society that has been allowed to be called a hyperpower have been – at the time, considered to be â€Å"tolerant†. In every instance to achieve supremacy, every hyperpower had to enclose a certain quantity of tolerance, the extent of freedom that an individual has to prosper in all aspects of their life, ranging from religious, cultural, linguistic, to conversing with people of different upbringings. Tolerance is suggested as the prerequisite for global domination. However, conversely she also indicates that intolerance has been shown as the reason for the downfall of a hyperpower or a result of the demise. The second concept she introduces in her thesis is the idea of a great nation to become a hyperpower, they must have â€Å"glue† that binds, and embraces them together. Critics argue that modern America is in the first stages of losing its identity, with nonchalant laws of immigration, granting just about every immigrant into the states. Chua acknowledges to some degree that, hyperpowers that have fallen as a causality of lost identity, however this reverts back to her first notion. When the population succumbs to disjunction, it’s most likely the repercussion of intolerance within the nation. In the case on point, America’s â€Å"glue† problem lies outside of its borders. America is seen across the world as an icon, however it does nothing to enforce its image or bring together the other nations that follow in its footsteps. Amy Chua’s thesis from the get-go helps to depict the tone, and attitude of the rest of this novel.

Counter Terrorism and Security Management Case Study

Counter Terrorism and Security Management - Case Study Example ck, it precipitated the dramatic reorganization at all levels that resulted in the institutionalization of Homeland Security, thus the formation of the DHS (Bullock, Haddow & Cappola, 2012). It has the following three concepts as the foundation for the comprehensive approach to homeland security. They include customs and exchange, resilience and security. The US and its allies later became embroiled in two very significant wars that pitted Afghanistan and Iraq so as to try and dismember the operations of Osama bin Laden and other terrorist organizations. Conflict ensued when the US military invaded Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan to flush the out terrorist groups. This led to the declaration of Global War on terrorism (Khandagh, 2012). This action blocked the air tube to terror bases of Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The significant step made by the DHS is the disruption of an attempt to detonate Flight 253. However the most significant action was the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden in the year 2011 and other established members of his organization. The government of the U.S.A has too much concentration on terrorism, while natural disasters are taking toll on the safety of the public and economic security. Floods, wildfires, and drought impacted the nation in 2011. This necessitated the DHS to strike partnerships with other partners thu s striking a balance between various hazards and searching for commonalities that exist between the hazard mitigation, response preparedness, and adopting an all-hazards approach to homeland security. Since the 9/11 attack, the DHS has made significant progress in how it responds to a wide range of threats from natural disasters to coordinated attacks. It has attained this through: establishment and improvement of unified incident command system; enhancement of emergency communication and improvement of interoperability; building of biological, radiological, and nuclear preparedness and response measures; private sector preparedness

The Cybersecurity Act A free internet no more Essay

The Cybersecurity Act A free internet no more - Essay Example The internet is a vital tool in shaping the society. Digital technology is rapidly evolving and faster data transfer rate as well as internet connectivity using the mobile phone and the other devices have opened up the communication field with huge impact to the social changes. The internet is an imperative tool in promoting social changes and bringing about interaction that can help different cultures mingle. The internet has also be blamed for a demoralizing the society by fostering violence, encouraging the influx of phonographic materials, sex exploitation, illegal trade, encouraging children to sex, promotion of immoral behavior and other numerous social ills. This study focuses on censorship of the internet as a means of guarding the degradation of social values and norms and also as a means of fostering social interactions and shaping the society in a positive manner. Bell (1997) investigated the social impact of the digital communication and determined that the use of such devices would have both positive and negative effects. Castells (1996) argues that, the digital communications provide the material basis for pervasive expansion. Castells adds that, the internet will result to the formation of "a networking form of organization." Internet censorship refers to the act of withholding or controlling access to some information from the information superhighway or the internet. Filters and censorware are used towards this end. Though censorship seems to block information, it has been hailed by parents and governments as vital in protecting the social norms of young children as well as preventing explicit information that may taint the cultural lifestyle of a country or encourage young children to sex. Censorship may however be abused by nations and different companies and organization to archive a selfish goal. Evil political regimes also censor internet information with a view of hampering information flow, democracy and political pressure groups views. 2.0 Information censorship Though censorship has been used as a method of preventing young children or some members of a given culture from accessing information that may harm their religious, social and cultural norms, it has been used as a tool for discrimination. Information availed on the web is widely discriminatory. This papers studies internet information with a view of identifying the positive aspects of censorship and expose the wrongs of information discrimination at the other end. 2.1 Inequality of information

Managing for Competative Advantage Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managing for Competative Advantage - Assignment Example The review also includes an evaluation of the performance of both the management teams through financial and non-financial parameters, and finally gauges the true competitive position of M&S in the market. . Myners and Rose assumed control of the company's leadership by replacing the team of Vandevelde and Holmes. There seem to be significant distinction in the approaches of both the management teams in restoring the M&S competitive advantage. The main focus of the previous management had been on the enhancement of clothing market share and Roger Holmes (Annual Review 2003, p3) highlighted the three major domains of their efforts as furthering amelioration in the stronger clothing categories (women formal wear), following the growth chances in low share clothing categories (men's wear) and finally revolutionising the weak categories (children wear). However despite all these efforts, the previous management ended up in losing its significant market share in the clothing market, in particular womenswear which used to the core area of the company's business and profits (Annual Review 2003, p6). The entire focus of the new management team, however, seemed more strictly on the price and product innovation and improvement. They approached to regain the company's lost market share and competitive position through price benchmarking and product innovation to provide more value to the customers and consequently to win in the competitive environment (Annual Review 2005, p4). Marketing The previous management utilised marketing and advertisement in the course of various product campaigns (Annual Review 2004, p8). The company's marketing tactics also underwent change under the new management, which emphasised clearly on a unified M&S brand rather than focusing on a vast range of sub-brands. It focused on strengthening and bringing together the various M&S brands and reflected its traditional relationship with core customers in its marketing and advertisement campaigns (Annual Review 2005, p5). Human Resources Human resources and people management has been the core issue concerning both the management teams. The previous management was however less focused in its strategies to develop the M&S people. Furthermore, in the process of store refurbishment and improvement, the previous team (Annual Review 2004, p5) indicated an intention to lay off about 1000 workers in order to control costs. This could have led to a decline in employee morale and performance. The new management focused on a people amelioration approach, it further took care of its human resources in a much-enhanced manner through proper and evident training, rewarding, developing and listening strategies (Annual Review 2006, p17) to improve employee performance and motivation levels. . Operations The former management team posed great emphasis on opening new stores and carrying out renovation in the older ones making them look more contemporary and convenient so as to win more customers in the competitive marketplace (Annual Review 2004, p16). Furthermore, it also identified the need for ameliorating the supply chain management and sourcing of products to win a competitive edge in the market (Annual Review 2004, p9). The new management team came with a sharpened approach to revolutionising store

Analysis of Guido Reni's Works Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Analysis of Guido Reni's Works - Essay Example The essay "Analysis of Guido Reni's Works" describes the biography, training and career information of popular artists in the 15th and 16th century with a bigger emphasis on the re-known Guido Reni. Guido Reni, son to Daniele Reni and Ginevra de' Pozzi, was born in a town known as Bologna. The family of Reni was known for producing musicians. He is an Italian painter born on the 4th of November in 1575. He received his education together with Domenichino at Calvert as an apprentice in this Bolognese studio at the age of nine, then Carracci and finally trained with Ferrantini but just for a while. At the age of twenty-three, he and three other pupils from Calvert studios shifted to another rival studio named, â€Å"Accademia Degli Incamminati â€Å". At his time he was the most popular artist in Italy and with the approach of the 18th century, his fame spread to England. He is a renown painter known for his amazing coloring skills that outdid those in the previous times. He has pain ted in prestigious places like the Quirinal and Furnace palaces, some churches in Rome, the Borghese family chapel and the most outstanding piece of work is the ceiling of the decoration of the Palazzo Rospigliosi and Phoebus. In 1601, Reni and Albani his ally from Calvert, packed their bags and made for Rome to work under Annibale Carracci in the decoration of the furnace palace. In 1601 to 1604 Cardinal Paolo Emilio Sfondrati became his patron. In 1604 to 1605 he was given an opportunity to work on the crucifixion of St Peters altarpiece.

Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

Research Paper Example as a key driver behind the phenomenal success that the company has been able to achieve in the past decade or so. Certainly, when one views Apple Inc.’s extensive product portfolio in the technology industry, the immediate reaction that is garnered with regards to the success of the product reflects upon the idea that the triumph of the product is only attributable to innovation and creativity. More so, one also feels that Apple Inc. has been able to stand out in the market because time and again the organization has been able to beat competitors like Microsoft and Samsung by deliberating what the customer wants and then acting upon that deliberation. However, innovation in product design and execution is not something that happens by chance and it most certainly is not one facet of organizational success. Through this article I learned that it is in fact possible for a company to base its future direction on the design of the product that appeals the market and reaches out to the customer. I believe that the crux of Heracleous’s analysis regarding Apple Inc.’s product design and associated decisions lies in emphasizing upon how the company is able to develop a convergence. As noted by the author, â€Å"†¦the company has helped to accelerate the blurring of industry boundaries through the spread of devices that offer convergent technologies† (Heracleous 3). In this segmnent of the discussion the author emphasizes upon the need to take such product design decisions that demonstrate risk and audacity through the integration of a surprise element. Many a times while conducting research that is related to operations management and enhancing the issues that are associated with process management, companies choose to ignore the minor faults in the product design itself which maybe hindering the successful execution of tasks. Discussing the matter with respect to process decision making at Apple Inc. it can be identified that the company basis its