The Birthmark, Rappaccini’s Daughter and the Strange Case...

When you hear the word â€Å"mad scientist† you perceive an aggressive, eccentric, awkward and intellectual individual that works with fictional equipment in order to initiate their intelligible schemes. On the other hand, they fail to recognize the evil that will stream from the hubris of â€Å"playing god†. A majority of the time these â€Å"mad scientists† are individuals who value their experiments and scientific curiosity over themselves, others and the world. The literature works, The Birthmark, Rappaccini’s Daughter and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde all depict the role of a â€Å"mad scientist† who ultimately destroys themselves and others in an attempt to create something perfect. Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Birthmark† illustrates an†¦show more content†¦Thus, Dr. Rappaccini is symbolic of an early gardener who uses genetics to alter the appearance and fragrance of plants and flowers. It should be noted that Beatrice, much like Georgiana sans the birthmark, is an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, for she is â€Å"endowed with all gentle and feminine qualities† (Hawthorne, 1057) and is worthy to be worshipped. Without a doubt, this little tale related by Professor Baglioni serves as a foreshadowing device related to Beatrice herself, meaning that Dr. Rappaccini has â€Å"experimented† on Beatrice since birth with poisons which have mysteriously endowed her with â€Å"Nordic† beauty. In fact, Professor Baglioni points out that Beatrice is certainly the offspring of her father’s experiments — â€Å"That old fable of the Indian woman,† he exclaims, â€Å"has become a truth by the deep and deadly science of Rappaccini and in the person of the lovely Beatrice† (Hawthorne, 1059). Beatrice then admits the truth, for she tells Giovanni that her father is â€Å"a man fearfully acquainted with the secrets of Nature† and that she is â€Å"the effect of my father’s fatal love of science† (Hawthorne, 1062). In order to rid Beatrice of this curse and be â€Å"purified

Impact of Income on Purchase of Luxury Fashion Products Free Essays

string(64) " only buy luxury fashion products when they have a high income\." Executive Summary The current paper is a synopsis of the study on influence of Income on purchase of Luxury Fashion Products. The suggested study is a quantitative study of women and uses age based sampling; women aged 16-45 years. The traditional economics concept that higher income would lead to higher consumption of normal and quality goods and lesser of inferior goods are often challenged by marketers for luxury goods. We will write a custom essay sample on Impact of Income on Purchase of Luxury Fashion Products or any similar topic only for you Order Now Literature suggests that there are a number of other factors other than income that lead to purchase of luxury fashion products such as brand affiliation, prestige and social status, symbolic, functional, emotional attributes. Thus the research would explain the importance of income when young women in UK make purchase decisions related to luxury fashion products. The study is suggested to be quantitative in nature but in accordance with the logical positivism philosophy. It would follow a survey strategy and close ended questionnaire would be used in the research. The findings from the study are expected to have significant implications for companies in luxury products industry as well as specifically for marketers, marketing luxury fashion products to women in UK. 1 Introduction The current paper provides a synopsis for the study of impact of income on consumer decision making regarding luxury fashion products. The suggested study would use a case study of women in UK between ages of 16-45 years. The synopsis explains the research background, aims and objectives, scope and limitations, literature review and methodology for conducting the study. It further highlights the expected problems and limitations of the research. 1.1 Research Background: The suggested study is aimed at studying the impact of income on purchase decision regarding luxury fashion products. A further case study of women aged between 16 to 40 years from the United Kingdom has been taken. Like other industries, even within luxury goods, the marketers have to consider factors like competition, globalization, increased customer sophistication and maturity of markets etc to formulate its marketing strategy (Djelic and Ainama, 1999). The Economic crisis 2008 affected the sales in the luxury goods industry. However an upturn was observed in 2010. According to Passariello (2011) the luxury goods market in the Europe is worth ˆ168 billion and showed reasonable growth in the year 2010. The growth is not just specific to Europe, but market for luxury goods has increased greatly world over in the last few years. According to McKinsey Co‘s research, the highest growth is expected to be within China which is expected to grow by 20% till 2015 (Atsmon, Dixit and Wu, 2011). In luxury industry, globalization also offers huge opportunities like an emergence of new markets in countries like India, Russia and China (Silverstein, Fiske and Butman, 2003). The fastest growing market as suggested by analysts is that of China since the economy is growing very fast and the income of the people has significantly increased in the last few years (Agarwal and Wu, 2004). According to Roberts (2012) the luxury goods market incr eased by 4% in Europe in 2012, mainly attributable to high tourist spending but low local demand. Each year, more Chinese tourists visit Europe and are counted as biggest spenders on luxury products (Passariello, 2011). The marketers, in order to benefit from the emerging opportunities and promote sales of luxury fashion products, need to know the motivations of the targeted markets. The UK market is now recovering from recession and is an important market for sales of luxury fashion products. The economists suggest that as the income of consumers increases they move to quality goods from inferior goods. This is an objective explanation and the income is given as objective criteria however for luxury goods, marketers stress subjective reasons more. For example, Phau and Prendergast (2000) were of the view that how consumers perceive luxury is in subjective terms and it is their understanding of â€Å"luxury† which determines their related purchase behaviour. Marketers argue that income is not as important as a factor for purchasing luxury products. According to them Luxury goods consumption has always been a significant social practice while Berry (1994) explains that the value one attaches to luxury is a component crucial to the self-realization of a society. The marketers thus need to identify other factors that motivate the consumers to buy luxury fashions products besides income. The suggested research would study impact of income as well as important factors besides income that the marketers need to consider when developing their marketing campaigns for luxury fashion products. Dubois and Duquesne (1993) in their research found that culture is as important as income that determines the consumptions of luxury product s. 1.2 Research Aims and Objective: The research aim is to study the impact of income level on consumer decision making in the case of luxury fashion products. The aim would be achieved by the following objectives: To review literature and understand the factors impacting consumer decision making for luxury products. To study income as a factor and how it impacts purchase decisions regarding luxury fashion products. To understand the role of income for purchase decisions by young women. To develop a framework to explain the income effect on purchase of luxury fashion products by women. To study the significance of variables other than income that has an impact on luxury purchase behaviour. To make recommendations to the companies and marketers dealing in luxury fashion products for women. 1.3 Research Question The main research question that the research would answer is: Does income influence purchasing of Luxury Fashion ProductsThe study would test related hypothesis such as: H1: Income is an important factor for purchase of luxury fashion products. H2: The women in different age groups have different buyer orientations towards luxury products. H3: Income if an important factor for young women in UK for consumption of luxury fashion products. H4: Income is not the main factor but value creation for older women when buying luxury fashion products. H5: Women only buy luxury fashion products when they have a high income. You read "Impact of Income on Purchase of Luxury Fashion Products" in category "Essay examples" H6: Social motivations are more important variable for fashion conscious women in UK. H7: Luxury loving women do not consider income an important factor when purchasing luxury fashion products. 2 Preliminary Literature Review Whenever a consumer, practitioner or a researcher focuses on luxury goods, some specific characteristics of a number of luxury brands may come in mind such as Chanel suits, Cartier watches or Hermes handbags. These are all expensive, excellent quality, aesthetic heritage, design, reputation, desirability, exclusivity, inaccessibility, and personality reflection (Quelch, 2006). Quelch (2006, p.100) states that: Luxury brands are those whose ratio of functional utility to price is low while the ratio of intangible and situational utility to price is high. Besides satisfying the material needs of the consumers, the luxury goods also addresses social and symbolic needs (Wiedmann et al., 2007). Some researchers have further delineated luxury goods by comparing and contrasting their characteristics to the characteristics of mass consumption products. Riley, Lomax, and Blunden (2004) specified various features of luxury goods (e.g., Christian Dior fragrance) differing from everyday consumer goods (e.g., Dove soap). According to scholars, luxury goods are intended for niche market segments (Riley, Lomax, and Blunden, 2004). The marketers of luxury fashion products use exclusive placing, promotion, distribution and marketing segmentation techniques. On the other hand, for non-luxury products, they focus more on functionality and price. When buying luxury goods the consumers are influenced by quality, status and prestigious brands. Marketers emphasize association with heritage and craftsmanship when positioning luxury brands. Riley, Lomax, an d Blunden (2004) also explained that after-sales services and several other methods of value creation are very important in luxury goods. Hauck and Stanforth (2007) said that income effects, to some extent, the perception of luxury. For example, something might be a perceived necessity for one person while a perceived luxury for another. A popular way to identify luxury is based on five factors framework given by Phau and Prendergast (2000). These factors include brand identity, exclusiveness, high level of brand awareness; focus on customer loyalty and quality. In consumer behaviour literature the model given by Vickers and Renand (2003) explains that the purchase behaviour is determined by experiential, interactional symbolic and functional aspects for luxury goods since they are high in both social and personal identity. The non luxury products are only high in functional aspects. The model given by Seringhaus (2005) includes emotion related factors like personality and image, effective symbolic communication for brand identity and congruence with self-concept which positions luxury brands. According to Tse (1996), most of the research done on consumption strongly indicates the reflection of Western society and its impact on individualistic goals. In an individualist society, the behaviour and motivational factors of consumers when purchasing products may be fundamentally different from those in a collectivist society. Numerous scholars (e.g., Phau Prendergast, 2000) have testified that collectivist consumers have different attitudes and perceptions regarding luxury brands as compared to the consumers belonging to the individualist societies. Wiedmann, Hennigs, and Siebels (2007) however, argued that consumer behaviour for product categories like cars, fashion and luxuries is independent of their cultures and regions. According to this school of thought, the information search and exchange are universal in nature for such kind of products. Behaviour is an aspect of attitude derived from values and hence is associated to culture. Since attitudes are a projection of be liefs; consumers holding different beliefs about making purchases will therefore differ in their methods of searching information and making purchase decisions Personal attitude and values of a consumer has a bigger impact on their purchase behavior than their income. This means that people of same income group but different social and cultural backgrounds may have different approach towards buying luxury goods, depending upon their preferences and values. For instance the low income segment of consumers may possibly have a desire to buy only the best, as a result of which they may not buy bulk of luxury goods but quality goods. By and large, consumers can be divided into three categories on the basis of their income level: average, elite and lower class. It must be noted that though there would be a substantial difference between the purchasing power of the elite and lower class however both the classes have certain purchasing habits similar to their respective classified segment. But despite all this, it would be illogical to deny the impact of income on a consumer’s buying behavior, on both, prices and types of products. Early researchers argued that social class can be a better predictor of consumer purchase behavior than income (Keiser and Kuehl, 1972; Shimp and Yokum, 1981). Likewise, Coleman (1960 in Keiser, and Kuehl, 1972) found that while purchasing furniture, the prices of purchased goods and social class have a higher correlation than between the prices of purchased goods and income. To find the answer to the debate of income versus social class, numerous researches were conducted. The answers established the superiority of income over social class (e.g. Myers et al., 1971). According to Myers and his colleagues (1971) income had more predictive power over social class, when examining the purchase behavior of low priced goods, semi-durable and durable products, cosmetics, plus services such as travel, furniture, clothing and appliances. Sivadas (1997) also testified that income is a better predictor than social class when it comes to consumer behavior for leisure and recreational activities. Earlier consumers used to shop according to the value of dollar, which stayed limited to purchasing necessary products and services only. Modern shoppers, however, make purchases when rewarding themselves and utilize shopping as a method of â€Å"feeling good† and self-satisfaction. In contemporary society, consumers make purchases to make a statement, exhibit their personality and boost their self-image. Since the purchased goods are in accordance with the psyche of the consumers, the researcher decided to assess the pattern of consumer purchase behavior with regards to luxury products. Some researches take income as the prerequisite, for example they study elite consumers only when studying consumption of luxury fashion products. They then use psychosocial variables to differentiate between the consumers of luxury products (Xiao and Pras, 2011). Researchers further show that even though men buy more luxury products in few cultures but the decision is influenced greatly by women. Study by Kaefer, Heilman and Ramenofsky (2012) showed that attitude of wife towards luxury products is very important and women have an impact on spending their spouses. Truong (2010) considers the role of personal aspirations and suggested that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are important for consumption of luxury goods. 3 Methodology 3.1 Research Philosophy: The methodology design is a very important part of any research based study. For the purpose of this research, it is suggested that a logical positivism research philosophy should be adopted. The philosophy suggests that empirical analysis should be backed by a logical analysis (Potter, 1996). Such a research would not only suggest findings but would also justify the findings using logic and literature. Using this philosophy would add a qualitative aspect to the research and would help the reader better understand the findings and implications. 3.2 Research Approach: Research approach can be defined as the studying of a phenomenon in order to collect, transmit and produce knowledge under the examination of a researcher. Thomas (2003) noted that either of the two research approaches, i.e. qualitative or quantitative or both, can be used in a dissertation depending upon the nature and purpose of the study. Qualitative research is also referred to as inductive approach, through which one can understand the research context and the occurrence of different events. However, the drawback of this research approach is its extensive nature and that it is hard to be defined and measured. Different scholars have observed that this approach relies upon a phenomenological and post-empirical assessment of the world, which perceives that reality is constructed socially as depicted by the situational context (Bryman and Bell, 2007). The quantitative research method, otherwise termed as deductive research approach, can be largely regarded as the scientific data co llection method. The quantitative data can be effectively classified, measured and assessed due to its numerical outlook. It is framed on firm rules or formulas and follows very strict procedures for making determinations (Bryman and Bell, 2007). A quantitative approach is being used because the results can be easily generalised and presented in the form of an empirical analysis. The quantitative study would provide an objective measure for importance of income for purchase of luxury fashion products. Furthermore, significant variables other than income and the extent of dependence of consumption of luxury on them can be identified using the quantitative approach. In this research, a quantitative approach is suggested using a survey strategy. The quantitative approach would help study the significance of income as a variable in quantitative terms. A survey strategy is easy and economical, and can help collect quality data in short spaces of time (Saunders et al., 2007). The sample size for the survey is suggested to be 300 however the size can be reduced due to certain problems and limitations of research. Furthermore, as aforementioned, demographic sampling would be used. Women in UK from aged between 16-45 years would be randomly selected and contacted for the study and would be asked to fill questionnaires. This age group has been chosen because they have exposure to different levels of income as well as social motivations are different at different ages. Furthermore, women are generally thought to be the intra-house income decision makers and consumption allocators (Bourguignon et al., 1993; Ashraf, 2009). 4 Data Collection and Analysis For data collection purposes, a researcher is provided with two techniques: primary data collection and secondary data collection. The suggested research would be primary research and would make use of primary data primarily. As previously mentioned, a survey strategy would be employed and in accordance, questionnaires would be used as data collection tools. The development of a questionnaire is a lengthy process however it is alongside meeting the data collection needs of the research. Prior to development of the questionnaire a framework would be designed using literature review. Using the literature review, main variables would be indentified that have an impact on purchase and consumption of luxury fashion products. For the initial literature review it is suggested to include several variables such as perceived quality, brand loyalty and social status and as such they should be studied as independent variables. Income can be used as an independent variable or a moderating variable in the study. The choice would be clearer for the researcher after reviewing more literature on the subject. Lastly, the purchase behavior would be the dependent variable. For the purpose of analysis, SPSS would be used which would make the data collection, management and analysis easier. 4.1 Reliability, Validity, And Generalisability: For any research, issues regarding qualitative or quantitative data, reliability, validity and generalisability are important factors for determining the quality. For quantitative research, the reliability and validity can be tested in quantitative terms (Creswell, 2009). For example, in the suggested study a pilot test would be conducted and using croncbach’s alpha the validity and reliability would be determined. Furthermore, using triangulation and support from literature the findings would be supported according to the logical positivism approach. This research focuses on an in-depth analysis of the purchase behaviour of women in mainland or suburban areas of the UK, whilst keeping in focus the significance of different income groups of consumers within a market. Since this study is limited to the urban markets of luxury, it might therefore be inappropriate to generalize the results of the study to beyond the urban and suburban areas of UK. Similarly the gender and age based sampling decreases the generalisability of the study. 4.2 Research Limitations The most important limitations that the researcher would need to consider at every step of research are time and capital. Besides time and finance, the scope of the research would be limited to luxury goods and the UK market. The realm of luxury goods constitutes capital goods like personal jets, real estate, luxury automobiles, and yachts; consumer services in expensive retail stores, resorts and hotels; and wines and champagne, as well as exotic vacations, travelling; and financial services such as credit cards etc., targeted at elite class consumers. However this study will keep itself limited to the superior personal fashion goods such as apparel, perfume and accessories, such as watches, handbags, shoes and jewellery. The research conducted in the future could examine the other product categories for further exploration of the luxury goods market in UK. 5 Conclusion This study is aimed at understanding and assessing luxury goods consumer behaviour. Product development, communications management, branding strategies and numerous other business activities require understanding consumer behavior, especially towards luxury products. In order for the designers, retailers and producers of the luxury products brands to benefit from the market expansion trends, they need to have a thorough understanding of the consumer behaviour of their target market. Therefore a proactive investigation of the target consumers and their purchase behaviour is necessary to derive the implications for marketers of the industry. Therefore to this end this research provides an insight for practitioners of the UK luxury goods market by documenting the potential and the landscape of the UK goods industry with valuable information regarding the consumer behaviour. 6 TIME CHART References Agarwal, J. and Wu, T. (2004). China’s entry to WTO: global marketing issues, impact and implications for China. International Marketing Review. Vol. 21. P.279. Ashraf, N. (2009). Spousal Control and Intra-household Decision Making: An Experimental Study in the Philippines. American Economic Review. 99(4). Pp. 1245–77. Atsmon, Y. Dixit, V. And Wu, C. (2011). Tapping China’s luxury-goods market. [Online] Mckinsey Quarterly. Available at: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Tapping_Chinas_luxury-goods_market_2779 [16th April, 2012]. Berry, C.J. (1994). The idea of luxury: A conceptual and histiorical investigation. New York: Cambridge University Press. Bourguignon, F and Chiappori, PA and Browning, M and Lechene, V (1993) Intra -Household Allocation of Consumption: A Model and Some Evidence from. Annales d’Economie et de Statistique 0(29). Pp.137–56. Bryman, A., and Bell, E., (2007), Business research methods, Oxford University Press, New York. Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry research design: choosing among five approaches. Oaks, Calif.: Sage, cop. Djelic, M.L. and Ainamo. A. (1999). The convolution of new organizational forms in the fashion industry: A historical and comparative study of France, Italy, and the United States. Organization Science. 10(5). Pp 622-637. Dubois, B and Duquesne, P. (1993). The Market for Luxury Goods: Income versus Culture. European Journal of Marketing. 27(1), pp.35 – 44 Hauck, W.E. and Stanforth, N. (2007). Cohort perception of luxury goods and services. Journal of Fashion Marketing and management. 11 (2). Kaefer, F., Heilman, C.M. and Ramenofsky, SD. (2012). The impact of a wife’s budgetary and romantic attitudes towards luxury goods on their self-purchases and purchases made for them by their husbands. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. 19(3). Pp. 297–303. Keiser, K. S. and Kuehl, P. G. (1972). Social Class and Income Influences on External Search Processes of Adolescents, Proceedings of the Third Annual Conference of the Association for Consumer Research, 1972; pp. 602-631 Myers, J. H. Stanton, R. R. and Haug, A. F. (1971). Correlates of Buying Behavior: Social Class vs. Income, Journal of Marketing, 35 (4). pp. 8–16. Passariello, C. (2011). Spenders Splurge on Luxury in Europe. . [Online] The Wall Street Journal. Available at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703726904576192600105705670.html [16th April, 2012]. Phau, I. and Prendergast, G. (2000). Consuming luxury brands: The relevance of the Rarity principle. Journal of Brand Management. 8 (2). Pp. 122-138. Potter, J.A. (1996). An Analysis Of Thinking And Research About Qualitative Methods. Mahwah, NJ: Routledge. Quelch, J.A. (2006). Readings In Modern Marketing. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press. Riley, F.D., Lomax, W. And Blunden, A. (2004). Dove vs. Dior: Extending the Brand Extension Decision-Making Process from Mass to Luxury. Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ). 12(3). Pp. 40–55. Riley, F.D.O., Lomax, W. and Blunden. A. (2004). Dove vs. Dior: extending the brand extension decsiion making process from mass to luxury. Australasian Marketing Journal. 12 (3). Pp 40-55. Roberts, A. (2012). Cavalli CEO Says Europe’s Luxury Goods Market Is in Difficulty. [Online] Bloomberg. Available at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-24/cavalli-ceo-says-europe-s-luxury-goods-market-is-in-difficulty.html [16th April, 2012]. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (2007). Research Methods for Business Students, Delhi: Pearson Education. Seringhaus, F.H.R. (2005).Selling Luxury Brands online. Journal of Internet Commerce. 4(1). Pp.1-25 Shimp, T. A., Yokum, J. T. (1981). Extensions of the Basic Social Class Model Employed in Consumer Research. Advances in Consumer Research, 8. pp. 702-707. Silverstein, M.J. Fiske, N. and Butman, J. (2003). Trading up: The new American Luxury. New York: Portfolio. Sivadas, E. A. (1997). A preliminary examination of the continuing significance of social class to marketing: a geo-demographic replication, Journal of Consumer Marketing, 14 (6). pp. 463-479. Thomas, R.M. (2003). Blending qualitative quantitative research methods in theses and dissertations, Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press. Truong, Y. (2010). Personal aspirations and the consumption of luxury goods. International Journal of Market Research. 52(5). P. 655. Tse, D. (1996). Understanding Chinese people as consumers: Past finingds and future propositions. In M.H. Bond, The Handbook of Chinese psychology. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press. Vickers, J.S. and Renand, F. (2003). The marketing of luxury goods: an exploratory stiudy—three conceptual dimesions, Marketing Review. 3. Pp. 459-478. Wiedmann, K.P. Hennings, N, and Siebels. A. (2007). Measuring consumer’s luxury value perception: a cross-cultural framework. Academy of Marketing Science Review. 2007 (7), pp 1-21. Xiao Lu, P. and Pras, B. (2011), Profiling mass affluent luxury goods consumers in China: A psychographic approach. Thunderbird Int’l Bus Rev, 53. Pp. 435–455. How to cite Impact of Income on Purchase of Luxury Fashion Products, Essay examples

Sex Essay Example

Sex Essay Sex is a complicated issue when all religions in the world are considered. As all religions have varying opinions in regards to this, it is very hard to define. Sex is easier to classify as an open and a closed book, not really dependent on it being from the East or the West.In Hinduism, sex is very sacred. Girls and boys live in practically different worlds as friendship and interactions between sexes are frowned upon. In the old days, premarital sex was not an issue to them as girls were married off even before they reach puberty. Prostitution in India is very minimal compared to other countries as only very poor girls who are in dire need enter that kind of business. Though premarital sex is highly objected to, they are more sensitive to it than other religions. Highly conservative though are the teachings of Hinduism, they believe that sex is their sacred duty. Kama Sutra, which is the religious sexual ritual in Hinduism that people, all over the world, enjoy these days, regardle ss of the sacred purposes of it. The Hindus believe though that the tantra or the ultimate happiness and higher consciousness will be achieved through sexual intercourse. (Kohn.)Buddhism on the other hand repulses sex. They believe that one must be ridden of all worldly desires and sexual desire is one of them.   They believe that looking at something beautiful is wrong for it expresses a worldly self and wants that they believe they must not have. They believe that one must be totally selfless and unaffected by superficial things. Since they believe that feeling desire is evil, for men, the sexual act becomes a mere proof of their manhood which on its own expresses ego and for women, their duty. (Umekawa)Jainism on the other hand believes that sex is for mere reproduction only. Sex for them goes for as far as that purpose. Some believed at one point that they would achieve nirvana through sexual intercourses, but because the five human senses had been disregarded for that to be c onsidered, sex is considered to be somehow wrong. (Marett)Daoism on the other hand do not preach for it merely gives advices. It does not view God as someone who has worldliness like we do. It talks about alchemy and the exchange for every single thing in life, as the normal workings of the world. It does not object to worldly desires like food, sex and other material and superficial desires.   It only objects to it if it becomes an obsessive desire that over rules logic. But they also believe that sex is a way of getting eternal life.(Myers)Christianity objects to premarital sex though not if within the sacredness of marriage. They believe that it is the human duty to reproduce and multiply, because of this they are, by the teachings of the Bible required to have sex every single day except for days when a couple within the sacrament of marriage have agreed to abstain and worship God for the day. And this, they actually do because of God’s will. (Christianity and Sex)In Ju daism, they look at sex as a regular and natural body inclination like a person’s need to eat and drink to replenish the body. They believe that the abuse of the body by having improper sex is the same effect as by eating too much. (Lisa Katz)In Islam, unlike most religions, they believe that reproduction is not the sole reason for marriage and sex. They also believe that one of the many reasons for sex is the human comfort and the fun you derive from it, which is probably the most liberated religion of all.   They also believe that sex is not exclusive, resulting to a polygamous society. (Mills)Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Daoism are all from the East. Hinduism believes that sex is a sacred ritual of achieving higher consciousness and finally, ultimate happiness in the way of Kama Sutra. Christianity is a Western religion, but it also believes that sex is a duty, though not for ultimate happiness but reproduction according to God’s will.Sex is an act that must b e respected, regardless of religion. People do not really abide by the religious teachings but it gives them boundaries that restrain them. Though in most religions, men are the one supposed to enjoy it and the women to endure, it is not so. As both genders are given the physical urges.Religion in more ways than one, and not just by the differing teachings, is highly relative. The way the followers interpret the will of who they believe in is one of the many factors, and probably the major one, that affects it. Sex is, scientifically speaking, a mere bodily response. It is a part of human nature that has biological explanations and basis. It is something that the heavens above has given and created man with, regardless of what they meant it to be. Islam, in the sense of sex today is probably the most realistic belief. For today, sex is becoming common and a universal language and expression of love and mostly, fun.Sex is not evil, for it is a gift. But today, it is abused causing ra mpant sexually transmitted disease problems. If people abide by the teachings of their religion, save for the polygamous beliefs of Islam, it will not be so. Sex is an art as well, though conservative restraints will hardly consider it so. But the truth is, everything aside, sex is the best expression of love that binds you to the one you love. It is an act that combines you as one, and a world only you and your loved one could go. Sex without love is just an empty, meaningless job.Sex may be meant reproduction purposes, and religious acts, but still, it is for the people doing the act and the act in itself. Sex Essay Example Sex Essay Sex Name: Course: Instructor: We will write a custom essay sample on Sex specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Sex specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Sex specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Date: Sex The relationship between sex and love has been one of the most controversial topics in the modern world. The controversies have resulted in diverse views about this relationship. There are classical and modern treatments of the connection between sex and love necessitating the need to establish such differences. The philosophical treatment of sex and love assumes varied perspectives such as ethical, moral and human traits. The philosophical reductionist approach views sex as merely a means of achieving bodily pleasure that cannot be linked to any form of emotional connection between parties. On the other hand, the intentionalists view is that sex is a means of mental interaction between partners and is aimed at understanding their emotional connection of feelings of love towards each other. Love and sex are equally ethically significant phenomena in human society in both classical and modern societies. The controversies in these differences have resulted in the subject as to what amounts to love between partners. In addition, this results to the question of the differences between love and lust in relationships. Love and sex in relationships are usually viewed from a marital perspective. However, such is not limited to martial unions but also to relations between two people who share both emotional or sexual attractions and bonds. In the modern world, relationships brought about by sex and love are formed by individuals of similar or varied gender. Hence, sex is not confined to the limits of gender or sexuality of individuals but rather between two individuals who consent to their actions (Cahill, 2011). Humanistic views provide that there is a dire need to ensure respect of individuals and the human body. Hence, sex lacking in emotional connection or love should be condemned. Classical societies condemned lust in that it is termed as selfish in its quest for immediate physical or sexual pleasure at the expense of using one another to achieve such ends. Women usually prefer to have sex with individuals with whom they have an emotional connection with, or whom they share the feelings of love. Hence, a sexual experience with individuals with whom one shares mutual feelings of love is superior to sex with an individual with whom one does not. However, this is merely a humanist approach as it aims at ensuring respect for one another (Cahill, 2011). Sex has the capacity to accrue a sense of attaining a high level of feeling similar to ecstasy, provided it is actualized with feelings of love and delight in one’s partner. However, the lack of feelings and emotional connection with a partner usually results in the use of sex as a means of achieving short-term or immediate pleasure. Hence, this is an express illustration of the difficulty or challenge posed in the amalgamation of sex and love. Sex in the presence of love, according to provided literature, indicates that the body should be viewed in its entirety and that sex is intertwined with the emotional part of the human body. Hence, sexual arousal in terms of love is driven by the need to make an emotional connection through intercourse. However, sex without love usually views the body in terms of parts such as the bust, breasts, thighs and other sexually suggestive body parts. This is because of the act’s intent of merely establishing sexual contact in the short- term to derive momentary pleasure. Hence, the understanding of sex and love could be achieved by evaluating the two phenomena in their purest form. Sex is termed as a biological urge that is a result of the chemical activities in the human body, whereas love is termed as an emotional yearning resulting from the creation of the individual imagination. Sex is driven by the need to eliminate the organic tension inherent in sexual urges, whereas the feelings of love are escapist in nature as they are driven by the individual’s need to escape from feelings of inadequacy and gain completion or adequacy from another individual (Halwani, 2010). Sex is termed as an indiscriminate action between individuals whereas love is usually directed at a specific individual. Additionally, sex is common among animals, whereas love is known to few people who are termed as lucky to experience it. Sex without love is considered animalistic, whereas love without sex is not deemed as fulfilling. Expressions of love through sex are sensuous and tender in comparison to sex without love that is aimed at the release of sexual tension. Sex with love between individuals is aimed at forming an emotional connection. The two individuals involved in the act usually form a physical, emotional, spiritual and mental bond. This could be termed as the essence of sex with love. Sex with love receives equally as it gives equally. The partners usually view each other as valuable in terms of their worth in each other’s eyes, because either partner has selected the other over others. Hence love is termed as rich in terms of emotional, mental and physical attributes that are usually absent in sex without love. In addition, sex is a means to achievement of physical pleasure only, whereas love could be used as a means of achievement of either sexual and emotional pleasure or joy. Therefore, love usually dwells on treating a partner as high in value and not as a mere object for achieving pleasure. On the other hand, sex without love results in surrender to the conscious acts of bodily desires. In a similar fashion, sex with love attempts at attaining a similar state whereby one submits to the pleasures of another. Hence, at times sex with love and sex without love usually results in the objectification of either partner. For this reason, it is impossible to derive differences between sex with and without love due to blurred differences resulting from objectification. This is based on the question as to who thinks of love when they are overtaken by lust and sexual desires. Sex and love have a connection in that sex with love usually results in the consideration of one’s partner as one’s lover. This is because an individual is not separated from their consciousness because of sexual desire. Sex and love are complimentary in that, in love-filled relationships, sex enhances intimacy between individuals. This is illustrated by foreplay and after-play activities. Individuals in sex with love relations usually result in clasping of hands, intimate talks before, during and after intercourse. However, such acts are not carried out in sex without love relations. This is because individuals usually aim at achievement of sexual pleasure, in contrast to sex with love relationships that are aimed at enhancing the emotional or level of intimacy between two individuals (Halwani, 2010). Sex is termed as a means of communication; a language on its own used to convey information that is beyond words. Such communication is the focus of a sexual act in a sex with love relationship even without the achievement of sexual gratification. However, this is different from the sex without love relationships as mere sexual gratification is the aim of the relationship. However, there is also the aspect of individuals in sex with love relationships to surrender themselves to sexual pleasures instead of communicating their love through sexual acts such as caressing and thrusting. This leads to the loss of the sensuous aspect of a sex with love intercourse. Sex is complex in that some sexual acts may communicate other elements such as dominance, submission and aggression. Hence, sex could devalue the sensuous aspect of the art of making love, resulting in the loss of its essence. However, love is also interpreted in different perspectives. Some are of the view that sex is impossible with individuals they cannot love. Love in such a context may refer to an attraction to the individual attributes such as physique and character. Hence, essentially this is attraction that exists between two individuals. Such attraction to qualities may be termed as animalistic and an example of mating techniques. This attraction is associated with qualities that are of erotic significance to an individual (Blackburn, 2004). Insecurity is also another feature in both sex with love and sex without love relationships. In sex with love relationships, insecurities manifest themselves in the form of a partner’s reluctance to engage in sexual intimacy with another individual. In sex without love, individuals exhibit insecurity in their failure to exercise fidelity to one another as they risk commitment to one another and are driven by the need to accrue immediate sexual gratification and thus evade any form of emotional connection and surrender. Hence, an individual usually withholds an aspect of individuality with the aim of preventing an emotional connection and surrender. Hence, sex without love is not fully spontaneous as an individual withholds an aspect of himself. However, withholding feelings and emotions does not guarantee the eventual development of an emotional connection or attachment with a lover. This is because this is the possible attraction to certain attributes existent in a lover. It means surrender to aspects, which are attractive from a sexual perspective, which is surrender to lustful feelings. Hence, in sex without love relationships individuals harbor feelings that could be termed as a form of emotional connection. Thus, lack of an attraction and presence of lustful feelings would result in the absence of sex between non-lovers (Blackburn, 2004). Furthermore, individuals in sex without love relationships are driven by other needs such as intimacy, acceptance, relationships and confirmation of their ability to attract other people. Hence, such needs are also paramount for satisfaction in addition to the need for equal sexual gratification between partners. Hence, this results in the need for a connection for individuals to have their identified needs satisfied. This has potency to result to love and an emotional connection. Sex with love enables individuals to overcome individual inadequacies and isolation. Love has a high degree of individual awareness and a high degree of absorption in the other person. However, this could be termed as a paradox in that it is nearly impossible to find one while losing oneself in another. This could be translated as the need to find oneself through losing oneself in another. Giving self and finding self is the essence of sex with love. However, this is absent in sex without love relations. This is based on traditional Puritanism views that love is existent without sex and sex is possible without love. This views that human beings are sex machines that can be turned on an off at the pleasure of a partner. Hence, sex is a means to an end that is the achievement of sexual gratification. Hence, this also results in the eventual loss of the sexual aggression and desire for a partner. This is because the lack of feelings results in lack of desire essential for sexual drive (Halwani, 2010). Hence, it is evident that love is paramount for ensuring sexual gratification in relationships, lack of which leads to objectification and unsatisfactory sexual intercourse. Additionally literature provided indicates that the presence of an emotional connection between individuals in sexual relations usually results in loss of individuality. This leads to unsatisfactory sexual intercourse in such relationships. This is because the aspect of togetherness leads to a notion that both individuals have identical needs, expectations and wants form one another, which is false. Hence, there is a need for individuality irrespective of the presence of emotional connections between individuals (Cahill, 2011). In conclusion, love is seemingly a significant phenomenon in successful human romantic and sexual relationships. However, there is also paramount need for individuality to maintain an aspect of independence and difference in terms of expectations and needs from one another. Love provides sexual gratification due to the presence of an attraction between partners in the sexual relationship. Bibliography Blackburn, S., 2004. Lust. New York: New York Public Library. Cahill, A. J., 2011.Overcoming Objectification: A Carnal Ethics. London: Routledge, Halwani, R., 2010. Philosophy of love, sex, and marriage: an introduction. New York: Routledge.

Financial Ratio Analysis on Philip Morris.

Financial Ratio Analysis on Philip Morris. The price customers are willing to pay for a product depends, in part, on the availability of substitutes. The absence of close substitutes in the case of cigarettes means that consumers are comparatively insensitive to price increases. This makes demand for tobacco inelastic with respect to price. The buyer's propensity to substitute cigarettes for another product is largely dependent on their price- performance characteristics. The needs being filled by cigarettes are very complex.Cigarette companies measure average per cigarette yields of nicotine by following standardized machine testing methods. These machine methods were never intended to reflect what and how smokers actually inhale. The method proves that no tests can precisely duplicate conditions of actual human smoking and, within fairly wide limits, no one method can be said to be either 'right' or 'wrong'Philip Morris USA (PMUSA) frequently describes cigarette brands using terms such as "full flavor, medium, mild, light, and ultra light."CIGARETTESmokers have varying preferences; PM USA offers products with differing yields of nicotine, as measured by machine methods. They believe that it is appropriate to contribute to differentiate their brands on this basis that descriptors such as lights, ultra lights, medium, and mild, help communicate these differences to adult smokers.The tobacco industry has many strong competitors with varied portions of market share. As of now, the price leader is Philip Morris. When they increase prices, other brands will follow the lead to avoid price wars. Any attempt to take away market share from the leader will result in more harm than good for the lower companies with fewer shares. Philip Morris is the industry leader and is able to heavily promote and advertise a new product. Marlboro is one of the most well-known brands in the world. We could easily create a line extension...

3 Ways to Get Ready for the Storm

3 Ways to Get Ready for the Storm Safe rooms are great, but homeowners have other options to prepare for that perfect storm. Faced with extreme weather, responsible property owners protect both their premises and the people who live there. Safe rooms can protect lives, but what are some steps to take to protect your property? Whether your home is old or new, it may not be able to withstand the fierce winds of a hurricane or tornado. Falling debris can shatter windows and strong wind can cause any weak places in the home to give way - photos show us how an EF2 tornado can rip a board from an awning and impale it deep into an adjacent solid concrete wall. Houses should be built, or rebuilt, to withstand natural hazards - wind, water, fire, and the shaking earth. Some of the most durable homes built today are constructed of insulated concrete forms. These hollow foam blocks and panels are reinforced with concrete, making them especially resistant to wind and waves. But, even a house made from concrete can have points of weakness. To protect your home, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you pay special attention to three key areas - the roof, the windows, and the doors, including the garage door, if you have one. Focus on Storm-Proofing These Areas 1. The RoofFirst determine what type of roof you have and what environmental dangers are likely to occur. Homes with gabled roofs are more likely to suffer damage from high winds. A gable roof can be strengthened by installing additional braces in the trusses and/or at the gable ends. A qualified builder can install galvanized metal hurricane straps and clips to help secure the roof to the walls. The idea is transfer wind loads by keeping the joints in your home all connected - roof to wall, floor to floor, and wall to foundation, as explained in this YouTube video by StrongHomes. For new construction, consider different types of construction. The DAWG HAUS, or Disaster Avoidance With Good Home Attenuating Unionization System, is a bracket-system of construction being taught in many vocational schools. It will obviously increase construction costs, but the brackets and labor spent on installation will pay for itself after the first storm. Firestorms are just as devastating as wind to the roof of your property. A ceramic tile roof is no match for flying embers compared with the neighbors shake shingle roof. For homeowners in fire-prone areas, remove vegetation from around your home and protect your property from flying embers - windborne debris as dangerous as a steel beam. 2. The WindowsMost damage occurs when debris punctures a window and compromises the premises.The easiest and most effective way to protect windows and glass doors is to install storm shutters. Storm shutters are not decorative, but functional additions to mitigate damage - which is the original purpose of shutters. Building supply stores sell many kinds of storm shutters, from high-tech fabric to automated accordion. You can also make your own shutters out of plywood, or install permanent shutter frames that will hold units in place when needed. Shutters are in addition to what is called windborne debris-resistant glazing (glass), according to FEMA technical assistance. 3. The Doors Most doors do not have bolts or pins strong enough to withstand storm-force winds. Garage doors can be strengthened by installing horizontal bracing in each panel. Bracing kits can often be purchased from garage door manufacturers. You may also need to add stronger supports and heavier hinges for your garage doors. These projects cannot guarantee the safety of your home, but, if done correctly, they may be able to minimize storm damage. Also consult with building professionals in your area, and be sure to check your local building code requirements. Retrofitting and Mitigating Retrofitting is making changes to an existing building to protect it from flooding or other hazards, such as high winds and earthquakes, states FEMA.   Construction technologies, including both methods and materials, continue to improve, as does our knowledge of hazards and their effects on buildings. Hazard mitigation is sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires. - FEMA P-312 FEMA encourages homeowners in hurricane and tornado prone regions to construct safe rooms. A safe room is a structurally-sound space strong enough to provide protection from any number of hazards.   Even people who live in brick homes, once considered the safest of all construction, are at risk from the rising tide of earthquakes - unreinforced masonry buildings or URMs have brick walls without steel reinforcing bars embedded within them. Retrofitting URMs is addressed in FEMA publication P-774, Unreinforced Masonry Buildings and Earthquakes. Determining risk and retrofitting your property to mitigate risk are profound responsibilities for any property owner - especially in an era of extreme weather and induced seismicity. Sources FEMA 247, Against the Wind: Protecting your Home from Hurricane and Wind Damage, December 1993, PDF at www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1505-20490-3483/agstwnd.pdf Safe Rooms, FEMA Protection of Openings – Shutters   and   Glazing, Technical Fact Sheet No. 6.2, FEMA, 2010, PDF at www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1537-20490-6588/fema499_6_2.pdfFEMA P-312, Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting 3rd Edition, 2014, PDF at www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1404148604102-f210b5e43aba0fb393443fe7ae9cd953/FEMA_P-312.pdfFEMA P-774, Unreinforced Masonry Buildings and Earthquakes: Developing Successful Risk Reduction Programs, October 2009, PDF at www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1728-25045-2959/femap774.pdf Websites accessed August 18, 2017.

An analysis of the theoretical ideals of Thtre des Champs-lyses Essay

An analysis of the theoretical ideals of Thtre des Champs-lyses - Essay Example That said, the Theatre des Champs-Elysees itself also showed other elements, including avant-garde and art deco. This was because it was built in 1913 in Paris, and, during this time, art was experiencing a kind of cultural renaissance. The artists during this time were blending African influences with the newest movements, which include futurism, a movement which disdained the past in full. Therefore, the building was in keeping of the spirit of the times, while blending the classicism and lines of the past. This report will detail Perret and his influences, along with a brief discussion of the artistic environment surrounding the building of the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, with a description of the key architectural elements of this structure. Influence and Theory of Perret Auguste Perret (1874-1954), was a French architect whose architecture was founded upon using reinforced concrete frame construction. As Frampton (1995) notes, Perret was influenced by the Romans, who used reinfo rced concrete in their construction of their vaults, including the Roman Pantheon. These structures gained their strength through their monolithic shells, as opposed to the â€Å"thrust and counterthrust of arch and buttress† (p. 121). ... 123). His frames were based upon classicized rationalism, which combined the classical with the rational. Perret had another influence around the time that he created the Theatre des Champs Elysees, and that was Paul Valery. Valery, according to Frampton (1995), stated that the importance of architecture is the durability of the framework, which means that the building will stand up through time. It is through the passage of time that the building will attain its character, which was the thinking of Valery, who noted that the buildings are currently furnished with elements and forms, but its harmonious style and character would come with time. This is what makes a building beautiful, according to Valery, as time gives it character, style and harmony. Moreover, buildings which have stood through time would give the culture memory of form, which complements the structure of the building of steeples and towers (Frampton, 1995). Frampton (1995) explains that Perret met Valery around 1909 , which was just three years before Perret realized the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. Valery was fond of the theatre, and he was on personal terms with luminaries such as Maurice Denis and Antoine Bourdelle, who are the artists who supplied the decor and sculptural relief for the theatre. Valery’s theory was that bearing constructions must be separated from reticulated construction, which also must be separated from consolidated construction cast in reinforced concrete. However, Perret’s theory for the Theatre des Champs-Elysees was that the tectonic potential of the concrete frame must be realized, which means that it was removed from Valery’s ideas of the tectonic which was based upon Greek culture. Other influences for Perret, according to

Vietnam war Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vietnam war - Research Paper Example It occupied northwest section of South Vietnam which was considered demilitarized and guard point to Ho Chi Minh Trail. This means that Khe Sanh was targeted by General Giap who was the North Vietnam army leader as the United States marine also held it as of great importance in managing the war. The North Vietnam were close to victory against US when On February 25th, one patrol lost 9 dead, 25 wounded and 19 missing in action. President Johnson officially withdrew US troops on 5th July with significant challenge to convince the world that they had defeated the North Vietnam (Rottman and Duncan 72-4). There are critical factors that Historians need to capture when investigating this war. This is as a result of the conflicting historical findings from different researchers. The facts and figures presented on the number of casualties especially the United States marine shows significant inconsistency with what actually happened. This is because united States were making attempts to satisfy the conscience of the people that it won. On the other hand, it was evident that the overwhelming tactical pressure and sustained combat by the North Vietnam Army forced them to own up (Rottman and Duncan 112-7). It is therefore important for the historians to carry out in-depth investigation on the total personnel deployed by the United States and the number that were eliminated or maimed for life. This would help give a true picture of the loss United States incurred in the entirety of war. Economic consequences United States suffered as it sustained the war at its overall overhaul of foreign p olicy change should be the standpoint of how devastated it was after the War (Prados and Ray 75). The epitome of the bloody war requires narration of an observer or participant for which one young soldier as presented in The Things They Carried, by Tim OBrien gives a better