HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTIONS

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The desire to become a parent and raise a child is perhaps as prevalent among lesbian and gay men as it is among heterosexuals. The reasons for wanting a child are also just as complex. Some believe that having a child ensures their immortality; others wish to gratify their parents' insistence on grandchildren; still others feel the basic human urge to parent and nurture. For many lesbian women and gay men, however, the only undesired consequence of their sexual orientation is the inability to have a child with the person they love. One solution to this problem has been adoption. However, the jurisdictions granting homosexual adoptions have been few and far between. This in part, has been due to the law's reluctance to keep pace with and face the realities of evolving social patterns in which gay and lesbians live together as life partners and subsequently choose to raise a family in the same manner as heterosexuals. These relationships are not, however, viewed by the law as constituting the "traditional" family.

This lag may stem from the feeling, by many of those in opposition to "alternative" families, that the "traditional nuclear" family forms the bedrock of society. Some people believe that the nuclear family is the only domestic relation unit or that it alone is the only uniquely situated to transmit society's most important values, while new types of loving relationships are seen as a threat to the very order of things. The problem with this objection is that it ignores the negative attributes of nuclear families and the positive characteristics of alternative families. "Close scrutiny of same-sex couples by the courts, however, would reveal that these alternative family arrangements preserve traditional family qualities, values, stability, commitment, affection and support, as well."(Bartlett, 87) When a household becomes the functional equivalent of a family, the law should not treat it any differently than the "traditional" family (88). There is still, evidence that courts and social commentators are beginning to extend token recognition to diversity, alternative lifestyles and the movement of the family away from the traditional nuclear model.

Courts currently do not recognize that the realities of a child's life do not depend upon legal rules. Their lives are more complex that than the one-mother/one-father model suggests. Variation from the one-mother/one-father prescription for parenthood is common (). Communal child rearing, surrogacy, open adoption stepfamilies, and extramarital births all destroy the myth of family homogeneity.

In the American legal system, the solution to the inconsistencies and uncertainties lays within the law. One solution consistently proposed by commentators is the need for the legislature to develop an expand legal definition of "parent."(5) It is felt that lesbian-mother and gay-father families, if not considered "nontraditional families" are ill served by rigid definitions of parenthood. "Current theories underlying the legal definition of parent, wholly deny the existence of nontraditional families"(Melton 10)

For example, the first theory is that every child should have one mother and one father, neither more nor less; the second theory is that those two persons identified as mother and father should have all the rights and responsibilities of parenthood, while non-parents should have little or none.

These statutory limitations lead to an unfair result when a same-sex couple mutually decide to raise a family together prior to the birth of any children and after a child is born by one, if they wish the other to legally adopt that child. Under this new definition of "parent," all those considered parents would be accorded the rights and responsibilities of parenthood, while none will be accorded on those who do not meet this definition (11). In addition, commentators propose that the concept of parenthood would be a status available to individuals regardless of their gender.

A recent state court decision, which accurately illustrates the weaknesses in current domestic relations law regarding the definition of "parent", is Allison D. v. Virginia M. (6). Allison and Virginia were in a committed lesbian relationship and began living together in 178. They decided to have children and function as co-parents, sharing all rights and responsibilities. Virginia was artificially inseminated by semen of an unknown donor. In 181, Virginia gave birth to a son named A.D.M to include the surnames of both women. Before, during, and after the pregnancy, the petitioner and respondent shared the household and the child support expenses. In November of 18, when the child was almost two-and-one-half years old, the parties separated. The two worked out a visitation plan and it went on for years until Virginia started to limit Alison's visits and subsequently terminated all contact between the child and Alison. Alison claimed in her petition seeking visitation rights that she stood " in loco parentis" to the child and therefore must be considered a "parent" within the meaning of Domestic Relations Law section 70 (). Relying on case law, the Supreme Court dismissed the action and refused to define "parent" in Domestic Relations Law 70 to include, someone standing "in loco parentis". In the court's opinion, "the biological parent of a child is the parent within the meaning of statute; the court declines to adopt the definition of parent as someone taking standing in loco parentis" (101). As a result, the court preserved the bonds of parenthood with Virginia, the biological mother, because they considered it critical to the child's well-being to protect the child from the traumatic and painful loss of a parent and did not find any "extraordinary" circumstances to grant visitation rights to petitioner where the child was properly in the custody of his mother (101).

In light of the dissent's view, courts or legislatures looking for guidance in developing a new definition of parenthood would best serve the interest of children by focusing on two criteria the legally unrelated adult's performance of parenting functions and the child's view of that adult as a parent.

In resolving the law's failure to recognize the reality of today's family formations and definition of "parent," commentators have further recommended that the legislature enact a "second-parent" adoption statute (Bowman and Cornish 5). Second-parent adoption is a particularly promising alternative because it allows same-sex couples to avoid the restrictions in current state adoption statutes, which provide that one cannot adopt a child unless either the natural parent waives all parental rights or the adoption stepparent is married to the legal parent (5). Specifically, enactment of a second-parent adoption order would provide a legitimate method for partners in same-sex couples to adopt each other's children without requiring the biological or adoptive parent to give up their parental rights. As such, this statutory modification would place lesbian and gay partners on equal footing with heterosexual natural or adoptive parents, by providing them with equal access to judicial system as well as equal rights to custody of and visitation with their children (55). Meanwhile, courts may believe that by granting sole parental rights to the biological parent in a lesbian-mother or gay-father family, they are discouraging the formation of these families. However, this cause-and-effect relationship does not exist. The formation of lesbian-mother families, as well as gay-father families, will continue, regardless of whether courts and legislatures recognize nonbiological mothers or fathers as equitable parents. The sole question is whether the judicial system will remain true to its stated goal of protection the "best interest of all children" by acknowledging the realities of life in gay and lesbian families and according those families' children all the rights and privileges that have been found to be in the best interest of all children. Currently, the law's unwillingness in some jurisdictions, to recognize and preserve parent-child relationships in nontraditional families sacrifices the best interests of the children in those families (61).

Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that the psychological health and emotional well-being of children raised in gay or lesbian households is comprised in any way. Research now existing on the psychological well-being of children raised in such families point to two conclusions (1) little difference exists in the overall mental health of children raised in homosexual households; and () the quality of parenting, not the parents sexual orientation, is the most crucial factor for a child's healthy growth and development (65). Arguably, assertions from the law or otherwise, that the emotional and psychological health of a child who is raised in a homosexual environment are adversely affected, is clearly mistaken.

In conclusion, it is cause for hopefulness that courts, legislatures, and scholars are struggling to devise new doctrines to address the needs of children in families that do not fit the one mother/one father model. The courts now realize that if children can adjust to stepfathers, adoptive fathers, live-in fathers, intermittent fathers and absent fathers, they can adjust to two fathers or two mothers. Thus, as more and more parents are revealing their sexual orientation, it is necessary to eliminate the antiquated stereotypes, fears, taboos and misconceptions that permeate custody and adoption proceeding involving gay and lesbian parents. Instead, homosexual couples must be viewed as having a relationship capable of legal recognition with concomitant legal rights and principles. Once it is recognized that these couples' family interest are essentially identical to those of heterosexual couples, denial of legal protections and rights become objectionable.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Bartlett, Katherine. Rethinking Parenthood as an Exclusive Status. Baltimore Harper, 1-15

. Melton, Rebecca. Legal Rights of Unmarried Heterosexual Couples.

Minneapolis U of Minnesota 10-11

. Bowman, Craig and Blake Cornish. A More Perfect Union. Chicago

Harmondsworth, 1

HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTIONS

BY

SHEREE GARDNER

ENGLISH COMPOSITION 106

April 0, 001

The desire to become a parent and raise a child is perhaps as prevalent among lesbian and gay men as it is among heterosexuals. The reasons for wanting a child are also just as complex. Some believe that having a child ensures their immortality; others wish to gratify their parents' insistence on grandchildren; still others feel the basic human urge to parent and nurture. For many lesbian women and gay men, however, the only undesired consequence of their sexual orientation is the inability to have a child with the person they love. One solution to this problem has been adoption. However, the jurisdictions granting homosexual adoptions have been few and far between. This in part, has been due to the law's reluctance to keep pace with and face the realities of evolving social patterns in which gay and lesbians live together as life partners and subsequently choose to raise a family in the same manner as heterosexuals. These relationships are not, however, viewed by the law as constituting the "traditional" family.

This lag may stem from the feeling, by many of those in opposition to "alternative" families, that the "traditional nuclear" family forms the bedrock of society. Some people believe that the nuclear family is the only domestic relation unit or that it alone is the only uniquely situated to transmit society's most important values, while new types of loving relationships are seen as a threat to the very order of things. The problem with this objection is that it ignores the negative attributes of nuclear families and the positive characteristics of alternative families. "Close scrutiny of same-sex couples by the courts, however, would reveal that these alternative family arrangements preserve traditional family qualities, values, stability, commitment, affection and support, as well."(Bartlett, 87) When a household becomes the functional equivalent of a family, the law should not treat it any differently than the "traditional" family (88). There is still, evidence that courts and social commentators are beginning to extend token recognition to diversity, alternative lifestyles and the movement of the family away from the traditional nuclear model.

Courts currently do not recognize that the realities of a child's life do not depend upon legal rules. Their lives are more complex that than the one-mother/one-father model suggests. Variation from the one-mother/one-father prescription for parenthood is common (). Communal child rearing, surrogacy, open adoption stepfamilies, and extramarital births all destroy the myth of family homogeneity.

In the American legal system, the solution to the inconsistencies and uncertainties lays within the law. One solution consistently proposed by commentators is the need for the legislature to develop an expand legal definition of "parent."(5) It is felt that lesbian-mother and gay-father families, if not considered "nontraditional families" are ill served by rigid definitions of parenthood. "Current theories underlying the legal definition of parent, wholly deny the existence of nontraditional families"(Melton 10)

For example, the first theory is that every child should have one mother and one father, neither more nor less; the second theory is that those two persons identified as mother and father should have all the rights and responsibilities of parenthood, while non-parents should have little or none.

These statutory limitations lead to an unfair result when a same-sex couple mutually decide to raise a family together prior to the birth of any children and after a child is born by one, if they wish the other to legally adopt that child. Under this new definition of "parent," all those considered parents would be accorded the rights and responsibilities of parenthood, while none will be accorded on those who do not meet this definition (11). In addition, commentators propose that the concept of parenthood would be a status available to individuals regardless of their gender.

A recent state court decision, which accurately illustrates the weaknesses in current domestic relations law regarding the definition of "parent", is Allison D. v. Virginia M. (6). Allison and Virginia were in a committed lesbian relationship and began living together in 178. They decided to have children and function as co-parents, sharing all rights and responsibilities. Virginia was artificially inseminated by semen of an unknown donor. In 181, Virginia gave birth to a son named A.D.M to include the surnames of both women. Before, during, and after the pregnancy, the petitioner and respondent shared the household and the child support expenses. In November of 18, when the child was almost two-and-one-half years old, the parties separated. The two worked out a visitation plan and it went on for years until Virginia started to limit Alison's visits and subsequently terminated all contact between the child and Alison. Alison claimed in her petition seeking visitation rights that she stood " in loco parentis" to the child and therefore must be considered a "parent" within the meaning of Domestic Relations Law section 70 (). Relying on case law, the Supreme Court dismissed the action and refused to define "parent" in Domestic Relations Law 70 to include, someone standing "in loco parentis". In the court's opinion, "the biological parent of a child is the parent within the meaning of statute; the court declines to adopt the definition of parent as someone taking standing in loco parentis" (101). As a result, the court preserved the bonds of parenthood with Virginia, the biological mother, because they considered it critical to the child's well-being to protect the child from the traumatic and painful loss of a parent and did not find any "extraordinary" circumstances to grant visitation rights to petitioner where the child was properly in the custody of his mother (101).

In light of the dissent's view, courts or legislatures looking for guidance in developing a new definition of parenthood would best serve the interest of children by focusing on two criteria the legally unrelated adult's performance of parenting functions and the child's view of that adult as a parent.

In resolving the law's failure to recognize the reality of today's family formations and definition of "parent," commentators have further recommended that the legislature enact a "second-parent" adoption statute (Bowman and Cornish 5). Second-parent adoption is a particularly promising alternative because it allows same-sex couples to avoid the restrictions in current state adoption statutes, which provide that one cannot adopt a child unless either the natural parent waives all parental rights or the adoption stepparent is married to the legal parent (5). Specifically, enactment of a second-parent adoption order would provide a legitimate method for partners in same-sex couples to adopt each other's children without requiring the biological or adoptive parent to give up their parental rights. As such, this statutory modification would place lesbian and gay partners on equal footing with heterosexual natural or adoptive parents, by providing them with equal access to judicial system as well as equal rights to custody of and visitation with their children (55). Meanwhile, courts may believe that by granting sole parental rights to the biological parent in a lesbian-mother or gay-father family, they are discouraging the formation of these families. However, this cause-and-effect relationship does not exist. The formation of lesbian-mother families, as well as gay-father families, will continue, regardless of whether courts and legislatures recognize nonbiological mothers or fathers as equitable parents. The sole question is whether the judicial system will remain true to its stated goal of protection the "best interest of all children" by acknowledging the realities of life in gay and lesbian families and according those families' children all the rights and privileges that have been found to be in the best interest of all children. Currently, the law's unwillingness in some jurisdictions, to recognize and preserve parent-child relationships in nontraditional families sacrifices the best interests of the children in those families (61).

Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that the psychological health and emotional well-being of children raised in gay or lesbian households is comprised in any way. Research now existing on the psychological well-being of children raised in such families point to two conclusions (1) little difference exists in the overall mental health of children raised in homosexual households; and () the quality of parenting, not the parents sexual orientation, is the most crucial factor for a child's healthy growth and development (65). Arguably, assertions from the law or otherwise, that the emotional and psychological health of a child who is raised in a homosexual environment are adversely affected, is clearly mistaken.

In conclusion, it is cause for hopefulness that courts, legislatures, and scholars are struggling to devise new doctrines to address the needs of children in families that do not fit the one mother/one father model. The courts now realize that if children can adjust to stepfathers, adoptive fathers, live-in fathers, intermittent fathers and absent fathers, they can adjust to two fathers or two mothers. Thus, as more and more parents are revealing their sexual orientation, it is necessary to eliminate the antiquated stereotypes, fears, taboos and misconceptions that permeate custody and adoption proceeding involving gay and lesbian parents. Instead, homosexual couples must be viewed as having a relationship capable of legal recognition with concomitant legal rights and principles. Once it is recognized that these couples' family interest are essentially identical to those of heterosexual couples, denial of legal protections and rights become objectionable.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Bartlett, Katherine. Rethinking Parenthood as an Exclusive Status. Baltimore Harper, 1-15

. Melton, Rebecca. Legal Rights of Unmarried Heterosexual Couples.

Minneapolis U of Minnesota 10-11

. Bowman, Craig and Blake Cornish. A More Perfect Union. Chicago

Harmondsworth, 1

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Bartlett, Katherine. Rethinking Parenthood as an Exclusive Status. Baltimore Harper, 1-15

. Melton, Rebecca. Legal Rights of Unmarried Heterosexual Couples.

Minneapolis U of Minnesota 10-11

. Bowman, Craig and Blake Cornish. A More Perfect Union. Chicago

Harmondsworth, 1

Please note that this sample paper on HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTIONS is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTIONS, we are here to assist you. Your cheap custom college paper on HOMOSEXUAL ADOPTIONS will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality. Order your authentic assignment and you will be amazed at how easy it is to complete a quality custom paper within the shortest time possible!

Who jounced the limb? In A Seperate Peace by John Knowles

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In the novel by John Knowles, A Separate Peace, guilt plays a very important role in determining whether or not Gene purposely jounced the limb. Either argument is acceptable, but finding the proof is where the hard part starts. Gene had a motive to get Phineas, nicknamed "Finny," out of his way. However, just because this motive existed, Gene did not intentionally jounce the limb.

Gene and Finny were roommates in the boarding school called Devon. Finny was the school athlete sports came naturally to him. He was not at all a good academic student. Gene, on the other hand, was almost the opposite of Finny. His area of achievement was mostly academic, although he was not terrible at sports. Gene began feeling suspicious of Finny when he invited Gene to come to the beach instead of studying. Gene took this offer, and failed the test he was studying for. But this offer would provoke many more feelings of deceit on Gene's behalf.

When Gene was suspicious of Finny, he always thought that he had the upper hand, being that he excelled in academics, not so much in sports but he was acceptable. Finny did not feel this way. When Gene and Finny were on a branch, Finny, closer to the end, to jump off of, the limb was jounced. Gene felt since he was the only other person on the branch that his jealousy had caused him to jounce the limb. Even though he did not jounce the limb purposely, he felt like he had some responsibility in the accident.

The reason that Gene did not jounce the limb purposely is because, first of all, he was not thinking of jouncing the limb when it actually happened, he thought of it after the incident had occurred. This means that he thought that he possibly could have done it. Given the situation, everyone would think this. But since Gene had previously thought Finny was trying to get at him, he thought that in the back of his mind he wanted to get Finny out of the way, so he could be the dominant person in the school.

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Gene feels very guilty about the situation; the two friends fail to acknowledge that it was a possibility that Gene had intentionally jounced the limb. Gene did jounce the limb. He was not in a state of concentration when he did though.

John Knowles never did reveal the real reason that the limb was jounced, but I can tell you one thing, it sure makes for one heck of an English essay (plus 10 points). Gene never did jounce the limb purposely, there is your answer. The proof is astonishing, natural, human, inborn guilt played the role in making the reader think that it was possible that Gene jounced the limb purposely.

Please note that this sample paper on "Who jounced the limb?" In A Seperate Peace by John Knowles is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on "Who jounced the limb?" In A Seperate Peace by John Knowles, we are here to assist you. Your cheap custom research papers on "Who jounced the limb?" In A Seperate Peace by John Knowles will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality. Order your authentic assignment and you will be amazed at how easy it is to complete a quality custom paper within the shortest time possible!

Reflexology history

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HISTORY Page 1

Feet have an illustrious and intriguing history. People often see their feet as an alien part of their anatomy. They hardly consider the important role these pedal attachments to their body plays but anthropologists regard the foot as the definite human physical feature.

Many years ago, feet were held in high regard. The artist Leonardo da Vinci named the foot 'a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art'. He was far from wrong considering the size of the feet in relation to the body. Feet support the whole body the humble feet are absolutely remarkable. In greek mythology there was referred to the 'Achillis' heel still referred to today as a weak spot. Authors and poets like Shakespeare, Tennyson and Oscar Wilde praised the feet in their works.

ANCIENT HISTORY

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Reflexology is believed to have originated in China 5000 years ago. The oldest documentation depicting the practice of reflexology - a pictograph unearthed in Egypt dated 500 0 BC. This evidence was found in the tomb of an Egyptian physician, Ankmahor, who was believed to be a very influential person second to the king.

EUROPEAN INFLUENCE

Neurological studies done in the 180's by Sir Henry Head of London establish the scientific basis of reflexology. He discovered zones on the skin that became hypersensitive to pressure when an organ connected by nerves to this skin region was diseased. Head established what became known as 'Head's Zones' or zones of hyperalgesia, after years of clinical research.

EUROPEAN INFLUENCE CONTINUE Page

Ivan Pavlov (184-16), a Russian Psychologist, developed the theory of unconditional reflexes stating that there is a simple and direct relationship between a stimulus and a response. He found that any stimulus can act as a conditioning stimulus to get a conditioned response. The Russians presently still pursue the study of reflexology from the physiological and psychological point of view and have found reflexology effectively complement traditional medicine.

AMERICAN INFLUENCE

The founder in zone therapy, Dr William Fitzgerald, graduated in medicine in 185. He practiced in hospitals in Vienna and London. By dividing the body into zones, he established ten equal longitudinal zones running the length of the body from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. The number ten corresponds to the fingers and toes providing a simple numbering system. Each finger and toe falls into one zone. By exerting pressure on a specific part of the body he learned to predict which other parts of the

body would be effected.

The zones are equal in width and extend right through the whole body from back to front.

HISTORY The American influence continue Page

The theory is that parts of the body found within a certain zone will be linked with one another by the energy flow within the zone and can therefore affect one another. Dr Riley, a colleague of Dr Fitzgerald, enthusiastically made detailed diagrams and drawing of reflex points located on the feet.

He added 8 horizontal divisions to Dr Fitzgerald's zones, which also govern the body and published his first book named Zone Therapy Simplified in 11.

The greatest contribution to set modern reflexology on the record was probably made by Riley's Assistant, Eunice Ingham. She should be named the Mother of Modern Reflexology. She charted the feet in relation to the zones and their effects on the rest of the anatomy until she had evolved a 'map' of the entire body, on the feet. Her nephew, Dwight Byers, who often acted as guinea pig in his aunts research, continues her legacy by running the International Institute of Reflexology in Florida.

Zone theory is considered the basis of modern foot reflexology and most reflexologists see it as a useful attribute to their work. However, it is now time to combined the existing knowledge with the ancient Chinese system of meridian therapy to take reflexology a step forward.

Please note that this sample paper on reflexology history is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on reflexology history, we are here to assist you. Your cheap research papers on reflexology history will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality. Order your authentic assignment and you will be amazed at how easy it is to complete a quality custom paper within the shortest time possible!

Public Relations Ethics and Practice

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1.0 Acknowledgments

The author would like to take this opportunity to thank the manager of communication at the Sutherlandshire Council, Mrs. Sonya Zadel, for her valuable contribution with her insights and time towards finalising of this report.

.0 Executive Summary

The main objective of this report was to seek and understand the nature of current issues that are affecting Public Relations practice. The report discusses three major issues in present day practice, globalisation, ethical consideration, gender issues. The report is also aimed at contrasting this practice against theoretical teachings in the normal curriculum of public relations.

The main methods of research were through the primary source of a face-to-face interview and secondary data gathering, which included reviewing publications and academic literature.

In the course of the research, it was found that although the public relations industry has dramatically changed over the past decade it has also evolved to a more socially centered responsible practice. However inconsistencies do exist with regard to ethical practice, as found through the discourse with the interviewee and other current reference sources.

The findings from the report also call for a review of such practices in the field, pertaining to unethical and gender related issues. Whereas globalisation is concerned it was found that well-structured educational programs as the answer to the lack of understanding and awareness.

It is the conclusion that public relations have close ties between theoretical concepts and modern day practices. With a growing number of managers seeing public relations as value creator within the organisation. Thereby placing greater importance on the decision making process that is critical and valuable to the organisation's long term benefit.

.0 Introduction

Originally public relations was conceived in the 80's as "Doing good and telling people about it" (Simon, 180). This need to be rigorously analysed due to the fact that public relations has evolved to more complex field. The report takes into consideration that public relations in its core, represents the function of the organisation communicating to the publics that it is involved with.

Globalisation although a newcomer to the industry has not been disregarded as an issue. Globalisation has the capacity to provide significant prospects as well as the overwhelming possibility for disastrous setbacks. Professionals feel that a systematic and culturally sensitive approach is the best way to address globalisation issues and would open new gateways for future success. Nevertheless, the burden lies in the lack of awareness the practitioner holds against such diversified entities. It is important to examine the current trend towards globalisation and the most effective way of addressing it.

Ethics on the other hand has never been definable as black or white; rather it has always lied in a gray zone. This ambiguity calls for professional bodies such as the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) to make decisions within an ethical framework and drive members into making ethically sound judgments. The underlying tasks of such institutions being driving its members towards making ethically sound judgments.

Gender is also an issue that has been on the debated list for many decades. The profession of public relations tends to create certain psychological boundaries in to which male and female practitioners are classed. As a result numerous complications have risen, such as gender stereotyping, differences in communication symmetries.

Sonya Zadel holds 16 years of experience in the public relations industry as both filling in the technical and management role. She currently resides as the Manager-Communications at the Sutherlandshire Council and having experience in the field of News media as a journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald, Ms. Zadel had also been recruited into the New South Wales Police Service as a junior cadet. Her current role as a communications manager incorporates issues pertaining to media and advertising, publications, organisation of civic events, hosting delegations with sister cities- the United States and Japan and the formulation of speeches for the Mayor and councilors. The interviewee, through her vast experience in the field gave insight into the issues of globalisation, social and environmental responsibility and gender stereotyping.

4.1 The Globalisation Issue

Globalisation is a phenomenon that has taken the world by storm, integrating capital technologies and information across national borders, linking people closer together. Globalisation is a reality and it is necessary for professionals to undertake a closer examination of the influences that these changes might have on public relations.

This was the critical issue under debate at the Arthur W. Page Society's 00 spring forum held on "Globalisation Stop or Go?". It was cited that more than 0 percent of the respondents to the survey believed that cultural obstacles and lack of understanding towards overseas markets are the most critical issues that should be addressed if public relations professionals are to overcome the pressures of global trading.

The main emphasis was placed on the lack of education in the particular area. Better education and awareness will considerably improve and ennoble a practitioner in helping understand and appreciate the vast differences encountered in the daily affairs of public relations activities. The Pacific region would be an ideal situational example of an international market in which practitioners would have to address a diversified group of communities and individuals with different cultural backgrounds that leads differences in perceptions, attitudes and belief systems. The emphasis is on knowing your customer and segmenting your audience appropriately. The commission carried out by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), identifies 'multicultural and global issues' among other areas as a necessity which should be included in the curriculum (The 1 Commission on Public Relations Education).

Gonring (001) elaborates on globalisation and other significant improvements in technology as to creating a competitive marketplace where expectations are grand and second chances are scarce. This was reflected in the recent crisis where the large multinational corporation NIKE came under the scrutiny of the public eye, after its association with exploiting human labour in less-developed countries such as Cambodia (Naglazas 001).

4. Ethics and Social Responsibility

Ethics cannot be summed up as being "what is right and what is wrong", however the fundamental question remains distinguishing from what is right and what is wrong. Since its launch in 14 the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) has worked towards clarifying this ambiguity. The institute also renders assistance to its members in achieving excellence both and communication and ethics (PRIA web site).

Gone are the times, where organisations had obligation in serving shareholders and creditors alone, in this socially responsible era, concerns are high as to how businesses and professionals conduct themselves. Ethics in businesses are broken down into two main criteria, being social and environmental. In his article Verschoor (001) identifies that Best practices help attain a superior overall corporate reputation, which leads to easier recruiting, improved employee productivity, lower turnover, and higher customer loyalty". These are merely a few of the possible advantages that a corporation could achieve being more socially and environmentally conscious.

Social responsibility is not a fad that might pass away in a few years, as Jeffrey Garten, dean at the Yale School of Management believes "corporate America is being required to engage in triple-bottom-line (Financial, environmental and social) reporting in the very near future" (PR News, 00). As retaliation against past mistakes NIKE has introduced a corporate social responsibility report, which includes the organisations social responsibilities, environmental practices, labour practices and community affairs among others (www.nikebiz.com). This action follows the international consumer backlash on NIKE after reports of labour exploitation in Asian based factories (Naglazas 001).

However there still remains scepticism as to the true nature of function. The interview conducted, identified that ethics are often not taken seriously enough; however it is was conveyed that each individual situation calls for a different approach. "Situational ethics" as it would sound more appropriate seems to run hand in hand with most decision making. According to Sonya Zadel "ethics is given priority in the decision making process of public relations", however it was also passed that ethics is not always adhered to by the majority of current practitioners.

4. Gender Issues

Men are more towards the competitive side of the relationship whereas women tend to be more concerned with the relationship itself and equity (Gilligan, 18). This worldview of separating men and women into two stereotypical roles has led the way to gender discrimination in most parts of the public relations industry.

In the recent past the imbalances between the two genders have moved from a male dominated environment to one of female domination. A considerable number academics and professional leaders have voiced there concern on the majority of women as being a road block on salaries and loss of status of the public relations as a profession. (Toth, 188).

The interviewee's idea on the suggested topic has significant correlation to the discussion, it was in her view that the profession in the past was a male dominated industry with most men in the management ranks while women were filling in the technical role of public relations. The move towards a female orientation is supported by the argument that the female view of public relations is valuable because of a "commitment to anti authoritarian, anti elitist, participatory and emancipatory values" (L. Grunig, 188).

The values and ideology and truths that are associated with the feminine role suggest that their role would bring a more symmetrical dimension to public relations and men would be one of a more asymmetrical nature. Psychologists have shown that both men and women can have a feminine view or a mixture of masculine and feminine views. This tends to show that both genders could work for the excellence of public relations communication (Wetherell, 18).

These observations lead to the conclusion that the gender issue seems to be disappearing and making way to a more equally balanced profession, where both genders contribute their own values towards the excellence in public relations. Nevertheless according to Seital's observations " Uni PR sequences report female students outnumbering males by as much as 80%" (18)

5.0 Conclusion

Weighing all the information, it can be summarised that public relations theory does to some extent coincide with modern-day practice. It is also the conclusion that most practitioners are aware of the major issues such as gloabalisation, ethics and social responsibility and gender stereotyping and discrimination.

Globalisation is a reality; the influences are intensive and far reaching. The current trend establishes a move from the lack of awareness and understanding towards other cultures to the need for education as a means to an end. It is through the tireless endeavour that practitioners could achieve a better operating environment. It should be also noted that the need for educational support in this realm is critical and all efforts should be made in including globalisation into the curriculum.

Public relations related ethics is one of the main issues discussed. The fact that it is close to impossible to differentiate from what's right and what's wrong creates infinite complexities. There isn't a golden rule which practitioners are to follow, each should take it upon themselves to decide whether or not the actions are consistent with their espoused values and principles.

The shortcoming of conventional wisdom has been the driving force behind gender related discrimination within the profession. Recently, however the importance of the feminine role has brought about a shift in the tide, with the cry for a more fostering and relationship focused managerial perspective. However if the current trend persists the shift is likely to be headed towards female dominance in the future.

There still remain inconsistencies with theory to practice. The issues discussed can nevertheless be overcome by social orientated planning, better understanding and sensitivity to surrounding issues.

7.0 Appendix - Interview Manuscript

Name of Interviewee Sonya Zadel

Job Title Manager-Communications, Sutherlandshire Council

Contact Number 71004

The Interview consisted of three phases. The first focused on the interviewee's personal background and experience and later was followed by an in-depth study of the interviewee's own system of thoughts on public relations issues and concepts. The following is the script notes of the more specific questions asked during the interview.

What made you choose public relations as a profession?.

I started out a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald and after that worked as a cadet at the NSW Police Service, before I joined the Sutherland shire Council.

How long have you been in the public relations industry?.

16 years

What position do you hold within the organisation?.

Communications, I coordinate all media, advertising and publications that are related with the Sutherland council. I also coordinate delegations between the two sister cities that the council hosts (Japan and the United States). I also formulate the speeches that the Mayor and other Councilors make to the public.

What would be the most important task that you've undertaken as a practitioner?.

Conveying accurate information to the media and manipulating it in certain ways to get the information as it is truly intended.

How do you measure success at work?.

We do try to have statistical methods in measuring public relations activities. We have a a figure of 75% customers of which we anticipate the message will reach. We haven't been able to carry out surveys as it is very costly. We also measure success by the increase sales. And in some cases, for example we asked the public to reduce the pollutants that was added to the waterways in the council area. Afterwards we were able to measure the success of the campaign by measuring the water quality and the improvement are recorded.

So, you would say that in most cases you would get the audience's attention.

Yes. Thought most campaigns address urgent issues that need quick action.

How close does ethics come into play in play and how much of an importance is weighed?.

Well in my opinion I make it a priority in the business never to lie and keep bearing on the truth. We operate for the council's behalf, I personally don't see that publishing misleading information would of any service to either the organisation or its publics.

Is there a written code of ethics or similar at your work place?.

The council has a set of commitments towards the society as a whole. But in my experience I have noticed that most ethical guidelines that companies follow are influenced mostly by money

What values do you incorporate with regards to the business?.

I promote the council and therefore I put the council's objectives and values before mine, so I guess its not my own objectives but the councils.

What would you think as the most appropriate penalty for a breech in the ethical consideration?.

I think that the backlash that follows after unethical behaviour of organisations and individuals are self regulatory, the press council and the media penalty enforces a lot of activities to be more ethical in a sense, showing that crossing the line would be bad news for the person(s) involved. This would then be negative publicity and bad reputation. I think this is a penalty in itself. The media has the power to make or break.

What would you consider as the most influential group or person that helped you in gaining an ethical framework?.

I think it was mostly my family and afterwards I was mostly influenced by the environment that I worked. I also think that the environment your brought up in has a major influence on the set of ethical standards one would live by.

Do you know of the Public Relations Institute of Australia? Are you a member of the institute? How close do you follow it guidelines?.

Yes I do know of PRIA, and I used to be a member of the institute, I do think mostly

in day to day affairs the strict ethical standards are followed. The code I believe is on transparency of practitioners.

Do you think PRIA has been successful in its efforts?.

To an extent, but I know of practitioners who get away with a lot of unethical behaviour. I really don't think anything would actually totally put an end to unethical behaviour in the industry. But nevertheless the standards seem to be met by more practitioners everyday.

Scale Questions ( 1 strongly agree, 5 strongly disagree, neutral)

Most modern day practitioners are honest and trustworthy

Most women are more ethical than most men

Sometimes it is necessary to break the rules to go ahead

How close does business follow the industrial standards of

Today

Do you think that globalisaiton and technology is a barrier that should be overcomed in public relations.

For sure, communication break throughs and the Internet are providing great opportunities in reaching almost everyone. For instance I'm involved in the coordination of most aspects regarding the association and programs involved with our two sister cities in Japan and the United States. We have a multitude of relations extending from cultural relations to student exchange programs. However their should be an emphasis on how practitioners use these systems to achieve their ends.

In your opinion is cross- cultural communication an obstacle or a challenge.

I would consider on most part as a challenge, however in this area in which Im serving there isn't much diversity. In a recent campaign to prevent waste water from seeping into the bay, we carried out research trying to identify the groups that reside in the shire. There was an 80% population who were from an English speaking background and 0% from a non-English speaking background. The results also showed that there was very few mult-liguists in the area. To get the message through we published the program in 5 major languages to accommodate each and everyone.

What is the male to female ratio at the current place, do you think this is different from other.

Where I work it is a 5050, however if I recall correctly when I was working at the Sydney Morning Herald it was 010 and the same goes with the Police Service. However now its more balanced than it used to be.

Do you think that public relations has evolved from its original conception of 'maintaing the organisation's relations with its publics'

I think that the idea has definitely broadened and expanded into a more strategic function than before, where the role was more technical. I think that public relations have also become to most practitioners a science.

6.0 Reference List

Gilligan, C. (18). In a different voice, Cambridge, MA Harvard University Press

Grunig, L.A. (188). A research agenda for women in public relations. Public Relations Review, 14(), p.5

Seital F.P. (18). The Practice of Public Relations (7th ed.). New Jersey. Prentice Hall.

Simon R. (180). Public Relations concepts and practices (nd ed.) Columbus, Ohio, Grid Publishing, p.6.

Toth, E.L. (188). Making peace with gender issues in public relations. Public Relations Review, 14(), p.6-47.

Verschoor (001)

Wetherell, B.J. (18). The effect of gender, masculinity and femininity on the practice and preference for the models of public relations. University of Marylands, College Park.

Journals and other media

Naglazas M. 001, "Saga Of The Sweatshops", The West Australian, June, p.5.

(PR News 15 Apr. 00. 58(15), p.1.)

The NIKE corporate website. http//www.nikebiz.com/social/index.shtml

Gonring M. (001). "Global Megatrends Push IMC Concepts to Forefront of Strategic Business Thinking", Journal of integrated Communication. For more information, please visit www.jiconline.com.

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Grendel, the first antagonist in the epic poem Beowulf, is most definitely a monster. To even compare him to a "rambunctious youth?is irrational. The narrator emphasizes his monster-like qualities and even refers to him as a monster. The diction deliberately portrays him as evil, as do Grendel's own actions.

The beginning line of the passage is , "A powerful monster ?. In line 16-17, the narrator goes further by saying, ? the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend, Grendel, ?. The narrator plainly states that he is a monster in several other lines, also. But, even before all of these occurrences of the word, the introduction summarizes the first passage saying that a fierce and powerful monster invades the mead hall. Even by this, the reader has a preconception that Grendel is a monster.

Grendel is always in contrast to "the Almighty?and Christianity. It is explained that he is descendant of the biblical figure Cain. Anyone familiar with the bible knows that Cain murdered his brother, Abel, and is considered an embodiment of evil by most Christian religions. So Grendel was born banished by God and lead his life accordingly. He is described as being the shadow of death and having hell-forged hands. The narrator would not have to continue to convince anyone that Grendel is a monster.

Grendel behaves like a monster and has many qualities pertaining to being one. He lusts for evil (lines 5-5) and relished his savage war (line 67). He was not on a conquest of love, fortune, or fame; he slaughtered men for sport, certainly not the pass time of the average rambunctious youth. His victims were all unknowing and asleep. He only came with darkness, also associated with evil. He lurked, stirred, and haunted. All these words have evil connotations, as do all words describing the monster and his actions. After the night's rampage, he returned to his "lair? suggesting that Grendel is a wild animal. Since the word is usually associated with lions, it's connotation further illustrates his claws and fangs in the reader's mind.

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Only one event almost relates a human aspect to Grendel ?his mother's revenge. Suggesting that he has a mother and that she cares about him may convey a child-like image to the reader, but that doesn't mean he's not a monster. We all have mothers and most everyone's mother cares about them. Grendel's mother doesn't change the fact that he ruthlessly killed innocent men, all of whom had mothers.

Grendel is clearly a monster. The narrator even states it several times. His monster-like qualities and actions only add to the constant association with evil and evil things. By simply placing Grendel in a human relationship with his mother, a human association is not successful. The author goes to much greater lengths then would be necessary for the era in which he was writing. Then, someone could be considered a monster for opposing Christianity and nothing else. Through over-emphasis and repeated association, the narrator successfully illustrates that the only correct way to view Grendel is as a monster.

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