Gender Differences In The Experience Of Body Image Psychology Essay

Gender Differences In The Experience Of Body Image Psychology Essay Gender differences in the experience of body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders Although in the past decades psychologists have conducted little research on males and body image, it has only been within the past 10-15 years that adequate studies have been completed (Cafri et al., 2005). As asserted by Kevin Thompson, Leslie Heinberg, Madeline Altabe and Stacey Tantleff-Dun (1999) most research pertaining to body image has been dominated by females, focusing on the female ideal for thinness, and predicting the development of eating disorders (McCreary, 2007). New research on males reveals that body image and eating disorder concerns are not limited to only females (Olivardia, 2000). Do males and females experience body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders the same? Through comparisons of studies of females and males with body image dissatisfaction and eating disorder it is argued that there is less than a difference in than popularly perceived. There are several sources for body image dissatisfaction (BID), but the most influential is the media exposure of women and men to cultural ideals that are often unattainable (Dalley, Buunk, Umit, 2009). Simon Dalley, Abraham Buunk and Turual Umit (2009) assert that media exposure is a form of social comparison that is spontaneous, effortless and unintentional. Self evaluation is created through contrast with the target, which are thinner media images. Kevin Thompson and Leslie Heinberg (1999) affirm that although there are individual variations in the internalization of the media pressures, investigations show that the media is a significant factor developing eating disorders. Eating disorders are classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, (DSM IV-TR1) as syndromes characterized by disturbances in eating behaviour, accompanied by grief /extreme concern about body shape and or weight, which are sub-categorized by anorexia nervosa, bulimi a and eating disorders not otherwise specified (Levenson, 2005). Eating disorders commonly occur in industrial cultures where there is access to food and thinness is considered attractive. Due to globalization, eating disorders are quickly spreading around the world, but they are most common in predominately Caucasian developed nations such as United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (Fairburn Harrison, 2003). Body Image Dissatisfaction in Females Body image dissatisfaction is a significant predictor of eating behaviours in females (Dalley, Bunnk Umit, 2009). Although there are several sources that create body image dissatisfaction (BID), the most influential is the media which exposes women to cultural thin ideals that are often unattainable. While there are individual differences that influence that impact of exposure to thin ideals, many researchers have concluded that there is a distinct correlation between thin media exposure and female BID (Dalley, Bunnk Umit, 2009). Kimberly Vaughan and Gregory Fouts (2003) reported that the â€Å"ultra-slender ideal-body image† that is depicted within media texts is 15% below the weight of an average woman, and 90% of female models are below average weight. Combined with the unrealistically thin ideals represented by female models, digital enhancement of images adds to unattainable standards. Sonia Tucci and Jennifer Peters (2008) noted that high levels of body dissatisfactio n are associated with emotional distress, appearance rumination and cosmetic surgery. In a study conducted at the University of Liverpool of female students between the ages of 18 and 25 years it was found that exposure to thin-ideals in media images reduces body satisfaction scores (Tucci Peters, 2008). The opposite was found when the same participants were exposed to images of larger models, resulting in an increase of body satisfaction scores. Tucci and Peters (2008) additionally found that eating disorders, the drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction increased after the subjects were shown thin images. â€Å"Fat talk† is a notable subject in discussing body image dissatisfaction. As first suggested by Mimi Nichter (2000), â€Å"fat talk† is the tendency of females to belittle their bodies by claiming they are fat, even when it is not true. Although Nichter (2000) describes the social value of fat talk as a way for girls to bond through socially expected gender roles (dieting, weight loss and the pre-occupation of the body), â€Å"fat talk† creates body image dissatisfaction regardless of the initial reason for engaging (Tuckers, Martz, Curtin Bazzini, 2007). Katheryn Tucker, Denise Martz, Lisa Curtin and Doris Bazzinis (2007) study of south-eastern American university female students, found that personal body image dissatisfaction is influenced by the social norms of â€Å"fat talk†. These findings suggest that regardless of actual body image dissatisfaction, there is a normative unhappiness of body size in women, which further is increased by the pres sure to perform â€Å"fat talk†. Eating Disorders in Females Nancy Moses, Mansour-Max Banilivy and Fima Lifshitz (1989) conducted a study that examined the perception of weight, dieting and nutrition among adolescent high school girls in comparison to their body weight. The subjects reported a high concern with obesity regardless of their current body weight and nutrition knowledge. Over half of the underweight (anthropometric measured) sub-category of females (51%) described themselves as having an extreme fear of being overweight. The underweight category also reported having a pre-occupation with body fat (36%). Although normal and overweight girls were better able to perceive their actual body weight for height, the frequency of reported binge eating, and vomiting behaviours was similar among all three groups (underweight, normal weight and overweight). Moses, Banilivy and Lifshitz (1989) concluded that a fear of obesity and eating disorders were common amongst adolescent girls despite of body weight and knowledge of nutrition. Eating disorders are also evident in women attending college. Dean Krahn, Candance Kurth, Edith Gomberg and Adam Drewnowski (2005), reported that due to the intensity and frequency of college women dieting behaviour, two-thirds are at risk for eating disorders. A study conducted at a large Midwestern university of 324 female students concluded that a high proportion (49%) of subjects report binge eating, and/or compensatory behaviours such as excessive exercise at least once a week (Berg, Frazier Sherr, 2009). Non-purging compensatory behaviours (excessive exercise and fasting) are the most common form of eating disorder behaviours. Kelly Berg, Patricia Frazier and Laura Sherr (2009) also established that there are high rates of binge eating amongst female students but in contrast, purging behaviours (vomiting, laxative use, diuretics) were executed less frequently. Very little research has examined sexual orientation in a relation to eating disorders in females. i) Body Image Dissatisfaction in Males Unlike females desire to obtain thinness, men experience anguish when they perceive their body to be underweight (Olivardia, Pope, Borowiecki Cohane, 2004). Roberto Olivardia (2007) found that the male desire is to obtain a lean muscular physique (mesomorphic body type), which is produced by Western ideals (McCreary, 2007). In a study conducted by Christopher Ochner, James Gray and Katrina Brickner (2009) of male students attending a Mid-Atlantic college, it was found that body dissatisfaction was present in the male population through the desire for an increase in muscle gain (86%), as measured by the Male Body Dissatisfaction Scale. While much of the sample wanted to gain more muscle, 34% also wanted to gain weight, and 31% wanted to lose weight. Only 34% of the subjects were happy with their current weight (Ochner, Gray Brickner, 2009). In order to obtain a muscular physique with little body fat men engage in such practices as steroid use, ephedrine use, and dieting (Cafri et a l., 2005). The use of illicit anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) is reported to be between 3% to 12% of American adolescent males. A study conducted at examining legal steroids, also known as prohormones revealed that the lifetime use is 4.5% in adolescent males (Cafri, Thompson Yesalis, 2004). Harrison Pope, Amanda Gruber, Precilla Choi, Roberto Olivardia and Katharine Phillips (1997) make known a form of body dysmorphic disorder called â€Å"muscle dysmorphia†. Men who suffer from muscle dysmorphia are concerned that they are not large or muscular enough. In order to create a desirable physique, men participate in obsessive weight lifting and dieting, which still does not eliminate the distress of being too small (Pope et al., 1997). Precilla Choi, Harrison Pope and Roberto Olivardia (2002) conducted a small sample of weightlifters with and without muscle dysmorphic disorder. The men with muscle dsymorphic disorder reported significantly higher body image dissatisfaction, a s well as reporting frequent thoughts about their muscularity, and missed social opportunities for working out (Choi, Pope Olivardia, 2002). Men commented on concealing their appearances through clothing, checking mirrors and the use of steroids, all contributing to the experience of body dissatisfaction through body dysmorphic disorder (Choi, Pope Olivardia, 2002). Eating Disorders in Males Previously noted research in male body image is a relatively new area; the same pertains to eating disorders. Daniel Carlat, Carlos Camargo, and David Herzog (1997) assert that information on eating disorders in males inadequate and often restricted to small cases studies. Although research is restricted, eating disorders are not unusual in males (Carlat, Camargo Herzog, 1997). Differences have been found in the ways that homosexual and heterosexual men experience eating disorders, and body perception (Harvey Robinson, 2003). Unlike women who use eating disorders to obtain thinness, men strive for a lean body mass (Harvey Robinson, 2003). For this reason the criteria in diagnosing eating disorders in males is unlike females. Jeffery Harvey and John Robinson (2003) discuss how abuse of steroids and dietary supplement is examined. A 1993 study conducted by Cliff Sharp, Stella Clark, Julie Dunan, Douglas Blackwood and Colin Shapiro (1994) on 24 male anorexics, notes that eating diso rders emerge at an older age in males than in females, and men display similar behaviours of binge eating, vomiting and anxiety towards eating. Sharp, Clark, Dunan, Blackwood and Shapiro (1994) also concluded that men display a lower use of laxatives, sexual fears and higher amounts of excessive exercising. The high amounts of exercising are discussed in the context of the high male gender roles and standards set for athleticism in society. Thus Sharp, Clark, Dunan, Blackwood and Shapiro (1994) emphasized that excessive physical activity is more socially acceptable as a means of weight control in order for males to obtain a lean physique. Carlat, Camargo and Herzogs (1997) sample size of 135 males concluded that bulimia nervosa is the most common eating disorder, affecting 46% of males. An alarming 32% of the males suffered symptoms of eating disorders not otherwise specified. Only 2% of the males were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Significantly noted, binge eating affected 11 patients. A study conducted by Daniel Carlat, Carlos Camargo and David Herzog (1997) revealed that a high number of males suffering with eating disorders are of homosexual orientation. Although only a small portion of the population identifies themselves as homosexual (3-5%), Arnold Anderson suggests that a quarter of these men may have an eating disorder (Anderson, 1999). The risks of developing eating disorders are higher for homosexual males due to the overall less satisfaction with their bodies (Herzog, Newman Warshaw, 1991). In a nonclinical sample of 43 homosexual and 32 heterosexual males by David Herzog, Kerry Newman and Meredith Wa rshaw (1991) it was found that although males in both sexual orientations current and ideal bodies selected were similar, homosexual males aspired for a physique that was underweight. The researchers attribute this desire to place men at a higher risk of developing eating disorders. Harvey and Robinson (1999) contribute the differences between homosexual and heterosexual males and the development of eating disorders are due to the societal factors surrounding the gender roles of masculinity and femininity. Looking at both Body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in males and females are experience in different ways. As noted by Christine Knauss, Susan Paxtaon and Francois Alsaker (2007), females strive for thinness while males have a goal to lose or gain weight or gain more lean muscle. Although there has not been subsequent research examining the causes of gender difference in body dissatisfaction, Nita McKinely (1999) emphasises that there is larger socio-cultural demand for females to be physically attractive in Western societies, therefore creating greater body dissatisfaction amongst girls and women. Although researchers argue that there are greater media influences on females to obtain thinness (Vaughn Fouts, 2003), males also undergo similar influences but with lean, muscular physiques (Olivardia, 2007). Over time males have been exposed to an increasingly muscular body that is contributes to higher numbers of males experiencing body image dissatisfaction (Olivardia, Pope, Borowiecki Cohane , 2004). Neala Ambrosi-Randic (2000) conducted a study on children aged 5-6 years as to their perceptions of both current and ideal body size. Ambrosi-Randic (2000) had the children indicate current and desired body size on a picture of male and female figures pre-adolescent in age. Sex differences were found in the ideal figure in females, with the girls preferring a thinner figure than boys. A 2007 study by Knauss, Paxtaon and Alsaker examined the relationships between body dissatisfaction and the internalization as well as pressure of media images in both sexes. Through a sample of 1610 adolescent males and males from different schools and socioeconomic status regions in Switzerland, the researchers found that girls felt that there is more pressure from the media to achieve ideals (d=.36), as well there is a higher internalization of body ideals (d=.37) (Knauss, Paxtaon Alsaker, 2007). Predictors of body dissatisfaction also have sex differences. Girls reveal a high correlation between body dissatisfaction and internalization (.62), and internalization and pressure (.71). A medium strength correlation is scored between BMI and body dissatisfaction (.38) and a low strength between internalization and BMI and pressure (.22). Boys displayed a medium correlation between body dissatisfaction and internalization (.38) and dissatisfaction and pressure (.41). Internalization and pressure scored a high correlation (.55), while BMI and internalization, as well as pressure and body dissatisfaction were low (.07). Knauss, Paxtaon and Alsaker (2007) concluded that there is a variance in body dissatisfaction between girls and boys, with female subjects displaying a higher overall body dissatisfaction than boys. Females internalize and feel more pressure from media ideals than boys. Males as well as females body dissatisfaction can be predicted by internalization, pressure, and BMI (Knauss, Paxtaon Alsaker, 2007). In a study examining university students from a Midwestern university, gender differences in body dissatisfaction was examined (Penkal Kurdek, 2007). It was found that women had a stronger dissatisfaction with middle parts of the body such as waist, stomach as was as display higher levels of physique anxiety. Males have a stronger dissatisfaction with facial parts (Penkal Kurdek, 2007). Jessica Lynn Penkal and Lawrence Kurdek attribute males higher dissatisfaction with facial body parts due to the evidence that women describe facial characteristics as an important desirable body characteristic (2007). In a 2004 Youth Risk behaviour study conducted by Grunbaum et al. it was reported that females engage in more eating disorder behaviours then males. Grunbaum et al. (2004), found that 29.6% of students reported themselves as being overweight, but the prevalence in females (36.1%) was much higher than males. This is not to say that males do not perceive themselves to be overweight as 23.5% of interviewed men claim to be fat (Grunbaum ,2004). In a 1989 groundbreaking meta-analysis by Geroge Hsu, asserted that eating disorders are more prevalent in women due to greater dysmorphia, poor self image and body concept, and role confusion that can occur during adolescent years. Hsu (1989) analysis revealed that over all females have higher rates of eating disorders, in a female to male ratio of 10 to 1. Although Hsus study is over 20 years old, he raise several questions that researchers are currently examining, such as the socio-cultural pressures to be thin, why there are higher occurrences in adolescents as a part of self and body concepts, identity formation and reasons for overall increase prevalence in women. Jeffery Harvey and John Robinson (2003) suggest that symptoms of eating disorders are similar between men and women but anorexia nervosa is the most challenging to diagnose in males due to amenorrhea being one of the critical warning signs in women. Amenorrhea is usually one of the first discovered symptoms of eating disorders, therefore for this reason men are often overlooked (Harvey Robinson, 2003). Another critical difference between the ways that women and men experience eating disorders is men often believe that their body is not too thin, while women continue to believe that they overweight (body dysmorphia) (Harvey Robinson, 2003). Establishing the prevalence of eating disorders in adolescents of both genders, Einar Kjelsà ¥s, Christian Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m and Gunnar Gà ¶testam (2004) examined 1960 adolescents (1026 girls and 934 boys), 14 to 15 years of age. According to the diagnosing criteria in the DSM-IV and DSM-III-R, females experience a higher lifetime prevalence of all eating disorders (17.9%, 18.6%), anorexia nervosa (0.7%), bulimia nervosa (1.2%, 3.6%), binge eating disorder (1.5%) and eating disorders otherwise not specified (14.6%, 12.9%) (Kjelsà ¥s, Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m Gà ¶testam, 2004). Although males did not display the same prevalence of eating disorders (6.5%), Kjelsà ¥s, Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m, and Gà ¶testam (2004) found high numbers of boys with anorexia nervosa (0.2%), bulimia nervosa (0.4%, 0.6%), binge eating disorder (0.9%) and eating disorders otherwise not specified (5.0%, 4.%). Kjelsà ¥s, Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m and Gà ¶testam (2004) final ratio results for eating disorders in female to males was 2.8:1, anorexia nervosa 3.5:1. Bulimia nervosa revealed a ratio of female to male of 2:1, while females and males were closely diagnosed with binge eating, with a ratio of 1.7:1. Eating disorders otherwise specific female to male ratio was 2.9:1. The total number of girls who thought they were very/slightly obese was 32.3% while only 2.6% were classified as obese (Kjelsà ¥s, Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m Gà ¶testam, 2004). Only 15.9% of males reported perceiving themselves as very/slightly obese, while 5.1% were classified as obese. Both sexes displayed subjects who considered themselves as obese when classified as underweight or normal weight, girls 74.3% and boys 62.1% displaying distinct body image dissatisfaction (Kjelsà ¥s, Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m Gà ¶testam , 2004). Conclusion Females appear to be at a greater risk for developing body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders through the internalization and pressure from the media (Knauss, Paxtaon Alsaker, 2007) and a higher socio-cultural demand to be physically attractive (McKinely, 1999). Although research predominately examines females, males should not be forgotten. As asserted by Olivardia (2007), males also undergo similar influences by the media. Both men and women experience anxiety towards their body, but it is experienced in different ways, therefore body dissatisfaction and eating disorders are not the same in the sexes. Females have an overwhelming desire to obtain thinness often through calorie restriction, excessive exercise and fasting (Berg, Frazier Sherr, 2009). Males desire is to attain a lean, muscular physique (Olivardia, 2007), therefore engage in such practices dieting, exercise and more dangerously steroid and ephedrine use (Harvey Robinson, 2003). In order to fully answer whether males and females experience body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders the same more research needs to be conducted examining males, body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Additionally several factors should be taken into account while conducting such research. Body dissatisfaction and eating disorder research often uses the self-report method, therefore under or over reporting is subject to occur. Kjelsà ¥s, Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m and Gà ¶testam (2004) discuss the complications in creating survey questionnaires that are concise but can discriminate those with and without eating disorders in difference sexes. Females might over-report the rates of body dissatisfaction due to engaging in the socially valuable â€Å"fat talk†, as first asserted by Mimi Nitcher (2000). It has also been noted that when self reporting on body dissatisfaction males answers are superficial because they do not feel that the content applies to them (Kjelsà ¥s, Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m Gà ¶testam, 2004). Many of the studies on body dissatisfaction and eating disorders use Caucasian students. This is disconcerting because the subjects are apart small population (Caucasian, educated) to draw conclusions upon. Future research needs to completed to investigate not only male body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, but also race, age and different socioeconomic statuses. Extreme dieting, supplement use and other new methods of weight loss (ex. infrared sauna) should be closely examined in future research in both males and females to understand if there are new trends in body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. References Andersen, A. (1999). Eating disorders in gay males. Psychiatric Annals, 29, 206-212. Ambrosi-Randic, N. (2000). Perception of current and ideal body size in preschool age children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 90(3:1), 885-889. Berg, K.C., Frazier, P. Sherr, L. (2008). Change in eating disorder attitudes and behavior in college women: Prevalence and predictors. Eating Behaviours, 10(3), 137-142. Cafri, G., Thompson, J.K., Ricciardelli, L., McCabe, M., Smolak, L. Yesalis, C. (2005). Pursuit of the muscular ideal: Physical and psychological consequences and putative risk factors. Clinical Psychology Review, 25, 215-239. Carlat, D.K., Camargo, C.A. Herzog, D.B. (1997). Eating disorders in males: A report on 135 patients. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154(8), 1127- 1132. Choi, P.Y.L., Pope, Jr. H.G. Olivardia, R. (2002). Muscle dysmorphia: a new syndrome in weightlifters. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 36, 375-377. Fairburn, C.G. Harrison, P.J. (2003). Eating disorders. The Lancet ,(361) 9355, 407-416. Grunbaum, J.A., Kann, L., Kinchen, J., Ross, J. et al. (2004). Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance (Abridged). The Journal of School Health, 74(8), 307-324 Harvey, J.A. (2003). Eating disorders in men: Current considerations. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medial Settings, 10(4), 297-306. Harvey, J.A. Robinson, J.D. (2002). Eating disorders in men: Current considerations. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 10(4), 397-306 Herzog, D. B., Newman, B. A. Warshaw, M. (1991). Body image dissatisfaction in homosexual and heterosexual males. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 170, 356-359. Hsu, G.L.K. (1989). The gender gap in eating disorders: Why are the eating disorders more common among women? Clinical Psychology Review, 9, 393-407. Kjelsà ¥s, E., Bjà ¸rnstrà ¸m, C. Gà ¶testam, K.G. (2004). Prevalence of eating disorders in females and male adolescents (1-15 years). Eating Behaviours, 5, 13-25. Knauss, C., Paxton, S.J. Alsaker, F.D. (2007). Relationships amongst body dissatisfaction, internalisation of the media body ideal and perceived pressure from media in adolescent girls and boys. Body Image, 4, 353-360. Krahn, D.D., Kurth, C.L., Gomberg, E. Drewnowski, A. (2004). Pathological dieting and alcohol use in college women—a continuum of behaviours. Eating Behaviours, 6(1), 3- 52. Levenson, J. (Ed.). (2003). Textbook of psychosomatic medicine: eating disorders. Washington, DC: The American Psychiatric Publishing McCreary, D.R. (2007). The drive for muscularity scale: Description, psychometrics, and research findings. In J. H. Thompson and G. Cafri (Eds). The Muscular Ideal: Psychological, Social, and Medical Perspectives (pp. 265). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. McKinley, N.M. (1999).Women and objectified body consciousness: Mothers and daughters body experience in cultural, developmental, and familial context. Developmental Psychology, 35, 760-769. Moses, N., Banilivy, M.M. Lifshitz, F. (1989). Fear of obesity among adolescent girls. Pediatrics, 83, 393-398. Nichter, M. (2000). Fat Talk: What girls and their parents say about dieting. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Ochner, C.N., Gray, J.A. Brickner, K. (2009). The development and initial validation of a new measure of male body dissatisfaction. Eating Behaviors, 10, 197-201. Olivardia, R. (2004). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. In K.J. Thompson (Ed.), Handbook of eating disorders and obesity (pp. 543-561). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons Inc. Olivardia, R., Pope, H. G., Borowiecki, J. J. Cohane, G. H. (2004). Biceps and body image: The relationship between muscularity and self-esteem, depression, and eating disorder symptoms. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 5, 112−120. Penkal, J.L. Kurdek, L.A. (2007). Gender and race differences in young adults body dissatisfaction. Personality and Individual Difference, 43, 2270-2281. Pope, Jr, H.G., Gruber, A.J., Choi P. Phillips, K.A. (1997). Muscle dysmorphia. An underrecognized form for body dysmorphic disorder. Psychosomatics, 38, 548-577. Sharp, C.W., Clark, S.A., Dunan, J.R., Blackwood, D.H.R. Shapiro, C.M. (1994). Clinical presentation of anorexia nervosa in male: 24 new cases. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 15( 2) 125-134. Thompson, J.K. Heinberg, L.J. (1999). The medias influence on body image disturbance and eating disorders: Weve reviled them, now can we rehabilitate them? Journal of Social Issues, 55(2), 339-353. Thompson, K.J., Heinberg, L.J., Altabe, M. Tantleff-Dunn, S. (1999). Exacting beauty: Theory, assessment, and treatment of body image disturbance. American Psychological Association, 11, 19-50. Tucci, S. Peters, J. (2006). Media influences on body satisfaction in female students. Psicothema, 20(4), 521-524. Tuckers, K. L., Martz, D. M., Curtin, L. A. Bazzini, D.G. (2007). Examining ‘‘fat talk experimentally in a female dyad: How are women influenced by another womans body presentation style? Body Image, (4) 2, 157-164. Vaughan, K. K. Fouts, G. T. (2004). Changes in television and magazine exposure and eating disorder symtomatology. Sex Roles, 49(7-8), 313-320

Possible that one can fulfill the responsibilities of a professional role while lacking personal integrity

Turn on hit highlighting for speaking browsers by selecting the Enter button Show highlighting Abstract (summary) Transcendentalist One of the basic tenets of the CPA profession is to serve the public interest. Working with the Winchester County Association and the Business Council of Winchester, it took weeks for the task force of about 20 Caps to attend budget hearings and various meetings, well as to pore over the proposed budget. Caps have much to offer working n concert with local governments.Fiscal responsibility is a shared responsibility among all Interested parties the public, the business community, the private sector, and the government. The difference between a tenuous budget situation and a more stable financial environment could very well be the participation of Caps. As a member of the public, and even more so as a CPA, it is his obligation to get involved. Full text Translated text Turn on search term navigation One of the basic tenets of the CPA profession Is to serv e the public Interest.So as New York State struggles with its fiscal woes – along with at least 35 other states that needed to close budget shortfalls as of press time – who better than Caps to try to help at the local level to reduce the budgetary burden on the taxpayer? This is exactly what happened in Westchester County. Members of the Naysayer's Westchester Chapter volunteered to review Westchester County $1. 8 billion budget and offer insight on how the county could reduce a proposed 4. 9% Increase In taxes.Working with the Westchester County Association and the Business Council of Westchester, It kook weeks for thetas force of about 20 Caps to attend budget hearings and various meetings, as well as to pore over the proposed budget. The project was done pro bono, with each of the volunteers dedicating between five and 10 hours to producing an analysis of the budget. The upshot? The county government formally adopted the $1. 8 billion budget, but county taxes Incre ased by 2. 9% Instead of 4. 9%. Did Caps' Involvement In the dialogue have an Impact? I'd Like to think so.This particular case wasn't about setting policy; it was about setting precedent. As the New York Times noted (Jennifer Stealthier, â€Å"New Year but No Relief for Strapped States,† January 5, 2010), state budgets all across discounter are being prepared with the knowledge that the federal stimulus money that was available last year – and kept many states' proverbial heads above water – is now gone. The tide is rising again. Caps as Part of the Process responsibility is a shared responsibility among all interested parties – the public, the business community, the private sector, and the government.Difference between a tenuous budget situation and a more table financial environment could very well be depreciations of Caps. The reality L's that even Caps can't fix a local government's fiscal woes in one budget year. But you can start now. Become a fam iliar face. Introduce yourself to your local elected and government officials. As a member of the public, and even more so, as a CPA, it is your obligation to get involved. Every government needs a watchdog, including local governments. Watchdogs are not adversarial bulldogs, but they're not passive lapdogs, either.With newspapers laying off Journalists by the thousands, taxpayers are in dire need of financial watchdogs who can help them make sense of the government's numbers. This isn't an indictment of the budgeting process performed by our local governments. This is about governments and Caps working together. Caps are the trusted advisors to businesses that range from the comer newsstand to global corporations. And while businesses are a different animal from governments, there are certainly some similarities, which means that Caps can lend their expertise in an advisory capacity.The federal government, and most states, are in a budgetary crisis. Elected and governmental officia ls are being forced to choose between raising taxes and cutting services. They should have more options. And perhaps they would have those options if more citizens were involved in the budgetary process – especially Caps. Sidebar Who better than CRASS to try to help at the local level to reduce the budgetary burden on the taxpayer?

English Distincive Voice Essay

Distinctive voices are used create meaning and change which explores aspects of human experiences. The texts examined are Severn Cullis Suzuki, 9th Earl Spencers Eulogy for Princess Diana and Pink, Dear Mr President. The voices in these text include and environmental activist, voice of the innocent, grieving brother, everyman, lobbyist and remonstrator. All these voices have the ability to change societies view on an issue. The composers of these texts have had human experiences of grief, concern of the environment and concern for social equality. The distinctive voice of an environmental activist, innocence and remonstrator is expressed in Severn Cullis Suzuki Earth Summit. These voices portray the human experiences of having a concern of the environment, being part of a lobby group and seeing the destruction of the earth and wanted an end to poverty. Introduction and purpose, ‘I’m Servern Cullis speaking for ECO- The Environmental Children’s Organisation’ shows the distinctive voice of an activist exploring Suzuki’s human experience as the founder of ECO. Comparison, ‘In Canada, we live the privileged life†¦ Two days ago here in Brazil, we were shocked when we spent time with kids living on the streets’, clearly shows the difference between countries and seeing this, Suzuki has developed the voice of innocence exploring the human experience of Suzuki wanting a world without poverty. The voice of a remonstrator is developed, through the pleading tone, ‘If you don’t know how to fix it, please stop breaking it! ’. Severn Cullis blames the adults for this destruction of the earth that she has experienced. She wants the adults to change their ways. This remonstrating voice explores the human experience of being a part of a lobby. Exclusive language gives the adults a goal through the use of the cliche, ‘I challenge you please make your actions reflect your words’, which demands the adults to change their ways portraying the remonstrator. The voices throughout this text effectively represent the human experiences, demanding the audience to change their actions towards the environment for which Suzuki has seen the destruction of. Similarly, the voice of the remonstrator is evident in 9th Earl Spencer, Eulogy for Princess Diana. Both texts have the voice of a remonstrator as they plea to an issue both composers have experienced. The voice of a grieving brother, everyman and remonstrator explores aspects of human experiences for 9th Earl Spencer. These voices explore the human experience of grief. The voice of a grieving brother is portrayed through the use of emotive language, ‘I stand before you today, the representative of a family in grief’, showing the human experience of Earl Spencer as the young brother of Princess Diana. Earl Spencer, acknowledges the great life of Princess Diana which creates a sense of sadness for the audience as they listen in silence, through the allusion, metaphor and allusion, ‘ Today is our chance to say ‘thank you’ for the way your brightened our lives, even though God granted you but a half a life’. The voice of an everyman speaks for the entire world. Inclusive language and metaphor, ‘We are all chewed up with sadness at loss of a woman who wasn’t even our mother’, shows the importance of Princess Diana, that the whole world is deeply saddened by her death. This explores the aspect of a human experience, of the entire world that are in grief and shock after Diana’s death. The voice of a remonstrator explores the human experience of Princess Diana being chased by the media. Earl Spencer speaks of the media as being the cause if her death. ‘She never understood why her genuinely good intentions were sneered at by the media’, creates the voice of the remonstrator which explores Earls experience of Diana and how she felt towards the media. The voice of the remonstrator is also conveyed in Severn Cullis Suzuki’s speech which demand a change and creates emotion. The voice of citizen, the voice of society and remonstrator explore aspects of human experiences in Dear President. These voices which are present in the song represent human experience of seeing the president not doing his job and the rights of people being taken away. ‘Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away’, creates imagery of the bombs and house expressing the voice of a citizen that effectively explores the human experience of a concerned citizen as Pink see’s the struggle that American citizens endured in their life. The American citizen voice effectively represents the human experiences, as the responder is able to emphasize on societies hardships that Pink has seen. ‘What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street? ’, creates the voice of society through rhetorical question and imagery, portraying the negative human experience of Pink, as she has seen many citizens living on the streets. Pink questions the president which emotively appeals to the audience as they reflect on the President’s job. Formal register, ‘Come take a walk with me’ is an invitation for the president to listen to Pink’s opinions creating the oice of a remonstrator. ‘Let’s pretend were just two people and you’re not better than me’, shows the human experience of Pink and how she feels inequality as the President sees himself as better than society. Pink pleads her opinions to the President through rhetorical questions creating a remonstrating voice. This voice asks the audience to consider the President and what he has done. Dear Mr President, Severn Cullis Suzuki Earth Summit and 9th Earl Spencer Eulogy for Princess Diana have the voice of a remonstrator, which appeals to the audience emotively as it changes their view on an issue. These texts reveal the human experiences of grief, concern of the environment and concern for society through the voices of an environmental activist, the innocent, grieving brother, everyman, citizen, society and remonstrator. The composers have effectively used language to create distinctive voices including emotive language which explores human experiences of the composer and creates meaning for the responder. Distinctive voices are important in representing human experiences as the voice has the ability to demand change and a view on an issue.

Transcendentalism - 1409 Words

Transcendentalism was a huge cultural movement in the nineteenth century; however, the ideas of the movement still continue to influence our society in the twenty-first century. These ideas of Transcendentalism have continued to exist throughout many years because the ideas remain relevant to society. In fact, the problems that many Transcendentalist writers encountered still happen today in new forms. These similar problems include conformity, the role of government in society, and the importance of nature. In general, people still feel that society needs to better itself for the benefit of all individuals, which is at the heart of Transcendentalism. Some of the ideas that Transcendentalists constantly defended included individualism,†¦show more content†¦Throughout the majority of their campaign, the idea was overshadowed by the topic of slavery. Despite the large amount of men who were afraid that women would start wearing pants, the Nineteenth Amendment was passed, which finally gave women the right to vote. During this time, women broke away from the tradition of not speaking about politics, which showed the concept of individualism in their social movement. Today, women’s rights is still a huge concept through the Feminist Movement, which pushes that men and women are equal beings. The movement covers many different topics, but in summary, feminists have â€Å"advocated for the dignity, intelligence, and basic human potential of the female sex† (www.pacificu.edu). Due to the fact that feminism advocates for all sexes to have equal rights, which comes from intuition, the movement is directly related to Transcendentalism. After the Transcendentalist movement, movements like Human Rights, Women’s Suffrage, and Feminism have kept the concepts of individualism, self-reliance, and intuition alive in today’s society. Furthermore, a person who acts with civil disobedience means, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr., â€Å"One who breaks an unjust law†¦ openly, lovingly†¦, and with a willingness to accept the penalty†. In other words, civil disobedience is respectfully breaking a law that is disagreed with, and then openly accepting the consequence. During the world’s history,Show MoreRelatedTranscendentalism And Transcendentalism : Transcendentalism1589 Words   |  7 PagesBetween the 1840s and 1860s, the movement known as Transcendentalism surfaced and soared. The Transcendentalist movement began as a physiological movement, which then influenced the literature of those who studied it, including its American literary founder, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Transcendentalism took place at the end of the Romanticism era and the beginning of the Realism time period, but it had its own distinct characteristics. Transcendentalists were known for believing in a new way of comprehendingRead MoreTranscendentalism : Transcendentalism And Transcendentalism1801 Words   |  8 PagesAmerican Revolution, a moment known as Transcendentalism. Drunk with the joy of independence yet horrified by slavery, it was a movement that encouraged its followers to seek individual freedom, to fight for the rights of women and slaves, and to look towards nature for inspiration and the Divine. It was a movement that combined the best of past philosophical moments. It adopted the value of action from the Renaissance. Action was a virtue and in Transcendentalism it was viewed a as a means for humanRead MoreEssay on Transcendentalism vs. Anti-Transcendentalism778 Words   |  4 PagesIn the mid-1830s, Ralph Waldo Emerson created a belief called Transcendentalism. He wrote the essay, â€Å"Self Reliance† and Henry David Thoreau, another Transcendentalist wrote an essay called, â€Å"Walden.† Both works o f literature focus on the Transcendentalism belief. In â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil† by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hawthorne reveals both Transcendentalism and Anti-Transcendentalism through the attitudes of the characters. Therefore, â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil† can be compared and contrasted withRead MoreEssay on Transcendentalism1619 Words   |  7 Pages Transcendentalism nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Many people have theories and philosophies about life in general. There have been hundreds of thousands of books published by many different people on the ideas of people in the past and the present. Transcendentalism falls in amongst all of these ideas. There have been articles, essays, poems, and even books written about this subject. Transcendentalism has effected many people since the philosophy was first introduced. The idea was complex andRead More Transcendentalism Essay563 Words   |  3 Pages Transcendentalism Back in the 1800s, people trusted in their innersoul. it was called transcendentalism. People like Emerson and Thoreau were transcendentalism. They didnt think with their heads. They do things like in their first impression. If they sees that a tree is violet, they will paint it violet. During that era, Romanticism was party of it too. Ideas of Romanticism with transcendentalism. In our everyday life, we use transcendentalism. We use our head to think and our hart to feelRead MoreTranscendentalism Essay617 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Transcendentalism is a movement that started in New England in the early to mid nineteenth century. It was created as a protest against the general culture at the time, straying away from the mindless doctrines of the churches. I think that Thoreau, Emerson, Whitman, and Dickinson did a good job of explaining what Transcendentalism is really about, which is that death is coming for everyone. Our Town stands out to me because it doesn’t use any props, and its strong symbolism that makes a pointRead MoreTranscendentalism : The And The Movement1027 Words   |  5 Pages Transcendentalism Web Quest Directions: Research the answers to these questions online using reputable websites. As you work, copy and paste the website URLs that you use at the bottom of this document (you do not need to create a Works Cited page). Type your answers into this document. Make sure that all of your answers are in your own words. You will be submitting this document via www.turnitin.com and need to be sure that you are not plagiarizing. If you plagiarize from an online source orRead MoreTranscendentalism Essay807 Words   |  4 Pagesis struggling to find their inner self can trust several of the ideas of transcendentalism. In fact, Thoreau and Emerson include the ideas of optimism, intuition, and originality in many of their pieces of literature. It is clear that a teenager who is struggling developing their character should connect with the transcendent ideas from Thoreau and Emerson. Students struggling with themselves can benefit from Transcendentalism articles in order to help them become more optimistic. Thats because theRead MoreTranscendentalism Essay1384 Words   |  6 Pagesculture of religions in the world. The soul is the essence of humanity and spirituality is the condition of one’s soul. Spirituality is the condition of a consciousness. One answer to creating this essential growth in spirituality is Transcendentalism. Transcendentalism is the rebellion of one’s soul against the societal laws that humanity upholds. It is the integrity of a being and the healing of a scarred mind through nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a major figure in transcendentalist literatureRead MoreTranscendentalism Essay1866 Words   |  8 Pageswe will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds† This message encompasses the whole ideology of transcendentalism. The transcendentalist were a group of individuals attempting to pave their own path i n the world. Without them the progression of women’s rights, anti-slavery laws and various religious movements would slow tremendously. The American history of transcendentalism is often attributed to the struggles of a single man. In early 1831, Boston pastor, Ralph Waldo Emerson, who had