Public Policy Homelessness

The US government has been trying to fight the problem of homelessness but in vain. This is mainly because of lack of clear policymaking processes. This paper analyses previous policies made by the state and how they were applied.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Public Policy: Homelessness specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Importance of the Topic Many people in the US are dispossessed to an extent of lacking basic commodities such as food, shelter, education and clothing. Confirmed reports suggest that some individuals practically compete with rodents for food in streets, which give stakeholders and government a great responsibility of formulating policies to end the ugly situation. Homelessness is a very important concept because of several reasons. One is that shelter is a basic need and turns up to be a human right. Any government that fails to protect its citizens against hazardous conditions should cease to exist. The major role of any government is to provide security, safety and create opportunities for self-fulfillment in the society. Even though the government cannot offer shelter to its citizens directly, it must come up with well-placed policies that guarantee individual development (Kusmer, 2003). A good regime must cater for people’s needs since it exists to serve citizens. Public servants are people’s employees because they earn their living through public money. They have a responsibility of assisting citizens to sustain their lives by providing better policies. This topic is important because many governments have failed or tumbled due to negligence. People cannot be suffering while they pay taxes to the government. Homelessness creates a bad picture to the state’s image abroad. A state cannot achieve its interests abroad because of the poor status of its citizens. In other words, solving the problem of homelessness puts the state in an advantaged po sition both within and abroad. Key Stakeholders The major stakeholder in the issue of homelessness is the government. The government encounters many problems including rising cases of crime and difficulty in planning. Resources cannot be allocated adequately because of the unknown people who stay in the streets. Resources such as education, health services and security are not utilized or allocated efficiently.Advertising Looking for assessment on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Homeless individuals are susceptible to diseases and natural catastrophes such as hunger. The government from time to time is forced to relocate resources from other places to assist street children and the elderly who cannot provide for themselves. Furthermore, the issue of security is of concern to the government. The homeless have no stable jobs, which forces them sometimes to engage in illegal businesses to sustain themselves (Baumohl, 1996). Another stakeholder is the society in general that is, societal institutions involved in correction of behavior, childcare, street programs and rehabilitation. Such organizations are very important because homeless individuals are more willing to reveal their problems to non-government officials. Others risk deportation in case they engage a public officer in a housing debate. The government alone cannot solve the problem of homelessness. Public officials must realize this and engage private/charitable organizations in solving the matter. Some institutions have stood firm to help the homeless even without government help. Charitable organizations adopt street children and promise to provide everything to them, including quality education and health care. Fight against homeless demands the action of the whole society not specific institutions or individuals. Mental problems and other factors related to communal living are the leading causes of homelessness. The poli cy makers in government should acknowledge this and move forward to consult community based organizations in order to arrive at sound policies. Evaluated Policies The US need to address the problem of homelessness by reviewing the existing policies. Some of the policies are not favorable to the homeless. For instance, the rate of taxation is too high in that the low wage laborers cannot manage to pay as well as sustain themselves. The government should subsidize the cost of housing for the poor and come up with incentives to encourage them to develop their own homes. The US economy is purely capitalistic, which does not make it easy for the poor to own property.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Public Policy: Homelessness specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The rich become too rich while the poor continue languishing in great poverty. Unless the government comes up with measures to check on this, no substantial achievements can be made (Kraft, Furlong, 2010). Lending institutions do not entertain the poor or rather the homeless hence they cannot access funds to construct houses for themselves. The requirements for mortgage qualification are too many, most of which are out of reach for the poor. The policy makers must come up with suitable strategies to force lending institutions to accept the pledges of the poor. The government needs to collaborate with private lending institutions to assist the homeless. Literature Review Ever since 1980s, the US government has been active and willing to help the homeless. In 1985, the government increased funding to homeless services even though correct policies were not put in place. In 1987, the government stepped up to eradicate homelessness by endorsing McKinney Homeless Assistance bill. The bill was one of the major congressional actions aimed at doing away with poverty. The bill did little because of its tenets. It required local states to match federal dollars with a particular fraction. The bill only created an opportunity for funding but had no affirmative action. The houses built through McKinney funding were temporary since they never belonged to the homeless. The department of Housing and Urban Development brought in some major changes in 1995 since it allowed the homeless to own houses for some time. The new program advocated for continuity and provision of coordinated services such as admission of the homeless and evaluation of their lives, offering shelter on either temporary or permanent basis, as well as recognizing the rights of the homeless by providing recreational facilities.Advertising Looking for assessment on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There was another affirmative action in 1990 where the government attempted to uplift the lives of the poor. In 1995, the Rural Economic and Community Development department was put in place by the ministry of agriculture to advance the lives of the rural poor. Important Legislations The intention of homelessness legislation is to facilitate eradication of homelessness and reduce the load that lead to homelessness. For instance, the â€Å"No Child Left behind Act†, which was approved in 2001 ensures that schools do not discriminate homeless children by coming up separate classes. In fact, it is a criminal offence to exercise discrimination against homelessness. Besides, one of the key aims of the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act was to put off schools from keeping out learners who could not provide contacts of their houses. The Chronic Homelessness Initiative Act created by Bush aimed at ending persistent homelessness by the year 2012. To help in realizing this obje ctive, the head of state collaborated with the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to form a plan that helps homeless persons obtain shelter and employment in quite a few communities. Instrument Problems Unfortunately, nothing substantial has been achieved as far as homelessness is concerned. The policies formulated by the legislature and the executive never succeeded mainly because they never complied with the policymaking processes. The need was there, the policy was made and implemented but proper evaluation of the same policy was never undertaken. Policy making process involves some important processes that must not be neglected. They include agenda building, formulation and adoption, implementation and finally evaluation and termination. Evaluation implies identifying how well a strategy is functioning and it is not a simple job. Individuals in government normally employ cost-benefit scrutiny in attempting to unearth the problem. The government needs to discover whether the resources being spent in resettlement of homeless are worth the process (Smith, 2002). Government policies have failed simply because of neglecting one process of policymaking, that is, evaluation. Conclusion The problem of homelessness should be addressed immediately because it causes many problems. The state spends a lot of money in treating the homeless people, as well offering security to the victims of homelessness. The society is not safe at all. More legislative action is required to reinforce other existing policies in solving the problem. Again, the state must reach out to other stakeholders in order to gain more insight as regards to the problem. More importantly, policy makers must always abide by the processes of policymaking and follow them to the later in case they are to succeed in solving the problem. Solving homelessness is inevitable since it is a human right. It is laughable for citizens of the great nation to stay in t he cold. It taints the image of the superpower and lowers the dignity of Americans who should be enjoying good life. The US cannot be providing aid to the third world countries yet its own people spend their nights in the cold. References Baumohl, J. (1996). Homelessness in America. Phoenix: Oryx Press. Kraft, M., Furlong, R. (2010). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives (3rd ed.). New York, NY: CQ Press. Kusmer, K. (2003). Down and Out, On the Road: The Homeless in American History. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Smith, K. (2002). â€Å"Typologies, Taxonomies, and the Benefits of Policy Classification†. Policy Studies Journal, 30(3). This assessment on Public Policy: Homelessness was written and submitted by user Kailynn Salas to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Body Image and Sexuality Essays

Body Image and Sexuality Essays Body Image and Sexuality Paper Body Image and Sexuality Paper The first step in understanding the relationship between body image and sexuality is to understand the meaning of each. Body image is how one sees one’s own body. Despite the simple definition, there lies a complexity in the practical meaning of the word. Body satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) is influenced heavily by one’s culture: the norm of the ideal body. In the US, the ideal female body is low in fat yet curvaceous. However, in China, Ghana and Greece (Myth of Dionysius; Semiotic, 2006), the big bellies, fatness and heaviness in women are desired and related to happiness and abundance. Thus, the definition of body image is dependent on how one’s perception is influenced by his culture and surroundings. Sexuality Sexuality has a more academic definition, i. e. , the quality or state of being sexual (Sexuality, 2006). Unambiguously, it is one’s level of interest in sex. Sexuality is in most part a biological phenomenon, the interest of the female specie to the male as the opposite specie. However, there are aspects in the modern relationship that accept the fact of homosexuality. In this paper, we limit our research into the heterosexual aspect of sexuality. Two researches are being presented to show the scientific investigation conducted by professionals on the topic at hand. Research No. 1 McKay, A. of the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (2000) discusses a survey conducted by Ackard, D. M. , Kearney-Cooke, A. , Peterson, C. B. on the effect of body image and self-image on womens sexual behaviors. In March 1997, Ackard, et. al, conducted a survey entitled Does Your Body Image Affect Your Love Life? featured in Shape magazine. The response of 3,627 women age ranging from 14 to 74 years old, completed college and weighing an average of 145 lbs, was a 66. 4% satisfaction with their overall self. In spite of this, 60. 2% of them were dissatisfied with their appearance and a while 80. 5% reported some degree of satisfaction with their ability to form and maintain relationships with others. (Mckay, 2000, p. 124) The survey resulted in a direct correlation between body image and sexuality, i. e. , those satisfied with their body image, responded as having higher frequency of sex and achieving orgasm, than those that are dissatisfied with their body image. Furthermore, the intimacy and adventure level of those the ones satisfied with their body image were higher than those that were dissatisfied: greater comfort undressing in front of their partner, greater comfort having sex with the lights on, greater comfort trying new sexual activities, and greater confidence in their ability to give their partner sexual pleasure. (Mckay, 2000, p. 124) In spite of the above, Mckay (2000, p. 124) noted that Ackard, et. al, (2000) concluded that overall satisfaction is the more significant influencing factor to the respondents’ sexuality, more than body image itself. This is evidenced by the fact that the overall self-satisfaction and ability to form and maintain relations with others resulted with a higher percentage than the satisfaction of the respondents with their own appearance, which is body image. The Ackard, et. al survey however has a limited respondent base, i. e. the respondents are readers of the fitness magazine and thus maybe highly focused on body image vs. the average woman. A wider subject base is considered in the next experiment and presents a more analytical assessment of the relationship between body image and sexuality. Research No. 2 In 1998, Wiederman, M. W. and Hurst, S. R. , conducted a study with 192 young women aged 18 to 21, 89. 6% were White, 7. 8% were Black, and 2. 6% were Latina, all psychology students of Ball State University, Indiana. In this experiment, specific measures were assessed relating to body image and sexuality as follows: (1) relationship status, dating (casually or exclusively) or committed; (2) Sexual experience, actual intercourse or oral stimulation; (3) Sexual esteem or the tendency to evaluate oneself positively as a sexual partner; (5) Attitudinal acceptance of casual sex using; (6) Actual attractiveness measured by a male and a female research assistant; (7) Body mass index (BMI); (8) Body dissatisfaction; (9) Self-rated bodily attractiveness; (10) Appearance orientation on habits related to one’s appearance; and (11) Social avoidance. (Wiederman Hurst, 1998) The results were interesting. Those that are in a relationship (some level of commitment with the opposite sex) were relatively smaller, objectively more attractive, and perceived themselves as having more attractive bodies. Furthermore, slightly more women who are not committed were dissatisfied with their body image. Similarly, those without any form of sexual experience were bigger and objectively less attractive. They also had limited or no initiative to perform oral sex to a male partner. For sexual esteem, those that scored high in self-rated bodily attractiveness had higher sexual esteem and are not intimidated in social activities highlighting one’s appearance. However, for both measures, there is a higher body image dissatisfaction rate on those with high sexual experience and sexual esteem. Thus, the authors concluded that the results of the current study are not definitive. (Wiederman Hurst, 1998) Relationship The simple answer for the question at hand is no: one’s body image is not a definitive factor to determine one’s sexuality. Humans have the power to overcome unpleasant, objectively unacceptable body image to achieve a positive overall self-satisfaction. By doing so, as evidenced in the two experiments, one’s level of sexuality is heightened as well. References Body image. (n. d. ). The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 13, 2006, from Answers. com Web site: answers. com/topic/body-image Body image. (n. d. ). Wikipedia. Retrieved November 13, 2006, from Answers. com Web site: answers. com/topic/body-image Henderson, K. A. , Hodges, S. , Kivel, B. D. (2002). Context and Dialogue in Research on Women and Leisure. Journal of Leisure Research, 34(3), 253+. Retrieved November 14, 2006, from Questia database: questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5000812878 Mckay, A. (2000). Effect of Body Image and Self-Image on Womens Sexual Behaviors. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 9(2), 124. Retrieved November 14, 2006, from Questia database: questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5001808421 Semiotics of Ideal Beauty. (n. d. ). Wikipedia. Retrieved November 13, 2006, from Answers. com Web site: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Semiotics_of_Ideal_Beauty Sexuality. (n. d. ). Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer. Retrieved November 13, 2006, from Answers. com Web site: answers. com/topic/sexuality Sexuality. (n. d. ). The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 13, 2006, from Answers. com Web site: answers. com/topic/sexuality Wiederman, M. W. , Hurst, S. R. (1998). Body Size, Physical Attractiveness, and Body Image among Young Adult Women: Relationships to Sexual Experience and Sexual Esteem. The Journal of Sex Research, 35(3), 272+. Retrieved November 14, 2006, from Questia database: questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=5001369622

Law, Government and Politics in Canada exam Essay

Law, Government and Politics in Canada exam - Essay Example The Governor General also signs bills into law. He/she also commands the armed forces, calls for elections, appoints judges and hosts other relevant tasks. However, in practice, the Governor General’s duties are symbolic in nature. In approving the laws presented to him by the PM, his /her signature is referred to as royal assent, which is simply ceremonial. In the past 80 years, the Governor General has never failed to assent to a bill and has never removed PM from office. In addition, he/she has never denied appointment and never has he vetoed a law. These laws are not written; hence subject to discussions. In conclusion, I believe that the Governor General does not have significant political power since his/her powers are symbolic and are indeed delegated to him/her by the Queen. The powers are not significant because he/she follows what has already been decided upon by either the Queen, the PM, or the Cabinet. Being a symbolic post, I think Canada can still make it without the Governor General. However, being a royal country, this symbolic figure means a lot to the country; hence the relevance. In addition, the above duties entrusted to the Governor General are relevant, and they need someone to perform them (Bogart, 2005). Question 2 I agree with the Supreme Court’s response to question on whether Under the Constitution of Canada, the National Assembly, legislature or government of Quebec can affect the secession of Quebec from Canada unilaterally. In fact, this was the best answer to that question that the constitution is more than what is written there. It contains global rules and principles that govern the authority of the constitution. The Supreme Court ruled out that the constitution contains a few provisions that can be misleading if interpreted without considering underlying principles of federalism, rule of law, democracy, respect for minorities, as well as the principle of constitutionalism. The Supreme Court argued that the constit ution is based upon these principles and that democracy does not simply mean ‘simple majority rule’. Indeed, it exists in other values, given that province people and those who live in the territories live interdependently. The court argued that that would be illegal and would only be possible if the majority of Quebecers votes favored secession, which would be followed by negotiations. This would mean that all parties would be satisfied because negotiations mean that each party gives out on something in order to reach a concession (Bogart, 2005). Overall, the court’s response to the reference questions does not harm Canadian national unity. On the contrary, it supports it when it declares that the people of Canada are closely interdependent through economically, culturally, socially and politically and that a decision that would favor secession would put the strong ties at risk. To preserve national unity, the Supreme Court rule that province secession could not be come up unilaterally, under the constitution and that negotiations were necessary to reach a conclusion. The decision put into consideration, the fact that all participants have a right to contribute to constitution change through continuous discussions. In that decision, the Supreme Court added that rights of others must be respected by Quebec, and vice versa. Negotiation results would be final,