Managing organizational change (MBA course) Essay

Managing organizational change (MBA course) - Essay Example Sandoz was a profit making company that had transparent and defined marketing strategies with a number of products, employing fewer people (69 employees); whereas CG, a loss making company (129 employees) was a laid back attitude and heavily dependant on sale of one product Voltaren, that had generic substitutes, and the marketing was based on giving heavy discounts to achieve quarterly targets. These opposite cultures clashed with the merger. The result was that, feeling strangled, the Sandoz staff left the company through a golden handshake and the CG culture prevailed over NT. The lethargies of CG became the norm resulting in plummeting sales and mounting losses. Under Thai regulations the merger meant merger of Sandoz into CG thereby creating a new entity called NT. This led to the exodus to the Sandoz staff, and the CG culture and practices prevailed. The remaining Sandoz staff were unable to accept this practice and all but 12 left the company, after bitterly criticizing the CG ways and matters deteriorated with the new NT manager also leaving in early 1997. NT was rudderless and without objectives and goals. Fritz the new manager appointed to check and reverse the ills of NT was sent to Thailand in 1998, two years after the merger, with a mandate to raise market share and to improve management effectiveness across the organization. His clear mandate required him to turnaround the company and he handled it initially with the motive of streamlining the operations by first defining the team and team roles. He wanted to establish a hierarchy of reporting that looked like a cobweb with cross reporting resulting in loss of communications. He also found many malpractices that were either a result of corruption in the culture of the company or simply cover-ups for showing improved but false sales performances. He quickly made a situation analysis and identified

Art and Celebrity Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6250 words

Art and Celebrity - Dissertation Example In terms of art, fame is often considered a double-edged sword, mostly because of the price attached to it and its impact on the artist in terms of his work. This essay shall discuss the impact of fame on celebrity and on art and the artist. This analysis will evaluate both the negative and the positive effects of fame on art, seeking to understand how artists have gained fame throughout their career and how such fame has changed them and their art. This essay is being carried out in order to help establish a clear and thorough understanding of art and fame, and their relationship with each other. Main body Fame, in this context is interchangeably associated with celebrity. Both refer to the general attention which an individual, an object, or a place gains from the general public (Conrad, 2012). Fame is derived from the word famous which often refers to popularity; while celebrity is associated with celebration, or how one person is celebrated by the general population (Conrad, 2012 ). Art takes on various forms of expression, including the performance, visual, and musical art. In association with each other, as a piece of art gains attention for its brilliance, fame or celebrity is often attributed to the artwork and the artist. Such celebrity and fame is however also attributed to different activities, even non-artistic activities (Conrad, 2012). Under these conditions, reality shows gain their celebrity and fame. The reasons for their fame are founded on their outrageous behaviour, their clothes, their controversial lives, their controversial or unusual jobs, and the fact that they are rich (Gibson, 2012). Celebrities are famous due to their prominent profile and such prominence often makes them a significant source of fascination for the media. They also often have a high degree of popular appeal as well as prominence in certain fields making them easily recognizable by the public (Gibson, 2012). For purposes of this paper, the associations shall focus on v isual art (painters) and fame or celebrity. In the general sense, it is crucial to evaluate how fame is felt by a celebrity over time. Based on the temporality, a progressive design is apparent in terms of fame being experienced in various phases (Rockwell and Giles, 2009). First, a phase of love/hate; second, the addiction phase with behaviour being geared towards more fame; third, the acceptance phase calling for more permanent changes in daily life activities; and finally, the adaptation phase where new attitudes and activities are established to secure life changes essential to one’s fame (Rockwell and Giles, 2009). The love/hate relationship is secured with participants wanting to ensure effective ways of adjusting to fame. Initially, becoming famous requires significant stoking of the ego. The newly famous are often warmly accepted by the people (Rockwell and Giles, 2009). There is often a guilty thrill seen in being admired, with participants wanting the attention and adoration even as they also analyse the good feelings they get from their fame experience. They love some parts of it, but also hate other aspects of their fame (Adler and Adler, 1989). The love/hate period is often followed by the addiction phase. When one is adored by the public, people often find it difficult to live without such fame. Some actually find their ‘high’ on such fame and adoration (Rockwell and Gil

Caryl Churchills Top Girls English Literature Essay

Caryl Churchills Top Girls English Literature Essay Caryl Churchill has a reputation for producing work that examined contemporary issues, often in challenging and confrontational ways and Top girls is no exception. It can be seen in the light of a feminist play due to the reoccurring question that comes up while reading the play of what it means to be a successful woman. Throughout this essay, I will show what is wrong with being a `top girl ´. At the beginning of the play you are introduced to the main character, Marlene, who is a top girl. A top girl being: a woman who is successful in her career. During the play you become aware that Marlene is at the peak of her career and has come a long way from working class to almost upper middle class but that she has made some sacrifices along the way to attain her position. First, she gave her child to her sister, Joyce (p. 80). Next to that, it appears that she has also sacrificed her personal life. She seems to have no real friends to invite to the dinner party and therefor invites historical women. Marlene also has difficulties to find a man that will accept her as the successful woman that she is and that will not try to change her into a `little woman ´ (p. 83). Although Marlene built herself up in her career and is an educated woman, in a different perspective, she is not a top girl. She was not able to manage everything she had and succeed while dealing with it all; hence leaving her child to her sister. According to Marlene she had to choose between her career and being a mother (p. 80). However, Marlenes sister Joyce has sacrificed her personal life and goals to raise her sisters child. Leaving us to question, what good is it being a top girl if its at the expense of other women? According to a feminist view of equality, drive, ambition and ability, Marlene should have been able to juggle her career and her motherhood. She should have not worried about missing out on opportunities. You can conclude at the end of the play that Marlene is not a feminist at all but that she is very much an individualist: `I believe in the individual ´ (p. 84). She worries about herself and her own needs instead of rising to her own personal responsibilities. She believes that everyone creates their own luck because, as she tells her sister Joyce, `Anyone can do anything if they ´ve got what it takes ´ (p. 86). Marlene is a manager at a top girl company and is holding interviews for people to work at the company. During the interviews you notice how ruthless and cold (p. 46) Marlene is in relation to the working world and to who is or is not qualified enough to get the position. You see her take the role of a very business-like male attitude (p. 31). She interrupts the interviewee during their meeting and is very direct in telling them whether they have potential to join the company or not (p. 30). Moreover, Marlene is very aware of her potential and believes that men and woman should have the same rights/opportunities. She makes this clear when she discusses with Howards wife, the man who lost the management position to her, about how the position was given to the most deserving person (p.p 58-59). Howards wife picks up on her male attitude and accuses Marlene of being masculine and unnatural (p. 59). Her co-workers hold the same view as Marlenes, in relation to rejecting the traditional female aspirations of starting a family, and they would rather focus on their careers like Marlene did (p. 58). One co-worker, Nell, does not want to get married (p. 48) and the other, Win, is having an affair with a married man (p. 45). In Act 2, scene 3 you hear Marlenes co-workers talking about their weekend. Win suggests that Nell could get married and continue working. Nells response is a very unnatural one; `or I could go on working and not marry him ´ (p. 48). She is happy to use men for her own pleasure but not to commit to any. When the play was written, in 1982, this response would have been seen more as a male response than a female due to the fact that this was far more a male attitude to have than a woman. All women in this company hold a very professional tone to themselves but they also all adopt very much a male role in relation to their careers and taking care of business (p. 46). Generally women want to settle and start a family, but because they are such business-like women they do not see the need of this and find themselves already fulfilled with their high ranking, successful jobs. Additionally none of the co-workers, like Marlene, are true top girls. They have adopted male behavior instead of developing their own woman inspired role models. They have not excelled in anything besides their career. What is also fallacious about these `top girls ´ is that they do not see men as equals at all and at times discuss their male clients with the term `pretty ´ (p. 50). This presents us with their very degrading view of how they see men in the business environment; however it also shows that they have enough confidence to address men in these terms. One of the aims of the Womans Liberation movement in the 1970s was to change the terminology used to address women such as, baby, sweetie, girl, bird†¦ Interestingly enough these `top girls ´, in the play, use the same terminology to call each other (p. 48, 64). It seems that to them it is ok to call each other these terms but not to have men call them that; which defeats the purpose of female equality and gives a sense of female superiority. You could also say that these top girls do not consider themselves as women but see themselves as successful `people ´ so they do not fall in the category of women fighting for/supporting that issue. Although all woman in the play, after the first act, that are considered as `top girls ´ are woman who have excelled in their career you could argue that Joyce, Marlenes sister, is somewhat a top girl herself. Despite the fact of not having a successful career she is the only character in the play that tries to manage her responsibilities. She has several different jobs, is raising her sisters child and still holds the responsibility of checking on her mother, like she informs Marlene `somebody has to ´ (p. 79). The first scene in the play shows what true top girls were before the feminist movement. It reveals the obstacles that they had to overcome and the freedom that woman nowadays have and take for granted. The women in the first scene are all women who have suffered in some way and have succeeded in being great without the need of going over other women to get there. They succeeded in the dominate-male world they lived in. This is the opposite of how Marlene has succeeded. Marlene succeeded at the expense of other woman. In Act 1 Marlene raises a toast To our courage and the way we changed our lives and our extraordinary achievements ´ (p. 13). The use of `we ´ and `our ´ are very significant; it shows that Marlene considers herself as a woman who has struggled for her success but that has finally gained personal fulfillment. On the contrary, the other women have been through much more than Marlene ever did. These past woman are the true top girls who have been through it all in order for the next generations of woman to be free and independent. It is striking that the only top girl that was obedient to men, Griselda, is the only one who is happy and pleased in her life. You could say that Griselda shows that virtue is its own reward. Marlene never waited for things and made things happen herself; which leads to an intriguing comparison between these characters. Griselda obeyed and waited and in the end is content and happy, while Marlene created her own success but abandoned other important things in her life to get there and is now unsatisfied. You see Marlenes dissatisfaction throughout the whole play, with her drinking, having abortions, not finding a suitable man and trying to make amends with her sister. In conclusion, the title is called `Top girls ´ with an `S ´. The play explores the different versions of `top girls ´ in different eras. These distinct versions of `top girls ´ demonstrates the diversity of womankind. The play demonstrates that women do not have only one quality or one thing that characterizes them like: career women, wives, mothers, daughters or sisters; they are complex individuals like any human being and have to juggle priorities and responsibilities to achieve what they consider to fulfill themselves. These varieties of qualities that women have and that are able to juggle with in life are what should make them a true top girl. Word count:

Potential for Large Scale Ethanol Production Essay -- Renewable Fuel

Potential for Large Scale Ethanol Production Recent legislation by the Congress of the United States has created a mandate for 5 billion gallons of renewable fuel (notably ethanol) to be consumed annually by 2015. In light of this recent push for alternative fuels, many different biomass solutions have been considered to meet the energy need for the 200 million cars on the road. While the most efficient bio-fuels are derived from palm oil and sugarcane, the Unites States has begun to focus on the more regional corn crops to produce new renewable fuels. This program appears to have great potential towards achieving a sustainable future devoid of foreign oil dependence, until the economic implications of large-scale ethanol production are considered. With that said, it’s important for the United States Government to understand the relative inefficiency, environmental, and social cost of large-scale ethanol production in the US. Ethanol is a fuel grade form of alcohol that is produced from grain fermentation to create a clean, burnable oil alternative (Heinberg, 171). On a small scale, ethanol production appears to be a practical form of energy for farmers, but is limited by its lack of production facilities and unfavorable energy returned on energy invested. Ethanol has an extremely variable EROEI according to several net energy analyses. Cornell professor David Pimentel found a 29% net loss of energy after conducting two independent tests. Both studies found that, â€Å"the fuel cost more energy to produce than it eventually delivered to society.† (Heinberg, 173) While this study painted a negative picture for ethanol production, a USDA researcher recognized as much as a 77% energy profit; although, a ... ... farmers needs. Works Cited Evans, Michael K. The Economic Impact of the Demand for Ethanol. Chicago, IL: Diane Co., 1997. 2 Apr. 2007 . Hebert, Joseph H. "Study: Ethanol Won'T Solve Energy Problems." USA Today. 10 July 2006. 2 Apr. 2007 . Hirsch, Tim. "Brazilian Biofuels' Pulling Power." BBC. 8 Mar. 2007. 2 Apr. 2007 . Pica, Erich. "Power Politics: Linking Congress, Campaign Contributions and Energy Policy." Friends of the Earth 6 (2003): 1-2. 2 Apr. 2007. Segelken, Roger. "Ethanol." Health and Energy. 2 Apr. 2007 . Potential for Large Scale Ethanol Production Essay -- Renewable Fuel Potential for Large Scale Ethanol Production Recent legislation by the Congress of the United States has created a mandate for 5 billion gallons of renewable fuel (notably ethanol) to be consumed annually by 2015. In light of this recent push for alternative fuels, many different biomass solutions have been considered to meet the energy need for the 200 million cars on the road. While the most efficient bio-fuels are derived from palm oil and sugarcane, the Unites States has begun to focus on the more regional corn crops to produce new renewable fuels. This program appears to have great potential towards achieving a sustainable future devoid of foreign oil dependence, until the economic implications of large-scale ethanol production are considered. With that said, it’s important for the United States Government to understand the relative inefficiency, environmental, and social cost of large-scale ethanol production in the US. Ethanol is a fuel grade form of alcohol that is produced from grain fermentation to create a clean, burnable oil alternative (Heinberg, 171). On a small scale, ethanol production appears to be a practical form of energy for farmers, but is limited by its lack of production facilities and unfavorable energy returned on energy invested. Ethanol has an extremely variable EROEI according to several net energy analyses. Cornell professor David Pimentel found a 29% net loss of energy after conducting two independent tests. Both studies found that, â€Å"the fuel cost more energy to produce than it eventually delivered to society.† (Heinberg, 173) While this study painted a negative picture for ethanol production, a USDA researcher recognized as much as a 77% energy profit; although, a ... ... farmers needs. Works Cited Evans, Michael K. The Economic Impact of the Demand for Ethanol. Chicago, IL: Diane Co., 1997. 2 Apr. 2007 . Hebert, Joseph H. "Study: Ethanol Won'T Solve Energy Problems." USA Today. 10 July 2006. 2 Apr. 2007 . Hirsch, Tim. "Brazilian Biofuels' Pulling Power." BBC. 8 Mar. 2007. 2 Apr. 2007 . Pica, Erich. "Power Politics: Linking Congress, Campaign Contributions and Energy Policy." Friends of the Earth 6 (2003): 1-2. 2 Apr. 2007. Segelken, Roger. "Ethanol." Health and Energy. 2 Apr. 2007 . Potential for Large Scale Ethanol Production Essay -- Renewable Fuel Potential for Large Scale Ethanol Production Recent legislation by the Congress of the United States has created a mandate for 5 billion gallons of renewable fuel (notably ethanol) to be consumed annually by 2015. In light of this recent push for alternative fuels, many different biomass solutions have been considered to meet the energy need for the 200 million cars on the road. While the most efficient bio-fuels are derived from palm oil and sugarcane, the Unites States has begun to focus on the more regional corn crops to produce new renewable fuels. This program appears to have great potential towards achieving a sustainable future devoid of foreign oil dependence, until the economic implications of large-scale ethanol production are considered. With that said, it’s important for the United States Government to understand the relative inefficiency, environmental, and social cost of large-scale ethanol production in the US. Ethanol is a fuel grade form of alcohol that is produced from grain fermentation to create a clean, burnable oil alternative (Heinberg, 171). On a small scale, ethanol production appears to be a practical form of energy for farmers, but is limited by its lack of production facilities and unfavorable energy returned on energy invested. Ethanol has an extremely variable EROEI according to several net energy analyses. Cornell professor David Pimentel found a 29% net loss of energy after conducting two independent tests. Both studies found that, â€Å"the fuel cost more energy to produce than it eventually delivered to society.† (Heinberg, 173) While this study painted a negative picture for ethanol production, a USDA researcher recognized as much as a 77% energy profit; although, a ... ... farmers needs. Works Cited Evans, Michael K. The Economic Impact of the Demand for Ethanol. Chicago, IL: Diane Co., 1997. 2 Apr. 2007 . Hebert, Joseph H. "Study: Ethanol Won'T Solve Energy Problems." USA Today. 10 July 2006. 2 Apr. 2007 . Hirsch, Tim. "Brazilian Biofuels' Pulling Power." BBC. 8 Mar. 2007. 2 Apr. 2007 . Pica, Erich. "Power Politics: Linking Congress, Campaign Contributions and Energy Policy." Friends of the Earth 6 (2003): 1-2. 2 Apr. 2007. Segelken, Roger. "Ethanol." Health and Energy. 2 Apr. 2007 .

The requirement for employers to allow maternity leave under United Kingdom law is a disadvantage to women in the workplace.

Introduction Women in the workplace have historically struggled to be on an equal footing with men both in terms of pay and positions that they could achieve. In the U.K, where women are the majority population (51%) (ONS 2011), efforts to ease workplace discrimination and to provide equal opportunities have become central issues for political policy debates. Maternity laws exist to improve the health of newborn babies and the mother and at the same time minimize the inconvenience of working mothers while they are at such an important stage of their lives. The 2010 Equality act has provided the legal framework to end workplace discrimination and specifically addresses maternity discrimination. The Marmot review in 2010 that assessed the social determinants of health in the U.K has underscored well paid maternity and paternity leave as important for child and maternal health (Ward 2011). While government policy provides for maternity leave and benefits, availing these benefits have often disadvant aged women at the workplace. This paper will address issues surrounding maternity leave and its implications for women in the workplace. Maternity Benefits Late stages of pregnancy and postnatal care are important periods in the life of a woman and maintaining a healthy mind and body during these stages is critical for the baby’s health. Maternity leave and the maternity benefits are clearly social policies that help working women strike a balance between work and their parental role. Current policy permits women to take up to a year off from work to take care of their newly born. The regulations also permit women to return to their same jobs if they chose to within 26 weeks (The Telegraph 2014). The policy also permits women to request their employees for flexible working hours once they return to work. However, one of the stipulations is that women should take maternal leave in one block and are not allowed to break and manage their leave. These provisions are certainly essential from a social policy point of view as the Marmot review points to strong positive association between paid maternal leave and improved child health ou tcome (Ward 2001). The benefits of such policies lies in the health improvement and the potential savings on the NHS child healthcare costs (Ward 2011). While the benefits of maternal leave cannot be disputed, the current debate surrounds the continuing discrimination of women at the workplace and how maternal leave and benefits could actually contribute to preferential treatment of men over women in the labor market. Economic recession has also contributed to the increased discrimination against pregnant women. As a recent report from the U.K charity ‘Working Families’ has pointed out, there are growing number of complaints from women about pregnancy discrimination across the UK labor market (Working Families 2009). Evidence from recent surveys in the U.K of women who availed maternity leave has only confirmed the alleged discrimination against pregnant women. One survey commissioned by Slater & Gordon, one of the leading law firms in the U.K, for instance, reveals that ‘women are suffering in silence’. This survey pointed out that women are made redundant while on maternity leave and that one in seven wome n lost their jobs after availing of the leave. Among the survey participants, 40% indicated that their jobs were changed and almost half of them revealed that they were either demoted or that their working hours were cut (McVeigh 2013). As Samantha mangwana, an employment lawyer says many big organizations are part of this prevailing discrimination against pregnant women and frequently engage in out of court settlements. â€Å"I see the same major companies again and again and again, writing out these cheques – accompanied, of course, with a confidentiality clause†(McVeigh 2013). A more recent survey conducted by OnePoll on 1000 women who availed of maternity leave revealed that 30% of the women who rejoined felt that they did not fit in with their work environment anymore and that more than 40% felt that they had lack of support and only 3% of them sought legal assistance over maternity discrimination (McVeigh 2013). These surveys clearly point to the existing trend of maternity discrimination in the workplace. An early qualitative study by the ‘Equal Opportunities Commission’ reported that women on maternity leave were subjected to discrimination in various ways. Some women involved in this study reported that their employees withheld salary increases and bonuses simply because they were on maternity leave. Similarly, several women reported that their employers used the maternity leave period to create changes to their job including demoting them upon return. For instance one of the women in the study said, â€Å"I went from being a regional m anager to a store manager and had to take a ?5,000 pay cut. While I was on maternity leave they advertised â€Å"my† job and gave it to a man just as they had joked they would† (Davis et.al 2005). Evidence from these reports and surveys clearly project a worrisome picture of maternity discrimination and how availing authorized maternity leave could actually be a stumbling block for women in terms of their career prospects, promotions, pay increases and more seriously, how it could actually engender the risk of losing one’s job. A more exact picture of the prevailing scenario is the fact that since 2007 there have been more than 9000 pregnancy discrimination cases against employees across the UK. Speaking of the trend, Maria Miller, the minister for ‘Women and Equalities’, said, â€Å"It’s unacceptable that women suffer from discrimination when they become pregnant and yet many are saying that they are treated unfairly at work because of itâ⠂¬  (DCMS, 2013). A new national research at the cost of ?1m has been commissioned to assess and to address the systemic problems that have resulted in the plight for women. It is expected that the findings from this research and further policy reforms would contribute to improving the situation for pregnant working women (DCMS 2013). However, already there is some good development from the legal policy perspective that would ease the situation for women. New Parental Leave (More Choice) Given the existing problems and the resultant gender bias in the labor market it is clear that providing maternity leave and benefits as social welfare scheme , though absolutely essential from the health perspective of the newborn and the mother, has only added to the woes of women in the job market. A new and potentially improved social care policy is the proposed ‘shared parental leave’ policy which is slated to come into effect from April 2015. Under this scheme newborn baby care could be easily shared between the father and the mother. This new policy permits fathers to take paternal leave just as mothers could up to 50 weeks and also permits them to take the leave in a discontinued pattern so that mothers and fathers can alternate in caring for the newborn baby while at the same time balance their work and family. This provides an opportunity for women who want to return to work a little early not to be overly concerned or stressed out about the baby care as the fa ther could equally share the care of the newborn. Conclusion Maternity leave and maternity benefits are indispensable provisions from a pure social care perspective. These policies are in place to provide support to working women and to improve the health standards of the child and the mother. However, employers who are under pressures of poor economy are often discriminatory against pregnant women as the cost of maternity payments and the long leave of absence from work are considered to be unnecessary and avoidable costs to the company. This has resulted in women availing maternal leave to be left redundant and replaced by others. Those who return back to work are also forced to compromise their work status and compensation resulting in poor career prospects for the woman. Though maternity benefits are government policies and legal recourse is an option against maternity discrimination, barely a small percentage of affected women take that route to justice. The government has however instigated more research and has also come up with a novel and well balanced solution to the problem with the introduction of the draft for the ‘shared parental leave’. This new provision is certainly a positive step in not only balancing the gender divide but also in avoiding discrimination against women at the workplace as it provides more options for the parents to balance their time between work and baby care. References Davis S, Neathey F, Regan J & Willison R; 2005. Pregnancy discrimination at work: A qualitative study, Pregnant & Productive. Working Paper Series no 23. Pub by The Institute for Employment Studies. [Online] Available at [Accessed March 25th 2014] DCMS; 2013. ?1 million to help tackle pregnancy discrimination at the workplace, [online] Available [Accessed March 25th 2014] McVeigh T; 2013. One in seven women are made redundant after maternity leave, [online] Available at [Accessed March 25th 2014] ONS; 2011. 2011 Census: Population Estimates for the United Kingdom, [Online] Available at [Accessed March 25th 2014] The Telegraph; 2014. New Parental leave: What’s on offer for mums and dads[Online] Available at [Accessed March 25th 2014] Ward R; 2011. Health and equality impacts of well-paid parental leave, Pub by WHEC and MA. [Online] Available at [Accessed March 25th 2014] Working Families; 2009. Report of Working families helpline and Alliance against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. Pregnant women and new mums at risk of redundancy. [Online] Available at http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PRENANCY-DISCRIMINATION-2.pdf > [Accessed March 25th 2014]

Childcare Policy Proposal

The social welfare concern I chose for analysis is the growing concern for affordable daycare in the United States. Two specific problems I will be analyzing are â€Å"latch-key kids† and child neglect which are a direct result of not having access to affordable daycare. One of the main factors that contribute to these issues is poverty. Poverty has plagued children throughout United States history. Poverty rates are higher among the youngest children ages birth to four years. These children are more vulnerable to long term effects of poverty.According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, â€Å"An estimated forty-two percent of children under the age of eighteen are living below the poverty line. † (NCSC, 2009). About half of the forty-two percent live close to two hundred percent below the line. As the poverty rate rises, more single and low- income parents are in need of affordable daycare. A recent study showed that â€Å"Forty percent of low-income or si ngle-income families spend almost half of their total income on childcare† (Associated Press, 2007).Although subsidized programs are available, the waiting process can be long and tedious. For example, programs like Operation 3 Breakthrough which provide daycare at no cost to families have close to a thousand families on their waiting list. Because cities are not providing for the growing need childcare, parents are â€Å"forced† to seek alternative methods. One alternative parents chose is to leave their children either at home alone or with other siblings.An estimated seventy-seven percent of American kids are considered â€Å"latch-key' kids† (Another study showed that â€Å"nationwide, parents report leaving more than three million children under thirteen, some as young as five, to care for homeless for at least a few hours a week on a regular basis† (Associated Press, 2007). SAFETIES is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to reduce and stop pr eventable child injury and death. SAFETIES recommends that no child under the age of twelve be left alone for any period of time. There is no federal statute on the age a child can be safely left alone; it is left up to the states to decide.In Kansas, the current age a child can be left alone is twelve; however, in Missouri there is no age requirement. Although a child may be aware of emergency and accident prevention, any times they do not have the cognitive capability and Judgment to handle the situation when it occurs. Children four and under require interaction and supervision that another child can not adequately provide to them. â€Å"Children four and under are at a higher risk and make up half of the unintentional injury-related deaths among children fourteen and under† (Safe Kids, 2010).The bottom line is that the latch-key method of childcare results in an increasing amount of preventable child injury and death. NEGLECT 4 Neglect is federally defined as â€Å"Failu re of a parent or guardian to provide needed DOD, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision such that the child's health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm† (HAS, 2009). â€Å"An estimated 5. 8 million children are neglected or abused each year† (HAS, 2009). Parents that do not have older children rely on neighbors, family members or friends to watch their children.This is sometimes referred to as â€Å"patchwork† childcare. Out of desperation, other parents leave their children alone at home, public parks, or public libraries. â€Å"Children and their families may be in need of services even though the parent may not be intentionally gleeful. When poverty limits a parent's resources to adequately provide necessities for the child, services may be offered to help families provide for their children† (American Humane society, 2010). Attachment Theory, (Bowl, 1969) shows certain aspects that all children require and need in order to flour ish and grow healthy.In order to have â€Å"Secure attachment† children need human physical contact. â€Å"Physical connection means plenty of touch and eye contact. Such things as cradling an infant while feeding, cuddling with a toddler before bedtime, and hugging a teenager increase the sense of physical injection, especially if touch and eye contact take place on a daily basis throughout childhood years† (Wassermann, 2006). Many times the child goes from place to place, to different locations and sometimes watched by â€Å"strangers†. The child has no stability, permanency or sense of â€Å"home. Permanency is a key factor for early child development. A â€Å"safe haven† is needed so that when a child feels threatened or afraid, he or she can return to the caregiver for comfort and soothing. If the child is alone or does not receive POLICY PROPOSAL 5 this comfort, they will eventually stop relying on the caregiver and become outdrawn. Children also n eed a â€Å"secure base† that is provided by the caregiver. This gives them safe and dependable place to explore the world. In many cases the caregiver is not intentionally putting the child in danger, but is simply unaware of the many household dangers to children. Separation distress† is also detrimental too child's well-being. When separated from the primary caregiver, the child will immediately become upset and depressed. Many children experience this even in the most â€Å"normal†, ideal family circumstances. A deficiency in any of these areas can affect a child later down the road. LEGISLATION In the past, the United States has tried to correct this problem through legislation. The Aid to Families with Dependent Children (FADE) was first passed in 1935, provided money for â€Å"relief† to help families provide for their children.In 1972, President Nixon built on the idea but changing it to Aid to Dependent Children (DC) trying to switch focus on to t he children as opposed to the family. Republicans typically have a â€Å"laissez fairer† attitude, however all sides felt this was an important issue. Later Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANK) was created in 1996 and reformed the DC. With TANK, time limits were put in place, and subsidies were provided to parents to help them care for their children. Currently the federal government allows up to thirty percent of each state's TANK funds to be used alongside current child care grants.In the sass's The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare act focused on keeping the child with the biological parents at any cost. Later this was reformed into the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. The new act switched the focus from family preservation to safety and permanency of the child. 6 The Child Care and Development Block Grant (JDBC) is a block grant given to tastes to subsidize child care for low-income families if parents are currently employed or enrolled in school. â⠂¬Å"Approximately 1. 8 million US children receive funds, 36,300 in Missouri alone† (IDS, 2009).The grant only applies to children thirteen and under offering in-kind assistance to their families. â€Å"An average of sixty-six dollars per week given in vouchers to subsidize child care† (Almanac of Economic Policy, 1995). Another step in the right direction is provided by the Early Childhood Development, Education, and Care Fund (SEDUCE). This is another block grant that is provided to tastes and has many programs set in place to allow the child to remain in the home instead of utilizing facilitated child care.They offer a program called Stay At Home Parent (ASAP) which allows families with children three and younger to receive in- cash and in-kind benefits in order to provide childcare themselves. Other qualifications this program include teen moms, high risk, no permanent residence, unemployed, The family must also be 185% below the poverty line to be eligible. While t hese programs have been successful with goals regarding abuse, safety, and permanency; the poverty level continues to be at an all time high. LOOKING ABROAD – THE NETHERLANDS I chose to compare our policies with The Netherlands.I found that the Netherlands is more progressive with its view of social welfare than the United States, however is far behind almost all other European countries. In The Netherlands they offer what are considered â€Å"General Provisions. † Basically every citizen is entitled to certain basic needs and provisions. General provisions include Child development groups, pre- school playgroups, child day-care, out of school child care, special education, primary 7 education, and youth health services. All of these programs are universal and available to all citizens.The majority of the provisions are geared towards children staying with parents if possible to have a strong family unit. They offer extended maternity and parental leave for both parent s to lower the cost and need for facilitated child care centers. The funding fro child care and maternity/parental leave is provided by both national and local municipal authorities. All citizens pay in for the â€Å"greater good† of country. LOOKING AHEAD – REFORM I propose not to create a new policy but reform the currant policy.I feel that the Child Care and Development Block Grant (JDBC) is meeting the expectations and Laos the program was designed for. Because the problem is growing rapidly, changes need to be made so that we don't lose control of the situation. The program's goals would continue to focus on importance of family, and strive to provide stability, permanency, and enrichment to families. I also feel that we need more focus on early child development (birth to four years) because it will play a dramatic role later in these children's lives.Working and collaborating with programs such as Head Start provide care givers tools to provide young children wi th what they need to thrive. Graduated assignment should be another key factor in the success of the program. Graduated disengagement is one of the most important core functions of social work. As social workers we need to help people build their own support system so that when they complete the process, they don't feel alone or back where they started. Finding activities and helping them build new trusting relationships is a key factor in this step.They need a support system in place so that when crisis or hardship happens, they POLICY PROPOSAL do not feel hopeless. SERVICES 8 The program I am proposing would be separated into two main groups. The first group is children ages birth to four years and the second would reach children ages five to eighteen years old. Playgroups which are used in the Netherlands as well as many other European countries give young children ages birth to four years old a chance to interact and socialize with other children their age.Licensed facilitators specializing in early education and development will guide volunteers in providing educational and stimulating activities. Meetings would be held three times a week at local schools, churches, parks, and community centers. Keeping the locations in the neighborhoods of he people they are serving will make attending the programs easier for these families. Child day care will also be provided to families that qualify. Accredited programs are required for all programs receiving grant funding implementing the core value competency.The number of locations should be based on the need for each individual community. For example, in areas of greater need, there should also be greater access to programs. I would also like to propose â€Å"Emergency' child care. This program would be a temporary â€Å"safe† arrangement to offer parents â€Å"peace of mind† if their usual arrangements fall through. For example if the baby-sitter doesn't show up, or you have a family emergency, you could drop your child off for a short period of time. Children must already be enrolled in the program or be on some corresponding program such TANK to qualify.Companies that provide on-site day care centers for employees will also receive funding as well as tax incentives. This will give the parents incentive to want to keep their Job as well as peace of mind knowing their children are close by. 9 I also feel that more funds should be used for the Stay At Home Parent program to allow children ages four and under to be with their parents. Families that qualify will receive subsidies while working or attending school part-time and stay home with their child rest of the time.For older children ages five to eighteen the program would continue to offer rewarding after school and summer activities. The objective is to get these kids away from the TV and teach them about the world around them. These activities should based on the strengths perspective model. It is important to find somet hing that the child is interested in or desires, so that they can feel like they have a skill or purpose. After school programs would include tutoring, mentoring, counseling, skill building social interaction, violence prevention, and other similar programs.As social workers we must first build a trusting, positive relationship with the people we are working with. Finding common interests help to bridge partnerships and giving them someone they feel they can â€Å"turn to. † It is important to focus on forming positive relationships instead of trying â€Å"treat† them. These programs will give the children the skills they need to be responsible for their own behavior and become productive members of their communities. I would also like to provide subsidies for summer camps.I found some programs such as the YMCA that offer subsidized summer programs for under-privileged youth already. Many families struggle the most during the summer months when their children are out o f school. This would eliminate having to pay for child care the entire three months of summer, as well as give the child something enjoyable to do. 10 Parents would be provided education and resources on child development and health. The program would offer employment resources, resume help, transportation assistance, interview techniques, internet access, and listings for local Job openings in the