The Impact of Happiness

Introduction

Happiness is often described to be part of the contentment of an individual. Even in different races, the happiness of an individual is important to continue their living even in the most depressed areas. The impact of happiness in an individual commonly reflects in the attitude and their perceptions in life. The experience of a person can be his foundation of his own happiness.

Exploration of Happiness

The link between the perceptions of fairness, issue of inequality, and happiness are estimated to be part of an individual’s functions and fulfilling their roles. In the application of the economics, happiness can be the invisible factor or variable in measuring the income of inequality, the perception of fairness, and the ability of an individual in terms of income generating process. In the exploration of perceived fairness, the potential effects of inequality can be seen in the countries with low and high actual mobility. The relationship of happiness and perceptions of fairness may appear in the demand for redistribution and have an impact on an individual’s life satisfaction.

People having the ability to create happiness, share the happiness and/or find their way towards happiness might affect their capability as an income earner. Happiness can be subjective factor that definitely influences the subjective well-being. In further assessment on the social mobility expectations, the happiness or the feeling of satisfaction can be used as the basis as an indicator of meeting the societal mobility. Again, in relation to the economics with respect to its principles, it is assumed that the individual investments in terms of human capital depend on the perceived probabilities of success. Therefore, if there is fairness across the different races, there is a higher probability of success. In the relationship of happiness in an individual, it can explain the connection between the individual investment and economic outcomes.

Taken as an example is an individual working in the organization, if the employee is happy with what he does, he will create self-satisfaction and commitment towards the organization. There is an increase in outcome or performance because of the foundation of all his efforts. That is the reason why there are organization that are attempting to find the specific solution or methods in terms of targeting the employee commitment thus, offering motivational approaches.

Across the Different Races

The fairness and equality is an archaic issues that continuously growing old because of the barriers that prevent its promotion. In the comparison of countries with low mobility for development, the people are the very common denominator that they can use as an asset. If the people acknowledge the sense of fulfillment and happiness, the development of the country might be delayed due to the signs that the people are already contented in their disposition. The disappointment effect will lead to the less capacity of an individual to generate income and boost his competency. However, the high mobility countries (developed countries) have a positive interaction in terms of happiness and responsibility that creates an implication of fairness. Albeit there is a predictive factor towards the responsible action of people to achieve development, equality among races might be still in question. Usually, favorable economic contribution and discrimination among the various races became the central issue in this arrangement.

Therefore, this idea discusses the application of two important factors that can result to happiness and development; the equality among the races and the elimination of disappointing variables. The impact of happiness can be seen if the barriers towards development and stereotyping are reduced or rid in the society. Humans are identified to be the extreme type of social animals and the sense of well-being is a large determinant towards the social interactions. Because feelings are important for human, the emotions that people can generate such as shame, anger, depression, or happiness can affect the entire body system and the ability of an individual to perform his role.

Conclusion

Another classic example in working with different race is the interaction of U.S. Pres. Barack Obama with his subordinates. There is no sign of inequality in terms of races, gender, or age and happiness can be seen in the era. In the application of this scenario in companies, there should be a strong encouragement for the individuals to participate in the workplace despite their races and demographics. Employers should be also aware regarding the opportunity that they can give and how meaningful a diversified workplace would be in considering their knowledge and skills that can be the foundation of an individual’s happiness.

References:

Bjornskv, C., Dreher, A., Fischer, J.A., & Schnellenbach, J., (2009) On the Relation between Income Inequality and Happiness: Do fairness perceptions matter?, Munich Personal RePEc Archive [Online] Available at: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/19502/1/MPRA_paper_19502.pdf [Accessed 02 September 2010].

Blanchflower, D.G., & Oswald, A.J., (2007) Hypertension and Happiness across Nations [Online] Available at: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/staff/academic/oswald/hypertensionfeb07.pdf [Accessed 02 September 2010].

CISCO, (2008) Race, Age and Gender in the Workplace [Online] Available at: http://www.lpfi.org/docs/race-age-gender-survey.pdf [Accessed 02 September 2010].

Emile Durkheim's Ideas on Social Change and Developments

Introduction

Emilie Durkheim (1858-1917) was the most influential theorists in the state of modern structural perspectives on criminality as well as in social changes and developments. Because of the influenced by the American and French revolutions and the Industrial Revolution, Durkheim developed a general model of societal development largely based on the economic labor distribution, in which societies are seen as evolving from simplistic mechanical society toward a multilayered organic society according to his dissertation entitled The Division of Labor in Society.

Sociological Contribution

Through his knowledge in understanding the changes within the society and its rapid revolution, Durkheim elaborated the field of sociology from other social sciences. He gave emphasis on the social facts for which according to him is the subject matter of sociology. Social facts or “sui generis”, which means “unique on their own kind”, must be studied distinctly from biological and psychosocial phenomena (Stanczak, 2006). These social facts can be defined as pattern of behavior that is capable in exercising the power within the individuals and serve as guides and controls of conduct. Social facts are different or external to the individual in the form of norms, mores, and folkways. Through socialization and education, the rules in the social facts are internalized within the consciousness of an individual and therefore become the guide for moral obligations to obey the implemented social rules.

Durkheim assumed that the personal behavior must take into account the diverse social forces surrounding the individual. This is through the observation of the constitutional or biological factors that were insufficient to explain crime. Then, the social factors are assumed to quantifiable and measurable things, and may compose the ingredients of scientific analysis. Such social facts, as opposed to individual phenomena, may include such features as customs, obligations, laws, morality, and religious beliefs. The changes in the societies and the development derived from simple and homogeneous populations to advanced states with division of labor, any explanations of deviance are bound to change (Haddorff, 2002).

In the continuous search for the social changes and the link of the social factors in the life of an individual, Durkheim, in turn, was concerned with anomie, a pathological -and, thus, temporary- characteristic of societies in which the division of labor does not evolve naturally, but may be forced by unequal social relations among classes. This includes the interpretation of an individual’s actions towards the suicide, divorce, or crime, for example, varies from one state of community development and organization to another and from one time to another. The changes in the social condition are the applied theory in promoting the structure of crime or criminology (Mutchnick, Martin, & Austin, 2009).

Anomie

The state of anomie is described upon the society’s ability to serve as a regulatory mechanism breaks down, and create the selfish, greedy tendencies of individuals. Societies in such anomic states experience increases in many social problems, particularly criminal activity. This concept is entirely introduced as part of the social dimensions (Stanczak, 2006). The one common division in social dimension is the labor which is not problematic when regulated but in the involvement of the exceptional circumstances, the division of labor will take on an anomic form. It is either because there is a lack of regulation or because the level of regulation does not match the degree of development of the division of labor. Inspired by the periods of industrial crises, Durkheim assessed that in the conflict between labor and capital, there is lack of unity and excessive degree of specialization in the sciences.

As based on an individual concept, the perspective of anomie can be also seen in the degree of suicides. Anomic suicide takes place when normative regulations are absent, such as in the world of trade and industry (chronic anomie), or when abrupt transitions in society lead to a loss in the effectiveness of norms to regulate behavior (acute anomie). The latter type explains the high suicide rate during fiscal crises and among divorced men. The proposed concept of anomie became a wide influence in the study of sociology and the consideration of changes and development in the society (Mutchnick, Martin, & Austin, 2009).

Conclusion

For Durkheim, social change is represented by transformations in the social morphology -or the structure of social relations that links individuals into a coherent entity, society- and the moral structure -or the body of laws, norms, and sanctions that regulate social life. Durkheim's scheme of social change involves a contrast between simple divisions of labor.

References:

Haddorff, D.W., (2002) Religion and the Market: Opposition, Absorption, or Ambiguity?, Review of Social Economy. 58(4):483.

Mutchnick, R.J., Martin, R., & Austin, W. T., (2009) Criminological Thought: Pioneers Past and Present, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson [Online] Available at: http://www.usm.edu/cj/Syllabi/Misis/Emile%20Durkheim.pdf [Accessed 16 September 2010].

Stanczak, G.C., (2006) Engaged Spirituality: Social Change and American Religion, New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

Aids in Africa

Introduction

Aids have been ranked as one of the major cause of deaths in every part of the world. There are many programs and promotion in fighting the sexually transmitted disease, but the prevalence of the disease is overwhelmingly growing. In Africa, wherein the total population is estimated to be 43,997,828, the people with HIV/AIDS are recorded to be about 5.5 million (12.5% of total population). And of the 5.5 million infected, 5.3 million are adults starting in the ages of 15+. In a more recent study, the AIDS and its popularity reached in different society and created various issues regarding the awareness and the prevention strategies. However, the continuous fight against the HIV/AIDS doesn’t seem to end like in poor countries like Africa.

HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks certain disease-fighting cells within the body until the afflicted individual becomes immune deficient. Immunodeficiency is the most severe state of infection and is known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Upon contracting AIDS, the victim becomes susceptible to potentially fatal diseases that his/her body could otherwise defend against. The HIV/AIDS epidemic exists on a global scale and does not discriminate between gender, race, or age classifications. While all countries are faced with the challenge of coping with HIV/AIDS, the nature and extent of the virus’s effects vary from country to country.

South Africa

South Africa provides an example of a country with a very high number of HIV infected individuals The HIV/AIDS epidemic disproportionately affects women. An estimated 3.1 million women are infected versus 2.2 million men. According to the reports drawn, the number of children infected is estimated at around 240,000 and South Africa has approximately 1.2 million orphans from HIV/AIDS. One of the main ways the disease is currently spreading is through sexual contact. A large majority of the public remains uneducated about HIV/AIDS and the ways it can be contracted. Sadly, there are people unaware and living with HIV/AIDS while others believe that there is no danger of becoming infected and are therefore unaware that they can transmit the virus to others. The continuous practice of unprotected sex and the rapid change of partners spread the virus really fast. In addition, the transmission of the disease from mother to child is also a common method of contraction and as a result, many South African children are infected.

The Combat of AIDS

The South African government has been implementing the National Strategic Plan 2007-2011. This plan includes increasing the antiretroviral treatment program that is already in place. While the provision of antiretroviral therapy has expanded dramatically in recent years, due to the high numbers of those infected, only a small proportion of those in need of this therapy are actually receiving it. Several mass media campaigns are also being used as educational tools for the public. These campaigns utilize radio and television ads as well as billboards to communicate health risks associated with HIV/AIDS. One such campaign is called loveLife, which has a website for both youth and adults where information about current research, treatments, and prevention is accessible. The government has also used the distribution of free male condoms as a prevention strategy. From 2004-2005, for example, 360 million male condoms were distributed to the South African population. One future goal of prevention in South Africa is to increase the number of pregnant women who receive antiretroviral prophylaxis, which is used to prevent mother to child transmissions.

The Future Research

With the continuous and extensive research in HIV/AIDS, it is important to explore the personal experience of the victims. Although there are many interventions, like the vaccines available in the developing countries, prevention still emerges in the issue of AIDS. The people who suffer are through the representation of the children. They are the victims who will experience the stigma and other types of discrimination because of the disease. They might fail to enjoy the essence of life because of the AIDS that had been passed into their innocent veins.

Conclusion

The global disease of AIDS should be fought from the roots of AIDS. One factor that can increase the prevalence of the disease is based on the denials. The action for the AIDS prevention can be based on the growing population of affected people and it is not too late. Through the use of appropriate use education regarding the HIV/AIDS, the prevention and the ways to transmit the diseases should be discussed in the age of puberty.

Sources:

Carton, B., (2009) When Bodies Remember: Experiences and Politics of AIDS in South Africa, Journal of Social History, 42(4):1065+

HIV/AIDS A Comparative Analysis of a Global Epidemic [Online] Available at: http://www.uwec.edu/jolhm/EH4/HIV/HIVWebsite/04CASESTUD.html [Accessed 28 September 2010].

Pozez, G., (2009) 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa, Journal of International Affairs, 62(2): 241

Cohabitation

Introduction

Times had change. The idea of commitment between the couples is also affected by the sudden shift in trend of marriage. In other developing countries, the introduction of cohabitation as a new alternative in the union of male and female creates a great impact in fashioning the traditional way of courtship. Throughout the history, the issue of cohabitation became part of legality and society.

Cohabitation – Its Essence

The cohabitation attracts the couples and became the alternative on the marriages. In the involvement of long relationship and the awareness of the risks that may involved in married life, the couples are searching for a better way to avoid the damages that may destroy both parties and the future of their children. Based on the increasing number of divorcees, the children are the most affected people, but there is no assurance that cohabitation will be effective and not forming new kind of problems between the couples.

By definition cohabitation are "two unmarried people of the opposite-sex living together." In the past, cohabitation has been referred to as "living together," "shacking up," "serial monogamy" or "living in sin”. The tendency to move in the direction of cohabitation and away from marriage is unique. It acceptable for the unmarried couple but is rejected by the societal and legal aspects. However, the approach in cohabiting is continuously rising and problems that are associated with are obviously continuously rising. Based on the outlook of the youths and young couple, this is a good idea to measure and weigh the attitudes of both sides before settling down. Living together before getting married in order to find out whether they really get along. One of the reasons for this type of relationship is the focus of young adults and their interest in having and making money than being focused on establishing lasting relationships that lead to marriage and raising a family. The young people are, therefore, in favor of living together as a try-out for marriage or as an alternative to marriage. Although, strangely enough, most expect to someday meet and marry someone who can satisfy their emotional and spiritual needs.

Societal and Legal Changes

The cohabitation evolved to be part of the premarital strategy and now to the present acceptable and progressive way of living. Cohabitation started out illegal in all states, as seen in the history of America. And later became a common law which means that there should be recognized requirements which proposes that the cohabiters should marry in the next coming years. In the process of control of the state in the cohabitation, the sexual acts and family planning should be also addressed. In the society, cohabitation has been criticized because of its link in the fertility and child bearing. The women are the most common affected person in the relationship because they are identified to play the major role as a partner and a mother. When the couples are living in a different structure of family or arrangement, there is a great incidence of break-up or misunderstanding between the couple. As compared the reproductive behavior of married, single, and cohabiting women there is an increase in the fertility rate.

Cohabitation may increase the fertility of unmarried women in a number of ways: by providing a suitable alternative to marriage for childbearing, by increasing sexual contact, or by selecting on individuals most likely to marry. Studies of fertility intentions show that cohabiters have higher rates of intended births than their single counterparts, lending some support to the notion that cohabitation provides a suitable context for childbearing. However, like most analyses of non-marital childbearing, prior work on the fertility intentions of cohabiters focuses on differential rates of fertility among unmarried women without addressing differences in who marries. Because the processes of marriage, cohabitation, and fertility are so closely related, failing to account for who marries may bias estimates of cohabitation on fertility.

Conclusion

If cohabiters may be more likely to plan births than their single counterparts not because they see cohabitation as an acceptable alternative to marriage, but because they have some underlying (unobserved) higher propensity to marry, then maybe, the society can have a better understanding in this kind of couple arrangement. Because of the unmeasured factors correlated with cohabitation, there is a strong encouragement towards marriage and, in turn, intended fertility. Without controlling for these factors, we would observe a positive association between cohabitation and fertility, but one that exists only via cohabitation’s link to marriage.

References:

Heuline, P., & Timberlake, J.M., (2004) The Role of Cohabitation in Family Formation: the United States in Comparative Perspective, Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(5):1214+

Musick, K., (2007) Cohabitation, Non-marital Childbearing and the Marriage Process, Demographic Research, 16:249+

Mynarska, M., & Bernardi, L., (2007) Meanings and Attitudes Attached to Cohabitation in Poland: Qualitative Analyses of the Slow Diffusion of Cohabitation among the Young Generation, Demographic Research, 16:519+