Standardized Assessments Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Standardized Assessments - Research Paper Example Standardized testing is a chief provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Standardized tests are often referred to as high stakes testing because the tests are utilized to gauge the proficiency of students against other students, teachers abilities are evaluated based on the outcomes of standardized tests, and schools are judged based on student’s scores from the tests. High stakes assessments are mandated by the NCLB and students complete these tests at different grade levels. High stakes testing is used to place students in selective course sections, rating schools against other schools, and influences merit pay for teachers. NCLB advocates believe that standardized testing is required to prepare students for the global economy, diminish inequalities in the school testing environment, and permit the execution of objective assessments. Introduction Standardized testing is a chief provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Standardized tests are often referred to as high stakes testing because the tests are utilized to gauge the proficiency of students against other students, teachers abilities are evaluated based on the outcomes of standardized tests, and schools are judged based on student’s scores from the tests. High stakes assessments are mandated by the NCLB and students complete these tests at different grade levels. Standardize tests lead to appraisal of educators, appraisal of pedagogies, curricula, and schools (Crump 54). Unfortunately the NCLB is worsening, not resolving, the difficulties that induce numerous students to be left behind. (Guisbond and Neill 12) High stakes testing is used to place students in selective course sections, rating schools against other schools, and influences merit pay for teachers. The merit pay aspect of testing has enticed instructors to form their content delivery based on the high stakes to prepare their students to surpass other students. The consequences of this mode of i nstruction are not beneficial to the students but it is advantageous for the teacher whose students do well on the test. If a student is less than proficient on the test then it reflects on the teachers instructional abilities. NCLB advocates believe that standardized testing is required to prepare students for the global economy, diminish inequalities in the school testing environment, and permit the execution of objective assessments. History of No Child Left Behind The NCLB is a component of educational modifications that emphasizes basic skills, prescribed assessments, and high-stakes testing (Crump 55). NCLB legislation requires that schools be held responsible for student development. High-stakes examinations and mandated testing has become the principal instrument for assessing student progression. The goal of the NCLB is to verify that students have a equitable chance to receive a high caliber education and attain proficiency on state academic achievement metrics and state a cademic testing (Crump 53). The NCLB legislation beginnings occurred when the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was created. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, that created Title I, was President Lyndon B. Johnson's efforts with the War on Poverty and Great Society programs and the goal was aimed to improve educational prospects for disadvantaged students (Crump 55). Federal financial support for education curricula decreased during President Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980s. The importance in education switched to tougher academic metrics, additional course obligations, an expanded school day, and modifications in the preparedness of teachers (Crump 56). Title I was modified in 1988 and necessitated states to confirm the academic accomplishment of disadvantaged students by standardized test scores (Crump 56). Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds were then allocated to schools and districts of disadvantaged students based on the student’

Biology as an important aspect of gender and sexuality Research Paper

Biology as an important aspect of gender and sexuality - Research Paper Example re considered to have emerged from the ramifications of biology. Gender groups in the society segregated based on male and female divisions have long occupied the larger sections of the social sphere. These groups were observed in previous times to have carved out their social identities based on responsibilities and duties assigned to them by dearth of their biological birth. Thus biology is considered to have contributed to the construction of masculine and feminine ideals in society (Lewis, 2003, p.11-12). The division of social groups into such masculine and feminine characteristics to a larger extent is observed to cause the emergence of a patriarchal society, which in turn likes to dominate over the female class. The female groups, owing to the fact of continuous oppression and due submission of their desires have started revolting to this. Further, with the rise in different heterogeneous groups, the rise of homogeneous groups is also found to have grown up in a gradual fashio n, demanding increased space in the social circles (Murrin et al., 2011, p.511). Society also observes the rise in feminine circles reflecting different demands to gain further potential in the male dominated society. This has led to the increasing politicisation of the social system constructed under the banner of gender patterns. Again, the rise in homogeneous circles like gays and lesbians have lead to further threatening of the existing heterogeneous groups pertaining to the male and females. Thus it is observed that the understandings of gender groups are being endeavoured to be segregated from its biological roots. In this light, the paper endeavours to understand that despite the attempts to segregate the study of gender groups from its biological roots, it is now considered worthwhile to return back to its biological base (Carver and Pikalo, 2008, p.168). An Understanding of the Current Debates made on Gender, Sex, Sexuality and Culture Gender as a concept has received much importance in the current era owing to the fact that it helps in creating a separate identity for the sexes living in the society. It is often considered that biology has contributed a lot in creating this gender distinction and thus is conceived to be a natural factor. It is held that Biology alone determines the role the different sex groups needs to play in the society. However it is also held that sex, biology and the nature at large work based on a continuum. They do not have any conflict between them. The conflict arises in regards to their usage in the social context. In the social fervour the concept of gender takes a more dominating position than that of sexual dynamism as reflected in the domains of biology. Gender roles in the society have led to the creation of separate identity groups focusing on separate tasks to help the society progress. However in the changing world the portrayal of different advertisements reflect the change in the socio-dynamic relationships betwe en the two genders as the feminist class rises to shoulder the responsibilities previously held to be the possessions of only their male counterparts. Yet again biology comes into front declaring that the priority of the female or the women class is to produce and rear the children and the men to work for running the family (Baines and Marrin, 2005, p.260). The issue of sex, gender

District Nurse Essay Example for Free

District Nurse Essay Who is a district nurse? A district nurse is a type of nurse that works in the community rather in the hospitals. They help by supporting and caring for the patients in care homes or residential homes. P1. Identify the forms of communication. Working in care is about communication and relationship .It is simply not possible to provide care without developing communication or relationship with the patients. That’s why it is important as a carer to know how to build a relationship with the patients. Communication is about much more than just conversation. There are three forms of communication they are: 1. Contexts. 2. Forms of communication. 3. Alternative forms of communication. M1. Describe the forms of communication. Today we will be looking at one of the forms of communication which is contexts. Some of the examples of contexts communication are: 1. One to one. 2. Groups. 3. Formal and informal. 4. With people using services. 5. Colleagues 6. Managers. One to one One-to-one in communicationis the act of an individual communicating with another. It is also called face to face communication. Groups. Group communication refers to communication between 3 or more individuals. Informal. Informal communication is less defined by strict measures and is characterized by colloquial language.The Antonym of informal is formal where formal communication is associated with the use of official medical/scientific language in documentation and to systematic policies and procedures. Both types of health information communication play important roles in shaping patient behaviour, ensuring patient safety and promoting the delivery of quality health. With people using services. It is good to have a fluent communication with the people using services and show them kindness so more people can come and use your service in a suitable way. Mangers. Every company has a manger and the work of the managers is to manage the company and make sure everything is running as expected. Managers mostly interact with their employers and see how far or how well they car doing the job. Colleagues. Colleagues are the people you work with let it be in a business area or other work places. Having a colleague is a good thing because you might feel more confident in talking to him.her. FORMS OF COMMUNICATION. This topic looks at forms of communication. There are many forms of communication that people around the world use to communicate with others. They are: 1. Verbal communication. 2. Non-verbal communication 3. Written communication. Verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication refers to the way someone communicates by using words to present thoughts, ideas and feelings. Basically verbal communication is the ability to explain and show your ideas clearly through the spoken words. Unlike verbal communication, non-verbal communication refers to the messages people send out to express their thoughts and ideas without talking. There are many ways how non-verbal communications e.g. 1. Body language. 2. Facial expression. 3. Touch or contact. 4. Signs symbols and pictures. Body language. Body language is a type of non-verbal communication where by is the way to communicate by using your body instead of talking. For example the way someone sits or stands which is called posture can send messages. Head movement and hand movement might also indicate that you are sending or passing out a message. Facial expression. Facial expression refers to the way someone communicates by using his or her face. We can often tell how someone is feeling by looking at their face. For example if someone is happy there is a smile on her/his face. if someone is excited his/her eyes become wider. Touch or contact. Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. The deprivation of touch and contact impedes development. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy and other emotions. Signs, symbols and pictures. There are common signs and gestures that majority of people recognize without being taught. There are different types of signs that people and have a meaning. For example when waving to someone that means you are passing a message using signs. Symbols and pictures of all kind of different objects also communicate messages. Written communication. Written communication has great significance in today’s world. It is an innovative activity of the mind.. Speech came before writing. But writing is more unique and formal than speech. Effective writing involves careful choice of words, their organization in correct order in sentences formation as well as cohesive composition of sentences. Also, writing is more valid and reliable than speech. But while speech is spontaneous, writing causes delay and takes time as feedback is not immediate. Alternative forms of communication. There are many types of alternative forms of communication they are 1. Sign language. 2. Makaton. 3. Braille. 4. Technological aids. 5. Human aids. Sign language. As we said earlier sign language is the use of your body parts like facial expression, position, movement of the hands and arms. Sign language is mostly used by the disable people who have bad hearing problem. Makaton Language programme which uses signs and symbols to teach communication, language and literacy skills to people with communication and learning difficulties. It is designed to provide a means of communication to individuals who cannot communicate efficiently by speaking. Makaton has been effectively used with individuals who have cognitive impairments Braille. Braille is a system of writing for the blind consisting of raised dots that can be interpreted by touch, each dot or group of dots representing a letter, numeral, or punctuation mark Braille was devised in 1821 by Louise Braille, a Frenchman.. Technological aids. Basically a technological aid refers to the electronic aids people around the world use for communication. For examples mobile phones are used to pass messages from one person to another either by making calls or sending text messages. Computer is another technological aid that we use to do research and also for communication. Human aids. Human aids are special skilled people who help people communicate with each other. Examples are: 1. Interpreters. 2. Translators. 3. Signers. Interpreters and translators :.Interpreters are people who translate orally, while a translator interprets written text. Both interpreting and translation presuppose a certain love of language and deep knowledge of more than one tongue. The key skill of a very good translator is the ability to write well, to express him/her clearly in the target language. That is why professional translators almost always work in only one direction, translating only into their native language. Even bilingual individuals rarely can express themselves in a given subject equally well in two languages. And many excellent translators are far from being bilingual they may not be, and need not be, fluent speakers of the source language (the language of the original text being translated). The key skills of the translator are the ability to understand the source language and the culture of the country where the text originated, and, using a good library of dictionaries and reference materials, renders that material into the target language. An interpreter, on the other hand, has to be able to translate in both directions, without the use of any dictionaries, on the spot. .

The Right To Access Clean Water Environmental Sciences Essay

The Right To Access Clean Water Environmental Sciences Essay Human rights ensure that the basic needs of a human are provided equally to all individuals regardless of monetary stature, race, religion or discrimination of any sort. It works to maintain that both, the bearer and the recipient play an active role in this providence. In the 21st century Human Rights is becoming much more important and playing an additional vital role as further needs are being labelled as a right that should be enjoyed and exercised by all individuals. One such human right is the right to access clean water. There are basic human rights that have often been recognized, food, healthcare, etc. So it should come to no surprise that Water is also a basic human right. Water is, in our eyes, a fundamental human necessity as there is no life without water. Yet, the situation remains that not every human being on this other is gifted with access to clean water. Moreover, the lack of clean water is transforming from a limitation to an enormous threat. Definition of terms Human Rights Council The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. Groundwater   Groundwater is water that is found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is an important source of water for consumption. Low income groups Individuals with access to a low income in comparison with the average income of the general population in an area. Income is the amount of money an individual earns in a certain time period. Inadequate Inadequate means that a certain factor is unfit for usage or consumption. It does not fulfil the needs of a task or individual. Millennium Development Goals The MDGs are eight goals that were formed at the Millennium Summit in 2000 and aim to bringing international development. All member nations of the UN have agreed to meet these goals by the year 2015. Background The background to this issue on the agenda lies in the simple fact that 900 million people worldwide dont have access to clean water. A basic need of the human body; lying out of reach for all these people is not a matter that the UN would leave unaddressed. The underlying problem that causes this issue of lack of clean water is with the unequal distribution of water and poverty. Often, low income groups, those living in extreme poverty and people living in rural areas cannot afford a clean water supply and make do with unreliable water sources. Over 3.4 million people die every year from causes related to water, sanitation and hygiene and 99 percent of these deaths occur in the developing world. Out of just over 7 billion people on this planet, more than 894 million dont have access to improved water sources; which is about one in nine people. As rivers dry up, lakes shrink and groundwater reserves get depleted, that figure will rise to 3 billion in 2025, especially in parts of Asia and Africa. These facts are just the tip of the iceberg as the ongoing issue stems into many other situations that the UN has to face and its roots must be uncovered by members of the UN so that the access to clean water is no longer a demand, but a provision. Causes of the Lack of Clean Water The fact remains that there is indeed enough water on Earth for the need of the world population. Thereby the problem lies in the unequal distribution of water and poverty around the globe. Inequality of Distribution Lack of transportation systems and systems to obtain water, such as harvesting rainwater and extracting groundwater as well as in some cases not restricting peoples access to water has left clean water in scarcity. When the extraction of groundwater becomes excessive (for industrial and agricultural use), its availability at domestic households is poorly affected. Poverty Economic condition is another factor with access to clean water. Developing countries such as India have a number of rural areas where there is an inadequate water supply. Individuals have to usually travel long distances to get water from rather unsafe sources. Even in Developed nations such as the USA, low income groups typically live in places that are not provided with adequate water supply options. For example, impoverished slum dwellers in  Angola  draw drinking water from the local river where their sewage is dumped. Farmers on the lower reaches of the Colorado River struggle because water has been diverted to cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Corruption Corruption too plays a part in the scarcity of clean water and reduces its availability. Slow response or no response at all to this issue in some areas is all due to corruption. Almost 40 percent of water is lost in leakages from water pipes and canals of which the main cause is illegal tapping. This also results in a hike in water prices which only goes on to ruin the poor. Important Measures Obviously an issue of such importance is not being given the spotlight in just now, in the 21st century. Measures have been taken previously to deal with the right to access clean water. In 1948, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights came into being which laid down the basis to all universal rights. It formed the various social, economic and political rights of humans. In 1966, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was formed which was a legal binding treaty where States parties are obligated to protect, respect and fulfil rights such as the right to life, the right to dignity, and the right to self determination. The right to water is not explicitly defined in this treaty but comes under the right to life as water is essential for human life on planet Earth. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which took place in 1979, was the first time water supply was addressed in a legally binding way.   Article 14.2(h) states that women have the right to enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to housing, sanitation, electricity and  water supply. This convention was followed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 10 years after in 1979. The convention talks about the right to health in Article 24, where the focus on combating disease and malnutrition primarily states that children should have a provision of nutritious food and clean water. Moreover, Article 27, the entitlement to adequate living conditions is said by the Committee on the Rights of the Child to include access clean water. One of the key conferences was the Millennium Summit, New York, USA in 2000. The conference adopted The Millennium Declaration and set various Millennium Development Goals. One of the targets is concentrated on the right to access clean water: the goal to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water by 2015 The United Nations has also declared that the decade from 2005 to 2015 is known as the Water for Life decade In March 2008 at the Human Rights Council Resolution on Human Rights and Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation decided an independent expert should be appointed to deal with the issue of the right to access clean water and basic sanitation. In the September of that year (2008) the Human Rights Council appointed Catarina de Albuquerque as the Independent Expert. She began her mandate on 1 November 2008. She has already made a number of visits to various destinations where she inquires and checks on the state of access to clean water and gives advice and makes recommendation on what further steps can be taken and how to go about in bringing them out. In July 2010 at United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the right to water and sanitation a resolution was initiated by Bolivia. The Resolution 64/ 292 acknowledges that clean drinking water and sanitation are integral to the realisation of all human rights. The Resolution also welcomes the important work carried out by the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation and welcomes her presentation of an annual report to the General Assembly. 122 Nations voted in favour of this resolution and 41 countries abstained. The abstentions were mostly from primarily developed countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and several European Nations who commented that the resolution would undermine UNs Human Rights Council in Geneva to build a compromise on water rights. Solving the Problem How to go about solving the issue is the actual setback on solving this global concern. Short term, and relatively simple, measures have to be taken. Treating water with chlorine, setting up new pipes and canals for widespread transportation, filters, etc are all existing technologies that can be implemented. Short term measures differ from country to country as not country has the same barriers in providing clean water. The long term goal remains to provide easily available sources of clean and treated water for all individuals. Methods of water conservation such as water recycling and drip irrigation do contribute in making clean water more available but to bring about quick and decisive long term change a global step must be taken with all countries in unison so that the individuals of the world may benefit. The resolution introduced by Bolivia in July 2010, which was passed, aimed at recognizing this matter once again and showed the divide between countries. 41 countries who did not want to go on record for not passing this resolution abstained, as it would complicate steps being taken in Geneva to deal with the same issue at the UNs Human Rights council. Moreover, the resolution was not regulatory and its main aim was to raise concern for the issue and bring out backing for solutions that may come through. To resolve, however, this crisis, nations must come together as one to produce a resolution that tackles the right to access clean water thoroughly and provides the necessary change required for individuals to be given easily available, clean water. Key Conferences 1977  United Nations Water Conference, Mar del Plata, Argentina 1990  The Global Consultation on Safe Water and Sanitation 1990  World Summit for Children 1992  International Conference on Water and the Environment, Dublin, Ireland 1995  World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, Denmark 1997  The First World Water Forum, Marrakesh, Morocco 2000  Millennium Summit, New York, USA 2000  The Second World Water Forum, Ministerial Conference on Water Security in the Twenty-First Century, The Hague, Netherlands 2001  International Conference on Fresh Water, Bonn, Germany 2001  New Partnerships for African Development, NEPAD framework document 2002  World Summit on Sustainable Development, Rio + 10, Johannesburg, South Africa 2003  Third World Water Forum, Kyoto, Japan 2006  Fourth World Water Forum, Mexico 2009  Fifth World Water Forum, Istanbul, Turkey

Leadership in Organizations :: management, leadership

1. Explain what is meant by participative leadership and identify three situations when participative leadership should be used to improve employee relationships . This particular style is placed center of the five common methods of leadership in the span of autocratic, paternalistic, delegative and free reign (or liaise faire) styles of leadership. The U.S. Army only codified the three styles of leadership in their basic leadership doctrine- directed, participative and delegative. This is because it is often assumed Soldiers are trained to the levels of proficiency that does not require an autocratic style and at the same time impractical to allow Soldiers to act under free reign style. The leader that uses participation as concepts are that the idyllic management technique is one that receives input from the collective members of the team into consideration. This technique involves the leader including one or more Soldiers in the military decision making process (MDMP) by determining what to do and how to do it. These leaders encourage participation and contributions from group (team) members and help them feel more relevant and committed to the decision-making process. In participative concepts, however, the leader retains the right to allow the input of others. In order to produce favorable results, the leadership that utilizes more group supervision versus directs supervision on a one-to-one basis by employing a participative style with a team of Soldiers who know their duties and responsibilities. Involved leadership involved managing group meetings, influencing commitment and conformity, and assisting in conflict and communication issues. The benefit to this method of leadership is you demonstrate trust in your subordinates by showing you are interested in their input. You value their ideas and decisions and if time are not an issue; ideas can be discussed freely and shared collectively in a group. This is standard operating procedures when you limited data, and your Soldiers have other parts. Unit leadership Soldiers. Using this style is of mutual benefit as it encourages them to become members of the problem-solvers and make the best choices. This is normally used when you have part of the information, and your Soldiers have other parts. Unit leadership is not expected to know everything—this is why you employ knowledgeable and skilled Soldiers. Using this technique is of dual benefit as it allows them to become part of the team and allows you to make better decisions. This is the means of getting Soldiers to do what you want them to do.

Political and Economic Issues Along the U.S. and Mexico Border Essay ex

Introduction and Statement of Purpose According to Jason Riley (2009) there are an estimated ten to twelve million illegal immigrants living within the United States (p. 54). According to Cieslik, Felsen, and Kalaitzidis (2009), over half of these illegal immigrants are from Mexico (p. 185). These population estimates have led the United States to take action along our border. We have built a fence, deployed various surveillance systems, and currently employ thousands of U.S. Border Protection officers. These actions have made the issue of illegal immigration a highly debated topic within the United States and Mexico. This debate will be explained from a political, economic, and an integrated perspective. The Political Perspective on the Issue Politics have severely impacted the issue of immigration along the U.S. and Mexico border. Within the United States, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has been extremely active regarding immigration along this border. Branton and Dunaway (2009) stated, â€Å"Governor Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency in four counties along the U.S.-Mexico border† (p. 289). Governor Richardson was concerned with, â€Å"Ravages of terror and human smuggling, drug smuggling, kidnapping, murder, the destruction of property, and the death of livestock† (Branton & Dunaway, 2009, p. 289). Influenced by Governor Richardson’s concern, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano also declared a state of emergency, â€Å"As a desperate attempt to get the attention of the federal government† (Branton & Dunaway, 2009, p. 289). These are all valid concerns when public safety is a top priority of any elected government official. Another political figure concerned with violence along the U.S.-Mexico border is Pat ... ..., I. (2007). Does border enforcement deter unauthorized immigration? The case of Mexican migration to the United States of America. Regulation & Governance, 1(2), 139-153. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&hid=13 &sid=7c49dcc1-50b3-45c4-8b94-2ede81fd093d%40sessionmgr12 Delacroix, J., Nikiforov, S. (2009). If Mexicans and Americans could cross the border freely. Independent Review, 14(1), 101-133 Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=13 &sid=7c49dcc1-50b3-45c4-8b94-2ede81fd093d%40sessionmgr12 Emmott, R. (2010, September 15). U.S. and Mexico border wall a costly failure film says. Reuters. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68E6JG20100915 Riley, J. L. (2009). Let them in: The case for open borders. New York, NY: Gotham Books.

The Portrayl of Women in the Media and the Effects it has on Young Girls

Young girls of today’s society are being severely negatively affected by the portrayal of women in the media. With the media playing a large role in young girl’s body images, more and more girls are having a negative image of themselves. They believe they are not sexy and attractive enough according to society’s standards. As a result of this they try to make themselves perfect and go to ridiculous extents to try and make that desire a reality. Girls will even decide to not pursue interests because they believe them to be unattractive and unsexy.The media’s blatant disregard for the real female physique needs to be dealt with quickly before it gets too far out of hand. Being exposed to the media daily through television, magazines, and advertisements, young girls base their body image largely off of media. The problem, however, is that the media displays unrealistic body images of women. Heavily photoshopped pictures in magazines are seen as the ideal body type, and women in movies and television shows are airbrushed to perfection. Along with the unrealistic beauty that women in the media hold, they are often dressed and posed in a provocative manner.On many magazine covers, women are seen with little to no clothing on, with only the lettering of the magazine title stamped across their chests to cover their exposed breasts. With these images constantly being shown in nearly every aspect of their lives, young girls create the illusion that they must look like these women in order to be considered â€Å"feminine† and â€Å"sexy.† Young girls begin to believe that their self-worth is based solely off of how they look.The inaccurate portrayal of women in the media would not be a problem if young girls were not trying to model themselves after these women. As a result of the unrealistic women in the media, young girls are often dissatisfied with their own bodies. This dissatisfaction can begin at a  surprisingly young age. A university of Central Florida poll (2006) found that fifty percent of 3 to 6 year olds worry that they are fat. Another study (2008) of 819 boys and 791 girls, ages 14 to 16, revealed that a far higher percentage of the girls were ashamed of their bodies than the boys. They revealed that they constantly monitor their weight, what they eat, and how often they eat. This constant policing of their bodies can potentially lead to unhealthy habits.Girls try to make themselves look like these â€Å"perfect† women in the media, and often times they put being â€Å"sexy† or â€Å"feminine† above their own health. They resort to strict diets as young as eight years old. Young girls with dress according to what the media portrays as â€Å"sexy† and â€Å"feminine,† even if it is clothing that is considered too provocative and mature for their age. With young girls putting their desire to be sexy above their own health, the portrayal of women it the media c an lead to serious ill effects.Often times this obsession with their body image can lead to eating disorders such as bulimia, a disorder where a girl purges her stomach immediately after eating, or anorexia, another disorder where a person will outright refuse to eat anything. They will be hospitalized for such disorders, and yet they will still find themselves to be unattractive in their own eyes. The media has drastically harmed the self-esteem of young girls.Along with needing to become â€Å"perfect,† young girls are not pursuing their own interests for the fear that it is â€Å"unsexy† and â€Å"unfeminine† according to the media. A study done by the Women’s Sports Foundation (2011) found that six girls drop out of sports for every one boy by the end of high school based on the sole reason that they feel it doesn’t make them look â€Å"sexy.† Another study done by the Women’s Sports Foundation (2011) found that twenty-three perce nt of girls between the ages of elven and seventeen don’t even attempt to play sports they may be interested in because they believe that it would be â€Å"unfeminine† of them to try.The media tells young girls that they should be into activities such as fashion design and modeling, putting emphasis on professions that show off their bodies and not their intellects. While modeling and fashion design are perfectly acceptable job professions, the problem lies in the fact that activities such as those are  the only ones being portrayed as acceptable in media. Young girls are getting the message that to pursue any typically male dominated activity would be â€Å"unfeminine,† and therefore would make them seem unattractive.Despite women making up half of the world’s population, we still live in a male dominate culture were women can be portrayed on unrealistic Barbie dolls in the media. This portrayal is having ill effects on the young girls of future genera tions. Media is playing a progressively larger role in a girl’s body image than ever before, and with the unrealistic images they are shown they being to be dissatisfied with their own bodies. Young girls begin to worry about being sexy and attractive at ages as young as eight years old, and worry about being fat as young as three. As a result of their dislike for their own bodies, young girls begin to try and make themselves â€Å"perfect.†They will starve themselves and work out, almost to an unhealthy extent. Putting this desire to be sexy above their health, some girls even develop eating disorders because of the unrealistic images they compare themselves to. Along with never finding themselves to be beautiful, girls will even deprive themselves of pursuing their interests because they believe them to be â€Å"unfeminine.† The unrealistic portrayal of women in the media needs to put to an end before the situation that young girls are put in gets any more out of hand.