A Discussion On Sex Education - 986 Words

Results showed over 335 out 4,214 were cutting themselves at this point in their life. That shows 7.9% of the students have this addiction (Hall, p. 623, 2010). While these numbers are everlasting changing, self-harm needs to be addressed to all ages just as other addictions are spoken about. Eating disorders are taught in the early ages of elementary school. Sex-education is taught the fifth grade. Self-harm is not a discussion in sex-education (Khantzian 668). The only way this addiction is taught to children is by explaining suicidal thoughts and having those thoughts turn into forms of self-injury. Teachers and parents are not able to recognize the effects until it reaches a point where the person can no longer hide their pain. With the numbers of this growing addiction and the urge to begin this addiction rapidly increasing, the factors of self-harm need to be discussed as one entity instead of comparing them to another addiction (Wang 666). Different generations and different e thnic groups are involved when it comes to self-harm addictions. â€Å"There is no single â€Å"self-injurer† profile. The rates of self-harm continue to grow, especially in certain communities (Hall 623). In an article â€Å"Non-suicidal Self-Injury among Ethnically and Racially Diverse Emerging Adults,† research was performed to observe those with the addiction of NSSI in specific ethnic groups. The groups were gathered and were consisted of multiple races such as African Americans, Asians, Caucasians, andShow MoreRelatedThe Discussion Of Teaching Sex Education1558 Words   |  7 PagesThe discussion of teaching sex education in classrooms were brought up as early as 1912. Movies that are used in sex education can alter the way teens think of sex. The films used in sex education portrays the different relationships that are created. The history of sex education in North America is a history of prohibition and has been concerned with limiting the scope of sexualit y its ideas, affects, movements and practices. In sex education schools create a space in which students and teachersRead MoreSex Education : Why It s Important1131 Words   |  5 PagesSex Education : Why It’s Important Plenty of us, if not all, will agree that as hormones run rampant and curiosity grows even bigger, teenagers and young adults alike will partake in sexual activities as a way to explore their own newfound needs and desires. Though this may be what many enjoy doing, it does come with its own consequences. Regardless of age, sex can definitely result in a multitude of burdens including unwanted pregnancies, as well as various STDs and HPVs (HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, HerpesRead MoreParental Sex Education987 Words   |  4 Pagesabstinence-only education from 73 million in 2001 to 204 million in 2008 (Boonstra, 2010). In a 2007 study, paid for by the United States government, there was no evidence supporting a difference in the number of sex partners, how often birth control methods were used, and age of first intercourse, between youth that was taught abstinence-only and a control group that received no sexual education. It is increasingly important that parents start teaching their children comprehensive sex education at homeRead MoreSex Education : The Problem With Sexual Education1327 Words   |  6 PagesThere are a lot of issues when it comes to Sex Education in our education system. I thought that I was one of few that thought there was actually an issue until we had a discussion post about it earlier in the semester. Through that assignment I learned that it is definitely more controversial than I could have ever imagined, and I also learned that more people think that there is a problem than just me. After that discussion post I felt really passionately about this topic and what we are doingRead MoreThe Problem Of Single Sex Schools894 Words   |  4 PagesThe most important reason we attend school is to get an education despite how cliche it may sound. The reason to believe single sex schools could help is very much a possibility. According to some researchers girls already learn more in class when the class temperature is warm while boys are opposite in they learn better in a more cool environment (Great Kids). While this is just a basic experiment and may not always be the case, separation between sexes could be a possible solution towards raisingRead MoreThe Issue Of Sex Education1613 Words   |  7 PagesWhen hearing the term â€Å"sex education,† most will immediately think of â€Å"the talk† that parents have with children. â€Å"The talk,† a phrase widely used through everyday life, movies, television, etc. is intended by parents to inform their children of the consequences of unsafe sex and to explain how babies are made. Despite being a necessary conversation at home, this â€Å"talk† is generally vague and uninformative in comparison to classes on the subject. However, this topic causes chaos when dealing withRead MoreThe Best Kind of Sex Education708 Words   |  3 Pages There is much controversy over which form of sex education should be taught, comprehensive sex education, or abstinence-only sex education. The definition for comprehensive sex education is responsible and balanced sexuality education that seeks to assist young people in understanding a positive view of sexuality, provide them with information and skills about caring for their sexual health, and help them acquire skills to make decisions now and in the future. It is medically accurate and providesRead More Parental Communication1539 Words   |  7 PagesResearch findings of parental communication about sex were mixed and inconclusive. The attempts to synthesise findings is complicated by different research methods, wide varied measurements of parent- adolescent communication, and differing perceptions of various groups. The inconsistent and contradictory findings might result from a lack of standard measurements across studies. Existing studies on parent-child communication about sex have several limitations. First, a number of studies haveRead MoreSexual Education Is An Invaluable Part Of The Public School Curriculum1196 Words   |  5 Pagesbe left astray. That is, of course, if there was not a secondary source available full of the same wisdom a parent could provide. In particular, when it comes to sexual education, there are many adverse effects that could arise should that child never be given the thorough discussion that the topic surely needs. Sexual education is an invaluable part of the public school curriculum. I know this not only from my personal experience as a teen but also from the research confirming it’s positive effectsRead MoreA Research Study On Sex Education808 Words   |  4 Pagespeer reviewed journal Sex Education, investigates childism, or systematic discrimination against children, which stems from conservative beliefs that parents have high authority and children belong i n the private sphere. Within the context of sex education, childism is a primary factor in programs that place the values of parents and society over the needs and rights of the child. While including discussions about the importance of personal and family values in sex education is reasonable, it is unreasonable

My First Concert Of Symphonic Music - 935 Words

The first question I asked myself at the beginning of the semester was how much do I actually know about symphonic music? I have always characterized symphonic music as a lengthy form of musical composition for orchestra that is all tuxedos and formality. My impression on the basis of the symphonic music has always been portrayed with that specific formality aspect where there wasn’t a complete understanding towards symphonic music. When attending my first concert of symphonic music last year to listen to my roommate play made a change that I never thought possible. I never thought that I would grow into liking that kind of music that the Delaware Valley University students were playing on that particular day turning my interest in music. One particular group that rather quickly grabs my attention each time I go to listen is the symphonic band. Having a rather peaceful use of instruments when playing that draws your attention directly into that performance led by the conduct or Dr.Jack Schemidt. These spectacular performances given from the school band take place in the Life Science Building Auditorium at Delaware Valley University typically Sunday afternoons. At each of these free events for people throughout the community and the campus to attend there are several groups that play throughout the concert. Starting off the concerts typically is that of the symphonic band playing classical and modern pieces. One specific piece I found rather toe tapping is â€Å"An AmericanShow MoreRelatedThe Concert At The Osu Symphonic Band Concert1105 Words   |  5 Pagesthe OSU Symphonic Band concert, conducted by Associate Director of Bands, Douglas Henderson. After the OSU Saxophone Octet opened for the concert, the Symphonic Band performed In This Broad Earth, composed by Steven Bryant, Danzon (from Fancy Free Ballet), composed by Leonard Bernstein and arranged by John Krance, Peace and Light Rising, composed by Edward Knight, and all four movements of Second Suite in F, composed by Gustav Holst. The Symphonic Band is the second group between the first group,Read MoreI Attended The University Of Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra And Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concert847 Words   |  4 PagesI attended the University of Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert on Thursday, October 8. The concert was located at the Ruth Lily Performance Hall in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center. The venue was calming and comfortable. It is a very nice set up, but not extremely fancy. People arrived in anything ranging from suits and dresses to jeans and t-shirts. The environment was welcoming and approachable for all the guests. I was able to see almost all of the parts ofRead MorePiano Magic By Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra At Hill Auditorium1562 Words   |  7 Pagescan learn become engaged with musical history and the symphonic tradition, recognize the transformation of the function of symphony orchestras, and take part in enjoyi ng and continuing the art that has also been undergoing evolution. One of the first steps of experiencing live concerts is to examine the program notes and gain a sense of the background and history of the musical pieces that are to be played in the concert. In the first concert, Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major stole theRead MoreEssay Music Concert Report957 Words   |  4 Pages1st Concert Report Prof. Schonbrun F1 MU110 The chamber music concert was held in Manhattan School of Music at 5:00 pm Friday, April 15. The concert was conducted by many instruments with various types of music. The atmosphere was fairly intense as the concert hall was approximately the size of an average home living room with about 35 people in the audience. The camber concert was divided into two major parts with an intermission of 15 minutes in between the parts. As for this concert reportRead MoreClassical Music And Its Influence On The Culture Of Western Music1603 Words   |  7 PagesPoetic Dissonance Classical music is earnest music engendered in the traditions of Western music. Many great composers were born in that era kenned as the mundane practice period. For my classical project I went to the Music Center’s Walt Disney concert hall. It has had many famous classical performances over the past few years. I witnessed something unique and enlightening when I entered the orchestra performance and heedfully aurally perceived all of this solemn music. I discerned many famous composersRead MoreThe Los Angeles Philharmonic Performed Multiple Pieces By Sergei Rachmaninoff1148 Words   |  5 Pageshis Symphonic Dances. Sergei Rachmaninoff was born to aristocratic parents in Russia who during his youth fell into financial debt and moved locations multiple times. After his parents separation, his sister Sophia’s death, and his poor academics, Rachmaninoff along with his mother and two siblings moved to Moscow where Rachmaninoff began his studies under Nikolai Zverev’s grueling work ethic. (http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/rachmaninoff.php) At the age of 24 Rachmaninoff’s first symphonyRead MoreMusic Class At The Spring Voice Recital857 Words   |  4 PagesApril 19 that the Intro to Music class went to the Spring Voice Recital. Due to the last concert, I was excited to listen to the performers this week. Similarly to the other productions, there was anxious chatter upon entering the theater. Over the past couple of weeks, I have grown accustomed to this scene, or atmosphere. Furthermore, I look forward to attending in view of the fact that there seems to be a tight k nit community among those who frequent the concerts. I get a sense that everyoneRead MoreThe Concert Hall At Lincoln Center980 Words   |  4 PagesThis was my first time to attend the music concert, and I am very enjoyed both of them. The first one I went was in the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. And the second one I went was Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center. Compare with each music hall, I like the David Geffen Hall better not just because it’s big and having many seats, it is first buildings completed on the Lincoln Center site and home to one of its first resident organization. The New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphonyRead MoreConcert Critique : The Houston Civic Symphony1078 Words   |  5 PagesJacqueline A. Vela 11/16/16 Music Appreciation MUSI 1306 ` Mr. Christopher Lee Concert Critique #1- The Houston Civic Symphony/50th Anniversary Season I have never attended an orchestral concert. Although my taste ranges between several different types of music, the only concerts I have attended are of the rock and country variety. I was not sure what to expect in attending The Houston Civic Symphony’s performance on Sunday, October 9, 2016. It was held at the Dunham Theater withinRead MoreThe Concert Hall, Raleigh, Concert, By Paul Randall And Composed By Bill Evans1721 Words   |  7 PagesThe concert took place on November 4, 2016 in Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh. In concert, I had enjoyed a lot. Especially the Saxophone and a piano subsequently switched the tune of the tune as if they were dancing like two lovers. As the saxophone took the airs as well as the piano and other instruments within the ensemble were in accompaniment for the love of the tune the texture altered within the tune. The tempo, which was always steady appeared to get quicker like a pulse by the climax of the

Racial Prejudice free essay sample

Throughout history, human beings have been eager to explore new worlds, conquer diverse lands and invent unbelievably amazing things. However, despite this inner thirst to discover new things, there is still resistance to accept those who appear different amongst us. Racial Prejudice is an insidious moral and social disease affecting populations all over the world. It can be diagnosed by its various symptoms and manifestations which include fear, intolerance, separation, segregation, discrimination and hatred. While all of these symptoms of racial prejudice may be evident, the single underlying cause of Racial Prejudice is ignorance. While all humans belong to the same species, races are distinguished from one another by such characteristics as hair colour and texture, skin colour, eye colour and shape, and the size of limbs and body parts. Though these differences are superficial mankind itself continues to view each other from the features that are outwardly perceived. Indeed, humans are outwardly different in appearance; the problem arises when the symptoms of the disease become evident: intolerance, separation and hatred. In a positive light, one may embrace the differences of peoples across the face of the earth and marvel at the uniqueness of the individuals who live on a different part of the globe or even across the street. Racial Prejudice perverts this uniqueness of the races and takes the view that these differences separate individuals further into groups, with one group always being inferior to the other. Racial prejudice has been a major cause of death and destruction to many cultures throughout history, some more so than others. The African American culture has been attempting to adjust itself to a world whose laws, customs and instruments of power were levelled against them. With white power being dominant, the African American community has always been marginalised and portrayed in a negative light. Over the years there have been many different novels, movies, poems and television shows representing how racial prejudice has affected a community. For this task three texts will be examined in attempt to demonstrate how prejudice and ignorance are undeniably destructive for those who have been denied basic rights. The three texts to be examined are the Pulitzer-prize winning novel To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee; a popular poem named Between The World Me, by Richard Wright and finally the Oscar-winning movie, Mississippi Burning. Each one of these texts carries a message about racial prejudice and has illustrated this message in their own individual manner. The Civil rights movement in America in the 1950’s and 1960’s was about engineering social justice, specifically with reference to African Americans. Martin Luther King showed the white population that racism is a cancer in the heart of those who have prejudice. He showed them that it violates the most basic human values of justice and equal opportunity. This movement succeeded eventually, but not without cost. The civil rights movement invaded the consciousness of Americans and showed them signs of hope and progress to a new world. In 1964, the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) organised its Freedom Summer campaign, with the main objective being to end the political revocation of the right to vote for the African American people in the Deep South. During this time the CORE also established 30 Freedom Schools in towns throughout Mississippi. The school curriculum included black history and the philosophy of the civil rights movement and the curriculum was usually taught by volunteers. Freedom Schools were often targets of white mobs as were the homes of the local African Americans involved in the campaign. During the summer of 1964, 30 black homes and 37 black churches were firebombed. This horror and injustice along with the murder of two civil rights workers and a young black man by corrupt law enforcement inspired the Oscar-winning movie Mississippi Burning. Mississippi Burning illustrates the civil rights battle that the nation was confronting at this time. This movie is a visual representation of the injustice that was suffered by the African American people during the 1960‘s. Mississippi Burning attempts to portray to the audience the cruel and unjust actions directed at the black community; it portrays the pain and suffering of the blacks, and the hatred and rage within the white oppressors. The movie is an accomplished depiction of the civil rights events in 1964 and gives a powerful evocation of the era to its late 20th century audience. This text challenges the attitudes of many white Americans during the civil rights movement. By using visual media the director was able to immerse the audience in the brutal events that occurred in Mississippi. The director was also able to convey the events by using harsh and realistically southern language when talking about the â€Å"Negro† community, shown in lines such as, â€Å"If you were a Negro no one would give a damn about what you thought†. However, through all the harsh words and negative portrayals, the director has presented reality. The reality, that we are all human, emerges as the black community finds the courage to fight back, â€Å"Look at the face of this young man, and you will see the face of a black man. But if you look at the blood shed, it is red! It is like yours! It is JUST LIKE YOURS! The director also shows the audience the jail terms to which the KKK members were sentenced. He uses â€Å"freeze frames† to allow the audience to take it all in. Also, by emphasising these jail terms, he has invited the audience to understand that there will be a slow transition to justice in Mississippi. The second text, To Kill A Mockingbird, focuses on similar issues to that of Mississippi Burning. However, Harper Lee was able to convey these issues in a gentler and sweeter manner. By using the eyes of a child, the racial prejudice that is represented in this novel is less provocative and toned down to match the innocence of a child’s mind. During the first half of the novel, Lee constructs an almost affectionate description of growing up in small town named Maycomb, in Alabama. The innocence of the opening is undermined during the second half of the book as Lee dismantled the sweet facade of the home town to reveal the underbelly filled with social lies, prejudice and injustice. Harper Lee explores the nature of human beings and whether they can be essentially good or evil. This exploration is dramatized in Scout’s and Jem’s transition from that childhood innocence, which assumes everyone is good because they have not experienced evil to an adult perspective, sobered by confronting evil and having to acknowledge its presence in their world. This transition from innocence to experience is designed to invite the audience to see the threat that hatred, prejudice and ignorance pose to innocent people. To Kill A Mockingbird has many themes and morals; however the most important of these is Racial Prejudice towards the black American community. This theme can be seen clearly with Tom Robinson’s hopeless case, also the demeaning reference to black men as â€Å"niggers† and â€Å"boys† which persist throughout the novel. The Black community occupies the lowest social class in Maycomb and the white population of every class wastes no time in reinforcing the South’s rigid class structure. The most explicit indicator of the deep-rooted racism can be seen when the meticulous arguments of Atticus are defeated and he loses Tom Robinson’s case because of prejudice of the jury towards the colour of Tom’s skin. The closing argument from Atticus during Tom Robinson‘s case clearly illustrates what Atticus’ views on racism are, â€Å"You know the truth, the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men cannot be trusted around women, black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. -Atticus (217) This rhetoric still fails to sufficiently sway the views of the other white men in the courtroom. The death of Tom demonstrates the absolute power of the white man and how his power can be corrupt and destructive. Harper Lee has assiduously separated fact from hysteria in this novel and has thus unmasked racial prejudice and demonstrated the injustice and havoc wreaked by prejudice. Lee demonstrates the effects of racial inequality through the main characters’ reactions and through the outcome of the narrative. Lee was able to avoid resistance to her representation of unfolding injustice by writing through the eyes of an innocent child. Lee spends time building a bond between the reader and this child, inviting the reader to identify with her, trust her integrity and willingly accept the truth as the child observes it. Richard Wright’s, Between The World Me offers one of the most chilling accounts of racist violence from the perspective of a black victim. The poem evokes an execution scene. Wright’s poem begins with the speaker inadvertently discovering the remains of a previous night’s lynching. â€Å"And one morning while in the woods I stumbled suddenly upon the thing, Stumbled upon it in a grassy clearing guarded by scaly oaks and elms† The horrific scene disrupts the narrator’s communication with Nature and corrupts the surroundings which might otherwise have been celebrated in conventional poems. In tangible, plain terms the narrator relates how â€Å"the sooty details of the scene rose, thrusting themselves between the world and me†. The speaker stands transfixed on the scene. He stands before the charred remains of the victim’s body and helplessly undergoes a transformation into the charred bones and ashes, morphing into the victim in the midst of the lynching ritual, â€Å"and my skin clung to the bubbling hot tar, falling from me in limp patches†. While this adoption of first person perspective in this context is unusual, Wright has written in such a way to immerse the reader in the scene. He thrusts the reader amidst the fear and pain that the victim was feeling. The Imagery that was used is another way of confronting the reader with the scene, â€Å"Scattered traces of tar, restless arrays of feathers, and the lingering smell of gasoline. † Numerous kinds of imagery, namely visual, have been used and all the senses are being drawn on. This imagery is dense and the detail of imagery is used to bombard the reader with a type of sensory overload in order to overwhelm them, to keep them reading right up until the final climax, death, unable to escape, just as the victim is trapped. Wright’s undeniable gift for imagery allows the audience to view the sinister landscape that is littered with the remnants of hatred and darkened by the shadow of prejudice and injustice through the eyes of a victim. Between the World Me ends with a cry of pain from the author; this shows the audience how Wright has identified with the African American Man who has been executed. The closing lines contain an unsparing portrayal of the victim’s murder, â€Å"Then my blood was cooled mercifully, cooled by a baptism of gasoline. And in a blaze of red I leapt to the sky as pain rose like water, boiling my limbs. † With these two simple yet harsh lines, Wright has depicted just how gruesome and sadistic the white oppressors were. Wright invites sympathy for the victim by making the reader accompany him through the brutal attack. It is these lines, along with many others, that show the unnecessary bloodshed of the black community, and the prejudice and hatred from the white community. Each of these texts represent a time in history where ignorance and hatred resulted in injustice and death. They show the painful journey for African Americans struggling to be seen as equals, persevering in the face of overwhelming obstacles. These texts show how racism restricts the development of mankind. Whether expressed in open hostility, such as in Mississippi Burning and Between the World Me, or by indifference and ignorance, such as in To Kill a Mockingbird, racism divides society into separate antagonistic groups. These texts all suggest that racial attitudes are not instinctive; they are learned in the process of socialising with the â€Å"attitude holder†. This can be seen in Mississippi Burning with the children being taken along by their parents to a white pride rally. Also, in To Kill a Mockingbird, the younger children in Scout’s school calling her father a â€Å"Nigger Lover† shows the audience that racial prejudice emerges early, instilled in the young by their parents. In modern society discrimination and racial prejudice are still present. Due to ignorance we will form an opinion often based on stereotypical lines: â€Å"all people of such and such race are†¦. †. We can fill in the blanks with such expectations that certain races are intellectually superior, others are full of avarice, another is more artistically or athletically inclined, and still another has members who are apt to be dishonest. Perhaps these ideas have been taught directly or indirectly, acted out by one’s parents, as shown in Mississippi Burning. Whatever the source, even the most enlightened member of society will find that to some extent, he or she is judging another based on the superficial aspects of race.

The disadvantages of Tourism free essay sample

Successfully operating a business in an ever changing world requires vision on the part of the entrepreneur; this means being able to predict future trends and prepare the company for forecasted changes in the economic system. In truth, commanding a country is no different than that of a business as it too should be able to adapt to global changes in the economy. Machiavelli, the esteemed Italian writer once said, â€Å"The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not. † It is fact that the survival and success of anything, whether it is a species, company, business or country, in a constantly evolving world is contingent on the ability to adapt to universal changes. However, in that respect, The Bahamas has failed to adjust to change in economic conditions on a global scale due to its great reliance on an antiquated tourism model. We will write a custom essay sample on The disadvantages of Tourism or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Over five decades ago The Bahamas adopted a model of tourism proposed by Sir Stafford Sands, the former finance minister of The Bahamas, and has religiously subscribed to it with minimum modifications to date. As a result of its reliance on an outdated model, the Bahamas’ economy has become more and more unstable. Moreover, chatter in the global market has pointed to diversification as the solution to the nation’s problem. As this may be the case, many Bahamians are fearful of change because tourism has been The Bahamas’ bread and butter since time immemorial. But should the blame be placed on the Bahamian people’s dread, the vulnerability of the Tourism industry or the get-money-quick schemes of the Ministry of Tourism? While the blame can be shared equally amongst the three, the problem lies with over-dependence on one industry that is susceptible to a variety of factors. According to the Barcelona Field Studies Centre (2014), a diversified economy displays health. Moreover, sole economic dependence on one industry can lead to social consequences if the industry fails (Barcelona Field Studies Centre, 2014). The Barcelona Field Studies Centre (2014) continued to assert that, â€Å"Overdependence on one or two industries is also often accompanied by underdevelopment within other sectors of the economy such as education, health, and the manufacturing and agricultural industries. † Although it may be true that tourism is still beneficial to The Bahamas, a closer examination of this industry will reveal that it is also crippling The Bahamas’ progression as an archipelago. In likeness of these views, The Bahamas should diversify its economy for it is unwise to solely depend on the Tourism industry, which is vulnerable to external forces and unreliable because of its dependency on foreign investment. It is time that Bahamians take charge of the nation and explore alternative industries that promote self-sufficiency, as it will lessen the risk of exposure to the ill effects of a decline in tourism. According to the Central Intelligence Agency (2014), the Tourism industry, coupled with the construction of hotels, resorts, residences, and roads as well as manufacturing aimed at the continued development of tourism, accounts for an estimated 60% of gross domestic product (GDP) and in one way or another employs approximately 50% of the Bahamian labor force. This depicts how heavily reliant The Bahamas is on tourism in terms of jobs and revenue, and also conveys the fact that tourism can essentially be seen as the only productive industry in The Bahamas. The money, jobs and prestige tourism generates has given Bahamians a false sense of security, but growth of the industry has slowed down considerably in spite of tourism’s significant contributions to the Bahamian economy. Chiefly, The Sir Stafford Sands model, often referred to as a two sector economy, places the Bahamian economy in the high risk category because it relies on two sectors, tourism and banking, where tourism is the primary source of income (Agenor Montiel, 1999). The problem lies with the vulnerability of the Tourism industry, which is susceptible to a variety of global external forces. The Bahamas, like many other Caribbean nations, has characteristics which classify it as a developing nation. J. Kevin Higgins (1994) reveals one such characteristic is the economy’s ability to be either negatively or positively impacted by forces in the global market (as cited in Saunders, 2007). This trait is undeniably detrimental when combined with The Bahamas’ dependency on the Tourism industry because tourism is primarily concerned with attracting international guests interested in the â€Å"Bahamas experience†. Furthermore, whenever there is a catastrophe or unforeseen event in the global market, tourism is usually the first industry declining with the most impact, because traveling abroad is considered a leisure activity and not a necessity. Hence, the less people travel, the greater the impact is on The Bahamas’ economy. On that same token, in accordance with Shigetomi et al. (2007), â€Å"Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source of more than 80 percent of the visitors. † Considering the September 11th attacks on the United States of America, which caused a slowdown in the US economy, the Bahamian economy suffered a great deal as a result of the tourist-resource freeze (Shigetomi et al. , 2007). The Bahamas lost an estimated $200 million in tourism revenue because of the attacks on September 11th coupled with the effects that stemmed from hurricanes (Strachan, 2002). In essence, if there is not an influx of tourists entering the country, no revenue would be made from the industry of tourism. This example alone shows just how unstable the Tourism industry is, and it illustrates that the Bahamas would face grave danger economically if it continues to rely heavily on tourism. Another depiction of this would be the American recession of 2007, which single handedly crippled the tourism industry leaving in its wake over 1,000 jobless Bahamians and numerous hotels suffering from low occupancy rates (Nicolls, 2010). Additionally, a more recent external force that has negatively impacted tourism in The Bahamas is the United States’ warning against traveling to the Bahamas in the midst of a dengue fever pandemic as well as the increase in the crime rate. As recently as 2012, hurricane Sandy disrupted the peak of the Tourism industry, cutting tourism activity by â€Å"some 45-50 percent† (McKenzie, 2012). The uncertainty of the weather, especially in The Bahamas in which hurricanes occur during the summer and fall months, plays a major role in whether or not the Tourism industry generates the necessary income required for that economic year. Fraser (2001) asserted that the impact of these external forces would lead to fewer stopover visitors, reduced hotel occupancy and power room revenues. There is also the risk of 75% reduction in employment and deterioration of business profits and incomes in hotel and related sectors (Fraser, 2001). To boot, there would be a significant decline in government revenue, which will induce a need to spend more money in the promotion of tourism in order to counteract these negative effects (Fraser, 2001). Nevertheless, there will be arguments which will claim that when the country needed revenue, tourism was the only legal and legitimate source in which The Bahamas could rely on, but that argument will never negate the fact tourism is indeed vulnerable. However, the â€Å"skittish-ness† of the Tourism industry is absolutely unacceptable in the 21st century Bahamian economy. The Bahamas cannot continue to foolishly allocate resources such as money, manpower and time to an industry that deeply relies on global interactions for survival and could collapse because of murmurs in the market. Therefore, Bahamians must dispense with the archaic notion that tourism is protected from externalities, and move to minimize the emphasis placed on the industry by actively diversifying the Bahamian economy. Another economic issue that stems from tourism is the fact that most seasonal jobs are created in the industry, which offers little room for advancement. This can lead to a cycle in poverty, where skilled workers can be found in short supply compared to the number of unskilled workers. Even though over the years The Bahamas has benefited considerably from tourism, which has given way to large-scale real property investments and to a great extent provided most the country’s high-end salaried jobs, if the industry starts to decline, by direct proportion, the unemployment rate will increase (Fraser, 2001). As tourism is the major employer in The Bahamas, indirectly and directly employing persons in the hotel sector and other divisions that are tourism-driven (such as construction, retail and restaurants), one can only imagine the number of persons who will be without jobs if the industry collapses. Moreover, a high percentage of the unemployed will more than likely consist of unskilled workers, and this would perpetuate a weak economic system if these unskilled workers cannot find jobs. Due to the fact that the Tourism industry is seasonal, one can assume that persons who work in tourism sectors do not have a stable income all year long. As stated by the General Secretariat for Development Planning in Qatar (GSDP 2011: 10), â€Å"A more diversified economy is inherently more stable, more capable of creating jobs and opportunities for the next generation and less vulnerable to the boom and bust cycles of oil and natural gas prices. † Zappino (2005) asserted that the majority of the developing countries in the early 1970s supported the idea of tourism as it was an immediate source of income and development. There was also the premise that tourism would provide jobs for unskilled workers, and also become a resource for possible investors who would assist in developing their economies (Zappino, 2005). (Fraser, 2001) proclaimed that, â€Å"A general consensus among residents was the â€Å"economic† and â€Å"financial† gains hotels and tourism have brought to the nation. † Bahamians would be persuaded into believing this wonderful fairytale that describes how the Tourism industry, as fairy god-mother, has employed a large number of disadvantaged Bahamians, but what is to be said of the seasonal workers or those who were laid off due to a slow period in the industry? According to Ms. Arthurita Butler, General Manager of Comfort Suites, the hotel â€Å"waited until the last possible moment to [lay off workers], hoping for an upturn in business, which unfortunately has not occurred† (P. I. Layoffs, 2009). In the words of Todd (2013), â€Å"What is 60 seconds worth? For the Ministry of Tourism, the price is almost $200,000. † In the 2013 Super Bowl commercial lineup, the advertisement that was created to lure tourists to the Bahamas’ sandy shores and clear blue waters included superstars Rick Fox, Shakara Ledard and David Copperfield. The Minister of Tourism reported that the Government would â€Å"spend $15 million on its 2013 advertising,† he also went on to say that, â€Å"It will be one of the most expensive campaign efforts in the country’s history; The Bahamas is trying to attract around 400,000 additional airlift arrivals by the time the $3. 5 billion Baha Mar mega resort opens in December 2014† (Todd, 2013). In the article, Student Union ‘Not Satisfied’ After Meeting with Minister, it was stated that the College of The Bahamas had been asked to cut around $2. 5 million from its budget in 2013, while other ministries were expected to cut 10 percent from their 2013 budget and 25 percent in their 2014 budget (Brown, 2013). It is evident that the present Government believes that the Tourism industry will be the â€Å"saving grace† of the Bahamian economy, and is willing to invest millions of dollars in â€Å"tithes† to ensure that the god of tourism sheweth favor on the industry. While investing millions of dollars into tourism, the other ministries, such as education, are at risk of becoming underdeveloped as hypothesized by The Barcelona Field Studies Centre (2014). In The Bahamas, agriculture has not made a significant contribution to the gross national product in decades, and it is apparent that the need for food security is at the forefront for government officials in the Agriculture industry. Yet, the Government has not made extreme efforts to promote the development of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries as it has done for the Ministry of Tourism. The country’s policies are all reliant on tourism, and if an external negative force impacts the industry, all of the money, time and man power that was pumped into tourism would be a waste and the economy would have much to fall back on. The Bahamas has already established itself as a tourist destination, but without a diversification policy, The Bahamas is placing too heavy reliance on one industry. The continued reliance already has The Bahamas faced with the realities of dependent independence, which, according to Cabinet Minister Darrell Rolle (2013), â€Å"is where you are politically independent, but not economically sustainable on your own as a people or as a nation. † It is abundantly clear that change is needed as tourism can no longer sustain The Bahamas; consequently, Bahamians must begin exploring alternative industries. For example, the exporting of aragonite (sand) can generate billions of dollars for the Bahamian economy, provide job stimulus and satisfy the country’s need for diversification. Similarly, agriculture also encourages self-sufficiency and supports The Bahamas’ need for diversification. If Bahamians begin production of essential foods like ground provisions and fruits, it will reduce reliance on imported American goods and foster more food security (BAIC Builds, 2010). This can’t be achieved if Bahamians continue to ignore change and labor under an outdated tourism model. Bahamians must strive for independence and self-sufficiency; for they are once again on the brink of a new era within the economy. The time has come for The Bahamas to break the mold of the stereotypical Caribbean nation that relies on one industry for survival, and diversify its economy!