The second chapter “Understanding culture: Through the looking glass” presents a comprehensive discussion on the topic of cultural knowledge and its role in management. The author calls for understanding the fact that cultures are not losing their relevance in communications but instead demands a heightened awareness of their existence (Lane & Maznevski, 2019). In management, human relations are essential in every part of governing processes, yet they can be sabotaged by improperly perceived attitudes toward one’s traditions and values.
It is highly detrimental to make assumptions based on people’s cultural backgrounds. However, cultures do define societies to the degree that specific accommodations have to be made, such as the partners’ values and visions of cooperation (Lane & Maznevski, 2019). Upholding boundaries that are expected in a foreign community allows managers to show their respect for others’ identities. In a global business market, people must avoid causing discomfort that can disrupt potential deals by making people lock on disrespectful actions (Lane & Maznevski, 2019). In turn, seeking common experience can promote cooperation through positive emotions and a predisposing atmosphere.
Each culture is unique and requires a delicate approach to assessing its aspects that can be later used as assumptions. Social features in a particular geographical area consist of patterns that can be divided into categories and may correlate with their neighboring regions, thus requiring one to study these aspects beforehand (Lane & Maznevski, 2019). While these classifications are essential to learning, it is also vital to realize that they only serve as a foundation for in-depth studies. The strongest patterns lie in people’s relations to others, their environment, activities, and time (Lane & Maznevski, 2019). For a genuinely productive partnership, respecting all four aspects is paramount, as each individual’s perception of this matter is influenced by their culture.
Reference
Lane, H. W., & Maznevski, M. L. (2019). International management behavior: Global and sustainable leadership (8th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Climate Change And Global Warming Awareness
Introduction
Climate change is a global phenomenon that generally occurs due to natural causes. However, global warming is a relevant problem that is getting worse each day because of greenhouse gas emissions from human-made factories and industrial processes. The global temperature rises, causing food security issues, biodiversity loss, and changing the weather. If humanity does not change its perspective on climate change, the earth might become uninhabitable for people at some point, and the effects of global warming are already evident today. As a result, if people continue to have misconceptions about global warming, climate change will negatively impact weather, food security, and biodiversity.
Impact on Weather
Gradual climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions inevitably leads to more unexpected and extreme weather patterns. Besides the drastic increases in temperature, global warming makes it challenging to predict storms, heatwaves, and other disastrous events that might lead to thousands of human losses and economic burdens (Scher and Messori 2931). In turn, if people cannot forecast extreme weather, preventing it and evacuating citizens from the local epicenters is impossible. It is safe to assume that natural disasters will become even deadlier in the 21st century unless people clear their misconceptions about climate change and start actively mitigating it (Scher and Messori 2934). Moreover, the gradual weather change, such as excessive rains and snowfalls, might significantly impair the agricultural industry, causing hunger in many countries.
Food Security Issues
Food security problems are direct consequences of climate change, particularly noticeable in developing countries. According to CARE, the global production of cereal is expected to decrease by 1-7% by 2060 (“Climate Change” 1). Moreover, since the global population will only increase in the future, the world will require more food to feed everyone. It is one of the most relevant problems because climate change with extreme weather patterns will gradually make agriculture less effective (“Climate Change” 2). If this trend continues, governments around the world will quickly deplete their food supplies, making people starve and increasing the gap between the rich and the poor. Hence, climate change will lead to food insecurity and social and political outbursts when people begin to die of hunger.
Biodiversity Loss
Lastly, global warming has a substantial negative impact on biodiversity as thousands of species might go extinct due to temperature rise. At first, global warming will melt the ice in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, making the lives of polar bears and other iconic species highly challenging (Shah). Consequently, sea ice loss will inevitably increase ocean acidification, meaning there will be more carbon dioxide in the oceans (Shah). It will make the waters uninhabitable for thousands of species, including fish and other marine organisms. Moreover, this change will have a long-lasting negative impact on the whole ecosystem, resulting in more food insecurity and extreme weather.
Conclusion
Climate change and global warming are global problems that lead to extreme weather, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss. To mitigate these issues, it is essential that people realize the imminent threat and collaborate to lessen the climate change impact. If humanity can address global warming effectively, it will deter all of the examined negative impacts since extreme weather, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss are closely related problems. To achieve this goal, the public needs to understand the significance of global warming and persuade governments and large corporations to make a positive change. Ultimately, it is not an easy task, but if people gradually realize the importance of preserving the environment, it might be possible to prevent the disastrous consequences.
Works Cited
“Climate Change Will Increase Food Insecurity.” Food Insecurity, edited by Louise I. Gerdes, Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints.
Originally published as “Adaptation and Food Security,” CARE International Climate Change Brief, Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE), 2011, pp. 1-5.
Scher, Sebastian, and Gabriele Messori. “How Global Warming Changes the Difficulty of Synoptic Weather Forecasting.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 46, 2019, pp. 2931-2939.
Shah, Anup. “Climate Change Is Accelerating Biodiversity Loss.” Biodiversity, edited by Debra A. Miller, Greenhaven Press, 2013. Current Controversies. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints.
Originally published as “Climate Change Affects Biodiversity,” 2011.
Marriage: Types And Characteristics
Marriage comes in different dimensions and forms this day, unlike in the past when it was legally the union of two people. Past generations had a standard marriage style which is no longer experienced by the modern generations. The new generation offers a variety of marriage styles and marriages that offer new opportunities, new marriage dynamics, and new ideas. Each culture is accustomed to different marriage practices that can be distinguished from one another. The purpose of marriage is so twisted and diverse today, leading to the formation of many marriage types based on their purpose and how the relationship between the two individuals is defined. The main types of marriage include traditional, civil, monogamous, companion-based, religious, and parenting marriages. All marriage types have key concepts, advantages, and disadvantages that help identify the best-suited one’s needs.
Traditional marriage is the earliest form of union recognized in a given community, social group, or country at a specific period. It is conducted per the customs of the groom and bride families. The key features of this marriage are bride price, gifts, formal dances, and exchange of vows (Deezia, 2020). The bride price is paid to the woman’s family on the arranged date by the man as a form of appreciation. Gifts are exchanged between the families to cement the new union (Deezia, 2020). During the ceremony, formal dances are made as the two exchange vows. Both parents pray for their daughter and son for a long-lasting relationship. Advantages include creating a rich history within the family; it follows a procedure that creates a good bond and promotes friendship between families (Deezia, 2020). Disadvantages include family conflict, expensive to set up, and some marriages being pre-arranged without the consent of the bride or the groom.
Civil marriages are legally recognized without a religious or traditional ceremony. It is formed by signing a civil partnership document which can only be terminated by dissolution and not divorce. They are conducted in the offices of the Registrar of Marriages, Assistant County Commissioner, or Deputy County Commissioner (Khoury, 2020). A marriage certificate is presented and signed by both parties and the commissioning offices with two witnesses present, one for each partner and aged over 16 (Khoury, 2020). Early arrangements need to be made between the spouses and the registrar. Advantages include enjoying a marriage’s legal benefits, including support, inheritance, termination, and support. Each partner is legally entitled to part or all of the property in case of death or separation. The main disadvantage is the hardness of terminating the union (Khoury, 2020). It is illegal in some countries as it is not performed religiously or traditionally, especially in Arab countries.
Monogamous marriage involves a single partner at a time, with the relationship being emotional, sexual, or a combination of the two. It is the main form of marriage in the modern world and is supported by many religions. The main component is incorporating a single partner with zero sexual or emotional attachments with someone outside the relationship. Monogamous marriage reduces stress, promotes healthy relationships, and lowers the risk of sexually transmitted infections as only one partner is involved (Peoples & Zazzarino, 2019). It promotes dignity, trust, and confidence among family members while enhancing security. Commitment and undivided love are upheld while promoting intimacy between couples. The major disadvantage of this type of marriage is boredom, which leads to separation, divorce, and infidelity (Peoples & Zazzarino, 2019). A partner may find it hard to stick to the other for long, leading to cheating that ends up breaking the family.
Companion-based marriage involves a union between two individuals based on friendship. The couple desires to be friends for life as the friendship aspect is an essential part of the union. It promotes equality and mutual consent between the two partners, with the primary purpose being companionship, not security, financial support, or raising children (Isaac & Jiang, 2022). Trust and commitment promote the success of companion-based marriage. It promotes gender equality, birth control, and work-life balance, as spouses have no family obligations (Isaac & Jiang, 2022). The merits of this type of marriage include prioritizing support and communication between partners rather than material wealth. Disadvantages include lack of intimacy, which can lead to cheating and deterioration of friendship love. Friendship relationships are usually accompanied by a lack of passion and excitement (Isaac & Jiang, 2022). Busy schedules between couples can result in limited time together, which is bad for any relationship.
Religious marriage is a union conducted by a religious leader registered as an officiant by the Registrar General. A religious person conducts it, and there is an exchange of vows, readings from the scripture, and a blessing (Shofi, 2021). A marriage certificate is issued to validate the union of the bride and bridegroom (Shofi, 2021). The marriage presides with a ceremony involving family and friends if possible. The advantages of religious marriage include adding a spiritual dimension to the union. It promotes positive effects on economic outcomes, raising children, and mental health. Having religious partners who believe in the same faith promotes happier relationships. Interfaith marriages can lead to more disagreements and arguments within the relationship (Setiawan, 2022). The faith of the most religious partner can be compromised, leading to unhappiness. Religious marriages are expensive, which can be disadvantageous to low-earning partners.
Parenting marriage involves the relationship between two individuals for the children’s sake. There is no love, and the partners stay together until the kids come of age before separating. The main components of this marriage are the kids and both parents. For it to be successful, there is an agreement on new terms of the new marriage, kids are the main focus, and communication about the changing marriage is made (Fitriani, Zufferey & Ibrahim, 2022). Advantages include that it prioritizes the well-being of the children, reduces tension between parents, and there is continued family bonding. The demerits of this marriage are developing negative feelings and thoughts that can interfere with positive family interactions as there is no love (Fitriani et al., 2022). It is difficult for parents to be in contact constantly, yet each is developing a new life. The union gives children false hope about having a stable family and provides a poor relationship model.
Marriages have defining components unique to each and some merits and demerits to family members or partners. Traditional marriage is the earliest form of relationship unification conducted based on some customs and beliefs. Civil marriage is confined and administered by a legal officer of the government. Monogomaus is the most practiced marriage as it involves only a single partner. Companion-based marriage is based on friendship, love, and a relationship with no intimacy. Religious marriage is conducted within areligious settings, be it Muslim, Judaist, or Christian. Parenting marriage prevents children from becoming victims of a destroyed family. Today marriage is not all about the unification of a man and a woman as husband and wife. Each type of marriage is practiced by couples depending on the needs and preferences they all have.
References
Deezia, B. (2020). Traditional marriage: Towards the typologies of marriage in Ogoni traditional philosophy. UJAH: Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities, 21(1), 102-137.
Fitriani, S., Zufferey, C., & Ibrahim, N. (2022). Communal parenting, marriage, and children in Papua, Indonesia: Insights for social work. International Social Work, 2(4), 23-34.
Isaac, E., & Jiang, H. (2022). Tax-based marriage incentives in the affordable care act. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1(2), 25-29.
Khoury, C. (2020). Beyond religious marriages: Civil marriage, civil family laws, and the enhancement of women’s rights in Lebanon. Kohl: A Journal for Body and Gender Research, 6(Summer), 76-89.
Peoples, K., & Zazzarino, A. (2019). The unfaithful male in monogamous and non-monogamous marriage: A phenomenological case study. Sexual Addiction &Amp; Compulsivity, 26(1-2), 137-163.
Setiawan, D. (2022). Inter-religious marriage: A controversial issue in Indonesia. Contemporary Issues on Interfaith Law and Society, 1(1), 23-38.
Shofi, M. (2021). Marriage and religion: Dynamics of religious conversion in marriage and the advancement of community religious life perspective of religious psychology and sociology (study in Lumajang Regency). Dialog, 44(1), 51-66.