France Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

France - Essay Example The river basins in the country are the Rhone, the Seine, the Loire and the Garonne (Encyclopedia.com). All of them played a significant role in the history as they were used as the main transportation routes before the railway replaced them. The population of the country is about 64 million of people with 20 percent of them living in the Parisian region (OECD). The French people have the highest female life expectancy in the EU; at the same time, they are the biggest consumers of medicine in Europe and the second biggest consumers of alcohol on the continent (after Luxembourg) (â€Å"Interesting Facts About France†). Andre Gide, the famous French Nobel Prize winner in literature, once said about the French people, â€Å"French people are Italian people in bad mood† (â€Å"Interesting Quotes†). About 85 percent of the population are Roman Catholics; about 2 percent are Lutherans and Calvinists; Muslims comprise about 8 percent. At the same time, more than 40 percent claim they are atheists (Encyclopedia.com). The official language is French; there are also several regional languages spoken in the country, such as Alsatian, Basque, Catalan, Breton, Corsican, Occitan, Franco-Provencal etc. French was the language of diplomacy and aristocracy throughout the entire Europe and the Ottoman Empire. In addition to this, it was the official language in England for more than three centuries (â€Å"Interesting Facts About France†). France is famous by its well-developed food-and-drink industry. In particular, France is one of the greatest producers of wine and liquors in the world. In fact, wine has been produced in the country since the Roman times. In total, there are more than 450 wine appellations in the entire country. Also, cheese production is flourishing in the country: more than 300 types of cheese, including Camembert, Livarot, Brie de Meaux, Roquefort, Reblochon etc., are made there. What is more, France is the

Institutions in Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Institutions in Business Strategy - Essay Example As the discussion declares in business, both formal and informal institutions are influential in domestic and foreign business operations. In Muslim societies, social norms and practices dictate that people of the Islam faith are religiously prohibited from consuming pork foods and alcoholic drinks among other products. Any business organization that markets pork products or alcoholic drinks in Muslim societies will hardly realize profits because the informal institution of Islam dictates that certain norms and practices must be observed by Muslim consumers. With respect to formal institutions, constitutions, trade agreements and legal courts define and interpret the operational frameworks that both domestic and foreign business entities exercise their business practices. Legal systems determine the level of taxes that organizations pay to revenue authorities, and legal systems also arbitrate issues between business organizations and other stakeholders within a business environment.T his paper discusses that  business entities are more interested in market certainties than they are interested in profitability. Market uncertainties increases business risks, thus correspondingly increasing business costs. As elaborated earlier, institutions enhance certainty and predictability of interactions within a business environment. Formal institutions like judicial systems and investment laws play a critical role during entry and operation within a foreign market.

Reflection paper The roles of the olympic game Essay

Reflection paper The roles of the olympic game - Essay Example The Games have highlighted the position of the leaders who have been a pioneer in suppressing racism. It also has been far more effective in fighting with the forces of doping and eliminating them. The example of Seoul Olympic Games could be seen as force that led to the democratization of the country. After the end of the Olympic Games in Seoul, the military rule in Korea was replaced by the regime of a multiparty that has been elected by the people. The Olympic Games have also provided a platform to the host nation to portray their economic dominance and a scope to establish their position as the world leader. The award of the Olympic Games to the host nation is also the recognition of the international community as place that has the infrastructure and the potential to hold international events. Hover, the characteristic features professed by the Olympic Games have contradicted themselves. This has been evident on a number of occasions that include the integration of the Nazi regi me in the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936. The massacre of student protestors during the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City is also an example which does not reflect the true spirit of the Olympic Games. Awarding the Olympic Games to Korea is another example which contradicts the principles and spirit of the Games. These factors were important for the consideration in context of the Olympic Games in Beijing, 2008. Integration of readings The history of Olympic Games suggests that the greatest international event on sports in earth has always spread the message of peace, harmony and democratization of the world economy. It has also recognized the leadership position of the host nation in making economic progress and in effectively suppressing the forces of racism and discrimination. The contradictions to these virtues of Olympic Games held in the past showed ominous signs for the Olympic games of Beijing, 2008. In the past, the Berlin Games of 1936 showed acceptance of the Nazi regime as anti-humanist forces. The 1968 Games in the Mexico City also witnessed massacre of the student protestors. These negative incidents were likely to be accepted through the Olympic Games in Beijing, 2008 as China got involved in several international incidents that affected its international image adversely (Horne and  Whannel 67). As compared to the earlier instances in Berlin and Mexico City, the public image of the Chinese economy worsened even more. The incidents include the continuous repression of China over the territories of Tibet, failure in intervening in Darfur, Sudan and the lack of safety and environmental pollution of the exported goods. It was, therefore, a concern that the Olympic Games has again been awarded to a country that is not able to sustain its international positions as per the virtues and principles of the Games. Critical analysis The Olympic Games have been a platform which was used by the host nations over the period of history to portray their economic dominance in the international stage. The Olympic Games have always spread the message of harmony and peace and recognized the host nation as the flag holder of their virtues and principles. The international image of the countries that hosted the Olympic Games has been a significant factor against the forces of racism and discrimination. The Seoul Olympic Games led to the democratization of Korea. The Olympic Games were awarded at a time when South Korea was in a state of war with North Korea.

Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 51

Journal - Essay Example The kind of affection author described is unusual now a days, when biological parents give up their children for adoption and single mothers abort their unborn ones for the sake of their convince. Her affection is even with the gifts Joe gifted her; is surprising. Next thing which is totally explicit these days is the kind of hospitality the story entails like Joe and Joe’s wife towards Maria. However, in the tram ‘Maria’ is also displayed in a situation where young generation is giving up traditional etiquettes for elderly, like giving up one’s seat for them due to their age and respectable position in society. Many of the critics believe that since ‘Clay’ is an Irish story therefore, the author interweaved and depicted Ireland’s geographical and political situation through Maria’s tale. The Christian beliefs and their respect is also a significant factor in the tale, which enables the reader to comprehend how people of fate feel and act when they have a religious and spiritual event to attend to. Most shockingly though ‘Maria’ was fat, short woman with a big nose, but readers find her satisfied with her ordinary looks and poor financial condition. She is a contended person who has no complexes about her social and physical position. The story narrates how one should be contended in his own body without regretting about his looks, social and financial position (Attridge,

Feminism and Misandry in Popular Culture Essay Example for Free

Feminism and Misandry in Popular Culture Essay Feminism is dead. What exactly do I mean? Feminism is meant to be about gender equality, but this is no longer true. Instead, feminism has become synonymous with misandry—the hatred of men. Men are society’s official scapegoats while women are portrayed as victims. Men are often penalized for the collective guilt of men throughout history, and women feel they deserve compensation for this perceived victimization in the past. While the early feminist movement ensured equal opportunity for women, it now serves women’s special interests. Popular opinion portrays men as violent and animalistic, while women are viewed as caring and matronly. This is a misnomer perpetuated by a gynocentric society. According to a 2003 study by the Domestic Violence Research Center, it is estimated that 6 million men are victims of domestic violence in Canada alone, accounting for nearly half of all instances of domestic violence. However, fewer than 100,000 cases of male domestic abuse were reported. While it is true that women make up a larger percentage of rape victims, one in thirty-three men is raped or attempted to be raped by a woman. Even more shocking is that less than 1% of all male rape cases are ever reported. Barbara Kay, a Canadian gender equalist, says that the disparity between the reported cases and estimated cases is†¦ â€Å"Due to cultural norms that require men to present a strong facade†¦ men are less likely to verbalize fear of any kind. † Further discrimination happens against fathers. It is commonly assumed that the best interests of the child coincide with the best interests of the mother, but this simply isn’t true. In the study conducted by Patrick Fagan and Dorothy Hanks published in The Child Abuse Crisis: The Disintegration of Marriage, Family, and the American Community, the most likely perpetrator of abuse to a child is the child’s mother. The father is the parent most likely to be the protector of children, and the same study found that the presence of a father greatly lessens the risk of child sexual abuse. Yet many child custody laws in Canada and the United States strongly favor women. Approximately 70% of all custody cases are awarded to women in Western culture, and this percentage drastically increases in America and in the South. Most significantly, though, is the guilt that men must endure. Masculine traits are considered shameful or low-brow, while feminine traits are viewed as refined or high-brow. Overt manliness is something likened to piggishness or idiocy. Male sexuality is depicted as lustful harassment, while female sexuality is flaunted as beautiful and elegant. The hatred of men has become so mainstream that even Hallmark—known for its politically correct sentiments—features cards reading â€Å"There are plenty of things easier than finding a good man†¦ Nailing Jell-O to a tree, for instance. † or â€Å"Men are scum†¦ Excuse me. For a second there, I was feeling generous. † Hallmark is not the only one making money off of popular prejudice: TV shows, books, comic strips and even the new media all pander to this sexist trend. Western culture is seen as the height of the civil rights movement. Great activists like Louisa G. Anderson and Susan B. Anthony revolutionized Britain, America and the rest of the world. Modern feminism, however, caters to the personal gain and special interests of women. Gender equality applies to men and women alike, despite efforts by feminist elitist to degrade and exclude the male gender. Men endure much of the same injustice as women. Misandry is of equal importance to misogyny, and should be treated with the same intolerance.

Teens And Anorexia Nervosa Theory

Teens And Anorexia Nervosa Theory Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that causes a person to obsess about their weight and the food they eat (MFMER. 2008, Para. 1). Anyone can have the disease, but women are particularly susceptible. People who have this condition will view themselves as fat when they look in the mirror although they are in reality dangerously thin and far below the normal weight for their bodys height and age (Lofshult, 2006). They attempt to lose weight by starving themselves and often by obsessive and compulsive exercise. This condition can affect people of all ages, yet teens in America are greatly affected by the disease because they are at a vulnerable development stage and extremely subject to body image issues. (MFMER, 2008). Anorexia Nervosa is at its core an issue with self worth and not really about food at all. When teens are struggling with emotional self esteem issues, they will often try to cope with these feelings through the unhealthy practice of losing weight. It is believed that if they are thinner they will be more accepted by society. Anorexia Nervosa, also known as Anorexia, is a disease that causes them to equate self worth with being thin (MFMER, 2010) It can have serious complications on the body and be life threatening if not treated properly. During the early development years of adolescence, the body requires essential nutrients for growth, making the disease especially harmful on the bodies of teens. If not handled appropriately at an early stage, irreversible damage can be done to the body (Lofshult, 2006). This disease is always difficult to overcome, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, serious complications can be avoided and even reversed. MFMER, 2008). Two theories that can be used to describe and explain Anorexia in teens Eriksons Psychosocial Theory Erickson believed that people go through stages of development from birth to death. There are eight stages of human development in Eriksons Psychosocial Theory. These developmental stages include tasks that result from both biological forces and age related social or cultural expectations (Ashford, J. B. LeCroy, C. W. 2010). Eriksons Psychosocial Theory can be used to describe and explain Anorexia in teens. Teenagers are very much aware of their bodies. According to Erickson teens are concerned with the image they portray to others. During young adulthood which is the fifth stage in Eriksons Theory, the identity crisis that teens face is Identity vs. Identity Confusion. Banduras Social Learning Theory Banduras Social Learning Theory can help explain how Anorexia Nervosa begins. Bandura believed people could influence their environment through conscious cognitive learning. This theory contends that people learn through observations taking place around them. People observe behavior of others around them, known as models. Even if there is no reinforcement of the modeling behavior a person may imitate the behavior observed (Ashford LeCroy, 2010). This process requires indirect learning cognition of their environment. It is cognitive because role models must be observed and then information must be processed and stored in their memory to imitate the behavior (Cherry, 2013). Models are the key in the progression of personality development because of the observational learning principle. The Social Learning Theory combines the cognitive processes with learning principles. It ascertains that people learn when watching others, even though there may be no direct involvement (Ashford LeCro y, 2010). Contrast and compare the principal concepts as applied to anorexia in teens According to Eriksons theory, if a teenager is unable to make deliberate decisions they may experience role confusion, which may manifest itself in a number of ways. In the case of eating disorders, role confusion often manifests itself in what Erikson called a moratorium in which teenagers withdraws from adult responsibilities. If teens successfully work through earlier conflicts of childhood such as trusting others and believing in themselves, this moratorium may simply pass. When a teen has and eating disorders their earlier conflicts may not have been worked through, the moratorium stage may keep the teen stuck in childhood. Having an illness such as an eating disorder is a way to extend childhood and to ensure that the child may remain dependent on the parents without having to face the challenges of adult responsibilities. A major component in Banduras Social Learning Theory is self-efficacy (Ashford LeCroy, 2010). This refers to a persons belief that they are able to achieve specific behaviors. When a person has confidence in their ability to achieve a goal it is more likely that they will not give up easily and that they will be willing to work harder to succeed (Cherry, 2013). This is helpful in understanding how the mind works when a person is suffering with Anorexia. Research has shown that the media plays a significant role in the way teens view body image. (Harrison, 2001). Also if a teen believes they are fat, they will see themselves as fat when they look in the mirror, even if they are terribly thin (MFMER, 2010). In comparison, Eriksons theory is inherently dependent upon the childhood developmental stages and Banduras theory hypothesizes that changes can be made in the adult stage though confidence building strategies without accessing childhood experiences. Banduras modeling theory can be used to reshape body image ideals with current effective role models. Erikson theory will need intensive counseling to come to terms with childhood trauma for recovery to be effective (Bandura, Thoresen, Praeger, 2007). Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses to explain anorexia in teens The strength of Erikson Theory is that if teens successfully work through earlier conflicts of childhood such as trusting others and believing in themselves, this moratorium may simply pass. Teenagers have to find a balance between developing a unique, individual identity while still being accepted and fitting in. The weakness to this is that a teen has and eating disorders their earlier conflicts may not have been worked through, the moratorium stage may keep the teen stuck in childhood. For girls, even though its completely normal (and necessary) to gain some additional body fat during puberty, some respond to this change by becoming very fearful of their new weight and feel compelled to get rid of it any way they can. Teenagers are overloaded by images of thin celebrities. When you combine the pressure to be like these role models with a changing body, its not hard to see why some teens develop a distorted body image. Teenage that struggling with an eating disorder, are full of co nfusion, self-doubt and the searching for their identity. The strength of Banduras Theory in explaining Anorexia in teens, is how young girls are greatly affected by peer pressure they experience during the teen years (Harrison, 2001). Most women with Anorexia began to develop the disease in their teens, when peer pressure was at its height. However, it has been diagnosed in children as young as young as five years old and in women as old as 90. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) estimates that almost one percent of all female teenagers between the ages of twelve and eighteen have Anorexia Nervosa. It has also been determined that at least thirty percent of all adolescent girls engage in some form of unhealthy form of dieting. Researchers have concluded that teens who diet on a regular basis have a greater potential for developing this disease later in life than those who do not diet at all. For those that diet a severe level, they were eighteen percent more likely to develop Anorexia (Lofshult, 2006). It is important that we educate y oung girls to the possible dangers of excessive dieting (Harrison, 2001). As social workers it is necessary that we become aware of the severe consequences of early dieting and seek to help young people and their parents to understand that dieting can lead to a much higher risk of developing an eating disorder like Anorexia. Education of the disease is needed to change the culture that is promoted in the media today (Lofshult, 2006). Compare and contrast the theories compatibility with social work values and ethics to describe anorexia in teens and its commitment to economic and social justice Eriksons Psychoanalytical theory forms an important part of social work, as it helps practitioners understand the inner mental universe of affected individuals and helps them come up with effective therapeutic techniques. Today, many modern approaches like crisis intervention and cognitive-behavioral theories have evolved out of early psychodynamic explorations, which help people through individual counseling and rehabilitation methods. According to Erikson the period between school entry and puberty becomes a period of learning a mastering the more basic skills needed in society. Teenagers suffer from Anorexia because of the desire to be thin. However there is absolutely no doubt that the body image obsession is a major causal factor in the high incidence of bulimia in Western society. From a social work perspective the existing conditions should not always be perceived as the fault of the individual, based on his or her bad choices. Addressing social justice and encouraging social change is so important to the field of social work that the preamble to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics clearly states that social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. (Delegate Assembly, Approved 1996; Revised 2008, p. 2) Many girls that begin a bulimic lifestyle tend to start on or before puberty a critical stage of development where most of us begin to form lifelong beliefs about ourselves. As social workers must help clients understanding oneself strength, help them define who they are. One of Banduras most famous experiments which exemplified the social theory, through observational learning was the Bobo doll experiment (Ashford LeCroy, 2010) Bandura allowed children to observe an adult behaving violently towards a Bobo doll. Later, the children were sent back into the room with the Bobo doll and the children automatically began to imitate the violent behavior they had seen previously by the adults (Cherry, 2013). Bandura hypothesized from the childrens behavior that humans can learn from just watching others, even though there has been no formal teaching taking place (Ashford LeCroy, 2010). He identified 3 basic models that influence behavior, the live model, verbal instructional model and the symbolic model (Cherry, 2013). The symbolic model best exemplifies how social work values and ethics are related to anorexia in teens and encourages more of a commitment on anorexic teens behalf (Cherry, 2013). It is a clear social and economic injustice that the media is allowed to influence young girls in such a strong way by giving impressions of successful young girls and their size (Harrison, 2001). The symbolic model, involves fictional characters or real people being displayed in books, films, online media or television programs (Cherry, 2013). Society does not specifically tell teens that they need to be thin, but messages are sent via media that say otherwise (Harrison, 2001). Bandura indicated that external, environmental reinforcement was not the only factor that influences behavior. He believed there is also a central reinforcement of our cognitive thoughts, such as pride, satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Bandura described these cognitive internal thoughts as cognitive development and said that they could reinforce behavior (Cherry, 2013). Young girls are highly motivated by feeling of acceptance by their peer and due to media representations by social media in America, girls are made to feel pride and satisfaction when thin (Harrison, 2001). Assess the theories contribution to social work practice. Eriksons theory of psychosocial development is one of the best-known theories of personality in psychology among teenagers that struggle with Anorexia. I feel that teenagers are unhappy with the way they look because all of the people on TV are good-looking and are living a good life. I also feel that there is too much pressure in being popular because you would not know who to talk to or to sit with at lunch. This can make teens be overly critical of ourselves, which will eventually lead to self-destruction. Banduras Social Learning Theory has many important implications in the field of teen development. Teachers, parents and medical professionals recognize today that modeling is an important aspect teen behavior. It is common today, for social workers and other professionals to use self-efficacy principles which are found in Banduras Social Learning Theory (Cherry, 2013). New studies show how the brain is linked to positive emotions and having a healthy view of oneself. It is now understood that a persons consciousness plays a major role in how the brain works. The focus of attention of a teen, what they continually think about, can alter their behavior and character (Bandura et al., 2007). Teens are bombarded with thin media in areas such as, magazines, movies, TV programs and billboards, which affects their continued mental processes on the subject (Harrison, 2001). Banduras theories are used to encourage new medical and psychological research that continues to help people learn new b ehaviors by refocusing their cognitive processes through positive outlooks and beliefs. (Bandura et al., 2007). Over the past three decades, Banduras Social Cognitive Theory has been the single most influential and highly cited theory in psychology (Bandura et al., 2007, p. 40). Social work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual. Social Workers we use the strengths perspective assesses the inherent strengths of a person or family, and then builds on them. Strength is defined as almost anything that assists a person in dealing with lifes challenges. It uses peoples personal strengths to aid in recovery and empowerment. Its really about reframing personal perception to find good even in the worst situation.

The Stigma of Mental Illness in Developing Countries

The Stigma of Mental Illness in Developing Countries The Stigma of Mental Illness in Developing Countries Seeking treatment for mental illness can be a daunting task. Even in the United States, where medical care is relatively easy to obtain, there is a stigma surrounding mental illness. In my own experience of living in a small, close-knit community, I found it nearly terrifying to talk to my primary care physician about the anxiety and depression I was experiencing. In my town, parking my car at the counseling center was like admitting that I couldnt take care of myself. The common perception in the community was that people need to suck it up and not rely on doctors or therapists to get through life. With this clear and prevalent stigma against mental illness and treatment, it took me years to finally get the help that I needed. This issue of stigma was still on my mind when I started looking for a topic for this research project. I was curious about how non-Western and developing countries viewed the issue and what was being done to help lessen the stigma of mental illness worldwide. What is Stigma? In order to take a close look at mental health stigma in cultures around the world, we first need to understand exactly what is meant by stigma. The dictionary definition of stigma is a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on ones reputation (Dictionary.com). This is a good place to start, but it does not accurately define the measurable aspects of stigma, which is necessary for researchers to be able to study it. Link et al. (2004) discuss several theoretical perspectives for stigmatization in general and the stigma of mental illness in particular. Most useful for the purposes of this paper is the framework laid out by Link and Phelen (2001) and discussed and elaborated upon by Link et al. (2004) that suggests several interrelated categories: labeling, stereotyping, separating, emotional reactions, status loss, and stigmas dependence on power structure. Labeling is a natural way that humans categorize differences, and many labels (shoe size, favorite foods) are not so cially salient. Other labels, such as sexual preference or nationality, are much more relevant. Both the selection of salient characteristics and the creation of labels for them are social achievements that need to be understood as essential components of stigma (Link et al. 2004). In the stereotyping component, the researchers suggest that the labeled differences are linked to negative assumptions about the labeled person or others with similar characteristics. The next aspect of the stigma process is separating, which is the us versus them mindset. Link et al. (2004) suggest that one place the initial conceptual framework about stigma is lacking is in the underrepresentation of emotional reactions: We believe that this underrepresentation needs to be corrected, because emotional responses are critical to understanding the behavior of both stigmatizers and people who are recipients of stigmatizing reactions. Status loss and discrimination can be overt, like refusing employment to s omeone with a mental illness, but it can also be much more insidious and pervasive. Link et al. (2004) gives the example that considerably less funding exists for schizophrenia research and facilities for schizophrenia treatment are often located in less desirable locations. The final aspect of the stigma framework is its dependence on power structures Link et al. (2004) state that this aspect is very important because without social, cultural, economic and political power the concept of stigma would be much less useful. Now that we understand at least one way in which stigma can be defined, we must next go about looking at the ways stigma is measured. Link et al.(2004) state that there is a considerable lack of study of mental illness stigma in the developing world they reviewed a large number of studied conducted worldwide, and found only a few in Asia and Africa, though the researchers did clarify that this might have been because their review was restricted to English language journals. This paper will focus on a few key studies, but it is certain that more study in this area is needed to get an in-depth look at differences between cultures and the relative stigma of mental illness. Some studies focus on the stigma of the general population towards those with mental illness, while others focus on the opinions of people who suffer from mental illness. One survey I found to be particularly interesting and useful is the World Mental Health Survey, in which subjects with mental health issues were asked about their perceived stigma (Alonso et al. 2008). For this survey, stigma was considered to be present if respondents reported both embarrassment and perceived discrimination related to illness. Among people with significant activity limitations (i.e., at least moderate difficulty with cognition, mobility, self-care, or social), the perceived stigma rate was highest in the Ukraine, with 32.1% of respondents reporting stigma. The lowest rate was 3.2% in Germany. The average rate of perceived stigma in developing countries was 22.1%, compared to 11.7% in developed countries (Alonso et al. 2008, Table 1). The researchers finding was that perceived stigma associated with mental disorders is universal, but considerably more frequent in developing countries; however, the implications of this finding were not discussed, though they suggest it may be of interest to investigate social, cultural and health service characteristics that differentiate countries in which patients feel less excluded from countries in which patients are more likely to report perceived stigma (Alonso et al. 2008:312). The researchers also found that perceived stigma is strongly associated with common mental disorders, particularly with comorbid mood and anxiety (Alonso et al. 2008:306). The implications of this survey are twofold: first, developing and developed countries have different ways of associating stigma with mental illness, although the reasons for this are not clear. Second, people with mental illness are much more likely to perceive stigma relating to illness than, for example, people with chronic physical ailments. Most interesting to me is the fact that the statis tics from Alonso et al.s (2004) study shows that developing countries have nearly double the rate of perceived stigma as developed countries. Studies of Stigma in Developing Countries Lauber and Rossler (2006) conducted a review of literature that summarizes results of research on the stigma of mental illness in developing Asian countries. They state that this research is very important because The stigma of mental illness and discrimination against mental patients are believed to be a significant obstacle to development of mental health care and to ensuring quality of life of those suffering from mental illness (Lauber and Rossler 2006: 158). They provide a clear discussion of how they defined developing and developed countries: A developing country is a country with a low-income average, a relatively undeveloped infrastructure and a poor human development index when compared to the global normDevelopment entails developing a modern infrastructure (both physical and institutional), and a move away from low value added sectors such as agriculture and natural resource extraction. Developed countries usually have economic systems based on continuous, self-sustaining economic growth (Lauber and Rossler 2006:160). This definition helps clarify some of the general differences between developing and developed countries. Lauber and Rosslers (2006) review of literature found that people in developing countries in Asia are generally afraid of those with mental illness. They also found that many studies reported respondents who felt that mental illness symptoms were a normal reaction to stress; this finding suggests that awareness of mental illness and the need for medical intervention is lacking in these cultures. However, the results of these studies are similar to the results in Western countries (Lauber and Rossler 2006). Another finding of this study was in regards to help-seeking behaviors: it is much more likely for those seeking help for mental illness to rely on family members instead of professional mental health services (Lauber and Rossler 2006). I found it interesting that the researchers suggest the differences in mental health care in developing Asian countries is due not only to a different cultural understanding of health and health care, but also the stigmatizing attitude of health car e professionals as well (Lauber and Rossler 2006). Gureje and Lasebikan (2005) studied the use of treatment services for mental illness in the Yoruba-speaking part of Nigeria through face-to-face interviews with nearly 5,000 adults. They found that fewer than 1 in 10 people with mental health disorders over the past 12 months had received any treatment whatsoever, compared with 25% in the United States (Gureje and Lasebikan 2005). They also found that respondents who did receive treatment were much more likely to be treated in the general medical sector rather than by a mental health specialist; these results are similar to those found in other developing countries as well as developed nations. Another significant finding was that people with mental illness were considerably less likely to use complimentary health providers than those with other non-mental disorders: This observation flies in the face of the common belief that traditional healers provide service for a high proportion of persons with mental disorders in developing Afr ican countries (Gureje and Lasebikan 2005:48). The authors suggest that many of the problems with mental health utilization in Nigeria result from its inadequate health service personnel and facilities, financial constraint, as well as poor knowledge of and negative attitude to mental illness (both of which are rampant in Nigeria) (Gureje and Lasebikan 2005:48). This suggests that in addition to the need for better health systems in developing countries, we also need to address the issue of stigma towards mental health treatment. Another study in 2005 attempted to look at the existing attitudes towards mental illness in the same Yoruba-speaking part of Nigeria. Gureje et al. (2005) studied over 2000 respondents and found widespread stigmatization of mental illness. The researchers found that respondents were often misinformed about the cause of mental illness with 80.8% stating that mental illness could be caused by drug or alcohol abuse, 30.2% claiming possession by evil spirits as a cause, followed by about equal responses of trauma, stress, and genetic inheritance (Gureje et al. 2005; Table 2). The researchers add that only about one-tenth of respondents believed that biological factors or brain disease could be the cause of mental illness, and 9% felt that Punishment from God was a possible cause (Gureje et al. 2005). In addition to the misunderstood causes of mental illness, the researchers found that many Nigerians have generally negative views towards people with mental illness: fewer than half of respondents believed that the mentally ill could be treated outside of hospitals, and only thought that mentally ill people could work at a regular job. The researchers found that these negative attitudes were equally spread across the socioeconomic spectrum (Gureje et al. 2005). The stigma associated with mental illness in Nigeria is evident in the responses that show most respondents were unwilling to have social interactions with someone with mental illness, including fear of having a conversation with or working with a mentally ill person (Gureje et al. 2005:437). 83% of respondents would be ashamed of people knowing that someone in their family was mentally ill, and only 3.4% responded that they could marry someone with a mental illness (Gureje et al. 2005: Table 4). These results support the fi ndings of the World Mental Health Survey that the stigma of mental illness is considerably higher in developing countries than in developed countries, but the research still does not show any distinct variables that could be identified in order to help reduce the associated stigma. Griffiths et al. (2006) performed a comparison of stigma in response to mental disorders between Australia and Japan, and found some interesting results. This was the only research I found that used similar methodologies to survey the public in two different cultures. Though both Japan and Australia are developed nations, the cross-cultural comparison is relevant to this study. Griffiths et al. (2006) found a significantly higher proportion of the Japanese respondents held stigmatizing attitudes and social distance towards mental illness. The authors give several possible reasons for this difference. First, conformity is more highly valued in Japan, so people who deviate from the norm because of mental illness would be more negatively impacted. Secondly, the treatment options in the two countries differ: in Japan, long-term institutionalization is common, while in Australia, community and rehabilitation services are emphasized. The implication is that even among developed countries, significant differences in the rates of stigma and the way it affects a society occur; therefore, any push to combat stigma needs to take into account these cultural differences. The authors suggest that this study may point to ways in which interventions programs for reducing stigma might be tailored for each country (Griffiths et al. 2006). Attempts to Reduce Stigma Associated With Mental Illness Many countries and cultures have made attempts to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Lauber and Rossler (2006) discuss the attempts in some Asian countries to rename schizophrenia in order to reduce the stigma associated with the disease; however, results show that a less pejorative label has little effect on the stigma associated with schizophrenia. Stein and Gureje (2004) suggest the approach of medicalization of suffering, or training healthcare providers to recognize the depression and anxiety that are often related to violence, chronic illness, and poverty in order for this to be successful, however, overcoming the stigma related to mental health issues is of primary importance. Lauber and Sartorius (2007) states that work towards reducing the stigma of mental illness is very important as a human rights issue: Societal or structural discrimination finds its expression in jurisdiction that restricts the civil rights of people with mental illness in, for example, v oting, parenting or serving jury duty, inequities in medical insurance coverage, discrimination in housing and employment, and the reliance on jails, prisons and homeless shelters as the way of disposing of people with mental illness (103). They discuss the importance of the normalization paradigm in which people with mental disorders are seen as similar to and not different from other people and medicalization, the idea that mental illness is a treatable medical condition rather than a personal defect, in the anti-stigma endeavors (Lauber and Sartorius 2007). Form (2000) suggests that one important aspect of reducing mental health stigma is to increase what he calls mental health literacy or knowledge about mental health disorders: he outlines several education programs that were widespread in the 80s and 90s in the United States the Depression Awareness, Recognition and Treatment Program and the National Depression Screening Day. These programs received widespread media attention, but their effects have not been studied. Form suggests that one good way to help improve mental health literacy is to target specific populations, such as high school students. However, Forms research says little about how these ideas would work in developing countries. In conclusion, a look at the research on stigma associated with mental illness shows significant differences in developing and developed countries, but the reasons for this are still unclear. I had hoped to conclude this research with a set of key differences between high-stigma and low-stigma cultures, but this information, if it exists, was not found. I believe that research on identifying causes for and reducing incidences of the stigma of mental illness is a very important topic in medical anthropology and one I believe will see continued advancement in research in the future. References Cited Alonso, J., A. Buron, R. Bruffaerts, Y. He, J. Posada-Villa, J-P. Lepine, M.C. Angermeyer, D. Levinson, G. de Girolamo, H. Tachimori, Z.N. Mneimneh, M.E. Medina-Mora, J. Ormel, K.M. Scott, O. Gureje, J.M. Haro, S. Gluzman, S. Lee, G. Vilagut, R.C. Kessler, M. Von Korff, the World Mental Health Consortium. 2008 Association of perceived stigma and mood and anxiety disorders: results from the world Mental Health Surveys. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 118:305-314. Griffiths, Kathleen M., Y Nakane, H. Christensen, K. Yoshioka, A. F. Jorm, and H. 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