How a boy life affected when raised without a father Essay

Both Wes Moore’s grew up without their fathers in their lives. Wes Moore’s father was taken away from him at an early age due to illness. His father had acute epiglottitis. Until the death of Wes Moore he had a close relationship. While The Other Wes Moore’s father choice to be absent from his child’s life. In the book we read that he tried to see The Other Wes Moore one night, drunk and pound on his mother’s door demanding to see Wes, but after not given access inside he vanished from Wes’s life. Studies show that â€Å"children with fathers at home tend to do better in school, are less prone to depression and are more successful in relationships. Children from one-parent families achieve less and get into trouble more than children from two parent families.† Both children were forced to learn a lot at a young age and in a way became the men of their households, in their father’s absences. Although because of the difference in their losses of their father’s the affects differed. The death of a parent can really damage a child. At times it can change just about everything about the child its future, its personality, its beliefs, its fears, its cravings, and how the child perceives the world itself. Death can traumatize anyone, but it is even more traumatic for a 6 year old boy. In the case of the other Wes Moore that had the father that didn’t choice not to take part in his child’s life it differs in the affects. Another study showed that 1,197 fourth-grade students were observed researchers that concluded the children that grew up without t â€Å"greater levels of aggression in boys from mother-only households than from boys in mother-father households.† This brings me to the assumption that because of The Other Wes Moore choice to go down the wrong path due to the circumstances that had been placed in his life. He was only bound to go down the wrong path because he had never had a good father figure or father in his life, while Wes Moore on the other hand had that. Wes Moore only had his father in his life for a short time period but yet a still he had his father in life while The Other Wes Moore never did. â€Å"Statistics have been quoted that the percentage of father absence homes is  as high as 60%. However, these statistics do not reflect the number of fathers who are physically present in the homes but maybe emotionally, psychologically or spiritually absent.† Which show’s me that there are a lot of young men in the world being raised with a father, and I am certain all of them are not in prison either. Though the author in â€Å"The Other Wes Moore† believes that he is â€Å"lucky†, one would not refer to his accomplishments as luck. Both Wes Moore’s’ were given various chances, to go to school, continue on with their education, and get a job to support their families. Although their stories were very similar by not having their fathers in their lives, or good males figure to guide them and raise them to be â€Å"men† they choice different paths in life. I believe that life is all about the choices you make for yourself. Regardless of who is there to guide you. Yes, it may be harder to grow up fast and lead yourself down the right path. But all is possible; so luck really did not have much of a part to in the author’s life. Wes Moore (the author) choice to make chances in his life for the better, he wanted better for himself and fought for it; while The Other Wes Moore didn’t. In some situations you are given many chances, others you are only given one. I feel as if smart, thought out decisions are more beneficial for me than fast decision where I haven’t thought about the repercussions for my action. Therefore, I believe if I were in either of the Wes Moore’s places I would have looked at life and made the decision the author made rather than The Other Wes Moore. In life we are given more than just luck, but an opportunity, a chance to be better and do better each and every day. It is up to one to take those chances. In their situations, it was obvious that they were looking for more than just â€Å"luck† at the time, school was not at the top of their to do list, working day and night at a job getting paid minimum wage wasn’t either. What’s amazing about this story is their lives could have easily been the same, both successful men with stories to share with the world, together. Or both behind bars for the rest of their lives, perhaps even cell mates with it being ironic of them both having the same first and last name as well as them heading down the same path at such a young age. Simply knowing the right from the wrong, even when times are hard. To make the right decision and take the right opportunity. Works Cited â€Å"Statistics of a Fatherless America.† _dads4kids.com._ Photius Coutsoukis, Copyright  © 1995-2002. Web. Revised 20-Jul-02. . N. Vaden-Kierman, N. Ialongo, J. Pearson, and S. Kellam, â€Å"Household Family Structure and Children’s Aggressive Behavior: A Longitudinal Study of Urban Elementary School Children,† _Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology_ 23, no. 5 (1995). _One Parent Families and Their Children: The School’s Most Significant Minority,_ conducted by The Consortium for the Study of School Needs of Children from One Parent Families, co sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Institute for Development of Educational Activities, a division of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, Arlington, VA., 1980

Comparing and Contrasting between village gold class cinema tickets for two people and an iPod touch

Comparing and Contrasting between village gold class cinema tickets for two people and an iPod touch Introduction Different products in the market serve different purposes to a varied clientele. When a product is being introduced in the market, a comprehensive survey by the respective company introducing it is required. The survey entails the kind of target market that the company aims at serving, this may be done through the use of questionnaires so as to have a comprehensive feedback about how people think or perceive your product.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Comparing and Contrasting between village gold class cinema tickets for two people and an iPod touch specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For instance if you are introducing a product such as men’s suit, one will be required to conduct a survey on the type of suit mostly preferred by most men, the frequency of them wearing suits. Such kind of market surveys enables the company to have a clear line specification and a good plot on how to approach the ma rket and win the customers loyalty while still having a competitive edge over the other companies offering similar products. Similarly, to establish how your product will best suit the market needs, it important to know the market trends of different companies in the industry offering a similar product. For example, the introduction of technology could have rendered certain usages and techniques redundant and all the other organizations may have adapted the newly trends of the technology. Innovation is very key again to ensure that your company has an advantage over the others. Innovation will entail coming up with unique products serving the same purposes but in a modest manner (Silk, 2006, p. 101). Comparing and contrasting In order to compare and two products in the market, we need to look at how the different products serve varied needs in the market, the target group by the organizations selling the two products. We also need to look at the marketing strategy and share that the two products have in the market. Additionally, other factors that need to be put into consideration includes:- how best the products are advertised to consumers, the costs incurred in the production, distribution and the margin of sales obtained after selling products and the pricing of the different products. When it comes to the product target market, this entails the appeal that different products have to varied customers (Baker, 2010, p. 186). Some products may basically be manufactured targeting at meeting the needs of a certain age group or certain sex such as toys are meant for kids specifically.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Marketing approach taken for such a product will be different from those of adults. For instance, when it comes to advertising, it will be done in such a way that the kids can easily associate with such the games that kids like to pl ay. Marketing strategy being one of the basic modes to differentiate how the different products will get their way into the market entails companies concentrating on their limited resources to make the best out of them. That is looking into different opportunities in the market on how the company can increase its sales volumes at the minimum costs possible so that they can maximize on their returns expected. This is centered on the fact that the customer satisfaction is our key goal and aim (Orchard, 2007, p. 58). If a business is going to thrive in the industry, its life will depend on how the market is going to accept their product. This is the basic reason as to why most businesses will have most of their time and capital spent on making comprehensive market research. The two products in question are village gold class cinema tickets for two people and an ipod touch. These products are meant to serve different needs in the market to varied target customer groups. Village cinema h as established sites across Australia, the United States and Greece (Galbraith, 2005, p 342). Some of the cinemas operated under village cinemas branding includes:- Westfield Airport West, Century City Walk, Hobart, Crown, Jam Factory, The Mall Athens, Sunshine, Volos, Morwell, Geelong and others. Gold Class Cinemas are luxurious cinemas with varying locations across USA and Australia. They include butlered refreshments, cloakroom facilities, menu offerings and very comfortable relaxing seats. Bookings can also be made online at cinemas and comfortable seats. Village gold class cinema have used different and varying approaches to expand, and maintain their dominant market position in spite stiff competition from companies such as multiplex cinema complex, and other external factors such as increasing property prices leading to demographic change of the people living there.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Comparing and Contrasting between village gold class cinema tickets for two people and an iPod touch specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There has been consolidation with the UK market. This is specifically meant to place the cinema village in a better position to meet the different challenges facing the organization. Confining to laws of the land where a firm operates is a necessity for the better operation of an organization. This is enhanced through the follow ups of set regulations in standardizing the product and the necessary process of production. There have been constant promotions such as free tickets for two. Such special offers enhance and boost the company’s revenues. The locations different locations are meant to reach out to different consumers in the different cities and countries. Gold class cinema is best suited for two and even more because of their different combinations with bars, sporting events, home cinemas, travel and restraints. Following the technological advancem ent, online reputation management has worked to save the various firms. It is usually labor intensive but fast in its effectiveness as it takes a short time of operation. Some of the other strengths may include the obtaining of a liquor license giving the cinema a competitive edge. An iPod touch is an ipod which has a high-resolution display, HD video recording, Face Time video calling, Game centre (handheld game console), music (portable media player), personal digital assistant. Also, the ipod enables photo printing, email, access of web pages, wireless stream music, video to apple TV and air play enabled speakers or receivers. Ipod touch has increasingly continued to thrive hard in the industry by its consistent dynamism over the years through coming up with appealing products, which are also highly competitive in the market. For instance, it revolutionized era of mp3 and the biggest or largest computer companies has major interests in the digital music industry. In spite of the varied challenges that it has faced in the market such imitators and pirates who flood the market with imitation bringing the quality of the products down. The loyal consumers also loose trust in the products since they cannot substantiate or differentiate them.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The newest ipods are unique from what the market offered earlier on. They are both for instance powered by dual ARM processor and a brand new version of portal player, the music player. Their different innovations have enabled the company thrive very well in the market. Other comparisons and contrasts include:- Advertising The most effective mode of advertisement used by both companies is through printing of adverts, use of the internet for posting adverts since they market their products world wide especially an ipod touch. Ipod touch advertises through the use of television since this gives the viewer a vivid picture of how the gadget works and looks like. Village cinema gold touch uses print media as the basic mode of advertisement. Target market The two companies are focused on the entertainment market. Village gold class cinema is meant for movie and theatre lovers, and the ipod is multipurpose as it can be used as a phone music device and can also down load movies (Miles Snow , 2003, p. 66). The ipod has catered for the needs of different target age groups as it has games for the kids, and other special features can be used by both teenagers and adults. Village gold class cinema tickets for two people are mostly meant for couples. Cost The costs attributed to the products proudly differ. For instance the manufacturing costs, which determines the selling prices of the products differ significantly. The raw materials used have different costs attached to them and hence the differing selling prices. References Baker, M. J. (2010). The Strategic Marketing Plan Audit: a detailed top management review of every aspect of your Company’s marketing strategy. Axminster, Devon: Campridge Strategy Publication.. Galbraith, J. R. (2005). Designing the customer-centric organization: a guide to strategy, structure, and process. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint. Miles, R. E., Snow, C. C. (2003). Organizational strategy, structure, and process . Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press. Orchard, T. (2007). A History of the iPod: 2005 to Present. Low End Mac: Worth It!. Retrieved from http://lowendmac.com/2013/ipod-history-2005-present/ Silk, A. J. (2006). What is marketing? Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press.

Free Essays on Origins Of Behvior

Therapy The Origins of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Cognitive behavior therapy was devised in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Albert Ellis, Ph.D. in New York and by Aaron Beck, M.D. in Philadelphia. Although they worked independently of each other, both Ellis and Beck had grown dissatisfied with the traditional Freudian psychoanalytic therapies. Though both of these men trained with Freud, they believed that peoples’ conscious beliefs and thought processes were very important in understanding how people became depressed, anxious, or disturbed. Freudian psychoanalytic theory, on the other hand, tended to de-emphasize conscious thought. By the late 1950s, advances in behavioral science and experimental psychology had raised questions of the main assumptions of psychoanalysis, and new theories of the human mind were being introduced. â€Å"There are actually several kinds of Cognitive-Behavioral therapies (spelled behavioural in British English), employing the same general premise: in contrast to the psychodynamic emphasis on insight into unconscious motivation, the cognitive-behavioral therapies emphasize the ability of people to make changes in their lives without having to understand why the change occurs.† (Richmond, 2001) The Theory behind Cognitive Behavior Therapy By 1962, research into human emotion found that people’s thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions regarding events were important in guiding emotional experience (Carson, B.M. 2000). For example, important research showed that people labeled their physiological arousal according to the environmental situation they perceived. Experiments demonstrated that the physical effects of adrenaline could be labeled as fear, anger, or giddiness, depending on the person’s assumptions and thoughts about their situation. Because people's thoughts had such powerful effects on their emotional experience and emotional behavior, scientists were forced to devise new theories to accou... Free Essays on Origins Of Behvior Free Essays on Origins Of Behvior Therapy The Origins of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Cognitive behavior therapy was devised in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Albert Ellis, Ph.D. in New York and by Aaron Beck, M.D. in Philadelphia. Although they worked independently of each other, both Ellis and Beck had grown dissatisfied with the traditional Freudian psychoanalytic therapies. Though both of these men trained with Freud, they believed that peoples’ conscious beliefs and thought processes were very important in understanding how people became depressed, anxious, or disturbed. Freudian psychoanalytic theory, on the other hand, tended to de-emphasize conscious thought. By the late 1950s, advances in behavioral science and experimental psychology had raised questions of the main assumptions of psychoanalysis, and new theories of the human mind were being introduced. â€Å"There are actually several kinds of Cognitive-Behavioral therapies (spelled behavioural in British English), employing the same general premise: in contrast to the psychodynamic emphasis on insight into unconscious motivation, the cognitive-behavioral therapies emphasize the ability of people to make changes in their lives without having to understand why the change occurs.† (Richmond, 2001) The Theory behind Cognitive Behavior Therapy By 1962, research into human emotion found that people’s thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions regarding events were important in guiding emotional experience (Carson, B.M. 2000). For example, important research showed that people labeled their physiological arousal according to the environmental situation they perceived. Experiments demonstrated that the physical effects of adrenaline could be labeled as fear, anger, or giddiness, depending on the person’s assumptions and thoughts about their situation. Because people's thoughts had such powerful effects on their emotional experience and emotional behavior, scientists were forced to devise new theories to accou...

MD3 Assignment 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

MD3 Assignment 3 - Essay Example What is the importance of education? Does education help individuals make decisions on what is good or wrong? At school, there are rules and regulations, students follow them and failure to do so, there are consequences. Do these rules help people to become successful in life, after attaining education? Imagine education as your brother, parent or even a friend. Would you want to let that person who you care for down? My guess is that every person works hard to have a good relationship with their loved ones so that they can get the best out of each other. The same way, education enables us to be better people or citizens in our country. Education is important since it creates a sense of goodwill among individuals, and this will ensure that peace prevails in the country if people get educated. Personal reference would be the most effective in giving a speech, since people remember most stories told of an individual’s personal life. This is because people can relate with the story from the past to what an individual has achieved in the present. It is also effective because it shows that the person giving the speech understands the topic perfectly through having personal experiences related to the

Principles of Instructional Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Principles of Instructional Design - Essay Example Analysis also helps the management in preparing product in time as per customers request. It also helps the management to find out the shortcomings of the design so that remedial measures can be taken to remove these shortcomings. Economic Feasibility: It refers to the benefits or outcomes. We are deriving from the product as compared to the total cost we are spending for developing the product. If the benefits are more or less the same as the older system, then it is not feasible to develop the product. The intended design development of the new product greatly enhances the accuracy of the system and cuts short the delay in the processing of application. The errors can be greatly reduced and at the same time providing great level of security. Operational Feasibility: It refers to the feasibility of the instructional designed product to be operational. Some products may work very well at design and implementation but may fall in the real time environment. It includes the study of additional human resources required and their technical expertise. Technical Feasibility: It refers to whether the design that is available fully supports the present application. It studies the pros and cons of using particular design for the development and it's feasibility. It also studies the additional training need to be given to the people to make the application work. Parallel Run System: It is most secure method of converting from an

Politics and Policy in Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Politics and Policy in Education - Essay Example The researcher states that politicians have the responsibility to take into account the welfare of the society and therefore education has become one of the first issues for all political parties’ agenda. Education has improved the market outcomes, particularly for the developing countries. Moreover, it has created positive thinking and attitudes, constructive way of socialization, modernization and overall transformation of the societies. In 1960s Higher Education Committee concluded in their report that education contributes towards economic growth. After around 30 years in 1990s loans were made available for students to help them with their education, and they were not required to repay this loan until they finish their studies and find a job, even then they were required to pay back the loan by installments. Money was invested in students who in return served the country and empowered the market economy. It also improved the social welfare and the economical and cultural c ircumstances. World Bank stressed on financing education in their report, describing education as a social and private investment. Markets and politicians both have realized the importance of financing education and therefore policies have been designed to support education. Markets, on the other hand, contend against free public education. After 1945 United Kingdom became a welfare state and government took the responsibility of health care, insurance, pensions, and child benefits. But with time it was realized that in order to remain efficient welfare system will have to be restructured and therefore nongovernmental organizations started to play a role too in social services (Zaleski, 2006). It was difficult for the government to bear all the social expenses therefore privatization was inevitable. Market became dominant in the economy by giving people license to pursue personal profit. All this made markets more competitive as barriers to entry were removes and everyone was given a level playing field. Mrs. Thatcher argued about privatization and reformation of the trade union. Thatcher's government injected competition and privatization. In Thatcher’s government education moved from being a pillar of the welfare state to being an instrument for a change and developing global market economy (Tomlinson, 2005). National curriculum was inspired from the free market to respond to the diversity of students. Following that the publishing of the league table promoted and motivated competition between schools, which was success for the market

The Outsiders WebQuest Essay Example for Free

The Outsiders WebQuest Essay During this term, we will be reading the novel, The Outsiders. In order to fully understand the context of the story, it is important that you have a clear understanding of the time period. In some ways many things haven’t changed since the 1960s (i.e. gangs, friendship, etc.). However, in other ways, there have been major transformations. Therefore, you will research certain topics in order to gain a fuller understanding of the setting and social contexts of the novel. You will complete the following tasks: Research a given topic Prepare a presentation about the topic by including pictures, facts, sound clips, etc. (poster and/or PowerPoint presentation) Give an oral presentation to the class about the topic Topics: * Music * Fashion * Historical events * Food and entertainment * Celebrities and movies * Greasers and preps/socials Questions to Answer and Websites to Explore Music 1. What kind of music was popular during the 60s? List a few different genres. 2. What music artists were popular? What were the top songs/albums? http://oldfortyfives.com/1964.htm 3. How is the music different from today? Are there any similarities? 4. Do you think the music of the time had a big influence on the generation? Do you think the music of today has an influence on people? Why or why not? 5. Play at least two songs during your presentation (if you do not have the songs, ask a parent or teacher to help you out) http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1965.html Fashion 1. What kind of clothes and shoes were popular during the mid- 1960s? 2. Which hairstyles were popular? 3. What kind of makeup was popular? 4. The Socs wear madras shirts in the book. What do they look like? Give a picture. 5. How are the clothes different from today’s fashion? How are they the same? http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/teen-hair-styles.htm http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/teen-clothing.htm Celebrities and Movies 1. Who were famous actors and actresses during the time period? 2. Who was Paul Newman? Name two of his movies in the 1960s. http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/Newman/newman.htm 3. What were some popular movies during the time period? Name three. 4. What were drive-in theatres? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive-in_theater http://www.driveintheater.com/index.htm Food and Entertainment 1. What were some popular dishes of the 1960s? List dishes for different occasions. http://www.foodtimeline.org/fooddecades.html#1960s http://www.keyingredients.org/001_timeline/001_timeline_04.asp?ID=6 2. What were some fads and forms of entertainment during the time period? http://www.angelfire.com/retro2/nostalgiacafe/60sfads.html 3. Historical Events 1. What were some major historical events between the years of  1964-1965? http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1964.html http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1965.html 2. What was the cost of living, petrol, etc. in 1964? 3. What kind of impact do you think these events had on people during the time period? 4. How have things in society changed since the 1960s? Name at least 3 important changes. Socs vs. Greasers 1. Describe a ‘greaser’ by answering the questions below: a. Why were they called ‘greasers’? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greaser_(subculture) b. How did they dress? c. How was their hair? d. What was some ‘greaser’ slang? http://www.stonegreasers.com/greaser/ e. What are the differences between ‘socs’ and ‘greasers’? http://www.amal.k12.nf.ca/projects/grassroots/outsiders/outsiders/8-3/Social%20Classes/socialclasses_files/page0002.htm Group Checklist 1. We have correct spelling and punctuation in our presentation.YESNO 2. We have at least three pictures about our topic.YESNO 3. We have answered all of the questions about our topic.YES NO 4. We have written in complete sentences in our presentation.YES NO 5. Our poster is neat and organized.YES NO IT’S ALL ABOUT ME, MYSELF AND I In the novel, The Outsiders, Ponyboy expresses his feelings in a very poetic way. By doing this, Ponyboy is able to show the reader his true identity: an identity that completely contradicts the stereotype of what society deems to be a greaser. Your goal is to write a poem to express your own identity to show the reader that you are more than a student in a uniform. You will use the templates below to help you express yourself on paper. This will then go  into your identity box. I Am I am (two special characteristics) I wonder (something you are actually curious about) I hear (an imaginary sound) I see (an imaginary sight) I want (an actual desire) I am (the first line of the poem restated) I pretend (something you actually pretend to do) I feel (a feeling about something imaginary) I touch (an imaginary touch) I worry (something that really bothers you) I cry (something that makes you very sad) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) I understand (something you know is true) I say (something you believe in) I dream (something you actually dream about) I try (something you really make an effort about) I hope (something you actually hope for) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) Autobiographical Poem Line 1: Your first name only Line 2: Four traits (adjectives) that describe you Line 3: Son/Daughter of†¦ or brother/sister of†¦ Line 4: Friend of (2 people) Line 5: Lover of (3 people, beliefs, or ideas) Line 6: Who feels (3 sensations or emotions) Line 7: Who finds happiness in (3 items) Line 8: Who needs (3 items) Line 9: Who gives (3 items) Line 10: Who fears (3 items) Line 11: Who hopes †¦(2 changes you would like to happen) Line 12: Who dreams†¦(2 dreams for the future Line 13: Who would like to see (3 items, places) Line 14: Who enjoys (3 items) Line 15: Who likes to wear (3 colors, items) Line 16: Resident of (city or state) Line 17: Your last name IDENTITY BOX You will design and fill a shoebox that will be decorated with things that represent who you are. You can create any sort of decoration you wish. Some examples include: * Pictures of you, your friends, your family. * Your name (which is always good for helping me give you a mark!) * Song lyrics from a band or song you really like. * Pictures from magazines of your favourite actor/singer/sports hero * Pictures of your favourite activities, your favourite clothes, your favourite animals * Samples of poetry or writing that you have written yourself * Autobiographical poem * Quotes that you really like, or that inspire you. **Your box must include an autobiographical poem, which is a type of poetry that explains who you are. ** Your box must include a one-page summary that explains why you chose to decorate your box the way you did. + + + = A FABULOUS IDENTITY BOX! CHELTENHAM LADIES AND THE CHAVS Admire the perfect souped-up Burberry-styled Chavalier. It is one of the etymological questions of the age: from where, exactly, do we get the word chav? Now, at last, there is an answer. Chav, as anyone not living on Mars for the last few months knows, is the  buzzword of 2004 a suitably monosyllabic noun or adjective designed to illuminate that which is most appalling in the young, designer-label-obsessed under-class of early 21st century Britain. When you see a stunted teenager, apparently jobless, hanging around outside McDonalds dressed in a Burberry baseball cap, Ben Sherman shirt, ultra-white Reebok trainers and dripping in bling (cheap, tasteless and usually gold-coloured jewellery), he will almost certainly be a chav. If he has difficulty framing the words you gotta problem mate? then he will definitely be a chav. Very short hair and souped-up Vauxhall Novas are chav, as is functional illiteracy, a burgeoning career in petty crime and the wearing of ones mobile telephone around the neck. Chavs are most at home in run-down, small-town shopping precincts, smoking and shouting at their mates. A teenage single mum chewing gum or drawing on a cigarette as she pushes her baby, Keanu, to McDonalds to meet the chav she believes to be his father is a chavette. So, who coined such a sneeringly useful term? Well, the pupils of Cheltenham Ladies College, apparently. Rumour in the town has it that chav is derived from Cheltenham Average, the name given by the young ladies to the less-eligible young men of the town. Rob Garnham, the mayor of Cheltenham, was less than pleased with the suggestion, pointing out that: â€Å"I am a Cheltenham Mr Average and Im definitely not scum.† He went on: â€Å"As someone who speaks for the people of the town, Im sure we feel insulted by the term. People should come and see Cheltenham and realise what its really like.† Vicky Tuck, principal of the 150-year-old college, was appalled by the suggestion that her girls, schooled so tirelessly in the need to respect other less favoured members of society, could have come up with such a derogatory label: â€Å"It is offensive because its deprecating one group of people against another,† she said. â€Å"If were trying to stand for anything here its respecting all kinds of people living together in harmony. Thats what I spend my waking hours trying to do. Social mobility comes primarily  through education not wealth, and if more people believe we are a more class-ridden society then thats indicative, I think, of poverty of education.† Mrs Tuck believes chav derives from chavi, the 19th century Romany word for child. telegraph.co.uk BAN THE WORD CHAV It is deeply offensive to a largely voiceless group and betrays a revealing level of class hatred It might be hard to say this without sounding priggish or being accused of being rather more politically correct than is healthy, but here goes †¦ We have to stop using the word chav. Would we get away with saying faggot on the BBC? No – there are very few circumstances where that would be acceptable. Would the Guardian print the word pikey? Well they have done five times this year (three times were earnest discussions about the words racism, and the other two were, well, a bit racist). Could we use the n-word in the Fabian Review? Well probably not, especially when making the point that there is rightly a hierarchy of offensiveness. Some uses of some words fall below the threshold of acceptability and some are definitely above it. Chav is way above that threshold. It is deeply offensive to a largely voiceless group and – especially when used in normal middle-class conversation or on national TV – it betrays a deep and revealing level of class hatred. The phenomenon of the word has grown over the last five years. Initially it was purely a term of abuse. You only have to visit the website chavscum.com to see this – have a look at it and be appalled (â€Å"Whatever you know them as, this site is about them, it reads. Britains peasant underclass that is taking over our towns and cities!†). But more recently it has become rather more insidious than that because it is so much more widely used. We have heard it increasingly used in conversation over the last year, invariably to casually describe people not like us and very often used by people who are otherwise rather progressive in their politics. You cannot consider yourself of the left and use the word. It is sneering and patronising and – perhaps most dangerous – it is distancing, turning the chav into the kind of feral beast that exists only in tabloid headlines. It is worse than other forms of snobbery because it so clearly links poverty and being working class to criminality and fecklessness. The middle classes have always used language to distinguish themselves from those a few rungs below them on the ladder – we all know their old serviette/napkin, lounge/living room, settee/sofa tricks. But this is something new. This is middle class hatred of the white working class, pure and simple. It is easy to dismiss this as political correctness gone mad. But the words we use matter. The common use of the word chav creates a sense that this type of discrimination and stereotyping is acceptable and legitimate. Lets not replace the racist or bigoted language of the past with a new set of words that are just as hateful. Many people use chav as a smokescreen for their hatred of the lower classes. That is a despicable subterfuge. It is not the gipsies that are the victims of the chav stereotype, but the useless youths who hang around with nothing to do. True, schoolchildren have adopted the label chav to identify their own tendency (in opposition to Goths and emo monsters). But that just makes them act up to their bad image. guardian.co.uk