Organizational Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Organizational Leadership - Essay Example The critical role of a strategic leader in the overall success of the organization therefore is really important in terms of ensuring that the organization has a direction and a vision to achieve while at the same time ensuring that it can successfully deal with its external environment. Leaders and leadership within the organization therefore are probably the most important facets of a modern organization in order to help it to become successful and strategically managed. However, leaders ability to understand the general business environment, competition as well as the political economy are some of the really important aspects which make a leader successful in the current business environment. Above all the strategic thinking is extremely important in order to ensure that the leaders have the enough skills and capabilities to successfully negotiate with such challenges. This paper will look into the effects of strategic thinking and practices of business leaders in dynamic business environment. Leadership defined Before discussing on the strategic role of leadership, it is critical that a comprehensive view of the overall concept of leadership is presented in order to ensure that a solid theoretical foundation is laid for further discussion. Leadership has been defined in different manners and its definition has also changed over the period of time as the overall research on the subject evolved. What is also however, critical to understand that the leadership is often associated with the achievement of a common goal and how leader through his or her influence can actually get best out of the individuals to perform to their best.? It is significant to understand that leadership is often associated with the achievement of defined and shared objectives which are set... From the discussion it is clear that leaders and leadership within the organization therefore are probably the most important facets of a modern organization in order to help it to become successful and strategically managed.   However, leaders ability to understand the general business environment, competition as well as the political economy are some of the really important aspects which make a leader successful in the current business environment. Above all the strategic thinking is extremely important in order to ensure that the leaders have the enough skills and capabilities to successfully negotiate with such challenges.This paper stresses that  leadership has been defined in different manners and its definition has also changed over the period of time as the overall research on the subject evolved. What is also however, critical to understand that the leadership is often associated with the achievement of a common goal and how leader through his or her influence can actual ly get best out of the individuals to perform to their best.? It is significant to understand that leadership is often associated with the achievement of defined and shared objectives which are set at the beginning and the organizational resources are committed in order to ensure that the desired objectives are achieved. Leadership therefore is also associated with the effective utilization of the resources in order to achieve the desired objectives of the firm.

The life AND death of Tiberius Gracchus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The life AND death of Tiberius Gracchus - Essay Example Tiberius began his military carrier during the Third Punic war when he was appointed in a military tribune attached to Scipio Aemilianus (his brother in law) staff. The period he served under Aemilianus as a military tribune built his status making him popular, thanks to his bravery and discipline. He is remembered as the first of his kind to scale the enemy walls. His outstanding performance earned him another significant appointment in 137 BC as the questor to consul Gaius Hostilius Mancinus. This position saw him serve in Numantia , a region found in the Hispania province. Here, he was among the army that took part in the botched Numantine that saw mancinus army suffer major defeats. During this war Mancinus made an unwise decision of withdrawing his army at night causing not only the defeat but also loss of their possession as their camp was looted. Seeing the danger that lingered, particularly on the army, Tiberius took advantage of his position as quaestor to sign a peace treat y with the Numantines against the general requirement that required a legate to complete the signing. During the negotiation, Tiberius revisited the adventures of Tiberiu Elder (the father), who equally fought in Spain but negotiated a peace accord with (Numantines, 24). This move caused him be regarded highly by the Numantines so much that when they discovered their army had taken his ledger in the process of despoiling the Roman camp, they made arrangement to have him get it back. Such is the case that they invited him in person, throwing a banquet in his honor and allowed him not only to recover his ledger but also take any other thing he wished to have from the spoils. Tiberius integrity could not permit him to do as they asked but instead he took back his ledger and only accepted some incense used for sacrificial rituals. There was so much frenzy in Rome on account of this

Theoretical Reflections of The virtual Child Essay Example for Free

Theoretical Reflections of The virtual Child Essay Students should keep all course outlines for each course taken at Centennial College. These may be used to apply for transfer of credit to other educational institutions. A fee may be charged for additional or replacement copies. Course Description The final field placement experience will provide an opportunity for students to consolidate their learning from the previous three semesters of study and support their acquisition of the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to make a successful transition from college to the workplace. Students who have reliably demonstrated excellence in their previous field placement experiences and academic studies, as determined by faculty, may opt to complete placement in a specialized setting. Others will have the opportunity to work in a preschool childcare setting. Faculty supervisors, through their observations of students in action with the children, will support students as they engage in the process of reflective practice to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their accomplishments and future goals. Final grades will be assigned based upon the competencies and grading system outlined in the field manual. Course Learning Outcomes The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to: The learning outcomes, which are based on CSAC standards, are expressed as competencies in the Field Practicum Manual. Each competency specifies the role performance. Essential Employability Skills (EES) The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to: 1. Communicate clearly, concisely, and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. 2. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems. 3. Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems. 4. Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. 5. Show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others. Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) Process(es): Assessment format is to be determined by the subject matter experts. Applications for PLAR should be completed prior to commencement of the semester of study. Please see the Centennial College Calendar Handbook for more details. Text and Other Instructional/Learning Materials Final Field Evaluation Manual 1st Edition Evaluation and Grading System Evaluation Description Weight /100 Final grades will be assigned based upon the competencies and grading system outlined in the field manual. A minimum grade of ‘C’ is needed to be successful in the course. 100 In consultation with the Chair or Dean, a faculty member or instructor may administer additional or alternative evaluations to fully assess the capability of a student. When writing a test or examination, students must put their official photo-ID cards in full view for review by the invigilator. Students who do not have official photo-ID will be permitted to write the examination with a substitute photo-ID, but they will be required to produce photo-ID at the program or department office within 24 hours or the next business day following the examination, or else the examination results will be void. Student Accommodation: All students have the right to study in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. It is College Policy to provide accommodation based on grounds defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Accommodation may include changes or modifications to standard practices. This document is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact the originating department or school of study. Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations must register with the Centre for Student with Disabilities. Please see the Centre for Students with Disabilities for details. Students requiring accommodation based on human rights grounds should talk with their professors as early as possible. Details are available on the Centennial College website (www. centennialcollege. ca ). If students are unable to write an examination due to a medical problem or unforeseen family problems, they should immediately contact their professor or program Chair for advice. In exceptional and well-documented circumstances (e. g. unexpected family problems, serious illness, or death of a close family member), students should be able to write a make-up examination to replace an examination missed. Use of Dictionaries Dictionaries may be used in field placement. Course, Program or School Policies. Students should familiarize themselves with the College Policies that cover students’ rights, responsibilities and the Academic Appeal process. For further information consult the Academic Matters Section in the full-and continuing education calendars. The Academic Appeal Application form is available from any Registrar’s Office. Cell Phones: Cell phones and Blackberries MUST be turned off in field placement. Please refer to the ECE Student Handbook and the Field Placement manual for specific details related to Policies and Expectations in Early Childhood Education Student Rights and Responsibilities Students should familiarize themselves with all College Policies that cover students’ rights and responsibilities. For more information on the following and other policies, please visit www. centennialcollege. ca/aboutus/respect or consult the Academic Matters Section in the full-time and Continuing Education catalogues. Respect at Centennial At Centennial College, we are committed to providing a safe and respectful learning, teaching and working environment for all students, faculty and staff that promotes equity. Policies have been put in place to ensure that Centennial is a place that demonstrates respect and consistency with the Ontario Human Rights Code. All incidents of harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence will be addressed and responded to. As a college, we take the position that all forms of harassment, including personal harassment and bullying, must be stopped. Please refer to www. centennialcollege. ca/aboutus/respect and www. stopbullyingnow. ca. Academic Honesty Academic honesty is integral to the learning process and a necessary ingredient of academic integrity. Students have a responsibility to be aware of and comply with standards of academic conduct. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and impersonation. All of these occur when the work of others is presented by a student as their own and/or without citing sources of information. Breaches of academic honesty will be investigated and if warranted appropriate remedies and penalties will be applied, which may include a failing grade on the assignment/course, suspension or expulsion from the college. Grades Appeal Students and faculty have rights and responsibilities in the Grades Appeal process. Students who need to appeal a grade should consult the Grades Appeal policy and procedures. Progression and Academic Standing Students are expected to meet the academic standards of their School or program. The academic standing of each Centennial student is monitored during as well as at the end of each semester. Any student not demonstrating satisfactory progress will be informed of his/her standing in the College and will receive academic advising within their School. Unsatisfactory academic performance may result in conditional academic standing, probation or suspension. Faculty Support Professors are available to see students outside of class time. Students can contact professors via voice mail, email, or through their program or department office. Information regarding how to contact teachers will be provided at the beginning of the course and is also available in the program or department office. Campus Safety Students must produce official photo identification at any time during the semester when requested to do so by any college staff. Topical Outline WEEK TOPICS READINGS/ MATERIALS WEEKLY LEARNING OUTCOMES INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES COURSE EVALUATIONS.

The Preceding The Beatitudes Theology Religion Essay

The Preceding The Beatitudes Theology Religion Essay Preceding The Beatitudes is the beginning of chapter 5 in the Gospel of Matthew. This is also the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5 starts off with Jesus going up on the mountain. Matthew 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. When you first read this text you think that he was being overcrowded and simply went up on the mountain for more space. However, is that the only reason Jesus went up on the mountain? When we look at other verses in the Bible such as Luke 6:12 In these days he went out into the hills to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. Perhaps Jesus felt closer and more alone with God by being on the hills or mountain. Perhaps it made him feel closer to God. Or another reason may be that he was interacting and teaching his disciples on the mountain while the crowds surrounded them to listen down low. Look at the second part of this verse, when he sat down his disciples came to him, whenever Jesus sat down somewhere it was usually a good indication that he would be teaching so his disciples automatically came over to him. Matt 13:2, Mark 4:1, and Luke 5:3 are all other examples of when he sat down and taught as well. Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth and taught them by saying: This is where the teaching, otherwise known as The Beatitudes begins. In this part of the Bible Matthew seems to be portraying Jesus as the new Moses. The term Beatitude comes from the Latin word Beaus. It means happy, fortunate or blissful. Each beatitude has two phrases, kind of like a cause and an effect. Each beatitude also starts off with the word blessed. To be blessed is to be happy and filled with the Holy Spirit. The eight beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (5:3) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (5:4) Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (5:5) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (5:6) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (5:7) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (5:8) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God (5:9) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (5:10) (5:11 12) Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter evil against you. To rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Now let us take a deeper look at each beatitude individually. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the opening verse to the Sermon on the Mount. At that time, the word Blessed was a common word for describing someone who is happy. That meaning of the word has been lost in the present day interpretation, but that seems to be the original intent of the Gospel writer. Blessed also means to be made holy, so when someone is blessed it means they are experiencing a life changing, spiritual transformation. Whoever goes by these rules will lead a happy life and a step closer into getting into Heaven. This could also be the interpretation of the word Blessed used. In my opinion, it means both. The poor in spirit, I think this means actual poor people, people who are destitute. Like the woman who gave everything she had, and was commended by Christ for doing so. It means they have spirit, yet little else, so they are blessed with spirit or in spirit, and theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They may not have anything on earth, but they can be assured of the afterlife. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. We already know that Blessed means to be made holy and to be happy. But what shall we mourn over? This can be having many meanings. A person can mourn over the loss of a loved one or friend, or even the loss of possessions. A person can also mourn over sin. Everyone mourns someone or something at sometime in their lives. In time, we laugh and are happy again. I think that is Gods way or seeing us greive and in pain and He puts happiness back into our lives. When I was a little boy my dog got ranover by a car and I cried for two weeks straight and wouldnt talk to anyone. I am an only child and that dog was my best friend. The dog would wait for me at the bus stop and walk me home even. After about 2 weeks over hell, I got off the school bus and found a puppy hiding under some bushes. I didnt really want the puppy at first, but knew it was alone like me so I took it home. I think God put that puppy in my path because he seen I was sad and lonely. God and the puppy (Cuervo) healed me. Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. In Greek literature, the meaning of the word meek means gentle or soft. So to be meek you should be gentle and not strong. You should be gentle in a disposition that you do not fight Gods will. Also, if you compare Mathew 5:5 in different Bibles, you get the same translation as well; The King James Version Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. World English Bible Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. As you can see, they have been translated even further and shows that meek means gentle. The phrase inherit the earth could mean that in time God will come down to earth and choose these gentle people to rule over the entire world. Or it could be that these gentle people will get their every need provided by God. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Hunger and thirst here could be an expression for a strong desire. Since hunger and thirst are something EVERYONE needs in order to have nourishment to live, so does their soul need nourishment in faith. The soul needs nourishment as well in the need or desire of forgiveness of sins and to want to do the right things on Earth to go to Heaven. Those who have a great desire for righteousness will be satisfied in Heaven. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Those who have mercy on others shall get mercy from God. People can show mercy to others in numerous ways. By sympathizing with them, showing them affection and tenderness. In return, when the believers ask God for mercy for certain reasons, they will receive it. Mercy is Gods gift for mercy. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. To be pure means to be clean and in the New Testament the heart is believed to be the center of ones essence or being. When I read this I think of small children for they are pure in heart and are said to have a guardian angel following them around to see that no harm comes to them. So maybe that is it. If we cleanse ourselves of bad thoughts and nastiness to make ourselves pure we shall see God by being under his protection until the day we actually see Him standing at the gates of Heaven. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. These peacemakers can be individuals that will go out of their way to make others happy or to help others in their time of need and the result being in that some way peace was made or kept. These are the ones that put themselves at risk in order to prevent arguments or wars. The phrase sons of God is a common Hebrew expression that means someone who has the quality and characteristic of God, someone who is Godlike. Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are persecuted, not for any crimes they have done, but for unrighteousness. In other words, by living saintly and living righteously, you will separate yourself from the unrighteous people and be permitted into heaven. Now let us take a look at some similar passages in the Bible. Four similar blessings appear in the Gospel of Luke and are followed by four woes that mirror the blessings. This passage in Luke is also known as the Sermon on the Plain; Luke 6:20-22 Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account as the Son of man! Luke 6:24-26 But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. Theere being a difference in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Lukes version of the Beatitudes shouldnt surprise us really. Think about it. This is two different peoples version of what was said. Of course it would be recorded differently, because everyone is different and interprets things different in their mind. What does The Beatitudes say about the relationship with God? Basically through The Beatitudes God is giving us a pathway to follow to find happiness with God in our lives. By centering our lives on God, we become transformed. I think the whole message of The Beatitudes is if we center our life on God, we will find peace in our lives. What follows after The Beatitudes is the rest of chapter 5 in The Gospel of Matthew and also the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. Chapter 6 in the Gospel of Matthew is also a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. Here Jesus tells the disciples to be discrete in several areas of their lives versus showing off with pride. Doing these things in secret will result in rewards from the Father in secret. Give to the needy, pray in your home with the door closed, fast in private, and not to worry about earthly treasures, but instead worry about treasures you can store in heaven by keeping your heart on God. I think the main question this passage may have addressed in the community for which it was originally written was What about the ten commandments? Think about it. At the time Jesus was giving these new rules from God, everyone was honoring the ten commandments as the law. Im sure Jesus had to explain that the ten commandments ARE the law, but The Beatitudes are kind of a modification to the laws. The ten commandments were the laws of the Old Testament and, yes, they are still the laws, but times were changing and new modifications were needed in the New Testament time.

The Important Role of Women in Combat Essay -- Argumentative Persuasiv

"The women say, the men have kept you at a distance, they have supported you, they have put you on a pedestal, constructed with an essential difference." -Les Guerilleres, Monique Wittig The struggle for women to attain entrance to combat positions within the armed forces has been arduous. Unfortunately, most nation-states do not allow women into battle in any capacity; still, some countries do not allow women to participate in the military at all. However, the introduction of women into combat within the British, Canadian, Danish, German, Israeli, Norwegian, and US forces has been effective in that women have significantly contributed to their success. This success is the strongest advocate for female access to combative positions. The proposal for female integration into combat also relies upon the consideration of combat's definition, gender equality, and the influence of sexist literature. This paper also examines the reasons why women have been kept away from the frontline, women's participation in violent rebel forces, and finally how women have succeeded within the military, especially within the realm of combat. I do not propose a uniform method for militarie s to integrate their female members into war-rather, a specific approach be developed by the nation itself since women's rights and societal roles differ from country to country. While some nations have already recognized women as able for their forces' most aggressive roles, some only employ women in secretarial jobs. To suggest that all countries conscript women for combat would certainly be a disaster, as integration, training, and soothing of female prejudices take time. It is also important to understand that by this proposal, I am not supporting war over dipl... ...eli Military. War in History, 8, 99-100. Retrieved 30 October 2003, from Academic Search Premier database. Miller, L. (1998). Feminism and the Exclusion of Army Women from Combat. Gender Issues, 16, 33-64. Retrieved 7 November 2003, from Academic Search Premier database. OED Online (2003). London: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 13 November, 2003, from http://dictionary.oed.com Rosen, L. & Durand, D. (1996). Cohesion and Readiness in Gender-Integrated Combat Service Support Units: The Impact of Acceptance of Women and Gender Ratio. Armed Forces and Society, 22, 537-53. Retrieved November 7, 2003, from Academic Search Premier database. Smirnov, A. (2002). Women in the Russian Army. Russian Social Science Review, 43, 61-71. Retrieved October 27, 2003, from Academic Search Premier database. Victor, B. (2003). Army of Roses. [Emmaus, PA]: Rodale.

Tragic Realization Through Trials in Works of William Styron Essay

Tragic Realization Through Trials in Works of William Styron      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The apocalyptic view maintains that life is a struggle between good and evil that can not be justified morally. Samuel Coale suggests that it is that ethical "quest, the search of values of [William Styron's] heroes amid the stark realities of pain and suffering" that plays into his novels (399). Nat Turner, in The Confessions of Nat Turner, revisits his insurrection and comes to terms with his relationship with God and his own role in the rebellion. The two main characters in Sophie's Choice, Stingo and Sophie, both go through separate trials and end with different conclusions concerning man's impact in life. In The Long March, Captain Mannix struggles with senseless death and his role in an opposing society. Each of these characters fights others but is also forced to confront the hell that his or her body houses.      Ã‚  Ã‚   The Confessions of Nat Turner is divided into two parts: the rush of evil and violence and the calm after the storm. The story of the insurrection is told in flashback as Nat analyzes his actions from his jail cell. Throughout the rebellion, Nat defends himself by saying that God has commanded him to rid the world of white people. However, as he continues through his meditation, he realizes that God may have not been there after all, prodding him along. His first revelation comes when he finds he cannot pray in jail. Though he attempts to do so, the words do not come and he does not feel God's presence. Only after he thinks over the entire ordeal can he begin to talk to God again.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Nat's motto throughout the insurrection originates from the Bible,   "The first shall be last and the last shall be first." Styron explain... ...6. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 60. New York: Gale, 1990, 399-403. Hoffman, Frederick J. "William Styron: The Metaphysical Hurt." The Art of Southern Fiction: A Study of Some Modern Novelists. 1967. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 15. Detroit, Michigan: Gale, 1980, 524-26. Kakutani, Michiko. "William Styron and His Life and Work." The New York Times Book Review. Dec 1982, 3,26. Rpt. in   Ã‚  Ã‚   Contemporary Literary Criticism, Vol. 60. New York: Gale, 1990, 394-96. Pearce, Richard. "William Styron." American Writers. Ed. Leonard Unger.   New York: Scribner's, 1974.   Ã‚  Ã‚   "Sophie's Choice." Magill Book Reviews. 1979, n.pag. MAS. Styron, William. The Confessions of Nat Turner. New York: Random,1966. _____. The Long March. New York: Random, 1952. _____. Sophie's Choice. New York: Random, 1976.   

Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances

Exploring Adolescent Use of Anabolic Steroids Since the introduction of anabolic steroids, the main objective of using them has been widely abused. The use of these substances has steadily increased throughout the years. As popularity of anabolic steroids escalated, so has its demand. With the inception of anabolic steroids in the world of professional sports, the acceptance of doping amongst athletes was positive. During the 1970s, there were no repercussions for taking anabolic steroids, and so athletes, especially football players and weight-lifters, were trying to get that physical advantage over their competitors.Many professional baseball and football players of this most recent generation have used anabolic steroids. In football there was the great Lawrence Taylor, Bill Romanowski, and Shawne Merriman. In baseball, a steroid scandal involved the great Barry Bonds, and numerous baseball prodigies who juiced up such as Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, a nd Manny Ramirez. Not only have baseball and football players used anabolic steroids, but other types of athletes, such as power-lifters, as well. In track and field, Tim Montgomery was cited for doping.In recent years, female track and field athletes such as Marion Jones were busted for using anabolic steroids. With the accessibility of anabolic steroids increasing at an alarming rate, a person has to wonder what kind of effect anabolic steroids could have on adolescents? If doping really is becoming accepted amongst professional athletes, what kind of influence will it have on the adolescents? This research analysis essay will be exploring the physical and mental risks and consequences for adolescents using anabolic steroids as well as their motivation for doping.Steroids were originally developed to administer to hypogonadism in the 1930s (Volkow 1). Through experimenting, scientists discovered that the use of anabolic steroids could generate muscle growth. This discovery led to the abuse of anabolic steroids in the sporting world. Technological experimentation and advances over time enabled researchers to identify many types of anabolic steroids. In researching the effects of anabolic steroids, scientists also detected many side effects from using anabolic steroids, although much is still unknown regarding their long-term side ffects (Kusserow 9). There are two ways of taking anabolic steroids, one way is to take them orally or by injection. In taking anabolic steroids with these two methods, an adolescent can severely damage the endocrine system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, the hepatic system, and the skin (Volkow 5). A major health defect of taking anabolic steroids is that it affects the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a gland system that is responsible for the discharge of hormones that assist in regulating certain bodily processes, such as metabolism, growth, and development.One of the important factors that the endocrine sys tem controls is the mood of a person. The human body already secretes certain hormones into the body to keep bodily processes functioning the way they were supposed to. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is disrupting the natural production of hormones (Volkow 4). The endocrine system only secretes a certain amount of hormones a day to prevent imbalance. If the endocrine system secretes too many hormones into the human body, there will be a hormonal imbalance which could lead to disease or abnormal development.Taking anabolic steroids can cause reversible changes, which include sperm count deduction, infertility of sperm, and testicle shrinkage (Volkow 4). In males, irreversible changes may occur by taking anabolic steroids such as feminization and male-pattern baldness (Volkow 4). Although anabolic steroids may physically enhance a person’s appearance, the damage caused by anabolic steroids is something many adolescents are overlooking. The human body normally releas es testosterone and other hormones that causes growth, and stops the release of hormones as well.However, taking anabolic steroids as an adolescent results in the synthetic release of hormones. This leads to a surplus of sex hormone levels that can prematurely signal the bones to stop growing (Volkow 4). Anabolic steroid use may cause more frequent tendon injuries due to â€Å"skeletal muscle adaptations taking place rather rapidly in comparison to connective tissue† (Hoffman 186). Also, anabolic steroid use causes severe acne based on research done by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (Hoffman 184). Not only can steroids stunt your growth as an adolescent, it can cause severe damage to the circulatory and hepatic systems.The circulatory system is responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body. Other responsibilities include the removal of bodily wastes and the transference of nutrients to the cells. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is increas ing the risk of sustaining a heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (Volkow 4; Hoffman 184-185). According to Kusserow, physicians conducting a study/research involving former steroid users noticed â€Å"links, without consensus on degree, to cardiovascular disease† and anabolic steroids (Kusserow 12).The clotting of blood in the blood vessels keeps blood from flowing to the heart, which may cause heart damage. An adolescent can experience a stroke from having a blood flow disruption to the brain. Anabolic steroids elevate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which is the main factor in having a disruption to the body’s blood flow (Hoffman 185). The hepatic system is the liver. The liver’s main responsibility is detoxifying the human body. At this point in time, living without a liver is impossible.So, if the liver were to have a blood flow disruption, the liver would fail, resulting in potential deat h. Using anabolic steroids may â€Å"increase risk of liver tumors and liver damage† (Hoffman 184). Internal bleeding may occur from the rupture of a liver tumor (Volkow 5). Two of the most alarming consequences of taking anabolic steroids are the change in behavior/mood and how it affects a person’s mental status. Anabolic steroid use causes violent, aggressive behavior and irritability; approximately 60% of anabolic steroid users experience this change in behavior (Hoffman 187).Tony Mandarich, once proclaimed to be the â€Å"greatest offensive lineman prospect ever,â€Å" said that his steroid use caused his aggression to skyrocket on and off the field. â€Å"The Incredible Bulk† punched an Ohio State player for no reason before the football game even started and told him he â€Å"was going to die today† (Kozak). Anabolic steroid use also affected his thinking. Mandarich’s past steroid use caused him to say things that he would never say were h e not on steroids. â€Å"Some of the stuff I said, when I look back now, is just embarrassing,† says Tony Mandarich (Kozak).Although elevated aggressiveness may be beneficial for athletes, that is not the case with your ordinary citizen. With these behavioral changes, an anabolic steroid user is much more likely to fight with other people. This is especially dangerous due to the fact that the steroid user is most likely bigger in size and strength than their opponent. A person may experience a psychotic episode where the steroid user will be in a blind rage, thus disabling their ability to control their emotions. In this event, an adolescent on anabolic steroids could injure many of his peers at school, possibly even kill them.According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), â€Å"a recent study suggests that the mood and behavioral effects seen during anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse may result from secondary hormonal changes† (Volkow 4). This is especially true with Heidi Krieger. In females, masculinity may occur both physically and mentally with long-term use of anabolic steroids (Volkow 4). With Heidi Krieger, now known as Andreas Krieger, her long-term anabolic steroid use caused her to become masculine. Not only was she physically changing, the anabolic steroids caused her to believe that she was a man.In an interview with former European women’s shot put champion, she was asked about her past anabolic steroid use and how it caused her to physically and mentally change genders. She said, â€Å"I felt much more attracted to women and just felt like a man. But I knew I was not lesbian† (Cnn. com). One of the many questions researchers ask is â€Å"why†? Many wonder what are the motivational factors in a person’s choice to use anabolic steroids. One of the main factors to this question would be appearance (Kusserow 6). Throughout magazines are pictures displaying a person with rock-hard abs and bulging bi ceps.On television, an adolescent may see a commercial of a man who is extremely big and strong. 57% of adolescents participating in a survey pointed to magazines and 7% pointed to entertainment as sources of influence (Kusserow 8). Nowadays, society’s perception of the prototypical male is being big and strong. Due to pop culture, male adolescents have this newfound belief that they must improve their appearance to match the appearance of the prototypical male (Kusserow 6). Also, in today’s society peer approval is a must amongst most high school adolescents.Teenagers see their friends getting â€Å"jacked† by using anabolic steroids so they try and imitate those actions since it looks easy. With the correct training regimen, adolescents may accomplish their goals in getting big with great success. According to Richard P. Kusserow, 89% of anabolic steroid users reported that they were satisfied with the results they were hoping for when they first started using anabolic steroids (Kusserow 7). Due to the successful use of anabolic steroids, 97% of users â€Å"agree that the physical effects encouraged them to continue using steroids (Kusserow 7).For example, Tony Mandarich was influenced by his brother to use anabolic steroids so that he could increase size, strength, and athletic performance. His anabolic steroid use allowed him to be able to bench press 225 pounds an incredible 39 times while being able to maintain a 4. 69 40-yard dash. That is a godly feat for a man that is 6 foot 6 and 315 pounds. When asked about his past anabolic steroid use, Mandarich said,†You're not supposed to be as strong as I am. You're not supposed to be as fast as I am. You're not supposed to be as good as I am† (Kozak).Apparently, without anabolic steroid use, Tony Mandarich would never have become the college football player that he was. Another motive adolescents have for using anabolic steroids is the pursuit for the improvement of athletic p erformance (Adolescent Steroid Abuse). Through the use of anabolic steroids, an adolescent can increase muscle mass, strength, and training capacity (Kusserow 7). According to Kusserow, many adolescents first use anabolic steroids at the age of 16 and that 85% of the users started by age 17 (Kusserow 5).Much of this thought process has to do with famous role model athletes. â€Å"Users believe that many high-level athletes have used steroids, and 42 percent say this influenced them to start using† (Kusserow 8). An adolescent varsity football player trying to obtain a football scholarship from a prestigious NCAA Division I football powerhouse may see an NFL football player that they admire, and look up to, using anabolic steroids. The adolescent could potentially try and imitate the NFL player’s actions due to this belief.With football scholarships from prestigious Division I football colleges being limited and competition amongst football players across the United Stat es being extensive, adolescents will do all that they can to achieve their goal. Additionally, adolescents may view the benefits in using anabolic steroids as more positive than negative. If using anabolic steroids can help these adolescents get to a great school such as the University of Southern California or the University of Texas, the side effects of using anabolic steroids could be something they are willing to risk.Another motive that could cause an adolescent in using anabolic steroids in improving athletic performance is the pressure they receive from adults, including their own parents (Kusserow 8). 55% of adolescent anabolic steroid users claim that their parents know about their use of anabolic steroids and that the parents do not care (Kusserow 7). â€Å"People may give a certain amount of slack to football players because there's this unspoken sense that in order to play the game well, you need an edge,† says Todd Boyd (Klosterman).If an adolescent can play well enough in sports to generate interest from college scouts, there is a good chance that the adolescent can get an athletic scholarship to help support their parents financially. Nowadays, college tuition is skyrocketing. It costs approximately $22,000 annually to attend the University of New Hampshire for an in-state student, and roughly $12,000 extra if you are out of state. With the recent economic downturn, many families do not have many financial options. Financial aid can only get you so far and the ability to take out a loan has become increasingly hard in this economy.Assuming an 18 year old adolescent is out of state and going to be attending the University of New Hampshire for four years, the adolescent would be saving $136,000 if he were able to get a full-boat scholarship. This is not even taking into account the annual increase in tuition that occurs after every school year and money for miscellaneous things. Although an adolescent’s parents may not be telling the m directly to use anabolic steroids, the parents could be indirectly encouraging them to â€Å"juice upâ€Å" by placing tons of pressure on their kids.Adults, whether it is the parents or the coaches, place immense pressure on their kids to compete and win, while conveying mixed messages of what are acceptable ways to achieve that goal (Kusserow 7). Adolescents may interpret those messages as, â€Å"It’s okay to use steroids as long as you succeed and do not get caught† or, â€Å"Do what must be done to achieve your goal†. If this is the universal belief amongst adolescents across the United States, how long will it be before adolescents begin to interpret other topics, such as violence or drug dealing, in the same manner. Works Cited Adolescent Steroid Abuse. † Adolescent Steroid Abuse. Case Western Reserve University. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Hoffman, Jay R. , and Nicholas A. Ratamess. â€Å"Medical Issues Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use: Are They E xaggerated? † Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 01 June 2006. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. Klosterman, Chuck. â€Å"Why We Look the Other Way. † ESPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 21 Mar. 2007. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Kozak, Kory. â€Å"Steroids Fueled Spectacular Rise and Fall. † ESPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 17 Apr. 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Pleitgen, Frederik. Athlete Says Sports Steroids Changed Him from Woman to man. † CNN. com. Cable News Network, 11 Aug. 2008. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General. Adolescent Steroid Use. Richard P. Kusserow. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991. Print. United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Health. Anabolic Steroid Abuse. Nora D. Volkow. National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2001. National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Report Series. Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances Exploring Adolescent Use of Anabolic Steroids Since the introduction of anabolic steroids, the main objective of using them has been widely abused. The use of these substances has steadily increased throughout the years. As popularity of anabolic steroids escalated, so has its demand. With the inception of anabolic steroids in the world of professional sports, the acceptance of doping amongst athletes was positive. During the 1970s, there were no repercussions for taking anabolic steroids, and so athletes, especially football players and weight-lifters, were trying to get that physical advantage over their competitors.Many professional baseball and football players of this most recent generation have used anabolic steroids. In football there was the great Lawrence Taylor, Bill Romanowski, and Shawne Merriman. In baseball, a steroid scandal involved the great Barry Bonds, and numerous baseball prodigies who juiced up such as Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, a nd Manny Ramirez. Not only have baseball and football players used anabolic steroids, but other types of athletes, such as power-lifters, as well. In track and field, Tim Montgomery was cited for doping.In recent years, female track and field athletes such as Marion Jones were busted for using anabolic steroids. With the accessibility of anabolic steroids increasing at an alarming rate, a person has to wonder what kind of effect anabolic steroids could have on adolescents? If doping really is becoming accepted amongst professional athletes, what kind of influence will it have on the adolescents? This research analysis essay will be exploring the physical and mental risks and consequences for adolescents using anabolic steroids as well as their motivation for doping.Steroids were originally developed to administer to hypogonadism in the 1930s (Volkow 1). Through experimenting, scientists discovered that the use of anabolic steroids could generate muscle growth. This discovery led to the abuse of anabolic steroids in the sporting world. Technological experimentation and advances over time enabled researchers to identify many types of anabolic steroids. In researching the effects of anabolic steroids, scientists also detected many side effects from using anabolic steroids, although much is still unknown regarding their long-term side ffects (Kusserow 9). There are two ways of taking anabolic steroids, one way is to take them orally or by injection. In taking anabolic steroids with these two methods, an adolescent can severely damage the endocrine system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, the hepatic system, and the skin (Volkow 5). A major health defect of taking anabolic steroids is that it affects the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a gland system that is responsible for the discharge of hormones that assist in regulating certain bodily processes, such as metabolism, growth, and development.One of the important factors that the endocrine sys tem controls is the mood of a person. The human body already secretes certain hormones into the body to keep bodily processes functioning the way they were supposed to. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is disrupting the natural production of hormones (Volkow 4). The endocrine system only secretes a certain amount of hormones a day to prevent imbalance. If the endocrine system secretes too many hormones into the human body, there will be a hormonal imbalance which could lead to disease or abnormal development.Taking anabolic steroids can cause reversible changes, which include sperm count deduction, infertility of sperm, and testicle shrinkage (Volkow 4). In males, irreversible changes may occur by taking anabolic steroids such as feminization and male-pattern baldness (Volkow 4). Although anabolic steroids may physically enhance a person’s appearance, the damage caused by anabolic steroids is something many adolescents are overlooking. The human body normally releas es testosterone and other hormones that causes growth, and stops the release of hormones as well.However, taking anabolic steroids as an adolescent results in the synthetic release of hormones. This leads to a surplus of sex hormone levels that can prematurely signal the bones to stop growing (Volkow 4). Anabolic steroid use may cause more frequent tendon injuries due to â€Å"skeletal muscle adaptations taking place rather rapidly in comparison to connective tissue† (Hoffman 186). Also, anabolic steroid use causes severe acne based on research done by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (Hoffman 184). Not only can steroids stunt your growth as an adolescent, it can cause severe damage to the circulatory and hepatic systems.The circulatory system is responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body. Other responsibilities include the removal of bodily wastes and the transference of nutrients to the cells. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is increas ing the risk of sustaining a heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (Volkow 4; Hoffman 184-185). According to Kusserow, physicians conducting a study/research involving former steroid users noticed â€Å"links, without consensus on degree, to cardiovascular disease† and anabolic steroids (Kusserow 12).The clotting of blood in the blood vessels keeps blood from flowing to the heart, which may cause heart damage. An adolescent can experience a stroke from having a blood flow disruption to the brain. Anabolic steroids elevate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which is the main factor in having a disruption to the body’s blood flow (Hoffman 185). The hepatic system is the liver. The liver’s main responsibility is detoxifying the human body. At this point in time, living without a liver is impossible.So, if the liver were to have a blood flow disruption, the liver would fail, resulting in potential deat h. Using anabolic steroids may â€Å"increase risk of liver tumors and liver damage† (Hoffman 184). Internal bleeding may occur from the rupture of a liver tumor (Volkow 5). Two of the most alarming consequences of taking anabolic steroids are the change in behavior/mood and how it affects a person’s mental status. Anabolic steroid use causes violent, aggressive behavior and irritability; approximately 60% of anabolic steroid users experience this change in behavior (Hoffman 187).Tony Mandarich, once proclaimed to be the â€Å"greatest offensive lineman prospect ever,â€Å" said that his steroid use caused his aggression to skyrocket on and off the field. â€Å"The Incredible Bulk† punched an Ohio State player for no reason before the football game even started and told him he â€Å"was going to die today† (Kozak). Anabolic steroid use also affected his thinking. Mandarich’s past steroid use caused him to say things that he would never say were h e not on steroids. â€Å"Some of the stuff I said, when I look back now, is just embarrassing,† says Tony Mandarich (Kozak).Although elevated aggressiveness may be beneficial for athletes, that is not the case with your ordinary citizen. With these behavioral changes, an anabolic steroid user is much more likely to fight with other people. This is especially dangerous due to the fact that the steroid user is most likely bigger in size and strength than their opponent. A person may experience a psychotic episode where the steroid user will be in a blind rage, thus disabling their ability to control their emotions. In this event, an adolescent on anabolic steroids could injure many of his peers at school, possibly even kill them.According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), â€Å"a recent study suggests that the mood and behavioral effects seen during anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse may result from secondary hormonal changes† (Volkow 4). This is especially true with Heidi Krieger. In females, masculinity may occur both physically and mentally with long-term use of anabolic steroids (Volkow 4). With Heidi Krieger, now known as Andreas Krieger, her long-term anabolic steroid use caused her to become masculine. Not only was she physically changing, the anabolic steroids caused her to believe that she was a man.In an interview with former European women’s shot put champion, she was asked about her past anabolic steroid use and how it caused her to physically and mentally change genders. She said, â€Å"I felt much more attracted to women and just felt like a man. But I knew I was not lesbian† (Cnn. com). One of the many questions researchers ask is â€Å"why†? Many wonder what are the motivational factors in a person’s choice to use anabolic steroids. One of the main factors to this question would be appearance (Kusserow 6). Throughout magazines are pictures displaying a person with rock-hard abs and bulging bi ceps.On television, an adolescent may see a commercial of a man who is extremely big and strong. 57% of adolescents participating in a survey pointed to magazines and 7% pointed to entertainment as sources of influence (Kusserow 8). Nowadays, society’s perception of the prototypical male is being big and strong. Due to pop culture, male adolescents have this newfound belief that they must improve their appearance to match the appearance of the prototypical male (Kusserow 6). Also, in today’s society peer approval is a must amongst most high school adolescents.Teenagers see their friends getting â€Å"jacked† by using anabolic steroids so they try and imitate those actions since it looks easy. With the correct training regimen, adolescents may accomplish their goals in getting big with great success. According to Richard P. Kusserow, 89% of anabolic steroid users reported that they were satisfied with the results they were hoping for when they first started using anabolic steroids (Kusserow 7). Due to the successful use of anabolic steroids, 97% of users â€Å"agree that the physical effects encouraged them to continue using steroids (Kusserow 7).For example, Tony Mandarich was influenced by his brother to use anabolic steroids so that he could increase size, strength, and athletic performance. His anabolic steroid use allowed him to be able to bench press 225 pounds an incredible 39 times while being able to maintain a 4. 69 40-yard dash. That is a godly feat for a man that is 6 foot 6 and 315 pounds. When asked about his past anabolic steroid use, Mandarich said,†You're not supposed to be as strong as I am. You're not supposed to be as fast as I am. You're not supposed to be as good as I am† (Kozak).Apparently, without anabolic steroid use, Tony Mandarich would never have become the college football player that he was. Another motive adolescents have for using anabolic steroids is the pursuit for the improvement of athletic p erformance (Adolescent Steroid Abuse). Through the use of anabolic steroids, an adolescent can increase muscle mass, strength, and training capacity (Kusserow 7). According to Kusserow, many adolescents first use anabolic steroids at the age of 16 and that 85% of the users started by age 17 (Kusserow 5).Much of this thought process has to do with famous role model athletes. â€Å"Users believe that many high-level athletes have used steroids, and 42 percent say this influenced them to start using† (Kusserow 8). An adolescent varsity football player trying to obtain a football scholarship from a prestigious NCAA Division I football powerhouse may see an NFL football player that they admire, and look up to, using anabolic steroids. The adolescent could potentially try and imitate the NFL player’s actions due to this belief.With football scholarships from prestigious Division I football colleges being limited and competition amongst football players across the United Stat es being extensive, adolescents will do all that they can to achieve their goal. Additionally, adolescents may view the benefits in using anabolic steroids as more positive than negative. If using anabolic steroids can help these adolescents get to a great school such as the University of Southern California or the University of Texas, the side effects of using anabolic steroids could be something they are willing to risk.Another motive that could cause an adolescent in using anabolic steroids in improving athletic performance is the pressure they receive from adults, including their own parents (Kusserow 8). 55% of adolescent anabolic steroid users claim that their parents know about their use of anabolic steroids and that the parents do not care (Kusserow 7). â€Å"People may give a certain amount of slack to football players because there's this unspoken sense that in order to play the game well, you need an edge,† says Todd Boyd (Klosterman).If an adolescent can play well enough in sports to generate interest from college scouts, there is a good chance that the adolescent can get an athletic scholarship to help support their parents financially. Nowadays, college tuition is skyrocketing. It costs approximately $22,000 annually to attend the University of New Hampshire for an in-state student, and roughly $12,000 extra if you are out of state. With the recent economic downturn, many families do not have many financial options. Financial aid can only get you so far and the ability to take out a loan has become increasingly hard in this economy.Assuming an 18 year old adolescent is out of state and going to be attending the University of New Hampshire for four years, the adolescent would be saving $136,000 if he were able to get a full-boat scholarship. This is not even taking into account the annual increase in tuition that occurs after every school year and money for miscellaneous things. Although an adolescent’s parents may not be telling the m directly to use anabolic steroids, the parents could be indirectly encouraging them to â€Å"juice upâ€Å" by placing tons of pressure on their kids.Adults, whether it is the parents or the coaches, place immense pressure on their kids to compete and win, while conveying mixed messages of what are acceptable ways to achieve that goal (Kusserow 7). Adolescents may interpret those messages as, â€Å"It’s okay to use steroids as long as you succeed and do not get caught† or, â€Å"Do what must be done to achieve your goal†. If this is the universal belief amongst adolescents across the United States, how long will it be before adolescents begin to interpret other topics, such as violence or drug dealing, in the same manner. Works Cited Adolescent Steroid Abuse. † Adolescent Steroid Abuse. Case Western Reserve University. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Hoffman, Jay R. , and Nicholas A. Ratamess. â€Å"Medical Issues Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use: Are They E xaggerated? † Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 01 June 2006. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. Klosterman, Chuck. â€Å"Why We Look the Other Way. † ESPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 21 Mar. 2007. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Kozak, Kory. â€Å"Steroids Fueled Spectacular Rise and Fall. † ESPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 17 Apr. 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Pleitgen, Frederik. Athlete Says Sports Steroids Changed Him from Woman to man. † CNN. com. Cable News Network, 11 Aug. 2008. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General. Adolescent Steroid Use. Richard P. Kusserow. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991. Print. United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Health. Anabolic Steroid Abuse. Nora D. Volkow. National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2001. National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Report Series.