How the Internet Has Changed The Traditional Home Buyer †Business Paper

How the Internet Has Changed The Traditional Home Buyer – Business Paper Free Online Research Papers How the Internet Has Changed The Traditional Home Buyer Business Paper In today’s day and age it is becoming much more accepted to explore and complete nearly every aspect of the real estate process online. From researching, to touring the house, to figuring out how much and what type of mortgage is best, the consumer can undergo nearly all of the steps to purchasing a house without ever leaving their computer. Many commonly performed tasks such as driving to various neighborhoods, scouring the phone book for realtors, and going to various lending institutions for assistance with a loan are not nearly as stressful and time consuming. All of this has opened the door for a new type of â€Å"ambitious consumer† when it comes to buying real estate online. The internet has vastly transformed the average home-buyer. There are many characteristics that online real estate buyers have in common. A study was released by the California Association of Realtors titled â€Å"Internet versus Traditional Buyer Study† that gave interesting insight into who exactly is the â€Å"average internet real estate consumer?†. A few highlights of the study concluded that the online consumer was more self-motivated, wealthier, younger, and more likely to be married (housebloggers, 2005). Some of the key comparisons are as follows: The average age of Internet buyers was 39 compared to 46 for traditional buyers. 9 out of 10 internet buyers were married compared to 8 out of 10 non-internet. 85% of internet buyers had a 4-year degree, 11% completed post-graduate work, whereas only 78% of non-internet buyers had a bachelors, 4% had completed any post-graduate work. Internet buyers had an average income of $185,088.00 and non-internet buyers had an average of $151, 190.00. Internet buyers spend three times as much (5.8 weeks) time considering buying a home before contacting a realtor than non-internet buyers (2.1 weeks). Internet buyers took only two weeks to select a house instead of the seven weeks the traditional buyer took. Due to the use of virtual tours, internet buyers only looked at an average of 6.2 homes with a realtor compared to the 14.5 homes a traditional buyer looks at. This study shows the obvious changes that are taking place in the real estate world. Buyers are getting younger, smarter, and much more ambitious. They are spending more time researching on their own, and needing less assistance from a realtor. What is it exactly that attracts these younger, smarter, educated buyers to the internet instead of dealing directly with a real estate expert? It’s simple, there is literally an encyclopedia of information on how to handle every step of the process all over the internet. Every major realtor’s web site has sections that you can learn all about the real estate buying process without even talking to a representative (century 21). You can investigate neighborhoods, find information on exactly how much a mortgage would cost you, and even get in touch with a representative when you are ready to make that final leap. Site’s such as Century 21’s homepage has a complete First-time Homebuyer’s Guide that you can read to inform yourself on some of the less-known or confusing factors that go into purchasing real estate. Other web site’s such as the home loan learning center provide a step by step checklist to walk you through the rigors of determin ing the right type of loan for you (MBA, 2004). Not only does can you use the internet to educate yourself on the ins-and-outs of buying real estate, but it is also a valuable tool to direct you to the places you need to go when you’re ready. You can get in touch with a realtor, mortgage counselor, loan officer or a host of other individuals that can help answer any questions you still may have. This can save a lot of time searching through the phone book trying to distinguish what services each realtor can provide, or who really knows what it is you are looking for. When it comes to buying a house, there’s one word that causes more confusion, frustration, fear and anguish. That word is â€Å"mortgage†. For almost every individual out there, a mortgage is an essential part of the home-buying process. However, it may be one of the most confusing parts as well. With all the different types of mortgages, how does one know what is right for them? In the pre-internet days, a person would have to sit down with a mortgage consultant or loan officer or whoever, and be educated on how the whole loan process works. With the advent of internet real estate a whole new breed of sites have been born. Not only can you find tons of information about mortgages on any real estate company’s web site, but there are many sites dedicated solely to helping consumers understand mortgages and how they work. Fixed Rate Mortgage The most common mortgage in use today is what’s known as a fixed rate mortgage. A fixed rate mortgage is defined as a mortgage in which the interest rate and payments remain the same for the life of the loan (MBA 2004). The fixed rate mortgage is one of the oldest lending tools and still one of the most widely used. A fixed rate mortgage is comprised of the principal and the interest. When you set up your repayment schedule you will have a set amount that you must pay every month until the balance is paid off. Your monthly payment will be paying off only part of the amount you borrowed and part of the interest, or what you are being charged to borrow the original loan amount. This predetermined monthly payment is locked in or â€Å"fixed† for the entire life of the loan, regardless of changing interest rates, or how much you are willing to pay every month. The most common fixed rate mortgage issued is the 30-year mortgage (MBA 2004). You can, however, set up a m ultitude of fixed rate mortgages such as a 15 or 20 year fixed rate mortgage. The main reason that the 30 year fixed rate mortgage is the most common is because it offers the lowest monthly payments. This allows for a higher likelihood of being approved and is geared toward borrowers that will be remaining in the house for a long time and would also like to keep their housing expenses consistent (MBA 2004). Another fixed rate mortgage that can be obtained is a 15-year fixed rate mortgage. This is almost exactly like a 30-year mortgage except that you will have significantly less interest to pay. The drawback of the 15 year mortgage is that it does require a higher credit rating and a much larger monthly payment (MBA 2004). One more uncommon fixed-rate mortgage is the Bi-weekly mortgage. This type of loan is great if you have the budgeting skills to make a half-payment on your monthly loan amount every paycheck. By making a bi-monthly payment every two weeks, you are actually making the equivalent of 13 full monthly payments (MBA 2004). This loan is also typically a 30 year term, but allows you to have it paid off long before the 30 years are up. The example below illustrates the potential savings one can have by using a bi-weekly payment as opposed to a typical monthly payment. Example: You have a mortgage with a monthly payment of $997.00 Total interest paid over the 30 year life of the loan: $209,263.00 Half payments of $498.00 ($997.00/2) every two weeks would result in 26 equal payments per month. This extra month allows you to pay off the 30-year loan in 22-23 years. Total interest paid over the 22-23 year life of the loan: $155,938.00. Total savings over the traditional loan: $53,325.00! Adjustable Rate Mortgage A far less common and more complicated lending tool is an adjustable rate mortgage. An adjustable rate mortgage is defined as a mortgage loan or deed of trust, which allows the lender to adjust the interest rate in accordance with a specified index periodically, and as agreed to at the inception of the loan. Also called variable rate mortgages (VRM) (MBA 2004). ARM’s can be a bit more confusing because they require an understanding of a few more terms that dictate exactly how and how much the monthly payments of the mortgage can change. Some of the key terms to understand before getting into an ARM are as follows: The adjustment period: The length of time which dictates interest rate adjustments on an adjustable rate mortgage. A six-month ARM would have an adjustment every six months. The index: A published interest rate, such as the prime rate, LIBOR, T-Bill rate, or the 11th District COFI. Lenders use indexes to establish interest rates charged on mortgages or to compare investment returns. On ARMs, a predetermined margin is added to the index to compute the interest rate adjustment. The margin: In an adjustable rate mortgage, the spread between the index and the mortgage interest rate. Index rate + Margin = Your ARM Annual Percentage Rate (APR): A term defined in section 106 of the federal Truth in Lending Act (15 USC 1606), which expresses on an annualized basis the charges imposed on the borrower to obtain a loan (defined in the Act as finance charges), including interest, discount and other costs. Interest Rate Cap: A limit on interest rate increases and/or decreases during each interest rate adjustment (adjustment period cap) or over the term (life cap) of the mortgage. *Definitions come from the home loan learning center web site ARM’s come with many different adjustment periods, margin rates and caps. It is important to consider each of these variables when selecting the right type of ARM for you. Hybrid and convertible ARM A hybrid and convertible mortgage is a mortgage that interchanges between a fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage. One convertible is a mortgage that starts with a fixed rate for a period of time (2,5,10 yrs) and then converts to an annual adjustable-rate mortgage for its remaining life. Conversely there is the convertible mortgage that begin as an adjustable rate mortgage and can be converted into a fixed rate after an agreed payment period. You typically have to pay a fee when you convert the mortgage and most of the time the fixed rate you pay is slightly higher than the going rate for fixed loans (MBA 2004). To sum it all up, here is a list of the most common mortgages used today. Below the type of mortgage is some pro’s and con’s for each. Fixed-rate mortgages 30-Year Fixed Pros: Lower monthly payment Most affordable More cash/savings because payment is lower; easier to bear if the homeowner has repairs to make or comes upon hard times; extra cash allows homeowner to make other investments since cash isn’t tied up in the mortgage Cons: Longer term Pay more interest Costs more than shorter term mortgages over the life of the loan 15-year fixed Pros: Shorter term, own your home in half the time (allows you to own your home before your children start college or before you reach retirement) Often the total interest paid over the life of the loan is lower, less than half the total interest of a 30 yr Cons: Bigger monthly payment Qualification may be difficult because the income requirement is higher Bi-weekly Pros: Loan is paid off much more quickly Interest savings is significant Often automatically deducted from your checking account Cons: Must be able to budget and make the half-mortgage payment every two weeks Adjustable Rate (ARM) Pros: When interest rates go down, payment goes down Initial interest rate can be as much as 2 to 3 percent lower than a comparable fixed rate mortgage Homeownership is more affordable Qualifying is easier Lower initial interest rate compared to fixed-rate mortgages, which can make homeownership more affordable and make qualifying for a mortgage easier. And if interest rates decline, your mortgage payments decline as well. Cons: When interest rates go up, payments go up The potential for higher monthly payments if interest rates increase Requires more budgeting discipline Convertible Mortgages Hybrid and convertible ARMs Pros: Advantages of an ARM with the ability to convert to a fixed-rate mortgage If you don’t convert, it’s a regular ARM Cons: If interest rates are at a higher level, when its time to convert, you may not want to go with it *Info from home loan learning center Research Papers on How the Internet Has Changed The Traditional Home Buyer - Business PaperAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaPETSTEL analysis of IndiaThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseThe Project Managment Office SystemHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalOpen Architechture a white paperRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanStandardized TestingResearch Process Part One

racsim essays

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Marketing Intelligence Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing Intelligence Systems - Essay Example Some of the topics that are going to be covered in the MIS presentation include: The value and quality of a marketing intelligence system depends on the input data the system receives. A five-step process that can help improve the quality of a marketing intelligence system is: 1) Train and motivate the sales force to spot and report new developments; 2) Motivate, retailers, intermediaries, and distributors to pass information along; 3) Collect intelligence by purchasing competitor’s products; 4) Create advisory panel composed of important stakeholders; 5) Purchase information from outside suppliers such as A.C. Nielsen Corporation (Kotler, 2002). The five step quality control process improves marketing intelligence systems to make them more valuable. When the sales force acts as intelligence gatherers they must be trained to recognize the type of information that is useful for managerial purposes. Obtaining product samples from the competition is useful to compare in terms of quality, value, and packaging presentation. Customer advisory panels provide valuable information concerning customer needs. External research firms are able to provide marketing information at a lower cost than what most companies can produce in-house. There are many benefits associated with the implementation of a MIS. The use of an MIS can assist a manager in the sales forecasting process. The system can be used by a start-up company to determine the optimal target markets to penetrate. An MIS system allows a company to monitor behavioral changes in consumer buying patterns. This type of information is useful to adapt the company’s product offering. For example a company in the food industry could utilize data concerning the tendency of a marketplace to consume salty foods to determine the chances its new potato chips brand have to succeed in a region. Marketing intelligence systems can be

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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FINANCE AND TRADE - Essay Example The Enron Corporation before its collapse was one of the largest global company which had its hands in the sales of natural gas and electricity, commodities like bandwidth internet connection and provided other financial and management services. Failure of corporate governance can be due many reasons. In financial terms if a company owes more than it earns over a significant time period and is not able to carry out trade then it faces a corporate failure. Failure can also occur due to institutional failure in which a group of managers fails to tackle major issues of the company. An important factor behind the collapse of corporate governance is the financial crisis. â€Å"The Enron failure demonstrated a failure of corporate governance, in which internal control mechanisms were short-circuited by conflicts of interest that enriched certain managers at the expense of the shareholders.† (Enron: Corporate Failure, Market Success, 2002). A complete reevaluation of corporate govern ance practice in the United States became important after the fall of Enron. The financial goals of a corporate sector are mainly maximization of share holder’s wealth and the maximization of corporate wealth. The wrong financial decisions taken by the authorities leading to a ‘dubious’ financial transaction also contributes to the failure of corporate governance. The free market situation which emerged as a result of liberalization and the process of privatization of public sector got questioned after the breakdown of the Enron. â€Å"The failure of the corporate governance system should be viewed as the failure of the corporate internal control system† (Dewan, 2006, P. 51 An effective system of corporate governance has both internal and external aspects that have to be sufficiently responsive if governance is to succeed. â€Å"Different internal and external influences address different issues within an organization† (Hafner, 2010, P. 6). Absence of an appropriate internal governance system which leads to an inefficient financial and management performance may also contribute to the breakdown of corporate governance as happened at Enron. Failure of External governance system which has the responsibility to warn the company about the future market situations to do its duty may also contribute to the failure of the corporate governance. The power in the hands of the company given by the corporate rules to influence the policy makers and hence the government has been another reason for the corporate failure. The collapse of corporate governance was not just rooted in poor managerial performance but the entire corporate department plays a major role in ruining the corporate ethical values and principles. But the primary responsibility for the failure of corporate governance lies with the executives and the managers. If the operations management were allowed to work according to the corporate norms then the tragedy of the Enron c ollapse might not have occurred. Effective regulation and oversight, restrictions on campaign financing, and an arms length approach of government in dealing with business may have prevented the breakdown of Enron. â€Å"Enron situation taught a lesson about the main reasons for such failures and not to repeat the same mistakes in the future. The Enron situation was the focus of a massive investigation that led to significant changes in corporate governa

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What implications, if any, do you draw about EMU as an OCA for these 4 countries and why - Essay Example EMU can also be as optimal currency areas for the four countries such as France, Germany, Italy and UK and it has certain amount of implications for these four countries. A member state must comply and should be a part of the EMU stage to adopt Euro as a common currency in the member states for managing trade and exchange rate. This Union is essential for ensuring that the member states of the European nations are able to increase the efficiency of the economies of European Union (Melitz, 2011). After the crisis in the year 2009, the European nations are identified to face adequate challenges in terms of managing the value of Euro, which affected the economic conditions to a certain extent. In this regard, the member states of the European Union are needed to adopt Euro as the common currency. The monetary framework of European Union is also required to control the output as well as inflation of these four countries and help to stabilise the economy by preventing the politically encouraged interventions (Shambaugh, 2012; Angeloni & Dedola, 1999;). The individuals against the EMU noted that Euro will be in dangerous situation if the contributing countries do not fulfil the requirements of OCA. The endogenous OCA theory recommended that economic and monetary integration play a vital role in shaping the EMU (European Monetary Union). OCA offers support of educational services to the politicians to make a stronger integration level in the EMU. The properties of OCA have developed for most analysed countries, but the periphery of EMU has not been predicted by the endogenous theory. The theory of OCA also suggested that monetary union is useful for economies and it also involved in high labour price, mutual trade and flexibility in wages (Buiter, 2012; Vieira & Vieira, 2010). OCA has an impact on the decision to enter the EMU. The comparison value of index of EMU states that

Differences have you found between Essay Example for Free

Differences have you found between Essay Metaphors are used to great effect in My Oedipus Complex. For example There was a bit of the magpie about Father and Father in his usual Santa Claus manner. This use of descriptive language, like the similes helps the reader get a better mental image of, in this case Larrys father. The use of lots of descriptive language in both stories helps the reader feel part of the story. A big difference in the language used is that Elizabeth Gaskell uses archaic language whereas Frank OConnor uses language that is much more modern. For example words such as bade and whom are used in The Half Brothers. This archaic language sets the scene of the Victorian age, it is more typically 19th Century. It also makes the passage seem more descriptive because of the wider variety of vocabulary. Elizabeth Gaskell overcomes the formality created by the use of archaic language slightly by using regional dialect. For example wee lassie. This regional dialect gives the story an identity and makes it sound more homely. It also makes the story seem more realistic as it is set in Yorkshire and requires the suitable language for it. Frank OConnor uses much more modern language, however there is still the occasional word that is slightly old fashioned. For example mere and fellows. These words are relevant because they remind us that the story is not set in completely modern times, it was still a fairly long time ago. The language in My Oedipus Complex seems less formal because it is more modern, however the formality of Larrys thoughts are a source of humour to the reader. For example Life without my early-morning conferences was unthinkable. This formality is humorous because Larry is only five years old and words such as conference and unthinkable would not be in his vocabulary. Also the formality of Larrys thoughts contrast strongly with the formality of the story in general putting more emphasis on this humour. The endings of the stories are very different because one is a tragedy and one has a happy ending. For example in The Half Brothers William asks God for forgiveness because he feels so guilty about bullying Gregory when he turned out to be a hero in the end. Whereas in My Oedipus Complex Larry and his father forgive each other and Larrys father goes out of his way to buy Larry a really nice model railway. This contrast in the ends of the stories shows that a situation can go either way depending on the characters involved. The endings are the most obvious difference in the stories because they define the whole story as either a tragedy or a comedy. The endings make the reader react in different ways. For example the ending of The Half Brothers makes the reader think, because of its regretful conclusion whereas the ending of My Oedipus Complex doesnt give the reader a lot to ponder on as it is a simple happy ending. This makes the stories suitable for different types of reader. If they want a light-hearted book My Oedipus Complex is more suitable but if they want a book that teaches them a lesson then they should choose The Half Brothers. Overall I preferred My Oedipus Complex to The Half Brothers. This is because it is set more recently and the language is easier to understand, I found it easier to relate to. Also it was humorous. The Half Brothers also had good points such as it made me think and gave me a greater understanding of Victorian language. The Half Brothers is a more educational story whereas My Oedipus Complex is light reading.

Effect Of Media On The Childhood

Effect Of Media On The Childhood Childhood representations are derived from media as well as policies and laws, the two being interrelated. Media images produce influential perceptions about children that may be translated into ideologies and through the same laws and policies influence childrens well being and material needs. Media also highlights that the identity of childhood as a social construction is very different to adulthood. It is depicted as marginalised and incapable. With the introduction of many forms of technology in the past 20 years it is not surprising that media now plays an even greater integral role in shaping childhoods, mine being no exception. All this power exerted by media calls for some form of analysis. In other instances, the childhood figure is overlapped with that of animals, which is evident in the film, LEnfant Sauvage (1969), where Victoire, the wild boy, adapted himself to an uncivilised situation (Mills, 2000). The notion of innocence of children is commonly portrayed in childrens books and films such as Little Lord Fauntleroy, where Cedric symbolises innocence and beauty. Children are deemed to be protected from secret knowledges, namely sexuality and death. In fact, until recently, girls were portrayed as asexual and ignorant of sex (Humphries, Mack Perks, 1988). In contrast, the premature exhibition and sexualisation of young girls and the need of protection of their innocence is highlighted in the film Painted Babies (1993), a film about young girls in beauty pageants (Robinson Davies, 2008). The notion children as vulnerable and in need of protection, is outlined in Dickens Oliver Twist, where Nancy saves Oliver from Bill Sykes physical abuse. The abduction and consequent murder of the young James Bulger is another shocking example vulnerability of children. On the other hand, children are also characterised as being autonomous. In Harry Potter, Harry epitomises this perception in literature in his fight against evil. The feisty independent character Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables is another example. Girl power was more related to popular music with phenomena such as the Spice Girls who promoted this neo-liberal feminist identity in teenage girls in the 90s. The novel Coral Island depicts children as apprentices where they develop skills, realise their dreams, and move on to adulthood. However, contemporary Prose fiction works portray children as a distinct group from adults. These works are realistic, sometimes dark, and child-centred exemplified by by Roald Dahls Matilda and Anne Finnes Madame Doubtfire. The images of children presented by the media are multi-faceted and sometimes contrasting, evident in the film Leon, where Mathilda, is portrayed as mature and independent but still perceived as a vulnerable child in need of protection in Leons eyes (ICS, 2010). It should be questioned as to how accurate cultural artefacts actually are. In childrens literature, Hunt implies that authors depict childhood as they perceive it, and therefore not a true reflection. Childrens books are therefore likely to portray attitudes to childhood rather than any individual or culturally agreed childhood (Hunt, 2009). Its power was in the image it left behind, imitated by some children in real life. Nowadays, children are not as influenced by contemporary literature. They have become more knowledgeable and sceptical, the so-called active reader. Texts for these children have lost their power (Hunt, 2009). Readers and viewers may interpret messages in different ways according to their identities and divisions such as age, gender, social class and ethnicity. Globalization of media brings about a certain degree of standardization whereby children in different parts of the world are being exposed to the same stimulus and subsequently start showing some common tra its. Moreover, media itself exercises a degree of control on how messages it delivers are interpreted. This is called the hypodermic syringe model. Messages are not only delivered but new meanings are produced bringing about the double hermeneutic phenomenon. Representational practices play a crucial role in influencing the material lives of children. Prominent music artists have used media to promote the awareness of different races, The most well-known event was Live Aid in 1985 highlighting the plight of starving children in Africa. Media can be a strong influence on health issues in children, evident in the recent significant increase of the illness anorexia nervosa in girls may have been as a result of T.V. and magazines portraying a very slim figure to be the accepted image as well as the explosion of obesity in children. It is estimated that 20 % of children in UK are overweight (James James, 2004). Consequently there is now a drive from all concerned to promote more healthy-eating programme such as Jamie Olivers T.V. series. The film scum by Alan Clarice 1979 portrays how a borstal in UK further brutalises young offenders. Its huge cultural impact was a contributory factor in the 1982 reform that replaced borstals to youth custody centres This is an example how the media can influence the institutions of the State (Mills, 2000). Todays children are more independent, inquisitive, creative, and can use media effectively, forming part of the net generation of childhood. In fact Katz (1997) regards these children able to create their own cultures and communities (Buckingham, 2009: 126). The use of internet is invaluable for these children in the field of education and research. Also, through the introduction of social networks, they are able to communicate freely with one another. There are also some concerns, as children are at risk of exposure to pornography, violence and cyber-stalking. Also, it is argued that they tend to spend more time confined to their room resulting in less family integration. A study between childrens everyday activities and the media showed that among media, television was the prime mover in families lives. This was done through quantitative and qualitative methods using questionnaires, interviews, as well as new methods (Tufte, 2003). Media technology is also influenced by gender and class identities. This is highlighted by the fact that the majority of computer games are played by boys and also that, middle class children have more access to computers than their working class peers. Over the years, different media has shaped my childhood, such as television programmes, magazines, music, the internet, pamphlets, books and billboards. As a young child, Care Bears and Barney, were amongst my favourite programmes. These were education and instilled in me the values of caring and tolerance. Other films include Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, by providing images of princesses and happy endings which have caused me to dream as a child. Another character worth quoting is Miss Honey in the book Matilda by Roald Dahl who presented as a role model. In fact, at seventeen years of age, I decided to become a teacher, and have always strived to be kind and gentle just like Miss Honey. A Maltese media campaign to keep the environment clean, symbolised by a small hedgehog, Xummiemu, was set up, when I was growing up. These billboards, posters and magazines influenced me in respecting the environment. Messages on billboards such as the advert Smoking kills, on our main roads, had put me off smoking completely and never smoked a single cigarette in my life. As a teenager, the internet was used as a useful source of information in my school assignments. Through MSN Messenger and Skype, I have stayed in touch with my friends and relatives who live abroad. The internet is unique in that it is an interactive form of media allowing childrens global communication and the promotion of their creativity and spontaneity. I feel close to this culture which is critical of what media portrays even when the same media seems to have taken over our lives. Word count: 1,347 References Buckingham, D. (2009). New media, new childhoods? Childrens changing cultural environment in the age of digital technology in M. J. Kehily (Ed.), An introduction to Childhood Studies (2nd Edition) (pp. 124-138). Berkshire: Open University Press. Humphries, S., Mack, J. Perks, R. (1988). A Century of Childhood, London: Sidgwick Jackson. Hunt, P. (2009). Childrens literature and childhood in M. J. Kehily (Ed.), An introduction to Childhood Studies (2nd Edition) (pp. 50-69). Berkshire: Open University Press. ICS (2010). Sociology of Childhood, Study Guide 1. Glasgow: ICS. James, A. James, A. L. (2004). Constructing Childhood: Theory, Policy and Social Practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Katz, J. (1997). Virtuous Reality: How America Surrendered Discussion of Moral Values to Opportunists, Nitwits and Blockheads like William Bennett. New York: Random House. Mills, J. Mills, R. (2000) Childhood Studies: A Reader in perspectives of childhood, Routledge, New York. Mills, R. (2000). Perspectives of Childhood in J. Mills R. Mills (Eds.), Childhood Studies: A Reader in perspectives of childhood (pp. 7-37). London: Routledge. Robinson, K. H. Davies, C. (2008). SHES KICKIN ASS, THATS WHAT SHES DOING! Deconstructing Childhood Innocence in Media Representations. Australian Feminist Studies, 23, 343- 358. Tufte, B. (2003). Children, media and consumption. Advertising Marketing to Children, October-December, 69-76. Discuss the role family plays in shaping childhood. Give examples of cultures within a family structure and reflect on your own culture. There is general consensus that family does shape childhood from the first minute its parent(s) start to interact with it in the context of a wider culture. (Gittens, 2009: 36). The family is the foundation of social stability and the primary means of social reproduction. This institution moulds the child through education, morals, values beliefs (James James, 2004). Family besides the traditional nuclear family also includes lone parent, gay/lesbian, extended families, and cohabitation. Indeed, the family is instrumental in shaping the child to become an integral part of society (ICS, 2010b). Childhoods are dependent on the identities and positions of the childs family, as these will have different structures, resulting in different experiences (ICS, 2010a). In recent years delayed child bearing means that children are less likely to share the companionship of siblings or wider kin. Single parent families are the second highest risk factor, after unemployment, for children to live in poverty (Clarke, 1996). Lower social class, unemployment, alcoholism, and drug abuse have serious consequences on childrens well-being in the shape of poverty, poor social conditions, mental health problems and physical abuse. Children from minor ethnic families may be disadvantaged as a result of poorer housing conditions and lower pay as well as an increased prevalence of chronic diseases such as rickets and T.B (James James, 2004). Also, parents lifestyles may affect childrens lives directly. Smoking in families is detrimental to childrens health, significantly increasing asthma in their children. Nowadays, most parents work leaving less time to prepare meals, which may result in children eating more junk food. Armstrong, Hill and Secker (2000) argue the beneficial effects of parental affection on the childs well-being. In comparison family breakdowns, increasing in number, are a cause of stress and mental problems in children (James James, 2004; Armstrong et al., 2000). Childrens identity is seen as a passive experience of being parented. Children possess a Double Status; the kinship status as the child and the age-based status as the minor. The link between womanhood and childhood is focused on childrens needs discourses (Lawler, 2000). According to research, the function of the family is specific to the fulfilment of gender-based roles, where females are a source of care and expression, and males the main source of income (ICS, 2010a: 15; MacNaughton Smith, 2009). Parents act as role models by setting examples which are crucial in shaping childhood. Children also learn gender roles from the family. For example, if cooking is done only by the mother they might associate it exclusively with females (MacNaughton Smith, 2009). State laws and policies use the family to implement and control children. The state also uses the family as an ally in the battle for social control (James James, 2004: 191)) and increasingly regulates childrens lives (James James, 2004). Development of family friendly employment practice through social benefits, results in more stable families, better support of children during their education, and reduced levels of delinquency (James James, 2004). The child is regarded as the object of legal rulings with childrens rights generally overruled by their parents claiming to act in the best interest of the child, thus their agency being denied (James James, 2004: 201). The effective voice of children in family proceedings is well documented, both in the Children Act and the UNCRC. However, the implementation to date is another matter, even welfare professionals view children both as carefree and powerless (ICS, 2010b: 45). In fact, family law in England and Wales classifies a child as a person with a disability (James James, 2004: 200). In every culture lies marriage, residence, family size and composition, family status and role, family power and authority, family communication that are quite universal. These elements of family structure in vary from one society to another (Uddin, 2009: 438). The representation of the family structure in Western culture is usually portrayed as a nuclear family composed of two siblings. This model is still portrayed as ideal according to mainstream parents websites such as bounty.com. Media has always portrayed an image of the Western family. Nowadays, it brings us a variety of different family structures including gay couples and single parents. In Muslim cultures, there are clearer gender demarcations where all family affairs are decided by the senior male member, leaving other family members fully dependent on their decisions without any say (Uddin, 2009). The male is usually the bread winner whilst women take on the emotional role such as child rearing and household chores (Uddin, 2007). Another feature of this community is the large family size, thus an extended family structure is adopted to ensure adequate family support. Family structures in Muslim Western communities vary from those in more traditional societies as the former face lifestyle choices which are not available to the latter. Middle-class, though not working-class, Muslims have expectations and a level of education comparable to non-Muslims (Abbas, 2003; Ahmad, 2001). Muslims regard their Islamic faith as fundamental to their identity. However, Sikhs and Hindus consider education to be their main priority, allowing greater occupational opportunities, class mobility, integration and acceptance (Abbas, 2003). On a more personal note, I grew up in a traditional Maltese Roman Catholic nuclear family consisting of four members; my parents, my older sister and myself. This is the most common structure in Malta. My father is a doctor and my mother is a housewife who gave up her job as a secretary to raise us. My parents raised us striking a balance between being open to change but holding onto the strong values of Maltese culture and Roman Catholic beliefs. These beliefs form an integral role in our way of life and shape our views on family. Family authority has always been shared between my parents. However, they have always valued our opinions, even as children. This has created an open communicative relationship between us. The family has influenced many aspects of my life. Due to my large extended family, I grew up surrounded by younger children, playing with and teaching them. This sparked my interest in teaching Early Years. The short distances facilitated the formation of strong family bonds. We live in a typical neighbourhood where people lend a helping hand when needed, though can be nosy. Despite Malta being a small island, we are not insular as we are influenced by other cultures, namely British and Italian. We are multi-lingual and have a Western outlook. We are also influenced by foreign family ties, my grandmother being British. Our culture motivates us to maximise our potential by pursuing a higher education, particularly a University degree. Opportunities are few and competition is high. Ambition is instilled from an early age, and expectations are high. I form part of a very close- knit family which is dependable and supportive. We consider this to be our role and responsibility to each ot her. I enjoy the security and stability of our family whilst still enjoying my independence and autonomy. All the aforementioned aspects are crucial as the resources and environment of the family have a direct influence on how children and adolescents deal with emotions, relationships as well as their potential for future success (Wen, 2008). Nonetheless, it is fundamental to perceive the child as an individual actor whose needs must be considered in the context of their own childhood and not merely as an extension of the needs of all of those who share the status of being children. Word count: 1,241