Ernest Miller Hemingway Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ernest Miller Hemingway - Research Paper Example Thesis statement: The compare and contrast study of the short stories A Clean, Well Lighted Place and Soldier's Home by Hemingway proves that both the works are with similar and dissimilar literary elements (special references to plot, character development, theme setting and mood). Compare and contrast The compare and study is based upon the literary elements like plot, character development, theme setting and mood. A. Plot The plot of the short story A Clean, Well Lighted Place is related to the problem of alienation felt by the senior citizens in the society. The old man in the story never shows eagerness to reveal his identity and personal details. Instead, the conversation between the waiters at the Cafe reveals the personal details about the old man. The narrator in the short story A Clean, Well Lighted Place, makes clear that â€Å"The waiter watched him go down the street, a very old man walking unsteadily but with dignity† (290). One can easily identify that the workà ¢â‚¬â„¢s plot is interconnected with the problems faced by human beings in their old age, disregarding their economic status. On the other side, the plot of the work Soldier's Home is interconnected with problems in human life, but from a different angle of view. For instance, one can easily identify that the author’s experience in wars and the alienation from the mainstream society can be seen as the motivation behind the plot. The protagonist (Harold Krebs) in the story is not ready to be free from the hangover of the war in Germany. In the short story Soldier's Home, the narrator points out that â€Å"He wanted to live along without consequences† (113). Besides, his hesitation to return to his native place with other soldiers reveals that he was not aware of his role in the society as a soldier. His return to his native place did not make any change in the society because he returned after a number years. His life with his family was not so successful because he was aware of the fact that his life is totally under the control of his father. At last, the protagonist is ready to break the shell of his dreamy world and faces the reality. To be specific, both the works deal with the problems in human life. The former work deals with the problems faced by elder citizens in a society, and the latter work deals with the problems faced by a soldier in his public and private domain. To be specific, the author chose human life as the plot for both the works and the only difference is in the treatment of the plot. B. Character development Some of the factors of character development in literature are concreteness, speech, behavior, motivation and change. Within this context, the main character (old man) in the short story A Clean, Well Lighted Place is displays concreteness because the author makes use of the waiters to provide information about him. This indirect technique proves to be successful because the conversation between the waiters unearths the specific characteristic of the main character. The old man’s speech with the waiters proves that he is able to take decisions of his own and others cannot change the same. Besides, he does not show any interest to communicate with others. The author provides ample importance to the strange behavior of the old man and the same proves that he is facing a number of problems in his family. Tyler states that â€Å" His suicidal attempt, his alcoholism, and his pathetic eagerness to stay at the deserted

Working as a registered nurse Essay Example for Free

Working as a registered nurse Essay I have been working as a registered nurse in Tacoma, WA since 2011 and I have chosen to assess the community health of Pierce County. Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County and the largest city in the county and third largest city in the state (US Census Bureau, 2014). Pierce County is located south of Seattle and is comprised of 1,679 sq. miles, many of which front the Puget Sound. Northern areas of the county are comprised of islands and peninsulas only accessible by bridges or boats. It also contains one of the nation’s national parks and the state’s tallest peak, Mount Rainier. The Park’s boundaries largely define the eastern border of the County and the White and Nisqually Rivers make up the North and South boundaries respectively. (Snob Hollow Designs, 2014) Population Economic Status Assessment Nearly 820,000 people call Pierce County home. It boasts a high population density with 481 people per sq. mile. Urban areas comprise 93 percent of the county. (City-Data, 2014) The median household income in 2013 was estimated to be close to $60,000 and 12 percent of residents are living below the poverty level. (US Census Bureau, 2014) Blacks and African Americans make up the majority of low-income people despite the fact that they comprise only 7 percent of the County population. The majority of residents (76.5 percent) are white, 10 percent are non-black Hispanics and 6 percent are Asians. The median resident age is 35 years and 12 percent of residents are 65 years or older. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014). More than a third of Pierce County children are eligible for free lunch benefits and 8.9 percent of residents are unemployed. As many as 16 percent of residents are uninsured despite a per capita personal health expenditure of $8,160 annually. Ten percent of those uninsured are children. What’s more, close to 6 percent of residents make less that $10,000/year. It’s estimated that 15 percent of residents are not able to see a health care provider when they need to because they can’t afford it. When they can afford to, primary  care providers (PCP) are in short supply and overworked. There are an estimated 1500 patients for every PCP in Pierce County. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014)Medicare is the primary payer of health care expenditures for 10 percent of County residents. (City-Data, 2014) Pierce County has some of the highest rates of obesity in the nation with a 31 percent obesity rate. This is despite the fact that nearly 80 percent of residents reported exercising in the previous month. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014)The County has numerous parks, hiking trails, walking paths and enjoys a temperate climate with little snow accumulation and mild summer temperatures. Poor nutrition is likely a key contributor with 16 percent of residents classified as food insecure. The County has the lowest access to healthy foods with 8 percent of people living in urban areas where the nearest grocery store is more than a mile from their home. Access to convenience stores is slightly better. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014). Neighborhood and Community Safety Any Pierce County resident can testify to smelling the â€Å"Aroma of Tacoma† on a regular basis. At various parts of the day, a pungent smell not unlike that of rotten eggs fills the air. The source of the stench is attributed to industries located at the Port of Tacoma, the forest industry, car exhaust, or the tidal changes on the Puget Sound. The extent of air pollution in the area is large. More than three quarters of county residents drive alone to work every day. Just 3 percent take public transportation. The County ranks 16th in counties reporting high carbon monoxide one hour concentration. It is among the dirtiest 10 percent of US counties for its release of water and carcinogens. Chief among these deadly chemicals is methanol and hydrochloric acid. (City-Data, 2014) (Good Guide, 2011) There are four Superfund Sites in the County that continue to cause contamination of drinking water. One of these sites is Commencement Bay, the hub of the Port of Tacoma, one of the world’s busiest ports. The biggest polluter in the area is the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company, a forest product  company that prides itself on using â€Å"every part of the tree except its shadow.† (Simpson, 2014) Another well-known polluter and also a major area employer is the US Military. Superfund Sites exist at both McChord AFB and the US Army Fort Lewis Range. (Good Guide, 2011) Cultural Assessment For a personal perspective of life inside Pierce County I consulted with a colleague who works as a lactation consultant. She is a 50-year-old college-educated white female who also works as an instructor in a local vocational college. She reports that her cohort’s attitude toward aging is not altogether positive. She is beginning to feel the gradual decline in her body functions and says that she and others like her find it frustrating that their bodies don’t work as well as they did in their youth. That attitude of reluctance tends to affect how readily her peers seek assistance, especially if it means accepting the realities of aging. Some of the physical health problems common in her cohort involve vision, sleep apnea, joint pain, and decreased stamina. She states that individuals in her cohort tend to be individualistic and prefer their yards, both physically and metaphorically, to be fenced. This perspective crosses over to how children are parented with a high value placed on raising adults that are independent and self-sufficient. Her children have either graduated from college or are currently attending university. She considers financial independence a mark of adulthood. A ritual associated with adulthood is moving out of the family home and their own. One of the challenges she sees in her cohort is that of obtaining access to mental health care. A colleague recently lost her son to suicide after numerous attempts to help him gain access to care failed and he committed suicide. She feels that only those who are going to hurt others or hurt themselves are recipients of care in a broken system. Because so many are aching for help in the community and a greater awareness of the need, the result has been a reduced stigma associated with mental illness. Acknowledging that mental illness is far from being treated on plane with biological illness, she reports that the awareness of an individual’s lack  of control over what is a real disease is growing. Disaster Assessment and Planning The incredible amount of physical beauty present in Pierce County is also a source of danger to its residents. The area has been declared as a disaster area 19 times in recorded history. Most of these events were the result of severe storms that caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The area is situated on or near several tectonic plates giving it an earthquake risk that is 355 percent greater than the national average. In 2001, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake was centered just 10.8 miles from the city center and caused tens of thousands in damage. An earthquake centered even farther away could affect the county via a subsequent Tsunami. Coastline areas comprise many of the County’s industries, parks, and homes and could be destroyed by a tsunami’s tidal surge. Mt. Rainier frames many of Tacoma’s picturesque views but it is a volcano that could come back to life at any moment. Its last eruption is estimated to have occurred more than 150 years ago but a recent e ruption could cause massive downstream flooding in nearly the entire County. (City-Data, 2014) Disasters caused by flooding precipitated by a tsunami, volcanic eruption, or one of the areas many rainstorms could displace many residents from their homes and block access to urgent and chronic healthcare services. Sewage systems could be affected by the flooding as well as decrease access to clean water. A massive earthquake could destroy many of Tacoma’s older buildings, many of which were built in the early 1900s and well before any seismic construction rules went into effect. Falling objects from an earthquake and resulting fires could result in massive injuries in the short-term and damage to public infrastructure in the long-term. (Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, 2010) Many of the possible disasters that could strike the area do not have the luxury of advance warning. Severe storms may give as little as a day or two notice, tsunamis and flooding just a few hours. Many residents are unlikely to understand the severity of a disaster until they are in i ts midst. Because the residents lack the ability to prepare, The Pierce County Department of Emergency Management has five departments to deal with every day emergencies and  large-scale disasters. The services include emergency management, enhanced 9-1-1 services, fire prevention, radio communications and an urban search and rescue task force. The Department is working to enroll all residents in an emergency alert system via text. Area hospital employees also have an alert system that sends a text message to employees to report to duty in the event of an emergency. The enhanced 9-1-1 system automatically finds the street address for landline calls. The radio communications team works to ensure that radio remains active in the event cell towers fall during an earthquake or are damaged during severe flooding. Urban Search and Rescue can provide vital services in the event of an earthquake, mudslide, avalanche or abandoned mine collapse. (Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, 2010) Windshield Survey Housing The majority of housing options available in Tacoma are single-family detached homes. A housing boom in the 1990s resulted in many newer homes and apartment buildings in both high and poor-income areas. Housing density appears to be highest in high-income neighborhoods. Many homes in both areas have grassed front and back yards. Although the area was heavily wooded when settled in the 1890s, much of the native evergreen trees are gone. Tree replacement appears limited to higher-income areas and is limited to non-native deciduous trees. Housing in lower-income neighborhoods appears to be in fair to moderate repair. Very few homes in these areas have bars over windows or doors. (Patamia, 2015) Open Space In Tacoma, there appears to be a moderate amount of open space, especially considering it is an urban area. I saw a large strip of valuable waterfront in the Ruston area dedicated to a walking path and docks used for office space and dining. The jewel in the crown of the Tacoma Metropolitan Park System is Wright Park, a 27-acre parcel spanning more than 10 city blocks in the heart of the city that features an arboretum, lawn bowling, playgrounds, and a pond. In addition, Mt Rainier National Park has more than 235,000 acres of protected forestland and numerous State parks dot the County. All of these spaces are open for public use and park passes are enveloped as part of the residents’ vehicle tax. Boundaries The boundaries of the area are largely natural features like rivers and mountains. Neighborhoods begin and end without notification but poorer areas tend to have more chain link fences, fewer shopping areas, and homes that lack fresh paint and ornamental landscaping. Ironically, the most expensive homes in the county have roads that are either gravel or so unkempt that potholes dominate. Commons People in the county tended to congregate around grocery stores and the strip malls that surround them. I visited an upscale grocery store in the middle of the day and found parking difficult despite an ample lot. Areas surrounding the Port of Tacoma business district tend to always have a large amount of traffic, especially large trucks carrying containers to and from the ships docked in Commencement Bay. Transportation Pierce County, despite the low numbers of residents who use public transportation has numerous options for getting out of your car. Buses travel to every part of the county, even across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the Olympic Peninsula town of Gig Harbor. Residents can travel to Seattle using rail or bus. Residents enjoy the capability of attaching their bikes to city buses but since the area is very hilly and frequently rainy, few take advantage of the service. For all of its access capabilities in Tacoma, getting around in surrounding communities is difficult. Interstate 5 intersects the county, enabling easy access for Port of Tacoma traffic to Canada and the western states. Several state highways run through the community and many are currently undergoing expansive improvement projects. Long-term plans include expanding Seattle’s light rail into Tacoma but recent initiatives to expand inter-county bus services was voted down by residents. Service Centers One of the most impressive things about Pierce County is how new and beautiful its schools are. Around these areas, it’s easy to spot social service centers such as YMCAs or Community Healthcare Clinics. Even in the poorest areas of the County, I saw many dentist offices, parks with  playground facilities, and sidewalks. I drove by a newer looking middle school several times during my survey and always saw it occupied by students despite heavy rain. Stores Commercial areas in the county appear to be centered on large chain grocery stores. There are few non-chain, independent dining options and those that are tend to offer high-calorie, high-fat options like hamburgers and milkshakes. I did not see any signs advertising farmers markets but there were more than a few community gardens where residents could grow their own fruits and vegetables. I was also impressed by how few grocery stores there were outside of major shopping areas and how far even the wealthiest had to travel to buy food. In more than one area, there were several grocery stores in close proximity to each other. People Out and About I saw several people walking around the County during my survey but all of them appeared to be walking for exercise and leisure, not for transportation. Almost all of these walkers were white and non-obese. A majority of those I saw were wearing Seahawk jerseys and/or colors. It was so persuasive that I felt out of place with an orange sweatshirt. Dogs accompanied many of the walkers and every dog was leashed. Signs of Community Vibrancy The Pierce County Community is very diverse but in nearly every area I traveled, I saw signs of vibrancy evidenced by hanging flower baskets, children playing outside, areas of preserved natural beauty, easy access to healthcare, and a lack of abandoned homes, stray animals, or countless homeless people. Race/Ethnicity Given that nearly three-quarters of Pierce County residents are white, its not surprising to see mostly white people in the County. Surprisingly, there are two major Indian Reservations, the Nisqually and Puyallup, inside Pierce County yet less than 2 percent of residents are Native American. Most of the County looks and feels American with few ethnic grocery stores or signs in a language other than English. Areas where whites live tend to be predominantly white but areas with larger populations of Blacks, Asians, and  Hispanics are well integrated. In one strip mall, there was a Mexican taqueria next door to an Asian grocery store. Religion While only 30 percent of Pierce County residents report being affiliated with a religious congregation, nearly half of them are non-denominational Christian churches. A third of residents report an affiliation with a Roman Catholic Church. I saw many more churches in the less affluent areas of the County than I did in wealthy ones. I also saw one Buddhist temple and Muslim Mosque. Health There are 10 hospitals serving Pierce County the largest of which is Tacoma General Hospital that has more than 400 beds and a level II trauma center. A few blocks away with the area’s second level II trauma center and a level III NICU is St Joseph Medical Center with 367 beds. Signs of homelessness are slightly invisible in Pierce County and tend to be clustered around area shelters or service providers such as the Union Gospel Mission and the YWCA. It’s estimated that 2,000 people including children are homeless on any given night in Tacoma. One of the area hospitals, Western State Hospital, provides services exclusively to the mentally ill but the lack of services to the homeless and mentally ill is striking. There are an estimated 368 mentally ill people for every mental health provider in Pierce County. Top performing counties have 521 providers per patient. The State ranks 49th in number of available psychiatric beds and several agencies have recently closed their doors or decreased services due to the economic turn down. (League of Women Voters Pierce County, 2013) (Good Guide, 2011) Forty percent of female tenth-grade children are classified as depressed. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department lists mental health as its #1 priority in the coming years. Politics I toured the area in January when the nearest election was months or years away. Cars I viewed had a mix of bumper stickers that indicated the metropolitan area voted for Obama in the previous presidential election, supports the legalization of marijuana, and is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks. Media No matter the area, evidence of satellite dishes was seen on nearly every home. I did not see any newspaper boxes around area stores. It seems that the primary form of communication medium is through television and the Internet. Television stations accessed by residents are primarily in English but there are two stations that are exclusively in Spanish. Physical Environment As mentioned previously, Pierce County is a very beautiful place with views of mountains, water, dense forest, and even a volcano visible from nearly every corner of the County. During my survey, I even viewed a pair of bald eagles playing over the Puget Sound. The areas around the Port of Tacoma and the two Indian reservations tend to be the least attractive areas of the city where billboards for nearby tribal-run casinos predominate the landscape. Scavenger Hunt Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) WIC is a nutrition program that helps ensure that pregnant women, nursing moms and children under five have access to healthy foods. They also provide health education and breastfeeding support including peer counselors. Women who use WIC get money to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, cheese, whole grain breads and tortillas. They also ensure that children are vaccinated and stay on recommended growth curves. A family of four is eligible for WIC benefits if they have an annual income equal or less than $43,000. Accessing the services requires visiting a WIC location, which are located on major bus routes near hospitals, health clinics, or in tribal offices. There are more than 15 WIC locations in the county and offer services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Cambodian. (Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, 2015) YMCA The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offer a variety of services including seven healthy living centers, a summer camp and more than 70 child care sites. Their mission is to offer programs that â€Å"build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.† (YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, 2014) Monthly fees that are based on household income support membership and financial aid is  available. There are steep discounts for members of the military and their families. The variety of services available at the healthy living center is broad. Members of the Tacoma facility take piano lessons, learn how to box, and enjoy an indoor pool. Family Renewal Shelter There are 16 different resources for those dealing with domestic violence in Pierce County. Among them is the Family Renewal Shelter. They provide emergency services by way of confidential shelters, self-defense classes, spiritual support, and pet therapy. They also offer help with access to vehicles, educational scholarships, and relocation. Support for the organization comes from private donations from individuals, foundations, businesses, and churches. Access to services is via the organization’s 24-hour crisis line. Information about domestic violence is available on the organization’s website including a button that allows a user to leave the site quickly and eliminate a computer trail. (Family Renewal Shelter, 2014) National Alliance on Mental Illness – Pierce County The purpose of NAMI is to support people and those who love them with the challenges of mental illness. Members are people whose lives have been touched by mental illness and can share resources, lessons learned, and empathy with one another. They also advocate for change on local and legislative issues. Support group meeting occur three times a week and are located in a local Episcopal Church. They are free to attend. NAMI Walks occur several times a year and help to reduce the stigma of mental health and expand services, especially in education of mental health issues with police, fire and other first responders. (NAMI Pierce County, 2015) Planned Parenthood A group of community volunteers opened the first Planned Parenthood clinic in Tacoma in 1972 to address concerns about high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The organization believes that everyone has the right to choose whether and when to get pregnant and works to prevent unwanted pregnancies. They rely heavily of individual donor support to provide basic low-cost health care, adoption planning, vasectomy services, and fitting for menstrual cups. They also provide abortion services and are  frequented by protestors. (PPGNW, 2015) Tacoma Rescue Mission There are more than 36 homeless shelters in Tacoma offering everything from emergency shelter, transitional housing, and assisted housing for people dealing with domestic violence, drug addiction, and sexual trafficking. They are a Christian organization funded by the United Way of Pierce County and the cities of Lakewood and Tacoma in addition to funding from Pierce County itself. They report that they provide shelter to more than 400 people nightly and provide food for 26,000 people who have no other access to food. They work to help people overcome drug and alcohol addiction with rehabilitation serves, educational assistance and case management. (Tacoma Rescue Mission, 2015) Interpretation of Collected Data Epidemiology examines how health status or health events are distributed across a community and what determines it. The preceding examples give a broad stroke painting of health in Pierce County. Overall, the birth rate (15 per 1000) exceeds the death rate (7.3 per 1000) in Pierce County and the infant mortality rate (6.5 per 100,000) is in line with the national average (6.15 per 1000). (City-Data, 2014) Pierce County offers many assets that empower the health of its residents. Among these are a large population of college-educated people with 90 percent of adults 25 years and older completing at least high school or obtaining a GED. Although 8 percent of residents are foreign born, more than 80 percent of these report speaking English fluently. The people of Pierce County have access to nature and local foods, including the nation’s largest crop of rhubarb. Strong faith communities with social outreach programs help neighbors in need. The community brims with people who are largely open-minded and access complementary care such as massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments is common. (Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, 2014) Community Diagnosis In my analysis of the data collected, it appears that Pierce County’s top three problems are access to mental health services, high rates of obesity, and access to quality health care. Access to mental health services A community that is mentally healthy is productive, enjoys fulfilling relationships with others in the community and is resilient through life’s challenges. Without it, even the healthiest body can fall into disrepair quickly. It’s no wonder then that mental illness is one of the most common causes of disability. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that as many as one in every 17 people has a seriously debilitating mental illness. The good news is that mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders can be prevented. We know more about how the brain functions than ever before and current research indicates that greatest opportunity to prevent illness is to get people into treatment early and often. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) With Washington State’s dismal rankings in the availability of psychiatric beds and the high patient load of mental health care providers in the County, there is much work to be done. Healthy People 2020 goals state that 87 percent of primary care facilities should provide mental health treatment onsite or by paid referral. This goal represents a 10 percent improvement over the baseline rate of 79 percent in 2006. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) High rates of obesity Pierce County’s high rate of obesity is well above the national average and may be attributed to large number of food deserts, especially in urban areas. People who have healthy weights and access to fresh foods have lower rates of chronic disease and a higher quality of life. Addressing obesity is complex, however, and requires a multi-faceted approach. As with mental health, the most powerful interventions are aimed at prevention. According to Healthy People 2020, more than 10.4 percent of children ages two to five were considered obese in 2008. The 2020 goal is to reduce that number to 9.4 percent. (Healthy People 2020, 2015)One of the most cost effective ways to achieve that goal is to increase the number of children who are breastfed. A history of breastfeeding, especially exclusive breast milk feeding for the first six months, is associated with an estimated 40 percent reduction in childhood obesity. (AHRQ, 2009) Unfortunately, just  14.1 percent of infants born in 2006 achieved this. Healthy People 2020’s target is 25.5 percent. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) Access to quality healthcare Optimal health is not a state achieved without support, education and intervention. Ensuring that Pierce County residents get the help they need when they need it is a big part of preventing chronic disease, improving quality of life, and preventing unnecessary death. Some of the reasons people do not see a health care provider are they can’t find one, they can’t afford it, or they don’t have insurance coverage. The most recent data suggests that as many as 16 percent of County residents do not have health insurance. (Good Guide, 2011) According to Healthy People 2020, the national average is slightly higher at 16.8 percent. The objective is an ambitious one with 100 percent of individuals covered by private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare by 2020. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) According to Washington State’s Department of Public Health, there are approximately 543 providers in Pierce County including doctors, ARNPs, CNMs, and PAs. A little more than half of them report that they are accepting new Medicaid and Medicare patients. (Washington State Department of Public Health, 2011) Interestingly, Healthy People 2020 has yet to define specific goals for increasing the number of practicing providers in all areas. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) Primary Prevention Topic When John Snow, the â€Å"father of epidemiology,† was investigating cholera outbreaks in mid-nineteenth century London, the chief cause of unnecessary death was communicable disease. Today, chronic disease that damages the heart, pancreas, and lungs are more likely to kill than bacteria. A large contributor to hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure is obesity. In a society obsessed with weight loss and thinness, obesity rates in adults and even children are growing. Just as John Snow found the source of the disease that was claiming lives in his community, we must also find the source but it is unlikely to be in a solitary water pump in the middle of the city. Preventing obesity appears to be a life-long task best started at birth. The data demonstrate that increasing breastfeeding rates is a powerful tool in decreasing childhood obesity. Breastfeeding rates for older, educated and more affluent women are already at Healthy People 2020 targets but women who are young, have low levels of education and who are poor are more likely to never breastfeed and are extremely unlikely to continue to do so for six months. (Grummer-Strawn, Scanlon, Darling, Conrey, 2004) An organization in the community that helps low-income women establish and maintain breastfeeding is the Women, Infants, and Children Program. A team of peer counselors who have themselves struggled with issues common to low-income breastfeeding women including pumping in the workplace help new moms navigate a difficult terrain and provide their children with the best start in life. Area hospital-based birth centers are working toward or have already achieved certification as a Baby Friendly Hospital. This designation indicates that the facility employs evidence-based practice that lead to dramatic increases in breastfeeding rates. (DiGirolamo, Grummer-Strawn, Fein, 2008) Given that the problem of obesity is large in Pierce County, the rewards for reducing it great, and the interventions that are most likely to help are known and inexpensive, I am focusing my primary prevention topic on promoting breastfeeding as a means to reduce obesity in Pierce County. Bibliography AHRQ. (2009). Breastfeeding, Maternal Infant Health Outcomes. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: http://archive.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm City-Data. (2014). PIerce County, WA. Retrieved January 16, 2014, from City-Data.com: http://www.city-data.com/county/Pierce_County-WA.html DiGirolamo, A., Grummer-Strawn, L., Fein, S. (2008). Effect of Maternity-Care Practices on Breastfeeding. Pediatrics , S43-S49. Family Renewal Shelter. (2014). About the family renewal shelter. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Family Renewal Shelter: www.domesticviolencehelp.org/aboutfrs.html Good Guide. (2011). Good Guide. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from Score Card The Pollution Information Site: http://scorecard.goodguide.com/community/index.tcl?zip_code=98404set_community_zipcode_cookie_p=tx=11y=11 Grummer-Strawn, L., Scanlon, K., Darling, N., Conrey, E. (2004). Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Breastfeeding . Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy People 2020. (2015). Access to Health Services. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/Access-to-Health-Services Healthy People 2020. (2015). Maternal, Infant, and Child Health. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/maternal-infant-and-child-health/objectives Healthy People 2020. (2015). Mental Health and Mental Disorders. Retrieved January 2015, 2015, from HealthyPeople.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/mental-health-and-mental-disorders Healthy People 2020. (2015). Nutrition and Weight Status. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People 2020: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/nutrition-and-weight-status/objectives League of Women Voters Pierce County. (2013, December 11). Introduction to services for the seriously mentally ill in Pierce County . Retrieved January 18, 2015, from National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Pierce County: http://www.lwvwa.org/tacoma/pdfs/Mental%20Health%20Report%20from%20November%202013%20Unit%20Meetings%20%205%20pgs.pdf NAMI Pierce County. (2015). Welcome to the NAMI of Pierce County Web Site. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from NAMI Pierce County: http://www.namipierce.org/ Patamia, K. (2015, January 16). Windshield Survey of Pierce County. (K. Patamia, Interviewer) Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. (2010). Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from Pierce County Emergency Management: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7032 PPGNW. (2015). Who We Are. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-great-northwest/who-we-are Simpson. (2014). Environment. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from Simpson Company: http://www.simpson.com/Environment.aspx Snob Hollow Designs. (2014). County Maps of Washington. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from County Maps of Washington: http://www.countymapsofwashington.com/pierce.shtml Tacoma Pierce County Health Department. (2015). Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Health and Wellness: http://www.tpchd.org/health-wellness-1/wic-nutrition-program/ Tacoma Pierce County Health Department. (2014, August). Pierce County Community Health Improvement Plan. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from Pierce County Community Health Improvement Plan: http://www.tpchd.org/files/library/474287fe72cf69af.pdf Tacoma Rescue Mission. (2015). Rescue Mission. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from About Us: http://www.rescue-mission.org/aboutus University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. (2014). County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from Washington Pierce County: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/washington/2014/rankings/pierce/county/outcomes/overall/snapshot US Census Bureau. (2014, December 4). State and County Quick Facts. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from United States Census Bureau: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/53/53053.html Washington State Department of Public Health. (2011, July). Primary Care Provider Survey: Pierce County. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Office of Community Health Systems: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/689048.pdf YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties. (2014). About Us. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties: http://www.ymcapkc.org/about-us/

Financing Higher Education Literature Review

Financing Higher Education Literature Review REVIEW OF LITERATURE Dunn and Sullins (1982) conducted a study on cost-benefit analysis and its applicability in Higher Education. The main objective of the paper was to discuss whether cost-benefit analysis can be applied to higher education institutions. This paper examines the problems which arise while performing cost-benefit analysis for evaluating Higher Education. The problems include, selecting the productivity index to use with a cost-benefit analysis, determining the discount rate to be used in the analysis, identifying and measuring the costs of higher education, identifying and measuring the benefits of higher education, and defining the time horizon for investments.So cost-effectiveness analysis and cost benefit analysis can be differentiated and to further highlight why cost-effective analysis may be a more useful tool to evaluate higher education. The major finding of the study was that the use of cost-effectiveness analysis could eliminate certain problems associated with cost-benefit ana lysis. Still the problems of identifying and quantifying relevant cost and defining the social discount rate remains. Eicher (1998) studied the Costs and Financing of Higher Education in Europe. The major objective of the study was to analyse optimal financing. For this the study compared Modes of Financing Higher Education in OECD Countries 1993. Evolution of student numbers in Europe from 1955-1994 and public expenditure per student between 1975 and 1992. The major findings of the study were that the financing of higher education in Europe is going through a period of confusion and change. But based on observations and economic studies, the following views were strained: Student involvement in the funding of their educations is still lower than the optimal appears to explain in many European countries; Tuition fees are growing in different forms and procedures and this trend will remain. In relation to the evolution of fees, there is a need that in most nations the students aid systems be reconsidered and modified. A harmonisation of fees and student aid systems is highly necessary if one needs to continue to shape a unified Europe. Singh and Venkataramani (2012) studied Institutes of Higher Education as delivery channels. They discuss its effect on the financial welfare of the people and highlights the steps taken by numerous participants to deliver financial education with an objective of increasing the knowledge of consumers about financial services. Less than desired results have been acquired from these interventions. As it is a gigantic task to provide financial education in a country like India to a large section of the population, a necessity arises aimed at the dedicated contribution of every stakeholder and a sustainable strategy in place. The findings of the study are that it would be a sustainable and cost effective approach to engage institutions of higher education in the financial education drive. Gupta (2006) conducted a study on Positive Action in Higher Education in India and the US. The study makes an effort to comprehend the fine distinctions of a caste-based reservation policy that exists in higher education with respect to the controversies, court judgments, a consequent amendment to the constitution in India; and positive action policies, court verdicts, and substitutes to affirmative action in some universities in the US. The major objective of the study is to make apparent the commonness and differences among India and the US in relation to legal, political, socio-cultural, economic, and psychological viewpoints. Chakrabarti (2009) investigated Determining factors of Participation in Higher Education and the selection of Disciplines. The major emphasis of this paper was to study the part played by economic, social and demographic features in determining the possibility of the rural and urban youths in India participating in higher education. The study used data available with National Sample Survey (NSS), the major findings of the study were that youth from schedule caste (SC) and schedule tribe (ST) upbringing have significantly lower chances of going to a higher educational institution when compared with other social groups in rural region. A significant effect on the higher educational attendance is exerted by the educational profile of the households head. The increasing cost of higher education has a harmful impact when it comes to the participation in higher education. As compared to their male counterparts, female youths have a significantly greater likelihoods of attending a Higher Ed ucation institutions for Arts or Humanities course in urban India. However, it is found that for other streams like Science, Commerce, Medicine, Engineering and professional courses, gender bias against female is strong even after adjusting for social and economic background of the family. Sharmila and Dhas (2010) studied Progress of Females Education in India. The major objective of the study was to examine the trends in females education, the investments in education and infrastructural provisions in India. The findings of the study were that from the female literacy levels and its variation over time revealed a noteworthy progress in the performance of womens education. Another finding was that the gaps among rural and urban literacy rates for women re coming down. Rather than being a hindrance to women’s education poverty in rural India acts as a thrust factor for females’ education. Urbanization improved attainment of females’ education in India. It showed that the decrease in girls’ drop-out rates is essential for realizing women’s education. The study further calls for an increase in women centered educational infrastructure so that womens dropout rates can be studied and female literacy levels can be improved in India Rani (2014) studied Fairness in the circulation of government subsidies on education in India. The main objective of the paper was to estimate how uniformly the public expenditure is dispersed by levels of education throughout different states in India, by means of the benefit incidence analysis. The study found out that there exists a difference between the circulation of government subsidies at elementary levels of schooling and higher levels of education. At elementary levels the subsidies are pro-poor, but as they go to higher levels of education the benefit to them decreases. The study suggested a two-way approach of guaranteeing the quality of learning outcomes amid government financed schools and differential user fees at greater levels of education. Pilkington and Nair (2013) examined Global tendencies in higher education and an unanticipated convergence among France and India. The major objective of the study was to inspect an unanticipated convergence among the higher education systems of two diverse countries, to be specific France and India. The study addresses the matter of the commodification of higher education in order to ascertain if the later progression has been accepted, stimulated or opposed by governments. This is done after making a brief comparative survey. The study found that it is the GATS rules that regulate the global trade in higher education services partially determine the modern settings in which the higher education organizations function, through the improvement of new modes of transfer such as e-learning and distance education. The investigators then spread their focus to reduce the gap between France and India. They say that the convergence of academic, economic and institutional factors helps push t he new idea of an Indo-French knowledge-based triangle. Kaul (2006) conducted a study on Higher Education in India and about seizing the available opportunity. The paper analyses the current policy environment to assess its competence in ensuring that India remains ahead of the curve in the information segment which in recent year is growing exponentially. In the delivery of higher education and technical training the part of the private sector has been highlighted.The study found that in order to sustain the trend of increased technical manpower and the big boom in the BPO/KPO sector it is necessary that India continue to produce greatly skilled manpower at a speeded pace. The suggestions made in the paper is that India requires to have a active demand based strategy in the direction of private higher education comprising foreign institutions/universities eager to set up a campus in India or engaging into joint-ventures. Gupta (2005) studied Global Trends in Higher Education and the Indian Situation. This paper focused the political, economic, socio-cultural, ethical, philosophical, legal, and practical facets of the widespread subject of worldwide trends in private higher education, overall. The further focus is on the driving forces, reasons and consequences of the rise of private higher education in India throughout the last three decades. The paper further discusses the role of courts in private higher education in India. Mamoon (2005) explored planning a creative approach towards Safeguarding Economic Efficiency of Higher Education Improvements in Pakistan. The paper proposes that the government of Pakistan’s policy of current higher education is being followed at the cost of elementary education. This paper also points out that the bias in higher education is shared among countries that are developing, since the growth and processes of growth are much more receptive to higher education than elementary or secondary education. The major cause as to why disparities are growing into one of the fastest growing economies of the world, specifically India and China are the unequal education policies of these governments. Mishra (2003) examined self-financing of establishments of higher education in India. The paper discusses the possibility of self-financing institutions of higher education the higher education system which is mostly government supported and funded is in deep financial strain as the costs are increasing and the budgetary resources being limited with increasing needs. The paper suggests that it is necessary to devise means to self-finance the institutions of higher education. The study further found that as long as the government funds higher education the private costs will be low. If the government stops funding, then it will have an adverse effect on the demand for higher education. This paper recommends that there is a need to restructure India’s higher education system from academic to a more of professional and technical. Upadhyay (2008) conducted a study on the Economics of Higher Education in India, while keeping women as the prime focus of the study. The paper examines the part played by the economic aspects in the enrollment choice at the higher education level in India. The major finding of the study was that the degree of participation of female in the post reforms period is in a disadvantaged position.As a determining factor of economic progress, the women’s education has started to lose its importance. The determinant factors in women’s enrollment decision in the post reform period were considered to be the relatively low probability of getting jobs, the unfavorable prospect for lifetime earnings of different female degree holders at higher education levels. Sethi et al. (2011) examined Higher Education and Economic Development within a Globalist Era in India. The paper focuses on the in’s and out’s of higher education in India in the context of India’s education system and why India is still a developing country. They said that education which is the basic for any economies development is in a bad shape in India. So, there must be some changes. These changes primarily include the change in the education system. They further suggested certain changes, these changes primarily include changes in India’s education system. Joshi (2012) studied Sustainable Development of the Higher Education Sector in India. They say, given that higher education is important, economic progress of India in current years is driven by mainly the services sector especially by IT and ITES the sustainable improvement of higher education becomes crucial. The paper raises the question as to where India’s higher education stands today and further the challenges that are confronting this sector. It also studies the proposed reform measures in this sector. The study found that the demand and supply in higher education sector is seriously mismatched. It is therefore crucial to reform higher education system and enhance Indian talent pool so as to maximize the potential of IT and ITES on the one hand and to catalyze the countries growth which is driven by the services sector on the other hand. The extension of the higher education sector and enhancement in its quality can assist India in avoiding the unemployability of gradua tes on the one hand and the phenomenon of ‘missing teachers’ on the other. Further it can make higher education affordable. Basant and Sen (2014) looked into the Parental Education as a Criterion for Affirmative Action in Higher Education. Use of reservation policies as affirmative actions, to address the issues of inclusion has been in place in India for a long time. With inclusion of new social groups, the policies scope has increased, but the efficacy can be debated. The paper inspects if parental education is a suitable measure for positive action. The study used three rounds of National Sample Survey data. Empirical results suggest that parental education as a determinant of participation in higher education not only transcends the impact of caste, religious, and economic status, it is also very attractive for the ease of implementation. Agarwal (2006) examines funding needs in higher education in India. The paper relates the growth of higher education in India to the changing funding pattern. Further the paper suggests ways to ensure that higher education remains affordable and accessible to all. The author stresses the need for greater adaptability in the higher education system so that it continues to provide the needed skills and trained workforce to the economy as it integrates with the world economy. Policy measures required to promote, sustain, and enhance world-class research are also included. Considering the weaknesses in the prevailing regulatory and quality assurance environment, the paper provides a roadmap for reforms towards improved accountability of the system. Nair and Kumar (2005) talked about financing of higher education. The article also talks about the development of higher education in India. They discussed current educational system in the country and the concentration by the State on higher and technical education is looked at. The article further says that the financing of Higher Education in the country by the State, is a drain on its exchequer and that more methods have to be found out to move the financial obligations outside the State coffers. The experience of other countries is looked at briefly. For better money flow to this sector, it is very important, to look at providing adequate legislative protection to these self-financed universities, which attract funds from sponsors, financing agencies and corporates. The need for adaptability to the job market and the synchronization between job creation and higher education has been explained in detail. Various development models are hinted at with concentration on specific para meters. The article suggests that once the ground rules are clearly laid down, it may become possible to develop several models, which may be accepted by the financial agencies, for funding higher education in India. Patel (2009) examined Private higher education in India. He says Education is one of the dominant sectors of the Indian economy in terms of enrolment of children, employment of adults and investment of financial resources. While school education has a broad base, higher education suffers from a narrow base covering only about 7% of the relevant age group population. With the expansion of school education, the pressure on the higher education system to expand is expected to continue in India. In this context, two criteria of efficiency and mobilisation of resources are put forward in justification of privatization of higher education. When higher education is left to the market forces, it results in elitisation of a basic need; it puts higher education firmly out of reach of the millions of under-privileged of India who dream of going to the university one day.

Symbols and Symbolism - Flowers as a Symbol in John Steinbecks The Chr

Flowers as a Symbol in The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck      Ã‚  Ã‚   In romantic or sexual context, a woman is often said to be as beautiful as a flower. In John Steinbeck's short story "The Chrysanthemums", Elisa Allen never receives this recognition. Although she is a strong woman, she is frustrated because her husband will not admire her romantically in any way. This frustration only deepens because she is childless and feels the need to be a mother. She discovers an outlet for her frustration in a flower garden where she cultivates beautiful chrysanthemums. Steinbeck uses these elegant flowers as a symbol to represent the tender, inner-self of all women, including Elisa. First, the chrysanthemums symbolize Elisa's children. She tends her garden and handles the chrysanthemums with love and care, just as she would handle her own children. Elisa is very protective of her flowers and places a wire fence around them; she makes sure "[n]o aphids, no sowbugs or snails or cutworms" are there. "Her terrier fingers [destroy] such pests before they [can] get started" (240). These pests rep... ...s and her emotional needs. The encounter with the tinker reawakens her sexuality and brings hope to Elisa for a more exciting and romantic marriage, but her realization that her life is not going to change is crystallized when she sees the flowers thrown on the road. It devastates her completely to have to settle for such an unfulfilling life. Work Cited Steinbeck, John. "The Chrysanthemums." Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 6th ed. New York: Harper Collins, 1995. 239-47.  

China in the Classical Era Essay

The gender systems of the Classical era in China can almost be summed up with this phrase: â€Å"How sad it is to be a woman!† (Strayer) According to the Chinese traditions when a girl child is born the family is definitely not happy about the birth. The mothers of the girl child must do three things; â€Å"first she must make the child sleep under the bed this shows the baby that she is lowly and weak, second she must give the baby a potsherd or a piece of broken pot to play with to make the girl child realize that the only thing in life for her is housework, and thirdly the mother must make an offering to the ancestors when she announces the birth of the girl child.† (Strayer) Chinese women are considered less than men, less than the servants even. She must always humble herself to the man of the family, or her â€Å"master†; she is to do whatever the in-laws require her to do as well. The gender system of the Classical era in India is much like China. â€Å"In childhood a female must be subject to her father, in youth to her husband, when her lord is dead to her sons; a woman must never be independent.† (Strayer) The female in India could never be on her own, her father rules her life as a child, her husband as a wife and if she has male children, she is less than her children if the husband ever dies. She must never be vain, show her face or her body, and woman of India is less than a person because of these rules. The gender system of the Classical era in Rome began very much the same for the females. †If each man of us, fellow citizens, had established that the right and authority of the husband should be held over the mother of his own family we should have less difficulty with women in general.† (Strayer) In Rome men were expected to rule. This may have come from the fact that in order for Roman men to reproduce they had to pillage other villages and kidnap and rape the captured women. Over that time the men obviously ruled the house, the city and the land. Women were considered imprudent, rude and considered unbridled if they conducted any kind of business without a male guardian present. In all three cultures the same patriarchy is evident. Women were to do nothing without the say so of the man. Whether it is her father, husband, brother or son, she was to do as she was told when she was told and not complain about it. In China the females did as told, even by the mother-in-law, she was humbled, regardless of the situation, the husband could do as wished as long as it didn’t bring shame to himself or his family. There really isn’t anyway for the Chinese woman to get away from the patriarchy of her family or her husband’s family. In India the only way that a woman could relieve herself from her husband’s patriarchy â€Å"was to become a Buddhist nun and entering a monastery where women were relatively less restricted and could exercise more authority than in ordinary life.† (Strayer) Even thought this relieved her of her families’ patriarchy she still didn’t have complete independence from male dominance. In Rome however, this is where the changes began for the Roman women. â€Å"When these speeches for and against the law had been made, a considerably larger crowd of women poured forth in public the next day; as a single body they besieged the doors, of the Brutus’s, who were vetoing their colleagues’ motion, and they didn’t not stop until the tribunes took back their veto†¦.† (Strayer) The women of Rome were sick of being treated as less the nothings, they began to go into the streets, talk to whomever they chose even other women’s husbands. They had decided as a group that it was time that they had some rights. The women were no longer going to sit in the houses and have absolutely no wealth, no status, and no rights. There were some men against this and some men that approved of it. In the end the women won, and was allowed a few rights. This was taken away twenty years later though. The cultures of the Classical era showed that women were less than men, they had no rights, they had no wealth and they would always be obedient. This was an act to humble the women, they were slaves. The males always dominated the women; only the Roman women as a group were able to stand up for themselves. The Chinese and the women of India did not. They were obedient. Works Cited: Strayer, Robert. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston. New York, Bedford/ St. Martins 2011

Zeus - Fast Facts About the Olympian God Zeus

Zeus - Fast Facts About the Olympian God Zeus Name: Greek - Zeus; Roman - JupiterParents: Cronus and RheaFoster Parents: Nymphs in Crete; nursed by AmaltheaSiblings: Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus. Zeus was the youngest sibling and also the oldest since he was alive before the regurgitation of the gods by Papa Cronus.Mates: (legion:) Aegina, Alcmena, Antiope, Asteria, Boetis, Calliope, Callisto, Calyce, Carme, Danae, Demeter, Dia, Dino, Dione, Cassiopeia, Elare, Electra, Europa, Eurymedusa, Eurynome, Hera, Himalia, Hora, Hybris, Io, Juturna, Laodamia, Leda, Leto, Lysithoe, Maia, Mnemosyne, Niobe, Nemesis, Othris, Pandora, Persephone, Protogenia, Pyrrha, Selene, Semele, Taygete, Themis, Thyia [from Carlos Paradas list]Wives:  Metis, Themis, HeraChildren: legion, including: Moirai, Horae, Muses, Persephone, Dionysus, Heracles, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hebe, Hermes, Athena, Aphrodite Role of Zeus For Humans: Zeus was god of the sky, weather, law ​and order. Zeus presides over oaths, hospitality, and suppliants.For Gods: ​Zeus was king of the gods. He was called the father of gods and men. The gods had to obey him.Canonical Olympian?  Yes. Zeus is one of the canonical Olympians. Jupiter Tonans Zeus is the king of the gods in the Greek pantheon. He and his two brothers split the rule of the world, with Hades becoming king of the Underworld, Poseidon, king of the sea, and Zeus, king of the heavens. Zeus is known as Jupiter among the Romans. In art work depicting Zeus, the king of the gods often appears in altered form. He frequently shows up as an eagle, as when he abducted  Ganymede,  or a bull. One of the main attributes of Jupiter (Zeus) was  as  a thunder god. Jupiter/Zeus sometimes takes on the characteristics of a supreme deity. In  Suppliants, of Aeschylus, Zeus is described as: king of kings, of the happy most happy, of the perfect most perfect power, blessed ZeusSup. 522. Zeus is also described by Aeschylus with the following attributes: the universal fatherfather of gods and menthe universal causethe all-seer and all-doerthe all-wise and all-controllingthe just and the executor of justicetrue and incapable of falsehood. Source:  Bibliotheca sacra Volume 16  (1859). Zeus Courting Ganymede Ganymede is known as the cupbearer of the gods. Ganymede had been a mortal prince of Troy when his great beauty caught the eye of Jupiter/Zeus. When Zeus kidnapped the most beautiful of mortals, the Trojan prince Ganymede, from Mt. Ida (where Paris of Troy was later a shepherd and where Zeus had been raised in safety from his father), Zeus paid Ganymedes father with immortal horses. Ganymedes father was King Tros, the eponymous founder of Troy. Ganymede replaced Hebe as cupbearer for the gods after Hercules married her. Galileo discovered the bright moon of Jupiter which we know of as Ganymede. In Greek mythology, Ganymede was made immortal when Zeus took him to Mt. Olympus, so its appropriate that his name should be given to a bright object that is forever in Jupiters orbit. On Ganymede, from  Vergils Aeneid Book V  (Dryden translation): There Ganymede is wrought with living art,Chasing thro Idas groves the trembling hart:Breathless he seems, yet eager to pursue;When from aloft descends, in open view,The bird of Jove, and, sousing on his prey,With crooked talons bears the boy away.In vain, with lifted hands and gazing eyes,His guards behold him soaring thro the skies,And dogs pursue his flight with imitated cries. Zeus and Danae Danae was the mother of the Greek hero Perseus. She became pregnant by Zeus in the form of a beam of sunlight or a shower of gold. Zeus offspring included  Moirai, Horae, Muses, Persephone, Dionysus, Heracles, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hebe, Hermes, Athena, and Aphrodite. Sources Carlos Parada - ZeusTheoi Zeus