Essay about The Origins of the Cold War - 679 Words

The Origins of the Cold War The Cold War was a state of extreme hostility and confrontation but without direct militant action between the two world powers, the USSR and the USA. The USSR and the USA were originally wartime Allies during the Second World War; however a string of events and issues caused a built up of suspicion and distrust which finally escalated to what was known as the Cold War. The start of Cold War can be simply defined as the period of time whereby both powers were simultaneously hostile to each other and the idea of peaceful cooperation could not exist anymore. Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech was a warning of Soviet influence beyond Eastern Europe. Churchill believed†¦show more content†¦The Truman Doctrine was an open and direct confrontation of the Soviets. In it, the Soviets were accused of ‘political oppression’, ‘suppression of personal freedoms’ and were even perceived as ‘evil’ by the Americans. Under the Doctrine, the US policy was to support people who resisted attempted subjugation by ‘outside pressure’ which meant the Soviets. The US felt the need to assist the ‘free’ people against the spread of Communism and saw the Soviets as a threat and an enemy. This was the first concrete and coherent American foreign policy towards the USSR. There was no immediate official response from the Soviet government. However, a few months later, the Soviet ‘Two Camps Speech’ emerged stating Soviet stand to American aggression. It stated officially tha t the USSR was anti- democracy. Also the need to prevent Western powers’ desire to dominate the world was emphasized; therefore the policy of cooperation between the Socialist and Liberal parties would cease to exist. Communist parties in Western European countries were told to adopt a militant anti-government stance. The USSR was no longer keen on peaceful cooperation and acknowledged the fact that the Americans and the Soviets could no longer be allies. This marked the start of the Cold War as the Truman Doctrine instigated and caused the end of any form of peacefulShow MoreRelatedThe Origins Of Cold War1550 Words   |  7 PagesThis research looks at the origins of Cold war, the political, ideological and economical rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union. This research draws upon mostly primary sources including memoirs, interviews and scholarly studies of cold war era conflicts. Most research on this topic focuses on its connection to the famous events and up heavals, which shaped that era. â€Å"From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an â€Å"Iron Curtain† has descended across the continent. Behind thatRead MoreOrigins Of The Cold War1465 Words   |  6 Pages18.1- Origins of the Cold War †¢ Allies Clash o After World War II finally came to an end, the United States and Soviet Union had conflicting ideas of how to restore the world back to normal. ï‚ § Stalin wanted complete and ultimate control over the countries that were within the borders of the Soviet Union, spreading communist regimes. ï‚ § Meanwhile, the United States wished for all these states that were under Nazi rule to have self-determination. o This essentially formed a rivalry between the idealsRead MoreThe Origin Of Cold War1987 Words   |  8 PagesThe Origin of Cold War: Ideology Clashes According to some sources, the fall of the Berlin wall on November 9th 1989 marks the significant ending of the years long Cold war between the two super power; the United States and the Soviet Union. The Cold War is unlike any other wars as there are no big battles but instead the two superpowers focus their competition on politics, economics, military, and ideological might. Since the Cold War is unique for the aforementioned reason, experts have long debatedRead MoreThe Origins Of The Cold War2356 Words   |  10 PagesHI742/HI747- The Cold War, 1941-1991 How Important were individual figures in the origins of the Cold War? The Cold War refers to a period post World War II characterised by a state of political tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States both supported by their allies from the Eastern and Western blocs respectively. Despite this being such a pivotal point in modern history there is a lack of clarity stemming from much debate regarding the catalyst for the Cold War and the ‘start’Read MoreOrigins of the Cold War Essay1295 Words   |  6 PagesOrigins of the Cold War The purpose of this paper is to explore the origins of the Cold War. To accomplish this exploration, the works of W.A. Williams, Robert Jervis, and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. serves as the foundation. Before a closer examination of these works, a short explanation of the three common viewpoints regarding the study of the Cold War is warranted. These viewpoints are Attribution, Structural, and Misperception. With these viewpoints to guide the way, the above authorsRead MoreEssay on The Origins of the Cold War817 Words   |  4 PagesThe Origins of the Cold War The Cold War period from 1945 to 1985 was a result of distrust and misunderstanding between the USSR and the United States of America. This distrust never actually resulted any fighting between the two superpowers but they came very close to fighting on several occasions. The Cold War was a result of many different events and factors including the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the Potsdam Conference of 1945, the differences between communismRead MoreOrigins of the Cold War Essay1179 Words   |  5 PagesOrigins of the Cold War Revisionist historians tend to regard the outbreak of the Cold War as a result of American hostility or, at least , diplomatic incompetence, while the more traditional view lays the responsibility squarely at the feet of the Soviet Union. Assess the validity of each view. The Cold War,said to have lasted from the end of World War II to the dismantling of the Soviet Union in 1991, was one of the most significant political events of the 20th century. For nearlyRead MoreOrigin of the Cold War Essay775 Words   |  4 PagesAfter the Second World War America and the Soviet Union gained power in Europe. Though these to countries never fought one another, they waged a cold war of economic, military and ideological rivalry which last through the second half of the twentieth century. The origin of the Cold War began with the Russian Revolution in nineteen-seventeen, which created a Soviet Russia. The Soviet Russia did not have the same economic and ideological state as the United States. The Civil war in Russia in whichRead More The Historiography of the Origins of the Cold War Essay2691 Words   |  11 PagesThe Historiography of the Origins of the Cold War There have been many attempts to explain the origins of the Cold War that developed between the capitalist West and the communist East after the Second World War. Indeed, there is great disagreement in explaining the source for the Cold War; some explanations draw on events pre-1945; some draw only on issues of ideology; others look to economics; security concerns dominate some arguments; personalities are seen as the root cause for some historiansRead MoreThe United States And The Origins Of The Cold War1717 Words   |  7 PagesProfessor Calvo AMH2042 23 July 2015 The United States and the Origins of the Cold War Essay Thinking about the decisions, strategies and goals of Soviet Union and the United States views on world domination and the possible accomplishment of such. The first and main would be to think and observe critically concerning the worldwide political scenery in the years after World War II (1945). This moment in history; taking all the way through the Cold War, may be seen as a lapse of severe ideological polarization

Family in “The Public Enemy (1931)” - 700 Words

Family in â€Å"The Public Enemy (1931)† A family is defined in different ways and at different perspectives based on the context and experiences of a person. Despite being a basic social unit that influences the society around it, a family remains a dynamic topic whose description has varied over time. To discuss the family and the definitions that the social unit this paper reviews and analysis the movie â€Å"The Public Enemy (1931)† produced by William. In regard to the analysis, this paper will explore the family as a social unit that is affected by the actions of each and every member in the family and the society. The movie â€Å"The Public Enemy (1931)† revolves around the lives of two young men who venture into crime despite having solid†¦show more content†¦As further promises them protection in case they are in problem, using all the languages available to convenience them. This scene shows how the society is strong in defining a personâ€℠¢s course of action that is against the values gained in a family. The reception of the movie from people of different backgrounds was acceptable. Considering that it was released during the time when the film industry was not as developed as today. Despite this, people appreciated the definition of a family is a unit of socialization that does not overprotect the members by secluding them from the larger social units. Many people agree to the fact that the movie depicts a family as a simple unit that allows kids to make their own choices. In the movie, the two boys made their decisions to venture into crime without the influence of their family (Wellman, â€Å"The Public Enemy†). In fact, as they were still engaging in the bootlegging work, his brother Mike tried to convince him otherwise but in vain. People from all backgrounds also appreciate the way the movie shows a family with having good times and bad times, especially in relation to the relationship between the family members. As Tom grew up, he had a good time with the mother and his brother mike as he shared in the warmth of the family. However, his life became the source of bad times when he decided to engage inShow MoreRelatedFamous Trials : Al Capone1092 Words   |  5 PagesFamous Trials: Al Capone The Accused: Al Capone (full name Alphonse Capone), was born into an Italian immigrant family in 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. Capone rose to infamy as the leader of the Chicago outfit during the prohibition era. Prior to being sent to Alcatraz prison for tax evasion, Capone amassed a total income of $100 million as the head of perhaps the most infamous crime syndicate of all time. Once he had served his time for the conviction, Capone died due to a cardiac arrest at theRead MoreAl Capone was a Notorious Mafia Leader1212 Words   |  5 PagesAl Capone was a child from an Italian immigrant family, And was one of the most Notorious and infamous Mafia leader in the world during the Prohibition Era in Chicago. Also he was known as Scarface, Al Capone was sent to Alcatraz Prison in Philadelphia in 1931 from a tax evasion conviction. Al Capone had a personal fortune estimated at $100 million and was responsible for countless murders, His most famous one was the St.Valentine’s Day Massacre. Al Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on JanuaryRead MoreAl Capone Essay example1178 Words   |  5 PagesAl Capone was a child from an Italian immigrant family, And was one of the most famous Mafia leader in the world during the Prohibition Era in Chicago. Also he was known as Scarface, Al capone was sent to Alcatraz Prison in Philadelphia in 1931 from a tax evasion conviction. Al Capone had a personal fortune estimated at $100 million and was responsible for countless murders, His most famous one was the St.Valentine’s Day Massacre. Al Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 17,1899Read MoreComparing The Movie Frankenstein And Frankenstein2368 Words   |  10 PagesFrankenstein due to the fact that he was the main reason for all the damage and devastation that his monster had caused and that Victor Frankenstein had deserved to face the penalties that he had to face of creating such a vicious creature. (Browning, 1931) (Whale, 1931) Jonathan Harker who is the protagonist in the film Dracula is a character that the audience feels apologetic for since he was not responsible for any of the anguish that had been caused. In the movie Dracula, a solicitor that was from BritainRead MoreAldous Huxley s Brave New World1334 Words   |  6 Pagesnovels regarding the destructive outcome of genetic and public manipulation through regime control. The story contrasts two worlds: the traditional world where the â€Å"savages† reside and the new World State: a negative utopia where unrestrained sexual freedom, reproductive technology, and mind numbing drugs run rampant. Aldous Huxley was born in England, July 26, 1894 to an elite family of revered social status (â€Å"Aldous†). Being born into a family of physicians and biologists, young Aldous was expectedRead MoreEssay On Al Capone1271 Words   |  6 PagesAl Capone was a highly known gangster in the 1920s Alphonse Capone born in Brooklyn, New York to a poor US immigrant couple, Gabriele and Teresina Capone, seeking a better opportunity for their then big family of eight children. He was known for running many lucrative illegal businesses that included alcohol bootlegging, gambling, prostitution, and protection. Al Capone was so notorious that he would murder those who got in his way. With little prosecution of his actions, Al Capone believed his selfRead MoreHenri Eveleigh s Let s Go Canada Poster Essay1563 Words   |  7 Pagesitself features little text, however places great emphasis on cheering on â€Å"Canada†Ã¢â‚¬â€not Britain, or some other country, but Canada. The Second World War was the first (and to date, the only) time Canada independently declared war on another nation. In 1931, the signing of the Statute of Westminster â€Å"registered the transformation of the ‘self-governing colony’ of 1914 into a nation which, in law at least, was co-equal with the United Kingdom.† (Stacey 1). The Statute ultimately provided Canada with controlRead MoreAmericas Involvement in Vietnam Essay example827 Words   |  4 PagesAmericas Involvement in Vietnam From the early 1800’s up until 1931 Vietnam was controlled by France, Frances rule was then ended as they were forced to pull out of Vietnam due to the start of WW2, France left a ‘puppet ruler’ named Emperor Bao Dai. This left Vietnam vulnerable to invasion which was an opportunity Japan could not refuse and took advantage of Vietnam’s situation by invading. This sparked the return of a well known Vietnamese communist, Ho Chi MinhRead More Al Capone Essay1867 Words   |  8 Pagesgangster and the single greatest symbol of the collapse of law and order in the United States during the 1920s Prohibition era. Capone had a leading role in the illegal activities that lent Chicago its reputation as a lawless city. Al Capones mug shot, 1931. Capone was born on January 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York. Baptized quot;Alphonsus Capone,quot; he grew up in a rough neighborhood and was a member of two quot;kid gangs,quot; the Brooklyn Rippers and the Forty Thieves Juniors. Although he wasRead MoreThe Rise Of The Great Depression1217 Words   |  5 Pagescontributing factor to the economic collapse, American credit was dried up and stretched to its limits in the wake of the failure of banks. Subsequently, World War I was one of the great creators of debt World wide that dried up credit and created financial enemies that would require decades beyond the Great Depression to repair. Finally, President Hoover, who attempted to implement several measures in hopes of pulling the nation out of the downward economic spiral, however; these efforts were late, ill planned

Compare and Contrast Illegal Immigration free essay sample

The United States is a country affected by illegal immigration. The term illegal aliens or what is most commonly known as illegal immigrants, the word alien is simply a person who comes from a foreign country. A much more accurate expression for these groups of individuals is the term illegal alien. The term illegal alien is a much more precise term because it deals with both undocumented aliens as well as nonimmigrant visa overstayers. Both terms illegal alien as well as illegal immigrant are used to describe individuals who have broken the law of our country to enter and work illegally. The majority of the immigrants who come to this country illegally are in search of the American dream, because of their economy crisis in their native countries. The United States is a country that is well known for our equal rights as well as the freedom of speech and globalization as well as a constitution that allows for any citizen to exercise their rights and voice their opinions. Immigration Amnesty helps support and forgives those immigrants who show good character rewarding them with legal status in our country. On the other hand, advocates have felt that illegal immigrants have committed a crime and should also be punished. Other countries are communist or are dealing with a corrupted government on the other hand our governments offers many programs as well as assisting with free education and free health care for immigrants. Although illegal immigration can create tension amongst U. S citizens, it also brings benefits as well as burdens to our government. The Dream Act was passed by the United States in the year 2011 it allowed illegal immigrants to attend college and receive assistance from the government. The law abiding citizens felt that it was not fair for them to have to pay taxes for organization that help support illegal immigration. Many illegal aliens are in search of a better life, leaving there home countries they enter the country with motivations and bring good value along with them. Supporting the illegal immigrant’s view of the â€Å"American Dream† the United States passed the Dream Act bill. The Dream Act Bill provides residency to honorable immigrants who graduate from any U. S High Schools as well as immigrants who have arrived as children and have been residence for at least 5 years. Many of the illegal aliens had been crossed over at such a young age, even as young as infants when they entered the United States. True believers of the Dream Act felt that it was unfair to condemn these individuals to a life of low-paying underground, black market labor for the actions of their parents. For many young immigrants this bill was a benediction to be able to attend school and gain residency. The Dream Act gave opportunity to many immigrants believing that they might be tomorrow’s teacher, firefighter, and even our next president. In contrary many opponents thought otherwise about the Dream Act and what it supported. They feel appalled passing the Dream Act considering the fact that the economy is in a struggle dealing with educational budget cuts, Opposing the Dream Act, many of our citizens have criticized how The Dream Act does not require that and illegal immigrant finish any form of educational degree. Many of current illegal aliens will get federal student loans as well as federal work study programs and Financial Aid. Adopting such a large group of illegal immigrants, citizens wonder who will pay for all these government programs. Assisting others before assisting our citizens questions our form of government on weather our laws are to better our society or if they are to only benefit those individuals in our government, The United States has suffered high unemployment in the most recent years, and government cut backs due to the economy’s ups and downs. Many U. S citizens start to wonder and question the fact that they take up the majority of the middle class jobs. The illegal immigrants have most commonly been well known for working hard cheap labor and not getting paid very much to do it. This expansion of low cost labor pool assisted in increase money circulation. As mentioned in the article, â€Å"Should Labor Unions support an Immigration Amnesty? † The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, this legislation states that for the first time in 40 years, deviate from the long-held Americans have earned a middle class life style and Congress should be working to protect it not take it away. From an economic viewpoint many of these low paying jobs have also had to deal with being exploited and forced to work under harmful conditions. Although illegal immigrants are exploited in many ways, American citizens feel that illegal immigrants are the primary cause for the high rise in unemployment in the United States. However, many of our hard paying labor workers do not have to live in our country to compete with our citizens. Today many our jobs are being performed internationally in many countries. Also with many of our citizens struggling with their small business low paying, illegal immigrants are very beneficial to the economy. Illegal immigrants are well known for their low pay and hard work that they offer. Many of these illegal immigrants are willing to take jobs that many of our citizens would not consider working for. On the other hand not allowing for illegal immigrants to work, would not resolve the economic struggle of unemployment. The word amnesty is basically to forgive any offense that is against the United States government including political offenses. An immigrant if caught illegally trespassing into the United States is fined and deported back their native country. According to amnesty the illegal immigrants are later forgiven for violating or breaking the law. Amnesty helps assist the illegal immigrant by granting them a privilege of legal citizenship. Immigration Amnesty would help up to 20 million illegal aliens that are currently residing in the United States. In contrary allowing illegal immigrants to come into the United States is causing the country as well as our population to become overpopulated. Allowing amnesty is also allowing for others to question our government system and the laws that are set to our citizens to abide. being a law abiding society the government is enforcing laws that are set to our citizens to abide. Being a law abiding society the government is enforcing laws to our citizens but not as a country by encouraging illegal immigration through amnesty. In conclusion although illegal immigrants may affect us in many ways, illegal immigration also benefits us as a country, Illegal immigration has always been an issue in many countries with United States having the most impact with illegal aliens. Although our country has assisted these illegal immigrants with the privileges such as health care, social security, and education it still has not solved such economic issues that are occurring to this day. The government plays an important role in assisting illegal immigrants, for example the Dream Act helps give financial Aid to college students and amnesty also helps benefit illegal immigrants. This legal aid causes tension amongst U. S citizens who are trying to better their financial situations. It seems as though the government chooses to assist illegal immigrants, before trying to better the crisis U. S citizens are dealing with. The government system is taking a risk by passing illegal Immigration laws, not being aware of what consequences this outcome might bring to the economy. In reality illegal immigrants who cross the border are violating the law and in some cases can be bringing illegal drugs into the country. In the United States there are three types of social classes, upper class which consists of wealthy people, middle class people, and lower class which consists of poverty. The illegal immigration cannot better the economy if they are only willing to work for cheap labor, and not bringing any productive skills into the economy. This basically makes the country look bad, and can cause the Great Depression, for the economy to collapse. Although at times the U. S government debate on the issue of illegal immigration, it will continue to have its pros and cons

Work and private life

The major changes taking place in the job market across the globe are pushing organizations and governments all over the U.S. and the U.K. to rethink their approaches to dealing with the workforce. Big and small organizations alike are compelled to apply policies that seek to create a good balance between work, family and social life. It is imperative that employers realize that their employees are people with a life away from work.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Work and Private Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The European Union for example, is encouraging the implementation of guidelines that benefit the organization while at the same allowing employees to meet deal with out of work responsibilities. Advances in technology are also forcing organizations to undergo radical transformations in the way they transact business. The recent global economic meltdown destabilized both employers and employees throw ing all into panic and uncertainty of what the future holds. With reduced income and production going down, organizations were left with no option but to carry out massive lay offs. This frightening phenomenon led to the emergence of other challenges that are now pose new threats to the social settings within the community. Job insecurity for example, would raise alarm at home as families begin to worrying about how to make ends meet. This has seen an increased number of women taking full time employment to supplement husbands’ efforts to provide for families. Negatively, this has increased the rate of divorce and an upward surge of the number of children growing without parental guidance. In addressing this dilemma, most governments are struggling to create healthy work environments that are appealing to employees. Similarly, organizations are working hard to redesign human resource operations with clear intentions of retaining high caliber staff. Flexibility is increasingly becoming a preference for both employers and employees as both parties see work and private life as being inseparable. Most employers are now more concerned about their employees out of work problems are willingly to listen and make it easy for staff to create a balance. According to the EFILWC (2006), these issues are very critical to both the employees and the employers. This paper discusses stress and how it affects work and social life. It also examines how organizations can get flexible enough to create interesting work environments as they seek to maintain employees for longer periods.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Stress in Organizations Stress Defined Many definitions exist to explain what stress is but generally, stress is defined as a response to some form of pressure or interruption. In the book by Cartwright Cooper (1997), stress may lead to worry, nervousnes s or anxiety. Sources of Stress Stress may be the end result of working for very long hours and in poor conditions, having unhealthy work relationships, ambiguity in work roles, and stagnated career development or even non-work related cause. Some of the problems associated with stress are; loss of man hours as absenteeism becomes the order of the day, workers committing suicide, and alcoholism which may lead to even more serious troubles. A number of organizations in the U.S. and the U.K. have had to be subjected to massive losses that are directly linked to stress. Valuable employees have died from stress related causes. Due to the rising costs of dealing with the consequences of stress, organizations are resolving to fight the root causes of stress at work. There is need to invest enough time and resources to reduce the effects of stress. A great number of companies in the U.S. are now paying close attention to the well being of employees so as to avoid incurring so much in healt hcare. Being overworked can also act as a source of stress. Poor time management and lack of skills necessary to do the job are some reasons why employees get overworked. Too much time is therefore spent to accomplish the given tasks. This leads to crises that only worsen the situation by draining the employee’s energy. Usually, those overworked are managers or professionals in various fields who have to answer to the needs of others time and again. Sadly, these employees will be working while at home or even when on vacation. If left unchecked, this could have a serious negative impact on family relations. Any understanding employer knows not to interfere with an employee’s family life. They will instead encourage employees to enjoy every moment they have with the family. Galinsky Backon (2004) conclude that the employees should be advised to see to it that any vacation serves the intended purpose.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Work and Priva te Life specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Effects of Stress Stress and work pressures do not only affect an employee’s performance at work. More often than not, the effect trickles over to the home as it is very difficult to separate work from home life. For most people, managing organizational and family demands can get quite tricky leading to important family relations getting really messed up. Damaged family relations in turn, negatively impact on the employee’s performance at work and the result is a vicious cycle that unless dealt with, will not end. Work disturbing home and home affecting work. Though, home is generally regarded to be a haven of peace where employees can get support and encouragement, a crisis at work easily finds its way into the home and creates instability as it is almost natural and employee to carry work related fears to the home life. When this happens, it weighs down on the spouse who may the n not be able to provide the much needed support to produce a relaxing environment at home. In a case where job loss is eminent for example, a non-working spouse may have to look for employment to enable her assist her worried husband. In the end women are faced with an even bigger task as they have to work while at the same time they are expected by their husbands to manage the home environment. Dealing with Stress For better results, both the employer and the employee should be involved in the fight against stress. A number of strategies can be adopted by organizations to deal with stress and one such solution is to ensure that all employees have their jobs clearly defined to avoid any doubts and conflicts. This makes it easy for everyone to know what is expected of them and in a way, help to build employee confidence. Social events organized by the organization can also play a big role in relaxing and re-energizing employees. On their part, employees can aid the war against stres s through proper time management, building self confidence through whichever means are available, and engaging in healthy practices among others. Organizations and Flexible Forms Background Information To remain relevant and competitive, it is mandatory that companies devise attractive working arrangements. With more and more employees now willing to place carriers in the back burner as they pursue the benefits of healthy family relations, employers have to do quite a lot to attract and keep the best employees.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A big number of employees would love to have a job that is challenging, can present opportunities for growth and more importantly, able to offer more time off. A strategy being used by most organizations is to formulate mechanisms that give workers an opportunity to achieve a good work-life balance. Simply put, companies are leaning more towards providing a flexible work environment for their workforce. Top on the list of flexibility is having an environment where employees can work but also have room to attend to non-work related matters without fear of punishment. A great number of employees are now using this as a measure when assessing the prospects of a new job. Most employees, especially male are getting tired of missing out on private life and as a remedy, will sneak out of work during the day without the bosses knowing to participate in family. The reason this is happening is because most companies are still managed in a way that separates work and family life. Oblivious of the fact that employees can actually be at work but completely disengaged, some organizations are still under the false impression that employees will consider work to be a priority over family, or other private engagements. Companies quite unrealistically expect workers to always be available to deal with work matters anytime when called upon. Flexibility in Organizations Flexibility has gained popularity over time as an important component of success at the workplace and is seen as a means to give an answer to the changes the discussed above. For success to be realized, flexibility must be seen to benefit both the employer and employees. Employees subjected to flexible working environments are more likely to propel the growth of the organization. Usually, they are satisfied with their jobs, exhibit better mental health and are more willing to stay with their employer much longer. According to Peeters and colleagues (2005), numerous changes affecting families and the subsequent inc rement of women working full time, have made it difficult to draw a line between work and home life. This is further aggravated by technological advancements that have led to possibilities of performing work related tasks from anywhere. A job is generally considered more attractive if it can assist the employees to meet family obligations. Workers making use of the available work-life balance options provided by employers are able to stay longer with the employer than those who do not. The strong relationship between flexibility and commitment is a major reason why flexibility should be a clear choice for both the employee and the employer. Flexible work practices also help to reduce stress, which is a major contributor to absenteeism at work. Employees with high quality jobs and more supportive work environments have been found to be much more relaxed and less stressed. They return home in better moods and ready to give to the important people in their lives. Work can therefore hel p to enhance life off the job but this is if and only if work and family life are well balanced. The way people manage work and personal life is closely linked to how people assess and decide on priorities. Most flexible organizations recognize the value of employees and consequently put the needs of employees ahead of any other. Employee with pressing family issues to deal with must be given time off and any action to the contrary is unacceptable for a flexible working culture. This springs from the fact that when employees are happy customers too will be happy making the organization profitable in the end. Flexibility is strongly supported by the use of existing technologies such as mobile phones, computers and the Internet. Employees can be allowed to work wherever they are using laptops and incase communication with the office is needed, teleconferencing can be used. Working from home, they may be able to take care of parental duties, or even look after a sick relative. To furth er reinforce the achievement of a flexible environment, part time schedules can also be agreed upon. Although there are times when flexible arrangements have failed to work, proper use of a flexible work environment will benefit both the employer and the employee. To advance the use of flexibility, organizations have followed different approaches. Some have allowed employees to work from home one day a week arguing that it is possible for one to concentrate more when phones are not ringing. Others will guarantee workers time of after they have worked for a certain period of time. Given that work-life balance is the need of the hour, organizations are now required to work out systems that enable workers to effectively deal with work-private life pressures. Currently, adopting a flexible working culture is seen as the only way out as organizations strive to retain dependable employees and remain competitive. In the study done by Miller (2006), however, most managers are afraid that a flexible worker may not be trusted. This type of management would prefer to see employees seated and doing work from workstations provided for them at the workplace. Conclusion In as much as most employees favor a job that allows them to strike a good balance between work and private life, all these will not bear much fruit without good management policies that guarantee a strong foundation for success. It is therefore important that an organization develops helpful work-life balance programs. Besides, the organization’s culture must be one that strongly supports these initiatives and uses them to the advantage of the organization as well as the employees. If this is not recognized as a way of working in the organization, even the best designed work-life programs are bound to fail. There is also a need to put in place laws that compel both employers and employees to abide by the use of such available flexible programs. There are instances where some employees have not taken a dvantage of the flexible options offered by their employers simply because the organizational culture does not allow for this to happen. Others, however, have failed to use work-life balance plans out of fear that their jobs could be affected in one way or another. In the U.S. for example, the Family Leave and Medical Act allows fathers to take twelve weeks of paternity leave. Sadly, only a small percentage of eligible men request for this. Similar arrangements in the U.K. have not resulted into any tangible benefits. While most employers offer the work-life balance programs as a way of recruiting and retaining staff, some offer the initiatives to improve production and employee commitment levels. More importantly, some employers use these programs to support employees and their families. It is worthwhile noting that even if a company does not support work-life balance, it is possible for workers to go around the system and to attend to pressing family demands. This rat race can be avoided if companies can appreciate the fact that work and private life are indivisible and greatly complement each other for the success of the employees. People who consider work and personal life to be equally important have been found to be more fulfilled, successful and less stressed. By setting tight boundaries between work and family life, they are able to concentrate on what matters most at any given time. One strategy employed to achieve this is to leave work at work. It does not help to transform home into an office. It is important to make sure that when one is at home, he is really at home an emotionally engaged. Another helpful tactic is to take time for rest and recovery. Also, one can ensure that their priorities are clear set. What is important should be treated as such and must not in any way, be undervalued. It is about being intentional as far as how one wants to live is concerned. Employees operating on extremes emphasizing work more than personal life or vice ve rsa often feel dissatisfied with work and life. Reference List Cartwright, S. Cooper, C.L., 1997. Managing Workplace Stress. California: Sage Publications. Web. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (EFILWC)., 2006. Reconciliation of work and family life and collective bargaining in the European Union. Loughlinstown. Web. Galinsky, E. Backon, L., 2007. When Work Works. New York: Family and Work Institute. Web. Miller, H., 2006. When Work and Life Balance, Everyone Wins. Michigan: Herman Miller Inc. Web. Peeters, M. C. W., Montgomery, A. J., Bakker, A. B., Schaufeli, W. B., 2005. Balancing Work and Home: How Job and Home Demands Are Related to Burnout. International Journal of Stress Management, 12 (1), pp. 43–61. Web. This essay on Work and Private Life was written and submitted by user Isabel Ramirez to help you with your own studies. 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