Introduction to Human Development Essay Example

Introduction to Human Development Essay Example Introduction to Human Development Essay Introduction to Human Development Essay INTRODUCTION â€Å"The human being†¦ the most sophisticated, amazing and wondrous creation in this earth. If one would take a peek at what’s inside his human body, he’ll be amazed to see hundreds of bones, miles of blood vessels and trillions of cells, all working together so he could be healthy and in perfect shape. Each organ, each body part, each a miracle†¦ Each a piece of evidence of God’s mighty providence. † This lesson familiarizes you with the principles and stages of human growth, maturation and development. It discusses how humans grow, develop, change and adapt to their environment throughout their life span. Warm-Up Did you know that there are 26 billion cells in a new born baby and about 50 trillion cells in an adult? Cells are responsible for supplying you with the energy you need, transporting oxygen around your body and moving your body parts. Indeed, every single cell in your body helps you maintain vitality and life. BASIC CONCEPTS 1. Human Development refers to the biological and psychological development of the human being throughout the lifespan. It consists of the development from infancy, childhood, and adolescence, adulthood to old age. . Development refers to the qualitative, progressive series of changes in an orderly and coherent fashion leading to maturation 3. Growth refers to quantitative changes in an individual as he progresses in chronological age. 4. Maturation is the process by which heredity exerts its influence long after birth. 5. Genetics is the science of heredity. It originated with the discovery by Gregor Mendel that hereditary characters are determined by f actors transmitted without change and in predictable fashion from one generation to the next. 6. Heredity is the passing on of physical or mental characteristics from parents to offspring through the genes. 7. Gene is a unit of heredity; a segment of the DNA which contains the instructions for the development of a particular inherited characteristic. There are about 30,000 genes that contain chemical instructions. The chemical instructions in the genes program the development of millions of individual parts into a complex body and brain. 8. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid which occurs in combination with protein in the chromosomes, which contains the genetic instructions. It consists of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine), a sugar (2-deoxy-D- ribose), and phosphoric acid, arranged in a regular structure- (two chains twisted round each other in the form of a double helix). 9. Nucleic acids are large molecules produced by living cells which store genetic information, and composed of a chain of nucleotides. Two forms are: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which is found primarily in the nucleus and ribonucleic acid (RNA), found in the nucleus and cytoplasm. 10. Chromosomes are threads within the nucleus of a cell which are the carriers of genetic material, consisting of DNA and various types of protein (histones). They occur in pairs a normal human body cell has 46 chromosomes: 22 pairs of autosomes together with one matching pair of X chromosomes in females (the 23rd pair- XX) and one mismatching pair, the X and Y sex chromosomes in males (the 23rd pair-XY) 11. Sex chromosome is the 23rd pair of chromosomes represented differently in the sexes, and responsible for the genetic determination of the sex of an individual. There are 1,000 genes in each chromosome. 12. Gamete is a specialized reproductive cell that fuses with another gamete of the opposite sex during fertilization, to form a zygote. Gametes are usually differentiated into male (sperm) and female (egg, ovum). 13. Sexual Reproduction is the act or process of producing offspring through sexual intercourse or artificial insemination. The Stages of Reproduction: 1. During ovulation period, females release and deposit sex chromosomes in the uterus. In the reproduction process, the male releases sperm cells that contain either X or Y chromosomes. The first male chromosome that meets and unites with the egg determines the gender of the offspring. If Y chromosome from the male first unites with the egg (which is an X chromosome), the offspring is male (XY). But if an X chromosome coming from the male first unites (XX), the gender of the offspring is female. 2. The successful sperm cell penetrates inside the ovum. The tail of the sperm separates to the head during this process. The nucleus of the sperm cell will then unite with the nucleus of the ovum and undergo a process called fertilization. The 23 chromosomes from the sperm cell will pair with the 23 chromosomes from the egg cell and the resulting zygote starts life with 46 chromosomes. . When the zygote is about to divide, chromosome replication and cell division arise wherein chromosomes and genes are doubled. All cells except the reproductive cells receive identical inheritance. The process of cell division continues with the chromosomes being always replicated as described. 4. Sometimes, instead of remaining together as parts of a single organism, the cells separate. Th ey develop to form identical twins. Siamese twins come from an incomplete separation of the two identical cells. 5. However, if two egg cells are fertilized separately, they develop to form fraternal twins. Chromosomal Abnormalities: 1. Turner’s syndrome- is a rare case wherein females may be born with only 1 X chromosome (45 chromosomes instead of 46). They fail to develop sexually at puberty. They show normal intelligence but with cognitive defects like poor performance in math and spatial organization. 2. Down’s Syndrome- a defect which usually stems from a failure of one chromosome of a germ cell to split in the normal way to form a healthy ovum with 23 chromosomes; an ovum with 24 chromosomes is produced, and if this ovum is fertilized, the developing embryo possesses an extra chromosome (47). The condition is named after English physician J L H Down (1828-96), and is sometimes referred to as mongolism. 3. Klinefelter’s Syndrome- a rare case wherein the 23rd chromosome fails to divide properly giving off extra X or Y chromosome (47). An individual with an xxy 23rd chromosome is physically a male but with feminine characteristics like large breasts but with small testes incapable of producing sperms. Male with XYY chromosomes are taller and unusually aggressive than the normal XY. Sex-Linked Genes 1. Sex-Linked Genes bare genes carried on the X and Y chromosomes, and the characteristics they control. In mammals females have two X chromosomes and males an X and a Y chromosome. Women transmit one X chromosome to either sons or daughters, while men pass their X chromosome only to their daughters. a. A characteristic feature of sex-linked inheritance is thus the absence of male-to-male transmission. Most sex-linked diseases in humans are inherited as recessives; with the males the affected sex (e. g. colorblindness, baldness, hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy). 2. Hemophilia is an inherited disorder of blood coagulation, resulting from a deficiency in one of the proteins responsible for normal blood clotting. STAGES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT STAGESAGEHIGHLIGHTS 1. Prenatal Conception to birth Rapid physical development of body and nervous system 2. Infancy Birth to 2 years Motor development. Attachment to primary caregiver. 3. Childhood 2 to 12 years Increasing ability to think logically and reason abstractly. Refinement of motor skills. Peer socialization. 4. Adolescence 13 to 20 years Thinking and reasoning are more mature like. Identity crisis. Socializations to opposite sex. STAGESAGEHIGHLIGHTS 5. Adulthood 21 to 60 years Love, marriage, career and stability. . Old Age 61 to retirement Reflection of accomplishments. Physical and mental health deteriorates. A. Prenatal Stage 1. Prenatal Period- the period from conception to birth, usually encompassing nine months of pregnancy. 2. Pregnancy is a physiological process in which females nurture their developing young within the uterus; also known as gestation. It begins when the fertilized ovum embeds itself in the uterine wall (implantation), and ends with the birth of the offspring (parturition). It lasts on average 38 weeks (9 ? onths or 266 days) from the first day of the last menstrual period, menstruation is absent (in response to circulating hormones), the uterus enlarges, the breasts increase in size in preparation for lactation, and there are other major physiological changes. 3. Fertilization is the union of two gametes to form a zygote, as occurs during sexual reproduction. 4. Zygote a one-celled organism formed by the union of a sperm and egg cell. The zygote undergoes rapid mitotic divisions with no significant growth (a process known as cleavage) and cellular differentiation, leading to development of an embryo. . Cleavage is the process by which a fertilized egg cell (zygote) divides to give rise to all the cells of an organism. The prenatal stages 1. Germinal stage the first prenatal stage that occurs from first to second week of conception. 2. Embryonic stage the second prenatal stage that occurs fr om third to eighth week of conception. 3. Fetal stage the third and final prenatal stage that occurs from ninth week of conception to birth. STAGE AGE (week) SIZE CHARACTERISTICS GERMINAL STAGE or period of zygote (1 to 2 weeks) 1 week 150 cells Zygote attaches to the uterine lining. weeksSeveral thousand cellsPlacental circulation established EMBRYONIC STAGE or period of embryo (3 to 8 weeks)3 weeks1/10 inchMajor systems, organs, and structures of the body develop. 6 weeks? inchArms and legs develop. Jaws form around mouth. 8 weeks1 inch, 1/30 ounceBones begin to develop in limbs. Sex organs begin to form. FETAL STAGE or period of fetus (9 weeks to birth)9 (2. 5 mos. )1 ? inchFormation of brain; Gender can be distinguished. 12 (3 mos. )3 inches, 1 ounceCan smile and frown; Circulatory system working. 16 (4 mos. )6. 5 inches, 4 ounceHeartbeat is strong; Mother feels movement. 0 (5 mos. )10 inches, 5 ounceHiccups begin; hair form 24 (6 mos. )12 inches, 1. 5 lbsVisual and auditory se nses functional; eyes open. 28 (7 mos. )15 inches, 2. 5 lbsBody fat is added; brain specialization. 32 (8 mos. )17 inches, 2. 5 lbsPeriods of sleep and wakefulness. 36 (9 mos. )19 inches, 6 lbsRapid increase in weight; Gains immunity from mother. 38 (9 1/5)21 inches, 8 lbsBirth- 266 days from conception. B. INFANCY. 1. Infancy is the period of human development from birth to two years. 2. Neonate is a newborn child. 3. Capacities of a newborn: a. Newborns have poor vision and cannot see as well as an adult until about age 2. b. Newborns pay attention to sounds particularly to human speech. c. Infants can discriminate different tastes and prefer sweets like breast milk. d. Neonate can identify odors especially that of the mother. e. Infants can learn from the moment they are born and show good memories by 3 months of age. 4. Motor Development refers to the progression of muscular coordination required for physical activities. Stages of Motor Development In Infancy AGE (months)ACTIVITIESAGE (months)ACTIVITIES Lifts head up 11 Stands alone 2. 5 Rolls over 12 Walks alone 3 Sits propped up 14 (1 yr, 2 mos) Walks backward 6 Sits without support 17 (1 yr, 5 mos) Walks up steps 6. 5 Stands holding on 20 (1 yr, 8 mos) Kicks ball forward 9 Walks holding on 10 Stands momentarily 5. Critical Periods are the crucial time periods in a person’s life during which specific events occur if development is to proceed normally. In fetus, t he 6 to 7 weeks is critical for normal development of the sex organs- like deficiency in hormones. Visual corrections are critical up to 7 years old. . Sensitive Periods are periods that are optimal for a particular kind of development. First year of life is a sensitive period for interpersonal attachment. 7. Temperament refers to such mood-related personality characteristics. a. Easy Temperament is a term used to describe a child who is playful, regular in his sleeping and eating patterns, and adapts readily to new situations. b. Difficult Temperament is a term used to describe a child who is irritable, has irregular sleeping and eating patterns, and responds intensely and negatively to new situations. c. Slow to warm up temperament is a term used to describe a child who is relatively inactive, tends to withdraw from new situations in a mild way, and requires more time than easy infants to new situations. 8. Attachment is used to describe an infant’s tendency to seek closeness to particular people (especially the mother) and to feel more secure in their presence. 9. Separation anxiety is a distress among infants when a caretaker is not nearby. 10. Sensitive Responsiveness is a characteristic of a caretaker who responds promptly when the baby cries and behaves affectionately when they pick up the baby. The caretaker also tailors their response to the baby’s needs. C. ADOLESCENCE 1. Adolescence refers to the period of transition from childhood to adulthood covering 13 to 20 years old. It is characterize by a rapid physical growth known as the adolescent growth spurt. 2. Puberty is a period of sexual maturation that transforms a child into a biologically mature adult capable of sexual reproduction, which takes place over a period of 3 or 4 years. a. It starts when a female has a menarche between the ages of 11 to 17 (average is 12) and when a male begin to ejaculate semen between the ages of 12 to 16 (average is 14 1/2). . Secondary sex characteristics like bodily hair patterns, pitch of voice and muscle development are evident for both males and females. c. Changes in the intellectual abilities, body proportions, and sexual urges (together with changing relationships with parents and peers) create enormous challenges. d. Psychological effects of puberty such as moodiness, inn er turmoil, and rebellion are linked directly to the hormonal changes of puberty. D. ADULTHOOD 1. Adulthood is a stage of human development from ages 21 to 60 that is marked by both maturity and change. . It involves transition in the family relationships, including adjusting to marriage parenthood and empty nest. 2. Age-related physical transitions include: changes in appearance; sensory losses (especially vision and hearing), and hormonal changes. Mental speed declines. a. Menopause is the cessation of menstruation that usually occurs between 45 and 50 years. It is often accompanied by physical (sweating, hot flushes, vaginitis) and psychogenic (depression, insomnia, fatigue) disturbances, which generally respond to estrogen therapy. . Mid-life Crisis is a difficult, turbulent period of doubts and reappraisal of one’s life. E. OLD AGE 1. Old age a stage of human development which covers those 65 years old and above. 2. Ageism is discrimination on the basis of age, often res ulting in the denial of rights and services in the elderly. a. Dementia- is a brain disorder that involves losses of cognitive abilities and mental functioning. b. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disorder whose progression cannot be stopped; it is irreversible and ultimately ends in death.

Learn What pH Stands For and How the Term Originated

Learn What pH Stands For and How the Term Originated Have you ever wondered what pH stands for or where the term originated? Here is the answer to the question and a look at the history of the pH scale. Key Takeaways: Origin of pH Term pH stands for power of hydrogen.The H is capitalized because it is the hydrogen element symbol.pH is a measure of how acidic or basic an aqueous solution is. It is calculated as the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration. pH Definition and Origin pH is the negative log of hydrogen ion concentration in a water-based solution. The term pH was first described by Danish biochemist Sà ¸ren Peter Lauritz Sà ¸rensen in 1909. pH is an abbreviation for power of hydrogen where p is short for the German word for power, potenz and H is the element symbol for hydrogen. The H is capitalized because it is standard to capitalize element symbols. The abbreviation also works in French, with pouvoir hydrogen translating as the power of hydrogen. Logarithmic Scale The pH scale is a logarithmic scale that usually runs from 1 to 14. Each whole pH value below 7 (the pH of pure water) is ten times more acidic than the higher value and each whole pH value above 7 is ten times less acidic than the one below it. For example, a pH of 3 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 4 and 100 times (10 times 10) more acidic than a pH value of 5. So, a strong acid may have a pH of 1-2, while a strong base may have a pH of 13-14. A pH near 7 is considered to be neutral. Equation for pH pH is the logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration of an aqueous (water-based) solution: pH -log[H] log is the base 10 logarithm and [H] is hydrogen ion concentration in the units moles per liter Its important to keep in mind a solution must be aqueous to have a pH. You cannot, for example, calculation pH of vegetable oil or pure ethanol. What Is the pH of Stomach Acid? | Can You Have Negative pH? Sources Bates, Roger G.  (1973). Determination of pH: Theory and Practice. Wiley.Covington, A. K.; Bates, R. G.; Durst, R. A. (1985). Definitions of pH scales, standard reference values, measurement of pH, and related terminology (PDF). Pure Appl. Chem. 57 (3): 531–542. doi:10.1351/pac198557030531

The history of Elvis Presley's musical appearances on American Term Paper

The history of Elvis Presley's musical appearances on American Television - Term Paper Example The next appearance that Elvis made on television was on the show The Steve Allen Show. While in the show Allen mocked the appearance made by getting dressed in a tuxedo which removed the usual physical gyrations. In the show, he sang Hound dog to a basset Hound. In the show he mainly talked about the song that had received much critic. Ed Sullivan had once said he would never have the controversial singer on his top-rated show, but that was earlier the week that Elvis entrance on Steve Allen had exceeded Sullivans evaluations. After coming into agreement with Elvis manager, Ed Sullivan rewarded Elvis the huge sum of $50,000 for performing on three of his show. The shows that he appeared in were in September 9 1956 and in January 6, 1957. The importance that he gained from attending the shows was the huge money that he was paid. In the time, the amount was huge as there is no performer that had ever been paid such amount to appear on a network variety program. The appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was a major success as there was increased watching of the show. Then show was watched by both the young and the old. There was belief by the people that the appearance that he made on the show was of another great importance as there was bridging in the generation gap for acceptance of Elvis into the mainstream. While in the show, he performed several songs including Love Me Tender, Don’t Be Cruel, Hound Dog and Ready Teddy. When he made the third appearance on the show in Ed Sullivan in January 1957 there was surprise to him as he was told that he had developed a better experience with a name act. Sullivan in the show reported to the co untry and Elvis that the singer was a real decent boy. In the appearance it was historical as he was only shown on camera from the waist up. The next appearance that Elvis made on TV was in 1960 when he was given an opportunity by Frank

Technical trading analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Technical trading analysis - Essay Example s assumed that the fund would definitely be interested in riding a wave but not to the peak but obtain gains much before the peak and go short somewhere between the bottom and the peak. Similarly the fund would not wait for the market to bottom out before taking a decision on going long and that it would go long once market moves down somewhere between the peak and the bottom. Either strategies would imply that the fund is not looking for excessive and speculative gains; nevertheless it does maintain inherent profit booking targets. The trading system explained below is based on trading rules that were tested for profits results based on this risk philosophy. Financial theory, taught in finance textbooks the globe over, normally exposes a student of finance to the concepts like the efficient market hypothesis and the economically rational individual. Bubbles and crashes seem to defy these two seminal concepts with an awkwardness equivalent to the awkwardness one would attach to those things on earth that defy gravity. Nevertheless such extreme stock market movements are a reality. Bubbles make investing decisions arduous as stock prices tend to deviate by substantial margins from their fundamental valuations. Investors relying on past company results and technical analysis are equally defeated in such situations as is the EMH.In fact, investors always act on the basis that they have an applicable construct to explain stock price movements and tend to input all available information collected under such constructs in their investment decisions (Poole 2000). Finance research has also held varying opinions on this issue. For instance, Bierm ann (1995) supports the idea that market prices are determined from backward looking investors than by those that indulge in predictions of all sorts. Others have, for example elaborated on the use of price to earnings ratios to determine excess market valuations. Some technical work has set to rest in a convincing manner the

My Online Community Essay -- Essays Papers

My Online Community I aimlessly wondered the Internet trying to find a community suitable for me. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. I have many interests, but I really don’t have a strong passion for something. So I decided to join a community in which I could express myself as a teen and talk about general issues. I joined the mtv.com community. There I expressed my thoughts on everything, ranging from music to daily events that shape our world. There I had a chance to share my opinions and beliefs, as others posted their thoughts and perspectives on certain subjects. Online communities are rather congruent to offline ones. They are both appealing yet displeasing at the same time. An online community means different things to different people. For some, it conjures fuzzy, warm images of people chatting and helping each other. For others, it produces dark images of conspiracy, dissident and criminal behavior, sick perverts and invasion of privacy. At first, I was a little sketchy about joining a community. I wasn’t too fond of talking to strangers and posting my thoughts on certain subjects so hundreds of people can read them. I could be talking to someone, and everything they say could be a lie. I wouldn’t feel like I was having a real conversation, because someone can say he or she is something, when in reality he/she is a twisted and demented human being, who takes pleasure in harassing people online. Each day on the community was different. Some I enjoyed, and others made me despise the idea of ever having to return to the same site the next day. I was in no hurry to join a community. So on day one, I browsed the Internet, looking for a community I would feel comfortable in. After I f... ...find fascinating and form a close bond, and then there are those who you find disagreeable and find pleasure in â€Å"raping† you. Communicating via the Internet is no substitute for actual human interaction. But online communities do enable meaningful communication among people separated by distance and time. Many people in today’s society look to online communities for comfort. They visit it daily, and spend many hours talking to people they have never met in person. I have no interest in going back to my community. I didn’t feel the warm, fuzzy feeling of people chatting online. Some people can be rude and annoying, and that is something I just don’t want to deal with if I don’t have to. I enjoyed posting my thoughts on certain subjects on the message boards, but I didn’t enjoy reading some rude responses just because I didn’t agree with the person’s view.

Friends and Family

Friends are biggest value in people’s lives. I have many friends. Most of them are my neighbors, but also I have schoolmates. I can go out somewhere with them and feel comfortable. I know that friends of mine will help me anytime and anywhere. I can trust them. I have one best friend. I may pin his faith. Friendship between a friend of mine and me is firm and intense. He always helps me solve problems and treats me with respect. A friend of mine has never lied to me. It is better to say home truth that sweet lie. If I am upset, my best friend will jolly up me. He is caring, cheerful, trustworthy, outgoing and good-tempered. He is younger than I am. I think that age is not important for a friendship if you can come to an understanding and respect each other. I have friends among people of a different generation. I like younger mates because I can be child . Older people are serious and calm. They care about their studies or jobs. They have less free time. However, I like them because they can teach me something and share their experience. Older friends may help me to do my homework and explain me what I cannot understand. Friends are one of life treasures so that we have to treasure our friendships. It is not easy to make friends nowadays. The true friend should be honest and trustworthy. Without these characteristics, you cannot have a friendship with anyone. Person must be sociable, tolerant, conscientious, and good-tempered if he wants make friends. Furthermore, he must understand other person’s feelings and moods and always help him. If person wants not to lose old friends, he should care about them. He should call them and ask how they are. We should safe our relationships. If we break friendship, it will be hard to recover it. I suppose that friendship is a state when you feel important and you know that you can do something helpful or needful to your friend. Sometimes you see somebody for the first time and that is strange when you feel you are friends for ages. My ideal friend has to be himself. I don’t think, I should name any of his/her (later on: he) character features. It’s even doesn’t matter when he has something, what doesn’t exist in rules of ideal man – e. g. unpolitness. It’s better when the social mask is not worn and you can talk to your friend and be absolutely ensured that he is not lying and he will help not every time, but only those times, when he could. I believe that’s very important. I don’t agree also to the idea that friends, having in common only external personalities are bad ones. I don’t think that it’s good to have a friend for a life. After some years you feel kind of exhausted and the light of the friendship begins to go out. People with external similarities can also be very good friends and the ones only with internal sometimes even can’t talk – e. . when he thinks right the same way, i think, it’s not interesting for me to talk with him, because i know how he thinks and i want to know more different people and to hear different oppinions. So, I must disappoint you, but I needless to say, having some internal common points. You don’t have to have a friend (like the po em, we read, says) but having one makes your life, your steps through the life much more easier and funnier. Nowadays often debated theme is the choice between a family and friends. For me a family is more important than friends. There are some thoughts about this lemma. Firstly, I think that a family is more important than friends, because when you are born you fall into a family not into your friends’ circle. First people with whom you get acquainted after your birth are your faSecondly, when we are teenagers for us it looks like that our family members are our enemies. We try to run from our family to our friends, but if it happens a really big problem, we come back to our family, because family is our most immediate and precious people. In our hearts we know that if nobody helps us, we can always rely on our family. But if we look at the another side of the coin, we can see that sometimes there are such problems in a family that parents can’t take care of their own children. In such situation we can trust just for our friends help, because family can’t help us. Finally, I think that not just family members have to help us. Sometimes we must help our family. Maybe then we will be able to say that our choice is family. In conclusion, I can say that we should never forget our nearest realatives. We should never forget and abandon our family. mily members. With no-one else, but just with your family help, you get known the world. Friends and family are important in our lifes, but the question is – which, friends or family, are more important for us? I believe that family is more significant then friends. In the first place, we can always trust our family’s members. When we have a trouble and we need some help, who will help us first? Of course, our family’s members. In addition, family supports you materrialy. Everything what you are wering, all notebooks, pens and other things you need at school and not just here are bought by your parents ( If you are still child ). Who else if not they buy you all these thinkgs abd help you tu survive? On the other hand, some people think, that friends are more important for their lifes. However, most of them forgot that friends are with you just while everything is good. Unfrotunately, when something bad occurs to you and you need their help, most of them turn their backs. Finally, I believe that family is the biggest support in our lifes, that’s why they are more imposrtant.

Analysis Of The Article The American Ideal - 964 Words

Vasi Papadopulos Mr. Lofaro 20 American History September 28, 2015 The American Ideal As expressed in the constitution, the United States has not lived up to the ideal of equality. Economic inequality has surged into a greater issue over the past several years. Gender inequality is something that has began to reduce in the US ever since the 1900s. Even though big changes have been made, gender inequality stills exists in the workplace due to many reasons. Furthermore, ever since colonial times, racism has been a prodigious problem in the United States . Examples of racial inequality includes poverty and education, as a result, racial inequality has become an obstacle America has been facing all throughout our history First, economic†¦show more content†¦Subsequently, even though big changes have been made, gender inequality stills exists in the workplace. In the United States, the percent of women engaged in the workforce is falling behind other western countries. The United States ranked 22nd best in terms of gender equality out of 135 countries. Researchers say that that the United States is falling behind due to the lack of business and social support for working women. In addition to this, the United States is the only industrialized nation that does not have paid parental leave. Moreover, in an Huffington post article, Katy Hall found that as a result of the Family Medical Leave act of 1993, new parents are guaranteed their jobs twelve weeks after their baby is due. This act does not require the company to give fully paid maternity leave. Unpaid parental leave could make a woman not want to work since if she does it would be harder for her to start a family. Hence, this makes it har der for women to work. If a woman is not having paid maternity leave, then this will cause her to have problems when trying to provide for her child if she does decide to have one. Moreover, a study directed by researchers at San Fernando Valley State College said that â€Å" when an individual with a PhD applies for a position at a university, that individual is significantly more likely to be offered a higher level