Sunday, December 15, 2019
Causes of Environment Free Essays
cause of environmental degradation The primary cause of environmental degradation isà human disturbance. The degree of the environmental impact varies with the cause, the habitat, and the plants and animals that inhabit it. ââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬âââ¬â- Habitat Fragmentation Habitat fragmentation carries long term environmental impacts, some of which can destroy entire ecosystems. We will write a custom essay sample on Causes of Environment or any similar topic only for you Order Now An ecosystem is a distinct unit and includes all the living and non-living elements that reside within it. Plants and animals are obvious members, but it will also include other components on which they rely on such as streams, lakes, and soils. Habitats become fragmented when development breaks up solid stretches of land. Examples include roads which may cut through forests or even trails which wind through prairies. While it may not sound all bad on the surface, there are serious consequences. The largest of these consequences are initially felt by specific plant and animal communities, most of which are specialized for their bioregion or require large areas of land to retain a healthy genetic heritage. Area Sensitive Animals Some wildlife species require large stretches of land in order to meet all of their needs for food, habitat, and other resources. These animals are calledà area sensitive. When the environment is fragmented, the large patches of habitat no longer exist. It becomes more difficult for the wildlife to get the resources they to survive, possibly becoming threatened or endangered. The environment suffers without the animals that play their role in the food web. Aggressive Plant Life A more critical result of habitat fragmentation is land disturbance. Many weedy plant species, such as garlic mustard and purple loosestrife, are both opportunistic and invasive. A breach in the habitat gives them an opportunity to take hold. These aggressive plants can take over an environment, displacing the native flora. The result is habitat with a single dominant plant which doesnââ¬â¢t provide adequate food resources for all the wildlife. Entire ecosystems are threatened with extinction, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Effects of Environmentalà Degradation One of the greatest challenges facing humanity is environmental degradation, including deforestation, desertification, pollution, and climate change ââ¬â an issue of increasing concern for the international community. Environmental degradation increases the vulnerability of the societies it affects and contributes to the scarcity of resources. Climate change will lead to an increase in the intensity and frequency of weather extremes, such as heat waves, floods, droughts and tropical cyclones. The people hardest hit by climate change and environmental degradation are those living in the most vulnerable areas, including coastal communities, small island nations, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asian delta regions. It is the poorest of the poor, who lack the resources to prepare, adapt and rebuild, that are most affected. Environmental degradation can lead to a scarcity of resources, such as water and farmable. Extreme weather events, such as severe flooding, increase the spread of waterborne diseases, such as malaria and diarrhoea. The effects of the major environmental problems on both health and productivity are: a. Water pollution and water scarcity: As per the estimation of UN, more than two million deaths and billions of illnesses a year are attributable to water pollution. Water scarcity compounds these health problems. Productivity is affected by the costs of providing safe water, by constraints on economic activity caused by water shortages, and by the adverse effects of water pollution and shortages on other environmental resources such as, declining fisheries and acquifer depletion leading to irreversible compaction. b. Air pollution: As per the estimation of UN, urban air pollution is responsible for 300,000ââ¬â700,000 deaths annually and creates chronic health problems for many more people. Restrictions on vehicles and industrial activity during critical periods affect productivity, as does the effect of acid rain on forests and water bodies. . Solid and hazardous wastes: Diseases are spread by uncollected garbage and blocked drains; the health risks from hazardous wastes are typically more localized, but often acute. Wastes affect productivity through the pollution of groundwater resources. d. Soil degradation: Depleted soils increase the risks of malnutrition for farmers. Productivity lo sses on tropical soils are estimated to be in the range of 0. 5-1. 5 per cent of GNP, while secondary productivity losses are due to siltation of reservoirs, transportation channels and other hydrologic investments. e. Deforestation: Death and disease can result from the localized flooding caused by deforestation. Loss of sustainable logging potential and of erosion prevention, watershed stability and carbon sequestration provided by forests are among the productivity impacts of deforestation. f. Loss of biodiversity: The extinction of plant and animal species will potentially affect the development of new drugs; it will reduce ecosystem adaptability and lead to the loss of genetic resources. g. Atmospheric changes: Ozone depletion is responsible for perhaps 300,000 additional cases of skin cancer a year and 1. million cases of cataracts. Global warming may lead to increase in the risk of climatic natural disasters. Productivity impacts may include sea-rise damage to coastal investments, regional changes in agricultural productivity and disruption of the marine food chain. Conclusion:à The impact of environmental disasters can be devastating on the social, economic, and environmental systems of a country or region as well as the global ecosystem. Environmental disasters do not recognise man-made borders, and threaten the legacy left to future generations of a clean and supportive environment. Because of the interdependency of earth ecosystems international co-operation is paramount to prevent, and when disaster strikes, respond to relieve quickly and effectively the effects of environmental disasters. Thus, Governments, International organizations and communities must work together ââ¬â at all levels ââ¬â to lessen the risks associated with environmental degradation and its contributing factors, such as climate change, and ensure that vulnerable people are prepared to survive and adapt. At the same time, companies, organizations and individuals must also ensure that their work is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Similar essay: Disadvantages of Plants Living on Land How to cite Causes of Environment, Essay examples
Friday, December 6, 2019
Criminal Trials Essay Example For Students
Criminal Trials Essay One of the most vaguely understood events in the United States is themodern criminal trial. Most people have a faint knowledge of the goings-onof criminal proceedings, mainly due to what is seen on television, but theperson who knows the real course of a trial is rare. However, there isnothing mysterious about the events that determine criminal guilt. Trialsare carefully orchestrated, following procedures that have been laid inlegal concrete over the years, and generally follow the same basic formatacross the United States. Criminal law is distinguishable from civil law in the aspect thatcriminal acts are officially considered to injure not only individuals, butsociety as a whole. This is the reason why criminal cases are described asstate v. offender. The state, as the injured party, is taking thedefendant to court (Schmalleger 64). The purpose of a criminal trial is todetermine if the offender is legally guilty of the crime, but this does notnecessarily mean that the person in question committed the crime. Asopposed to factual guilt (the person did it), legal guilt merely meansthat a jury of the defendants peers is convinced without reasonable doubt. As can be seen, this leaves room for possible discrepancies (Schmalleger198). Before a trial can proceed, certain events must take place. Thefirst is the arraignment of the defendant, which can happen anytime betweenarrest and a logical, non-specific time before the trial itself. Arraignment consists of the court reading to the defendant the substance ofthe charge, and calls on the subject to enter a plea within a given time(Tull 1). The defendant may consult with and be advised by an attorney on whatplea to offer the court. He may plead guilty or no contest (nolocontendere), in which case a trial does not occur and the subject goesdirectly to a sentencing hearing (Tull 1), or he may plead not guilty, andtrial preparations will proceed. In very rare cases the defendant will notenter a plea, and is said to stand mute (Schmalleger 189). Directlyafter entering a plea of not guilty, the defendant must decide on one, ifany, of many courses of defense to follow. A plea of guilty or no contestthat is withdrawn by the defendant cannot be used as evidence against thedefendant (Tull 3). One of the most popular defenses is the alibi defense. This courseof action holds that the defendant was at another location at the time ofthe offense, and therefore could not possibly have committed the crime. Ifan alibi is to be offered, the defendant has a court-appointed time inwhich he must declare his intentions. The attorney for the state will senda notice describing the time, date, and place of the offense, and thedefendant must refute this information. If the defendant issues notice ofalibi but then withdraws the claim, this information cannot be held againsthim later in court (Tull 5). Another popular defense is the insanity defense. The courtdefinition holds that a person should not be guilty if they did not knowwhat they were doing, did not know that what they were doing was wrong, orif their actions were the result of a mental disease or defect(Schmalleger 75). This obviously covers a lot of area, which is part ofthe reason for its popularity. If the defendant plans to claim insanity,he must notify, in writing, the states attorney of his intentions, andalso file a copy with the court clerk. Failure to follow these guidelinesresults in the disallowance of the insanity claim. A withdrawn claim ofinsanity is not admissible as evidence against the defendant (Tull 5). There are many other defenses, divided into three categories, thatare much less common than alibi and insanity. The first of thesecategories is designated other defenses. The following are examples ofthese. Temporary Insanity implies that the defendant was only insane atthe time of the offense, and was once a very popular defense, as thedefendant usually got off scot-free. However, due to recentrestrictions, it has lost its appeal. Guilty but Insane, a defense thatis all but extinct, resulted in a stiff penalty, but mandatorypsychotherapy was included in any sentence. Involuntary Drunkenness,holding that the defendant was intoxicated against his will, is rarelyused, although it has resulted in a number of successes in court. Unconsciousness is even more rare of a defense, and is used if thedefendant committed a crime while sleepwalking, having a seizure etc. AChemical Imbalance defense is used if the defendants actions wereinfluenced by the consumption of food products or stimulants, including butnot limited to sugar, nicotine, and caffeine. Premenstrual StressSyndrome, or PMS, is a very new defense and not yet even officiallyacceptable. However, it has been successfully used in Virginia(Schmalleger 77-79). The second group of defenses is labeled special defenses. One thatis fairly commonly used is Self Defense, holding that the defendantcommitted the crime in self-defense to avoid physical harm. Duress, onthe other hand, is not common, and is used when the defendant claims tohave committed a crime in order to alleviate a prior wrongdoing againsthim. The Entrapment defense has become the subject of media attention,since its implications are a bit sinister. It is implied that lawenforcement officers have created a crime solely for the purpose ofprosecuting the defendant. In the case of an Accident defense, theoffense is said to have been purely accidental on the part of thedefendant. Mistake says that the defendant committed an unwitting crimedue to outside forces that precipitated the actual offense. A defense ofNecessity is rare, and is only used when the survival of the defendantwas at stake. It is only truly useful if no serious harm was done. Recommendation For Recycling Water in Florida EssayThere are several types of testimony that are inadmissible asevidence. Hearsay evidence is described as what a witness heard fromanother person, rather than what he saw or experienced firsthand (Zerman71). Allowances, however, can be given under certain circumstances. Oneis the dying declaration, which is a statement made by a person who isabout to die. A second instance is that of the spontaneous statement,which is made by a person in the heat of excitement without time forfabrication (Schmalleger 212). Irrelevant or immaterial evidence istestimony that goes beyond or misses the point of the question asked, andstatements of opinion show only what a witness thinks, rather than what heknows (Zerman 71). Physical evidence, if any, is brought forth during witness testimony. There are two classes of evidence: direct and circumstantial. Directevidence, if believed, proves a fact without opinionation. It can betestimonial, which is the aforementioned witness testimony, or it can bephysical (Schmalleger 207). There are three kinds of physical evidence. Documents are anything written or typed, objects are weapons, clothing, andthe like, and copies and reproductions include photographs and recordings(Zerman 72). Physical evidence is only subject to challenge on grounds ofauthenticity or manner in which it was obtained (Zerman 72). Circumstantial evidence, however, requires inference and drawnconclusions. It is often enough to convict anyway (Schmalleger 207). After all witnesses and evidence have been shown, the attorneys giveclosing arguments, also called summations. Closing arguments are directattacks on the opposing sides weaknesses. They provide review andanalysis of evidence. Testimony, exhibits, and inconsistencies in theopposition will be pointed out (Schmalleger 212). Many good defenseattorneys are effective showmen. They try to play on the feelings of thejurors during this crucial point of the trial. The argument is oftenemotional and poetry or verse is sometimes used. The prosecution, however,is only likely to use one emotion: outrage at the defendant (Zerman 89). The situation during summations is favorable to the prosecution, who, inthe vast majority of instances, opens the argument (Tull 18). After arebuttal by the defense, the prosecution then has an opportunity forcounter-rebuttal. In any case, the prosecution is always given the lastword in closing arguments (Zerman 91). After summations, the judge gives his charge to the jury. He callson the jury to retire and select one of their number as the foreman, anddeliberate upon the evidence that has been presented until a verdict hasbeen reached (Schmalleger 213). He also summarizes all testimony, makescomments, and gives guidance. It is often considered the single mostimportant statement made during a trial (Zerman 94). Once the jury leaves the courtroom for deliberations, they immediatelychoose a foreman, whose job it will be to deliver the final verdict. Thejury may deliberate for hours, days, or weeks, and may examine evidence,review testimony, analyze the judges charge, discuss, argue, and negotiate(Zerman 13). Disagreements emerge early, but the majority almost alwayswins. Surprisingly, immediate unanimous decisions are not uncommon theyaccount for about 31 percent of all verdicts (Zerman 106). Mostjurisdictions require a unanimous decision, although the United StatesSupreme Court has ruled that only capital cases must warrant a unanimousverdict. Jurors are not allowed to discuss the case with relatives, friends, oreach other until the proper time, because it is known that thinking isaffected by the influence of others. Scientific studies have shown thatpeople instinctively and subconsciously want to be with the majority, andbecause of this, are not likely to hold out in an argument against the restof the jury. Duringdeliberations, if the case is important enough and the judge believes thereis risk of the jury being influenced by outside sources, he may sequesterjurors, putting them in a hotel with little contact with the outside world. Even newspapers and television may be censored. Telephone calls are shortand monitored, and windows are usually covered over so as not to let thejurors see anything that may influence their thoughts (Zerman 58). Deliberations will ultimately end in either a verdict or a hungjury. In a hung jury, the members debate, argue, plead, and finallyadmit defeat, not being able to agree on a verdict. Hung juries areusually just replaced, but sometimes the trial is stopped, and the time andmoney involved, which is sometimes quite substantial, is wasted (Zerman101). But a verdict is reached successfully 99 percent of the time. Thejury, led by the foreman, gives the verdict to the judge in open court(Tull 19). If the verdict is guilty, the defense attorney may choose topoll the jury. He asks each juror his personal opinion, and in a fewcases, a jurors doubts re-emerge to cancel the verdict. This rarelyhappens, but if it does the result is a victory for the defense (Zerman167). A criminal trial is a complicated but closely choreographed event. Almost nothing happens without proper precedent, and even the mostfactually guilty defendant can be sure of having at least a small chance ofgetting off the hook. The unbiased trial is a constitutional institutionthat may not always make sense to the average person, but that reflects thevalue of justice in American society.
Friday, November 29, 2019
10 Tips for Website Organization and Flow â⬠updated from 2009!
10 Tips for Website Organization and Flow ââ¬â updated from 2009! I am almost ready to launch a new website for The Essay Expert, and I have learned a LOT along the way. I decided to write my blog on the topic, and, as a reference, went back to an article I wrote almost seven years ago about website organization and flow. I knew very little then, but did share a few important tips. While some things have changed, some things have stayed the same. Here is my updated list, and a preview of The Essay Expertââ¬â¢s new website! 1. Donââ¬â¢t have more than eight (8) top menu items in addition to the Home tab. With new menu formats, Iââ¬â¢ve increased this number from six (6) in my original recommendation to eight (8). The menu items on my new site will be About, Testimonials, Services, DIY/eBooks, Media, Blog, FAQs, and Contact. They fit nicely and simply across the top menu. 2. You donââ¬â¢t have to make the top menu items clickable. This is a change in my opinion from years ago. I think people used to expect the menu items to be clickable. Now all you need is clickable dropdown items. 3. Make your logo (generally the top left corner of every page) a link to your home page. This is still a best practice. Do it! And donââ¬â¢t assume people know to click the logo to get to the home page. Put a Home tab on the top navigation too ââ¬â you can use an icon of a house to save space. 4. Use creative solutions to help people navigate longer pages. While anchor links are an established option for helping users navigate, there are a lot more solutions available now. For instance, use tabs on a page to allow users to choose the category of information that interests them. I will be using this option on my Testimonials page, where users can click on tabs labeled Executive, Mid-Level, Entry-Level and Admissions to see testimonials relevant to that category of service. Another option is a pop-up window that provides information without lengthening the page. I will be using this option for items like ââ¬Å"Where our clients have been admitted.â⬠If you do choose anchor links, these links can look like buttons. Design them to be congruent with your site design! 5. Review your site regularly for broken links and fix or delete them. And for any broken links within your own site, create a unique 404 page. This advice will never change. Constantly check for broken links! For 404, I have created a page with a Mark Twain quotation! Here are some famously creative 404 pages for your reading pleasure. 6. Give your website viewers information about how the service or product works so they are educated before they buy, and before they call you. Hereââ¬â¢s how Iââ¬â¢m doing it on my new site: Iââ¬â¢m also improving the descriptions of each of my services so site visitors understand what they will be getting when they make a purchase. 7. Donââ¬â¢t send people away from a page if you want them to purchase something on that page. On my new website, I offer a complete ââ¬Å"Resume and LinkedIn Success Packageâ⬠(see above) that I expect to be the most common product people purchase. I also so have ââ¬Å"a la carteâ⬠options available. But I will not mention those items until the bottom of the page. Any buttons at the top of my executive services page will keep people on the page, either with a pop-up or a link to a service on the page itself. They will have to read through my most popular items before they find other options. 8. Whenever possible, offer a main product with optional add-ons. On my ââ¬Å"oldâ⬠(current) site, I have learned, there are way too many options to choose from and people get confused as to which service is best for them. In my effort to accommodate everyone, I went a bit overboard. The new site will offer one main package with add-ons. Iââ¬â¢m excited to have created a streamlined experience for new customers! 9. Scatter testimonials throughout your website. People want to know what other people are saying about you. Personally, even if I donââ¬â¢t read the testimonials on a site, I want to know they are there. Make sure if you offer different products that the ones most relevant to each product are on that product page. Also offer the opportunity for people to write reviews directly on your site! On my new site, I will have testimonials on each page as well as a full page of testimonials for anyone who wants to read more. 10. Highlight certifications, awards, and media appearances. What qualifies you to do what you do? Put it up front and center to gain credibility and trust! There are many more recommendations and best practices for websites that I havenââ¬â¢t covered here. Iââ¬â¢d love to hear your comments and suggestions. And stay tuned for the launch of The Essay Expertââ¬â¢s new websiteâ⬠¦ coming soon! Category:Web Site TipsBy Brenda BernsteinMay 23, 2016
Monday, November 25, 2019
Guide for a Winner Dissertation on Principles of Psychology
Guide for a Winner Dissertation on Principles of Psychology Welcome to our third and final guide, guide for a winner dissertation on principles of psychology. This guide would prove to be very useful for students who are about to undertake dissertation assignments or research projects before they graduate. In order to make sure nothing goes wrong, we highly recommend that you read our first guide, 10 facts for a dissertation on principles of psychology, and our second guide, 20 dissertation ideas that will work for you. These guides are necessary to lay a good foundation of what you will be including in your dissertation. With that said, here are some steps to follow in order to write the perfect dissertation: Consider What Youââ¬â¢d Like to Write About Writing a dissertation can be a tough task if you donââ¬â¢t even know what you are writing about. Furthermore, you should have some interest in a particular topic of Principles of Psychology too (although options are limited), so that you donââ¬â¢t demotivate yourself; this can result in a general lack of quality as far as the dissertation is concerned. Consulting your supervisor for advice is also highly recommended. Remember that you will be writing about something on Principles of Psychology ; it may be a query that currently holds hard beliefs, or perhaps you are trying to solve a problem, or even arguing over a particular thesis statement. Plan and Research Planning ahead of time and maintaining a good routine in order to ensure that you are on your way to completing a good dissertation helps a lot. In fact, if you donââ¬â¢t plan in advance, you will eventually end up delaying or submitting your work late, or maybe not at all. This could be very disastrous for the final reward youââ¬â¢ve been waiting for; i.e. your graduation. In order to save time, sort out specific questions that are strictly related to Principles of Psychology before you start researching. Donââ¬â¢t leave anything at all to a ââ¬Å"last minute attemptâ⬠as it will cause you nagging problems in the end. Itââ¬â¢s wise to finalize your dissertation weeks before the submission period, so you can proofread it several times and revise it accordingly. Thorough proofreading and making revisions would result in a spectacular dissertation copy thatââ¬â¢s nothing short of plausible. How a Dissertation is Structured In order to include everything in this short guide, weââ¬â¢ve compiled a structural list that you should follow. Remember, this is a basic framework and the structure may vary according to your supervisor; therefore, you should consult him/her before proceeding. Here is the basic framework for composing a dissertation: Title, Name, Course, Date, Supervisor A Summary of the whole Dissertation Acknowledgments Table of Contents A brief outline and presentation of your problems/questions/thesis Main body for discussing facts, evidence, evaluation, analysis etc; should be well structured Correctly formatted list of credible sources that you used Appendices Other sections: references, methodology, procedure, literature review, executive summary, recommendations etc. (include these only if asked) Edit for High Quality Composition A dissertation should ideally be 100% original, but some institutions may approve a little plagiarism, if you may call it that. However, itââ¬â¢s expected that you compose a well-written, highly academic one that clearly demonstrates that youââ¬â¢ve researched thoroughly and found the correct evidence or scientific proofs to support your assertions or thesis. In the Endâ⬠¦ It is considered compulsory to cite the sources youââ¬â¢ve used to compose your dissertation. If you donââ¬â¢t, your paper can be rejected due to plagiarism. You donââ¬â¢t want that, do you? Be crystal clear with your supervisors about the preferred method, technique or format theyââ¬â¢d like to see in your dissertation and apply that in order to get acknowledgement for your hard work. Thatââ¬â¢s it! You can now write a winning dissertation on Principles of Psychology without any hitches whatever.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Walmart Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2
Walmart - Assignment Example The business also pays the immigrant workers that have been hired less than the minimum wage reducing the costs but increasing production to satisfy the needs of consumers. Walmart stores have minimum factures and fittings. The stores also have self-service for the customers rather than full-services. Full services would increase the operation costs of the stores thus te company adopts self-service where the consumers gets satisfied at a reduced cost. The company also sells goods at discounted price to consumers to satisfy their needs at the lowest possible cost. Walmart is considered a service as the company employs many Canadians and the company is committed to provide Canadians with the best shopping experience in the marketplace through delivering low prices, exceptional customer service and involving the community (Roberts & Berg, 2012). The goals of Walmart also include respect for individuals, service to the customers and striving for excellence. This characterizes Walmart as a service. The short-term goals of Walmart are all aimed at provision of services to customers. Walmart is considered a product as it involves in production of goods to satisfy the needs of the customers. In the long term sustainability goals, Walmart is focuses in provision of goods to consumers at zero waste, to be powered 100% by renewable energy and to sell products and sustain the environment. The long-term goals of Walmart are aimed at provision of goods hence makes it to be considered a product. The behavior that Walmart has shown towards its employees includes putting pressure on hourly employees to work overtime without compensating the workers. Immigrant workers that are hired to clean the stores are paid less than the minimum wages. Women are also discriminated. The behavior is mainly to reduce the costs that Walmart uses in production of its goods and the services that they offer. The other
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Long-Term Relationship Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Long-Term Relationship - Research Paper Example Performance based payments are preferred government financing method when the CEO if a company finds them to be practical and the contractor agrees them to their use. Performance based payments are contract financing payments which are not payments for accepted items. They are fully recoverable in the same manner as progress payments in case of default. It is not used in case of payments under cots-reimbursement line items when the contracts are assigned for progress payments based on a completion percentage and for those contracts which are awarded through advanced procedure of sealed-bid. Performance based payments are made on either a whole contract or a deliverable item basis unless it is prescribed by agency regulations. Financing payments which are made on a whole contract are applicable to the entire contract and not to specific deliverable items. Since the business can take the idea and form concept phase to full implementation phase then Performance based payments can help t he company is achieving good returns for the company. The quality of the work will improve since on the basis of delivery of goods, monies will be paid to them. Thus indirectly the performance of the business will improve as they will try to deliver the best results which they can. Advance payments are least preferred method of contract financing and should be used sparingly if at all. Other types of financing should be available to the contractor in adequate amounts. But credit and loans at excessive interest rates or other exorbitant charges are not considered reasonable available financing. Such type of financing is considered to be useful and appropriate in the cases where Contracts are solely for the management and operation of government-owned plants. It is used in contracts for research, experimental or development work with nonprofit education or research institutions. It is useful
Monday, November 18, 2019
College and Universities Should Teach Financial LiteracyManage Money Essay
College and Universities Should Teach Financial LiteracyManage Money - Essay Example One solution is to make financial literacy a part of the core curriculum for all colleges and universities in the United States. According to Annamaria (2010), financial literacy is the capacity to make sound financial judgments, and take workable actions about the current and future utilization and management of finances. Therefore, it is important for all individuals to be knowledgeable on basic financial information to enable them make right decisions based on their needs and income. There are several important aspects of financial illiteracy in the country. According to Braunstein et al (2005), lack of financial knowledge has increased the vulnerability of many consumers to heavy losses and deceptive business arrangements. This has resulted to some of the worst economic problems in the country such as the most recent financial downturn that was mainly caused by extensive consumer overleveraging. American universities and colleges can play a crucial role in empowering students wit h financial skills but historically, it has not been the case. College and university graduates play a critical role in making financial decisions in any economy, but for a long time financial literacy has been regarded as a ââ¬Ëlife skillââ¬â¢ acquired outside the classroom setting in United States (Thomas,2010,p60). In this respect, Thomas (2010, p67-68) notes that university administrators do not consider teaching financial skills a priority in their curriculums. However, recent changes such as increasing college fees, unpredictable job market in addition to various financial challenges that face students at school and after graduating has jolted authorities in higher learning institutions to review their stance. In view of these challenges, policy makers in the United States have indentified the need of introducing compulsory financial education in these institutions to enhance the capacity of students to make sound judgments in school and after graduating. According to Le wis(2008,p50), financial illiteracy is widespread among all American citizens, but low-income earners and people with no post secondary education are the most affected groups. A study conducted by Lewis (2008, pp56-89) found that minority groups especially African Americans and Hispanics had the lowest financial literacy level compared with other groups. In addition, American men have higher financial literacy level than women and as people grew older, their financial literacy increased (Lewis, 2008, p64). Thomas (2010) argues that economic, health and social wellbeing of the individuals, families and societies relies heavily on financial literacy. In this respect, the importance of financial education cannot be overemphasized. At individual level, financial literacy enables a person to plan for the present expenditures and save for the future. This includes developing pragmatic household budgets that enables people to prioritize on their expenses, create saving plans and make wise investment decisions. In addition, good financial education empowers individuals to manage their debts and make sound financial decisions for their retirement to ensure that they lead a financially secure life when they cease working (Thomas, 2010 pp 87-89). Moreover, financially literate people buy goods and services at lower prices and this enhances their savings and investments. In this respect, effective
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