Identity Acting out Culture

These interviews explore such a concept as gender roles, especially the idea that men and women are often forced to adhere to certain norms, standards, and rules. Both Kate Bornstein and Michael Kimmel believe that such roles can actually limit the freedom of a human being and his/her ability to take independent decisions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Identity: Acting out Culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the main issues is that sex differences can be social constructs that are imposed on individual. As a rule, they are not biologically determined (Bornstein unpaged). This is one of the main issues that people should take into account. Moreover, in many cases, such beliefs lead to the discrimination of a person who does not comply with the norms (Kimmel unpaged). Special attention should be paid to such problems as homophobia or sexism. To some degree, the questions discussed in these articles ar e related to my life, because I also have to adhere to certain standards and roles that are obligatory for my gender. For instance, I can say that males are supposed to possess such character traits as resoluteness or fearlessness. This is only one of one of the ways in which gender stereotypes can affect the life of a person. Furthermore, these interviews are related to the concept of identity. The thing is that people can perceive themselves in different ways, for example, they can attach importance to gender, nationality, or race. Such an approach does not appeal to me, because I think that the identity of a person is defined by what he/she does. In my opinion, this is the most important criterion. However, very often an individual can be forced to perceive oneself only as a male or female. Fortunately, my parents paid more attention to the talents, interests, or views of a person, rather than only gender. This is why I can say that the problems discussed by Kate Bornstein and Mi chael Kimmel do not significantly affect my life. So, in my daily life I do not pay much attention to gender differences or stereotypes. Nevertheless, I have to admit that there are certain gender norms that inevitability affect the behavior of an individual. A person, who wants to integrate into the society, has to comply with specific standards. For instance, one can speak about clothing that is often gendered. So, a man should be dressed in a certain way, if he wants to be accepted in a heterosexual community. I also have to follow these rules. This is how popular views on gender and sexuality can influence or limit the behavior or an individual. Another concept that should be discussed is border transgression or the behavior of a person that does not correspond to existing gender roles assigned to both men and women. For instance, according to a popular stereotype, males have to play the main role in decision-making. I do not share this belief because gender does not affect a pe rson’s ability to think or evaluate different options.Advertising Looking for essay on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Some of my friends have a different view on this problem but this disagreement did not affect our friendship. So, the problems described by Kate Bornstein and Michael Kimmel are relevant to the life of the society. However, modern communities allow more freedom of thought or expression. So, such problems as sexism or homophobia are more likely to be resolved. Works Cited Bornstein, Kate. Gender Outlaw: An Interview by Susan Bridle. EnlightenNext. EnlightenNext Magazine, 2010. Web. Kimmel, Michael. Interview. Frontline. PBS, 2009. Web. This essay on Identity: Acting out Culture was written and submitted by user Alejandra Rutledge to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

THE BRIDEGROOM WRITTEN BY HA JIN essays

THE BRIDEGROOM WRITTEN BY HA JIN essays The author has given special importance to each of the twelve stories and the readers can be amused by each of these stories. The twelve stories in Jin's collection are all set in the city of Muji.Due to the wide appreciation and praise which Ha Jin has received for his novels, he has decided to write more and more books in which he would identify the problems of the society on the whole. The paper will define the characters and the story of Ha Jin's Bridegroom', together with the observations and analysis of answers on the questions as under: -Is She as Uniformed and Nave as Cheng' -Why does she say she is going to wait for Baowen, even tough she knows The paper will analyze the story of Ha Jin's Bridegroom' to know the attitude of Beina towards her husband Baowen. Further exploration of Beina's attitude will be made when she faced the truth that her husband was a gay. The thesis statement that would be observed in the story is whether Beina is a girl of strong character or not' The stories of Ha Jin's Bridegroom' has been widely appreciated by the readers and they have remarked that all these stories are the results of the creative abilities of Ha Jin.In the title story Ha Jin has described the story of a father-in- law who was forced to confront his ignorance and towards the brutality of the system toward homosexuals in the society. The story is the narration of a guardian who has struggled in order to come in terms with his son-in law although he was a gay. "In the title story, the narrator, who is decent but officious and heads up the Security Section in a factory, manages to marry off a homely young woman that he cared for after the death of her father, who had been his good friend. Though he is quite pleased with himself, his complacency ...

Berger Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Berger - Assignment Example How people see arts can be brought within their reach. Therefore, the credibility of an art can be improved by analyzing an art from a significant number of people. According to Berger, women and men have different types of social presence. Traditionally, men have been evaluated by the degree of power they may be possessing. Also, the power may be in a number of various forms including economic, moral or economic status. On the other hand, a woman indicates the various activities that can be or cannot be done to her. Therefore, representation of women in art is closely related to what women are seen in real life (Berger 18). Additionally, Berger points out those women are the main subject of the European painting of the nude. According to Berger, the nude illustration of a woman represents the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Sometimes the representation of women in arts is accused of vanity, when in reality they may satisfy the desires of men. He also makes a clear distinction of women representation of arts. He says that â€Å"To be naked is to be oneself. To be nude is to be seen naked by other and yet not he recognized for oneself. A naked body has to be seen as an object in order to become nude.† (Berger

Market Based Pricing Policy for on Street Parking in Seattle Downtown Research Proposal

Market Based Pricing Policy for on Street Parking in Seattle Downtown Area - Research Proposal Example In the reference to the calculations, it was noticed that price is not an adequate tool to control or change the parking trends and other parking behaviors. Regardless of parking price being increased by the parking department, some regions experienced increased occupancy, others reduced, while the rest remained the same. The study also gives the recommendations to ensure that the objective of reducing traffic and ensuring environment conservation is met. Introduction Seattle is a located in the northwestern region of United States. The metropolitan of the city has over 3.4million residents and it is the 15th largest city in United States. It is also a major sea port bordering the pacific region near Puget Sound and lake Washington around 183 Km from United States of Canada. It was previously inhibited by the Native Americans before permanent settlers occupied the city. Seattle city is very industrialized with logging being the leading industry, it is also shipbuilding centre and hig hly commercialized as it is Alaska’s gateway. ... The rates were switched from $1-$4/hour; this was to be applied in all 23 parking areas in the city. This report shows parking-pricing survey conducted with an aim of evaluating the new pricing system, it involved collection of large data and this were the results (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2011). The study Description The study was used to develop recommendations for the purpose of implementation of the new pricing regulation in Seattle and its neighborhoods. The new regulation was put in place by the city council parking department to solve the current fluctuations is compatibility and demand for the current parking technologies. The study was quite extensive as is comprised of paid parking areas data collection, analysis, public engagement systems, and economic analysis. The results will be presented to the sound parking board under the city government which is comprised of different communities’ stakeholders. The board will afterwards provide valuable guidelines which wil l used to shape and define the final recommendations provided by the study (Parking pricing study, 2011). Below are the objectives of the new parking regulation: 1) To facilitate parking clients to easily locate a parking destination and at the same time balance the needs of lane users such as the loading and off-loading vehicles and give room for the transits stops. 2) Reduce green house effect, conserve fuel, and reduce traffic congestion while drivers are looking for parking. 3) Develop new communication and technology to ease parking as well as enhancing customer experience. 4) Increase parking near businesses by increasing the parking turnover Data collection methodology The month of June was the most appropriate for

Tourism development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tourism development - Essay Example In fact, there are many unique and new developments in tourism. This paper will examine three types of tourism developments that have changed in recent years. The first item we will examine is the rise of ‘green’ or eco-tourism. Next, we will examine World Heritage Site tourism, which is a branch of more traditional style historic destination travel. Finally, we will look at ‘pro-poor’ tourism, or travel set up to benefit local impoverished economies. In addition to examining these three types of tourism, we will see the advantages of each and the overall benefits of each as compared to more traditional tourism. The first area of change in regards development approaches to tourism is with green or eco-tourism. Uddhammar (2006, p. 659) defines eco-tourism as tourism that: (1) contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage; (2) includes the local communities in it’s planning, development, operation, and well-being; (3) interprets the natural heritage of the destination to visitors; and (4) lends itself best to independent travelers or small size organized groups. (Uddhammar,2006, p.659). Eco-tourism would encompass more than random nature tourism. Mergg (2007, p. 3) gives key elements that would distinguish eco-tourism, such as minimizing the impact of various infrastructures. This includes limiting hotels and other buildings by using local materials that are safe, recyclable, and sensitive in design to the ecosystem. Also, Mergg emphasizes how education is a substantial part of the eco experience. Before the trip, the tourists should have read educational materials on the area and be trained on how to minimize their impact to the environment. A code of conduct should be in place along with well trained guides to make sure the vacation goes as intended. Finally, before the trip occurs, partial revenue streams involved such as plane fare would help benefit the area. Mergg goes on to

The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown

The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown Thesis sentence: Jackson encourages her readers to question their beliefs, their actions, and the world by creating inner struggle with a barbaric act that is accepted by the townspeople in The Lottery, but Hawthorne takes a different approach by delving into the inner struggle of his character in Young Goodman Brown. In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson uses third person narration to describe how accepted events can lead to barbaric consequences when people do not stop to consider their actions. Nathanial Hawthorne also uses third person narration in Young Goodman Brown, but he does so in a very different way. The essential difference between the ways that these two stories work is that Jackson attempts to produce a reaction inside the reader while Hawthorne attempts to explain inner conflict by delving into his characters thoughts. Both authors use their stories to encourage readers to question their beliefs, their actions, and the world around them, but they achieve this goal with differing techniques. Jackson never overtly states that the townspeople in her story are nervous about the approaching lottery. Instead she uses subtle hints that slowly create a sense of apprehension in the reader. In the third paragraph of The Lottery Jackson describes men as they gather in the town square. The children have already begun stacking stones. The men are talking about everyday matters such as planting and rain, tractors and taxes, but Jackson writes that the men stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed (par. 2). This short passage shows that something about this day is different than the typical town meetings. Jackson, however, has not revealed the reason that the people are nervous. Jackson continues this game with the reader by increasing the fear when the lottery finally chooses the Hutchinsons and Tessie begins to physically express concern for her life. The only thought that the reader gets about the lott ery, though, is Tessies scream that it isnt fair, it isnt right (par. 80). This moment only occurs at the end of the story as the townspeople prepare to kill hers. Hawthorne takes a less subtle approach to describing the nervousness of Goodman Brown. As Goodman Brown makes his way through the woods, he wonders what if the devil himself should be at my very elbow! (par. 9). This is a rather unambiguous expression of fear. After meeting his traveling companion, Brown even begins to talk about his inner struggle by mentioning how their quest conflicts with his scrupples. As they continue walking, they continue their conversation. Goodman reveals his doubts about the initiation that he approaches, but continues on his way at the bequest of his companion, who explains that even the goodliest people in his town have done the same. These two stories describe fear in very different ways, so it is fitting that they also use different methods to question morality. Goodman Browns moral questions are laid before the reader during his conversation with the companion. At times he feels heartened by learning that other people in the community have performed the same rites. At other times, though, he questions whether this can be so. These questions approach the very nature of human beings. In this way, Hawthorne is somewhat more ambiguous than he is in his descriptions of fear. After all, he follows Browns thought process as it bounces back and forth. Still, his approach to the question of morality is far less ambiguous than Jacksons. By the end of the story, Hawthorne writes that it was a dream of evil omen for young Goodman Brown (par. 73). This statement comes directly from the narrator. Had a character said as much, then there would be some ambiguity about the moral position of the story. Since it is written by a n arrator who has remained reliable throughout the story, the reader can only accept it as truth within the context of the story. Jackson, however, uses a different approach to questioning the morality of the townspeople. She creates tension throughout the story that culminates with Tessies scream that it isnt fair, it isnt right, but the writer never comes forward with a solid endorsement of Tessies feelings. The reader has the impression that these barbaric events are certainly unfair to Tessie, but that the other people might have a different opinion. After all, what are they to do? They must choose a random sacrifice to ensure the health of their crops. Questioning the morality of this event is similar to a modern person questioning the morality of socioeconomic classes. In some respects, they feel immoral because they randomly put certain people into unfortunate circumstances. On the other hand, what is a person to do? It is simply the way that the world works. Morality and fairness are beside the point in this context. If a moral certitude exits, it does so in the reader, not the story. The Lottery provides an inner struggle within the reader with its shocking ending and question of fairness. Young Goodman Brown, however, provides a more involved, direct line of thinking about morality by describing the inner struggle of Goodman Brown. The effect is completely different: Hawthorne essentially tells his readers what is and is not moral while Jackson creates an event that asks the reader to question his or her own sense of morality. For Hawthorne, a moral certitude exists that he can share with readers through the struggles of his title character. Jackson does not approach morality in this way, though, because her story does not have a concrete moral lesson to teach. Instead, it asks the reader to question beliefs, the morality of actions, and the way that the world functions without providing a definite answer. This ambiguity presents a more accurate perspective of the way that todays world works. Even though Jackson chooses to set her story in a town that feels torn from modernity, it none-the-less approaches group and individual morals from a post-modern perspective that lacks definite answers.

Insignificance Of Words :: essays research papers

The Insignificance of Words A man walks down a dimly lit street; the bright red lights above the hospital’s exit are now just a faint glow behind him. As he staggers along the city blocks back to his quiet row home, he ponders the tragic news he has just received regarding his mother’s failing health. A couple blocks from the refuge of his home, he runs into some of the neighborhood locals. Some he knows most he doesn’t, but greets them all the same. â€Å"How’s it goin’?† he says, in a voice that is less then enthusiastic. â€Å"Good† they reply, â€Å"How’s it goin’ with you?† The man responds â€Å"Good, thanks for asking†, again not showing much interest in the conversation he just finished, he trudges toward home. After passing the locals, the man is amused at the simple truth that he is not doing â€Å"good† and that he does not really care if those people are. He ponders the stupidity of the conversation he just had and l aughs for the first time all day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As he enters his doorway and hangs up his jacket, he slowly glances around the living room and finds his way to the olive colored sofa. As he searches the coffee table for the remote control, he begins to think of his ailing mother and her impact on his life. His search ends as he finds the clicker and turns on the television. Not paying any attention to the infomercial on the screen, he is just glad that the silence of his home is broken. As Chuck Norris is explaining why the â€Å"Ab Slide is the newest, safest and most effective method for getting in shape in the comfort of your own home.† He reflects back on the conversation that he had walking home from the hospital. He quickly laughs again and thinks what was the point of even talking to them. . The simple nonchalant nature of not caring what â€Å"is† goin’on, reflects one of the reasons why individuals in America are becoming less community oriented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Do they even care how I am? Do they even know who I am? Should I trouble them with the predicament that I am in? Would it be proper to stop and explain to these people how my mother is dying and how much pain I am in. Unsure if the man was rude to his neighbors with his dismissive attitude towards their conversation he reflected back on his life.

Analysis on America’s Ice Age video

â€Å"America's Ice Age† video taught me a lot of things I would not even begin to think about. I would never think that ice helped shape the continents, let alone the world. It also taught me that many of our Earth's past history Is found In deferent forms of core taken from the Earth over years and years. I am simply amused by how these clients and geologist examine rocks, landscape, cores, Ice, air pockets Inside of cores, and temperatures to peel back the layers of our past history here on Earth.When watching the last video, â€Å"Chasing Ice,† I got to see more of an explore side of Ice. With watching â€Å"America's Ice Age† I get to see more of the scientific side of things. How scientist can look at Ice with mysterious marks and see evidence of past floods, or how they can look at mysterious markings In rocks and see the movement and deletion of a past iceberg Is Incredible. It makes you think what every day ordinary people like myself, overlook.I will sa y since I have started this class I look at the trees, the sky, and landscape of my own community differently. I constantly find myself thinking of the unbelievable way our world was formed. I might not completely and Lully understand it all yet, but it is definitely pulling my mind and thoughts in a different direction. It is almost unbelievable that ice had more impact on our Earth's shape and the shape of our continents more than anything. But after watching this video, it all starts to make sense.The overbearing power of the icebergs shifting across the world, moving rocks, and the melting that at some point covered land, separating continents, and eventually shaping our world was something I would never think to of happened. Some of these icebergs and glaciers that distorted the shape of the Earth ere calculated to weigh almost 68,000 trillion ton. Just imagine how heavy and powerful that is. This ice then making up our oceans, lakes, and rivers is all new information to me, an d astonishing new information to say the least.So far, from all the video, reading, and class discussions I am beginning to feel more and more confident when talking about science and geology. My husband Is the smartest and most knowledgeable person I have ever meet. He seriously knows everything,(not that I would ever admit that to him) but to be able to tell him facts on owe our Earths was made and formed, Information that he had never known, just brings a whole new confident person out of me.Like Eve said In previous reflection papers, I have never been able to grasp science and geology but this class Is gang me hope that I can finally understand the power of our Earth. Analysis on America's Ice Age video By Sedation It also taught me that many of our Earth's past history is found in different forms of scientist and geologist examine rocks, landscape, cores, ice, air pockets inside of ice. With watching â€Å"America's Ice Age† I get to see more of the scientific side of t hings.How scientist can look at ice with mysterious marks and see evidence of past floods, or how they can look at mysterious markings in rocks and see the movement and direction of a past iceberg is incredible. It makes you think what every day ordinary more and more confident when talking about science and geology. My husband is the how our Earths was made and formed, information that he had never known, Just brings a whole new confident person out of me. Like Eve said in previous reflection papers, I have never been able to grasp science and geology but this class is giving

zubori essays

zubori essays Martin Luther lived from 1483-1546. Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben in the province of Saxony. His protestant view of Christianity started what was called the Protestant Reformation in Germany. Luther's intentions were to reform the medieval Roman Catholic Church. But firm resistance from the church towards Luther's challenge made way to a permanent division in the structure of Western Christianity. Luther lived in Mansfield and was the son of a miner. He later went on to study at Eisenbach and Magdeburg. After studying at these institutions he moved on to study at the University of Erfurt. Luther started out studying law, but then went on to enter the religious life. He went into the religious life due to the fact that he felt that he would never earn his eternal salvation. He didn't feel that all of the prayer, studying and sacraments were enough. Therefore, Luther felt that he would never be able to satisfy such a judging God. Not being able to satisfy this God meant eternal damnation. After entering the religious life he later became an Augustinian monk and entered the Augustinian monastery at Erfurt in July of 1505. While in this monastery Luther became a well known theologian and Biblical scholar. In 1512 Luther earned his doctorate in theology and became a professor of Biblical literature at Wittenberg University. Luther took his religious vocation very serious. This led him into a severe crisis in dealing with his religion. He wondered, "is it possible to reconcile the demands of God's law with human inability to live up to the law." Luther then turned to the New Testament book of Romans for answers. He had found, "God had, in the obedience of Jesus Christ, reconciled humanity to himself." "What was required of mankind, therefore, was not strict adherence to law or the fulfillment of religious obligations, but a response of faith that accepted what God had done." In other words he realized that religion is ...

Free Essays on Urban Decay

Urban Decay: barricading our cities, And our minds Everyone bemoans the way street crime, visible poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, decaying homes and boarded-up businesses are becoming increasingly common features of city life, but we rarely ask ourselves how this deterioration in the world around us is affecting the way we look at the world. In not asking that question, we underestimate the importance of urban decay as a problem in its own right, and the degree to which it promotes other social ills. Inner city decay is part of a dangerous and silent progression that is not being given the attention it deserves: the fragmentation of our society into potentially or actually hostile camps, barricaded off from each other. And it has the potential, in the end, to exercise an important influence on the course of national politics. In order to see why, we have to start by looking at how decay happens. It begins with an anti-urban bias, a belief, deeply-rooted in Canada and the United States, that cities are, at best, a necessary evil, and the likely scene of violence, social disorder, dirt and tension. Rural and small-town life, by contrast, is associated with cleanliness, sturdy reliability and family values. The conclusion: We may need cities for our livelihoods, but they are not good places to live. These conceptions have been promoted by a profusion of media images. Consider The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, or that odious MÃ ¼slix commercial that romanticizes fruit-picking. More to the point, for the past half-century the notion that we can live better outside the inner city has been energetically and effectively advocated by a development industry that gained its foothold on wealth and power and continues to augment that wealth through suburban development. New subdivisions are sold by purveying the image of a home in quasi-rural surroundings, but conveniently located near the c... Free Essays on Urban Decay Free Essays on Urban Decay Urban Decay: barricading our cities, And our minds Everyone bemoans the way street crime, visible poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, decaying homes and boarded-up businesses are becoming increasingly common features of city life, but we rarely ask ourselves how this deterioration in the world around us is affecting the way we look at the world. In not asking that question, we underestimate the importance of urban decay as a problem in its own right, and the degree to which it promotes other social ills. Inner city decay is part of a dangerous and silent progression that is not being given the attention it deserves: the fragmentation of our society into potentially or actually hostile camps, barricaded off from each other. And it has the potential, in the end, to exercise an important influence on the course of national politics. In order to see why, we have to start by looking at how decay happens. It begins with an anti-urban bias, a belief, deeply-rooted in Canada and the United States, that cities are, at best, a necessary evil, and the likely scene of violence, social disorder, dirt and tension. Rural and small-town life, by contrast, is associated with cleanliness, sturdy reliability and family values. The conclusion: We may need cities for our livelihoods, but they are not good places to live. These conceptions have been promoted by a profusion of media images. Consider The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, or that odious MÃ ¼slix commercial that romanticizes fruit-picking. More to the point, for the past half-century the notion that we can live better outside the inner city has been energetically and effectively advocated by a development industry that gained its foothold on wealth and power and continues to augment that wealth through suburban development. New subdivisions are sold by purveying the image of a home in quasi-rural surroundings, but conveniently located near the c...

The strategic causes of the Korean war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The strategic causes of the Korean war - Essay Example ere apprehensive that the country under the control of the Japanese would limit the movement of the American soldiers in the region but the concern ended there. The Soviet Union looked to Korea more with a strategic eye. At the end of the war here was a division of the Korean peninsula at the time and the Russians took hold of the north peninsula which was an industrial sector and at the same time the United States of America took possession of the south which was more based in agriculture. Then in the year 1949 the two countries withdrew their men out of the region and leaving behind the locals (Srivastava, 2010)2. The North had a strong manned army which was trained by the soviet. Whereas on the other hand the South Korean had a relatively weaker and reduced army. Later when the Stalin led government in the Communist Russia saw that they could challenge the United States with the help of their nuclear technology the North Korean tried to strengthen ties with the Russians but were r ebuffed. To make matters worse, the American Secretary of State at the time, Acthinson, made a statement that the Korean region was close to the United States. This spurned the Russians to finally reply to the inclination of friendships being made by North Korea and even gave as acceptance of an attack on the south. However, the Russian government was given the impression by the authorities of North Korea that the war would last not more than a month. It has been stated that parties knew of the impending war that would occur but did not pay head to the warnings. Before the withdrawal of the two nations from the peninsula, there was molding that both the Russians and the Americans did in their respective potion of Korea. It was brought to the attention of the Americans that the Russians were creating a model of the communist state in North Korea and were using the system of the region to hide their real intentions (Schnabel, 1992, p. 24)3. This was an outrage for the Americans who were

Preparation for the exam - Strategic Management Research Paper

Preparation for the exam - Strategic Management - Research Paper Example These grants were used for computer systems development, electronic textiles, and competitive enhancement initiatives. The government somewhat supports activities that can make its sportswear industry competitive in the global arena. New Balance, furthermore, is specifically affected by tariff policies. The â€Å"yarn forward rule† ensures that imported products pay proper duties: The rule, which has been included in most U.S. free trade agreements, denies duty-free treatment for apparel unless it is almost entirely manufactured in the FTA country. In fact, if any component of the item—thread, elastic strips, or fabric—is sourced elsewhere, duties are applied on the entire garment. (Kennedy and Appell, 2012) This rule benefits New Balance that has local manufacturing plants. Looser tariffs, however, will be bad news for it. Aeppel (2013) reports: Shoe tariffs add about $3 to $5 to the cost of a pair of midprice imported running shoes. While that might not seem li ke much, New Balance says the loss of that buffer would make the economics of its American-made strategy that much harder. If the tariffs go away, â€Å"it puts our competitors in a position to realize an even greater margin than we are,† says Matthew LeBretton, a New Balance spokesman, â€Å"and they can then reinvest that in their business.† As long as New Balance has U.S. plants, it benefits from the competitive advantage of import duties. Import flooding of cheap apparel from other countries, however, affects it too. Price-sensitive consumers prefer inexpensive products, even if they have lower quality. Economic The economic situation of the U.S. is improving, although at a very slow rate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (2013): Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013 (that is, from the four th quarter to the first quarter), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 0.4 percent. Slow economic growth affects employment and income rates of consumers, which affect demand for sportswear products. The monthly data for disposable income increase is not so buoyant either: â€Å"In March 2013, real disposable personal income increased 0.3 percent† (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2013). Despite the laggard economy, since sportswear products depreciate in time, people still buy them, although not in the same rates as better economic conditions. Sivy (2013) notes the depreciation of the U.S. dollar, which has not been the same value as in 2009. With low dollar value, imports become cheaper, and this can affect the sales of New Balance. Social America is becoming more diverse with low fertility rate, and so it is becoming a mature market too. El Nasser and Overberg (2011) summarise the 2010 C ensus: The USA is bigger, older, more Hispanic and Asian and less wedded to marriage and traditional families than it was in 1990. It also is less enamored of kids, more embracing of several generations living under one roof, more inclusive of same-sex couples, more cognizant of multiracial identities, more suburban, less rural and leaning more to the South and West.