Student achievement gap Essay Example for Free

Student achievement gap Essay Introduction A study achievement gap is considered to be the observed partiality and bias of educational measures between the working effectiveness of group of students (Lee, 2002). This group is described and identified on basis of gender, race, competency level and financial status. The race gap in educational accomplishment is an old issue. Several children are most likely to drop out of school. They are with or without school diplomas, cannot read or write or do simple math (Lee, 2002). The proof and data for the gap has been recorded which include drop out rates, number of students who have taken higher placement examination, top students and are admitted to higher-status secondary schools, colleges and other professional programs. This paper concentrates on the general question and then independently on the statistical gap in standardized test scores. The aim of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the differences between the two groups. Achievement Gap: Literature Review. In accordance to National Assessment of Educational Progress report, more than thirty percent of Asian-American students performed at proficient level whereas only ten percent of African-Americans did so in fourth grade reading exam. Disparities subsist in the student’s module-taking outline as well (Jansen Bruinsma, 2005). Researchers believe that disparities in achievement occur because of socioeconomic factors. In accordance to data of U. S Census Bureau, twenty seven percent of black children are living in poverty as compared to twelve percent of Asian-American children. Studies have also suggested that dropout rates are higher for children who do not have any access to proper housing and finance facilities and benefits. Another study indicates the boundaries and restrictions of economic and social mobility in African Americans and argues that their drop out rate is higher in schools in New York City. However, Asian Americans make up large portion of all the city’s elite magnet schools because they have good family background (Jansen Bruinsma, 2005). Case Study The case study selected to analyze the academic achievement gap study conducted in Cherry Creek School District in Colorado at high school level. The findings indicated that Asian American students performed at better levels than black students. The case study of Cherry Creek School District School lays out the causes for achievement gap. According to the research, they can be classified in to two main groups. They are the factors which are associated with financial status, societal ambience in which they live and their family background. The other factors are associated to student’s schools. Financial status is the main reason which shows low student achievement. Research shows has compared the living conditions of African Americans and Asian Americans and have reached to the conclusion that black students are living in poor conditions and they lack facilities. It also demonstrated that African Americans come from unstable family background which hinders in their learning process (Lee, 2002). Asian-Americans live in better conditions and come from stable family structure which allows them to perform better at school as compared to African-Americans. Achievement gap studied at Cherry Creek School District in math indicates that the gap exists because of lack of parent involvement. Educators have shown that parental involvement and cultural values play an essential role in school achievement among children of Asian Americans. Other factors which influence achievement gap are cultural attitudes and racism. A total of 72 blacks and 72 Asian Americans were interviewed. The number of low achieving students was higher in blacks as compared to Asian Americans. In the same school, Facts and figures collected suggested that about sixty percent of whites, Asians and blacks were high school students who were registered in an Algebra 1 course. However, the pattern changed for higher level math courses (Lee, 2002). Records indicated that sixty percent of Asian-Americans took Algebra 2 whereas only fifty five percent of black students were enrolled in it. The report showed that black students are behind their Asian-American counterparts on general knowledge and math skills. It showed that high percentage of Asian American students scored at proficient level while black students performed poorly in their math test. Conclusion This study demonstrates that Asian-American parents talk extensively to their children on the importance of customs, values and how to work in society. Whereas African American parents are not involved in their children school life. By comparing the two groups in the lights of economic and school contexts, it can be concluded that the gap between the black and Asian American students is wide because of socioeconomic backgrounds, family backgrounds and school contexts. This shows that culture plays an essential role in school achievement and demonstrates that culture interconnects with class, race and schools. References Lee, J. (2002). Racial and ethnic achievement gap trends: Reversing the progress toward equity? EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHER, 31(1):3-12. Jansen, E. P. and Bruinsma, M. (2005). Explaining achievement in higher education. Educational Research and Evaluation, 11(3):235-252.

Kentucky Fried Chicken History Essay Example for Free

Kentucky Fried Chicken History Essay The company operates with five long-term measures identified as essentials of corporate growth and progress .. 1 International Expansion Yum! Brands number-one goal is to drive global expansion with its category- leading brands. In 2002, the company opened a record 1,051 new international estaurants and increased international system sales 9% prior to foreign currency conversion. 2. Multibrand Innovation Expansion Yum! Brands is the worldwide leader in multibranding, offering consumers more choice and convenience at one restaurant location from a combination of two of the companys brands. The company and its franchisees today operate over 1,975 multibrand restaurants, generating over $2 billion in annual system sales. Approximately 350 new systemwide multibrand restaurants were opened in 2002. 3. Portfolio of Category-Leading U. S. Brands U. S. ystemwide same-store sales increased approximately 4% while U. S. same-store sales at company restaurants increased approximately 2% in 2002. 4. Global Franchise Fees Global franchise fees, a significant factor in annual profits and cash flow, grew 6% to $866 million. Global franchise net restaurant growth was 2% in 2002. 5. Strong Cash Generation and Returns Yum! Brands generated over $1. 3 billion in cash from all sources in 2002, more than fully funding capital expenditure needs, allowing free cash flow for share repurchase, and some repayment of debt. Return on invested capital is 18%, in the estaurant industrys top tier. Culture Big on diversity in the workplace Promotes differences in background, ethnic cultures, and values oriented environment Focuses on teaching everybody something new Promotes unity in the workplace Team- Focuses on building relationships and creating diversity and commitment within the company and amongst employees and customers Organizational Structure and Design KFC is part of a divisional structure, which is Yum! Brands, Inc. Long John Silvers, A;W, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut are the other divisions Offers positions to change and growth KFC works to bring recognition and money to Yum! Brands, Human Resource Management We wont make you wing it is KFCs motto when it comes to training employees. Training includes: 1) Workbooks 2) Quizzes 3) On-the-Job competency based training Employees are encouraged to work together as a team their people grow to their highest potential interesting and exciting for workers Social Responsibility KFC is committed to making sure KFC does their best to make the Job KFC has made it their responsibility to consumers that they will provide quality chicken in a fast, efficient way. They also say that their meat comes about ethically and through humane treatment. This has not always proved true in the past, since the PETA has become involved with their warehouses that grow the chickens. KFC has made statements to the patrons of KFC, though, that the chickens will not be treated badly in the progression from birth to the processing plant. KFC sponsors a reward for senior citizens, those who live life to the fullest and are recognized in their community KFC also has the Colonels Kids program, a charity organization that helps kids become educated and grow up in a better world han that which they have known. It addresses the child care crisis and steps up to the plate to help out where possible. Scholarships and diversity programs are a part of KFCs social responsibility as well Recently, the PETA group secretly recorded a worker at the Pilgrims Pride, one of the processing plants, beating a live chicken against the wall in order to kill it. As soon as KFC was notified of this treatment, they immediately submitted a written statement saying that the treatment was appalling and took action immediately, placing an animal welfare expert at the plant to ensure he ethical, humane treatment of the chickens. The statement said that: We do not tolerate animal abuse by any of our suppliers, under any circumstance. KFC also told the company Pilgrims Pride that, unless they can definitively assure us there are absolutely no abuses taking place, we will not purchase from this Moorefield, West Virginia, facility. PETA says that more action should be taken, but KFC has done all it can to ensure that people are happy with the facilities and means by which their food comes about.

Professionalization With In Sports Coaching Physical Education Essay

Professionalization With In Sports Coaching Physical Education Essay According to Semotuik (1982) sport coaching goes back to the fourth century B.C to ancient Greece. It is evident that by the fifth century B.C coaching became more structured and organised, where the coaches were responsible in giving the athletes technical instruction, fitness and motivation leading up to festival participation (Semotuik, 1982).In ancient Greece sport coaching was recognised as a leading profession. At one point Greek maritime profession was criticised by the great philosopher Aristotle because it has been less well organised as a science compared to coaching athletes (Semotuik, 1982). In the days a coach was responsible in giving an athlete technique instructions, fitness and motivation to achieve excellence (Semotuik, 1982). This applies to modern day coaching, as Woodman, (1993) and Bompa, (1994) mentions that coaching is a process that aids athlete to achieve their peak performance in competition. However it is important to mention that modern day coaching has evolved into a more holistic approach where coaches consider the athlete as an emotional, cultural, political and a spiritual being (Cassidy et.al, 2004) compared to a more rigid approach where coaches were more fixed with the logic behind training that at some times they have neglected the well being of their athletes (Semotuik, 1982). Modern sport coaching began with the industrialisation and urbanisation that happened throughout UK in the 18th and 19th century and it can be divided to 3 main periods (Lyle, 2002). In the first period as McNab, (1990) points out coaching has developed from a more individual sport basis as coaching working class boxes and runners in the early 1800s through to the early coaches of largely team sports in public schools. Coaches of these team sports were teachers who were introduced to the team sports while they were at university (Lyle, 2002). In the second period participants were divided into amateurs and professionals. Amateurs were involved, for the love of the sport although competition was involved. The tension of amateurism and professionalism was spreading to clubs and NGBs in this time period. Although this conflict was evident throughout the world, due to the cultural background, amateurism was well highlighted in UK sport during this era (Lyle, 2002). Third period was the post war era. In this period most of the nations were egger to reinstall their national pride and used success in sport as a mean of achieving it (Lyle, 2002). Sport has been considered a way to entertain crowds in the ancient Greece (Semotuik, 1982). In the post war era it was used as a mean of showing the national identity in the international arena (Lyle, 2002) to modern day, though the recognition in the international arena is one of the key factors that is considered to thrive in sport, participation in sport has increased because, involvement in sport plays a major role in tackling obesity and psychological and physiological wellbeing of the nation (Sport Coach UK, 2008). UK Sport, (2001) has recognised the importance of coaching and recommended that the standards of coaching be elevated to those of a profession central to the development of sport and the fulfilment of individual potential. To achieve this UK coaching frame, (2006) was introduced and the goals were divided into 3 phases (building foundations 2006 2008, delivering the goals 2006 2012 and finally transforming the system 2006 2016) Sport Coach UK, (2008) sees professionalization process in sport coaching as a key element in the up-skilling of the coaching workforce and critical in the upkeep of the health of the nation and increase the degree and longevity of the participation in physical activity, as well as success when performing in the international arena. One of the strategic action areas identified by the UK Coaching Framework, (2006) is to recognise coaching as a professionally regulated vocation. Lyle, (2002) has identified the traits and characteristics of a sport coaching profession as having a professional education, a distinct and specialised body of knowledge, career structures and pathways, explicit ethical and value system, an independent professional membership body, professional practise and clarity and definition with their remit and role. Sport Coach UK, (2008) has used this as a base to improve the specific characteristics in the professionalization process. Coach education not only plays a major role in the process of professionalization but it is also mentioned that participants enjoy the sport and retention levels are high when participants are with a trained coach compared to a untrained coach (Tonsing, 2007). Mallett et al., (2009) places coach education in a continuum, formal coach education in one end of the spectrum and informal coach education in the other end and has placed non formal coach education in the middle of the continuum. Mallett et al., (2009) defines formal education as education with highly institutionalised, bureaucratic, syllabus driven and officially recognised with grades and qualifications. Non formal coaching education takes place when the coaches are either invited or on their own attend seminars, conferences and workshops to gain knowledge. In other words non formal education takes place when coaches attend willingly to structured courses not to gain qualifications but solely to widen their knowledge (Mallett et al., 2009). Evidence suggests that there is a greater impact in the learning process for coaches through informal education. Informal education can take place when the learner is in a practical environment and learns through their experience, trial and error (Mallett et al., 2009), working with more experienced coaches, reflection, and operating with a coaching community of practice (Roberts, 2010). Nash and Sproule, (2009) and Wright et al., (2007) points out how pre -coaching expe rience i.e. when coaches were competing as athletes act as informal coach education and help to develop expert coaches. For this reason although it is important to have a formal education as part of the professionalization process, by including non formal and informal education in the coach education programmes, maximum benefits can be harnessed in having effective coaches at all levels. Cushion et al., (2003) identifies coaching as highly complex and dynamic. Therefore Wright et al., (2007) points out the importance of incorporating a wide range of skills and knowledge in the formal education programmes. Since coaching is dynamic and complex, Gilbert and Trudel, (2004) argues that due to lack of broad formal training in highly planned environments in sports coaching compared to other professions such as teaching, coaches lack the knowledge of how they should frame their role. Primary function of a coach is to coordinate and integrate all of the coaching process (Lyle, 2002). Nash et al., (2008) mentions that the role that coaches fulfil is based on their experience, knowledge, values, opinions and beliefs but how the coaches frame their role and philosophy was not clear. Gilbert and Trudel, (2004) suggest that boundary components of a coachs role frame mainly includes whether the participants are recreational or competing and the age group of the participants. Lyle, (2002) further illustrates the importance of differentiating performance coaching from participation coaching because of the skills needed in both differs from one another. It is evident that a performance coach will need the skills and knowledge in all areas such as direct intervention, intervention support, Constraints management and strategic co-ordination however role of the participation coach is limited only to direct intervention and therefore does not need strategic and co-ordinating skills (Lyle, 2002). Also by differentiating the two, intra role conflicts can be avoided (Lyle, 2002). United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) has acted upon these suggestions when structuring and delivering courses. National Governing Bodies such as Amateur Swimming Association has divided the courses in two different pathways, coaching and teaching aquatics. By doing this they intend to separate performance coaching from participation coaching and identify them as two separate carrier pathways. Although the level 1 is transferable throughout all the disciplines, teaching, coaching swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo as the coach progresses towards higher levels course programmes are more specific to the roles. (ASA, 2010) Most of the coaching takes place for children between the ages of 6 to 16. This is a crucial time period because most of the social values and life skills such as fair play, respect for others, working with others, skill development, cooperation, decision making, leadership and moral development are some of the outcomes of participating in sports that provides a foundation for adult life. (McCallister et al., 2002). Therefore coaches have been encouraged to hold on to a coaching philosophy that not only values the brilliance in sport but also promotes athletes to develop as a balanced integrated individual as in general (Haney et al., 1998). It is important to highlight the coaches acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. As Lyle, (2002) elaborates how morality is a judgement based on right principles which can be effected by the roots in religious and moral philosophy and are guides to right or wrong behaviour. Sports Coach UK, (2005) lays out four key principles to reflect for good coaching practise, rights coaches must respect the rights of every individual to participate in sport, Relationships should base of openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect, responsibilities in personal standards coaches need to demonstrate proper personal behaviour, responsibilities in professional standards to minimise risks coaches should attain a high level of competence through qualifications and training that ensures safe and correct practise. Lyle, (2002), further discusses that ethics are a more sound set of principles formulated around behaviour in a particular activity. Therefore ethics studies focus more negative or inappropriate practise (Lyle, 2002). It is crucial to identify the values and ethics system if coaching is to recognise as a profession (Sports Coach UK, 2008). Lyle, (2002) identifies interpersonal relationships, power differentials, influencing outcomes or performance, social role and inappropriate goal setting as examples of ethical practise. Lyle, (2002) identifies professionalization of sport coaching not as an end result but as a process where it will be tested and compared to other professions throughout. Sports Coach UK, (2008) identifies some of the enablers and barriers to professionalization. Building on a culture of change where lot of funding through the national lottery. Also the establishment of UKCC can be seen as a huge enabler towards professionalising coaching. One of the commitment from UKCC to the National Governing Bodies is for the coach educators to have a minimum standard (Sports Coach UK, 2008). The 2012 factor can be seen as an enabler due to the fact that previously interest has been faded after a while but hosting the Olympic games will help to keep the interest within the government and the public (Sports Coach UK, 2008). Also coaching can be enhanced by the governments wider health policy where coaches work with other professions can be seen as an enabling factor along with having a professional body for coaching, championing the work of coaches and building on internal support from with the sports sector has been identified as enablers by Sports Coach UK, (2008). Sports Coach UK, (2008) points out some of the barriers that resists or slows down the professionalization process. Internal resistance from within sport is one of the main barriers that has been identified. Main reason for this is because of the culture and the unique history of the country. Within many sport organisations the ethos of mutual aid and volunteerism are core values also since the change is rapid, since most of the coaches are volunteers coach management systems and education schemes will be unsettling and problematic (Tayler, 2007). Also changes in government priorities can be seen as another key barrier towards professionalization. As Green, (2004) points out how the priorities has shifted within sport from mass participation in the mid 1990s to shifting priorities to raising the game at national level. Although it is evident that the in 2002 with the Game Plan publication, the focus has been widen to consider both aspects of participation and performance (Green, 2004). Although the alignment with 2012 Olympic games as being the target for the professionalization of the occupation, some of the changes that has happened throughout the years in changes in funding (Sport England, 2010) will make a impact to the process (Sports Coach UK, 2008). Transformation of a mainly volunteer based provision into one where most of the coaches are in fulltime paid work can be seen unrealistic, also Sports Coach UK, (2008) identifies fragmentation within the employment and deployment of coaches, lack of opportunities for employment and changes in the leisure and sport market can be viewed as barriers towards professionalization of sport coaching. In order to monitor and evaluate the process of professionalization in 2012 Sports Coach UK, (2008) has devised three scenarios gold, silver and bronze against the establishment of professional body, employment and deployment of coaches, establishment of coaching licence, development of market place for coaching services, establishment of high quality coach education and CPD and the perception of the coaching professional. Gold scenario is where all the characteristics have attained highest standards and bronze being the least achieved. Although it is good to evaluate the process since it is measured against 6 factors some of them can to high standard and some of them might achieve poor standards (Sports Coach UK, 2008). Although enablers towards professionalization is relatively strong due to the public interest because of the 2012 games and other enablers, the outcome of the scenario whether it is gold, silver or bronze will depend on how well the process can withstand the tensions of the governments changing policies and other barriers towards professionalization. Since most of the NGBs are with UKCC and some of the NGBs such as Amateur Swimming Association has already started licensing the existing work force it is evident that positive changes are taking place. When it comes to judging the progress in 2012 it will be important to consider who is going to judge the progress and what will be the progress beyond 2012 in attaining the worlds number one system. WORD COUNT 2320

The First Amendment and the Fight Against God Essay -- Argumentative

The First Amendment and the Fight Against God On September 11, 2001, our nation experiences a terrible tragedy when four terrorist-controlled airplanes flew into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 people were killed, and thousands more were affected. In an effort to promote patriotism and unite the nation, citizens began displaying American flags, holding memorial services, and attending church. County High School also made an effort to bring together its students and faculty. A number of candlelight vigils were held, and students made posters and signs to display their patriotic feelings. One of these sings was a large banner hung right inside the front door. Red, white, and blue lettering displayed the phrase, ‘In God We Trust.’ This sign was met with mixed feelings. While many students were comforted by this display of patriotism, others took a very opposite stand. Less than 24 hours after the banner was raised, there were students rallying for it to be taken down, complaining to the principal, and arguing against it in class and at lunch. The upset students claimed it was offensive to atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Buddhists, and anyone else not North American Christian. Ironically, the majority of the students who complained weren’t actually members of any of these religions and the students who were generally took no offense to it. Personally, I found the students’ attempts to remove the sign offensive, not the sign itself. The sign was not displayed to recruit and convert students to Christianity, nor was it intended to preach to non-believers. It was a patriotic symbol; a reminder of our founding fathers’ ideals and hop... ...a misguided retreat from the First Amendment we are allowing those views to stifle our emotions, restrict legitimate expressions of faith, and disrupt our unity. Works Cited Amendments to the Constitution. U.S. House of Representatives. 22 September 2003 . Facts Sheets: Currency & Coins. History of ‘In God We Trust’. United States Department of the Treasury. 23 September 2003 . Renstrom, Peter G. Constitutional Rights Sourcebook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 1999. The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription. The National Archives Experience. 23 September 2003 . The New American Bible. Washington D.C.: World Bible Publishers, Inc. 1970.

The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins Essay -- social issues, popular psych

The gothic traces of the sensation novel creates an ideal boulevard for the popular psychology of the Victorian period; a time of subconcious curiosity and indeed scientific discovery. The juxtoposition of the wild yet domestic framework of The Moonstone is not excluded from this enthusiasm . The novel thrives in the realms of the unknown much like the shivering sand of Cobb's Hole. From this sand the artefacts of discovery are drawn as the vindication of truth occurs in the realms of the unconcious. We will explore the relevance of the contemporary psychology and its preoccupation in The Moonstone by examining the Victorian enthrallment of contemporary pyschology and the supernaturalism of Collins characters, observing the quivers of both themes throughout the novel. The mid nineteenth century sensational novel though criticised for its commonplace compromise is a reliable validation of the importunate effect of the investigation into contemporary psychology. The preoccupation of this supernaturalism is dichotimized with the detective elements of The Moonstone .Throughout the novel, we seem to question the validity of what is commonplace and conventional and what is other worldly and experimental. This is well depicted through the changing narratives upholding the conventions of a small provincial Robinson Crusoe enthusiast, a dutiful christian member of the 'Mothers Small Clothes Conversion Society' to the professional ranks of Sergeant Cuff and Mr Bruff and finally the intellectual and scientific Mr Candy and more especially Ezra Jennings. The supernaturalism of contemporary psychology is always depicted by what is deemed empirical by the uneducated and... ...ysterious location in Collin's narrative is to conceal and reveal secrets, and to complicate the characters knowledge of each other and themselves. Both a grave and a hiding place, a natural phenomon and a preternatural horror ' (169). Works Cited Levy, E. 'The Moonstone' and the Problem of Pain in Life. Canada: Victorian Association of Western Canada, 2002. Print. Robert, L. 'Shivering Sands' of Reality: Narration and Knowledge in Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone . Canada: Victorian Studies Association of Western Canada, 1997. Print. Hutter, D,A. Tranformations and Literature: The Implications of Detective Fiction. USA: Indiana University Press. 1975. Print. Mossman, M. Representations of the Abnormal Body in 'The Moonstone'. USA: Cambridge University Press.2009. Print. Collins, W. The Moonstone. England: Penguin Group. 2012. Print.

Introduction :: Computer Science

Introduction ============ I have been asked to create a solution to computerise a system for Super Sports who sell sports shoes. The system that I will create will follow the specification given to me. I will include some hand drawn sketches of the forms I will create. I hope for the system to be user friendly and easy to navigate throughout. The new system will have to store data, calculate totals and quantities. I will make use of command buttons and macros within excel to navigate and to record data. I will also make se of the following advanced functions. Macro’s Linked to Command Buttons On-Screen Help Filtering Data Use of the IF Function Pivot Tables The VlookUp Function I also need to make a web page that has pictures of all the available shoes with details and descriptions of all for sale. Also on the page I will give all these details plus the company’s contact details. I will include relevant documentation for this solution in the form of a user guide, this guide will aim to train the staff in using the software. Description of Development. I started off with a black spreadsheet form Microsoft Excel. I changed the background colour of the whole sheet. I added a selection of command buttons to the form to navigate through the system; I also added a title to the page. I then renamed the sheet to â€Å"Welcome Page† I than added some more sheets as I thought I would need them as I progressed through the application. I then moved onto the second sheet, which I called â€Å"Cost† On this form I used the â€Å"VlookUp function to link the shoe type with price, this will make sure tat the quality, shoe and price are all correct. I also used some validation on this form, in the type of list validation, this allows the user to select data from this list box only. I added a Command button to this page to navigate back to the welcome screen. I then created a total sheet, all this sheet does is hold the total amount of shoes sold. I then created the sheet called â€Å"Shoes† This shoes hold the prices per pair of shoes and the increment for the quality sole. The next sheet I made was the Orders Sheet, this sheet holds all the details of orders placed. It also has a graph which I have made to display the amount of orders placed. The final sheet is called customer Details, I have set this sheet up to store the details of all customers that place orders through super sports. Throughout this project I have used the following advanced features:

“High Fidelity”- Character anaysis Essay

Rob is a morose person who needs this excuse to always complain. He’s a very pessimistic person, who can’t seem to find a positive outlook in anything. Rob is also a very self-conscious person who is not content with himself. He believes that he lacks in the areas he views as important in his life. He depends on his woman to keep him happy, and judges his life according to the woman he’s with. He simply can’t manage to be happy without one. His unhappiness drives him to be very critical and judgmental to the world around him. He makes a jerky remark to everything he notices. All and all Rob has a weak character which depends on other things rather than himself to be happy. Rob seems to be a very pessimistic person. He sees everything in a negative fashion because he is not content with his life, and assumes it is impossible for things to improve. Once Rob returns home after seeing Marie sing with another man, he feels depressed and turns to his records for some sort of reassuring escape: Is it so wrong, wanting to be home with your record collection? It’s not like collecting records is like collecting stamps, or beermats, or antique thimbles. There’s a whole world in here, a nicer, dirtier, more violent, more peaceful, more colorful, sleazier, more dangerous, more loving world than the world I live in; there is history, and geography, and poetry, and countless other things I should have studied at school, including music. (Hornby, 83) Rob seems to feel as though his records are the only thing he can rely on. Everyone has some sort dependence on certain sentimental things, be it a pet, friend or family member. In Rob’s case, his music is the only constant that will never let him down. He sees a whole different world inside his music, one which doesn’t value the real world’s standards or values. It brings him somewhere else for a bit, somewhere which doesn’t remind him of the depressing things in his life. It seems to me that with those discouraging thoughts it drives him to be very pessimistic. Without even  talking to Marie he assumed right off the bat that she was going to hook up with the man she was singing with. He didn’t even try to show he cared in the least. His pessimism led him to give up on Marie very quickly, without even looking at the possible positive side. These actions show he has a very pessimistic outlook on life which is driven by his low self-esteem. Rob also seems unsatisfied with himself. Too inadequate to be happy in a world where he feels he doesn’t belong. I’m here , in this stupid little flat, on my own, and I’m thirty-five years old, and I own a tiny failing business, and my friends don’t seem to be friends at all but people whose phone numbers I haven’t lost. And if I went back to sleep and slept for forty years and woke up without any teeth to the sound of Melody Radio in an old people’s home, I wouldn’t worry that much, because the worst of life, i.e., the rest of it, would be over. And I wouldn’t even have had to kill myself. (74) Rob looks at every aspect of his life and feels so insufficient that he doesn’t even see the reason for living. He feels like he has no substance in his life. From having no true friends, to a failing job. All the characteristics that he values to be a person worth living, have failed him. I think his mother plays an important role in Rob’s low self -esteem as she even degrades him and offers him no support. She doesn’t even comfort him after the break-up with Laura, yet just criticizes and tells him that she â€Å"would have left [him] to get on with it years ago.† (48) She demeans his job, and adds to his low self-confidence. Parents are supposed to be supportive in times of unhappiness. Parents are the people who are supposed to love unconditionally, but in Rob’s case it seems that they only regard the negative aspects of his life which definitely cannot improve his situation. He feels so inadequate because he has no one to turn to or depend on. He wants to â€Å"run [himself] down, feel sorry for [himself], celebrate [his] inadequacies†. (72) Rob depends on a woman to keep him happy. He believes his woman defines him as a person, and each time he is without one he is miserable. Sometimes it seems as though the only way a man can judge his own niceness, his own decency, is by looking at his relationships with women- or rather, with prospective or current sexual partners. (68) He judges himself according to the woman he’s affiliated with. He doesn’t see himself as a full person without a woman. He believes that â€Å"women are going to save [him], lead [him] through to a better life, that they can change and redeem [him].† (63) Rob is basically willing to be whatever his woman wants of him. Even his relationship with Sarah Kendrew was one of convenience because he had no one else, and wanted to feel equal to his companion. Charlie had made him feel inadequate and less of a person than her, so his relationship with Sarah was one where he had someone to lean on through his time of getting over her. Sarah made it easier for him because she was going through the same situation. They were just staying together to have someone to lean on, and not be alone. He was her moment just as Charlie was mine, and when they split, Sarah had sworn off men for a while, just as I had sworn off women. It made sense to swear off together, to pool our loathing of the opposite sex and get to share a bed with someone at the same time. Our friends were all paired off, our careers seemed to have hardened into permanence, we were frightened of being left alone for the rest of our lives. (29) Rob just couldn’t handle being alone. It was easy for him to make the relationship with Sarah work because she felt the same, and had the same problems he did. His weak character leads him to depend on woman to keep him happy and satisfied. Rob was also a very judgmental and critical person. His views on music could not be challenged, as he also evaluated woman according to their musical interests and favorite movies. His views were a little harsh sometimes, and he believed he was quite educated in certain areas, which therefore lead to his many judgments. I’d say there were millions like me, but there aren’t, really: lots of blokes have impeccable music taste but don’t read, lots of blokes read but are really fat, lots of blokes are sympathetic to feminism but have stupid beards, lots of blokes have a Woody Allen sense of humor but look like Woody Allen. Lots of blokes drink too much, lots of blokes behave stupidly when they drive cars, lots of blokes get into fights, or show off about money, or take drugs. I don’t do any of these things really; if I do OK with women, it’s not because of the virtues I have, but because of the shadows I don’t have. (28) Rob makes a comment on every possible singer, songwriter, actress/actor he can. His critical attitude makes him look like a jerk. He acts above the people he criticizes to make him feel better about himself. He has a judgment on everything. Besides being critical to himself, he’s critical to the world around him because he is miserable. He sees the negative in everything which makes him as opinionated as he is. His frustration makes him angry at everything and everyone around him. All and all, Rob’s depressive, dependent, self-conscious and critical attitudes demonstrate that he has a weak character. His pessimism leads to his depression, as his low self-esteem leads to his criticisms. He has a very miserable life because he doesn’t even live up to his own standards. He depends on a woman to make him happy, which is completely unrealistic. Rob will never manage to be happy because he always manages to criticize and demean everything that’s going on around him.