Environmental and Economic Impacts

Sales Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

Deals Management - Essay Example Post office based mail joining a 800 number can be utilized likewise to the Yellow Pages, as can publicizing in numerous other media.  «Outbound telemarketing takes numerous structures, yet it most looks like customary, spontaneous way to-entryway deals. Contacts are made through cold pitches (arbitrary), warm calls (referrals) or hot calls (client started demands for information)†2. For instance, producers who were basically speaking with clients through nonintegrated stations are presently discovering it is conceivable to contact them additionally through telemarketing endeavors at a significantly lower cost than other incorporated station choices. For this situation, makers increment their station control by including an extra in-house station (telemarketing) while at the same time keeping cost productivity high through the use of data innovation. Simultaneously, firms must move with alert as the expansion in mix is probably going to bring about less adaptability. In any c ase, the net outcome is that new advancements permit firms to enter client fragments substantially more effectively than previously. As such, showcase passage obstructions are not, at this point so high, as new advances empower firms to improve advertise inclusion while containing costs3. Both direct selling and direct promoting utilize telemarketing methods. Studies noted before show that people in general sees a few disservices in purchasing from a telemarketing firm. Proof likewise exists that picture addresses despite everything frequent the apparent authenticity (e.g., pyramids) and moral appropriateness of direct selling, also of selling in general4. Significant adverse components ascribed to telemarketing by a cross area of customers are high-pressure selling, questionable sales reps, and loss of contact after the deal. While a few cases of these practices without a doubt exist, they are a long way from endemic to the business. These picture issues ought to be tended to and m itigated occupation fulfillment, responsibility, and efficiency and

Holiday Blues Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Coping

Holiday Blues Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Coping Depression Types Print An Overview of the Holiday Blues By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on September 30, 2019 tommaso79/Getty Images More in Depression Types Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Childhood Depression Suicide In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping How to Get Help View All Back To Top The holidays are usually viewed as a time of happiness and rejoicing, but for some people, it can be a period of painful reflection, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Feelings of sadness that last throughout the holiday season, usually from November through December, are often referred to as the holiday blues. While typically less serious and shorter in duration than clinical depression, these feelings can have a major impact on your ability to function normally during this time of year. Even people who love the holidays can experience the blues during this busy season. The holidays are often a time of high emotion and demands, which can leave a lot of people feeling stressed and exhausted.   The holiday blues are not a recognized disorder, but that does not mean that short-term mental health problems should be ignored. Even mild and relatively brief problems can contribute to longer-lasting symptoms of depression and anxiety. The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for those who are already coping with an existing mental health condition. In a survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of people with an existing mental illness reported that the holidays made their condition worse. Symptoms The most common symptom of the holiday blues is a persistent or recurring feeling of sadness that begins during the holiday season. This feeling may vary in intensity and duration. Some people might feel down periodically, but experience brief periods of feeling more upbeat. Others may have more moderate to severe feelings of depression that last throughout the season.   Some signs of the holiday blues might include: Feelings of exhaustion and fatigueSleeping much more or much less than normalLosing interest in activities that you normally enjoyLack of pleasure in normal activitiesTrouble making decisionsDifficulty concentratingWithdrawing from friends and familyFeelings of lonelinessFeeling irritable or angry Even when participating in things that they would normally enjoy, people with the holiday blues have trouble enjoying themselves. Activities that are specifically related to the holiday itself, such as social events, family meals, and gift-giving, may actually trigger feelings of anxiety or sadness.   Unfortunately, people sometimes turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to handle holiday sadness and stress. Excessive drinking, overeating, and poor sleep can make the symptoms of the holiday blues even more pronounced. There is a difference between having the holiday blues, in which the symptoms usually go away once the holidays are over, and a more serious condition such as seasonal affective disorder or major depressive disorder.   If you are having these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to determine if what you are experiencing is a case of seasonal, temporary sadness or a more lasting and serious case of depression. Causes There are a number of reasons why people might experience the holiday blues. Some of the possible causes include: Stress; the holidays can be hectic and all that stress can sometimes make it difficult to feel the holiday cheerFinancial difficulties; overextending yourself financially or struggling to afford gifts for family and friends can create an added burdenThe strain of dealing with extended family, particularly if you don’t get alongUnrealistic expectations; setting your sights too high and failing to live up to those expectationsPoor social support, isolation, and lonelinessExhaustionNot being able to go home for the holidays; missing your family and friends can make the holidays seem especially lonelyNostalgia for holidays of the past Because the holidays mark an impending new year, people may also begin to reflect on the past year and experience feelings of regret or failure. They might think about the goals that they had and the things that they wanted to do or accomplish and feel upset if they did not meet those expectations. Sometimes even having high hopes for the season can lead to stress, anxiety, and sadness. The overcommercialization of the holidays creates the expectation that people are supposed to feel nonstop joy and holiday cheer. It creates pressure to feel a very specific way, which adds yet another stressor to an already hectic time of year. The added burden of caring for houseguests, preparing and serving meals, shopping for gifts, and other holiday preparations can create even more anxiety.   It isnt just adults who are prone to seasonal sadness. Parents should recognize that children and teens are also susceptible to the holiday blues. Changes in routines, dealing with family problems, missing friends, and feeling stressed about the holidays can all contribute to feelings of sadness and anxiety in kids. Watch for the signs and talk to your child’s pediatrician if you are concerned. Symptoms of Childhood Depression Diagnosis The ‘holiday blues’ is not an officially recognized psychiatric condition in the DSM-5, the official manual that is often used to diagnose mental health conditions. This does not mean that you should not talk to your doctor about your symptoms.   During your appointment, your doctor will ask questions about the types of symptoms you have been experiencing, including the duration and severity.   Your doctor can assess your symptoms and determine if what you are feeling is more of a case or temporary seasonal sadness or a form of depression. Your doctor can also perform tests to check for any underlying medical conditions that might be contributing to your symptoms. Hypothyroidism, for example, can sometimes lead to fatigue and feelings of depression. Holiday Blues or SAD? Feeling sad during the winter and holiday months may also be a sign of a condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This condition often occurs as the darker, shorter days of fall and winter when it is colder and there is less sunlight. The key difference is that SAD usually lasts until winter ends, where the holiday blues usually lift shortly after the new year begins. Symptoms of SAD include depression, mood swings, fatigue, bouts of crying, insomnia, decreased activity levels, and low sex drive. Medications can be helpful for preventing and treating seasonal affective disorder. What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Treatment Unless you are diagnosed with a more serious case of depression, your doctor probably won’t prescribe medications to treat your symptoms. In many cases, you can manage the holiday blues on your own with lifestyle changes and social support.   Your doctor may also refer you to a mental health professional for psychotherapy or counseling. Just because the holiday blues are usually short-term does not mean that talking to a mental health professional won’t help.   Your therapist can work with you to identify patterns of negative thinking that contribute to feelings of sadness and depression and replace such thoughts with more helpful ones, an approach that is known as cognitive-behavioral therapy.   Therapy can also help you develop better stress management, communication, and relationship skills that can be helpful in both the short and long-term. The Best Online Help Resources for Depression Coping In addition to talking to your doctor or a mental health professional, there are a number of things that you can do on your own to make the holidays easier to deal with.   Avoid Excessive Alcohol Alcohol is a depressant and drinking too much can exacerbate any negative feelings that you might have. This doesnt mean you need to go cold turkey. Instead, limit your consumptions and avoid using alcohol as a way to deal with or avoid difficult emotions. Try to limit your alcohol consumption when you are out at social functions to one or two drinks. Don’t Isolate Yourself Social isolation can be a major risk factor for depression. The problem is that sadness often makes you want to hide by yourself at home. And if you are on your own apart from family for the holidays, reaching out and finding social connections can be all the more difficult. Look for ways that you can enjoy social connections, even if you aren’t able to go home for the holidays. Co-workers and friends can offer support, or consider hosting a holiday get-together in your home for friends or neighbors. Most importantly, reach out. If you’re feeling lonely, ask a friend to come over for a heart to heart. Call someone you’re missing, join a local club, volunteer for something you believe in, or even see a counselor for support. Try to Exercise Regularly While it can be difficult to stick to a workout schedule when you are feeling down, research has shown that regular physical activity can play an important role in preventing and reducing symptoms of depression.   In a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers found that just one hour of physical activity each week was enough to prevent future cases of depression.   The study followed nearly 34,000 adults over the course of 11 years. The participants were selected because they were considered healthy and showed no signs of mental or physical health conditions at the outset of the study. The results revealed that engaging in at least an hour of leisure-time exercise of any intensity helped protect against symptoms of depression.   So while hitting the gym can be tough when you are stressed, busy, and feeling sad, try to remember that you don’t need to be a slave to the treadmill or weight machine to feel the benefits. Even a casual, recreational activity like going for a short walk each day might be enough to help keep the blues at bay. Set Limits The holidays often mean that there are more people asking for help and making demands on your time and resources. Holiday party invites can turn into stressful social obligations. Small favors for friends can morph into huge projects that you didnt anticipate. You can avoid overcommitting by knowing your limits and learning how to say no. That doesn’t mean that you should say “no” to everything, but make sure that you leave enough time for yourself to relax and enjoy the season. Even when you can’t turn something or someone down, like when your boss asks you to work extra hours so someone else can have a day off, find ways to practice self-care during the busy season. Just 15 to 20 minutes a day to enjoy some quiet time, read a book, listen to music, take a bath, do yoga, or some other relaxing activity can do wonders for your stress levels. Have Realistic Expectations It’s fine to be excited about the holidays and make plans for the things you want to do. But it is important to keep your expectations sensible. The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be special. They don’t have to be exactly like the holidays of the past to be just as meaningful and memorable. Holidays change just as people change. Kids grow older, people move, and new people will become a part of your life. The key is to focus on those connections, create new traditions, and remember past holidays with fondness while still enjoying the one right in front of you. Focus on enjoying the experience and the time you get to spend with your loved ones rather than on achieving a picture-perfect end result. How to Get Help If the holiday blues turn into something more serious or if your sadness doesn’t ease after the holidays are over, your symptoms might be a sign of something else. You might have a condition such as SAD or major depressive disorder, or you might need to explore other treatment options including psychotherapy and medications. If your symptoms aren’t getting better or you are struggling to function as you normally do, it’s time to talk to your doctor or mental health professional. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. A Word From Verywell The holiday blues can turn November and December into a time of dread and despair, but there are things that you can do to turn things around. Start by paying attention to the things that are contributing to stress, anxiety, and depression. By understanding the things that lead to your seasonal sadness, you can start taking steps to control these triggers before they hijack your happiness. Signs, Consequences and Solutions to Holiday Perfectionism

Uncovering Value of Planning in New Venture Creation A Process and Contingency Perspective - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 542 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/09/15 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? Gruber article 2007: Uncovering the value of planning in new venture creation: A process and contingency perspective The topic discussed in the article is whether business planning has positive impact on firm performances. The existing view on this topic is dichotomous. One group of scholars think planning is important for successful firm creation, another group disagrees strongly. Findings from strategy research conclude there are two dominant models of strategy formulation. One is a rational paradigm, and the other one is an incremental paradigm. However, the strategy research has been done only for established firms. Findings from entrepreneurship research point out that planning process and its efforts on performance differ between emerging firms and established firms. Emerging firms face high level of uncertainty, and thus planning is more based on assumption to knowledge, while established firms can base their plans on past performance and historical trends. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Uncovering Value of Planning in New Venture Creation: A Process and Contingency Perspective" essay for you Create order Three problems with previous research have been identified by Gruber. First, contingent factors such as environmental uncertainty should be examined when evaluating the planning-performance relationship in start-ups. Second, process attributes such as entrepreneurial information search, time spent on planning, and efforts put into different activities should be studied as well. Third, functional areas should be planned differently depending on the importance to venture success. Marketing planning is the functional area Gruber focused on in the article. Gruber’s research indicates that the use of secondary information, the planning of customer relationship and marketing mix will have positive effect on venture performance without considering the founding environments. When taking the founding environments into consideration, the effect of time spent on marketing planning will be more positive in low dynamism environments than in high dynamism environments. The above results suggest that planning is valuable to emerging firms even in highly dynamic environments, but the key aspects (trade-off regimes) must be identified for planning to achieve superior outcomes. The following table illustrates the application of some selected variables from Gruber’s research to the Ockham case. Variables | Application in Ockham case | Use of primary information sources | The validation of the business idea is either from Jim’s consultancy experience with prior customers or from the feedback of potential customers and potential investors. No secondary data was used. | Planning of the marketing mix | The only P planned was Product. There is no clear information about planning price in the case, but I think the founders have their own estimation. Promotion and place were not planned. They sold thru personal contact, and took places best suited for the situation. | Planning how to establish customer relationships | Customer relationship was established through Jim’s personal contact. | Total time spent on planning and organizing | Less than a year. They could have spent more time on finding a good development team and establishing contact with more potential investors | Founding environment | High-tech, high-velocity environment | Technology areas | Technology area 1, operating in software field | Innovativeness | The offering is new from a market perspective | VC prior to market entry | No VC financing prior to the market entry | Organizational mode | Jim wanted to make strategic decision excluding Mike | The information showed in the above table indicates that Ockham needed more business planning. Finding a good development team and establishing contacts with more potential investors were the trade-off regimes at the planning phase.

War In Iraq Essay - 1522 Words

In 1946 the Nuremberg tribunal described one country initiating a war of aggression against another country as,â€Å"not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime, differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole (The economist). (1)The Bush administration committed this supreme crime on March 19th, 2003, when the US led an international coalition and invaded sovereign country of Iraq. An invasion based on questionable intelligence and sold to the public as a national security issue. The financial cost to the US population has been enormous,â€Å"The U.S. war in Iraq has cost $1.7 trillion with an additional $490 billion in benefits owed to war veterans,† (Reuters).(2)†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"According to a 2008 joint study by the Center for Public Integrity and the Fund for Independence in Journalism, the Bush administration made 935 false statements about Iraq in just the two years that followed the 9/11 terrorist attacks† (935)(5). A great example this deception comes from a speech given by President Bush himself, in October 2002. During the speech Bush claimed Iraq â€Å"possesses and produces chemical and biological weapons. It is seeking nuclear weapons. It has given shelter and support to terrorism and practices terror against its own people† (935). (5)However, the President knew there were no WMD’s in Iraq because â€Å"On Sept. 18, 2002, CIA director George Tenet briefed President Bush in the Oval Office on top-secret intelligence that Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction† (Blumenthal).(6) That information came from Naji Sabri, Iraqs foreign minister, who â€Å"had made a deal to reveal Iraqs military secrets to the CIA† according to Tyler Drumheller, a former high ranking CIA officer, â€Å"He [Naji Sabri]told us that they had no active weapons of mass destruction program† (Cbsnews). (5)Presi dent Bush made the choice to disregard this information, as it did not fit the narrative he wanted to show the public. According to former Bush administration Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, claimed Bush was looking to invade Iraq from the beginningShow MoreRelated War in Iraq Essay801 Words   |  4 Pages War in Iraq nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Picture this, you, in a 3rd world country, no friends no family for thousands of miles, hungry, not feeling so well, tired, exhausted and being forced to fight thousands of people who want you out of there country? Fun? I wouldn’t think so†¦ This is a reality for thousands of American Soldiers stationed in Iraq and maybe your reality if the draft is reinstated. Now, picture this. You’re watching the news, they are calling out birthdays, oh they choose yoursRead MoreEssay about War in Iraq713 Words   |  3 Pages The war in Iraq brings up a lot of questions, about the future decisions of President of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush. After the terrorist attack on the United States, which shook the whole world, US went to war with Iraq. I believe that this is a war on terrorism, and not an â€Å"Oil War†, how other like to refer to it. United States want to liberate people in Iraq and bring up the standards of living in that very rich, but at the same time poor country. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;BeforeRead MoreWar in Iraq Essay1159 Words   |  5 Pagesforeign troops from the Middle East. To begin, the major cause for resistance of the Islamic countries is the foreign occupation of countries like Iraq. This occupation occurred due to terrorists flying planes that had been high jacked into the Twin Towers and the World Trait Center. The occupation then began when former President Bush declared a war on terrorism and sent troops over to the Middle East. The choice to send troops to the Middle East sent the United States of a journey that has seenRead More War with Iraq Essay1944 Words   |  8 Pages The war with Iraq began about fifteen years ago. Still to this day people are torn between going to war and trying to keep peace with Iraq. Back when the United States first had a problem with Iraq was when they invaded Kuwait in 1990, and refused to leave. Their were three main causes that made Iraq invade Kuwait. The Iraqi leaders have always considered Kuwait to be part of Iraq because of the way it used to be a long time ago. Second, the country of Kuwait is full of oi l. I am sure that was theRead MoreEssay on The Iraq War2167 Words   |  9 PagesWhat triggered the Iraq War that we are currently still having? During this time in history we were still in the cold war as well Cold War (1945–1991), a lot of events has happened during this time period. I am going to start with the Iran-Iraq war which started in 1980 and ended in 1988. The war began when Iraq invaded Iran, launching a simultaneous invasion by air and land into Iranian territory on 22 September 1980 following a long history of border disputes, and fears of Shia insurgency amongRead More The War in Iraq Essay766 Words   |  4 Pages The War in Iraq nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The war in Iraq is a controversy clouded with misinformation and confusion. To get a proper view of the war we need to step back and examine both sides, pro-war and anti-war, of the facts leading to the war, execution of the war, and the effects of the war. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;President Bush’s premise for going to war was to prevent potential weapons of mass destruction, specifically nuclear weapons, and not only to destroy current weaponsRead More The War in Iraq Essay2488 Words   |  10 Pages In April of 1920, Allied Nations coming out of World War I met at the San Remo Peace Conference. It was here that a mandate involving France’s desire to hold Syria and Lebanon and Great Britain’s desire to hold the lands of Palestine, Transjordan, and Mesopotamia was born. Britain’s holdings were renamed Iraq, which was created out of the Ottoman provinces of Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra. In October of 1932, Iraq gained formal independence under Faysal I and through the League of Nations becoming itsRead More War in Iraq Essay1006 Words   |  5 Pages The war against Iraq began on March 20, 2002, when the U.S lunched â€Å"Operation Iraqi Freedom†. This was after President Bush called Iraq part of an â₠¬Å"axis of evil†, also calling the country dangerous which is threatening U.S with the world’s most destructive weapons. The major phase of the war began when U.S troops marched within 50 miles of Baghdad with heavy aerial attacks on Baghdad and other cities. After the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon which was believed to be the work of Al QaedaRead MoreWar in Iraq: An Unnecessary War Essay1339 Words   |  6 PagesFighting an Unnecessary War In excess of 600 billion dollars has been spent on the war in Iraq since it began in 2003, plus over four thousand U.S. troops have died because of this war, and despite a struggling economy the US government is keeping our troops in Iraq with no end in sight. The war in Iraq is a current military operation that began, without a declaration of war, on March 20, 2003 and is still taking place today in 2009(Rogalski). Americans have been shielded from this war and have forgottenRead MoreUnjust Iraq War Essay1484 Words   |  6 PagesThe Iraq war has been a very sensitive and divisive issue in todays society. Although we can not ignore the cloud around this administration when it comes to potential incentives that going to war presented, (such as oil for profits and retaliation to Saddam Hussein for the Gulf War and treatment of President Bush Sr.), I will look beyond these potential motives to explain why the U.S. involvement in the Iraq War was unjust simply because it doesnt fall i nto any of the four functions of force authored

Preliminary Research Design Free Essays

Individual Research Project-Part 1 Godfrey Boyd American Intercontinental University Abstract There are theoretical and philosophical differences between â€Å"formal research† and â€Å"business proposals†. The advantages and disadvantages related to both can be a benefit depending upon the problem studied. Research is not fully understood in business. We will write a custom essay sample on Preliminary Research Design or any similar topic only for you Order Now This paper will attempt to highlight reasons for limited utilization of research in business. Small businesses are less likely to conduct marketing research. Amy E. Knaup, an economist with the Office of Employment statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2005, 44% of all new business failed in the first 2 years. Individual Research Project-Preliminary Research Design In business, formal research and business proposals have significant differences and some similarities. It is very important to understand the purposes and goals of each. What are some commonalities? Research and business proposals have similar components. Backround information must be identified for both formal research and the business proposal. (American Journal of Small Business, Vol. IX, No. 4, Spring 1985. ) When someone conducts formal research or a business proposal, they have similar goals. Research and business proposals are conducted to find solutions, or solve problems. What are some differences? A formal research proposal differs significantly. Both proposals may appear similar. The purpose of formal research is mainly to find data to solve problems or help businesses make improved decisions on daily operations, or use of the best product. Apple’s iPod was a huge financial success in the early to middle 2000s. In 2008, iPod sales dropped significantly. (Business Week). Apple introduced and upgraded the iPod after a significant market study indicated that the economy and practicality of use were indicators of decreased iPod sales. The business proposal will focus more on the product and make it more successful. The attitude toward market research from small businesses is also a possible reason for businesses failing in less than two years. (Barnes Journal of Small Busienss Management). The formal research problem can focus on problems that sociological, and present clear concepts. Theory is also a hallmark of formal research. The problem studied and evaluated can be compared to previous research. Business proposals are more time sensitive. One of the goals of the business proposal is to research and find a solution to why a product is not doing well in a particular market. Time is of essence in business in order for the business to be successful. The formal research may not have a time constraint but the goal is to find a solution or solve a problem. What are some capabilities of one in contrast with the capabilities of the other? Formal research has the capability to pinpoint data through correct analysis. Hypotheses are validated through appropriate statistical analysis. Business proposals often suggest new products or services with the goal being to make money for the business. The formal research study has the capability to approach the issue theoretically and suggest a practical solution in just what to do to make money. A formal research study will provide valuable conclusions and insight. Formal research highlights complexities, context and emphasizes research. Rigor is the result of carefully collected data and strong accurate investigations. Formal research has to have testability. This means that data was collected correctly and sample sizes were adequate. A capability of a business proposal is the proposal can be done in relatively shorter time period. The business proposal will focus on a product or a business related problem that needs a solution in order to make money. Method Participant (subject) characteristics Sampling procedures Sample size, power, and precision Measures and covariates Research design Experimental manipulations or interventions Results Recruitment Statistics and data analysis Ancillary analyses Participant flow Intervention or manipulation fidelity Baseline data Adverse events Discussion References How to cite Preliminary Research Design, Essays

Itani 1 Essays - LGBT History, Same-sex Marriage, Homosexuality

Itani 1 Homosexual Marriages Homosexuals should be allowed to marry because the disallowance of it violates their constitutional rights. Marriage is an institution long recognized by our government under the right to pursue happiness, and denying that right to any couple, regardless of gender, is unconstitutional. This argument, though, is not disputed. In fact, none of the arguments raised in opposition to the allowance of homosexual marriages takes into account the constitutional rights afforded to all humans. The arguments are only in relation to the possible repercussions (real or imagined) of granting these rights. Our nation was built and has always been based on the fundamental principles of freedom expressed in the Declaration of Independence and through our Constitution. The opponents of homosexual marriage need to remember what freedom means to America, and understand the significance of setting a precedent that denies that freedom. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the institution of marriage is one of the rights guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution. In the case of Loving vs. Virginia, the Supreme Court said, "The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men" (Howard Zinn, 397). In the case of Cleveland Bard of Education vs. LaFleur, the Supreme Court said, "This court has long recognized that freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of liberties protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment" ("The Supreme Court Hands Gays a Win"). Despite all this, heterosexuals are the only ones allowed to be married at this time. Itani 2 Homosexuals and heterosexual both live under the same constitution and therefore should both be afforded the same rights. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The reasons that are presented against the allowance of homosexual marriage are flimsy, and have nothing to do with the constitutional rights that should be afforded to all Americans. Some of these arguments are that marriage is for procreation, same-sex couples aren't the optimum environment in which to raise children, gay relationships are immoral, marriages are for ensuring the continuation of the species, and that same-sex marriages would start America down a slippery slope towards legalized incest, bestial marriage, and other kinds of horrible consequences (Steve Chapman). These reasons against gay marriage only deal with the consequences of what may happen if this is allowed. It is all speculation and has nothing to do with what is already a constitutional right. These same arguments were also offered thirty years ago towards interracial marriages. Journalist Deb Price offers this, "..all (arguments) seem to echo the debates heard in the late 1960's when the morality of racially mixed marriages was being debated. One only needs to change a few words in the present day arguments against gays and lesbian marriage in order to produce replicas of those earlier racist statements." The main argument against same-sex marriages is the religious argument that God doesn't condone homosexuality. In Leviticus 20:13 of the Bible, it reads that, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood upon them." Since marriage is considered by the Church to be a covenant with God, the view in the church is that homosexual marriages cannot be allowed (Robert B. Marks Ridinger). Itani 3 The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." (Eric Black). This is saying that religious grounds cannot determine constitutional law. However, this amendment is also saying that once homosexual marriages are allowed by the state, the Church can continue denying them. There are many churches though that allow homosexuals to be married and this is where these people would have to go. Arguments that deal with how homosexual marriages will affect children is a very touch subject. The argument is that children of same-sex marriages will suffer psychological problems, as evidenced by the children now who are suffering psychological effects because of family breakups and single-sex parenting ("Kids With Gay Parents"). The problem is not with single-sex parenting but with single parenting. An internet article, "Kids With Gay