The Structure and Development of Nigerian Economy Essay

The Structure and Development of Nigerian Economy - Essay Example The current president Umaru Yar'Adua came to power following a controversial election in 2007. The economy of Nigeria has always been dominated by Petroleum accounting for about 25 percent of GDP. 90 percent of exports consist of petroleum and related products and 70 percent of government revenue comes from Oil. But lately its dependence on oil is set to change due to the constant disturbance in the delta region making oil production difficult. About 65% of the population is engaged in agricultural activities. The Economic reform in Nigeria started in year 2000, but the growth has been very slow throughout the country. Corruption remains pervasive despite progress made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. -The paper aims to examine the overall economic development in Nigeria after its independence. The paper looks in detail how far the natural resources in Nigeria like petroleum, oil and gas sectors has helped the economic development of the country. It will also do an analysis of whether Nigeria depends too much upon the oil sector which provides 95% of its export earnings, and how this factor has weakened its agricultural potential. What are the major factors that contributed growth of Nigerian economy as a whole and what are the driving forces of Nigerian economy What are the underlying weaknesses of Nigeria as a country How corruption in Nigerian governmental agencies has affected the growth of Nigeria in all spheres. Objectives: To evaluate overall economic development in Nigeria for the last 5years (i.e. GDP rates, inflation or deflation, interest rates, movement of cash flow; rate of the Unemployment; and macroeconomic performance of the whole country). To analyze the growth of the petroleum, oil & gas sector, how far this growth has affected government revenue & economic development of the country. To discuss the trend in unemployment rate within the last 5years and evaluate whether the petroleum & gas sectors has any impact on such trend. Analyze problems in development of the economy due to lack of attention of government in agriculture & rural areas. To evaluate the various initiatives taken by the Nigerian Government to tackle the issues that hampers the economical growth of the country. (Erhiawarien). Work Cited Index of Economic Freedom: 2008. The Heritage Foundation. 2008. 16 Apr. 2008. . Nigeria: General Information. MBendi Information for Africa. 23 Aug. 2006. 16 Apr. 2008. . Nigeria: Economy. 16 Apr. 2008. . Country briefings Nigeria: History in Brief. Economist.com. Business friendly. 15 Nov. 2004. 16 Apr. 2008. . Erhiawarien, Mercy. Master's Dissertation Proposal - Nigeria's NEEDS, an Analysis of the NEEDS Policy. 16 Apr. 2008.

Analysing adverts concerning teenagers Essay Example for Free

Analysing adverts concerning teenagers Essay Regimentally they are set out. Their objective is to lure unsuspecting teenagers into their false world of glitter and glam. You cant step into a newsagent without being boldly glared at by bright, eye-catching headlines I caught my boyfriend wearing my bra! My best mate snogged my Dad and Sister was shot on my doorstep and grinned at by smiling, laughing, almost emaciated, glamorous models, all adorning the cover of a teenage magazine. Bliss, J-17, Sugar and more, priced roughly two pounds, setting up icons of the famous, and dealing out hard criticism of everything un-cool. Teenagers are shown as shallow, one advert listed lip gloss as one of the six most needed things in life, alongside being a girl, slutty, Snog him, then dump him, and obsessed with their images, Look cool, whenever. Teenagers are seen as the main consumers, in an industry worth seventy million pounds, so the magazines try to entice readers to become regular subscribers. Celebrities and models give off an inaccessible image of self-assuredness, beauty and having perfect lives, unfairly giving the average reader an unobtainable icon to aim to make themselves duplicates of. Readers are attracted to a ludicrous parody of perfection, and are even encouraged to model themselves upon. School, careers and politics are only spoken of with scorn, or misguided efforts to make them seem acceptable, but mostly are seen as taboo subjects, ridiculed and forgotten, when these are really very important issues on todays world, and this omission only adds to the fai Ade of a faultless world. Parents are seen as objects rather than people, inhuman units who freely deal out money, work as their daughters slaves, and are the very limit of un-coolness. It is however, their money which pays for copies of magazines to be brought, and for the seemingly endless fashion pages to be brought for. When in reality, some girls scrape together two pounds each month, the ideals shown by magazines present a certainly well-off if not rich teenager. Love, and boys, are also seen as objects. Obtainable, but only on your terms. Love is as, or even more important than life, shown by the size of its allocation in the monthly horoscopes. Boys are stereotyped just as much as girls, and are seen as items to drape over the fashionable young females arm, to be bent to their will, and then dumped once they cease to amaze one, or perform one the sexual side of things. However, if this where true, surely there wouldnt be so many problem pages and letters titled such as He says hell hit me if I dont do as he says, or He says he will dump me if I dont sleep with him, where exclusively for a few scant pages in this girl power propaganda, boys are dominating scumbags. Sex, support of, and caution against, conflict across the glossy pages. Some serious reports are posted on the subject, but most subtle messages reek from the pages, all directing towards sex being acceptable, accept the tiny print across the bottom of the page, scrawled on to keep legal, of Be sure, be safe, sex under 16 is illegal. These contradictory messages are enforced by the adverts, which make up 27% of an average magazine, which show Wonderbra adverts, which suggest that females better equipped in the chest area are more probable to get a taxi on New Years Eve, a naked man and woman hugging with bottles of perfume, and images of insect thin big chested women everywhere, which all conclude in a teens uniqueness and individuality being suppressed or smothered by advice from people who arent even teenagers themselves. The language used in teenage magazines consists mostly of made up words and slang. In an eternally optimistic tone, glazing over any descriptions of anything less than forever cheerful and optimistic voices and messages. Alliterations litter the pages, along with similes and metaphors. Slang is used liberally, and several words such as totty, slap-happy and vampish, spring up amongst Smug sistas, cleavage queens and needy chicks Magazines are giving teenagers what they have been trained by previous issues to want and think they need. They are manipulating and hindering teenagers, in their beliefs and lives,. They assume, wrongly, that all of girl kind want to be the same. , and do not even address alternatives lifestyles, except to ridicule and ostracize them. Magazines are becoming more and more risqui , indulging in speculation and addressing less and less of the real problems of the world teenagers are having to grow up in. They are suited more to what adults think teenagers are like, and what they desire, and a stereotype of typicality, than to those who pay their pocket money out each month, to see behind the glossy front covers, read and gasp in adoration and wonder, feel for the real-life stories and laugh at mishaps. All they are really doing is limiting, destroying and suppressing their true selves.

The Business Environment Of Toyota Cars Marketing Essay

The Business Environment Of Toyota Cars Marketing Essay Business strategy can be achieved by observing both internal and external environment factors of the organisation (Kotler, 2003). SWOT and PESTLE are tools to find out the position, status and the future of the business and its strategy, and the factors of macro environment highlights the present and future problems which may an organisation can suffer (Morrison, 2006). Environmental audit/scanning has been defines by Pilbeam Corbridge, (2002) The process through which managers as the organisation strategists use different tools and perception to constantly gather and feedback information about the environment to inform decision maker. Moreover it has been describes that environmental scanning is linked with the performance of organisation because through environmental scanning the company will be in a position to get direction for the future present and may for future(Thomas et al, 1993). Below are the main factors which effect the environment of an organisation. The writer has analysed these factors in the Toyota and studied their mission, strategies and customer service which reflect that in automobile industry as Toyota is world leading company in providing maximum best customer service, quality in products and maximum satisfaction to each and every customer. The writer feel that there is a proper coordination of work and its seems to be a strong culture in the line of company suppliers, staff, customers, competitors, and other company stake holders like partners and investors. External Factors/Macro Environment: Ireland et al, (2008) described external environment as general environment. Political, economic, social and demographic, technological, global are those forces which effects strategy of an organisation. These forces help to scan the business environment (Morrison, 2006). Environmental scanning is tool for monitoring and evaluating forces which effect organisation long term goal and its strategy. Micro environment can impact on companies internal factors for business process such as employee and customer satisfaction. Therefore new strategy of an organisation needs to be defined according to new macro environmental changes which come from Pestle forces. Impact of Economic Factors on Business Strategy: Both external and internal factors affect the environment of the business in all aspects. According to case study below are some economic forces which effect Toyota business worldwide: Economic Growth: If the ability of a country increases in the line of economic stability it mean the country has ability to increase high product because there is a high demand. Economic growth also reflect high purchasing power of the consumers that is why the economic growth has double impact on the economics of the country one side the manufacturer and producer has to produce more because the chance of high profit as it reflect there is a demand. If economic growth and development goes down in the country where Toyota is operating their services then it will affect Toyota in term of sales and production (Economic Notes, 2007). For example 1995 Toyota started small plant in southwest Indiana and within 10 years its growth and production increases to double (Kaelble, (2007). Business is affected by the economic situations, on-going recession which is unpredictable in the United Kingdom and worldwide as many companies have suffered. In the beginning 2010 Toyota was also affected by recession, and the company has to cut down its costs and slow down many operations which brought Toyota in loss (Krish, 2009). Inflation Rate: Inflation is a condition of increasing prices. It effects economy of country badly and distort consumers behaviour towards products. High rate of inflation increase stress for organisation future plans and living standards of people (LasanthaW, 2010). According to report inflation rate in United Kingdom Increased to 4% and this increase will bring instability in every business. Business costs will rise for the products which have been outsourcing (BBC, 2011). For Toyota through inflation, menu costs, services costs and other costs will rise. Therefore, the business environment internally and externally has to demonstrate properly in the line of new pricing strategy. Exchange rates: As Toyota is world largest company and operating in different countries and as operating a business at international level the exchange rate is another factor in economic conditions that have effected on the business strategy of Toyota. As currency rates differs due to economic condition of the country and world business depends on US economy. Toyota management needs to keep an eye on the exchange rate in order to get the cheap but high quality products and material to serve their customers (Sloman and Sutcliffe, 2004). Globalisation: Globalisation is fast growing impact in world as Levitt, (1983) said all companies have to learn in the global world by understanding national, international and regional differences and have to develop product and service according to new shifts which are exists in the global economy. In Levitt research it has been highlight that all the changes in this world are due to new paradigm and phenomenon of globalisation. Morrison, (2006) states that demographic change in the world has brought world together on one platform as one large market and this happens because of globalisation. Skill Level of Work Force: The unemployment rate is that rate determined by the structural and frictional forces in the economy which cannot be reduced by raising aggregate demand Pearce, 1989, p. 296(Goliath, 2008). The economy of country will be more productive if the education level of people living in that country is high. If the people of the country are educated, they can develop new industries and technologies. Education is key factor to economic survival. It can pioneer new areas for jobs. Companies always need new skills thats the reason every company train its staff for future investment (Coughlan, 2004). Impact of Social Factors on New Business strategy: Same as economic factors business is affected by social factors below are some highlighted factors: Population Growth: Morrison, (2006) states that population is not still, it keeps on changing all the time. These changes are in form of increase or decrease in death, birth or migration rate. These demographic changes have long term effect on society and businesses. According to U.S Census Bureau, 2010 population in the world is increasing dramatically by report population in next 30 years will go up to approximately 3 billion. This demographic change affect the business market and every business try to move to the place where growth rate and buying power is high. E.g. in china population growth rate is high and every business starts from there. Attitude: Attitude is the important factor in customer service industry. Attitude and behaviour are those social factors which help organisation to improve its customer service. Attitude affects all the areas of business like customers, staff, suppliers and investors. If having positive attitude customer want to spend money on product and vice versa. But in the 21st century economic conditions should be taken along with positive attitude to perform well in market (Makin, 2009). Location: Location is one of the important social factors in business. Before starting business companies take surveys to analyse the focus of customers in that area. Main purpose of these surveys is to identify the right product for right area. For instance a report published by Kaelble, S (2007) in Indiana business magazine that how Toyota moved forward within ten years when it set up its plants in southwest Indiana. Culture: Culture has great impact on any business as it refers to the values, norms, and beliefs adopted over a period of time through mutual interaction and the history (Morrison, 2006).Impact of cultural globalisation effect the business as due to cultural difference between England and United States Toyota is selling left hand drive cars while in England is right hand (Levitt 1983). Strategy for Business Effectiveness of Toyota: All the above factors play a major role in determine the competitiveness of an organisation. The ability of an organisation is to forecast the business environment and drafting alternative plans for business growth and stability is important. If the history of Toyota will be taken into account company has done well in its career of production and quality but in past few years Toyota has got many problems in its manufacturing system and lost billions of dollars. Based on their policy of Customer First and sustaining the position Toyota came up with a strategy to recall its cars to give their customers extra care. According to report published by newspaper Toyota recalled its millions of cars because of defects in their manufacturing and decided to give their money back to the customer, for not telling their customer of these defects in the vehicles. Though it has affected company economically but Toyota has gained loyalty of his customer (www.bbc.co.uk). So, Toyota strategy has significant impact on social behaviour of the customer in the line of future demands. Report published by BBC on July (2009) Apart from that Toyota had done great for its future plans; company is manufacturing eco-friendly hybrid cars and achieving great efficiency. Company believes that eco-cars can have a positive impact on the environment only if they are widely used. According to company statement: TMC will continue to improve the fuel efficiency of its conventional combustion-engine cars, which account for the majority of its sales, while raising performance ,reducing costs and expanding the companys product lineup(Costea, 2010). Therefore the eco-friendly strategy is basically the co-corporate social responsibility. this type of strategy increasing company awareness as according to research in USA and Australia 84% consumers demanding the goods if the company responding the positively to the environment, then they said we buy the products. So, eco-friendly cars of Toyota are diverting attention of consumers socially. In North America Toyota has strategy of increase product sale by targeting young customers. Consumers has loyalty about the brand and company has got great reputation in term of quality and low prices thats why in 2002 one-fourth of its profit was gained from North America. Toyota has best manufacturing facility and great relations with their suppliers. Moreover company is losing money in Europe but their new strategy is to manufacture more cars on regional scale and compete in formula one race. According to Rugman and Collinson, (2006) Toyota is a mainly efficient and competent company at outsourcing for production and with other suppliers by enjoying friendly and long term relationship. Toyota has made sustainable mobility and environmental leadership core principles of its business strategy for future growth. As part of this strategy, Toyota is pursuing a broad range of technologies, each representing a step forward in reducing the environmental impact of automobiles. Alternative fuel sources, such as bio fuels, will play key role and these cars made to lower down environmental damage and co2 emission (www.toyota.eu). That is why Toyota brand is also diverting attention of market because of its quality and reputations. These factors help Toyota to boost their economy socially in future sales. Writer thinks that the interesting thing in Toyota is to know about the secret of its success in the market. According to Morgan Liker (2006) hard work, educated staff and their motivational teamwork within specific process are the key success factors of Toyota. This process is so called sociotechnical system (STS), was introduces in 1970 and 1980. STS describe itself as the secret behind the success of an organisation is to know about social and technical factor and their impact on external environment. Companys production system is also developed from STS which bring company in that position that it can achieve its external goals like social, economic and technological goals (Rodrick, D.2007).

Charles Lindbergh :: essays research papers

Charles Lindbergh, one of the world’s aviation heroes and an American hero, was the first person to make a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic. He was born on February 4, 1902, in Detroit. He went to school at the University of Wisconsin for two years, but dropped out to attend a flying school in Nebraska. He first started flying in 1922. Within four years, he was piloting a mail plane between St. Louis and Chicago.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1919 Raymond Orteig from France offered $25,000 to the first person to cross the Atlantic nonstop between Paris and New York. His offer was set to expire in five years, but nobody even tried. In 1926, he extended his offer another five years. By this time technology was to the point where a flight across the Atlantic might actually be possible. Lindbergh was one that thought it could be done.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After securing $15,000 from the head of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, Lindbergh started searching for a plane to make the transatlantic journey. Rather then go with a multi-engine plane like many other aviators were going with, he felt that it only increased the chance of an engine failing. He also wanted the plane to weigh as little as possible, thus increasing the flight range. This also meant he would be going alone.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By 1927, Ryan Airlines offered to build him a single-engine plane that met his specifications for only $6,000, excluding an engine. Lindbergh met with them and despite the unimpressive headquarters, he walked away impressed. Lindbergh wanted the plane done in two months, rather then the three months Ryan Airlines had wanted, but after much overtime, they finished the Spirit of St. Louis by the deadline.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Because it was being built customized for Lindbergh, the single goal of the Spirit of St. Louis was to reach Paris. Wingspan was increased to hold the extra fuel tanks that would be needed. This would give it a maximum range of over 4,000 miles, more then enough to cross the Atlantic and reach Paris.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To help keep the plane’s weight down, Lindbergh cut out everything not absolutely necessary. No radio, parachute, gas gauges, or even navigation lights were included. He wore special lightweight boots, and his maps included only the reference points he would need. Even his chair was made out of light wicker, instead of the usual heavy leather.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When completed at the end of April, 1927, the Spirit of St.

How Religion Positively Influence The World Essay

Religion has played a very significant role in human life right from the moment the individual could realize the fact of his existence and made an effort to understand it in relation to the vast, outer nature. Whether we like it or not, religion has wielded immense influence on the individual life and the society constituted by him. August Comte has stated that the evolution of mankind took place through three stages, which he has described as theological, metaphysical, and positive states. Scholars have made efforts to understand the origin of religion in their own ways. For example, Hegel and James Frazer thought that religion is born out of magic; E. B. Taylor on the other hand saw the origin of religion in animism; Herbert Spencer expressed the opinion that religion came into being because of cult of ancestor worship; Max Muller propounded the view that a feeling of awe towards nature was responsible for the birth of religion; Emile Durkheim came out with a view according to which religion is a product of rights and rituals characterizing a society. Religion is the phenomena, which is accepted by the people of the whole world. Weather directly or indirectly. Each and every person of the world have accepted religion because it only the religion by which whole world is controlled. If the religion is not there no body would control him/herself by the evil deeds. Only the mane of God controls the human being by doing evil deeds. Before doing the wrong deed every person feels that God is looking at him/her. Religion influences society but happily the street is many bible-quoting Christians vehemently opposed two ways the abolitionist movement of mid nineteenth century . And we cannot say that these sincere believers were merely citing passages out of context. It must be admitted that the whole biblical era and the writers of holy writ condoned gross inequality included slavery Similarly Christianity and the other world religions were obviously founded in and influenced by a common sexist past, one which unfortunately continues in varying degrees to live in and through them. So society has and can positively influenced religion. This is necessary unless religion is to retreat to pre rational forms of argument and support absolutism that today claims limited respect. John Cobb jr. shows insight in his modest contention that â€Å" in addition to grounding and motivating the ethical concern it shares with secular humanism, religious faith provide an ethos and a world view and it affects the people and communities involved. † Americans Struggle with Religion’s role at Home and Abroad: As a religious people, Americans are unsure about how to judge a world that seems increasingly in conflict along religious lines. The public overwhelmingly sees religion’s influence in the world and the nation as a good thing. And by 51%- 28%, Americans think the lesson of September 11 is that there is too little, not too much religion in the world. But the public does not see all of religion’s effects as positive. A 65% majority believes that religion plays a significant role in most wars and conflicts in the world. Further, while most say that Islam is no more likely to encourage violence than Other religions, a plurality of Americans believes that, in general. â€Å" Some religions† are more likely than others to encourage violence. Those who think that some religions are more violent than others are more likely to see widespread anti America n sentiments among Muslims. The Christian writer Paul wrote, â€Å" God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and the law will judge all who sin under the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them). Young People More Influenced Positively: A majority of those under age 30 express a favorable view of Muslim- Americans, Muslims, and Islam alike (57%, 57% and 51% respectively). Other Americans generally have a favorable opinion of Muslim-Americans; however, they express more skepticism toward Muslims and Islam. Americans age 65 and older in particular express mixed views when it comes to Muslims and Islam. By 43%- 25%, members of this group say they feel favorably towards Muslim Americans, but seniors who were asked about Muslims rated them less positively (30% favorable 30% unfavorable). Just one- in- four has a favorable opinion of Islam, while 37% express an unfavorable opinion. College- educated Americans also express more favorable views of Muslims and Islam than those who did not attend college. Education has particularly strong effect on perceptions of the Islamic religion. While about half (52%) of college graduates have a favorable view of Islam, just 29% of those who never attended colleges agree. Among religious groups, white evangelical Protestants have the least favorable view of Islam. Fully 45% of white evangelical say they have an unfavorable opinion of Islam, compared with just 29% who rate religion favorable. White evangelicals also are most likely to say they have an unfavorably view of Muslim-Americans. As many as three- in ten feel unfavorably toward Muslim-Americans, compared, with about two-in ten among other major religious groups. Still, this is less than the 38% of white evangelicals who rated Muslim-Americans unfavorably a year ago. Modern Reasons for Adherence To Religion: 1. Authority: Most religions are authoritarian in nature, and thus provide their adherents with spiritual and moral role models, who they believe can bring highly positive influences both to adherents and influences both to adherents and society in general. 2. Supernatural connection: Most religions postulate a reality which includes both the natural and the saupernatural. Most adherents of religion consider this to be of critical importance, since it permits belief in unseen and otherwise potentially unknowable aspects of life, includeing hope of eternal life. 3. Moderation: Many religions have approaches that produce practices that place limitations on the behaviour of their adherents. This is seen by many as a positive influence, potentially protecting adherents from the destructive or even fatal excesses to which they might otherwise be susceptible. Many people from many faiths contend that their faith brings them fulfillment, peace, and joy, apart from worldly interests. 4. Fulfillment: Most traditional religions require sacrifice of their followers, but, in turn, the followers may gain much from their membership therein. Thus, they come away from experiences with these religions with the feeling that their needs have been filled. In fact, studies have shown that religious adherents tend to be happier and less prone to stree than non-religious people. 5. community ans culture: Organized religions promote a sense of community among their followers, and the moral and cultural common ground of these communities makes them attractive to people with the same value. Indeed, while religious belief and practices are usually connected, some individual with substantially secular belief still participates in religious practices for cultural reasons. Conclusion: Religious belief refers to a faith or creed concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine. It may concern the existence, nature and worship of a diety or deities and divine involvement in the universe and human life. It may also relate to the values and practices based on the teaching of a supernatural leader. Unlike other belief syatems, religious belief tends to be codified. While often used synonomously with religion, according to this religious belief wikk be assumed to refer to ideas rather than practices. Religion cannot add or subtract any thing from the plausibility of any scientific theory. But this does not mean that religion has no connection with science. Our proposal, perhaps appearing a bit audacious in tone but actually quiet modest in motivation, is that religion, properly understood, confirms the entire scientific enterprise. It does so by justifying g the fundamental trust that nourishes all scientific in query. Our conviction is that we can go beyond conflict, contrast, and even contact in formulating religions relationship to science. Here we are claiming specifically that faith in a personal god has a unique capacity to confirm our trust in reality’s endless intelligibility, a trust without which scientific in query is hopelessly crippled Religion is a phenomenon, which is propagated in the whole world. Each and every person has adopted and positively influenced with it. Whether a person is male or a female they make prayers and always feel his appearance they have accepted the existence of God, who always looked after them. Most of the people spiritually and psychologically come into contact with God, truth and spiritual power. They feel that the religion frees them from deception, sin and spiritual death. Religion has its own significance in the life of human being. References: 1- The Divine Religion; Bhagawat Dharma and Culture; R. N. Vyas; Cosmo Publication New Delhi;1984. 2- What is a Person? An Ethical Exploration; By James William Walters; Published by university of Illinois . Press;1989. 3- http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Religious_belief 4- science and religion from conflict to conversation; John F. Haught; Paulist Press;1987. 5- http://p eople-press. org/reports/display. php3

Moving to New Schools Essay Example

Moving to New Schools Essay Example Moving to New Schools Essay Moving to New Schools Essay ?Growing up, the fact that I moved frequently perpetuated the way in which I was relegated to a certain niche in my new schools that made me an easy target for harassment. I had always toed the line between outcast and peripheral popularity, I was often easily accepted but it was hard to form bonds with others whose vacancies for new friendships were sadly lacking. This being said, as I grew older I was bullied less, for my confidence grew as well as my body making me less and less of a target for blatant harassment, which would instead turn to duplicity and snide comments hidden behind falsesmiles and turned heads. However, it was during this transitory period that I faced possibly the most serious bullying I was ever to experience.I had recently moved back from my mother’s to live with my father and was enrolled in a new school. There were cliques that stood out; one in particular was infamous in that they gave new female students a rough go of it, before losing interest. I was confronted by the lead instigators in the group and knew that I had few choices allotted to me in reacting to their challenges. I decided to brush it off; informing them I didn’t particularly care what they thought of me. I was later informed that I was to be jumped by the group, fortunately this did not occur, but I did receive some rattling threatening notes. I had never been hated to such an extent by people whom I didn’t even know and was honestly baffled and scared. I employed the help of the only resource I felt was reliable, my parents. After reading the notes, they contacted the school’s administration to inform them of the situation, which had unsurprisingly not been the first time these girls had instigated something like this. I had tried ignoring them; I had even rebuked them when these girls had tried to insult me in confrontation. It was a last resort to me to bring in the schools administration into a situation I had hoped would resol