Term Paper Honor Killings In Jordan

Term Paper Honor Killings In Jordan Term Paper Honor Killings In Jordan Joslin Poole Dr. Leenerts ENGL 103-10 December 9, 2014 Honor Killings in Jordan Family honor is highly valued by the Jordanian people. In Jordan the family honor is preserved through the women. The way things work in Jordan is completely different from how it is in the USA. Actions taken in Jordan to preserve family honor would be seen as absurd in the United States. Jordanians go through extreme measures to show just how important the preservation of family honor is to them. In many cases the women who are suspected of violating their family honor will be murdered. These killings are seen as a way to restore the family’s honor, but many people are against honor killings. The honor killings that are taking place in Jordan are a very serious issue. The world needs to be informed about what exactly what is going on, why honor killings are wrong, and what the victims go through on a daily basis. The behavior of the women, especially young women, is what determines family honor in Jordan. Marriage is very important to the people of this country; women who are not married are seen as abnormal. Young, unmarried, working women are starting to become more common in this generation but the single life is still looked down upon. In her article â€Å"Women and Family Honor: The Face of Feminine Identity in Jordan† June Miller noted, â€Å"Unmarried young career women are phenomena of the new generation, and society is still quite uncomfortable with the idea† (12). There is absolutely no dating in Jordan. If there is any suspicion of a woman spending time alone with a man, people see it as a disgrace to her family. Even if a woman tried to date, it is very difficult to keep it a secret. In her article, â€Å"She Can Do No Wrong: Recent Failures in America’s Immigration Courts to Provide Women Asylum from Honor Crimes," Shira T. Shapiro states that, â€Å"In ge neral worldwide, 58 percent of [victims of honor killings] are killed for being too Western and 42 percent for allegedly committing a sexual impropriety† (308). In the most extreme cases, â€Å"a woman may become an honor crime victim for seeking a divorce, adultery, premarital sexual relations, pregnancy out of wedlock, refusing to consent to sexual relations (including forced prostitution), not fulfilling the demands of husbands, fathers, brothers, or other male relatives, or even interrupting man-to-man conversations† (Shapiro 298). Once families find out about this violation, that is when honor killings will take place. These killings are done by the fathers, brothers, or uncles, of the women and they are considered as a way to protect the family. The killings are also a result of fear that other sisters will not have the opportunity to be married because of the mistakes of one sister. The mothers of these women greatly approve of these honor killings; they believe that it is what is best for the family. They believe that they are removing the â€Å"black mark† from the family by going through with these honor killings and it is just something that must be done. The fact that Jordanian families are willing to kill women because they have compromised the honor of their family shows exactly how important family honor is to them. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a family that is respected, but the fear that honor killings have instilled in these women is ridiculous. Women are taking extreme measures to get away from their families because they are in fear for their lives. These women do not even have a chance to plead their case, if there is even the slightest suspicion of wrong doing there is a good chance that they will be killed. In her article, â€Å"She Can Do No Wrong: Recent Failures in America’s Immigration Courts to Provide Women Asylum from Honor Crimes," Shira T. Shapiro notes, â€Å"In 2007, the U.S. State Department reported that twenty-five percent of honor crime victims in Jordan were killed after a mere suspicion of involvement in an illicit relationship and only fifteen percent were

Plan Your Remodeling and Home Improvement Projects

Plan Your Remodeling and Home Improvement Projects It all begins with a dream. Cathedral ceilings! Skylights! Room-sized closets! But, the dream may turn into a nightmare, unless you plan ahead. Before you remodel, follow these steps to get your home improvement project on the right start. How to Remodel a House: 1. Draw Your Dream Even before you consult an architect, you can begin sketching out your ideas and imagining your dreams- just get over the reasons not to remodel your home first. If you are adding or expanding a room, think about how the space will be used and how the changes will affect traffic patterns. Also consider how new construction will affect the overall context of your home. An oversized addition may overwhelm your house or crowd a small lot. A simple home design software program can help you visualize your project. Which Home Design Software is Best?Symmetry and Proportion in DesignFree Tools to Help You Choose House Paint Colors 2. Learn From Others One of the best ways to get inspiration and to avoid pitfalls is to follow the experiences of other homeowners. A number of Web sites offer online chronicles of home improvement projects, along with reply forms, message boards, and chat rooms that let you ask questions and get feedback. Ask around about local networking in addition to these: DIY ChatroomReddit has a number of DIY communities, including Home ImprovementThis Old House 3. Think Ahead Although you may dream of having a spacious new addition, the project may not make sense if you plan to sell your house in a few years. A luxury bathroom can price your house beyond the values in your neighborhood. Some projects, such as vinyl siding on a Queen Anne Victorian, will actually decrease the value of your home. Moreover, your own familys needs may be very different in a few years. Will the plans you draw today fit your future? Plan for StorageBuild to Save EnergyChoose the Best Plans 4. Count Your Money Even the best-laid budgets can go bust. Chances are, your remodeling project will cost more than you expect. Before you set your heart on high-end ceramic tile, find out how much you have to spend and make sure you have a cushion against cost overruns. For must-have items that could wipe out your savings account, explore home improvement loans and other financing options. If you own your home, a line of credit is often the best bet. Consider online borrowing from reputable companies that bring together small investors with borrowers. The Better Business Bureau reviews companies, such as the Lending Club. Some people depend on crowdfunding, but you should know your comfort level and understand what youre getting into. How Much Will It Cost?Build on a BudgetBuilding Cost Estimators 5. Choose your team Unless you plan to take on the entire remodeling project by yourself, youll need to hire helpers. Naturally, youll want to make sure that the folks who work for you are qualified, licensed, and properly insured. But, finding the best team for your remodeling project goes beyond a simple reference check. The architect who has won top awards may have a design vision very different from your own. If you have an older house, hire someone who knows the time period when your house was built; putting a finger on historical appropriateness is an undervalued skill. Use these resources to find the professionals you feel comfortable with. Do You Need an Architect?How to Find an Architect 6. Negotiate a Contract Whether you plan a simple carpentry job or a major project requiring the services of an architect and a general contractor, misunderstandings can lead to disaster. Do not begin remodeling without a written contract. Make sure everyone agrees on the work that will be completed and how long it will take. Also be clear on the types of materials that will- and will not- be used. Top 10 Building / Remodeling Contract Issues 7. Get Permissions In most parts of the world, a legal permit is required before you make structural changes to your home. The building permit assures that the remodeling project meets local building codes and safety regulations. If you live in a historic district, the permit also assures that exterior changes to your home are in keeping with neighborhood guidelines. General contractors will usually take care of the paperwork, but small-time workers may not... and the permits become your responsibility. 8. Plan for Problems - Make Ground Rules The larger the remodel job, the greater the chances are for frustrations. There will be equipment breakdowns, supply shortages, miscommunications, and delays. Draw up a few friendly rules for workers- tell them where they may park their trucks and store their equipment overnight. If concrete is involved, know where the leftover will be dumped. And, dont expect contractors to take care of your pets- the family dog and cat may be happier at a relatives summer camp. Also, take care of you and your family. Plan for ways you can indulge yourself when times become especially stressful. Schedule a day at a spa and reserve a night at a romantic bed and breakfast inn. You deserve it! Why Remodel a House? Theres a difference between renovation and remodeling. Renovation is aligned with preservation and restoration- keeping up with repairs and the original intent of an historic house. The word itself means to make new again- re- novus. The root of remodeling is something different. It shows a dissatisfaction with the current model, so you want to do it again, to change something. Too often people get involved in remodeling a house when what they really need to do is remodel themselves or a relationship. So you might want to ask yourself this: Why do you really want to remodel? Many people have good reasons to make a change- life events (does someone now use a walker or wheelchair?), different circumstances (are the parents about to move in?), or preparation for the future (shouldnt we install a home elevator now, before we need it?). Some people just like change, and thats okay, too. The first step in any home remodeling, though, is to take a step back into self-reflection. Know why youre doing something before you make the plan how to do it. You might save yourself a bunch of money- and a relationship. Good luck!