In many countries, very few young people read newspapers or follow the news on TV. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

 In many countries, very few young people read newspapers or follow the news on TV. What do you think are the causes of this?
What solutions can you suggest?

World over, the youth are reluctant to gather news and avoid reading the newspapers or watching TV news. This essay shall delve deeply into the matter to discover the causes of this and recommend ways to stem this phenomenon.

Major topics covered on television programmes are related to politics, and most youngsters are disinclined to engage in political discussions as they find it boring. Similarly, it has been observed that the media usually portrays most events negatively, leading to heightened anxiety, so the young audience that is already burdened with academic or professional obligations, tend to stay away from these activities.

Moreover, most at a young age, live in a bubble of their own that limits them to their social circle; they do not comprehend the implications of the happenings around the world. They are more keen on playing video games, browsing social media, and following the latest fad; these endeavors take up most of their time, leaving them with little energy and motivation to follow mundane news.

Nevertheless, a plethora of methods can address this alarming situation. Schools should schedule general knowledge quizzes periodically, based on current affairs, especially related to science and history. For instance, Chris Hadfield public school mandated that in each class, one student will be presenting one news item daily. This resulted in youngsters discussing with their parents about appropriate topics to present, in turn engendering increased awareness among them. Additionally, media houses should reserve some sections that target the young individuals, keeping their preferences in mind.

Overall, absence of plausible mediums and lack of inclination to update themselves about the current global affairs keeps the young away from reading or watching news, but this propensity can be mended by adopting prudent steps and initiatives by school schools and media. 

Today, many people use the internet and smartphones to transfer money to friends, family, and businesses. Is this a positive or negative development?

Today, many people use the internet and smartphones to transfer money to friends, family, and businesses. Is this a positive or negative development?

Favorable? Why (not what is happening) 

• There is no need to carry cash anymore, safety from pickpockets, or money being lost 

• Convenience as there is no need to wait in queues of banks of ATMs, or look for one around 

• * There is no need to visit brokers for out of city or international remittances 

• Speed of the transactions has increased manifolds  - the moment transfer money button is pressed, the amount is remitted to the receiver anywhere in the world  

Negative/ detrimental effects?  

• People sometimes remit more than required or to wrong accounts and it is hard to get a refund

• It is hard to keep of track of spendings 

• In case the internet is not working properly, people can become helpless 

• If device is lost, it is hard to retrieve details, and people are left high and dry and they must follow long tedious procedure of restoring their accounts 

• Hackers defraud people easily 

• Payment getting stuck in gateways take a long time to be reverted back 

• Exorbitant charges are an additional burden 

• * economic perspective - loss of employment  

Contemporary times are witnessing an increasing use of the  internet and smartphone based payment applications. This phenomenon is considered favorable by many, but it also has some drawbacks.  

I will discuss these perspectives in the following paragraphs. 

Some people are happy due to the advent of the internet and smartphone based payment facilities as they say this has brought numerous benefits. However, others are skeptical and feel that it is having numerous pitfalls.  

X x x x x x x x x x x 

Contemporary times are witnessing an increasing use of the  internet and smartphone based payment applications. This phenomenon is considered favorable by many, but it also has some drawbacks. 

To embark upon discussion, the use of these apps has allowed people to transact quickly with anyone and anywhere, regardless of their own location. One can now purchase online without needing to arrange for cash to make purchases, and going to the  markets to buy something. It has been reported by several survey organizations that millions of buyers are now ordering goods either online, or even from the brick and mortar shops to buy for their needs and remit the due amount without physically being present at the spot. 

Similarly, it is extremely convenient for one to transfer money to their loved ones from anywhere in the world to any location without requiring to go to access financial remittance services providers like Union Money Transfer - that used to cost a lot of time. This has helped especially those needing money to overcome contingencies. As per the International Bankers   Association, this facility has aided millions of those living abroad in transmitting money, without delay, to the loved ones in their home countries. 

Having said that,  even though sporadic, there have been reports of money getting stuck in gateways and taking weeks to be retrieved, the most prominent of the drawbacks of such an arrangement. Similarly, some have also complained paying more than required,  or to a wrong recipient, making recovery almost next to impossible in many cases.  

In hindsight, despite some detrimental effects, this new introduction has come in as a boon for the millions who are experiencing substantial convenience and speed. Thus, this is favorable evolution. I feel the failings can be overcome by adopting prudent measures.

As there is increasing unemployment in the world, while at the same time those who have jobs are working harder and harder, it would be better to have a four-day working week for everyone, and so to create more jobs. In what extent do you agree or disagree?

 As there is increasing unemployment in the world, while at the same time those who have jobs are working harder and harder, it would be better to have a four-day working week for everyone, and so to create more jobs. In what extent do you agree or disagree?      

 In the wake of rising joblessness, many are trying to find appropriate remedies to this, one of suggestions includes shrinking the working week to four days. The supporters of this thought feel this may help create more jobs though there are voices of dissent on this proposal. 

 This proposal of incorporating a shorter working week, that is of four days, finds its support in the assumption that under such settings the businesses will be forced to hire additional personnel to compensate for day offs of current work force,  and complete the work, in order to sustain operations and meet deadlines. Such a move would render opportunities to others in need of work to get jobs,  thus bringing down the number of jobless individuals.

However, a great skepticism is being expressed about this scheme: many feel such an arrangement  will prove to be counterproductive  since the dearth of employment  is not a deliberate creation but an aftermath of economic down turn, and enforcing such an ambitious plan, will instead exacerbate the situation of unemployment by making organizations vulnerable to losses, by virtue of paying more money for the same amount of work.  

 Moreover, many feel that the desired outcome, creation of more jobs, may not be achieved, the employers may instead resort to increasing the number working hours on other days to offsetting the  impact of a shorter working week schedule. It seems quite viable that managements of organizations will hardly plan more appointments when they are deriving adequate outputs from the existing work strength.

 In conclusion, I feel this idea lacks substance and  is a recipe for disaster. Many organizations are already finding it hard to optimize their cost of operations  due to dwindling revenues, and such a move may do more harm than good.

Nowadays organizations are setting up factories in countries different from where their head office is situated

 Nowadays organizations are setting up factories in countries different from where their head office is situated. Are the advantages of this more than disadvantages?

In contemporary times, a new trend has started where renowned companies have commenced setting up their manufacturing units in other nations. This perspective is considered to be laden with certain benefits, but this also has a potential to cause harm as well. In subsequent paragraphs, I will elucidate both sides before concluding.  

To begin with, a prominent school of thought propounds that expanding businesses to other regions provides an opportunity to multiply the profits. This is feasible because of the manpower availability at cheaper wages and most importantly resources, due to this, the initial investment cost is remarkably reduced. Further, this also helps other countries by creating employment for the impoverished. For illustration, a recent survey conducted by BBC revealed that Zara has reduced poverty by 20% in Africa by providing jobs to poor people, and the company has witnessed rapid proliferation in their profits too.  

However, a lobby of experts asserts that managing business in other countries brings unforeseen risks which could have immense detrimental effects. Any major or fatal accident inside the premises will attract the unwanted attention of local authorities giving the latter an opportunity to tarnish the image of the company, if not bribed as per their requirements. This all is possible because of the difficulty of implementation of health and safety policy. Moreover, such an arrangement also exposes organizations to financial scams committed by permanent local representatives appointed for liasoning who can misappropriate the funds. 

Overall, I will conclude that although expansion of business may bring unbearable consequences, the positives surely have an edge over the negatives as it ensures employment across the globe. Hence, in my opinion, setting up factories in different parts of the world is a good option.

In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, in other countries they are allowed to do almost anything they like. To what extent should children have to follow rules?

 In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, in other countries they are allowed to do almost anything they like. To what extent should children have to follow rules?

Should follow rules, why? Justify 

• They will learn about civil behavior and etiquette, and learn about differentiating between good and bad  

• They will also learn about lawful approach 

• They will grow up and law abiding people 

• They will learn the value of rules, in the form of deadlines and obligations 

They should not follow  

• They may become timid and stop thinking out of the box 

• Some might also turn rebellious 

 

In contemporary times, a fierce debate has ensued among many wherein a lobby opines that there should be some rules to regulate the behavior of young ones; however, there are a few who do not concur with the former statement and think otherwise. The following intends to discuss both sides with relevant examples.

Concurrent times have been witness to a profound debate about whether youngsters should comply with norms or not. The opinions are ambivalent mandating a critical analysis of this issue. 

The school of thought favoring the given notion, asserts that imposing restrictions on the behavior of children would help in educating them about lawful behavior and etiquette: to respect the elderly people and learn about the value of discipline, turning them into rational and  empathetic individuals having the ability to differentiate between good and bad, and also treating others well. To exemplify, children in Korea have to follow stringent norms and as a result, when they turn into grown-ups, they possess altruistic qualities and are considered to be the well-behaved individuals across the world.

Moreover, cultivating discipline is also deemed as a training for the future adult life when these juveniles will have to adapt to a system that is governed by certain regulations and stipulations in various manifestations. It is imperative for them to be enlightened about the ramifications of not adhering to the laws in various spheres, so that they can stay away from trouble as grown-ups.

Having said that, some commentators are unconvinced and propound that forcing laws and regulations on young individuals may not always yield positive results as it might prove to be counterproductive by hampering their mental and thinking development. Furthermore, there are chances that tender minds could either become timid, incapable of leading a life independently,  or rebellious, seeking revenge on others for the hardships they had to face.

In hindsight, disputes aside, it is highly essential for young ones to learn to live within certain defined social and legal boundaries, and there should be no compromise on this, or this might precipitate into a chaotic society.