Effects of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy | Literature Review

Effects of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy | Literature Review What are some of the factors associated with mothers inflicting consistent harm on their children? Munchausen by proxy. A review of the literature. Introduction The literature on Mynchausens syndrome by proxy is considerable and growing at a rapid rate. Many professionals are sure that the condition exists and there appears to be an equally certain number in the non-professional sector who argue vociferously that such professionals are misguided. The purpose of this review is to determine the evidence base for the condition (Sackett, 1996). and to try to present a rational assessment of the very emotive arguments in this area. Literature review The first article that we shall consider is the book by Feldman (et al 1994) which appeared a decade ago, but is useful as it was considered by many to be the â€Å"gold standard† on the topic in its time. The book itself is written as a series of case narratives followed by a discussion on each. This is clearly instructive, but the most important seminal feature of the book is the fact that it was the first to draw a clear distinction between factitious illness and malingering. It describes the authors’ perception that factitious disorders lie along a spectrum from the benign use of illness on one extreme to the syndrome of Mynchausens syndrome by proxy at the other. It is fair to comment that, inevitably, thinking has progressed since this book was published and the basic amalgamation of factitious illness with malingering no longer finds a resonance with mainstream practice today. Malingering is defined here as â€Å"conscious manipulation for external gain such as compensation† while factitious disorder is defined as â€Å"an unconscious motivation to gain attention or control†. More modern opinion believes that many people who seek compensation after trauma are genuine, as can be their symptoms, whether they are purely physical or psychological. The more modern appreciation of the problem would consider that malingering is a conscious manipulation – and therefore not an illness, whereas the factitious disorders generally are essentially unconsciously motivated and therefore more akin to a hysterical conversion disorder and therefore a true illness. The next book to consider is a more recent publication which takes the same presentation – discussion format, as the last. This book (Gregory 2004) is remarkable as it is written by a survivor of the abuse from Mynchausens syndrome by proxy and, in our opinion, should be read by every worker in the field. It presents a remarkably perceptive insight into the mechanisms of the disorder together with a remarkable analysis of the actual resultant coping mechanisms employed by the proxy child who progressively gains both insight and resilience as she gets older and approaches adulthood. It is equally important for the consideration that the author develops for her younger siblings as she becomes aware of them being damaged in the same way. From the healthcare professional’s point of view, there are a number of truly insightful comments including: But the memories that hang heaviest are the easiest to recall. They hold in their creases the ability to change ones life, organically, forever. Even when you shake them out, theyve left permanent wrinkles in the fabric of your soul. Such books as these two are clearly inspirational and edifying, but they do not contribute to the evidence base directly. For that we must turn to the peer reviewed literature. Professors Craft and Hall (2004) have published an excellent review of the pertinent issues which looks, with a degree of concern, at the media presentation of the issues. They suggest that the presentation of Mynchausens syndrome by proxy in the media tends to both glamorise and demonise the condition in a way that is very unhelpful to the healthcare professionals working in the area. They cite tabloid phrases such as â€Å"Meadows discredited theory of Munchausen syndrome by proxy† as being truly hostile to the overriding needs of the victims. The paper itself sets out the evolution of the condition from Caffey’s 1942 paper, where the condition was described but not named, through the papers by Money and Werlwas (1976) to the present day assessment of the condition. The authors specifically consider the issues of Mynchausens syndrome by proxy in relation to severe child abuse and apparent cot death, and provide what should perhaps be considered a most authoritative resume on the issue. In terms of specific psychopathology we can turn to papers such as the one by Eminson D (et al 2000) who suggest that the perpetrators have an increased incidence of personality disorder or, more rarely a psychotic illness. Firstman R (et al 1998) point to the fact that women who suffer from the condition tend to have reported a number of â€Å"fantasies, obsessions and anxieties† regarding their babies which typically focus on their perceived inability to care adequately for them. Golden M (et al. 2003) adds the observation that many of these fantasies include the worry that the mother may actually harm the child together with the observation that there is an associated increase in the incidence of Post natal depression in these cases. References Caffey 1942,  quoted in Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.  Fabricated or induced illness by carers.  London: RCPCH, 2002. Craft AW and D M B Hall 2004 Munchausen syndrome by proxy and sudden infant death BMJ, May 2004; 328: 1309 1312 ; Eminson DM, Postlethwaite RJ. 2000  Munchausen syndrome by proxy abuse: a practical approach.  Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann, 2000. Feldman MD, Ford C, Reinhold T 1994  Patient or Pretender: Inside the Strange World of Factitious Disorders  London: Wiley, ISBN 0-471-58080-5 Firstman R, Talan J. 1998  The death of innocents.  New York: Bantam, 1998. Golden MH, Samuels MP, Southall DP. 2003  How to distinguish between neglect and deprivational abuse.  Arch Dis Child 2003;88: 105-7. Gregory J 2004  Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood  London: Century books ISBN 1 844 13442 3 Money and Werlwas (1976)  Quoted in Fisher G, Mitchell I.  Is Munchausen syndrome by proxy really a syndrome?  Arch Dis Child 1995;72: 530-4. Sackett, (1996).  Doing the Right Thing Right: Is Evidence-Based Medicine the Answer?  Ann Intern Med, Jul 1996; 127: 91 94. 7.12.05 PDG Word count 1,083  

Frank Norris’s Novel McTeague Essay -- Frank Norris McTeague Essays

Frank Norris’s Novel McTeague   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Frank Norris’s novel McTeague explores the decay of society in the early twentieth century. Set in San Francisco, â€Å"a place where anything can happen†¦where fact is often stranger than fiction† (McElrath, Jr. 447), Norris explores themes of greed and naturalism, revealing the darker side of human psyche. What can be found most disturbing is the way that Norris portrays McTeague, in shocking detail, as nothing more than a brute animal at his core. Norris explores the greed and savage animalism that lurks inside McTeague.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McTeague is first portrayed as a gentle giant. The reader is introduced to McTeague as he sits in his dental parlor, smoking his cigar and drinking his steam beer. He is described as a tall, slowly moving man. McTeague’s mind was as his body, heavy, slow to act, sluggish. Yet there was nothing vicious about the man. Altogether he suggested the draft horse, immensely strong, stupid, docile, obedient (Norris 7). Immediately one can visualize McTeague, a large lumbering mass, going about his daily activities in quiet solitude. The dental practice that McTeague runs provides him with a sound income, and in the first few chapters of the novel, he desires nothing more out of life than to practice what he loves. â€Å"When he opened his Dental Parlors, he felt that his life was a success, that he could hope for nothing better† (Norris 7). Upon meeting Trina, his best friend Marcus’s love interest who comes to him because of a broken tooth, his psyche begins to change and animalistic feelings begin to well up inside McTeague. â€Å"The male, virile desire in him tardily awakened, aroused itself, strong and brutal. It was resistless, untrained, a thing not to be held in a leash an instant† (Norris 25). Norris uses the animal imagery to describe the deterioration of McTeague’s human qualities. When McTeague tells Marcus of his intentions with Trina, there is a palpable tension between the two characters. Although at first they act like gentlemen, there is a silent rivalry between them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Well, what are we going to do about it, Mac?† he said. â€Å"I don’ know,† answered McTeague in great distress. â€Å"I don’ want anything to—to come between us, Mark.†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"Well, say, Mac,† he cried, striking the table with his fist, â€Å"go ahead. I guess you—you want her pretty bad. I’ll pull out; yes, I will. I’ll give he... ...ull at his right wrist; something held it fast. Looking down, he saw that Marcus in that last struggle had found strength enough to handcuff their wrists together. Marcus was dead now; McTeague locked to the body. All about him, vast interminable, stretched the measureless leagues of Death Valley (Norris 340). In this last scene, McTeague is left to die in the brutal conditions of Death Valley, a force that his primitiveness and greed cannot escape.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Norris develops the novel in a way that takes the reader through the mind of McTeague. The final effect is one of chilling realism. McTeague develops a greed and brute quality that can be realized in all of us. Norris magnifies the deconstructive traits that lurk inside of society and all of us and shows them too us, if we dare to look for them. Works Cited Brief, Peter. 1,300 Critical Evaluations of Selected Novels and Plays: â€Å"McTeague.† Vol. 3, McT-ROB. Salem Press, 1978. McElrath Jr, Joseph. Twentieth Century Literary Criticism: â€Å"McTeague.† Vol. 24. Gale Research Company, 1987. Norris, Frank. McTeague. USA: Signet Classic, 1964. Rexroth, Kenneth. Afterword from â€Å"McTeague.† USA: New American Library, 1964.

Nowadays the effect of modern society have clearly shown on human society Essay

Nowadays the effect of modern society have clearly shown on human society after 1950’s; however, there still have people live in minority types of family role in the united states and others Asian, Middle East, and Africa are known that man as breadwinner and woman as homemaker. There are few categories that play primary factors including culture and religion, and they become a barrier for people want to live in modern society. Although the changing gender roles of modern society have been observed and been perceived through times, the acceptance of its transformation still causes negative effects to society and family. In modern society, the idea of changing gender roles seem to be difficult not only woman or man do not have the skills for other one’s tasks but it also brings potentially risk to our society. In 1950s, the gender roles have been defined that man as breadwinner and woman as homemaker. As the society’s evolved, a woman becomes more active, ambitious and independent and a man becomes more emotional and involved in house tasks. According to Aaron H. Devor in his article, â€Å"Becoming members of Society: Learning the Social Meaning of Gender,† â€Å"†¦society demands different gender performance from us and reward, tolerates, or punishes us differently for conformity to, or digression from social norm† (527). Thus, when the gender roles are defined in terms of social interaction, then social norms seem to play a key role with it. The social norms tell us how the male and female should behave, expecting people to have their own personal characteristic an d act in a way appropriate to their gender. Even when the changing gender roles affect society, it still needs to consider and follow particularistic obligation of each gender roles. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, woman make up 47 percents of the work place between the ages of 25 and 54 worked outside home in 1995. Therefore, woman spends less time with their children or sends them to babysitter. When the society evolves and the value of the society around us has evaluated as more generalized norms of society, it will affect to the next generation. According to Devor in his article, â€Å"Becoming members of Society: Learning the Social Meaning of Gender,† â€Å"†¦.children initially acquire the value of the society around them almost indiscriminately. To the degree that children absorb the generalized standard of society into their personal concept of that is the generalized other† (530). Therefore, the changes of each parent directly affect to their children and its transformation causes the original characteristic of children to disappear or unnoticeable. Most children consider their parent as role model to follow and learn. Thus, the society and family both play a primary affect to the next generation through changing gender roles. As the previous idea, the family will affect to their children’s gender role; however, the reason unnecessarily applies to all aspects. When the families loosen attention on their children, the lacks of familial concern causes more damaged or perverted and leads the children to the wrong path in future. Each of individual family members which play a central help to their children need to consider what they do or how they behave toward their children. According to â€Å"Becoming members of Society: Learning the Social Meaning of Gender,† the family cannot pressure their children to choose the gender, when the time is right, their children will choose the appropriate gender (Devor 534). I deprecate the way of Devor’s thought, there are statistical datas show that the gender roles of children or adults have been modified by their parent and they are more likely becoming their own gender role. It is only right when the parent helps their children to choose the right path. Because of development of modern society, it appears many people not become what they are such as gays and lesbian, and it is because the lack of concern from their family. In conclusion, modern society has tremendous effects toward the development of our society; however, it also brings the potential risk, and affect to each family generation, and the lack of concerning to children in family during their mature. If we can mix the old and modern family types together, it will give us a perfect family formation in reality. The family cannot live either old type or modern type because it rules out the family existence or cannot have rigid family bond.

Genetically Modified Food Essay

Genetically modified foods have shaped and formed many debates on whether foods should or should not be genetically modified and there are many reasons as to why. Genetically modified foods are foods that are compromised of organisms which have been genetically altered. There are several reasons being affirmative on genetically modified foods, such as supporting the occurrence of diseases and they are said to be faster in growth. However there is a negative side on genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods could cause harmful side effects to the body and the (BT) added to GM foods is unsafe for the body. The topic of genetically modified foods is an extremely controversial topic and brings many opinions to whether it is right or wrong. Genetic modification of foods is done by changing the genes of a cell. Genes are a progression of bases which code for a sequence of amino acids. Amino acids make up proteins which we need for our body to function. The DNA is made of the four bases; Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine and Guanine. Genes are then added or taken from the DNA which changes the colour, size, shape, nutritional value or the way in which the plant or animal grows. With support from scientists farmers have been genetically modifying their crops for quite a long period of time. Foods that are genetically modified unusually include and consist of canola, soy beans, rice corn and various others. Genetically modified foods are banned in numerous countries such as France and other European countries. On the other hand, genetically modified foods are a substantial part of society in Australia; it is in most supermarkets and is something we eat daily. GM foods have no labels on products that declare to consumers whether the products have been genetically modified or not. This causes and is due to consumers having to decide and become unsure about the product selling, whether what they are buying is genetically modified or genuinely natural. A reason affirmative why foods should be genetically modified; is that one of the major benefits is they facilitate in controlling the occurrence of certain diseases. There are several foods that cause allergies to certain people when products consumed. By modifying the DNA system of these foods, the properties causing these allergies are eliminated successfully. It has been said that experts and scientists are working on developing foods that have the ability to cure diseases by genetically modifying foods. Gene technology is similar to traditional breeding, and there is a chance of increasing or decreasing levels of naturally occurring proteins, toxins or further unsafe compounds in foods. Foods that are usually developed traditionally are not normally tested for these types of substances; however they often happen naturally and can be affected by breeding. The use of genes from identified allergenic sources in alteration experiments is not prohibited. If a transformed product is found to stand as an increased risk of allergenicity and it should be put to an end. Scientists have the same opinion that normal tests for allergies in foods should be continuously evaluated and improved, plus caution and concern should be practiced when evaluating all new foods, including those resulting from certain crops. Though developers and manufacturers of genetically modified foods make sure that there are mixtures of advantages of consuming foods in society, a lot of the population is entirely against them. A disadvantage of genetically modified foods is that the biggest threat caused is they can have dangerous and harmful side effects on the human body. It is believed by experts that consumption of these genetically modified foods can reason for the development of diseases which are protected by antibiotics. Additionally, people who consume such foods have increased chances of developing cancer. Besides, genetically modified foods are new inventions, not a lot is well-known about their long-term effects on human beings aswell. A reason for harmful side effects may be because of Gene transfer. Gene transfer from genetically modified foods to cells of the body or to bacteria would cause strong concern if the transferred genetic material has harmful effects. This would be mainly important if antibiotic resistance genes, used in creating genetically modified organisms were to be transferred. Though the likelihood of gene transfer is low, the use of technology without antibiotic resistance genes has been encouraged. There are many other things that could cause harmful side effects, however, as the health effects are unknown, many people prefer to stay away from genetically modified foods. It is also been said that genetically modified foods grow faster than the foods that are grown in the normal manner. Due to this, efficiency increases this then provides the population with more food. Several people believe that there is not enough food in the world to feed everybody; this is why genetically modified foods could potentially cure and solve hunger around the world. As genetically modified foods enlarge the size of crops, additional food is produced by farmers. Therefore, this prevents crops going to waste. If pests are unable to eat the crops, this results in nothing going to waste. As a result, farmers make extra money. It is also said that genetically modified foods are extremely fortunate and lucky in places which experience numerous droughts, or where the soil is lacking ability for crop growing. This is why it is difficult to grow normal crops. Now, we can begin to grow foods in different circumstances. For example, strawberries can be able to be genetically modified to grow in frosts. Other foods that grow in cold climates could be engineered and modified to grow in hot climates, such as Africa where much of the continent lacks to provide food. A disadvantage of genetically modified foods is by adding bacterium (BT) to the cells keep insects under control may not be safe for humans. To genetically modify the crops, the type of bacterium that is added is unhealthy for some people to choose to wear cotton clothing or have jobs associated with cotton. Workers in India that had jobs which were involved in handling genetically modifies cotton caused numerous allergies to the workers. They developed itchy and reddened eyes, rashes on skin, blocked noses, nasal discharge and extreme sneezing. This resulted in some workers ending up having to go to hospital or consume antihistamines daily. This was shown by Stephen Lendman, Global Research showing types of harm from GMO. There are many other examples involved with this type of harm from the (BT) cotton plant, additional cases included sheep which grazed on the (BT) cotton. As well, after a period of time they then became sick and then resulted in death. Adding a bacterium to maintain insects away may possibly not be worth impairment of animals and people. Given the evidence shown, genetically modified foods have equally its advantages and disadvantages. If food is continuously genetically modified, it will still have benefits to us; however it comes along with a lot of risks. The decision whether foods should be genetically modified or not is an extremely debatable topic. Aswell, genetically modified foods are a huge part of society and are in our everyday life. Having foods genetically modified has become so common, that most likely it will on no account be stopped, although some people choose to stay away from these types of products as it keeps them healthy and well. http://www. geneticallymodifiedfoods. co. uk/fact-sheet-pros-vs-cons. html http://www. geneticallymodifiedfood. com/ http://www. foodstandards. gov. au/consumerinformation/gmfoods/ http://www. ornl. gov/sci/techresources/. Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood. shtml http://www. csa. com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview. php http://www. buzzle. com/articles/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons. html http://www. ehow. com/info_8115944_pros-cons-genetically-modified-food. html.

Frankenstein4 essays

Frankenstein4 essays Protagonist: The protagonist in the novel is Victor Frankenstein. He is the main character who contends with the conflict in the novel. His decision to create life provides a problem that he attempts to escape but eventually marks his death. Antagonist: The antagonist in the novel is also the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein. Victor may have directed all of his hate and blame towards the monster he created, but is worst enemy lay within himself and his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions. Conflict: The main conflict in the novel is based on the monster Victor Frankenstein created in his laboratory. He neglects his responsibility to the monster he created by ignoring its existence, and his cowardice leads to inner feelings of guilt and unhappiness that ultimately cause his life to unravel and the people he loves to perish. His refusal to be accountable for his action brings the misery and misfortune that constitute the foundation of the novel. Chronology: Robert Walton writes in his first letter to his sister Margaret Saville about his desire to explore the world. His second letter then tells about his preparations for a crew and more about how he desires to explore the unexplored. In this letter he also explains how he wishes he had a friend to share his life with. In his third letter, he tells how the voyage is underway and going well. His fourth letter tells how the ship became trapped between floating blocks of ice and, after being freed, the ship encounters and takes aboard a man who was stranded on floating ice. Walton tells how the man is in wretched condition and is very melancholy. He tells how he gradually befriends the man and, after talking for some time, the man agrees to tell Walton the story of his life and how he came to be where he is now. His name is told to be Victor Frankenstein. Walton, during the narration, takes notes in the form of a letter for Margaraet. Victor Frankenstein ...

The Best Currency Exchange Methods for Every Situation

The Best Currency Exchange Methods for Every Situation SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re planning a trip to another country, you’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking about the airline you’ll fly, the hotel or AirBnB you’ll stay in, the food you’ll eat, and the fun new things you’ll get to experience. You might not, on the other hand, have thought too much about how you’ll get money on your trip. Despite the fact that currency conversion is a decidedly less interesting travel topic than the best place to go zip-lining, it’s important to understand the costs associated with changing money. Currency exchange requires some time and effort, so it’s necessary to plan ahead or you risk getting stuck with heavy fees. In this article, I’ll cover the basics of how currency exchange works and what you should consider when deciding where and how to change money. How Currency Conversion Works If you’re traveling, sending money to another country, or buying, selling, or trading foreign currency, you’ll need to change your money from one currency to another in a transaction called a currency exchange. Currency exchange tells you what one country’s money is worth in terms of another country’s money. All currencies have different values, which change daily based on different factors like inflation, economic stability, and interest rates. When you exchange currency, you’re trading in a certain amount of money in one currency for the equivalent amount of money in another currency. Currency exchange rates aren’t fixed. Rather, they’re constantly changing. The rate at which you exchange two currencies one day may be different than the rate at which you exchange the same two currencies the next day. Because currency exchange rates change so often, it’s important to understand the best ways to buy, sell, and trade currencies so you get the best deal. Factors to Consider for Currency Exchange There are a lot of fees associated with currency conversion. Read on to learn the three factors that affect currency exchange fees so you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. #1: Explicit Fees Most methods that you’ll use to exchange money will come with a set, explicit fee. You can think about this fee as the cost of doing the business of currency exchange. For instance, you may have to pay a $30 fee to wire money from your bank to a foreign bank. Or, you may be charged a 1% fee to convert your currency at an airport currency exchange teller. Consider these fees when deciding where to exchange your money. A 1% fee may sound more attractive than a flat dollar amount, but could add up to more if you’re exchanging large amounts of money. #2: Conversion Rate Conversion rates almost always differ from the wholesale currency exchange rate. So, for instance, if the wholesale market is charging $1.10 USD per one euro, a bank or currency exchange company like Travelex may charge $1.105 or $1.110 USD per one euro. Again, while this deviation in conversion rate may seem small, it adds up, particularly if you’re exchanging a large amount of money. #3: Convenience The idea of convenience is more nebulous than conversion rates or explicit fees. Convenience is basically the value of your time and effort to exchange money. For instance, if your current bank charges $1.110 USD per one euro, and a different bank charges $1.105 per one euro, it’s probably not worth it to go to the different bank just to save $0.005. Similarly, you need to consider how accessible currency exchange is where you live. If your local bank will exchange currency, that's a solid option. However, if you need to travel three hours out of your way to find a bank that'll change your money, you may just want to wait to change money at the airport. You’ll want to weigh the value of comfort, ease, and convenience versus actual monetary savings. Best Currency Conversion Options In this section, I’ll detail the top currency exchange options for a number of different situations. Best Foreign Exchange Options While Traveling If you’re traveling, you’ll want to make sure changing currency is cheap and convenient. The best option is to withdraw cash as you go on your trip from ATMs. In this section, I’ll describe the most common currency exchange options for travelers. ATMs The most cost efficient way to exchange money in a foreign country is to withdraw money from an ATM. If you have a commonly accepted ATM card, like a Visa or Mastercard, you can likely withdraw money from a foreign ATM while traveling. ATMs are highly prevalent throughout the world and any country that receives even a small number of foreign tourists will have ATMs at least in the airport that you can withdraw cash from. However, there are some downsides to withdrawing from a foreign ATM. First, you can be slapped with fees if you withdraw from a foreign ATM. In addition to a small flat fee for using the ATM in the first place, you’ll likely have a foreign transaction fee that adds between 1-5% to the total amount of your withdrawal. Consider opening an account at a bank like Charles Schwab, for instance, that doesn't charge international transaction fees. Second, it can be difficult to find ATMs that accept U.S. debit cards in some places. While the vast majority of countries with tourists have numerous options for withdrawing cash, some rural or less well-traveled areas may not have cash readily available. You may want to bring some with you, just in case, or withdraw a larger amount when you do visit an ATM so you don't get stuck. Airport Kiosks Airport kiosks are convenient, ubiquitous, and, often, a huge ripoff. Airport kiosks often offer poor exchange rates and high fees for exchanging cash. However, you can use them as a last resort if you need cash on hand when you enter a country. Normally, you can either bring cash to exchange or withdraw cash from your ATM debit or credit card. If you have your ATM card with you, I'd recommend visiting an ATM rather than withdrawing from an airport kiosk. Credit Cards Credit cards are a solid option for paying for things you buy abroad without cash. There are tons of travel credit cards out there that don't charge international transaction fees, so if you can get one of those, I'd recommend using your credit card as much as possible. You can also commonly withdraw cash as a cash advance from your credit card. However, most credit cards charge cash advance fees and higher interest rates on cash withdrawals. If you decide to use your credit card abroad, I'd stick to using it on credit card transactions and withdraw money with your debit card instead. Cash Conversion Banks and credit unions often offer the most favorable conversion rates and limited to no fees if you exchange with a teller. Banks and credit unions, however, often exchange only widely used and popular currencies, such as the peso or the euro. If you’re looking for a less common currency, you might not be able to conduct a currency exchange at your bank. Before going to your bank, be sure to look up their currency exchange policies online or speak to a representative over the phone. You want to confirm that your branch a) actually offers currency conversion services, and b) carries the currency you need. Best Foreign Exchange Options for Sending Money to a Foreign Country Sending money to a foreign country can be expensive, with lots of hidden fees. In general, your best options are wire or online transfers, which often have flat fees. You can also use PayPal or Western Union if you have to, which charge a percentage fee. Wire/Online Transfers Wire transfers, which you can make in person or over the phone at a bank, or online transfers, which you can make using your online banking account, are the best options for sending money abroad. Most banks and credit unions only charge a small flat fee for wire transfers (typically between $15 - $30), so if you’re moving a large amount of money, you’ll save on fees by transferring directly from your bank. Wire and online transfers also allow you to transfer more money at one time than using a third party service like PayPal or Western Union. If you’re sending money to a foreign bank, you’ll need information from the recipient, including the name and address of their financial institution, as well as a SWIFT or IBAN number. PayPal PayPal is a solid option for transferring money to foreign accounts, but does come with more fees than most wire or online transfers. For transactions under $3,000, you’ll pay a 2.9% fee, plus a $0.30 per transaction charge. Larger transfers incur less of a fee, but are more restricted. If you want to make a larger transaction, you’ll have to go through additional identity verification steps. Western Union Western Union charges a flat rate for transferring money to another account. Their fees are typically higher than those at most banks and credit unions. You’ll also be charged an exchange rate on transfers made on international funds. Unfortunately, most Western Union foreign transactions don’t receive a favorable exchange rate. Best Foreign Exchange Options for Currency Trading Currency trading is a complicated, fast-paced business. If you’re looking for a forex broker, consider one of the following options. Oanda Oanda is a strong trading platform that offers a large selection of currency pairs (90+). Oanda is friendly to newer traders, as it has a $0 account minimum and no requirements for minimum trade lot. Oanda also had the lowest spread markup on commissions across the seven major currency pairs. Ameritrade TD Ameritrade is the leader in currency exchange, with an unmatched selection of currency pairs and lots of tools for investors. Trades will be subject to commissions, however, and TD Ameritrade has an account minimum of $2,000. Best Options for Buying and Selling Foreign Cash in the US Back from your trip with lots of foreign cash still in hand? Consider these methods for buying and selling foreign currency in the United States. Your Bank Banks will likely offer you the best deal on buying back currency, but may not buy back all types of currency. Airport Kiosks If your bank won’t buy back your money, airport kiosks will buy almost all types of currency. But, you probably won’t get a great exchange rate, but at least you won’t be stuck with cash you can’t use! Current Currency Exchange Rates Check out the chart below for current currency exchange rates, as well as the current currency exchange rate at Travelex. Note, rates are constantly changing. I included these so you could see how the Travelex rate differs from the stated daily exchange rate. Currency Exchange Rate ($1 USD =) Travelex Rate Canadian Dollar 1.3274 1.1757 Mexican Peso 18.00027 15.9987 European Euro 0.8934 0.8146 British Pound 0.7814 0.7141 Chinese Yuan 6.84 6.0283 Japanese Yen 111.28 98.9324 Australian Dollar 1.32 1.1639 Russian Ruble 59.45 49.9108 Swiss Franc 0.9693 0.8741 South African Rand 12.91 11.1990 In Summary Changing money can be a complicated, but necessary process. If you’re exchanging your currency, you’ve got a number of different options, depending on how much money you need and which currency you’re exchanging. Be sure to do your research or risk getting saddled with unexpected and hefty extra fees.

Murders of Czar Nicholas II of Russia and His Family

Murders of Czar Nicholas II of Russia and His Family The tumultuous reign of Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, was tarnished by his ineptitude in both foreign and domestic affairs that helped to bring about the Russian Revolution. The Romanov Dynasty, which had ruled Russia for three centuries, came to an abrupt and bloody end in July 1918, when Nicholas and his family, who had been held under house arrest for more than a year, were brutally executed by Bolshevik soldiers. Who Was Nicholas II? Young Nicholas, known as the tsesarevich, or heir apparent to the throne, was born on May 18, 1868, the first child of Czar Alexander III and Empress Marie Feodorovna. He and his siblings grew up in Tsarskoye Selo, one of the residences of the imperial family located outside of St. Petersburg. Nicholas was schooled not only in academics, but also in gentlemanly pursuits such as shooting, horsemanship, and even dancing. Unfortunately, his father, Czar Alexander III, did not devote a great deal of time to preparing his son to one day become the leader of the massive Russian Empire. As a young man, Nicholas enjoyed several years of relative ease, during which he embarked upon world tours and attended countless parties and balls. After seeking a suitable wife, he became engaged to Princess Alix of Germany in the summer of 1894. But the carefree lifestyle that Nicholas had enjoyed came to an abrupt end on November 1, 1894, when Czar Alexander III died of nephritis (a kidney disease). Virtually overnight, Nicholas II- inexperienced and ill-equipped for the task- became the new czar of Russia. The period of mourning was briefly suspended on November 26, 1894, when Nicholas and Alix were married in a private ceremony. The following year, daughter Olga was born, followed by three more daughters- Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia- over a period of five years. (The long-awaited male heir, Alexei, would be born in 1904.) Delayed during the long period of formal mourning, Czar Nicholas coronation was held in May 1896. But the joyous celebration was marred by a horrible incident when 1,400 revelers were killed during a stampede at Khodynka Field in Moscow. The new czar, however, refused to cancel any of the ensuing celebrations, giving the impression to his people that he was indifferent to the loss of so many lives. Growing Resentment of the Czar In a series of further missteps, Nicholas proved himself unskilled in both foreign and domestic affairs. In a 1903 dispute with the Japanese over territory in Manchuria, Nicholas resisted any opportunity for diplomacy. Frustrated by Nicholas refusal to negotiate, the Japanese took action in February 1904, bombing Russian ships in the harbor at Port Arthur in southern Manchuria. The Russo-Japanese War continued for another year and a half and ended with the czars forced surrender in September 1905. Given a large number of Russian casualties and the humiliating defeat, the war failed to draw the support of the Russian people. Russians were dissatisfied about more than just the Russo-Japanese War. Inadequate housing, poor wages, and widespread hunger among the working class created hostility toward the government. In protest of their abysmal living conditions, tens of thousands of protestors marched peacefully upon the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg on January 22, 1905. Without any provocation from the crowd, the czars soldiers opened fire on the protestors, killing and wounding hundreds. The event came to be known as Bloody Sunday, and further stirred up anti-czarist sentiment among the Russian people. Although the czar was not at the palace at the time of the incident, his people held him responsible. The massacre enraged the Russian people, leading to strikes and protests throughout the country, and culminating in the 1905 Russian Revolution. No longer able to ignore his peoples discontent, Nicholas II was forced to act. On October 30, 1905, he signed the October Manifesto, which created a constitutional monarchy as well as an elected legislature, known as the Duma. Yet the czar maintained control by limiting the powers of the Duma and maintaining veto power. Birth of Alexei During that time of great turmoil, the royal couple welcomed the birth of a male heir, Alexei Nikolaevich, on August 12, 1904. Apparently healthy at birth, young Alexei was soon found to be suffering from hemophilia, an inherited condition that causes severe, sometimes fatal hemorrhaging. The royal couple chose to keep their sons diagnosis a secret, fearing it would create uncertainty about the future of the monarchy. Distraught about her sons illness, Empress Alexandra doted upon him and isolated herself and her son from the public. She desperately searched for a cure or any kind of treatment that would keep her son out of danger. In 1905, Alexandra found an unlikely source of help- the crude, unkempt, self-proclaimed healer, Grigori Rasputin. Rasputin became a trusted confidante of the empress because he could do what no one else had been capable of- he kept young Alexei calm during his bleeding episodes, thereby reducing their severity. Unaware of Alexeis medical condition, the Russian people were suspicious of the relationship between the empress and Rasputin. Beyond his role of providing comfort to Alexei, Rasputin had also become an adviser to Alexandra and even influenced her opinions on affairs of state. WWI and the Murder of Rasputin Following the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, Russia became embroiled in the First World War, as Austria declared war on Serbia. Stepping in to support Serbia, a fellow Slavic nation, Nicholas mobilized the Russian army in August 1914. The Germans soon joined the conflict, in support of Austria-Hungary. Although he had initially received the support of the Russian people in waging a war, Nicholas found that support dwindling as the war dragged on. The poorly-managed and ill-equipped Russian Army- led by Nicholas himself- suffered considerable casualties. Nearly two million were killed over the duration of the war. Adding to the discontent, Nicholas had left his wife in charge of affairs while he was away at war. Yet because Alexandra was German-born, many Russians distrusted her; they also remained suspicious about her alliance with Rasputin. General loathing and mistrust of Rasputin culminated in a plot by several members of the aristocracy to murder him. They did so, with great difficulty, in December 1916. Rasputin was poisoned, shot, then bound and thrown into the river. Russian Revolution and the Czars Abdication All across Russia, the situation grew increasingly desperate for the working class, which struggled with low wages and rising inflation. As they had done before, the people took to the streets in protest of the governments failure to provide for its citizens. On February 23, 1917, a group of nearly 90,000 women marched through the streets of Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) to protest their plight. These women, many of whose husbands had left to fight in the war, struggled to make enough money to feed their families. The following day, several thousand more protesters joined them. People walked away from their jobs, bringing the city to a standstill. The czars army did little to stop them; in fact, some soldiers even joined the protest. Other soldiers, loyal to the czar, did fire into the crowd, but they were clearly outnumbered. The protestors soon gained control of the city during the February/March 1917 Russian Revolution. With the capital city in the hands of revolutionaries, Nicholas finally had to concede that his reign was over. He signed his abdication statement on March 15, 1917, bringing an end to the 304-year-old Romanov Dynasty. The royal family was allowed to stay on at the Tsarskoye Selo palace while officials decided their fate. They learned to subsist on soldiers rations and to make do with fewer servants. The four girls had all recently had their heads shaved during a bout of measles; oddly, their baldness gave them the appearance of prisoners. Royal Family Exiled to Siberia For a brief time, the Romanovs had hoped they would be granted asylum in England, where the czars cousin, King George V, was reigning monarch. But the plan- unpopular with British politicians who deemed Nicholas a tyrant- was quickly abandoned. By the summer of 1917, the situation in St. Petersburg had become increasingly unstable, with Bolsheviks threatening to overrun the provisional government. The czar and his family were quietly moved to western Siberia for their own protection, first to Tobolsk, then finally to Ekaterinburg. The home where they spent their final days was a far cry from the extravagant palaces they had been accustomed to, but they were grateful to be together. In October 1917, the Bolsheviks, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, finally gained control of the government following the second Russian Revolution. Thus the royal family also came under the control of the Bolsheviks, with fifty men assigned to guard the house and its occupants. The Romanovs adapted as best they could to their new living quarters, as they awaited what they prayed would be their liberation. Nicholas faithfully made entries in his diary, the empress worked on her embroidery, and the children read books and put on plays for their parents. The four girls learned from the family cook how to bake bread. During June 1918, their captors repeatedly told the royal family that they would soon be moved to Moscow and should be prepared to leave at any time. Each time, however, the trip was delayed and rescheduled for a few days later. Brutal Murders of the Romanovs While the royal family waited for a rescue that would never take place, civil war raged throughout Russia between the Communists and the White Army, which opposed Communism. As the White Army gained ground and headed for Ekaterinburg, the Bolsheviks decided they must act swiftly. The Romanovs must not be rescued. At 2:00 a.m. in the morning on July 17, 1918, Nicholas, his wife, and their five children, along with four servants, were awakened and told to prepare for departure. The group, led by Nicholas, who carried his son, was escorted to a small room downstairs. Eleven men (later reported to have been drunk) came into the room and began firing shots. The czar and his wife were first to die. None of the children died outright, probably because all wore hidden jewels sewn inside their clothing, which deflected the bullets. The soldiers finished the job with bayonets and more gunfire. The grisly massacre had taken 20 minutes. At the time of death, the czar was 50 years old and the empress 46. Daughter Olga was 22 years old, Tatiana was 21, Maria was 19, Anastasia was 17, and Alexei was 13 years old. The bodies were removed, and taken to the site of an old mine, where the executioners did their best to hide the identities of the corpses. They chopped them up with axes, and doused them with acid and gasoline, setting them afire. The remains were buried at two separate sites. An investigation soon after the murders failed to turn up the bodies of the Romanovs and their servants. (For many years afterward, it was rumored that Anastasia, the czars youngest daughter, had survived the execution and was living somewhere in Europe. Several women over the years claimed to be Anastasia, most notably Anna Anderson, a German woman with a history of mental illness. Anderson died in 1984; DNA testing later proved she was not related to the Romanovs.) Final Resting Place of the Romanovs Another 73 years would pass before the bodies were found. In 1991, the remains of nine people were excavated at Ekaterinburg. DNA testing confirmed they were the bodies of the czar and his wife, three of their daughters, and four servants. A second grave, containing the remains of Alexei and one of his sisters (either Maria or Anastasia), was discovered in 2007. Sentiment toward the royal family- once demonized in Communist society- had changed in post-Soviet Russia. The Romanovs, canonized as saints by the Russian Orthodox church, were remembered at a religious ceremony on July 17, 1998 (eighty years to the date of their murders), and reburied in the imperial family vault at the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Nearly 50 descendants of the Romanov dynasty attended the service, as did Russian President Boris Yeltsin.