How to Sell Trees for Timber

How to Sell Trees for Timber Can you sell your tree for lumber and make a profit? Lumber from trees such as red or white oak, black walnut, paulownia, and black cherry is quite expensive, and the tree in your yard may contain an impressive quantity of wood. While it is possible to sell one (or several) trees for lumber, research and effort are required to get a good price from a reputable buyer. Before making the move, think through the pros and cons. Do You Really Want to Remove Your Tree? Before seeking a buyer for your tree, be sure you know why youre removing a valuable hardwood tree from your yard. Are its roots damaging your foundation? Is the foliage overwhelming your home? Or are you just eager to have a bit more lawn? If theres no solid reason to remove the tree, its value may be greater in your yard than at a sawmill. A large hardwood tree provides shade, which cools your home and lowers air conditioning costs. It also improves air quality, controls water runoff, and raises your property value. In addition, your tree may provide homes to songbirds and other native animals. How to Sell a Single Tree It is generally much easier to sell trees as part of a woodlot harvest, where many trees are sold and harvested at the same time. To cut down your tree, a timber buyer must bring in laborers, a log truck, skidder, loader, and other equipment. He must then cut the logs and haul them to the mill to sell. After expenses, its unlikely that hell make any money from cutting a single tree unless its extraordinarily valuable. If youre determined to sell your tree, your best option might be to look for an operator who owns a small, portable sawmill. Small operators have less overhead, and they make their money finding single living or dead high-value trees, then sawing the lumber to specifications that are attractive to woodworkers and turners.   Tips for Selling Multiple Trees Although its easier to sell timber from multiple trees because the profit margin is so much greater for the forester, there are pitfalls even if youre selling quite a bit of wood. One botched sale can cost you much of the value of decades-old timber and can negatively influence future harvests. Here are suggestions for selling multiple trees: 1. Find a Professional Forestry Partner Selling timber requires expert advice. Studies show that timber sellers using a professional forester get up to 50 percent more per sale. A forester who sells trees for a living and practices within your sale area will be your best partner; he will know timber product grades and values and be familiar with local timber buyers and the general market. Private foresters usually offer their services for a fee. Timber owners often find this expense more than offset by the higher selling price received for their timber. Find a  forester  and listen to him as you would to a doctor or lawyer. You and the forester will ultimately have to determine which trees should be cut and how they should be harvested. Your partner will also help you to estimate your trees  volumes  and value. To find a professional forester, according to the U.S. Forest Service: contact your service or County Agricultural Extension or Forestry Extension agent. Service forestry personnel are often located within the state Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, or Forestry Commission. Extension Forestry personnel are typically located at your local Land-Grant university in the Forestry Department. Alternatively, you can visit the website of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, which contains links to every states free services, often including forestry assistance by professional foresters. 2. Understand the Value of Your Timber As a timber grower, you should know something about the quality and value of the timber you are selling. Remember that each tree has unique marketable characteristics and associated volume. Your forester partner will  inventory  the timber for these characteristics and provide an estimate of volumes (along with estimated value) available for harvest. This report can then be used to estimate a fair price you can expect for your sale. From the inventory, you can expect to know: The type of timber forest products youre growing: Different prices are paid for different timber products.The timber species you have for sale: Some species command higher prices than others due to high demand, low supply, or special qualities.The quality of your timber: Quality affects timber values as it does any other product.The volume of timber you can sell: Logging requires heavy equipment and employees, so larger volumes of timber translate to higher profit margins.The distance from the closest market: Transportation of forest products is expensive. Local mills should be able to pay higher prices for your products than more distant mills.The size of your trees: Generally, larger trees bring the best prices. Large saw logs and poles are worth more than small ones. 3. Identify Prospective Timber Buyers and Send Timber Prospectuses You should now identify prospective buyers. Your forester partner most likely will have a list that he works from. You might also want to prepare a list of buyers in the county of sale as well as in surrounding counties. Call your state foresters office or state forestry association for a list of buyers.   Mail a prospectus and bid invitation to each buyer within your procurement region. A sealed bid system should be used and generally results in the highest selling price.  A bid prospectus should be simple but informative and include: Date, time, and location of the bid openingTerms of paymentTimber product, species, and volume summaryLocation mapBid formInformation about the deposit/performance bondStatement of sellers rights to reject bidsNotice of a show-me tour of sale area The potential buyer will probably insist on examining the timber for sale before making an offer. A tour or show-me meeting on the timber site allows all interested buyers to check the volume and quality of the timber and to estimate their logging costs. They should also be allowed to inspect and keep a copy of the contract or agreement you attach to the sale. 4. Understand Your Timber Contract After all bids are received, you and your forester partner should notify the highest acceptable bidder and arrange to execute a written  timber contract. Any deposit or performance bond agreed upon should be collected. Copies of the contract should be prepared for buyer and seller. Regardless of the size of the timber sale, a written contract prevents misunderstanding and protects the buyer and seller. The contract should contain, at a minimum: A description of the timber saleThe selling priceTerms of paymentWhich timber will and wont be cutTime allowed to cut and remove timberA requirement for adherence to all forestry Best Management Practices Special provisions may include cutting extensions; the location of log landings, roads, and skid trails; conditions under which logging wont be permitted; protection of residual timber and other property; a procedure for settling disputes; responsibility for wildfire suppression; disposal of litter; subcontracting of parts of the work; erosion and water quality control measures; and contractor liability exclusions. An easy way for a  do-it-yourselfer  to quickly get into trouble is selling timber using lump sum value with only a handshake and without a tree inventory. Dont sell lump sum without a timber inventory, a contract, and a down payment. Another way to get into big trouble is selling your timber on a pay-as-cut basis while letting the buyer grade and measure logs without you or a representative inspecting his work. Pay-as-cut allows the buyer to pay you by the log load, so you or your forester partner will need to verify the amount of timber in each load. To make sure terms of the timber sale contract are being met, either you or your agent should inspect the operation several times during the harvest and upon completion. 5. Time Your Sale Wisely Timing is important in getting the best price for wood. The best time to sell, obviously, is when  demand for timber is up and prices are at a peak. This is easier said than done, but you should be aware of current stumpage prices and market conditions in your area. Your forester partner can help you to time your sale correctly. With the exception of a specific disaster (from pests, weather, or fire), you shouldnt be rushed into a sale. Trees, unlike other farm products, can be stored on the stump during poor markets. One constant that history always confirms is that timber values eventually go up. 6. Protect Your Land After the Harvest Is Complete Steps should be taken immediately after harvest to protect the land from erosion and to ensure the productivity of this future forest. Roads, skid trails, and logging decks should be secured and reshaped if necessary. Bare areas should be seeded with grass to prevent erosion and provide food for wildlife.

Manson Family Member Linda Kasabian

Manson Family Member Linda Kasabian Charles Manson made a poor call when he picked Linda Kasabian to join the group of killers who set out to kill everyone inside the homes of actress Sharon Tate and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Kasabian was there  but stood in horror as the screams of the victims broke the nights silence. She managed to escape from the Manson family and later turned states evidence during the Tate and LaBianca murder trials. It was her eye-witness testimony that sealed the convictions of those responsible for the brutal murders. The Early Days Linda Kasabian was born on June 21, 1949, in Biddeford, Maine. At age 16, she quit school, left home and headed out west in search for the meaning of life. While on the road, she lived in various hippie communes where she engaged in casual sex and drugs. By the age of 20, she was a two-time divorcee and had given birth to a baby girl. On July 4, 1969, pregnant with her second child, she visited Spahn Ranch and immediately joined Charles Manson and the Manson family. Helter Skelter On August 8, 1969, Kasabian, who had only been with the Manson family for four weeks, was selected by Manson to drive family members Tex Watson, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel to 10050 Cielo Drive. The assignment for the night was to murder everyone inside the home. Manson believed that the massacre would kick start an apocalyptic race war that he had predicted and named Helter Skelter. It was the address of actor Sharon Tate and her husband, film director Roman Polanski.   The couple was renting the house and Sharon Tate, who was eight and a half months pregnant, invited Hollywood hairstylist, Jay Sebring,  coffee heiress Abigail Folger, and Polish actor Wojciech Frykowski, to stay as house guests while Polanski was away in London. 10050 Cielo Drive had previously been the home of record producer Terry Melcher, who Manson had tried to get a record contract with, but the deal never materialized. Angry that Melcher was putting him off, Manson when to his home to confront him, but Melcher had moved away and Manson was asked to leave the premises. Angry and rejected, the address became symbolic of all that Manson hated about the establishment. Butchered When the Manson family members arrived at the Tate home, Kasabian watched as the groups first victim, 18-year-old Steven Parent, was shot to death by Tex Watson. Parent had just graduated from high school and was trying to raise money for college. He was hoping to sell his radio to his friend William Garretson, who was the caretaker of the Tate home.  After visiting with Garretson, he  was on his way home and was driving up to the electric gates to leave the Tate home, just as the Manson group arrived. Watson knifed and shot him three times, killing him. Kasabian later  stood watch outside the Tate home and heard screams coming from inside. She watched in shock as some of the victims came running outside the home, soaked in blood and screaming for help, only to be caught and butchered on the front lawn by Tex Watson  and Susan Atkins. Kasabian tried to stop the massacre by telling the group that she heard noises, but her attempts failed and everyone inside the house, including eight-month pregnant Sharon Tate was viciously murdered. After the murders, Kasabian wiped off blood and fingerprints from the weapons used in the murders and dropped them into a ravine. The LaBianca Murders The next night Kasabian was ordered by Manson to go out again and later testified that she was too afraid to tell him no. This time the group included Manson, Watson, Atkins, Krenwinkel. Kasabian, Van Houten and Steve Grogan. The group drove to Leo and Rosemary LaBianca. First Manson and Tex went inside the LaBianca home and tied up the couple. He instructed Watson, Krenwinkel, and Van Houten to go inside and kill the couple. Manson, Kasabian, Atkins and Grogan drove away, and went hunting for another victim.   Manson wanted to find and murder an actor who was also one of Kasabians old boyfriends. She purposely pointed out the wrong apartment and the group, tired of driving around, gave up and returned to the ranch. Kasabian Escapes Spahn Ranch Two days after the LaBianca murders, Kasabian agreeing to run an errand for Manson, used the opportunity to flee from Spahn Ranch. To avoid suspicion she had to leave her daughter Tonya behind. Later  she located her daughter at a foster home where she was placed after the October police raid on Spahn Ranch. Kasabian Turns State Evidence Kasabian went to live with her mother in New Hampshire. A warrant for her arrest was issued on December 2, 1969, for her involvement in the Tate and LaBianca murders. She immediately turned herself over to the authorities and turned states evidence and was given immunity for her testimony. Her testimony was invaluable for the prosecution in the Tate-LaBianca murder trial. Co-defendants Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten were found guilty largely based on Kasabians direct and honest testimony. After the trial, she returned to New Hampshire where she dealt with a lot of public scorn. She eventually changed her name and it has been rumored hat she moved to Washington State. See Also: The Manson Family Photo Album Source:Desert Shadows by Bob MurphyHelter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt GentryThe Trial of Charles Manson by Bradley Steffens

Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act Assignment

Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act - Assignment Example The loss of habitats for most wildlife is the main cause of listing of species. On listing of a certain species, legal and powerful means are availed to protect its habitats. In the same way, when resources are associated with the listed species, for example water in dry regions or free-flowing rivers, ESA is seen as a hindrance to greater human utilisation. ESA may also be controversial since the diminishing species usually are harbingers of broader ecosystem conflicts. This makes ESA a major driver of large-scale ecosystem restoration issues (Miller & Spoolman 315).Previous congresses have held oversight hearings on the implementation of certain federal laws and programs addressing endangered and threatened species (Snape and Weiner 61). Some of the hearings involved topics such as delisting and listing decisions under ESA to validate endowment levels for international programs of conservation. The 113th congress that will be held will include discussion of issues like how to allocate programs and activities that seek to assist the adaptation of certain species to changes in climate. Another issue that will be discussed concerning ESA will be concerned with the role of Science in making decisions on essential habitat designation, suitable fortification of listed species, incentives for property owners among other decisions (Miller & Spoolman 315). ESA is one of the most contentious environmental regulations due to its substantive requirements that influence the use of both non-federal and federal resources and lands. Under the law, species are to be listed as in danger of extinction based solely on the most significant scientific information without regarding economic factors (The University of Michigan 6). Congress is faces the matter of how to weigh the safeguarding of endangered species with economic interests (Heather & Snape 62). Strong opposition has been the major cause of failure to reauthorize ESA. The last reauthorization

The Gap (Gap Inc.), an international retailer company Essay

The Gap (Gap Inc.), an international retailer company - Essay Example Local Network with certain recommendations that may help other companies and organizations to achieve better compliance with the following important principles of the Global Compact: Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights (UN Global Compact 2011). Principle 2: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility (UN Global Compact 2011). We believe our experience designing and implementing numerous CSR programs can be considered reliable, because Gap Inc. owns more than 3,100 stores worldwide and employs more than 150,000 people from all over the world, all of which are actively engaged in the Gap’s efforts to support human rights and environmental protection (Wright 2007). Having tries many approaches to supporting human rights and protecting the environment, we have come up with several strategies that help us to be a sustainable and responsible company, whose operations benefit all of the stakeholders. Lessons Learnt Gap Inc. has been continuously devoting much time and attention to promoting human rights protection programs. In particular, we are promoting diversity in every sphere of our operations. â€Å"Diversity is the rich variety reflected in our work environment and marketplace – including ethnicity, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, faith, culture and global experiences†.... Human Rights Policy 2010). Nevertheless, we have had some negative experience. Workers of our supplier factory made claims of labor abuses and offensive attitudes from the side of their management (Smith, Ansett, and Erez 2011). For that reason we had to invest millions of dollars into making sure that employees of our supply chain were treated with respect and dignity (Amazeen, Michelle 2011). As for protecting the natural environment of our planet, we are members of Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) (Environment 2011). As the members of BICEP we take a great care of design and development policies, strategies and procedures related to protecting our world in terms of working with clean energy and approaching the climate change challenges (Environment – Public Policy 2011) At the same time, we have watched the negative experience of one of our suppliers, the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. In 2009 this company was reported to pour unused and toxic mat erials into local rivers (Smith, Ansett, and Erez 2011). This shows that the organization does not give much care to the environmental constraints facing the global society. Recommendations On the basis of both positive and negative lessons learnt from past experience, Gap Inc. would like to draw the attention of the Local Networks to the outlined below recommendations. We believe the presented here measures will significantly improve positions of companies both financially, though increased customer loyalty, and socially, through improved corporate image and identity. Develop a standardized set of guidelines for business and organizations to follow in order to

Describe the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of chronic Essay

Describe the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of chronic leukemia - Essay Example This is when leukemia cells grow more rapidly. One of the most common symptoms of chronic leukemia is swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. Other symptoms include fever, bone pain, weight loss, night sweats, reduced immunity, abdominal discomforts, and fatigue among many others. In the initial diagnosis, key factors include lack of significant circulating blasts, frequent thrombocytosis, and mild anemia. Chronic leukemia patients exhibit a cytochemical abnormality, characterised by low leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (Schiller 2003). A record of low leukocyte alkaline phosphatase is associated with relatively low levels of granulocyte colony- stimulating factor. Additional laboratory features include elevated elastase and uric acid levels. However, in order to confirm the disease, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is required to all patients considered to have chronic leukemia (Wiernik 2001). This helps not only to verify the diagnosis, but also to offer some essential information concerning the stage of the disease. In general, patients with chronic leukemia are diagnosed with immature leukocytes in their blood, and include increased number of white blood cells taking abnormal shapes (Skeel and Khleif 2011). However, the red blood cells and platelets tend to appear to be less than the normal quantities. Due to its nature of slow progression, chronic leukemia may not call for immediate treatment. However, it is vital for persons with this type of leukemia to seek frequent check ups for proper monitoring of the disease (Moini 2012). Nevertheless, there are five stages involved in treatment of this type of leukemia: chemotherapy is one of them and it is used to kill leukemia cells, which involves use of anti-cancer drugs (Swearingen 2008). Radiation is also used to kill cancer cells, which involves exposing them to high-energy radiation. Interferon therapy is

Role of the Government vs. Private Sector in Paying for the Healthcare Essay Example for Free

Role of the Government vs. Private Sector in Paying for the Healthcare Essay Writing Prompt 1 Table 1: Clinical United States (High Income Country) Somalia (Low Income Country) High life expectancy. Low life expectancy. Low mortality rate. High mortality rate. Low infant mortality rate. High infant mortality rate. Low adult mortality rate. High adult mortality rate. Cause-specific morbidity and mortality (low mortality rate due to communicable, non-communicable, and injury). Cause-specific morbidity and mortality (high mortality rate due to communicable, non-communicable, and injury). Low rate of infectious diseases (Cholera, Malaria, TB). High rate of infectious diseases (Cholera, Malaria, TB). High health service coverage. Low health coverage. Low risk factors. High risk factors. High availability of health systems as regards to physicians, nurses, and hospital beds per 10,000 people. Low availability of health systems as regards to physicians, nurses, and hospital beds per 10,000 people. Median availability of generic medicines in public and private sectors. Median availability of generic medicines in public and private sectors. Median consumer price ration of generic medicines in public and private sectors. Median consumer price ration of generic medicines in public and private sectors. Median age of population = 40 years. Median age of population = 17.5 years. Median age among adults = 55 years. Median age among adults = 30 years. Low literacy level. High literacy level. High gross national income per capita of $50, 120. Low gross national income per capita of $150. Little part of population living on $1 and below a day. Large part of population living on $1 and below a day. Table 2: Sources Expected years of life at birth. Categories of national health expenditure. 80 years in the United States and 51.19 years in Somalia. $2.7 trillion or $9,000 per person in the United States and $2 per person in Somalia. Role of the Government vs. Private Sector in Paying for the Healthcare From the data available in the table, it is evident that the role of the Government apropos the provision of healthcare to the citizens of the United States is a high compared to the same services in Somalia. That is, the public sector has a high responsibility to ensure payment and subsidizing of hospital bills for its citizens. National health systems of these two countries differ significantly because of public and private sectors involved in the health docket. The Government of the United States plays greater role in healthcare services starting from the provision of healthcare facilities to making relatively cheaper and available healthcare services and providing health insurance cover to all public employees. Andersen, Rice, Kominski (2011) assert that the Government also provides healthcare payments through Medicare and Medicaid to its citizens without favors. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of the US enables treatment of patients, who need emergency trea tment by availing funds that cover the costs incurred in such instances. Public sector is the backbone of the United States as an independent country whose values and principles are well established to ensure maximum social  advantage. Private sector also plays a greater role in paying for healthcare compared to the public sector in the United States. On the other hand, both private and public sectors play minor roles in paying for healthcare services and facilities. This is mainly because of the fact that Somali’s government is not politically stable, and this also hampers private investors, which translates to government’s and private sector’s minor role in paying for the healthcare of its citizens. Unlike in Somalia, there is quality service assurance in many healthcare centers in the US, which ensures that proper healthcare procedures provided for the welfare of United States’ citizens. Besides, Capobianco Naidu (2008) opine that Somalia is a poorly developed country, whose healthcare development heavily depends on inter national aids to support the country. The World Health Organization reports that Somalia has high mortality rate with low life expectancy compared to the United States, which is a much more developed nation in the globe. Data also unveils that health system physicians allocated per ten thousand people is reasonably good due to higher literacy level in the United States compared to Somalia. Here, both private and public sectors play a bigger role, whereby the public sector provides enough support to a private sector in various ways. This also explains why there are enough hospital beds available to accommodate a bigger number of patients. The Government of the United States through its intervention ventures into necessary expenses ensures that enough healthcare facilities, such as clinics, are set up in various communities and centers in a bid to reduce the risk of running into shortages. In addition, the Government of the United States in collaboration with the private sector has inexorably endeavored to support one another to pay for the healthcare and improve services in all states. Burden of Illness and Other Health Indices The United States is one of the most developed countries in the world, which means that the country has the potency to provide healthcare facilities and highly competitive healthcare services to its citizens without feeling the pinch. The country has well-developed heath care units that range from clinics that are set up in almost every corner to large hospitals with  relevant and enough healthcare equipment and tools to meet the demand when it arises. In addition, unlike in Somalia, the United States has various research centers that are involved in everyday research in a bid to find medical solutions to everyday problems as far as diseases are concerned. These very research institutes have enough facilities and expertise to undertake numerous studies and develop solutions to various problems. Barton (2010) reiterates that the burden of illness in the United States is not evident due to the high investment in countrys healthcare sector. Various health indices depict the United Sta tes as a nation that can comfortably and without strain provide some free healthcare services and other subsidized services to its citizens. This is however not the case in Somalia due to lack of such institutions and disparity in healthcare service delivery. There are incredibly few healthcare centers in the country, and those few that are available cannot fully serve the whole population. Low mortality rate both among children and among adults, which translates into high life expectancy in the United States, clearly depicts that the burden of illness is insignificant. This is unlike in Somalia where the opposite is true. That is, life expectancy in the United States is 80 years, while it is only 51 years in Somalia. Besides, there is high health coverage in terms of provision of healthcare services that covers almost all diseases that cannot be easily treated in Somalia due to lack of expertise and facilities at the few available healthcare centers in the country. There are more risk factors leading to high mortality rate in Somalia compared with the United States due to poor implementation of policies regarding stepping up health facilities and prevention measures to reduce the number of deaths among the Somali populace. Relationship b etween Payment System and Health Burden There exists a nexus between the payment system and the health burden evident in each of the two countries. That is, the health burden directly related to the payment system of these two nations in the sense that there is a bigger health burden in Somalia due to poor payment system implemented. This significantly contributes to a heavy health burden experience in this country. High mortality rate both among adults and among children as well as low life expectancy coupled with low income per capita and low illiteracy  levels in Somalia are indicators of a huge health burden among country’s populace. According to Capobianco Naidu (2008), poor development in infrastructure and in relevant sectors have utterly crippled countrys potency to provide proper medical care to its citizens despite the availability of resources. Insecurity has also been among the top reasons hampering private investors from setting up for-profit healthcare facilities both in urban and rural areas due to physicians’ fear of loss of their dear lives. Most healthcare practitioners fear for their lives and do not want to work in an insecure environment despite the escalating health issues that are rampant in the nation. On the other hand, developed US also shows pure connection between the existing payment system and the negligible health burden. That is, country is well established healthcare sector has a momentous impact on the insignificant health burden. The Government’s role in the healthcare sector in collaboration with the largely operated private healthcare centers in the country contributed to the reduced health burden due to the efficient payment system. There are also many private healthcare centers, which create stiff competition among themselves, which leads to reduced healthcare prices paid by individuals in a bid to access the services. References Andersen, R. M., Rice, T. H., Kominski, G. F. (2011). Changing the U.S. health care system: Key issues in health services policy and management. New York: John Wiley Sons. Barton, P. L. (2010). Understanding the U.S. health services system. New York: Health Administration Press. Capobianco, E., Naidu, V. (2008). A review of health sector aid financing to Somalia. Washington D.C: World Bank Publications.

Role of Family in Adolescent Development Essay examples -- Sociology,

Adolescence is a significant developmental period for teenagers because of the adaptations they are forced to comply with including physical, emotional, cognitive, and social changes. Adolescents are given various developmental tasks that are often difficult to perform while they are facing stressors such as these changes. One task involves finding one’s self or identity. The adolescent’s identity is a construction of drives, abilities, beliefs, and individual history (Marcia, 1980). In addition to searching for personal identity, it is important for the adolescent to establish autonomy within his/her social context. As their peer interactions change, their family relationships do as well. However, the family context is very important in regard to adolescent development. The relationship quality between adolescents and their families greatly influence their self-esteem, ability to adjust, and relationships with others. Conversely, the relationship quality between adoles cents and their families is often influenced by the number, birth order, and age spacing of siblings within the family. It is crucial that families grasp an understanding of this developmental period to help adolescents adjust through these various changes. This poses the question: What role does family play in adolescent development? It is important to consider the environment in which an adolescent is raised. Parenting styles assist in explaining adolescent behavior. If an adolescent is raised in a safe and secure environment with parents that exhibit authoritative characteristics fostering an open and warm atmosphere, the adolescents are more psychosocially mature and competent (Yeh, 2003). These types of parents balance two very important tasks; they help to p... ... interviewees, there is potential for bias which could significantly skew the data that I collected. Lastly, it would have been more beneficial to interview a sibling of the adolescent. I could have then explored the perspectives from all three roles within the family—the parent, sibling, and adolescent. From my conducted research and interviews, I have concluded that parents act as the most influential force during adolescent development. More research is needed in the field of how siblings play a role in adolescent development. Adolescents exhibit behaviors based on the influences that emerge from the context of the home. This environment incorporates many different factors including the number, age spacing, and birth order of siblings within the family. These factors, along with parenting patterns, serve as a bidirectional relationship in adolescent development.