Abstract This paper discusses the efforts constantly being made to improve the security environment for Israel and the Palestinian Authority by both sides and by the Quartet, a diplomatic mission consisting of the US, UN, Russia and the European Union, established in 2002 in Madrid by Spanish Prime Minister Aznar to assist in mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The writer describes various political factors in the peace process and recent events affecting it. The writer concludes by describing plans for the international summit organized by the US in the last week of November 2007.
From the Paper "From the Israeli part, at least in theory, it seems that there is political will to succeed in achieving a peaceful security environment for both nations, the Israelis and the Palestinians. After the 2006 elections, Ehud Olmert and the Kadima party became the most important force in the Knesset and therefore it was considered at the time that there would be more political unity in the decisions being taken in the matter of the Middle East peace process. In this sense, his opinions and support for an eventual agreement that would be respected by all the parties involved are constantly expressed in his public statements, more recently while preparing the US held summit in late November 2007. In a different context he expressed his views that "he hoped a peace deal with the Palestinians could be reached in 2008" (BBC News, 2007). Although there are serious differences of opinion among Israeli political parties, it is an already accepted fact that indeed, there is a need for a resolution to the conflict between the two nations and the international framework created at this moment could be an important element in furthering the talks."
Tags: Hamas Gaza terrorist, West Bank, AbbasviolenceArafatdiplomatic
Abstract This paper discusses the book "Yasir Arafat: A Political Biography," written in 2003 by Barry M. Rubin and Judith Colp Rubin. The paper discusses the style and tone of the book and describes the book's analysis of Arafat's personal and political flaws, as well as his perseverance, intelligence, creativity flexibility and effective diplomatic ways. The paper concludes that it is a well-written, balanced and extremely interesting book.
From the Paper "A key aspect of Arafat's long diplomatic success, especially in the latter decades of his career, the authors suggest, was the late Palestinian leader's successful cultivation of a particularly sympathetic public image. Perhaps ironically for one who publicly resisted any trappings of success or appearance of modern-day sophistication in favor of a humble if militant stubble-bearded look, Arafat used the mass media with enormous skill. He portrayed himself as a simple, no-frills man of the people, with his simple dress (usually a military uniform, as if he had come straight from battle), stubbly beard, and head-scarf carefully arranged to resemble a map of Palestine. Moreover, Yasir Arafat's disarming personal warmth, toward journalists and others, successfully masked his ruthlessness and perpetual propensity toward violence."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the different types of violence that occur within prisons. The writer then looks at reasons why such violence occurs and also discusses what could be done to improve the situation. In addition, by looking at violence between prisoners, that includes aggression involving prison staff, the paper consider how this violence affects both parties. The writer points out that there is a need for the government to understand that there are ways to be economical, without putting the lives of prison staff and inmates at risk. The writer concludes that at the end of the day, there really is no alternative and funds must be ensured in order maintain effective safe and secure correctional facilities for prison officers, staff, and inmates.
Outline:
Introduction
The Extent and Diversity of Violence within the US Prison System
Inmate Violence and Conditions
Staff Brutality towards Inmates
Trying to Ebb the Flow
The Effects of Violence on Inmates and Prison Staff
Conclusion
From the Paper Conditions, according to Kate Randell, are horrendous, and include, "overflowing toilets and pipes; toxic and unsanitary environments; prisoners forced to sleep on filthy floors without mattresses; cells infested with vermin and lacking ventilation" (Kate Randell, Online Article, 1998). Many prisons also have inadequate policies and procedures, concerning the use of force, and prison staff is often deficient in adequate training. Gangs control the majority of inmates within prisons throughout the United States, and violent behavior, including that of bullying, beatings, stabbings, sexual assault, rape, and murder, are all daily events. Each gang has its own dress code, rules, and initiation ceremonies, and is responsible for much of the violence that occurs within correctional institutions.
Abstract This paper begins by defining the term ?dating violence? followed by the scope of problems associated with the issue. Furthermore, the paper discusses the risk factors involved in dating violence as well as the early warning signs. The paper further highlights the characteristics of both the victims and the perpetrators and what can be done about the issue. The paper then discusses the myths and realities associated to dating violence, backed by statistics and the recent findings by some of the best experts in the related field the research paper.
Table of Contents
Definition of Dating Violence Genres of Dating Violence Dating Violence: Indicators
Conclusion
From the Paper "Violence has many forms and every form is formidable. Heated debate and ongoing extensive research shows the alarmingly increasing rate of dating violence all over the world. In order to well comprehend the issue, it is essential to know the definition as well as the significant information regarding the subject.
"Dating violence has been defined in the following manner:
1) Dating violence can be defined as an error, a threat or a crime committed by one person of an unmarried couple on the other person according to the laws/statements related to dating relationship. Such violence includes any type of sexual abuse, physical violence, verbal or demonstrative abuse. (Sugarman)."
Abstract This paper examines how the causes of school violence extend beyond gangs and gang membership, but how gangs are a significant contributing factor. It analyzes how gang members participate in violent acts at school and how the presence of gangs increases both the availability of weapons and the perceived need to seek the protection of a gang. It looks at the typically three different approaches that are used to manage the risk of school violence-- precaution, intervention and enforcement. Precaution includes taking steps to minimize the opportunity for violence such as metal detectors, intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities and enforcement are those actions taken once an act of violence has occurred.
From the Paper "Intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities, and on crisis intervention for students who participate in violent (or pre-violent) acts. Effective intervention requires that school personnel and law enforcement work together to ensure that incidents are reported accurately and that opportunities for early intervention are not missed. However, some school officials note that while law enforcement has been generally helpful in areas such as how to conduct a search legally, there remains a lack of knowledge among school personnel about how to conduct such a search effectively (Zolkos, 1996, p. 3)."
This paper compares and contrasts two articles that try to explain the underlying causes of teen violence: "Missing the Mark" by Jackson Katz and Sur Jhally and "Stop Blaming Kids and TV" by Mike Males.
Abstract This paper discusses how Katz and Jhally argue that teen violence is a male-centric occurrence caused by socialization that promotes violent masculinity. Males provide a gender-neutral view of teen violence that he believes is caused by parents who engage in domestic violence. It shows how both articles deal with the subject of teenage violence and avoid placing blame on teens for their troubled behavior. Instead, these articles present the idea of imitation as a cause of teen violence, but they differ on who the kids are imitating.
From the Paper "Males presents his theory of teen violence in a gender-neutral presentation. He focuses on violence in general and omits cases of shootings and mass murder carried out by male teams such as the infamous Columbine High School event. Males points to differences in occurrences of violence between different races and classes as proof that images in mass media aren?t as important as family circumstances to contributing to the violence. According to Males, "In practical terms, media-violence theories are not about kids, but about race and class. If TV accounts for any meaningful fraction of murder levels amid poorer, nonwhite youth, why doesn"t it have the same effect on white kids?? Unlike Males, Katz and Jhally, believe that trying to view teen violence in a gender-neutral fashion will blind us from understanding and resolving the youth violence problem. They point to school shootings such as Columbine, murder, assault and rape as being predominately a male phenomenon. They also argue that girls are growing up in the same environment as males, but are not responding to their situation in the same violent ways as males are."
Abstract This paper argues against the theory that media violence leads to aggression in children. The paper considers a number of factors other than television ownership that cause violence in children. The paper also studies flaws in the causal relationship between aggression and media violence. The paper concludes by suggesting that media violence can be a positive factor, allowing children to cope with self-destructive feelings without resorting to actual violence.
From the Paper "In response to the point of view that exposure to media violence causes children to act with aggression and violence, opponents of this argument have highlighted research studies that disprove the causal relationship between media violence and..."
Tags: Media violence, aggression, fantasy play, television programs, research studies
Abstract This paper examines the relationship between violence and sports. The paper first asserts that violence in sports is culturally agreeable and goal oriented. The paper then explores recreational violence, including hunting. Next the paper studies how sports legitimize violence and the relationship between sports, violence and masculinity. The paper concludes by studying the effect on male-female relationships of violence in sports.
From the Paper "This research paper addresses the topic of how violence in sports affects our lives. The following relevant areas are presented..."
Abstract This paper discusses violence in the mass media and its impact on children. It contends that the degree as well as the amount of violence that is present in the mass media grows each year with the result that every year children are exposed to more and more lethal violence. The author explains that the result of this exposure to high levels of violence is that children become more accepting of violence and eventually more disposed to commit acts of violence themselves.
From the Paper "It is all too easy to dismiss the importance of violence in the mass media. Most of us grew up watching cartoon characters bop each other over the head after all and never felt the urge to buy a semi-automatic pistol and slaughter a dozen of our classmates."
Abstract This paper discusses the controversial issue of the United States government's long history of inflicting violence on populations in the 20th century. While much of this violence has been considered justified as a means of maintaining law and order among people, this type of control has received mass protest. The paper further discusses how violence erupted during the civil rights movement of the 1960s; violence was imposed to control protest; and violence has been Congressionally approved through the declaration of war, are all primary examples of the government's propensity toward violent acts. The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was one the America's most violent times in the 20th century. Black Americans had been subjected to centuries of slavery and horrendous treatment because of prejudice.
Abstract The paper discusses how every feminist and the majority of women believe that violence is wrong and must be stopped. However, while most Western women view violence as a threat, marginalized women in the West and those outside the West have experienced a different form of violence. The different violence is not fully accounted for by using a gender lens. Other factors enter into it such as class, race and ethnicity. When viewed in a global context, women see violence and its solutions in very differing ways and the paper contends that violence needs to be redefined.
Abstract This paper explores the issue of violence against women, with an emphasis on the US legislation bearing this name. The author argues that even though violence against women is no longer openly accepted in the West, and even disapproved of, it still happens. The author also discusses violence in third world nations, and the need for a UN resolution against this practice. Finally, the author points to several factors that may contribute to violence against women, including men growing up in abusive households and pornography.
Introduction
Violence Against Women
Violence Against Women Act
Conclusion
From the Paper "It is widely accepted that a great deal of violence occurs in the family setting. Findings from research on family violence may serve as a point of departure (Fleming, 1979; Kincaid, 1985; Pagelow, 1984; Schechter, 1982; Straus et al., 1980; Walker, 1984). There are disagreements about the nature of the impact of family violence on the behavior of children, but it is not necessary to resolve the minor debates in order to pursue the logic presented here. Nor will much time be spent debating the link between financially troubled families and the likelihood of family violence. Currie (1985) and others show quite effectively that economically disadvantaged families are more likely to produce violent offspring. An argument can be posed in response to these findings. The economic factors are frequently treated as minor problems that do not require urgent response. We can appreciate the long-range implications of decreased social support for families (Currie, 1987, pp. 11-12), but those in policy making positions feel the need to respond immediately to the more dramatic forms of adult violence."
Abstract In this article, the writer goes into detail about the three main components that affect children concerning violence on television. The writer notes that these effects can last a lifetime and greatly impact society as a whole. The paper then discusses the catharsis theory,which claims that televised violence does not have negative effects as other researcher have claimed. The writer concludes that the accumulated experimental findings on the effects of TV violence do not support the catharsis theory and its conclusions.
Outline:
Aggressive Attitudes and Behaviors
Becoming Desensitized to Real World Violence Developing a Fear of Being Victimized by Violence Conclusion
The Catharsis Theory
From the Paper "The first step in learning aggressive attitudes and behaviors is accepting violence as a way to solve problems. On television, violence is the attractive, effective, and preferred solution to most conflicts. Violence is usually portrayed as justified, that is, the good guys win and the bad guys lose. Problems are usually solved rapidly and violently, and violent or other anti-social behaviors go unpunished. The good guys are very often no more appropriate role models for young children than the villains themselves. The result is that many American children are more familiar with violent, aggressive, and anti-social approaches to solving problems. For some, television at its worst, is a terrible influence on a child's mind, an influence that upsets moral balance and makes a child likely to have aggressive behavior as it warps his or her perception of the real world. Some psychologists and psychiatrists feel that continued exposure to such violence might unnaturally speed up the impact of the adult world on the child. This can force the child into a kind of premature maturity. As the child matures into an adult, he can become bewildered; have a greater distrust towards others, a superficial approach to adult problems, and even an unwillingness to become an adult."
Abstract In this paper, the author uses various examples to demonstrate the impact television has had on youth violence. The author discusses the problems associated with television viewing, identifies violence on television, portrays the effects of television violence on younger people, and reveals ways to reduce violence on television. This paper explores these topics by using multiple statistics, by including the views of several public officials and authors, and through the author's views as well
From the Paper "A study by Leonard Eron began in 1963 and was one of the longest termed studies to take place. Eron began his study by assessing the development of aggression in third graders, eight year olds, in a small upstate New York Town. In the course of the study, he asked children to report on their television viewing and other things they liked to do, as well as their ratings of aggression of other children."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss and analyze the books "Heroes of their Own Lives: The Politics and History of Family Violence," by Linda Gordon. Linda Gordon's book discusses the history of family violence in Boston, Massachusetts from 1880 through 1960. It is a topic not often discussed, and the history of family violence in its many forms may be even more disturbing than the existence of this violence in our modern families.
From the Paper "The author's clear purpose in writing this compelling and disturbing book was to chronicle the history of family violence in Boston from 1880-1960. She wrote the book because the topic of family violence has become so much more prevalent in our society, and as it has increased, so has public awareness of the problems. Gordon notices "family violence had had virtually no history; that most who discussed it ? experts, journalists, friends ? assumed they were discussing a new problem" (Gordon 2). Thus, Gordon, who had no background in the topic, set out to write a volume that would not only look into modern family violence, but also look back at family violence in history, setting the record straight."
