Abstract The conditions for children who are made to work do not provide the stimulation for proper physical and mental development. These children are deprived of the simple joys of childhood, relegated instead to a life of manual labor. This paper shows, however, that there are problems with the obvious solution of abolishing child labor. First, there is no international agreement defining child labor. Countries not only have different minimum age work restrictions, but also have varying regulations based on the type of labor. This makes the limits of child labor very unclear. The paper argues that until there is global agreement that can isolate cases of child labor, it will be very hard to abolish. Therefore, the problem is not child labor itself, but the conditions under which it operates. The paper includes tables.
From the Paper "In many countries (Costa Rica, Thailand, Sri Lanka), the minimum working age is lower than the required age of compulsory education, giving children access to employment before they have even completed the minimum amount of schooling (Bequele & Boyden, 1995). When indigent children are allowed to work legally, they will often abandon school to better their family's condition. In the reverse situation, if the minimum age requirement for work is greater than the compulsory schooling age, children who have completed the required schooling must stay inactive for a period of time before they can legally work."
Abstract This paper addresses the subject of violence in video games and looks at whether there is any positive correlation between violent video games and the danger of perpetuating violence in children.
From the Paper "Video gaming is a multibillion dollar industry and billions of dollars worth of game units are sold every year. It is estimated that more than 60% of all Americans play videogames which is nothing but an astounding 150 million people or more. Analysis has revealed that more than 89% of these videogames are imbued with violence of different degrees. Even majority of those games which have been certified and approved for all ages (E) carry violence as the main theme. [Children Now] While past studies have corroborated the positive aspects of video games such as improving the cognitive skills, spatial skills, hand eye coordination and attention skills recent researches have shown that they also pass on the scourge of violence. Many results have attested the fact that the obsession with videogames has also created a new type of society where children are beginning to be aloof and exhibit unusually aggressive behavior. Video games have sort of created a withdrawal effect in these children as they are more and more fixated to those pixilated characters than the social life outside."
Tags: desensitizes, disturbing, behavior, entertainment, electronics, exposure, columbine, high, school
Abstract This paper begins with a discussion of the general difficulties faced by students in high school, including scholastic, academic, and social problems. The paper then focuses on the issues faced by kids in sports, especially those who excel in a particular sport. Statistics point out that many start athletes also end up showing more signs of criminal, or at least bad, behavior as compared to other students. The writer explains that this is due to strong peer pressure to appear strong and less interested in academic achievement.
From the Paper "High school athletes usually enjoy a certain degree of social acceptance and automatic peer approval which often accounts for higher levels of self esteem and generally, a more positive self-image than their non-athlete contemporaries (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2001). Their increased level of personal confidence and status shields student athletes from criminal activity of the type that normally results from boredom, and especially, from antisocial crimes linked to feelings of resentment from social rejection, isolation and bullying."
Abstract This paper discusses the effects of television violence on children from the perspective of their cognitive and social development. The paper explains these two perspectives as well as arguments that contend that TV has minimal influence on young viewers and then points out that this point of view is generally countered by statistical information such as that found by Leonard Eron, Ph.D., whose studies have shown that children who watched many hours of TV violence when they were in elementary school tended to also show a higher level of aggressive behavior when they became teenagers.
From the Paper "As stated, many scholars and scientists posit the existence of a cognitive window in young children in which they are able to integrate new behavior through experience as dictated by age and brain activity. The left hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for integrating language skills, and this critical period of left-brain attenuation is used to explain why children are better able to assimilate language during their formative years. Aside from other implications, this method of research paints a very clear picture of the critical period in terms that are not biologically (in the sense of their mimicking animal function) or process-paradigm based, but instead focus on the actual chemistry and activity of the brain, which is seen to develop new synaptic connections
rather quickly during the critical period and then even out as the child grows older and brain activity is more leveled."
Abstract Historically, juveniles who came to the attention of the courts were considered less guilty than adults because of their age. This, in turn, developed into an attitude at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Century that the appropriate role for police and the courts was to guide the young person to a better path. Finally, this led to the idea of 'status offenses'; that is, offenses that would not be crimes if committed by an adult. The paper examines the history of juvenile courts in the American legal system. It discusses issues such as the 'parens patriae' policy, juvenile facilities, rehabilitation, and the status of the system today.
From the Paper "The philosophy of parens patriae allowed the courts, and through them a variety of social service programs, to concern themselves with actions that violated societal expectations. The juvenile system then had a tiered set of offenses, just as the adult criminal system did, but at the bottom of the tier for youths were offenses that were not listed in any criminal code. Police had broad discretionary power at this level and could choose whether to ignore what they saw, to simply talk to the youth or youths in question, or to make an arrest (Wolcott, 2001)."
Abstract This paper looks at the minimum drinking age in the United States and the reasons that this age has been deemed appropriate by authorities. It then presents several reasons why the present minimum drinking age should be lowered and looks at statistical evidence that supports this contention. It concludes by making the point that at eighteen years of age,a citizen can die for his/her country, get married and divorced, apply for credit, and move out of his/her parents' home ; therefore, he/she should also be allowed to drink.
From the Paper "In America, when a person reaches the age of 18 he can die for his country, obtain credit, get married, get divorced and be charged in criminal court. By all appearances the age of 18 sets the stage for adulthood and all that it entails. In a curious contradiction to that, however, America insists on maintaining a drinking age of 21 years old. While 18 year olds can do all of the above except drink, individual states, under the threat of reduced federal interstate funding, keep the legal age of drinking at 21 years of age. The minimum legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 because it (age) is not a contributing factor in the number of accidents/deaths that involve young people between 18 and 21 in the United States."
Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the problem of teen suicide. The paper researches the problem and submits a detailed proposal that offers a better plan for lessening or remedying the problem. The paper contends that teenage suicide is rapidly becoming one of the biggest problems facing teens today. The paper explains that schools, families, friends, and professionals must learn to recognized the early symptoms of potential suicide in order to act on them as quickly as possible.
From the Paper "Suicide by teenagers is a social problem facing the nation. Families all over the country are coping with depressed and angry children, and turning to the schools and social service agencies for help and understanding. One writer called teen suicide, "an emotional cancer at the heart of our 'successful society,' but it has remained, for the most part, a hidden silent crisis" (Portner, 2001, pg. vii-viii). Much research has shown the problem affects boys more than girls and those with ethnic backgrounds even more so. However, girls tend to "attempt" suicide more often than boys do. The problem exists for a number of reasons. Most teens who commit suicide have some form of mental problem or diagnosis, and many are depressed or hopeless (Davis, 1999, pg. 119). Thus, it seems all teens are at risk at one time or another, and so, society must work harder to discover the signs of suicide in teens, and help teens with their problems before they reach suicide levels."
Abstract This paper examines how many factors contribute to why today's youth are abusing the pharmaceutical drug, Adderall, an amphetamine belonging to the group of medicines called central nervous systems stimulants, which are used to treat attention deficit disorder. It looks at how Adderall appeals to young kids who are not seeking out hard drugs, but still want a buzz; many students purchase Adderall solely to enhance their endurance during their school week.
From the Paper "Another form of abuse is abuse apparent in a study done in October 2001, thirty-four percent of students medically prescribed to Adderall admitted to having been approached to sell or trade their medicine. Prescription holders are generally middle school to college age and sell to their own classmates. Many people sell only amongst their circle of friends, but ample money can be made by selling to the public domain (Sorter). For instance, Anna, a senior at Harvard, speaks of a former classmate who sold each tablet for ten dollars and would make six hundred dollars from each full prescription (Wonder Drugs). Locally, the average price for a 30mg tablet ranges between five to ten dollars. The demand for stimulants allows a student with a prescription to sell his whole bottle quickly and with such a high asking price."
Abstract This paper shows that juvenile boot camps, although specifically designed to keep youth from mainstream prison, actually increase a juvenile's chances of recidivism after release. While the paper notes the short-term effectiveness of boot camps, it emphasizes the negative long-term effects of the camps. The paper also examines after-care programs for their effectiveness.
From the Paper "Boot Camps were introduced into the juvenile justice system in the early 1990's as an alternative to incarceration for less serious offenders. It was thought that a militaristic type setting would provide more structure than probation but less structure than incarceration for those offenders who fell in the middle ground of these two. The boot camps were designed to serve as cost effective alternatives to incarceration, promote discipline, instill morals and work ethic, promote academic achievement, reduce drug abuse, hold offenders accountable and produce respectable citizens. They were intended to have a militaristic feel including uniforms and military jargon and follow a rigorous daily routine including drills, discipline and physical conditioning. The amount of rehabilitative and educational programs incorporated depended heavily upon the individual program."
Abstract This paper discusses how the Internet has made child pornography easily accessible to pedophiles. The paper explains how this easy access has created an escalation in crimes against children. It assesses what is being done by the law to remedy the problem and explores what role the parents can play in protecting their children from online predators. The paper examines what the warning signs are that a child is being manipulated by someone older in an inappropriate manner online.
From the Paper "The Internet is no doubt a great resource for education, communication, research, business, and entertainment that has grown at a breakneck pace ever since the debut of the first commercial web browser in 1994. According to one study conducted in December 2004, about 60% of Americans are now connected to the Internet with the average user spending close to 3 hours per day online. (Nie, et al, 2004) The children too have widespread access to the Internet at school and at home. Unfortunately, easy accessibility to the Internet has its downside. It makes the children vulnerable to exploitation by predatory pedophiles lurking in what the US Attorney General, John Ashcroft described as "the dark corners of cyberspace." (Quoted by Magid, 2002) Before the mass advent of the Internet, most child predators stalked their victims in public places such as schoolyards, playgrounds, and shopping malls."
Abstract This paper focuses on the relationship between viewing violence in the media and children's behavior. Specifically, it addresses the context in which violent images are portrayed and how those images affect long-term behavioral development in children. The hypothesis is that children's behavior is influenced not only by the amount of violence they view regularly, but also by the context in which they view violent behavior. It also hypothesizes that viewing violence affects children in a negative manner.
From the Paper "Many television programs and other media venues such as cinema and radio often portray violence in an acceptable, if not positive light. Children by nature learn from imitation, exposure and experience. Children who see their favorite action heroes committing acts of violence and aggression in the media are more likely to act out on their own violent and aggressive impulses. Children also have less ability to control their impulses."
Abstract This paper explains that in the authoritative parenting style, which is considered the most positive parenting approach, parents' demand and responsiveness are high enabling a adolescent to have a sense of strong personal value, self-control and a feeling of security. The author points out that authoritarian parents have high demands, but low responses; they expect their adolescent to do as their told and not question them. The paper relates that permissive parenting, both low demand and low responsiveness, is the worst of the parenting styles because these parents don't set any limits or demands and are most of the time neglectful of their adolescent.
From the Paper "This [Authoritarian] will make it very hard for an adolescent to establish any self-reliance or self control, since the parents are attempting to control the adolescent rather the backing their decisions.6 In turn this is doing the opposite of what the parent is wanting. It is teaching and encouraging aggression and bad behavior, and when taking to extremes is abusive. The adolescent will be prone to live in fear and be aggressive towards other. You are able to see this in the behavior of the adolescent as well as the grades, and interaction with peers. These adolescents are more drawn into drugs and violence then adolescents raised by authoritative parents. Adolescent raised in an authoritarian environment are also prone to not feel empathy for others, or for themselves. They will more likely then not carry on this behavior into adulthood due to the fact that they are unable to stop the behavior that was taught and encouraged at home."
Abstract This paper examines how, if the legal drinking age was lowered, it would have a great effect on the American society. It contends that alcoholism would drop greatly due to the better awareness young adults would have about alcohol and therefore the crime rate would drop, helping to raise the moral values of the United States. Another indirect effect would be the huge increase in sale of liquor stores.
From the Paper "Alcohol abuse is a major issue in the United States. Fourteen million American adults, or seven point four percent of the population, are estimated to be an alcoholic. Alcoholism starts at an early age when teenagers start to drink (Academic American Encyclopedia, 1998). By prohibiting young people to purchase alcohol, it creates the idea that drinking is for adults. Teenagers yearning to be adults start to drink. With twenty-one being the legal drinking age, teenagers have to hide their drinking from police and parents. With a devious attitude, it doesn't encourage responsible drinking, so when they get the chance, there is more of a "let's make up for lost time" attitude (Febuary 1996)."
Abstract This paper focuses on the relationship between viewing violence in the media and children's behavior. Specifically, it addresses the context in which violent images are portrayed and how those images affect long term behavioral development in children. The hypothesis is that children's behavior is influenced not only by the amount of violence they view regularly, but also by the context in which they view violent behavior. It also hypothesizes that viewing violence affects children in a negative manner.
Outline
Purpose/Theory
Problem Statement/Hypothesis
Literature Review
Methods/Research Design
Data
Definitions
Importance/Significance Of Study
From the Paper "Studies have shown that violence in the media does impact children's behavior, more often than not in a negative manner. Part of the problem is that children now have more access to television than they have ever had in the past. According to one report, as many as "54% of U.S. children have a television set in their bedrooms" (Mediascope, 1996 & BBG, 1997). When children watch television in their bedrooms, the content of the programming they are viewing can't be monitored closely enough to ensure appropriate viewing habits. Parents are often oblivious to the amount of violence their children are actually viewing with such ready access to TV. "
Abstract In the first segment of this paper the techniques and theoretical perceptions used in symbolic/experiential family therapy are outlined. The paper mentions that Virginia Satir and Walter Kemplar are also seen as having had equal, initial importance in the birth of experiential family therapy. However, the paper concentrates mainly on the work of Carl Whitaker and his colleagues, whose style of therapy differs greatly from that of Satir and Kemplar. The second section of this paper paints a picture of how these sessions of symbolic, experiential therapy might appear in order to give the reader a deeper understanding of the applicability of Whitaker's somewhat unconventional methods.
Paper Outline
Introduction
Carl Whitaker
Basic Model
Theoretical Concepts
Strengths
Shortcomings
Fit With Systems Theory
Current Research
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Anxiety and confusion are increased through use of metaphors, teasing, humor, free association, fantasy, confrontation or silence. The underlying premise being that the way to promote individual growth and family cohesion is to liberate effects and impulses. This is often referred to as "expanding the symptom" and is done to refocus the family members on the problem as within the family, as opposed to one person having the problem. (Connell, et al.; 1999, pp.53)"
