An overview of teen pregnancy in the United States today that examines the impact of social welfare programs on encouraging and maintaining the high rate of teen pregnancies.
Abstract While the pundits debate on the best way to educate young people about the risks associated with early pregnancies, tens of thousands of babies in the United States will continue to suffer from the physical and emotional problems associated with early teen pregnancies; the social welfare system appears to be contributing to this phenomenon. This paper provides an overview of teen pregnancy in the United States today and examines the impact of social welfare programs on encouraging and maintaining the high rate of teen pregnancies. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Almost 80 percent of teen mothers eventually go on welfare which comprise more than 59 percent of the social welfare caseload. In fact, more than 75 percent of all unmarried teen mothers received welfare within five years of giving birth to their first child. The data for 1995 shows that 69 percent of births to teens in a five-year period were paid for by Medicaid or other government sources (?Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in the U.S.,? 2001, 10). Teen pregnancies have also been associated with reduced educational attainment and employment opportunities. The research shows that less than one-third of teens who begin their families before age 18 ever complete high school. When compared to children born to women aged 20 and older, babies born to mothers aged 15-17 have poorer health, lower cognitive development, reduced educational attainments, and higher rates of behavior problems (?Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in the U.S.,? 2001, 10-11). Although the teen pregnancy rate (the number of pregnancies per 1,000 teenage women) decreased to 101 in 1995 (the lowest level since 1975), nevertheless each year nearly one million American teenage women become pregnant, and four out of ten American teenage women become pregnant before the age of 20. During this same period, the outcome of teenage pregnancies has changed. Sixty-three percent of pregnant teenagers gave birth and 22 percent had abortions in 1995 compared to 1983 data which shows that 47 percent of teenagers gave birth and 43 percent had abortions (?Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in the U.S.,? 2001, 2). The vast majority of teens who give birth prefer to keep their babies; in fact, fewer than 10 percent of teenagers who delivered babies chose adoption in 1995."
Abstract Considers the origins of youth-gang membership, the causes, the sociology of gangs and gang participation, linkage of youth to violent antisocial or criminal behavior, gang dynamics, and the personal support offered by gang members.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to evaluate reports of studies regarding the origins of youth-gang membership. The research will set forth a general statement of the sociology of gangs as a social subculture and then discuss five accounts of research into..."
Abstract This paper examines how, every day, children are exposed to a bit more violence.Whether it is through television or comic books, our children are learning to react sadistically, and no one seems to attempt to stop it. It shows how the main social factor that ultimately contributes to youth violence is a violent environment and how violent communities and homes cause children to lash out and react aggressively. It discusses how, in order for communities and homes to be less violent, the glorification of guns, drugs, and revenge has to stop and how good parenting should go hand in hand with trying to successfully eliminate or decrease youth violence.
From the Paper "In violent communities there are a variety of different influences that may compel a child to react violently. Often glamorized by pop culture, the joining of gangs has become something good to do. Whether it is for a sense of social belonging or for quick money, children are being recruited now more than ever. Since these kids do not feel like they have a family at home, they opt to have a street family who will always defend them. Consequently, these violent communities that are right in front of a child who needs love and yearns for attention is the only escape they have to feeling like they belong to a group who cares about them."
Abstract This paper looks at the history of juvenile justice in the United States and how the current system came about. The paper explains that the system has always tried to strike a balance between punishment and rehabilitation, especially with young offenders who still have their whole lives in front of them. The paper describes the facilities used today in the U.S., such as boot camps and restitution programs.
From the Paper "The deficiencies of juvenile correctional facilities are aggravated by the facilities' high costs and high recidivism rates. The national average annual cost in such a facility is $29,600 per resident. These costs vary from state to state, with the lowest costs in South Dakota at $17,600 per resident per year and the highest costs in Rhode Island at $78,800 per resident per year.(Allen- Hagan, 1991) Moreover, such high costs do not produce low recidivism rates. For example, New York state spends over $70,000 annually per resident, but the state recidivism rate is between 75% and 86%."
Abstract This paper explains that, during the 19th century, the field of social sciences was introduced to the revolutionary ideas of a French social theorist,Emile Durkheim, author of the discourse on social integration and solidarity, ?Suicide: A Study in Sociology". The author points out that, in Durkheim's Law of Social Gravity, he explains how the physical structure of an environment or local area influences the social structure of its people. The paper applies Durkheim's theories on the suicide phenomenon, The Law of Social Gravity, to present-day gang behavior of lower-class youth.
From the Paper "Thus, in the case of suicide, Durkheim applies this social law, where he posits,?? groups that have a higher social density have less likelihood that their members will kill themselves? because social structure? (makes an individual) less individualistic? With higher social density, the meaning of life is attached to participation in the group, not to one's own wishes? (190). In effect, because there is greater social interaction and integration in societies with high social density, there is less danger that an individual will feel alienated in his/her own society. Groups within the society also help integrate an individual in the society, giving him/her a sense of identity and belongingness in that group, and in effect, in the society as well."
Abstract This essay provides an overview of various facets of juvenile delinquency, while concentrating on the different types of criminal behavior. The paper categorizes the crimes and behavior that constitute juvenile delinquency, discusses the legal side of juvenile delinquency, and presents statistics on which crimes are committed most often, who commits them most often, and where they most often occur.
From the Paper "In the United States, the Juvenile Justice System is the legal system through which cases involving minors are handled. The system was implemented into U.S. policy in 1899. The Juvenile Justice System was instituted during the Progressive Era, a period of social reform in the U.S. in the early twentieth century. It was initially designed to assist delinquent youth that were being dealt with within the adult system. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act called for a deinstitutionalization of juvenile delinquents. It required that states holding youth within adult prisons for status offenses remove them within a span of two years. Juvenile delinquency, according to the U.S. Code, is a violation of the law committed by a person under the age of 18 that would be considered a crime if it was committed by a person 18 or older. By federal standards all persons 17 and under are considered juveniles. Each state, however, has been given the authority to decide who, by age, may be tried in juvenile courts."
Abstract According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD affects three to five percent of children in school, which averages about one student per classroom. This paper discusses the study, which the author made on a kindergarten child affected with ADHD. This includes a description of the child's behavior based on the observations, which were conducted while he attended his school. Further, this paper includes the teacher's and parent's opinions and descriptions of the child's learning and social behaviors, as well as the difficulties the child experienced in school.
From the Paper "Hyperactivity
Andrew always seems to be restless. He is always in motion and never stays in one place for a period of time. He always roams around his room in school and transfers from one seat to another. He tries to do one activity after another. Sometimes, he is incessantly talkative and does disturbing things such as tapping his pencil noisily or fidgeting around his classroom. At home, Andrew's hyperactivity is shown during his playtime. He shifts from one game to another, leaving a muddle of toys behind."
Abstract This paper looks at reasons why school violence is so prevalent and cites reasons, such as racial tensions, bullying, easy access to firearms, unstable home lives and increased crime rate. It explains that school violence is a crucial problem facing children today. It is imperative to not only find ways to reduce the violence, but to implement them as well. The paper discusses some preventative measures and states that it is up to the adults to protect future generations and provide them with a safe learning environment.
From the Paper "Although deaths from violence are rare in schools, there are some facilities that have a serious problem with violence, creating fear for the staff, students and their parents. This fear can prevent students from performing well academically since it increases the amount of stress they are under and in many cases increases truancy."
Abstract This paper explains that American common law, which formed the basis for later legislatures, set the "age of sexual consent" at ten; but, today, the laws are different in different states: California, Oregon, Arizona, and Wisconsin set age 18 as the minimum age for consensual sex (for girls); most other states set age 16 or 17. The author points out that, recently, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a case in a Kansas appeals court demanding the reduction of the age of consent back to 13, as was originally defined in the "Common Law". The paper stresses that 'age of consent law' has an important restrictive role in our present day society and serves to protect young children from undue exploitation.
Table of Contents
Introduction
A Brief History
The Present Law
Controversial Reactions
Conclusion
From the Paper "Topics of such controversial nature carry arguments from both groups. One the one hand are the parents, social reformers and religious leaders who are concerned about the declining moral values and the health disorders that will result from premature sexual indulgence. This group of people is trying to raise the limit of the age of consent and hope that a legal barrier would prevent what they perceive a moral disaster and protect young and innocent children from exploitation. On the other hand are those (ACLU) who revolt against the law as an intrusion into children's personal rights. These groups consider the restrictive laws as ?a cogent and passionate critique of the war against young people's sexuality.? "
Abstract This paper looks at the positive and negative aspects of athletes as role models for youths and adults. The paper looks at why athletes become role models, some of the misconceptions entertained by the general population regarding famous athletes, and the roles that the media and parents play in encouraging children to look up to athletes as role models.
From the Paper "Sports in today's world have a major role in American culture. They are used to escape daily routine, as entertainment, as a part of a healthy lifestyle, and as a tool to teach fundamental teamwork. More importantly, however, the people who play sports on a state, national, or international level, are seen as role models to the youth and adult populations. While the influence of those role models can be extremely positive, there are also negative effects that can be equally detrimental."
Tags: behavior, admire, expectations, trait, advertising, professional, image, talented, champions
This paper discusses that statistics reveal that teenage issues, such as alcohol and drug abuse, violence, and sexual orientation, represent critical problems in America.
Abstract This paper explains that the greatest challenges facing American teens are overcoming the obstacles to living in today's society, receiving a good education, and being equipped to compete for jobs in the modern economy. The author points out that violence in America has become a national public health epidemic; homicide is the second leading cause of death for persons 15 to 24 years of age and is the leading cause of death for African-American and Hispanic youths in this group. The paper relates that the effects of fear and the stress of life in society upon teenagers today are evident in the increase of violent outbreaks and psychiatric admissions among U.S. youth.
From the Paper "As far as teenage violence is concerned, the number of teens who are victims of or participants in violence, murder and crime has drastically increased over the past several years (Sound Vision, 2003). In 1998, young black males were most vulnerable to violent crime. One in 12 persons who were victims of violence, murder and crime were between the ages of 12 and 15, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In addition, teenagers were more likely to become victims of violent crime than older people. In 1998, nearly one-third of all victims of violent crime were ages 12 to 19 and almost half of all victims of violence were under age 25."
Abstract This paper looks at what happens to the people involved when an adopted child tries to find his/her birth parents. The paper shows how, despite it being a difficult decision, and sometimes an unsuccessful process, the outcome is usually positive.
Contents
Poem
Introduction
Statistics on Adoption
Adoption Facts
Positive/Negative Aspects of Adoption
Personal Accounts of Adoptive Families
Conclusion
From the Paper "The majority of studies that have been conducted however related to adoption research have indicated that the effects of finding one's birthparents are often positive in nature, not only for the adoptee but for the birthparent as well. Much evidence also indicates that finding one's birthparents may solidify gaps in the relationship for adoptive families and strengthen unions between adopted parents and children. There is also a great deal of information that shows that most adopted children do at some point seek out their birthparents, and many birthparents readily make available identifying information about themselves."
Abstract This paper contends that preventive planning in the school system will significantly reduce the occurrence of school violence. The paper suggests that safe and responsive schools can be achieved through greater parental involvement at all the stages of planning and response to school violence and through strong and effective relationships between schools and the mental health, police, and social services departments.
Creating a Safe and Responsive School Environment
Bullying Prevention
Early Identification and Intervention
Early Warning Signs
Responding to Threat
Risk Assessment and School-Wide Screening
Early Intervention: Mentoring and Counseling
Early Intervention Effective Than Zero Tolerance
Alternatives to Suspension and Expulsion
Crisis Intervention and Management
From the Paper "Researchers in the field of school violence identify programs that effectively cut violence are proactive rather than reactive; involve families, students and the community; and include multiple components that can effectively address the complexity of school disruption and violence. Preventive programs, such as bullying prevention, peer mediation, or anger management, have far more data available to support their effectiveness than do technology-based fixes such as metal detectors or video surveillance cameras. (Skiba, R. J., 1999, 372-382) In one inner-city school with rates of dropout approaching 70%-80% among minority youth, consultants worked with teachers, helping them increase their rates of praise and reframe classroom rules to be more positive. In one year, school suspensions dropped by 35%, and over the course of the three-year project, school dropout decreased by almost 40%."
Abstract While a divorce may be devastating or relieving to a couple, children are frightened and confused by the terrible threat to their security. However, if a child feels secure and loved throughout the divorce, he or she may not be harmed by the divorce at all. Reflecting on these concerns, this paper determines the effects of divorce on the lives of children. It presents a literature review on the subject and a conclusion based on the findings.
From the Paper "A third study points to the idea that the effect of divorce on the lives of children largely rests in the hands of the family. Recent research from Iowa State University suggest that parents, even those no longer living in the home, have a lot of control over children's adjustment to divorce. This study was the first to examine all the major factors commonly associated with divorce and child development problems."
Abstract This paper investigates the emotional development process in early adulthood. The paper examines the relationship between emotional development during early adulthood and the experiences of love and mate selection. Also addressed are the role that emotional development plays in lifestyle choices and the changes that occur in adulthood.
From the Paper "Individuals need to effectively deal with the presenting conflict of a current developmental stage in order to advance onto the next stage of development. Therefore, young adults need to work out issues of intimacy versus isolation in order to successfully leave young adulthood and graduate onto adulthood, which presents a different main conflict. Research has indicated that a necessary component for a capacity for intimacy is the achievement of a strong identity, and it has been found that this differs between men and women (Carver & Scheier, 1996). The presence of strong identities was found to be predictive of whether or not men got married, while it predicted the likelihood of a lasting marriage in women (Carver & Scheier, 1996)."
Tags: erikson, psycho-social, young, stages, old-age, intimacy, isolation, commitment, love
