Abstract This paper discusses the controversial advertisements of Abercrombie and Fitch. The paper points out the company's reliance on sexual images to advertise its products and the controversy this advertising strategy has created. The paper points out that, while using nude models to advertise clothing may seem contradictory, it is actually quite effective. The intent of these advertisements is to sell an image and then make consumers associate that image with the product. This is the objective of Abercrombie and Fitch and the reason for the controversy. The paper goes on to explain that parents and the general public feel that the image being sold promotes a lifestyle without morals or values and that these advertisements have too much influence on adolescent behavior. Attached after the bibliography are two of the advertisements described in the paper.
From the Paper "Starring an alluring, bare, sexy, young model, with her mesmerizing green eyes transfixed on an outlying point, one would naturally think that this sensual black and white photograph could have nothing to do with clothing. Her petite arms are crossed diagonally along her torso, with her hands covering each breast barely. Her long, wavy, brown hair is lying messily in front of one shoulder and behind the other. The look on her face is serious, seriously seductive, that is. She is wearing nothing, leaving only what is behind her hands to the viewer's imagination. One shift of her fingers, and you just might see everything."
Abstract The largest market segment in the smoking and non-smoking population, the youth sector, has been targeted as the most important market segment for cigarette product ads. This paper discusses the main reasons why targeting the youth sector is considered the most lucrative market in the cigarette/tobacco industry today and answers the question why advertisements remain the most effective method of enticing consumers to buy cigarette products despite the obvious health risks to the consumer.
From the Paper "In psychology, the influence of tobacco ads among the youth illustrates the importance of image copying and self-concept formation than the risks of potential health problems as primary motivations for smoking. It is evident that social interaction is important, since ?[s]moking experimentation commonly occurs at transition points in adolescence when there is a threat to a teen's emerging self-concept? They are more subject to social pressure and more attuned to advertising? (Lynch, 1994:119). Thus, smoking among the youth cannot be generalized as a product of "limited capacities" in the process of decision-making, but rather, participating actively in making the choice on whether to smoke to form one's own self-concept and image in his/her society or not to smoke in order to avoid the health risks posed by consuming the product."
Abstract This paper looks at many of the theories that have been used to help explain the persistence of gangs in America and why so many youths are attracted to gang life. The paper also describes what are considered to be strong predictors of gang involvement and what types of programs exist in the United States to deal with the problem of gangs.
From the Paper "Gangs have been in the United States since the late 1800?s. The first gangs were immigrants trying to acclimate to this new world. The streets of New York were infested with violence and crime. The gangs governed the streets. Gangs fought amongst one another for control and power. The most powerful gang controlled the revenue of the township. Gangs were greedy and would do anything to capitalize on those who feared them. There was mayhem and disorder. Things were so far out of control. Finally, the military was called to intervene. They had to take drastic measures to gain order. The military was successful in their efforts and a more civilized community was restored."
Abstract This paper explains that the relationships between the teen, his family support system, and the community of peers influence each research study and must be included in every abuse prevention program. The author points out that maternal and paternal patterns of substance use and various parenting practices and abilities, such as monitoring and supervision, have been linked to the drinking behavior of boys and girls. The paper stresses that the most significant relationships between stressors, emotional disposition, and environmental factors are not those of the school environment, but of the home environment.
Table of Contents
Influences on Behaviors
Racial Issues
School Based Prevention
Interventions: What's Working
Conclusion
From the Paper "Findings from these investigations also focus attention on two longstanding problems that thwarted development of comprehensive alcohol abuse prevention programs for youth. The first problem pertains to agreed upon goals. Researchers have disputed over whether abstinence from alcohol for all teen-agers is sought, or should programs only seek to reduce high-intensity drinking and alcohol-impaired traveling? Each goal suggests different intervention strategies, and the findings of these research projects show discernable patterns to adolescent alcohol abuse and suggest that effective intervention requires specific program goals and objectives for different alcohol-related behaviors. Many prevention programs have lacked such clarity and direction because of differing paradigms regarding the positive nature of parental authority."
Abstract The first part of this paper looks at the definition and symptoms of both ADD and ADHD. These symptoms are further detailed in personal accounts of people who live with these disorders. In the last section, this paper examines the different methods currently being used to treat children with ADHD and ADD.
Contents
Symptoms
Treatment
References
From the Paper "ADD and ADHD are related disorders with many common symptoms. Both ADD and ADHD sufferers, for example, can exhibit two main symptoms. The most common symptom is inattention. People with ADHD can exhibit trouble focusing on specific tasks and often find it difficult to remember and organize their work (Greer). The next group of symptoms falls under impulsiveness. ADHD sufferers can be prone to rash actions because they have difficulty concentrating long enough to solve a problem. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that ADHD sufferers also find it hard to maintain strong personal relationships (Greer). As a result, they have no one to turn to for help in making well-informed decisions."
Tags: mental, child, parent, care, hospital, psychology, prozac
Abstract This paper provides a review of the history of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and its mission, as well as the instrumental methods, techniques, and policies used by the organization. It discusses its lobbying techniques and analyzes the effectiveness of the MADD approach. It looks at how, while the debate continues about the appropriateness of MADD's methods, the fact remains that, since the organization was formed, alcohol-related traffic fatalities have declined 43 percent.
From the Paper "By 1990, MADD had grown to 407 chapters, 53 Community Action Teams (CAT) and 32 state offices with affiliates in Canada, England, New Zealand and Australia. The result of the grassroots organizational approach was impressive. Shortly after the group's formation, a Gallup survey showed that Americans cited drunk driving as the most important problem on the nation's highways. Further, in 1993, another Gallup poll indicated that the public had become less tolerant of drunk drivers and more supportive of stiffer penalties. At the beginning of the 21st century, MADD had more than 600 chapters and CATs in all 50 states with affiliates in Guam, Canada and Puerto Rico (Really MADD: Looking Back at 20 Years:2003:3)."
Abstract This paper explains that the children of addicted parents are at a much higher risk of continuing anti-social behavior and chemical dependency than those from non-abusing families. It is also suggested that there is a need for more research to investigate and compare juvenile delinquents from homes of substance-abusing families with those who come from non-substance-abusing environments. The writer concludes that there is need for specialized intervention services that offer offenders help to deal with their childhood experiences .
From the Paper "Every year in the United States, approximately 2.3 million persons under the age of eighteen are arrested by police and many more cases go unreported by citizens or unfounded by police (Juvenile Pp). The majority of juvenile crime is increasingly committed at younger ages and frequently marked by brutality and gratuitous violence (Juvenile Pp). During the last fifteen years, the number of juvenile offenders under the age of 15 increased by 94 percent. Juvenile crimes include assault, carrying a weapon, murder, robbery, auto theft, arson, vandalism, burglary and rape (Juvenile Pp)."
This paper outlines research to determine the ethics of marketing to children and to identify boundaries within which organizations should maintain their marketing efforts
Abstract This paper explains that, regardless of who holds responsibility for the behavior of the nation's children, direct marketing to children, online or through traditional techniques, is developing a new profitable channel for business sales. The author points out that direct marketing to children expanded to schools through the entry of vending machines and corporate-sponsored products and events. The paper outlines two research approaches: a review of current regulatory policy to identity specific guidelines and a qualitative survey of teachers to collect their perceptions of current marketing practices.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Purpose of This Study
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Ethical Considerations
Timeline
From the Paper "The economic value of marketing to children extends beyond the amount of money in their collective pocket at any one time. Children are determining their own personal spending patterns, and developing brand identity which could influence a lifetime of buying habits. For this second reason, children are profitable targets of business marketing dollars. When a child established their own purchasing habits, businesses can have a customer for the rest of the child's life."
Abstract Depression in adolescents can be difficult to diagnose due to problems with differentiating between the normal, transient difficulties and developmental issues that occur in this age group and actual depressive symptoms. This paper examines the causes, symptoms, and treatment of adolescent depression. The paper explains that accurate and early diagnosis and treatment of depression in adolescents is essential to prevent impairment in academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning and to prevent suicide and the increased risk for depression and suicide in adulthood.
From the Paper "According to one study in which parent-adolescent interactions were videotaped, parents of depressed adolescents increased their facilitative behavior in response to their adolescents? depressed behavior, thus suggesting that these parents may be inadvertently reinforcing depressive behavior (Sanders 2001). Parental depression is another frequently studied risk factor for adolescent depression (Sanders 2001). One recent study revealed a greater proportion of depressed adolescents had depressed mothers, 47 percent vs 18 percent in the control group, although the rates of paternal depression did not differ between the two groups (Sanders 2001)."
Abstract Suicide is perhaps the most tragic and traumatic type of death that can occur in any family or community. When committed by a teenager who has not yet lived the greater part of his/her life, the act seems all the more shocking. It is, therefore, most disturbing to note that, while the general suicide rate in the US has declined in the last 25 years, it has tripled among the adolescents in the same period and is now the second-most common cause of death of teenagers. This paper examines various aspects of adolescent suicides, including the profile of a likely suicide candidate, major causes of teen suicide, and some ways of preventing it.
From the Paper "Suicide is now one of the leading causes of death among American teenagers ahead of cancer, heart disease, AIDS, lung disease, and birth defects combined. Certain sub-groups among teenaged Americans are more vulnerable than others. For example, three times as many teenaged girls attempt suicide as boys. However, the single most likely candidate for "successful" suicide is the white teenaged boy. This is because boys use more lethal methods for suicide such as firearms and hanging while taking sleeping pills (which has a higher survival rate) is the preferred suicide method among girls. It is also possible that psychologically, the girls in particular, are crying out for help while attempting suicide and could be secretly hoping to be rescued. Most recent researches have reported consistently higher rates of suicides and attempted suicides among the gays and homosexuals?one report finds that rates of serious attempted suicides among homosexual youths are 4 times higher. The suicide rate for black youth (previously considered to be less likely to commit suicide) has also risen sharply in recent years."
A literature review on the subject of African-American fathers who have sole custody of their children. A comparison of the available literature for this group with those of other groups.
Abstract Men are increasingly receiving custody of their children, leading to an augmented rate of single-father families in the US. However, many observers are still under the impression that there are only a few custodial fathers; consequently, the existing data on this group is limited. This project is an analysis of the available literature on African-American fathers who have custody of their children. Considering there are a number of factors that lead fathers to become sole custodians, assist them in the process thereof, and resultant changes that occur both in their lives and the lives of their children, the following questions navigate this study: 1) How do African-American fathers become single parents? 2) What social networks are available to assist these fathers? 3) How does becoming sole custodians shape their lives?
Table of Contents
Introduction: African American Men & Society
Jennifer Hamer on Black Custodial Fathers
?Mothering,? Can He Do It?
How Do Fathers Become Custodial Parents?
What Social Networks are Available to Assist Single Fathers?
How Does Becoming Single Parents Shape Their Lives?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Traditional images of what an American family should be would include a father, mother and child (ren). National increases in divorce and non-marital childbearing in the United States have changed the face of the typical American family. This alteration in the nuclear family ushered in a new family model, the single parent or guardian (as they are sometimes termed). Single parents have become a major component within American culture, but much to the surprise of some researchers, it is not only women who are rearing today's youth. A growing number of fathers are assuming primary care of their children, but public policy/programs have not responded effectively to this phenomenon. Public ideas and images have given men the principles by which they should govern the way they speak, the way they look, the way they should respond to a given situation and how they should behave as fathers (Hamer, 2001). These standards have existed within American culture for decades and have made very little if any adjustment overtime. From the turn of the century to the 1970's "ideal" fathers were primarily perceived as warmhearted providers on whom all family members could depend (Hamer, 2001). In general, men were measured by their breadwinning role and the standard of living they were able to provide for themselves and their families."
Abstract This paper looks at why girls are attracted to gang life, the effects gang life has on their adulthood, and in particular, how gang life contributes to their disenfranchisement and eventually brings them into contact with adult criminal justice system. The likelihood that a girl would leave gang life is also discussed.
From the Paper "In 2001, ninety percent of America's largest cities reported youth gang problems, a figure that represents a fifty percent increase since 1983. Estimates put the number of gangs at 4,881, and the number of members at 249,324. Estimates of membership of girls in those gangs ranges from ten to thirty percent, (Laidler and Hunt, 2001) meaning anywhere from about 25,000 to 75,000 girls are involved in gangs. This number also means each of those cities has an average of 277 to 831 girls who are beyond ?at risk,? and have entered an arena of behavior"minor to major crime"that some experts believe is increasing faster in the youth population than in the adult population. (Esbensen and Winfree, 1998) More interesting, perhaps, is material presented by Miller and Brunson regarding the reporting of girl gang incidents. "Law enforcement data is widely known to underreport girls" gang involvement, in part because the data weights heavily toward older members and members involved in more serious crimes,? they report. (p. 425) Since girls are generally considered by parents and teachers to be more "mature" young than boys, what is the reason for female involvement in gangs, either girl gangs or as members (like the VFW auxiliary) of male gangs?"
Abstract This paper examines how the entire concept of providing any type of foster care for children is to insure the physical safety and emotional well-being of these children. It looks at how the objective remains to provide the best care possible and whatever environment or setting is selected, it must meet the needs of the child and be a supportive, safe haven from the disruptive nature of his previous living situation. It explores how the system itself needs to be evaluated and perhaps reformed at the local, state ,and federal level and shows how, in all cases, children who are part of this system do suffer some type of fundamental breakdown in their emotional development. It discusses how the best solution that can be hoped for is for more research, better policies, and more coverage on these special needs children by the media and special interest groups; new policy initiatives and improvements in the existing system infrastructure can only lead the way to better solutions for these children.
From the Paper "Out-of-home placement is typically associated with numerous disruptions in attachment relationships. These losses and lack of permanence undermine a child's attempt to form a secure attachment with a primary caregiver. The more changes in caregivers young children in any type of foster care experience, the more likely they are to exhibit oppositional behavior, crying and clinging (Gean, Gillmore & Dowler, 1985). Disruptions in attachment relationships can lead to Reactive Attachment Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), a disorder in which the child exhibits severe disturbances in relationships with caregivers."
Abstract This paper examines how depression, a condition consisting of symptoms, such as extreme sadness for a prolonged duration of time, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, marked increase or decrease of appetite, etc., is increasing rapidly among children and adolescents in the United States today. It looks at how several factors, such as maternal depression and interpersonal relationships, are contributing to this trend. It examines depression in the child and adolescent populations, the warning signs, its implications, and proposed therapeutic treatments.
From the Paper "Currently in the U.S., nearly 2 million children and adolescents are diagnosed with some form of depression, with twice as many adolescence girls as boys, being diagnosed with depression. More than half of depressed adolescents has a recurrence within seven years. In some cases, the biological tendency toward depression is hereditary. In several other cases, environmental stressors are the basis of depression. Clinical depression may resemble these emotional dips, but it is much more pervasive, long lasting, and life threatening. A common fallacy is that childhood is a blithe, uncomplicated time in one's life. Today's family system may be a basis of depression."
Abstract Compared to only a few decades ago, American society has become more open and accepting of teenage pregnancy. Pregnant teens are no longer hidden away with relatives. More importantly, many school and community groups have adopted honest and aggressive strategies to address the growing incidences of teenage pregnancy.
This paper evaluates the effectiveness of four different styles of programs in preventing pregnancy in teenage girls. These programs include sex education in schools, one-on-one conversations between patient and health care worker in a clinical setting, service learning programs, and finally, youth development programs. Emphasis is given on the effectiveness of these programs in preventing pregnancy in teenage African-American girls. The first part of this paper is an overview of teen pregnancy statistics, both throughout the United States and African-American teenagers in particular. The next part of the paper then identifies the factors behind the rising rates of pregnancy among black teenagers. In the third and main part, this paper looks at the diverse programs and policies that are being implemented to help stop teenage pregnancy. The paper then evaluates whether or not these programs address the unique factors that contribute to teen pregnancy in African-American teens. In the conclusion, this paper argues that pregnancy rates among black teens continue to rise because these programs do not address the special factors behind pregnancies in this group. Thus, in order to effectively address teen pregnancy in black teenagers, more policies must be enacted to address factors like poverty and school drop-out rates.
From the Paper "There is a wide diversity among the types of education programs. Advocates of abstinence-only education, for example, argue that contraception education has failed to stem the tide of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease among high-school students. Napier (1999) argues that abstinence-only programs are the more effective solution. Programs such as the Washington, DC-based Best Friends, for example, match a teen girl with an adult mentor. Weekly one-on-one and group meetings will teach the girls self-respect and decision-making skills that will form the basis of a sexually-abstinent lifestyle. The Best Friends program also emphasizes avoiding drugs and alcohol, which are considered risk factors for early sexual activity."
