Abstract This paper attempts to look at some of the changes in the family by comparing the modern family of today with the family of the post World War II generation. It does this by interviewing a women born post World War II and assessing the structure of the then family unit, the role of the parents and children and discipline. It compares attitudes to issues such as children born out of wedlock and adoption, then and now and shows how there are two characteristics of the modern society that account for most of the differences. Firstly, women are now working resulting in a two-income family becoming the norm and the high rate of divorce has led to a rise single-parent families.
From the Paper "This can be compared to the modern treatment of children born out of wedlock and children being adopted out. Firstly, children being born out of wedlock is no longer a "sin" that needs to be hidden. Secondly, adoption is now treated very differently. Adoption no longer means giving up all claims to the child. Instead, the child could be raised aware of their biological parents. It is also important that it is an accepted part of the issue that children will one day find and meet their ?real parents.? In contrast, the World War II parent was forced to give up all knowledge of their child."
Abstract This paper evaluates the problem of teen smoking which is on the rise compared to the decrease in adult smokers. It examines the history and causes of teen smoking including the factors influencing children to start smoking at a young age. Children are three times as likely to smoke if both of their parent's smoke and parents' approval or disapproval of the habit is also a significant factor. It shows how the tobacco industry from its earliest marketing days has aggressively targeted young people and the ease of buying such as from vending machines only worsens the problem. It discusses steps that can be taken to eradicate the problem through advertising and restricting sales and concludes with positive action that can be taken to help a teen smoker stop.
From the Paper "Another way to halt the teenage smoking plague is to restrict sales. In 1992, Congress enacted the Synar Amendment, which requires states to put teeth into their laws against selling cigarettes to minors, or lose much-needed federal money for drug and alcohol treatment. The Synar Amendment has gone unforced for nearly three years, awaiting permission of the regulations by the Office of Management and Budget. In the meantime, any real progress on enforcing sales laws has arisen at the local level."
A description of the State programs offered to juvenile offenders from broken homes which helps them become fully-functioning and socially responsible adults in order to integrate into society.
Abstract The paper describes the range of helpful services provided by the Independent Living Programs and lists the desirable goals of these programs. The paper decribes how these programs help with life-skills and social and psychological problems. It also explains how the programs provide a general education and vocational training.
From the Paper "Thus, Independent Living programs like those in Texas, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, and other states, provide a unique and exciting alternative to traditional methods of dealing with delinquent youth. The independent living arrangements, whether in apartments, or residential facilities, or halfway houses, offer juveniles an escape from the problems of home and at the same time, a very real sense of personal responsibility."
Tags: youth, child, law, crime, rehabilitation, social
Abstract An existentential nihilist paper on Albert Camus's essay on "An Absurd Reasoning." The paper focuses on Camus' major theme of absurdity with its relation to life and suicide. The paper uses quotes from Camus and examines the concepts of society and its ideal ethics.
From the Paper "Existential nihilist philosopher and 1957 Nobel Prize winner for literature, Albert Camus wrote an essay entitled ?An Absurd Reasoning,? where he suggests suicide is a solution to the absurd. As horrifying as it may sound and as absurd as it may seem, surprisingly, there is logic to his rather depressing theory. Due to society's concept and interpretation of suicide, Camus theory may and most likely be ignorantly disregarded. However, the purpose of this essay and perhaps also the impact may in doubt be able to reach upon and grasp further than the concepts of society and their ideal ethics. In order to grasp Camus theory, one must not understand but rather identify absurdity with its own parallel connection to the self. Without a reason to live and the absurdity in the pursuit of meaning, a simple conclusion may be drawn rather than sought, where suicide is the solution to the absurd."
Abstract This paper discusses the isolation that is experienced by the protagonist, Holden, in "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger. This theme is expanded and is presented from a general point of view, illustrating the difficulties teenagers encompass on their journey to adulthood.
From the Paper "In today's world teenagers are said to have a harder time than those of yesteryear. Many experts disagree with this statement and point to J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye" to illustrate that teens have historically had a hard time finding their way before bursting onto adulthood ready to live(Elkind pg 24). When teens become lost and isolated, both in fictional works, such as "Catcher in the Rye" and in real life it is often because they have not had limits or boundaries according to the experts. ?Without such limits, values, and leadership, young people drifted into states that bordered on mental illness."
Abstract This paper examines how the family has changed significantly in the fifty-year period from 1940 to 1990. It discusses how one of the major issues of the 1990's is divorce, with divorce having a significant impact on the family. It attempts to evaluate the impact of divorce on the 1940's family and compares it to that of the 1990's family. The ideal family of the early 1940's was one based on the father working and the mother looking after the house and children. fter World War II, women began to enter the workforce more increasing the change of social values. This trend continued up to the present where divorce is increasingly common and families are increasingly complex because of this. In the 1990's, families no longer have the traditional mother and father. Instead, families include single-parent families, ones where custody is shared between two parents and ones where children have parents, stepparents, stepsisters and stepbrothers. Rather than hope for a return to a traditional family, society needs to change to support the new family structures that are emerging. The reality is that society has changed and that divorce is one of the results.
From the Paper "The family of the 1940's was one of change. World War II meant that women found themselves forced to take on greater roles at home. Women became part of the workforce and became more independent. At this time on history, divorce was allowed but not totally accepted. One book on the subject of the changing nature of divorce notes that the law represents the dominant social views of this time (Phillips 314). The divorce law at this time was one of fault-based divorce. Weitzman (48) describes this approach as one that was based on protecting marriage. Divorce was still allowed but only based on proving a fault of one party, such as abusiveness, adultery or cruelty."
Abstract This paper examines how post-partum depression affects women of all ages and race. It describes the medical and biological aspects of the depression, which are a result of hormonal changes to the mother. The author strongly states that patients need to receive medical treatment immediately. The paper also emphasizes the need for psychological therapy.
From the Paper "Having a baby is supposed to be a joyous time for a couple, but it is estimated that seventy to eighty percent of all new mothers will cry sometime during their hospital stay after giving birth. This is ?called post-partum blues (2002)? and will usually disappear in two weeks. However, after two weeks this can develop into post-partum depression (PPD) and can last for a year (2002)."
Abstract This paper explores the life cycle stages every individual goes through as they grow older. The paper illustrates how the stages of adulthood can be categorized by the progression of the family stages. The paper focuses primarily on the theories of Erikson, Levinson and Jung.
From the Paper "Throughout most of history, it has been assumed that adults reside on a developmental plateau. The supposition was made that during the time between adolescence and old age, there were no systematic changes occurring. This mode of thought remained in place until the early 20th century, when studies began to reveal significant developmental influences across the life span."
This paper discusses the experience of death in a specialized, modernized society and its consequences for children. The paper stresses the need for open discussions with children about dying.
2,475 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 10 sources, 1971, $ 87.95
From the Paper "The experience of death today is different from that of any other period in history. This difference is due to the modernization of society and the consequential emergence of many individual highly specialized units which attend to one particular function of society. In non-modern societies every aspect of the culture is incorporated into every activity. The total community takes part in every necessary function, including death, of the individual.
For instance, in a non-modern society, education is merely one function of the family and community, but in a modern society, it is the only function of an institution termed the educational system or school. Similarly, in a non-modern society, death is attended to by the family at home, involving the total community, but in a modern society, it is attended to ... "
This paper examines the effect of the American Industrial Society in the early 19th Century on the family unit and reconstructs the lifestyles of the times.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 13 sources, 1974, $ 47.95
From the Paper "This paper is an examination of the relationship between the
family unit and the developing industrial society of the early 19th century. Many of our contemporary social problems have their roots in the Industrial Revolution. Whether the focus is riots in the central cities, national moral decay, dissolution of the family unit, environmental pollution, the urban blight, or social equality of the sexes, editorials invariably trace the origins of these problems to the industrialization of the American society. The historical significance of the subject is great, for, if these postulations are valid, the Industrial Revolution significantly altered the "American way of life." Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine this particular period of history with regard to its effect on the family. Putting people back into history and reconstructing their lives ... "
Discusses the harmful effects of TV in its roles as parent, teacher, hero-provider & peer of children, emphasizing relational vacuum, low values & morals, commercialism, entertainment and violence.
3,150 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 7 sources, 1989, $ 111.95
From the Paper " "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man."
Proverbs 27:19
Men embody the values which they hold. These values develop most intensively during early childhood. The first nine years of life are thus in one sense the most significant period in a person's life, because during this time children acquire the values which form their character. Parental influence develops a child's first impressions of the manner in which humans are to relate to one another. This influence continues, teaching children basic values, morals, and social patterns. Teachers begin to instill in children the value of education, knowledge, and hard work. Children choose early heroes and role models which define their hopes and dreams. Also during this period, (...)"
Describes social theories explaining gang formation & membership. Examines social deviance, social disorganization, control & strain models and delinquency theory.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 4 sources, 1989, $ 47.95
From the Paper "Who joins the gang? On the surface this question seems to have a clear answer. However, answers often pertain to individual characteristics due to the individual nature of the question. Most people assume that potential gang members are plain hoodlums, or people who desire and even accept criminal activity as a way of life. For this reason calculated solutions to the gang problem frequently revolve around methods of dealing with the individual such as counselors or the youth authority and even prison. But as time has told these are ineffective. Recent media attention of gang activity illustrates this failure. Consequently the need for a different approach emerges. One of the initial steps in the process of understanding all of the dynamics of the gang problem lies in recognizing the gang issue as a social one. At this point (...)"
From the Paper "Teenage suicide Is one of the major problems mental health professionals must address. Over the last generation the incidence of adolescent suicide has increased at a rapid rate. Among teenagers and young adults, those 15 to 24, suicide is one of the three leading causes of death. In addition, the self-destructive behaviors of young people, including so-called "suicide gestures," constitute a substantial health issue closely related to adolescent suicide. For that reason, counselors and other professionals continue to seek theoretical explanations of teenage suicide that will assist in identifying and treating those most at risk. Unfortunately, beyond pointing to the turbulence of our society and to the decline of the family, research has been slow in establishing the causes of adolescent suicide. Most experts agree that the rising rate of suicide (...)"
Discusses incidence, causes, male vs. female suicide, compared to adult suicide, depression, role of media, death as escape from problems, social factors, family and prevention.
2,925 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 19 sources, 1989, $ 103.95
From the Paper "During the last decade there appears to have been a dramatic increase in attempted and completed suicides among the adolescent population (Emery, 1983). Among 15 to 19 year olds the suicide rate in 1950 was between 2.7 and 3.5 suicides per 100,000. By 1977 this figure had risen to 14.2, the highest increase in the suicide rate of any group except 20 to 24 year olds. Further, the tendency not to attribute suicidal motives to young adolescents and the desire to spare families public embarrassment result in a number of suicides being officially recorded as accidents (Husain & Vandiver, 1984). As a consequence, some analyses estimate that the actual rates of adolescent suicide may be three times as high as the official government statistics, which show that, in 1983 alone, 6,000 young people killed themselves (Tugend, 1984). Some also contend that for every (...)"
This paper examines the mental health and stability of children in single-parent homes and analyzes the child's capacity to form lasting relationships: Child's future role as parent himself, parental separation, depression, school, sexual development an
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 8 sources, 1990, $ 71.95
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to examine the mental health and stability of children in single-parent homes, as well as to analyze the child's capacity to form lasting relationships. we will also look at parental separation, depression, school behavior and adjustment, sexual development and identity problems faced by these children, and the parent's role in preventing or abetting these problems.
Millions of children in America today live in single-parent households, the vast majority of these families consisting of a working mother and one or more children. As the divorce rate increases, this situation is likely to grow. Before looking at the effects of this type of environment on the child himself, we should first examine some basic facts about single working parents."
