Abstract This paper presents a discussion of issues related to transracial foster care and adoption.The issues outlined here include those of identity and role-modeling, and the ability of parents to understand fully the experiences of their child of a different race. A review of the relevant literature on racial identity is provided.
From the Paper "A multiracial/cross racial/transracial foster care arrangement can be described as one in which there is a "foster care arrangement for a child who is of a different racial heritage than the individual or individuals who are providing the foster care." (Kenny)
Closely related to the issue of transracial foster care is transracial adoption. Transracial adoption presents the same kinds of problems as does transracial foster care. Children of ethnic minorities who are adopted by white parents do not have a minority role-model in the immediate family to look up to, and therefore may be more influenced by the wider society's devaluation of their ethnic identity. Development of a strong ethnic or racial identity will be hampered by not growing up in a home where the parents and siblings are members of that same group. Additionally, white parents will never be able to fully understand discrimination in the way that minority parents can, and therefore, however well intentioned they may be, they will never be able to provide the kind of support and advice regarding societal discrimination that adoptive parents of the same race would be able to provide."
Abstract A paper which discusses the Middle East conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and the urgent need for intervention by a third party due to the mistrust between the leaders of both sides. The paper shows that the true victims of this conflict are the innocent populations who are harmed because Arafat and Sharon cannot reach an agreement.
From the Paper "BBC reporter Kathryn Westcott reports a chilling trend among young teens who emulate their elders and perform suicide bombings. The military action in the West Bank has had the effect that 600,000 children have been unable to attend school. Television propaganda enrages the children and they are now beginning to take part in the violence. We must remember that children learn more by our actions than our words and we can only blame ourselves when a 14-year-old runs into a crowded mall of other school children and pulls the pin on the grenade. Some so-called "Freedom Fighters" are even recruiting children to do their dirty work."
Tags: Freedom, Fighters, Elias, Tuma, West, Bank, terrorism
An introduction to the South American Indian tribe, the Yanomamo and and an exploration into their customs, including their system of cross-cultural marriage.
Abstract A paper which examines the Yanomami people - a remote tribe in the Tropical Forest on the border between Venezuela and Brazil. The paper shows their customs and culture and focuses on their system of cross-cultural marriage which follows a bilateral cross-cousin marriage system. The paper also discusses Napoleon A. Chagnon, a young American ethnographer who brought the knowledge of Yanomamo ethnography to the world.
From the Paper "The practice of infanticide is practiced in their culture. This is one of the reasons why there are more males than women. If a female is born she is killed at birth. They feel that women are inferior. Some Yanomamo women kill their infant because they fear the wrath of their husbands for having a female baby. The Yanomano may choke the baby with a vine, suffocating the infant by placing a stick across her nose, or slamming her against a tree. "
Abstract This paper discusses the works of two prominent historians, Bernard Lewis and Edward Said and analyzes their views of the Middle East and its connection to the West. The paper provides a review of the history of these two regions and explains that in order to understand the complexities of the current relations between East and West, it is imperative to understand their historical relations.
From the Paper "Wars broke out, lives were lost trust was shattered and so was the form of peace that is to date visualized as a dream unachieved. The answer to these wars was meted out as dialogue broke through; both parties considered their sides or silently lamented the loss. Soon man decided to not only provoke the enemy with weapons and on-field battle but also to hinder the other party's performance diplomatically, politically and strategically; mind power was the name of the game. This not only involved the military at war but also brought at stake the patience and peace of the nation defended and this was the concept, the victim and target of wars that broke out not on fields but in other modes."
Tags: history, islam, arab, usa, israel, palestine, saddam, iraq, kuwait, peace, egypt, jordan, syria, iran, afghanistan, bin-laden, Taliban
A review of the book ?A New Religious America: How a "Christian Country" has now become the World's most Religiously Diverse Nation? by Diana Eck about the growing diversity in religious affiliations in America especially among its immigrants and native
Abstract This paper gives a brief history of immigration to the U.S. and discusses whether "religious pluralism", a term used by Diana Eck in her book to describe America's "melting pot" of various Western and Eastern religions, serves as a unifying factor to the Americans (native peoples or immigrants) or not, especially in the light of the events of September 11, 2001.
From the Paper "In the first chapter of her book, Eck provides a brief summary of the historical background of the new surge of immigrants, and thus, the new surge of different Western and Eastern religions in the US. She further tells her readers that this surge of new immigrants, and the increased diversity of the religious and cultural traditions of America, started when the US government encouraged immigration of people from all over the world into the United States, as mandated by the new 1965 Immigration Act. This act paved the way for Asian, Arabs, and other nationalities in Eastern and Pacific Island nations to take part into the country's opportunities as the ?land of the free.? "
Tags: 911 culture tradition democratic state christianity islam judaism, buddhism hinduism
From the Paper "The essence of Hasidism is both its orthodoxy and its passion. Although there are many sects of Hasidic Jews, they all share the fundamental idea that the soul must be on fire for the creator, not for anything else. It is the creator who is at the center of life and all of life is lived in accordance with principles, commandments, and guidelines that have been long-established as likely to lead the community closer to the time of the messiah and the beginning of heaven on earth. With this as its goal, the child-rearing practices of Hasidic families differ from the average American family in many ways. The goal is to mold an observant Hasidic Jew, with understanding of his..."
Analysis of North American Indian societies, 1775-1815. Historical response to Europeans, traditions & political skills. Effects of American Revolution; resistance to Federal gov't. policies; devastation of their cultures.
4,050 words (approx. 16.2 pages), 16 sources, 2001, $ 135.95
From the Paper "This research paper discusses the cultures of Native American peoples as they existed during the creation of the American nation from 1775 to 1815. It focuses upon the traditional cultures of the Eastern Woodlands Indians, the Iroquois in the North, the Algonquian Shawnee in the Northwest Territory and the Muskhogean Creek Confederacy in the Deep South and Gulf region.
Over the centuries, a plethora of Indian tribes east of the Mississippi evolved and developed a wide diversity of cultural institutions and patterns of life, uniquely adapted and attuned to their natural environment and historical circumstances. All of them were significantly disrupted and altered by contact with European settlers. By the time of the American Revolution, most of the Algonquian tribes in New England and other Indians along..."
From the Paper "During World War II, the United States interned Japanese residents of the Western states in internment camps such as that at Manzanar in California. The reason was indicated in Executive Order 9066, signed in 1942 by President Roosevelt to give authority to the War Department to define military areas in the western states and to exclude anyone who might be seen as threatening the war effort (Houston and Houston xi-xii). Japanese living in the Western states were seen as potential subversives and were summarily removed to camps to prevent this. The camps operated until after the surrender of Japan, though the U.S. Supreme Court ruled at the end of 1944 that loyal citizens could not be held in detention camps against their will (Houston and Houston, 1973, xii). The United States was wrong to place any Japanese who had not committed any offense into..."
Examines the historical backdrop to the Arab-Israeli conflicts. Discusses the current state of the conflicts. Reviews Arab/Israeli relations in both the Middle East and the U.S.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 3 sources, 1997, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Arab-Israeli relations are influenced by problems between the two groups extending back centuries, and the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 today remains a sore point in the Arab world. Arab-Israeli relations can be seen as a majority/minority relationship, but interestingly, this relationship offers one configuration in the Middle East and another in the United States. In the Middle East, the Israelis are the minority population and are surrounded by Arab nations. In the United States, the Jewish population is much larger than the Arab population and more visible as well. Tensions in the Middle East are great, while in the United States those tensions are much less given the American position of tolerance of differing opinions and intolerance of violence.
The international political economy of the Middle East is ..."
Importance of family & home to this culture group. Look at traditional & community values, issues of assimilation, socioeconomic success, gender, prejudice and art.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 10 sources, 1999, $ 79.95
From the Paper "In traditional Chinese society, great emphasis is placed on the incorporation of philosophical principles in everyday life. One of the greatest Chinese philosophers was Confucius. Since Confucius advocated respect for family and parents, filial piety has become a central feature of Chinese culture. Children are expected to put the interests of the family above their own aspirations. Thus, various aspects of Chinese culture are preserved in the home, particularly in households which contain older, extended-family members or first-generation immigrants.
Chinese American families often celebrate traditional Chinese holidays such as Chinese New Year and the moon festival. Custom dictates the celebration of such holidays with firecrackers, although in some communities the purchase of such fireworks is illegal. Another Chinese New Year custom is to send..."
Ethnographic overview of women's social, marital, family and ceremonial roles and how they are affected by urban or rural location, age and historical era.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 5 sources, 1999, $ 55.95
Abstract One of the problems in the social sciences is that people look to the social sciences for the same kinds of answers about people that physical sciences provide about atoms or chemicals. This does not take into account the fact that human beings are affected by an incredible diversity of family, cultural, and other environmental influences that impact their behavior.
From the Paper "Gender Roles and Chinese Women
Introduction
One of the problems in the social sciences is that people look to the social sciences for the same kinds of answers about people that physical sciences provide about atoms or chemicals. This does not take into account the fact that human beings are affected by an incredible diversity of family, cultural, and other environmental influences that impact their behavior. Even in one society, people live in different regions, belong to different classes, and operate under unique value systems. Still, there may be some generalities that are possible. The intent in this paper is to explore gender roles for women in China, making the argument that those roles have some general ..."
An analysis of how Islamic people are depicted by U.S. and Western mass media and its effects on Americans of Mid Eastern descent. It discusses cultural bases of biases & stereotypes with examples and political aspect.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 25 sources, 1999, $ 119.95
From the Paper " Media Portrait of Middle Eastern Peoples
Introduction
This research discusses the way in which the peoples of the Middle East of Muslim origins are portrayed in the American and other Western mass media, the effects of this portrayal on persons of Middle Eastern descent who live in the United States and the complex psychological, political, economic reasons for such treatment.
On the whole, the Western mass media--the movies, television, radio and other publications--portray Middle Eastern peoples from predominantly Muslim countries, including those who have emigrated from the region, in a stereotyped, biased and derogatory manner. The effects of that treatment on public opinion are to predispose the American public to expect the worst..."
Abstract This paper debates the topic of euthanasia or assisted suicide for those that are dying and suffering constant and severe pain. This can range from cancer to AIDS patients. It examines the current laws in America today in various states regarding euthanasia and discusses whether assisted suicide should be legalized and if it was, who would make the final decision, the patient, the doctor or the court.
From the Paper "An elderly woman in her eighty's lies in the hospital bed with severe pain and anguish. Her husband quietly holds her hand. She begs the doctor to take her life so she is not such a financial burden to her husband and she won?t hurt anymore. Tears flow down her cheeks as she says, ?I am going to die with cancer anyway. I want to die with dignity.? What position should nurses take when it comes to this delicate subject? If you were a physician, would you assist in her death? The population of terminally ill patients can be defined as a patient who has no chance of recovering from an illness that are "suffering constant and severe pain" (Bopp and Coleson 1999). This can range from cancer to AIDS."
Abstract This paper discusses Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon a Time", which looks at issues of prejudice and discrimination. The author focuses on reasons for Gordimer's success and her understanding of racial conflict. Her work includes both fiction and non-fiction and she won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for Literature.
From the Paper "Once upon a time by Nadine Gordimer provides valuable insights about prejudice and discrimination that can be applied to any society, how individuals can take responsibility in reducing societal misunderstandings. The story illustrates the irony in thinking that building fences provides security and solves societal problems. The story asks readers to consider the fences that every society builds. Nadine Gordimer, a white South African, won the 1991 Nobel Prize for literature. Born in 1923, she grew up amidst the turmoil of the beginnings of apartheid policies."
This paper discusses the Iroquis, a branch of North American Indians who belonged to the Hokan-Siouan linguistic family: Prominent role of women, religion, economics, food and mistreatment by whites and the government.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 5 sources, 1983, $ 47.95
From the Paper The Iroquois were a branch of North American Indians who belonged to the Hokan-Siouan linguistic family. They were the initiators of the Iroquois Confederacy, or Iroquois League, a North American Indian confederation consisting of five nations joined together for greater strength, commerce and survival: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca (founded 1570). Around 1722, the Tuscarora joined the League, and these people inhabited what is now the north and west sides of New York's Hudson River. These Indians numbered 5,500, and materially, politically and militarily their culture was the most advanced in the Eastern Woodlands..
The Iroquois conceived of themselves as living in a metaphorical "longhouse" in which each nation had a role. For example, the Mohawks guarded the eastern door. By allowing ... "
