Abstract This paper examines how the media plays a prominent role in modern society and how the depiction of controversial topics, such as racism, sexism, and homophobia tends to influence social values, often to an inflammatory degree. In particular, it looks at how, recently, an increasing number of films and television programs have focused on homosexuality and how depictions of homosexuality in the media have not only affected how others view homosexuals, but also how gay people see themselves and the rights that they have.
Outline
Homosexuality in Film since the 1890s
Ignoring the Issue: Censorship
Homosexuality as the Subject of Laughter
Homosexuality and Violence
Conclusion
From the Paper "During the 1990's and the first years of the new millennium, homosexuality has become an increasingly prominent issue in the media. The most controversial issue currently is same-sex marriages, forbidden by law in several states. Not allowing homosexual people to have rights is a type of censorship resulting from willfully ignoring the issue. General society is often not comfortable with the issue of homosexuality because it is either ignored or maligned by the media. Advertisements, television programs and indeed films featuring homosexuality is the exception rather than the rule. The consequences of ignoring the issue however is that the fundamental rights promised by the Constitution to every citizen are becoming a travesty of its original intention (Erwin)."
Abstract This paper outlines the significant differences between the genders with regard to drug abuse. The paper looks at the differences in all aspects of drug use, including why they seek out drugs, who they get drugs from, the types of drugs used, the level of dependence, and the degree of relapse.
From the Paper "Drug addiction, in women and men, is a disease that has become an epidemic in America and around the world. However, there are significant gender differences in regards to drug abuse, and associated behaviors. Much research exists to show that women and men vary drastically with respect to the circumstances surrounding their initial drug use, the specific types of drugs they grow dependent upon, the level of dependence, and the ability they have to seek treatment for their addiction. From the first time a member of either sex uses drugs until they seek treatment, quit, or relapse, females and males exhibit extreme differences in their behavior."
Abstract This paper examines the history of equal employment opportunity and how it impacts human resource management today. Human resources managers must be aware of the how the EEO laws affect employees, potential employees, and retiring employees. This is because these eight Equal Employment Opportunity laws impact several areas of human resources management, including compensation, employee selection, opportunities for training and promotion, performance appraisal, and retirement.
From the Paper "Another area of human resource management concerned with EEO laws is the area of promotion and job training opportunities. The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 is one law that targets 20% of all discrimination charges, which happen to fall into the category of age related discrimination. Age related discrimination tends to occur often when decisions are being made about additional job training, funding for continuing education, and downsizing through "early retirement" programs (Bohlander, 56). Other elderly people are looked over for hire or promotion because they are considered too old and un-hip to promote. Casual remarks that express ageist attitudes can easily be used to build cases of discrimination based on age (Bohlander, 56)."
Abstract This paper explains that sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace is demonstrated not only by poor treatment of these employees but also in financial ways: Although equally qualified, male homosexuals are earning about twenty-two percent less than heterosexual men. The author points out that the Congress is considering the "Employment Non-Discrimination Act". The paper concludes that sexual discrimination could be reduced, if not eliminated, if employers trained and educated employees on sexual orientation, provided benefits for gay partners and allowed employees to form unions to voice their opinion.
From the Paper "Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees are discriminated against everyday in the working world. Although personal information, such as sexual orientation, should not be questioned in the workplace, employers are using this information to discriminate against certain people. Even employers that intend to help people have been known to discriminate. The Salvation Army is a perfect example of this. The Salvation Army in New York would pull its business out of the state rather than provide health insurance benefits to partners of gay employees. A law that will soon be enforced in New York states that all employers must provide health benefits to gay partners. Since the Salvation Army considers itself an "evangelical Christian church," it is against it's religion to promote homosexuality."
Abstract This paper shows that the media has misrepresented homosexuals in many different ways. Television and newspaper are especially differing in their portrayals of homosexuals. Current television programs have divided homosexuals into a distinct cultural group, typecasting them as sharing the same personality, lifestyle and values. They are often seen on television as being the victims of ridicule, as they are utilized in television program for providing a humorous effect. The paper shows that converse to television, newspaper, and at times radio, expose the negative portrayals of homosexuals, depicting them as being unnatural and immoral. Furthermore, the media has played a part in placing stigmas upon homosexuals, including the association they are believed to have with sex crimes, drugs and terminal sexually transmitting diseases.
From the Paper "Presently, television is a considerable contributor in the stereotyping of homosexuals. Excessively effeminate mannerisms, high pitched speaking voices, exaggerated garish and stylish clothing are images of homosexuals which are common on almost every television channel. This is, however, a vast media misrepresentation, since in reality homosexuals are considerably difficult to identify. Television particularly places gay men in brackets, giving them shared personality traits and occupations. On television programs, homosexual characters entertain audiences by predominantly possessing an energetic and flamboyant character, often even being outspoken transvestites."
Abstract This paper presents an argument that gay marriage should be permitted despite traditional and widespread religious opposition to it. The author points out that the issue of same-sex marriage is one of the most controversial in American society since the issue of abortion.
From the Paper "Although many religious conservatives wish it would, the issue of Gay marriage will not go away. This is particularly now that the U. S. Supreme Court has struck down state anti-sodomy laws as unconstitutional and in light of the Michigan State Supreme..."
Abstract This paper explains that, in the Middle East, there is a societal belief in the superiority of men. The author explores the ways in which laws and customs based on religious beliefs and social and governmental policies violate women's human rights in Middle Eastern countries. The paper outlines the steps women have taken to attempt to protect these rights.
From the Paper "On December ..., the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration sets forth thirty Articles that listed certain inalienable rights of all human beings."
Abstract This essay looks at the discrimination of women in the workplace. It discusses the ways in which gender discrimination is manifested and the reasons why it is still persistent in our society today. Although the status of women in the labor force as well as in society in general has considerably improved in the last hundred years there is still a bias present. The paper presents articles that argue that women are still fighting for equity in pay and are more likely to suffer poverty due to discrimination in the workplace.
Abstract This essay examines the importance of advertising in today's society and analyses the representation of gender, race and class in today's advertising. The essay argues that gender and racial inequality and stereotyping are very much present in today's advertising and furthermore that this serves advertising needs. It also argues that advertising, combined with technology is a powerful tool in maintaining consumerist culture and that many corporations depend heavily on advertising for profit. Advertising is sophisticated, very well thought through and everywhere. It directly impacts our choices and often mirrors society.
Abstract This paper examines how, in the introduction to the "History of Sexuality", Foucault argues that in the 17th century the role of sex and sexual activity in the discourse of western society made a fundamental and radical change. It also looks at how, in "Discipline and Punish", Foucault argues that obsessions over sexuality and society's approval or disapproval of specific actions occurs because of the infinite diffusion of power which is found as the basis of western society. In comparison, it looks at how two decades later, Butler employed themes from Foucault's philosophy in order to argue her case for the arbitrariness of anatomical sex, gender identity and gender performance. It shows that through the arguments in her work, "Gender Trouble", Butler concludes that there is no essential relationship between a person's anatomical sex, her self-identified gender and the gender performance she enacts to fulfill society's expectations of the norm.
From the Paper "Foucault's analysis of discourses on sex comes as a reaction to the more commonly-held belief that there was a society-wide discourse of repression in regards to sex. Foucault argues against this; he questions whether or not "sexual repression is truly an established historical fact"; whether "prohibition, censorship, and denial truly the forms through which power is exercised in a general way, if not in every society, most certainly in our own"; and whether "there really was a historical rupture between the age of repression and the critical analysis of repression". Foucault argues that through the evolution of Christian pastoral practices, specifically that of confessions regarding sexual sins, society was compelled to begin an elaborate and never-ceasing discourse on sex. "
