Abstract This research examines the subject of gay and lesbian marriages. The research sets forth a working definition of the subject and then makes a balanced presentation of the issue fronts involved in advocacy and opposition to it, with a view, however, toward demonstrating the basis for support for such marriages as a matter of sanctioned public policy.
From the Paper "Background for discourse of same-sex marriage can be dated from 1969, the year of the now-famous Stonewall riot in New York City, which fostered a generation of social activism and group advocacy on the part of homosexuals. Massachusetts U.S .Representative Barney Frank, a self-identified homosexual, has been quoted on the issue in this way: "I don't understand how it hurts anybody else if two people want to be legally . . . responsible for each other" (Pearcey & Colson, 1996, p. 104). Pearcey and Colson, who oppose homosexual marriage chiefly on religious grounds, note that private acceptance of homosexuals "is not the same thing as normalizing homosexuality by granting homosexuals a legal right to the public institution of marriage" (p. 104). Arguments for and against same-sex marriage made on religious grounds alone appear to be irreconcilable."
Abstract There are differences between aggression in men and women, which may have a biological basis, but are also tempered by psychological parameters and socialization issues. The paper shows that in animals, aggression is usually studied in terms of behavior alone, but in humans aggression encompasses the intention to harm another person, some form of behavior carried out as a result of this intention, and an emotion which can be anything from mere irritation to outright rage. While there are no clear statistics available, males usually tend to be more aggressive than females in terms of physical and verbal aggression. The paper shows that a still unanswered question is how much of this difference is biological and how much is psychological. Differences are not only found between genders, but also with age and education (aggression decreasing with increasing age and education level), and between different ethnic groups.
From the Paper "While biological theories propose that there is a chemical basis for the differences in aggressiveness between males and females, psychological theories propose that aggressiveness is a learned response rather than an innate one. Although genetic makeup may give someone a propensity for aggressive tendencies, these tendencies can be positively or negatively affected by socialization and environmental influences (Colt and Kuehn, 1998). It has been shown by many studies that females exhibit less physical aggression than males from infancy onward (Fishbein, 1992). They are less inclined to explore and engage in less rough and tumble play than boys do. Females are raised differently than males, and this is in part responsible for suppressing aggressive tendencies in females."
Abstract Because it is a difficult topic to discuss, most business managers are ill equipped to handle employee matters involving sexual harassment. The paper first defines sexual harassment in the workplace. It then looks at how a manager can determine what constitutes sexually harassing behaviors in the workplace and what it does not constitute. The paper then discusses what a manager can do to prevent sexual harassment (zero tolerance, educating the employees, etc.) and looks at the common pitfalls to show why the problem is still so prevalent.
From the Paper "Quid pro quo (Latin phrase meaning "this for that") sexual harassment occurs when a supervisor, manager or someone with power to affect an employee's work-related benefits or opportunities request sexual favors in exchange for work-related benefits. Actions considered to be quid pro quo when given as a reward for sexual activity include: promotions, good performance rating, raise or other monetary compensation, training, continued employment or preferred work schedules. Quid pro quo is considered to be the most offensive form of sexual harassment in the work place because it involves a manager using power to solicit sexual favors from an employee. It is imperative that business managers understand what quid pro quo is and that they avoid any behaviors that might be construed as quid pro quo harassment."
Tags: Civil, Rights, Equal, Employment, Opportunity, EEOC, Human, Rights
Abstract Ancient civilizations have had a diverse history in respect to homosexuality. Two of the most dominant civilizations of the early Western civilizations were also quite different in how they perceived homosexuality. The Greeks saw a loving, often sexual, relationship between an older man and a younger man or boy to be a nurturing part of citizen-building. The Romans, however, perceived all sex and all male behavior as an opportunity for establishing domination over others. While both cultures accepted homosexuality to differing degrees and for different reasons, it was during the course of the Roman Empire that homosexuality became more frequently unacceptable in an increasing number of contexts. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the differences between Greek and Roman homosexuality.
Abstract The growing movement of the gay rights movement in the United States, Canada and elsewhere has raised some sensitive issues. Not the least of these is whether gay couples should be allowed to adopt children. This paper explores this problem.
Abstract This paper will argue for the right of gay couples to adopt children. By looking at the facts that approve of this parental position, we can see how it has valid credentials for gay parenting in the United States.
Abstract This paper shows the difference between older and modern children's literature by comparing the relationship gender plays in each. Historically girls were portrayed as passive and succeed only due to the actions of others, as in "Snow White", and boys succeed because of their mischievous behaviour, as in "Jack and the Beanstalk". More recent children's literature reverses this role by making girls capable of being more active, as diplayed by the protagonist of "The Paper Bag Princess", although boys have remained reliant on mischief, as in "Haroun and the Sea of Stories."
From the Paper "As is true in society, gender affects how certain characters deal with the obstacles inherent in both life and in children's literature. Bruno Bettelheim argues that "the message that fairy tales get across to the child" [is] that a struggle against severe difficulties in life "is an intrinsic part of human existence but that if one does not shy away, but steadfastly meets unexpected and often unjust hardships, one masters all obstacles and at the end emerges victorious" (381). What Bettelheim does not acknowledge is that historically, in much of children's literature girls do not succeed based on their own actions and boys often emerge on top by behaving in a devious manner. This is particularly true of fairy tales. In more recent literature those positions are not necessarily true; girls have become dominant through action, although boys have continued to rely on mischief."
Abstract This paper looks at the issues surrounding the gay rights activists' fight for the recognition of same-sex marriages in the United States. It looks at the reasons they claim this recognition to be important and also discusses the claims by religious and political leaders about the problems that this recognition would create.
From the Paper "There are many political groups that are for and against the passage of a law allowing gays and lesbians the right to marry. Opponents of same-sex marriages say that giving marital recognition to gays and lesbians degrades the institution of marriage. They argue that the state should have the right to maintain the institute of marriage the way it was designed- as a union between a man and a woman. Opponents of same-sex marriage include most social and religious conservatives, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and most Protestant denominations."
Abstract This paper stresses that, more than any other reality television show, "Joe Millionaire" highlights particularly disturbing social views regarding women and relationships because the show presents women as liars who are motivated only by the money. The author points out that reality television has given networks another option to violence, but the audience is gradually becoming desensitized to the ethical ugliness, just as they have become desensitized to violence. The paper concludes that more and more young people associate behavior such as lying and cheating, not with a moral quandary, but with a vicarious thrill.
From the Paper "In "The Bachelor", for example, the first bachelor Alex Michel showed no qualms about having sex with one of the bachelorettes and eventually choosing another girl. The lack of public outcry about this behavior shows that for many people, the thought of sex outside a relationship and the presentation of women as objects to be chosen no longer raise a moral quandary."
Tags: desensitize, women, relationship, violence, sex
This paper discusses Sharon Olds' poem, "Rites of Passage", which describes the way society conditions young girls and boys to behave in a manner befitting their gender.
Abstract This paper relates that, in this poem, Olds is surprised to see that boys, from a very young age, are aggressive in nature and therefore love playing generals and soldiers. The author points out that the tone of the poem is ironic in the sense that, while on the surface it seams to be celebrating the birthday of first-grade child, on closer study, it contains heavy undertones. The paper stresses that the reason boys' behavior and their psyche are seen as the actual themes of the poem is because Olds hardly mentions anything else. There are no descriptions of the location or dresses the guests are wearing.
From the Paper "For example, all the six years olds in this poem behave in the same manner with everyone ready and willing to fight with others. There seems to be little compassion or empathy between the boys as they gear up for a "brawl". This is quite different from the behavior we would expect from a group of young girls. Not only would most of them be gathering around their dolls, they would also show little interest in waging a war against younger children. On the other hand, children in this party are looking for their potential victims and all younger kids are considered prime targets."
