Abstract This paper explores the effects gays have had in the media and what role they play in shaping the entertainment we see. The paper begins with a list of some important examples of homosexuals in the media, including Marlene Dietrich and Rock Hudson. The writer presents a brief history of homosexuality and society's view of it. Included is a look at the recent homosexual movement in the U.S. towards freedom and equality.
From the Paper "In the words of George Steiner ?Neither sociology nor cultural history, neither political theory nor psychology has even begun to handle authoritatively the vast theme of the part played by homosexuality in Western culture since the late nineteenth century. The subject is so diffuse and of such methodological and emotional complexity that it would require a combination of Machiavelli, de Tocqueville and Freud to produce the great missing book.? (qtd. in Altman) Unfortunately Steiner's words are true. In fact, when researching the history of homosexuals in America, I found very little that gave me a true and accurate account of their place in American culture."
Abstract Recent research reveals that about one percent of the general population suffers from manic-depression and five percent suffers from major depression during their lives. However, the incidence for depression in women is twice as high or more; as many as one in five American women has a history of depression during her lifetime.
This paper examines the causes and effects of depression in both young and older women. It examines existing medical research for both groups, identifies major differences in depression for young and older women and presents a conclusive analysis of observations.
From the Paper "Additional studies reveal that from early adolescence onward, there is a steady increase in the number of women who experience symptoms of depression. Women's risk for depression during their reproductive years also presents a significant social problem, as the risk of depression in children is greater when they have depressed mothers. In addition, depression has been identified as the fourth most common cause of disability worldwide and has surpassed accidents as a major cause of lost work time."
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 A review of the essay by Tobias Wolff 'Hunters in the Snow" which provides an analysis of the thesis: "When concentrating on the conversation that takes place between the men the reader realizes that underneath all the friendship there is a cruelness of words that cuts to the deep as the men flaunt the others weaknesses and seem to be ignorant of the effect that the words will have on the emotional state of the other."
Abstract This paper points out that while gays are just as likely as non-gays to make good soldiers, the simple effect of their presence reduces the social atmosphere and thus negatively affects the cohesion and effectiveness of the unit. Our society rejects gays, we should not, then force our military to adopt practices we do not accept ourselves.
Abstract This paper will seek to understand traditional and non-traditional gender role development. By seeking the norms in boy-girl roles in society, we can see how Erickson helps us understand how society forms gender roles on a child.
Abstract This paper examines how the history of assignment of custodial responsibility for children when parents separate or divorce has varied more than most people realize. It discusses how American courts, as well as the Anglo system that preceded it, have held various views over the centuries regarding who should take care of children after divorce, with the view that either parent may be the best choice in any individual situation being a relatively new development. By looking at how court rulings have changed, particularly over the last thirty years, it attempts to demonstrate how it is evident that many men can and will do an excellent job of raising their children when called upon to do so.
Outline
History
Current Issues
Fathers? Rights Movements
Examples of Single Fathers
Factors that Help Fathers Win Custody
Joint Custody
Conclusion
From the Paper "Laws have changed to reflect changes in society standards. In 1973, the New York Supreme Court ruled against the automatic assumption that of the two biological parents, the mother is automatically the best parent to receive custody of children in a divorce. They wrote, ?The simple fact of being a mother does not, by itself, indicate a willingness or capacity to render a quality of care different than that which a father can provide.? (Risman, 1985) By 1982 the state of Missouri had acted in a similar way. A Missouri court order from that year states, ??If both parents are employed and equally absent from the home, the mother has no more part in training, nurturing and helping in the child's development; and if everything is equal, the mother has no better claim to child custody.? (Stachewicz, 1993)."
Abstract This paper discusses gender bias in the workplace and focuses on the distinction made between a man and woman in a working environment on the basis of professionalism, integrity, and respect. This paper emphasizes the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 and how several women have used it to fight for their rights. The paper gives real examples of organizations that suffered as a result of gender distinction and represents the true scenario of gender bias in today's world.
From the Paper "Even after great advancements made by mankind in possibly all the fields of life, gender distinction between a man and woman still exists. The portraiture of power and the roles of gender in a prevalent culture reverberate meaningful patrimonial control, with the maneuvering of a female gender an appurtenant element of its objective. Women working in a professional environment have to prove their importance within the acrimonious periphery created by men. Despite the changes, which have been brought in by many laws and movements, women today still do not enjoy a working environment where they would be given a status equal to that of a man."
Abstract This paper argues that the death penalty should be abolished. The paper asserts that the death penalty is spurious, often based on socioeconomic or other factors irrelevant to the severity of the crime itself, and employed in a racist fashion.
From the Paper "The death penalty is an arbitrary institution that is employed for a series of reasons that are unrelated to the crimes committed by actual persons (assuming, of course, that those sentenced to the death penalty are even guilty of the crimes that they have committed). Indeed, the death penalty is employed differently depending upon the race, gender, and wealth of accused person. These criteria are unacceptable for use in determining outcomes that will result in imminent death for accused persons. The death penalty, since it is influenced by these factors is used arbitrarily and must be stopped."
Is same-sex marriage a civil rights issue? This paper considers major arguments against same-sex marriage and contrasts them with arguments in favor of it.
Abstract This paper focuses on religion, the influence of religion on politics, the Federal Marriage Amendment, and marriage rights and privileges. The paper sheds a positive light on the topic of same-sex marriage. Resources are current, and the paper is argumentative.
From the Paper "Recent political events have shed sudden light on an issue that the American public has long been avoiding: Same-sex marriage. Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry? As human beings and American citizens, are same sex couples entitled to the same protections that law provides to heterosexual married couples? Unlike the usual pro/con debates, this particular issue has three sides. There's the "no" side that argues that the benefits of marriage are sanctimonious and that they should be provided only to opposite sex couples. The "yes" side would argue that marriage is a basic civil right and should be provided to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. The third side meets the previous two extremes somewhere in the middle, stating that while the term "marriage" is sanctimonious and should be reserved only for opposite sex couples, the benefits of marriage should be available to all couples regardless of sexual orientation. Each side has its own theories in a debate that is anything but black and white."
Abstract This paper states that there are no guarantees that a particular decision will be the "right" choice; however, through critical thinking skills, the chances are better that the decision will be more "right" than ?wrong.? The author points out that, similar to scientific and logical thinking styles, the systematic thinking style looks first at the "real" problem; managers must use their critical thinking skills to discount irrelevant information and find the actual problem before proceeding through the systematic problem solving steps. The paper relates that, by "trying on" the various "hats", managers can get different perspectives on a particular problem.
From the Paper "Intuition is another critical thinking style. Many of the decisions made using intuition are trial and error. Intuition usually contributes to decisions where risk and uncertainty are prevalent. Some people, like Edward de Bono, author of several books on the creative process, "see intuition as a set of mental tools separate from logic and judgment that an individual can develop through practice and training". Intuition is often referred to as a "gut instinct" or ?sixth sense.? Intuition skills can be learned. It does involve staying close to the problem, listening to what is being said or not said, going with a hunch and following it through to the end. Intuition skills are becoming important abilities in today's decision-making world."
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 positively reviews this non-fictional account of a boy raised as a girl after his parents were advised to do so by a medical doctor. The paper summarizes the life story of the child as reported in the book and talks about the book's successful treatment of issues regarding scientific arrogance within the medical treatment, sexuality, and gender identity.
From the Paper "We tend to think about sexuality as being about biology (as, of course, in some rather obvious ways it is) and not go beyond the physical mechanics of sex when we are thinking about what it means to be a sexual being. But sexuality is perhaps as much about cultural mores and habits as it is about genetics, as John Colapinto's As Nature Made Him : The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl (HarperCollins, 2000) examines. The book is a well written, thoughtful analysis of how individuals come to see themselves as possessed of sexual identities, and the process through which each individual learns to negotiate his or her identity as an amalgam of personal and social desires. The book is at its heart an impassioned story of how sexuality and sexual identity are at the very core of who each person comes to be as an adult, and how sexuality must be understood to be a fundamental and pervasive aspect of our sense of ourselves, not just what it is we do in bed."
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."
