Abstract This paper deals with suicide in young males. Tracing some of the causes, like depression, the author attempts to provide an in-depth account of suicide. Quoting many experts on the subject, the author is able to provide facts and figures on the subject as well as lending a personal subjective account.
From the Paper ?The etiology of suicide among young males is complex. Factors that contribute to suicide among the general population also are largely accountable for suicides of young males. However, some particular etiologies tend to be especially relevant in explaining suicide among both male teens and young adults. These include: untreated depression, substance abuse, and a connection with birth trauma, psychosocial factors and helplessness.?
Abstract This paper lists arguments both for and against same-sex marriages. The author discusses the different schools of thought that both support and argue against same sex marriage and concludes with a personal opinion about the issue.
From the Paper ?I now pronounce you husband and husband,? the priest might say. ?You may kiss the groom.? This sounds a bit odd, doesn"t it" This could be an excerpt from the ceremony of a same-sex marriage. Although they are not currently lawful in the United States, gay and lesbian activists are presently campaigning both in and out of the courtroom for same-sex marriages to be declared legal. However, there are several schools of thought that either support or oppose this issue."
A critical evaluation of two sociolinguistic studies which demonstrate the Difference and Dominance positions regarding the differences in female and male language usage.
1,715 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 55.95
Abstract This paper discusses the two contrasting theories regarding gender differences in speech: the Dominance approach and the Difference approach, by reference to Deborah Tannen's study "You Just Don?t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation" and West and Zimmerman's study "Sex Roles, Interruptions and Silences in Conversation". The paper critically evaluates these positions and considers explanations for the differences in male and female languages usage. In conclusion, the paper reviews possible strategies to decrease the confusion, frustration and hurt that is caused by men and women's contrasting speech styles.
From the Paper "A wide range of socio-linguistic research shows that men and women do use speech in different ways. Yet interpretations of these differences, and arguments concerning what causes them are complex and varied. The two main stances taken when analyzing gender and language are a Dominance approach or a Difference approach, with some linguists taking a position somewhere in between the two. This paper evaluates two studies that demonstrate a Difference and a Dominance approach and explores the different ways in which they analyze gender differences in speech."
Abstract This paper examines Christianity's attitude towards homosexuals in light of recent exposure of high-ranking church official's homosexual and pedophilia tendencies. It draws on many biblical sources in order to determine a stand to be taken amongst various Christian branches - Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists and Mormons.
From the Paper "Christianity seeks to justify the marginalization of homosexuals by variously interpreting these passages. One must recognize that homosexuality, as a sexual proclivity, was acceptable in biblical times. While criminal by today's standards, in the Roman era, some men used younger boys for sexual gratification without the associated predatory, pederast behavior. The passages should be viewed within the social mores of the times. Biblical scholars also agree that the rigidity of interpretation of certain words: the etymology and relevance have changed, based on translation (Helminiak 85)."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth study of the topic of identity formation and how a non-traditional sexual orientation, such as being gay or lesbian, changes the development of one's identity. The paper examines the complex process of choosing a non-traditional sexual orientation. This includes the detailing of the many stages that the individual must face, and the many years that are often involved in the search for one's identity. The author looks at many different factors in society that affect the search for identity, including family life, friends, work and employment situations, age, environment and how they can have a negative or positive affect on the individual's lifestyle choice. The role of the social worker in helping the person deal with the problems that the individual faces in both their personal and professional life is also examined in great detail.
From the Paper "Considering general social and cultural attitudes about homosexuality, and the persistent view that the gay or lesbian identity is "abnormal", social workers must always be aware that many parents of homosexual individuals will feel a degree of shame at producing and rearing a "faulty" homosexual child. This is closely linked to the pressure of societal attitudes and concern with how others perceive their parenting, resulting in many parents becoming labeled with a similar socially stigmatized identity to that of their homosexual child. The social worker's role is to understand that many of these parents are likely to be concerned with feelings of guilt and self-blame, such as "Where did I go wrong"? or "If I had done this differently, then ... ", rather than with attempting to understand and empathize with their child's situation (Armesto, 2001). A great deal of this reaction is rooted in the family's racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds, which often increase the family's anxiety and stigma with their disapproving and "sinful" view of gays and lesbians and the mythical beliefs that they promote as the causes of homosexuality. On the issue of self-acceptance, many studies indicate that it is the individual's network of friends, rather than the family, that plays the most significant role in gay and lesbian identity formation, indicating that the empathic understanding and support that is offered by members of the same sexual minority group, who have "walked the way", is a particularly influential and valued source of social support."
Abstract Discusses the choices an individual makes and the opinions one forms about sex and sexuality which are based on the teachings and traditions of one's religion. Details the issue of having sex before marriage and the way it is regarded by several religions. Discusses Buddhism and its promotion of the spiritual view. Muslims do not believe that sexual relations are just for procreation, but they are absolutely confined to marriage between a wife and husband. Catholic teachings state that God intends for sex to involve the whole person, body and soul, in the context of a loving, committed relationship, for the sake of both bearing children and the mutual benefit of the spouses.
From the Paper "Few things in life are as personal as the nature of one's sexuality. Whether we choose to abstain from sexual relations until marriage or "get as much as we can" regardless of a committed relationship; whether we feel abortion is evil or a woman's personal choice; whether we think marriage is for life or simply one stop on the long road to the perfect relationship ? these are all questions that only the individual can answer. But we are not alone in forming our opinions. We may be guided by parents or peers, but often, one's religious beliefs are the basis for opinions on sexuality. Religious doctrine may allow for individual freedom where sexuality is concerned, but each denomination has its own standard by which its followers are guided. Ultimately, the impact of religious belief cannot be denied. The choices an individual makes and the opinions one forms about sex and sexuality are based in the teachings and traditions of one's religion."
Abstract This paper is a review of this study which began as an examination of sexism in school text books, but grew to cover the entire school system. Their study aimed to try to observe the "hidden curriculum" in schools, and attempts to fully discuss the gender bias that occurs in all levels of education. The writer recommends this work as a thought-provoking and highly interesting study.
From the Paper "Failing at Fairness: How Our schools Cheat Girls is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the study of sexism in the school system. The authors, Myra M. Sadker and David Sadker present the results of years of research into sexism in American schools. They provide ample anecdotal and statistical evidence to back up their claim that gender bias continues to be a real problem in all levels of our educational system."
Abstract This paper argues that women must hold more political positions in their nations? governments. The paper describes that women are fifty percent of the population and therefore should have their fifty percent of their vote represented by women. It demonstrates that women representatives from industrialized countries demonstrated greater concern over issues, such as birth control and childcare, equal pay for casual work, affirmative action and sexual harassment measures, and those in developing countries, focused more on access to childhood immunization, clean and constant water supply, delivery of primary health care services and affordable food sources. The paper illustrates those ground breaking women who have held high political office.
From the Paper "The Second Global Congress of Women in Politics conducted a study on the presence of women in national parliaments throughout the world and discovered that, in the last 25 years, the participation of women in parliaments from 1975 to 1998 grew only slightly from 11% to 12.7% (Kyodo 1998). Women in Nordic countries have the highest rate of participation at a combined average of 36.7% in the two houses of Congress. Arab women have the lowest level of participation at only 3.3%. Asian figures rose from 3% to over 12% in the last 25 years, but there is nothing exciting about this, since Asia holds more than the total world population, half of which is female. (Kyodo)"
Abstract This paper examines the present restrictions that forbids gays from enlisting in the U.S. army. It compares this stance with the prohibition of women in combat units, which has subsequently been lifted. The writer shows how many now consider women to be an asset in the military. The author explains how the homosexual community hopes that this trend of acceptance will be extended to them as well.
From the Paper "The question of whether gays should be allowed in the military involves complex arguments not just on the issue of fairness to gays and others in a democratic society but also on the role of the military and any special concerns that have to be considered when creating policy for the military. The issue has been much discussed in recent years and is similar in tone to the argument formerly raised for admitting women into the military, though there are significant differences as well. Some of the primary reasons given for keeping women out of the service have also been advanced in a modified form for keeping gays out of the military, so the experience the military has had with women is instructive."
Tags: military, homosexual, discrimination, equality, combat, navy
Abstract This paper examines the gender differences of the two sexes and the conceptual paradigm that rules them. It describes marked difference in the emotional expression of men and women and the masculine mask. The author writes that we are now aware that boys tend to have a highly developed right brain whereas girls have a well-developed left brain.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Brain
The Sociological Pressure (Emotion and its Expression)
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "There has been increasing amount of research devoted to discerning the role of gender and its influence in the emotional response to a particular situation. These researches have added weight to the presumption that the structural differences of the cerebral cortex has a substantial influence in triggering emotional responses and the differing reactions in men and women to an external stimuli. Let us have a brief outlook of the psychological and biological effects that contribute to the differing emotional responses (in men and women) and the scientific explanation for the same."
This paper states the most disastrous aspect of the AIDS virus --- apart from the millions of lives that it has taken --- is that it initially affected social groups, already widely stigmatized, and because of this, what might have been controllable.
Abstract The author believes that if AIDS had initially affected more privileged members of American society than its first victims( homosexual men), the government's response would have been immediate, and there is a great possibility that this terrible epidemic may have been contained and/or prevented. The paper discusses several major factors that allowed AIDS to become an epidemic, including the federal government, the media, and the sexual revolution that took place among the homosexual community.
From the Paper "Unfortunately, since AIDS was first detected in homosexual males, it was largely dismissed because, for a great portion of the American population, gay men circa 1980 were viewed as dispensable. If such a deadly disease had affected more privileged members of American society, there can be no doubt that the government's response would have been immediate, and there is a great possibility that this terrible epidemic may have been contained and/or prevented."
From the Paper "In The Gender of Sexuality, Pepper Schwartz and Virginia Rutter delve into the influential role of gender in human sexuality. Unlike the essentialists who use biological nature to explain the differences between male and female sexual behavior, Schwartz and Rutter adhere to the social constructionist view (22). In the social constructionist perspective, gender is a social construct that reflects the interaction between biology and sociological factors such as class, culture, race and the individual (Schwartz & Rutter 3). One of the key questions explored in this book is why gender exerts such a great impact on human sexual behavior (Schwartz & Rutter 212). Even though men and women are biologically different, their sexual behavior is not consistent across societies and time periods. The evolution of social institutions clearly plays an important role in .."
From the Paper "Penner and Penner (1981) offer the book The gift of sex, subtitled "A Guide to Sexual Fulfillment." The purpose of the book is to provide the reader with a guide for understanding his or her sexuality and the sexual relationship in marriage. The authors state on the cover that they will help focus on the following aspects of the issue:
M the physical
M the total experience
M moving past sexual barriers
M resolving difficulties
M finding help
These can also be identified as five main topics made by the book, and the authors cover each topic in detail."
From the Paper The issue of gay marriage has emerged seemingly from nowhere in this election year as a major issue. One reason for this is the fact that the legislature in the state of Hawaii has been considering a bill that would make same-sex marriages legal, creating fears in the rest of the country that other states might be forced against their will to accept such marriages in Hawaii as legal elsewhere. Much of the argument over this issue is a discussion of definitions and the meaning of marriage as well as the meaning of legal. Legislators in Washington have to date worked to assure that if any states decide to allow same-sex marriage, other states will not have to recognize these unions in law. What they should be doing is finding a way to accommodate the needs of the millions of people seeking fairness and equity in such things as insurance and the right to hospital visitation,..."
From the Paper Recent linguistic research has centered its attention on the difference between the way men and women communicate in the workplace. Deborah Tannen, Ph.D. has extended her interest in the manner women and men communicate as expressed in You just don't understand (1990). In Talking from 9 to 5 (1994) Tannen scrutinizes how women's and men's conversational styles at work affects "who gets heard, who gets credit, and what gets work done". Tannen's research focuses on conversational rituals, apologies, indirectness, authority and status. Tannen emphasizes that the way people talk influences who attains power. "The ability to influence others, to be listened to, to get your way rather than having to do what others want" defines power (Tannen, 1994, p. 317). Tannen suggests that to learn more about gender..."
