Abstract
This paper discusses the characteristics of high-performance teams and how a group can become a high-performance team. Included is an examination of the impact of demographic and cultural diversity on group behavior. Diversity in culture and demographic characteristics can be a source of friction and conflict or be one of the team's greatest strengths. A group can become a high-performing team by understanding how cultural and demographic dissimilarity influences group behavior. High-performing teams leverage their diversity for competitive advantage.

From the Paper
"A variety of definitions have been offered to describe the concept of a team. One widely used definition is that "A team is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable." (Katzenbach & Smith 1992 cited in Managing Team Performance) High-performing teams present an ideal operational model. High-performance teams deliver results and deliver them faster."

Tags:characteristics, demographic, diversity

Abstract
The paper discusses the various harmful effects of the Internet on humans. The author suggests different measures that can be taken to avoid these effects and proposes measures for constructive uses of the Internet. There is also a brief discussion of the benefits of Internet usage.

From the Paper
"In this fast developing world, the Internet has become a necessary part of life and has found its way to almost every house on earth. "According to the many who predict the future, we will sit at computers to work, play, shop, socialize and more" (Deborah, 42). The Internet is a useful tool in all kinds of fields ranging far beyond research and development. Most people use the Internet on a daily basis to fulfill their basic everyday needs. According to a survey conducted in the University of Texas, 73% of the students use the Internet at least once a week and the average student spends about 8 hours a week (www.utexas.edu). However, many students use the Internet more than they are supposed to and are addicted to it. Due to the increased use and dependency on the Internet, many people ignore important personal responsibilities. This has severe effects on their social and mental life. The Internet is an outstanding technological development for the people who make proper use of it, but sometimes it ends up being a problem."

Tags:computer, technology, communication, Internet, development, information, electronic

From the Paper
"Alcohol abuse is quite possibly the biggest single problem on college campuses around the nation. Weekend after weekend, about three million students nationwide participate in binge drinking which is defined as five or more drinks in a row for men and four or more drinks in a row for women (Binge Drinking on Campus). , Binge drinking on college campuses is highly prevalent and can lead to social, emotional, physical and academic problems."

Tags:abuse, alcohol, college, students, campus

Abstract
This paper examines the pros and cons of lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18. The author looks at several issues including the issue of binge drinking, and the amount of alcohol consumed among 18 to 21 year old. The author points out the absurdity by showing that at 18 you can get married, vote, be drafted, assume debt and even buy a gun, but in many states, you cannot drink. The political debate over lowering the drinking age is also examined.

From the Paper
"The problems associated with driving and drinking have not decreased due to raising the legal drinking age to 21 years old.Among the "binge" drinkers (those consuming over five drinks at one sitting at least once a week), eighteen percent of students over age 21 classify themselves as heavy drinkers compared to twenty-two percent of those under 21 years of age (Engs 1b). So even though drunk driving problems have decreased over the last two decades, there has been an increase in lower grades, missing classes, getting into fights and vomiting after drinking (Engs 1b). Society's approach to controlling underage drinking is not working and is in fact counterproductive(Engs)."

Tags:drinking, age, federal, funds, wisconsin, alcohol, consumption, legal, beer, age, laws, marriage, voting, debt, military

From the Paper
"H.G. Bissinger, in "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream", uses high school football as a window through which we can study the soul of a Texas town. It is clear that Bissinger's study is meant to shine a light on the problems of American society in general, because the social and economic troubles of Odessa, Texas, are the troubles of the country as a whole. The book must be seen as a pessimistic one, because the problems of the town are not faced honestly and courageously, but are instead buried in the town's obsession with football, just as an addict would bury his troubles in his obsession with drugs.

The book might be seen as an academic, judgmental indictment from on high, the product of a writer from the big city who comes to the little town to study the inhabitants like a scientist studying rats. But it is clear that that is not what Bissinger ... "

Abstract
This paper is an argumentative essay promoting the legalization of same-sex marriages. The author focuses on the legal aspects of same sex marriages arguing for the legal rights such as insurance and parental status that need to be enforced.

From the Paper
"The proposed legalization of same-sex marriages is one of the most significant, yet controversial issues facing America today. Same-sex marriages, also known as Civil Unions, should be legalized in every state in the United States. Right now, in the United States, same-sex couples do not receive the same benefits and legal rights that married couples take for granted. These benefits include cheaper health insurance rates, life insurance benefits, funeral leave of absence from work, legal parental status with a partner's child, and significant tax reductions."

Tags:civil, gay, homosexual, marriages, rights, unions, sex

Abstract
An argumentative paper about gun control. The author examines the development of gun control laws. By looking at their effect on present society, the author explains the controversy around gun control implementation.

From the Paper
"Gun control is the United States movement to restrict the purchase and use of firearms5. The whole gun control debate started because of the rising crime rates involving handguns and automatic weapons 5. I believe that any more gun control than there is now is unconstitutional. The Second Amendment clearly states,??the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.? If it was decided to completely ban guns all together because of the difficulty of determining who was a legitimate user, then what would that really accomplish? Would gun-banning laws actually protect people from dangerous gun wielding criminals? I say no, it would not. All it would do is take the guns away from people who actually need it to protect themselves from criminals, leaving them vulnerable. There are already many guns in circulation so it would not be very difficult for a criminal to find a gun if he or she really needed one."

Tags:firearms, bear

From the Paper
"Five and a half million children in schools today can be categorized as disabled. This counts for 11-12% of the school population. Additionally, the US Department of Education spends at least thirty billion dollars annually on special education, which accounts for 22% of total education spending (Staples 64). Inclusion, though not defined by law, is commonly known as the process by which young people and adults with disabilities and/or handicaps are mainstreamed into society. It is an attitude/belief system rather than an action or set of actions. As defined in Richard A. Villa and Jacqueline S. Thousand's book, Creating An Inclusive School, inclusion is "a way of life, a way of living together, based on a belief that each individual is valued and does belong" (6). Inclusion has provoked strong and often differing opinions within both general and special education. Critics disagree with the expected success of inclusive practices. However, inclusive education creates a sense of community, promotes equality in the classroom, and provides strategies to include learning disabled students successfully. Therefore, inclusion is beneficial to all students and must be recognized as educational reform that will result in a successful organizational change toward inclusion."

Tags:children, classroom, collaborative, disability, equal, exclusion, inclusion, learning, normalization, opportunities, peers, school, special, students, teaching

Abstract
Social Structure Theories and Social Processes Theories are often used interchangeably. This essay highlights the fundamental differences outlining social structure and social process theories. In order to compare these theories, the paper draws attention to the various theories of juvenile delinquency and the difference of perspective involved and the obtrusive causes outlined by the distinct theories for engagement in criminal acts at a young age. Two different theories are presented attempting to explain juvenile delinquency, presenting various facets of adolescent criminal behavior and the possible causes of such behavior.

From the Paper
"One of the major challenges faced by the law-making authorities of the United States today is the reduction of juvenile delinquency and to increase the effectiveness of lawful regulations in the country. The alarming augmentation in crime rate at adolescent echelon is the most worrisome problem facing America therefore researchers and experts of the related field have developed various theories regarding juvenile delinquency outlining motivations and reasons behind the existence and the frequency of crime at juvenile stage. In order to well-comprehend the perspective of various philosophies related to juvenile delinquency, it is highly essential to know what juvenile delinquency is about."

Tags:crime, children, philosophy, theory, adolescent, strain

Abstract
The paper examines the reconstruction of family composition in 17th and 18th centuries by historian, P. Laslett in his book "The World We Have Lost". It explores why some theories such as the late age of first marriage that was apparently unique to pre-modern Europe, have not been challenged, while others, such as the notion of a stable nuclear pattern, have been disputed at length.

From the Paper
"Because early modern Europe was principally a rural and class-based society, the family structure during this era was highly reliant upon on social rank. When there was land and money at stake, marriage within the same social class was paramount. The poor were also limited to marrying within their social class, but had a larger pool of potential mates from which to choose. This was a time in history in which two-generation households, rather than three-generation households, were customary. The oldest members of the household traditionally bestowed any holdings they had to the next generation upon retirement, and remained in close proximity to the family. The close support that existed between relatives living in separate but neighboring homes makes it difficult to distinguish whether the independent nuclear family was the basic family unit during this time, or whether it was actually the extended family (Laslett, 1984)."

Tags:18th, 19th, Weber, Karl, Marx, Western