Abstract Juvenile justice system statistics of delinquent behavior, as compared to self report studies, fail to accurately reflect the extent of delinquency in the middle class. As such, the juvenile justice system purports that delinquency predominately occurs among lower class minors. The paper shows, however, that the extent of middle class delinquency and its varieties show that socioeconomic status does play a role in the outcome of these cases, revealing biases within the juvenile justice process along the way. The paper shows that although many theories of crime have linked low levels of socioeconomic status to high levels of delinquency, empirical studies have consistently found weak or nonexistent correlations between individuals' socioeconomic status and their self-reported delinquent behavior.
From the Paper "Police officers, too, who work in high-crime urban areas are probably more likely to arrest a minority juvenile for a minor offense, such as underage drinking than would an officer in a more wealthy suburb for the same offense whose beat covers mostly white neighborhoods. Likewise, an intake officer might be less likely to arrange an informal settlement for a minority child than for a child whose middle class parents made their presence known and were willing to assume future responsibility for the discipline and rehabilitation of the child. Further, a judge is probably more likely to view minorities as poorer risks than white children and thus incarcerate them more frequently. (Satterthwaite, 1997, p. 68)."
Abstract This persuasive paper provides support for the legalization of gambling in the U.S. It argues that since 48 states already support gambling in some form or another, there is no reason why gambling of all forms should be allowed in all states. The paper looks at the financial benefits of gambling to America's economy and argues that gambling is no bigger a vice than smoking or drinking alcohol.
From the Paper "Gambling should also be legalized because on-line stock trading is legal. On-line trading is the buying and selling of stocks and bonds over the Internet for persons 21 and over. The trading of stocks over the Internet is essentially gambling, with the same outcomes of winning and losing money. The stock market is designed for careful investors who research and plan their buying and selling. With the establishment of on-line stock trading the market has become a form of gambling. Now people who have the required $1,000 to establish an Internet account just sit down at their computers and "bet" on whether a company's stock will go up or down to "win" the trader money, just like betting on whether a seven or eleven will come up on the dice."
Abstract Because of its pervasiveness, mass media such as magazines and television programs are increasingly in a position to influence the behavior and attitudes of teenage girls. In fact, television programs such as ER and sports-oriented teen magazines have been lauded for providing girls with positive role models. Unfortunately, these programs and magazines remain the exception rather than the rule. Rather than promote healthy lifestyles or give positive role models, much of the media targeted to teens are both physically and psychologically harmful. This paper examines two of these main effects ? the promotion of unhealthy habits and lifestyles and the growing tendency of these media forms to sexualize teens and turn them into consumers.
From the Paper "This need to conform to unrealistic body standards infects girls at a progressively earlier age. A recent study of 12,000 children between the ages of 9 and 14 show that media's influence on girls' dieting and weight concerns equaled the influence exerted by parents and peers ("Weight concerns in preteens and young teens influenced by media..."). This represents a change from just a decade ago, when parents and peers were the biggest socialization factors in an adolescent's life."
Abstract This paper begins by analyzing the historical content in which differential association was created, the various influences attributed to assisting in the development of differential association, as well as some of the people who were instrumental in the development. After the presentation of the initial information about the theory, this paper examines the validity of the theory.
From the Paper "Differential Association has all of the elements that are essential in eventually preventing the bulk of crime in society today. Edwin Sutherland introduced differential association theory which states that behavior is learned in one's social environment from other people. By the term differential association, Sutherland meant "the contents of the patterns presented in association" would differ from the individual to individual (Williams, 1999, p.79). Differential Association is appealing because the theory has simple implications and; if the theory is adopted correctly it will give law enforcement their best tool yet in trying to eliminate delinquency before it ever has a chance to take place."
Abstract Adolescent pregnancy has long been a societal concern, but in the past decade, this issue has become one of the most frequently cited examples of the perceived societal decay in the United States. This paper shows that, despite the recent decline in teen birth rates, pregnancy in this group remains a significant problem in America, and it is a problem that impacts nearly every community. The paper argues that the responsibility to solve this problem lies with all of us, including families, communities, and young people themselves. The paper includes a graph.
Table of Contents
Introduction and Problem of Teen Pregnancy
Teen Pregnancy and Risk Factors
Economics, Poverty, Social Issues and Teen Pregnancy
Media and Teen Pregnancy
Adolescent Birth Rates
Perspectives: Conservative, Centrist and Liberals
Conclusion
From the Paper "The younger the teenage mother is, the higher the chances are that she and her baby will have health problems. This is mainly due to late prenatal care (if any) and poor nutrition. (21) An adolescent mother and her baby may not get enough nutrients and, because the mother's body is not fully mature, she may have many complications throughout the duration of the pregnancy. (22) Along with the mother, the children of teenage parents too often become part of a cycle of poor health, school failure, and poverty."
Abstract In his book, "Fast Food Nation", Eric Schlosser shows his distaste for America's fast-food culture, but perhaps more so for the business practices that have allowed fast food to become a way of life. This paper presents examples from Shlosser's book, which highlight the author's point that the fast food industry is wreaking moral, social, and medical havoc in the U.S. and the world. It also examines the author's use of logos and pathos throughout his book.
From the Paper "Schlosser does not use the health effects of food to convince readers that there is something wrong with the food industry, except at the end of the book when he discusses diseases caused by germs in the food, rather than the food itself. But failure to mention such things as the fact that cholesterol found in super-sized burgers can cause heart disease could be considered a rhetorical device. Schlosser assumes that his readers don?t want heart disease, and he assumes they have heard that eating beef tallow might well produce heart disease. In this respect, he is also using ethos: as an award-winning writer for the Atlantic Monthly, he can bank on his reputation in subjects like this one."
Abstract Schlosser's book, "Fast Food Nation", argues that the institution of fast food, originally trumpeted as one of the successes of modern capitalism, was really a triumph of American advertising. It was dependant upon the exploitation of low-paid American workers, usually for part-time and non-benefit-conferring hours, and seduced children into making poor food choices that take them away from wholesome family meals. The paper shows how Schlosser's main point in his book is that fast food was a uniquely American institution, but became something that pulled America apart. The paper also examines Schlosser's use of rhetoric, logic, and pathos in his book.
From the Paper "Schlosser has some respect for the founders of fast food. Like our nation's founding fathers, Schlosser admits Kroc had a vision. Kroc deployed capitalism and freedom to realize that vision in an energetic and individualistic fashion. However, the consequences of untrammeled capitalism and advertising that was attractive to American ideals of convenience, sameness, and product loyalty also created a nightmare for many individuals, particularly those whose health was damaged by the sanitary procedures common at many fast food establishments. Kroc's individualism and enterprise also put many "mom and pop" businesses, out of business."
Abstract This paper describes post-traumatic stress disorder and its related topics, i.e., symptoms, prevalence rates, a brief history of PTSD, risk factors, and types of treatment.
Outline
Brief History of PTSD
Definition of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD
Prevalence
Risk Factors for Having PTSD
Co-morbidity
Types of Treatment
Resources Online
Mental Health Providers in St. Louis
Resources
From the Paper "Psychological distress resulting from exposure to trauma has been a part of the human condition since the beginning of time (Joseph, Williams, & Yule, 1997). The psychosomatic effects of such an experience have been documented as far back as 1666, following the occurrence of the Great Fire of London. After surviving the event, Samuel Pepys recorded episodes of having nightmares and intrusive thoughts that resulted from his traumatic experience. During the 1800?s, the advent of the railway system spawned a series of labels that described the post traumatic stress resulting from railway collisions. In more recent times, the effects of trauma on an individual's psychological health were described in the context of such war related traumas as shell shock, nervous shock, and war neurosis (Lee & Young, 2001)."
Abstract In the turn-of-the-century era depicted in the novel, "Ragtime", by E.L. Doctorow, racism and oppression of lower social classes dominates social realities in the city of New York. This paper explores racial and social inequality through specific examples from the story. It explores the various characters and their relation to the themes of racism and oppression.
From the Paper "Father also shows his racist mentality when first confronted with Coalhaouse Walker. In contrast to Mother, who believes she is complementing Coalhouse when she sees him as different than other Negroes, Father thinks he has ?no awareness of his race or his place in society.? Father viewed Coalhouse's proud character almost as a form of disrespect towards the white majority and he was perplexed by the idea why a Negro would be proud, "apparently it didn"t occur to him to integrate himself into the fashion of his race.?"
Abstract This paper argues that by glamorizing professional and amateur sports-people and their achievements or abilities, the media directly affects children and encourages performance-enhancing drug use. The paper shows that authorities need to encourage sufficient funding to enable research and provide testing in all regulated sports in order to put fair play back into sports.
From the Paper "According to Tokish, Kocher and Hawkins (2004), there is a "potent marketing influence" on athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. Whether or not they really work is not important - if there's a possibility that they'll work, that's a good enough reason for many athletes to take them. If by chance they are dangerous to take, and at this point in time the research just does not exist to refute the possibility, that is a chance they will take."
Abstract This paper analyzes Ehrenreich's book which deals with the issues of poverty in America, the ignorance of most citizens to the problem and the fight for the minimum wage law. The paper shows how the author's counterfeit foray into the world of the working poor offers a lingering glimpse of the true asperity of poverty to a deliberately ignorant audience.
From the Paper "As a culture, we shelter ourselves from the consummate implications of a society that necessitates a substandard manner of both wage earning and living for a substantial portion of its members. However, Enrenreich's over-the-counter delivery forces a cognizance of those forgotten, those so easily banished, literally, to their hands and knees. She carefully whittles precarious images of broken people, awkwardly perched on the edge of existence."
Abstract This paper examines the use of criminal law for purposes of social engineering. The point is made that criminal law can be used as a tool for social engineering via its prohibitions and the punishments, and can operate to instill virtues. It notes that there are serious ethical and moral concerns associated with this use of the criminal law.
From the Paper "Social engineering is commonly defined as the use of private and or governmental functions and operations to manage population attitudes and behavior on a large scale..."
Abstract This paper uses the Friedman Family Assessment Model (short form) as the basis for an analysis of a family consisting of a mixed-race and mixed religion cohabiting couple and their three-year-old child. The paper concludes that although the family is largely functional, it also has some conflicts that need to be reviewed and addressed, particularly in terms of communication between the adults.
From the Paper "The Friedman Family Assessment Model is consistent with the concept of family health care nursing treatment of an entire family for dysfunction within the unit. It examines the family from an environmental and cultural focus as well as from its internal structure. This model provides the opportunity for the health care provider to examine many areas of concern related to the family's dysfunction, while identifying foundations of strength upon which to build the treatment process. The Friedman Family Assessment Model The Friedman Family Assessment Model focuses on the structure and the functions of the family as well as the manner in which the family interacts with its community and the greater society (Mandleco, 2004, p. 22). Although the model itself is comprehensive and demands a great amount of detail, not all factors listed within it apply to all families."
Abstract This report and debate was written as an English project. It focuses on why, as consumers, we place the blame for cigarette smoking solely on the distributors. This paper is meant as a defense for the Tobacco Industry. If you feel it would be helpful to learn more statistical information on smoking as well as a comparison between the arguments, it is provided in this report. Links are also provided so that you may find additional information directly from the organizations.
An look at how the leaders of the Civil Rights movement believed that racism was based on economics, and that the entire economic system of the United States and of the world was inherently flawed.
1,105 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 5 sources, 2000, $ 38.95
Abstract The Civil Rights movement of the 1960s was not a movement for equality in the social or political sense; rather, it was a movement to bring an end to economic inequality and exploitation by the elites. Common perception holds that the Civil Rights movement sought to gain certain political and social rights and equalities. Measures such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act reinforced such flawed perceptions. However, when the works of the leaders of the Civil Rights movement are consulted, it is discovered that they were seeking economic equality. They believed that the fundamental cause of racism was a flawed economic system. It is important to note that they did not believe that poverty in the traditional sense caused racism and inequality. They believed, especially King and Carmichael, that the entire economic system of the United States and of the world was inherently flawed. This essay explore? their arguments why racism was based on economics, why the system was flawed, and how they hoped to change the system.
