Abstract It was reported that in 2000, there were seven million households with single mothers and children under the age of eighteen, representing approximately ten percent of households in the U.S. This paper examines the problems associated with single parent families, including stress, conflict between the parents and custody problems. The paper looks at the emotional stages which both adults and children involved go through. The paper also discusses several studies done on the subject.
From the Paper "Despite the fact that even the term single parenting brings to many people's mind juvenile delinquency and low academic performance, this does not mean that everyone is against single parenting. Societies are becoming more accepting and accommodating of the changing structures of families. In one survey of 248 undergraduate college students, eighty five percent saw single parenting as a viable option and approved of single parenting. The study also revealed that the attitude is no longer that of single mothers as "young poor woman who becomes a single parent because of carelessness, lack of judgment or desire for a government stipend but that of a mature woman who consciously chooses single parenthood". ( Knox et al, 2000)."
Tags: American, Psychological, Association, socio-economic, status
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of how and why criminal gangs are formed. The writer uses theories of conformity and the elements of family life that contribute to the willingness of a teenager to join a gang and perform illegal acts. The paper explains that gangs act as one unit in many instances though they are individuals who commit the actual acts of crime. The paper points out that there are several social theories in operation when young men join gangs, with the main reason being the need to conform and not feeling like they fit in elsewhere.
From the Paper "Law enforcement officials are often faced with crimes that have been committed by gang members. The crimes can range from petty to extreme and can include everything from vandalism to murder. A teen girl who is almost abducted by a gang stands a chance to have serious harm committed to her because of some of the elements that cause gangs to form and to act once they are formed. There are many social theories that work in tandem when it comes to a gang and its members, and the combination of those theories provide the foundation that the gang is based in."
Abstract Juvenile delinquency is a contemporary term for an old problem. One of the oldest relevant studies of the phenomenon is "social disorganization" theory, which was developed by the Chicago school of sociology in the 1920?s. The paper shows that this theory posits that there exist areas in a city in which traditional institutions have little or no control. This was studied in Chicago using a system of "Concentric Zones" which demonstrated that most of the crime in the city occurs within certain areas that are typically associated with poverty. The paper discusses studies done by Shaw and McKay in the 1940s which used this theory to show a strong association between census tracts and crime rates. The paper describes the theory and analyzes it, showing the arguments of those schools who utilize the theory as well as its critics.
From the Paper "She felt that court appearance was too narrow of a metric to judge delinquent behavior in children. She argues that the customs of diverse cultural groups are such that irrespective of the location of the groups in the city the proportions of their populations who come before the courts will inevitably vary. Robison's concept of delinquency is broader than Shaw?s, and extends to cover behavior, which is generically described as anti-social. She argues that that the higher the parental income the fewer the child's chances of coming into court. Robison's arguments would appear reasonable in its universality: view of the fact that the efficiency of various cultures in controlling the behavior of individuals can scarcely be measured in the same way."
Tags: central, business, district, transitional, zone
Abstract Observing and analyzing social roles is a primary interest of Erving Goffman, from which he develops his theory of "self." Using the metaphor of the stage, he describes the way that the individual carries out activities of his or her role in the same way an actor would perform roles before an audience. The role-playing or performance varies according to context and usually intends to please the present audience. This paper explains how Goffman unfolds different dimensions of the "self" locating individuals in the world of performance.
Abstract This paper examines the issue of minorities in police departments across the United States. The author discusses the history of minorities and women in law enforcement, examines police department racial diversity statistics, analyzes the influence of Affirmative Action in law enforcement, and measures its affect on minority communities.
Abstract This paper briefly examines the causes and the consequences of drunk driving. Statistics provided by the National Commission Against Drunk Driving are used.
Abstract This paper examines Erving Goffman's dramaturgical perspective on social interaction. The theory is briefly outlined and then illustrated with examples from day-to-day life.
Abstract This paper is written about Medicaid. Medicaid, instituted in 1965, is a joint federal-state form of health care coverage, and is funded on both levels as a program designed for low-income and needy people.
Abstract This paper looks at understanding the nature of evolutionary social change in Marx by a direct comparison with Spencer, the ultimate social evolutionist. The theories of Karl Marx and Herbert Spencer concerning social evolution are very different. Marx tends to consider the social group while Spencer considers the individual to a larger extent; however, the theorists both deal with society as a whole rather than individual members and both provide a theory influenced by evolutionary theory.
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 research paper discusses and explores the relationship between self-control theory and crime, deviance and criminalistic behavior. It provides a gleaning of the various theories and studies conducted on this subject and what their findings were.
Abstract This paper considers the concepts of Insurance Providing Organizations (IPOs) and managed care and whether they indeed provide health care and save the economy money. It looks at the history of managed health care in America and the current advantages and disadvantages of the system.
From the Paper "Insurance Providing Organizations (IPOs) and managed care have risen in popularity over the past twenty years. Commonly thought to be better for the economy by saving money, many people jumped on the health care bandwagon and joined these insurance-providing agencies. Statistics from the past eleven years show that managed care has reduced national health care costs and the yearly inflation rate from 12% in 1993, to less than 5% in 1996 (Furrow, n/p); but at what cost? The driving factors behind managed care in today's society are becoming ever more skewed. Governmental health care reform in the United States has been so concerned with money that it has compromised the quality and standard of care. In the end, cost constraints are not proving effective because the readmission rate has risen due to care being provided at a lower standard. Quality of care is also being compromised by the constraints put on care to control expenditures by medical facilities."
Abstract In this paper, the film, "American History X", is analyzed to provide a clear perspective on the formation of biased ideas. Covering different manifestations of political socialization, the concept of resocialization and the behavior associated with these characters, one can see how people can be driven to these beliefs. Comparisons with several sociological texts on indoctrination and resocialization are provided.
From the Paper "Cameron Alexander could be considered the major persuasive element in American History X. He does a good job of being a "credible communicator", which according to Myers "is someone the audience perceives as credible and trustworthy" (Myers 2004, pg. 164). Cameron is a middle-aged propagandist who seeks to recruit Caucasians disillusioned by how other races are supposedly taking over America and adopts them into his "family", which makes it easy for Derek and Danny to look upon him as a father figure."
Abstract This paper begins with a definition of the rules of street racing. It then examines the sociological aspects of this illegal pastime, especially its appeal to inner-city adolescent boys. The paper then discusses a police report on an event involving street, or drag, racing. Finally, the paper examines the steps taken by law enforcement agencies to curb this dangerous sport.
From the Paper "The problem of illegal street racing is more common in the inner cities, although kids in suburban neighborhoods do also engage in such sport. For the most part, inner city kids are more likely to engage in such activities than other groups. School age children in the inner cities often are unable to find many other activities and services in their neighborhoods. According to studies, "The illegal street racing sport is more prevalent in African American neighborhoods, under a climate of isolation, the underclass youth evolve new attitudes, behaviors and practices which further marginalize their neighborhoods". {Douglas Massey and Nancy Denton. 1994}"
Abstract This paper looks at how effectively Hitler managed to use manipulation to build the Third Reich and the extent to which the German public believed and supported Hitler's propaganda. Examples of Hitler's genius at manipulating emotions are discussed, and the man largely responsible for Hitler's successful propaganda, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, is also discussed. The media, military displays, censorship, intimidation, symbolism, and extreme awareness of public responses are all mentioned as techniques employed by the Nazi propaganda machine.
From the Paper "The amazing thing about the propaganda of the Nazis was both the extent to which it was successful and the extent to which it was supported. No one can dispute that Hitler was a master of manipulating the people's emotions, and he arrived at a time when the people of Germany were struggling to find purpose in the post-war environment. The Weimar Republic was wracked with debt repayments and the infant democracy had nothing to stand on in terms of tradition and respect from the common people."
Tags: germany, goebbels, hitler, nazi, nazis, propaganda, reich, third, war, world
