Abstract The following paper presents information and statistics encouraging the use of multicultural education in classrooms. The United States has always been very diverse, but its diversity is growing more and more with each passing year. The paper first presents the numbers and statistics associated with this growing diversity as compared to the numbers in the past. Secondly, the paper points out some documented cases promoting the benefits of using multicultural education in classrooms. And lastly it presents some ideas and recommendations, which can be used by educators to implement into their curricula.
From the Paper "The first example of cultural differentiation was perhaps one major basis for why the United States was formed. A group of people sailed away from the culture and religion they once knew, and ventured out to a new land, to seek the freedom they longed for. And now as our country grows more culturally diverse it is essential that students be taught to accommodate with our ever-changing cultural landscape. Today, with more than one-fourth of the U.S. population is enrolled in school; the student population is quite diverse. One-fourth of the population accounts for about 72 million people, which were in school throughout the United States in October 1999. Eight million were enrolled in nursery school and kindergarten, 33 million in elementary school, 16 million in high school, and 15 million in college. Among children enrolled in kindergarten, the majority were White non-Hispanics (60 percent), followed by Blacks (16 percent), and Hispanics (17 percent). Asians and Pacific Islanders accounted for 5 percent of children enrolled in kindergarten. (1) The numbers accounting for children enrolled in elementary school are the highest, which is why it is essential that multicultural education be introduced at a very young age. The Institute of International Education estimates that there are 450,000 international students in the United States, and most of these students come from Asian and Latin American countries. (2) The presence of multiculturalism in American education is indisputable, but it is still a minority movement. Many skeptics feel that by integrating diversity into the American education system, it would be impoverishing the "White European" cultural model, thus doing away with the classics of art and literature, and depriving the students of essential knowledge. However, others have argued for the benefits of multicultural education as an active approach to learning, which encourages the learner to create his or her own knowledge. (3) As teachers prepare for the many educational challenges of the next century, it is essential that they learn how to build bridges between students' home cultures and the cultures of their school environment. These bridges are essential for student academic success, and without them, a serious disservice is done to both students and the larger society in every day life that will ultimately benefit from the development of their special talents. (4) Therefore, because our society has become so diverse, more teachers should implement multicultural education into their classrooms."
Abstract The word "family" typically conjures up the image of an ideal household of two parents of opposite sex and their children. The paper shows that gay men and lesbians who seek to legalize their relationships in same-sex unions or gain custody of their children often face an uphill battle in their effort to form a family. Although gay men and lesbians merely want to exercise the rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples, conservatives view their effort to legalize same-sex unions as a campaign as a strategy to spread the practice of homosexuality and thus affect public morality. The paper shows that essentially, for the conservatives, the traditional definition of a family that has endured for over 6,000 years is at stake.
From the Paper "Various studies comparing the parenting styles of homosexual and heterosexual parents and the children's development in homosexual and heterosexual households have not been able to validate stereotypical conceptions of homosexual partners as inadequate parents. In fact, the studies frequently show that gay men and lesbians display a greater capacity for parenting (McNeill 3). Furthermore, studies on parent-children relationships have shown that gay fathers are more sensitive towards their children and try harder to be a better parent because of their own experiences (McNeill 7). Ultimately, these studies corroborate the fact that there are many same-sex couples who lead responsible and monogamous lives. The stereotypical perception of gay men and lesbians essentially denies the existence of committed same-sex couples who have formed a "family" for years, like many other heterosexual families."
This paper discusses the book, "The City of Joy," by Dominique Lapierre, which projects the underlying message that despite the devastating life of the slum dwellers in Calcutta they have hope and love.
Abstract This paper explains that author Dominique Lapierre researched this book by living with the people of India and the people who try to help them for three years. The author states that critics have called "The City of Joy" one of the most important books on the culture and sociology of India. The paper points out that the author does not look at the topic through rose-colored glasses; he shows the abject poverty in enormous and memorable detail.
From the Paper "This is a story of people who are used to hardships and have learned how to deal with them through courage and good humor. Rather than bemoan the loss of everything he had worked so hard to obtain, Prodip Pal revels in the joy of his sons. "What a blessing those sons were" (Lapierre 7)! This is the central conception to the book, and one from which everyone can learn important lessons. These people do not feel sorry for themselves ? rather they revel in the joys they can find, because they "shared in a communal world and respected its social and religious values, maintaining the ancestral traditions and beliefs" (Lapierre 45). This is why the decrepit slum is called "The City of Joy." It is more than clear they are poor, but they are happy, and it becomes a joy to read about it, even though many of their experiences are quite simply unspeakable."
Tags: india, hardship, courage, poverty, community
Abstract In "The Lost Children of Wilder", reporter Nina Bernstein examines the failures, disasters and tragedies that continue to plague New York City's foster care system. The paper shows that to do this, Bernstein tells two stories. The first details the history of New York City's child welfare system, a system that has been ineffective and mired in bureaucracy for the past 100 years. The second story focuses on the lives of Shirley Wilder and her son Lamont, two generations of children who have both been failed by a chaotic foster care system that refuses to reform.
From the Paper "To read The Lost Children of Wilder is an experience in frustration with the seemingly-endless loop of child welfare. The only solution appears to be increasing public funding to the city's shelter system and to mothers like Shirley, so they are in a better position to raise and educate their children. Critics may point out that women like Shirley should not be mothers. However, Bernstein's narrative leads me to believe that rushing children to foster care has much direr consequences, both for Lamont and eventually, the rest of society (who will eventually shoulder an average of $500,000 per child in foster care). After all, it is in everyone's best interests to ensure that all children receive a positive upbringing, with access to education, medical care and physical well being."
Tags: racial, disparities, Justine, Wise, Polier, juvenile, hall, Legal, Aid
Abstract This paper points out that the only consistent approach to the definition of "family" is that, in modern Western culture, family is increasingly being defined not through marriage and biological reproduction but through conscious choice of association. The author stresses that the typology called the Traditional Family Life Cycle, which describes the "five stages" of family life, is open to questions of validity. The paper concludes by discussing TV sitcoms and series that illustrate traditional and alternative family structures.
From the Paper "However, other sources define non-traditional families differently. Blended families are considered examples of non-traditional families. Same-sex couples with children fall either under the single parent or unmarried-couples categories. Extended family is sometimes confined to instances of adult children and grandchildren living with their parents. In reality, extended family situations are often far more complicated, with children shuffled between a wide array of relatives and relatives of all sorts cohabiting with their respective children. Finally, most people considered adoptive families to be somewhat non-traditional; others classify them as traditional. Likewise, foster families seem as if they should be classified as non-traditional families or non-families."
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.
