Abstract This paper focuses on the body image of women in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States. It states what is expected of the women by their culture in the physical "ideal" for a woman and contrasts the expectation with the reality.
From the Paper "Before we begin to examine cultural variations on aesthetic ideals, we must first understand exactly what is meant by body image. Psychologists typically define body image as being how we feel about how we look (Henson 1). Personal ideas about body image transcend fact and physiology; our body image is purely psychological. How do we see ourselves? How do we think we are seen by others? How do answers to those questions compare to our own physical reality? Our body image is essentially based "on our perceptions of our bodies and the emotions resulting from those perceptions" (Henson 1)."
Is same-sex marriage a civil rights issue? This paper considers major arguments against same-sex marriage and contrasts them with arguments in favor of it.
Abstract This paper focuses on religion, the influence of religion on politics, the Federal Marriage Amendment, and marriage rights and privileges. The paper sheds a positive light on the topic of same-sex marriage. Resources are current, and the paper is argumentative.
From the Paper "Recent political events have shed sudden light on an issue that the American public has long been avoiding: Same-sex marriage. Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry? As human beings and American citizens, are same sex couples entitled to the same protections that law provides to heterosexual married couples? Unlike the usual pro/con debates, this particular issue has three sides. There's the "no" side that argues that the benefits of marriage are sanctimonious and that they should be provided only to opposite sex couples. The "yes" side would argue that marriage is a basic civil right and should be provided to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. The third side meets the previous two extremes somewhere in the middle, stating that while the term "marriage" is sanctimonious and should be reserved only for opposite sex couples, the benefits of marriage should be available to all couples regardless of sexual orientation. Each side has its own theories in a debate that is anything but black and white."
Abstract This paper examines how, in today's society, bullying can be defined much differently than in former decades; bullying today has become much more severe, and even life threatening. It looks at how, while school-aged children are being bullied daily, many parents, teachers, and counselors are unaware of the problem. In order to fully understand why bullying is harmful, it considers what bullying is, why some children more susceptible, and what the signs are that a child is being bullied. It also looks at how one can prevent bullying and help children deal with it and the importance of putting a stop to it.
From the Paper "To help children cope with bullying, the parent should first reinforce what has been taught; if a child is being verbally abused, try to encourage him or her to ignore the bully. If ignoring the bully does not work, children should then be encouraged to speak with their teachers, guidance counselors, or other authority figures. Parents should remain calm and not overreact when children speak to them about being bullied. It may be a parent's first instinct to go to school and try to take care of it, but depending on the severity of the bullying, this may not be the best idea. However, if the bullying continues or gets physical, then a parent must intervene. Parents should first speak with their child's teacher, counselor, or principal, and if necessary, they should contact the bully's parents."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of verbal abuse within marriages. The writer explores what constitutes verbal abuse and how it can play into a marriage. The writer examines many issues surrounding verbal abuse, including its impact on children and its impact on the victim.
From the Paper "Verbal abuse in a relationship can be insidious. It is something that leaves no external marks but can be extremely damaging. The victim of verbal abuse within a relations can become isolated and depressed which makes it even more difficult to recognize that they are being abused and to get out of the situation. It can become a cycle that last for years and provides a negative example for the children of the union to emulate. Verbal abuse does not get the publicity that physical abuse gets, but it can have the same devastating affects."
Abstract This paper explains the history of women's fashion from the 1900s through the 1950s and how the economy and popular culture affected fashion. It explains in detail how the fashion industry was affected by such things as World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. It tells about the "roaring twenties" and the flapper style of Coco Chanel, along with Dior's "new look" of the 1940s.
From the Paper "American women's fashion throughout the twentieth century has undergone drastic changes as the years passed. All through the century, fashion was influenced by the economy and popular culture. Women's fashion especially exemplifies the changes of hair, makeup, dresses, pants, shoes, hats, and so many other things which have all gone through massive modifications. The American women of this century have been especially mindful of their fashion, and their concerns have been brought out through what they wear. Each decade has had their own fashion revolutions and disasters, but each has also brought about revolutionary changes in style, that still affects us today and will for many years ahead."
Abstract This essay examines how the composition of a group, whether for therapeutic or business reasons, affects the outcomes and group goals that can eventuate. The essay contends that group composition needs to be both homogeneous and heterogeneous enough to allow for group processes to occur, i.e. group stages, for the group dynamic to progress and group goals to be achieved.
From the Paper "While it is true that a group is made up of individuals, and without those individuals there would be no group, it is quite impossible to judge the "sort of group" that will eventuate from merely examining the "sorts of people" that constitute it. Doing so would be like "explain[ing] the shifting pattern of a kaleidoscope by taking the tube to pieces and listing the fragments found inside" (Thompson and Kahn, 1970: 12). Systems theorists have long posited, in opposition to individual psychological explanations of group behaviour, that when individuals "merge into a group" something new is created? (Lewin, 1951: 57). This new entity, although comprised of individuals, is believed to be "greater than the sum of its parts" and thus the dynamic that is created within the group is not directly attributed to any one individual but rather the unique interrelationship between those individuals and the force that this interrelationship has on group functioning."
Abstract This paper shows that the media has misrepresented homosexuals in many different ways. Television and newspaper are especially differing in their portrayals of homosexuals. Current television programs have divided homosexuals into a distinct cultural group, typecasting them as sharing the same personality, lifestyle and values. They are often seen on television as being the victims of ridicule, as they are utilized in television program for providing a humorous effect. The paper shows that converse to television, newspaper, and at times radio, expose the negative portrayals of homosexuals, depicting them as being unnatural and immoral. Furthermore, the media has played a part in placing stigmas upon homosexuals, including the association they are believed to have with sex crimes, drugs and terminal sexually transmitting diseases.
From the Paper "Presently, television is a considerable contributor in the stereotyping of homosexuals. Excessively effeminate mannerisms, high pitched speaking voices, exaggerated garish and stylish clothing are images of homosexuals which are common on almost every television channel. This is, however, a vast media misrepresentation, since in reality homosexuals are considerably difficult to identify. Television particularly places gay men in brackets, giving them shared personality traits and occupations. On television programs, homosexual characters entertain audiences by predominantly possessing an energetic and flamboyant character, often even being outspoken transvestites."
This paper discusses the history of Chinese and Japanese emigrants in the formation of the American identity as related in Ronald Takaki's "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America".
Abstract This paper relates that the success of both Chinese and Japanese emigrants symbolizes their efforts in constructing an industrialized and agricultural America. The author points out that, because of hardship and discrimination, both groups formed their own communities and labor unions in order to strive for labor rights for their contributions, which gradually developed strong alliances with their own cultural values and thus helped to create a multicultural America that resists notions of assimilation. The paper concludes that, if the history of these ethnic groups were eliminated, there would be blank pages in the history of America because this people built the wealth of America.
From the Paper "In the 1800s, America was sought as a "New World" of opportunities and a better life for emigrants who were "pushed" out of their country by economic depression and "pulled" by hopes and dreams of fortune. Many Chinese migrants came to America to seek sanctuary from intense revolts and harsh economic conditions in China caused by the British Opium War (Takaki 192). The Japanese emigrated to America for similar reasons as the Chinese. 1868 was the year of the Japanese Meiji Reform and the government financed national defense by heavy taxing in order to establish a strong centralized society."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the various social situations and experiences encountered, in the area of law enforcement, which influence and mold the personalities of police officers. This paper delves into the long-standing personality theory that dictates which particular traits are patterned within an individual's personality. The writer of this paper explores and details the shared personality traits evident among police officers, including their desire to help others, as well as the need for respect and dignity normally associated with the profession. This paper discusses the relevant published research, which states that certain individuals choose a career in law enforcement for a variety of reasons, including: Job security, wages and benefits as well as a clear career path.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
General Concepts of Police Personality
Nature versus Nurture: Socialization and On-The-Job Experiences
Men Police Officers: Status, Gender and Personality
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Based on the status model of personality, there is a distinct "pecking order" in place in virtually all police departments across the country that helps initiate newcomers to the profession into the field; new recruits to the force will ignore this hierarchy at their peril. According to Gerber, the high-status officer in each partnership type will be perceived as having more instrumentally oriented (dominating and instrumental) traits and the low-status officer will be viewed as having more expressive traits. In addition, the status model predicts that officers' perceptions of their personality traits will be affected by group status-the overall status of their partnership in relation to other kinds of partnerships. In her review of Gerber's analysis, Monago suggests that this study showed that sex category and work experience played instrumental roles in personality adjustments."
Tags: law, enforcement, career, profession, traits, personality, research
Abstract This paper explores the importance of cultural diversity in nursing. The paper examines both the legal, and the moral/ethical obligations of professionals in the field to represent and embrace diversity. The paper concludes that in order to reach this goal, nursing education must include more trans-cultural coursework and emphasis.
From the Paper "Developing sensitivity to diversity is not only a legal obligation in the United States. It is also a moral and ethical obligation that speaks directly to aspects of the social contract and the longstanding human need..."
Abstract This paper discusses important historical events in the history of the Hamas movement. The author points out the motivation and ideology (Islamic covenant) of Hamas, its opposition to the Palestinian Authority and where it stands today. The paper outlines some counter-terrorism steps taken worldwide.
From the Paper "Harakat-al-muqawama al-Islamiyya known by the acronym Hamas is anIslamic resistance movement whose roots can be traced back to the ... extension of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization founded in the ... in Egypt, which was renewed and strengthened ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the increasing diversity of the American school population and how teachers can promote multiculturalism in the classroom. The paper further explains that promoting multiculturalism in the classroom necessitates adopting a new approach to teaching and then looks at the implications that multiculturalism and diversity have for issues of literacy.
Tags: Teaching, in, a, Multiculral, and, Diverse, Society
Abstract This paper defines qualitative methods and quantitative methods. The author differentiates their uses. The paper assesses their suitability for use in human relations studies.
From the Paper "Research data may be evaluated through the application of either quantitative or qualitative analytical procedures. Quantitative approaches are more easily defined than are qualitative procedures because qualitative research may refer to either the way data are measured or the way such data are evaluated. A quantitative variable is one than can be measured numerically such as annual income. Quantitative data are produced by ordinal interval and ratio scales; while qualitative data are produced by nominal scales. Quantitative data ..."
Abstract This paper presents an explanation of the conflict theory of social problems and social interaction, with examples of how conflict theory often marginalizes minority groups in U.S. society.
From the Paper "The conflict theory of social problems and social interaction presupposed the existence in any and all societies of dominant groups and institutions which employ coercive power to impose their values upon others. In light of such dominant-minority group relations, stability in society is brought about because of the needs of the dominant groups to maintain social arrangements that are in their best interest. In conflict theory, both conflict and change are defined as essential features of social life. Conflict theorists often expand on Marx's insights about struggle..."
Tags: social values, conflict, resource distribution, Marx, gay marriage, single-parent households, class stratification, minorities, elites
Abstract This paper offers suggestions of the major reasons of divorce based on sociological perspective theories, which are the changing meaning of marriage, reduction of family bonds, and changes of relationship between men and women. The paper uses three theoretical perspectives in sociology to analyze the social phenomenon of divorce and explain the causes of today's higher divorce rate compared with the past: Symbolic interaction, functional analysis and conflict theory. The paper concludes that changes of the meanings of marriage influence spousal communication, and thus reflect in the increasing divorce rate. As the family structure today is no longer one economic unit this means that marriage is more fragile. The relationship between men and women affect the status of marriage. All these changes are part of the development of industrialization and urbanization of the American society.
From the Paper "Along with the development of society, there have been dramatic changes in American marriages. Nowadays, we knew more about divorce cases from our friends, media, and movies. According to statistics, "more than 90 percent of Americans marry at some time during their lives" (Yalom, 2). However, "close to half of all American marriages end in divorce" (Yalom, 164). We may be curious of reasons of such a high divorce rate. Henslin is a sociologist, and he does lots of researches on the changes of social phenomenon. Based on Henslin's American marriage and divorce figure (attached on page 7), the rate of American divorce kept increasing rapidly from the year 1955 to 1980; nevertheless, the divorce rate almost kept on the same level after that. Furthermore, Henslin estimates that the divorce rate would go down a little bit from the year 2000 to 2010. Because of the changes of social structure, Americans have to accept high divorce rates as a fact of life. However, it is still necessary to figure out major reasons of divorce based on sociological perspective theories, which are the changing meaning of marriage, reduction of family bonds, and changes of relationship between men and women."
