Abstract A look at the technological changes in the past century and the positive and negative effects of such advancement. The author looks at the benefits of advanced communication and information and contrasts this to the disadvantages that this may bring on the morals, beliefs and values of society.
From the Paper "When I was a little girl, I read in a popular magazine in Europe that by year 2000 we would be able to just pick up the phone and directly dial any country in the world. I remember hardly believing it, since at the time I couldn't even call my aunt in a neighboring town without the operator's assistance. When my sister went off to college, mom had to send her a telegram with a date and time for her to go to the central post office to receive our long-distance phone call.Less than twenty years later, that lifestyle is outdated. We have gone far beyond just being able to direct dial any country in the world. Going a day without cellular phones, fax machines, computers, and satellites would pose a great challenge. With the Internet, we have instant access to information, and that commodity is becoming a necessity as well. From research data to recipes, from movie schedules to news, from fiction to shopping, the Internet is moving in."
Abstract This paper explores television violence and its effects on children. It addresses how TV manipulates the minds of children, causing them to act in more aggressive and violent manners. The author argues that TV violence distorts children's minds into believing that violence is a healthy and acceptable way of dealing with problems.
From the Paper "There are many different supports for both sides of this issue. Those who believe that TV does have a major affect on children support their belief with the notions thusly: television violence and aggression lead to violent and aggressive behavior in children, witnessing violence on TV shapes and desensitizes the child’s view of the world, and television manipulates the mind of the child (Wood, 1999, p. 317). Those who conclude that TV violence plays no part in the aggressiveness of children base their assumptions on the theory stating that violence and aggression in youth is a result of an improper upbringing (Associated Press, 1999, p. 6A). They believe that children adapt their behavior from those that they are in human contact with most often. Another poignant support for television is that it is an extremely effective educational medium. They feel that the positive aspects of television far outweigh the negative ones (Kalin, 1999, p. 2). Lastly, there’s the “catharsis theory” which thoroughly supports the use of television violence in all programs. It claims that TV violence reduces the viewer’s aggressive behavior when dealing with real life situations (Comstock, 1978, p. 188). Statistics can back up both sides of the issue, and so can emotions. The issue of the affects of television violence on our nation’s youth is a very heavy and controversial topic with many possible conclusions."
Tags: aggression, crime, fighting, graphic, kids, mean, tv, world
Abstract In this essay the author goes head to head with Karl Marx's view of alienation. The contradictions which Marx makes on alienation of labor are pointed out and used to figure out what conception of the human essence Marx uses to rest his theory on. The author points out flaws in Marx's essay and offers alternative solutions.
From the Paper "Karl Marks who lived between 1818 and 1883 wrote the Estrange Labor manuscript in 1844. Being only 26 years of age he challenges the works of the great philosopher Hegel. In his manuscript he considered himself to be a young Hegelian philosopher. Marx explains his beliefs on what he believes to be the key elements of estranged labor, mainly alienation from nature, alienation from product of labor, alienation from the activity of labor, and alienation from species. Hegel believed that trough the use of labor to create objects we could satisfy our bodily needs. He believed that our reason allowed for criticism to improve upon the objects, which allowed the mind to evolve toward pure reason and ultimately freedom. Hegel also noted that freedom was the essence of freedom. Marx does not completely agree with Hegel because he felt his theory was too abstract and ignored important concepts of social organization for production. Marx believes that philosophy in the past had mystified the real contradictions of human existence."
Abstract The following essay argues that gender issues with regards to wage equality in the American society still exist today. The author argues that although women have interrupted careers in order to tend to family matters, organizations have no right to lower the female's wages because of potential pregnancy or family matters.
From the paper:
"The fact that women often have interrupted careers in order to raise children or tend to family matters, as a reason for their lower pay. Using this logic we can assume that some people feel women are less reliable as well, for they fear women may have to leave their jobs in order to care for family or children. While some women do indeed leave their jobs to care for family only to return later, this should not be a factor in determining pay for women with equal skills to that of a man (Stewart, Prandy et al. 1980) ."
Abstract This paper presents a critically evaluates "Who Rules America? Power and Politics in the Year 2000" by G. William Domhoff. The author
gives an overview, and proceeds to analyze several aspects of the book such as theory, argument and concept.
From the paper:
"The American Dream consists of many things including the obtaining of money and wealth. Most of us want it, few of actually get there and some of use even thinks it's a bad place to be. William Domhoff is one such person. He wrote a book titled Who Rules America? Power and Politics in the Year 2000 and in that book he presents his theory of the way our economy and standard of living currently work. "
This paper analyzes four aspects by which people are easily divided into classes - sex, income, race and education. It attempts to show which lessons can be learned from these stereotypes.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 7 sources, 2001, $ 57.95
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the differences in four social classes: lower, working, middle, and upper, based on income, race, sex, and education and to show how these clear divisions in society lead to stereotypes, social expectations and limitations.
From the paper:
"Differences in each of the four classes are marked when income is the factor differentiating them. 11.3 per cent of Americans live in poverty, and can be considered part of the lower and working classes. In the U.S. today, 16 percent of the population falls into the "lower" class. Thirty-eight per cent fall into the "working," or "blue-collar" class. Forty-four per cent fall into the "middle" and "upper middle" class, and 2 per cent fall into the "upper" class. The lower and often working classes are often characterized as less educated. They tend to live in urban areas, and do not own their own homes. The middle and upper classes tend to own their own homes, often are two-career couples by choice, and usually live in less urban and more rural areas or suburbs of larger cities. They are usually better educated than the lower and working classes, often with advanced college degrees."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the obsession that women have about their weight and size. It claims that advertising, social pressure and media all have major roles in fanning this obsession. It provides a history of the fashion industry and show how this too has influenced this phenomena.
From the paper:
"36-24-36? Those numbers might not mean a thing to some, but for many women, they are the hallmark of western society's obsession with weight. Everywhere you look, scantily clothed women with well-defined midriffs are smiling back from televisions, movie screens, magazines, and billboards. The advertising world wants you to believe that these women have it all: they are beautiful, they are thin, and as a result, they are happier than you. While most people would agree that this is certainly not true, a growing number of women are left wondering: Do I have to be thin to have it all?"
Abstract An argumentative paper defending assisted suicide and supporting the reasons for legalizing assisted suicide. The author discusses the moral and ethical issues concerning euthanasia.
From the Paper "30 years ago, assisted suicide was not a concern of our public. It wasn't talked about, and no one consciously recognized that this was going on. It wasn't really until between 1990 and 1998 that assisted suicide was brought to our attention by the trial of Jack Kevorkian. Assisted suicide is said to be; when one person provides another person with the tools to take their own life, knowing that this is the intent. That would be like when a doctor inserts the IV with a lethal injection, and the patient pushes the button. On a quick note, assisted suicide should not be confused with euthanasia, where another person delivers the fatality to the person to be euthanized (Euthanasia, 1)."
Abstract This paper examines the proposal for legalization of same-sex marriage, and how it is one of the most significant issues in contemporary American family law. The author discusses the potential consequences of legalizing same-sex marriage, both positive and negative, for children, parents, same-sex couples, families, and the social structure. Litigation and current laws regarding this issue are discussed. Arguments are made for the legalization of same-sex marriage.
From the Paper "Marriage has changed greatly throughout the years. In Western law, wives are now equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is now widely accepted, both in statute and in society; and marital failure itself, rather than the fault of one partner, may be grounds for a divorce. Social change has been felt in marriages in recent years as divorce rates have increased and have been integrated into upper class families. Proposals to legalize same-sex marriage or to enact broad domestic partnership laws are currently being promoted by gay and lesbian activists, especially in Europe and North America."
Abstract This paper reviews how the Chinese government implemented a strict one-child policy decades ago in order to control its drastic population explosion. The author indicates that although the policy was enforced with reward and punishment, it has been largely successful. However, this policy, against natural process of reproduction, is creating serious social issues such as gender imbalance and orphans. The policy is very controversial due to its inhumane approach including mass sterilizations and forced abortions, and the policy also violates a human right of reproduction. This paper examines whether China can supply enough food, jobs and places to live for its people despite this policy and what problems China will face in the future.
From the Paper "More than a fifth of the world's population lives in China today. Even though Chinese government had implemented a fairly successful One-child policy, Chinese population will continue to grow until it is estimated to level off sometime before 2100. Chinese government was successful in making people believe that having more than one child is not good for China's future. On the other hand, strict and inhumane policy had raised some issues in terms of basic human rights in reproduction and also damage to traditional values. However controversial the policy was, it helped to control China's population growth. The question China must answer is; Can China support itself today, and in the future?"
This paper discusses the factors that determine if the impact of divorce on children and parents is positive or negative and how extensive the impact is for the children.
Abstract The following paper explores the psychological impact the high rate of marital breakdown have on children and how these effects impact on society. The marital breakdown addressed in this paper is between heterosexual couples. To examine this topic a review of literature has been conducted. A comparison of children living in intact families and children living in divorced families has been completed to demonstrate the similarities and differences. This paper also discusses the effects on members of society of the high divorce rate and the positive outcomes of divorce.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Mediators of Divorce
Economic Effects of Divorce
Effects of Conflict on Children
Effects of Absence of Non-Custodial Parents
Effects of Remarriage
Long Term Effects of Divorce on Children
Effects on Society
The Positive Consequences of Divorce
From the Paper "Some children experience an easier adjustment to divorce while others display difficulties for a long period of time. Factors have been identified that ease the adjustment for children. These conditions include supportive interactions with family members and friends, having effective coping strategies and accessibility to any needed mental health interventions (Cooney, Hutchinson and Leather). The effects of divorce can be lessened also if the parents act without hostility, if children's relationships with their parents are continuous, and if the children's financial needs are provided for by the parents (Thompson and Amato). Thus, reducing life stresses will moderate the impact of divorce on children."
Abstract This paper explains how domestic violence refers to both mental and physical violence between adult intimate partners. It explores the indication that rape is used to regulate the power relations between the two genders and tries to maintain a certain cultural order between the genders in a culture with ever blurring boundaries.
From the Paper "In the United States, at the end of the millennium, "domestic violence" is a code for physical and emotional brutality within intimate relationships, usually heterosexual. As a code, it glosses the intricate, layered connections of power relationships built on race, class, and gender hierarchies, each tied in unique fashion to requirements of female dependency. These power hierarchies recede as the discursive focus abstracts acts of violence as pathology to be remedied, separate from a critique of the relationships of dominance through which it is constituted. It is possible to oppose "domestic violence" and at the same time oppose all other efforts to restructure relations of dominance, including women's subordination. (Warr, M. 1985)"
Abstract This paper looks at the issue of increased violent tendencies found in increasingly younger children in today's society. The author reviews several different studies that have been conducted on the subject and substantiate the thesis that violence on television has a profound impact on younger children. Television has become more violent and children are, watching more of it, which in this author's opinion, has contributed to the increase in violent behavior in children. Several studies and their results are presented in order to help the reader understand the possible roots of the problem, to present possible solutions to present and future problems that plague society because of the increasing influence of television in our lives.
From the Paper "Children are much smarter these days than children of the previous generation. Children are bombarded with images on TV, the Internet, etc. and parents have less time these days to filter out any negative or adverse images and experiences. And with the exponentially-advancing technological age, in many cases children derive their education, not just from school or their family but through nameless, faceless CEOs who want to sell a product, service or form of entertainment any which way they can. Children are expected to digest and analyse a lot of information thrown at them everyday. In that sense, children today are more streetwise and discerning than the children in previous generations. Therefore, it stands to reason that effects of media violence on younger children would be more pronounced than for children who are in their pre- or post-adolescent years."
Abstract This paper explores aspects of the mentally ill in correctional facilities. It discusses why the number of mentally ill in prisons and jails is rising. It discusses problems the mentally ill face in prison, such as abuse, suicide, the inability of prisons to care for them properly, and release and recidivism. The paper also discusses some solutions to these problems.
From the Paper "Correctional facilities face many problems when dealing with different types of inmates. Many inmates have different or special needs. One of these groups of inmates is the mentally ill. The number of mentally ill offenders in correctional facilities is rising and because of this, prisons and jails have become one of the primary types of psychiatric treatment centers. In fact, "Jails in most major cities contain a larger number of severely mentally ill people than the local mental health hospitals" (Sigurdson, 2001, p70). Mental illness affects the inmate's behavior in prison and how they are treated by other inmates and the staff. This creates problems for the correctional facilities as well as the inmates. Some problems include abuse, busing, suicide, and recidivism. Topics that will be discussed are the rise of mentally ill in correctional facilities, problems that this creates, and some solutions to these problems. The staff do not know how to deal with the mentally ill and, as a result, the mentally ill often do not receive the treatment they need in order to be rehabilitated so that they can function normally in society. Changes need to be made in correctional facilities in order to provide treatment for mentally ill offenders so that they can receive the help and rehabilitation that they need."
From the Paper "In every society, children learn from their parents the concept of "feminine" and "masculine" and what that means in a given culture. After all, much about these conceptions is not biological at all but cultural. The way we tend to think about men and women and their gender roles in society constitute the prevailing paradigm that influences our thinking. This may change over time, and in the last forty years or so we have seen the concept undergo considerable change in the face of the feminist movement and related efforts to challenge traditional attitudes and ideas with something more egalitarian.
At the same time, as we can all see in our own family situations, there are certain gender roles and attitudes that do not change that much. Men and women are differentiated biologically by sexual function and by the general role of women..."
