Abstract
This paper looks at the minimum drinking age in the United States and the reasons that this age has been deemed appropriate by authorities. It then presents several reasons why the present minimum drinking age should be lowered and looks at statistical evidence that supports this contention. It concludes by making the point that at eighteen years of age,a citizen can die for his/her country, get married and divorced, apply for credit, and move out of his/her parents' home ; therefore, he/she should also be allowed to drink.

From the Paper
"In America, when a person reaches the age of 18 he can die for his country, obtain credit, get married, get divorced and be charged in criminal court. By all appearances the age of 18 sets the stage for adulthood and all that it entails. In a curious contradiction to that, however, America insists on maintaining a drinking age of 21 years old. While 18 year olds can do all of the above except drink, individual states, under the threat of reduced federal interstate funding, keep the legal age of drinking at 21 years of age. The minimum legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 because it (age) is not a contributing factor in the number of accidents/deaths that involve young people between 18 and 21 in the United States."

Tags:federal, government, fund, highways, fatalities, drunk, drivers, holiday, alcohol, fatality, rate

Abstract
The paper studies an article about testing that is inappropriate for children of many cultures that are not exposed to much of the information that may have been considered American mainstream knowledge in the past. The paper explains how with an abundance of cultural differences in the modern age, each child attends school with a varied background. Therefore, the paper discusses how testing children about their knowledge on specific elements that may not relate to their cultural history can lead a child to fail standardized tests.

Tags:education, theories, questions

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that a minister's responsibility is not merely to convey the gospel, as for that purpose, a parishioner could merely turn to the text. Instead, a minister's pastoral responsibility is to provide guidance to the members of a congregation, depending on their immediate spiritual needs. A minister must also creatively respond to the individual's unique social needs and take into consideration where he is located in his personal life journey history. Today, young people are faced with tremendous moral challenges about what makes a meaningful Christian life. The writer discusses that, although from a minister's view, the underlying message of finding fulfilling devotion in serving Christ may be the same for all Christians, the way that message is conveyed must be tailored to suit a person's current stage of development. The writer maintains that children must learn the gospel from stories that invigorate and excite them and older people must learn about the ministry in a way that suits their needs and life challenges, such as retirement and relating to their grandchildren.

From the Paper
" It is important to recognize that children are children, that young people are no longer children, and that adults are seeking to better relate to their children. Today, young people may have the difficult task of going to a competitive institution of learning, have to face the pressure of work, classes, and the social pressures of peers, and still find a way of leading a meaningful life. Adults may face the pressures of balancing work, school, and home life. Even today's children have seen their country go to war, and may have had friends or loved ones participate in that war and may ask, how can God allow this to happen, how is the world still good. All must learn to exercise their critical thinking faculties, and in fact are likely to want to do so, and will do so amongst themselves, without prodding, even though young children may be silent upon such topics in the presence of adults. Ministers must find a way of creating a safe, directional, and nonjudgmental yet still faith-based place for all of these age groups to express spiritual concerns in a way that they will be 'heard.'"

Tags:congregation, devotion, Christ, community

Abstract
This paper examines the various stages of a child's development in order to determine which approach to discipline is appropriate at which age. First, the paper takes a look at Erik Erikson's approach to child development and the different stages the child will pass through on the road to adulthood. The paper then lists the developmental sequences that children experience. Discipline is defined and then effective and ineffective discipline methods are highlighted. The paper concludes by discussing the difference between punishment and discipline.

Outline:
Introduction
Stages of Development (Erikson)
Developmental Stages Important in Appropriate Discipline
General Development Sequence: Toddler through Preschool
Positive and Effective Discipline - Ages and Stages Approach
Ineffective Discipline
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"In disciplining the child, it is critical that the parent or caretaker understand that the child passes through several stages of development and that each of these stages necessarily requires different forms of discipline if that discipline is to be effective in nature. Erik Erikson held that the socialization process involves eight specific stages or what Erikson termed to be the 'eight stages of man'. These stages were "formulated, not through experimental work, but through wide-ranging experience in psychotherapy including extensive experience with children and adolescents from low- as well as upper- and milddle- social classes." (Child Development Institute, 2008) Erikson held that each specific stage is in actuality a "psychosocial crisis" which "arises and demands resolution before the next stage can be satisfactorily negotiated." (Child Development Institute, 2008) "

Tags:Erik Erikson, punishment, consequences

Abstract
This paper discusses the laws prohibiting three primary types of age-related employment discrimination. The writer explains who is protected under these laws, and why, and gives examples of some types of employment where age-based limitations may be appropriate.The writer also discusses how electronic privacy law applies to employment and business records and information management in the workplace, citing the 1996 case Smyth v. Pillsbury. In private life, interception of recorded messages and e-mails is a federal criminal offense, but in the workplace employers have the legal right to know how their employees spend their time at work and how they use the employer's equipment.

Outline:
Age Discrimination and Employment Act
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)

From the Paper
"From an ethical point of view, age discrimination is fundamentally wrong because the only legitimate basis for age-based employment considerations are those where advanced age directly affects the ability of an individual to perform the tasks associated with the position. Unless there are specific physical elements of the job that make employment unsuitable for older individuals, discrimination against older workers is as unjustified as discrimination against individuals based on race or gender."

Tags:eligibility, productivity, monitor, personal, computer, communications, transmission

Abstract
This paper explains that, if e-learning administrators and faculty were able to identify specific characteristics, including potential motivation orientations that contribute to successful learner choices, they would be better equipped to properly align current and prospective students with appropriate e-learning courses and programs and thereby increase students' chances for educational success. The author proposes a quantitative causal comparative study using inferential statistical analysis. The paper points out that five independent variables are motivation orientations, family status, employment status, financial status and age group and the one defendant variable is academic performance. The paper includes figures, charts, tables and a survey.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Research Questions
Literature Review
Motivation Orientation
Family Status
Employment Status
Financial Status
Age
Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Orientation
Hypothesis
Methodology
Research Design
Measures
Study Population
Data Collection Tools
Variables - Independent and Dependent Variables
Statistical Analysis
Appendix A: Items and Factor Loadings for the Intrinsic Motivation Scale
Appendix B: Items and Factor Loadings for the Extrinsic Motivation Scale
Appendix C: Survey

From the Paper
"Students are motivated to learn because of extrinsic motivation or intrinsic motivation. Academic intrinsic motivation is a factor that is essential for college success. A large number of students carry out education to or past the college level. The motivations behind such academic persistence vary across many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Many college students find that their level of motivation is not sufficient enough to guide them in carrying out their academic careers. Motivation to learn can be extrinsic motivation or intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation is an involvement as a means to an end. Intrinsic motivation is an involvement for its own sake. A survey will be used to determine the motivation orientations."

Tags:on-ground, choice, scale, loadings, work

Abstract
This paper provides a brief description on regression models and how they share the same elements, the dependent variable, the independent variables and the error term. In particular, the paper focuses on what to do when the variable to be predicted is a count data and how the appropriate modeling technique to be used is poisson regression. Poisson regression assumes that the dependent variable Y comes from a poisson distribution. To demonstrate an application of the poisson regression the paper "Inadequate Sleep and Unintentional Injuries in Young Children" by Koulouglioti, C., Cole, R., and Kitzman is presented and analysed.

Outline:
Introduction
Basic Concepts
Generalized Linear Models
Poisson Regression
Model Fitting
Assessing Model Adequacy
Sample Article
Background
Objective
Dependent Variable
Independent Variables
Analysis and Results
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There are cases when the dependent variable Y can take only several discreet values. When a model's objective is to predict a new business venture's success based on several factors, the dependent variable Y can only be any of the values 'Successful' or 'Not Successful'. In a similar fashion, if the model's objective is to predict the number of appliances that will be broken down while being shipped to a warehouse, it is not logical to have predicted values that are not count data. A value of 3.5, 1.03 or 4.2 will not make any sense. In this case the predicted values of the dependent variable to be given by the models should be constrained to non-negative integers."

Tags:Dependent, Variable, Independent, distribution

Abstract
This paper argues that just because society is technologically progressing does not mean that people have to regress socially in their communications with others. The paper addresses certain aspects of interpersonal communications that are essential in all types of effective communication, while demonstrating that there are some unique skills necessary to specifically enhance Internet communications. In addition, the paper discusses how words have the power to create and affect attitudes, behavior, and perception. Furthermore, the paper defines emotional intelligence and illustrates its importance in Internet exchanges. Moreover, the paper evaluates appropriate levels of self-disclosure in relationships, and how lines can be inadvertently crossed when using the Internet due to false feelings of security and of anonymity.

From the Paper
"Additionally, considering the words we want to use and taking care to find the meaning we choose to send to a receiver is a sign of emotional intelligence, also known as EI or EQ. This term, coined by Daniel Goleman, is defined as "the ability to understand and get along well with others. ... (T)his kind of intelligence is made up of five characteristics: being self-aware, managing emotions, motivating yourself, recognizing emotion in others, and handling relationships..." ). I, personally, have learned a lot about emotional intelligence in this class and in other online classes from our discussion board postings."

Tags:progressing, technologically, emotionally, intelligent, surface, relationships

Abstract
The paper reviews the modern transition from a society where spanking was the norm to one where it has little acceptance. The paper cites several arguments both for and against spanking. It continues to list several alternative methodologies for child-rearing, including democratic parenting. The paper concludes that avoiding physical discipline will best lead to "healthy, normal, well-mannered children who learn respect at an early age and never forget it."

From the Paper
"Spanking these days is grounds for having your children taken away. It has happened, and continues to happen, when a child complains in school (and the teacher or school nurse see some bruising) or when concerned neighbors see or hear a child being spanked. It is, as the library correctly states it, corporal punishment. And child welfare agencies now take a very dim view of even the slightest hint of spanking as a means of hurting the child."

Tags:corporal, punishment, democratic, parenting

Abstract
This paper explains that colleges with large and diverse populations that intermingle frequently in large public areas and with a high number of individuals living in dorms and shared rooms are especially at risk for meningitis epidemics. The author points out that a form of prevention is vaccination, although not all strains of meningitis have a vaccine; many campuses require college students to receive vaccinations that are available for the common strains. The paper concludes that appropriate antibiotic treatment of most common types of bacterial meningitis can reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to less than 15%.

Table of Contents
Step 1: Prevention
Step 2: Awareness
Step 3: Treatment

From the Paper
"But how do you know someone has the disease, you ask? Some of the symptoms are a high fever, headache, and a stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness. Of course, all of these can be simply symptoms of stress and other college lifestyle issues. Yet these lifestyle issues are also stress-related causes that make an individual potentially more susceptible to contracting the ailment. It is important, therefore, to be aware when one has all of the classic symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness that it may be more than stress or the flu."

Tags:neck, vaccination, antibiotic, stress, rash