Abstract This paper explores the vital components involved in the phenomenal success of HBO's comedy series "Sex and the City" which was loosely based on "New York Observer" columnist Candace Bushnell's personal life.The series' target audience was gender specific to women of varying ages as the four women in the series also varied in ages. This paper discusses the manner in which "Sex and the City" (SATC) utilized various types of humor that nearly always hit their target. The four main characters were written for easy viewer identification. Carrie Bradshaw the main character, was the most balanced of the quartet. Miranda was the workaholic lawyer, Charlotte dreamed of the classic American family while Samantha was the most outlandish with her refreshingly blatant attitudes towards men and sex. Many of the ideas for the show came from writers Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky's own experiences living in Manhattan. This paper also discusses the inclusion of the essential fifth character in the series, the small island of Manhattan, which Rottenberg and Zuritsky drew their inspiration from for their plots and comedy. This paper also discusses the style of writing involved which accounted for the success of the series as well as the impact the comedy had on society, which was not always perceived as positive.
From the Paper "This professor's commentary was on the third season of SATC when the foursome had run into many pitfalls in their relationships, such as Carrie having cheated on Aidan with Mr. Big, who was ending his marriage, and Carrie encountered her feelings for Aidan and Mr. Big and her betrayal. The third season revealed how the characters were growing and the depth of their relationships without hurting the series' lively approach. Aside from the show's glitz and frivolity, SATC poses basic human questions that many women can relate to and the characters were highly relatable so much so that many women asked one another, "Who are you more like?" From the same side of the road, there were other groups who were offended by the show's starkness about sex."
Abstract This paper involves an in-depth examination of sex education teaching methodologies, a history of the issue, relevance to a changing society, and ways to ensure a successful program when applied to a school setting. The paper includes a review of literature available on the topic, focusing on the following six areas: abstinence-only education, safe sex education, age and grade level when sex education should occur, teaching methods, outside factors that influence sexual activity, and solutions for a successful curriculum
From the Paper "In the past several years, a debate has risen up in the field of education over the controversial topic of sex education in schools. Many issues branch out from this debate, such as sex education encouraging or discouraging sexual promiscuity, teachers and parents as educators, and the range of topics that should or should not be covered in a classroom setting."
Abstract This paper studies therapy for sex offenders. The paper examines human development issues associated with male sex offenders aged 18-40. The paper focuses on the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches for this population. The paper offers theories of sexual deviance and profiles of male sex offenders. The paper concludes that while these individual and group psycho- therapeutic approaches may be effective, they can also be counterproductive.
From the Paper "This paper examines human development issues associated with young male sex offenders aged and years as well as the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches for this population. In the first half of the paper the developmental issues of a typical population..."
Abstract This paper supports sex education in the school system for children over the age of 12. It discusses the advantages of a school-based sex education programs to provide accurate information. The paper contends that sex education should inform the youth on a wide variety of information from the basics of reproduction, STDs, birth control, abstinence and abortion. The author explains that the program should also teaches communication and decision-making skills.
From the Paper "Sex education should be mandated in the school system for children over the age of 12. A School-based sex education provides information about human sexuality protection along with the values and attitudes about sex and ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes the television series "Sex and the City" on several different levels. First the paper describes various methods of audience analysis. Then it examines moral issues of television, such as role models for youth. "Sex in the City" is further described as appealing to the young, beautiful, and fabulous crowd that ranges in age from the early twenties to the mid-thirties, thus expressing the ideals of society's dominant culture. The author illustrates how the show can be analyzed from the coded and encoded messages it contains. The author concludes that the series had a long life due to its ability to tackle relevant social issues and to create conflict and controversy.
From the Paper " Stuart hall was a major research figure at the Birmingham School. He felt that the mass media was an important element of capitalist culture, because it allowed a structure for organization of society's experience (Tomlinson, 1991). Hall viewed media messages as open to having multiple meanings and interpretations by the audience. The message received by the audience, "is influenced by the context and culture of the receivers" (McQuail, 2000, p. 56). The encoding/decoding model views the audience as an active participant in the message, rather than a passive recipient of knowledge. "
Tags:Sex, and, the, City, television, audience, HBO
Abstract This paper studies the problematic age of legal consent in the United States in general and Maryland specifically. It analyzes the importance of maturity in making this decision and argues that maturity and reason is not necessarily decided by age. The author sees that the law seems to divert focus to age rather than to consent. It gives an example of a story about minors having consensual sex but not necessarily willingly. It concludes that children who are immature should be protected from rash decisions in order to make sure they don't get emotionally and physically scarred.
From the Paper "Here's something you probably didn?t know, boys and girls! According to the ?Legal Age of Consent Website,? the legal age of consent in the state of Maryland is fifteen. In layperson's terms this means that before the age of fifteen, even if you want to say ?yes, yes, yes,? a la Meg Ryan in ?When Harry Met Sally,? certain rules and restrictions may apply. This is reasonable, correct? After all, you are minors. You all have certain special legal protections and privileges (Such as making sure your legal guardian gives you bread, McDonald's milkshakes, and board. Such as the fact mall security noticed those platform shoes you just happened to walk out of Delia's with won"t be a part of your permanent record). Why shouldn"t the law also reserve an interest in protecting you from your own potential lapses in judgment so you can better become a happy and healthy adult? The image of a fifteen-year-old-girl dating a college student probably not only seems like a huge lapse to your parents and to the world at large but to many of your own minds as well."
Abstract "The Age of Innocence" depicts the era from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. This paper showcases the difference between current times and the age of innocence through the novel. It looks at the differences in attitudes towards promiscuity and exposure to sex that is prevalent in society today.
From the Paper "In Wharton's The Age of Innocence, society is governed by a set of strict rules. People are encouraged to act properly and abide by these codes of society. The rest of society shuns those who do not abide by the codes. People are expected to behave as if they were pure. For example, men and women are not suppose to be exposed to sex until they are married, although men, such as Newland Archer, occasionally have affairs with older woman before they get married. Society is not yet used to anything illicit. Despite these codes, scandals still occur. Lawrence Lefferts, Mr. Beaufort, and Newland Archer all engage in extramarital affairs, yet these scandals are pushed below the surface. People find out about them, yet they choose to ignore them and pretend that they either do not occur or that they are isolated incidents, such as when Newland is suspected of having an affair with Ellen Olenska. Nobody accuses him of anything, or says anything to his face. Rather, they plan around it and act as if it never occurred "
Abstract This paper argues that lack of maturity in adolescence, the link between increased criminal activity and alcohol consumption, the link between alcohol consumption at a young age and illicit drug use, and the high rate of alcohol-related deaths among young people are factors that overwhelmingly point to the need for a high legal age for alcohol consumption.
From the Paper "Due to the immaturity and lack of reasoning skills demonstrated by adolescents in their late teens, it is crucial for the legal age of consumption to be 21 rather than eighteen. Although the difference in age is only three years, a lot of maturation and responsibility is gained in this short time span. Often young adults have completed or nearly completed college in these three years, or have taken on the responsibility of a full time job. Many young adults move out of their parents? homes and establish their own lives that they must support independently through earning an income and behaving in a responsible manner. This increase in responsibility and maturity translates into a better understanding of the consequences yielded by one's actions and better decision-making. A twenty-one year old is better equipped through life experience to make responsible decisions regarding alcohol consumption than an eighteen year old is."
Abstract This paper takes a close look at Sister Prudence Allen's article on Hildegard of Bingen, entitled "Hildegard of Bingen" (1985). The paper maintains that the article's main point is that Hildegard was the very first person to articulate the theory of the complementarity of the sexes. The article claims that this complementarity theory was original to Hildegard; thus Hildegard made a significant contribution to the history of the concept of woman in relation to man. The paper agrees with the article, concluding that Hildegard did indeed succeed in vindicating the equality of woman with man by presenting a cogent, comprehensive and multifaceted argument for the complementarity of man and woman.
From the Paper "However, the important point is that Hildegard balanced this notion with a defence of the quality of woman and man, based on a metaphysical framework of sex complementarity in heaven and in the world. For example, in procreation, while man deposits the cold seed, it is woman's warmth that must grow the seed. Similarly, in heaven male saints are equal to but different from female saints; while on earth woman and man have equal access to both the private and public spheres of activity (Allen, 1985)."
Abstract This paper is an argumentative discussion of sex tourism. It discusses the sources of demand that drive it and the government inactivity that permits it to thrive. The paper examines the problem of the sex tourism business targeting women and children in the poorest countries.
From the Paper "A working definition of sex tourism is tourism partially or fully for the purpose of having sex often with prostitutes. According to Jo Sargent writing for Geographical child sex tourism is a deeply uncomfortable subject. Many people are unaware of how widespread this practice is in many parts of the world and especially in the third world. However there are many people who are well aware of the problem and choose to ignore it. There are also many international travelers who are unsure of ..."
Tags:sex, child sex, sex trafficking, slavery, brothel, indifference, demand and supply, third world, hard currency, pedophile, sex tourism, sexcapades
Abstract This essay examines the emerging trend and, indeed, necessity to distinguish between the two terms "gender" and "sex". It examines the introduction and usage of both terms and the subsequent historical development, including the power benefits that the biological reductionism of "sex theory" encompasses. Through specific reference to sociological schools of thought, such as structural functionalism, feminist critique, role theory, social constructionism and post-structuralist theory, an argument for the need for distinction between "gender" and "sex" is established. With references to Foucault, Derrida, and Judith Butler, this essay examines the need for a biological ("sex") and social ("gender") specificity of sexuality, proposing a conceptually accurate path forward for the future.
From the Paper "The terms ?sex role,? ?sex role socialisation,? ?gender role,? and the term "role" itself, have become so confused and definitionally abstract that it is often inadequate or even incorrect to use such terms. Many individuals do however. The terms "sex" and "gender" are infinitely bandied about, consistently interchanged, and often stand proxy for one another, in every imaginable discourse and social institution. This is because "sex" and "gender" are the foundational concepts upon which society is built. Sex and gender is integral to every social structure, having far-reaching implications that shape individuals? opportunities for safety, employment, education, family, legal access, fecundity, knowledge production and much, much more. However, the challenge here is to understand such implications within a conceptually accurate framework. The development of sex/gender theorising has met this challenge, and the fact that some sociologists today reject the terms "sex roles" and "sex role socialisation" is a reflection of the changing and developing nature of the theoretical framework. It is only through an examination of the history of sex/gender theory however that it is possible to determine how and why these same sociologists have rejected the frameworks that they have."
Tags: biological, critique, feminist, functionalism, gender, post, reductionism, sex, structural, structuralist, theory
Abstract In this article, the meaning of the institution of marriage is discussed. The writer looks at the place of same-sex marriage in society. In this paper, same-sex marriage is primarily discussed from a conservative religious perspective. The views and outlook of supports of the concept of same-sex marriage is also described and critiqued. Although the gay and lesbian movement consider the prohibition of same-sex marriages to be discrimination, the writer views the position of marriage as a moral and religious institution.
From the Paper "In recent years the legalization of same-sex marriages has become an increasingly controversial issue that pits the gay and lesbian movement against religious conservatives. According to the gay and lesbian movement, the prohibition of same-sex marriages constitutes social oppression and discrimination. This paper however takes the position, adopted by the religious conservative movement. Marriage is a religious and moral institution that is confined to a monogamous relationship between a man and woman. Derived from the religious scriptures ... "
Abstract In this paper, the writer notes that although there have been many changes made in the last 10 years, same-sex adoption is still a major controversy issue in today's society. The writer uses relevant literature to demonstrate statistics regarding same-sex adoption. The writer maintains that many people believe that same-sex adoption is immoral and unethical. On the other hand, many people believe that same-sex adoption is acceptable, because they believe that the welfare of the child is more important than the gender of the child. The writer concludes that as long as the child is properly cared for mentally, physically and emotionally, the gender of the child should not be an issue.
From the Paper "Although the percentage rate of same-sex adoption has approved 64 % in the last 4 years, it is still a major issue in today's society. Some people believe that same-sex adoption is wrong, simply because the union itself is non-traditional. Therefore adoption is unethical. Others believe that same-sex adoption is acceptable, because they believe that the child should be raised with two parents that love him or her, regardless of the parent's gender. As long as the child is being cared for properly, in all aspects, mentally, physically, and emotionally there should not be any dispute of the parent's gender."
Abstract This paper examines the possibilities of more than two sexes from a biological and sociological viewpoint. The paper points out the problems faced by those who do not fit into the two sex definition.
From the Paper "The definition of intersexuality sets a basis to be able to group Sterling's "five sexes" into their own subgroups. The standard medical definition of intersexuality or intersex refers to the three major subgroups with some mixture of male and female characteristics, which include: the ?herms,? ?ferms,? and ?merms.? The hermaphrodites or ?herms,? posses one testis and one ovary, the productive gonads. In some cases, with the true hermaphrodites, the testis and ovary grow separately but bilaterally. In other people, they grow together within the same organ, forming an ovo-testis. ?Usually the sperm cells or eggs function quite well, along with the production of sex hormones such as: estrogen and androgen.? (Taylor 99-101)"
Abstract This paper examines a number of issues concerning same-sex relationships. The paper focuses on same-sex relationships in Western history and discusses public perceptions of such relationships, looks at the role that the Gay and Lesbian movement has had in influencing public perception, discusses some of the conflicts seen between old and new gay groups. and discusses the harassment that gays and lesbians are often subjected to. The paper also looks at the move to legalize same-sex marriages and the issue of AIDS.
From the Paper "Over the last five decades the gay and lesbian movement has been instrumental in reshaping public perceptions towards same-sex relationships in the US. Essentially, it is impossible to study public perceptions towards same-sex relationships without considering the role of the gay and lesbian movement. For gay and lesbian individuals this movement has enabled individuals who had previously been ostracized and stigmatized from mainstream social networks to carve a niche and feel a sense of belonging in alternative communities. Even more significantly the gay and lesbian movement..."
Tags: Same-sex, relationships, in, Western, history