Abstract The paper explains that professional wrestling, one of the most popular sports in America today, is an extremely violent sport that is built upon the centuries old theme of "good vs. evil," somewhat like a medieval jousting tournament. The author relates that, while many educators and parents seem to think watching televised wrestling matches creates more violence in their children, many others find their children are mature enough to recognize the difference between the reality of violence and the fantasy portrayed during wrestling matches. The paper concludes that the evidence, though certainly debatable, seems to point conclusively to televised wrestling creating more violence in children who watch it.
From the Paper "The many fans of pro-wrestling (and there are many) do not think the violence is "over the top" or out of control. Doug Martin, a fan of professional wrestling for many years, and totally understands its current popularity. He says there is a "'constant search for new subcultures to enliven our entertainment diet.' Wrestling fills that void nicely, and its broad appeal is not unlike the intense popularity of NASCAR," he continues. Fans also say they know the moves are choreographed, but that is one of the reasons they love the sport. "That's just the point, wrestling fans say. They love the grunting moves and choreography for the same reason: Everyone knows they're orchestrated"".
Abstract This paper tells us how the World Wrestling Association began and how Vince McMahon Jr changed it to become a popular family spectator sport. The paper explains that McMahon did this by offering lucrative contracts to top wrestling stars in other territories, began major network deals, made professional wrestling a spectacle for family entertainment. In addition, the paper relates how McMahon continued to capitalize the WWF market with other resources such as cartoons, toys and food products.
From the Paper "After copyrighting the wrestlers and their character image, McMahon had made the WWF a brand name and a near monopoly in the wrestling industry. The WWF had become very successful and had overtaken its competition, at least until Ted Turner decided to enter the wrestling business. Turner started his own wrestling league called World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and was initially scoffed at by McMahon. With Turner's funds and network resources, the WCW gradually became more of a burden on the WWF and McMahon as the WCW began to acquire some of the older WWF superstars. The WCW began competing for Monday night airtime ratings by playing at the same time as the WWF. The strategy of the WCW was to mimic and outspend the WWF, and it began to payoff as the WCW became more popular."
Tags: McMahon, WWF, wrestlers, good, bad, guys, character
Abstract This paper addresses the question: Does pro-wrestling cause violence in children? The paper presents both sides of the debate and cites sources and legal cases that support the arguments. A conclusion is drawn that finds that most of the evidence, although still debatable, indicates an increase in violent behavior in children who watch professional wrestling.
From the Paper "While many educators and parents seem to think watching televised wrestling matches creates more violence in their children, many others find their children are mature enough to recognize the difference between the reality of violence and the fantasy portrayed during wrestling matches. Michael Cunningham, a professor and father of two young sons said, "'Some young people are able to recognize the distinction between entertainment in wrestling and what is permissible behavior in specific locations and real life'" (Billups 2). Children have more sense than we often give them credit for, and most understand that violence is society is unacceptable, while violence in a controlled setting, such as a wrestling ring, is quite another thing."
Tags: violent, sport, television, contest, bodily, harm, audience, film, media
Abstract The paper relates that Title IX mandates greater opportunities for female athletes in the educational setting. The paper then discusses how due to the Title IX law, schools have diverted revenue from male non-revenue sports to female non-revenue sports, instead of simply increasing funding for their female sports teams. The paper thus explains why the existence of college-wrestling programs have been threatened.
Outline:
Introduction
What is Title IX?
What Title IX Has Done for Women's Sports
Title IX's Perceived Impact on Wrestling The Proportionality Requirement
The Misapplication of Title IX
The Social Issue
Conclusion
From the Paper "Mention Title IX to college-sports enthusiasts, and one is liable to get a very passionate reaction, whether the reaction is good or bad. To many female athletes and their fans, Title IX has been an absolute boon, and they credit its protections with the development of modern female college athletic programs. While these programs certainly do not rival male athletic programs, they are far superior to the shoddy programs women had in the past. However, to many male athletes and their fans, Title IX has not been favorable. Male athletics have always been emphasized over female athletics in a college setting. While some advocates suggest that this emphasis reflects an underlying bias, others suggest that men are more likely to seek to enter into sports on a professional basis, making college athletics more practical for men."
Abstract This paper explores the theories presented in Rabbi Steven Greenberg's book, "Wrestling with God and Men". The paper explains that Rabbi Steven Greenberg works to reconcile his love for God with his homosexual nature. Greenberg identifies himself as both a devout follower of God and the Jewish faith, but also identifies himself as having homosexual preferences. The paper also explains that the thesis of Greenberg's book is that the question whether homosexual activities are permitted in the Holy Scriptures is actually a moot point: Greenberg seeks to identify whether the nature of homosexual love is permitted.
From the Paper "In his book, Wrestling with God and Men, Rabbi Steven Greenberg works to reconcile his love for God with his homosexual nature. Greenberg identifies himself as both a devout follower of God and the Jewish faith, but also identifies himself as having homosexual preferences. The thesis of Greenberg's book is that the question whether homosexual activities are permitted in the Holy Scriptures is actually a moot point: Greenberg seeks to identify whether the nature of homosexual love is permitted. In doing so, Greenberg transforms the question of homosexuality from one of sex to one of love, in which he asks how God can deny the nature of love through prohibition. The root cause of this problem is found in the passage "Va-yar Elokim et kol asher asah v-hinei tov meod" (Bereshis 1:31) or, translated, states "And G-d saw..."
Abstract The paper discusses the similarities between Sumo wrestling, martial arts and baseball. The writer notes that one of the influences on the Japanese culture is in connection with cheering. The writer details similarities and differences between Japanese and American sports events. The writer explains that the Japanese, who are usually more staid than Americans, cheer quite boisterously at sports events. In conclusion the writer states that American sports have influenced Japanese culture in all areas, including in the business culture, which is seen in the use of brand promotions at sports events.
From the Paper "One example of the way American sports has influenced Japanese social forms is the way Japanese fans participate in cheering. The Japanese are generally courteous and take care not to embarrass a person before a group. They are especially polite when greeting strangers, and are slow to express their feelings to outsiders. However, none of these customs are evident in cheering at a sports event. "As such, the game here is slower paced and more strategic in Japan than its American forerunner. Also, Japanese teams revolve around their managers, who put their players through rigorous practice routines and spend a lot of time on the field during games in strategy sessions. Finally, baseball in Japan is more of a collective enterprise, and players don't receive the same attention and adulation that their colleagues in the United States enjoy."
Abstract The author wrestles with Alexander the Greats' inclinations towards both good and evil in an attempt to show that he deserved the title: "Great". By comparing and contrasting, she is able to build a case that he was, indeed, as his name implies, 'Great'. With some interesting quotes from people that knew Alexander the Great personally.
From the Paper "Alexander the Great was a charismatic person who won the heart of the people he ruled throughout his short reign. He led them to victory against their enemies and had a generous nature. There was another side to Alexander though; he could be cruel, irrational and was known for his drunken rages. Despite his faults, Alexander's conquests, achievements and personal traits made him worthy of the title, ?the Great.? "
Tags: alexander, ancient, great, greece, greek, history, macedonia, military
Abstract This paper examines how the ancient Greeks determined who would win the pentathlon, a competition of professional athletes who participated in numerous sporting events in Olympia. The author discusses the Olympiad Games, who was allowed to participate, particular events-javelin, discus, wrestling, etc., festivities, and awards presented to victors.
From the Paper "An event that was intended to show all-round development was the pentathlon. Five events were included in this activity. They were running, long jumping, discus throw, javelin throw, and wrestling. The exact order of events and the precise method of determining a winner are not known. Wrestling is believed to have been the last event and may have decided the winner of the pentathlon if a participant did not have a clear advantage in the first four events. Historians have somewhat been able, with some degree of certainty, to determine how the winner of the pentathlon was actually decided. If a point system had been employed, as in our modern games, there would be no difficulty in crowning a champion; however, no evidence has been produced to support a point system in the Greek pentathlon. With the absence of such a scoring system, we are able only to present some theories and assumptions about the Greek pentathlon."
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to provide an exegesis of a portion of Genesis regarding the meanings and implications of the change of Jacob's name to Israel. The plan of the research will be to set forth the background and context of the events in which the name change is described, and then to discuss ways in which the change reaches narrative and theological meaning for the writers of Genesis and the audience at which the book was directed.
Jacob's name change is specifically cited in two places in Genesis, at 32:23-31, when the angel that Jacob wrestles with says that Jacob's future name will be Israel, and at 35:10-12, when God appears to Jacob and more formally blesses him and designates the change. The most important feature of the background of and context for these passages is the status of Jacob.."
Examines the positive and negative effects, gender issues, competition, the role of parents and coaches, moral development, physical requirements, injuries, protective equipment and diet.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 15 sources, 1999, $ 119.95
Abstract "Controlled sports permeate the everyday life of American society. Even young children are affected through their exposure to organized athletics, which include baseball/softball, soccer, football, karate/judo, wrestling, field/ice hockey, lacrosse, boxing, and rugby.
From the Paper "Controlled sports permeate the everyday life of American society. Even young children are affected through their exposure to organized athletics, which include baseball/softball, soccer, football, karate/judo, wrestling, field/ice hockey, lacrosse, boxing, and rugby. Participation in such sports can have both a positive and negative effect on the lives of children.
Griffin (1998) offers research and personal insight on organized athletics in an attempt to help parents make decisions about their children and sports. One of the main issues the author addresses is what impact sports have on the social, physical, and moral development of children. The basis of this book is that children see sports as more than just enjoyment and the enhancement of physical skills, particularly for the child who is an enthusiastic participant: "sports is about growing up ..."
Abstract The problems of society are usually blamed on the media, however most of the problems result from other ills of society, not just the media. The paper shows that violence in the media is unavoidable - whether it is on the news or on a child's televison show, it is always accessible to anyone who wants to view it. The paper argues that since there are no available soulutions to this, the only option is for parents to talk to their children and for people to realize that this is just another form of entertainment.
From the Paper "Children will see 100,000 acts of simulated violence by the end of elementary school" (Day 65). The media has become a pivotal part of the average person's life. There are so many different forms of media to become involved in; a person cannot live without television, radio, newspapers, magazines, books and films. The average person is exposed to the media about 20 percent of the time he is awake on a typical day (Berger 30). Violence has become a problem in society as well, and a good scapegoat for this problem is media violence (Manson 23). Some believe that the violence in media affects children and causes these children to commit crimes. Meanwhile, others believe there is no problem with portraying violence; Jib Fowles said, ?"this whole episode of studying television violence is going to be seen by history as a travesty. It's going to be used in classes as an example of how social science can just go totally awry" (Rhodes 57). Some still believe that the images of violence shown or described by media create the violence in society (Berger 18).
Abstract This paper discusses how in April of 1981, the tension between the police and Afro-Caribbean youths living in Inner London exploded in the Brixton Riots. It examines how the riots were the culmination of many factors that had ravaged the community in Brixton including unemployment, poverty and police harassment. It evaluates the then two-year old Conservative government, which had been wrestling already with a major economic downturn the Winter of Discontent in 1979 and the transition from an industrial economy to a post-industrial economy. It covers the main events during the riots and the post effect on other London ethnic minority groups.
From the Paper "Beginning in 1975, Britain had seen its general unemployment rise steadily. By 1979, workers in many sectors, including sanitation and transport were striking. The winter of 1978-1979 was called The Winter of Discontent as thousands of people were put out of work and thousands more were striking in a nearly general strike in protest of wage restraint. Bodies were piling up at the morgue, garbage bags on the streets, and the feeling of the working class and poor was growing more and more hostile. Although inflation had stabilized by 1979 unemployment remained stubbornly high, hovering at more than 7%."
Abstract Theologians, Biblical scholars and Christians all over the world often wrestle with two extremely important questions about their faith. These questions are, "What is God like"? and "How should we live in response to God"? Through references to four experts in the field of theology, Kathleen Norris, Saint Augustine, Monika Hellwig and Dorothy Day, this paper compares different views on each of the questions. The paper shows that the common denominator between the views examined is that everyone agrees that in order to truly live in response to God, we need other people. Some feel that we need others to direct us, some feel we need them to challenge us, some feel that we need them so that we have people to love, but everyone agrees that we need others.
From the Paper "Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk, makes it abundantly clear that she believes that God most often reveals himself through our actions and through our connections with other people. She feels that God has given us the tools to get started on our journey of faith, love, and life, but we need to rely on other people to get the full experience. Not only do we need others to help us learn and grow, but we also need to challenge each other to become better Christians. By constantly challenging each other, we make sure that we will never stop striving to become better Christians. Since such great happiness lies in a good relationship with God, the people that challenge us help us to become better, happier people."
Abstract Descartes' "The First Meditation", subtitled "What can be called into doubt," opens with a Meditator reflecting upon the volume of falsehoods he has believed during his life and on the subsequent shakiness of the body of knowledge he has built up from these falsehoods. He has resolved to clear away all that he thinks he knows to start anew from the foundations, reconstructing his knowledge once more on stable grounds. "Meditations", Volume 1 focuses upon the skepticism of a man confronting the instability of his perceptions of reality and upon life itself. He questions his senses, wrestles with deciding upon the Deific or Satanic origins of his deception and ultimately determines that he cannot doubt the reality of his own existence. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the nature of Descartes' skepticism relating to the "First Meditation", and to demonstrate the fallacy of his argument.
Abstract This paper examines the conflict, contrast, and contradiction in "As You Like It", as well as its host of colorful characters. The main theme of disguise is discussed in detail, and a summary of the play's plot with examples illustrating the main is provided.
From the Paper "The central theme of disguise makes its way into this early scene in the play, too. Orlando, Oliver's younger brother and surprise victor in the wrestling match, fights under a false identity. The wrestling scene therefore contains elements of disguise and of excitement, which both continue throughout the play. Moreover, the figure of Touchstone the Jester adds the necessary color and confusion that also characterizes As You Like It."
