10. April 2009 by student.

Net Addiction

A lot of people spend a lot of time surfing the net.  They look for interesting web sites, download music, videos, games or chat with people all over the world. However, some people spend many hours on internet that they are internet addicts. Because addicts spend so much time interacting with the computer their lives can be negatively affected. They star becoming antisocial, because they stop going out and talking people face to face. They avoid real life situations, preferring instead to be in a room using their computers surfing in an imaginary world.

According to an article of CNS Spectrums called:  “The international Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine.”

·         More than one in eight adults in US show signs of being addicted to the internet, a study has shown.

·         “Addicts” showed signs of compulsive internet use, habitually checking e-mail, websites and chat rooms.

·         More than 8% of the 2,513 respondents to the Stanford University phone survey said they hid their use from partners.·         A typical addict is a single, white college-educated male in his 30s, who spends more than 30 hours a week on “non-essential” computer use, it found.

·         We often focus on how wonderful the internet is; how simple and efficient it can make things,” said Dr Elias Aboujaoude of the Stanford University School of Medicine and one of the researchers behind the study. “But we need to consider the fact that it creates real problems for a subset of people.”  

Obsessive behavior

·         Previous studies have shown that a significant number of people could be addicted to the internet. For example, a 1999 Center for Internet Studies survey of 18,000 internet users found that 5.7% had signs of “compulsive” internet use. Since then the internet has become quicker, richer in content and more accessible because of technology such as wireless.

·         As a response, internet addiction clinics have sprung up around the world to try wean people off their cyberspace fix. Last year, China opened its first clinic in Beijing. However, researchers say it is not clear whether compulsive internet use is a distinct problem or an expression of other underlying problems such as obsessive compulsive disorders.

·         The new study questioned 2,513 people in the US about their online habits. The results showed that nearly 14% of respondents found it difficult to stay away from the internet for periods of several days.

·         Almost 6% said they felt their wanderings in cyberspace adversely affected their relationships with other people. ·         Nearly 8% of people said they went online to escape real world problems. Behavior like this, the researchers said, show similarities with other types of addictions such as alcoholism. Other parallels include hiding their online behavior. ·         “The issue is starting to be recognized as a legitimate object of clinical attention, as well as an economic problem, given that a great deal of non-essential internet use takes place at work,” said Dr Aboujaoude.

Internet is a great tool that facility us doing many things. However, as it is stated in the article when people become addicted to the internet they might need to start controlling its use. In conclusion, even though the internet is an excellent source of information and entertainment, people must not let it take over their lives. 

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10. April 2009 by student.

I recently visited the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, which for those of you who are not familiar with the coalition it is an organization that fights for fare wages and fare working conditions for workers in the fields of immokalee. I visited immokalee with my sociology of food class. We went to immokalee to examine first hand all the complicated political issues surrounding food. The more i dig into these issues the more complicated they seem to become, i witnessed first hand the injustice these workers have to endure. Many people think that the majority of these workers are undocumented workers but in fact most are documented. The coalition gave us an extensive presentation which helped us understand  is what happening in immokalee. The coalition is fighting for fair pay for the workers, they are fighting the growers to charge one more penny per pound. They are having trouble getting the growers to pass the one penny on to the workers, there is a grower’s commission that is imposing a $100,000 fine on growers who pass the penny on even thought all the big buyers are paying that extra penny??? that seems so unfair and where is all that money going, will they ever receive it?

From a sociological perspective this seems to fit in best with the conflict theory. The conflict theory would suggest that in the struggle for power and resources that the farm workers are making unjust wages and have unjust wages at the expense of the farm owners and large corporations buying the tomatoes. In order to have a working society we need the farm workers to continue with these injustices occurring. The conflict theory might also suggest that conflict is everywhere and this is just one more to add to the pile, as well as inequality is widespread and the farm workers are not the only ones experiencing inequality.

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10. April 2009 by student.

I am future teacher. So many issues surrounding education have kept me very interested but what I do not understand is why so many children dread go to school? I have always loved school but I seem to be an exception. When children are young they ask everything about everything always wanting to know more about the world they live in but when they reach school age an interesting change occurs, they begin to not ask so many question and they begin to take the back seating in the learning process. I believe this is our American school system is failing our future generations. They stifle creative thought and questioning. The system seems to get “rushed” like so many other facets of our life; our nation is truly becoming a fast food nation even in our school systems.  They seem to rush kids to make it to certain “benchmarks” which have to be done on the schools pace…. i.e. one school year, before students can move on to the next grade level. By having the pressure on teachers to get their students to a certain place in a curriculum before a certain date they leave no time for teachers to stop and give the students the attention they truly need to be good facilitators of learning. This is all compounded by the threat of not receiving money to run their schools and pay their teachers. hummm……..  The world revolves around money even our schools?!?!?!?!  By letting this occur we basically put the brakes on learning.

                I propose that get schools get rid of the grade system all together.  Instead they use a benchmark system that allows students to move from level to level when they are ready. For example if one student needs to stay at level one for two years while another student may finish all the benchmarks in six months and move on to the next level. This would keep students involved and hopefully interested!

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10. April 2009 by student.

Who are we to choose the destiny of another person. This is a big sociological issue throughout America today. To many people this is killing a person but to others this is to put one out of their misery. There are six different types of Euthanasia some of which are; Active, Passive, Voluntary, Involuntary, and Non-voluntary. Reguardless of what view a person might have people should come to conclusion by determining a person’s decision early on in life so that there will not be conflict if this were to ever occur.

Some ways to solve this issue may be to have a written will or to discuss with a particular family member and leave the permission only to them.

A prime example of a Euthanasia conflict which hit headlines throughout american was the Terri Shaivo case. Protests broke out everywhere throughout the U.S. to take a stand against Euthanasia. Terri’s husband and Parent’s faught for years to come to a conclusion on this case. In the end the life of Terri Shaivo was taken.

Euthanasia is a serious issue, I believe Euthansia should not be allowed due to the fact that our destiny lies in the eyes of our beholder, not what a physcian thinks. Doctors these days are always making mistakes, when it is our time to go we will be ready. Until then, things shall go the way “he has it planned.”

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10. April 2009 by student.

Many people remain uneducated today due to the high cost of college tuition. It was recently announced that all college tuitions are to be raised 25% by next fall of 2010. This is sad, we provide many children throughout grades k-12 with public schooling why doesn’t this continue. Many families are struggling to provide for themselves let alone send a family member away to college. As a college student it is roughly about $2000 a semester for tution to attend classes here at FGCU.

European countries are entitled to free schooling all throughout college.

If college tuition was paid for and schooling was free we would have a more educated society. This would benefit all Americans to persure their dreams, and enables them to aspire and create something of themselves. This year with Obama elected as president he has mentioned  on several occasions to try to get college tuition paid, and will allow all students to attend classes for free. Also, as stated before in my previous blog the economy is so poor right now that people are barely able to place food on their tables to feed their families let alone pay for colleges expenses.

 College tuition is a big sociological issue amongst American’s. 

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10. April 2009 by student.

 Heathcare costs in America have a big social impact on all united states citizens. Many people can not afford insurance these days, let alone a $1000 bill from the emergency room just to recieve a bandaid or wrap placed on your arm. Unlike Canadians, all Americans have to pay for their heathcare costs. It is bad enough that people will always become sick one time or another, but why should we have to pay. Not only do we pay our tax dollars, why should we have to pay health care cost as well. We would have a more healthier society. 

What about the social classes? This effects the lower and middle class mainly because they are just barely making it by. With such a bad economy today, how are they to afford even more expenses? The upper class is not as affected by this because they can afford to purchase the medication and take on all the expenses to go along with surgical procedures if nessecary.

If our healthcare was paid for many more americans would be debt free. We would have more happier families and less dying people due to neglect or no medical attention.

In conclusion, health care cost should be provided by our government to help provide us with a healthier tomorrow.

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10. April 2009 by student.

Alcoholism is a common disease that has evolved over the years. It is a horrific disease that is caused by the consumption of alcohol. This disease can take one’s life, simply by drying out the liver until it have strunk to the size of a grape. Alcoholism is not only harmful to the person consuming the alcohol but the loved ones and friends surrounding that person. Alcohol can make person become irrate, beligerant, or even violent. These outbreaks could occur anytime during the consumption of alcohol. Alcoholism can lead to jail time. Alcoholism is one the leading factors to DUI’s in America. People who suffer from this disease are said to not be able to function properly without their daily dose. The addiction or craving is what causes the person to continously drink.

Domestic violence is another factor that can be catergorized as an affect of alcoholism. An intoxicated person may become violent towards family member and friends at any time of consumption. This may cause them to blow up, and either mentally abuse or physically abuse the child(ren) or even the spouse. Fighting is a common effect of alcoholism.

Luckily, today many places offer classes for people to attend to help prevent or cure the alcoholism such as, “Alcohol Anonymous.” Though, it may not help them all, but it will help us by leading us into a more sober tomorrow.

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10. April 2009 by student.

 Today it is common for you to come across many tourists, or traveling foreigners. They may be at hotels, shopping malls, or even gas stations. Though English is not our Native Language in America it would be more convienient for traveling foreigners to know the English language. By knowing the English language this will not only benefit the travelers but also the people whom are to assist them. Knowing  Enlish could possibly prevent them from becoming lost, being overcharged, or even to just help them to comprehend a certain situation. There have been many situations that have occured at my workplace, “Abercrombie,” were I was unable to help customers because they could not speak English. America is a melting pot of several different types of ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Although, we may not all speak the same language we should take some time to determine a better solution to communication. Sometimes is too expensive to be able to afford classes, it is also to hard to learn the language for our elders, but we should have a major altimatium to help all people of the US.Therefore we should declare englsih as our native tongue. This is a great way to also benefit not only ourselves but business’s success rate, raise tourism, and guide them through an enjoyable American Stay.

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10. April 2009 by student.

Our society is changing overnight, weather we agree, disagree, or are aware of it… for that matter. New Hampshire, where I was born and raised, is currently debating the issue. In a state I grew up believing “Live Free or Die.” On Thursday March 26th in Concord my state’s capital ” a bid to make same-sex marriages legal narrowly cleared NH House of Representatives” It makes sense in state that hasn’t stopped selling salvia, and doesn’t enforce seatbelt laws past a certain age, that they too would be up for gay rights. Marriage however is where I choke. It’s not that I’m homophobic, or against gender rights, or anything of that nature, because honestly that’s all I’m about. Peace, love, making this world a little less ignorant. The problem I have with it is the Marriage part. Marriage for years, has been regarded by society as a bond between a man and a woman. For centuries and culturally approved, marriage was never between the same sex, never defined along those terms. I hate to throw out the term “civil union” just because it sounds so degrading, like hey you’re love isn’t strong enough to have a title, but the fact is, gay marriage is new to society, since the movement and awareness has spread, rights have been given.  When we look at it from different view points, or for the matter from a sociological stance, the slow revolution makes sense. Gay marriage is not socially accepted.

The House voted, after the first attempt to pass failed, half hour later “it passed after seven House memebers changed sides and three who were present for the first time were absent for the second vote” It’s bill number HB 436 and if passed Legalization of same-sex marriages would occur. The bill was approved, 186-179.

Going back home for a few months in the summer, will be different. Especially if the bill is passed, I’d love to be around up there now to hear the inside scoop. Hear opinions take interviews see what was really going on with John Lynch and the other representatives.

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10. April 2009 by student.

Discrimination? A word we all know, yet none have experienced much… Today I was reading the newspaper and saw an article that called my atention very much. It talked about how much discrimination is affecting the children in school now a day…And I believe not a lot of people recognize discrimination is a social problem anymore…. since America is known as the golden pot, we think we dont’t discriminate anybody anymore. But we are wrong! we should start looking around and stop discriminating those who we believe our less than us.. we should even help those who we see are getting discriminated. The article explained that not only middle school kids but even the high school kids are feeling discriminated by other kids and they are skipping school and missing out on education just because they feel bullied. And that is my point right there… “bullied”, that word explains the  exact meaning of discrimination. Which brings me to my story.. Maybe many don’t care about this.. because this is my persoal life but I thought sharing this with you guys can open many people’s eyes about how bad it feels to be discriminated.. even if it’s just being discriminated in a small way.

 On December, 7th of 2001 I was on my way to school, I was eight years old, in the third grade and it was my first day of school in the United States. As my mom dropped me off in school, I walked as excited as I had never being in my life to class. I had brand new shoes, my uniform was really pretty and my backpack was the coolest one… or so i thought it was. But as I arrived in class I saw all these pretty girls with their blonde hair and all these boys with blue and green eyes.. I felt like it was okay though because me being a browned eyed and dark hair girl was the best thing ever… But I was wrong… as class passed by and lunch hour came.. the teacher lined us up and as we walked out of class I tried talking to one of the girls but I had totally forgotten I didn’t speak any English and they didn’t speak any Spanish, so I just stood in line quiet really bored… I wanted to say something but I couldn’t… so I just looked away and as soon as I looked out the window someone comes near me and pushes me so hard that I fall to the floor.. I looked up and a huge amount of kids were standing around me laughing and calling me names.. I tried not to care so I stood up and kept walking but as the day went by they kept picking on me and pushing me around like a soccer ball. I told the teacher who spoke very little Spanish but she didn’t do anything about it so since back then I had no idea what they were saying… as soon as I got home I told my cousin who understood english and she told me they had called me a brown ugly cuban… that i needed to go back to my country and leave them alone because my uglyness was contagious… When I heard those words, I crashed down.. I really wanted to make friends with them and feed in so I didn’t tell my mom anything.. but as the week passed  by they kept doing the same thing.. Until one day I got home hurt… I had fallen so hard that my ankle got twisted and I had to tell my mom.. so after she found this out she took me out of school and changed me to a private school where there were a lot of hispanics that taught me english really quickly and where I made tons of new friends… But my point is… look at everything that happened to me and neither my parents nor I did anything about it because we didn’t know the languange and couldn’t report this or get help of any kind..

Therefore I believe we should start opening our eyes a little more, because kids are not telling their parents anymore but they are getting bullied in school or at any other place just because of their skin colors, their language or the way they act.. And I think we all know that making fun of a person or treating them the way they treated me is definitely discrimination.. and is something we should try to help in because color, accent, country where we are from, or who we are is nothing more than a label and not something we should be discrimated by…!  

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