28. April 2009 by student.

In high school it is almost a given that students cheat all the time. However when you get to college it is a totally different ball field. Cheating is a big deal in college, and it is not taken lightly. According to about.com just recently at the University of Virginia a large part of an economics class was caught cheating and everyone involved was expelled. As a freshman you are introduced to what is called the honor code. It outlines the rules and repercussions when caught cheating. When caught cheating one of the biggest things you lose that is often overlooked is you credibility. In high school it isn’t as big of a deal if you’re caught cheating, once the year is over you probably won’t have that teacher again. But in college you will need your professors for recommendations for things such as internships, scholarships, jobs and much more. Don’t forget it is a big possibility you can get expelled from college for cheating. If you are caught cheating their opinion of your professors and advisors will not be the same because you lost your credibility. According to caveon.com “75% of college student admitted to cheating and 90% of college students didn’t believe cheaters would be caught.”  What drives all these college students to cheating? According to collegecheating.com cheaters claim,

·         It’s easy to do

·         The rules are unfair

·         This is more work that I can possibly do

·         The professor doesn’t care

·         It probably won’t be detected

·         The professor is an incorrigible pompous buffoon

·         Everyone else is cheating

·         If I don’t cheat too, I will loose

·         Everybody lies!

But when you are cheating you are really not gaining anything. Just a quick grade, but in the long run even if you don’t get caught you never learned the material. Especially if the subject is math, if you don’t understand the material from the beginning your problem will only snowball and you will be forever lost in the subject. One of the most major reasons to NOT cheat is all the software out there that can easily detect cheating. Such as turnitin.com, it detects what you copied, what percent of your paper is copied, and gives the source you copied from.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

28. April 2009 by student.

    Politic is the human activity that tends to govern or manage the action of the state to the benefit of a society. Politic is the ideologically process oriented to take decisions to achieve the common goals of a society.     

     A couple of days ago the president of the U.S, Barack Obama went to Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas. Then, something occurred that made notice in the whole world. President Obama shook hands with the anti-American President Hugo Chavez. Many people saw this gesture from president Obama as a good attitude, while others thought it was wrong. Personally, I believe president Obama showed how a real leader must behave in this kind of situation.     

     We all know how Hugo Chavez has talked about U.S. qualifying this country as imperialist. In addition, a couple of months ago Chavez insulted president Obama by calling him an ignorant. For this reason, I think Obama should get more credit for shaking the hand of a real ignorant President as Chavez. Obama demonstrated how a good leader must behave by not showing anger against Chavez. If all political leaders would follow this example, the world will start improving moralistically.         

     I know that Venezuela is divided politically. Even here in the U.S if you ask people from Venezuela their opinion about Chavez, some might said he is a great leader who helps poor people in their country while others consider him a dictator who does whatever he wants.    

     In my opinion, Hugo Chavez is a bad leader. Let’s imagine that he is really helping the poor people of his country and doing good things for the developing of Venezuela. Do his “good actions” give him the right to promote the hate against U.S, not just in Venezuela but in Latin America? Of course not, a true leader would promote the peace between all nations. Since the arrived of Chavez countries like: Bolivia and Nicaragua started   an alliance with him, to harm U.S image. 

     Another thing that made news around the world was the fact that President Chavez gave President Obama a book about Latin America which he accepted. Personally, I believe that President Chavez should get a book about Urbanity and Public Speech. A lot of times people have seen in the news how rudely he expresses himself. Again, I ask another question, should a true leader express the way Chavez does? Of course not, his behavior denigrates Venezuela and all his people. After all he is representing a whole nation. Chavez’s behavior projects a bad image for the international community.    

     In conclusion, I believe Obama played well his role in this Summit of the Americas. He showed respect and promoted peace for all the nations. Chavez on the other hand might change his ideas about the U.S. Hopefully for the brothers of Venezuela some day they would have a leader who represents their country at the high they deserved.            

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28. April 2009 by student.

Childhood obesity is an ongoing epidemic in the United States with many consequences that often continue into adulthood. An important factor in controlling the childhood obesity epidemic is to implement prevention programs and for society to have a better understanding of treatments for children. Childhood obesity refers to both children and adolescents. Generally between the ages of six and seventeen. There are numerous factors that contribute to childhood obesity, some can be monitored and others such as thyroid problems are sometimes undetectable.  According to the American Obesity Association some of the factors of childhood obesity that can be monitored include physical activity, and inactive behavior. An unchangeable cause could be genetics. Education of what causes obesity and how to live a healthy lifestyle are imperative to prevention of childhood obesity. Teaching healthy behaviors at a young age is the best time to begin preventing childhood obesity. As you get older it becomes more difficult to change your habits such as physical activity and nutrition. Eating healthy and staying active should be taught and reinforced often, at both home and in schools.

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28. April 2009 by student.

One main issue with society and drug abuse is defining exactly what drug abuse it. Society often views drug abuse as a choice that those who suffer from drug abuse lack the willpower to stop. However studies do show that drug abuse is a disease and that drugs alter the brain in many ways that make it virtually impossible to overcome drug abuse without outside help. Drug abuse is a major problem in society and has a massive impact on the economy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug abuse is a major burden on society. The estimated total of costs of drug abuse in the United States surpasses half a trillion dollars annually. These expenses include heath, crime related costs, and loss in productivity. Other effects caused by drug abuse include family disintegration, unemployment, failure in school, domestic violence, child abuse, and many others.

                The definition of drug abuse According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse is, “Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those around them.” Although the initial choice to start taking the drug is voluntary, after some time the drugs alter the brain so that their self control and ability to make smart decisions withers. Drug addiction can be managed successfully similar to other “chronic, relapsing diseases” such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease.

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28. April 2009 by student.

Living together as well as having sex before marriage has become a norm 
in society.  Most believe that it makes complete sense and that it’s 
also healthy to sleep and live with the person they intend to marry 
before they take that next step of commitment through marriage to 
confirm their compatibility.  In most cases living and sleeping 
together before marriage is thought to be a usual next step in a 
relationship.  Despite what people think to be true, living together 
before marriage actually raises the percentage of divorce fifty 
percent.  According to “Sociological Reasons Not to Live Together” :

- Those who live together do not experience the best sex.
 http://www.leaderu.com/critical/cohabitation-socio.html RayFowler.Org also states that:

- A Penn State study reports that even a month’s cohabitation decreases 
the quality of the couple’s relationship. 
http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/04/18/statistics-on-living-together-before-marriage/ So if the facts are clear that living and sleeping together before 
marriage lead to a less successful marriage as well as less fulfilling 
sex in marriage then why does society continue to live and sleep 
together before marriage? 
It’s because people have the free will to do so.  People don’t want to 
follow rules but want the choice of doing what they want to do despite 
the truth.  
 

Living and sleeping together outside the commitment of marriage causes 
unnecessary arguments, trust problems, and the excuse to not even get 
married at all.  It’s a free country. People in America can choose to 
do what they want when it comes to this topic. The American culture has 
changed.  The values and standards which were once lived by are no 
longer set in stone.  Sex and living together outside of marriage has 
become acceptable.  But those who sleep together and live together 
outside of marriage are depriving themselves from the most fulfilling 
and successful marriage.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

28. April 2009 by student.

Bullying used to be framed by the media as just what kids did and that it was normal. If a child was bullied they were often told to toughen up and “stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” But in reality words hurt people sometimes even more than physical brutality would. Everyone is affected by bullying all ages, genders, and races. There are many reasons to why people bully such as poor relationships with their parents. Whether it is inconsistent discipline, physical punishment or even lack of attention. A few other reasons why people bully include school failure and peer rejection.

                A newer form of bullying is cyberbullying. With networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace becoming more popular every day, many people abuse the sites. Such as the case in Missouri where a mother bullied her daughter’s friend over MySpace and the girl committed suicide over it. The woman wasn’t convicted on any charges. This only shows other kids that cyberbullying is ok an even promotes it. Or even in Miami last year a girl wrote posts about her teacher on Facebook. The two months later was suspended for her post because it was taken as a non verbal assault.

                There are a handful of programs to help stop bullying. One of the programs is called Silence Hurts. Silence Hurts was made to encourage students to report any bullying they see or experience. They can tell a teacher or adult they feel they can trust. There is even a hotline that is anonymous that students can call to report bullying.  Silence Hurts was created to help prevent tragedies such as Columbine. For every country there are many websites with resources on how to deal with bullies.

                I feel like even though bullying has recently been recognized as unacceptable behavior school and communities should implement programs for children to learn at a young age what bullying is and how it really does hurt people. Schools should create annual projects for each class, and have student create rules about bullying. Also in the household parent should create an environment where their kids feel safe and comfortable. The idea that being bullied isn’t the victims fault is imperative for children to know.

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28. April 2009 by student.

The United States educational system requires children to attend school from kindergarten through eighth grade.  This generally is from elementary school through middle school. In many states upon entering high school and becoming 16 years old, a student is legally allowed to remove themselves from school without earning a diploma. The majority of control over the educational system lies within the state. According to the National Academies Press the state allots authority over the education system locally.  This allows the school district or local government to control the funding and condition of the education system in each city.

                In an effort to better the education system, President Bush proposed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. According to ED.Gov the goal of the No Child Left Behind Act is to gain “stronger accountability for results, expanded flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work.”

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28. April 2009 by student.

Crime in the United States is higher than crime in other developed countries. A hypothesis as to why crime is higher is that criminals are more likely to have firearms in the United States. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s preliminary semiannual uniform crime report for January to June 2008, crime rate overall in the United States during 2008 had decreased since 2007. Violent crimes which include murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault decreased 2.5 percent. Property crimes such as burglary, and theft decreased by 2.5 percent.

According to Bakersfeild.com crime rate in Bakersfield has increased by 4 percent when compared to the statistics from this time last year.  According to Baersfeild.com “property crimes of burglary, larceny and auto theft all increased.” The logistics compared to this time last year of the increase in crime are as follows according to police and Bakersfeild.com. Within the first three months of the year property crime increased by 5.9 percent while violent crime decreased by 8.6 percent. While homicides and rapes increased, aggravated assaults decreased. Half of the homicides were gang related and gang related shootings increased from ten to eleven. There was an increase in daytime and commercial burglaries, increasing burglary up by 7.1 percent.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

28. April 2009 by student.

Any kind of hope for economic recovery in the United States is on hold as government leaders estimate a worst case scenario of the swine flu. Government leaders and major employers have been planning for nearly four years in case of a worldwide plague. According to The Associated Press, if a worldwide pandemic is to happen about two percent of the infected people will die. That estimates around two million Americans. A pandemic similar to the 1918 Spanish flu could sicken 90 million Americans. Of which about 1/9^th would have to be admitted to the hospital, and as many as 1.5 million could need intensive care. Of those in intensive care as many as 750,000 could need mechanical ventilators to assist their breathing.

                However according to worst case models run by local and national agencies, the ill wouldn’t be the only ones who would be affected by the pandemic. Schools would close to prevent further spread of the possible plague. Family member would stay home to take care of their loved ones who are sick. People would rent movies and stay in the house rather than go out to the movie theater out of fear of getting sick themselves.  Business travel and meetings would be replaced by telephone conferences and thus hotels, restaurants, and airlines would lose business. People will avoid using city buses, trains, and subways. The Trust for America’s Health estimated that a brutal pandemic would decrease the United States production by about 5.5 percent.

                All over the United States various officials are preparing in case the swine flu becomes a worldwide plague. According to The Associated Press Homeland Security is even preparing if the swine flu becomes a full plague. Disease Detectives are following multiple outbreaks which seem to all have one common denominator, Mexico.  Preparation for a worldwide pandemic began in 2005 during the bird flu.

So even with all the preparation and planning to help America recover from the economic crisis, a pandemic threatens to worsen it. Not only will out economy suffer another blow, all the time planning will have been for basically nothing. Experts say no matter how much planning or estimating is done if the swine flu becomes a worldwide plague out country is really going to be in for a rough time.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

28. April 2009 by student.

Torture is the act of inflicting excruciating pain, as punishment or revenge, as a means of getting a confession or information, or for sheer cruelty. Everyone has their own opinion about torture. Some may like the idea of torturing certain or all people and others are peaceful people and hate the idea of being tortured or anyone else being tortured.

There are many types of torture such as pinching someone or physically ripping their flesh. There is also mental torture where a person basically messes around with a person’s mind and emotional torture where some one plays with a person’s emotions.

 In my opinion, torture is necessary to a limit for correction, structure, and order. As I grew up, my parents whipped me when I disobeyed them. I remember, when I was about in middle school, I got whipped for saying something that displeased my mother. After getting whipped, I had to stay on my knees for an hour on the ground. I am sure the system my parents used to correct me was a form of torture, but I do not disagree with them. I believe what they did made me a more respectful and better person. I also think that I might actually use their system when I get older. Usually the way a child was brought is used through their child. It is because the child was taught that way is best to raise up a child.

I realize that if I would whip my children to correct them, my parents would be proud of me. That is the way they expect me to have order in the household, which is kind of the same way America wants order in our nation. The way America operates is the same way they want us citizens to operate. Basically, America wants to follow structured rules and orders and when they do not go accordingly as planned we are punished.

Michael wants us to torture terrorist that brought a threat upon America. He has a point because if someone can save more lives by putting one’s life at stake, which is a risk someone has to make. I believe it is wrong to torture but depends on the situation, it can be necessary. It is people like Michael who changes America to the worse but I think it better for America’s safety.

I am positive America has an effect on me personally, because I am used to the American culture. If I were to go to Africa or India, I would be uncomfortable staying there because I am not used to their culture and their systems. I would want to come back to America immediately especially if I were to do something to disrespect their country. They would probably put me in jail and torture me in their style of cruelty, which is probably worse the American torturing.

America gives us an opportunity to have freedom but they also say do not let anything come between you and your dreams. America is a greedy nation because we rather take other countries products to sell in America and if we don’t get what we want we throw a fit about it. For example: When Bush was president, He caused a war between America and Iraq because Iraq had oil and He wanted oil. All because of Bush wanting oil, we lost Billions of dollars, many troops died, and the economy is totally down. Who knows how many people who were tortured to get more information to win the war and the troops who died for pride and oil, because we already have freedom. He basically shows how the American society is on desires.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »