15. June 2009 by student.

 By Elizabeth Severo

     Over the years society has received mixed signals about the phrase, “In God we trust?”  Some people argue that this set of words violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as an establishment of religion and that it should not be used as our national motto or on our U.S. coins and currency.  Katherine T. Phan, Christian Post reporter writes in her article, ‘In God We Trust’ Marks 50th Anniversary Amid Controversy, “After 50 years of appearing on the back of U.S. dollar bills, the words “In God We Trust” continue to be at the center of debate with some courts examining whether references to God in the public sphere violates the Constitution’s separation of church and state.”          The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html).          ”In God We Trust was placed on U. S. coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War.  On July 30, 1956, a law was passed by the 84^th Congress, which was approved by the President declaring “In God We Trust” to be the national motto of the United States (www.ustreas.gov/).  The Critics contend that the motto’s placement on money constitutes the establishment of a religion or a church by the government. The Supreme Court has upheld the motto because it has “lost through rote repetition any significant religious content” so-called acts of “ceremonial deism” that have lost their “history, character, and context.”  In such related decisions as Zorach v. Clauson, the Supreme Court has also held that the nation’s “institutions presuppose a Supreme Being” and that government recognition of God does not constitute the establishment of such a state church as the Constitution’s authors intended to prohibit (http://en.wikipedia.org).   In addition, the motto is still widely supported by Americans and according to the 2003 Gallup poll, 90% of Americans approved of the inscription on U.S. currency.       There are so many “religions” in the world, couldn’t the word, “God,” be interpreted to mean any God?  To a Christian, “Jesus,” is God, what about Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam?  Maybe the other religions have a different name for their God or Gods, but like the Supreme Court stated, “The nation’s “institutions presuppose a Supreme Being” and that government recognition of God does not constitute the establishment of such as a state church.”  Maybe the original idea behind “In God We Trust,” was instilled from a Christian perspective, but today, even the Supreme Court is declaring otherwise.  Diana Kendall writes in her book, Sociology in our times, “Language is a set of symbols that expresses ideas and enables people to think and communicate with one another.”  Isn’t the word “God,” just another symbol that is interpreted in the mind of the individual?  Do any two people have the same visual picture of what and who God really is?  What color is God’s skin?  Is he old or young?  What color are his eyes?  I say he, but is our superior being a male or female or any gender for that matter?  Does any one really know?  “God” may be the english word for the Supreme Being in the United States and inside english speaking countries, but does it constitute a specific religion?  In english, Judaism calls their spiritual leader, “God.” Diana Kendall also defines religion as, “a system of beliefs and practices (rituals) – based on some sacred or supernatural realm – that guides human behavior, gives meaning to life, and unites believers into a single moral community.”  Does the motto, “In God We Trust” fall under that definition?  Which God?  Who’s God?  Is society allowing history to play a role in the controversy?  The symbolic Interactionist perspective on religion is that “it may serve as a reference group for many people, but because of race, class, and gender, people may experience it differently.”  There are so many different views on a micro and macro level, so do we know, is “God” a religion?  And by the demonstration that our society trusts in him/her or otherwise, are we violating our first amendment?  

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15. June 2009 by student.

Growing up I was always taught that GOD made Adam & Eve not Adam & Steve. However, this day in age our society is changing rapidly. Same sex marriages & relationships are more common. Those who are religious & stick to their culture beliefs oppose to same sex relationships. Should we be worried about same sex relationships? Are we losing sleep at night because this is happening? Chances no we are not and if that’s the relationship they chose to be in then, only they no why? After all even though most don’t agree, it is their life. Depending on who you are in society depends on how much this topic bothers you. The Washington Post in a June 2008 article says that same-sex couples are as committed and happy in their romantic relationships as heterosexual couples.

Not only are relationships of the same sex happening but, now they are getting married and even adopting children. There many laws & people apposing to any of these choices. Some people cannot fathom the idea of same sex relationships. Not only are the adults having same sex relationships but, as many as 7.2 million Americans under age 20 are lesbian or gay (according to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).In high school it is also more commo to see gay & lesbian relationships.

What does society think of this? Well  55% of Americans would object to having a gay elementary school teacher 49%of Americans would object to having a gay doctor (PFLAG). If your own child came out and said they were in a same sex relationship would you disown them? People have concerns due to the times changing and this being seen more around the country. Even some celebrities are in same sex relationships ex: Ellen DeGeneres &Portia Rossi tied the knot in April of 2008. My guess is that these relationships are not going to stop any time soon, so those who are not for it really cant do nothing about it. Even though their beliefs are against it. We all do things in life that others may not believe in.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

15. June 2009 by student.

   After years of caring for my mother with dementia in our home, it became necessary for my father and I to place her in a skilled nursing facility.  The cost of this care is approximately $6,300/month which my father pays from his savings.  It is not an upscale home and is actually the least expensive “skilled nursing home” that we could find.  Her needs require a restraint so that she doesn’t fall out of her wheelchair.  A less accredited facility, and therefore less costly, such as an “assisted living home” is not licensed to restrain at all.  Given these parameters, there are very few choices.  The other twenty residents on her wing are all on Medicaid, a joint federal/state funded program to help those in need without funds.  Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health related services for people with limited income in the U.S.  It is a needs-based social welfare program with eligibility determined by income.  The nurses and staff caring for the patients within the nursing home do not know the difference between  who is private pay and who is not, and for this, I am grateful.  Hopefully, everyone is treated with dignity and respect regardless of funding.  Unfortunately, my father is not as forgiving of the system as he sees his life-long savings disappear.  He is unable to find rationale for why his sacrifice over his lifetime to save every dime he could results in such inequitable distribution of government funding (to which he has also contributed to all of his working life).  What is the motivation to save for your future when, had you not saved, the government will pay for your eventual needs anyway?  Many families have re-framed their economic plans based on this anticipated government intervention.   However, the federal and state governments cannot continue to support the growing number of elderly at this expense and the Medicaid program will be discontinued at a time when many families will be counting on it.  On November 25th, 2008, a new federal law was passed that allows states to charge premiums and higher co-payments to Medicaid participants.  Although this rule will increase state revenues, there is a major concern that it will dis-incentivize low income people to seek health care.  Many countries around the world are struggling as well and are racing to meet these growing long-term needs.  Each society chooses its own unique path to parity; to what degree is one’s wealth owed to the society at large.  What portion of that wealth is then given back in one’s old age to reduce the burden on society of one’s care under which they thrived?

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15. June 2009 by student.

How our society has made these procedures so popular? In these tough economic times, cosmetic surgery rates have increased dramatically. According with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2008, around 12,903.620 people performed cosmetic procedures in USA. 8,983 were breast augmentation procedures in young women between the ages of 18 and 19; and 3,979 were liposuctions performed in patients between 13 to 19 years old, which is one of the top grad’s wish list. “Adolescents undoubtedly are more conscious of plastic surgery options now”, the desire for teen cosmetic surgery has been encouraged by television shows representing extreme makeovers, in addition to society’s growing acceptance of plastic surgery in general but some adolescents doesn’t outweigh the risks in this practice.
Societal factors playing a role in this include the growing emphasis on personal gratification and youth and the tendency to insist on the perfection of the body.
“Sociology analyzes cosmetic surgery as the alteration of the body in order to cohere to societal constructs of beauty”; Consequently, when we determine that our own bodies do not measure up to the ultimate feminine body shape, we start to view our bodies, or certain parts of our bodies, as problematic. Furthermore, we are told, through various media forms, that cosmetic surgery is the instrument we should use to “fix” our problematic bodies.
Feminism and the concept of gender also play key roles in this sociological transformation. “Indirect Messages from partners, employers, and the media, as well as real discrimination against certain groups of people, can all have an impact on a woman’s aesthetic sense of her own body that may coerce her – subtly or explicitly – to think that she needs surgery”(Rome, p.4)
Cosmetic surgery turned into a cultural motivation, we are so used to believe in the media images that it becomes so real to us, and those images are completely altering our society. We are living in a consumer culture that is transforming our everyday lives and behavior.

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15. June 2009 by student.

We all know that in life death is the only thing promised; however, some go and find it before their time. Youth suicide rate is jumping according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)  & medical news today. The rate has jumped an 8%, for males and females aged 10-24. What is causing our youth to take their own life, at such a young age. School bullying is a big factor of youth suicide. Just in April 2009 two of America’s youth committed suicide due to being bullied on in school. Both their mother’s are hoping to reach out to America in hopes that this doesn’t happen to any one else’s child.

Whether it’s in the bathroom or the playground many children get bullied at school. As parents the last thing you think of,  is for your own child to take or even consider taking their own life away. Most people think that their children attend school to get an education not, to get picked on by other students. It starts at home disciplining your children not to be bully’s at school and treat others how you expect to be treated. How common is school bullying? According to a (psychologymatters.org) 2001 study by psychologist Tonja Nansel, PhD, and colleagues involving more than 15,000 U.S. students in grades six through 10 found that 17 percent of students reported having been bullied “sometimes” or more often during the school year. Approximately 19 percent said they bullied others “sometimes” or more often and six percent reported both bullying others and being a victim of bullying.

Getting picked on day after day at school can leave a child either not wanting to go to school or even worse committing suicide. Suicide should not be the answer for getting picked on at school. There needs to be more programs (especially in Elementary schools) about school bullying, just like there is programs such as DARE for drug prevention. How many more of our youth will continue to commit suicide due to school bullying? Let’s punish the bully’s so, the youth wont be scared to attend their own school. Not only does bullying lead to suicide but, also school shooting which ends up the shooter commits suicide after there shooting spree. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre said that bullying was one of he motives for the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold bot were bullied at school. After killing 12 students, one teacher, and injuring 21 others they ended it by committing suicide.

America needs to find a solution to bullying otherwise our youth will continue down this path. School should be a safe place and at times it’s not.

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