4. December 2009 by student.

Embryonic stem cell research is a big possibility for new and better cures for diseases like cancer, M.S., diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and immune and genetic disorders. There is a possibility that it could help those with birth defects and spinal cord injuries.  Also, just by studying the growth of the ball of cells will help scientists understand more of human growth and development.  All of the embryo eggs are donated willingly by the parents to be used in the research, and are stored until they are used in the research.  Scientists could use adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells, but they are not as pluripotent, the ability to form into any type of cell in the body, as embryo stem cells and the adult stem cells are harder to find and scientists have to work fast to get the umbilical cord cells because the window to harvest them is fifteen minutes. However, since it is such a new project (1998), it could take years before they even make big progress. Even though adult stem cells are fewer and harder to find, they are being studied for more alternatives.  Already adult stem cells have helped in some way.  They have helped to cure some diseases: leukemia, sickle cell, anemia, and carcinoma. However, the study of adult stem cells has been around longer. Since embryonic stem cell research has been around for only a few years, scientists are not sure what the rejection rate might be once it is transplanted.  Adult stem cells have a very small rejection rate, but they can be only few different types of cell, unlike embryonic.  Adult stem cells are rare and very hard to extract, scientists are still trying to find a way to grow them in a dish, which does not help a lot, since a lot of cells are needed in replacement therapies.  Like in every other scientific breakthrough, there are ethical issues, for stem cell it is whether or not should we kill potential life to save the lives we have now.

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4. December 2009 by student.

Black Friday happened not too long ago.  The biggest shopping day of the year for many families across the country. It is a living hell for those who work in retail.  In the eyes of a retail worker, the consumers are the worst on that day. PriceGrabber.com’s recent holiday survey revealed that 45 percent of consumers were planning to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with 80 percent planning to make a purchase on Black Friday and 66 percent on Cyber MondayConsumers are the most aggravated and obnoxious on this more than any other day. Me and my other co-workers watched as people destroyed tables of t-shirts and began to think how this became acceptable. How did it become all right to just destroy a place and leave as if nothing happened?

It due to the fact that we have help create what we hate.  As an associate at a store, you are subjected to ideals that the store gives you.  You must help the consumer at all cost. You must help them find items; you must in short be a slave to whatever they want. This has been going since department stores first started in the 1920’s. We’re always here to help but we’re also people.  Here ‘s an example of what some people go through” A lot of people at one time or another have to put up with people in a retail environment. Nothing says, “I want to die; I hate my life,” quite like having to assist or serve people who have the collective IQ of a jar full of mealworms (without the mealworms) and make sure that their retail experience at your establishment is a happy and productive one (eg. that they consume). Working retail is a thankless and desolate job filled with misery and pain. I could never work for any extended length of time in a retail setting and therefore have immense respect for anyone who could tolerate the endless barrage of crap that comes assailing from all sides in that terrible situation. The urge to punch necks would be too great to resist. A best buy employee stated this after leaving the company.

Continued in part 2

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-friday-shopping-pricegrabbercomr-releases-2009-online-statistics-77566787.html

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/comedy-goldmine/retail-horror-stories.php

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

4. December 2009 by student.

Mental disorders are very common in the United States. and also internationally. it is estimated that aproximately 20.9 million, or about 9.5 percent of the USA popullation with ages 18 or older in a given year have a mood diorder. The median age for a mentall disorder is 30. mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada for the ages 15-44. There are a lot of different kinds of mental disorders, and they can be very serious for peopel that suffer from them. many peopel out there might not understand how bad a person suffering form these disorders can get. most of the mental disorders result in being depressive and very down on ones self. This often can result in suicides, thats why In 2006, 33,300  people died by suicide in the U.S. More and  than 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder. menatl disorders is something that should be treated very carefull and hopefully here in America in the future more research can be done to achieve on getting more medicin and better treatment for prople who suffer from theis disorders.

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4. December 2009 by student.

Bullying is a major social problem that many people face today. We not only have to deal with the media and body image, but with people just being plain cruel for their own entertainment. According to the National youth violence prevention resource center about 30 percent (over 5.7 million) are affected by bullying. Whether it is the person who is being bullied or is the bully. I just do not understand why you would have to put someone down just to feel good about yourself, I mean stop being so insecure! We have fought so hard for this country, but we still provide senseless social problems such as bullying. No one should be bullied for the way they act, dress, look, race, or for any reason at all. There are many risk factors when it comes to bullying, both male and female can have a part. Bullying is not only due to an insecurity, but also a way of expressing their hate or anger without having a heart or sympathy. With the wide studies done by the safe youth program many people who bully tend to get in trouble more often, dislike and do poorly in school than people who do not bully. These people are also more in the liklihood to fight, drink, smoke, and do drugs.  A study has shown that 60 percent of people who bullied in grades 6-9 will later have had at least one conviction by the time they are 24.  When it comes to growing up and becoming someone in the world your childhood has a high impact and affect to how you deal with many things in life. There are many obstacles and challenges that one must face and no one needs to be put down. Not only is the person who is bullied have low self esteem and future problems in social groups, but the person who is the bully can face lifetime complications with positive relationships. School and education can be highly affected when it comes to bullying according to bullyinghelp.org 8 percent of students miss one day of school per month due to bullying. One out of four kids are bullied and about 100,000 kids carry a gun to school. And sad of all many people can not live with it and decide to kill themselves.  I believe it is very sad and unhuman to treat someone else like they are nothing at all. Like Eric Mohat who was 17 and told “Why don’t you go home and shoot yourself, no one will miss you,” and he did. Now his parents are filing a lawsuit in federal court stating that their son has been caused painful name calling, teasing, and pushing with no authority at school to protect him. It really just make me think what has this world come to…

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

4. December 2009 by student.

Issue:

 Same sex couples and their children face many pregidous based issues regarding their life style choices. Some people feel that same sex couples should not have the right to have children, or have to right to adopt children.

My Oppinion:

Thankfuly I live in the United State, where I am entitled to my own oppinion. First let me tell you about me, I am 24 and I have two children, I am married to my husband, and I am a christian.  I feel that individules who choose to be in a same sex demestic partnership should be able to receive the same benefits and should be treated the same as a oppiste sex demestic partnership. To be “Gay” is not a choice, it is just what some people are attracted to, and it is constant struggle of pregidous they have to face from the world on a daily bases. It is not wrong, and God will not “hate” people who choose to be with a same sex partner. And for those who love to pick and choose verses of the bible to support what they believe, here are a few things you choose to over look:

1 Pet 3:8
8       Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
        love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.

Luke 6:36
36      Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
 Matt 7:1
1       Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Imagine that you are attracted to the color yellow, and you just loved yellow so much you wanted a yellow car, and a yellow house (ect.) but everyone says if you love yellow you are not fit to be a parent, and you should not have the same rights as everyone else because you love yellow, but you just dont understand why everyone makes such a big deal over you loving this color when it doesnt effect the livly hood of anyone else, and doest cause harm or endager anyone. souds crazy but when  you hate or discriminate against gays you are being just as crazy. When people waiste their time trying to “save” people from being gay they are just as crazy as hating people who love the color yellow, if someone loves the color yellow, or someone of the same sex it is their personal choice and it is what they are attracted to and all the preaching in the world will never change that. It is so sad that society waists so much time the their pregidous on gays when their much larger issues in the world that need to be addressed.

My research: 

Leagel Rights:

The leagal rights of adoption for same sex couples vary from state-to-state, to keep things breif I will only refer to the state of FL.

Florida Statute § 63.042Who may be adopted, who may adopt(1) Any person, a minor or an adult, may be adopted.(2) The following persons may adopt:(a) A husband and wife jointly;(b) An unmarried adult, including the birth parent of the person to be adopted;(c) The unmarried minor birth parent of the person to be adopted; or(d) A married person without the other spouse joining as a petitioner, if the person to be adoptedis not his or her spouse, and if:1. The other spouse is a parent of the person to be adopted and consents to the adoption; or2. The failure of the other spouse to join in the petition or to consent to the adoption is excusedby the court for reason of prolonged unexplained absence, unavailability, incapacity, orcircumstances constituting an unreasonable withholding of consent.(3) No person eligible to adopt under this statute may adopt if that person is a homosexual.(4) No person eligible under this section shall be prohibited from adopting solely because suchperson possesses a physical disability or handicap, unless it is determined by the department orthe licensed child-placing agency that such disability or handicap renders such person incapableof serving as an effective parent.Florida adoption law does not prohibit gays or lesbians from serving as foster parents, but

it does prevent such parents from adopting their foster children. (1)

Same Sex Adoption Statistics:

Gay Adoption by the NumbersThe exact number of gay couples who have adopted is unknown due to the fear of of sharing too much information due to society’s feelings regarding gay parenting. But, here are a few statistics on gay and lesbian adoptions.Question: How Many People Are Homosexual in the U.S.?Answer: It is estimated that approximately ten percent of the U.S. population or 25 million people are homosexual._{Information reproduced from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse with their permission.}Question: How Many Children Have Gay Parents in the US?Answer: According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, between 8 and 10 million children are being raised in gay and lesbian families.Latest statistics from the U.S. Census 2000, the National Survey of Family Growth (2002), and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (2004) include:·         An estimated two million GLB people are interested in adopting. ·         An estimated 65,500 adopted children are living with a lesbian or gay parent. ·         More than 16,000 adopted children are living with lesbian and gay parents in California, the highest number among the states. ·         Gay and lesbian parents are raising four percent of all adopted children in the United States. ·         Adopted children with same-sex parents are younger and more likely to be foreign born. ·         Question: How Would National Ban on Gay / Lesbian Foster Parents Impact each State?·         This report provides new information on GLB adoption and foster care from the U.S. Census 2000, the National Survey of Family Growth (2002), and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (2004).·         Answer: ·         A ban on gay and lesbian individuals being allowed to foster could displace 9,000 to 14,000 children if pursued nationally.·         Such a national ban on GLB foster care could cost from $87 to $130 million. The costs to individual states could range from $100,000 to $27 million.

·         SOURCE:
Adoption and Foster Care by Lesbian and Gay Parents in the United States Author(s): Gary Gates, Lee M.V. Badgett, Jennifer Ehrle Macomber, Kate Chambers with the Urban Institute.

Question: Will Children Raised in Homosexual Households Become Gay?

Answer: The bulk of evidence to date indicates that children raised by gay and lesbian parents are no more likely to become homosexual than children raised by heterosexuals. As one researcher put it. “If heterosexual parenting is insufficient to ensure that children will also be heterosexual, then there is no reason to conclude that children of homosexuals also will be gay.” SOURCES
Working with Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Parents

Question: Will Children be Teased if They Have Homosexual Parents?

Answer: Social workers and even some gay men and lesbians considering adoption, wonder if it is in the best interest of a child to be raised by homosexual parents. “It can be too hard a transition for some children, especially those who are older and have already formed preconceived notions about homosexuality,” explains therapist Ruder. “Younger children usually have an easier time adjusting to a gay and lesbian parented home. They haven’t learned the societal biases against gays and lesbians yet.”

Gay and lesbian adoptive parents must also think about how they will explain to younger children, in age-appropriate language, not only how and why the child was adopted but also about the parents’ sexual orientation. Both are complex subjects that should be addressed a number of times as the child grows and matures, each time adding new information as the child asks and is able to absorb and understand more. Then both topics become accepted facts of family life.

SOURCES
Working with Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Parents

 Question: Will Children be Molested by Homosexual Parents?

Answer: There is no legitimate scientific research connecting homosexuality and pedophilia. Sexual orientation is defined as an adult attraction to other adults. Pedophilia is defined as an adult sexual attraction or perversion to children. In a study of 269 cases of child sex abuse, only two offenders where found to be gay or lesbian.

More relevant was the finding that of the cases involving molestation of a boy by a man as seventy-four percent of the men were or had been in a heterosexual relationship with the boys mother or another female relative.

The conclusion was found that “a child’s risk of being molested by his or her relatives’ heterosexual partner is over one hundred times greater than by someone who might be identifiable as being homosexual.”

SOURCE
Working with Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Parents
Sexual Orientation, Parents, & Children - Adopted by the APA Council of Representatives July 28 & 30, 2004.

(2)

 thenewsexualrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/04/g… 

____________________

(1) http://www.lc.org/profamily/samesex_adoption_by_state.pdf

(2) http://adoption.about.com/od/adopting/tp/gayadoptionbasics.htm

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

4. December 2009 by student.

Peer Pressure is an issue that affects people of all different age groups. The results of peer pressure can be harmful and sometimes even very severe. There is no particular age when this starts. As soon as children start to socialize the pressure can begin. There are many things that lead us into peer pressure. Lying, cheating, drugs, sex and many more things are some of the causes.  Sometimes when you do not fall into the pressure, there are consequences. Being bullied at school, getting made fun of and skipping school are becoming major issues in the world today. When kids are falling into peer pressure they are doing drugs, engaging in sexual activity, lying, stealing and bullying other s. There is not a certain way we can stop peer pressure, but there are things we can do as a society to help improve it. Getting help from an adult or even a friend can make a huge difference.  We have to help each other out, give advice and boost our self esteems up. People need to learn that with the help from one person they can get through anything.  A major problem in our society is that we let ourselves down so much when we do not fall into the pressure and get made fun of, that we end up doing it just to feel better.  It is not the right answer and we need to learn and teach others that it will get you no where but getting yourself hurt or in trouble. When we grow up in a certain area or culture, we feel that we need to continue living in that way. Sometimes the culture is a not so good place, and when we continue pursuing the acts it just leads to more trouble.   When we grow up in a bad environment, we know what is right and wrong.  People join gangs and certain clubs that are nothing but trouble just to fit it. It is not the way to go, and although we know that, we are unable to speak up for ourselves because we are scared of the harmful consequences. Although it is easier said then done, peer pressure is getting us no where. It is becoming worse, and ruining our society more and more.  We can be scared to say no, or risk being made fun of, but some people just have to learn what is good for them on their own.  We can not make anyone a better person unless they are willing to change for themselves. All we can do as a society is be there for our peers and ensure them that there is help, and there are people who do care. We need to help teach moral issues more in the classroom and at home. It would be a great change in society if we just put it out there a little more that we are here to help.

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4. December 2009 by Mr. Andoscia.

Blogs and comments have been graded up to this point.  Remember, you will only have until the end of class of the final exam to add blogs for a grade. Also remember, I’m looking for social facts, data, to support your statements.   I would love to comment on everyone’s blogs, but I just don’t have the time.  Understand that just because I do not comment on a blog does not mean that I agree with the contents.  I will respect everyone’s opinions and have never deleted a blog (except in one case where the blog was plagiarized).  I am not grading on whether I agree with you, but on the sociology that you bring to the table.  Data, social perspectives, theory and, for the social problems folks, analysis of claims making.  That’s what I want to see.

Posted in Mr. Andoscia | 1 Comment »

4. December 2009 by student.

    Political Correctness is ruining our country. A few weeks ago an Islamic extremist in our country’s army committed a terrorist attack on Fort Hood which was made possible by the power of political correctness. This terrorist attack caused 12 deaths, 31 injuries, and countless lives severely damage for those loved ones close to the victims. The terrorist attacker’s name was Major Nidal Malik Hasan. Major Nidal Malik Hasan fit the profile of a possible terrorist yet no action was taken. On the Major’s business card, SoA could be seen as how the Major described himself which is known in the National Defense community stand for Soldier of Allah. The Major spoke openly about how he opposed the war on terror and how he sympathized with the terrorist who are fighting our troops and efforts over seas such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The Major’s military supervisors knew of their subordinates extreme Islamic views yet felt that their hands were tied by political correctness powered by those that would fight to have those supervisors authority taken away for non-PC like action against someone “for being a Muslim” without paying attention to the Muslim’s extremist views.

    Political Correctness was not always the rule in our great country. Decades ago during the Second World War, the Japanese citizens of our country were either placed in Japanese holding camps or were given the opportunity to join our country’s military. The Japanese servicemen were not permitted to fight in the pacific, they were only allowed to fight the Nazis in Europe. This policy was not only for the Japanese. Austrians and Germans living in the US who decided to join our country’s military were not permitted to fight in Europe, but allowed to fight in the Pacific. Those who created this policy knew there would be repercussions for their actions but knew it was necessary in winning this war and saving the world from utter destruction.

    In hindsight of this horrible tragic loss of life we should question how was this terrorist was able to remain unapprehended in our country’s army and hold those responsible for allowing this to happen, and if you point your finger at the Major’s supervisors, you would be wrong. The ones responsible for allowing this homegrown terrorists and other homegrown terrorist are the liberals in Washington, pop-culture, and in the media fo empowering political correctness.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

4. December 2009 by student.

Most of the time parents love their children no matter what. Parents will do almost anything for their kids. In this case im not talking about all the material things that parents may give their children but, how they treat their children because they love them soo much. sometimes parents are overly strict because they want to make sure nothing bad happens to their child. its very stressful on the child when that is the case. its not easy being a teen and your parents smother you. Always calling to ask where you are, what your doing, who your with, etc..  Some parents may even get to the point where they effect the relationships the child has with other people. whether it be with friends or boyfriends and girlfriends. while a child is still young parents may tell them not to go somewhere or do something and in many cases the child is forced to listen. a parent might tell her child not to go see their friends because the mom might feel like the friends may be a bad influence. parents can be so overprotective and strict it might cause the child to hate it after a while. parents need to know they should let their children go when they com to a certain age. they can not protect them and tell them how to live their lives. at a certain age children need to figure out how to make the right choices on their own and parents need to be ok with that. usually parents cause their children to leave home and move out and make stupid decisions like that that make it harder on them to really focus on school and plan out a smart future. parents need to be careful with how much they love their children and how they express it.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

4. December 2009 by student.

The CDC National Immunization Survey is a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population, among infants born in 2005:

• 73.9% were ever breastfed
• 43.4% were still breastfeeding at 6 months of age
• 22.7% were breastfeeding at 1 year of age
• 33.1% were exclusively breastfed through 3 months of age
• 13.6% were exclusively breastfed through 6 months of age  

Although many organizations, including the federal government, tout breastfeeding babies during the first six months of life as the healthiest choice new mothers can make for their child, a new survey by the not-for-profit National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and Medela, Inc. reveals 32 percent of new mothers give up breastfeeding less than seven weeks after returning to work because of significant barriers. This is particularly true of women in retail settings, younger moms and those with lower paying jobs.

To help women understand the benefits of breastfeeding, overcome the challenges of breastfeeding, and learn important tips for breastfeeding success, NWHRC and Medela have created a free tip card. It also includes helpful hints for new moms to effectively transition back into the workplace. Tips include:

• Talk to your human resources director about your corporate policy on breastfeeding before leaving for maternity leave
• Ask your employer for a private, safe room for pumping
• Purchase a pump that will work with your work environment. For instance, most leading electric pumps also offer a battery option which might offer greater flexibility
• Seek out other working mothers that might provide support

Request a free copy of the tip card, visit the NWHRC Web site at www.healthywomen.org. To learn more about the survey or to get more information on breastfeeding, go to www.healthywomen.org or www.medela.com.

Breastfeeding is not just a money saving option, it offers benefits for Babies, Moms, Families, and society. Benefits include:

 Breast milk has disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from  germs, illness, and even SIDS. Infant formula cannot match the exact chemical makeup of human milk, especially the cells, hormones, and antibodies that fight disease

Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems:

In Infants:

• Ear infections
• Stomach viruses
• Diarrhea
• Respiratory infections
• Atopic dermatitis
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Childhood leukemia
• Sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS
• Necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in pre-term infants

In Moms: 

• Type 2 diabetes
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Postpartum depression (PPD)

Studies are still looking at the effects of breastfeeding on osteoporosis and weight loss after birth.

Benefits for Society:

• Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Total medical care costs for the nation are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants since breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
• Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce. Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is higher.
• Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.

The U.S. Surgeon General Recommends Breastfeeding

The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that babies be fed with breast milk only for the first six months of life. This means not giving your baby any other food or drink — not even water — during this time. Drops of liquid vitamins, minerals, and medicines are, of course, fine, as advised by your baby’s doctor. It is even better if you can breastfeed for your baby’s first year or longer, for as long as you both wish.

Solid iron-rich foods, such as iron-fortified cereals and pureed vegetables and meats, can be started when your baby is around six months old. Before that time, a baby’s stomach cannot digest them properly. Solids do not replace breastfeeding. Breast milk stays the baby’s main source of nutrients during the first year. Beyond one year, breast milk can still be an important part of your child’s diet.

   With all the benefits of breastfeeding still some women still chose not to breastfeed.  There are also laws that protect women who choose to breastfeed;  Florida,

Fla. Stat. § 383.015 (1993) allows a mother to breastfeed in any public or private location. (HB 231)

Fla. Stat. § 383.016 (1994) authorizes a facility lawfully providing maternity services or newborn infant care to use the designation “baby-friendly” on its promotional materials. The facility must be in compliance with at least eighty percent of the requirements developed by the Department of Health in accordance with UNICEF and World Health Organization baby-friendly hospital initiatives. (SB 1668)

Fla. Stat. § 800.02 et seq. and § 827.071 exclude breastfeeding from various sexual offenses, such as lewdness, indecent exposure and sexual conduct.  

2008 Fla. Laws, Chap. 172 excludes a mother breastfeeding her baby from the offense of lewd or lascivious exhibition using a computer. (SB 1442).

   Even with the laws protecting breastfeeding mothers, and all the benefits of breastfeeding some women still chose not to breastfeed. Some reasons include physical restraints, other reasons are: time constraints, embarassment, sexual fears, nervousness, family infuances, and lack of education.

National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign

In June 2004, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health and the Ad Council launched a national campaign encouraging first-time mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months. With the tag line: “Babies were born to be breastfed,” the campaign is targeting the general population. CDC is working closely with the Office on Women’s Health and partner agencies to evaluate the impact of the campaign.

As a mother who chose to breastfeed both of my children, and faced many obsticals with this disition I feel that if soceity has a better education on the importance of breastfeeding, the obsticals and criticisum that breastfeeding mothers face can be reduced and more newborn babies can also enjoy the benefits of breast milk. after all our children are our future!

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »