20. April 2010 by student.

Barrack Obama, a liberal, was elected to Illinois State Senate and served in it for eight years before becoming president of the United States.  During his Illinois State tenure, Obama supported gay rights.  He sponsored legislation in his state to ban discrimination of sexual orientation.  The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national gay and lesbian organization.  Every two years, the campaign issues a scorecard for members of the senate based on their support and voting on key issues that are of importance to gay and lesbian citizens.  Obama scored 89 out of 100 on his 2006 scorecard.  Now, in the whitehouse, Obama and Biden plan to strengthen the federal hate crimes legislation and expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act.  The current hate crimes law defines a “hate crime” as one motivated by religion, race, national origin or color. The new hate crimes act will hopefully expand the federal definition of hate crimes to include assaults based on sexual orientation, gender, disability or gender identity. 

The White House Website says that, as for military rights, Obama hopes to appeal the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.  Also, the key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

On the matter of adoption, President Obama believes that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home whether the parents are gay or not.  He believes that adoption must be ensured for all couples regardless of their sexual orientation. 

Lastly, the issue of gay marriage arises.  Even though Obama supports civil unions, he is against gay marriage.  He has said to believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.  In an interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, Obama said, “I’m a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.” He said he would support civil unions between gay and lesbian couples, as well as letting individual states determine if marriage between gay and lesbian couples should be legalized.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

20. April 2010 by student.

  Globalization is taking place at a faster pace today than at any other period in human history. Because of the information age and the exponential increase in technological capabilities worldwide the process is very rapid and taking place as we speak. One would initially get the impression that this process would encourage multiculturalism and understanding amongst different groups of people. In reality this process has encouraged hostility and cut throat competition. It would be one thing if the process was a gradual one and gave people enough time to gain an understanding of what was happening but for the most part it is outside the next day and in your face. There is a very intrusive effort to homogenize the entire world and get everyone to just contribute to this new global financial, political, and industrial system. Any certain sense of identity or security disappears as the world turns into an economic playground where anything goes. As that sense of security disappears the fires of rage are doused with fuel. As the individual as well as the group see their economic opportunities, resources, and expertise sold for small prices they feel they have been betrayed. This sense of betrayal encourages hatred for the perceived or actual individual or group responsible for this transaction. Much of the unrest we see in the Middle-East is largely the result of foreign companies wishing to secure a grasp on the oil reserves there as the supply of oil in the world shrinks. Most of the ruling families in that region were put into place by European powers during colonial and post World War periods. This is an example of how globalization is very much to blame for the vicious violence we see around the world. When foreigners whose only motivation is greed and capitalism go into other countries thinking they can easily exploit the indigenous populations the result is a chain of bloodshed and resentment. 　 

 The collapse of the subprime mortgage market in the United States led to a worldwide recession. This an example of how interconnected and fragile the global economy is as a result of globalization. Globalization has contributed to the spread of deadly diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that since 2004 there has been a 50% increase in HIV infected people. It is likely the rapid spread of deadly diseases is the result of rapid transportation. An infected individual on one continent can get on a plane and go and infect three people on another continent and then those people go out and infect three people etc, etc, etc. There should be more oversight when it comes to globalization. The world is not just a jungle where a person can go wherever he pleases and do whatever he wants.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

20. April 2010 by student.

America the land of opportunity, is also the land of the obese. There are some alarming statistics about obesity in America. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity in adults has increased by 60% within the past twenty years and obesity in children has tripled in the past thirty years. A staggering 33% of American adults are obese and obesity-related deaths have climbed to more than 300,000 a year, second only to tobacco-related deaths. So why is it that America has more obese people in the world than any other country. To examine this we need to look at our culture and the suggestive norms that are associated with eating in America. What are the factors behind this epidemic? Convenience. Convenience is a huge factor when it comes to obesity no pun intended. Fast Food is the quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to get food. Fast food is terrible for you, most of the food has no nutrients and all fat. Another social aspect of this epidemic is the fact that the average child sees about 10,000 food commercials on TV a year this just adds to the problem. Also the norms on which our society is raised upon is overeating. When I eat with my parents I was always told i couldn’t leave the table until my plate of food was finished as im sure all of your parents did the same. This has become part of our norms and values, and this is why we as Americans have an over eating problem. Is there a solution? The solution is to be educated, know what your eating and how much to eat. Also diet and exercise are vital to sustain a healthy lifestyle. With these things I think America can relinquish its thrown as the Biggest country in the world.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

20. April 2010 by student.

I am from New England and have lived there for 20 years. This year will be my first year in Florida and there are so many differences. As a future teacher I had the opportunity to observe different classrooms in elementary, middle, and high school. When comparing the two states I saw a major difference in curriculum.

While observing the different grades I notice that the school systems are far behind. For example I observed a 8th grade classroom and the teacher was lechuring about Columbus. Now back in CT I was taught about Columbus in Elementary school. Why is that the schools in Florida are so far behind?

Also, while observing the schools I noticed a lot of the children have trouble reading and writing. While observing the 8th grade classroom there was a 18 year old girl in the classroom. She is so far behind. While observing the different grades I notice that the middle school I visited had to have a cop be present in the classroom. When I asked the teacher why he was there, the teacher replied because of the gangs around the school. The students are not allowed to wear shirts with any graphics or symbols. A student must wear appropriate pants that will be worn at the waist. At this middle school I was helping a teacher with lunch detention when a young boy come into the room. I notice he had tattoos.

Back home in CT the school systems do have their problems with funding as do most schools. I have never seen a middle school were a cop had to be present on campus. Also, it seems that the school system is far behind.

I believe this needs to change. What happens if a child from Florida moves up North and enrolls in school system, they will so far behind. Schools across the nation should be equal or at least close. No matter where the school is located schools should be on the same page. Schools that are located in the same county should work closer together and help one another out. This way each school has a chance to help all of the students and give them as many resources as possible to learn.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »

20. April 2010 by student.

We need to require gun registration. Now before you say anything about if we require that who know where the government will stop. Well first off they need to realize that were already required to register our cars with the government, and has the government start requiring us to get something implanted on or under our skin so they can track our every move like some of my opponents may say?

No. In fact other industrialized nations that require gun registration have not done anything remotely like the before mentioned situation. In fact, gun registration in these nations has only brought about good things. Made the nations in question safer.

Take for instance our neighbors to the north, Canada, where gun registration is a required event (along with a few other things involving the ownership of a gun but that is another debate entirely).  Canada being easily one of the most easily comparable nations to the US despite our population differences, since Canada shares a similar physical landscape, and similar numbers in their demographics.

In Canada gun registration has first and for most, helped the cops remove guns from homes that have had domestic violence spats, and prepare them if they are going to a scene of a dispute where a gun is known to be.  It promotes responsibility in owners, since they are going to make sure to take the necessary precautions to lock up their guns if they may end up responsible.  Going along with this same thought is that registration enables the powers at be to be able to trace guns back to their original owners; so, the cops will be able to find out if a gun is stolen or not. And finally, the biggest point of all in favor of gun registration is that it help curb at first, and finally, put an end to the illegal gun trade. Which is when a person who is legally allowed to buy a gun, buys it, then just turns right around and sells it to someone who due to the law wouldn’t be able to obtain one. This method, called straw purchases, is one of the largest ways criminals get their hands on guns.

So yes you may now gripe and complain. Throw the 2^nd Amendment in my face, which I do not see how I am stepping on this with what I have suggested. All I merely suggesting is a way to help make the United States safer, which isn’t that what we all want?

Sources:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/guns/procon/guns.html

http://www.guncontrol.ca/English/Home/Law/LicensingandRegistration.pdf

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

20. April 2010 by student.

                 Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers typically deny or minimize the problem. They also go to great lengths to hide their gambling. For example, problem gamblers often withdraw from their loved ones, sneak around, and lie about where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to. The family member with the gambling problem creates problems within the family that can affect all members of the family in different ways. Children of those with the gambling addiction tend to suffer the most. Studies show that the family members with the gambling problem can also become extremely verbally, physically, and emotionally abusive. Money that is put in for food, gas, shelter, bills and other things needed to be paid for are not there because it is blown away by the gambler. Debt piles up very fast, and the financial future of the family becomes severely threatened.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

20. April 2010 by student.

When most people here of midwifery they think home births with no medication. That is if they have even heard the word midwife before. Midwives were used in the 1800s and early 1900s to deliver baby’s. They were often female family members of the mother. They helped the mother cope through the birthing process. Midwives are portrayed in the media as being outdated and unsafe. As time goes on things change, so did the midwife. Midwives have become more widely used, with 10% of babies being delivered by midwives. They are no longer strictly used in home births. In fact the majority of midwives deliver in hospitals just like doctors. The patients of midwives have the option of many different pain reliefs which included epidurals. There are still many midwives that choose to deliver in homes and birthing center as an alternative to a hospital. All Certified Midwives must go through intense training and schooling. They have credibility in today’s day and age they are no longer just a random family member. Midwives are capable of delivering low risk pregnancies and vaginal births. They are not able to do C-sections and most midwives work in partnership with an actual doctor.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

20. April 2010 by student.

Where I am from there is a high level amount of gangs and the terror that they bring to the community and the people in the community. I have had firsthand experience with what gangs can do to my family and my friends. My first example of gang violence is I was holding one of my friends in my arms after he got shot. It wasn’t the best experience that I have ever encountered and will never forget his face and what lead up to the incident. He lay in my arms with his eyes starting to dull out like a lions after you capture him from the wild and place him into captivity there just wasn’t that fire or liveliness that you see when you look yourself in the mirror. Just the look in his eyes gave me nightmares for a couple of months when I think about it I get shivers running up and down my spine. He told me before everything went down that we will always be together no matter who got between us. His life was lost and we had to put him to rest next to his father who had died of cancer 2 years earlier. I truly will never forget the face and the eyes and I honesty will probably relive that experience when I lay my head to rest tonight. I will always look to the sky and know that he is looking over me like my own personal guardian angel. I feel that gangs have ruined my friendship with a lot of people. I feel that the government should try harder to regulate gang violence because where I’m from I had to stay on my toes everyday because I didn’t know when they day I myself would be shot and killed. I feel that there needs to be a big change in the poverty parts of this country where you have to lie, shot and steal to get what you want or what you need.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »