31. January 2011 by student.

After being sick for almost the whole weekend I decided to watch a lot of television and blog about one of the television shows that has taken over our lives, Teen Mom.  This show shocks me because I feel as if the media outlook for this show is that it is okay to be pregnant this young and it is seemed as “trendy”

Every year around 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant.  I believe this number is way too high in my opinion. Another problem that I feel is a problem of teen pregnancy is the failure of education that occurs with teen pregnancy. More than 2/3 of all teenagers who have a baby will not graduate from high school. This is extremely upsetting to me, these girls are teenagers and no longer will have a teenage life. They have now become a mother and taking on all the motherly duties instead of being a kid.

I believe shows like this should not be eliminated from our television, but should provide more information about preventing pregnancy. These shows also show teens now about how hard it is to have a baby and be so young. It shows the financial struggle, the family struggle, and the education struggle within their lives. I believe these shows should have a more education twist on them rather than just presenting their lives all over television.

Posted in Social Problems | 3 Comments »

26. January 2011 by student.

Mason WeisbergAnother social problem that I believe has struck our country hard is obesity, and especially childhood obesity. According to a study performed in the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, researchers confirmed previous reports that parents of overweight or obese children do not recognize their child’s weight problem (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 7/12/10). With the bad eating habits being entered into the household it provides a greater risk of children and the next generation to increase the statistics of obesity in America. In the scholarly journal, “Adult Obesity increases in 28 states,” expresses the increase in weight by only one year. Adult obesity rates increased in 28 states in the past year, and declined only in the District of Columbia according to the article. Now, more than 2/3 of the country, or 38 states have obesity rates above 25 percent. “Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges the country has ever faced, and troubling disparities exist based on race, ethnicity, region, and income,” said Jeffrey Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH.  Currently 12 million children and adolescents are considered obese.I personally have had family members who have suffered from being obese and they have developed diabetes and also have had a higher risk of heart disease. This is scary because I want to be able to help my family members work out, but its motivation and the will to change that will effect their decision. With being so active with soccer, I have never had a problem with gaining weight and it kills me inside to see certain people on my mom’s and dad’s side of the family that suffer form obesity. I have tried to get them to watch shows like, “The Biggest Loser,” so motivate them that anyone can do it if they have the right mindset.“Adult Obesity increases in 28 states,” survey’s found that 84 percent of parents believe their children are at a healthy weight when researches found that 1 out of 3 teens are obese and overweight. As stated in the journal, Northeastern and Western states had the lowest adult obesity rates; Colorado remained the lowest at 19.1 percent.I live in a family that is very “family oriented” and when the family comes together is dinner, and anything that revolves around food. Most of my family and extended family lives in the southern states where family is the basis of your life. Ten of the 11 states with the highest rates of diabetes are in the South, as are the 10 states with the highest rates of hypertension. Therefore this statistics scares me because this is where my family all lives. I hope to teach my family different eating habit ways, because after doing research on obesity, it seems to be a nation wide epidemic that is changing in the negative direction and growing.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

22. January 2011 by student.

Hello Class and Professor Andoscia, this is my first blog for the class so I would like to take this time to thank you for reading it, and would love to hear feedback to what you think about everything I write whether you disagree or agree with my opinionsI entered this class not knowing much about what it was going to entail. Therefore I would like to take this first blog to talk about what exactly a social problem is, and what is considered a social problem. A social problem is anything that perceives or causes damage to individuals or society.  With this stated, a social problem can effect someone physically, mentally and socially. Social Problems can also change accroding to someone’s values, status, class, and cultural norms. For example, abortion is an extremely touchy subject and varies on opinions based upon gender, religion, and political class.  After reading through the power points it gave me a better insight for what a social problem is and what consists of a social problem, therefore I would like to talk about a social problem that hits hard with me, Crime.Therefore anything that has to do with crime is something that I am interested in. After reading through the new paper I found an article that stated that the crime rate had dropped. Article Title (Sheriff’s report shows crime rate dropped 10 percent in Lee in 2010). This article states the facts and figures of what has been dropped. While the report shows the number of murder in Lee County have dropped from 20 to 17 the homicide arrests have risen by 31%.  ”I’m encouraged  by the latest numbers, which is a reflection of the diligent and proactive work of all the men and women, of this great agency, Sheriff Mike Scott” (Fort Myers News Press). Not only was this a Lee County issue of crime rate dropping but it also effected the nation as a whole. The crime has been decreasing since 2009 stated TIME/CNN Magazine. “Last year’s murder rate may be the lowest since the mid- 1960s, according to the preliminary statistics released by the Department of Justice” (TIME/CNN Magazine). Stated by David Von Drehle, there is no indication on why this happened, but they believe it is because the better police work around the country.I have seen a lot of crime through hanging out with certain friends and it has been a touchy subject that has effected me my whole life. I have seen some of my best friends go down the wrong path in life due to crime. Certain friends are in jail,  detention centers, rehab programs, and probation for the crimes they have committed. In my opinion, it is good to get these people off the streets and into jails. It will make our community a safer and better place. But on the other hand, those are some of my friends who are being put in jail because of their mistakes. I just wish I could have impacted their lives sooner so that I could have taught them better ways and get their lives on the right track.I am really happy that I am taking this class because it will give me better insight about certain issues that have caused my friends to go down the right path. I hope to learn more information so that I can help them in the future to get on the right path in life.

Posted in Social Problems | 3 Comments »

20. January 2011 by student.

Eating Disorder: An Epidemic

The people in America suffer greatly with obesity.  According to a new study accepted for publication in “The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism,” eating a meal quickly, as compared to slowly, curtails the release of hormones in the gut that induce feelings of being full. The decreased release of these hormones, can often lead to overeating (Endocrine Society).“Most of us have heard that eating fast can lead to food over consumption and obesity, and in fact some observational studies have supported this notion,” (Alexander Kokkinos, MD) “Our study provides a possible explanation for the relationship between speed eating and overeating by showing that the rate at which someone eats may impact the release of gut hormones that signal the brain to stop eating.”(Kokkinos)

In the last few years, research regarding gut hormones, such as peptide YY (PYY) and glucagons-like peptide (GLP-1), has shown that their release after a meal acts on the brain and induces meal termination.  In a study subjects took 300ml of ice cream at different rates. Some researchers took a blood sample for the measurement of glucose, insulin, plasma lipids and gut hormones before the meal. They also added 30 minute intervals after the beginning of eating a meal, until the end of the experiment. “Our findings give some insight into an aspect of modern-day food over consumption, namely the fact that many people, pressed by demanding working and living conditions, eat faster and in greater amounts than in the past,”( Kokkinos)

Many scientist and doctors do the same experiment and they all come to the same conclusion; eating fast foods increase your chances of overweight.  Nearly 34 percent of adults are obese, more than double the percentage 30 years ago. The share of obese children tripled during that time, to 17 percent, and this is just the United States. Also healthy foods at schools have decrease intensively, due to budget cuts. Obesity has become a great problem that we struggle to fix. We see what we eat and what we prepare is in access but yet we still eat it, “At first they gain weight; then a growing share of the calories go “into maintaining and moving around that excess tissue” (Dr. Ludwig) 

In my opinion, all starts with the parent’s. Instead of imbedding money on school for healthier foods, so our kids can grow nice and healthy we go out and give our money away to get a fast burger. Most of us live in a rush every day to and from work. The little time we have left, we don’t want to cook a meal but there is hundreds of ways we could make a fast meal and still be healthy. Less frozen foods and more fresh vegetables, in a fast salad are healthier then French fries with ketchup.  You as a mother, father or etc. should want the very best for you and your child. By eating all this nonsense you are killing yourself by the second and giving it to others you’re killing them as well. Take an extra second to prepare a healthy meal for yourself or someone else, and you might be saving yourself of overweight. It is important as a society that the children today are taught the healthy way to live and grow. Parents are supposed to set a good example and teach them good eating habits. In most cases the parents give up, letting kids made their own choices, “including me, as a mother”.

It does not matter what healthy food school offers, 90 % of student will go for junk food.  This eating disorder affects the society in many ways.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »

20. January 2011 by Mr. Andoscia.

Remember, what are the social facts? Social Facts? Social Facts!

Also, use the jargon that we learn in class. Incorporate the theories and perspectives as you are introduced to them. This will reinforce the knowledge that you have gained.

When you write a blog be sure to include your name and title.  If you are uncomfortable using your real name please feel free to use a pseudonym.  Make sure that I know the pseudonym so that I can give you credit.

Also, specify the class you are in. On the Write a Post page you will see a block titled “categories” on the right hand side.  This will have Introduction to Sociology or Social Problems as options. Checking the correct one makes it easier for me to grade.

When you make comments be sure to include your name or pseudonym in the body of your blog.

Most importantly, have fun.

Posted in Mr. Andoscia | 1 Comment »