14. February 2011 by student.

The general consensus in America is that the changing weather and increase in greenhouse gases are the results of human activities.

“Since the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 18th century, there has been a marked increase in the emission of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide), in proportion to industrial expansion. As well, artificial greenhouse gases that did not exist before the Industrial Revolution, such as CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and sulfur hexafluoride, have been produced, and are being released into the atmosphere.” (Information on Environmental Policy and Tech.)

Sea levels are rising, animal migrations are in chaos, and the ozone in the atmosphere is slowly deteriorating. Precipitation has increased around the world and mercury has gown up 1 degree Fahrenheit (National Geographic). By driving automobiles, clearing land of trees which releases their stored carbon, mass-producing, and performing animal agriculture, which the UN Food and Agricultural Organization said makes up 18% of greenhouse gas emissions, is causing global warming. “The average rate of carbon increase in the atmosphere from 1960 to 2005 was 1.4 ppm per year. But over the decade from 1995 to 2005, the average increase was 1.9 ppm per year, and in 2007 the increase leapt to 2.14 ppm” (ACoolerClimate.com).

The counter-argument that is said about global warming is that humans only have climatic data from the late 1800s so we have little previous knowledge to weather patterns and fluctuations. That statement is some-what true, but humans have a decent amount of knowledge from ice cores to know what the weather was like back then. What are the counter-arguments to human activities changing Earth for the worse? Global warming is not a myth or an opinion, it is a theory that will be a fact, because humans are the reason behind global warming.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

13. February 2011 by student.

Every 10 seconds a child is being abuse. “Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children” (National Child Abuse Statistics).

Child abuse is a international problem. There are different kinds of child abuse such as physically, emotionally, and sexually. Kids are always being abuse, and not all of them are recognized. Each of these categories has there on affects on kids. Children who have been abuse seem to be violent, watchful, cautious or wary of adults, lying, stealing, truanting from school and getting into trouble with the police, and be fearful, frightened of physical contact.

This social problem needs to be recognized because kids who usually get abuse will be more likely to abuse their kids. It would be an ongoing chain. Children today need to know that they have family, friends, and love-ones who care about them. They are suppose to look forward to go home where it is safe for them.

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13. February 2011 by student.

About a week ago I read an interesting news article. It was about the military and PTSD. As the years go by and this war in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, more and more of our brave troops are returning home with PTSD which stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 20% of returning troops are diagnosed with PTSD but less than half actually get help for it. The main reason why most don’t get help for it is because they don’t want to look weak and they don’t want it to affect their career. Most troops want to still work for the government or become cops once they are out of the military but being diagnosed with PTSD is an impediment way to get those jobs.

Since they don’t get help, this can lead to trouble getting a job, homelessness and divorce rates which are 30% higher than the national average and suicide. With the rates being as high as they year and climbing higher and higher every year, then why is the military and the government not doing more to help those who risk their lives for our freedom. Why are they making deployments so long?. The longer they are gone the higher the chance of PTSD.

My husband has been gone for 7 months now and some days he feels like he is going to go crazy from being over there. I have lost count of how many times he has said that a year is too long and how he wishes he was in the Air Force and was only deployed for 6 months.

I think that it is about time the military does something to help our soldiers. Make deployments shorter, make it mandatory that every troop is evaluated once they come home and those who have PTSD or any other problem, make it mandatory that they get help but make sure that they know it won’t affect their career or their future!

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

11. February 2011 by student.

One important social problem that seems to fly under the radar and not be taking for seriousness is receiving a DUI, or driving while intoxicated. Under Florida law, DUI is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles).  Receiving a DUI can cause you a fine up to thousands of dollars, time in jail, probation, or community service based upon the severity and how many convictions you have had.

I take this social problem very seriously because my friend, just the other night, got into a car and drove while drinking. Thankfully, he got home safely, but why take the risk when you could kill yourself or more importantly kill an innocent victim. The car you are driving is a weapon when driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

In 2008, 11,773 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one third (32%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States (SADD). Persons ages 21-25 (26.1%) drove under the influence of alcohol at least once this past year (SADD). Not only are these statistics shocking, but they can be greatly changed in people realized what they were doing. These numbers are way to high to be risking their own lives and the lives of others on the road by being careless. There are thousands and thousands of statistics that are related with drunk driving, but these are a few that really shocked and stood out to me:

Alcohol related crashes are the leading cause of death for young Americans, between the ages of 16 and 24 years old. 
For all Americans between 5 and 35 years of age, motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death. Over 50% of these accidents are caused by alcohol impaired drivers.

250,000 people have died in alcohol related accidents in the past 10 years. 
Presently 25,000 people are killed each year in alcohol related accidents. 
500 people are killed each week in alcohol related accidents. 
71 people are killed each day in alcohol related accidents. 
One American life is lost every 20 minutes in alcohol related auto crashes

I think the common misconception about drinking and driving is that, “I am okay, it wont happen to me.”  As a community, and a nation I think we need to take drinking and driving more seriously and put harsher punishments on those who are caught. Let stop drinking and driving and make this no longer a social problem.

-Mason Weisberg

Posted in Social Problems | 2 Comments »

3. February 2011 by student.

Are cell phones safe? 

The use of cell phones has spread like a wild fire in the last ten years. They have become part of everyday life for many American citizens, and a good number of people depend on them to carry out daily operations, like jobs, school, and many other things. Unfortunately, many of these daily operations occur while the individual is driving.  As a result, many accidents have taken place in the last 10 years due to the use of cell phones; and almost in every car crash there is at least a life lost. When we are on the road, however, irresponsible cell phone users are more than irritating. They miss use the ability of the wheel causing other drivers on  the road to hesitate. They put our lives at risk every time you as driver step behind a wheel. Many of us have witnessed drivers so distracted by dialing and chatting on their phones that they resemble drunk drivers. Weaving between lanes for example, or nearly running over daily citizens on sidewalks many of witch carry children. “Expert testimony, public opinion, and even cartoons suggest that driving while phoning is dangerous to the driver, passenger or even the drivers following. Frances Bents, an expert on the relation between cell phone and accidents, estimates that between 450 and 1,000 crashes a year has some connection to cell phones use; as u can see this is only an estimate, imagine the numbers of car crashes that are not listed. In a survey published by framers insurance group, 87 % of those polled said that cell phones affect a driver’s ability, and 40 % reported having close calls with drivers distracted by phones. (Layton C9)”  Driving and talking on the phone doesn’t just putt your life in danger it also puts others in danger as well. By putting a phone down while you are driving it’s saving at least one forth of the people on the streets, in fact it is suggested that you turn off you cell phones when driving.  Research proves that it is impossible to focus on driving and dialing a number or carrying on a conversation. Some states have even tried to state a law against this, other have band texting while driving. Also about one state has band bus drivers from the use of cell phones while driving for the safety of our young minds. About six others have band handling a cell phone while driving.Regulation is needed because drivers using phones are seriously impaired and because laws on negligent and reckless driving are not good enough to punish offenders. No one can deny that cell phones have caused traffic deaths and injuries on a daily life choice, many of us take a simple phone call or a text not knowing the consecuences that might occur. Cell phone were implicated in two different accidents with friends of mine. There were not fetal accidents but very tragic for my friends’. They were hurt and left with the thought of knowing that cell phones and cars don’t go together. Which in my opinion was a good lesson to learn.

I’m not saying put that phone down, cause at the end of the day you make your choices in life. But think about how many life’s your putting in danger, and when you get in the car with your family, you’re may not know if your going to come back home. Cell phones are not a bad thing, but they don’t go with a person driving a call.

In this case the best selected solution would be, passing a law banding cell phone use while in the use of a car. In my opinion, this would be very productive because many innocent lives would be saved. Just think how many family were tarred apart do to a careless driver. Would you want to carry the thought of killing someone you love or an innocent citizen just because you took a call?

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

2. February 2011 by student.

Cont. Social Problems

A big issue that seems to be arising in Southwest Florida is the rise in prescription drug usage among teens. I personally could name 5 people off the top of my head that I know abuses prescriptions drugs. Every day in the United States approximately 2,500 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 abuse prescription drugs for the first time (Fort Myers News Press). People think that taking prescription drugs is safer than taking a drug from the streets because it gets prescribed to their friends, parents or siblings.  It is just as illegal than taking any other drug. These drugs are only safe for the people they are prescribed too.

Prescription painkillers and other medications help lots of people live more productive lives, freeing them from the symptoms of medical conditions like depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But that’s only when they’re prescribed for a particular individual to treat a specific condition (Teens Health).  Why do people experiment with these drugs? Why does any teen experiment with any drug, they want to act cool, seem to fit in, or have more fun. A 2009 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study on how many kid admitted to taking a prescription drug. 20% of the teens said they experimented with a prescription drug with being prescribed it.

I believe this is a nation wide problem. I have seen many of the people I know get arrested, drop out of school, or enter rehab programs because of their addictions.  A couple of years ago I could not name one person who was on prescription drugs, but within the past 3 years it seems that I all I hear about from friends is prescription drugs.  It is a social problem that needs to be taken in the hands of parents to lock up their prescriptions in places where their children don’t know where they can be found.

-Mason W.

Posted in Social Problems | 2 Comments »

2. February 2011 by student.

It is Ok to Have Premarital Sex?            This is the most common question between teens these days. Young people do not consider the exciting effect of premarital sex.  Sex is an emotional experience and can affect our lives in ways that we cannot understand when we are young. In your mind, you are possibly considering the pros and cons of having premarital sex at younger age. Many people after having sex at certain age, most of them express feeling of guilt, lack of respect, and so much more.            Three -four of the U.S teens have premarital sex by age 20, and 58% have it before age 18. (qtd. in Abigail, Jones & Miley).    The reality of the circumstances is that the majority had premarital sex, and it’s been that way for a quite a few decades.  Even among those who abstained from sex awaiting 20 or past were just as likely to have sex as those who did not.            Abstinence from sexual activity outside marriage it’s not a way of educates teens to prevent STD’S. Abstinence–only education program do not help teen delays initiation of sex. Many abstinence-only programs provide inaccurate information on how to protect from HIV and pregnancy. Research reveals that many girls and boys raced to have sex before graduation because they do not believe in sex abstinence. (qtd. in Abigail, Jones & Miley).  Abstinence -only education may work for teens who embrace its religious roots or who choose to abstain for other reason. (qtd. in Abigail, Jones & Miley).              Comprehensive sex instruction is successful at support young people to make healthy decision about sex and to assume healthy sexual behavior. My personal view it’s that teaching young people concerning sexual health is very important in keeping a healthy attitude to sex and a healthy sexual lifestyle later on life. It is also a vital instrument in educate people about secure sex and protection or protects others. I agree entirely that sex education make a huge different. 

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

1. February 2011 by student.

Autism usually sets an individual aside from others. People suffereing from Autism is usually excluded from the group, because they are considered “different.” Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior (Autism Fact sheet). A report say that 1 in every 110 babies are born with Autism. With so many individuals suffering from Autism, yet there are people who have no knowledge on this disorder. There is no cure to this disorder. Autism affects the individuals life, family, friends, and people surrounding them. Autism seperates an individual from the rest of the world. In the world today, in order to be included and not judged, everyone must be te same. Individuals suffering from autism may feel alone and that they don’t belong in this world. “Children with autism generally have problems in three crucial areas of development — social interaction, language and behavior (MayoClinic.com). Families may feel that that individual is a burden, and could possibly regret having the child. There must be people who shows care and interest in Autism to help disorder and individuals who suffer from them. Sereve Autism can completely inable a person from communicating or interacting with the world.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »