Andover High Hazers

Andover High School has been quite popular in the news recently due to its repulsive hazing incident. The incident occurred at a basketball camp with Hoop Mountain organization at Stonehill College this past summer. Nine members of the Andover High basketball team attended the camp over the summer in which two younger players were persuaded into playing a game in one of the dorm rooms. The game was called "wet biscuit," a game in which the loser of the game had to eat an Oreo cookie covered in bodily fluid. One of the victimized players, who was wheedled into playing this game, allegedly transferred to another school.

Sources told The Eagle-Tribune that the two “ringleaders” of the hazing incident were the ones who are being expelled from the school. Meanwhile, the other players involved received suspensions and would be unable to participate in any school sports for the rest of the school year. Many students who have spoken of the incident described it as “very disturbing’’ and “disgusting.” Annie Gilbert, the Chairperson of Andover’s School Committee has also commented on the recent issue. She states “We have zero tolerance policies in place regarding bullying and hazing. A full investigation is underway and we will enforce those policies"(Gilbert).

Should the other players be more heavily disciplined than just a suspension from school and sports?

Should they be terminated completely from all sports for the rest of their high school years?

What are your thoughts on this incident?

If this had happened to you, would you have waited until now to report the incident like the victim did?

Read more: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/hazing-allegations-at-andover-high-20111125#ixzz1fOZRBcTt

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/sports/x229380624/Alleged-hazing-at-Andover-High-involved-sex-game

http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/12/andover-high-sanctions-students-for-hazing-incident-easton-college/msSJMtLjjX9iajntdz6jbJ/index.html

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/12/02/andover_high_school_students_face_discipline_in_hazing_incident/

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/12050/andover-hazing-probe-results-in-expulsions

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2011/12/02/andover-students-hazing-face-discipline/Cwvkldfvg5ryDCbjHfiL7M/story.html

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1384732&position=3

Black Friday Chaos

This past Friday, a “holiday” known to people all over the nation as Black Friday, stands to be the busiest shopping day of the year and the kickoff to holiday shopping season. Falling each year on the day after Thanksgiving, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 a.m., or earlier, and offer huge promotional sales on clothes, appliances, electronics and other valued goods. Last year, the Thanksgiving shopping weekend accounted for 12.1 percent of overall holiday sales, according to ShopperTrak, a research firm. Black Friday alone made up about half of that. These sales are often hard to miss out on considering the amount of money that is potentially saved. In this tight economy individuals are going to do whatever it takes to get the most amount of product, for the cheapest prices possible. Each year, there are even a variety of cases that make news headlines of violence, fights, and sometimes even deaths to get these goods—and nothing new has changed this year.

Scuffles broke out elsewhere around the U.S. as bargain-hunters crowded stores in an earlier-than-usual start to the madness known as Black Friday.

In Los Angeles, Walmart employees brought out a crate of discounted Xboxes, and as a crowd waited for the Xboxes to be unwrapped, a woman fired pepper spray at the other shoppers "in order to get an advantage," police said. Ten people suffered cuts and bruises in the chaos, and 10 others had minor injuries from the spray, authorities said. The woman got away in the confusion, and it was not immediately clear whether she got an Xbox.

Near Muskegon, Mich., a teenage girl was knocked down and stepped on several times after getting caught in the rush to a sale in the electronics department at a Walmart. She suffered minor injuries.

On Friday morning, police said, two women were injured and a man was charged after a fight broke out at an upstate New York Walmart. A man was arrested in a scuffle at a jewelry counter at a Walmart in Kissimmee, Fla.

Wal-Mart Stores, the nation's biggest retailer, has taken steps in recent years to control its Black Friday crowds following the 2008 death of one of its workers in a stampede of shoppers. This year, it staggered its door-buster deals instead of offering them all at once.

But is that even enough? Shouldn’t people feel completely safe when they are out shopping for gifts and should not have to feel as though their life is in danger? Do you think stores should take further measures to prevent injury and possibly even death on its customers? More security? And in the instance dealing with the pepper spray, should the women be charged, or have some sort of punishment for her harmful actions over an Xbox? Are these sorts of “accidents” justifiable to let them continue to occur every year on Black Friday?

Read more: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/national/12005996942627/sharp-elbows-shoppers-scuffle-on-black-thursday/

New Jersey teacher mocks Special Needs Student in class threatening him

Earlier this month, an incident took place at Bankbridge Regional School in Gloucester County New Jersey. A video was released of a teacher at the school mocking and berating a special needs student. No one believed the victim, Julio Artuz, when he told friends and family that his teacher was bullying him during class. The student used his cell phone to secretly record a segment of the bullying as proof to show his parents that he wasn't lying. The video (shown through the youtube link below) shows the teacher mocking the student along with using profanity to threaten him.

The video begins with Julio asking his teacher not to call him 'special.'

This upsets the teacher causing him to respond with: 'What? Oh my God, f****** god...What does the title on the front of that school say? 'Special education.'

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfOqA6PtRaw

It is obvious that the teacher is at fault and needs to be reprimanded for his actions. The issue here is the disciplinary action that is to be taken against the teacher. It should not be hard to fire a teacher that is caught red handed bullying and threatening a special needs student. The districts school board voted to punish the teacher but the superintendent did not specify in what way. The teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave from the school, and may continue to be on the districts payroll for the next five years, even if he is fired. The reason for this, is that "New Jersey’s teacher tenure law requires school districts to follow a series of complicated, expensive and time-consuming steps before they are allowed to fire veteran teachers" (Velderman). It only takes 3 years to become a tenured teacher in New Jersey, yet it takes almost twice as long to get rid of someone while they remain on the payroll. New Jersey's teacher tenure laws contain obvious flaws and are losing the school money through the long expensive process it takes to fire someone.

More information on the issue can be found at the following sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2062352/Special-needs-student-secretly-video-tapes-TEACHER-bullying-class.html#ixzz1du1iE55l

http://www.theweekly.com/news/2011/November/21/NJ_Teachers.html

What is your opinion on the whole incident? What disciplinary action do you think should be taken against the teacher? What do you think about New Jersey's teacher tenure laws and how they are affecting the school systems? Do you think something should be done to fix and reform the tenure laws?

Intrusive Technology

New technology advances are being made that are invading the personal freedoms that were granted to us by the Constitution. Imagine this, you are casually walking through the mall and unbeknownst to you a scan is being made. A couple of steps further and you are looking at an advertising display that shows products geared specifically to you. Or, Click! Someone with a smart phone just took your picture which they can upload to find out more information about you. How about being identified by those surveillance cameras that are surreptitiously placed throughout myriad public places? These technologies are neither science fiction nor fantasy; some are currently being used while others are being tested for widespread use in the very near future. With today’s advancements in facial recognition technology people are being identified without their knowledge or consent. Facial recognition technology can be beneficial in certain circumstances such as criminal justice and security; however, it is currently being used in a wide variety of contexts without our knowledge and consequently our consent. As technological advances move at a rapid pace and end-user awareness, and ethical considerations lag dramatically behind, we need to work to keep better pace. With facial recognition technology, our personal privacy is at stake.
Companies that have started using this new technology are trying to increase business, according to an article printed on October 7, 2011 called Advertisers Start Using Facial Recognition to Tailor Pitches. Kraft Foods Inc. plans on starting the use of this technology in the near future to increase their sales. Kraft Company’s vice president of retail experience, Donald King, said, “If it recognizes that there is a female between 25 to 29 standing there, it may surmise that you are more likely to have minor children at home and give suggestions on how to spice up Kraft Macaroni& Cheese for the kids.” Another company interested in starting the use of recognition technology is Adidas. Adidas is planning to use this technology so, “if a woman in her 50s walks by and stops, 60% of the shoes displayed will be for females in her age bracket, while the other 40% will be a random sprinkling of other goods.” “If a retailer can offer the right products quickly, people are more likely to buy something,” said Chris Aubrey, vice president of global retail marketing for Adidas.
An additional potentially intrusive software that has been made from this facial recognition technology, is the ability to take a picture of someone on a mobile phone and then enter the picture into a web search. Within seconds, the search can yield pictures and other identifying information about the person whose picture was taken. This technology, which has not yet been approved for marketing, allows people to be able to find information about anyone else without their knowledge or consent. Although this was withheld now, in a few years this technology may be opened to everyone. Facial recognition technology needs to be regulated so people do not use this technology in potentially harmful ways. Although this technology can be helpful to both law enforcement and airport security, as it can help people be identified, these are the only potentially positive uses that could come of the development of this technology.

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/daily-news-article/advertisers-start-using-facial-recognition-to-tailor-pitches

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-07-09/tech/face.recognition.facebook_1_facial-recognition-face-recognition-facebook/3?_s=PM:TECH

The Marijuana Petitions, by Will Morgan

Cannabis has been in our history since the beginning of America. One of the laws in the original Jamestown settlement required the colonists to grow hemp. The Constitution of the United States was drafted on hemp paper. George Washington grew hemp on Mount Vernon. And now cannabis is an illegal drug that results in over 850,000 arrests a year and costs taxpayers over ten billion dollars annually. This is probably because marijuana is the third most used recreational drug, behind alcohol and tobacco. One hundred million Americans have admitted to using marijuana, and twenty-five million have smoked in the past year. In addition, those who want to see marijuana legalized account for fifty percent of the population while those who oppose it make up only 46 percent. In light of this, it is no surprise that when the United States government released its new petition site “We the People,” American citizens expressed their immediate urge to see marijuana decriminalized.
The new site, “We the People”, is a government-run petition website that allows citizens to voice their opinions in a more direct manner. However, it does not always mean that those voices are heard. When the website was released on September 1st, 2011, there were immediately petitions that rose through the ranks. Among these few starting petitions were eight separate petitions that called for a reform on marijuana laws, and each quickly gained the 5,000 signatures required. A month later, after the petition gained almost 75,000 signatures, Gil Kerlikowske, a former police chief, issued a response that angered most of the marijuana-using community. A copy of the petition and the response issued can be found here:

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/legalize-and-regulate-marijuana-manner-similar-alcohol/y8l45gb1

Users are angry at this response for several reasons. Mainly, they are angry because the response does not answer the question about legalizing it in a manner similar to alcohol. When compared to alcohol (or tobacco for that matter), almost all of the arguments cited in the response become null and void. The people who signed the petition just want to know why alcohol and tobacco consumption is still legal when use is much worse for your health than consuming marijuana. Tobacco kills 435 thousand people a year, and alcohol kills 85 thousand. The mortality rate of marijuana, however, is zero.

http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30

My questions are: what do you think about marijuana and why do you think that? State all of your opinions and experiences with the drug.

Also, if interested, this is a response to Kerlikowske from Norml.org, a pro-marijuana organization.
http://blog.norml.org/2011/10/29/white-house-response-to-normls-we-the-people-marijuana-legalization-petition/

Post written by Will Morgan.

Penn State Scandal

For the past week everyone's been talking about the Penn State University scandal. Jerry Sandusky, a retired assistant football coach at the university, was accused of sexually assaulting young boys. Starting in 1994, it is said that he abused eight boys over a 15 year period. According to sources close to the investigation, he used "The Second Mile", a non profit organization that he established in 1977 for serving the youth of Pennsylvania, to "help" him do this. A grand jury investigation, that went on for two years, found that Sandusky encountered each of the victims through "The Second Mile."

What everyone's really talking about is wether Joe Paterno, head coach of Penn State Football, should be penalized. A former grad assistant caught Sandusky assaulting a 10 year old boy in the shower of the football building. The next day he reported it to Coach Paterno, who then told the athletic directors. The AD's didn't take action beyond reporting it to members of "The Second Mile." At this point, Sandusky was not permitted to bring children into the football building. So in my opinion the real question is, why didn't Paterno go further with the report when the athletic directors didn't take action? He knew what was going on, but didn't do as much as he could to fix it.

Some people believe that he's just as guilty for not reporting the incident further; where others are so supportive of him because of how long he's been at Penn State. While talking to my friends who attend the University, it seems they are really supportive of Coach Paterno and they don't want this scandal to effect their community as a whole. Hundreds of people, including students, have gathered outside his house to show their support; while there have been candle light vigils on the campus supporting the victims.

What's your opinion on this situation? Do you believe Coach Paterno is just as guilty as Sandusky? Is this a moral issue? Do you think Penn State University is going to be greatly affected by this? There are many different opinions and it is a hard topic to discuss, but while thinking about it, put yourself in the position of those families. If the boy being assaulted was your son, cousin, brother, would you think of this differently?

Here is a link to an article and video on the scandal:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/story/2011-11-06/penn-state-abuse-scandal-chilling/51100830/1

Racial Politics

In an article by the Associated Press, "Racial politics return with Cain allegations", Republican politician Herman Cain states that the recent uncovering of sexual harassment case that occurred 10 years ago is solely because he is black. Many people interviewed in the article felt that it was unfair that Cain played the "race card". Armstrong Williams, for example, said, "Why is the first response from some conservatives that this must have to do with Cain's race? That makes them guilty of the same race-baiting we accuse Democrats of". Since Cain was a front runner for the Republican party for 2012 election, I believe the sexual harassment case was brought up because people were trying to knock him down a few pegs, not criticizing his race. Cain even states in the article that he believes it is due to race, but there is no evidence to support the claim. When people are in the number one spot, opponents feel the need to find all the dirt they can in order to eliminate them from the race. Interestingly enough, Herman Cain is still in winning in the election poles.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAIN_RACE?SITE=TXWIC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

1. What are your views on how Cain handled the accusations?

2. Do you feel that it was because of him being the front runner or because of his race?

You do not need to base your answers off these questions. If you guys have any examples that can relate to this topic, please write them down!

Tipster Controversey

Many of you probably know that over the summer, the notorious mob leader, James “Whitey” Bulger, was caught after a decades-long chase, arrested, and is awaiting trial. Recently, the Boston Globe published an article identifying the tipster who led the FBI to Bulger and his girlfriend, Catherine Grieg. The tipster was identified as 57-year-old Anna Bjornsdottir of Iceland, who had befriended Grieg. The Globe also included a photograph of the tipster. Soon after the article was published, the Boston Globe was slammed with criticism from other newspapers as well as the FBI. The FBI issued a statement saying that the decision was solely the Globe’s, and that they do not tell the media what information to use and not to use. Many other news outlets criticized the decision for the sake of the tipster’s safety. They say that this may cause other tipsters to be afraid to come forward. One representative said, “This woman, I really feel for her because she’s going to have to look over her shoulder for a long time. I’m sure Whitey still has friend who are in the underworld. I’m sure this woman is in jeopardy” (Dwinell). The Globe defended their decision by citing freedom of speech and press.

The Boston Herald slams the Globe’s decision here: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_1010safety_of_tipster_feared_huge_risk_vs_2m_reward_for_whitey/srvc=home&position=0

The Boston Globe further defends their actions here:

http://articles.boston.com/2011-10-11/news/30267469_1_bulger-and-greig-tipster-martin-baron

What do you think of the Globe’s decision? Do news outlets have the right to publish such information? Do you think the concerns for this woman’s safety are valid, or will she be more safe now that people know her identity? How do you think this will affect possible future informants, as well as the FBI?

A Father's Role

Child support is an issue that is being fought over in courts every day throughout the nation. It seems standard when a mother is raising a child herself, the father is expected to put forth financial aid toward the cost of raising and caring for the child. When it becomes known that a father is not paying to support his offspring, he becomes known as a “deadbeat.” There have been recent cases where biological fathers are fighting back. In a heated discussion between Mel Feit, an advocate and the current director of the National Center for Men, and Gloria Allred, the president of the Women's Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education Fund, the issue over the father’s role in supporting a child was debated. The debate stemmed from a 2009 case where a father stated he did not need to pay child support for the infant in question, because he was “forced into fatherhood.” Points presented in the discussion included the fact that a woman can deliver her child to a safe-haven or give the child up for adoption if she does not want to raise the child or does not feel suitable for motherhood, yet a father cannot deny his paternal rights in the same manor. Additionally, the time window for women to tell their partners they are pregnant was discussed. This issue was presented with a family in which the father was contacted by a former partner to inform him he had a son. This contact was established years after the son was born, and the father was asked to pay child support for the boy. Fiet and Allred debated if women should be held accountable for not informing the fathers of the pregnancy in an allotted amount of time. Further discussion and points can be found from the source at: http://drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/4701/?id=4701&slide=0&showID=1150&preview=&versionID=

In response to this article, please answer and at least two of the following questions:

1.) Do you believe that men can be “forced” into parenthood?
2.) Is it justifiable for women to be able to surrender their rights for their children by adoption, while fathers cannot do so?
3.) Do you agree or disagree that there should be a statute of time for which a women can let the male know she is pregnant before the father can deny rights to the child?
4.) Furthermore, do you believe men should have a say in the right to their child’s life? Should they be able to have a say if they want to raise the child, but the mother plans on having an abortion?

Is It Right to Accept Students Based on Sexuality?

Most of you probably recall the stressful time of filling out college applications. How would you feel if on that application you were asked if you were gay, straight, lesbian or transgendered? Well, Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois became the first college to ask that question. You can actually see the question featured on their application on their website: http://media.elmhurst.edu/documents/Application_2011.pdf (p. 3). Having this question on their application has also caused a lot of controversy. According to admissions at Elmhurst College, this question was put on the application in order to increase diversity at their school. Gary Rold, dean of admissions, said the college will get a better handle on what LGBT students want from their college experience. He said students' interests affect greatly what the college offers, including majors and extracurricular activities. We all know how competitive schools are to get into- who has the highest GPA, who scored high on the SAT’s, who has the most extracurricular activities? Is sexual orientation just one more thing that high school students have to weigh in their chances of getting into college? Other colleges across the country are going to wait to see if Elmhurst is getting positive feedback for their question about sexual orientation. In time, this very well could be a customary question on all college applications. I want to know what you think, and please respond to a few of these questions and/or raise an argument of you own.
1. Do you think this is a fair question to ask?
2. The question, as of now, is optional. Would you feel comfortable giving your honest answer?
3. Would you consider lying about your sexual preference to get into the school of your choice?
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/College+first+about+sexual+orientation+admission+application/5323170/story.html?id=5323170#ixzz1bMIZ3u3C

A World of Glamor and Exploitation

In recent years MTV’s hit shows “Sixteen and Pregnant,” “Teen Mom,” and “Teen Mom 2” have hit our nation. These shows follow the lives of dozens of young women faced with a pregnancy at a young age. In “Sixteen and Pregnant” viewers see how a teen pregnancy affects the lives of both parents leading up to, and shortly after, the birth of their child. In both “Teen Mom” and “Teen Mom 2,” MTV focuses on the aftermath of the birth, like how the moms and their children are doing today. However, this exposure has lead to dozens of magazine covers in the tabloids and a debate on whether or not these shows are glamorizing teen pregnancy and exploiting the child.

Amber Portwood, one of MTV’s stars has faced charges of domestic abuse on her boyfriend, Gary. Maci Bookout faces the trials and trepidations of parenting with an ex that wishes to be apart of his son’s life. Farrah Abraham faces raising her daughter as a single parent because her boyfriend passed away in a car accident shortly before she was born. Catelynn Lowell must face her decision to give her daughter up for adoption every day.

According to a government study, teen birthrate has declined by six percent in the past few years that these shows have aired. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has reported that 82% of teens who have watched these shows have acknowledged that they have “help[ed] them understand the challenges that come with unexpected parenthood.” Only 15% have said the shows glamorize teen pregnancy.

The stars of “Teen Mom” and “Teen Mom 2” are paid anywhere between $60,000 and $65,000 per season. Is this the price to pay for exploiting their children to the world but helping other teens to “understand the challenges”? The oldest child on these shows is only two years old. Is it fair to exploit him for money and fame? Where is the line drawn in society today and should these shows be cancelled for the sake of the children?

Here are some articles that give opposing views on the idea of glamorization vs. knowledge:

• http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-04/opinion/henson.teen.mom.show_1_amber-portwood-teen-mom-mtv?_s=PM:OPINION
• http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654818/mtvs-16-pregnant-credited-decline-teen-pregnancy-rates.jhtml

Disorder Sweeping the Nation

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or more commonly known as ADHD, is becoming more and more widely diagnosed. A child with ADHD can act impulsive, inattentive, or even both at the same time. An inattentive child will have difficulty focusing, will daydream, will have difficulty completing assignments, and will become distracted very easily. An impulsive child is impulsive, speaks before he thinks, and often interrupts others. These children sometimes have trouble socially but a main concern with ADHD is their academic performance. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics has broadened its range for ADHD diagnosis and treatment to the ages from four to eighteen years old. The guidelines prior to these new ones were put in place in 2000 and 2001. The range for diagnosis and treatment had been from six to twelve years of age.

A correct ADHD diagnosis with the correct treatment can be essential to some children's well-being but the problem with ADHD's diagnoses is that aren't correct. Many children are misdiagnosed with ADHD, which has some questioning why they would broaden the age range for diagnosis and treatment if so many are said to be incorrect. It is estimated that nearly 1 million children have been misdiagnosed with ADHD, and therefore mistreated. Should they have broadened the age range with so many diagnoses already proving to be incorrect? Many may say that is just how kids are and to find a child in elementary school that doesn't get distracted easily or has trouble paying attention for a full class. This is a legitimate disorder for many, but has it become too overused in our society today? Is it becoming an excuse for a child who just has trouble behaving properly? Should the requirements for a diagnosis be narrowed down to limit those misdiagnoses or are they fine as is?

Here are some resources that are informative on the symptoms of ADHD, the new guidelines, and some thoughts from doctors, researchers, and other professionals:

• http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/16/kids-as-young-as-4-can-have-adhd/?hpt=he_c1
• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml
• http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/add-adhd-misdiagnosis-and-mistreatment.html

Could Straightedge be a Gang?

Exactly what is straightedge? A straightedge person is someone who refrains from using drugs, smoking, and alcohol. A little background of straightedge is that the subculture that was formed through hardcore punk music. A common symbol to know if someone is straightedge is by wearing an X. These kids form a brotherhood to keep themselves from trying to do the wrong things. Straightedge kids are going against what is the norm in society for their age because nearly eighty percent of kids have tried alcohol. At first view, this would be a parent's dream for their kid. A parent does not have to worry about their child becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol.

There are two different kinds of straightedge subcultures, posis and militant hardcore. Posis are those who live out the straightedge lifestyle in a positive way by being examples of what straightedge stands for. Usually posis just live their life refraining drugs or alcohol. Just like every group, there are always some bad apples that can ruin the bunch and they are called militant hardcore. The militant hardcore like to induce violence on those who deal drugs or who get drunk. This group gives the posis a bad reputation. The militant having given the reputation that if you are linked to straightedge then you are put on record by the gang units. An accident happened in Utah in which militant hardcore straightedge members killed a young boy.

Is Straightedge becoming just another gang that kids can join or is it a safe haven for kids who do not want to drink, do drugs, or smoke? Should parents allow their children to be straightedge?

Here are some links about the murder in Utah and a clip from a movie that my class watched in sociology

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4084079

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgGN6CyFtLw&feature=related

The Father Wound.

We are born loved by our mothers, with our mothers. The father is the first "other" whom we know in our life that can either embrace us or reject us. What happens when he isn't there?

"Fatherlessness" is an accepted part of most of the world’s societies. It is not a shock to hear that someone’s parents are divorced, that their father left, that a woman is a single mother. It's a wonder why it's so expected, almost welcomed, when it's one of the biggest, yet unrecognized social issues. It is the breakdown of the family model. It is one of the most consequential, yet ignored demographic epidemics in the world today.
It is increasing outrageously and no one recognizes the devastation it leaves behind. The effect of this problem is evolutionary because it decides the fate of future generations, success or chaos, and the decision is entirely dependent on the individual whether they choose to succumb to the pain of their personal experiences or to let it make them a better person.
A father means the world to a son or a daughter. He is protection, he is inspiration, and he is love. A father cares, supports, listens, stays, and helps. He provided life for his children, and a father is always there to preserve it and to make sure that they grow in happiness and strength. A father's presence can change a child's future and the person they would become entirely. It is not enough for a father to simply be present to his family, but to go beyond the standard requirements and be accessible, participate and be firm, yet gentle in his disciplinary role.

With the expanding amount of single parent households, many ask why no one is paying attention, why no one seems to see what sadness and anger is being bred into the hearts of children. Director Justin Hunt (American Meth) has noticed and taken action against the epidemic of fatherlessness by filming a documentary on its affects called Absent. It features well-known as well as entirely unknown people of differing occupations such as musician, single mother, model, world champion boxer, author, prostitute, student, etc. and their stories of how their fathers left and how they feel about them now.
Here is the trailer for Absent so you have an idea of their attitudes.

“Across the globe, disengaged fathers are leaving a mark that will forever reshape the future of our planet. You show me a person that is angry, violent, depressed, selfish, sexually immoral, hyper-driven, or one of several other personality types, and I’ll show you a father wound. Nothing is more important to a young man, or a young woman, than a father’s love, respect and acceptance. And nothing is more damaging than when the question ‘Am I good enough?’ is asked of the father by the child, and the answer is silence.” – absentmovie.com


Do you agree with the level of importance this portrays a father figure having? Why or why not?

74 Kids and More On The Way

This tv show is about a man named Brian who lives in Boston. When he was in college he donated sperm to be used for parents/a parent who could not have children. Brian not thinking of the consequences donated because of the fact that he would get paid. As of now Brian has around 70-75 kids because of his donation. Brian does not consider these children "his own kids". For some of the parents it was hard to tell their children they were not conceived like other children. One woman had gotten two children from Brian's donation and as for her daughter she believes that her mom and Brian are going to get married one day. This is giving children false hopes about their donor father. But, this tracking of donor parents and donor children can be beneficial too. One donor child was actually glad to find out she had half siblings.I have a few diffrerent questions that you guys can answer about this story. Please choose atleast two of the following four questions to answer.

1. How do you feel about artifical insemination? Would your opinion change if it was a couple vs. a single person who wants a child? Or if it was a lesbian couple vs. a straight couple?
2. Do you think that men should be compensated for their donation?
3. Do you think more people should consider alternatives? (i.e. adoption)
4. How would you feel if someone you know was in the same situation as this guy Brian?




http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/b7656_74_kids_more_on_way_style_presents.html

Dance: Could it really be the work of the devil?

    How would you feel if this was your six to thirteen year old dancing out on stage dressed like this? Over done make-up is one thing but this is another. Does the dance change due to the costume? Who really benefits from this costume choice, the parents that paid an exuberant  amount of money to dress their children like hookers, would the performance had suffered if these children were dressed a little more age appropriate? It seems the only people that benefit from this particular outfit choice and performance are the perverted pedophiles who will watch their performance over and over again for there own perversions. I feel that  this dance instructor should take a long look at herself as a professional dance instructor and her abilities to teach these children and see that a performance is not measured by there costumes and how suggestive a dance can be but by the actual skill and dedication of the children performing.
     Most disturbing to me was not the teachers verbal abuse and grueling workout on the children's bodies but the fact that the parents allowed it and actually contributed to it by not coming to there children's defense. The parents, who will cut down a child for missing a step even if that child isn't there own, actually get pleasure by seeing one child pitted against the next week in and week out. It seems to me these mothers are nothing but glory whores living their lives through the popularity and talents of their children. These mothers are no better than the fans that chant and scream "we won the game" and "we did it", taking credit and all the while they never left the couch.
     Do you feel these children are being exploited? Do you think the attached performance is age appropriate? What are your feelings towards this show and what do you think should be done about it if anything?

Women still gaining the right to vote today?

Often we don't think about what other women in other countries are facing. We only think about women in America and how they can vote, drive a car, go to school, go to work, pick who they want to marry, etc. Not everywhere do women have the right to vote.

Today was a huge turning point for women in Saudi Arabia because in Saudi Arabia women have just earned the right to vote. Also they have earned the right to run and serve as members of the Shura Council. Could you imagine if women in American still did not have the right to vote? Would that have changed the outcome of elections?

Also Saudi Arabian women are not allowed to drive. There was a woman's right activist in Saudi Arabia who was arrested for driving a car. It seems like it would be a big inconvenience to not be able to drive to the store, to a friend's house, or even just to work. What would it be like in American if women did not have the right to drive?

In an article called My Name is Ahlima, Ahlima finds the way American women dress to be "immodest" she says tight clothing could "cause great discomfort" and doesn't think that women who dress that way "can be respected". In Saudi Arabia they have to wear an abuyah which is a loose fitting cloth that covers them from head to toe. Do you think women in America are respected for what they wear?

If you were a women in Saudi Arabia could you deal with not being able to drive, having to wear certain clothes, or having someone pick who you marry for you?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/25/world/meast/saudi-women-vote/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/25/why-can%E2%80%99t-women-in-saudi-arabia-drive-cars.html
http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/164120126152717363/lib/164120126152717363/muslim_woman_part_1.pdf

Globalization, Free Trade, and the Exploitation of Workers

How would you feel if you lived in a third world country and had to work from sun-up until sun down each and everyday in cramped, filthy, and unregulated working conditions just to earn $2? Now let me paint a different picture for you. How would you feel if you lived in the United States and worked two jobs just to live at the poverty line and the only clothing you could afford were cheap clothes that were manufactured in a developing country, which more than likely exploits its workers?

Both scenarios are very common to many people in the United States and other countries around the world. People in underdeveloped countries work for little to no pay just to afford food for their family, which in turn allows for many items sold in America to be significantly cheaper. This situation creates a cycle which affects people here in the United States who are poor but the only clothes they can afford is clothing from companies that may outsource to poorer countries, thus exploiting the indigenous people from those areas. So begins the negative cycle that links poverty and exploitation.

Trade within our world is rapidly expanding each and everyday, but with such an increased rate of expansion and globalization arises the problem of the exploitation of workers in developing countries. In order to expand their markets and become more competitive with the rest of the trading world, “countries may need to dismantle their trade barriers, abolish their legal monopolies, privatize their state-owned enterprises and reduce over- staffing in their bloated bureaucracies” (Rama 2). Such reforms may bring about a large-scale loss of jobs, which in turn would result in more unemployment within developing countries. For instance, the European Union just recently signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Peru and Colombia: a decision that was faced with much opposition. Such a decision was met with wide disapproval because it was rewarding these two governments even though they are known to violate and exploit the rights of their people. Furthermore, an increase in investments may have a negative impact on citizens.

Nevertheless, without globalization many people, including America’s working poor, would be unable to afford simple necessities. That globalization exploits workers allows for items sold in other countries to be cheaper, thus allowing the poor people of the United States to afford items such as clothes. As awful as this scenario may sound, many people who are poor in America are forced to side with the lesser of two evils and purchase items, which further the exploitation of foreign workers.

Ultimately, faced with such a troublesome scenario, what would you choose to do if you were amongst the working poor? What would you propose as a solution or compromise to this crisis?

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=636320

http://www.utne.com/2003-03-01/Jordans-Sweatshops.aspx

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/05/opinion/la-ed-trade5-2010feb05