Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Abuse of Stimulants Among Students
The abuse of stimulants has become very common among college students and it is a disadvantage to them in that it comprises their health in the future. At one point in time the abuse of cocaine and heroin seemed to be an issue and now students have turned to prescription drugs that they can get addicted to. Aderol is a prescription drug used for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) that is one of the drugs that students are abusing to help them focus better and get their work done more efficiently. Concerta and Ritalin have also become popular and students get them from peers with ADHD. This practice has become so common among students that there are more students abusing the drug than students who are actually supposed to be taking the drug. The failure to realize the future health complications of abusing these drugs puts many students at risk for an unhealthy lifestyle. Students usually have tight schedules from going to school, working, peer relationships, and other responsibilities and find themselves doing a lot of school assignments in the last minute. When procrastinating, the use of these drugs is convenient in that it increases alertness and concentration. The drugs later become addicting because it gives them and extra boost of performance and an attempt to keep this level of performance is what causes students to use the drug over and over again. Parents can help prevent their children from further use but a lot of times it the signs are undected until individual gets caught. The drug is illegal for individuals who it is not prescribed to use but yet it is so common. At first I thought that it shouldn’t be a big deal if its helping students do better in school but when I looked at the risks such as heart strokes or other compromises to health it was very distressing.
Abuse of Stimulants Among Students
The abuse of stimulants has become very common among college students and it is a disadvantage to them in that it comprises their health in the future. At one point in time the abuse of cocaine and heroin seemed to be an issue and now students have turned to prescription drugs that they can get addicted to. Aderol is a prescription drug used for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) that is one of the drugs that students are abusing to help them focus better and get their work done more efficiently. Concerta and Ritalin have also become popular and students get them from peers with ADHD. This practice has become so common among students that there are more students abusing the drug than students who are actually supposed to be taking the drug. The failure to realize the future health complications of abusing these drugs puts many students at risk for an unhealthy lifestyle. Students usually have tight schedules from going to school, working, peer relationships, and other responsibilities and find themselves doing a lot of school assignments in the last minute. When procrastinating, the use of these drugs is convenient in that it increases alertness and concentration. The drugs later become addicting because it gives them and extra boost of performance and an attempt to keep this level of performance is what causes students to use the drug over and over again. Parents can help prevent their children from further use but a lot of times it the signs are undected until individual gets caught. The drug is illegal for individuals who it is not prescribed to use but yet it is so common. At first I thought that it shouldn’t be a big deal if its helping students do better in school but when I looked at the risks such as heart strokes or other compromises to health it was very distressing.
Social Networks
Social networks are ubiquitous around the world. Anybody can travel the world and explore continents such as: Africa, Asia, or even South America and found people who have access to a computer, who owns collectives networks like Facebook, MySpace or Twitter. These websites were created for a purpose of interaction. Even though, many people hold their own conception about these social interactive networks. These websites does not accede a specific age group –Michele Slatalla said, `` At Facebook.com, everyone can join ``512.Literally everyone – with no distinctive feature – just everyone! Teenagers, these days are precocious technophiles who cavort the world of technology however, it is causing quandaries between parents and children.
I have a Facebook profile. My main purpose for creating a profile on Facebook was because all my friends, were talking about how they found long lost friend they have had since the first grade. Then, I thought it will be remarkable to create a page and by curiosity I found friends I had not seen for a while or would not even recognize if they were to pass me in the street. I cannot express the great feelings I get when I find someone, I spent my whole childhood with. I even found other children I dislike back in the days but we were able to burry the old ashes and move on to becoming friends. I often reminisce the old days, and when I feel that way my only option is Facebook. I can express my self, by connecting with my old friends, perform any other types of activities; play games, listen to music ect…
Facebook is accessible to the general public and in my opinion; I think it is totally understandable for many reasons. If parents, adults create their online profiles to monitor their children or companion activities and have fun at the same time then it is a great way to keep online sexual predators away from children or even certain adults. It is just call safety even though many teenagers do not find it amusing or cool to have their mother or father as one of their friends on Facebook or MySpace. Parents were put on earth to guarantee the well being of their children. We live in a sadistic world, and we all can succumb upon temptation but whom do we have to prevent us from that? Parents, I would not reprimand my mother because she is my friend on Facebook, indeed she is, just for the simple fact that we both understand our boundaries and we respect it , and I think that is what every parents should do respect the boundary line between them and their children.
Slatalla writing describes the relationship between her daughter and her as a catastrophic when she joined faced `` But after receiving a follow-up threat from my daughter, I started worrying that allowing parents in would backfire on Facebook ``513. She also questioned, `` if the presence of people like me (parents) alienated Facebook`s core younger group, would they flee? In response to that a Facebook spokeswoman says that more than 50 percent of Facebook users are outside of college now``513. so, where does that leave parents and children social networks wars? The main key to this answer is call boundaries in other words limitation or borders. Parents and children should recognize their boundary lines as it comes to this website and each maintain their role in an adequate way.
Facebook and other network are open the public, is it destroying or reinforcing our society? I would say a little bit of both; the fact that someone can find friends and suitable groups depending on your characteristic is great it is not leaving children or even adults in desperation , it reunites us with those we had long lost. To every situation they most always be the poor side, in this one I would say the confrontation between parents and children. However, we can all get pass that and enjoy the websites as they were created for interaction.
Slatalla Michelle. “Omg My Mom Joined Facebook!!’’. College Composition:
You can get there from here. Ed.Katherine Ann Ackley. Mason OH: Cengage Learning 2008, 511-514.
I have a Facebook profile. My main purpose for creating a profile on Facebook was because all my friends, were talking about how they found long lost friend they have had since the first grade. Then, I thought it will be remarkable to create a page and by curiosity I found friends I had not seen for a while or would not even recognize if they were to pass me in the street. I cannot express the great feelings I get when I find someone, I spent my whole childhood with. I even found other children I dislike back in the days but we were able to burry the old ashes and move on to becoming friends. I often reminisce the old days, and when I feel that way my only option is Facebook. I can express my self, by connecting with my old friends, perform any other types of activities; play games, listen to music ect…
Facebook is accessible to the general public and in my opinion; I think it is totally understandable for many reasons. If parents, adults create their online profiles to monitor their children or companion activities and have fun at the same time then it is a great way to keep online sexual predators away from children or even certain adults. It is just call safety even though many teenagers do not find it amusing or cool to have their mother or father as one of their friends on Facebook or MySpace. Parents were put on earth to guarantee the well being of their children. We live in a sadistic world, and we all can succumb upon temptation but whom do we have to prevent us from that? Parents, I would not reprimand my mother because she is my friend on Facebook, indeed she is, just for the simple fact that we both understand our boundaries and we respect it , and I think that is what every parents should do respect the boundary line between them and their children.
Slatalla writing describes the relationship between her daughter and her as a catastrophic when she joined faced `` But after receiving a follow-up threat from my daughter, I started worrying that allowing parents in would backfire on Facebook ``513. She also questioned, `` if the presence of people like me (parents) alienated Facebook`s core younger group, would they flee? In response to that a Facebook spokeswoman says that more than 50 percent of Facebook users are outside of college now``513. so, where does that leave parents and children social networks wars? The main key to this answer is call boundaries in other words limitation or borders. Parents and children should recognize their boundary lines as it comes to this website and each maintain their role in an adequate way.
Facebook and other network are open the public, is it destroying or reinforcing our society? I would say a little bit of both; the fact that someone can find friends and suitable groups depending on your characteristic is great it is not leaving children or even adults in desperation , it reunites us with those we had long lost. To every situation they most always be the poor side, in this one I would say the confrontation between parents and children. However, we can all get pass that and enjoy the websites as they were created for interaction.
Slatalla Michelle. “Omg My Mom Joined Facebook!!’’. College Composition:
You can get there from here. Ed.Katherine Ann Ackley. Mason OH: Cengage Learning 2008, 511-514.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Youth on the internet
In today's society it seems as if more and more young adults , teenaegers, and even pre-tenagers are in continous use of the internet. A lot of the internet use involves communication. Internet websites such as Facebook and Myspace allow not only youths but anyone to access others profile if they accept their request. This allows almost anyone to get involved into other peoples personal lives and learn information about them without even knowing the person. I also feel like this allows people to start up "relationships" with people they have never even met or talked to in person before. By starting off a relationship of any kind in this way I think that it allows anyone to pretend to be someone they are not. Not to mention this can be very dangerous for young youths meeting people they think there the same "age". WHen actaully there older men/woman who ahave sick disease trying to get sex from youths .I also feel like youths communication skills will be thrown off by not even having the need to talk ith some one face to face. Anytime someone wants to "meet" some one all they have to do is get on the computer. In a way there would never even be a need to go new places or even leave your home. The problem with this I feel is that if this continues, what happens when they have to meet some one in real life or even after they meet someone online they don't have real confidence to just be themself. What happen to going to meet someone for lunch or giving your friends an actual call.
what a mess
It is really scarey to think that people can lose their minds at a blink of an eye. I remember I was watching "The Ellen Show" the other day and they interuppted to talk about the Fort Hood shooting on a military base in Texas. I was like another terrorist attack? Come to find out that it was a Major who just lost it. I am going into the Army in January and it just goes to show you that you must always watch your back and never know what is going to happen. Apparently there were signs that may have prevented this incident from happening, but who really knows. I believe that as horrible and messed up this world is somethings are just meant to happen to show us what a mess we live in and hopefully open some people's eyes. It makes me upset the world in which I live in. I get scared not knowing exactly what could happen. Nothing is a guarantee in this life.
Teen Gang-Rape: Why Bystanders Kept Quiet?
Teen Gang-Raped: Why Bystanders Kept Quiet?
The gang rape and beating of a 15-year-old girl on Richmond High School grounds after her homecoming dance was horrific enough. But even more shocking, police said that, as many as 20 bystanders are believed to have watched without intervening and may have even filmed or photographed the attack.
This is a classical case of group crime, and conformity, where people do things just because everyone else is doing it. Had one person stepped up and opposed to raping the teen, he would have been able to change the hall dynamic.
This is also, peer pressure, where in adolescence value fitting in and being liked more than, self-identity. Some of the rappers may have done it, just so they are not picked on.
Is it mob mentality, or fear?
Teens, brain being undeveloped, they thing differently than adults, they are living in their own society where the rules are different, where there is this issue of inappropriate sexuality, undeveloped sexuality a lot of violence, and there is a tolerance effect, a lot of these teens, have seen so many things through virtual reality, through fantasy, that when it comes to real life their tolerance level is so high, that they now must see some thing much more horrific in real life, for them to realize that this is reality.
Are we manufacturing this, is this a media effect? Well, there is a link between what we watch and how we behave by the availability heuristic, there are other factors that play a significant role in these kind of behavior. Though correlation is not causation, there is a correlation effect between kids from abusive families ,and kids turning out to be abusive.
So, Where do we go from here?, what do we do about this apathy, and silent witnesses? I think that parents should get involve in teaching their children, to intervene, don’t just be a bystander, be heroes instead, and even use some minor sanction when it’s appropriate, but more importantly, change the mindset of bystanders, and that will take more than, just one person opposing the group, but a lot more people are needed to achieve this.
The gang rape and beating of a 15-year-old girl on Richmond High School grounds after her homecoming dance was horrific enough. But even more shocking, police said that, as many as 20 bystanders are believed to have watched without intervening and may have even filmed or photographed the attack.
This is a classical case of group crime, and conformity, where people do things just because everyone else is doing it. Had one person stepped up and opposed to raping the teen, he would have been able to change the hall dynamic.
This is also, peer pressure, where in adolescence value fitting in and being liked more than, self-identity. Some of the rappers may have done it, just so they are not picked on.
Is it mob mentality, or fear?
Teens, brain being undeveloped, they thing differently than adults, they are living in their own society where the rules are different, where there is this issue of inappropriate sexuality, undeveloped sexuality a lot of violence, and there is a tolerance effect, a lot of these teens, have seen so many things through virtual reality, through fantasy, that when it comes to real life their tolerance level is so high, that they now must see some thing much more horrific in real life, for them to realize that this is reality.
Are we manufacturing this, is this a media effect? Well, there is a link between what we watch and how we behave by the availability heuristic, there are other factors that play a significant role in these kind of behavior. Though correlation is not causation, there is a correlation effect between kids from abusive families ,and kids turning out to be abusive.
So, Where do we go from here?, what do we do about this apathy, and silent witnesses? I think that parents should get involve in teaching their children, to intervene, don’t just be a bystander, be heroes instead, and even use some minor sanction when it’s appropriate, but more importantly, change the mindset of bystanders, and that will take more than, just one person opposing the group, but a lot more people are needed to achieve this.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Homelessness
I was in Philadelphia this weekend and noticed that the homeless problem there is either more conspicuous or just plain worse than it is in a lot of other cities. I have always wondered what has brought these people to their current circumstances and how much of it was in their control. Given the choice between hard work or a life on the streets, I’d like to think that anyone would choose to work, no matter what that entails. However, anybody who empathizes with these people and their plight immediately risks being called “bleeding-heart.” And while I agree that personal responsibility is a quality that we all should practice and embrace, there’s nothing wrong with empowering people to help themselves. And if that means a handout is in order initially, then so be it.
It’s hard to imagine yourself in a situation with no one to turn to and that contributes to our indifference towards the homeless. Most of us are fortunate enough to have families willing to help when we need it. Our families also have the means to help. But I imagine that many homeless people probably have no one to provide a temporary home or a meal. And even in situations where there may be family members nearby that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have the cash flow to support another person. Also, I’ve notice that many homeless people seem to suffer from mental problems. So I looked up some of the leading causes of homelessness on the internet and found that very reason near the top of the list. Caring for someone with a mental condition can be a significant burden physically, mentally, and fiscally and that’s probably another reason that family members haven’t taken them in.
It also seems that when a situation is so desperate and a person is forced to live on the street, their problems begin to compound. For example, it’s hard to go to a job interview when you don’t have access to a shower and decent clothing. It’s hard to to signup for programs when you don’t have an address or a phone number. Since drug addiction is a leading cause of homelessness, lack of access to rehabilitation programs is another problem faced by the homeless.
Fortunately, there are organizations that provide some relief to the homeless, such as temporary lodging and a healthy meal. I think the people that run the shelters and soup kitchens are saints. Public funding for those institutions is definitely money well spent. I understand that programs to help the homeless are abused, but that is probably offset by the good that comes from these programs.
It’s hard to imagine yourself in a situation with no one to turn to and that contributes to our indifference towards the homeless. Most of us are fortunate enough to have families willing to help when we need it. Our families also have the means to help. But I imagine that many homeless people probably have no one to provide a temporary home or a meal. And even in situations where there may be family members nearby that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have the cash flow to support another person. Also, I’ve notice that many homeless people seem to suffer from mental problems. So I looked up some of the leading causes of homelessness on the internet and found that very reason near the top of the list. Caring for someone with a mental condition can be a significant burden physically, mentally, and fiscally and that’s probably another reason that family members haven’t taken them in.
It also seems that when a situation is so desperate and a person is forced to live on the street, their problems begin to compound. For example, it’s hard to go to a job interview when you don’t have access to a shower and decent clothing. It’s hard to to signup for programs when you don’t have an address or a phone number. Since drug addiction is a leading cause of homelessness, lack of access to rehabilitation programs is another problem faced by the homeless.
Fortunately, there are organizations that provide some relief to the homeless, such as temporary lodging and a healthy meal. I think the people that run the shelters and soup kitchens are saints. Public funding for those institutions is definitely money well spent. I understand that programs to help the homeless are abused, but that is probably offset by the good that comes from these programs.
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