Motherhood has been the most challenging role I've ever had to play. Nevertheless, most rewarding. I have a three year old boy and he gives me a reason to wake up every morning. I also have another boy on the way and to be honest I don't know how I will manage but I know I will survive.
The whole process starts when you first realize that you are pregnant. The morning sickness, moodiness, weight gain, distended abdomen, huge breasts... the list is endless depending on the woman. I enjoyed my first pregnancy, not so much second time around. I realized during my first pregnancy that there is a lot I did not know or wasn't prepared for during birth. I had requested epidural so most of the pain was numbed. But the pain that I had for the first few hours of labor was unbearable. The fact that I had four male professionals (doctors and nurses) and two nurses just staring at private part for several hours was a little irritating.
But as soon as my son was born everything else didn't matter. He was placed on my chest as I requested. I still remember as if it was yesterday, he was strange,wet, warm and I had an overwhelmingly unconditional love for him. From then on the rest was history.
The midnight feedings were crazy. What's crazier is that my husband was losing his hearing or at least conveniently. Didn't see that one coming since he's had experience with babies before with his older kids. Somehow I learned that was part of being mother. I ended up doing most of domestic chores and held a part time job. So I know that when the my second son comes I will be doing most of the raising. I guess as long as I don't work that works for me.
If I was to do it again, I would still wait to have children. I know that with children, there's no such thing as perfect time but it helps to be stable both financially and in relationship for the child and the parents.
Iman
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Technology and Social Relationships
From Facebook to Twitter, Instant Message to Skype, iPhones to iPods, it seems as though the technologies of communication run American society today. In particular, social relationships are impacted greatly from rapid advances in technology. The great debate is whether or not technology hinders or improves communication. Some may say that technology strengthens social relationships because it provides a fast and reliable avenue for people to communicate with those five miles and five hundred miles away. Others argue that technology hinders social relationships because communications through devices lack the ability to have face-to-face interaction. There are clearly costs, benefits, and risks that surround technology. However, I believe that technology hinders social relationships.
People rely on technologies such as the internet for every realm of their lives. A New York City psychiatrist named Dr. Ivan Goldberg identified Internet Addiction (IAD) as an “out of control behavior that threatens to overwhelm the addict’s normal life”. 1 While it is not a medical addiction, it is a very serious behavioral addiction. This addiction can be clearly seen by the numerous amounts of people who clearly cannot face the everyday task of social interaction without devices. Many people use these devices to resolve serious issues such as discussions about illness or death. While this may make it seem easier at the time, research done by UCLA scientist Dr. Gary small found that daily usage of technology may be altering the way our brains function in terms of social skills. He found that the increase in usage of technology weakens brain circuits involved in face-to-face interactions.2 This means that with increasing technology, new generations will lack the ability to read face expressions and understand subliminal social cues. Once these socially incapable generations grow old and our older generations die, there will be no one to reverse the devastating trend of no human interaction.
Technologies for communication are also extremely dangerous. With the addiction to technology, it is clear that people use devices at inappropriate times. Texting while driving has become a huge problem, as it was found that almost half (48%) of young Americans from ages 12-17 say they’ve been in a car while the driver was texting. Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver’s reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old.3 Luckily states have begun to ban this dangerous activity, but that will not stop teens who feel the constant need to communicate through devices. In addition, internet safety is a major concern. With children and teens being so connected, it is extremely easy for strangers to invade homes through the computer and get personal information.
Among all 8 to 18 year olds, 76% own an iPod/MP3 player, 66% own a cellphone, and 29% own a laptop.4 These technologies of communication are greatly impacting the youth of America and we need to be wary of their effects on social relationships.
1. http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/students/purdy/index.htm
2. http://ezinearticles.com/?This-is-Your-Brain-on-Technology---The-Effect-of-Technology-on-Social-Interaction&id=2566035
3. http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell/statistics.html
4. http://www.frankwbaker.com/mediause.htm
People rely on technologies such as the internet for every realm of their lives. A New York City psychiatrist named Dr. Ivan Goldberg identified Internet Addiction (IAD) as an “out of control behavior that threatens to overwhelm the addict’s normal life”. 1 While it is not a medical addiction, it is a very serious behavioral addiction. This addiction can be clearly seen by the numerous amounts of people who clearly cannot face the everyday task of social interaction without devices. Many people use these devices to resolve serious issues such as discussions about illness or death. While this may make it seem easier at the time, research done by UCLA scientist Dr. Gary small found that daily usage of technology may be altering the way our brains function in terms of social skills. He found that the increase in usage of technology weakens brain circuits involved in face-to-face interactions.2 This means that with increasing technology, new generations will lack the ability to read face expressions and understand subliminal social cues. Once these socially incapable generations grow old and our older generations die, there will be no one to reverse the devastating trend of no human interaction.
Technologies for communication are also extremely dangerous. With the addiction to technology, it is clear that people use devices at inappropriate times. Texting while driving has become a huge problem, as it was found that almost half (48%) of young Americans from ages 12-17 say they’ve been in a car while the driver was texting. Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver’s reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old.3 Luckily states have begun to ban this dangerous activity, but that will not stop teens who feel the constant need to communicate through devices. In addition, internet safety is a major concern. With children and teens being so connected, it is extremely easy for strangers to invade homes through the computer and get personal information.
Among all 8 to 18 year olds, 76% own an iPod/MP3 player, 66% own a cellphone, and 29% own a laptop.4 These technologies of communication are greatly impacting the youth of America and we need to be wary of their effects on social relationships.
1. http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/students/purdy/index.htm
2. http://ezinearticles.com/?This-is-Your-Brain-on-Technology---The-Effect-of-Technology-on-Social-Interaction&id=2566035
3. http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell/statistics.html
4. http://www.frankwbaker.com/mediause.htm
Race and inequality...
Being a white female in the united states is a sort of privilege compared to other Countries. Most people who i have worked for have always looked at me as too feminine to lift heavy objects or to work certain machinery. Just because i am a female, does not mean i cant lift heavy things, its just that i may need help doing it. I am perfectly capable of doing many things that men can do. I work on the side for a handy man company along side my boyfriend, and i learn many things from working with men. I dont believe that any woman should be looked at as "just a woman" and all we do is cook and clean. I also go out snow plowing to make extra money...my roommate's father wanted to know why her twelve year old son couldn't go out snow plowing, and why a girl should go. I was very insulted when he said a twelve year old could shovel three or four feet of snow instead of a twenty year old woman. Also, Racial discrimination is a huge issue i hate to face, but have to face everyday. I believe that there is no such thing as race, i think of everyone as equal. In Florida, the schools are pretty much divided, no physically but emotionally and racially. Kids stay in their own racial groups, they divide themselves from any type of racial groups. When i moved to Maryland, everything is flip-flopped. Everyone is friends with everyone, and racial groups are not as pronounced. I dont believe in different races, i think of everyone the same which is how i was raised. I dont like to associate with racists because its no ones fault that they are a certain race, instead they should be proud of their race and heritage.
Monday, February 22, 2010
WOMAN'S BODY BECOMES AN OBJECT.
In today's world, it is true that there cannot be very good marketing without advertisement. Advertisement is to serve the purpose of looking out for the needs of society, manufacture the needs, and bringing these needs to the door-step of people.
Unfortunately, I was very shocked at an advertisement I saw which made my limbs to fall, and I got ashamed that I'm a woman. One beautiful day when I was off from work and on school break, I decided to relax and enjoy the break from the busy hustings of school and work. I then took some magazines to read and see what was going on in the other parts of the world. But to my greater amazement, I was very surprised when I saw an advertisement of a hand purse, sitting on the legs of a woman in high heel shoes. I suddenly got a head-ache and I asked myself ; 'HAVE A WOMAN'S BODY BECOME AN OBJECT"?
Indeed, even though advertisement is to provide buyers with value for the things we need and buy, I found it difficult to agree that there is any value in that. I wonder if any woman will agree with me. All the same I may not be right with my feelings. As we are all made differently, I would not be surprised if other women are rather attracted to this advertisement. Oh!, how I wish other women will understand me, see what I see , and feel what I feel. I believe all these contribute to the fact that some men do not respect women and treat their wives as pieces of object.
Patricia Nartey.
"
Unfortunately, I was very shocked at an advertisement I saw which made my limbs to fall, and I got ashamed that I'm a woman. One beautiful day when I was off from work and on school break, I decided to relax and enjoy the break from the busy hustings of school and work. I then took some magazines to read and see what was going on in the other parts of the world. But to my greater amazement, I was very surprised when I saw an advertisement of a hand purse, sitting on the legs of a woman in high heel shoes. I suddenly got a head-ache and I asked myself ; 'HAVE A WOMAN'S BODY BECOME AN OBJECT"?
Indeed, even though advertisement is to provide buyers with value for the things we need and buy, I found it difficult to agree that there is any value in that. I wonder if any woman will agree with me. All the same I may not be right with my feelings. As we are all made differently, I would not be surprised if other women are rather attracted to this advertisement. Oh!, how I wish other women will understand me, see what I see , and feel what I feel. I believe all these contribute to the fact that some men do not respect women and treat their wives as pieces of object.
Patricia Nartey.
"
Size 4 Model Loosing Work, Considered Fat by Fashion Industry
The fashion industry has always placed an emphasis on body image, but when i read this story i was shocked. 21 year old Coco Rocha, who is only a size 4 is now considered "Too Fat" to be a model. Many designers have dropped her from their shows and stopped working with her because she is "too large." And all this comes after the industrys promise to start promoting a healthier body image and to stop using models who are unhealthily skinny. Right now the industry standard for runway shows and photoshoots is a girl over 5'7" and around a size 0. Rocha recently spoke out saying that at her thinnest she was only 108 pounds, which is shocking considering she is 5'10", and a designer told her she needed to lose weight. Many models go to unhealty extreems to achieve these thin bodies, including anorexia and other eathing disorders. Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston died in 2006 from complicatins caused by anorexia, and still our society is obsessed with being skinny. My major concern is not for the models or those already in the fashion industry but for the message that all this is sending to young girls. As women we are constantly bombarded by things meant to make us think we are not attractive enough. Magazines, movies, advertisements, the internet are all showing images or articles about "how to lose 10 pounds" or what to do to have perfect shiny hair. We are meant to think that if we do not have the perfect body or perfect skin or perfect makeup, we are not beautiful. It scares me to think how girls are going to be able to develop self esteem in our society right now with everything working against them from such a young age.
Friday, February 19, 2010
IMPACTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES
THE IMPACTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Immigration refers to the movement of people from one place to another country .There are two theories of immigration that are push and pull factors , push factor include economic, religion, wars and political reasons while pull factors are mainly of social reasons.
In modern world society there are two ways of Immigration which are legal and illegal system of Human immigration. In regard to this topic I particularly base in Illegal immigration in the United States of America which is main concern in a recent Public agenda of the country. Illegal Immigration is known as the movement of alien (non citizen) who has entered the country without government permission or stayed beyond termination date of a visa. There are several factors that influence illegal immigration in the United States such as availability of jobs, good standard of living among the people, advanced social services, freedom and hospitality of U.S.A as well as presence of decent infrastructures. There are several negative and positive effects of having illegal immigration/immigrants into United State.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
I. Economically,
Unemployment, uninsured, and unbenefit Tax. In recent years we have seen a big number of illegal immigrants coming to the United States and work without legal permits while majority are ready to be paid low wages down the table compare to the local US citizens in different sectors of economy for instance in local factories, construction and in agriculture fields, in this case Americans cannot find jobs and lead to increase in un employment in the country It is clear that majority of illegal immigrants do not have proper documents to work in the United States as fact that majority of them they work down the table without paying local state and federal tax therefore in this aspect government does not receive direct revenue from them .Illegal immigrants due to lack of proper documents many of them cannot access insurance and other necessary license to improve or secure their lives such as life insurance , personal properties coverage and medical insurance therefore its difficult for the US insurance companies to access and get customers and obtain benefit/profit from them
II. SOCIALLY,
Culture Destruction,
Millions of illegal immigrants are coming from different countries of the world and have different culture and values that make them different to local citizens; they come with customs and roles that destruct tradition American values negatively , for instance in the state of Florida where it considered to have a big number of Hispanic Immigrants, we then see the spread of Hispanic language and decline of English as a local language within the state as fact that illegal immigration affect Old American culture.
Existence of Immoral Behaviors
Illegal immigrants are human like any other man once they have different behaviors some of which are immoral to the society in general like prostitution, violence, crime hence all of this are harmful to the American community.
Spread of Diseases
Illegal Immigrants comes from different parts of the world and some of them carry diseases like HIV Aids, flu, Skin Infection and Tuberculosis that can easily be transferable especially to the local residents as fact that it is dangerous to the health of the country.
Over Population
Illegal immigration is the modern factor contributed towards increase and growth of population in most parts of United States especially in big cities and towns where majority of them are located.
POSITIVE IMPACTS,
Economically,
Source of cheap labor
Illegal immigrants are considered to be cheap in labor perspective due to the fact that they are easy and able to receive whatever little for payment and therefore its beneficiary to have them in labor industry and back up to the country in terms of labor supply.
Tax earning
In directly illegal immigrants pay tax by buying and consume American products as every day customers; buying of local foods, clothing, entertainment products like radios, television and e. t .c in this case they contribute local tax indirect form.
Socially
Promotion of culture
Illegal immigration promotes and encourage culture heritage particularly within Hispanic American heritage as result of increase in Hispanic immigrants in most cities and States of America like state of California and cities such as El Paso in southern Texas.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Polygamy in America
Throughout the ages, polygamy has been present within certain societies. Though the practice continues today, it is most prevalent among religious sects, such as Islam and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In fact, within those countries of the world that permit plural marriage, it is specifically only for Muslims, and the law permits up to four wives.
But, for now, let’s focus on America, where polygamy is illegal. The practice received public attention in this country in the mid-1800’s, when the “Mormon’s,” properly known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, instituted the practice for some members of their faith. It was established as a law from God and as a means of survival, after a mass exodus across the plains, to escape persecution. The commandment was then retracted after fifty-five years of practice. Some members wanted to continue practicing polygamy, but the leader’s fiercely opposed it. There was strong enough contention that a splinter cell broke off of the church, forming the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS).
The FLDS church still practices polygamy to this day. There are an estimated 38,000 members living across the mid-west and Canada (Anderson, 2010, p.46). The main intent of the practice seems to be to build up the “Celestial family” that will remain together for eternity. The belief is widely accepted that the family is eternal and must be built up to please God. Perhaps, before April 2008, you had no idea who the FLDS group was, along with the rest of us. But the group received attention after police stormed a compound in Texas, where there was reported sexual and physical abuse taking place. The reports turned up bogus, but after further investigation they were able to charge the man known as the “prophet,” for officiating a marriage of a 14-year-old-girl to a fellow (adult) church member(Anderson, 2010, p.46).
There are many details still unfolding concerning the practice of polygamy in the FLDS church. It remains a slow process, considering that the culture of the FLDS members is so insular, and their lives are cut-off from the outside world. However, the practice of polygamy remains illegal in America.
Works Cited
Anderson, S. (2010 Feb). The polygamist. National Geographic, 217, 34-61.
But, for now, let’s focus on America, where polygamy is illegal. The practice received public attention in this country in the mid-1800’s, when the “Mormon’s,” properly known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, instituted the practice for some members of their faith. It was established as a law from God and as a means of survival, after a mass exodus across the plains, to escape persecution. The commandment was then retracted after fifty-five years of practice. Some members wanted to continue practicing polygamy, but the leader’s fiercely opposed it. There was strong enough contention that a splinter cell broke off of the church, forming the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS).
The FLDS church still practices polygamy to this day. There are an estimated 38,000 members living across the mid-west and Canada (Anderson, 2010, p.46). The main intent of the practice seems to be to build up the “Celestial family” that will remain together for eternity. The belief is widely accepted that the family is eternal and must be built up to please God. Perhaps, before April 2008, you had no idea who the FLDS group was, along with the rest of us. But the group received attention after police stormed a compound in Texas, where there was reported sexual and physical abuse taking place. The reports turned up bogus, but after further investigation they were able to charge the man known as the “prophet,” for officiating a marriage of a 14-year-old-girl to a fellow (adult) church member(Anderson, 2010, p.46).
There are many details still unfolding concerning the practice of polygamy in the FLDS church. It remains a slow process, considering that the culture of the FLDS members is so insular, and their lives are cut-off from the outside world. However, the practice of polygamy remains illegal in America.
Works Cited
Anderson, S. (2010 Feb). The polygamist. National Geographic, 217, 34-61.
What a mess
The 2010 Toyota recall
The 2010 Toyota recall list is already started to worry more consumers and their own employees. It has become a big issue. Who wants to drive a car which has mechanical problem and put your life in danger? Not me. Toyota admits the problems with the cars and is responsible to fix it. Have you heard the reported lists of cars? Imagine how much money they will be losing in this short period of time. Plus, millions of consumers are affected with. At this point there is no way people trust Toyota the same way or buy any time soon.
If you think about how many employees are under the company and how long their job security will last is truly not good. Specially, “sales person” in dealerships and “assembly line” they must be in big fear because there is no guarantee when the problem will be fixed and consumers will resume buying Toyota cars. If there is no “customer” there is no “job”. Even though Toyota Company hasn’t announced any thing about their employee’s status yet, I assume that there will be some kind of cut off their employee’s hour if not laid off. But who should we blame? In my opinion, the company should keep all their employees until the problem is fixed and the sale gets back to normal. But who knows how long it will take to fix this mess.
Though the 2010 Toyota recall list lets owners know which Toyota models are being recalled, it is only serving as a warning to consumers that their vehicle may have a problem. There is an increasing level of frustration from Toyota owners who are actually trying to get their recalled Toyota's serviced, simply because Toyota doesn't have a good system in place to fix the models affected. Toyota doesn't even have a solution in place to help their customers except to provide warning information. Since the recall is in millions, it seems like it is already out of control what to be done next. Toyota is still claiming that all of their recalled vehicles on this January 2010 recall list are still safe to drive. Safe to drive in whose opinion? Certainly not in the families of those who have died as a result of these sticking accelerators, and certainly not the drivers who have come across this problem.
I think Toyota should be responsible for all this mess and do whatever it takes to fix the problem. And Toyota must work hard to avoid any kind of further damage to their name and reputation. In fact, Toyota is one of the most successful automakers, and one of the most admired companies in the world. But now the company is challenged big time. Don’t you think Toyota should reduce the car price and built a car that is reliable to gain back its consumers’ confidence once again?http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/toyota_motor_corporation/index.html?scp=4&sq=TOYOTA%20RECALL&st=Search
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-409529
The 2010 Toyota recall list is already started to worry more consumers and their own employees. It has become a big issue. Who wants to drive a car which has mechanical problem and put your life in danger? Not me. Toyota admits the problems with the cars and is responsible to fix it. Have you heard the reported lists of cars? Imagine how much money they will be losing in this short period of time. Plus, millions of consumers are affected with. At this point there is no way people trust Toyota the same way or buy any time soon.
If you think about how many employees are under the company and how long their job security will last is truly not good. Specially, “sales person” in dealerships and “assembly line” they must be in big fear because there is no guarantee when the problem will be fixed and consumers will resume buying Toyota cars. If there is no “customer” there is no “job”. Even though Toyota Company hasn’t announced any thing about their employee’s status yet, I assume that there will be some kind of cut off their employee’s hour if not laid off. But who should we blame? In my opinion, the company should keep all their employees until the problem is fixed and the sale gets back to normal. But who knows how long it will take to fix this mess.
Though the 2010 Toyota recall list lets owners know which Toyota models are being recalled, it is only serving as a warning to consumers that their vehicle may have a problem. There is an increasing level of frustration from Toyota owners who are actually trying to get their recalled Toyota's serviced, simply because Toyota doesn't have a good system in place to fix the models affected. Toyota doesn't even have a solution in place to help their customers except to provide warning information. Since the recall is in millions, it seems like it is already out of control what to be done next. Toyota is still claiming that all of their recalled vehicles on this January 2010 recall list are still safe to drive. Safe to drive in whose opinion? Certainly not in the families of those who have died as a result of these sticking accelerators, and certainly not the drivers who have come across this problem.
I think Toyota should be responsible for all this mess and do whatever it takes to fix the problem. And Toyota must work hard to avoid any kind of further damage to their name and reputation. In fact, Toyota is one of the most successful automakers, and one of the most admired companies in the world. But now the company is challenged big time. Don’t you think Toyota should reduce the car price and built a car that is reliable to gain back its consumers’ confidence once again?http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/toyota_motor_corporation/index.html?scp=4&sq=TOYOTA%20RECALL&st=Search
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-409529
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Social Stratification
For as long as man has existed, there has been a division of class determined by sex, race, wealth and even religion. The term stratification is defined as a division of a society into groups arranged in a social hierarchy. Now I don't know about you, but this sounds like a system of INEQUALITY to me. Alright let me elaborate- let's take the caste system, this is a form of social stratification where the status of a person is determined by his/her family history and background and nothing can be done to change it. India is the most closely associated with the caste system. The categories range from Brahman (which consists of scholors and priests) to the Untouchables (which consists of the social outcasts.) I don't know about anyone else but this doesn't sound the least bit fair. Let's move on over to South Africa, here, people are legally classified into 4 groups. 4 RACIAL groups! There are the White S. Africans (usually of English and Dutch heritage), the Black S. Africans, the Indians (from India), and the "Colored" (which usually means of mixed descent. Needless to say, the treatment of these groups are a direct reflection of their race. Fair? No again. Now let's bring it on home to the U.S. In the U.S. we are divided dependent upon our social class. Social class is defined as a system of stratification based on how much money we have, how much land we own and how much presige and power we possess. Social classes are usually divided into upper, upper-middle, middle, working, and working poor. Now here's the thing that's interesting though, LESS than 1% make up the upper class. That's right 1%. Now this 1% owns up to 98% of ALL resources which leaves the rest of us to share the remainding 2% of the resources! Somehow this doesn't add up. Although the lines between the middle and working classes have been moved, the line seperating the upper class is permanantly drawn and has not budged even through these hard economic times.
American Prisons
In the past twenty years there has been a substantial raise in people incarcerated in our American prisons. This has caused many problems for tax payers and those employees directly involved with the inmates of our prisons. The tax payers in Maryland have suffered a raise in sales tax from 5% to 6% and still many Maryland officials are trying to increase that again to 7% not to mention other tax increases that have happened in the past couple of years. Other states and counties have it much worse for instance in Chicago they have a 10.25% sales tax which is split between county (1.75%), state (6.25), city (1.25%), and regional transportation authority (1%). Another state California, which has highest amount of criminal cases in 2009, has recently increased their entire states tax by one percent in some counties this means they are paying 8.25% but in others counties they are paying 10.25% in state sales taxes alone. This increase in tax can be directly connected to the cost of keeping inmates in jail. One statistic shows that to keep a single person in jail it costs 63.51$ daily or 23,138.69$ annually, but the cost to tax payers doesn’t stop after their imprisonment. There are also parole officers to pay, who on average earn, 9.61$ daily or 3,506.53$ annually there are also many rehabilitation facilities that are government founded that cost 52.29$ daily or 19,087.94$ annually. This raise in taxes is not the only problem with our prison system there is also a mass overpopulation in many of our prisons. This overpopulation will cause a growth in prison employees and a growth in violent crimes committed by prisoners. These violent acts will extend the prisoners sentence and cause the tax payers many millions of dollars. This overpopulation has also many medical problems for those who are working inside of jails for instance there has been an increase in male inmates who are HIV positive from 2007 (17,958) to 2008 (18,615). This increase for many employees, at jails, is a constant threat on their personal health. Also they have to follow strict rules regarding these inmates some of these rules require specialized medical precautions that again costs the tax payers even more money.
In the past twenty years there has been a substantial raise in people incarcerated in our American prisons. This has caused many problems for tax payers and those employees directly involved with the inmates of our prisons. The tax payers in Maryland have suffered a raise in sales tax from 5% to 6% and still many Maryland officials are trying to increase that again to 7% not to mention other tax increases that have happened in the past couple of years. Other states and counties have it much worse for instance in Chicago they have a 10.25% sales tax which is split between county (1.75%), state (6.25), city (1.25%), and regional transportation authority (1%). Another state California, which has highest amount of criminal cases in 2009, has recently increased their entire states tax by one percent in some counties this means they are paying 8.25% but in others counties they are paying 10.25% in state sales taxes alone. This increase in tax can be directly connected to the cost of keeping inmates in jail. One statistic shows that to keep a single person in jail it costs 63.51$ daily or 23,138.69$ annually, but the cost to tax payers doesn’t stop after their imprisonment. There are also parole officers to pay, who on average earn, 9.61$ daily or 3,506.53$ annually there are also many rehabilitation facilities that are government founded that cost 52.29$ daily or 19,087.94$ annually. This raise in taxes is not the only problem with our prison system there is also a mass overpopulation in many of our prisons. This overpopulation will cause a growth in prison employees and a growth in violent crimes committed by prisoners. These violent acts will extend the prisoners sentence and cause the tax payers many millions of dollars. This overpopulation has also many medical problems for those who are working inside of jails for instance there has been an increase in male inmates who are HIV positive from 2007 (17,958) to 2008 (18,615). This increase for many employees, at jails, is a constant threat on their personal health. Also they have to follow strict rules regarding these inmates some of these rules require specialized medical precautions that again costs the tax payers even more money.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I would like to say that I feel that women’s role in today’s society as a mother has become considerably more overwhelming than they have been in the past. It seems that now women are not only supposed to be the physical parent to the children: watching them, feeding them, changing them, teaching them, and more, but they are also expected to financially provide for them. While I think that women should indeed be able to support themselves and their children, especially so that they can hopefully be self-reliant, I feel that men are let off the proverbial hook. Men are not expected to care for the child in any basic need sense, they are just to go to work like they have been doing up until the point that the child entered the world. Their life does not have to change one bit, they still go out whenever they want, and do not have to worry about who is watching the child, because obviously that is the mother’s job to make sure that the child is properly supervised.
I also believe that this becomes exponentially more evident when the couple is no longer together. If the woman has custody of the child, she is expected to raise that child 24 hours a day. Then, even though there is no help at home with the physical care of the child, the father complains about paying child support. In some of these cases, the father threatens to take the mother to court to obtain custody. Now this would not be so bad if their intention was to raise the child themselves, but inevitably they have entered into another relationship and expect the new woman or other female relative to raise the child. It seems that this is especially true in more eastern cultures where the man is the only gender that is worth anything, and the woman is a slave in the home, but still responsible for picking up any financial slack. I just do not understand that in this day and age, and even involving moderately intelligent human beings, that enlightenment on equality in child rearing is so absent.
Trista Tindall
I also believe that this becomes exponentially more evident when the couple is no longer together. If the woman has custody of the child, she is expected to raise that child 24 hours a day. Then, even though there is no help at home with the physical care of the child, the father complains about paying child support. In some of these cases, the father threatens to take the mother to court to obtain custody. Now this would not be so bad if their intention was to raise the child themselves, but inevitably they have entered into another relationship and expect the new woman or other female relative to raise the child. It seems that this is especially true in more eastern cultures where the man is the only gender that is worth anything, and the woman is a slave in the home, but still responsible for picking up any financial slack. I just do not understand that in this day and age, and even involving moderately intelligent human beings, that enlightenment on equality in child rearing is so absent.
Trista Tindall
childhood obesity
Childhood obesity has become a social concern, however when most people think of health problems in children, they most often think of measles and not type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Today, however a large number of U.S. children are being diagnosed with obesity and the serious "adult diseases" such as type 2 diabetes that accompany overweight. U.S. children are not alone, high rates of obesity are injuring the health of an alarming number of children around the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "16 percent of children 6-19 years old are overweight or obese, a number that has tripled since 1980. In addition to the 16 percent of children and teens ages 6 to 19 who were overweight in 1999-2002, another 15 percent were considered at risk of becoming overweight" ( "prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 1999-2002", Oct.6,2004").
As I was looking at these statistics and facts, my concern towards childhood obesity accelerated. It took me back to my childhood. When I was growing up, most of my friends and schoolmates was either skinny or medium sized. It was not common to see an obese child. I remeber we used to spend most of our times outdoors, playing, running and doing alot of outdoor activities. Several questions come to mind, what happened to bring childhood obesity and overweight to our society? Is it eating too much, dieting inappropriately and exercising too little? it is modern technology leading to sedentary lifestyles?. I believe these questions are some of the reasons and predisposing facts towards childhood obesity.
I believe we are all responsible in eradicating childhood obesity. A good example is from our First lady Michelle Obama who kicked off her "Let's Move", " an agenda of nutrition and exercise programs designed to eliminate "the epidemic of childhood obesity"
www.childrenshospitals.net/AM/Template.cfm?
CHICAGO suntimes.com
_ Lydiah
As I was looking at these statistics and facts, my concern towards childhood obesity accelerated. It took me back to my childhood. When I was growing up, most of my friends and schoolmates was either skinny or medium sized. It was not common to see an obese child. I remeber we used to spend most of our times outdoors, playing, running and doing alot of outdoor activities. Several questions come to mind, what happened to bring childhood obesity and overweight to our society? Is it eating too much, dieting inappropriately and exercising too little? it is modern technology leading to sedentary lifestyles?. I believe these questions are some of the reasons and predisposing facts towards childhood obesity.
I believe we are all responsible in eradicating childhood obesity. A good example is from our First lady Michelle Obama who kicked off her "Let's Move", " an agenda of nutrition and exercise programs designed to eliminate "the epidemic of childhood obesity"
www.childrenshospitals.net/AM/Template.cfm?
CHICAGO suntimes.com
_ Lydiah
Monday, February 15, 2010
Child Trafficking in Haiti
I’d like to touch on the topic of the recent earthquake in
In the aftermath of the January earthquake in
I find myself very disturbed by one specific instance which was reported in the media a few weeks ago. It involved 10 American “missionaries” who tried to “move” 33 children who they presumably got from orphanages across the border into the
My question to everyone in the class is, “Who should decide what is best for these children?” Does the situation in
I think this issue is extremely important because as Amanda hinted towards, these events will directly influence the life and development of not only these children but perhaps the nation and even the world as a whole after a tragedy of this magnitude.
Please view the following pages to find out more information regarding these issues.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/31/haiti.border.arrests/index.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/22/haiti-warning-child-trafficking
- Chris Laatsch
COSLEEPING
This may be a controversial discussion among parents and/or professionals in regards to safety and health of the child, and on what is best for the child and parents.
For some of you who may be lost, I'm talking about the practice of letting child/children share the parent/s bed during the night.
Its the best decision to cosleep with your infant/child, done with precaution, at least till they are ready to be weaned off parents ' bed. My husand and I still cosleep with our three year old son since birth. I'm pregnant second time and we intend to do the same with our second son. As long as we understand we have to be careful about having a toddler who sleeps perpendicular in the same bed as a new born, we can work it out so the infant is safe and close to us as well.
I coslept with my parents till one day I decided to move to my own bed at around age seven. Worked out good.
There are numerous benefits to cosleep compared to the risks (naturalchild.org). One of the benefits is emotional security. Adjusting to this unknown big wide world full of variety of sensations, feelings and sounds would be a challenge I assume. Holding your baby close during feeding and in time of need is just a few ways he/she learns to rely on you.
The second benefit is convenience for nursing mothers. The child does not have to fully cry in order to get mother's attention. Therefore less disturbance for both mom and dad and baby.
Less disturbance means good night sleep which means everything else falls in to place next morning for everyone. The same would apply for bottle fed babies(naturalchild.org).
The third benefit is rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS is reduced. It may sound ironic especially when you read about infants being smothered, but when done with precaution cosleeping does stimulate the Babies' senses and reduce the unexplained death of infants in their sleep(naturalchild.org).
Fourth benefit is that research shows that children who coslept with parents grew up to be independent, confident and were comfortable with intimacy in their relationships. The same children also showed less disruptive behavioral issues and were overall happier adults(naturalchild.org).
The risks of cosleeping are smothering of infant especially if the parent or caregiver is under influence of any sort such as alcohol, sleeping drugs, smokes etc that would affect his or her judgement. Obesity and heavy sleepering are also factors that contribute to smothering an infant(naturalchild.org).
The other one is more of inconvenience to the parents. Intimacy and sex is limited to scrapes and left overs. Basically children come first. Over time this does affect some relationships to some degree and sometimes even separation and divorce. But its a situation that communication would help a whole lot(naturalchild.org).
I conclude that Cosleeping like anything in this world is about common sense and weighing risks and benefits before taking a leap. Especially ones's own child. May work for some and may not for others.
Iman Barton
http://www.naturalchild.org/cosleeping
For some of you who may be lost, I'm talking about the practice of letting child/children share the parent/s bed during the night.
Its the best decision to cosleep with your infant/child, done with precaution, at least till they are ready to be weaned off parents ' bed. My husand and I still cosleep with our three year old son since birth. I'm pregnant second time and we intend to do the same with our second son. As long as we understand we have to be careful about having a toddler who sleeps perpendicular in the same bed as a new born, we can work it out so the infant is safe and close to us as well.
I coslept with my parents till one day I decided to move to my own bed at around age seven. Worked out good.
There are numerous benefits to cosleep compared to the risks (naturalchild.org). One of the benefits is emotional security. Adjusting to this unknown big wide world full of variety of sensations, feelings and sounds would be a challenge I assume. Holding your baby close during feeding and in time of need is just a few ways he/she learns to rely on you.
The second benefit is convenience for nursing mothers. The child does not have to fully cry in order to get mother's attention. Therefore less disturbance for both mom and dad and baby.
Less disturbance means good night sleep which means everything else falls in to place next morning for everyone. The same would apply for bottle fed babies(naturalchild.org).
The third benefit is rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS is reduced. It may sound ironic especially when you read about infants being smothered, but when done with precaution cosleeping does stimulate the Babies' senses and reduce the unexplained death of infants in their sleep(naturalchild.org).
Fourth benefit is that research shows that children who coslept with parents grew up to be independent, confident and were comfortable with intimacy in their relationships. The same children also showed less disruptive behavioral issues and were overall happier adults(naturalchild.org).
The risks of cosleeping are smothering of infant especially if the parent or caregiver is under influence of any sort such as alcohol, sleeping drugs, smokes etc that would affect his or her judgement. Obesity and heavy sleepering are also factors that contribute to smothering an infant(naturalchild.org).
The other one is more of inconvenience to the parents. Intimacy and sex is limited to scrapes and left overs. Basically children come first. Over time this does affect some relationships to some degree and sometimes even separation and divorce. But its a situation that communication would help a whole lot(naturalchild.org).
I conclude that Cosleeping like anything in this world is about common sense and weighing risks and benefits before taking a leap. Especially ones's own child. May work for some and may not for others.
Iman Barton
http://www.naturalchild.org/cosleeping
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Childhood Development.
It is really amazing to see children grow from childhood into adulthood and watch the different qualities in them. Even when children of the same parent are given the same training, some children come out to be like their parent and then we say "Like mother like daughter, or like father, like son". On the other hand, some children grow to be completely different from the training they were given and one wonders what really happens. My question is,"DOES CHILDHOOD TRAINING AFFECT CHILD DEVELOPMENT?". Sometimes it is very surprising to see even a religious man or a pastor's child grow to be completely different from the good works of the father as they grow. Those children who grow to be vagabonds are very difficult to change because they do not listen to any advice. This behavior is very disturbing to the parents from my observation.
When I look at the situation, I sometimes I think although the parents may give them good training, when the children leave home and go to high schools and boarding schools, peer pressure causes them to change from what they learned at home. However, I also wonder why children will choose to leave the good training to adopt something bad. When I take my training and growth into consideration, I must say that my father was a very principled man with himself but not compulsive on his children . I rather choose to admire his qualities and find myself thinking like him. This training followed me to high school and I won a prize for 'OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD BEHAVIOR'. I realised that I hate to be recognized for anything because it does not make me to feel natural but rather do things because that is what is expected. This quality seems to follow me everywhere I go and this makes me think that, childhood training have a role in child development. But why do some children still refuse to keep the good training from home. Is it their natural traits that makes them to be difficult?.
Patricia Nartey
When I look at the situation, I sometimes I think although the parents may give them good training, when the children leave home and go to high schools and boarding schools, peer pressure causes them to change from what they learned at home. However, I also wonder why children will choose to leave the good training to adopt something bad. When I take my training and growth into consideration, I must say that my father was a very principled man with himself but not compulsive on his children . I rather choose to admire his qualities and find myself thinking like him. This training followed me to high school and I won a prize for 'OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD BEHAVIOR'. I realised that I hate to be recognized for anything because it does not make me to feel natural but rather do things because that is what is expected. This quality seems to follow me everywhere I go and this makes me think that, childhood training have a role in child development. But why do some children still refuse to keep the good training from home. Is it their natural traits that makes them to be difficult?.
Patricia Nartey
Nature vs Nurture
Indeed, I do not think there is any condition under which natural characteristics can be manifested without nurturing, and no way of nurturing without bringing out natural characteristic's. However, considering many circumstances, I see that environment seems to play a major role in bringing out qualities in people with different genes. In a study made and published in (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), when a set of twins were trained under the same condition of environment, they developed to have different intelligence. The good environmental conditions helps to bring out the natural traits in people, but different environments bring out different traits. The twins grew to have different traits.
In the case of the children from Haiti, the situation will be more complex and combine with much emotional factors as well. Even though the good environmental factors in The United States are to help with with good development, conditions like the lost of the parental love, change in weather, and total change in environment will slow their development. Again, the children will continue to have post traumatic syndromes for some time because they saw their family members die in the earthquake. It will really take sometime before these children can forget what they saw during the earthquake. It is only after they have forgotten what happened, then will they begin to grow well.
Patricia Nartey
http://www,en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature versus nurture
In the case of the children from Haiti, the situation will be more complex and combine with much emotional factors as well. Even though the good environmental factors in The United States are to help with with good development, conditions like the lost of the parental love, change in weather, and total change in environment will slow their development. Again, the children will continue to have post traumatic syndromes for some time because they saw their family members die in the earthquake. It will really take sometime before these children can forget what they saw during the earthquake. It is only after they have forgotten what happened, then will they begin to grow well.
Patricia Nartey
http://www,en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature versus nurture
Monday, February 8, 2010
Nature vs. Nurture
Due to the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti, there was an increase in adoptions of Haitian children in the United States. In class we briefly touched on the nature vs. nurture debate. This is the question of whether we are who we are due to our heredity and biological genes (nature) or if we develop due to the environment and circumstances around us (nurture). The adoptions that were successful provoke an interesting thought in my mind. Will these Haitian children develop as they would have if they stayed in Haiti or will they take a complete turn in their lives now that they are in a new environment? While I am sure we will never know the answer to this question, as it would be quite impossible to determine what would have happened, I decided to do some do some research by reading studies that do exist about this topic to assist me in creating an opinion.
A study called “Schooling, Family Background, and Adoption: Is it Nature or Is it Nurture?”1 looked at the effect of nature and nurture on the education level attained between adopted children and children who live with their biologically genetic parents. It was found that 70-75% of school achievement can be attributed to genetic effects measured by IQ and the study concluded that nurture does not play a dominant role. While this was a reliable and valid study using intergenerational samples of families, I simply do not agree with the results.
I feel as though environment has everything to do with achievement in school. First of all, whether parents (adopted or genetic) have gone to college or not, there are numerous opportunities for all students to go to a two-year, four-year, or technical college. One study by Inside Higher Ed found that in 2006, one in six freshmen were first-generation college students, including 14.7 percent of all male students and 16.9 percent of all female students.2 That is a good amount of people who did not have it in their “genetics” to go to college because their parents didn’t, but they did anyways.
While I cannot attest to impacts from the home environment, I feel as though the school environment played a great influence on first generation college students and will also be significant in the adopted Haitian childrens’ achievement. The opportunity for a higher education begins as young as in Kindergarten. As a teacher, I lead children to believe that school is a positive place to be and that they should make it a priority in their lives. Every day we talk about how important doing your work to the best of your ability is. There is a Dr. Seuss day called “Oh the Places You Will Go” where we will discuss college and higher education. Regardless of home circumstances, students are exposed to the idea that the natural progression of school is to do the best you can and keep going until you are what you want to be in life. The fourth and fifth graders even visited HCC to have the experience of what college is like.
The No Child Left Behind Act pushes teachers to provide an education for all students to achieve in school grades K-12, which will increase success in higher education. While children are not intrinsically motivated through genetics to go to school and would rather play their Wii and run around outside, I truly believe it is due to the environment provided to young children in the public school setting that teaches children to value education and make it important. With the public education opportunities now available to the adopted Haitian children, I am sure they will succeed in ways they never would have without the opportunities they have now.
-Amanda Mezei
- Plug, Erik, and Wim Vijverberg. "Schooling, family background, and adoption: is it nature or is it nurture?" Journal of Political Economy 111.3 (2003): 611+. Academic OneFile. Web. 3 Feb. 2010.
- http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/01/26/freshmen
Talking to Strangers
While grocery shopping last Wednesday evening in preparation for the upcoming snow storm, I noticed complete strangers engaging in conversation about the latest weather forecast and comparing notes on storm preparations. People were being friendly with each other. The cashiers were sharing information that they had picked up from other customers and everyone in line was sharing what they had heard. There was a sense of togetherness….as “we’re all in this together” mentality.
I recently heard from someone who experienced 911 first-hand how the disaster had changed the people of NYC. She told me how strangers were holding hands, hugging and consoling each other. She lived a few blocks from the World Trade Center and after realizing what was happening, she had run down the stairway to get out of her apartment building. As she ran down the street, she realized she was holding hands with a complete stranger and they consoled each other and stayed together the rest of the day and night as if they were best friends. She said it was like that for weeks after the disaster. People were kind to each other and life slowed down and everyone was taking the time to be nice to each other. Strangers would start talking to each other on the street corner and on the bus and subway. There was a shared sense of a community among them. Unfortunately this new community didn’t last very long and within weeks, people went back to standing in silence on the street corner or on the bus.
I guess a pending disaster puts everyone on an even playing field. We temporarily lose our place in society. It doesn’t matter what car we drive or how big our house is or how much money we make. We are all facing the same situation and there is comfort in togetherness and shared experiences….it helps us feel part of the community around us. It’s too bad it takes a disaster or pending disaster to create such a sense of community between us. I tend to be very introverted and normally would never think of starting a conversation with someone in line with me at the grocery store, but last Wednesday it felt very comfortable and no one thought I was weird and I didn’t think they were weird as we shared our news with each other. What a shame it couldn’t be like that all the time.
I recently heard from someone who experienced 911 first-hand how the disaster had changed the people of NYC. She told me how strangers were holding hands, hugging and consoling each other. She lived a few blocks from the World Trade Center and after realizing what was happening, she had run down the stairway to get out of her apartment building. As she ran down the street, she realized she was holding hands with a complete stranger and they consoled each other and stayed together the rest of the day and night as if they were best friends. She said it was like that for weeks after the disaster. People were kind to each other and life slowed down and everyone was taking the time to be nice to each other. Strangers would start talking to each other on the street corner and on the bus and subway. There was a shared sense of a community among them. Unfortunately this new community didn’t last very long and within weeks, people went back to standing in silence on the street corner or on the bus.
I guess a pending disaster puts everyone on an even playing field. We temporarily lose our place in society. It doesn’t matter what car we drive or how big our house is or how much money we make. We are all facing the same situation and there is comfort in togetherness and shared experiences….it helps us feel part of the community around us. It’s too bad it takes a disaster or pending disaster to create such a sense of community between us. I tend to be very introverted and normally would never think of starting a conversation with someone in line with me at the grocery store, but last Wednesday it felt very comfortable and no one thought I was weird and I didn’t think they were weird as we shared our news with each other. What a shame it couldn’t be like that all the time.
Welcome Spring 2010 class!
Hello everyone! This marks the beginning of the spring 2010 class entries! Please feel free to post your first entries anytime between now and next Tuesday. :O)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
