Synthesis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Synthesis Paper - Essay Example The advancement in telecommunication technologies presents greater opportunities for the growth and expansion of the education system in countries among other major sectors of the economy. Online platforms have undoubtedly contributed to improved student lives (Josh "Studies Explore Whether the Internet Makes Students Better Writers"). While most of the influences of the advancing technologies remain positive, the society continues to experience negative effects of the advancing technologies as the discussion below portrays. Culture is a social feature that influences the behavior of the people and the nature of their interactions in a society. Culture influences essential features of the society including attire, dietary and religions among many other equally important features of life. the four articles admits that the advancing telecommunication technologies continue to influence changes in different cultures thus succeeding in the development of such contemporary social features as popular culture. The dynamic nature of culture implies that culture changes. Whenever two or more groups of people interact, they are likely to borrow specific cultural features they consider better while abandoning their cultural features they consider retrogressive. The developments of new telecommunication technologies enhance interaction among people a feature that thus creates an effective platform for the sharing of cultural features. The invention of the internet was among the most iconic inventions globally. The internet provides effective and equally efficient platforms for communication enabling people to exchange ideas and information in real time. The development and subsequent use of smart phones thus increased traffic on the internet as more people currently access different sites on the internet through their smart phones. Stanford is an example of a university which has

Why I want to become a voulunteer at Pomona Valley Hospital Essay

Why I want to become a voulunteer at Pomona Valley Hospital - Essay Example In the future I might be interested in working in this industry. The core values of the organization, CHANGE, are aligned with my perspectives and views in life. All organizations should seek to satisfy the customers due to the fact that customers are the people that provide organizations with revenues. Honor and respect are sound ethical principles that can help a company improve its operations and reputation. It is essential for companies to become accountable for their actions. New ideas are needed to apply innovations within an organization. Excellent enables companies to provide the best possible service to its customers. As a volunteer I plan on upholding the values of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. These values make sense to me which is the reason why I intend to abide by the mission and vision of the organization. I hope I get an opportunity to join the PVHMC as a

Homosexuality In Schools And Education Sociology Essay

Homosexuality In Schools And Education Sociology Essay Itll be okay, Blake said to himself, Its 2010, nobody will have a problem with it. As he walked through the doors of his high school, there was a sense of belonging and that truly everything would be okay. Halfway through the day, Blake had already met a handful of nice people and decided to sit with them at lunchthis is when things took a turn for the worst. Towards the end of lunch, he told one of his new friends he was gay. Instantly, his new friends face went stark with disgust. Shortly after a group of football players walked towards the table they were sitting at and began harassing Blake until the bell rang. This is the world that gay and lesbian youth are being exposed to on an almost daily basis. There are more homosexual people in the United States than there are Asians; with those estimates you would believe that there would be more acceptance and understanding amongst society towards homosexuals. The only way to combat these vicious attacks on GLBT youth is to educate their peers as well as counselors and teachers. Given that more and more adolescents who are gay or lesbian are now coming out and identifying their sexual orientation, disregarding that American society continues to exhibit bias and even hostility toward gays and lesbians, counselors working with this population must take a proactive role in providing much needed support (Callahan, 2001). Gay and lesbian youth, according to Callahan (2001), are at greater risk for school failure and suicide. They are often harassed and need counselors who will understand while working with them without passing judgment. Court cases demonstrate the liability of schools that fail to protect gay and lesbian students from harass ment. Counselors, because of their position as student advocates, must take the lead role in identifying any and all incidents of violence, abuse, or harassment directed toward gay and lesbian students. Counselors must also help to sensitize faculty and staff to issues impacting upon gay and lesbian students while simultaneously educating heterosexual students as well. Counselors are key actors in identifying the type of resources and curricular materials that should be included in school programs to help reduce homophobia, discrimination, bias and prejudice directed at gay and lesbian students. Garbo (2001) reported on the results of a Massachusetts Department of Health study which revealed that gay and lesbian high school students, compared to their heterosexual classmates, were four times as likely to attempt suicide. In a survey of 4,000 high school students in Massachusetts, the investigators found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are not predisposed to suicide and are no more me ntally unstable than other students. However, because students in this minority population tend to be susceptible to all types of victimization by their peers, suicidal ideation and attempts may be more commonplace than is the norm among adolescents. Anti-gay politicians and parents do not see a benefit of adequately creating informative programs for school officials dealing with homosexuality. They believe acknowledging homosexuality in such a way would further send the message that being gay or lesbian is okay. In their eyes, homosexuality is a choice and should not be accepted amongst society as a social norm. Conservative State Rep. Sally Kern was quoted saying at a Republican organization, studies show no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than a few decades. This coincides with the logic that teaching in schools that homosexuality is okay at an early age will destroy our society from within itself. When looked through their perspective, without delving research it would seem that acknowledging homosexuals in the sense of legal rights and protection would promote more people to be homosexual. But that is not the case. During my interview with a Graduate social worker, he shed light on what is currently being implemented into schools and his thoughts on how things should be handled. He currently provides therapy services at schools in rural communities and volunteers at his local LGBT organization: This is my interview with Mr. Johnson, Myself: What is your viewpoint on harassment against homosexuality? Do you think that it is a notable issue worth spending time and money on? Mr. Johnson: My view on harassment on homosexuality well, its not just harassment against homosexuality. Its against even perceived characteristics of a sexual minority anything that varies from the most stereotypical gender norms. Mr. Johnson:Gay and faggot have become terms that get thrown around now in judgment of any less manly qualities. Mr. Johnson: So is it a notable issue worth spending time on? I say yes. Time and money. Both by way of having competent training for teachers and administration, competent counseling staff, and local community-based resources for LGBT youth to have social and emotional support. Myself: At what age do you feel it important to implement these strategies? Mr. Johnson: I volunteer with a local LGBT center and they have started to implement training in some of the local schools as early as Kindergarten, however theres been a lot of controversy with this training as they dont specifically talk about LGBT issues or terms (its focused on empathy skills). Developmentally, their sexual development isnt quite present enough to be effective at Kindergarten. Perhaps by 5th grade, concurrent with when some schools implement initial classes in sex ed., there should be general implementation of targeted curriculum on issues related to sexuality and gender identity. Myself: What are your feelings on persons who believe that informing youth of homosexuality or letting it become social norm will inevitably lead to more homosexuals? Mr. Johnson: Ha. This is hard. The issue is so engrained in the socio-political context that we have surrounding legislation, public education, and the supposed separation of church and state. I can get tied up in jargon all I want to, but sticking our tongues out and saying the opposite doesnt further the process. Mr. Johnson: I would go to the studies that demonstrate the development of sexuality and parenting (that obviously many homosexuals come from straight parents devoid of homosexual influence), studies regarding increased rates of depression, marital issues, and divorce for males who come out later in life. Myself: Do you think federal government should be involved in these improvements or local? Mr. Johnson: Its my perspective that the multiple levels of government must work to protect students. Looking at the SNDA (Student Non Discrimination Act) which currently does not protect LGBT students in their protected classes is a clear sign that the values of the country are not inherently separate from the religious values of the majority. What argument against homosexuality is there if not based on religious beliefs. That said, there should be no opposition to the SNDA expanding to include issues of gender and sexual orientation in its protection. After the interview concluded, I walked away with more knowledge than I would have expected to learn on the subject. Several studies in the literature focus on counselors responsibilities with respect to gay and lesbian high school students. Callahan (2001), for example, recommends that a key action which must be taken by school counselors is to curb any harassment directed against gay and lesbian students. Strategies for doing this include; using inclusive language, challenging anti-gay slurs, designating persons who would be supportive of this population, making resources available and visible, educating staff members, making appropriate referrals, and referring parents of gay and lesbian students to organizations like Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Callahan (2001), along with Stone (2003), assert that the role of the counselor with gay and lesbian students is of enormous significance. This would make sense being that children always need an adult to look up to o r relate to during their adolescent years. Also noting that counselors must be educated about homosexuality to the Nth degree. Callahan (2001) claims that counselors must function as advocates who work on school curricula. Including information about gay and lesbian people to promote awareness is essential. This helps to provide gay and lesbian students with role models and to demonstrate to the mainstream population that gays and lesbians lead viable and productive lives. Counselors must support and protect sexual minority youth by making it safe for gay and lesbian students, promoting policies that protect this minority population, and develop the culturally sensitive skills needed to serve gay and lesbian students in the counseling relationship. Legal support for advocacy on behalf of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students was mandated in a May 1999 Supreme Court ruling. This ruling, coupled with recent interpretations of the Title IX statute, strengthens the position for a more humanistic school environment. School counselors both can and should take a lead role in facilitating such an environment. The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (2003), a Virginia-based advocacy group working with local public schools, strongly recommends that school counselors should be provided with additional training and education so they can become more effective in working with students from sexual minority groups. This is also the position taken by Pearson (2003) who calls for targeted seminars and courses for graduate level counseling students who intend to have careers in the public school system. In Massachusetts, the Department of Education has created a Safe Schools Program which addresses issues relevant to the safety and counseling needs of gay and lesbian students (Research notes, 2003). Counselors in this program take a lead role in developing school and district-wide programs to educate faculty and students and to provide for those policies and programs that support gay and lesbian students while creating safe school environments.

Treatment of Mental Disorders Exposed in The Yellow Wallpaper

â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is the story of a woman descending into psychosis in a creepy tale which depicts the harm of an old therapy called â€Å"rest cure.† This therapy was used to treat women who had â€Å"slight hysterical tendencies† and depression, and basically it consisted of the inhibition of the mental processes. The label â€Å"slight hysterical tendency† indicates that it is not seen as a very important issue, and it is taken rather lightly. It is also ironic because her illness is obviously not â€Å"slight† by any means, especially towards the end when the images painted of her are reminiscent of a psychotic, maniacal person, while she aggressively tears off wallpaper and confuses the real world with her alternative world she has fabricated that includes a woman trapped in the wallpaper. The narrator of this story grows obsessed with the wallpaper in her room because her husband minimizes her exposure to the outside world and maximizes her rest. Academic essayists such as Susan M. Gilbert, Susan Gubar, and Elaine Showalter have a feminist reading of the story, however, this is not the most important reading. The author experienced the turmoil of the rest cure personally, which means that the story is most likely a comment on the great mistreatment of depression, hysteria and mental disorders in general. Despite the claims of Gilbert, Gubar, and Showalter that â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is solely feminist propaganda, their analysis is often unnecessarily deep and their claims are often unwarranted, resulting in an inaccurate description of a story that is most importantly about the general mistreatment of psychosis and the descent into insanity regardless of gender. When things are stretched too thin, they become less sturd... ...show that it is a feminist reading, which is unconvincing. In the end, there is more information supporting the fact that it is not about women, and is about all people dealing with this issue. The message of the â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is concerning the unfair and wrongful treatment of mental disorders. Works Cited Charters, Ann. The Story and Its Writer. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011. Print. Gilbert, Sandra M. and Susan Gubar. â€Å"A Feminist Reading of ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’.† The Story and Its Writer. Ann Charters. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 1629-1631. Print. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†. The Story and Its Writer. Ann Charters. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 462-473. Print. Showalter, Elaine. â€Å"On ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’.† The Story and Its Writer. Ann Charters. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 1631-1636. Print.

Defining the Concepts of Class, Race, Gender Essay

Every society known to man has used either race, class, ethnicity, gender or all of the above to determine placement in civilization. Sometimes one or more of these categories comingle and we characterize this as: intersectionality. Finding the words, however, to define class, race, gender, or intersectionality is not an easy feat. Throughout the past few weeks we have read many articles that allowed us many clear descriptions. Prior to this course I would have described class as being a way in which society groups individuals based on economic positions or social status. In my opinion, sometimes political beliefs can attribute towards class placement as well. However, since reading the required texts and watching films based on class, we now know that there are other factors associated with class divisions. For example, we read in Brenda J. Allen’s â€Å"Social Class Matters† article that not only are these two viewpoints large contributors (economic & political allian ces) towards classes, but also geographic locations. This can be seen when visiting a typical trailer park, where many of its residents are presumably called â€Å"white trash†, or as depicted with lower income families who live in the projects or ghetto. Their locale most likely reflects their social status or class. Moreover, we have learned that these factors also define what class is to the general public: education, occupational position, and power. â€Å"Women without class† by Julie Bettie examines class theory by understanding the ways in which class identity is constructed. It has many illustrations of social class by way of education and occupational positions. The upper crust students of Waretown were typically children of white collar employees. The preps generally outperformed the las chicas, hard living, and often settled living students of this documentary, as exemplified in the titles placed on the over and under achievers. For example, â€Å"preps† is an abbreviation for â€Å"college preparatoryà ¢â‚¬  which was the type of advanced class the children of white collar workers of Waretown enrolled in to prepare for life after high school. While these courses allowed some students endless opportunities, other students in the exact same school attended seminars with lowered educational expectations. Instead these students were encouraged to attend expensive certification courses that upon graduation held them captive in low paying positions with debt remaining after completion. â€Å"The Death of the Social Class† by Pakulsky and Waters believes social class is no longer relevant in the United States. A principal reason for this message states that because slavery is now obsolete, we have the legal upholding of the United States Constitution, and we expect education to be attained by all races. As a result resources have become more prevalent among all races. Race, in the past, was a word that I identified as being someone’s skin color, however as I matured (both mentally and physically) and met individuals from other cultures I soon realized that race is a culmination of many things. Culture and ethnicity are quite influential in determining a person’s race as well. For example, not everyone with dark skin is African American, just as not ever fair skinned person is Caucasian. As exhibited in Cruz-Janzen’s For example in the article Racial formation in the United States written by Michael Omi and Howard Winant, we learn of the Louisiana law that states that if a person has 1/32nd â€Å"Negro blood, they are automatically considered Black or African American. Although Susie Guillory Phipps tells us she is majority Caucasian this law still classifies her as being Black and she unsuccessfully attempted to sue the state to change her vital records. There are many reasons why the government still requires race on legal paperwork. Some argue that some sort of racial classification system is required. One reason may be the government funded subsidies some companies receive as a result of employing a minimum amount of minorities. From a personal viewpoint, race matters because it is a way that people identify culturally with one another. Another reason may be from a biological perspective some diseases and/or illnesses may be common amongst certain races, therefore it would be beneficial medically to be aware of such traits. Women Without Class (Bettie) also identifies various races for the sake of case studies that were researched by the author. The female students identified culturally with one another but sometimes overlapped identities to interact with one another. As in the example of the student Starr who was from a working class background, however she identified with the cultures of the Mexican American â€Å"cholas† after moving to Waretown. This is an example of an extreme case in which the person felt the need to choose one particular group to socialize with because she did not feel as though she had much in common with the other non-Hispanic working class students she chose to interact with this social hierarchy. She gave in to conformity from her past actions to better fit the desires and social realities of her newly acquired friends. Gender is another social aspect that many people use to classify each other. It has been said that had it not been for ourselves questioning or labeling gender, it would not exist at all. â€Å"The Social Construction of Gender† written by Judith Lorber argues gender construction begins being cataloged after viewing the child’s genitals after delivery. Upon birth babies are treated differently based on sex and/or gender. An unintentional yet major classification occurs as soon as the baby is placed in his or her incubator. Nurses and other medical staff wrap the tiny babies in one of two colors – pink or blue. It has even been researched that our speech and tone changes according to the babies sex as well. If we see a baby boy, for example, we quickly begin to daydream of tossing the old pigskin around in the yard or rough housing the baby. For the baby girl, however, we speak in softer high pitched tones and fantasize about planning make believe tea parties with baby dolls as guests. In essence, Lorber believes that gender behavior is learned and is being taught – not necessarily an expression of how we see ourselves. Another gender specific study was examined in R.W. Connell’s â€Å"Gender Relations†. In this article we learned of 2 separate studies conducted. Barry Thorne’s research in which teaching roles in American elementary schools were mostly comprised of females and playgrounds were divided based on gender. The second study was performed by Dunbar Moodies, who researched South African mines that were, not surprisingly, dominated by the male workforce. Another theory learned in Connell’s article was that of trailblazing British feminist – Juliet Mitchell- who taught that there were four elements of gender that subjugate women. Those four facets were believed to be: production, reproduction, socialization, and sexuality. It is also demonstrated in more current literary findings unrelated to gender. For example, Black Picket Fences addresses racial stereotypes, but it also depicts women’s roles separately from male gender roles. Each story that is told from first person shares a journey that taken either from reformed bad boys or girls that have strayed along the beaten path and hooked up with the guy from the wrong side of the track. The males were sometimes peer pressured into joining gangs from lack of responsible male figures and as a result may have performed illegal acts. This clearly represents gender assignments. Intersectionality involves both social and cultural relationships that overlap between race, class, and gender. Perhaps the most obvious portrayal of this theme is Section 2: Biology and Families In Conley’s article â€Å"The Starting Gate† regarding the correlation between low birth weight babies and race it was determined that social standings in society is not based solely on genetics and biology. Instead we learn that other factors may influence our place in society as well. Things like our educational backgrounds and what occupations we choose to support ourselves combine with aspects that are outside of our control, like birth order and race, to decide the social class we will inherent. Women Without Class discusses the concept of some students becoming â€Å"upwardly mobile†. This concept is important because it shows how race and parental occupations sometimes do not decide what social class a person will be invited into. The â€Å"upwardly mobile† students were not necessarily white, and had parents who were blue collar workers as opposed to being a lawyer, doctor, etc†¦yet despite all of this; they were still able to join the social cliques of the elite. These girls were also able to develop a strong sense of class awareness. In fact, Lareau’s â€Å"Invisible Inequality† even states that race has very little to do with class social standings. The data collected from this investigation examines parenting styles all socioeconomic backgrounds from either Black or White families perspective. The researchers were able to map the connections between parent’s resources and their children’s daily activities. Middle class families, regardless of race, tended to take a more traditional approach to child rearing in comparison with lower class families who relied heavily on outside play and extended families for activities. Middle class parents also stressed language development and use of reasoning skills. These parents enroll their children in various age appropriate organized activities that govern family life and create massive effort for mothers. The parents view these activities as passing on important life skil ls to children. They asked leading open-ended questions that required insight and thought provoking answers. Whereas, working class and poor families believe that if they give a child love, food, and a safe environment they will grow to become responsible adults. They also participate in little organized sports or other activities and have much more free time. Working-class and poor parents issue many more directives to their children and some place a great deal of stress on physical punishment. A great example of this is the research of Harold McAllister, a 10 year old from a lower class black family. Harold’s mother asks very little questions of authority figures (such as the family doctor) and does not encourage Harold to be cognizant of his body and any health related questions he may have. He plays outdoors with his older cousins and occasionally attends church. For the most part â€Å"Invisible Inequality† is full of descriptions of race versus class status. However, with regard to birth order and geographic locations determining social status, it is also briefly mentioned in â€Å"Invisible Inequality†. For instance, when we are introduced to another research subject’s family, upper middle class black family – Alexander Williams, we learn that both of Alex’s parents are from small Southern towns and come from large families. This slight mention is yet another example of intersectionality as well. A more extreme example, genetically speaking Ms Phipps (mentioned previously) was considered legally Black; however her social status did not classify her by her race. Phipps identifies with the White race. The case illustrated the inadequacies that claim that race is merely skin color. We have all witnessed or been aware of racial conditioning at one point or another. We make assumptions based on race and classify a person’s race immediately according to their physical appearance. Biologically speaking, there are many factors that influential in determining a persons birth weight. Low income families have less medical care and are exposed to certain agents that prohibit normal growth of the fetus. Also contact with second hand smoke and lead based paints, etc. have been attributed towards low birth weight. Another factor involving biology is the responsibility many women from different racial backgrounds face. White women, for example, have long been expected to remain wholesome and keep the family bloodlines pure. Pressure to remain a virgin until marriage and pre-marital sex were heavily stressed among white women. This forced racial conformity as a means of biological deterioration for the white race. In conclusion, all of the articles and readings discussed previously support Conley’s summation that both genetic and biological starting points do not fully determine our social standings in class. Rather, they work cohesively with other reasons to establish these relationships. Section 3: Working Class & Middle Class Identities Although class is especially important I would agree that other issues are becoming increasingly just as important if not more. Factors such as race and or gender influence personal outcomes. Both Women Without Class and Black Picket Fences provided various examples to support this theory.

Argue and Persuade Essay

I can see why some people may think that there is no benefit to be gained by analysing the poem Half-Past Two, as some may find it tedious and would rather enjoy the poem as it is. Yet, I firmly believe analysing a story/poem definitely does assist our understanding of a certain story/poem. In the poem Half-Past Two there is no doubt in my mind that without discussing the poem with others you can not understand or appreciate it fully. As with all poems there are so many concealed or secret meanings with in it, by discussing the poem these can be revealed so everyone knows the whole meaning of the poem. By understanding a poem/story you will also enjoy it more as you won’t have to try and figure out the plot of the story. After reading a poem you can then analyse it then read it again with a better understanding, therefore relish its full significance. If you were reading a story or a poem, which you do not understand it would become more of a choir to read, rather than a pleasure. By studying the poem Half-Past Two you can see the good use of puns, personification, repetition and other literary devices and begin to cherish the real effort and skill put in by the writer. You can also learn new ways that you could possibly improve your own standard of writing. You may acquire improved methods of adding literary devices into your work, you can also expand your vocabulary by reading professional poets/writers work. When analysing the poem Half-Past Two you are given a good insight on how a young boy’s world might work, when not being able to read time. You can understand his feelings when he is left alone, without a clue what to do, but only left to stare at the clock and fall in to a timeless land. You can see that by not knowing time a child my have his own regime which he sticks too, yet when put out of it would find it hard to get back into it as he may have lost track of his own time. My opinion has been obviously displayed in this essay, I think that without fully understanding a poem/story (mainly poems as they usually have the writers own personal feelings embedded into the poem they have wrote) you can not enjoy it to its full potential. I’m sure everyone has watched a film they did not understand and therefore did not enjoy it fully. Yet after watching it a second time (a form of analysis) you will understand the plot sufficiently and will prefer it on the second viewing. This is what my argument is based on, without understanding you do not have the full enjoyment from anything, be it a film, a poem or a story.