Gun Control in America
Title description: An analysis of guns and gun control
Word count: 759
Keywords: Second Amendment, Basic rights, Brady Bill, Shootout, Minor’s reach, Background verification, Concealed weapons, National Rifle Association of America (NRA)
Excerpts:
Firearms manufacturers had been free till 1994 to circulating pamphlets focusing on attracting children to firearms. Emphasizing on “Start them Young”, these manufacturer gives more product details of the gun.
Although about 60% to 70% of public opinion advocate stricter gun control laws, no important and notable gun control law has been passed, despite about 20,000 existing separate state, city and community laws on firearm regulation. Many efforts for enacting stricter laws have failed, which have been attributed to the influence of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).
These violent crime scenes drive even adults to imitate them, driving them to be more prepared psychologically. The love to watch violence and crime is gradually enhanced in the children, who are drawn to the gun culture. In fact even the type of guns used in movies is looked with awe and admiration.
Advertising for teen girls
Title description: Advertising for teen girls
Word count: 1321
Keywords: Preteen girls, Mainstream media, Health Complications, Self esteem, Good looking, Sexualization, Misleading advertisements, Extreme Limits
Excerpts:
Good looking is deeply associated with looking sexy, and the result is that girls take to a new type of clothes and products that have a sex appeal. However this sexualization has immense bearing on the development of girls. When not guided and handled properly, this phase of life could affect girls, both physically and mentally.
The result is that today you have ten-year-old girls wanting extremely low cut jeans. A study by the journal Sexual Abuse show that 85% of the ads that evoked sexual interest in children, showed girls. Kids are being exposed to the wrong kind of sexuality that is being increasingly presented by marketers and media.
The preteen girls of today experience internal and external pressures, which severely affect their self esteem. The self esteem of girls drop even as early as preteens, with body being the sole asset to decide their worth. It has been determined that girls between the fifth and ninth grades even go to the extent of hiding their accomplishments because they perceive that smart girls aren’t sexy.
Electronic Frontiers Australia, Inc. (EFA) Campaign
Title description: EFA campaign to stop content filtering
Word count: 585
Keywords: Filtering system, Australian Communication and Media authority (ACMA), Civil rights, Habit cultivation, Technical feasibility, Inappropriate content
Excerpts:
The EFA has pointed out to the results of a 2005 survey by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) that showed that most parents are against the filtering system. With only three out of ten parents using the system, most parents maintained that they trusted their children’s ability to judge right from wrong.
The education of parents on monitoring their children’s Internet usage is also emphasized. Forcefully blocking content is an infringement of civil liberties of the computer operators, which needs to be resisted. Apart from civil rights, such blockages deprive parents of the opportunity to guide their children towards safe surfing, through habit cultivation.
However children belonging to the Generation Z have high curiosity and needs, always wanting to seek and explore. This aspect of childhood trait should be not be chopped down by forcefully blocking content. Children need to be encouraged to explore; however they need to be guided by the parents.
Guantanamo Bay
Title description: US policies and detainees rights
Word count: 3394
Keywords: Combatant Status Review Tribunals (CSRT), Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Denial of fundamental rights, Camp X-Ray, Pentagon, International Red Cross, International conventions
Excerpts:
The treatment meted out to the detainees were questioned when the DoD released pictures of the detainees in the camp. There were claims that the US was selectively applying international norms, one set for its own needs and another for the rest of the world.
The Mirror revealed that about 30 inmates have already attempted suicide. Living inside the cells has caused insomnia in many, and they simply pace their cells ferociously, or climbed their cell walls, or banged their heads or punch their fists in frustration. The DoD maintained that none of the inmate’s mental health have worsened, and that all have had some psychiatric problems before being apprehended.
Between 2002 and 2003, interrogation methods violating international norms were authorized by the then Secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld. These methods included hooding, denying religious items, stripping prisoners, scaring detainees by the use of dogs etc.
Impact of globalization on warfare
Title description: Middle East and Gulf region
Word count: 3539
Keywords: Contemporary warfare, Restricted warfare weaponry, Strategic warfare, Electromagnetic weapons, Communication channels, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks
Excerpts:
When technological changes increase returns from war, then it contributed to the formation of a more aggressive and hostile world. On the other hand when technology increases returns from commerce and trade, then it results in a less aggressive and hostile world. When technology changes are directed at increasing the returns from both the military and trade, it improves the relative position of the states.
Governments were bent on keeping their communications secure, even as they resorted to the same communication channels to spy and gather information. Communication channels were transformed into weapons of war, given the fact that victory or defeat was based on who had which information and when.
Among the notable weapons used in cyber warfare is the Denial of Service (DOS) Attack which is an assault involving a flood of request aimed at slowing down or completely interrupting the regular traffic. A distributed type DOS involves several infected computer systems attacking an individual system. Malicious programs attack computer functioning by facilitating remote attack through a back door. By using remote commands, infected computer terminals can affect other computers.
Globalization
Title description: An analysis of globalization and its impact
Word count: 2237
Keywords: Intellectual assignments, Fusion of cultures, Mergers and acquisitions, Labor productivity, Global warming, Immigration, Youth Culture
Excerpts:
Although labor productivity has been constantly increasing, this has not translated into increased wages for the workers. The findings by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showed that the 2006 US national income share towards salaries was the lowest ever, while the share towards corporate profits was the highest. However people whose income is based on capital flow have experienced improvements.
Some countries saw their income levels fall with crippling effects to become the world’s least developed countries. While the emerging economies and developed countries tend to converge with the developed countries, there is a growing divergence between the least developed countries and the rest.
A 2007 report by the WHO, warns that the world is facing an ever increasing threat in the form of epidemics, natural disasters, industrial accidents and diseases, which pose as big threats to the global health security. The report highlights that no country despite its resources would be capable of protecting itself from the outbreak of diseases and other hazards, without the cooperation of other countries.
Gun Control in America
Title description: Gun Control in America
Word count: 1468
Keywords: Minimum age, Poor parenting, Pro-gun activists, Firearm awareness, Criminal assault, Mentally unstable, Concealed weapons
Excerpts:
The fact that considerable percentage of people is armed is a cause for concern. Groups favoring gun controls suggest that a federal law be passed that restrict the purchase of hand guns and also increase the minimum age for gun ownership from 18 to 21.
The shootings have raised concerns among the people on the state of gun control and safety in schools. A poll by the NBC News and Wall Street Journal determined that about 70% of the Americans believed that such incidents of shooting can occur in schools at their community too (CNN).
People think that keeping a gun at home increases protection for self and other members at home. However studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that the presence of a gun in the house makes it 4.8 times more likely for a suicide and 2.7 times more possible for a homicide in the home.
Journalists and their sources
Title description: Journalists and their sources of information
Word count: 2413
Keywords: Confidential sources, Blanket protection, Anonymous sources, Secretive information, Landmark stories, Public good, Spirit of journalism
Excerpts:
However in journalism, while confidentiality is in public interest, sometimes that could go against it too. The law does not provide a blanket protection to journalists to maintain their source confidentiality, as they could at times, be mandated to reveal it. It needs to be determined if the right of journalist to maintain confidentiality in general and also the need for disclosure at certain times, both in public interest.
Before committing, journalists should check and ensure whether there is any other way to obtain the story and whether the story itself is in the interests of the society. Journalists must simply not resort to confidential sources because they are easily available, rather than working hard to determine the sources that would be willing to be named. While journalists have the right to accept or refuse stories on conditions of anonymity, they may at times be required to breach their commitment of confidentiality.
The courts have emphasized on many occasions the rights of journalists to retain confidentiality as held by the First Amendment. However at certain times, the laws that protect the rights of journalists also mandate them to reveal it. A literary review has shown that both approaches are intended for the benefit of the public and the nation.
Television
Title description: Television and its effects on children
Word count: 425
Keywords: Social interaction, Problem solving, Academic skills, Obesity, Non-educational programs, Junk food advertisement
Excerpts:
Spending more time with television results in lesser time with homework and social interaction, leading to poor school performance. Late night TV watching exhausts children and they cannot concentrate in school the next day.
However children spend considerably less time watching programs dedicated to education like mathematics, problem solving, science etc., while they spend more time with non educational programs like commercials and cartoons.
Television promotes negative and violent behavior in children through its programs. Even programs aimed specifically for children involve violence. It has been estimated that an average child would watch about 8000 murders in TV before completing elementary school.
TV Violence
Title description: Television and its effects on children
Word count: 691
Keywords: Violent acts, Bullying, Disobeying, Violent theme, Parental guidance, Television potential
Excerpts:
Research at the University of Pennsylvania has revealed that on an average television shows for children contain about 20 violent acts every hour. It was noticed that children behaved differently after they have watched violent programs.
It was noticed that the children who watched violent programs began striking at playmates, arguing, bullying and disobeying (Abelard, 2008). Another notable affect that television violence has on children is that they gradually begin to perceive the world as a mean and dangerous place.
When guided by parents, television can be an effective media, which can actually help in the education and development of their children. Television can teach the kids things, which books do, like how to fix a room or how to live healthy.
Latin American immigration to the US
Title description: Is Latin American immigration beneficial or harmful?
Word count: 3296
Keywords: Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Border control, National immigration policy, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Restrictionist movement, Latin American immigration, Language barrier
Excerpts:
There exists a big gap between the US goal of controlling immigration and the actual results of the policy. According to sociologist Kitty Calavita, the U.S immigration policies are embedded with paired oppositions. These include U.S employers looking for cheap labor opposed with U.S born unionized workers who don’t want lowering of wages.
Restrictionists claim that large amount of immigration (legal and illegal) from Latin America has depressed wages, burdened government resources, and acted as a net drain on the economy. At the forefront of the restrictionist movement, The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has argued that because of this influx, the hourly earnings among American males has not increased appreciably in thirty years.
Calavita is of the opinion that the U.S immigration policy throughout the 19th century was directed at forming a low cost, unlimited labor supply. The same situation prevails today except that the U.S economy has moved away from manufacturing semi-skilled jobs to service economy with a higher proportion of unskilled jobs.
Parents Love for Their Children
Title description: A brief look into parent – child relationship
Word count: 1233
Keywords: Excessive monitoring, Over parented, Perfect parent, Compulsions, Preoccupied parents, Minor issues
Excerpts:
Children require much time and energy and it’s easy for parents to get frustrated. Raising children becomes tougher and more challenging when people are compounded with other problems like job, finance, relationships, alcohol etc.
There are indeed occasions for being very strict and for not getting involved, but these should be seen in the context of whether it is done on purpose, or from compulsions of the parent’s own personality, fear or monetary needs.
Parents who love their children exceedingly and like to see them develop their creative abilities can end up suppressing them. Anxious and excessive monitoring of child’s progress in its activities, pressurize the child on the need to please its parents and therefore do things accordingly.
Use of Torture in the War on Terror
Title description: Debate and opinion
Word count: 5704
Keywords: Post 9/11, Issue attention cycle, US Patriot Act, Ticking bomb scenario, Non-violent terrorism, Torture warrants, Geneva Conventions
Excerpts:
However post 9/11 not only saw the scaling up of security and associated costs, but also the major use of torture in preventing future attacks. A BBC opinion poll covering 25 countries and about 27,000 people indicated that about 59% of the people throughout the world were against the use of torture and not willing to compromise on human rights.
The use of torture in extracting information on an impending catastrophe so as to prevent it and save lives is only logical. Torture must be made permissible when evidence suggests that it is the only way it can save an innocent person.
This does not imply that an average supporter of prohibition actually favours torture but that he or she is open to being flexible. Henceforth such supporters would not confidently oppose torture. The same logic holds for proponents of torture too.
However he believes that democratic societies should only sanction and regulate such torture rather than denying it or carrying it out silently. His modalities for torture include a judicial officer for sanctioning torture warrants, in necessary situations. Such systems would ensure that torture is used only in desired situations.
Policy Recommendations for Combating Terrorism
Title description: Policy recommendations for combating terrorism
Word count: 2895
Keywords: International terrorism, Brain storming, Psychological fear, Legal framework, Sophisticated communication, DNA profiling, Covert operations, Public education
Excerpts:
Radical reconstructionists suggest that the Department of Homeland Security and its affiliates at the local and state level should coordinate with the other agencies to defeat the social conditions contributing to social unrest, which include terrorism.
As terrorist organizations or outfits are small in size and very secretive in their working, the government or enforcement agencies cannot attack or defend straight away. In their pursuit to maintain a conflict, terrorists carry on their terrorist activities, which sometimes be mistaken for a criminal activity.
They should then embark on public education, educating the public as to why it is necessary. This is very crucial for implementing the policies, as there has been immense opposition to all such policies. However the importance of such policies is reflected from the fact that almost all governments world over indulge in them discreetly, for their security needs.
Terrorism and Homeland Security
Title description: Terrorism and Homeland Security
Word count: 1517
Keywords: Multiplayer security, Critical infrastructure, Audio decoding, Artificial intelligence, Financial privacy, Money laundering
Excerpts:
By integrating and analyzing domestic and foreign inputs from the Intelligence Community (IC), a wide range of policies and recommendations are produced. These assessments are intended to help the department of law enforcement, defense, external affairs and homeland security.
Information on the past and current state of homeland security is what is called as ‘basic home and security literacy’. This literacy is very essential for the officers involved with homeland security. The security literacy is associated with every aspect and policies of security
The proposed regulations of the US federal agencies require financial service providers to create customer profiles, and whenever transactions seem inappropriate, should determine source of funds. Link analysis is an approach taken in controlling money laundering.
What should Homeland Security Leaders be Talking About?
Title description: What should Homeland Security Leaders be Talking About?
Word count: 1110
Keywords: Radical reconstructionists, Pandemics, National disasters, National strategy, National priority, Security literacy
Excerpts:
When dead terrorists or disrupted plots are brought to public attention, it takes only a while before it again vanishes from being an important public issue. The stage five of the Issue Attention Cycle correlates to the least political will to alter or reinforce homeland security.
The concept of homeland security can be analyzed through three major perspectives namely strict constructionism, middle-of-the-road moderation and radical reconstructionism, although the traditional view of the homeland security was preventing and responding to terrorism.
Radical constructionists focus on the situation of having nothing to fear. They highlight the low figure of Americans killed in terrorists attacks with the large number of Americans killed by tobacco, flu, road accidents and other preventable events. Radical constructionists question why homeland security is not more concerned with gang violence, illegal drugs, public health and educational short comings.
International Terrorism
Title description: A brief analysis
Word count: 2523
Keywords: Psychological warfare, Suicide missions, Nonmilitary, State sponsored terrorism, National Command Authority, Armed diplomacy
Excerpts:
Suicide terrorism is an important aspect of the Tamil Tigers fighting the Singhalese government in Sri Lanka. Honor at death is an important value upheld by the Tigers. The brave mother who, for the sake of liberation, sacrifices her family is greatly reverend. Among the Tigers engaged in suicide missions, about 30% are women
However these couldn’t be used at their free will, as there were content acceptability criteria. But with the Internet, they had absolutely full control over their content, which they could use to manipulate their own image or that of their enemies.
The high cost of contemporary warfare, the danger of defeat, and unwillingness to be projected as an aggressor, have all been the factors for a state to look to terrorism as an efficient, convenient and suitable weapon for establishing its interests in the international arena. The fundamental support to terrorism by a state is ideological support. When the ideology of the state and that of the outfit is common, the state begin to encourage them.
Teen Drivers
Title description: Teenage drivers
Word count: 605
Keywords: Traffic crashes, Traffic authorities, Learner’s license, Danger situations, Jumping signals, Seat belts,
Excerpts:
The sixteen to nineteen age group drivers are the most risky group and are four times more likely to crash than their older counterparts, for each mile driven. One noteworthy fact is that the crash risk of teen drivers rises with the presence of teen passengers and also on the number of teen passengers.
Recently conducted research indicates that the part of the brain that responds to impulse and organized thinking does not mature till the age of twenty five. Excitation and mood are highly volatile in teens as the hormones affecting the brain’s neurochemicals are very active.
Insurance of teenage drivers is very expensive; in fact the insurance rates charged for 16 to 24 age group is the highest charged in the insurance industry for drivers. This is mainly because of the high incidence of accidents involving this group, where the driving teens are at fault.
Teenagers and Discipline
Title description: A brief look into discipline in teenagers
Word count: 747
Keywords: Teenage offences, Sexual abuse, Drug abuse, Aggressive video games, Misuse, Negative development
Excerpts:
Teenage offences, the offence pattern, cause and consequences should be well studied. The benefactors if any behind such teenage activities if any, should be identified and punished severely. Identification and rehabilitation of offending teenagers should be taken with care and understanding.
The projection of vulgar sex in all forms of media, drive adolescents without a proper understanding of this subject. The occurrence of pregnancy, rape, sexual abuse etc. in teenagers results from improper propagation. Marketing managers do not think ethically in their attempts to sell their products.
They gradually cross the limits of legality and indulge in punishable crimes like drug abuse, sex offences etc. Teenagers cannot be solely held responsible for their actions resulting from lack of discipline. The society has a bigger role in the negative development of this group.
Adolescent Employment
Title description: A brief analysis of positive and negative effects of adolescent working
Word count: 879
Keywords: Intellectual abilities, Independence, Parental guidance, Encouraging experiences, Work psyche, Financial independence,
Excerpts:
Among the significant benefits of working, while at high school are that it helps in the transformation from school to workplace, and in developing a work psyche. Parents too encourage youth employment as it promotes independence and responsibility.
Adolescents working for more than 20 hours a week develop delinquent and problematic behaviors. Adolescents are exposed to other adults in their workplace, devoid of any parental guidance, and they acquire habits and behaviors that are not appropriate to their age, although it may suit an adult.
Research has shown that adolescents taking to work are associated with positive and negative effects. Among the skill sets they acquire through work are time management abilities, marketing capabilities, managing finances etc. Apart from gaining work experience, they develop good work habits and experience financial independence.
Use of Alcohol in College Campus
Title description: A brief analysis of prevalence and effects of drinking among students
Word count: 1927
Keywords: Binge drinking, Sober state, Unprotected sex, Homicides, Suicides, Environmental factors
Excerpts:
The association of alcohol and college life is clearly evident from the promotion activities and sale of alcoholic products in the vicinity of college campuses. It is these environmental and social situations, which creates a drinking culture among students. About 43% of college students admit to being binge drinkers while 21% say they are frequently binge.
Several negative consequences are associated with excessive drinking among college students, which include fatal and nonfatal injuries, academic failures, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.
Among the many myths prevailing on alcohol consumption, within the student community is that one could have a good self-control, despite drinking. They assume themselves to be in good command of their talk and actions, even under alcohol. This perception is generally attributed to their sober state before drinking.
Globalization: Child labor Issues
Title description: Globalization: Child labor Issues Around the World
Word count: 3921
Keywords: Slave employment, Psychological impacts, Social developmental history, National standards, Handling explosives, Hidden labor, Minimum age of employment
Excerpts:
The employment of children has been prevalent throughout the history of mankind. These were very prominently evident during the days of slave employment in plantation areas. The pathetic life and living conditions of those children today remain a dark chapter in the social developmental history of children.
Also there is a presumed relaxation with regard to working for self or for others, where working in one’s own land at a particular age might be proper, while working for someone else at the same age would seem inappropriate. An exact estimation of child labor is not possible due to variations in national standards and in defining what constitutes child labor.
In their book ‘Child Workers in America’, Lumpkin and Douglas point out that about two fifth of the children seek work due to unemployment of the adult member of the family. Close to two third of the children worked because the adult member of the family had no employment or only had a part time job.
For children employed as domestic laborers, the hazards are not very evident as the hazards they face are more psychological like isolation, exploitation and abuse. These are another dangerous form of labor, which is very difficult to be identified. It is also often called ‘hidden labor’.
Lowering of the Minimum Drinking Age
Title description: Lowering of the Minimum Drinking Age
Word count: 989
Keywords: Underage drinking, Experimentation, Alcohol abuse, Standardized tests, Alcohol related nuisance, Brain development theory
Excerpts:
When restrictions are put on them in terms of age, they have very little opportunities to get or consume alcohol, and therefore whenever they get, they indulge in binge drinking. As they are not allowed to drink legally, they have to avoid pubs and bars. However being old enough to socialize, they are forced to use parks and streets where they become a nuisance to the public.
The 20 year old federal law on drinking age of 21 is not based on any logic or scientific reasoning. In the early 1980s, there was considerable pressure from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which made the Congress enact the law. President Reagan is believed to have been against it, but was later made to agree to it.
If the brain development theory is true, how come all other developed nations found it safe to ignore it. Even if the theory is true, one fails to understand how students from countries having very low drinking ages are capable of doing better than US students on many standardized tests.
Discipline among teenagers
Title description: Discipline among teenagers
Word count: 2224
Keywords: Negative attitudes, Psychological growth, Saudi Arabia, Emotional bonding, Ineffective problem solving, Personal relationship
Excerpts:
When they reach mid-adolescence, (ages 14 to 15) their emotional and intellectual abilities are increased and they loosen their ties to their parents. The adolescents seek adventure and are willing to experiment different ideas. The individual develops his own set of beliefs and understandings and begins to question the validity of those set by parents or other grown-ups.
When teens are engaged in decisions, it helps to create a balance of power and control. When teens get some control, they realize that they are important. A balance between teen control and parent control is needed rather than an absolute control. When a child makes requests, each request must be listened carefully for more details. A quick and blunt ‘no’ will only aggravate problems.
The problems with teens in United States are extreme when compared to from more stricter countries like Saudi Arabia. This is because there are stricter moral obligations and rules. Smoking and drinking are even considered against the religion. The use of drugs among Saudi youths is almost negligible as drug use can even be punished by death.
Traditionally psychologists specializing with adolescent problems had worked in settings like residential adolescent units. However, it has now been established that psychology services for the adolescents must be carried out in close association with a wider network of health, education and social services agencies.
Youth and Alcohol Abuse
Title description: The urgent need for educating youth on alcohol abuse
Word count: 1800
Keywords: Group drinking, Non-drinker, Drinking party, Self control, Criminal behavior, Awareness programs
Excerpts:
One should not hesitate to interrupt a drinking party, when it seemingly exceeds it limits, even if it is for a single person you care. You don’t have to consider what they would think when you demand them to stop. After all heavy drinking can bring about any dangerous possibilities and being rude with them, only helps them.
Another notable sad effect associated with alcohol is that it inflicts sufferings on other people who either don’t drink or drink moderately and legally. About 60.5% have had their study or sleep disrupted by drunken students, while 29.3% of students had been insulted or embarrassed, due to other’s drunken behavior. About 20.1% of women students suffered sexual advance by drunken students.
The youth and alcohol is an unpredictable, dangerous combination. The youth need to be educated to handle alcohol with responsibility. Our society has reached the threshold point where alcohol is getting the better of them, and this trend has to be reversed urgently.
