Nature or nurture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nature or nurture - Essay Example Although at present, the scientific community has tipped the scale towards ‘nature’, an ongoing debate argues that environment is the main factor influencing gender identities of people. This conclusion is drawn from the work of Michael Kimmel, a sociologist who teaches at the University of New York at Stony Brook. Apart from having written on gender in general and men in particular, in â€Å"‘Bros before Hos’: The Guy Code†, Kimmel deals specifically with issues of masculinity. He believes that young men are socialized into their groups and gain ideas of masculinity from the surroundings around them. Studies which have been conducted by James O’Neill, developmental psychologist at the University of Connecticut and social psychologist, Joseph Pleck have shown how little the socializing influences on boys have changed over the years. Kimmel points out how men conform to masculizing influences and perceived masculine behavior because they are anx ious to secure the approval of other men. In the words of playwright David Mamet, women are perceived have such a â€Å"low place on the social ladder of this country that its useless to define yourself in terms of a woman†. Boys tend to identify with their fathers and older male peers and adopt behavioral patterns considered to be â€Å"masculine† in order to win the approval of other men. Freud has put forward the view that an essential part of the process of defining male gender identify is the separation of a boy from his mother and close identification with his father instead. Masculinity is thus achieved through â€Å"repudiation, disassociation and then identification.† To support this argument, psychologists such as Michael Thompson, James Gabarrino and Dan Kindlon also reiterate that a culture of cruelty is created wherein young boys are actively discouraged from crying or showing their emotions. Applying Pollack’s views, a young boy would be pus hed through the influences from other males in his surrounding environment to actively develop the â€Å"mask of masculinity, which is essentially a stoic, unemotional front wherein denying their own emotional needs forms an essential part of framing of gender identity of the boys. In contrast with Kimmel, Hanna Rosin is less certain about the impact of socializing influences and the environment on the development of gender identity. In the â€Å"A Boy’ Life†, Rosin points to the fact that the difficulties transgender children experience, appear to have been exacerbated by parental indulgence. These children take on role-playing at a very early age – usually the role of the opposite sex – and persist with it. The writer also maps the recent preoccupation with biology in the area of human identity and the theories of gender as a social construct. Both Rosin and Kimmel offer a disturbing view of the motivation of peers, parents, communities and professiona ls. These people involved in the negotiation of gender identities, in which a mix of fear of rejection, a need for normalcy and peer approval, and professional ambition leads to a single-minded consideration. Parents, driven by fear of their children’s rejection by society and constant social affirmation

Why Women Should Not be Allowed in Active Combat Duty Essay

Why Women Should Not be Allowed in Active Combat Duty - Essay Example They are admirable in the way they acquit themselves in times of conflict and split second decision making and maybe, just maybe -- we might even have a female president some day. Women still have lofty ambitions when it comes to more things that they hope to do in terms of male equality and, along with the presidency, fighting alongside men in active combat is still one glass ceiling they cannot break. Although there already exists cracks in that particular ceiling, I do not believe that women should ever be allowed to see active combat for a number of valid reasons. There are two main reasons that women should not be allowed in combat according to Robert Bork (qtd. in Sowin). Those reasons are: 1. Putting women in combat is crucial to women’s self-esteem and to men’s respect for women. (That has never been true in the past and it is impossible to see why it should be true now.) 2. Combat roles are important to military advancement. The above arguments are all based up on the way that women are traditionally viewed in our society. Women's rights activists protest the idealization of the female role in society because it makes them seem like fragile, emotionally weak people who do not have any desire or capability to defend themselves or others. By joining the military and joining active combat, women feel that they are an equally strong sex and are capable of fighting the good fight also. This is one case wherein the intentions may be sound, but the execution will always be weak. The reality of women in the military is that they are given preference and leeway in most streneous and taxing activities because women do not have the same stamina as men. In fact, women who train in West Point and other military institutions are not made to compete against other men or by male standards, they are only measured in terms of capabilty against other women. This can prove to be detrimental on the battlefield where they fight alongside men who are faster and stronger but are then held back in order to allow the women to catch up. (Sowin Why Women Should Not Be Allowed in Combat). Gender norming and lowering the training standards in order to allow women to pass is a disservice to our world class soldiers who are expected to lead on the battlefield. Women are still thought of all over the world, most specially in the Muslim territories as being weak and dependent on the male species. Majority of the modern women have managed to change that idea by proving that they can be emotionally and physically strong in various ways. I take my hats off to those women. However, fighting in an active battlefront requires much more than just marathon training and endurance tests. There are those who take on the point of view that : Women are not suited by temperament or by physical characteristics for the highly aggressive, ultra-violent pursuit of victory in battle. Much of an army’s success depends upon intimidation of the enemy. A force compo sed of women is far less intimidating than one consisting of macho men. Intimidation of the enemy saves lives in wartime. (Women Should Not Be Allowed in Military Combat). Consider if you will, that the enemies of our nation field burly, scary, and brainwashed men into battle. They live to intimidate the weak. The simple glare of of their eyes, flare of the nostrils, or clearing of the throat is designed to instill fear into any enemy be he male or female. Fighting a war does not allow for segregation of the sexes in order to effectively fight the battle. It is man vs. woman in most cases and, no matter what Hollywood says about G.I. Jane, a woman can easily be taken down by a well trained and strength enhanced enemy. This will then pose a problem for the team who will

Corporal Punishment Essay Example for Free

Corporal Punishment Essay For hundreds of years, it has been customary for a child to receive a spank or slap as a form of discipline, one that parents of all cultures have used. Corporal punishment of a child by a parent or teacher has been legal in Canada since 1892, though 51% of Canadians believe that the use of corporal punishment does not reflect the attitude of Canada’s majority (Barnett). In recent years, corporal punishment has had more investigation, showing that, â€Å"corporal punishment by it’s nature can escalate into physical maltreatment† (Gershoff and Larzelere). Child abuse can be defined as â€Å"Physical, sexual, or emotional ill treatment or neglect of a child especially by those responsible for its welfare† (dictionary.com). Child abuse researchers suggest that physical punishment increases a child’s chance of developing a mental illness, incites antisocial behaviour, and stunts intellectual growth. The psychological effects of corporal punishment directly influence to a child’s mental and emotional stability. Corporal punishment is permanently damaging to a child’s development, and should be considered child abuse. Corporal punishment increases a child’s chance of developing a debilitating mental illness, specifically those caused by internalising problems, such as depression and anxiety (Smith). By using Ivan Pavlov’s theory of Learned Reflexology, it can be deduced that the high anxiety levels of children who have been routinely punished by a physical means is caused by the expectation of being stricken. It was â€Å"found that the stress of corporal punishment shows up as an increase in post-traumatic stress symptoms such as being fearful that terrible things are about to happen and being easily startled†(ScienceDaily). Physical punishment produces a large amount of stress and feelings of hopelessness in a child, leading many adults who were corporally punished in childhood to develop anxiety-related mental illnesses. â€Å"According to Strauss (1999), mental health problems are associated with physical punishment due to their being an outcome of the suppression of childhood anger associated with being hit by adults who children depend on for love and nurturance†(Smith). The main role of a guardian in a young child’s life is to protect and provide for the youth and, through corporal punishment, the child-parent relationship is damaged, producing children with antisocial tendencies. By using corporal punishment as a means of discipline, a child learns to distrust parents or other guardians, resulting in antisocial behaviour. When an adult the child trusts implements corporal punishment as a means of discipline, feelings of hostility and betrayal develop. This hostility is a result of the duplicity of a parent’s role to protect the child, causing many children to feel as though their parents and others dislike them. Said an adult who had been physically punished for delinquent behaviour as a child, â€Å"My parents were very strict†¦I was basically very good and I was hit frequently†¦It made me go out and do the same thing again, what I’d been smacked for. The message I got from them when they hit me was not ‘what you’re doing is bad, don’t do it again’. The message I got was ‘we don’t love you’.†(Smith). When rule-enforcing figures disappear, delinquent behaviour emerges, suggesting, â€Å"that parental corporal punishment erodes the parent–child relationship and in turn decreases children’s motivation to internalize parents’ values and those of the society, which in turn results in low self-control (Hirschi, 1969)† (Gershoff). Corporal punishment does not stimulate reasoning skills in a child, resulting in low-self control, as mentioned, and thus a shorter span of cognitive ability. Intellectual development begins when children are very young, and by using corporal punishment as a means of instruction, a child’s intellectual development is permanently damaged. A child that is spanked in the first grade is proven to score 5 IQ points lower than a child that was not spanked at all (Talawar, Carlson, and et al). Studies show that â€Å"[c]hildren in a school that uses corporal punishment performed significantly worse in tasks involving â€Å"executive functioning† – psychological processes such as planning, abstract thinking, and delaying gratification – than those in a school relying on milder disciplinary measures [†¦]† (Talawar, Carlson, and et al ). Executive functioning tasks require self-control, a skill that children who have been disciplined physically, as opposed to with reasoning and explanation, do not have. â€Å"Thus, poorer cognitive outcomes may result if parents who physically punish their children make less use of inductive methods of discipline, such as explanation and reasoning- procedures that are likely to enhance cognitive growth† (Smith). By contemplating the effect of an action and the whether or not the action is appropriate, children exercise executive functioning processes, which will give a child the skills to contemplate problems of academic or real-world nature. Corporal punishment has a permanent, negative effect on a child’s future mental stability, sociability, and intellectual potential. The Canadian Human Rights Act says that, â€Å"the prohibited grounds of discrimination are race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability and conviction for which a pardon has been granted†( RSC 1985, c H-6). The continuation of corporal punishment in modern society, â€Å"encourages a view of children as less worthy of protection and respect for their bodily integrity based on outdated notions of their inferior personhood† (Barnett). 51% of Canadians do not feel that the physical punishment of a child is right or just (Barnett), and believe that it should not be used as a parenting technique. Corporal punishment’s damaging effect on a child’s psychological well-being, both in child and adulthood, proves that it is a form of abuse. There are alternative parenting techniques that are proven to produce better results, and encourage the progress of a child’s development. â€Å"Children are one third of our population and all of our future,†(quotegarden.com). Should the future not have the right to the same amount of protection as their predecessors? Works Cited: Barnett, Laura. Parlaiment of Canada. Law and Government Division. The Spanking Law: Section 43 of the Criminal Code. Ottawa: , 2008. Web. . â€Å"Children who are Spanked Have Lower IQs, New Research Finds. ScienceDaily. 24 Sep 2009: n. page. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. . Gershoff, Elizabeth. Corporal Punishment by Parents and Associated Child Behaviors and Experiences: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review. endcorporalpunishment.org. American Psychological Association, 2002. Web. 21 Jan 2012. . Gershoff, Elizabeth, and Robert Larzelere. Is Corporal Punishment an Effective Means of Discipline?. American Psychological Association 26 06 2002. n.pag. American Psychological Association. Web. 23 Jan 2012.

The Story Behind the Nazi Gold :: World War II History

The Story Behind the Nazi Gold Nazi Gold: Hard currency looted from treasuries of countries occupied by the Axis powers during World War II. Ingots consisting of gold melted down from the teeth of murder victims and weddings bands and jewelry. About two thirds of an estimated $660 million ($7.8 billion in today's dollars) in stolen Nazi gold passed through Switzerland during the war. And like any sharp businessmen with hot goods, the Swiss disposed of much of their gold quickly - through Portugal mainly, but also to Sweden, Spain, and other central banks (Hirsh 48). Probably no more that $140 million remains unaccounted for, and a good portion of that was probably sold onward as well. But what remains of the known Nazi hoard (none of which has been returned to the Jewish community) is worth no more than about $65 million according to the Brussels-based Tripartite Gold Commission, set up after World War II to return stolen gold to national treasuries. Recently the Clinton administration created a commission to sear ch for any Nazi funds that might have ended up in U.S. Federal Reserve vaults. "We have to be willing not only to focus the spotlight on Switzerland," says Under Secretary of Commerce Stuart Eizenstat. "We have to be willing to follow the trail of assets into our own treasury" (qtd. in Hirsh 47). This trail though, suggests that there is no huge stash of Nazi gold in Switzerland. The loot has scattered worldwide through numerous transactions and is probably irretrievable. Also, because so many banks were involved, the amount of gold left in Switzerland is probably negligible, contrary to what investigators have until now presumed. At this point the cost or returning the Nazi Gold to its rightful owners is not worth the trouble and inconvenience it would create. Documents released in recent months have made it clear that Swiss banks traded in looted Nazi-gold, and that Swiss businesses made a fortune selling arms to the Nazis. In a historical report published around May 9,1997, it was said that there was no evidence that the Swiss or other neutral countries knew that gold from the central banks had been smelted together with gold fillings, wedding bands, and other jewelry stolen from Holocaust victims (Sanger). But, Eizenstat found "incontrovertible evidence" that Swiss bankers knew they were trading in gold that Germany had looted from the treasuries of states it occupied, and also a handwritten ledger sheet from the Reichsbank showed a deposit of 29,996 grams of "dental gold" into a Swiss account (A harsh.

Penn foster exam Essay

I want to inform you of a position here at INK. My boss, Daniel Smith, is looking for a personal assistant and I know that you would be perfect for the position. Your background in sales and cashiering lend some qualifications to the job, but it is your outgoing personality and attention to detail that are sure to win him over. The Job Requirements include: -Preparing coffee every morning -Creating speeches for Mr. Smith’s many public appearances -Joining Mr. Smith at weekly conferences -Keeping a detailed log of Mr. Smith’s contacts with business and community members including personal information about their families, likes, dislikes, and hobbies -Managing Mr. Smith’s business account and petty cash funds. With your background as a cashier, I have no doubt that you will excel at managing the books. I have always noticed your ability to organize any situation to run smoothly, so I am assured that you can also handle Mr. Smith’s many public appearances and conferences. Your success as a sales clerk is surely due to your bright and positive personality- in fact I have rarely seen you without a smile for everyone. Mr. Smith can be a bear in the mornings without his coffee, so your upbeat attitude and your ability to roll with the punches, so to speak, will be a huge asset in that regard. I also know that in our family, you are the one who remembers everyone’s birthday’s, so as far as making Mr. Smith’s guests and associates feeling welcome, you are the best person for the job.

What Happened And When At This Years Belarus Gaming Congress

Blog 10 – What happened and when at this years Belarus Gaming Congress The online casino industry has been somewhat nomadic over the years, as it tends to not stay put in one nation for very long. From Peru to Gibraltar, it seems that the online casino industry has laid down roots in one former or another in various countries around the world. In many ways online casino operators chase the tax laws, as they are always on the lookout for the most favourable business environment. The latest nation to become a key host of online casino brands is Belarus, as many major brands have upped sticks and relocated to the nation. Cementing the country’s status as a key online casino market, Belarus is now throwing an increased amount of effort†¦show more content†¦It seems that the industry looks very favourably on bitcoin implementation, which will be music to the ears of online casino portal users. Bitcoin is all set to be a key industry element in the coming years, with its discussion at the Belarus Gaming Congress confirming its newfound importance. Other Aspects As with every other conference, laws and regulations were a keen point of discussion at the Belarus Gaming Congress. Since 2009 Belarus has been a key market within the industry, with its evolution now being key. Several names looked to talk about how the use of new technology will shape and mould the market into a modern industry. What was also discussed was how the laws will have to adapt to operators and vice versa. Belarus is steamrolling as far as online casino momentum is concerned, so as you would expect, how this momentum is managed is important should the industry wish to continue down the right path. The stage was set at the Belarus Gaming Congress and the speakers dually delivered, as there is now a real buzz surrounding Belarus as online casino market. Business Focus Making sure that the industry is ready for the next step; various business-focused discussions took place. Brand management was discussed at length too. It is clear that the industry within Belarus’ borders is gearing up for the future, so business growth is of the utmost importance. Unlike other markets, from what was seen

Effects Of Alcoholism On The American Medical Association

Assignment: Literature review Topic: Addiction to alcohol Instructor: Vanda Wark Literature Review Definition of alcoholism: According to the American medical association alcoholism is a chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influencing development and manifestations. Alcoholism has had a tremendous impact on the human condition and its relationship to society. The evolution of alcoholism, its behavior and quality of life impact will be addressed; as well as treatments and fiscal impact in the literature review. â€Å"Alcoholism is a complex disorder with many pathways leading to its development. Genetic and other biological factors are likely involved in the emergence of alcohol dependence, along with cognitive, behavioral, temperament, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Alcohol use patterns, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence, are familial in nature (cf. Heath et al., 1997; cf. Kendler, Heath, Neale, Kessler, Eaves, 1992; Hesselbrock, 1995). That is, similar styles of alcohol use and the presence of alcoholism are often found within the same family, running from parent to child and across multiple generations of biologically related individuals. However, many other traits or behaviors, such as religious or political affiliation, which have little or no biological basis and, therefore, cannot be under heavy genetic control, also run in families. While genetic and other biological factors cannot fullyShow MoreRelatedNot All of Us Are Saints: An Analysis of the Topic of Alcoholism888 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction In this short essay, the author will analyze the topic of alcoholism in Not All of Us Are Saints. It is the authors contention that only community based efforts such as Dr. David Hilfikers stand a chance of stemming the tide for this at risk population that has so much social stigma attached to it. For this purpose, we will examine studies in which community based programs help to alleviate the problems of alcoholics. Analysis The book begins with the tale of how Dr. HilfikerRead MoreDeviance And Alcoholism : A Socially Constructed, Communicated, And Learned Deviance1540 Words   |  7 PagesDeviance and Alcoholism Alcoholism is a problem experienced almost everywhere in the world and there are efforts taken by the societies to control it. This requires deep understanding of its nature, causes, effects and other encouraging factors. Alcoholism has been perceived as a medical problem since it could be treated, but recent concepts label it as a social deviant behavior. This paper will discuss about the alcoholism as a socially constructed, communicated, and learned deviance problem ratherRead More Drugs and Alcohol Essay1107 Words   |  5 Pagesprohibited pscychoactive drugs. American leaders attempted to do the same to alcohol with Prohibition in the 1920?s. In any society, drug use plays a part in the people?s culture. Whether it be a native taking hallucinogens for a religious ceremony, a destitute alcoholic drinking on a city street, or a group of teenagers smoking marijuana, drugs and alcohol have the same effects in any culture. The question of ?why do people use drugs? has been a dilemm a which American medical experts and government leadersRead MoreSubstance Abuse Paper1450 Words   |  6 Pageswith many people falling victims. This paper concentrates on substance abuse and addictive disorders in the African American population. When it comes to the scope of the problem regarding the extent to which it affects the people, depression, poverty, and stress is closely connected to alcohol abuse and appears to be the same for both men and women (American Psychological Association, 2000). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that the risks of substance abuse, its consequences, treatmentRead More The Many Benefits of Medicinal Marijuana Essay827 Words   |  4 Pagestraditional styles of science. A controversy our leaders need to examine is the medical use of marijuana. Instead of banning marijuana and ignoring the public voice, our representatives need to examine the facts and effects of marijuana for medical use. Like Copernicus idea that revolutionized science, changing the way we treat our sick and suffering will benefit our society. The effects of legalizing marijuana for only medical purposes will stop unnecessary legal action and it will change the way doctorsRead MoreKatherine Moran. Health Psychology Research Review. May1197 Words   |  5 Pagesof the 60 percent of American college students who drink regularly, two-thirds of these students also report engaging in frequent binge-drinking (NIAAA, 2015). While students may be aware of some of the s hort-term consequences of engaging in these binge-drinking behaviors, which can range from being hungover, to showing poor academic performance, to assault and/or violence, public health concerns stemming from excessive use of alcohol often have far reaching, long term effects. Alcohol dependenceRead MoreAlcoholism And The Human Body1653 Words   |  7 PagesAlcoholism and the Human Body. Anita Samu Absher Southern New Hampshire University Abstract Alcoholism and the Human Body. â€Å"Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches† (cdc.gov, 2014) and it has been part of our society for thousands of years. It is part of most social occasions we participate in, it is often celebrate an event or even mourn a loss but this substance can alsoRead MoreQuestion One. Alcohol Use Disorders (Aud) Is A Health Condition1671 Words   |  7 Pageswith alcohol consumption. This disorder is related to alcoholism, or alcohol abuse. The symptoms of AUD include cravings, a strong need to have a drink during the week or weekends, loss of control involving not being able to stop drinking, feeling out of control, shaking, anxiety, withdrawals, and nausea. Alcohol tolerance is the most significant symptom of AUD because an alcoholic will drink an enormous amount of alcohol to feel the effects. Tolerance has a lot to do with the persons drinking historyRead Mo reAlcohol Abuse Within Native American Societies Essay1303 Words   |  6 Pageslives, relationships and families all over the world. Native Americans seem to have suffered immensely by it. Since the coming of the Englishmen and the introduction of new knowledge and tools Native people have been trying to hold on to their own culture and their own way of life. Unfortunately with them came new items for consumption, alcohol was one of the main ingredients to the internal downfall of Native populations. Native American populations suffer greatly due to the ongoing epidemic of substanceRead More Alcohol Essay1434 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is alcoholism? 2. How do people become alcoholics? 3. What are the effects of alcoholism, on both the alcoholic and their family? 4. How do you diagnose alcoholism? 5. Is there a cure for alcoholics? 6. What is the treatment? What is Alcoholism? Alcoholism can be defined as the dependency on alcohol; addiction to alcohol. It is a chronic disease, th is disease called alcoholism is progressive and potentially fatal. â€Å" In 1966 the American Medical Association (AMA) declared Alcoholism a disease