Public Schools and Prayer?

Elfison, Kirk, and Kirk Hadaway. "Prayer in Public Schools: When Church and State Collide." Public Opinion Quarterly. Oxford University Press , 2011. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.

http://poq.oxfordjournals.org/content/49/3/317.abstract

In today's public school systems, the teachings of and from the bible are prohibited, and some simply wonder why.  The teachings of church related topics however sometimes do come up in certain classes, for example history.  Learning about different worldwide cultures and religions is part of the curriculum that teachers teach.  However, if they teach about specific religious topics, is that considered teaching about religion? Some wonder and sometimes never get an answer.  According to Kirk Elfison and Kird Hadaway, they conducted a study showing who and what their response was when asked if religion should be taught in public schools.  Through this study, they found that the people who were for religion in the classroom were more educated, older, socially, politically, and more conservative in their religion.  Although religion is by law not allowed in the classroom, sometimes it gets 'slipped' out into a causal conversation when talking about foreign cultures.

I feel that religion should not be taught in the classroom based off of my opinions.  A reason why I say this is because we all have different religions and belong to different churches and believe in different things, therefore when speaking about a certain religion, one may become offended.  In my opinion I hate when teachers preach about religious aspects, because I sometimes feel that they may be trying to change one's view on something else.  Prime example, evolution.  We all believe this world evolved in different ways.  When learning about it in biology I felt as if the lecture was stating the world evolved a certain way, when others may disagree.  Although this is all in my opinion, I feel religion and public schools should be kept away from each other, unless enrolled in a private school.

Others may view this topic differently, and that is okay, being it is taken in anyone's opinion. But I believe this is a great argumentative topic, and numerous view-points can be taken into consideration.  It depends on what and how you believe in things, and how they relate to school work. 

Town Curfews: do they really help?

Breen, Tom. "Small Town Turns Curfew for Teens." Herald-Dispatch. Champion Publishing Inc, 8 Aug. 2008. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage_feat2/x809654906/Small-town-turns-to-curfew-for-teens

As a teen, many hated having a curfew or being home by a curfew, it always seemed to 'butt-in' on the teens' fun.  Many thought it was all fun and games, more or less, until news got around town that something bad happened, and then they appeared to be frightened.  Well this all came true for the city of Charlston in Arkansas.  The town committee had to but a curfew down for anyone under the age of eighteen for the reason of a chain gun and crime violence within their town and surrounding area.  Breen stated in this article that he agrees with the committee and a curfew is necessary.  With that proposal, many teens complained but little did they know, their own town was trying to prevent them from any type of harm.  So with that being stated, do teens really think the same?  Some people may wonder who and how often the town curfew gets abused, and that fact will not clearly be stated without the supervision on police.  The residents of Charlston also stated that teens under the age of eighteen do not specifically need to be wandering around past midnight, and to the residents there, the town curfew is completely understandable and reasonable.

In my opinion and the fact that I currently am under eighteen (for one more month, heheh), I do and do not agree with the teenagers of Charlston, Arkansas.  I know from time to time, (okay, all the time) I abuse the midnight town curfew for Hayfield.  But I only do it because I feel like I am responsible enough to know whether what I am doing at night involves anything that would harm others.  I am smart enough to not cause problems within my community, and when I look at it in that perspective, I, myself, am trustworthy of not having a town curfew.

My refute to that would be stated clearly for the teenagers out there who are not responsibly one bit. Even though I can act properly and may not need one, I still believe the town should have a town curfew.  There are teens who cause ruckus and from that, potentially crimes may evolve.  This is a debatable topic that can go both ways and for some, they may think different than I do. 

Expensive Clothes: Are They Really Worth the Money?

Leamy, Elisabeth. "Are Expensive Clothes Worth It?." ABC Good Morning America. ABC News Internet Ventures, 6 Oct. 2006. Web. 20 Sept. 2011.


http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=2535164&page=1

Fashion statements here, fashion statements there, will it ever wear out? According to Elisabeth Leamy, American's spend nearly $200 billion a year on clothes and shoes.  Doesn't that sound ridiculous? As sad as it sounds, it definitely is not wrong.  Leamy conducted a small experiment  with a $7 Hanes t-shirt and a $95 Nieman Marcus shirt only to find the Hanes shirt to get a bit fuzzy with the Niemen Marcus shirt to have scattern wear and tear. So, which one really is the better buy?  She stated that most viewers preferred the Nieman Marcus shirt...until they found out the price.  The controversy is, are expensive clothes truly worth the money?  Some may say yes, and some may say no.  I believe it really depends on the person and their taste in  style.  A person may be able to get a pair of jeans that cost well over a hundred at one store and turn around and go to a different store where they are under a hundred dollars, possible rip off?

In my opinion, I LOVE clothes, shoes, accessories, and all the above, but I do think twice about some of the things I purchase.  This topic suits me well for the sake of spending. saving, or even budgeting my money.  There are various of types of jeans that appeal to me, but the price just turns me off...sometimes.  I believe some people just do not care what they spend on clothes. For instance, a pair of name brand, ripped jeans may be priced at $150, to me, not worth it.  People spent too much money just to be in 'style', or some spend that much just for the name brand, in my opinion.

To others, this topic may be boring and more so for girls rather guys, but I believe it is something that everybody should consider the next time they go shopping.  By really thinking about if something is worth its price could potentially save you a handful of cash.  Smart shoppers make it further in the long run. ;)

Is Cyberbullying Getting Out of Hand?

Frisén, Ann. "Cyberbullying: A Growing Problem." Science Daily. Ed. Dan Hogan and Michele Hogan. iVillage Your Total Health Network, 20 Sept. 2011. Web. 20 Sept. 2011.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222104939.htm

When allowing children or teenagers surf the internet, numerous times the thought of cyber-bullying never crosses a parent's mind.  For some, it may seem like they just don't realize what middle or high school students post online.  Has it ever crossed their mind that their child might be in danger from cyber-bullying or harassment?  Well, according to the ScienceDaily research news, approximately ten percent of teens between the grades of 7-9 are victims of cyber-bullying.  This many teens are being affected and sometimes we wonder if their parents even know about it.  Some argue that cyber-bullying is worse than interactive bullying for reasons of bullying via internet never stops and can continuously occur, where as interactive bullying the child/teen may be left alone on the weekends or not in contact with other bullies outside of school.  What is your opinion on this topic?

I strongly feel for this topic.  I believe it is so sad what harassment some teens go through via internet, when you'd think it is the most least expected way to get bullied.  Parents should not seem so blinded by this important issue; it could potentially save their child from even hurting them self.  If I were a parent, I would be very concerned what my child is posting/saying on the internet.  With all these social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Tumbler, etc. anything could possibly happen.

I also believe this is a great topic for others to look into, whether it be parents, children, teens, teachers, or even other peers.  Anyway to stop cyber-bullying would be perfect.  By having close friends even on the social networking sites could possibly 'look out' for one another, and I strongly feel it is a reasonable attempt to stop cyber-bullying and harassment.
   

Choosing a child's gender: Is it right or wrong?

Belluck, Pam. "If Your Really, Really Wanted a Girl." The New York Times. The Boston Globe, 20 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/sunday-review/if-you-really-really-wanted-a-girl.html?_r=1&ref=abortion

Receiving the news of being a parent or a baby is on the way is usually an exciting time many look forward to.  Some also become very curious and anxious to hear what the sex of the baby will be, and some just are disappointed once the sex is revealed.  While doing a scientific study at the University of Connecticut, Pam Belluck collected many observations of whether the sex of a baby affects a parents opinion or outlook on their child.  From there, tests such as a simple DNA test can detect if the baby is diagnosed with Down syndrome or has any other complications, and if the embryo showed up positive, many woman may consider an abortion.  Belluck emphasizes that the sex selection procedure has lowered the abortion rates within the past four years, and pre-implantation has gone on the rise.  Some parents in India or China are even pre-implanting genetics so they will conceive a male child instead of a female child.  Overall, pre-implanting and early genetics testing may create the 'perfect' child for any curious family.

When reading this article, I felt as if I do not agree with it at all.  Choosing a child's sex should not be up to the parent, and for this, I believe this is not a good topic for me to discuss or negotiate with.  In my own opinion, a child is created the way it is for a specific reason, and by implanting female or male genetics, whether fits your want, you are 'customizing' your child.  Even though the abortion rates have gone down, creating a child the right way (in some people's mind) is not how the child was once thought to be.  Some people may completely disagree with my opinion for the fact of it is saving babies' lives and causing some eliminate the abortion as a possibility, but after all, the decision of keeping, aborting, or even changing the babies sex is in the hands of the parents.

Facebook vs. School.

Rochman, Bonnie. "Kids Who Use Facebook Do Worse in School." Time Healthland. CNN, 8 Aug. 2011. Web. 12 Sept. 2011.

http://healthland.time.com/2011/08/08/kids-who-hang-out-on-facebook-do-worse-in-school/

 While studying the work ethic of students enrolled in school, Bonnie Rochman came across the topic of Facebook and a students' education; intending to display the cons of mixing social networking sites with school to the students and school administration.  It has been found that students who check, go online, or even have an active Facebook account receive lower grades, show psychological disorders, and even may become depressed or anxiety stricken.  Although the downfalls of mixing the importance of school and a Facebook account, Professor Larry Rosen rebuttles back with positive feedback; ability to create their own identity and socialize with others.  She finds that children are more able to express themselves via internet rather than through person-to-person contact.  Throughout the majority of the article, Rochman throws out many disadvantages Facebook provides when students need to or try to concentrate on home/school work. She describes the students of being "mind-boggled" when it comes to their work ethic.  


When reading this article, I felt as if I agree with Rochman, Facebook is taking over students' academics, showing a degrading result.  This article suits me well because I have found myself in the pas, and even now with school just starting, getting distracted with Facebook when I should be doing homework.  I also feel as if this issue applies to numerous students, and not only I.  Even by allowing Facebook in school, I see students going straight to the social networking sites rather than studying or finishing up homework.  Not only do I agree with Rochman, but I feel there are ways we can prevent these drawbacks from social network sites and help students concentrate on their school work more.