The Persuasive Research Paper (You have the liberty of choosing the

The Persuasive (You have the liberty of choosing the specific topic) - Research Paper Example For the past many years, the internet has enhanced the capabilities of a common person to attain information on an international level. As the World Wide Web industry flourishes and broadens almost daily, new problems of censorship and free will of expression are mounting. Issues like the revelation of pornography to kids as well as the restricting the content to students have arisen huge controversies. Yet, these issues are just a handful of problems with the content accessible over the World Wide Web (Crystal 90). With the advent immense penetration of internet among the people, the potential of its material increases quickly, at an irrepressible rate. Why out of control? Because in a few cases there no censorship to that can be placed on the world wide web, what can sighted on the internet, and who can see what is uploaded on the internet. Hence, with the increasing number of users, the material uploaded on the internet grows too. Various people utilize the internet for various purposes without any worries, since they have the authority to. However, should everyone have access to these privileges? With all these masses employing the internet, shouldn’t there be a censorship of the content? The answer to these queries is debatable. For numerous reasons, there is no rigid determination of which consent is right, whether internet censorship is right or wrong   (Deibert 300). However, it is quite intricate to take unpretentious measures in this sensitive matter of internet censorship. Few people may think that specific content on the internet, which might be considered as indecent, are in fact beneficial to mature minds. Although younger audience is not prepared to attain access to such material that may cause immorality, however mature minds do not come across the same dilemma. Although, they may be prohibited from achieving what they require from the internet because of the possible presence of state

Is Solitary Confinement Torture Essay Example for Free

Is Solitary Confinement Torture Essay Solitary Confinement is the act of placing a prisoner in a small cell, usually the size of your average bathroom, for up to 23 hours a day with one hour reserved for physical activity. The only contact the prisoner is allowed to have with the outside world is through letters. It sounds horrible, but is it torture? To answer this we have to define and set up criteria for something to be considered â€Å"torture†. I have created such a definition and criteria and have decided that for something to be considered torture it must (a) cause some sort of physical or mental pain or discomfort, and (b) must have some sort of lasting effect upon the victim. Solitary confinement is torture because it causes mental anguish and often leaves prisoners with mental illness and other mental problems that stay with them long after their prison term is over. First we have to see if solitary confinement does in fact cause some sort of physical or mental pain or discomfort. According to a Dr. Stuart Grassian, there is a specific syndrome that is persistent among solitary confinement inmates with very real and very dramatic effects. Hyperresponsivity to external stimuli, meaning the inmate becomes increasingly sensitive to sounds, movements, etc. is one of the symptoms. You get sensitive to noise the plumbing system. Someone in the tier above me pushes the button on the faucet. Its too loud, gets on your nerves. I cant stand it. I start to holler. (qtd. in Grassian 3). Other symptoms include perceptual distortions, illusions and hallucinations, panic attacks, difficulties with thinking, concentration and memory, intrusive obsessional thoughts, overt paranoia, and problems with impulse control. Grassian 3-4) If solitary confinement truly was torture, it would also need to have some sort of lasting effect on the victims. Since solitary confinement does not cause physical harm, there are no long term physical effects. However, solitary confinement causes severe psychological anguish, and results in long term effects. The studying of P. O. W. camp veterans shows that the short term effects of the Delirium-like state regress with time, but long term effects begin to surface and become noticeable. Dr.  Stuart Grassian says about long term effects of solitary confinement that â€Å"These not only include persistent symptoms of post traumatic stress (such as flashbacks, chronic hyper vigilance, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness), but also lasting personality changes especially including a continuing pattern of intolerance of social interaction, leaving the individual socially impoverished and withdrawn, subtly angry and fearful when forced into social interaction. † (13) He found an identical pattern of change in inmates that went through long periods of solitary confinement years ago (Grassian 13). For something to be considered torture it has to meet two criteria. It must (a) cause some sort of physical or mental pain or discomfort, and (b) must have some sort of lasting effect upon the victim. Solitary confinement clearly causes mental pain and discomfort. The psychological effects are so severe that they even cause inmates to physically mutilate themselves without even being aware of their actions or being able to control themselves. I cut my wrists many times in isolation. Now it seems crazy. But every time I did it, I wasnt thinking lost control cut myself without knowing what I was doing. (qtd. in Grassian 4). Solitary confinement meets the first part of the criteria in that it causes mental pain and also indirectly causes physical pain. Solitary confinement also has a lasting effect on the victim. Since solitary confinement meets the criteria for something to be considered torture, it is, in fact, torture. The Unites States constitution protects from cruel and unusual punishment, but solitary confinement is a practice implemented in prisons every day. Since it is torture, and undoubtedly cruel and unusual punishment, it should be stopped. There are more constructive and humane ways to discipline criminals no matter how severe their crime than solitary confinement. If out prison systems have to resort to torturing its prisoners and calling it discipline then there’s a problem. The prison systems in the United States are in serious need or a reform, and outlawing solitary confinement is the first step that needs to be taken.

Inner City School Systems Essay example -- essays research papers

The school system in America has long been an issue of discussion and debate amongst people everywhere. The discussions and debates often stem from evaluating the current educational system in order to determine if significant social issues, including increasing regional poverty and declining literacy rates in specific urban regions are related to economic differentiations in the educational system. Many policy analysts have considered the issue of educational funding allotments in order to determine a system that provides greater equity between socio-economically disadvantaged inner-city schools and wealthier suburban, middle class schools (Kozol 83). The foundation for the necessary funding changes have stemmed from the recognition that school funding differences relate directly to sociological issues, including the creation of a cycle of poverty and illiteracy in under funded urban settings. One of the most significant issues raised in public education in recent years is the radical difference that exists in funding levels between wealthy and poor school districts (Zuckman 49). Many states have allotted educational funding related to tax revenues, and this has determined a higher level of educational spending in wealthy neighborhoods and a much lower level of spending for inner-city poor and rural poor communities (Zuckman 49). The differences in these educational settings have had a direct impact on the outcomes for students. Because a positive educational setting is a d...

History Of Rap :: essays research papers

History of Rap Rap Music, a genre of R&B that includes rhythmic poetry put over a musical background. The background consists of beats combined with digitally isolated sound bites from other recordings. The first recording of rap was made in 1979 and the genre began to take notice in the U.S. in the mid-1980s. Though the name rap is often used back and forth with hip hop. The name hip-hop comes from one of the earliest phrases used in rap on the song â€Å"Rapper’s Delight† by Sugarhill Gang. â€Å"I said a hip hop, hippie to the hippie, the hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it to the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the boogie, to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.†. In addition to rap music, the hip-hop subculture also formed other methods of expression like break dancing, graffiti art, a unique slang vocabulary, and fashion sense. Rap started in the mid-1970s in the South Bronx area of New York City. The birth of rap is, in many ways, like the birth of rock and roll. Both originated in the African American community and both were first recorded by small, independent record labels and marketed towards, mostly to a black audience. And in both cases, the new style soon attracted white musicians that began performing it. For rock and roll it was a white American from Mississippi, Elvis Presley. For rap it was a young white group from New York, the Beastie Boys. Their release â€Å"(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)† (1986) was one of the first two rap records to reach the Billboard top-ten. Another early rap song to reach the top ten, â€Å"Walk This Way† (1986), was a collaboration of Run-DMC and Aerosmith. Soon after 1986, the use of samples was influenced in the music of both black and white performers, changing past thoughts of what make up a â€Å"valid† song. Rap music was first a cross-cultural product. Most of its important early practitioners, Kool Herc, DJ Hollywood, and Afrika Bambaataa, were either first- or second-generation Americans of Caribbean background. Kool Herc and DJ Hollywood are given credit for introducing the Jamaican style of cutting and mixing into the musical culture of the South Bronx. Herc was the first DJ to buy two copies of the same record for just a 15-second break (instrumental segment) in the middle. By mixing back and forth between the two copies he was able to double, triple, or endlessly extend the break.

Emma by Jane Austen Essay

The comic novel â€Å"Emma† by Jane Austen tells about smooth and roughs of a young lady Emma who is intelligent, but has nothing to do. Actually, the author ironically shows how Emma is trying to change her position in life. Nevertheless, the novel differs fro others Austen’s writings as Emma is financially independent and, therefore, she doesn’t want to marry because of money and better position in society. The author departs from her primary theme as in other works she focuses mostly on the quest for marriage. Therefore, â€Å"Emma† is lighter and more humorous than other writings. Emma is twenty one. She lives with her father who takes too much care of her. Emma’s live is comfortable as she has loving family and money, though she considers her life rather dull and empty. She is presented as determined young lady and throughout the novel we see that she mutedly protests against such life of wealthy lady. She is disappointed as she has no one to love and she is still childless. However, instead of marrying unpleasant man she prefers matchmaking. Firstly, she tries to match her friend Harriet Smith. The novel turns interesting when Frank Churchill arrives with Jane Fairfax. Emma starts thinking that she has to find something to do and to change her dull life. She sees that many young ladies have handsome couple and she tries to fall in love with Frank, but her old friend Mr. Knightly loves her. Harriet thinks that he is in love with her and Emma feels jealousy about that fact. Finally, she understands Mr. Knightly is her true love. When she makes her a proposal to marry him, she agrees. Harriet marries young farmer. Actually, the novel is provided with happy ending. As for me, I enjoy reading Austen’s novels as they raise important theme: to marry a person whom you love or who is wealthy. I think that it is still a matter of debates. Austen’s heroines are vividly shown leading us into new word of adventures, secret engagements and mysteries.

buy custom Effects of Childhood Bullying essay

buy custom Effects of Childhood Bullying essay Childhood bullying has significant influence on the development of kids. Some of the effects associated with childhood bullying are immediately revealed while others are shown in the long term. In most cases, the developing child finds it hard to cope with the bullying effects in the daily activities. It affects the way children build their relationships with other peers as well as with other people that are younger or older than they are. Therefore, it is necessary to stop any bullying activities on kids as they bring about poor child development and in some cases, it can lead to death. Many kids encounter the bullying problem, in spite of their personal value or background. All kids are vulnerable to bullying by their parents, peers, teachers and all that are in their developing environment. Being enlightened on how bullying affects the development of kids is an essential step, which promotes effective responses to curbing the issue. Bullying builds problems for kids while at home, at playgrounds, and at school. This research includes discussion of the effects of childhood bullying on the development of kids (Levine Munsch, 2010). Childhood Bullying Concept For better understanding of childhood bullying effects, it is necessary to understand its concept. Some childhood bullying activities are never considered as bullying, but the fact is they do affect kids development. Childhood bullying involves aggressive actions persistently and frequently committed to kids due to their less powerful nature. Childhood bullying can be categorized in different ways, which include verbal, gestural, physical and rational bullying. Verbal bullying involves the use of direct verbal insults, calling of names and use of unfair criticism to kids. At the same time, verbal abuse can be indirect upon influencing another individual to criticize a child. In some cases, malicious rumors can be spread against kids, which are also a form of indirect verbal bullying. The form of gesture bullying happens when they are threatened, or through the use of obscene gesture by others. Intentional turning away from kids or averting from gaze is also gesture bullying. Physical bullying involves actions such as striking, use of weapons, indirect hiding of kids belongings, and assaulting kids in front of other people. Rational bullying involves creation of groups of people against child. It can also be indirect upon persuading a group to exclude kids in their activities. Bullying activities have gone far beyond moral frames, when kids are harassed sexually. Sexual bullying of kids falls in the four categories of bullying. On physical means, kids may be enticed or be forced to have sex with people that have physical power over them. It also involves touching of their genitalia. It can also be verbal by, when a person uses unwanted comments to kids which have some sexual relationship, either on a written form or spoken. Gesture sexual bullying, happens when there is the use of offensive gestures such as fingers, or throwing suspicious kisses to kids. Sexual bullying is very sensitive. Kids caregivers, parents and teachers should work together to avoid any signs of its existence. Parents should have the courage to discuss it with their children. Therefore, childhood bullying is considered as a deliberate exercise where kids are viewed as potential victims due to their vulnerable nature and weaknesses. It is intended to exert pressure, to hurt or else un dermine and put down kids. Psychological Effects of Bullying Childhood bullying affects the development of kids psychology. Victimized kids show psychological problems, predominantly in relation to depression and the nervous breakdown. Eating disorders are believed to have some roots in the psychological effects of bullying, which normally happens during the time that kids are being bullied or after that. Psychosomatic issues also develop through bullying and affect both sexes (Rigby, 2003). They include body complaints which are not related to any physical cause. For instance, consistent headaches and stomachaches appear as soon as the school day begins. When the kids are allowed not to attend their school, they normally spend the remaining part of the day without much problem or sickness signs. Once kids start experiencing such behaviors, it is necessary to find out whether there are bullying activities happening in school. Sleeping Problems Associated with Childhood Bullying Good sleep is necessary to the growth and development of kids. Bullied kids show different types of sleep disorders. These kids find difficultie when falling asleep and in many cases stay a long time awake. They also have difficulties with staying asleep, and they would rather play games, or just sit on the bed instead of sleeping. Nightmares are very common to the children who are bullied. Some of them do not experience problems to fall asleep, but they normally experience nightmares compared to their counterpart, non-victimized kids. The nightmares are vivid and sometimes menacing on the activities, which have connections to bullying or not. Victimized kids develop fear when they fall asleep, and they would rather sleep while clinging to someone else. They always like to have the lights on, in fear that something terrible might occur to them in darkness. Bed-wetting is very common to bullied kids, an aspect that lowers their self-esteem. Suicidal and Social Effects of Childhood Bullying Research has showed that suicidal rates are higher among the bullied kids compared to their counterparts. Regarding that, the victimized kids think more about committing suicide than their peers do. This effect is highly sensitive as some kids do attempt committing suicide and others die in the process. Victimized kids find themselves in social status, which is different and lower than others are. In a way, social exclusion increases the chances of victimizing kids, but peer rejection increases when kids are bullied. In return, kids live in loneliness while others feel abandoned. These kids are also very quiet and they are very peaceful when left alone. Kids develop low self-esteem, and they fail to do activities that are easily done by their peerS due to the lack of courage. They normally think that they are inferior (Pressley McCormick, 2007). Schooling Problems Effects of Childhood Bullying Bullied kids have a tendency of experiencing problems on their academic achievements. Frequent absenteeism is very common to the bullied kids. As stated earlier, many kids report cases of headaches and stomachaches, which lead to school absenteeism. When children are bullied by teachers or other schoolmates, they would rather stay at home where they find love. The victimized kids tend to avoid some parts in school, where they are likely to interact with others, such as rest rooms. Playing is very important for child development. However, bullied kids tend to hide themselves when others go to play, or others fail to include them in their games. They miss a very important aspect of life because playing does not only promote physical well-being but also relaxation of mind. These kids are always scared and have a lot of doubt about what would happen to them. All these issues experienced by these kids make the learning process difficult for them and create a lot of inconveniences. Poor pe rformance attained by these kids due to the underlying factors, increases bullying actions by their peers, teachers or caregivers. Therefore, it is believed that many school dropouts were at one point bullied in their school life. All kids irrespective of their social backgrounds have rights to experience safety and feel the sense about security while at school. Physical Effects of Childhood Bullying Bullying effects are associated more with psychological consequences rather than with physical effects. This leads to physical symptoms associated with bullying being ignored. It is clear that physical symptoms of the childhood bullying, interfere with everyday life enjoyment of kids. In relation to this, aggressive behaviors displayed to kids for a long period, often result in the sturdy advancement of physical disorders. Bowel syndrome with irritable nature, urgency need for kids to visit bathroom has more relationship to stress by the bullied kids. Other physical developments happen without the kid being directly involved, but the display of these physical symptoms affects kids development. Loss of hair is a physical consequence, which is experienced by the victimized kids. Different forms of mutilation occur especially when children are driven to self-harm as a way of responding to bullying. Effects of childhood bullying whether physical or psychological tend to take charge, in almost all areas in the development and kids experience. The effects are highly debilitating in all the aspects of life. These children find it hard to meet their potential in different parts of life. They often believe that they have no potential while others feel that their potential was long ago destrooyed. It is clear that children respond to the bullying effects differently, thus understanding all the effects involved is very important. The children, who engage themselves in bullying activities, suffer some consequences in their development. Deprived psychological behavior attained after a long time of exhibited abusive actions, worsens when the bullying goes undeterred. These children also face high chances of the development of delinquent behaviors, whereas some have found themselves in jails or receiving juvenile detention. Children who are bullied possess some physical or emotional weakne ss. Intense childhood bullying reduces the well-being of kids due to anxiety, life uncertainty and depression. Recommendations Since childhood bullying affects the development of kids. It is necessary to stop it once it is realized. When dealing with the bullying effects on the victimized kid, it is also necessary to develop ways, which would help the perpetrators involved in it. This will not only reduce the bullying effects to the children, but it will also promote development. It is crucial to recognize the potential damages, which develop as a result of both psychological and physical. Childhood bullying has been in many cases considered to be a natural phenomenon, an aspect that needs to be changed in peoples mind. It is believed that in a way it forms kids character, but the research shows that it does more harm than good. Therefore, there is a need to educate all parties involved in kids environment. It is also important to deal with bullying incidents upon realizing them. It is also recommended for the society to change its perception and attitude towards bullying. Aggressive behaviors stand little chances to reduce if the society fails to address childhood bullying. Adults and children possess unequal powers in the daily life and in adult-child relationship. Therefore, it is important for all child caregivers, either in school or at home, to always bear that concept in mind. The control exerted to children as a way of discipline, has in many ways turned to childhood bullying (Levine Munsch, 2010). Creation of anti-bullying policy to children is necessary to completely stop bullying activities. It is also a method of encouraging children to report bullying behaviors openly and without fear. Therefore, kids are also likely to believe that those in authority have powers to protect them. Since some bullying behaviors emanate from children, it is important to teach kids the acceptable behaviors. Supervising kids who are aggressive is an important way to prevent bullying among children. Children portray bullying characteristics at the tender age. Thus, it is important to provide them with additional resources. This will reduce the risk of involving themselves in bullying activities, which are likely to affect their development. Discouraging childhood bullying behaviors is necessary in all learning institutions. For that reason, teachers should be keen to recognize bullying activities and stop them. Conclusion In conclusion, childhood bullying affects the kids development, an aspect that cannot be ignored. Development of low self-esteem is very common to the victims, whether the bullying actions and effects are unaddressed or when the curbing ways fail. During kids development, they believe in the bad comments addressed to them as part of their lives. In some instances, they end up behaving in relation to the comments made. The bullies take this as an advantage where they become motivated to continue their abusive behaviors (Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Education and Skills Committee, 2007). These kids develop low confidence during the time of bully or the entire childs life. Bullying promotes hopelessness and worthlessness especially when kids tend the actions supposed to curb the bullying behavior as futile. It is important to recognize that behaviors, which lead to childhood bullying, are not obvious as expected. Most of the bullying actions take place in the absence of adults and most victimized kids fail to report the incidences due to the reprisal fear. It is wrong to perceive some teasing activities, which involve intimidation, as just mere teasing. When intimidation takes place, distress is likely to affect kids, which tamper with kids development, and it should be considered as childhood bullying. Childhood bullying has more to do with insensitivity to kids feelings. It also promotes aggression behaviors to anybody irrespective of the authority or position. Unfortunately, childhood bullying has been in many cases thought as a positive quality to discipline kids. Buy custom Effects of Childhood Bullying essay

According to the article, Euthanasia refers Essays

According to the article, Euthanasia refers Essays According to the article, Euthanasia refers Paper According to the article, Euthanasia refers Paper The book â€Å"Final Wishes: A Cautionary Tale on Death Dignity Physician Assisted Suicide by Paul Chamberlain generally deals with the issue on euthanasia and assisted suicide. Before the text will be discussed in full detail and the issue/s presented in the text elaborated, we need to have a clear and accepted definition of euthanasia. The article Euthanasia and assisted suicide on www.cma.ca (June 1998) differentiated euthanasia and assisted suicide. The article said that the identified two are often regarded as morally equivalent but there is a clear practical distinction, as well as a legal distinction. According to the article, Euthanasia refers to the knowingly and intentionally performance of an act that is explicitly intended to end another persons. According to the same site, for euthanasia to be performed, the subject should be competent, is an informed person with an incurable illness and has voluntarily asked for his or her life to be ended. On the other hand, assistance in suicide means knowingly and intentionally providing a person with the knowledge or means or both required to commit suicide, including counseling about lethal doses of drugs, prescribing such lethal doses or supplying the drugs. In the hospital physician-assisted suicide can take various forms where the patient is being withdrawn of by care. By withdraw of care refers to terminating life support such as a ventilator to assist one in breathing, withdrawing vasopressors which keeps someone’s blood pressure stable, discontinued tube feeds which supplies someone with nutrients to sustain life or/and withdrawinig of any pharmaceutical treatments that fight infection or disease such as antibiotics or chemotherapy agents. This distinction, as well as other issues attached to euthanasia and assisted suicide are presented and discussed in the text comprehensively. The following sections will deal on my personal insights of the story and a policy-perspective. Moreover, the paper will also elaborate and further discuss the issues attached to assisted suicide or euthanasia in general. I. Text Insights Personal Perspective I like the text because it was real not only because it was based on a real life situation but in the sense that it presented all the arguments that are useful in the issue of Euthanasia. The author was very objective in presenting his ideas on the subject matter. Both sides of the story were also heard: the arguments used by those who are in favor of mercy-killing or euthanasia and those that are used by moralists in their struggle in fighting against euthanasia. The relationship of the Dr. Ron Grey (the doctor) and Patrick (patient) as friends made the story more interesting. By using such plot, the author incorporates emotion in the situation which makes it more realistic since it is the main argument of those who are not for euthanasia. The book was very informative brought about by the author’s objectivity in presenting the key arguments relevant to the issue of mercy-killing. As the story progress, these points were tackled with much enthusiasm and without any bias thus, one learns as he is entertained by the book. It is also good to note that the book is free of any unexplained medical jargon and technical terms making it easy to be understood by those who does not belong or is familiar with the field of medicine. The facts as well as the drama that were embedded in the text were valuable. Aside from the facts and arguments that were presented both in favor and against euthanasia, the emotions attached to ever single detail were as well to be treasured. The book is evidence that emotions and morals does not only works for those who are aware of it but also for those who have forgotten about it. If I were to end the story, it would be the same as the way Paul Chamberlain concluded his book. When Dr. Grey ended up with the decision not to perform euthanasia to his friend, the author in a way showed that the issue is relative. It lies on personal values and principles and it cannot be judged nor questioned by others. If in practice the patient decides whether he or she would subject himself to the process of euthanasia, the doctor, just the same has the liberty to chose from performing the task or not. His refusal in doing a seemingly dying person’s wish emphasized the point that if Patrick has his values, so as Dr. Grey did. I am one with Dr. Grey in refusing the task because I believe that it should be first legalized. If something is identified by the state as illegal, it is good as saying that it is not to be executed both in private and public. There were some point in the text that I thought Dr. Grey was about to perform euthanasia to his friend but it also did not surprised me that in the end, he refused in doing so. Paul Chamberlain wrote the story in such a way that every moment is something new which makes the reader expect the most unexpected events to occur. This strategy by Chamberlain ironically makes the story unpredictable yet at the same time, understood. Before I read the book, my only knowledge about the issue on euthanasia is that it was morally questioned. I am not that aware of the medical shortcomings related to the subject. It was only then when I have read the story that I became aware on the issue of misdiagnosis. The way the issues and arguments were tackled in the story in a way deepened my understanding about the certain complicacies and underlying issues attached to the larger problem of euthanasia.