A Cultural Approach Essays - American Studies, Cultural Assimilation

A Cultural Approach Essays - American Studies, Cultural Assimilation A Cultural Approach The cultural and developmental aspects of American history in the 17th and 18th centuries are certainly among the most important and influential factors in the shaping of this country's long and storied history. Historiographically speaking, there are undoubtedly thousands upon thousands of different studies and opinions on the most influential cultural strides of early Americans well as the pros and cons that each colonial region developed in shaping America and readying it for the Revolutionary Era. Each of these four studies brings a slightly different and even, at times, conflicting approach to analyzing the cultural and social roots of early America, but each one provides a fresh perspective that enhances the idea that America is a true "melting pot" of ideas, social values, and cultural traits. Zuckerman, in his article, focuses his attention on the middle colonies and the erroneous tendencies of historians to ignore controversial or pertinent historical issues in favor of obvious, harmless social arguments. Historians have focused on New England as the true "birthplace of America" because of its early literature and thought that focused solely on Puritanism, and therefore offered an obvious and easy starting point with which to measure the region's cultural metamorphasis. However, as Zuckerman points out, New England was fairly unrepresentative of the real America, as it was a homogenous society dominated by English Puritans and their inflexible doctrines and unstatic customs and economy. The middle colonies, on the other hand, were made up of people of many different origins, races, and creeds, and their interrelationships are definitely more symbolic of American culture. Like most people's idea of America, the middle colonies developed a commercial culture ba! sed on a balanced economy, and, besides that, showed no real homogenous cultural traits that ran through the region. Indeed, most of the different groups that coexisted in this region did not intermingle with each other at all, but instead kept their own distinctive cultural and social habits. Because of this, the argument can be made that the middle colonies were not the heterogenous, "melting pot" culture that Zuckerman claims existed. After all, heterogenous seems to suggest a fusion of different types of people, when in fact these colonies offered more of a clannish type of policy when it came to dealing with their new neighbors. However, the simple fact that they coexisted with relative peace in such a dynamic and volatile atmosphere is evidence enough that the middle colonies were indeed representative of America's "melting pot" reputation. Jack Greene hypothesizes that the idea of mastery and the relationship between the new colonies and Great Britain were foremost in shaping America's colonial culture. Greene suggests that the idea of the English who migrated to the Americas was to achieve mastery over the rugged land of America as well as other groups, a mastery that was unavailable to them in their homeland. The problem with this mastery hypothesis is that it covers only the English migration to the New World, and only a relatively small portion of that group. After all, many English people chose to relocate to America for a wide variety of reasons that had nothing to do with mastery over others, and mastery was surely not at the top of their wish list once they arrived in the New World. Greene also advocates relating the culture of colonial America back to that of Great Britain, and that technique can be useful in some ways, such as delineating the differences between the two areas. However, taking thi! s approach too far can be extremely dangerous, as the English in America were quick to develop cultural traits that had no connection whatsoever to their homeland and a comparison of some of these cultural aspects would only serve to confuse. Also, the many people who came to America from countries besides England would not fit into this historical approach. Mintz and Price focus their concentration on the development of a distinct Afro-American culture in the New World. Their conclusion that the majority of Afro-American customs and cultures were consummated in the New World and did not directly stem from any particular pre-migration group culture seems sound, even if some of their methods of documentation are somewhat dubious. Their hypothesis can also

Psychology and Mental Health Essay

Psychology and Mental Health Essay Psychology and Mental Health Essay MARIJUANA, HOW IT EFFECTS YOUR BODY AND MIND Marijuana is the most common illegal drug used in the United States, containing a mind altering chemical which is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC quickly passes from the lungs and into the bloodstream, carrying the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. When marijuana reaches the brain, it causes distorted feelings, slower coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning as well as memory. Marijuana has a variety of short and long term effects, especially on your heart and mental health. It raises your heart rate by twenty to one hundred percent shortly after smoking it, your raised heart rate can last up to 3 hours. This might eventually cause heart palpitations. Marijuana is very irritating to your lungs as well which can cause respiratory problems such as a daily cough, phlegm, more frequent severe chest illness and a risk of lung infections. Marijuana can cause problems in daily life or make a person’s existing issues worse. Heavy users usually report less satisfaction of life, poorer mental and physical health, relationship issues, and less educational and career success. Marijuana is associated with a higher drop out rate from school. School aged users who start using marijuana regularly tend to lose interest and have no motivation to do their schoolwork, as it also disturbs their thinking process, reading comprehension, and verbal as well as math skills. People who use marijuana in the workforce also experience an increase in absence from work, tardiness, accidents at work, and difficulty keeping a job. As far as the mental affects go: Marijuana can alter your judgment and motor coordination while driving which can cause accidents. A driver’s thinking and reflexes become slower which in turn makes it hard

The effects of the Fatherless Household on the Adolescent Female Research Paper

The effects of the Fatherless Household on the Adolescent Female - Research Paper Example There are numerous theories that suggest that indeed being raised in a fatherless family affects not only the female as an adolescent but throughout her adult life. Selection effect and study design are set up especially well to catch the effects of these problems in growing up. There are many implications, however, that are not explained at this point. When it comes to the evaluation of the effects of being raised in a lone-mother household there are, of course many problems related to the lone-mother household which contribute to these issues, including poverty. However in this paper we have explored the research related to being raised in a fatherless household in relation to the problems identified by those researches. There are, at this time, many holes in the research, however, for this work the research here has been tied together to give us a clearer view of the problems related to being an adolescent female raised in a fatherless home. The effects of the fatherless household on the adolescent female will change the life of this female forever. Many times that change is one that will place her in the arms of poverty for the rest of her life. There are those that escape but there are enough that do not that the effect on today's economic policies are great. There is a great dependence by the ... There are many deleterious effects of being raised without this father in the household and very few good ones. Most of these effects are related to poor boundaries and poor self-esteem. Adolescent females depend on the father in the household to help them build that self-esteem; therefore this absence leads to early pregnancy, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse. It also, many times, leads to a lower education level and less cognitive brain function. In this paper, we will explore some of the research that has been done in an attempt to understand this problem. We will investigate the general problems and then the more specific. Literature Review The issue of being an adolescent female raised in a fatherless home brings with it many problems. Those problems include the inconsistent or lack of development of a male-female relationship while growing up. This relationship when functioning well leads to some of the stability in a females life as she grows older (Krohn, & Bogan 2001). This lack of relationship especially affects the adolescent females ability and desire to go to school. Adams, Milner & Schrept (2004) added to this principle with their study which says that intellectual competence in general seems to be affected negatively by absence of the father in an adolescent females life. The inability to manage anger and low self-esteem are problems that are studied by Calamari & Pini (2003). This inability to manage their anger and the lack of self-esteem contribute to the many serious problems that continue throughout the lives of these females. Early pregnancy and substance abuse being two of those. Anger is one of the emotions that are considered basic to human nature but we all

Ohio Prison's Reform Plans and Recidivism Research Paper

Ohio Prison's Reform Plans and Recidivism - Research Paper Example Ohio has a record of being the highest state having a huge number of prisoners and maintaining a larger number of people who are into the prisons. The state has been effectively planning their reform programs and maintaining a proper system of taking reformative programs but it has been a failure at large. The reformative measures are highly affected by the increasing rate of recidivism among the prisoners. Review of the available structures reflects on the failure of the reformative actions that are being taken within the jurisdiction of Ohio. However, the changing needs of the society maintaining an effective system is one of the major needs of development and enhancing the overall approach of jurisdiction. Commendably, the state has incorporate effective measures to enhance the prominence of the same and develop the overall security that is prominent. Notably, with the effective enhancement of the different needs of developing a proper plan has in turn enhanced the value of the overall need for development of prisoners. Furthermore, to reduce the chances of recidivism the jurisdiction system that is prominent in Ohio is enhancing its individual capacity to perform and develop the overall system of jurisdiction. Prison Reform plans acts as a sole development that could be incorporated within the system, ensuring a prospective projection of different social development initiated by any state or secular republic to develop the transparency of the jurisdiction and ensures that larger number of people are incorporated within the society. Reform programs are most important for a country to ensure that more people are able to lead a normal life by developing their ability to work and live as normal citizens. Mostly all the countries of the nations are inclined towards developing a pilot plan that would successfully meet the essentials to get back to the mainstream society. With the effective development of

It is difficult for the reader Essay Example for Free

It is difficult for the reader Essay This Boys Life, set in America in the 1950’s, is a compelling memoir by Tobias Wolff, whom recreates the frustrations and cruelties faced throughout his adolescence, as he fights for identity and self-respect. During this period of time, America underwent major changes in the political and economic spheres, which in turn were responsible for its social makeover. Society in this time was geared toward family; marriage and children being part of the national agenda. The 1950’s was also an age of male dominance, where even if women worked, their assumed proper place was at home. Throughout the memoir, the protagonist, young Jack Wolff, makes it difficult for the reader to feel much affection towards him, as his actions prove to be troublesome and unruly. However, as the memoir progresses, Jacks struggle reveal the reasons for his actions which sequentially shape his character, providing the readers with understanding and sympathy towards his inexorable situation. The fraudulent lies and deceitful ways of Jack can be frustrating upon the reader; though we come to realise that he does this in order to be accepted by the people around him. Jack also engages in fights  and unfaithfully betrays his best friend Arthur, although it becomes evident that he only does this in order to gain Dwight’s approval of him. The lack of a real father figure in Jack’s life has a profound impact on him and his desperate attempt to develop his identity, which further supports the readers’ emotions of sympathy towards him. Jack lies relentlessly in order to escape the grim circumstances of his childhood. His life is fuelled with emotional neglect and verbal abuse; Dwight, his indignant step father, being the foremost cause. He desires of transforming himself into the person that he truly  wants to be; an image he believes will help him to belong and to be happy. The lies he tells are a constant source of comfort for him, as he relies on them to provide stability and hope in his otherwise unstable life. â€Å"I couldn’t help but try to introduce new versions of myself as my interests changed, and as other versions failed to persuade†, demonstrates an essential part of Jack’s character, as he lies in order to fit in. His identity would change with the different people he met, in order to meet their expectations of him and to obtain their acceptance. This  greatly contributes to the sympathy felt for Jack, as he renders the reality that he finds so difficult to accept as a young boy. Among many other lies throughout the memoir, Jack has the intention of creating a new identity for himself. â€Å"It was truth known only to me, but I believed in it more than I believed in the facts arrayed against it. I believed that in some sense not factually verifiable I was a straight-A student†. At this point, Jack takes his re-creation of identity to a new level. Jack is completely aware of what he is doing, although he does not stop. His incessant lies and then believing that they are the actual truth continuously reoccur throughout the memoir. This serves to show his insecurity of who he was, and his imprudent belief that he had the ability to become something better than what he was. Jacks fabricated attempts to re-create â€Å"new versions† of himself, reveal his instinctive lying nature, thus contributing to the annoyance the readers occasionally feel towards him. However, it becomes clear that Jack is confused; he wants to belong. This misperception, and yearn to fit in explicates why feelings of sympathy by the readers towards Jack are inevitable. Jack is forced to live with his violent stepfather Dwight. Dwight cruelly exercises authority over Jack, in order to create a sense of dominance over him â€Å"Dwight would dump a pile of nuts on the floor of the utility room and put me to work with a knife and pair of pliers until he judged that I’d done enough for the night†. Because of this, Jack is determined to prove to Dwight, himself and the reader that he is not the person Dwight defines him as. Jack is not hurt by Dwight’s accusations that he is a thief and liar because â€Å"I did not see myself that way†. However, when Dwight calls Jack a sissy, Jack thinks of Arthur, who is his best  friend and the biggest â€Å"sissy† in school, and remembers how the word sparked the fight between him and Arthur. Dwight treated Jack differently for a few days; with certain deference â€Å"Dwight took the calls and explained that the papers had been ruined in a fight, adding that his boy Jack hung a real shiner on the Gayle kid. † This was the only time he expressed a genuine interest in Jack that bordered on admiration, rather than disgust. Dwight was always associated with hatred and negativity, but because of this certain deference after he fought, Jack felt a certain connection to him as a father figure. He felt as though he finally impressed Dwight, and even felt loved because of Dwight’s respect towards him. This discloses that Dwight’s actions had significant influence over Jack, as he continued to engage in these violent fights, in order to demonstrate his masculinity to Dwight. Jacks violent nature is driven by his belief that he has to prove his masculinity to Dwight. This attests annoyance within the reader; as Jack claims he â€Å"defined myself in opposition to him†, he ironically shares the traits of Dwight, such as violence and his desire to be regarded as powerful and masculine. However, Dwight’s deference towards Jack after he fought contrastingly draws sympathy for Jack from the readers, as it reveals his desire to belong; his desire to be loved. Jack’s friendship with Arthur plays a significant role in the re-creation of his identity. Arthur was recognised as a â€Å"notorious sissy†, and because of this Jack worried of the social implications it would consequently have on him by being friends with Arthur. â€Å"To put myself in the clear I habitually mocked Arthur, always behind his back, imitating his speech and way of walking, even betraying his secrets†, demonstrates Jacks desperation to acquire acceptance  from others, even if it meant denying a part of himself- a friendship- that actually made him happy at times â€Å"but I had withheld my friendship, because I was afraid of what it would cost me†. Jacks betrayal of Arthur imparts anger in the reader, as he attempts to impress people who are not his real friends. However his confused identity and lack of self-confidence justify his disloyal actions, particularly because of the circumstances he was faced with at such a young age. Parental neglect plays an important role throughout the memoir. This is first evident in  the text when Jack says â€Å"after all, he was in Connecticut and we were in Utah†, signifying the substantial physical and emotional distance between his birth father and himself. Fathers play an important role in their child’s upbringing and development. Due to this lacking in Jacks life, the responsibilities of growing up prove to be difficult for him, evident through his confused identity and troublesome ways. Furthermore, Rosemary’s ex-husband Roy plays a significant role in shaping the way Jack thinks and reasons, particularly from such a young and susceptible age. â€Å"I thought Roy was what a man should be†, reveals Jack’s naivety at  such a young age; as Roy, abusive and indignant, was in fact the complete opposite of â€Å"what a man should be†. Wolff is once again faced with a man, Dwight, who abuses him and sets a terrible example for him. His violent nature plays a major part in Jack’s development, which ultimately forms his identity. Dwight’s actions have such an influence that â€Å"Jack† writes about Dwight’s voice being ever-present in his head and own voice, even as an adult; even as a father. â€Å"I hear his voice in my own when I speak to my children in anger†. The sympathy felt by the readers for Jack is inevitable, as his brutal childhood is left with him for the rest of  his life. Although Jack makes it difficult for the reader to feel much affection towards him on some occasions, the abusive, neglectful and violent experiences he is confronted with at such a young and vulnerable age conveys a sense of understanding, which in turn rouse feelings of sympathy towards young Wolff. Jack lies constantly; whenever he is presented with the opportunity to. This frustrates the reader is some instances. Generally though, reasons for this are understandable, such as his confused identity due to the violent and emotionally unstable life he lives. The violent fights he associates himself with, and the betrayal of his  Ã¢â‚¬Å"best-friend† Arthur, leave the readers in a position to question whether his motives can be justifiable. However, these fights and betrayal are a reflection of his desire to be accepted by others, and the masculine, powerful man Dwight’s expects him to be. The lack of a real father figure largely affects Jack and all aspects of his character, from his deceitful ways, to his violent involvement in fights. Because of this, compassion and sympathy prevails over the occasional frustration felt towards Jack by the readers. In supposition, Jack is a helpless child seeking a happy life; an identity he is truly happy with.

What is Passover? Essay -- essays research papers fc

What is Passover? Its History and Traditions Passover is one of the oldest festivals in the world. This festival falls in spring, in the first month of the Hebrew year, called Nisan (March-April), and lasts for eight days, from the fifteenth to the twenty-third. It commemorates the release of the Israelites from Egypt and the fact that God â€Å"passed over† their houses when he sought the first-born in that land.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the Bible, the story of Passover runs as follows. A group of Hebrews known as the sons of Jacob came down from Canaan towards Egypt. They settled under a benevolent regime, where they were made slaves and set to work, building the cities of Pithum and Raamses. The pharaoh ordered all the Hebrew sons to be killed at birth. A Hebrew mother placed her infant child into a box and placed him in the Nile River, to escape the pharaoh’s decree. The Pharaoh’s daughter found this Hebrew baby, called him Moses, took him home and raised him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One day, he saw a brutal attack upon a Hebrew by an Egyptian overseer; enraged by the attack Moses killed the Egyptian. Fearing to be killed for killing an Egyptian, he fled to Midian, where he married the daughter of a local priest. On one occasion while attending the sheep of his father-in-law on Mount Horeb, Moses witnessed a spectacle of a burning bush. This bush seemed some how not to consume. Wondering what was happening, he came closer to the bush and the local god Yahweh (Jehovah) told him that the Israelites were suffering, and that he had been chosen to release them from Egypt and lead them to the paradisal land, what is known now as Palestine and Syria. Moses had to introduce Jehovah to the Israelites, and after they had adopted him, he had to go to the Pharaoh and request the release of the people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To show that it was indeed Jehovah, who had spoken to Moses, Moses was furnished with three magical credentials. First, his staff was turned into a serpent and then reverted to its normal shape. Second, when he placed his hand under his sleeve, it became leprous and then it recovered when he removed it. Third, he was told that if the people persisted in questioning his mission, he was to give them visible proof by turning water from the Nile into blood before their eyes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As commissioned, ... ...ortance, enabling the person to be aware of gratitude, and to widen an individual’s perspective of himself/herself in relation to his/her fellow human beings. The Feast of Freedom, called Passover, is an example of a meaningful story showing God’s intent to convey a balance between the Hebrews’ self concerns and the concerns of their enemies, as God reminds the Hebrew to pray for the fallen Egyptians army and the slain first-borns of the Egyptian families. Passover’s concept of freedom is not only a cause for celebration, but also a strong lesson in the value of how a person should conduct oneself or a group should conduct itself to other human beings. Bibliography Bulka, Reuven P. What you thought you knew about Judaism. Jason Aronson Inc. Northvale, New Jersey. 1989 Cardozo, Arlene Rossen Jewish Family Celebrations. St. Martin’s Press, New York . 1982 Fredman, Ruth Gruber The Passover Seder. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia. 1981 Goodman, Philip The Passover Anthology. The Jewish Publication Society of America. Philadelphia. 1971 Sohn, Seock-tae The Divine Election of Israel. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1991

Physical Security Essay

A six foot fence secures the outer perimeter. Video surveillance is active on the north fence and inactive on the south. A manned guard station permits entrance into the outer perimeter from the west; an unmanned and unlocked gate permits entrance from the east. No Trespassing signs are posted at intervals upon the perimeter fence; Employees Only is posted on the gate. Visitors must obtain a pass at the guard station. The outer perimeter contains the parking lot and office building. The perimeter has two light posts that, when functioning, illuminate the entire parking lot. Currently, the light post on the south side is not functioning. The office building exterior has three outer doors and one window. The first door is marked with an Employees Only sign and requires a badge for access. The second door is the main entrance for visitors and is manned by a guard, who requires a visitor’s pass for admittance. The third door is an emergency exit only and is clearly marked. Any attempt to gain access through the first door without a badge, the second door without a pass, or the third door at all, results in alarm activation and guard response. The window is locked from within; any attempt to gain access through the window also activates the alarm and alerts the guard. The interior of the office building is segmented into two major areas. The first area is the employee workstation; only employees can access this area. Visitor and employees can access the second area. Both the first and second areas are monitored by active video surveillance. The second area has two doors, both of which lead to smaller offices. The first door is unlocked, but is within sight of video surveillance and employees within the work station. A visitor trying to attempt access to this office results in alarm activation. The second door is obscured from both employees and video surveillance and is unlocked. Each office contains valuable assets. Employees can access either office at will. Within the workstation and smaller offices are several computers. Passwords are required for access to each computer. Each employee has a password and can access network information at any time.