Category: Family

Big cities and small cities both have advantages based on lifestyle, and their location. This means that when an individual chooses to live in either a big city or a small city, he/she foregoes certain advantages, while at the same time attaining others. Small cities are characterized by a scarce population and a relatively simple life. On the contrary, life in big cities is typified by commotions and impersonal relationships. All over the globe, there are big cities and small cities. According to Fischer those who prefer big cities do so because of the facilities that are found in these cities (179). The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast big cities and small cities.

One of the obvious similarities between big cities and small cities is that both have amenities like electricity, good roads, and running water. These amenities make individuals have similar experiences regardless of whether they live in a big or a small city. In addition, these amenities are the main factor that differentiates small and big cities from rural areas. Another key similarity between small and big cities according to Fischer is that both of them have streets, which residents use to locate their homes (80). Cities, whether big or small, normally have a population occupying them; a factor that enables residents to have a normal life.

Another major similarity between big cities and small cities is that both of them have a relatively large concentration of facilities such as hospitals and schools. This provides city residents with a wide variety of choices when it comes to treatment and education. Both big cities and small cities have recreational facilities like entertainment venues, parks, and art centers like museums (Fischer 82-90). Lastly, the public transport system is a common feature in both big and small cities.

One of the main differences between big cities and small cities can be seen in terms of the cost of living. Most commodities, ranging from food staffs to houses are expensive in big cities as compared to small cities (Fischer 233). For example, the cost of acquiring a house in a big city, and furnishing it, is more expensive compared to a small city. When it comes to modern necessities of life, big cities provide more options to the residents. This is because in big cities there are more convenient stores, electronic shops, and supermarkets than in small cities.

A more visible difference between small and big cities can be seen in terms of buildings. Big cities are characterized by huge spectacular buildings that are not found in small towns. The huge buildings in big cities are normally meant to accommodate the large population in these cities. Another difference between big and small cities mentioned by Fischer is that big cities offer a wide range of cultural exposure and entertainment options as opposed to small cities (234). One more visible difference can be seen in public transport. Big cities have more traffic compared to small cities, and the transport systems are usually efficient. However, residents of big cities often have to put up with cumbersome traffic.

The differences between small and big cities can also be seen in terms of nature and warmth. In small cities, it is possible to enjoy nature and friendly relationships as opposed to big cities where story-buildings, technology, and industries have interfered with nature. In small cities, people are relatively friendly and may smile at strangers, which is very rare in big cities. This is because people living in big cities are normally consumed by their work. Fischer also maintains that large populations in big cities make cooperation between people difficult (235). Tranquility is also a factor that shows the difference between big cities and small cities (Fischer 236). Many young people normally believe in the notion that big cities are exciting and full of fun, while small cities are boring. On the contrary, older people hold the view that big cities are noisy and annoying, while small cities are comfortable and calm.

Another difference between big and small cities can be seen in terms of crime. Big cities normally have a higher crime rate compared to small cities (Fischer 236). This can be attributed to the presence of many young people who migrate to big cities in search of opportunities but end up idle. Small towns, on the other hand, are not a preferred choice of destination by young immigrants; hence, high crime rates and criminal gangs are not common in small cities. Most large cities are multicultural and offer a variety when it comes to dining. Residents of big cities can have different meals from various cultures. On the other hand, small cities may have few restaurants offering limited types of foods.

In terms of prices and quality of food, small cities have been known to offer fresh produce, and at a lower price as compared to large cities. But the prices of other commodities are normally higher in small cities due to the absence of megastores that offer significant discounts. Fischer has argued that those big cities are driven by a sense of order, while the feeling of belonging to the same community predominate small cities (238). For example, traffic rules are strictly enforced in big cities, while residents of small cities never care that much about these rules; and trying to enforce these rules may be met with resentment.

Big cities and small cities also have environmental differences. The environment in a big city is more polluted as compared to that of a small city. This is brought about by the presence of several large industries and the enormous waste generated by the residents of big cities. In addition, a small city is quieter than a big city a factor that enables residents of a small city to have a piece of mind. Another difference between a big city and a small one is that residents of s small city can have enough time to rest because they are relatively free compared to their counterparts in big cities (Fischer 230-241). When it comes to specialized services like receiving treatment from great doctors and surgeons, people in big cities have more access to these services than residents of a small city.

The differences and similarities between big cities and small cities can be viewed as points on a continuum. This is because these similarities and differences keep on changing, which makes it difficult to draw a clear boundary between them. Big cities possess elements of small cities and small cities also have some features of big cities. Cities, whether big or small, are normally characterized by modern structures and urban lifestyles. The difference is that these urban features are more pronounced in big cities.

Works cited

Fischer, Claude S. To Dwell Among Friends: Personal Networks in Town and City. E-book ed., University of Chicago Press, 2024.

Introduction

Love is probably one of the most frequently used words in modern world media. In almost every song of a popular singer and many romantic movies, the topic of love and romantic relationships is paramount. It is relevant and understandable for people from different parts of the world, with diverse backgrounds, genders, or ages. Despite such ubiquity of love in contemporary societies, the notion of this feeling seems to be misperceived and even idealized without any regard to reality. As Sam Keen (1997) states in his book To Love and Be Loved, I can offer no final explanations for why we idealize love so much and practice it so little (p. 7). In this essay, the opposition between love as an idealized concept and its real manifestations is examined with attention to the reasons why people fail to practice sincere love.

Main body

Trying to explain the different forms of love in peoples lives, the author of To Love and Be Loved elaborates on how they should be experienced and how meaningful each of them is. Keen (1997) perceives love, not as a miracle that is portrayed as perfection in movies but as hard work that requires patience, skills, and time. However diverse the forms of love are, from simple signs of attention to a friend to sexual appeal and desire to a spouse, the author emphasizes that modern society idealizes love (Keen, 1997). Probably, such idealization leads to the situation when the majority of media-dependent people cannot live up to the imposed standard of love and fail to experience the true feeling in reality. The most disturbing fact about it all is that even the person who shows a great level of expertise in this field finds it inexplicable why people prefer imaginary feelings to a real one.

Throughout the history of humanity, there have been millions of love stories created and written down in poems, novels, screenplays, theatrical scenarios, cartoons, and other works of art. People in the twenty-first century have an opportunity to use the rich experience the societies have collected to understand what love is and how to live a life full of love. However, it seems that such a great scope of exemplary cases related to love portrayal in old and new media caused an opposite effect. Indeed, the words of Keen (1997) find their proofs in the fact that people have too much to follow and imitate instead of simply freely experiencing the feeling. The imposition of artificially created traditional images of partners in love is accepted as an example to follow. And if ones relationship does not comply with the ideal, a person engages in insincere behavior to imitate the imposed image.

Conclusion

As a conclusion of the discussion, people in the modern world are overloaded with perfect images and media portrayals of ideal love and immaculate relationships. However, they only idealize this feeling not actually practicing it in their everyday lives. People know so much about love, and that is why they try to experience it rationally rather than spiritually. However, it is impossible to live someone elses life, as well as it is impossible to experience someone elses love story because every relationship is unique and has to be treated accordingly. When people not only know that but also understand and accept, they will be able to love and be loved.

Reference

Keen, S. (1997). To love and be loved. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

Relaxation is an extremely important method for every person and helps to unwind after a hard day. The speaker mentions one of the ways to exercise, showing meditation with examples with balls (TED, 2013). With full concentration on the balls, a person cannot relax and let go of bad thoughts. However, with absolute peace and tranquility, someone can drop these balls. Thus, the main idea is that all people need to find a balance in which they can be relaxed and focused to the extent necessary for a comfortable existence.

I have never used any of the relaxation techniques discussed in the video. However, after watching, I realized how important it is to have a peaceful state and be able to relax. I will definitely try these methods, as they can improve the quality of life. Such practices can become a resource for physical and emotional recovery. This happens due to deep relaxation of the muscles and the achievement of peace of mind and feelings. In addition, meditation can improve mindfulness and concentration.

Releasing tension is an important stage in life and can be achieved in many ways. In my professional career, breathing exercises can help me. In stressful situations, this is the best way to recover, as at such moments breathing often quickens. Moreover, it contributes to the rapid calming and organization of thoughts. Additionally, a good way to calm down is to conduct muscle relaxation. Physiological fact is a basis of this technique: automatic relation begins after the tension of any muscle. Therefore, at first, a person sharply strains the muscles for a while and quickly relaxes them. Complete muscle relaxation is an effective way to get rest and relieve tension.

Reference

TED. (2013). Andy Paddick: Just 10 minutes of focused attention [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Introduction

Leisure time refers to the time in ones life when one is free from the demands of his/her duties or studies. During this time, one is free to spend his/her time as he wills or as he deems right. Many people opt to spend this time having fun in different ways as a way of relieving the physical and mental stress accumulated during working hours. To some, this is an opportunity to visit friends and family. Whatever activity one chooses depends on ones interest and the idea of having fun (Bull, et al., 2003).

Leisure time may however be confused for freedom to do anything during ones free time. There are limits to which one can exercise during his free time. For instance, when ones way of spending leisure interferes with someone elses freedom, then there is definitely a limit.

The freedom that people have during their leisure time may be controlled in some cases depending on the level of engagement. Although leisure time refers to free time that one can spend in whatever way he/she wills, some form of control usually exists. For instance, teenagers leisure time has some form of control that comes in different ways. There are reasons why some people tend to have an inclination towards extreme sports. This paper covers these issues in detail and gives examples in relevant sections.

Leisure Time Freedom

Freedom during leisure time refers to the ability to undertake any event for whatever length of time without any form of restrictions. This form of leisure time does not usually exist since there is always some form of control during leisure time. Though leisure time looks like a time when one can do what he/she wills for whatever length of time, this does not in practice exist. Some form of control usually exists for different individuals depending on age, cultural inclination, and length of time available (Harris, 2005).

Teenagers leisure times are always controlled lest they engage in destructive activities. Rules are set by parents in the type of activities they may engage and those that they may not engage in lest they get grounded. Teenagers are controlled from engaging in activities such as some very extreme sports, joining peer groups that are destructive and engaging in drugs and alcoholism. Parents on the other hand are limited by other activities which curtail the length of time they engage in leisure activities. For example, it is not possible for a couple to go fishing the whole day leaving their young children unattended.

There is always a compulsion to get back home and take care of the kids among other chores. Leisure time may be ones free time but it is always controlled by other activities in terms of extent and time that it may continue (Bull, et al., 2003).

Discipline during Leisure Time

It is very important to have some form of control during leisure time. This applies to both the young and the old since discipline makes leisure time more enjoyable in the long run. Discipline ensures consistency during leisure activities while helping an individual maintain a healthy physique. Lack of discipline or some form of control can only lead to destructive engagement which may not be productive in the long run. Parents use some form of restrictive discipline on their children by setting limits that the children may extend as they enjoy their leisure time. On the other hand, parents exercise discipline and control during their free time to ensure that they set a good example for their children.

Discipline helps in controlling freedom as earlier discussed. Without discipline, people would tend to misuse the freedom they have during their free time. For example, lack of discipline when engaging in some extreme sports such as skateboarding may be very lethal and it is important for one to learn the rules of engaging in such sports (Harris, 2005).

Extreme Leisure Activities

Extreme sports are considered to be more lethal compared to other forms of spending leisure. There are many extreme sports today and it is advisable for one to be very careful when engaging in any of them. Enough practice is very necessary before engaging in any extreme sport. Usually, extreme sports that some people engage in, involve the public exhibitions of dangerous stunts as a way of spending leisure. For instance, skateboarding and mountain biking are two extreme sports that people engage in to get thrilled and for excitement.

People engage in extreme sports for different reasons during leisure time. The biggest contributor towards engaging in this type of extreme sports especially among teenagers is the influence of television and video games. Teenagers would always wish to practice what they watch. Others engage in this type of sport simply because they believe that it is the best way of relieving stress. When a person engages in extreme sports, more adrenaline is released which presents one of the best ways of getting rid of stress (Tamara, 2010). People, therefore, tend to engage in some extreme sports which they believe are more relaxing than ordinary leisure activities such as reading or watching.

Conclusion

Leisure time is very important to any individual. This is a time when a person is able to relieve him/herself of day stress accumulated during work or studies. People are always allowed to spend their leisure time in whatever way they want so long as they do not break the set ground rules which in a way curtail the freedom that some people may want to enjoy. It is important to have some form of control or discipline during leisure time. This applies especially when engaging in extreme sports which some people engage in for excitement and thrill.

References

Bull, C. Hoose, J. & Weed, M., 2003. An Introduction to Leisure Studies. London: Prentice Hall.

Harris, D., 2005. Key Concepts in Leisure Studies. London: Sage.

Tamara, K., 2010. The discipline of leisure. Social Identities, 4(1), pp. 45-64.

Introduction

Child welfare is an important concern in modern society, both among politicians and future parents. Many people believe that children make peoples life more fulfilling, and starting a family is an essential goal for them. Despite these views, there are over 428,000 children in foster care in the United States (Adoption Network, 2019). Many of these children are taken away from their birth parents by Child Protective Services due to poor living conditions, domestic violence, and other issues (Barth & Berry, 2017). Still, some parents give up their children for adoption willingly, and it usually happens shortly after birth. Parents who decide to give up their child for adoption often face pressure from their family and close ones to keep the child. Although giving up a child for adoption may have negative consequences, it is crucial to understand that, from the viewpoint of child welfare, adoption is a positive choice in certain circumstances.

Main body

There are several negative consequences of giving up children for adoption, and economic concerns are among them since the foster care system in the United States is financed by the government. With almost half a million children in foster care, the share of the 2016 budget devoted to foster care and associated programs was $8 billion (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2015). If more and more parents decide in favor of giving their child up for abortion, this figure will increase further. This could lead to increased taxes or reduced spending on other areas of social welfare, including healthcare, education, and housing.

People who oppose placing children in foster care also stress the adverse effect of the experience on childrens wellbeing. This is particularly true for children who spend a long time in foster care or never get adopted. Deutsch et al. (2015) report that living conditions and social environment in foster care often fail to meet childrens needs, leading to developmental and behavioral issues in future life. Moreover, even children who have been adopted face mental health risks. These children may find it more difficult to form attachments and connect with adults and peers (Carnes-Holt & Bratton, 2014). This could impact childrens relationships with adoptive parents, siblings, and peers, leading to poor mental health outcomes.

Although both of these arguments are valid, there are a number of situations where giving up a child for adoption is beneficial for both parents and children. For instance, Barth and Berry (2017) note that the main reason for birth parents to place children in foster care is poverty. Significant class distinction in the United States means that there are many families who earn far less than required to provide adequate living conditions for children. In these situations, living with birth parents can have an adverse influence on childrens life, health, and future because low-income families often cannot afford high-quality healthcare and education (Barth & Berry, 2017). Conditions in foster care, on the other hand, are strictly monitored to ensure that childrens needs for healthcare and education are fully met.

There are also cases where foster care placement is the best option for mothers mental health. This is because unintended pregnancies may result from rape, and abortion may not be allowed due to legislative or health reasons (Barth & Berry, 2017). Raising a child who had been conceived as a result of rape is extremely stressful for the mother and may intervene with her mental health, resulting in posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, negative emotions experienced by the mother often impact her emotional attachment to the child (Barth & Berry, 2017). This can be psychologically damaging for both parties, making foster care placement a preferred option.

Additionally, having the option of giving up a child for adoption is beneficial to underage mothers and those living with abusive partners. In the first case, raising a child would have an impact on the mothers educational attainment and her ability to provide for the child. In the second case, having a child with an abusive partner could prevent the mother from leaving due to financial insecurity. As a result, domestic abuse would affect the child mentally and physically, leading to negative consequences.

Conclusion

Personally, I believe that giving up a child for abortion is a positive thing because it ensures that childrens needs will be met. Both in foster care and adoptive families, living conditions are better than in families that experience poverty, domestic violence, and social inequality. Additionally, the option of placing the child in foster care means that mothers have the autonomy to choose what is best for them and the child. This is particularly important in cases when the unintended pregnancy is a result of rape or when women currently live with an abusive partner. Even if birth parents could afford to raise a child, they might not be ready for parenthood and should have an option to place the child in foster care. This would give the child a chance to find a loving family that will provide for their needs while also allowing birth parents to start a family when they feel ready. All in all, raising a child is a great responsibility, and I think that people should have the opportunity to give a child up for adoption if they do not want to or cannot accept this responsibility at the time.

References

Adoption Network. (2019). Adoption statistics. Web.

Barth, R. P., & Berry, M. (2017). Adoption and disruption: Rates, risks, and responses. New York, NY: Routledge.

CarnesHolt, K., & Bratton, S. C. (2014). The efficacy of child parent relationship therapy for adopted children with attachment disruptions. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(3), 328-337.

Deutsch, S. A., Lynch, A., Zlotnik, S., Matone, M., Kreider, A., & Noonan, K. (2015). Mental health, behavioral and developmental issues for youth in foster care. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 45(10), 292-297.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2015).HHS FY2016 budget in brief. Web.

Introduction

Personal values are qualities that one considers to be worthwhile and, as such, act as the driving force in their life. They take precedence over other qualities and therefore dictate the manner in which an individual may behave in particular instances. When it comes to my values in life, I have a few that I hold dear.

These values are a result of my upbringing, development, my principles, as well as my socialization and the culture around me. In this my values in life essay, I shall identify the core beliefs that I hold and how they influence my everyday choices, actions, and plans that I make.

My Values in Life

One of the educational values that are fundamental to me is achievement. This is a result of my belief that what defines me most as a person is my determination to succeed and my desire to make a positive contribution to society through my career. Achievement is, therefore, one of the values that are most important to me since, in todays world, achievement and success are mostly tied together with educational success. As a result of this, I hold my educational exploits in high esteem since education is one of the avenues where ones determination leads to quantifiable success.

I greatly value close relationships with my friends and constantly seek to cement the same. This is because good friends can assist one in achieving his/her goals in life and can sometimes even be closer than family. For this reason, I invest a lot of time and effort in my close friends. I make it a priority to be a part of the significant moments in my friends lives, such as their birthdays, wedding days, and even baby christening ceremonies. In addition to this, I always ensure that I inquire as to their well beings periodically.

Growth and personal development for me is a very fundamental value, and its importance in my life cannot be understated. It is my belief that my life is not worth much if I do not strive to constantly improve on my achievements as well as in becoming a better person. This value of personal growth and development greatly impacts my daily living, especially when establishing new relations. It is generally my rule that if a new relationship does not add any value to my life, then I should not waste my time exploring it.

One of the constant realities in human life is that we will always be surrounded by needy people. As such, on a social level, I always strive to give my services to the less fortunate. In my opinion, a life well lived is one that is lived in such a way that it makes a difference to someone elses life. This is the philosophy with which I have led my life up to this point, and at all times, I try to make a difference in the lives of the people that surround me. Helping other people is, therefore, a value that I value not only in myself but also in other people.

While modern-day living has somewhat led to a degradation of the value of family from what it used to be in gone years, I still hold the value of family to be very important in my life. To me, ones family members are the ones who will stand by you no matter the situation and encourage you through lifes troubles.

While I reckon that family may not always be supportive or as ideal as I envision it, in my experience, my family is closely knit and always stands up for me. I, therefore, always have my family in mind when making my decisions and consider how my actions will affect them. In addition, I try to seek guidance from members of the family who are more experienced than I am before making monumental decisions in my life.

It has been argued that honest men and women are a dying breed. This statement holds true in our capitalistic society, where profits and personal gains are the primary objectives. The means by which one achieves success is often overlooked, and as such, the ends justify the means.

Even in the midst of such an environment, I still hold honesty as one of my core values. This is mostly a result of my upbringing, whereby honesty was applauded and dishonesty shunned. Also, I have come to realize that when one achieves success through honesty, the level of satisfaction that comes with it is truly unrivaled by any other feeling.

Owing to my upbringing, I have a huge regard for religion. As such, one of my spiritual values is engaging myself in some religious organizations. While it is true that most of my religious values are a result of my upbringing, I have, over time, come to embrace them as my own and therefore make it my personal duty to be actively involved in my religious organization.

To me, this brings about a sense of balance and helps me be more reflective and appreciative in my life. My religious values impact my decision-making since I try not to make choices that are contrary to my religious beliefs.

Conclusion

In this paper, I have identified some of the values that I hold dear to me. I have also identified how these values impact the choices that I make as well as the actions that I take. From this deep exploration of my values, I have come to the realization that my values greatly dictate how I treat the people around me as well as how I prioritize matters. I believe that as a result of my values, I strive harder to achieve the things that I want in life, and as such, I am a better person as a result of them.

The first date is always a very responsible and important step on the way to future relationships. A person who is going on a first date feels a little frightened and embarrassed. A first date may impress or disappoint; it may be the start of a great feeling or may put an end to possible relationships. A first date can be a really stressful occasion and people try to prepare for it thoroughly. It is very important to make your first date successful because it will give you an opportunity to continue relationships with the person you like. Good manners and a little forethought will help you to enjoy the first date and impress the person you like.

It is important to feel comfortable and avoid all negative thoughts. You should have only realistic expectations and never hurry in your plans as to relationships with the person you want to date. You should be positive because the moral state of your girlfriend will depend on how you feel. Being tense and nervous will never result in a friends calm talk.

One of the important steps of planning the first date is to select the proper place for it. This place should be very familiar to you. In such an atmosphere you can feel calm and relaxed. Besides, there will be a theme for the conversation; you can retell something interesting about the place you often go to. One more successful place for the first date is the cinema. Cinema can give a lot of common themes for discussion which will help you to know some of her interests.

The intelligent conversation will provide a successful talk between both of you. It is very important to find interesting topics; in case it is difficult to do it is better to ask some questions and then develop them into a common conversation. One should avoid personal questions because they can result in confusion and awkwardness of your date. The topics for the conversation should not be prepared beforehand, because in this case, your conversation will not sound natural.

One of the most important aspects of a successful conversation during the first date is the sense of humor. If your date feels tense a joke or a funny story can help anyone to relax and feel comfortable. But the jokes should not be lame because they can irritate your date. It is important to remember that the more natural your conversation is the more it is interesting and pleasant communicating with you. Such a position can impress your date with your open and frank character.

The alcohol intake should be limited. You should control yourself by drinking alcoholic beverages. It is an open secret that alcohol helps people to feel more confident and brave but it can lead to unpleasant consequences. Alcohol is considered to be a depressant and it will not allow you to react naturally in some unexpected situations. Besides, a person who drinks too much will never leave a good impression on the date.

Your first date should impress your partner that is why to try to be real; try to show your real inner world and always avoid lies. In case your partner wants to continue relationships with you, your lie can lead to serious unpleasant consequences. This occasion should give pleasure and comfort to both partners that are why one should not pretend or imitate someone else. To be a frank and open person is very important and it always impresses. Some facts from your life can be interesting to your date; try not to hide everything; if the topic is unsuccessful for you just change it.

You should consider your budget during the first occasion. The first date should not be too expensive for you. There may appear some unexpected situations in which you will need some money; in case the evening took all your money, it can put you in an unpleasant situation. Besides, you should not remain bankrupt on the day after your first date.

It should be stressed that one of the rude mistakes done on the first date is the concentration only on your personality. Everyone knows that he can talk about himself for hours and enjoy this conversation. But some people can hate hearing such conversation. It is very important to pay much attention to your date; you should show your interest in the person you communicate with. Your date will feel that her topic is really interesting for you and you like to listen about some facts about her life.

One should try to sound interesting and involving. It is easy to notice if your partner dislikes the atmosphere and boring talk. You should make some fun and entertain your date. This occasion is the key one because it can tell a lot about the person. One should show that he is an interesting personality by standing his ground and not being frightened to object. In this case, your date will see that you are a confident and strong-willed person.

So, the analysis of the first date allowed seeing the main aspects of doing it successfully. The most important thing is just to remain yourself; it cannot but impress your date. One should remember that this occasion can be decisive in your future relationships; and if you want to continue them in the future, you should thoroughly prepare for this date and consider all the points mentioned above.

References

Guide to a Successful First Date. Web.

Despite the numerous differences between the old lifestyle and the modern lifestyle, there are certain similarities as well. But those similarities havent had any effect on our lives. On the contrary, the differences have changed our lives to a great extent.

Before discussing the difference between old and modern lifestyles, let us first comprehend the meaning of lifestyle. Its a way of living. We (we, our families, and our societies) adopt different ways and means in our lives to tackle various situations, issues, and surroundings such as corporeal (related to health), emotional, communal, and financial. But lately, lifestyle has become a symbol of status. Our lifestyles can be healthy or otherwise, depending on our deeds and conduct.

Various factors affect our lifestyles. Since the bygone days, life, in general, has changed a lot. Modernization has been one of the most important elements of this change. Changes are visibly seen in transportation, urbanization, pollution, and numerous other fields. There are certain similarities between the old and modern lifestyles worldwide but there have been several drastic changes that have led to the differentiation between the two.

Talking about similarities, there are very few of them. Firstly, the climate around the world still has four seasons namely, summer, winter, fall, and spring. In the North Pole, the weather has been extremely cold throughout the year for more than a hundred years. Deserts like Sahara, Kalahari, Arabian, etc. still have severe high temperatures during summers. Secondly, the beliefs of Monotheistic religions still exist. For instance, Christians still have faith in Christ and Muslims still believe in Allah (SWT). Finally, people in most nations still adhere to wearing their traditional clothes. For example, Scotland males still put on their traditional kilts (skirts) on special occasions.

The differences between the old lifestyle and the modern lifestyle are too evident. There are so many differences that can be mentioned here but due to certain limitations; we shall talk about a few of them. First, let us answer some questions. These questions pertain to a period; say about 100 years back. Could you reach New York from London in six hours without boarding a flight? Would you feel warm inside your house during winters if you didnt have a heating system? If you didnt have a telephone and you had to stay at your office till late at night, would you have been able to inform your wife? Could you imagine living without a television, a refrigerator, a washing machine, or a vacuum cleaner? The answer to all these questions is in the negative.

While discussing the technological advancements that mankind has made, people normally confer different examples of comparison between old and new methods. One of them is that of the rock and the washing machine. They say washing clothes with a rock doesnt involve any expenditure whereas washing machine is a pricey affair. But they dont deem the fact that if today someone has to cleanse clothes with a rock, he or she has to walk to a river first, wash clothes, spread them, and wait until they are desiccated. On an overcast day, this may take the entire daylight hours. Moreover, it is so cumbersome. On the contrary, if you deploy a washing machine, you merely have to put your garments into it and forget. The beauty is that you dont even have to fret about the overcast days. You will have ample time to do your other daily chores and your life will be easier and hassle-free.

The modern transportation system is more flexible than it was before. With the help of online information, students can now do their projects more easily and accurately. Thanks to the invention of the telephone, we can now keep in touch with our distant friends and relatives. The development of high-speed modes of conveyance and communication has changed the world into a global township. Transportation in modern life is easier and more organized, but in the older days, there were a lot of limitations in the transportation system. For example, during the old days, people in Dubai had to travel on camelbacks to go from one place to another. Then the cars, buses, airplanes, and ships were introduced and journeys became more comfortable and of lesser duration. This has saved a lot of precious time. People can do more fruitful work in their free time. An example of how the change in transportation system has made our lives easier; in recent times, due to the invention of the Dubai Metro, the traffic on Dubai roads has decreased whereas previously the roads were very crowded. Now people traveling by car dont have to go through the hassle of driving on crowded roads. The driving has become peaceful and tension-free. Countless instances can be cited which can prove that modern technological devices have made mans life easier, more comfortable, faster, and safer to a great extent. They have become a part and parcel of our lives. So it will not be adverse to say that modern technological devices make our lives easier. The urban development in modern life has become more advanced, whereas in the past it was not developed to this extent. For instance, nowadays the buildings are planned and designed to be of greater heights than the ones in older times. As we see, due to the expansion policies of different governments, the available land for development is becoming lesser day by day. Skyscrapers have become more popular worldwide in modern life. These high-rise buildings can accommodate more people. The pollution in todays world is more than before. Air pollutants released from anthropogenic sources are of main concern because they are the leading cause of various respiratory problems. On the other hand, the previous days were more clean and natural than the modern days.

We all strive for the betterment of our children. We send them to the best possible schools. In older days, good schools were numbered (limited). And only the privileged ones could afford to send their children to such schools. But today there are ample options for education. Thanks to the developments that mankind has made. Now our children can get the best of education which in turn shall help them to become responsible citizens with good moral values and ethics.

All the factors mentioned above have enhanced the quality of our lifestyles. But there is one feature of lifestyle that even the changing times cant change. Its our deeds. We can have the best of education, best of amenities, and best of comforts but unless we change our mindset all these are futile. We should always learn from the lives and actions of successful people. This will make us feel grand and will motivate us to do something great for mankind. Always keep in mind that you should think big. Because this thinking of yours will one day change into reality and then you will also be able to change the lifestyle of people.

The internet has become the global hang-out of the new generation of American kids. It is in a place that is practically unreachable by discipline because the internet is not located in one single place, nor can it be ruled by simply one set of rules. With this definition in mind, we can see why it is described as the Wild West of the 21st Century. The internet offers the kids of today too many shortcuts to the way they should be leading their real lives.

The internet was originally envisioned as a tool developed for the good of mankind. However, the advent of the new century saw the internet become the new world of the 21st century. It is a new world where the kids of today feel so comfortable and free that they can disconnect from the real world and more disturbingly, their parents.

I believe that the kids have to be taught about the benefits and disadvantages of the internet while bringing their parents up to speed about this new world that they lose their children to every single day. That is where the APN comes in. We need some entity that will help connect parents with their children and allow the children to feel comfortable letting their parents into their private world. The recent rise in death numbers due to cyber-bullying is more than enough proof that the internet needs to be policed somehow and the kids need to let their parents into their world somehow to offer them some sort of real-life protection when need be.

The internet is a new and dangerous world for all of us. We are all only learning about the power that it wields over our lives and if we let it, it can consume us and make us lose sight of what is real and what is not. We need organizations that will help create that distinction and let the kids know that there is an opt-out option which, if they accept, will make them even better people than they are now.