Anthem for Doomed Youth is a sonnet in iambic pentameter, with war, its atrocities and its traumatic consequences as the theme. The poem focuses on how soldiers become nameless pawns in a struggle controlled by invisible hands, and how civilians are unnecessarily put through violence and devastation upon senseless orders (Par 1 Elite Skills Classic). Onomatopoeia is the sound device used in the first stanza, when the battlefield was being simulated. Metaphors on familial grief over death and mortal pains were used across the lines in the first verse, while the irony that each killer is also a victim resounds throughout the entire poem. In the second stanza, the rhyme pattern shifts from ABAB to ABBACC, but its striking imagery was unwavering at depicting clearly the bitterness, depression and psychological trauma undergone by the civilians and particularly by the soldiers who ceased to be human and became domesticated animals (Par 3 InspiredWritingResearch), mere numbers in doomed conflict.
The title is, in itself, ironic, for anthems have always meant to sing praises about grand things like love and patriotism, and so at first glance the poem seems to praise the damnation of the youth through war, but once read it will be clear that Owen meant for the exact opposite it is a reminder of the horrors war brings, and a warning to never let it happen again.
Dulce et Decorum Est is another poem on the atrocities of war, yet this one is more graphic, more vivid and more precise than Anthem. From mustard gas chambers to simple methods of torture, it mostly embodies Owens disenchanted view on the horrors and vices of violence wrought by maddening and bloody warfare.
Owens fascination with war stems from his time as Captain of the British Army; he witnessed the atrocities of war first hand , so he wanted to dispel the notions associated with patriotism and nationalism that were propagated by the media during his lifetime; thus his poetry portrays war as a dehumanising and horrific event (Par 1 Andonopolus). Probably the most noted anti-war poem of Wilfred Owen is Dulce et Decorum Est, which is the most famous poem to emerge from World War I and can stand unbowed beside Erich Maria Remarques novel All Quiet on the Western Front (Par 1 Wood). The poem was written while Owen was receiving treatment for shell shock in Craiglockart , and therefore contains the bitterness he felt, as well as his negative sentiments towards propagandists, particularly on Jessie Pope (Par 1 Mcintyre).
In both poems, it is evident that Owen voices the sentiments of his literary predecessors; as Hemmingway once said: They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for ones country. But in modern war, there is nothing sweet nor fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason (Par 40) and Owen believes that as well. All wars, regardless of the nation and the reason for quarrel, are the same what matters is not who won or who started it, because there is no victory as all sides lose, and the only figure that people will ever remember is the body count. As Agatha Christie has once said, One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one (Par 12).
Works Cited
Andonopolus, Angela. Literary Analysis: Dulce et Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen. Helium. Web.
Anthem for Doomed Youth Analysis. Elite Skills Classic. Web.
Christie, Agatha. Antiwar.com. Web.
Hemingway, Ernest. Ernest Hemingway Quotes. Goodreads. Web.
InspiredWritingResearch. Poetry Analysis: Understanding fatalism in Anthem for Doomed Youth, by Wilfred Owen. Helium. Web.
Mcintyre, Stella. Literary Analysis: Dulce et Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen . Helium. Web.
Wood, Kerry Michael. Literary Analysis: Dulce et Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen. Helium. Web.
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program is a unique opportunity for many American students to learn the language that is usually less commonly taught. I would like to participate in this program to improve my knowledge of the Russian language and develop my writing and reading skills. There are three main reasons why I choose this program: the possibility to learn the host culture and traditions, the necessity to improve my understanding of the Russian ideology, and the opportunity to develop my communication and critical thinking skills.
Today, American-Russian relations are complicated indeed, and it is necessary to have enough information about the countries, their histories, and cultures. This program helps to study the language through understanding its culture, traditions, and social norms, as well as its history and development through different epochs. The differences between American and Russian ideologies are impressive. I wish to comprehend this gap and identify the strengths and weaknesses of both countries in comparison to each other. Finally, this program aims at developing students writing, reading, and communicative skills. My participation is my chance for self-improvement and the development of the required academic skills.
Respect for history, culture, and traditions is what people should strive for. The NSLI-Y program proves that the process of language learning is actually many-sided. It is not enough to learn the peculiarities of the language. It is necessary to explore the cultural impact on the language and consider the social ideologies of the country.
Youth gangs are a serious issue in modern society, creating several social, economic, legal, and cultural problems. The complexity and resilience of the problem require an equally encompassing response involving multiple stakeholders. The following paper lists the common consequences of joining a gang, suggests the main approaches to addressing the issue, and outlines the laws intended to aid the ordinance.
Young people join gangs for a variety of reasons, including the need for a sense of fellowship or family, search for protection, and establishment of identity, among others. As can be seen, many of these reasons can be fulfilled using other approaches. Thus, it would be reasonable to suggest several alternatives that would help to keep young people from joining a gang. First, it is possible to facilitate support by creating gang prevention school initiatives. This alternative would include workshops for students of 6 to 9 grades. The initiatives are expected to appeal the sense of identity, peer support, and fellowship, thus decreasing the need for joining a gang. Second, it is recommended to develop a summer program. The program is expected to include educational, recreational, and sports activities to cover the needs of youth. Third, after-school groups can be formed to promote social skills among students that experience a deficit of trust and self-esteem.
Fourth, parents may participate in a family support program which would provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to prevent their children from becoming gang members. Fifth, community-based initiatives may be introduced that would offer the possibility of social interaction while at the same time provide development opportunities. Of the alternatives identified above, an in-school program is the most feasible option. The main reason for this is the flexibility it offers to the stakeholders. The program will provide first-hand data necessary for developing other alternatives and adjusting the existing school practices. Also, schools have access to resources to facilitate further development. Finally, schools usually maintain contact with parents, which would allow for the dissemination of essential information on the matter.
On a legislative level, two laws can be proposed to address the issue of juvenile gangs. The first law is meant to suppress the current criminal activities. Thus, it will target the issues that are currently apparent in the community and are related to the existing gang. The said law may target specific activities, such as thefts, assaults, and drug trafficking by adjusting the criteria and introducing strict punitive measures. In some instances, it is possible to review the status of some violations and change it to a more severe case, such as a felony. The described law is expected to stop current members from committing unlawful acts, thus decreasing the overall crime rate in the short term. The second law is intended to discourage undesirable activities such as graffiti drawing. For instance, it is possible to suggest that the prohibition of selling paint to minors will serve as an effective graffiti prevention measure without disrupting regular activities. Alternatively, it is possible to account for the recurrence of undesirable actions. For example, an act of vandalism may be classified as a felony when repeated several times by the same person. This law is expected to prevent potential members from joining the gang, thus ensuring that the phenomenon will not expand in the long term.
An arrest for crimes committed while being a part of a gang has profound consequences on the lives of the individuals. The most evident outcome is disrupted academic performance. It has been reported that a proportion of students that are unable to graduate from high school is significantly higher among the group that was subject to arrest on charges of gang activity (Burdick-Will, 2016). Another widely reported consequence is substance abuse. The social and psychological implications of undergoing a legal prosecution create a highly stressful environment that, combined with the influence of peers, greatly increases the risk of engaging in abusive behavior. Finally, the negative effect on academic performance combined with several minor factors contributes to undesirable socioeconomic status and puts the individuals family at risk. The latter consequence is the most important for several reasons. First, it has been determined that the severity of the effect increases as a result of longer membership in a gang (Pyrooz & Sweeten, 2015). Second, its influence can be observed many years after the incident, making it difficult to determine and address. Finally, its impact goes beyond individual considerations and affects family members and, to some degree, communities.
The long-term impacts of joining a gang can be observed on a social, psychological, and physical level. First, similarly to the consequences of arrest, gang members are subject to alcohol and drug abuse. This factor is a major contributor to the state of mental and physical health of the individual since its adverse consequences can be observed throughout ones life. Also, alcohol and drug abuse have major negative effects on an individuals ability to interact with peers and, by extension, engaging in relationships. In other words, gang members are less likely to form healthy families. Third, it is necessary to acknowledge that former gang members may lack important social skills and proficiencies that are necessary for normal interactions with peers.
As a result, they will likely experience difficulties in social interactions. Next, it is common for gang members to neglect school activity, which hurts the development of skills necessary for becoming a functional member of society. Finally, as a result of poor academic performance and lack of social skills the impacted individual will experience difficulties in finding and retaining employment, leading to low socioeconomic status (Gass & Laughter, 2015). While all of the identified factors are important, it is possible to suggest that a compromised academic performance has the most impact on an individuals life, since the delay in development at a young age requires a disproportionate amount of time and resources to address in adulthood. Thus, its effects are both profound (as illustrated by the employment issue above) and difficult to mitigate.
The suggested ordinance is expected to be successful for three reasons. First, a comprehensive gang prevention program requires an assessment that can be facilitated with the support of school staff. The obtained data may later be used to sustain the effort and expand the program to other areas. Second, the school setting is highly favorable for facilitating social activities among students, which will ensure that they are equipped with essential knowledge regarding the risks of joining a gang and familiarized with the possibility of alternatives. Third, it is expected to find support within the community. The public will likely perceive the ordinance as creating new opportunities within the community. Admittedly, some members may also perceive it as ineffective due to the focus on prevention rather than elimination. Nevertheless, responsible communication is expected to eliminate this misconception, ensuring the success of the ordinance.
References
Burdick-Will, J. (2016). Neighborhood violent crime and academic growth in Chicago: Lasting effects of early exposure. Social Forces, 95(1), 133-158.
Gass, K. M., & Laughter, J. C. (2015). Can I make any difference? Gang affiliation, the school-to-prison pipeline, and implications for teachers. The Journal of Negro Education, 84(3), 333-347.
Pyrooz, D. C., & Sweeten, G. (2015). Gang membership between ages 5 and 17 years in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56(4), 414-419.
In many democratic countries, the right to free speech and media freedom are considered fundamental. Unfortunately, these rights have been abused resulting in extremely aggressive children and teens, who then grow up to be violent adults. Laws guaranteeing freedom of speech and media freedom have made it hard to control TV programming. The results have been increased cases of bullying in schools and large numbers of juvenile delinquency. Even though media houses have the responsibility of protecting their viewers from content that may result from dangerous situations, the government has a responsibility of protecting its citizens from the same.
Introduction
In many democratic countries, the right to free speech and media freedom are considered fundamental. Unfortunately, in many countries today, this has resulted in media content filled with explicit, sexual, and violent material (Boyle, 2007). The debate over media control has been ongoing for a long and sparked a significant number of debates across the world. The topic has been taken up as a policy issue globally, especially in developed countries. The challenge has been empowering the media by allowing them freedom while protecting citizens, especially children, against unnecessary exposure to detrimental content.
The need for control
Violence in the media attracts violence among young children. Research has revealed that children are more likely to imitate what they see than what they are taught. Media today has glorified violence and obscenities, making it look like a natural part of society. It is also important to note that the more important the media puts on violence, the more people are tempted to engage in it for the sake of attention.
It is the governments responsibility to take appropriate measures anytime a situation exposes its citizens to dangerous possibilities. Violence levels in western countries are at extremely high levels. Murder, rape and domestic violence cases are higher than they were in the 1960s (Berkowitz et al., 2010). One of the reasons this is so, is the fact that children are exposed to violence at a very young age. Terrorism and crime seem to attract a bigger audience, tempting media houses to focus on them more to attract a big audience.
Even as media houses pay too much attention to stories that make money for them, it is the governments responsibility to ensure that they honor their social responsibilities. Corporate social responsibility demands that businesses engage in activities that add value to the societies they operate in. The media therefore, has a responsibility to ensure that the stories they air do not expose children to unwanted behaviors. The government should put in place measures that ensure media houses take their social responsibilities seriously.
Media should focus on more important issues in our societies such as schools and healthcare. In an age when the world is rocked by many challenges and negative news, the government should ensure that media houses have programming that is educational. The media has a responsibility of educating people on the environment, careers, health and other issues that support a countrys economy.
Laws and regulations put in place in the past have made it hard for the government to intervene in media operations. For example, in the United States, the First Amendment ensures media freedom and free speech for everyone. In Canada, the constitution guarantees individuals, businesses and organizations freedom of speech. As a result, content is not filtered for adult materials. Children and young adults have easy access to violent activities such as extremely aggressive sports, terrorism news and violent reality shows. The results of such content have been increased cases of bullying in schools and large numbers of juvenile delinquency (Freedman, 2005).
Conclusion
Statistics reveal that crime levels in many parts of the world have gone up. Juvenile delinquency is on the rise and so is bullying in schools. Children as young as five years old are involved in bullying activities, and suffering psychological medical conditions. The government should intervene and ensure media houses pay more attention to issues that affect a majority of the nation. The government can put in measures that ensure violent content is only aired at late hours when children have no access to television, radio or the internet. Another way through which the government can protect children is by educating parents on their role in keeping children protecting from harmful content.
The movie Boyz n the Hood is a significant piece that describes the hardships of African-American youths in South Central Los Angeles. It is a guide on what the right way to live is and how to treat others. One of the major themes is that a crime-driven community forces teenagers to get involved in criminal life early on, to survive. This fact is based upon the issue of oppression and limits that were set on the black population in America. The problem is that no matter how hard people try, often it is hard to avoid this sort of life. But, there are always exceptions and this movie depicts hope and power of determination and strong will, which can change things around.
The community that is filled with crime and corruption is a cesspool and is hard to avoid. The movie shows a community that is run by gangs and corrupt police and other authorities. In reality, there are several causes for this. Very early on, children are susceptible to negative influence. They grow up in neighborhoods where crime is the predominant force. The laws are unable to regulate the society where guns decide everything. Young individuals go to school and are susceptible to peer influence. The attractive nature of gangs absorbs people. The easiness and quickness with which power and wealth can be accumulated are very hard to resist. If a child wants to lead a lawful and responsible life, they are often put down and picked on by their peers, as being mammas boy or soft spined . This form of pressure almost always has an immediate effect on the psyche of a person (Branch 205). The environment that a child grows up in is very influential on their future life. When a person sees how their family suffers, they feel the need to do something. Often, a single parent experiences difficulty in raising a child and paying for food and shelter, spending many hours working, so it is evident that there is very little time to spend child-rearing. The values and behaviors that a child learns early on are very important. Character forms in the beginning years of life and it is very hard to change later. The movie portrays how uneasy it is to get out of an unhealthy way of life, even when such want exists.
The reasons that led to this sort of environment in the hood are unfair conditions that society has created for minorities and more specifically African-Americans. For a very long time, there was oppression from the white society. When African-Americans were brought into America as slaves, they have always been treated as inferior to others. The denial of rights and freedoms has caused much anger and violence in the later years. Since the civil war and Martin Luther King, there has been a demand to accept African-Americans as equals. Society has come a long way since then but it is evident there was still much oppression that went on in the 90s and is present even today. The movie shows how the African-American community is secluded from the rest of the world. The race has become such a factor that even police officers treat their people as of lower status, compared to others. This can be seen in the movie when Furious calls the police about the burglary. The African-American police officer treats Furious with disrespect and superior behavior. He is shown as being an authoritative power-hungry man who hates his kind (Boyz n the Hood). One of the greatest problems is the system that treats African-Americans in a predisposed and stereotypical manner. Very often, law authorities resort to racial profiling and thus contribute and reinforce the negative statistics and views of the rest of society. The work market is also slanted to the negative side. Employees are less likely to hire an African-American because of the constant negative attributes that are forced onto the population. Recently, there have been many changes in the system and the treatment of African-American people. Unfortunately, this does not fully prevent discrimination. It is rooted very deep in society and so, the young generation must make changes that give everyone an equal chance with fair and responsible judgment (Dagbovie 20).
Boyz n the Hood depicts how hard it is to avoid the negative influences of peers and society but, at the same, it shows hope. Tre is an example that a person, who is determined and has the right support, can reach anything they set their mind to. His father, Furious, grew up in a harsh environment and so, he explains to Tre that the life of violence and crime is not the right way to live. This makes an impression on Tre and his positive thinking is supported. Tre is determined to move away from the negative influences of the crime-driven community and lead a better life. He understands that the key to this is education and he must do everything in his power to acquire one. In the movie, it is shown that Tre is an intelligent person. When he gets into the right environment, he begins to reach success in school and his understanding of the world around him. This becomes the base for his determination and strong will, to create a responsible way of life. Throughout the movie, it is possible to see that sometimes he is shown to be naive and soft-hearted. But reason and a kind heart always take the right direction. The same principles must be abided by in real life. Close to the end of the movie, when the gang goes to avenge the killing of their friend, Tre is shown as hesitant. The feelings of revenge and the right way to do things fight with one another. Finally, Tre decides that he must be above this negativity and does not go through with the drive-by shooting (Boyz n the Hood). The moral of the movie is that sometimes, it is very difficult to stay on the right track. But Tre is an example that it is possible and anyone can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
American society strives towards the best treatment of people and the highest rights and freedoms for everyone. The goals set are very optimistic but many obstacles in life will prevent people from attaining them. The movie proves that when people work together and are focused on fairness and equality for all, this dream can become the reality. The environment is a very strong force and the political system is not perfect, so it is up to individuals and communities to do their part, in changing the world to be a better place for everyone.
Works Cited
Boyz n the Hood. Ex. Prod. Steven Nicolaides. Los Angeles, Cal: Columbia Pictures. 1991. Film.
Branch, Curtis. Adolescent Gangs: Old Issues, New Approaches. Philadelphia: Psychology Press, 1999. Print.
Dagbovie, Pero. African American History Reconsidered. Michigan: University of Illinois Press, 2010. Print.
The first step to understanding the contents of any article is through analysis. It is very important to understand an authors general ideas and modes of argument so as to articulately get the picture an author tries to bring out. This paper is bent on doing precisely that; understanding the ideas and basis of arguments of Amitai Etzioni in his article, Working at McDonalds .
Summary
The article, Working at McDonalds by Amitai Etzioni explores the effect of the McDonalds on students with reference to their studies. Etzioni begins his essay by showing the great influx of students in part-time jobs, which do not guarantee career development but instead result in high-drop rates among youngsters from school. He uses McDonalds because it is referred to as, the pioneer, trend-setter and symbol (Etzioni 280).
The article goes further to bring out the disadvantages of part-time jobs on school performance despite the perception of the Founding Fathers educational manual that part-time jobs were important in bringing up self-reliant, ethically driven and productive individuals in society. According to Etzioni, part-time jobs are associated with truancy and skewed values amongst the teenagers on the worth of a dollar.
In addition, McDonalds part-time jobs do not impart any skills or expertise on the teens for use in later life due to their highly structured nature hence; fail to consider the potential of these teens with regard to tomorrows high-tech posts. The McDonalds idea of part-time jobs is in comparison with the lemonade and paper route because they neither provide opportunities for entrepreneurship nor for self-supervision, self- disciple and self-scheduling (Etzioni 281).
Critical Response
Etzioni has articulately stated his position with regard to part-time jobs, most of which are in fast-food chains. He specifically states that McDonalds and related fast-food chains part-time jobs are not good for teens due to their negative effect on the teens studies. He tentatively acknowledges the benefits associated with part-time jobs as presented by the Founding Fathers educational manual when he says that these jobs might seem right as indicated by the manual.
Etzioni is vehemently against McDonalds part-time paying jobs because he deems them to be non-beneficial and do not foster personal growth and development. It is worth noting that the author is specifically against McDonalds and fast food chains related part-time jobs. This is because he deems the lemonade stand and paper route jobs to be more rewarding in terms of creation of entrepreneurship opportunities and instilling self-discipline, self-scheduling and self-supervision.
His arguments are based observation as through choice of words like closer examination. In addition, he uses meta-analysis by applying related prior studies. The article targets parents whose children are involved in part-time paying jobs at the McDonalds when he says that McDonalds is bad for your kids (Etzioni 280). In addition, this article is an eye-opener to students who pay more attention to part-time jobs, compared with their studies. This choice of audience is appropriate because parents play a key role in shaping their childrens future.
The students on the other hand need to face the reality side of it hence make informed decisions and choices. The author states that much attention has not been paid to this issue. This is very true because I had a hard time trying to find peer reviewed articles to back up Etzionis statements. In comparison to other researchers, Etzioni upholds the need for education as a guarantor for high-skill jobs and increased employment rates to students.
The author is against McDonalds part-time jobs because they do not help the students to gain a high-tech career. He supports his arguments by presenting studies that have been previously carried on students with regard to part-time jobs. I strongly agree with the author because, these part-time jobs are usually causal jobs that do not require any special skills or expertise.
Etzioni presents a counteractive argument when he acknowledges that students indeed gain some skills but he argues that these skills are not at all educational, wholesome and do not require too much time training. In addition, the author indicates the skills are not directed in the right way because they are governed by sheer blind obedience. This being the case, there is no room for invention, creativity and innovation. The authors arguments are logical because they are based on both observation and prior studies.
He explicitly indicates the predicament brought by the McDonalds and related food-chains because they erode teens skills. The minute a teens supervises another teen makes the whole supervision process tight and woefully inappropriate as indicated by the author (Etzioni 282). The views of Payne based on her findings on the effects of part-time jobs on students performance have seconded Etzionis views on the general negative influence of part-time jobs on school work.
To start with, similar to Etzionis views, Payne indicates that part-time jobs are associated with high drop-out rates from school. In addition, both authors present various reasons why teens engage in part-time jobs.
One thing worth noting is that poor financial familial backgrounds are not necessarily the reason for students engagement in part-time jobs. The negative effect of part-time jobs on student performance was significant with regard to long working hours since students lacked adequate time to study, do homework and revise (Payne 65). Etzioni associates the McDonalds to long working hours hence their negative impact on students performance and achievement.
Conclusion
This analytical assessment of the article, Working at McDonalds by Etzioni indicates the generally held that part-time paying jobs have a general negative impact on students performance. Etzioni presents his arguments based on observation and meta-analysis of prior related research findings. His stronghold position is that McDonalds and related fast-food part-time paying jobs are not ideal for students. The limited research present on this subject calls for more research on the same.
Works Cited
Etzioni, Amitai. Working at McDonalds. The St. Martins Guide to Writing. By Rise Axelrod and Charles Cooper. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010. E-book.
Payne, Joan. Students and Part-time Jobs: Patterns and Effects. Norwich: Queens Printer, 2001. Print.
The general purpose of the research study is to determine whether or not archery and fencing should be included in the youths sports program. Creswell (2007) is of the opinion that research questions and hypotheses are employed in a study to shape and specifically focus the general objective of the study through the use of cause and effect questions as well as predictions that a particular researcher may hold about the relationship or association among variables.
As such, the research questions were created based on what the two sports (archery and fencing) can contribute towards the attainment of the mission set by the youths sports program
Many youth sports programs, according to Berlin et al (2007), use sports to provide the &youth with opportunities to play, learn, and grow, inspiring them to recognize their potential and realize their dreams (p. 85-86).
Youth sports programs, more than anything else, should ideally assist the youth to develop character, respect for society, inspire values, and nurture positive self image through reinforced behavior change (Beedy, 2007). Youth sports programs should also serve a basic role of developing the youths physical health and wellbeing, psycho-social enhancement, and the attainment of desired motor skills (Fraser-Thomas & Cote, 2006).
As such, any sporting activities introduced into the youth sports program must first and foremost assist the youth in attaining the above named goals before they can then be used for competitive purposes.
This implies that it would serve no purpose at all to introduce archery and fencing sports in the youth sports program if they will not assist the youth in the development and articulation of their physical, psychosocial and motor wellbeing, and the actualization of discipline, character, respect, and positive self image, among others (Le Menestrel & Perkins, 2007). The two research questions were formulated based on this rationale.
According to Creswell (2003), hypotheses are formulated predictions also used to shape and streamline the purpose of the study, in addition to forecasting about possible relationships among variables. Hypothesis 1 and hypothesis 2, aimed at predicting possible relationships between the two sports and the factors mentioned above, were arrived at after reviewing various studies related to youth sports programs and their potential (Fraser-Thomas & Cote, 2006; Berlin et al, 2006; Beedy, 2007).
The two null hypotheses were formulated to predict that there is no relationship between archery and fencing on the one hand and the development of youths physical health and well-being, psycho-social enhancement, character, self-image, acquisition of motor skills, value development, confidence, and positive behavior change on the other hand.
The viability of the null hypothesis in the study will be tested to determine if they provide viable possibilities towards evaluating whether or not to include archery and fencing in the youths sports program, or if they will be rejected by the data collected.
Reference List
Beedy, J.P. (2007). Sports-based youth development: A global perspective. Independent School, 66(4), 40-48. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database
Berlin, R.A., Dworkin, A., Eames, N., Menconi, A., & Perkins, D.F. (2007). Examples of sports-based youth development programs. New Directions for Youth Development, 27(115), 85-106. Retrieved from Academic Source Premier Database
Creswell, J.W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches, 2nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc
Fraser-Thomas, J., & Cote, J. (2006). Youth sports: Implementing findings and moving forward with research. The Online Journal of Sports. Web.
Le-Menestrel, S., & Perkins, D.F. (2007). An overview of how sports, out-of-school time, and youth well-being can and do intersect. New Directions for Youth Development, 27(115), 13-25. Retrieved from Academic Source Premier Database
Young people have a unique way of searching for identities and social positions. The media plays a critical role towards escalating these identities. Some local cultures might brainwash the youth and even affect their goals. According to Clarke, Hall, Jefferson, and Roberts (1976), the youths will always establish their own cultural groups. These groups embrace their definite practices and ideas. It is agreeable that such subcultures satisfy the needs of every member. Most of these needs are important to young persons. Adolescents embrace new behaviors, values, and norms that differ significantly from those of the wider society. This essay examines the issues surrounding the Hippie Subculture of the 1960s.
The Hippie Youth Cultural Group
Description of the Sub-cultural Group
The Hippie Subculture began as a powerful Youth Movement in the 1960s. The movement emerged in the United States and spread to different corners of the world. A few years before the movement, many American youths had tried to design new clothes and hairstyles that would eventually change the countrys culture.
This new culture revolutionized the ideals supported by the American society. For instance, the youths wanted to establish their groups. They also began to produce new songs and works of art. According to Clark et al. (1976), the individuals also promoted the concept of sexual revolution. The hippies began to use hardcore drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. This cultural group wanted to create a new world without societal pressures or influences.
This new cultural group transformed the values of the mainstream society. This movement was significant because it changed the worlds culture. The famous Aquarius Festival of 1973 marked the achievements and successes of the hippies in Australia. This festival was held in Nimbin (Giroux, 2003, p. 58). The hippies staged similar ceremonies and festivals in different countries such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Chile.
As discussed above, this historical cultural group ignored the norms and practices embraced in their respective societies. The youths in the United States decided to live in harmony. They were not ready to support the issues existing in their communities such as racism and discrimination. These individuals also began to promote new music varieties. The practices were critical towards establishing new ideas in literature and film. Such events continued to reshape the whole world. A new popular image emerged in every part of the world. Krinsky (2006) believes strongly that most of the ideas, practices, values, and concepts associated with the hippie culture had become part of the global society by 1980.
The Hippie Subculture therefore redefined the world by resisting its original order. The individuals associated with this subculture were ready to express their views about the world. The issues associated with this new culture encouraged more people from different backgrounds to embrace it (Krinsky, 2006, p. 7). For instance, both African American and Latino youths began to embrace similar practices. These practices led to the establishment of a new culture in different parts of the world.
Does the Grouping Constitute a Subculture?
The hippies formed a sub-cultural group within the wider global culture. This exceptional subculture had its beliefs, interests, and morals that are different from those of the larger society (Cassell & Cramer, 2005, p. 57). That being the case, the hippie was a unique subculture that began in the United States. The subculture spread to different parts of the globe within a very short duration. This social group exhibited characteristic behavioral patterns thus distinguishing itself from the wider society.
Most of these values and fashions affected the worlds culture. These youths influenced television, arts, and popular music (Bennett, 1999, p. 613). It is agreeable that most of the facets of this subculture have today become common in different societies. The hippies embraced different religious and cultural diversities thus making their subculture recognizable. The Hippie Subculture played a major role towards changing different practices such as music festivals, social celebrations, and sexual mores (Cassell & Cramer, 2005, p. 59). These aspects explain why the Hippie Youth Movement eventually became a distinguishable subculture.
Activities Associated With Members of this Grouping
The hippies wanted the society to treat and view them as cool people. The subculture used images and attires to pass the intended messages to the society. These individuals wanted to detach themselves from the social values and practices that defined their contemporary culture. This group dissociated itself from the demands of the era.
The youngsters began to embrace new lifestyles that included the use of drugs such as heroin and marijuana (Giroux, 2003). The group was keen to react negatively to the ideas of war and militarism. This subculture promoted the themes of love, global peace, and universal sisterhood (Cassell & Cramer, 2005, p. 59). At the same time, the hippies supported their own thoughts without necessary conforming to their respective societies.
The other activities associated with this subculture included music production, use of funny clothes, and promotion of their personal thoughts (Cohen, 1973, p. 38). Many boys began to have long hairs than ever before. The subculture also created its ideas and concepts. Their lifestyles and activities attracted listeners from every part of the world. This fact explains why the Hippie Subculture became a major force. The individuals also began to use psychedelics thus defining their positions in the society (Cohen, 1973). The hippies were ready to be part of a new subculture that supported their beliefs, values, and ideas.
The hippies began to use various drugs with the ability to alter their minds. Many youths were ready to consume alcohol and smoke marijuana. Majority of the youths were willing to be part of this subculture. This practice became common in the United States and other societies across the globe. According to many scholars, the hippies used different psychedelic drugs because of their potential to improve their thinking capabilities. However, some youths began to wear funny clothes without necessarily having to use different addictive drugs (Cohen, 1973).
These people also worked hard to redefine every cultural more. The individuals believed strongly that their clothes would redefine their values and ideas. Ragged and brightly colored clothes were common during this period. The hippies began to wear jewelry and sandals. They also began to wear multicolored t-shirts. The practice distinguished the hippies from their parents. The individuals were against the idea of commercialism. This behavior made it easier for them to purchase secondhand clothes at cheaper prices (Springhall, 1998).
Most of these youths began to appreciate the power of religion. They hippies were drawn to the beliefs of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism (Cohen, 1973, p. 85). The acceptance of religion also played a powerful role towards transforming the lives and beliefs of these individuals. Many hippies became true believers and influenced their friends in a positive manner. The hippies also borrowed numerous religious symbols and made them part of their subculture.
They produced new songs and works of art that defined their beliefs. The hippies borrowed many ideas from every religion thus developing new behaviors. The group was willing to experiment with every idea instead of being part of its mainstream society (Cohen, 1973, p. 103). According to Critcher (2003), the Hippie Subculture made it possible for the society to create yoga centers and beauty shops.
The other activity associated with this subculture was the rejection of every social institution. According to the group, such institutions were inappropriate and corrupt. The best thing was to do away with them and establish better ones that understood their expectations (Bennett, 1999). According to these individuals believed, every original culture was either flawed or inadequate. The elders in the society wanted them to behave in a particular way in order to become acceptable (Critcher, 2003).
The subculture was ready to establish a new world. The youths behind this subculture wanted to find better meanings in their lives. They did so by opposing the production and use of nuclear warheads. This idea led to the end of the infamous Vietnam War. These hippies also rejected most of the values associated with the middle-class (Albury & Crawford, 2012). They embraced better ideas that could make the universe much better. Majority of the hippies became vegetarians and environmentalists. They wanted to have a friendly environment that could support the lives of their children.
This cultural group also wanted to have sexual liberation (Springhall, 1998, p. 68). They wanted to form sexual relationships with individuals from other racial backgrounds. The society wanted their children to marry individuals from their races. However, these hippies wanted things to become better and meaningful. The sub-cultural group also began to formulate new philosophies (Albury & Crawford, 2012).
The Hippie Youth Cultural Group (HYCG) participated in various street theaters and arts. The approach was critical towards establishing a new social order. Graffiti became a common feature in almost every urban area. These practices were relevant towards establishing a new lifestyle. Giroux (2003) also explains how these youths rejected political violence and social disorder. They strongly believed that such behaviors could affect the world. The important thing was to promote a better ideology that would eventually make the world much better for every human being.
Presentation in the Mainstream Media
The media played a major role towards analyzing the issues associated with this group. The mainstream media portrayed the group as a new movement that continued to transform the world. The media was also keen to broadcast most of the festivals and celebrations associated with the hippies. Many hippies continued to gather in various cities across the world. Such gatherings were common in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Different media houses covered most of these events such as the Summer of Love (Springhall, 1998). The event took place in 1967 when thousands of hippies gathered in San Francisco. The media coined the term Hippie Revolution to define the practices and ideas promoted by this cultural group.
The sensation caused by these media houses forced many individuals in the society to question the behaviors of this subculture. The media portrayed the sub-culture as an electric group that wanted to redefine itself. The media also explained how such individuals were ready to integrate new insights, values, and ideas into their daily lives (Krinsky, 2006, p. 8). Such individuals continued to reject various consumerist concepts. This discussion explains why mixed reactions emerged because of the Hippie Revolution. The media explained how the hippies remained suspicious of every story narrated by the government. New films and songs emerged thus promoting the ideas embraced by the hippies.
Did the sub-cultural group spark a moral panic?
According to Krinsky (2006, p. 10), moral panic occurs when the media presents stories and reports that can cause anxiety or fear . This fear occurs when such stories appear to threat an existing societal order. The Hippie Revolution attracted mixed reactions from different individuals and scholars. The sociological analysis of drug-use, delinquency, and deviant behavior explain how such malpractices can promote social unrest (Cohen, 1973, p. 95).
Most of the behaviors associated with the hippies sparked a major moral panic in different parts of the world. The behaviors and values embraced by the hippies supported the features of moral panic. For instance, the subculture raised much concern in the society (Cohen, 1973, p. 95). Many people in the society believed that their behaviors were capable of producing negative effects.
The mainstream society also became hostile against the youths thus calling them folk devils (Bennett, 1999, p. 608). This development resulted in new divisions between the society and the subculture. The agreeable fact is every moral panic associated with this revolution disappeared within a short period. According to Critcher (2003), social panic disappears when the media begins to bombard the people with different stories or topics. The agreeable fact is that the Hippie Revolution transformed the future of the world.
Conclusion
The Hippie Revolution was a major event that influenced many values and social practices. This movement was critical towards redefining the behaviors of the youth. Cultural and religious diversities became common in every part of the globe. New dressing styles emerged during the period. This revolution caused moral panics in many societies across the globe. The mainstream media also played a major role towards sensitizing more people about this subculture. The agreeable fact is that the Hippie Movement presented new practices and behaviors that would revolutionize the world.
Reference List
Albury, K., & Crawford, K. (2012). Sexting, consent and young peoples ethics: beyond Megans story. Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, 26(3), 463-473.
Bennett, A. (1999). Subcultures or Neo-Tribes? Rethinking the Relationship Between Youth, Style and Musical Taste. Sociology, 33(3), 599-617.
Cassell, J., & Cramer, M. (2005). High Tech or High Risk: Moral Panics about Girls Online. Center for Technology and Social Behavior, 1(1), 53-74.
Clarke, J., Hall, S., Jefferson, T., & Roberts, B. (1976). Subcultures, cultures and class. In S. Hall and T. Jefferson (Eds.), Resistance through Rituals: Youth Subcultures in Post-War Britain (pp. 48-62). London, United Kingdom: Hutchinson.
Cohen, S. (1973). Deviance and Moral Panics. Paladin: St. Albans Press.
Critcher, C. (2003). Made in Britain: The Processual Model of Moral Panics. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Giroux, H. (2003). The abandoned generation: Democracy beyond the culture of fear. Millan: Palgrave.
Krinsky, C. (2006). Introduction: The Moral Panic Concept. Ashgate Research Companion, 1(1), 1-14.
Springhall, J. (1998). Youth, Popular Culture and Moral Panics: Penny Gaffs to Gangsta-Rap. New York, NY: St. Martins Press.
Youths Noise is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization committed to educating local communities of the various health issues concerning the local population. The Youths Noise will provide the equipments and resources necessary for the youth, to create music videos with a goal of spreading awareness to the local community and perhaps to the world.
With a $15,000 grant, we will fund the first year of the program, in which high school freshmen will attend workshops, collect information on various health concerns to incorporate in their music videos, and lively perform in different communities in Washington, DC.
The economic and health issues faced by the LeDroit Park community are interrelated. One third of the LeDroit Park residents live in poverty. Lack of healthy food contribute to health problems because vital fruits, vegetable, and grains are replaced by inexpensive, high calorie starches and refined sugars (Corney 3).
In addition, inadequate diet among young adults increases fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. All students in this community are vulnerable, particularly high school students, as the physical and mental effects of insufficient nutrition are coupled with rapid developmental changes that lead to doubt about self worth and utility of formal education (Dunnavant 5).
Our proposed program will help high school students improve their own lifestyle and self esteem while spreading the awareness and educate in effective modern approach towards nutrition. Students will develop into community leaders through participating in spreading the message in videos and live performances.
It will also boost their confidence and give them the power make changes in the community and in themselves. A grant will enable us to hire coordinators, recruit participants, and fund media equipments to begin the end of various health issues in Washington, DC communities.
Introduction
Researches have shown that malnutrition remains one of the greatest concerns for the residents of LeDroit Park, Washington, DC (Riggs 98). Poor nutrition affects the health of young people living in the community, leading to a range of health concerns, including fatigue and problems with concentrating, as well as irritability and unwillingness to socialize (Budianto para. 2). Though the area is environmentally safe (Benfield para. 3), nutrition issues affect it deeply.
Therefore, the key purpose of the study is to prove that the incorporation of youth initiative into the set of measures used for addressing poor nutrition issues within the area will change the situation drastically. The objectives of the research, in their turn, concern the identification of the key steps to be taken in order to hold the event, the budget of the performance, the ways for attracting young people to the show and the location of the key health concerns to address in the course of the event.
It should be born in mind that the community, which the research is targeted at, is rather homogenous. As the graph below shows, Caucasians and Africa Americans make most of the population of the area (Butler 2), whereas American Indians, Native Hawaiians and other ethnicities are below the 5% threshold ( Ledroit Park, Washington, DC Demographics para. 2).
Picture 1: Ledroit Park, Washington population breakdown by race ( Ledroit Park, Washington, DC Demographics para. 2).
As far as the gender issues are concerned, though, the area in question can be considered rather homogenous, with male to female ratio making 0.9 ( Ledroit Park, Washington, DC Demographics para. 1).
Picture 2: Ledroit Park, Washington demographics profile ( Ledroit Park, Washington, DC Demographics para. 1).
Speaking of housing, living in the community is rather expensive, as the price is 2.6% higher than the average one in Washington. As the table below shows, the median rent is also rather costly, averaging to $1,350 ( Ledroit Park, Washington, DC Housing & Real Estate para. 1). Compared with the rest of Washington ($1,200), the price seems rather high.
Picture 3: LeDroit Park, Washington housing overview.
The crime rates within the specified area are rather high, with theft and burglary prevailing ( Washington LeDoit Park para. 1). Therefore, the security levels must be increased in order to facilitate safety of the participants.
The education level is, in its turn, also comparatively high, with 75.1% of the population having completed college, and 4% getting a doctorate ( Ledroit Park, Washington, DC Education Colleges & Universities para. 3), which allows for hoping that the event will have a tangible effect on young peoples concern about the issue and make them research the problem in order to be more aware of it.
Scope
The project must be arranged on a rather large scale. Thus, it will be possible for the entire community to be reached. Among the key goals of the project, attracting young peoples attention to the malnutrition issues, promoting healthy eating habits and providing young people with the access to the information on the topic must be listed.
It should be born in mind that the feedback from the young people participating in the event, as well as those, who will attend the performance, will be required. Therefore, after the event is over, it will be necessary to conduct a series of interviews among the young people, who joined the performance.
As far as the schedule is concerned, it will be desirable that the event could be held at the following time: 9.00 a.m. 6.00 p.m. Thus, the target audience will be capable of attending the event and giving their best to it. As a result, maximum turnout and an increase in engagement can be expected. It is suggested that the schedule should be organized in the following manner: the event will open with a small performance by the guest celebrity.
Next, a series of performances by the local young people will take place. Afterwards, a short break will occur, in the course of which young people will be provided with brochures and booklets on nutrition rules. Then, a series of performances by the guest celebrities featuring he local young performers will be carried out.
Detailed Budget
As far as the budget is concerned, it is necessary to bear in mind that there are only $15,000 at the disposal of the event organizers. Hence, the necessity to take all possible costs into account and distribute the finical resources carefully emerges. The following distribution of the finances seems quite legitimate:
Salaries: $ 5,000
Materials: $ 1,000
Facilities (Rent): $5,000
Transportation: $ 500
Duplication: $ 500
In-Kind Contributions: $ 3,000
Staffing
It will be necessary to hire the staff that is knowledgeable in nutrition and healthcare. To be more specific, the following specialists will be required: Events Organizors, Wellbeing Advisor, Leisure Assistant, Healthcare Workers, Clinical Education Specialists, Nutrition Specialists, and Care Assistants. the specialists in question will be recruited by placing advertisements online.
In addition, it will be required to take a range of precaution measures in order to make sure that the people hired for the job, in fact, meet the demands that their position will presuppose, and be capable of handling their responsibilities. Hence, it will be imperative to check the specified experts previous career record In addition, none of the people hired for the event may have a previous criminal record.
Though the event in question is designed specifically for the area in question, i. e, the needs and concerns of the people living in LeDroit Park, it will be reasonable that collaboration with several powerful organizations should be established. Thus, it will be possible to boost the process of raising awareness and, thus, help not only the LeDroit park people, but also all American communities with a similar concern.
Consequently, the cooperation with Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, So Others Might Eat (SOME), Childrens National Medical Center, Mautner Project of Whitman-Walker Health and Food, Research, Action Center (FRAC) (Center for Community Engagement and Service 15) should be established.
It is expected that the Ronald McDonald House will be rented for holding the event. Therefore, all those interested in the subject matter, as well as the people willing to contribute or participate, may contact the organizers of the event with the help of the following information:
Conclusion
There is no need to stress the fact that dieting issues in general and the problems regarding fatigue, problems with concentration, irritability and other issues related to malnutrition have become a major concern for the residents of LeDroit Park in Washington, DC. More to the point, the concern for malnutrition and the effects that it has on young people has spread beyond the specified community and reached the statewide scope.
Seeing that neither nursing specialists, nor the local authorities have coped with the problem, it can be assumed that young people themselves will be able to handle the problem. By having young people take part in the event, one will be able to make a difference in the realm of healthcare.
The event of this scale may not be he enough to draw to attention of the entire United States to the concern, yet it will help turn some heads in the LeDroit Park, therefore, disclosing the shocking truth about the malnutrition issues and helping young people recognize the problem and, thus, learn to address it.
Works Cited
Benfield, K. The Greening of DCs LeDroit Park Neighborhood (Featuring a Baptist Church, a Farm, & HRH The Prince of Wales). Natural Resources Defense Council. 2011. Web.
Budianto, A. Program Provides Food, Farming Education to Urban Poor. Voice of America. 2012. Web.
Youths in United States are the future employees of various companies. Their age which normally ranges between 16 and 27 are mostly students or fresh graduates. At their age, they always want to be employed and be able to acquire the relevant skills which are greatly demanded by the employers. The youth always wants to be employed at a part time or seasonal basis since they still have to continue with their studies. The high cost of living has forced the youths in the United States to seek for employment after skull on daily basis or over the weekends and majority of them during their summers.
Discussion
The jobs availability for the youths is of great concern to the entire economy. If the economy is not performing well then the demand for employment will decrease, hence the youths employability will be decreased. The youths are exposed to many challenges in the US, unemployment being one of them. The youths supply for employment always is higher over summers. Its due to this high number of the willing young people to work that the employers also exploits them with little wages and poor working conditions. When there is high supply of the youths, their demand by the employers will be less or the rules of the employment will fluctuate and mostly to the advantage of the employer.
The youths accessed to the job depends on the economic situation of the country. This will greatly determines the performance of the companies hence if well performing and the situations are favorable, their abilities to hire youths is enabled. Employment of youths in the United States depends on the availability of more resources and tasks to be executed. The employers have always targeted the availability of youths during summers hence at this time there are more jobs being created by the employers so as to reduce the number of jobless youths in the country.
Getting a first summer job for the youths in the United States is somehow complex than 50 years ago. This is because there are many people who have acquired the relevant credentials hence locking out quite a good percent of the youths as unemployed. The employers have valued the possession of certificates so much hence students will be relatively harder for them to get jobs than the adults. Employers also have concentrated on people who have knowledge and experience on the relevant fields which they are seeking employees. This will really reduce the number of the youths accessing the employment.
There have been various changes in the youths employment since 2001 across the gender. More women have been accessed to summer jobs than the male counterparts. This is a situation which is totally opposite from that which was experienced in the early 1980s. There has been an overall drop in the employment of youths in country which is reflecting that there increase deindustrialization in the economy. The crisis also in the year 2008 saw a lot of young people being unemployed from 2007 to 2009 summer period. There overall unemployment rate was affected by the economic crisis which hit the entire world. Most youths resulted to the crime activities as indicated that a higher percentage of youths were jailed for breaking the law over this period of unemployed youths (Krugman & Wells, 2009).
The youths have their needs to satisfy hence their demand for employment is due to the normal and basic necessities such as food, entertainment, clothing, and the educational fees. The chances of youths being employed depends on the type of industry and the overall performance of the economy. The employers also have a speculative way of projecting the cost associated with one employee from the insurance cover, daily allowances, and probably the wage rate.
Job satisfaction is very important in the employment sector. Most employees are not satisfied with their jobs especially the tasks they do. Employees are not being given specific roles to execute in the workplace hence their job dissatisfaction increases. The employees need to be given challenging tasks in line with their profession; they want to have excellent relationship among themselves and to the employer which they rarely come across.
This increases their dissatisfaction and may lead to high employee turnover since they have to change companies. The employees are not just after the pay, but good working conditions, their desire to grow in their line of profession and the advancement in life and work. If the employee does not get all these, in the workplace, the dissatisfaction will bring a lot of effects to the employer. In the US, many employers do not listen or offer the employees a chance to progress in their profession. This results in a high rate of employee turn over.
Employees in any organization are very important resources which have to be well taken care of at all times. After the end of recession, the company worst nightmare is losing its valuable resources such as the employees especially the young who are full of new ideas.
The youths in the US have been described to be the highest percentage of those who are searching for other openings elsewhere. More than half the employee turnover is of employees aged 16 years and 29. These are the young people who are looking for better opportunities at the work place especially after the economy has undergone some financial problems (Kates, 2010).
There should be policies which promotes the employees job satisfaction and reducing the employee turnover. The employer should at all times give the right job to the deserving person. This will enhances the quality of job done by the employees and relevant decisions will be made. The specification also as per the job descriptions is important. This will ensure that all the employees knows their roles and responsibilities hence their tasks will be enhanced and there will be a good job attachment. There should also be clear policies governing the succession plans in the employment especially for the core positions. The employees also need to be assured of their job security.
There has been increase in the youths who are in the market searching for jobs from 2.6 to 3.7 million in 2009. There are good policies set which make sure that a higher number of youths are employed hence, there are always high number of youths employed at this time over summers. The employed youths in the year 2009 rose to 19.3 million. The weak market conditions account for a higher percentage in the increasing rates of unemployment of the youths.
Conclusion
The economic crisis which began in the year 2007 is a major cause of the current youths unemployment. The more the number of youths employability, the more the income to the government through increase in the output and taxes. Employment has a positive effect on the gross domestic product (GDP).
References
Kates, S. (2010). Macroeconomic Theory and Its Failings: Alternative Perspectives on the Global Financial Crisis. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Krugman, P., & Wells, R. (2009). Macroeconomics. New York: Worth Publishers.