Friday, January 24, 2020

The Image of Alcohol Use in Country Music Essay -- Songs Singing Media

The Image of Alcohol Use in Country Music The relative presence or absence of clear norms prescribing certain kinds of alcohol use has long been regarded as a key factor in rates of alcoholism (e.g., 1, 2). In societies where it is expected that drinking will be used as a means to facilitate certain kinds of behavior or to assuage problems the incidence of alcohol problems is much higher than in those where expectations are that it be used for ceremonial functions (3). The purpose of the present study was to examine the current image of alcohol use in country music, an element of American popular culture in which alcohol use and misuse has long been a major theme (4, 5). In country music the simple ideal and real values of the southern and southwestern regions of the United States, as well as middle-America generally, are explicitly stated. The lyrics affirm a simple and working classes and by those whose class origins are in these two groups. Therefore, analysis of such lyrical expressions provides an opportunity to explore values common to large segments of the population. We hypothesized (1) that country music would reflect a high degree of ambivalence concerning the use of alcohol, wavering between an ideal value and a real one, and (2) that it would promote or prescribe the use of alcohol for the facilitation or assuagement. While the ideal values of society, particularly the agrarian society from which country music stems, tend to portray drinking as "evil", the lyrics also extol its use. Adhering to the traditional fundamentalist view of alcohol as a tool of Satanic temptation (6), the ideal view condemns the use of alcohol. The real values, however, are quite different: Drinking is seen as related to manhood... ... Two particular attitudes were found: (1) highly ambivalent feelings toward alcohol use and (2) the promotion of drinking for the sake of facilitation and assuagement. These two themes are clearly related to a large body of literature on the relationship between societal attitudes toward drinking and the existence of alcohol problems. Fallding (3), for instance, demonstrated the potential destructiveness of drinking patterns based on ambivalent attitudes and the use of alcohol as a problem-solving mechanism. The presence of these themes in a "grass roots" expression of attitudes such as country music is an indication of their depth in the American social milieu. American society has no clear consistent drinking pattern, and, assuming that the values and attitudes expressed in these songs reflect basic attitudes, is not likely to develop such a set of norms.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Persuasive Essay: Should public schools implement a school uniforms Essay

The issue of implementing a school uniforms is a controversial and lingering subject facing many of the school systems in the United States. Many people see that numerous problems exists within the public school system and they think that school uniform would be a good solution these problems. School uniform is a positive concept in public school because of many advantages such as, a cost savings by eliminating name brand clothing, student security, school spirit and simpler daily school preparation. First of all, uniforms can remove the distraction of symbols that reflect students social status, provide relief from competition for fashion and peer pressure and create equality between more and less wealthy students. In schools without uniforms students always worry about their appearance; those without expensive designer clothes may become outcasts. Many students feel that they are judges by other students, teachers and administrators according to what they wear. Additionally, parents usually support uniform because of its cost. The use of school uniforms is more affordable to families because there is not as much pressure to buy expensive, trendy clothing. Some people say a school uniform is expensive, especially the one in a good quality. But buying different clothes for everyday and season in a long run will be more expensive that buying a uniform which can last longer and, in some cases, can be worn throughout the year. For these reasons, school administrators and parents support this type of dressing code in schools. Moreover, studies have shown that in certain public schools 80% of girls and 62% of boys actually liked the uniforms. Furthermore, school uniforms can significantly reduce violence and discipline problems while motivating students to learn. In many cases, students clothes have been linked to the causes of violence. For example, in Detroit, an 18 year old was shot and killed for his parka and Nike sneakers worth $70 and in a six month period, four Chicago youths were killed for warm-up jackets valued between $900 and $200. In 1995, the school in Long Beach, CA made it mandatory for students to wear uniforms. In 1999, the statistics from these schools have shown that the crime rate dropped by 91%, school suspensions dropped by 90%, sex offenses were reduced by 96% and incidents of vandalism went down by 69%. Also, nine years after implementing school uniforms in one  of the schools in Maryland, the schools principal said that attendance and test scores have increased, suspensions and fights have decreased and students were more focused. Students who wear school uniforms behave more appropriately in the school environment more likely to follow school rules. As the research in school has shown, the mandatory use of standardized dress reduces violence within the school. Every morning, the teenager wakes up and starts thinking about which clothes to wear. School uniforms would save students as well as parents time. Kids in the morning would not have to make up their minds on what to wear. There is less distraction due to uniforms. They set a more serious tone in the classroom that is favorable for learning and can improve student performance. Also, by getting rid of the extra time choosing clothes, students are able to sleep and study more. As a result, students grades will rise. Some say that a child in a school uniform is more likely to take school seriously. Putting on the school uniform signals he or she is going to school just like dad dresses up to go to work. Schools report that when students dress in â€Å"work clothes† rather than â€Å"play clothes† they take a more serious approach to their studies. Even though some people might say that school uniforms interfere with the students right for self-expression, dont prevent violence and place additional economical burden on parents, the pros still outweigh cons. The studies and reports from various schools in the country proved that uniforms can improve discipline and promote the students interest in learning. Uniforms provide students with school uniqueness. Students will stand out in field trips and other school activities feeling a sense of belonging and team unity. The agreement between students will elevate their morale and self-esteem. Students that are together lead to a school that is united. â€Æ'Works Cited Manual on School Uniforms. US Department of Education 29 Feb. 1996. 16 Nov. 2008 . Pro School Uniforms Speech. Onpapers.com 04 Nov. 2008. 16 Nov. 2008 . Public School Uniform Debate. Education Bug 16 Nov. 2008 . Public School Uniform Statistics. Education Bug 16 Nov. 2008 . Reasons to Support School Uniforms. Onpapers.com 25 Jul. 2008. 16 Nov. 2008 . School Uniform. International Debate Education Association 01 Nov. 2000. 12 Nov. 2008 .

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Benefits of Participating in High School Debate

In schools across the world, debate teams are valued for training students in public speaking, grace under pressure, and critical thinking. Student debaters have several advantages, whether they choose to join debate teams on campus or if they debate as members of a political club. Debating provides practice in developing sound and logical arguments.Debate gives students an opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience and thinking on their feet.Students participating in debate show initiative and leadership.The research debaters perform expands their minds and increases their understanding of multiple sides of important issues.Students hone their research skills in preparing for debates. What Is a Debate? Essentially, a debate is an argument with rules. Debating rules vary from one competition to another, and there are several possible debate formats. Debates can involve single-member teams or teams that include several students. In a standard debate, two teams are presented  with a resolution or topic, and each team has a set period of time to prepare an argument. Students typically dont know their debate subjects ahead of time. However, participants are encouraged to read about current events and controversial issues to prepare for debates. This can give teams special strengths in certain topic areas. The goal is to come up with a good argument in a short amount of time. At a debate, one team argues in favor (pro) and the other argues in opposition (con). In some debate formats, each team member speaks, and in others, the team selects one member to speak for the entire team. A judge or a panel of judges assigns points based on the strength of the arguments and the professionalism of the teams. One team is usually declared the winner, and that team advances to a new round. A school team can compete in local, regional, and national tournaments. A typical debate format includes: Teams are advised of the topic and take positions (pro and con).Teams discuss their topics and come up with statements expressing their position.Teams deliver their statements and offer the main points.Teams discuss the oppositions argument and come up with rebuttals.Teams deliver their rebuttals.Teams make their closing statements. Each of these sessions is timed. For instance, teams may have only three minutes to come up with their rebuttal. Interested students without a team at their school can look into starting a debate team or club. Many colleges also offer summer programs that teach debating skills. Lessons Learned Through Debate Knowing how to synthesize information and deliver it to an audience succinctly—even an audience of one—is a skill that benefits people throughout their lives. Debate skills can come in handy when interviewing for jobs, networking for career advancement, conducting meetings, and giving presentations. These soft skills can help in most careers because debate students learn the art of persuasion. Outside of the working world, having good communication skills is useful in activities as ordinary as meeting new people or as special as making a wedding toast in front of a crowd, as debate helps people learn composure and confidence when speaking with others.