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.

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 .

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.

Keep the Drinking Age to 21 - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 731 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/07/01 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Lowering The Drinking Age Essay Did you like this example? Most people do not understand how alcohol affects a persons body and the outcomes. On average 29 people a die from alcohol related accidents. Drunk driving takes about 10,000 people per year. Alcohol has been a controversial issue for many hundreds of years now. Many different countries and states have a different age limit for drinking and buying alcohol. Studies have been taken and there are positives and negatives to having the age limit 21 and having it below 21. Statistics prove that the legal drinking age should stay at 21. Some people will say there are positives to lowering the drinking age and they are not necessarily wrong. It just depends on your viewpoint. One example of lowering the drinking age would be is that they can drink in a public place. This would help them extremely. If they are allowed to drink in a public bar or a public place they can ask for help and have supervision. Many people would be around the person drinking and have the opportunity to help them. Most underage drinking is found in secluded places away from people. If they had people around them, they could help them by giving them a ride home or make sure they are getting home safe. A second reason people say the alcohol age limit should be lowered is because if they can serve our country, they should be able to drink. If a person is eighteen years old, they are risking their lives for our freedom. He or she could possibly lose everything they have just to make sure we have freedom. Once you turn eighteen, you are considered an adult and should be treated like one. If you decide to start drinking, there is consequences to your actions if you do something wrong. It can teach responsibility to young adults who drink. If you decide to drink and drive, that person is putting themselves and everyone around them in danger. If something bad happens, it is your fault and should be punished for your actions. That person should know the consequences before they start drinking to begin with. Keeping the drinking age to 21 has many positives Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Keep the Drinking Age to 21" essay for you Create order Keeping the drinking age to 21 has many positives. The first of many is how it helps your body if you wait until you are older to drink. Alcohol affects your brain by blocking the chemical signals between brain cells over time. Drinking alcohol extensively can cause permanent brain damage. Alcohol can also damage a persons heart, liver and kidneys. Alcohol causes temporary side effect when a person drinks which includes blurred vision, blurred speech, can lose conscious, can lose short term memory, can have no memory of even drinking and can have hangovers. Alcohol is not a topic that should not be taken lightly. It can affect you or a family member at any time and should be taken very seriously. Alcohol has a lot of consequences if you are not careful with it. The main consequence is drinking and driving under the influence. Drinking and driving while intoxicated puts yourself and everyone around you at risk. You can cause an accident by being impaired and hurt or kill someone. When you drive while intoxicated you will get punished for your actions. Every fifty minutes a person is killed related to an alcohol related accident. More than 10,000 people die because of alcohol related crashes. Raising the alcohol age limit to twenty one has dropped the accident rate by 11 percent. If you plan on drinking, make a plan before you start. If you need a ride home make sure you have a designated driver with you or have them pick you up. Do not drink on an empty stomach and do not drink heavily. The age limit for alcohol will always be a controversial issue because of it effects and how people handle it. There are positive and negatives to each situation but having the age limit at 21 savings thousands of innocent peoples lives. Drinking and driving under the influence is a very serious crime and will be punished. It can affect your life as well. Alcohol can affect you or your family at any time so think about that when you drink. People may think that you should be able to drink at 18 if you can serve the country but is that person responsible enough to handle it? The drinking age should stay at 21.

The Constitution Of The United States - 979 Words

In 1787 the Constitution of the United States was written and ratified to better that time period. Many people believe that the Constitution was an excellent tool in previous years but, it is no longer relevant to today’s society. Others disagree, they think that the United States Constitution is still applicable to today’s American citizens. The Constitution is significant to American life, it protects each individual’s rights, limits the federal government’s power, and amendments can be added to accommodate new practices, if necessary. While this document was created two hundred twenty – eight years ago, it is what allows everyone to live their lives freely. On May 25, 1787 delegates from each of the thirteen states attended a meeting. This assembly was known as the Constitutional Convention, and it was located in the State House of Pennsylvania. The long a rigorous task of developing a stronger government began. Edmund S. Morgan states, â€Å"Af ter meeting on ninety-seven days from May 25 to September 17, 1787, the convention submitted a new plan of government to the states for their approval or rejection,† (Morgan, on creating the U.S. Constitution). Morgan claims, â€Å"It had been an arduous and contentious process, sustained through debate and compromiseï‚ ¾and the realization that failure to revise or replace the moribund Articles of Confederation could doom the new nation†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Morgan, Commentary of Delegates Observers). Even George Washington had concerns that the new planShow MoreRelatedThe United States Constitution And The Constitution Essay1491 Words   |  6 PagesThe United States Constitution, this very detailed group of words was written in 1787, but it did not take effect until after it was ratified in 1789, when it replaced the Articles of Confederation. It remains the basic law of the United States then and till the present day of 2016. The first state to ratify the Constitution was D elaware; the last of the original thirteen to ratify was Rhode Island and since only nine were required, this was two years after it went into effect. When the U.S. ConstitutionRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States Constitution Essay1185 Words   |  5 Pages(framers’ of the U.S. Constitution) position on the Presidency: The framers experienced the abuse of the English monarchs and their colonial governors. As a result, the framers were skeptical of the excessive executive authority. Furthermore, they also feared excessive legislative powers. This was something that the Articles of Confederation had given their own state legislatures. The framers of the constitution deliberately fragmented power between the national government, the states, and among the executiveRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States885 Words   |  4 Pages In 1787, our founding fathers came up with a few principles that would establish what we now know as the United States of America. These principles were put on paper to serve as a guideline for how the United States would be operated and structured. This historical piece paper became known as the Constitution of the United States. In the Constitution, a Preamble is implemented at the beginning that essentially tells what the founding fathers set out to do. â€Å"We The People, in order to form a moreRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States894 Words   |  4 Pagesthe substratum for that country. A Constitution can be defined as a document that is the substratum of the country’s principles. Elements in the Constitution may contain sundry information. Which can include: how many terms a leader may serve, what rights the citizens have, how the judicial system works, etc. The United States in no different from those countries. Every constitution is different, no country has the exact constitution as another. The U.S Constitution is a four-page document detailingRead MoreThe United States Constitution Essay1515 Words   |  7 PagesThe United States constitution was written in 1787 by the founding fathers of this country. Now it might be appropriate to question why a document that is the basis of the government for one of the most culturally and racially diverse countries in the world, was written by a group of heterosexual, cisgender, rich, white men. Some might think that a constitution written well over 200 years ago would be outdated and irrelevant to the American society of today but with some research, it is quite theRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States756 Words   |  4 PagesPromulgation and Legislation in the U.S. Constitution: The federal system of government of the United States is based on its constitution. The Constitution grants all authority to the federal government except the power that is delegated to the states. Each state in the United States has its own constitution, local government, statute, and courts. The Constitution of the United States sets the judiciary of the federal government and defines the extent of the federal court’s power. The federalRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1007 Words   |  5 PagesThe United States of America has previously experienced failure every now and then. With trial and error, the country has learned to correct its ways and move toward(s) perfecting itself. Realizing the ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation is a prime example of the U.S. learning how to better itself. Subsequent to the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of the United States was set as our new and improved framework of government. Possessing knowled ge on how America, although strongRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States951 Words   |  4 Pageshappening again. Unlike the artifacts, The Constitution of the United States has not been forgotten, it is actually still very alive today. Unlike most relics, The Constitution still holds a very heroic and patriotic implication, freedom. With freedom comes self-government, freedom of speech, religious tolerance, etc. With all these things comes the great responsibility to adapt and fit to the wants and needs of the decade. Even though the Constitution was made for the interests of the people ofRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1338 Words   |  6 Pages The Constitution is the basis of law in The United States and has been since it was written in 1789. Since then it has been amended 27 times with the first ten amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The US Constitution was preceded by the Articles of Confederation and supported by the Federalist Papers which we will touch more on later. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson all wrote or influenced The Constitution in a very important way. Alexander HamiltonRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1388 Words   |  6 PagesInterpretation of the Constitution is one of the biggest conflicts within the United States–the highly contentious issue of states’ rights resulted from two different interpretations of what powers should belong to the federal government versus what powers belong to the individual states. No issue has ever caused as much turmoil as the issue of states’ rights–but one side must have more v alid arguments. Should the federal government’s power be superior, or should the authority of the individual states be held

Shapes of Ice Free Essays

Shapes of ice do depend on how fast they felt, no doubt about it. Here is what people ask. â€Å"Does the shape of an ice cube affect the rate at which the ice cube will melt?†, and the answer to that question is a definite yes. We will write a custom essay sample on Shapes of Ice or any similar topic only for you Order Now Have you ever looked at an ice cube and just watched it melt? It is surprisingly very, very interesting. All of us have better things to do besides that, but if you have, you won’t regret it. Anyway, the answer to that experiment is yes because it is scientifically proven. Many scientists in the world have wondered this same question, and they all have turned out to get the same answer. When these people finally got their answer, they all have gotten close, if not the exact same answers if they have chosen the shapes to form. Scientists have done this experiment in many ways, such as choosing different shapes to form and melt, choosing the amount of water to freeze, and the temperature of the room they have to melt the cubes.( University of Illinois, 2007). One important thing that is looked at is the scientists’ hypotheses. Many scientists’ hypotheses are very different, knowing it is an educated guess, but the end result shows they all come up with nearly the same answer, and that is the rectangular ice cube will melt the fastest, no matter how large they make the cube. ( Zimmermann, 2017). The most complicated question behind this experiment is why is it the rectangular shape that melts the fastests. The rate at which the ice cubes melt is also called the fusion rate. Ice melts when a warmer medium, such as air or water comes into contact with the ice surface. Also, in order to know exactly which shape melts the fastest, they need to have the same volume, or the experiment will be pointless. An important thing to know is the greater the surface area, the quicker the ice cube will melt. Other people’s experiments have been slightly different than what we have here, but they are known to choose the rectangular shape as one of their shapes the majority of the time. (â€Å"Ice Melting†, 2013). It also states that each scientists went through about the same struggles during the process of the experiment. ( l Zimmermann, 2017.). The most simple struggle was getting the particular shape out of the container without having it break or making it deformed. Because the shapes weren’t the normal shape, it is tricky to get it out of the ice cube tray. Many scientist have had a question, and that is the exact opposite of the question people usually deal with. Not how fast they melt, but how fast they freeze. All in all, the rectangular shape, because it is flat and has more surface area than the others, will melt the fastest. If you think and picture in your mind, the larger the surface area is, the more heat will get to it at the same time, and of course heat melts ice. ( David Zimmermann, 2017.) ( â€Å"Shapes of Ice Cubes†, n.d.) How to cite Shapes of Ice, Papers

Social Normalities and Voicing of Opposition free essay sample

Brian Crane Throughout history, social norms have dictated the opinions of all members of society to a certain extent. Expressing disapproval of these social norms is a difficult and ambitious task, seeing as one challenging a social norm is essentially disputing, in addition to often disproving, the reasoning and opinions of the majority of any given culture. Take, for example, the ending of ones own life under the circumstances of terminal illness. Now, our basic and most common cultural view on the subject is that suicide is not a natural death and therefore a violation of nature regardless of nes physical condition. However, it is nature itself that has given us as humans the intellect to contemplate such a decision. If nature has enabled us to develop the intellectual ability to contemplate suicide, then one could argue that choosing to end ones life is in fact a natural death simply because nature has allowed us to examine the pros and cons of life or death. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Normalities and Voicing of Opposition or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, this is not to say that suicide based on emotional imbalance is in any way Just or morally acceptable. Mental illnesses, which often bring about suicidal deation, can be treated, therefore ridding one of all motivation to end their own life. Generally, those who suffer from mental illnesses cannot be held accountable for their own life because the affective disorder inhibits them from perceiving reality the way they once did. So, the argument that the time of our death should not be a decision we as humans can morally make is somewhat valid although very misguided. It is wrong to look down upon terminally ill people who choose suicide as their cause of death. The many different circumstances leading up to ones death akes this topic too complex for one to claim that choosing life over death is morally applicable and correct in every situation that involves the contemplation of suicide. John West discusses his fathers decision to end his life before enduring the pain, suffering, and eventual death caused by cancer in an excerpt from The Last Goodnights: Assisting My Parents with Their Suicides. Judging from this excerpt, West and his father seem to be very well rounded, cultured individuals in addition to being extremely open minded and emotionally balanced. Wests father was a very mportant fgure in the world of psychiatry. His knowledge on the topic of suicide is obviously very extensive. Their opinions and examinations of this topic are indeed equally as rational as they themselves are as people. Dealing with the death of a parent is hard enough emotionally as it is, but the fact that West is grounded enough to grapple with the complexity and sorrow of assisted suicide is a testament to his extreme emotional maturity. He sheds light on a crucial point in support of his fathers decision as he asks the reader, Should Jolly [my father] have been forced to endure a few more days or eeks of agony Just to satisfy some peoples notions that death should be natural? (33 West) If one were to explore the possible answers to the question West asks above, without an impartial view based on societal influences, it is undeniable that one would agree with the opinion that such a great deal of suffering is not necessary to tultill the requirements ot a morally sound death In tact, it is arguable that Wests decision to assist his father with his suicide and in-turn spare him from such a great deal of pain is actually a more compassionate choice in comparison to xposing him to months of unimaginable pain by denying his fathers request. Again, West implies that suicide is not a natural death. A supplemental argument to his case is missing. If one were to argue that suicide and natural death cannot possibly go hand in hand, then why has nature allowed our intellect to excel to a point at which suicide is even a possible conception for the human race? Later on in the excerpt, West reflects on his memory of when his father asked him to commit assisted suicide. He recalls: I sat up in my chair. I suddenly felt hot and cold at the same time, as I realized hat he meant. But as powerfully as his words registered, the idea behind them didnt seem strange at all. It made sense. He was about to die anyway, so why linger in pain? I knew Id want to do the same thing if I were in his position. (34 West) Jollys contemplation of suicide is undoubtedly a common one of people with analogous situations to his own. Most would find it hard to believe that this wouldnt cross the mind of a person with a terminal illness that would soon lead to unimaginable pain and suffering, followed by death. If exploration of suicide is in act a common happening, why is it that the practice of suicide to avoid agony followed by death is not more common as well? It seems as though the answer to this question is quite simple; It is socially unacceptable to commit such an act solely because it is abnormal. Because abnormality is not a sensible or rational reason not to do something, making the argument that suicide is not a morally righteous death is in-turn irrational and insensible as well. Another challenger of social norms is Catherine Newman, author of I Do. Not. : Why I Wont Marry. Although Newman discusses a very different topic than West does in his short story, the two subjects are very closely related. Newman is a successful writer with a little too much insight on the role of women in society, and the flaws of this role, to happily accept monogamy and more importantly marriage. She breaks down the history of marriage and its original role in society. Marriage represents a very evil concept that very few are even aware of. Newman describes it is as such: marriage is about handing the woman off, like a baton, from her father to her husband. Also known as traffic in women, this is how men have historically solidified their economic connections to other men and guaranteed the continuation of their Seed. (Newman 61) Women were more like bargaining chips for men than soulmates. Marriage is the legal bonding of two families, which doesnt sound very romantic as marriage is made out to be. Although women are no longer owned by their husbands, this ritual is still quite demeaning. Many women experience some feelings of inferiority and in-turn feelings of resentment towards men due to the heavy influence of the media and its bjectification of women. Newman seems to be a prime example of this. Her additional education on the history of the subject has given her an even greater grasp of the hardships of women in our contemporary society which are overlooked more often than not by the general population. Voicing out against the social norm of marriage is extremely commendable and in addition, a betterment of the mentality ot those who are exposed to the underlying implications ot such an act through ner courageous writing. It seems as though many social norms have become so routine to follow and abide y that we rarely ponder the ideas behind them.