"Shift Happens"

The video assigned was fascinating and scary all at once.  It seems not only are we humans overpopulating and abusing the earth, but we’re also making great advances in technology that still seem unimaginable. For example, China and India have the largest populations in the world. Even though communist China has a nationwide rule that allows only one child per family, China’s population equals ¼ of the world! As for technology, in a few decades a $1,000 computer will outsmart the human race. Wow!

 Since technology is currently being updated every two years, students hard spent time in college may seem a waste. For example, by the time a college student is in his junior year, his education during his freshman year will be outdated- useless!  Since college is so very expensive especially since the recession, educators need to prepare for this somehow.

Although technology improves our lives in many ways, it also brings negative aspects to the table.  With the internet we are now able to connect to others located in the other side of the world. Also, in the United States, one out of every eight couples married last year met online! That right there shows just how empowering and connecting the internet is to us.

The video “Shift Happens” worried me overall.  Although I am not one to support making rules on family members allowed per household, something has to be done. Maybe it’s time to limit those unable to care for their children… i.e. abusive parents or junkies. As for technology, the government should invest more money on our children’s education rather than on other policies that don’t warrant such importance.

Week 15:Urban/Suburban/Rural Life

I was raised in a small town in western Michigan. Although I lived in suburban Fruitport, I commuted to suburban Grand Haven for school and church events. I prefer the suburban lifestyle because the urban setting is too crowded and often filled with crime while the rural life is too spread out in terms of population. I like privacy, but I also want next-door neighbors.

I didn’t really see changes in my small town growing up. I was very sheltered, as I’ve stated before. I’ve been away from home back in good ole Michigan, and since then Fruitport has grown and is bustling with business. I hope Fruitport doesn’t become like big cities like Muskegon or Grand Rapids, because of the quaint things about Fruitport was the quiet and the kind neighbors where everyone knew everyone and where a friend was the next-door neighbor.

I’m not sure what my current town of Woodbridge would be considered, but I’d love to have a smaller town when I’m ready to settle down with a family. After all, suburbs like Fruitport are the perfect place for a family. J

Week 14: Who has the power?

The United States of America is known world wide as a democracy. Many flee their native countries to come to America for a chance at a better life. After all, America is a democracy. Our country is run by the people… indirectly! If the people do not run our country, then who?

Well, think of Weber’s theory of democratic elitism. This theory best suits on who wields the power in our democracy. According to this theory, the government is the best and most efficient agency to run the country. The government of the United States governs the American population. After all, how could all Americans agree on all issues?

Unfortunately, those who run our country aren’t always honest. Corruption exists. For example, why should Congress vote on their own pay? Of course they’ll vote on getting a raise! Maybe its time for the people to govern the country.

Is Walmart Good for America?

Wal-Mart, is it good or bad? I didn’t know until recently that Wal-Mart is the most admired company of the United States. Crazy isn’t it? Why crazy? I believe that it’s crazy that so many people love this company that thrives on capitalism simply because of the low prices it provides. What’s crazy to me is that Wal-Mart, an American corporation, bullies it’s fellow Americans.

            Many just see the good Wal-Mart brings. Sure it provides low prices, and jobs in the customer service or retail sector. But what about all the people they’re putting out of business? What about other companies that is forced to shut down because Wal-Mart is a bully? What about the disgusting difference between exports versus imports from the United States to China? It is because of corporations like Wal-Mart that China practically owns us. Even American flags flown on Independence Day are made in China!!

            China, a communist nation, is welcomed by the United States. We send them products such as cardboard boxes or agriculture products and they send us the end product. We, the United States of America, act more like a third world country than the world power we are.

            Wal-Mart is a momentary joy because of the rock bottom prices. But it is corporations like Wal-Mart that will be our downfall. I believe Wal-Mart is bad for America! 

P.S. I don't shop there anymore. 

Week 12: Domestic Division of Labor

This activity really stirred me.  Although I grew up in a “traditional” family atmosphere, I strongly believe there is no absolute norm. Over fifty years ago, women were expected to stay at home to upkeep the house and raise the children. Men on the other hand worked outside the home and were the sole bread winners.  But wait… that was well over fifty years!!!

Today, women are far more educated and far more independent. Thank goodness! If both spouses work outside the home, then it’s only fair that both spouses split the home duties evenly.

My parents were neither traditional nor way out of the norm.  My parents worked as a team. They split work evenly even though my father worked outside the home.  Parenting is a full time job. A stay at home parent is the most trying job.  My father would take over while my mother had a “time out”.

As for me, I couldn’t imagine not working.  I’ve been working since I was 18 years. Five years later, I can’t imagine staying at home and depending on my husband to bring home all the income.  Now, this isn’t because of pride; but rather because I am an independent woman who would go stir crazy if stuck at home all day.

Each generation is different from the last. I believe in a family structure, but I also value my independence.  Therefore, it’s only right to split home chores evenly after work with my husband.  After all, we are equals; both created in God’s image. J

Separation of Church and State?

Separation of church and state is a very controversial issue here in the United States.  Since I was raised in a conservative Baptist home, I grew up believing there should be no separation of church and state.  After all, our country was built on a Christian foundation. But after exposure to other cultures and other religions, my views have changed.

Imagine having another person’s religion forced on you.  How does that feel?  I for one believe in tolerance of others and in a peaceful co-existence.  America is a melting pot with many different cultures and ethnicities thrown into our lot. As diverse and widely known for the rights to freedom, we ought to respect each other.

Separation of church and state is probably the best thing to do. I wouldn’t want someone else to force their beliefs on me; so it’s only fair I don’t do it either.  

Week 10: Blog Entry on Race and Ethnicity Topics

Racism has been an issue that has plagued our country since its birth.  To think that racial inequality no longer exists is to think that air is not needed for one’s survival. The website on the internment of Japanese Americans was a great informational website that delved into the history and American conflicts during WW II.

I was both shocked and appalled at the degree of racism both Japanese Americans and Japanese nationals were forced to bear. What was most disturbing was that even though our government had no evidence to support claims that Japanese Americans or Japanese nationals were spies, these individuals were forced out of their homes and into lowly concentration camps with armed guards. President Roosevelt ignored reports from various organizations like the FBI and the Naval Intelligence that there wasn’t a need to round up those of Japanese descent and incarcerate them.  FBI director J. Edgar Hoover stated, “… the decision to evacuate was… based primarily on public and political pressures rather than factual data.”

How could this happen in the United States of America? How could this happen in a land that believed “innocent until proven guilty”? This happened because racism back during the WW II era was still widely accepted. The only difference between then and now is that racism is implicit whereas back then it was explicit. The website on the internment of Japanese Americans was an eye opener for me. Studying and learning history is essential in preventing history from repeating itself.

Week 9: Social Construction of Gender

Gender inequality exists in the United States. Today, gender inequality prevails implicitly rather than explicitly.  Our textbook teaches that gender inequality is learned through socialization.  How true that is! From an early age children are taught boys are stronger while girls are the weaker sex.  Boys are given trucks and video games while girls are given Barbie dolls and little kid-sized kitchens.  Males and females are expected to fill different roles in society from the moment they’re born. Now, is this right? Well, I’m on middle ground here.  Although I believe God created men and women differently, I also believe we are equal.

On the other hand, some women enjoy being objectified.  They enjoy the attention and perks it may bring.  It is not only men downplay a woman’s value. Now is the time to change that.

I am what some would call a liberal feminist. I believe that men and women should be treated equally politically and legally.  No more to men receiving a higher salary than a woman who has the same qualifications than him! No more to a woman being expected to be Susie homemaker! I support a family organization, but I also support gender equality.

Week 8: Global Inequality

Global inequality affects our everyday life. It affects us because all countries are interknit as each affects one another. Mexico is far behind the United States when it comes to power and success in riches. In film Food Inc, Mexican workers were recruited to come to the United States to work for a meat company.  That same meat company that recruited those people later turned them in to immigration and customs.

Another place where such crimes of global inequality are being committed is in China.  American factories move most manufacturing businesses overseas where working conditions and minimum pay cost them the least therefore yielding a far higher profit.  In that scenario, while the company benefits, the victims are those workers. Those victims are forced to tolerate such miserable treatment since in many cases that job is the best job around.  Everyday third world country citizens are being exploited to further riches of world powers such as the US. 

Such outrageous acts don’t affect just the foreigners…it also affects Americans here in our country! These manufacturing jobs going overseas bring forth one more American unemployed.  Here is where global inequality falls into place.  Those examples are an injustice that needs to be rectified.

Week 7: Social Class

Segregation in the United States was abolished years ago, yet at some levels it still exists.  Race is not the only contributing factor for segregation. Segregation is separation of race, CLASS, or ethnicity.  The US is known as the land of opportunity.  It’s common belief that a young child from a poor background may one day grow up to be President.  Here in this great land, anything is possible.  

Unfortunately, regardless of all the endless possibilities, segregation of class still exists.  According to our textbook, separation exists from the working class, middle class, and upper class. But it also applies to children.  At school, social class is marked by brands of clothing or the latest technology the student owns.  Cliques form based on similar characteristics.  Among those characteristics are possessions.  Kids hang out with other kids from a similar social class, because they best relate to those kids. As lamentable as it is, social class matters.

Social class in the United States matters on so many levels.  Some choose to not be seen with or associate with certain people in fear of being lowered in status.  Others associate with people of a certain class to elevate status or to be seen as charitable. Social class matters because those of higher social class have better access to a higher quality education and therefore better opportunities in life.

The PBS website People Like Us was both decorative in style and informative in knowledge. The website had stories, games, and resources available.  I believe that it’s important to know there is an issue in order to fix it.  PBS is known as an educational organization. It addressed quite well the issue of social class.

Week Six: Changing Social Connections

Today Americans are far more isolated due to technology than ever before.  We have so much available such as phones, webcams, and social networking websites. It’s easier to utilize the technology available than to actually make time for others in this fast paced society.

Technology hinders growth of socialization and builds a freedom to personify something they’re not.  Ever heard of the country song by Brad Paisley “Online”?  The lyrics are so true as to what could and probably is happening.  Technology enables people to pretend they’re something they’re not. Who’s to know better? Americans need to be careful with depending too heavily on technology.  Many are becoming socially awkward when it comes to face to face time.  Let’s not forget the importance of physical interaction!

On the other hand, technology can be a good thing.  Many such as soldiers and Marines that are away from home depend on technology to keep in touch with family.  Telephone calls, text messages, webcam videos over Skype, social networking on Facebook and so much more are a blessing.  These avenues of communication are like glue that keeps families or groups of friends together.

Technology has both pros and cons.  It’s something that like everything else can be abused if overused.

Week Five: The Criminal Justice System

According to the International Centre for Prison Studies 2007, the United States has the highest incarceration rates when compared to fourteen other countries.  How is this possible when the United States is a world leader? How can we police nations when we can't manage to police our own?  Over the past forty years the state and federal prison population has increased dramatically based on information provided by the US Bureau of Justice Statistics.

In my last sociology class we watched "Waiting For Superman".  In that documentary I learned that more taxpayer's money is spent on jails rather than on schools.  Ridiculous!!!!

Instead of focusing so much on prisoners, we should be focusing on our future- the children!  Children are impressionable, soaking up the good and the bad.

The government should enforce harsher punishment on criminals which would deter them from committing the crime in the first place.  Our government should invest more resources on our children.  Preventive care is far more inexpensive than damage repair.

Week Four: Nature vs Nurture

For years there has been a debate on nature versus nurture.  Is a person a product of their parents’ genes or is that person a product of his parents’ nurture?  There is evidence to support either claim.  As for me, I believe that both nature and nurture play a big role in how a person turns out.

I’ve always enjoyed observing others. I observe how they react to situations.  Then I wonder why they chose what they chose.  If a child from a broken home ends up bouncing from foster home to foster home until he turns of legal age and is thrown out to the real world, unequipped, turns out to be a “low life,” is that to be expected?  Would you expect a person from the same situation to grow up to be a successful contributing citizen? Most would probably not think he could end up well.  But why?  Was it because of his environment?  Were his parents uneducated, lazy or disgusting?  What if he succeeded even though his parents were unfit in all ways to be a parent?

When I was young, my mother did foster care.  I’ve seen children come in and out of our home over the years.  Some were helped, but not all.  Not all of those children’s parents were awful. Sometimes life just happened.

Humans have free will.  Although our experiences or nurture may influence our decisions, ultimately it falls upon the individual to choose his path.

A man doesn’t commit murder because he has a “killer gene”.  A man may kill because he chose that.  Although he may have had a mental illness which is inherited through nature, in the end, its up to that man. Nature and nurture go hand in hand, but in most cases, free will is the deciding factor.

Hugh Laurie's Song For America

As much as I love Hugh Laurie starring in “House,” I don’t like him so much in this video!  In the video from the BBC Network, the Brits are mocking us Americans.  Laurie symbolizes the average Joe (American) musician. It’s apparent the Brits believe that American music is repetitive, pointless or without substance, and mostly about patriotism. Those things listed, in the eyes of the Brits (the audience) are of laughing matter.  Another interesting observation I made was Hugh’s attire.  I’ve been in Europe and many Europeans feel or at least act superior to Americans.  Many view Americans as fat and lazy. The crazy thing about it all is that the United States of America is a super power that many nations rely upon.

After watching this video, I googled on YouTube other videos of differences between Brits and Americans.  One video was of Hugh Laurie and Ellen DeGeneres.  Both celebrities were playing a guessing game on each other’s slang terms.  It became apparent to me that both British citizens and American citizens are cocky by nature. The UK, more than anything, may still be bitter about losing the States (America…America…America…) and since then have been forced to hide behind the great shadow of the United States.

This video on YouTube misinterpreted American music and Americans.  Truth is we Americans are awesome!

The Stanford Prison Experiment

Back in December 2006 I attended Marine Corps boot camp for three months. The Stanford Prison Experiment, though similar, was NOT the same. Thank goodness I've never been to prison so I don't know about that, but I wouldn't ever want to participate in anything like the Stanford Prison Experiment!!

Although the participants volunteered for this experiment, I think that experiment was unethical.  Three things that concerned me the most were: the attire the "prisoners" were forced to wear, the punishment for the rebellion, and the "replacement toilet" bucket.

At Marine Corps boot camp, men are shaved to cut individuality while women are forced to adhere to specific grooming regulations. Recruits are required be in uniformity when it comes to attire.  We were issued uniforms that consisted of utilities (woodland cammies), pt gear (a green shirt and green shorts), boots, socks, and for women sport bras.  But in the Stanford Prison Experiment the men were forced to wear gowns with no underwear.  It was soon noticed that the prisoners soon after began to walk, sit and in general act differently- more like women! It doesn't seem right to force that onto another.

The next thing that troubled me was the punishment for the rebellion. Prisoners were stripped naked, harassed and intimated! Now, I understand punishment for wrongdoing, but this?! Not only were they psychologically attacked, but they also were attacked physically by forcing them to be naked.

Lastly, what caught my eye was the bucket for toilet condition.  In boot camp, a recruit was NEVER denied a bathroom break.  A person can become ill from not using the bathroom when needed.  The guards not only denied bathroom breaks, but they also forced the prisoners to use buckets as toilets.  What is worse in this situation is that the guards, at times, wouldn't allow the prisoners to empty the buckets.  It's as if to them, the guards, humiliating the prisoners into using a bucket in their own cell wasn't enough humiliation that they (the prisoner) also had to dwell in that cell with the "full" bucket. The bucket situation was both a psychological and environmental issue.

Overall, I believe that the Stanford Prison Experiment was unethical. I hope that prisons don't actually allow guards to treat the prisoners as the "guards" treated the "prisoners" in the Stanford Prison Experiment.

Week One Blog Entry: Introductions

My name is Ahime (pronounced Amy). I'm from Michigan, but moved to Virginia in June 2007.  I moved to Virginia because of my job back then. I was on active duty in the Marine Corps from December 2006 to December 2010.  I still owe the Marine Corps some time.  Although at this time its very unlikely that I'll get recalled to active duty.
I went to college before the Marine Corps and took some courses throughout my career.  Thanks to the post 9/11 GI bill I'm able to be enrolled in classes full time. At NOVA my degree plan is an Associates degree in Liberal Arts.  Come spring (2012), I'll be attending George Mason University in pursuit of a B.A.  in Psychology. I know sociology is not the same as psychology.  But I took a sociology course spring semester at NOVA and I absolutely loved it!
I love the outdoors, but I hate bugs. I enjoy mostly country and rock music, but I hate rap music. I haven't been able to eat meat since I watched "Food INC." My favorite color is pink (I'm super "girly"), but I love shooting an M16.
Hmmmm, what else? Oh yes, I love meeting new people, I love talking, and I'm also a great listener.
P.S. I talk too much at times. :)