The first step for a research is, framing your research question. This question will help in identifying a problem that needs to be fixed in that specific area. It also helps the student to know where, what and how to effectively and efficiently search the information. This step requires a student to choose the sources where to access the required information during the research process. A research conducted with valid and relevant is more likely to yield successful findings.
2
The first step of research involves preparing resources that are to be used while conducting research. It involves putting into practice on how that particular research will be conducted. It also involves having good preparation strategies and ensures availability of research resources. The success of the research depends on the ability of the student to acquire quality information.
3
There are assumptions and bias underlying drug research. One of the assumptions underlying drug research is that drug companies are aimed at making profit. Therefore, it is a big conflict of interest for drug companies to fund any research. Healthcares somewhere turned into business rather than producing what is best for patients. That is why drug companies are just interested in making money thus biasing research using varying tactics taking advantage of the public. They are basically coercing everyone involved in the process of research. They are known of using PR manipulative tactics to cover up unfavorable findings to their products. They confuse and mislead the public by offering unreliable degrees of truth on how they conduct the research, evaluate finding, what they are aware of and how to finically compensate whoever involved. Opportunities for bias also manifold since companies are always seeking to promote drugs and thus they tend to design research that make their products look better rather than designing research that makes the products effective to the consumers for the better mate of the consumers (Whoriskey, 2012). They do select concurring academics to execute the work, who then run their statistics such that the drugs appear to be better than they actually are. They report positive trial results for instance a research argument over Vioxx which was positively reported by two companies but was later discovered of causing heart troubles including heart attacks and cardiac related deaths (Whoriskey, 2012). Other assumptions and bias that underlie drug research is the application of generalization in drug studies. Generalizations include assumptions that the side effects of a drug are similar to everyone. This generalization may not be valid when people are evaluated hence causing inaccurate results. The other bias that can affect drug research is based on gender where it is assumed that all males have strong body system thus, they require more stronger and effective drugs as compared to females. This is likely to yield incorrect results because people have different body systems not just a matter of gender.
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As a consumer, I also have personal bias on the drug research. I believe that drug companies create drugs while knowing the deadly side effects since the Food and Drug Administration is always regulated by the federal government which I consider to be impermeable to the bias. I also believe that a lot is being covered from the drug industries pertaining the studies done on the drugs and the side effects.
The Roles of Husbands and Wife and the Importance of Friendships
“The Doll house”, by Henrik Ibsen is a play which portays women as inferior people as compared to men in the society. The main protagonist is Nora who is married to Torvald Helmer and is a mother of three. She has been living all along pleasing her husband and abiding to his rules and demands even though deep inside she does not like it. Her husband is guarding his reputation and ensures his wife does everything he says. Thus the play identifies women as objects used by men to please themselves rather than men making them happy. Marriages in this play are viewed as unsuccessful since most married women are not happy in their marriages. For instance, Mrs. Linde opens up to Nora and tells her that she got married in order to help her family financially. Thus she got married to a rich man so that she could cater for the needs of her family since they had financial problems. While people get married because of love it is clear from this play that women get married because of money too. Thus women are viewed as people who depend on men for financial stability. Women in this play have very strict roles as they are limited to being wives and mothers while their husbands are the bread winners and superior. Therefore this paper will discuss the play showing how it gave a voice to all women and left an uneasy feeling with the men. It revealed completely how a woman had lived her life, by fulfilling her husband’s and her father’s desires only to see that those dreams were not her own.
Women are important people in the society and therefore deserve to be treated with respect regardless of their financial status. Traditionally, women were viewed as objects and therefore inferior compared to men unlike in the 21st century where men and women are all treated equally. Henrik Ibsen in his play portrays women as people who cannot make decisions on their own and thus men have the final say (Ibsen 65). For instance, Nora who is the main protagonist is not allowed by her husband, Torvald, to make any decision since he views her as an object more so a pet which is supposed to do everything that pleases him. He does not respect his wife and the mother of his children and to some extent his actions suggest that he does not love her. He ensures she remains confined to their home and does household chores and her duties are those of a wife and a mother. Nora does not love this life and is determined to change her life since she want to discover herself as she is lost in a marriage she is not happy in (Ibsen 67). She says that her husband and father are not different since they treat her equally confining her to duties of a wife. This shows that women in this society are not treated with respect and are not happy in their marriages since they are not allowed to make decisions affecting their lives and even those of their families. Women in this society are viewed as objects to please their husbands and treated like children and must adhere to the rules made by their husbands.
In the 21st century women are given equal education chances to men. Women get the best education in the best schools which is the same case to men. Women of today are empowered and capable of doing everything men do and in some cases even perform better than men. Henrik Ibsen however, portrays women as uneducated people who depend on men in order to survive. Women in this society were not educated and especially they did not get university education as opposed to men thus men were intellectually superior compared to women (Ibsen 59). As a result of this women were treated like children and men taught them how they were supposed to live telling them what to or not do. Women in the 21st century has transformed since they do not need a man to guide them since they make their own decisions and live as they please. Nora lived a life full of stress since she had to obey her husband and do as he pleases since this is what she was expected to do even by the society. Therefore this shows that the society supported the oppression done to women since they viewed women as inferior people who could not live without depending on men and decisions made by men too. Women had two roles which were that of being a mother and a good wife to the husbands unlike the woman of today who chooses to remain a wife or not. This play shows that women started realizing themselves since Norah left her husband and children so that she could gain her freedom back and discover herself since she had been lost in an unhappy marriage (Ibsen 120). Therefore women started discovering themselves and fighting for their rights which had been violated in the past.
Men and women had their different roles in the marriages. Men were educated people thus formally employed therefore making them the bread winners in their families. Mrs. Linde preferred to get married to a rich man since she did not have money to support her family. This shows that men owned property unlike women who depended on men for financial support (Ibsen 76). Men had a major role to make important decisions regarding their families and also gave women instructions on what to do or not to do. For instance in the beginning of the play, Nora was prohibited by her husband not to eat sweets. This is one sign of showing how women could not make decisions by themselves and thus followed oppressive decisions made to them by men. Women on the other hand had their roles of remaining subjects to women regardless of whether it their husbands. They had to obey all men and treat them well and respect them as well. Women had strict roles of pleasing their husbands and obeying them. Their main roles included that of being good mothers and the best wives. They were not allowed to make any decisions concerning themselves or even their families. For instance, Nora was not allowed by her husband to contribute to his decision regarding the bank’s decision when he was sacked. She even went to plead with Krogstad but she was dismissed because she is a women. Krogstas says that "It's because you plead for him that I can't help him. Everyone at the bank knows that I've sacked him. If it comes out that the new manager changes his mind when his wife demands it" (Ibsen 49). This implies that he cannot do anything suggested to him by a woman.
Women are well known to share their problems unlike men. Women share their problems with fellow women and learn they are not alone. Mrs. Linde shared with Nora that she got married so that she could help her families financially (Ibsen 87).She sacrificed her life and ensured her family got financial support from her rich husband. In most cases women are seen to sacrifice themselves so that other people can live happily. Women who were not able to work for themselves had to look for alternatives so that their families survived. Women sacrificed their own happiness and ensured their children and husbands remained happy. Nora shared her marriage life with Mrs. Linde who encouraged her and by doing this they both got revealed and learnt they shared almost similar stories since they were not happy in their marriages. Nora borrows Mrs. Linde money in order to help her husband but she advices her it would result to more problems. This shows that Nora is ready to do anything so that her husband remains happy and his reputation is not damaged (Ibsen 53). Anne Marie is seen to give her child for adoption just to ensure she and her baby get financial breakthrough. She is not ready to see her child suffer and thus shares her story with Nora who wonders why a mother would give up her child for adoption. She works extra hard to ensure she get enough finances which will maintain her and her child since she is a single mother.
Finally, the play portrays women as people who have been denied their rights but have now realized this and are ready to fight for their rights back. Nora runs away from her family since she has had enough and now wants to discover herself and fight for her rights as a modern woman (Ibsen 120). Women are oppressed because of their gender and thus men cannot listen to them simply because of their feminine gender. Women are important people and not objects or subjects to men as shown in the play. Women deserve respect and are supposed to be involved in decisions not only affecting their families but the entire society as well. Unlike in the play, women deserve to be given the best education so that they can live independently and not treated as children and intellectually inferior. Henrik Ibsen portrays women as having two major roles as good mothers and the best wives (Wilderet et al 87). Women go beyond performing these two roles and are important people in the society where they work and earn and live independently without men. In this play women are viewed as people who cannot live without men and depend on men for financial support. This is not seen in the 21st century woman since women in this century are independent women who ensure they work and earn their own money. In the play women sacrifice their happiness for the sake of their children and husbands. Instead of enjoying happy lives they sacrifice their happiness for the sake of others. Thus women need to live happy lives where they are not deprived off their rights and are given freedom to live happily and equally with men.
Work cited
Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll's House: A Play in Three Acts. Boston: W.H. Baker, 1890. Print.
Wilder, Thornton, and Henrik Isben. A Doll's House. , 2016. Print.
The Social Study journal article majors on the downgrade of it learning especially on the elementally level where have been documented repeatedly. According to the research on the centre of education policy, no child is left behind on the federal education thereby; there is limit time for social studies. It is obvious that denying students the chance to build social studies vocabulary as well as background knowledge might lead to lower mastery levels thus; increasing achievement gaps. In many countries mathematics is considered as the test score as well as the measuring score of learning. Social studies is included in the high-stakes testing, both novice plus veteran teachers tailor their teaching to the content requirement of the test relatively to evocative educational concept (Holloway, 2009).
The article suggests that social studies’ major aim in school as the promotion of civil competence which involves skills; intellectual processes as well as democratic positions required for students in being active plus engage in public life participants. Civic capability is not only accountability of social studies nor is it exclusive to the field; it is more essential to social studies than to any other subject area in school. It is important to support social studies since it will encourage young people to grow while skilled and committed to democracy thereby, it will be necessary in sustaining as well as improving national democracy plus generate its participation in the global community (Holloway, 2009).
The journal article majors on the belief on social studies that it is a non- essential portion on the curriculum thereby, it should be taught after learning other considered essential subjects like mathematics. In many countries nowadays social studies has been considered optional to the students thus, only few considers i. The today’s generation forget that social study is the only study with rich knowledge on addressing cultural, linguistics as well as learning diversity which involves similarities plus differences on based races. It is the responsibility of the global community to generate the opportunity in exploring the variety plus intricacy of human experience through a dynamic as well as meaningful education. According to the article, preparation children in autonomous ideologies and submerging them in age-appropriate as well as brainy independent approaches. Social Study is the only learning that will enable the young generation to acquire the initial skills which prepares them to participating respectfully as well as intelligently in a country plus world marked by globalization (Holloway, 2009).
In conclusion social studies opts to be considered as integrative in nature since it is powerful and cresses disciplinary boundaries to address to address topics in ways which promote social understanding as well as political effectiveness. It is a belief that effective practice limits social studies in specified time but according to the article, only in class that the certainty can be elaborated by generating skills across the curriculum. today’s generation forget that social study is the only study with rich knowledge on addressing cultural, linguistics as well as learning diversity which involves similarities plus differences on based races. It is the obligation of the universal municipal to engender the opportunity in exploring the variety plus intricacy of human experience through a dynamic as well as meaningful education. According to the article, preparation children in autonomous ideologies and submerging them in age-appropriate as well as brainy independent approaches. If social study is a part of curriculum it will provide a sense of history of the young generation thereby, generate extension in the past as well as the present (Holloway, 2009).
References
Holloway, J. E., & Chiodo, J. (2009). Social studies being taught in elementary schools: A contrarian view. Journal of Social Studies Research, 33, 235–261.
Many people are still unaware that it still exists in our workforce, schools and in our social lives.
Racism is bad as it has numerous negative effects especially to the affected party (Valls, 2005).
An individual is not born a racist but grows to be one in adulthood.
How the person becomes a racist is determined by how they are brought up.
Thesis statement
Racism can never be beneficial as it is more harmful to the people causing social problems.
Body
Paragraph 1
Racism brings in frustration to the affected person as they tend to become angrier with themselves (Nunnally, 2012).
They do not appreciate themselves as they are considered to be of less importance.
Immigrants have been subject to racism more than any other group of people together with their generations (Sullivan, 2014).
Disturbance is a psychological factor that can be considered to be a root cause of racism causing frustration (Sullivan, 2014).
Hatred is felt and through racism it is increased.
It causes a division hence an ugly act (Nunnally, 2012).
Paragraph 2
Superiority and inferiority as a result of racism that has brought division amongst the people (Valls, 2005).
Their lives are shattered and destroyed to an extent that they do not have equal access to healthcare facilities, employment opportunities and unfair hearings in the justice system.
Prejudice continues to endanger a certain group of people as they are evaluated on the basis of their races (Sullivan, 2014).
It is a painful experience to the involved party.
Efficiency and productivity is greatly affected (Valls, 2005).
Antagonism is experienced by the inferior race.
Chauvinism plays a great role as it is practiced by the superior race.
Paragraph 3
Racial discrimination is a problem of racism that mostly affects the minority teens affecting their self-esteem (Valls, 2005).
Where a black teen is identified as a shoplifter then the whole black community feels the burden (Valls, 2005).
Wrong judgment is mostly passed to the weaker race affecting the whole society especially where jury is not evenly composed.
Racism is a bad influence on the people as it generalizes the whole race in accordance with an act performed (Sullivan, 2014).
In most cases the wrongs of an individual are considered to be the wrongs of the whole race (Sullivan, 2014).
Conclusion
Racism in the society affects all the people as it is a negative form of energy.
It is a burden to all people as there is stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination
Racism can be presented on different platforms such as social practices and in the political systems.
Racism ideology underlies in the racist's practices that sub-divide the distinct groups.
There is denial of equal chances
Racism causes discrimination and conflicts.
Racism discrimination is more harmful to the individuals and the society at large.
Reference
Nunnally, S. C. (2012). Trust in Black America: Race, discrimination, and politics. New York: New York University Press.
Sullivan, S. (2014). Good white people: The problem with middle-class white anti-racism. Albany : SUNY Press
Valls, A. (2005). Race and racism in modern philosophy. Ithaca [u.a.: Cornell Univ. Press.
Sexual assault is a violent attack by use of force, physical threat or abuse sexually when the victim does not consent (Army Regulation 27-10). It is a constituonal right for a person to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect for privacy. Sexual assault in the military has been like a second threat in the military. The establishment of the” Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program” indicate that indeed it is a threat .The organization was established so that it can fight with the threat(Editorial Board).
The anonymous survey that was conducted in 2014 by asking man and women if they had experienced unwanted sexual assault in the military, shows a certainly large drop and the failure of the pentagon and the congress to deal with it-is that the Defense Department thinks that it has really achieved something. Looking at the statistics the decrees to 19,000 in 2014 still shows that atlist a large number of the military is affected. Also the number of those who reported a sexual assault to the military forces increased to 5,983 for year 2014 from 5,518 the year before (Editorial Board 2014).
Although the number of reported cases is high, it cannot be exaggerated because the statistics shows that the number of assaults is much too high, from the number of those who report the cases. It is shown that only a small number of those who experience sexual assault are reporting them, and also an even fraction are sufficiently confident of their fair treatment in the military justice system to actually pursue an official investigation. One of the pentagon’s devastating findings is that–nearly two-thirds of those who said they experienced some form of violent response. This shows that also an injustice is been served to those who report hence result to fear of militant’s reporting the cases. Until some improvement is done in the justice department the reports will continual to be minimum than the assaults themselves (Editorial Board 2014).
The inconvenience that the victims have from reporting the cases have also been resulted from untrustworthy from the support organization. Over 26,000 service members were assaulted in 2012 but only 3,374 of those cases were reported in the military .This may have been resulted from the arrest of the air force head of Sexual Assault Prevention And Response Program, this Cleary showed that indeed some improvement needs to be done in the support organization. Also the article published by the (Washington on May 12) of the sexual misconduct and sexual assault of potential recruits’ by military recruiters adds to it all (Department Of Defense).
Despite the camping’s done, women are still the top affected by the sexual assault threat, and still it remains the most not reported crime according to2005 Department of justice (National Crime Victimization Survey) Martin, n.d).it has also been shown how individual men manipulate or exploit opportunities afforded by this overlapping contexts. Research is therefore tasked to highlight ways of addressing perpetration of sexual assault and reveal the very ordinary situations the results occur. The findings from the research will then be able to provide the starting point for public education initiatives about sexual offending (Crark Quadra, n.d)
The organization “SAPRO” is responsible for releasing the Task Force report on sexual assault in the military services. It pulls its research and reports from the CDC, DMDC, USCCR, and the white house. It oversees many studies, of which reports that are specifically directed towards sexual assault are only a part. It was charged with examining the issue of sexual assault in the military services and providing recommendations for registration and policy-making based upon their findings. The Task Force has helped decrease of the sexual assaults in the military by many ways. It is recommended by increasing funds for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs, raising standards for sexual assaults response coordinators (SARC’s), and focusing on sexual assault training (DOD 2014).
The training especially on the prevention has been the best the Task Force has done in the area of the sexual assault. It has also been proven that prevention is actually better than cure. Due to the fear and untrusted by the militants they try preventing themselves from the harm with the education offered to them by the Task Force. They also improved advocacy-allowing easier communications with victim’s advocates who will better disclose victim’s right (DOD 2014).
The culture of militant’s mechanism training of using sexism and sexual violence has also added to the threat of sexual assault. Starting in the boot camp, young soldiers are taught skills and military discipline with the use of violent and dehumanizing sexual imagery. This gives the solders the “tacit” acceptance to sexual violence. It has been counted to motivate solders to fight- but the idea is buried in the text and not pursued. This emphasizes the need for training, command accountability, effective use of sexual assault prevention and response program-and more training (Department of Defense).
With regard to the phenomenology of cybersex addiction, it is factual that there is no compromise regarding categorization, concept and criteria for diagnosis (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). According to some studies, it is perceptible that cyber addiction can be correlated with substance abuse where the appropriate diagnostic criteria are approach/avoidance propensities. This is based on the fact that in most phenomena where individuals exhibit extreme addiction tend to have tendencies to avoid or approach the stimuli that is associated with the addiction (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). According to research, individuals with cybersex addition appear to embrace or avoid the stimuli towards the fact that is causing addition such as pornography. Furthermore, research indicated that persons who exhibit extreme sexual excitation have high cybersex addiction. The same case applies to those individuals who have challenging sexual behavior as they tend to higher cybersex addiction. Therefore, citing from the analogy between cybersex addiction and substance use addiction, research infers that approach and avoidance behavior are the major factors that determine cybersex addiction (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). It is noteworthy that the persistence of cybersex addiction poses an accumulating effect on the daily life of the victim.
Keywords: cybersex addiction, substance use, challenging sexual behavior, stimuli
Introduction
Cybersex addiction can be delineated as a sexual addiction phenomenon exhibited by an individual which is characterized by persistent sexual activity in the internet (Griffiths, 2012). It is factual that cybersex addiction poses significant effects on the individual’s mental, social and physical behavior not forgetting about the financial well-being. The addiction is depicted through behaviors such as viewing and downloading pornographic materials from the internet, reading erotic stories, masturbation using online materials, and engaging in adult online fantasies among others (Griffiths, 2012). Alluding to the fact that cybersex addiction is a recent issue probably intense in the past decade, it is undeniable that the phenomenology is yet to be fully understood. It is theorized that the addiction is resulted by three major factors which include inability to make a decision about cybersex, inability to stop and obsession with cybersex (Griffiths, 2012). The reasons that force individuals to cybersex behaviors are diverse which are associated with psychological issues of the individual. Some of the factors that compel someone towards cybersex activities include low-esteem, social segregation, problematic sexual behavior, distorted reputation, and depression among others. Furthermore, cybersex addiction is associated with psychological issues such as self-identity, self-esteem, and self-intimacy just to name a few (Griffiths, 2012). In the last decade, researchers did not have a specific definition for cybersex addiction but recently, the definition was clear as numerous people continue to engage in definite cyber activities that fall under cybersex addiction. Additionally, researchers in the contemporary world tend to correlate cybersex addiction with internet gaming since they appear to have similar internet addiction habits. Thus, this is how cybersex addiction got its definition citing from characteristics such as loss of control, persistent engagement in cybersex activities, and preoccupation (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). It is worthwhile to state that cybersex is not only associated with pornography consumption but rather all activities that fall under cybersex behavior (Griffiths, 2012). However, it is irrefutable that for most men, pornography appears to be the most common cybersex activity. As research continues to assess the phenomenology further, it is perceptible that cybersex addiction cannot be correlated with sex addiction and hypersexuality since internet sex addiction is considerably different to physical sexual activity (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). Therefore, this paper will assess the issue of cybersex addiction in relation to best practices and possible interventions while making a deeper evaluation of the phenomenon citing from recent studies.
Cybersex Phenomenology
Currently, it has been proven that cybersex addition is associated with approach or avoidance tendencies to factors causing stimuli to the addiction (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). Studies continue to derive evidence that categorizes cybersex addiction in the same group with substance use dependency. Precisely, approach or avoidance behaviors can be deciphered as the tendencies to either embrace (approach) or repress (avoidance) cybersex activity. Similarly to alcohol addiction, it is exhibited that the victim exhibits independent inclinations to either suppress or promote substance dependency. This means that when an individual tends to avoid the addition stimuli, it results to a craving or cue-reactivity thereby resulting to addiction. Thus, it is possible for a person who exhibit approach tendency to have avoidance approach to the addiction stimuli (Laier & Brand, 2014).
It is paradoxical that as the individual tries to refrain from cyber activity, the craving increases significantly especially when confronted with pornographic materials. According to the neurological theories, it is indicated that repeated activity results to adaptation in mesolimbic dopaminergic trail which makes the craving to occur automatically and unconsciously (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). Therefore, it is palpable that though the research on mesolimbic dopaminergic trail was conducted on drug use, the analogy between substance dependency and cybersex addiction makes the concept possible and applicable to cybersex addiction. This is based on the fact that sexual stimuli cause neural activations that enhance the adoptions in the mesolimbic dopaminergic trail (Snagowski & Brand, 2015).
Evaluating Approach/Avoidance Tendency
One of the most common techniques of assessing the stimuli that causes the addiction during approach or avoidance propensities is stimulus-response compatibility task (SRC). This technique incorporates a manikin object used against the respondents of the test while recording the changes in reaction times (RTs). These changes represent either approach or avoidance to the addiction-causing stimuli (Laier & Brand, 2014). Results obtained from this technique indicates that tendencies to approach are higher than those of avoidance especially substance users and smokers. Therefore, since the technique was used to assess substance use, it is theorized that the same concept applies to cybersex addiction with the same results.
Cybersex Interventions
Similarly to other types of addictions, it is factual that cybersex addiction is hard to control especially when the victim is completely obsessed with internet sexual activities. This is reinforced by the fact that it is nearly impossible to refrain from using the internet in the contemporary technological world (Love, Laier, Brand, Hatch & Hajela, 2015). It is perceptible that individuals who exhibit cybersex addiction started it at his or her teen age since internet is perfect home for pornographic materials and is accessible using mobile devices. Thus, it is recommendable for the addicted individuals to seek professional counseling for an immediate advice on how to deal with addition-related stimuli (Love, Laier, Brand, Hatch & Hajela, 2015). Additionally, the victims can seek rehabilitation services that will help them refrain from cybersex activities and control the addiction. On the other hand, for personal psychotherapy, dealing with cybersex addiction can be done by developing healthy and physical sexual behaviors. This is based on the fact that cybersex poses negative effects of the sexual health of the individual. Thus, engaging in physical sexual behavior helps in modifying mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway from neural reactions that cause the craving for cybersex (Snagowski & Brand, 2015).
The other technique that can be used to help control cybersex addiction is problem identification. Problem identification creates awareness on the negative effects of online sexual activities by defining symptoms, behaviors and risks associated with cybersex addiction. Additionally, problem identification helps in defining the process of change thereby enhancing its effectiveness. The last type of intervention that can be employed is primary treatment that involves medical care. It is factual that a combination of in-patient and outpatient treatment can help significantly in dealing with cybersex addiction. Many people have undergone medical treatment and have successfully refrained from cybersex activities. However, the effectiveness of these interventions and treatments is yet to be discovered as it is hard to determine the time required to fully overcome mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway adaptations that result to the craving (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). However, it is undeniable that among the stated interventions, primary treatment is the most effective form of treatment as it is easy for drugs to interfere with the neural reactions resulted by the addiction-related stimuli.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) falls under the primary treatment for cybersex addiction since it helps in impulse control (Young, 2011). This type of treatment was suggested after the research identified cybersex addiction as one of the major clinical disorders in the contemporary society. The disorder became a major concern for medical health sector because it exhibits to cause occupational, relational and social problems to the individual. The reason why CBT is suggested as the most effective intervention for cybersex addiction is because it appeared to be efficient for impulse-related disorders that make individual lack control (Young, 2011). Some of the disorders that were tested using CBT include pathological gambling, explosive disorder and eating disorders among others. Therefore, since internet sex addiction is similar to other types of addiction disorders, it was suggested that CBT is one of the most effective treatment for this addiction. However, given that cybersex addiction is based on persistent use of internet, researchers suggested the improvement of the intervention because internet addiction exhibited to be different from other compulsive disorders. According to Young (2011), researchers came up with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Internet Addiction (CBT-IA) for internet sex addiction. Basically, CBT is based on the notion that feelings are derived from thoughts of an individual. As a result, the intervention focuses on teaching the patients on monitoring their thoughts that result to addictive feelings. Precisely, CBT requires 12 weeks of treatment where the early stages focus on behaviors that result to compulsive activities (Young, 2011). The late stages of therapy focus on cognitive functions that result to effects of addiction behaviors.
Generally, given that refraining from internet using is not practical in the contemporary world, CBT recommends moderated and controlled use of internet to cope with the addiction (Young, 2011). This means that the treatment focuses on both computer and non-computer behaviors of an individual. For the computer behavior, the intervention focuses on actual online activities before developing controlled use of computer. For instance, a professional person addicted to online pornography should first learn to avoid adult sites while using the computer with accessible internet (Young, 2011). On the other hand, non-computer behavior involves helping patients to live normally without the internet.
In the first phase of the treatment, the intervention focuses on behavior modification by assessing the internet activity of the patient (Young, 2011). Therefore, the intervention uses a modification plan that cites from the record of the individual’s online activity. The record of online activity helps in determining when the individual visits certain sites and for what reasons. One of the triggers of visiting certain cites is the mood before logging in. therefore, after determining the mood, the patient is advised to avoid the factors that contribute to the mood thus minimizing chances of visiting adult sites.
The second phase of the CBT involves cognitive restructuring which is achieved by identifying maladaptive cognitions (Young, 2011). Some of the maladaptive cognitions assessed in this stage include overgeneralization, personalization and magnification that results to cybersex addiction. For instance, an addict might suffer from indistinct self-thoughts that will create a craving to visit adult sites (Young, 2011). Thus, this phase identifies maladaptive cognitions and helps the individual attack them and avoid visiting adult sites.
The last phase of CBT involves harm reduction therapy where factors that result to cybersex addiction are identified (Young, 2011). Some of these factors include social, relational, occupational, psychological and personal issues that false someone into cybersex activities. This phase is based on the presumption that cybersex activities relief addicts from certain daily life issues (Young, 2011). This means that by visiting pornographic sites, the individual is relieved from a certain problem for a short time. Therefore, identifying this problem will help in reducing the tendency of visiting the sites and thus reducing harm. Generally, this type of intervention defines recovery from cybersex addiction as not basically stopping the behavior but also identifying compulsive behavior/factors and resolving them in a healthy way.
Conclusion
In general, cybersex addiction is one of the major effects that were caused by the development of internet and technology in the contemporary world. It is factual that internet is easily accessible not only using computers but also using mobile devices everywhere every time. This has resulted to many people engaging in cybersex activities persistently. Nowadays, it is easy to engage in activities such viewing and downloading pornographic materials from the internet, reading erotic stories, masturbation using online materials, and engaging in adult online fantasies. According to the studies, the source of addiction can be cited from approach/avoidance tendencies where the more an individual tries to refrain from the activities, the more the craving. This is based on the theory that sexual activity results to neural reaction that causes adaptation in mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. This adaptation causes the craving when the person stops from the activity. Therefore, there are different interventions that can be employed to control cybersex addiction. These interventions include developing healthy and physical sexual behaviors, problem identification and primary treatment. Under primary treatment, CBT is one of the most effective types of treatment that can be employed to control cybersex addiction. It involves behavior modification, cognitive restructuring and harm reduction. In conclusion, it is advisable for the addicted individual to seek treatment from the professionals in order to successfully recover from cybersex addiction.
References
Snagowski, J., & Brand, M. (2015). Symptoms of cybersex addiction can be linked to both approaching and avoiding pornographic stimuli: results from an analog sample of regular cybersex users. Frontiers In Psychology, 61-14. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00653
Young, K. S. (2011). CBT-IA: The First Treatment Model for Internet Addiction. Journal Of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 25(4), 304-312. doi:10.1891/0889-8391.25.4.304
Griffiths, M. D. (2012). Internet sex addiction: A review of empirical research. Addiction Research & Theory, 20(2), 111-124. doi:10.3109/16066359.2011.588351
Laier, C., & Brand, M. (2014). Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations on Factors Contributing to Cybersex Addiction From a Cognitive-Behavioral View. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 21(4), 305-321. doi:10.1080/10720162.2014.970722
Love, T., Laier, C., Brand, M., Hatch, L., & Hajela, R. (2015). Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and Update. Behavioral Sciences (2076-328X), 5(3), 388-433. doi:10.3390/bs5030388
The length of the survey instruments was varied highly with some survey questions appearing as shorter while others are longer. The questions that required a lot of details involved a lot of questions with items required being marginally high. However, other questions in the survey instrument were quite short especially those that required few elaboration. The length of each instrument could be identified with the kind of modification required or the connection with the other survey instruments such that some required answers related to other instruments which made some part o survey to be quite long. Some sections of the instruments were quite long and required attention in order to get fully keep on course with the required answers. When I encountered the long part of the survey questions, I found a mismatch between what I was thinking and what I was doing. I would find myself paying less attention to the requirements of the various presented questions. The lake of attention made me lose some things that were quite obvious in the survey. The kind of inattention is quite relevant to the survey questionnaires in which the participants pays attention for a short time but from a given point it becomes difficult to pay attention. I could attribute this to feeling bored while trying to concentrate on the longer question that especially those with subsections. This could easily be indicated by the manner in which I would skim on the various questions that required a lot concentration while reading. Other questions had little motivational facto in answering them in areas that required referring to previously provided answers for continuity. Online participants in survey can be less motivated to be attentive to the process since no one is watching how they participating which can draw away their concentration (Robins & Fraley, 2009).
The open ended questions were varied in terms of clarity. The wording of these questions appeared to be quite reasonable though some had much of it. Some of the questions are very general and seemed to ask about the opinion of the participants on the issues at hand. With their clarity, the open ended questions seems to be doing a lot of probing such that I found myself answering in a general manner and using general adjectives in the description of opinions and the relevant situations. The clarity was enhanced by the probing tendency which was mostly a matter of requiring a response that is more specific or an explanation of a given scenario and term. The probing for the purpose of clarity seemed to the participant what they should know or what is need of them to do. The probing also seemed to completeness of information provided such that once an answer has been given the questions ask for additional responses to the previous questions. This is made easier by small wordings for most of the questions which reduces the boring tendency of the questions. This probing made the questions to be less leading .The way the phrasing is done makes it possible for the questions to be used for a little population study. Open-ended questions are very valuable for those surveys which target a research involving small populations since a complex statistical analysis will provide input that is more valuable from every participant. (Robins & Fraley, 2009) Clarity and appropriate wording made easier to complete the questions without wasting much time.
It is preferable to use open ended questions than closed ended questions in this kind of survey. While using the open ended questions, I found it easier to give more information than I had anticipated after immediately reading the question. There is no restriction on the extent of the answers that can be provided since the answers given are as much diverse as possible. The open-ended questions allow the participants to give sets of answers which are broadly covering the interviewers intended purpose. These kinds of questions allowed me to provide more information about attitude, feelings and the understanding of the subject or the issue. There is low likelihood of forgetting the option from which to choose an answer from while using the open ended questions since the responses are provided freely (Robins & Fraley, 2009). It was quite hard to just disregard reading some of the questions and just felling in the survey with similar answers. However, for the closed ended questions, the answers given are restricted to the alternatives provided. The questions prevent a person from giving a diverse set of answers for a given question. What is expected is what the participant is able to give. This means that there is a limitation on the information provided by the respondent or their understanding on the issue to be tackled. The respondent can b limited to the answers that are believed to be free. The basic point is that closed-ended questions present insufficient options for the participant to choose from which limits their need for expression about a given topic that they understand thoroughly (Robins & Fraley, 2009). However, I found that these questions are easy to answer given that options are provided where one is only supposed to put mark.
Qualitative methods aim at achieving a clear understanding of a given aspect of the organization. Therefore, a dependent variable that provides clear rendering of order, structure and wide patterns found in all the participants can be studied under the qualitative methods questions. This is because the qualitative manipulate research does not variables being researched and does not impose operational definitions of such variable by the researche(Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004)r. Instead, it allows the intended meaning to come from the participants themselves. This methodology is flexible and therefore appropriate that the variable can change depending on a particular setting. The quantitative method of data collection and analysis can be used in the researching on the independent variable. This is because the methodology focuses on the unchanging details which involve a convergent reasoning. This will allow the participants to generate ideas and information about the questions presented to them by the researcher in a free-flowing way. The results provided by the participants’ responses are based on a bigger sample size which represents the whole population (Johnson & Onwuegbuzie, 2004). This is very appropriate for online survey on independent variables.
The knowledge obtained from participating in the questions will go a long way in helping me choose the right kinds of questions whether open-ended or close ended. An important aspect is how to formulate these questions so that the right information is probed from the participant. In addition, though closed ended questions are easy to respond to, they limit the information provided. Open-ended questions provide for diverse responses. However, a mix of both can be very helpful.
References
Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed Methods Research: A Research Paradigm whose Time Has Come. Educational Researcher, (7). 14.
Robins, R., & Fraley, R. C. (2009). Handbook of Research Methods in Personality Psychology. New York: Guilford Publications.
In the year 1948, the United Nations proclaimed and adopted the use of human rights (United Nations 2). The human rights were proclaimed by the General assembly as universal and a common standard set for all nations and their citizens. Through the universal declaration of human rights by the United Nations sought to ensure that all organs of society and every individual were aware and respected them. Having universal human rights meant that people’s freedoms and rights were respected regardless of the country an individual was in. their universality also meant that everyone was considered equal and treated as such regardless of the country they belonged to. Even though the human rights are similar across the world, the assumption that they are universal is somewhat controversial and has sparked a lot of debate among various schools of thought and philosophy.
Declaring the human rights as being universal has a very huge impact on the history of human beings. At the time of inception, the human rights were intended to be a common set of standards for all nations and their citizens. Being universal meant that a people’s rights and freedoms were guaranteed regardless of their sex, race, color, language or political opinion. Up until today, the human rights have continued to safeguard the rights and freedom of individuals across the world in relevance to what was intended when they were initiated (Robinson 46).
Although human rights are implemented in the same way across the world as was intended by the United Nations through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the notion that they are universal is misguided as is shown by the four schools of thought. The Natural School of Thought defines the human rights as rights and freedoms that an individual possesses on the basis of being a human being (Dembour 2). It is therefore the only school that supports the idea that human rights are universal. The credo for the natural school of thought is based on the opinion that the human rights are naturally given to all individuals and their definition is the most common and most recognized across the world. According to the natural school, everyone is entitled to have human rights because they are born human. In the 14th century for example, men were considered to possess natural capabilities when it came to power. This meant that they were naturally entitled to life necessities among which were making a system of laws to govern themselves (Freeman 20). Scholars in this school believe that the human rights are independent of any form of social recognition given to an individual despite that a form of recognition makes them more favorable (Dembour 2).
The deliberative school on the other hand operates on the basis that human rights are political values that societies that are liberal decide to adopt. They defy traditional orthodoxies that have been used to form the basis of human rights and rather draw the conclusion that human rights are based on agreements that people in society make to govern themselves (Dembour 3). They are of the belief that human rights are not universal but have the potential of becoming so over time. Scholars in the deliberative school of thought believe that human rights will become universal only when everyone across the world recognizes and accepts that they are the best legal and political standards to govern society. According to the deliberative school, human rights are currently limited and only capable of governing the political and not the moral or social life of human beings. They also regard the laws stipulated in the constitution as one of the agreed upon ways of expressing and governing human rights (Dembour 3).
Another school that discredits the notion that human rights are universal is the Protest school of thought which is based on the belief that human rights are as a result of the desire to stop injustice. Scholars in this school argue that human rights are intended to protect the claims that are made on behalf or by people who are oppressed, unprivileged and poor in society (Dembour 3). They therefore form a platform that can be used to turn the status quo to favor those who are oppressed in society. Although they do not sell the human rights as being universal, they are in line with the United Nations’ purpose to protect people from injustices, oppression, and discrimination (Dembour 3). The difference in opinion of the human rights being universal occurs in the protest school’s belief that a victory in the fight for human rights does not necessarily mean that all injustices have been overcome. Being universal would mean that all injustices have been defeated and that all human beings are treated equally and their fundamental human rights are respected. However, this is not the case as scholars are aware of situations where the elite are favored in society which is opposite of what universal human rights represent (Dembour 3).
Unlike other schools, the discourse school of thought not only disagrees with the notion that human rights are universal but also refuses to recognize their existence. It is founded on the notion that human rights only exist because people mention them. Scholars in this school argue that believe that human rights are neither given nor do they make up the answer to end suffering in society (Dembour 4). They however acknowledge that the language that surrounds human rights is very powerful and is used to air political issues. They also fear that imposing human rights could be imperialized and propose that the ethics that govern individualistic human rights be limited. Even though they do not acknowledge the existence of human rights, they believe that people’s belief in them has resulted to positive outcomes in society. The scholars however hope that more superior projects will be implemented and practiced to govern people instead of relying on human rights (Dembour 4).
The success of human rights ability to give equal rights and freedoms to all human beings is based on their state of being universal as proposed by the universal declaration of human rights. With such emphasis being placed on their universality, a lot of factors contradict this ideology showing that they are not universal. The reason for them being applied across the world may be as a result of factors like similar political beliefs or decisions by human beings to coexist in a particular way. It is by choice that people observe human rights and not because they are universal. If, for instance, a country was to have different political approaches, they would alter the types of human rights practiced in the country. This would also be the case if people decided to live in a way that could result to some of the human rights being proposed by the united nation being infringed upon. Because of these, and other reasons, the assumption by the UDHR that human rights are universal need to be rectified.
Work cited
Dembour M. (2010) “What are human rights: Four schools of thought” The Johns Hopkins University Press
Freeman M. (2011) “Human rights: An interdisciplinary approach” Polity Press
Robinson M. (1998) “Shame of failure on human rights” Royal Institute of International Affairs
United Nations, (1949) “United Nations universal declaration of human rights 1948”
The power structures hindering the growth and progress of game industry include the technological, cultural and commercial power structures which have lead to a status quo which does not consider the needs of the players such as non-gamers and women who are, in fact, the minority. The commercial structures involve the production environment where the industry is not actually diverse in terms of interested people and computers generally. The industry consists of majority men as programmers since there is a tendency for men to liking programming more than women (Fron, Fullerton, Morie &Pearce, 2007). Another indication of a narrow industry is that Games are created by white males for the same white males. Regardless of the fact that hiring should be based on skills, personality and ethics, qualification in game leaves out people experienced in related areas such as entertainment media and educational software(Fron, Fullerton, Morie &Pearce, 2007).
The technological power structure involves the play technologies where there is shift in power and role of product vs. player. Videogames dictate the rules and enforce them automatically by use of software unlike other types of games where the players are given the power to determine how to play. The videogames also determine the play styles shall be favored and skills set to be valorized. A lot of mystery digital games involve ability to defeat computer it its own terms. This represents a disadvantage for someone who is unable to do so or is not interested. The games Hardware technologies tend to favor some kinds of play and marginalize others. The cultural power structure involves the positioning of the play and players culturally (Fron, Fullerton, Morie &Pearce, 2007). This is indicated by the way the video games are characterized by a sensibility of adolescent male, which tend to transcend physical age to embrace male fantasies for domination and power, hyper-sexualized, women objectification, racial discrimination and stereotyping. In general the three power structures becomes drivers for certain norms and values related to the game play which seems to ghettoize and subordinate the minority players and the associated life styles. The trend in game development has shown increased cases of power structures display. The games are still developed with the both violent and non-violent themes with high hyper-sexualized videos that tend to show women as sex objects of gratifying male fantasies for power and sex gratification. There is still high misrepresentation of female gender in comparison with male gender in the programming and production process (Fron, Fullerton, Morie &Pearce, 2007).
The five analyses of videogames include the game, player, culture, ontology and the metrics. The game analysis involves observing the games and coming up with a description of their structure and how certain techniques are applied in terms of aspects such as representation of the player in game world, reward for the player. This I aimed at achieving paler experience targeted by game designer. This kind of analysis is preferred by people with comparative literature background or aesthetic field (Egenfeldt & Smith, Tosca, 2016). For instance, Line Rider game analysis aimed at determining the scale, air resistance and how friction works (Lewis,Trinh& Kirsh,2013).
The analysis on players considers the games’ playing activity as being of more importance than the games. The aim for the analysis is to understand how games are used by players as a medium type or social space. It is normally preferred by ethnographers and sociologists (Egenfeldt & Smith, Tosca, 2016). An example is Starcraft: Brood War game analysis which analyzed the players’ actions with an aim of determining their capacities that bring make them succeed (Hunicke, LeBlanc & Zubek, 2004).
The culture analysis focuses on the broader culture which forms part of the game. The aim is to explore the interaction between the gaming and the game with broader cultural patterns. The methodology of such studies often uses secondary sources such as advertising and social media (Egenfeldt & Smith, Tosca, 2016). An example is analysis of Tomb Raider in order to relate it to theory on social activity (Sunnen, 2000).
Ontology on the other hand seeks to assess the games’ philosophical foundations and aims at presenting general statements which touch on all games. They help in understanding aspects such as the relationship between fiction, rules and the participating player. The studies are based on logical analysis that is essentially founded on firm examples but have no interest in personal titles in themselves (Egenfeldt & Smith, Tosca, 2016). An example is a study on game design and research that looks into Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics in various videos.
Metrics analysis involves research design which is driven by data. It measures the behavior of the player quantitatively and also assess the connection between that behavior and the design of the game so as to, for example, assist the developers in improving the experience of the player (Egenfeldt & Smith, Tosca, 2016). An example is a study done on kids, civics and video games (Lenhar, Kahne, Macgill & Vitak, 2008).
Video game studies fall into two categories which include the studies based on humanities and those based on social science. Social science games studies examines the ways in which game and gaming impacts on people and how they make sense and interact with such games. Games studies based on humanities looks into the context and meaning of the games themselves in relation to the created narratives and probably developed by video games, or by special chances for analysis shown in the way video games interact (Egenfeldt & Smith, Tosca, 2016).
The various stages of video development include the conceptual, design, production and testing stage. The conceptual stage involves the formulation of the concept o the game so as to communicate the main game idea and related features like concept art at times and platform. A game proposal is then created by the designer with aim of attracting possible funding and for actual production planning. Activities involved in this stage may include market analysis and budget projections. The design phase involves detailed description of specifications, both technical and functional. The functional specification offers enough information about the game features and the manner of interaction between the player and the game while technical specification provide information on how the desired design will be achieved at the technical level. Such designs cover aspects such as objects in a game. The production phase involves the actual writing of the codes for the game and the creation of various game elements such as the sound and graphics. The individual elements are then connected as the beginning step. The testing stag involves assessment to spot the problems that may arise. It is done on the beta version of the game where real gamers are invited and who are close to targeted users as much as possible. The players play for a given tine and report the arising problem or may offer suggestion (Fron, Fullerton, Morie &Pearce, 2007).
References
Egenfeldt, S., Smith,J., Tosca, S. (2016).Understanding Video Games: The Essential Introduction. Routledge. 2 Ed.
Fron, J., Fullerton, T., Morie, J., Pearce,C.(2007).The Hegemony of Play Published in Proceedings, DiGRA: Situated Play, Tokyo, September 24-27:
A culture is a concept that refers to a group; it acts on social basis and beliefs in the society. The policies of Hofstede can be used to explain why the managers have to be aware of the cultural differences. These dimensions explain how people from divergent cultures behave and how they will behave on their work. Power distance is one of the dimensions explained by Hofstede that the managers should be aware of. The culture that is exposed to low power distance expects that the power in their society should be shared equally. They also know that this power is also distributed to those with less power. Thus managers should be aware that power should be distributed equally despite the great influence space cultures and short control space values. They should know the need of ancient rules and policies in their workplaces. This dimension shows that people are really threatened by unclear conditions. The people living in a culture with the unclear situations are uncomfortable and uncertain (Hofstede, 2000).
They should also equalize females and males in the working environment. This dimension focuses on putting emphasis on male related works more than the females. This dimension describes how people are potentially inspired in cultures that are based on the female and male culture. The dimension on personalism versus communism is where managers should focus on. The personality cultures, people show themselves as persons who needs to accomplish their personal goals and objectives while in the socialist culture, people mainly focus on the whole group where personal needs are put aside for a common good. Long and short term alignment is the other dimension which means that the managers should know that sometimes businesses may take a long time to succeed while in the short term alignment means that the outcomes and the success of any business can be reached within any time (Hofstede, 2000).
Reference
Hofstede, G. H. (2000). Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills, Cal. [u.a.: Sage Publ.
Core Self Evaluation is the stable character of a person which is based on the personal subliminal, their personal assessment and their personal control. Those with a high CSE think positively about themselves and are sure of their own skills whereas those with low CSE have a negative attitude towards themselves and they don’t have confidence with themselves. The Core Self Evaluation is important as they show the traits of a person which remain reliable within some given time. People also evaluate themselves using the CSE which has the skills of predicting the positive work results such as the job gratification and job performance. The dimensions of CSE include Neuroticism which is the assessment of the effect and the feeling control. The low levels of neuroticism shows that one is stable in their emotions whereas its high levels show that one has a possibility of having negative feelings (Erez, 1997).
The other dimension is the Extraversion. The extravagant person tries to be more physically and more reactive whereas the shy remain independent and want to be alone. Honesty to knowledge is another dimension that involves the assessment of the person’s way of thinking and their experiences. This feature focuses on the honesty to new ideas, creativity and interests. Carefulness is the other dimension which is of more goal based manner. Here the person focuses on less number of objectives but struggles to reach them. Friendliness is the other dimension that focuses on caring and the feeling, and partnership. Those that are in agreement are gentle and kind. CSE is valuable in the study of the employee behavior as it states that people with high core Self-evaluation are more enticed to perform well in their work as they are confident and have the aptitude of so doing. The general personality assessment device such as the Myers Briggs Type indicator is used to support the understanding of the personality at work as it is a survey that shows the rational partiality on how people distinguish the world and make their own choices. The tools give different results of the same person assessed on divergent events (Erez, 1997).
Reference
Erez, A. (1997). Core self-evaluations as a source of work-motivation and performance.
Civil society is a term that has been defined to describe a tonne of ideas from the historical perspective and also in the current times. Civil society according to sievers (2010) is used to define a mediating monarchy between one of a state and an individual, the many worldwide nonprofit associations and the philanthropy, the networking of the NonGovernmental Organizations, the social relations of common respect and the list is endless (Sievers, pg1). Civil society has also been described to mean the features of the social life networking, the norms and also the trust which allows participants to work as a team and effectively to pursue the same objectives (Danoff, pg22). In the Islamic world, most of them view civil society as being inclined so much to the group or individual feeling and the religion. This describes that civil society is associated with the leader having the power and the society gains stability when the community is brought together by kinship and the common descent and also the connection involving the allies and the clients (Enjolras and Karl, pg148). Defining the seven key concepts of the civil society, various ideologies are observed in defining these seven concepts.
The seven concepts individually as presented are complex in their rights and also have their own theoretical validations. Four of these concepts reflect the institutional configuration which has evolved over the course of western history to become the structural outline of the current modern society. Among these four concepts, mainly the legal institutions and the philanthropic, have been there over the past two millennia, while the remaining two have only evolved in eras after, a system of free phrase and the private associations. The remaining three concepts have been found to reflect the social norms which appeared in a sequence through a developmental process which has taken a period to form (Sievers, pg2). These seven concepts in depth are philanthropic, the rule of law, tolerance, free expression, individual rights, the nonprofit and voluntary institutions, and the common good.
Relationship between the definition of civil society and these seven concepts is an argument of themes. Modern society is defined much larger by these seven concepts. These seven concepts serve as the foundational and institutional elements and also the key norms which have allowed the civil society to be a major stronghold after the sixteenth century by forming a platform of the democratic liberal state (Sievers, pg9). Institutional elements which comprise the composition of civil society which are the organized philanthropy, private institutions, the rule of law and the method of free expression are in most cases the primary freeways outside the state by which citizens interact and also collaborate in achieving a common purpose. The normative elements tolerances, commitment to the common good and individual rights are the values that are animating these institutions (Sievers, pg5).
The civil society through this approach is a single social construct which comprises of both the institutions and the norms which have evolved from the historical perspective through the seven concepts. Combining the seven concepts in defining the term civil society, the definition can be much broader in meaning and understanding. Thus civil society can be defined as the arena that is outside the government, the family, and also the market where the citizens voluntarily come together to advance a common interest based on the civility. These seven constitutive elements reinforce and therefore complement each other in the maneuver of civil society (Sievers, pg5).
From a historical perspective, the rule of law is the most important institutional element that mostly involved fighting for the rights of the common citizen who had no voice in the government. In the United States, individuals were persecuted just because of talking out their mind.
Oppression was observed where people like the Peter Zenger in the early seventeenth century were prosecuted since he had corrected the government of New York City. The rule of law by then was one that restricted any criticism to the government officials whether for a good or bad course. Zenger was however not persecuted for his utterance since the jury disregarded the law for the first time and this act demanded a change of the law. Freedom of speech was now demanded by many citizens in the United States as an individual right to express their minds. During this time, the first constitutional amendments were observed where debates erupted all over the United States land for an adoption of a new constitution which did not undermine the speech of individuals. From this debate, the federal government had limited power on the bill of rights and this raised concerns all over. Preservation of individual rights was also observed which an important consideration in upholding civil society rights is. This is so since a system of free expression needs legally endorsed individual rights and also tolerating the diversity of views from one individual to another (Sievers, pg6).
The rule of law is the fundamental requirement for the formation of stability and peace in any community or government body. It is, therefore, the establishment which stands as an ancient feature in upholding civil rights as well as individual rights of the society. The law was considered to be the guiding rules which were generated and enforced by the law enforcement bodies such as the police in the pursuit of a common good. This framework formed the foundation of the historically advanced and new phenomenon of the constitutional law. An individual right was embedded in a rather long historical evolution of ideas which includes the development of law and also the concept involving the allocation of goods. Individual right now formed the cornerstone for defense and a broad framework of the social contract theory that positioned individuals right’s as the new body for social cooperation actions (Sievers, pg6).
From the current perspective, the most important concept in preserving the rights and philanthropic actions of today is the free expression concept. Free expression means an open society for an open mind that helps in upholding the social life since time in history. It is the current element that has allowed freedom to speak open minded to the public forum without fear of being persecuted for the wrong cause (Sievers, pg9). Following democratic ideas has been the most stunning outcome where individuals have had a public vote in general. Free expression has however had difficulties with influential individuals using the forum to criticize the royal government and the public at large. The world modern media was born as a result thereby forcing the government to come in and rescue the new network of communication that had just erupted ever since (Danoff, pg33). Regulations have been clearly stipulated in the constitutions on how to manage the publications by individuals for a cohesive environment.
Works cited
Sievers, Bruce R. Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Fate of the Commons. Medford, Mass: Tufts University Press, 2010. Print.
Danoff, Brian. Educating Democracy: Alexis De Tocqueville and Leadership in America. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2010. Internet resource.
Enjolras, Bernard, and Karl H. Sivesind. Civil Society in Comparative Perspective. Bingley, UK: Emerald, 2009. Print.
Enslaved swimmers and divers refer to a group of West Africans who were taken into slavery and later exhibited their ability to swim, and this helped in shaping generations of their leisure and occupational activities. This practice of swimming was known to them because they grew up near lakes, along river banks and close to oceans, and this made them to become skillful (Dawson, 2006). Even so, Africans transmitted their skills and practices to the Americas and this was an expression of cultural retention.
Cultural retention can be defined as an act where people of a given community retain their culture while living in a foreign land especially if there are reasons for losing that culture. The first example of cultural retention by Africans is how they carried swimming and diving to America. Africans used skills to improve their spiritual, psychological and social status. To begin with, this demonstrated the African origin of swimming abilities. Africans incorporated swimming in America’s recreation (Dawson, 2006). Additionally, through this skill of swimming, Africans were used in lucrative occupations and this was for their own benefits. This is because occupational diving required exceptional skills which only Africans had and this was to their advantage. Africans also demonstrated many forms of African culture for instance dance, religion, music and art. This culture was beneficial to Africans in that in spite of the fact that they were slaves, they had their own identity. However, their being proficient swimmer affected them to a certain extent. They were compared to animals to the extent that their genitals were compared to those of animals thus contending that Africans engaged in lascivious and bestial intercourse (Dawson, 2006). And because Africans did not suffer labor pains, they were not regarded as the same creation like white women.
References
Dawson, K. (2006). Enslaved Swimmers and Divers in the Atlantic World. The Journal of American History; Mar 2006; 92, 4; Research Library Core pg. 1327
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