Book Review on 'Predictably Irrational' by Dan Ariely Essay

Book Review on 'Typically Irrational' by Dan Ariely - Essay Example While as traditional financial matters clarifies how people are sane creatures who practice rationale in dissecting the benefits and bad marks of given monetary circumstances with a point of settling on sound monetary choices, it doesn't clarify in an ideal way how individuals act settling on financial choices. Considering this, that Dan Ariely is another age researcher that he nullifies in his typically nonsensical book that individuals act in generally reasonable manners. Dan Ariely accordingly utilizes the regular experience and point by point and experimentation examination to clarify how desires, feelings, accepted practices, and other imperceptible, apparently strange powers change singular thinking capacities. Dan Ariely utilizes sharp tests to investigate how nonsensical powers and normal practices impact our financial conduct. He sees that there is a social move in settling on financial choices where less market and accepted practices are presently all the more fulfilling, i maginative, satisfying, and fun. He performs thrilling trials on how individuals purchase, sell, and settle on life time’s choices along these lines showing their anticipated nonsensical financial dynamic practices. This paper draws an away from of how people exhibit nonsensical practices while settling on principal financial choices that identify with purchasing, selling, and other monetarily determined choices. Synopsis of Content The book â€Å"Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions†Ã¢ by Dan Ariely has 15 parts that talk about the methods of reasoning and occasions that adjust the traditionalâ rational conduct in settling on monetary choices. Dan Ariely clarifies reality with regards to relativity affirming how people as often as possible respect their condition corresponding to other people (Ariely 10). In doing this, individuals look at things that are effectively practically identical in showing up at specific choices. He proceeds to clarify this correlation by giving instances of three wedding trip goal choices two in Rome and one in Paris. He utilizes this guide to depict the fake where shoppers will in general have a particular change in inclination between two choices when a third alternative surfaces. Considering this, Dan Ariely clarifies how relativity can assist individuals with settling on insightful choices and simultaneously belittling their lives. He pertinently takes note of that when individuals contrast their lives with those of others in a similar class, they will in general show jealousy and desire. He similarly figures that people infrequently get fulfilled and the more they get the more they seek to get more. Notwithstanding, he takes note of that we can turn away this by maintaining a strategic distance from relativity by controlling the happenings around us. Dan Ariely clarifies the error of gracefully and request where customers think about worth, quality, or accessibility before settling on a buying choice. He noticed that prescribing an incentive to a thing with no underlying worth prompts silly estimating. He sees that in spite of the fact that costs apply self-assertively, customers will in general stay with those costs upon their first buy. In reality, the clients partner with this cost for quite a while influencing their social worth and along these lines nonsensicalness in cost. Ariely subsequently utilizes the self-assertive value tying down to challenge gracefully and request speculations saying that request is dependent upon control and hence influences advertise harmony. He in this way infers showcase harmony depends on consumer’s memory and not favored decisions. He further clarifies the expense of free idea where individuals pick free alternatives instead of

Spirituality of Miccosukee Indian tribe Research Paper - 1

Otherworldliness of Miccosukee Indian clan - Research Paper Example These soul creatures are regularly found in a dream mission that every Native American do when they are youthful. This vision journey is a period for fasting and petition and the young want to see their totem creature that likewise turns into their watchman (Gold, 2007). The Florida Seminoles and the Miccosukee trust in a Great Spirit or the Breath Maker who is responsible for making and looking after life (â€Å"Religion of..†, n.d.). The significance of life is critical to the Miccosukee on the grounds that they recognize that everything is a piece of their condition. All life is significant. In the past times, when they chased, they solicited the soul from the creature that was being killed, for pardoning (â€Å"Religion of† , n.d.). The Miccosukee would likewise go to a feeling of a tree before chopping down the tree. The Miccosukee may express that their quality originates from their religion and the way that they have not embraced the Western ways. Since they are one of a kind in keeping their traditions and history, they would likewise consider their to be establishment as being imperative to their quality. For Native Americans, everything is otherworldly and everything has a nearness anyplace in the earth (Johnson, 2007). The perspiration cabins and shamans are imperative to Native Americans and human services. Shamans regularly help with medical problems in the clan since they see how to decipher dreams and regulate numerous customs that happen inside the clan (Johnson, 2007). The perspiration hold up is one of the manners in which that Native Americans can keep offset with the soul world and with the maker (Garrett, et al., 2011). For Native Americans, the idea of equalization implies that they will have balance as a primary concern, body, and soul â€Å"with the regular environment† (Garrett et al., 2011, p. 318). On the otherworldly level, the perspiration hold up is likewise accomplished for change and restoration of the soul. Rather than the manner in which Westerners accept, the idea of change generally will be done within the sight of family and

Losing Weight Gained From Medications

Losing Weight Gained From Medications Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Losing Weight Gained From Psychotropic Medications By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 03, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on December 03, 2019 Hero Images / Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis One of the common challenges faced by people with mood disorders is weight gain from their medicationsâ€"Over 50% of people who take certain newer antipsychotic medications may experience weight gain as a side effect. This weight gain is believed to be caused by an increased appetite for foods high in carbohydrates and fat as well as these medications impact on metabolism. In addition to being physically dangerous, extra weight can be a stumbling block to good mental health if it affects your self-esteem and comfort in your own body. To make matters worse, weight loss while still taking the medications that caused the initial gain can be notoriously difficult. But there is hope. Medications That May Cause Weight Gain Many medications used in the treatment of mood disorders list weight gain as a potential side effect, including: Seroquel (quetiapine)Risperdal (risperidone)Clozaril (clozapine)Zyprexa (olanzapine)Remeron (mirtazapine)Paxil (paroxetine)Lithobid (lithium)Depakene (valproic acid)Depakote (divalproex sodium)Tegretol and Equetro (carbamazepine) Researchers Try to Tackle Medication-Induced Weight Gain A presentation by Dr. Rohan Ganguli and Nurse Practitioner Betty Vreeland, related to their 2007 article published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry,?? focused on the issue of weight gain and medications. Dr. Ganguli began by saying he had treated many psychiatric patients for years without really thinking about their weight. Then a colleague did a survey that found that of their patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, less than 20% were in the normal weight range, and 60% were considered obese. Dr. Rohan Ganguli said that, unfortunately, it has been assumed that people with schizophrenia are socially unaware and that, unlike the rest of us, [their weight] really does not matter to them. Yet when they asked these patients how they felt about their weight, a majority of the overweight and obese patients said they wanted and had tried to lose weight. Dr. Ganguli and his fellows developed a program that clinicians could easily provide to their patients. It involved 14 weeks of group sessions with training in areas including developing healthy eating habits, burning more calories, and changing snacking habits. Self-monitoring in the form of daily weighing and food and exercise logs was key. The Results The results after the 14-week program were very encouraging: Two-thirds of patients lost at least 3% of body weight and around 40% of participants lost 5% of their body weight or more.?? In addition to promoting key lifestyle changes in a supportive, collaborative environment, the program also focused on counteracting common thoughts, such as those surrounding the concept of wasting food. A key part of the programs strategy was teaching people that it was OK not to eat the entire meal. Research on Preventing Weight Gain Finally, they tested the program with patients who were just starting on some of the medications that are known to cause weight gain, including Seroquel (quetiapine), Risperdal (risperidone), Clozaril (clozapine), and Zyprexa (olanzapine). In all cases, intervention prevented weight gain in more patients than in the control group, although the success rate depended on the medication. In this small study, the most dramatic difference was with Seroquel, where more than 60% of the control group gained significant weight, compared to only 10% of those in the intervention group who gained. Lifestyle Barriers and Interventions A unique set of challenges exists for those with psychiatric disorders that might not in other populations, including the metabolic effects of their medications, impact of symptoms on motivation, poor dietary habits, and high rates of sedentary behavior. For example, Ganguli and his team found that many people with schizophrenia eat at fast food restaurants because these are inexpensive and convenient, but these meals are often high in calories and low in nutritional value. Chronic poverty can also be a factor for those with mental illness, which affects quality of life, self-esteem, and the ability to pursue leisure activities such as participating in exercise. A meta-analysis of 17 studies and nearly 2,000 participants looked at successful lifestyle interventions for those living with serious mental illness.?? The study found that programs of at least a years duration had more consistent outcomes. Some of these interventions included physical activity, nutritional advice, behavioral programs, and access to free fruits and vegetables. Successful outcomes included improved blood pressure, weight loss, BMI reduction, smaller waist circumference, and lower cholesterol. The Message Mental health practitioners of all kinds owe it to their patients to compassionately address the problem of medication-induced weight gain and recognize that their patients do care. Ganguli and Vreelands work shows that while people living with mental health disorders face unique challenges, they are not only capable of making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight but are often motivated with the right support. A doctor who instructs their patient to simply join Weight Watchers to combat weight gain may not realize that some people arent up for going to meetings when depressed and that some just arent group people. A therapy group with people who have gained weight because of their psychotropic medications might, on the other hand, be helpful. Itll be important for providers to take the time to individualize their approach. A Word From Verywell Losing weight while on psychotropic medications isnt fast or easy. Although it may be difficult, take encouragement from knowing there is solid research to show it  is  possible to lose weight and still take your medication. If youre concerned about weight gain caused by the medication you take, consult with your healthcare provider to develop a plan that will work for you. Tips for Fighting Medication-Induced Weight Gain

Milan Faylu And Its Effects On Business Opportunities Essay

Being only 25 years old, Milan Faylu is the CEO and founder of Eben Naturals, a skincare brand based in Miami, FL. Even though he was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, due to his family business, he grew up in 7 different countries around the world and later attended University of Miami for his college education. This provided him with a globalized view towards business opportunities. It was during his studies at the University of Miami, when his idea for his venture first came about. During a trip back home to the Congo, Milan noticed the widespread use of skin lightening products by misguided consumers who had no information whatsoever about their harmful effects. Most of them even feature a high dosage of hydroquinone, a product said to be carcinogenic by the FDA. Instead of the alternative harmful skin lightening products, he thought it’d be great to promote products that would encourage people to embrace their natural skin tone. Subsequently, when he returned to the U.S, he started to pay more attention to the beauty industry and realized that there was a serious lack of beauty solutions geared towards his demographic. This was later confirmed by extensive market research, and combined with the passion he had towards the subject, he decided to dive into the project. Milan’s emotional reasoning behind his venture idea of empowering dark skinned p eople by creating an excellent product that is targeted specifically for them, agrees with the principles of TheShow MoreRelatedMilan Faylu, A And Founder Of Eben Naturals Essay844 Words   |  4 PagesMilan Faylu is the CEO and founder of Eben Naturals, a skin care brand based in Miami, FL. He was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, however due to his family business he grew up in 7 different countries around the world and later attended University of Miami for his college education. This provided him with a globalized view towards business opportunities. He was enrolled at the University of Miami, when his idea for his venture first came about. During trip back home to the Congo, Milan

The New Fuss About Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on

The New Fuss About Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on Features Good persuasive essay topics need to be persuasive. Persuasive essays are also called argumentative. They share a great deal of resemblance with argumentative essays. They have no paragraph limits. The writing shows precisely what your intellectual is so, you should be quite cautious when writing. You may find there's a compelling argument for learning another language after all! Topics that you're acquainted with will make it simpler to get ready for the speech. Writing an excellent persuasive essay is not a simple task, however, it's achievable. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on There are just a few things that define whether an essay you're working on is going to be a good one. Any idea can prove to be a good foundation for a topic. You might think that interesting essay titles do all of the work, permitting you to add obvious ex amples and share ordinary ideas. Even thought you may not think you're a master at persuasion, odds are you're far better than you believe. Essay writing is a crucial portion of your academic education or a writing career if you decide to go like that. At any time you catch yourself feeling captivated by somebody's essay or article, take a good look at it. Select an intriguing essay topic, and you will begin enjoying it. Still, figuring out the ideal topic for your essay isn't your only concern for a student. Writing essays is frequently a portion of school projects, however, choosing from a number of topics can be. Use what you read to assist you create some search terms, and to assist you choose your own position. Students often stress about trying to find utile persuasive essay tips and searching for ideas due to the fact that they feel it's an uphill job, but the crucial thing is to understand the essence and make an appropriate outline first by planning for it correctly. After all, the standard of persuasive writing is frequently a product of the topic itself. Taking into account that lots of persuasive essays concern controversial topics, before writing, you can want to sit down and think of what your opinion on the topic actually is. When the research is ready, you might have many distinct elements to cover the topic. A student ought to keep in contact with the hottest trends and know which persuasive essay topics are related to sound convincing in regards to defending personal opinions. The Meaning of Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on Obviously, giving a terrific persuasive speech requires more than simply selecting a great topic. While making the last draft, the author must revise the facts and figures to be able to assure they are accurate. In most instances, you will need to produce a topic that will make it possible for other people to understand your viewpoint, and telling them to feel that what you write is true. Having selected a great topic to argue about, at this point you will need to make an argumentative essay outline. You should settle on a persuasive essay topic that permits you to present the very best possible case. List of good topics to compose a satirical essay and create an impact to compose a hook for an essay you probably might have to start out. Remember your essay shouldn't be a string of jokes, it's a narrative it needs to have a start, middle and the end. So, the best method to compose a wonderful persuasive essay is to locate a theme you're familiarized with and would like to share your experience with the reader. Adding supporting details to each and every paragraph is vital to be able to create a superior informative essay. There ought to be selective variety of the words to make it even more relevant. Put simply, you want to understand the aim of your persuasive essay. A superb writing needs to be concise and precise. Even a student can begin a business online. You could possibly be given the topic straight away by your professor, or maybe you be free to decide on the topic yourself. There are several persuasive essay topics to select from to finish your high school or college assignment. In general, you can observe that writing a persuasive essay isn't a brain surgery. Students need more practical subjects to learn the way to use unique things. Since you can see, several of the topics listed are new and tackle the rec ent issues happening in the World today. To help students just like you find debatable topics, we've gathered a wide variety of ideas on distinct subjects and academic levels. All arguments in persuasive essay ought to be backed up with dependable and trustworthy evidence. Remember a persuasive essay is only a reflection of your beliefs or opinions. Conclusion has to have the conclusive note which provides the feeling of closure.

American Epidemic Free Essays

In modern times, nobody who reads the newspapers or watches television can avoid the chilling fate that our country faces. School violence is a rapidly growing trend in America, and it seems to be there is nothing we can do to stop it. The offenders are from all races and social classes. We will write a custom essay sample on American Epidemic or any similar topic only for you Order Now They range from the high school hero to the high school dropout. It often seems the only thing they have in common is an utter disregard for their own life and the lives of others. In the following accounts, taken straight from American headlines, harrowing events fit for blockbuster fiction prove that our country is becoming victim to a new criminal: youthful rage. In generations past, the high school rebel was the boy all the girls wanted and all the boys wanted to be. He was the one in the leather jacket who went to class only to make snide remarks, drove too fast, and talked too slow. Jump forward to the end of the twentieth century, and the high school rebel is the boy who students ignore, the one who sits in the back of the classroom and never talks, wears all black and keeps to himself. He is the last student anyone would fear, but probably the most dangerous. He doesn†t want to take advantage of those who are smaller than him, but wants to seek vengeance on those who have hurt him, basically everyone. He, in fact, is sometimes a she. Of course, offenders can†t be classified into one group. Many times it is the last person you would ever imagine. That is the way it happened for Chester Jackson, a Detroit high school football star. Chester was a seventeen-year-old hero, a senior who had reached godlike status due to his work for the school football team. But if you ask his high school friends of their memories of Chester, they will not remember him running down the football field, but running down the hall, trying to save his own life. Like so many students, Chester found it amusing to tease the underclassmen. Particularly a fourteen-year-old freshman boy that was unable to defend himself when Chester and his friends pushed him in his own locker and secured the combination lock for three consecutive classes. That was the event they say made the boy snap. He brought a gun to school the next day, and even with all of his football training, Chester could not run fast enough to save his own life. He was the first student ever killed in a Michigan high school. Unfortunately, Chester†s story is not an isolated incident. School shootings are now a common occurrence. A place that used to be considered a safe haven is now turning into a death trap. Where lockers and drinking fountains used to be found there are now metal detectors and armed guards. Detroit high schools have expelled fifteen students since Chester†s murder inspired them to install metal detectors. Each of the students was carrying a loaded gun. Chester†s death also resulted in the now nation wide Barron Assessment and Counseling Center, a program designed to encourage youths to exchange their weapons for books. Marva Collins, principal of a Chicago Public School, sees the starting of these groups as bittersweet. † (These) Centers are extremely helpful, and have the right idea in mind, but how many children are going to have to die before our nation sits up and pays attention. Will mine be the next? † In 1994, children under 18 were 244% more likely to be killed by guns than they were in 1986. Gun owners of all ages state that their number one reason for owning a handgun is protection from criminals, yet they are 43 times as likely to kill a friend or family member than they are a criminal. In the 1980†³s it appeared that teen pregnancy was going to be the downfall of American society, but as Marion Wright Edelman, president of the children†s advocacy group puts it, † The crisis of children having children has been eclipsed by the greater crisis of children killing children. † Between 1979 and 1993, guns killed more than 60,000 children, a figure greater than the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Also, a child in the United States is 15 times as likely to die as a result of gunfire than is a child in war-torn Northern Ireland. The statistics only succeed in proving what is becoming incredibly obvious; guns have become the clearest evidence of a growing despair among many American teenagers. As one young man puts it, † That†s just the way it is. Guns are just a part of growing up these days. You fire a gun and you can just feel the power. It†s like yeah. † Who is to blame for the newest American trend? Are parents not paying enough attention to their children? Are schools not educating students on proper anger management? These are both possibilities, but 6 out of 10 people agree: the problem lies in the media. It seems that you cannot attend a movie these days without having to prepare yourself for some degree of violence. Even â€Å"family† movies (those with a G or PG rating) are not immune to it. Television shows are nearly as bad, police dramas run nearly every night during prime time on major networks, exposing millions of young children to things they are not ready to see. The new wave of gangster rap shows young men boasting of killings and beatings, and the people of our country are proving to the corporations that offer these products one major thing; violence sells. Tommy Matola, president of a major music Corporation states â€Å"the things that (these) young men are speaking of are things that they grew up around, that millions of children are still growing up around. Society owes them for exposing a problem that may threaten our national security. † Even a typical cartoon show averages 41 acts of violence each hour, with an attempted murder every 2 minutes. Many parents want the Government to regulate what is available for children to see, but many maintain that it is not their responsibility. As Barry Lynn of the American Civil Liberties Union put it, † If you cannot persuade persons to reject what you consider to be exploitive or unhealthy, do not ask the government to impose your will on those same persons. † Lately, as youth violence has been more scrutinized by the public, many new laws have come into effect. The debate over what to do with juvenile offenders is one that will never be solved, but can be compromised to come up with a good solution. Currently, offenders who appear in juvenile court do not receive a criminal record. Therefore, when a child appears in front of a new judge, he will have no way of knowing how many times the child has convicted the same crime. The law of dismissing children from a criminal record was designed to protect them from stigma and prejudice, but more often there are negative results received not by the child, but by their victim. States have experimented with such things as punishing parents for crimes their children commit, and many have began to charge children accused of major crimes as adults. However, none of these laws have been threatening enough, as fourteen-year-old Arthur Bates has proven. Arthur spent many of his early years in mental facilities, but after it was decided that nobody could help him he was sent home to his mother. One day Arthur chose a house at random and planned on robbing it. Once he got in he realized the owner of the home, Lillian Piper, was asleep inside. Arthur proceeded to rape and kill Miss Piper, and then have a bowl of ice cream from her freezer and drive off in her Cadillac. About an hour later police, to whom he immediately confessed, stopped him. He then told them, â€Å"You can†t do anything to me. I just fourteen. † He was sentenced to seven months in reform school. To many, trying children as adults is the only fit punishment, but it has not been as helpful as its proponents had hoped. Usually, when these children are sent to adult institutions, they are sexually molested and taught new crimes. When the child leaves the institution, which many call their â€Å"crime school,† the child is now more dangerous than he ever had been. There have been many â€Å"crime camps,† instituted with juvenile offenders in mind, as well. At these camps, young offenders take part in â€Å"skills streaming† where they learn new ways to deal with real life situations. Whether any of these options really work is really in the eye of the public, and they cannot seem to agree. As Los Angeles police detective Robert Contreras puts it, â€Å"These kids are getting away with murder. They have no respect for anything and joke that in jail they†ll at least get three square meals a day. † Obviously, it is going to take more than one person to stop what is being called an American epidemic. Every parent, every child, every teacher, and every citizen is going to have to stand up and help achieve a solution. As of now, the students committing these crimes are not only literally getting away with murder but also being glamorized. Maryanne Britain, a Texas student, points out â€Å"I cannot name one of the students that was killed in Colorado, but I know the whole biography of the killers. What sense does that make? † Miss Britain has pointed out something that many of us don†t realize, in our country often times the offenders are mistaken as the victim. We lose sight of the crime at hand and try to blame the problem on society instead of the killers. We are all faced with the same graphic truth, and many of us are able to make it through life without killing anyone. Alone, we cannot accomplish much, but if we stand up to offenders as a nation, we can save the fate that we are now facing. All it will take to save the lives of our generation and many to come is everyone working together. That is when we will take our country back and truly make a difference. Perhaps teamwork can be the nations next epidemic. How to cite American Epidemic, Essay examples

American Epidemic Free Essays

In modern times, nobody who reads the newspapers or watches television can avoid the chilling fate that our country faces. School violence is a rapidly growing trend in America, and it seems to be there is nothing we can do to stop it. The offenders are from all races and social classes. We will write a custom essay sample on American Epidemic or any similar topic only for you Order Now They range from the high school hero to the high school dropout. It often seems the only thing they have in common is an utter disregard for their own life and the lives of others. In the following accounts, taken straight from American headlines, harrowing events fit for blockbuster fiction prove that our country is becoming victim to a new criminal: youthful rage. In generations past, the high school rebel was the boy all the girls wanted and all the boys wanted to be. He was the one in the leather jacket who went to class only to make snide remarks, drove too fast, and talked too slow. Jump forward to the end of the twentieth century, and the high school rebel is the boy who students ignore, the one who sits in the back of the classroom and never talks, wears all black and keeps to himself. He is the last student anyone would fear, but probably the most dangerous. He doesn†t want to take advantage of those who are smaller than him, but wants to seek vengeance on those who have hurt him, basically everyone. He, in fact, is sometimes a she. Of course, offenders can†t be classified into one group. Many times it is the last person you would ever imagine. That is the way it happened for Chester Jackson, a Detroit high school football star. Chester was a seventeen-year-old hero, a senior who had reached godlike status due to his work for the school football team. But if you ask his high school friends of their memories of Chester, they will not remember him running down the football field, but running down the hall, trying to save his own life. Like so many students, Chester found it amusing to tease the underclassmen. Particularly a fourteen-year-old freshman boy that was unable to defend himself when Chester and his friends pushed him in his own locker and secured the combination lock for three consecutive classes. That was the event they say made the boy snap. He brought a gun to school the next day, and even with all of his football training, Chester could not run fast enough to save his own life. He was the first student ever killed in a Michigan high school. Unfortunately, Chester†s story is not an isolated incident. School shootings are now a common occurrence. A place that used to be considered a safe haven is now turning into a death trap. Where lockers and drinking fountains used to be found there are now metal detectors and armed guards. Detroit high schools have expelled fifteen students since Chester†s murder inspired them to install metal detectors. Each of the students was carrying a loaded gun. Chester†s death also resulted in the now nation wide Barron Assessment and Counseling Center, a program designed to encourage youths to exchange their weapons for books. Marva Collins, principal of a Chicago Public School, sees the starting of these groups as bittersweet. † (These) Centers are extremely helpful, and have the right idea in mind, but how many children are going to have to die before our nation sits up and pays attention. Will mine be the next? † In 1994, children under 18 were 244% more likely to be killed by guns than they were in 1986. Gun owners of all ages state that their number one reason for owning a handgun is protection from criminals, yet they are 43 times as likely to kill a friend or family member than they are a criminal. In the 1980†³s it appeared that teen pregnancy was going to be the downfall of American society, but as Marion Wright Edelman, president of the children†s advocacy group puts it, † The crisis of children having children has been eclipsed by the greater crisis of children killing children. † Between 1979 and 1993, guns killed more than 60,000 children, a figure greater than the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Also, a child in the United States is 15 times as likely to die as a result of gunfire than is a child in war-torn Northern Ireland. The statistics only succeed in proving what is becoming incredibly obvious; guns have become the clearest evidence of a growing despair among many American teenagers. As one young man puts it, † That†s just the way it is. Guns are just a part of growing up these days. You fire a gun and you can just feel the power. It†s like yeah. † Who is to blame for the newest American trend? Are parents not paying enough attention to their children? Are schools not educating students on proper anger management? These are both possibilities, but 6 out of 10 people agree: the problem lies in the media. It seems that you cannot attend a movie these days without having to prepare yourself for some degree of violence. Even â€Å"family† movies (those with a G or PG rating) are not immune to it. Television shows are nearly as bad, police dramas run nearly every night during prime time on major networks, exposing millions of young children to things they are not ready to see. The new wave of gangster rap shows young men boasting of killings and beatings, and the people of our country are proving to the corporations that offer these products one major thing; violence sells. Tommy Matola, president of a major music Corporation states â€Å"the things that (these) young men are speaking of are things that they grew up around, that millions of children are still growing up around. Society owes them for exposing a problem that may threaten our national security. † Even a typical cartoon show averages 41 acts of violence each hour, with an attempted murder every 2 minutes. Many parents want the Government to regulate what is available for children to see, but many maintain that it is not their responsibility. As Barry Lynn of the American Civil Liberties Union put it, † If you cannot persuade persons to reject what you consider to be exploitive or unhealthy, do not ask the government to impose your will on those same persons. † Lately, as youth violence has been more scrutinized by the public, many new laws have come into effect. The debate over what to do with juvenile offenders is one that will never be solved, but can be compromised to come up with a good solution. Currently, offenders who appear in juvenile court do not receive a criminal record. Therefore, when a child appears in front of a new judge, he will have no way of knowing how many times the child has convicted the same crime. The law of dismissing children from a criminal record was designed to protect them from stigma and prejudice, but more often there are negative results received not by the child, but by their victim. States have experimented with such things as punishing parents for crimes their children commit, and many have began to charge children accused of major crimes as adults. However, none of these laws have been threatening enough, as fourteen-year-old Arthur Bates has proven. Arthur spent many of his early years in mental facilities, but after it was decided that nobody could help him he was sent home to his mother. One day Arthur chose a house at random and planned on robbing it. Once he got in he realized the owner of the home, Lillian Piper, was asleep inside. Arthur proceeded to rape and kill Miss Piper, and then have a bowl of ice cream from her freezer and drive off in her Cadillac. About an hour later police, to whom he immediately confessed, stopped him. He then told them, â€Å"You can†t do anything to me. I just fourteen. † He was sentenced to seven months in reform school. To many, trying children as adults is the only fit punishment, but it has not been as helpful as its proponents had hoped. Usually, when these children are sent to adult institutions, they are sexually molested and taught new crimes. When the child leaves the institution, which many call their â€Å"crime school,† the child is now more dangerous than he ever had been. There have been many â€Å"crime camps,† instituted with juvenile offenders in mind, as well. At these camps, young offenders take part in â€Å"skills streaming† where they learn new ways to deal with real life situations. Whether any of these options really work is really in the eye of the public, and they cannot seem to agree. As Los Angeles police detective Robert Contreras puts it, â€Å"These kids are getting away with murder. They have no respect for anything and joke that in jail they†ll at least get three square meals a day. † Obviously, it is going to take more than one person to stop what is being called an American epidemic. Every parent, every child, every teacher, and every citizen is going to have to stand up and help achieve a solution. As of now, the students committing these crimes are not only literally getting away with murder but also being glamorized. Maryanne Britain, a Texas student, points out â€Å"I cannot name one of the students that was killed in Colorado, but I know the whole biography of the killers. What sense does that make? † Miss Britain has pointed out something that many of us don†t realize, in our country often times the offenders are mistaken as the victim. We lose sight of the crime at hand and try to blame the problem on society instead of the killers. We are all faced with the same graphic truth, and many of us are able to make it through life without killing anyone. Alone, we cannot accomplish much, but if we stand up to offenders as a nation, we can save the fate that we are now facing. All it will take to save the lives of our generation and many to come is everyone working together. That is when we will take our country back and truly make a difference. Perhaps teamwork can be the nations next epidemic. How to cite American Epidemic, Essay examples