Blog post #2

Sexual Jihad?

Recently up many Tunisian girls have been reported for going on a "sexual Jihad" to Syria. This article addresses the facts about it. It seems unsure whether the women were "tricked" into going on this trip to relieve soldiers or if it was voluntary. Many women have returned pregnant after having sex with many of the Islamic fighters in Syria. The women were exchanged between different men during their stay there. Some say that this might the simple form of prostitution, because it was a formal agreement. The actions seems suspicious although because many have been arrested for "networking" to send young people to Syria for this type of Jihad. It seems there are mixed views within the country itself. Some say it is simply prostitution and others say it is "moral educational corruption". Within a concentrated area of soldiers one of these "Jihads" was discovered and broken up.

There is a interesting problem going on here that the article unintentionally points out that could creates some sociological perspective tension. It seems that although some see this as a sort of crime, or even sex trafficking, another view point is that it is a version of "holy war" which is admirable in Middle Eastern tradition and religion. So although women could be offering their bodies up for nothing return, within their religion it is considered honoring. It is important to not be ethnocentric and at the same time also understand the patriarchal society that dominates the Middle East. The real question is if this is a social problem within Tunisia or if it is suitable for their social structure and traditions.

What could create problems is the fact that these women are returning pregnant and might not be able to provide for their children because the relations had with the soldiers were conditional. Similar yet different to what happened in the 1940's after the war in America. Women were encouraged to have children, it was considered honorable but not be independent workers. Is it oppression? If these women are only seen for their reproductive values the society as a whole will decline economically. The society will decline economically because these women make up more then 50% percent of the population and therefore you are loosing a good bit of interaction.  This causes a variety of problems, such as poverty and starvation, lack of health care, all stemming from to much weight on the woman.

Although they do their country an honor of giving birth, it will not be honorable if the children will have a hard time even surviving. Traditionally what the Tunisian women did makes sense, but dynamically it will have a negative impact on the way women are viewed and their involvement in society. These women although honoring their tradition might end up experiencing suppression they might even be unaware of. This could also be a social issue if these women are tricked or in anyway having been forced to have contact with the soldiers. This is sexual exploitation which there is a high chance of considering the gender gap in Tunisia.

Blog 11: For better, For worse

Broken relationships continue to affect many around the world. Unlike other nations, Britain’s divorce rates are on the rise. In 2009 their divorce rates were reported to be at 6.2 percent, as of 2011 the rate has increased to 11.1 percent, which is a 4.9 percent increase in only two years. Some of the reasons causing this dramatic increase are people not marrying for the right reason, not truly loving their mate, and even the cohabitation before (which has been proven to increase the chances of divorce once married). The increase in rates of divorce has come with major social and financial costs. Including affecting children emotionally, having them torn between parents. In order to address this issue a highly respected judge, Sir Paul Coleridge has been working toward starting a campaign to educate couples better on marriage. He plans to have seminars, conferences, and publications that encourage people to enter these commitments more seriously. These efforts will also educate and motivate couples on how to work on and maintain their relationships when things get rough in their relationships. His goal in this campaign is to help strengthen relationships and have more children raised surrounded by love and stability.

This campaign that Sir Paul Coleridge is working on is a great idea and I think it will result in a major decrease in divorce rates. The campaign is good because it allows people to see how divorce has become a problem. Shows them how it would affect their children and their financial stability. There are many people now that divorce and marry off of impulse without thinking of the effects first. When they marry on impulse they often don’t think of how bad things could get at some point during the marriage and how they would handle it, so when those moments come along they decide on impulse once again. This campaign would definitely help people, who make these types of decisions on impulse, slow down and think about the real effects and later result in longer lasting marriages and less divorces. This will also help in decreasing the amount of children’s emotional and cognitive development that is usually affected by parental separation.

Article

Blog 12: One-third of infants born out of wedlock

As with other country’s statistics, Australia’s marriage and divorce rates are both on a decline. As of 2010 marriage rates have dropped 1.5 percent in the last 10 years. Divorce rates have fallen .2 percent in the past 10 years to 2.3 percent. The biggest contributing factor to these rates is the amount of people deciding to cohabitate before marriage, known to Australian’s as de facto relationships. It’s not that people that cohabitate aren’t marrying, but they are waiting longer to marry and divorcing more than those who do not cohabitate more. As of 2010 those that are marrying, 79 percent had a de facto relationship first before marrying. Since couple’s are waiting longer to marry, the average age of marriage has also increased to 29 for men and 27 for women. These delays have also lead to one in three infant’s being born to parents who aren’t married. This has become one of the worst effects of having a de facto relationship before marriage because it then begins to contribute to other global issues already acknowledged.

Children born to unmarried parents are at higher risk of experiencing some form of parental break-up which negatively effects their cognitive and emotional development. Since those who cohabitate before marriage are at higher risk of divorce this means they are also at higher risk of experiencing financial difficulties once that happens. This means that the children are then added to the number of children that experience poverty. So in all, cohabitation has been affecting relationships and children in a major way.

Article

Blog 13: Rising divorce rate no help to any society

In this article David Quinn describes how "marriage breakdown" rates are at an all time in Ireland. Although the rates are high for them, the rates are still low compared to other countries.

In the most recent census results showed that divorce in Ireland has increased by 150 percent in the last 10 years, which now puts them at 88,000 people. The term marriage breakdown does not only refer to those that are divorced, but also those that are going through a separation and remarriage after divorce which makes up approximately 250,000 people. The other percentage of separations is covered by those who choose to cohabitate rather than marry. The effects of cohabitation have also gone unacknowledged, but the British Millennium Cohort Study was able to show with statistics that couples who cohabitate are more than twice as likely to break-up as married parents. Quinn later begins to explain how it used to be believed that adult separations had no long term effect on children, research has also proven this to be incorrect. Two effects that were acknowledged were decreases in academic achievement and negative views of marriage as they become adults. Children who experience any type of separation between their parents, it’s a smooth or chaotic transition, tend to act out in school and perform badly. If not addressed at an early age, this can later effect their achievement in their career. Children who experience marriage breakdown are also less likely to want to marry in fear of having to deal with separation again as they did when they were a child.

When people make life changing decisions such as separation they tend to think only of how it will affect them and their child at the moment. Parent’s often fail to think of how it will affect their child later on in life. Two parents deciding to go through any type of divorce could ultimately be contributing a pattern starting where the child never gets married but has children, later giving their child the idea that it is ok to not be married and have children. It could also lead to their child having to experience poverty as an adult because of poor choices made in school which stops him/her from being able to work in the career field they want to work in. There are plenty of global issues already in the world that a “simple” separation could later on contribute to.

Article

Blog 13 "Marriage amendment would affect many people, panel says"

This article is from the Winston-Salem Journal and I thought this would be  a great article to end on for my blogs. "A proposed state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage would have unintended consequences that could hurt children, victims of domestic violence and others, according to a panel of legal and religion scholars at a community forum Sunday in Winston-Salem." The article goes on to explain why people are supporting the amendment, "North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast without such a constitutional provision. Same-sex marriage is already illegal by statute in North Carolina, but supporters say a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage would protect traditional marriage from being redefined by the courts" What many individuals against this amendment and other panels I have personally listened too from lawyers and other officials have said this does not just affect same-sex marriage it effects every one's family. They also say that individuals do not know this because they only have heard the first paragraph of the amendment and they are not explained what the amendment is about. I believe this is a civil rights issue not just for same-sex marriage but for everyone who are not married. If this amendment passes common law goes away. So many individuals will lose insurance from companies who allow domestic partnerships in their health benefits. Also, many individuals will lose power of attorney when dealing with loved ones in the hospital and other tragedies. Also, domestic violence laws will not be allowed to be used for individuals who are not "legally" married if you have a domestic violence case it is just looked at as assault and you only get a restraining order. You do not have the same rights as individuals who are married. This is why this is a civil rights issue because everyone deserve the same rights. Some individuals will be losing the rights they have had all along just because they do not want to get married. I believe any civil rights issue and discrimination is a social problem.

 http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2012/apr/16/wsmet01-marriage-amendment-would-affect-many-peopl-ar-2166456/

Blog 13: Europe's old wealth seeks new home in Asia

              The Spinola family of Genoa, those who were once friends and business partners with Christopher Columbus are now moving their money and ties to Asia.  Many ultra-affluent families are moving their assets to Singapore into family offices.  There is a pull to look east when preserving fortune, managing trusts and investments.  These are no small investments.  Families are bringing billions of dollars in assets with them to Singapore.  Singapore is providing many different opportunities with regards to the investment of money which include low tax rates and the smooth movement of money among other perks.  Singapore is also offering benefits for those investors to spend their money and to unwind.  There is a pull to move money and invest money in Southeast Asia because the prospects are good, in comparison to the weak economies of Europe and the United States.  Singapore is becoming a financial center for family money.  It is providing new ways for families to manage their wealth and providing greater financial technology.  These families are generally investing in things like energy, commodities, healthcare, and biotechnology stocks.

                Old family money is being put to use in new ways.  Money is now being invested in other parts of the world.  Families in Europe are investing their family money into Singapore because they can see its potential.  As a result of the weak economies in Europe and the United States, families are looking elsewhere to invest their assets.  This is important because more and more money is now in Southeast Asia.  Where economies are already doing well, investors are choosing to place more money and more faith into these countries.  Taking their money and assets out of the current country and moving them elsewhere can only place a hardship on the former country.  If the reason for these families investing their money into Southeast Asian countries is because of the economy, how will the current economy in the other countries fare?  I realize that it is a business decision when moving assets; however it does not benefit their own country when moving their investments.  Struggling economies will only continue to struggle if this attitude and these actions persist by families.  

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/17/us-wealth-families-asia-idUSBRE83G0UP20120417

Blog 12 "Family planning group sues over exclusion from Texas program"

Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit to stop a new Texas rule that will not allow the family planning organization from using a program that provides cancer screenings, birth control, and other health services to low-income women. Planned Parenthood is saying it is unconstitutional and that will lead to tons of women not being able to get preventive healthcare from their chosen provider. To me this goes along with the gay-marriage debate that the states are trying to define what is appropriate and not appropriate for their citizens to receive and what rights. "Since the Texas Women's Health Program began in 2007, state law has technically banned its money from going to abortion providers or affiliates of abortion providers, but the state did not enforce the ban on affiliates" Also, just like the gay-marriage debate deals with religion reasoning so does the abortion conversation. Women have always been oppressed there has been improvements over the years but there is still a lot to be done for women. To me this is a social problem, women and gay marriage need help with this civil rights issue. Women and individuals who identify themselves with a gay identity are being oppressed.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/us-usa-plannedparenthood-texas-idUSBRE83A1G320120411

Blog 12: The Global Problem of Gender Inequality

            Gender inequality continues to be a problem in the majority of countries.  Only four nations, Cuba, Costa Rica, Sweden, and Norway have achieved gender equality.  Gender inequality affects women and the family.  Access to education, health and life expectancy, economic opportunity, and political empowerment are all areas that show the inequality between males and females across the world.  There are far more crimes committed against women than men.  The ways in which gender inequality is seen varies throughout the world.  For example, in China, females are undervalued and seen as weaker, more expensive, and less intelligent than males.  Some counties, including China also practice in sex selective abortions allowing the parents to choose whether or not to keep the child based on whether it is a male or a female.  China is making some advances in this area as it is allowing parents who have had a girl the chance at having a son despite the one child policy.  India is encouraging women’s education and supplying parents with financial aids to go towards their daughter’s dowry.  In Saudi Arabia, the Society for Defending Women’s Rights is seeking to empower women and protect their rights.  Women are suffering severe emotional and economic repercussions as a result of gender inequality being deeply rooted in history, culture, and tradition.  Gender inequality prevents maximum productivity.  This needs to be addressed in order to help human development and the economy.  Equal partners will allow for societies and families to flourish.

            Gender inequality is prevalent everywhere and affects everything including the family.  Some families are choosing whether or not to keep their child or abort based on the sex of the child because one is more favored.  Something must be done to create gender equality amongst all nations.  We need to look at the four countries that have accomplished this and see what programs and laws they are implementing to create gender equality.  More importantly I think we need to take a look inward and see where gender inequality is present in our own society.  While the United States may have more gender equality than countries like China and India, gender inequality still exists and should be addressed.  Families cannot keep pretending that gender inequality is okay.  China and India and countries alike should reexamine their practices and attitudes towards gender in order to produce more productive members of families and society.  If we were to stand up to gender inequality and create truly equal countries, these countries would be much better off economically because they would be able to have maximum productivity.  I believe one of the first steps to go about changing the ideas and attitudes towards gender and the family is to reexamine our history, culture, and tradition.  If we recognize where these thoughts and practices come from, it will be easier to reshape these ideas into something that is more suited towards gender equality.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nake-m-kamrany/gender-inequality_b_1417535.html

Blog 11: "Gay-Inclusive Anti-Discrimination Bill"

In Chile, after the murder of Daniel Zamudio created an anti-discrimination law which is gay-inclusive. Daniel Zambudio was murdered because he was gay. He died on March 27th from injuries he received in an attack in a park on March 3rd. He was targeted because he was gay the officials have said. Due to this tragic incident the House of Deputies joined the Senate in approving the anti-discrimination bill which was proposed in 2005. Many Evangelical churches lobbied against this because they were afraid that it would lead to legalization of gay marriage. "Discrimination made illegal by the law is defined as 'any distinction, exclusion or restriction that lacks reasonable justification, committed by agents of the state or individuals, and that causes the deprivation, disturbance or threatens the legitimate exercise of fundamental rights.” To me the conversation about gay marriage is a civil rights issue and with many civil rights issues it takes a murder or tragic event to make a law or to make the conversation to change. Things are slowing changing but there is still a lot to be done to change. Religion still plays a big part on why having a gay identity, becomes a problem for individuals in the community. 




http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=11445&MediaType=1&Category=24

Blog 11: Families around world grieve after mass shooting

There was a mass shooting on the campus of Oikos University in California on Monday.  Families around the world are grieving the loss of sons and daughters, husbands and wives.  One of the husbands of the victims was still living in the Philippines, waiting for things to become stable before he joined his family in the United States.  Another victim was born in Sikkim, India, near the Himalayan Mountains.  The point is, people across the world are going through the grieving process, from this one event.  School shootings are not something to be taken lightly; families are severely affected by this.  Some of the victims were finishing up their last semester before starting their careers.  Devastated families across the world are mourning the death of loved ones. 

Whether we know it or not, one action in one area of the world can have a domino effect and impact other areas of the world.  Those who are grieving as a result of this mass shooting are not just from the United States.  There are families in the Philippines, India, as well as other areas that are grieving the loss of family members.  An act that may seem central to the United States has affected the lives of the families of the victims.  These families across the world have to come to terms with the loss of a son or daughter or a sibling.  One act of terror on one day in a small area has a ripple effect.  Not only are the people at the school affected, their families whether they are in the United States or across the world and the surrounding area have all been affected by this one act of terror.  

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8607153

Blog 10: Marriage Rates Declining in Developed Countries

It has been noticed in sever articles that the rate of marriage has decreased along with the age of first marriage increasing. The average age of marriage now is between 26 and 29 years of age. The percentage of adults married has dropped from 72 percent in 1960 to 51 percent today in the United States. Many adults are taking the cohabitation route before getting married. They view this as a chance to get to know their mates ways better when it comes to how he/she handles finances, confrontation, and housework. For many this period of cohabitating ends relationships or at least postpones marriage because things began to come to light that one mate may not be able to deal with. In Mexico they are debating on giving their residents the option of a trial marriage that would include a two-year contract. This would guarantee couples to stay together for at least two years and make the divorce process much faster and easier. Two other statistics acknowledged that influence marriage rates are education and race. 64 percent of college graduates are married versus 47 percent of high school graduates, compared to both levels being equal fifty years ago. These statistics partially influenced by educated women wanting to marry educated men, and educated men wanting to be educated so that they can better provide for their families in the future. As for race, 55 percent of whites are married, 48 percent of Hispanics, and 31 percent of Blacks.

There are issues with marriage rates all around the world. Some countries are trying to come up with ways of increasing marriage rates, such as Mexico, while others encourage or at least accept cohabitation. Marriage rates around the world could increase if more countries came up with ways of encouraging marriage, but these ideas must not eventually lead to higher divorce rates because that would cause another global problem. I don’t see an issue with adults waiting later to marry once they are financially stable, I actually think that is very smart. The idea of cohabitating to be able to see your mate’s flaws before marriage is ok, but I wouldn’t encourage it because there are other ways to see these. Many preachers encourage marriage counseling before getting married because this is where you are able to talk about things such as each person’s views on handling finances and communicating to prevent or solve confrontation. . So there are several ways to address the issue of low marriage rates without leading to higher divorce rates and/or cohabitation rates.

Article

Blog 10: "Marriage amendment galvanizes activists"

As I have been continuing to find that the big social concern for both sides of the debate is same-sex marriage and what defines family. I chose this article because it takes place in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It has the same conversation we have been hearing is the concern of the marriage amendment, Amendment One. The election takes place for this amendment on May 8th. This article talks about how the churches around North Carolina are trying to get the amendment to pass and North Carolina is the only state in the south that does not have a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage. This article talks about the one side of the debate and that is passing this amendment. For a social problem to exist there has to be a side that has a negative few. Same-sex marriage to individuals is a social problem that does not deserve the same rights as heterosexual marriages. On the other side of the debate is that same-sex couples are being discriminated against and deserve equal rights. The main issue is a religious view on same-sex couples and marriages and also how the culture defines what is a family. The idea of what is a family varies person to person but to the government it is for heterosexual individuals. Over many years the idea of what family means have changed over decades which explains that it is not just a biological thing it is also has some sort of social construction. If the culture changes the definition of what family is, I believe there can be a change in the conversation if same-sex marriages are "families".

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/29/1965637/pro-marriage-amendment-rallies.html

Blog 10: How China's New Love Affair with U.S. Private Schools Is Changing Them Both

            Chinese students are looking to American private schools to give them opportunity and a more positive future.   American private schools are offering greater opportunity, better education, and have more prestige than high schools in China.  Chinese families look at the expense of American private schools as a worthy investment into the future of their children.  Private high schools in America will lead to Ivy League colleges.  Those studying in American colleges and universities have increased even in the past year.  While studying in America provides a good opportunity for these Chinese students, the application process is extensive and can be geographically out of reach.  Many families in China work closely with education agencies in preparation for American private schools and to help with the application process.  There are both language and cultural barriers involved with the applications that the education agencies help with.  The problem comes when the American private schools are looking at the applications and having to question how much of the information is really from the student due to the language and cultural barriers.  One cause of these barriers is the great emphasis placed on the Chinese education system and the importance of standardized test scores.  As a result of the emphasis placed on testing, many of the Chinese students are uncertain of how to answer the questions on the American applications.  One reason for the push to study in American private schools has to do with the failure of Chinese schools in catering to individual students.  There is greater pressure to excel, and with American private high schools encouraging more independent thinking and allowing students to express their interests, the Chinese students are able to develop skills that will help them excel.  American high school diplomas provide the opportunity for Chinese students to move upward with regards to mobility.  Families are hoping that investing in schooling abroad will help provide greater success at home.  This is creating an increase in economic inequalities. 

            I think that it is very interesting that there is such a push to get an American education.  I realize that private schools are different from public schools, but from what I experienced throughout school, there was not much room to develop independent thinking or dig deeper into my own interests.  Chinese families have to sacrifice a lot in order to send their children to schools abroad.  Not only are they sacrificing financially, they are also giving up the opportunity to see their children grow in the latter years of their adolescence.  This emphasizes the importance of schooling for these children in China.  These families are sacrificing in hopes that their children will have a better future and be able to move upward in society.  The system of education in America, while there are issues, cannot be too bad if there is a great importance on studying abroad in American private schools. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/03/how-chinas-new-love-affair-with-us-private-schools-is-changing-them-both/255154/1/