Same Sex Marriage Controversy in the United States Essays -- gay marri

In a very real sense, it is reasonable to argue that the government should have no say at all in the processes of marriage, or decide which adults may or may not legally marry. State and federal governments play a role, of course, in that marriage is a civil union, and provides benefits and legal protections for the couple. Historically, marriage serves the interests of the society by promoting stability and future generations of citizens, and governments usually act in ways to promote this very vital element. At the same time, it is highly questionable whether this governmental authority should have any voice in who chooses to marry, provided those involved are adults and wish to do so. This is in fact, at the heart of the same-sex marriage controversy still gripping the United States. Gay men and women, eager to gain the legal benefits and cultural recognition of legal marriage, demand it as a right, while others assert that marriage itself is defined as a union between only a man and a woman. Meanwhile, states today vary and alter individual state laws, as further debate rages over whether legally permitting same-sex marriage is a federal or state prerogative. As the following will examine and support, same-sex marriage should be at best only a state concern, and the federal government should play no part beyond upholding states’ rights in the matter. This is essentially because governmental jurisdiction over the right to marry should be at a minimum, given the right to marry as not defined by gender within the Constitution or any other foundational law. Moreover, as states increasingly legalize same-sex marriage, a process occurs that is purely democratic in principle; the people are by degrees influencing the nation as ... ...of Chicago Press, 2013. Print. Meezan, W., & Rauch, J. â€Å"Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, and America's Children." The Future of Children 15.2 (2005): 97-113. Print. Mello, M. Legalizing Gay Marriage: Vermont and The National Debate. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2008. Print. Murray, M. â€Å"Marriage rights and parental rights: Parents, the state, and proposition 8.† Stan. JCR & CL 5 (2009): 357-407. Web. Rimmerman, C. A., & Wilcox, C. The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007. Print. Schram, S. After Welfare: The Culture of Postindustrial Social Policy. New York: NYU Press, 2000. Print. Strasser, M. P. On Same-sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and the Rule of Law: Constitutional Interpretation at the Crossroads. Westport: Greenwood Publishing, 2008. Print.

Personal Growth and Development

Psychology 101 TuThu 3:30-4:45 The concept of personal development has been an important factor that shapes the characters we develop, and the overall person we become. Research suggests that many of the values and traits we possess stem from both genetics and the environment. In terms of genetics, hereditary traits are passed down from the mother and father, which play a huge role in personal development, but research and personal experience also suggest that the impact of the environment parallels the importance of genetics.Environmental factors have been proven to significantly impact the growth and development of an individual. The home the individual is raised in, the people they are surrounded by and the individual’s role model all play an important role in the molding of the individual. Such is the reason why cultural relativism impacts individuals, and guides the way they perform tasks, execute decisions, and their way of thought. The American culture, for example, has slowed down the transition of adolescence into adulthood due to cultural ideals, and the greater need to pursue a higher education in order to compete successfully in the country.Research by the 1958 National Child Development Study, and the 1970 British Cohort Study support these statements, and have shown that we have reached a generation in which adolescents are transitioning into adulthood more slowly, yet more psychological stress is placed on them, and reports of depression have raised since the 50s. Personal growth and development traces back to genetics. Each individual is born with a specific set of genes depending on the mother and father.Genetic traits such as weight, height, appearance, and in some cases, personality, are passed down the hereditary line, and predisposes individuals to certain traits and qualities. The health of the individual is also largely influenced by the care taken by the mother while the fetus was developing within the womb. Proper nutrition, and avoiding neglectful habits such as drinking and smoking, all help to shape the health of the individual from the time they are born. The environment we are raised in is also another factor in the shape and development of an individual.Take for instance the study that examined how environment affects individuals such as siblings, twins, and kids not related by blood, but raised in the same environment. It is shown that even twins who exited the womb during the same birth can come out profoundly different in their adulthood if they were raised in a different environment from their twin. The food that we eat, the habits that we employ, and the overall lifestyle of the individual play an important role as well as genetics.Two similar children who are raised in different environments may possess the same genetic traits, but overall can be distinguished by the environment they were raised in. Cultural relativism plays a role as well in the well-being of the individual. Being raised in Ame rica sets a different standard for living vs. being born elsewhere. In America, individuals are taught to be creative and unique, rather than conform to group ideals. It is in this culture that children are taught to employ creative ideas, and to break away from the grain.In other cultures, such as those in China, kids are raised to follow the grain, and rather than question elders and peers, are taught to accept what is given and told to them. With that in mind, the transition into adulthood has also slowed down due to various factors such as cultural acceptance, and the need to pursue a higher education in order to be more competitive in the job market. As the years pass, so does the standard of education raise as more occupations open up to individuals with special skills and knowledge achieved through a higher education in college.Although this slower transition into adulthood and independence may seem less stressful for individuals, studies from the British Cohort Study show th at individuals in the 70s vs. the 50s reported more cases of depression, and stress due to factors such as economic recessions which hindered the job market availability. This generation is especially pressed to reach higher educational goals as the market for unskilled labor reduces as the market for skilled labor increases hindering the transition into adulthood and independence.In conclusion, personal development and growth are influenced by several factors such as genetics, environment, cultural relativism. These factors shape an individual in specific ways. Genetics passed on influence one’s height, personality, and predispositional thinking that affect the person in everyday situations. Proper health from the time the embryo is implanted is necessary for a healthy baby. The environment also plays a role in the shaping of the individual. The home one was raised in, the nutrition, and overall lifestyle impact the health and behavior of a person.Cultural relativism also pl ays a role, as culture follows an individual around regardless of location, and influences what one finds acceptable, and follows due to social norms. Because of the need for a higher education in today’s job market, a slower transition into adulthood can be traced to the need for more schooling, and a slower transition to independence.References Spiro, Melford E. (2001). Cultural determinism, cultural relativism, and the comparative study of psychopathology. Ethos. Berkeley:. Vol. 29, Iss. 2; pg. 218, 17 pgs. Huffman, Karen (2010). Life Span Development I. John Wiley and Sons, Psychology in Action 314-347. Personal Growth and Development Personal Development and Growth Zoheb Osmani Psychology 101 TuThu 3:30-4:45 The concept of personal development has been an important factor that shapes the characters we develop, and the overall person we become. Research suggests that many of the values and traits we possess stem from both genetics and the environment. In terms of genetics, hereditary traits are passed down from the mother and father, which play a huge role in personal development, but research and personal experience also suggest that the impact of the environment parallels the importance of genetics.Environmental factors have been proven to significantly impact the growth and development of an individual. The home the individual is raised in, the people they are surrounded by and the individual’s role model all play an important role in the molding of the individual. Such is the reason why cultural relativism impacts individuals, and guides the way they perform tasks, execute decisions, and their way of th ought. The American culture, for example, has slowed down the transition of adolescence into adulthood due to cultural ideals, and the greater need to pursue a higher education in order to compete successfully in the country.Research by the 1958 National Child Development Study, and the 1970 British Cohort Study support these statements, and have shown that we have reached a generation in which adolescents are transitioning into adulthood more slowly, yet more psychological stress is placed on them, and reports of depression have raised since the 50s. Personal growth and development traces back to genetics. Each individual is born with a specific set of genes depending on the mother and father.Genetic traits such as weight, height, appearance, and in some cases, personality, are passed down the hereditary line, and predisposes individuals to certain traits and qualities. The health of the individual is also largely influenced by the care taken by the mother while the fetus was devel oping within the womb. Proper nutrition, and avoiding neglectful habits such as drinking and smoking, all help to shape the health of the individual from the time they are born. The environment we are raised in is also another factor in the shape and development of an individual.Take for instance the study that examined how environment affects individuals such as siblings, twins, and kids not related by blood, but raised in the same environment. It is shown that even twins who exited the womb during the same birth can come out profoundly different in their adulthood if they were raised in a different environment from their twin. The food that we eat, the habits that we employ, and the overall lifestyle of the individual play an important role as well as genetics.Two similar children who are raised in different environments may possess the same genetic traits, but overall can be distinguished by the environment they were raised in. Cultural relativism plays a role as well in the well -being of the individual. Being raised in America sets a different standard for living vs. being born elsewhere. In America, individuals are taught to be creative and unique, rather than conform to group ideals. It is in this culture that children are taught to employ creative ideas, and to break away from the grain.In other cultures, such as those in China, kids are raised to follow the grain, and rather than question elders and peers, are taught to accept what is given and told to them. With that in mind, the transition into adulthood has also slowed down due to various factors such as cultural acceptance, and the need to pursue a higher education in order to be more competitive in the job market. As the years pass, so does the standard of education raise as more occupations open up to individuals with special skills and knowledge achieved through a higher education in college.Although this slower transition into adulthood and independence may seem less stressful for individuals, studies from the British Cohort Study show that individuals in the 70s vs. the 50s reported more cases of depression, and stress due to factors such as economic recessions which hindered the job market availability. This generation is especially pressed to reach higher educational goals as the market for unskilled labor reduces as the market for skilled labor increases hindering the transition into adulthood and independence.In conclusion, personal development and growth are influenced by several factors such as genetics, environment, cultural relativism. These factors shape an individual in specific ways. Genetics passed on influence one’s height, personality, and predispositional thinking that affect the person in everyday situations. Proper health from the time the embryo is implanted is necessary for a healthy baby. The environment also plays a role in the shaping of the individual. The home one was raised in, the nutrition, and overall lifestyle impact the health and beh avior of a person.Cultural relativism also plays a role, as culture follows an individual around regardless of location, and influences what one finds acceptable, and follows due to social norms. Because of the need for a higher education in today’s job market, a slower transition into adulthood can be traced to the need for more schooling, and a slower transition to independence.References Spiro, Melford E. (2001). Cultural determinism, cultural relativism, and the comparative study of psychopathology. Ethos. Berkeley:. Vol. 29, Iss. 2; pg. 218, 17 pgs. Huffman, Karen (2010). Life Span Development I. John Wiley and Sons, Psychology in Action 314-347.

Silent Differences Between American And British English Essay

Silent Differences in English that Divide American and British Spelling (Rough Draft) Guiding Question: What is the origin of and reasoning for different word endings that have no effect on pronunciation between American and British English? Does one go to the theater or does one go to the theatre? Are one’s eyes the color blue or the colour blue? The answer to both of these questions will differ depending on where they are asked. In England, the answers will most likely appear as theatre and colour respectively. However, in America, the opposite answers would be given, but only if the questions were in written format. If these questions were posed verbally, the answers would appear the same and no difference would be discerned. Therefore, why is one considered correct and one considered incorrect if they are phonetically equivalent and why do such differences exist? The answer to these questions is rooted in the history of the language itself. Whether it is the French influence or the American Revolution, British and American English are products of their history and culture. The evolution of phonetically equivalent word endings in British and American English reflect political situations, language shifts, and fo reign influences while evoking historical pride on both sides that carry the differences into present day. The move towards standardization of spelling for word endings can be seen in the seventeenth century. The fluidity of spelling was still prevalent as shownShow MoreRelatedAmerican English And British English1520 Words   |  7 PagesChamyan IEP UK 6 JUL 16 American English and British English The usage of the many forms of English dialects have often led to miscommunication. The knowledge gained beforehand can help to limit that, and to provide those visiting with an idea of what the local culture is like. 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The territory we now refer to as Canada was once populated by the French and English colonial masters. These colonists extended the laws of their home countries to their colonies. As the population of this territory grew and the UK gained control of more colonies including those from the French, regional laws became a necessity. Between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, theRead MoreHow Language Changes Start and Spread Essay948 Words   |  4 PagesPeople have always argued about the causes of language change and tried to control the changes that occurred but ultimately they accomplished nothing. Languages changes and spread as a result of the people who use it daily. African American English and California English are both examples of the different ways language can change. People try to resist the changes in their language because they do not want to see it change. 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Today, as the second most spoken language in the world, it has been subjected to multiple prejudices concerning its acquisition, reception and learnability as a second language. As the language of business, science and technology, English shouldRead MoreAmerican and British English Pro nunciation Differences2740 Words   |  11 PagesAmerican and British English pronunciation differences From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Comparison of American and British English | American English British English | Computing | Keyboards | Orthography | Spelling | Speech | Accent Pronunciation | Vocabulary | American words not widely used in BritainBritish words not widely used in AmericaWords having different meanings in British and American English: A–L  Ã‚ · M–Z | Works | Works with different titles