Poverty can be defined by dictionary as being extremely poor, but to those trapped by poverty it means much more. To the mothers, fathers, husbands, children, families, and individuals in America in which poverty has become their life, it means much more. The term poverty means not being able to provide food for the hungry mouths of their children, not being able to pay the bills, having to work long hours at multiple minimum wage jobs. Its the constant worry that comes when you don't know if you will be able to pay this months rent. Poverty is a result of low paying jobs, a lack of jobs, losing your job, and a horrible economy. It IS a crisis, although some Americans may not realize it. Some believe that poverty is the result of a laziness and an unwillingness to work, yet it effects 15 percent of America's population. Even if this idea was correct, think of the 20 percent of children living in poverty. Can they be to blame? Why should they suffer, for something they have no control of? These families and individuals whom we see on a daily basis, and my not even realize it, need compassion. They need help- whether that is childcare, food, or just support and love. Even a small act such as donating to your local salvation army could mean the world to another person. Poverty is very apparent in our own community. Students we share classes with have one meal a day, school lunch. They can't afford new clothes. They can't spare time to do homework, or play sports because they need to spend the time working to help support their families, or raising their younger siblings. It is not fair, yet it is a fact of life. But you can help. Donate to local food drives, the local Salvation arm. Just a few hours of your time could help someone out more than you may think. So show compassion and get involved!
Date Rape IS RAPE
Date rape... what exactly does that men? Date rape, also known as acquaintance rape, is when you are raped by someone you know, or are an acquaintance with. But what is rape? Rape is defined by law as sexual assault of a victim against their will. In other terms it is when sexual intercourse occurs by force, threats of force, the individual is physically or mentally unable to give her consent, or they say "No." Date rape has become a crisis problem for women in our society. Recent surveys show that one in four women were victims or rape or attempted rape. Eighty-four percent of those women raped were attacked by someone they knew and fifty-seven percent of these rapes hapen on dates. So seventy to eighty percent of all rapes are date rapes. This makes date rape more common than being left-handed, having a heart attack, or being an alcoholic. Yet it is estimated that thirty-seven percent of all rapes go unreported to the police. Often victims are scared, embarresses, or just want to forget it and put it behind them. As a result thousands of men go unpunished, and continue to walk the street awaiting their next victim. Some believe that women who dress in more reavealing clothes are "asking for it." But who would want to be held against their will and forced to have sex? No one "asks" for rape, no matter how they are dressed, and no one desereves to be raped. Another conteversial issue is with sex while intoxicated, but the law clearly states that sex with someone who is "physically or mentally unable to give consent" is considered rape. So don't risk it!
Fallen Angels
Picture from the Newtown, Connecticut school shooting vigil
On Fiday, December 14, 2012 twenty-six people were shot and killed and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This horribly devastating event is the nation's second deadliest school shooting. Nationwide, hearts go out to the grieving survivors, friends, and families of the victims- twenty of which were children between the age of five and ten. A total of twenty-eight lives were lost last Friday: twenty children, six faculity members, the gunman- Adam Lorenzo- and the gunman's mother- a teacher who was killed in her home. Adam Lorenzo commited suicide after the massacre. His motive is still unknown. Many prayers go out to those effected by this horrific event inn Connecticut, The shocked nation has realized that an event just as horrible as this, could happen anywhere. Many are asking themselves "What if this happened in our town?" Now it is likely that schoold nationwide are considering instituing new rules, regulations, and procedures in hopes of preventing another similar massacre. Security is likely to be increased at schools and schools may even consider installing metal detectors in an attempt to improve the safety if students and staff. Hopefully these improvements will lessen the likelyhood of similar situations occuring elsewhere.
Children and Television
Many parents are begining to ask themselves, "Is television good for my child?" In my opinion television has it's pros and cons when it comes to today's youth. Television has capabilities of educating and interacting with our children through good child appropriate channels and shows such as PBS or Sprout, and it gives you as a parent, as well as the kids some down time. But some parents use this strategy way too often. Too much television time is not healthy for the growth and development of a child. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that children under 2 years old should not watch any TV and that kids older than 2 should watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of "quality programming." If you allow your children to watch television make sure you monitor the shows they watch, and try to do your best at attempting to make it so they can't accidentaly view any inappropriate content. Make sure that your child also gets play time to run around, exercise, be creative, and use their mind!
The Welfare System in America
Welfare is any government aided program thats purpose is to provide "citizens in need" with help. Eligibility for welfare is determined by many factors such as gross and net income, amount of individuals in a family, and crisis situations such as medical emergencies, pregnancy, homelessness, and unemployment. Welfare is temporary and requires recipitents to seek employment and go through job training. Temporary Service For Needy Families (TANF), Medicare/ Medicaid health care, food stamps, energy/utility assistance program, and child care are all examples of current welfare programs. In my opinion Welfare should exist, but only for thoses in extreme conditions. Today, many individuals abuse the system. Why should tax payers have to support individuals who don't want to work and who don't try to obtain a job? Also, the help given through welfare isn't always properly used. For instance, in our community food stamp cards are extremely easy to purchase, which means recievers of welfare don't need the food, they are using these cards for other purposes maybe drugs, alcohol, clothing, electronics... who knows? Many students at CSD live in a household that recieve welfare. Some need it and deserve the help but there are also many that don't. I am all for helping those who truely need it, and have tried everything to support themselves and their family on their own. I am not for helping those who have never had a job and have no intentions of recieving jobs.
The Truth About Homelessness In America
Homelessness can be defined as the condition of having no home, especially the condition of living on the streets but to those experiencing homelessness it means much more. It means fear, embarresment, destitution. It means not knowing where you will sleep at night, having to live in constant worry. Most don't choose to be homeless, they are forced into it by circumstances such as severe poverty, a lack of affordable housing, loosing their job, being a victim of domestic violence, having an addiction to drugs that takes over their life, being mentally ill yet kicked out of a mental instituion, or a lack of health care. There are so many situations that could leave families, individuals, maybe even your nextdoor neighbors on the street, in a shelter, living in their car, jumping from house to house, or temporarily living in apartments and constantly being evicted. Homelessness is a crisis in America that could happen to anyone. Some believe that homelessness is a long term condition, but it is actually quite rare. Most commonly it is a state that only one or two days. Another misconception about homelessness is that the majority of those effected by it suffer from a severe mental illness yet this is the case for merely 13-15 percent for thoses who are temporarily homeless and 30-40 percent for those who are frequently homeless.Then there are thoses who believe that those who are homeless don't work, and therefore it's their fault, but you can't believe that about all of the homeless because 45 percent of the adults considered homeless had worked in the past thrity days. Although some may be responsible for the condition they are currently in, all the homeless can't be blamed.
A Simple Solution to Tardiness
A major problem at Cambridge South Dorchester High School is tardiness. On a daily basis many students arrive late to their classes. This causes a loss in their educational instruction time. It also causes them trouble with their teachers and special activities. I believe that a solution to this problem is relatively simple- larger lockers. To help improve the level of tardiness as well as the education at our school, I believe that larger lockers should be installed. As an AP and Honor student I have many large textbooks and a large amount of supplies I must have on a daily basis. In addition to this I also have sport equipment, a jacket, lunch box, and book bag that also need to be stored in my locker. The problem is that it is practically impossible to fit everything into our lockers and be able to retrieve our required supplies from our lockers between classes. Books are hidden behind others, papers crammed in, and our lockers are a total mess. Our lockers are tiny, not to mention they have been here since the school was built. It is about time to replace these lockers. With larger lockers, the struggle between classes would be reduced and students would take less time in the locker area. Therefore we would be able to arrive to class on time with everything we need giving us the opportunity to do our absolute best.