Teen Mom

As my research for my final paper progresses, I have come to terms with the fact that teen pregnancy is being glorified in various forms of media. Whether its magazine covers or on the television, young girls are seeing it and thinking "Hey I can get pregnant and make thousands of dollars for it." Teen pregnancy is viewed in a lighter way than say 20+ years ago when it was shameful to be a teen mother. My mother was pregnant with me 20 years ago when she was 16 years old and it wasn't as accepting as it is now. Society looked down on her. My grandparents were very upset and disappointed that she had sex and was left with a huge responsibility she then had to face. My mother was lucky enough to have support from my grandparents even though my grandfather didn't speak to my mother for the first 5 months of her pregnancy. Some girls aren't that lucky though, I don't see those girls on MTV's 16 and Pregnant. What about the girls who are abandoned and have absolutely no one to help them with their situation? I'd like to see their stories and show the true struggle of being 16, pregnant, and depending solely on yourself. The girls on 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom make parenting look a lot easier than it is. Girls then think well if they can do it then so can I, but then underestimate how hard motherhood truly is. Your life revolves around this human being who is in need of you constantly. It is a 24 hour job. Kids are cute, but how cute are they when you haven't slept all night and they are screaming their heads off because they are fussy? Enjoy your youth ladies!

Video games and The Real World

I know there are those out there who believe video games are nothing but rubbish deteriorating young minds, but there are certain skills that can be used in every day life beyond the TV screen. When playing games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 one must form a tactic to defeat the enemy and avoid being killed. This takes a lot of logical reasoning. You must devise a plan and think of the consequences of your actions. As we all do day after day. We make decisions everyday that can change our tomorrow, even if it is minor. Other video games have intriguing story lines and you may choose your actions in the game so you end up with a different outcome each time. Some may believe these types of games to be better than a book because when you sit down and read you are being told a story, but with the game you choose your own path and create your story. It is a nice form of entertainment that you can learn from. I know many who would much rather play a game and not realize they are gaining some sort of knowledge from it rather than sit down staring at words.

"Entertainment is a Personal Choice"

While reading the chapter discussing entertainment, I looked through the three assumptions that were made of such amusement and I agree with the third presumption stating that, "entertainment is a personal choice." Why would I believe that to be so? Well let's use my boyfriend to validate my outlook. He enjoys playing Skyrim, NBA 2K12, and FIFA while I sit on the bed wishing the Xbox would blow up so I don't have to endure such nonsense. I am not interested in such games and just because it is indeed a form of entertainment doesn't mean I am being entertained. It is more of an annoyance. If my boyfriend had to sit through a chick flick or go shopping with me he would feel the same displeasure I feel when he plays those god awful games. There are just certain things people are not fond of. Everyone has different interests. It is an individuals choice as to what amuses them and what doesn't.

Collaborative Presentation Progress

Usually I do not enjoy working on group projects. You have to place faith in your partner to do their part. Perhaps you have your own way of getting work done that may conflict with your partners technique. In the past I have been screwed over and ended up doing all of the work while my partner sat around and did absolutely nothing. While working on this presentation in particular, it has been relatively pleasant. No horror shows. My partner, Mary and I have decided to work separately on our own pieces then brought the power points together to work out the kinks. It was a nice happy medium. I was able to get my work done privately, but still able to work with my partner to create a final product. All in all the group presentation was a success, well getting it together. Hopefully the actual public speaking goes as swimmingly!

Someone to Watch Over Me - Theodora Stites

After reading this essay, I find the writer to be a tad crazy. She would much rather meet new people and communicate via social network etc. People these days have become so detached. It is as though we can't have a normal conversation face to face. We are dependent on technology and if we were to lose it people wouldn't be able to handle social situations. The author also describes how she keeps tabs on friends and (ex-)boyfriends. There are those out there who do sit online for hours at a time "creeping" on peers lives for various reasons whether it is to see if you are doing better than this individual or you are truly a "stalkerazzi." One quote that really jumps out at me and I couldn't agree more with it is, "Online, everyone  has bulletproof social armor." I have seen this first hand, especially on facebook. There have been females who have messaged me having some kind of issue, getting all big and bad stating they want to fight me etc. When I see these individuals in person they do not say a word or even look my way. They feel as though they can say whatever they please because they are safe behind their device. If you have a problem with someone you should have the decency to say it to their face. This sort of behavior doesn't make an individual look appealing. This generation is lacking social skills because they are constantly using some sort of technology 24/7. Technology has it perks, but it could be destroying us.

Ideas for Essay 2

I have been pondering some possible ideas for this second project. The first idea would be to observe an intramural soccer team on campus. The second possibility would be to view an area where fellow students tend to hang out. Finally, the third plausible concept could be to examine workers on campus such as cooks and other employees at dining halls.

High School's Secret Life - Emily White

Throughout this essay Emily discusses life in high school. She describes the various cliques as tribes. I believe she uses this comparison because in high school you have a certain social circle you pertain to. In this circle are other individuals who have similar interests etc. In high school you usually don't step beyond your clique unless you need something from another clique. As I look back on my high school days I can't say I disagree with White's views. I went to Dartmouth High School and you could say there were "tribes" so to speak. Our tribes were grouped by who grew up in a fortunate or less fortunate family. The "popular" students had money while everyone else was just average or barely getting by. Then it was broken down further by the stereotypical tribes jocks/cheerleaders, nerds, and so on. Everyone was more or less cordial with one another, but we knew our place. An undesirable person could speak with a popular person, but once the conversation was over there was chance of talking behind the persons back. Be kind, but trust no one kind of attitude. You could go from clique to clique exchanging conversation or what have you, but at the end of the day we were true to our tribes.

My Identity

I have sat and contemplated all of the attributes that make me who I am. Of all the aspects that construct my identity, my family would be the most significant. My loved ones have taken part in molding the woman I am today. Each member of my family has given me some sort of values that I can carry on for the rest of my days. I mean without my mother I wouldn't even be here. My family isn't ordinary. An outsider looking in would probably call us dysfunctional, but it works for us. We are perfectly unperfect. My background isn't a fairytale, but it has made me a strong person who can appreciate every opportunity given to me. My family members have been a template for me. What mistakes they have made in life, I am able to avoid and what they could not achieve in life, I am able to devote my efforts. When life seems to turn its back on you, your family is always there.