I believe punishable deviance is a societal construct. If a person is willing to use deviance in a negative way, then it can be used against them. I feel that jails (and similar structures) regulate punishment nicely. But, its NOT always effective. In the movie "30 Days" we saw George and Travis wanting to change their lives in a positive way. Epically Travis when he choose to go into the special program. Once they, Travis and George, got out they ended right back into jail within two weeks(George)/months (Travis). Some people change their ways, but others they make patterns. During class one day we looked at a chart that compared people in the USA overall in prison from ages 18 to 44 were higher in jails than overall. Also, the number of blacks, Latinos, males, and high school or less than an high school education had higher numbers in jails than in the U.S.A. So once these people are in jail, the punishment can vary. The movie demonstrated a very different idea of jail than from what the usual "perspective" is. The 72 hours alone he sat in the room seemed very draining and difficult, but just being in that wide open room with others didn't display my idea of jail. I think that your punishment should be based on the crime you committed. In 30 days, most of these men did not seem intimidating. Both Travis and George seemed like fairly smart guys and they really wanted to take control of their lives and change. So I feel that it all depends on who and where you are staying and who is surrounding you.

Solcialization/Adolescence Reflection...2nd Six Week Blog :)

1. Nature vs Nurture: Think about what you have chosen to wear today, what your future professions or plans are, what type of sports/activities you enjoy; how much of this is determined by “Nature” and how much “Nurture”, and if/how do they balance each other?
- I feel that the clothes I wear, my future, activities/sports I enjoy and a mix of "Nature" and "Nurture". I feel that the clothes are determined more by "nurture". I feel this because if I see things that I like or think is cute, I would buy and wear. The trends and celebrities are always "in style" (for the most part) and being a teenager in high school you want to look "cool" and "trendy". My future and sports/activities on the other hand are more "nature". I feel that the joy of sports and being athletic comes from the gentleman in my family. I always know that they will have a passion for sports and I enjoy watching and going to games with them. He, and my mom, have taught me to play softball and just push myself to the limits. They taught me to never hold back and try my best. My future on the other hand is "nature" but also "nurture". I was born with the genetics/DNA to push myself to succeed and never give up no matter how hard life/the situation gets. My future is also "nurture" because I have been surrounded and grown up with challenges. Learning with ADD/ADHD and a Learning Disability, doesn't make me "different" but it taught me to try and made me realize that my true passion is to work with special needs kids.

2. Why is adolescent social status power so important and consuming to most adolescents?
-Status power is what adolescence spend a lot of their time worrying about. They worry about fitting in and doing the "cool" and what everyone else is doing. Like today teens want to go out and buy the top notch brands and the most up to date items that the big named brands sell. Another thing people do is actions that they think come off as being "normal". People try to be like everyone around them and sometimes act like someone their not. The impact this has on development is that people will go through all their life trying to fit in. If people were to go through life just worrying about themselves and focus on whats important to them then life might be able to avoid extra stress and worries in our lives.

3. How is the socialization process for children different today than in most previous generations? What concerns are raised by this change? How valid do you think these concerns are?
- The socialization process for children are different today than in most (previous) generations because there are more opportunities given and available. Some concerns that are raised, from a parents P.O.V., is "will my child survive?" "Will my child make it in the world on their own?" There is ALWAYS self-doubt and questioning. Life is full of UPS and DOWNS and unexpected turns but you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride, because before you know it the best times and memories (of your live) will be over. I am very lucky of where I live and who I know. Not only am I surrounded by little kids who look up to me, family members who adore me and would do anything for me in a heart beat. Also the kids make me ant to do better/my best in everything I do. Not only is my family members and neighbors a lot to me but the friendships I have with their parents. One in particular, she is the one I can go to other than my parents and friends and talk to about anything and EVERYTHING!!! She, and my family and friends, are always there for me and influence me in ways that encourage me to keep a positive attitude and outlook on life. Without their love and support I would NOT be the person I am today and it has truly moved me in ways that I would have never thought and will NEVER forget!!

4. Identify some examples of the gender differences in socialization. What impact do you think these have had in your life or in the lives of others you know?
- Some examples of gender differences in socialization is TOYS! For BOYS there are action figures, hot wheels, and skateboards. For girls there was Barbie, American Girls, dress up, "house", and "teacher". The list goes on and on. Its a bit upsetting that the society is so set on genderizing and splitting up girls from boys. Its conforming to America's "norms" and views on life/society/things. I think that when growing up we were so set on playing with our own gender toys that we didn't gain much of the interaction with the other sex as we could of if the society/American didn't stereotype/judge as much.

ADOLESCENCE

ADOLESCENCE: the transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached; youth; Our society and the rest of the world treats people this age is by giving the adolescence slowly more and more responsibility like allowing them to drive, vote, and be able to get arrested and tried like an adult. Because of this, teenagers are doubtful of what they are suppose to be responsible for and what they aren't supposed to be responsible for. Because things slowly get harder as they get older it is a slow and hard transition. Status power is what adolescence spend a lot of their time worrying about. They worry about fitting in and doing the "cool" and what everyone else is doing. Like today teens want to go out and buy the top notch brands and the most up to date items that the big named brands sell. Another thing people do is actions that they think come off as being "normal". People try to be like everyone around them and sometimes act like someone their not. The impact this has on development is that people will go through all their life trying to fit in. If people were to go through life just worrying about themselves and focus on whats important to them then life might be able to avoid extra stress and worries in our lives.

Agents of Socialization

Sure my family helps me with my attitudes and my (family) values, but besides my family, my neighbor(s) and group of friends are two significant groups in my life. They affect MANY things in my life. My friends are either just like me (personality wise) or the opposite and not as bold. The great thing about my group of friends is that we all attend SHS and see each other every day. This makes it easier to make good choices regarding certain things and makes it easier to communicate between each other. But the down fall is that we know how each other is feeling and we can read each other easily. When they have a bad day or have drama with other friends (outside our group) I tend to step back and not get into the "drama". I like to make my own decisions and feel responsible for my own actions. I look at life as a "roller coaster" (yea its common but I love it). Life is full of UPS and DOWNS and unexpected turns but you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride, because before you know it the best times of your live will be over. Other than my friends, I have my neighbors. I am very lucky of where I live because not only am I surrounded by little kids who look up to me, and make me want to do better/my best in everything I do, but their parents: one in particular. She is the one I can go to other than my parents and friends and talk to about anything and EVERYTHING!!! She, and my family and friends, are always there for me and influence me in ways that encourage me to keep a positive attitude and outlook on life. Without their love and support I would NOT be the person I am today and it has truly moved me in ways that I would have never thought and will NEVER forget!!

See the H20 & Learn

1. I feel that my "water" is Stevenson high school and the college mind set. As we know SHS is known for its state ranked education and prepares you for college/future education. If you were to go to any other high school, sure you'll get a good education and they will prepare you for college/future education.

2. As I stated above, I would go along with the "water" and navigate by graduating from SHS knowing that I am well prepared from courses and classes such as ACT/SAT, Advanced Placements, excel (classes), and getting in the mind frame of "preparing for college and the life ahead of me".When I'm not going along with the "flow" of the "water", I'm taking the "easy way out" and cheating myself. I take the easy courses and don't try to my fullest potential.

3.For me the (American) values that I embrace and value is the power of being and believing in yourself and wanting to be active and work for things (in life) instead of being lazy, and letting events and other people control you. I adjust my values to everyday society by one knowing that I am a strong, down to earth, caring human being who believes that she can do anything she sets her mind to. I feel that now (and in the future) it will get me far in life, because only you know how much you can handle and know when to “quit/stop”. For wanting to be active and work for things (in life) instead of being lazy and letting events and others control you, make me the person I am today. As I listed some of the characteristics that I think describe me above, I’m the type of person who doesn’t give a crap what people think of me. If you love me, you love me and want to be my friend. Yeah there are moments where people can’t stand me and tell me. But if you don’t like me and the personality I have, I really don’t care. Sure, that sounds harsh, but as I stated above I’m the type of person who doesn’t give a crap what people think of me. I feel that later in life, and everyday living, this would help me go far because people are quick to judge. As harsh as this sounds, people have different (American) values that they believe in and it doesn’t make them that better or worse of a person.

Different Meaning = Different Values

The other day in class we talked about certain values that were the "right thing" and what is known to be respected and how students (and faculty) should act (at SHS). Some of the values we said (as a class) were education, freedom, and bullying/violence. Schools want to encourage the idea that everyone does awesome in school and continues on to bigger and better things. But the truth is that not everyone succeeds and doesn't attend college.

Freedom is another thing that has more meaning that what people think. As you get older, you get more freedom. As some students "experience" a variety of vocabulary words, deans don't take name calling/curse words lightly. You would think that with freedom of speech you can say what you want, but when you under "rule" of school, your freedom is restricted.

Lastly, the idea that there is bullying or violence happening and that there will be consequences. SHS is so big with many students along with deans and faculty members. Everyone knows that a school with out any bullying and/or violence is "impossible". Of course there will be bullying/threats either in a joking matter or serious. But, not all kids are caught and that can instill fear/scaredness (just made up a word) in students.

Certain values are perceived and understood differently, but that only shapes the type of people we are today and changes in society wont be able to do anything about that.

What do you think?

Today, 9-30-09, we talked about driving and the dangers that come with it. The article that Mr. Smith gave us from StarTribune.com said that "drivers talking on the phone are FOUR times as likely to crash as those focused on driving, yielding the same odds as some with a blood alcohol level of 0.08%". Do you agree or disagree with this? I agree but disagree with this. I feel that if you are talking or txting or focusing on your electronics while driving your a danger/harm to others driving/pedestrians on the road. But if your DRUNK just a little, you MUCH MORE DANGEROUS than someone not as focused on the road.

Then we talked about the title IX (9) law, which is equal opportunity if funds are spent. For example all scholarship money has to go 50/50 to genders (50% to female and 50% to male). What do you think our lifestyles and social lives would be like if the title IX wasn't passed/ever created?