Part three: sociological analysis and recommendations
The potential this technology has to shape medicine and the evolution of diseases is incredible. The idea that medicine can positively reverse the chances of children born with deadly and painful diseases is an optimistic thing for parents who are facing higher risks. I think that the side of this technology that focuses on the medical issues dealing with birth defects and illnesses is an ally to the development and growth of mankind. I do however have conflicting issues with side that is progressing towards the physical aspects of “designer babies.” The choosing of our children’s eye and hair color promote this idea of a new bio-engineered utopia. In a world battling with self images, some parents will be striving to afford “the latest genetic improvements for their children.” Altering a child’s IQ as well as enhancing their talent potential supports this idea of a “superior race.” Believing in the right to exercise preferences involving physical attributes, as well as mental ones such as a child’s IQ, advocate the technological control of human evolution.
Sources:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989987-3,00.html
http://www.hplusmagazine.com/articles/bio/great-designer-baby-controversy-%E2%80%9909
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=5036
http://singularityhub.com/2009/02/25/designer-babies-like-it-or-not-here-they-come/
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=5035
http://www.biopoliticaltimes.org/article.php?id=4235
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A New Era: Designer Babies
Part two: Major contemporary concerns and sociological analysis
Today, with the technological capabilities possessed by those doctors whom are able and willing to perform such a procedure, and the parents assuming they can afford it, can fulfill their desires for healthy and gender designed babies. However, how far can this trickle down into our society? Fostering a notion that supports a belief that only perfect designed babies should live, sort of bucks heads with those organizations and people who support those with disabilities. It also perpetuates the standards of perfection set by our society. Some people also fear what this concept is presenting to the youth in our society today. With such a strain to have the perfect image and body this could negatively affect young minds by giving them the idea that a certain hair or eye color, as well as a body type is more desired than others. Another negative concern focuses around the topic of animal testing. Germline engineering is now common in animal laboratories. At best it is an imprecise technology and requires hundreds of attempts before a viable engineered animal is produced. The biggest and most controversial concern surrounding this idea of “designer babies” is the moral and ethical dilemma it faces. The option to select the genetic makeup of your baby has posed concern about the future and the affects it will have on cultural heritage. The way of making a designer baby will not be attractive to prospective parents who place value on a genetic connection with their child. People also supporting the strength of family roots fear that traditional family traits and characteristics may forever get lost. The process of sex selection has raised concerns about sex discrimination. In societies such as China and India they value boys more than girls. They are already out of balance, and a technology like this could tip their scales even further. According to a recent study, China’s birth limits have created a dangerous gender gap. A skewed birth rate in China will leave nearly twenty-four million men single and without spouses by 2020. In America, surveys show that an equal number of parents desire boys as much as girls. However, the same poles report that Americans believe an ideal family has a boy as its eldest, to have as the protector of the younger children. Boys often end up being more assertive and dominant than girls do, as do most firstborns. Tilting the population towards doubling the amount of dominant firstborns could in return make it harder to get rid of gender-role stereotypes in our society. Backlash from the religious community is another negative aspect facing genetic screening. In February of last year, the New York news quoted the Pope, who condemned this screening to be an “obsessive search for the perfect child.” The Roman Catholic Church objects to applications of PGD claiming “they invariably involve the destruction of blastocysts.” Meaning the differentiation of cells has occurred.
On the other side, there is a positive light being shed on the evolution of this technology. Screening for genetic abnormalities is a strong argument for those supporting the idea of designer babies. As mentioned before, with the ability to weed out any undesirable traits doctors can remove potential genes carrying diseases and disabilities inherited by the parents. More recently, a January 2009 study by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center found that an overwhelming 75% of parents would be in favor of trait selection using PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis) as long as that trait is the absence of mental retardation. Furthermore, 54% said they would screen their embryos for deafness, 56% for blindness, 52% for heart disease, and 51% for cancer. Only 10% would be willing to select embryos for better athletic ability, and 12.6% would select for greater intelligence. 52.2% of respondents said that there were no conditions for which genetic testing should never be offered, indicating widespread support for PGD, as long as it’s for averting disease and not engineering human enhancement.
Today, with the technological capabilities possessed by those doctors whom are able and willing to perform such a procedure, and the parents assuming they can afford it, can fulfill their desires for healthy and gender designed babies. However, how far can this trickle down into our society? Fostering a notion that supports a belief that only perfect designed babies should live, sort of bucks heads with those organizations and people who support those with disabilities. It also perpetuates the standards of perfection set by our society. Some people also fear what this concept is presenting to the youth in our society today. With such a strain to have the perfect image and body this could negatively affect young minds by giving them the idea that a certain hair or eye color, as well as a body type is more desired than others. Another negative concern focuses around the topic of animal testing. Germline engineering is now common in animal laboratories. At best it is an imprecise technology and requires hundreds of attempts before a viable engineered animal is produced. The biggest and most controversial concern surrounding this idea of “designer babies” is the moral and ethical dilemma it faces. The option to select the genetic makeup of your baby has posed concern about the future and the affects it will have on cultural heritage. The way of making a designer baby will not be attractive to prospective parents who place value on a genetic connection with their child. People also supporting the strength of family roots fear that traditional family traits and characteristics may forever get lost. The process of sex selection has raised concerns about sex discrimination. In societies such as China and India they value boys more than girls. They are already out of balance, and a technology like this could tip their scales even further. According to a recent study, China’s birth limits have created a dangerous gender gap. A skewed birth rate in China will leave nearly twenty-four million men single and without spouses by 2020. In America, surveys show that an equal number of parents desire boys as much as girls. However, the same poles report that Americans believe an ideal family has a boy as its eldest, to have as the protector of the younger children. Boys often end up being more assertive and dominant than girls do, as do most firstborns. Tilting the population towards doubling the amount of dominant firstborns could in return make it harder to get rid of gender-role stereotypes in our society. Backlash from the religious community is another negative aspect facing genetic screening. In February of last year, the New York news quoted the Pope, who condemned this screening to be an “obsessive search for the perfect child.” The Roman Catholic Church objects to applications of PGD claiming “they invariably involve the destruction of blastocysts.” Meaning the differentiation of cells has occurred.
On the other side, there is a positive light being shed on the evolution of this technology. Screening for genetic abnormalities is a strong argument for those supporting the idea of designer babies. As mentioned before, with the ability to weed out any undesirable traits doctors can remove potential genes carrying diseases and disabilities inherited by the parents. More recently, a January 2009 study by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center found that an overwhelming 75% of parents would be in favor of trait selection using PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis) as long as that trait is the absence of mental retardation. Furthermore, 54% said they would screen their embryos for deafness, 56% for blindness, 52% for heart disease, and 51% for cancer. Only 10% would be willing to select embryos for better athletic ability, and 12.6% would select for greater intelligence. 52.2% of respondents said that there were no conditions for which genetic testing should never be offered, indicating widespread support for PGD, as long as it’s for averting disease and not engineering human enhancement.
A New Era: Designer Babies
Part One: Background
Doctors today have access to advanced reproductive technologies that allow them to screen embryos for genetic disorders, as well as testing techniques that can predetermine a baby’s sex. While technologies and treatments in medicine are constantly making headway, concern in rising about the further development of embryo prescreening. Attributes ranging from height to hair and eye color, and potentially even the IQ, will soon likely be susceptible to prescreening. If gene therapy continues to progress at such a rapid pace, parents will be able to “design their baby” by inserting the genes that they want and weeding out any undesirable traits.
It was 1953 when Francis Crick and James Watsons uncovered the structure of DNA. Their groundbreaking conclusion proved that the DNA molecule exists in the form of a double helix. People waited anxiously with antipathy and excitement for the day when babies could be custom designed. Most prospective parents anticipated the possibility of lower health risks free of inherited diseases due to embryo screening. Now the beginnings of the day of designer babies have finally come.
The idea of a “perfect child” physically, emotionally, socially and even mentally stems as far back to the days when people desired to create a society that would procreate babies in order fulfill their idea of a “superior race.” In the times of the holocaust, the world saw the rise of “Aryans,” the Germans. This “superior race” represented themselves as hardworking, courageous, and honest while portraying the Jews as evil and cowardly. By the end of 1934 Hitler had absolute control of Germany, and the Nazis were claiming that Jews corrupted pure German culture with their “foreign” and “mongrel influence. The word Aryan is derived from the study of linguistics, and at some point they determined that their “languages were superior in their structures, variety and vocabulary.” The Aryans argued that the Semites (those descending from Arabic, Hebrew, Amharic, and Aramaic backgrounds) and their languages were inferior to the Aryans, therefore concluding that the Aryans were better than the Semitics. The Nazi view of the “superior race” evolving through physical attributes such as blonde hair and blue eyes is closely correlated with this Designer baby phenomenon.
Doctors today have access to advanced reproductive technologies that allow them to screen embryos for genetic disorders, as well as testing techniques that can predetermine a baby’s sex. While technologies and treatments in medicine are constantly making headway, concern in rising about the further development of embryo prescreening. Attributes ranging from height to hair and eye color, and potentially even the IQ, will soon likely be susceptible to prescreening. If gene therapy continues to progress at such a rapid pace, parents will be able to “design their baby” by inserting the genes that they want and weeding out any undesirable traits.
It was 1953 when Francis Crick and James Watsons uncovered the structure of DNA. Their groundbreaking conclusion proved that the DNA molecule exists in the form of a double helix. People waited anxiously with antipathy and excitement for the day when babies could be custom designed. Most prospective parents anticipated the possibility of lower health risks free of inherited diseases due to embryo screening. Now the beginnings of the day of designer babies have finally come.
The idea of a “perfect child” physically, emotionally, socially and even mentally stems as far back to the days when people desired to create a society that would procreate babies in order fulfill their idea of a “superior race.” In the times of the holocaust, the world saw the rise of “Aryans,” the Germans. This “superior race” represented themselves as hardworking, courageous, and honest while portraying the Jews as evil and cowardly. By the end of 1934 Hitler had absolute control of Germany, and the Nazis were claiming that Jews corrupted pure German culture with their “foreign” and “mongrel influence. The word Aryan is derived from the study of linguistics, and at some point they determined that their “languages were superior in their structures, variety and vocabulary.” The Aryans argued that the Semites (those descending from Arabic, Hebrew, Amharic, and Aramaic backgrounds) and their languages were inferior to the Aryans, therefore concluding that the Aryans were better than the Semitics. The Nazi view of the “superior race” evolving through physical attributes such as blonde hair and blue eyes is closely correlated with this Designer baby phenomenon.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Law and Order SVU review
Stereotyping involves all generalizations or assumptions that are related to a person, or a group of people based on their class, ethnicity or race, gender, sexual orientation, social role, and occupation. Often stereotypes maintain and reinforce the power of the “in-group” while subordinating members of “out-groups.” In-groups are viewed as the “normal” and superior group that one aspires to join or be associated with. Out-groups are all other groups that are viewed as inferior. Stereotypes within the media are inevitable, especially in the advertising, entertainment and news industries. Constructing stereotypes through social roles portrayed by characters in films and on TV is a popular trend relating back as far as the advent of televised programming. The exploitation of controversial issues facing discrimination and stereotyping, appears to be a standard protocol for the media in attempts to boost ratings along with the success of commercial programming.
Law and Order SVU is a popular TV show, known for engaging in topics that reflect many contentious issues. A recently premiered episode entitled “Selfish,” was highly hyped and publicized because it featured the actor/singer Hilary Duff. The storyline focused on the disappearance and death of a two year old girl. The main characters, Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) suspected the mother, Ashlee (Duff) as the top murder suspect. However, the twist in the storyline came about when it was discovered that the child had actually died from an untreated case of the measles. This episode then took an unexpected turn towards the matter of child immunization. The mother whose son infected Ashlee’s (Duff) little girl with measles was put on trial for second-degree murder. She was accused of child negligence because she refused to vaccinate her son prior to bringing him to a public playground.
Safety concerns surrounding immunization has become a controversial issue in the recent years for parents and doctors predominately within the US. Decades ago, when thousands of children and adults were dying from smallpox, measles, and other related incurable diseases, vaccine safety concerns were unheard of. People were terrified of the diseases themselves rather than the possible side affects of the vaccines. Today, fear of vaccine preventable diseases has diminished, while concerns regarding vaccine safety have increased. Anti-vaccination sentiment is growing fast in the US, due largely to the controversial dispute linking vaccines and autism. The gap between cultural stereotyping and those parents refusing to vaccinate is diminishing. While the majority of most Americans choose to vaccinate their children, more appear to opting against immunization. Many of the parents who chose against the vaccine have encountered conflicting situations when faced against those parents supporting immunization. In the episode “Selfish,” by putting this woman on trial for murder and child negligence, Law and Order SVU along with its main characters, perpetuates the growing stereotype of people viewed as “bad” or “negligent” parents for failure to immunize their children due to their own popular beliefs.
In an episode released during season nine of Law and Order SVU, entitled “Undercover,” Olivia Benson’s tough woman image is put under the spotlight. After finding a young woman raped and beaten in a park, Detectives Benson and Stabler realize the case goes much deeper because of the victim’s mother, and the realization that a corrections officer is involved. Detective Olivia Benson then decides to go under cover at Seal View prison. Towards the end of this episode it jumps forward to the future and reveals flashbacks of when Olivia was undercover in prison. At first the flashback scenes are vague but it is clear that Olivia was nearly raped by the same corrections officer that was involved with the rape of the first victim. Afterwards when she is relating the event to a therapist, Olivia is shaken, and her tentative demeanor is completely out of character. The tough character once portrayed on this show was demoted to the level of the very women Olivia Benson helps out.
So what connection does this episode have with cultural stereotypes? The stereotyping of women always being portrayed as the helpless victim when a man strikes has persisted throughout the history of film and television. Olivia’s partner Detective Elliot Stabler has always been portrayed as an unbreakable man able to take down anyone no matter the size. He has always easily defeated any potential perpetrators and is rarely depicted in vulnerable situations. The sexual assault and near rape of Detective Benson in this episode versus the bruises and few broken bones Detective Stabler has undergone throughout the ten seasons of SVU, support the stereotype of women being weaker therefore more susceptible than men are.
In the episode entitled “Transitions,” SVU dealt with controversial transgender issues, and according to its ratings was seen as one of the best of the recent Law and Order series. Disney Channel’s Bridger Zadina portrayed Henry/Hailey, a troubled male to female adolescent accused of the attempted murder of his irrational unsupportive father. Later on in the episode it is proved that Hailey’s guidance counselor Miss Blaine, was the one guilty of attacking Hailey’s father. Miss Blaine, also a transgender, spent lots of time counseling Hailey about her family issues. Miss Blaine now a high school counselor was once a victim of a string of heinous crimes directed at transgenders. In the midst of Hailey showing signs of physical abuse, Miss Blaine acted irrationally in defense of Hailey and attacked her father. While on trial Miss Blaine was treated like any other perpetrator, however she was also made out to be a victim due to her past. Although the episode attempted to make Hailey’s father out to be the bad guy, he was also still the victim. He required justice, just as Miss Blaine should have gotten for what happened to her all those years ago. In the end this episode supported the portrayal and stereotype of all transgender people as either victims or villainies in society.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Video Games (Sociological Images)
There are many different factors affecting the relations that the media has with its consumers. Although we rely on the media for important news related topics that apply to situations covering the weather as well as current vital government issues, the media contributes to a negative side of entertainment through the mass consumption of video games.
Battle Raper video game
Battle Raper is a Japanese video game. It is a 3D fighting game and the goal is to strip, grope and sometimes rape the female characters during fight scenes. The player’s “health bar” is translated by the amount of clothes the female opponent still has on her. There are also graphically enhanced takes from this video game in which female characters are crying because they are being forced to perform oral sex on the male challengers. In order to damage the health of female opponents one must have their character molest the female’s breasts and crotches. In Battle Raper 1, there is a function in which players can view rape scenes that can be accessed after the person playing wins games with each of the different characters. In Battle Raper 2, this function was removed.
Social justice and human rights are essential for the conduct and preservation of a democratic society in which equality is sought after. Women are subjected to discrimination within families, communities, and in the workplace. Although causes and consequences vary from culture to culture, such inequity is widespread. “Battle Raper” appears to be justifying, minimizing and making a joke out of a horrible crime that occurs in real life and is predominantly aimed at woman. The normalization of such sexual violence in certain countries is echoed by the frequent occurrence of pornographic implications in video games and cartoons in which the rape, stalking, and sexual molestation of woman and girls is emphasized. Due to the over-sexualized portrayal of woman in the media, concern is rising about women being depicted as nothing more than sex objects.
http://contexts.org/socimages/2008/11/15/battle-raper-video-game/
Miss Bimbo online virtual game
In this virtual fashion game players must look after their “bimbo” character as she goes through life. In order to progress in this game your characters must find a “hot” boyfriend, a cool place to live, and a good job. Characters compete with other “bimbos” to become the most popular and best dressed. This game requires players to place their character on diets, along with getting plastic surgery for your “bimbo” in order to gain popularity points.
“Become the most famous and beautiful bimbo in the world.” This quote taken directly from the website of this online virtual game represents the trend in society by stereotyping the roles woman are “expected” to represent or portray in society. In a sense this relates to the way “people make judgments and generalizations on the basis of scanty information, confusing an individual’s characteristics with typical group-member characteristics” (Parrillo). Relating to all women through this concept of “categoric knowing,” this online video game is supporting the depiction of all women by correlating them with “blonde bimbos.”
http://contexts.org/socimages/2008/12/17/miss-bimbo-vs-sexy-beach-3/
Medal of Honor
This is a series of video games that focuses on US soldiers fighting in the World War II era. The goal of this game is to complete certain objectives, such as destroying enemy positions, collecting Intel, and killing German military forces. There are twelve versions of this game currently out on the market. Depending on the version of the game, characters are required to fulfill a variety of missions in order to progress and ultimately “beat” the game. Players receive medals for their characters as they advance through certain stages.
Although it will probably come as a shock to most people, the targeting of African-Americans as consumers began way back in the 1940’s. In 1943, a “black marketing consultant” by the name of David J. Sullivan highlighted ten rules for advertising agencies titled Don’t Do This-If You Want to Sell Your Product to Negros! Sullivan focused on several situations in which Black consumers took offense to racist product brand names. In 2008, African-American buying power was approaching one trillion dollars. (http://www.targetmarketnews.com/storyid09120702.htm) So why are so many marketers ignoring the African-American segment? The images depicted on the covers in reference to the video game “Metal of Honor” appear to feature only the faces of Caucasian men. During the WWII era, African-Americans were segregated from the majority, and were not allowed to fight on the front lines. However, out of the millions of Americans that fought in this war, nearly one million represented the African-American population. (http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2005-05-10-voa47-67929177.html) Towards the end of war, most people believed that “black soldiers” were just as equal as “white ones,” and President Truman desegregated armed forces shortly after. Do these video games covers presume only white men will relate to “Metal of Honor?” Are their actions reflecting a stereotype of whom they believe will buy their game? '
The pattern of this ethnocentric belief has left stains in all forms of the media. In this video game, the feature of only Caucasian men on the cover reflects the support of the “belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture.” (http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/ethnocentric)
http://contexts.org/socimages/2008/12/11/medal-of-honor-the-all-white-war/
For societies in all parts of the world battling against the fight for equality, it seems impossible to create any devoid of the powerful social and culture factors of race, gender, and class. The media is constantly abusing its power to convey popular beliefs that are frequently underdeveloped and openly support the many different forms of discrimination.
Other References:
Parrillo, V. (2008). Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations (3ed). Pearsons Education, Inc.
Battle Raper video game
Battle Raper is a Japanese video game. It is a 3D fighting game and the goal is to strip, grope and sometimes rape the female characters during fight scenes. The player’s “health bar” is translated by the amount of clothes the female opponent still has on her. There are also graphically enhanced takes from this video game in which female characters are crying because they are being forced to perform oral sex on the male challengers. In order to damage the health of female opponents one must have their character molest the female’s breasts and crotches. In Battle Raper 1, there is a function in which players can view rape scenes that can be accessed after the person playing wins games with each of the different characters. In Battle Raper 2, this function was removed.
Social justice and human rights are essential for the conduct and preservation of a democratic society in which equality is sought after. Women are subjected to discrimination within families, communities, and in the workplace. Although causes and consequences vary from culture to culture, such inequity is widespread. “Battle Raper” appears to be justifying, minimizing and making a joke out of a horrible crime that occurs in real life and is predominantly aimed at woman. The normalization of such sexual violence in certain countries is echoed by the frequent occurrence of pornographic implications in video games and cartoons in which the rape, stalking, and sexual molestation of woman and girls is emphasized. Due to the over-sexualized portrayal of woman in the media, concern is rising about women being depicted as nothing more than sex objects.
http://contexts.org/socimages/2008/11/15/battle-raper-video-game/
Miss Bimbo online virtual game
In this virtual fashion game players must look after their “bimbo” character as she goes through life. In order to progress in this game your characters must find a “hot” boyfriend, a cool place to live, and a good job. Characters compete with other “bimbos” to become the most popular and best dressed. This game requires players to place their character on diets, along with getting plastic surgery for your “bimbo” in order to gain popularity points.
“Become the most famous and beautiful bimbo in the world.” This quote taken directly from the website of this online virtual game represents the trend in society by stereotyping the roles woman are “expected” to represent or portray in society. In a sense this relates to the way “people make judgments and generalizations on the basis of scanty information, confusing an individual’s characteristics with typical group-member characteristics” (Parrillo). Relating to all women through this concept of “categoric knowing,” this online video game is supporting the depiction of all women by correlating them with “blonde bimbos.”
http://contexts.org/socimages/2008/12/17/miss-bimbo-vs-sexy-beach-3/
Medal of Honor
This is a series of video games that focuses on US soldiers fighting in the World War II era. The goal of this game is to complete certain objectives, such as destroying enemy positions, collecting Intel, and killing German military forces. There are twelve versions of this game currently out on the market. Depending on the version of the game, characters are required to fulfill a variety of missions in order to progress and ultimately “beat” the game. Players receive medals for their characters as they advance through certain stages.
Although it will probably come as a shock to most people, the targeting of African-Americans as consumers began way back in the 1940’s. In 1943, a “black marketing consultant” by the name of David J. Sullivan highlighted ten rules for advertising agencies titled Don’t Do This-If You Want to Sell Your Product to Negros! Sullivan focused on several situations in which Black consumers took offense to racist product brand names. In 2008, African-American buying power was approaching one trillion dollars. (http://www.targetmarketnews.com/storyid09120702.htm) So why are so many marketers ignoring the African-American segment? The images depicted on the covers in reference to the video game “Metal of Honor” appear to feature only the faces of Caucasian men. During the WWII era, African-Americans were segregated from the majority, and were not allowed to fight on the front lines. However, out of the millions of Americans that fought in this war, nearly one million represented the African-American population. (http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2005-05-10-voa47-67929177.html) Towards the end of war, most people believed that “black soldiers” were just as equal as “white ones,” and President Truman desegregated armed forces shortly after. Do these video games covers presume only white men will relate to “Metal of Honor?” Are their actions reflecting a stereotype of whom they believe will buy their game? '
The pattern of this ethnocentric belief has left stains in all forms of the media. In this video game, the feature of only Caucasian men on the cover reflects the support of the “belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture.” (http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/ethnocentric)
http://contexts.org/socimages/2008/12/11/medal-of-honor-the-all-white-war/
For societies in all parts of the world battling against the fight for equality, it seems impossible to create any devoid of the powerful social and culture factors of race, gender, and class. The media is constantly abusing its power to convey popular beliefs that are frequently underdeveloped and openly support the many different forms of discrimination.
Other References:
Parrillo, V. (2008). Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations (3ed). Pearsons Education, Inc.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Decline of the Youth in the Bahamas
The youth in the Bahamas seem to be on a destructive path. They have ventured further away from the values that this country has been based on for many generations. Many have lost their ambition and focus. What will the future hold for a country whose younger generation is languishing? The result seems to be low test scores and increased criminal activity especially in the government school system. The crime wave is spilling over into the general community. The negative influences introduced through the media and such have contributed to the destructive behavior we are experiencing.
Generally, children acquire their ideas, beliefs, and values from what their parents and family instill in them in their youth. This socialization is crucial to every society. Growing up in the Bahamas in the time that I did, we were in a way isolated from the rest of the world. The outdoor lifestyle here in Nassau and on the rest of the out islands in the Bahamas is very alluring. We have beautiful clear waters and mostly sunny clear days. Boating, snorkeling, and fishing are extremely popular daily activities. Before Nassau became so overpopulated and modernized houses were more scattered and there were plenty bushy areas to go exploring in. Children used their imaginations for play in place of the toys of today. Although only an hour plane ride away from Florida and American soil, here we were in a world of our own. During my childhood, kids spent the majority of their time outside. It was so much safer then, and the media had very little impact on the choices and decisions children made. Cable was non- existent then and the very expensive satellite systems were not in the majority of homes. Our parent’s aspirations for us helped shape our future goals. Nowadays technology has further developed and crime is worse than ever before, and kids now stay indoors more. Children have become more interested in new shows on television, as well as other entertainment systems (i.e. play station, x-box, PSP). Their ideas and values have also been altered to match those that are observed through the media and they are less reliant on their parent’s views. They have adopted these “popular” values as their own. In some cases the gross materialism seen on television has resulted in children and teens acting out in criminal ways to obtain these things.
Another area where this change in behavior is seen is in our communication to one another. Here we have our own version of “pigeon.” Although it is English, it is so hard for most foreigners to understand. It sounds as if it is our own spoken language. I’ve noticed that our “pigeon” used to connect us to each other more. In the past, Bahamians of all races could rely on communication as a source of respect and acceptance. It used to be that where ever one was it was our distinct “pigeon” that would unite us all even across racial lines. In a crowd of people, a Bahamian, especially a minority Bahamian such as myself (i.e. Caucasian and Asian Bahamians) could depend on the use of our language to receive that friendly local to local interaction. Today our youth have lost some of their sense of national pride and their respect of other individuals has dissipated. Our people used to be protective over each other, and during these rough times kids are turning on each other. I think crime has affected our symbolic Interaction, because our “pigeon” and other cultural norms don’t unite us to each other as strongly as they used to.
Sources:
Parrillo, V. (2008). Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations (3ed). Pearsons Education, Inc.
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/
Generally, children acquire their ideas, beliefs, and values from what their parents and family instill in them in their youth. This socialization is crucial to every society. Growing up in the Bahamas in the time that I did, we were in a way isolated from the rest of the world. The outdoor lifestyle here in Nassau and on the rest of the out islands in the Bahamas is very alluring. We have beautiful clear waters and mostly sunny clear days. Boating, snorkeling, and fishing are extremely popular daily activities. Before Nassau became so overpopulated and modernized houses were more scattered and there were plenty bushy areas to go exploring in. Children used their imaginations for play in place of the toys of today. Although only an hour plane ride away from Florida and American soil, here we were in a world of our own. During my childhood, kids spent the majority of their time outside. It was so much safer then, and the media had very little impact on the choices and decisions children made. Cable was non- existent then and the very expensive satellite systems were not in the majority of homes. Our parent’s aspirations for us helped shape our future goals. Nowadays technology has further developed and crime is worse than ever before, and kids now stay indoors more. Children have become more interested in new shows on television, as well as other entertainment systems (i.e. play station, x-box, PSP). Their ideas and values have also been altered to match those that are observed through the media and they are less reliant on their parent’s views. They have adopted these “popular” values as their own. In some cases the gross materialism seen on television has resulted in children and teens acting out in criminal ways to obtain these things.
Another area where this change in behavior is seen is in our communication to one another. Here we have our own version of “pigeon.” Although it is English, it is so hard for most foreigners to understand. It sounds as if it is our own spoken language. I’ve noticed that our “pigeon” used to connect us to each other more. In the past, Bahamians of all races could rely on communication as a source of respect and acceptance. It used to be that where ever one was it was our distinct “pigeon” that would unite us all even across racial lines. In a crowd of people, a Bahamian, especially a minority Bahamian such as myself (i.e. Caucasian and Asian Bahamians) could depend on the use of our language to receive that friendly local to local interaction. Today our youth have lost some of their sense of national pride and their respect of other individuals has dissipated. Our people used to be protective over each other, and during these rough times kids are turning on each other. I think crime has affected our symbolic Interaction, because our “pigeon” and other cultural norms don’t unite us to each other as strongly as they used to.
Sources:
Parrillo, V. (2008). Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations (3ed). Pearsons Education, Inc.
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