Technology: Helpful or Harmful? By Hannah Davis

Do people rely too much on technology in today’s society? Are we getting to the point where we would rather send a text or instant message instead of calling someone or talking face to face? Could younger generations be losing important social skills due to the ease associated with talking through media devices instead of in person? Has technology made society more distant and impersonal?

From personal experience I can see both sides of the argument. On the positive side I can be more direct and honest when I’m communicating in any way besides face to face. I have a hard time expressing anger, frustration, and fear in conversations, but when I am not directly talking to another person I feel it’s okay to show these emotions. In a way, the cover of technology allows me to open up more and voice opinions that normally I am too concerned to express.

Another thing I like about technology is that it is quick. Instead of writing a letter (does anyone really do that anymore?) and waiting for it to get there, the recipient to respond, and it to get back to me, I can Skype with someone instantly. With the new technology, people can video chat with people in other countries, which is allowing them to stay connected.

Technology also removes another burden for me. I don’t know if others feel the same way as I do, but when I am communicating in person I begin to worry about what I am about to say and if it will be positively received. On the other hand, when I am emailing or texting someone I am able to carefully chose my words and fully think about what I want to tell the other person. This takes away some of the pressure I feel, as well as helps me find ways to clearly communicate to others.

But can that also be a negative aspect? Have I come to rely on technology to help me communicate and forgotten how to talk to people in person? Sometimes I worry that my shyness is perpetuated by my ability to hide behind social networks and emails. Instead of learning to talk in front of groups, which is a huge fear of mine, I can instead write a blog. I’m still getting the point across, just in another form.

But is it okay to avoid interacting in person? I have observed people neglecting those they are with to text a friend. People will take a call and end up talking to the person on the other line longer then they will to the person they are with. People are so use to using technology that people are even starting to break up with their significant others through email or social networks instead of in person. Are all of these things acceptable?

It seems people can become addicted to forms of media and communication. People in many of my classes are so obsessed with staying connected through their phones that they can’t even turn them off for an hour and a half; they must sneak text messages when the teacher isn’t looking. Others take their laptops into class and instead of paying attention are distracted by Facebook or YouTube.

So as we can clearly see technology that helps us communicate has created positive and negative issues. It helps us stay in touch, helps us communicate, and can allow us to be more open and honest. At the same time it can cause us to ignore those around us in favor of talking those who are on the other line or computer, keep us from socializing and learning how to communicate in person, and can be addictive.

So, we must ask ourselves each one question; does the ever expanding technology hinder or help us? The answer may vary for every person, and because of this everyone needs to assess their own involvement with technology. If it is starting to negatively impact your life then it’s time to consider how to cut back or improve what you are currently doing. If you are able to cope and thrive with all the technology, then maintaining that is important.

How the Teen Years Can Affect You By Hannah Davis

The teen years are very turbulent. Sometimes we encounter things that may frustrate and scare us as we age during this time. There is a lot of change going on physically, emotionally, financially and educationally.

Physically we watch as our body hits puberty; hormones start to go wild as we get more testosterone or estrogen, hair starts to grow in new places, we begin to have sexual urges and our appearance and voice change. With these changes many teens are excited to enter the dating world – we want to experience the thrill of falling in love, having our first kiss, getting to say we have a boyfriend or girlfriend, and perhaps engage in sexual activity.

Teens need to learn to deal with is their new found urges. Giving in to sexual desires may lead to feelings of guilt, worry and regret or happiness and empowerment. If they are happy with their decision they may stop controlling their desire and instead give in. This is dangerous because a person may start to have sex without protection with possible results of STI’s or pregnancy, or result in getting a reputation for being easy or a player. On the other hand, if a person feels pressured into losing their virginity or engaging in certain sexual actions they may become depressed or turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their decision.

These physical changes can and often do impact us mentally and emotionally. As our sexuality and body mature we must face new experiences, some good and some bad. For example, we watch others and compare our body to theirs and may worry that we are changing too quickly or slowly. As we get more self conscious about our bodies we may begin to get self-esteem problems and see our physical appearance as less then desirable. This can sometimes lead to eating disorders or other troubling habits to control and achieve a desired look.

During the teen years we begin to take on more responsibilities. We get jobs which allow us a new form of freedom; the ability to buy whatever we want with the money we have worked hard to earn. But with power comes great responsibility. Perhaps our college tuitions aren’t being paid for by our parents, so we begin to worry about keeping enough money to support ourselves. Taxes, bills, student loans, and other money issues may start to enter our lives. This can lead to stress and possibly depression if you feel that you don’t have enough money to do all the things you want and need.

But those aren’t the only things that teens must learn to deal with. There are multiple school changes, with the hardest most likely being the transition from high school to college. This change brings a teen more independence but also more money issues, responsibilities, and stress. We move out of the house (and potentially very far away), we get roommates, even tougher classes, and the added pressure to find out what we want to be when we grow up as well as attaining that goal through education. A lot of the time we don’t know anyone at the school and therefore meet and make friends with a whole new group of people. All these things can be hard on a person and lead to problems in their life.

I am sure there are other changes I have forgotten to mention. Each person has a unique life and experiences their teen years differently. For some they may ease on through, others may struggle at every turn, and those left over will have their high and low moments. The good thing is most people understand what teenagers are going through, having experienced it themselves, and want to help you through any hard times your teenage years may bring you.

Remember that change is necessary and good. It allows us to try and do new things, explore who we are, and grow up. Sometimes being a teenager may seem like the worst thing ever but keep in mind that soon you will be older and will be able to look back on these years.

The Facts on Suicide By Intern Hannah Davis

Suicide is a very serious topic that many people avoid talking about, but some things need to be discussed. If this saves even one life then it has been worth every second it takes me to write this blog.

First off let me start by saying if you or a friend is having suicidal thoughts get professional help immediately!

According to www.teensuicide.us, four out of five teen suicide attempts are preceded by clear warning signs. If you think a friend may be suicidal you should look for these signs:

• they withdrawal from people they love such as family and friends

• they either loose or gain a lot of weight

• they starts to sleep all the time or very little

• they begins to give away their possessions

• there is any talk about suicide

• they stop participating in activities they use to enjoy

• they pick up self destructive habits such as drinking, driving recklessly, and taking drugs

If any of these things are occurring you should talk to people you and your friend can trust. This can include teachers, family members, a school counselor, doctor, or an adult friend. You can also contact certain support groups by calling 1-800-suicide to reach The Hotline For Suicide Crisis, the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-talk, or 911. There are also helpful online resources at http://www.yellowribbon.org/, http://www.save.org/ and http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

Sadly suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24. The risk increases when there are firearms easily accessible to a suicidal person. Rates for girls are higher in their number of attempts, but since the common method for women is drugs and cutting, they survive more often. Boys, on the other hand, die about four times more often then girls because they use more dangerous methods such as hanging, jumping from heights, and guns.

What can cause a person to want to end their life? Teens who are depressed, may be using alcohol and drugs, could have been subject to physical or sexual abuse, or may dealing with their homosexuality in an nonsupporting family or environment; these are just a few examples of what lead to a higher risk for attempting suicide. Other factors include a family history of suicide or depression, lacking a supportive network, feeling isolated, and feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation.

Since so many teens attempt or succeed in committing suicide, chances are you know someone who has done this. I remember in junior high school one of the students hung himself in the bathrooms. Even to this day I get upset when I think about the loss of this person. It is typical and okay to be angry at the person who killed themselves. You may be mad that they gave up and left you behind. Or you may feel guilty because you couldn’t stop them from hurting themselves. Or you may feel confused, lost and sad. All of these emotions can be very strong and need to be discussed with a trusted person, preferably a counselor or professional, in order to help you get through these hard times.

The Pressure to be Perfect By Hannah Davis

Why are looks so important to our society? There are stereotypes abounding about what the perfect man or woman should look like. A desired man tends to be tall and muscular while women need to be lean, tall and endowed with large boobs. People are struggling with their reflection because society has put so much pressure on everyone to be attractive and seductive.

I don’t know about you but I feel the pressure to always look my best, buy the trendy clothing, and use dieting and exercise to reach that impossible body image of models. While I may not actually do all these things, there is a voice in the back of my mind that says I should. Others are dealing with these demands by undergoing drastic processes like plastic surgery. Others are developing mental disorders such as eating disorders or body dysmorphic disorder where they believe themselves to be ugly even if they have no noticeable flaws.

In regards to plastic surgery, the trend is quite frightening to me. Since 1997, there has been more than a 162% increase in cosmetic surgery. The top five surgical procedures for men, according to the ASAPS’s 2008 statistics on cosmetic surgery, were liposuction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, hair transplants and breast reduction surgery. Women’s top five was breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdonimoplasty and breast reduction. There is now even a television show called Bridalplasty that has women competing to earn cosmetic surgery so their wedding can be “perfect”. I watched an episode once and was shocked when the show’s host told the contestant being kicked off that “she would have a nice wedding, but not a perfect one” because she wasn’t going to have a change to get surgery. This message alarms me and makes me wonder if society has gone too far in its reach for perfection.

Then there are eating disorders, which are more common then you may think. According to South Carolina’s Department of Mental Health, around 8 million Americans have an eating disorder and almost half of all Americans personally know someone who has an eating disorder. Whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder, these disorders have been attributed with the highest level of mortality when compared to all other mental illnesses. The treatment is costly and not very effective; many people don’t even try to get help.

Why is it that 50% of girls between 11 and 13 see themselves overweight? What has allowed us to have anorexia as the third most common chronic illness among adolescents? Is it all the celebrities who have had eating disorders, the media’s pressure to be thin, or because of a pervasive mindset that has found its way into our culture?

And then there is body dysmporhic disorder, also called imagined ugliness, where people are excessively dissatisfied with a part of their appearance, imagined or minor imperfections, which constantly occupy their thoughts and make them feel horrible. These individuals obsess about the imperfection and use compulsions to try and relieve tensions. Because they are ashamed or upset by their appearance, people with body dysmorphic disorder tend to avoid others by staying home or covering up their perceived imperfection.

When I researched the disorder I came to a very helpful website called kidshealth.org, which has information for parents, kids, and teens. On their website they stated that the disorder tends to start in the teen years and may be caused by a combination of an imbalance in serotonin levels and cultures messages about body image. If the problem isn’t treated early on it can continue into adulthood and affect the person’s life in many ways, including unpleasant thoughts about their body, long and repeated grooming processes, and eventually isolation that results in dropping out of school or losing a job in order to avoid people who will see their imperfections.

All of the above processes show how people try to deal with society’s pressure to be perfect and its affect on men and women. Each is a severe issue that needs to be looked at in order to help those people develop a healthy lifestyle and outlook on their body.

So let’s take a stand against modern society’s perception of beauty. Let’s all embrace who we are, flaws and all, and accept that what we have is beautiful.

If you need help with an eating disorder please contact the National Eating Disorders Association at 1-800-913-2237 or at their website http://nationaleatingdisorders.org/.

Do we want to be a cookie cutter society where everyone looks the same; women are tan, blonde and skinny where men are rippling with muscles, athletic, and tall? Personally I don’t want that future. If you don’t either then take a stand and tell someone they are beautiful for exactly who they are. Look into your mirror and believe the person staring back is perfect. Learn to love yourself.

Motivations in School

An article posted on Psychology Today caught my attention. In Barry Swartz’s “Do Grades As Incentives Work?” the author wonders if grades make students merely work harder. In other words, he asked is the pressure to complete all assignments to get an ‘A’ teaching us anything besides how to get work done. Are we learning the material? Or are we regurgitating what teachers say in order to get a high GPA?

Why do we study hard? For many it’s to get a good grade. But shouldn’t it be for the love of learning?

In my humble opinion I believe that students, by the time they have reached college for sure, but most likely by junior high or high school, have learned that to get the grade we must recite exactly what the teacher says. Most people are afraid to challenge a teacher’s ideas in fear that they will be punished with a lower grade. So, we reread our notes right before a test and recite word for word what teachers want to hear. And as soon as we walk out of the classroom the valuable information slips away.

We also must think about the students. There are the lucky few who barely have to open a book, can skip class, and still get an “easy A” without really trying. Can people honestly say these kids have learned anything that semester? It may be more realistic to say these particular students are able to use their skills in certain techniques such as writing and test taking which allows them to slide on by without effort. They have achieved the desired grade, but learned nothing.

On the other side we see students who struggle to get good grades and really want to learn but aren’t able to do so. Schwartz says in his article “the students in the bottom half of the class--students whose learning we want to encourage--know that the odds of high grades and high rankings are stacked against them. If we corrupt students' souls by convincing them that the main motive for learning are high grades and honors, we end up de-motivating, and de-moralizing, those students who have little chance for the top rankings.” Over time they begin to give up and stop trying to learn.

So it looks to me like the grading system is flawed. Instead of focusing on learning valuable information we can use in the future, we are instead using any means possible to get a good grade, or we simply stop caring. Either way this isn’t helping students prepare for their future.

But what can be done? It isn’t likely that any time soon schools will even consider getting rid of the grading system, so how can teachers encourage students to work hard and actually learn at the same time? That is a question that isn’t easy to answer. Thankfully everyone goes through school and therefore has valuable information and feelings in regards to this topic. Maybe one of us, the frustrated students who are ready for something better, who will eventually discover a way to improve our school systems.

"No Homo"- Blog by Peer Leader Marcos Garcilazo

I recently watched an organization's public service announcement that promoted condom use to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. I remember the gist of it, but as a matter of fact, the makers of the video lost me within four seconds.

The video had very little dialogue, but they used Lil' Wayne's "Lollipop" as the background music for their video. If you are not familiar with the song, click on the following link and pay very close attention to the lyrics.

Lollipop

Did you catch it? It's four seconds into the video/song. If you're not used to having gay slurs thrown in your direction you might have missed it. Heck, even if you are you might have missed it. If you did miss it, click the link again and really try and hear it.

Four seconds in, he says "no homo." The expression, if you are unaware, is used to clarify that under no conditions is any of the following to be interpreted as gay. The expression is very common on most social websites like Twitter and Facebook. The expression bases itself in the fear that anything - describing a shirt or even the weather - may be interpreted as the speaker being gay, and implying that there is something inherently wrong or offensive about being gay. Once again our culture has found a away to put down gay individuals everywhere constantly - first it was "that's gay" and now it's "no homo."

When I heard that in a video, they lost me. I wasn't listening because I was wondering "How could an organization perpetuate a negative phrase against such a vast part of the community when they're supposed to be educating them about condom usage?" Gay men tend to be at a higher risk for HIV/AIDS, so I struggle to understand why they would use a song that marginalizes gay people within the first four seconds.

There are more rap songs out there than I care to count, and some just as popular (if not more popular) than Lil' Wayne's song. Now, it is hard to miss it but if someone is used to being harassed for their sexual orientation, they won't miss it. If one is constantly demonized, when that demonization makes it into a video that's supposed to encourage safe sex, they're not going to hear the message. They'll hear the homophobic remark at the very beginning.

As I said earlier, gay men are at a higher risk of HIV/AIDS if protection isn't used, so it troubles me that one of the more at-risk target populations is being ignored. Stigma is a cause of risky sexual behavior, so it's important to remember what our language is doing to a community. I should hope that organizations will think very carefully when deciding what content to include, and in so doing they will ensure that their message is actually heard by those who would benefit from hearing it. With so many gay youth completing suicide in recent months, it should be obvious that we need to be more sensitive about language and the words we use.

"Tips on How to Deal With Stress" By Hannah Davis

Many people deal with stress on a daily basis. Issues at work, raising a family, thinking about the future, school issues, or trying to stay thin and in fashion may all be things that make you stressed. When you feel this unwanted pressure it’s important to learn proper ways to manage those feelings. In my search for ways to cope with stress, I turned to a very informational website called helpguide.org which lists six types of stress management strategies.

Before a person can even start to implement the strategies they need to accomplish two tasks: identify what is causing the stress in their lives and how they cope with the stress currently. When you are trying to find the things that are causing your stress, you need to not only look at what is the problem but also what may be causing it. For example, one of my housemates thought she was stressed because she didn’t have any money for food and school supplies, but on a closer inspection of the issue she found that she spent too much of her money on unnecessary items which caused her to be low in funds. In this case, in order to fix her stress and keep it from happening again, she had to learn to control her spending so that the next semester wouldn’t be as stressful. She was coping with the stress by not eating enough which lead her to get sick several times throughout the year. If she had tried to manage her stress differently, she could have avoided all those problems.

Now that we have a real life example to think about, we will start to look into ways to keep ourselves stress free (or as little stress as possible). The first management strategy is avoiding unnecessary stressors. This may sound obvious, but many people don’t notice that they are allowing themselves to fall into situations that cause them stress. How can we avoid the stress? Try saying no to things you can’t or don’t want to engage in, avoiding people who stress you out, reducing the load of work and activities you put upon yourself, and trying to take control of your environment are all ways to do this.

Another tip for reducing stress is to alter a situation if you are unable to avoid it. You can do this by managing your time better, being willing to make compromises, and making sure to express your emotions instead of letting them bubble up and cause you stress.

Thirdly you can try to change yourself so that you can adapt to the stressful situation while keep a sense of control. This may include focusing on the positive, loosing that perfectionist stance, and looking at the big picture and seeing how important the thing that is causing you stress really is.

If none of the above have worked you can then try to accept that you can’t change things. This doesn’t mean you are giving up and letting your life be filled with crippling stress. Oh no. This means you accept that things are difficult or unpleaseant, but remind yourself you wont always have to live with the stress you are currently feeling. Try to forgive the people who frustrate you and let go of any negative feelings you may be holding in.

A very easy way to manage stress is to find a way to get in some fun and relaxation every chance you can get. This may be as simple as a 15 minute walk at night or going to dinner with a close friend. If you allow yourself to unwind you won’t feel like the world is crashing down on you. Make it a goal to do something that makes you happy at least once a day.

And lastly, living a healthy lifestyle may help reduce some of the stress in your life. I don’t know about you, but sometimes a good work out makes me feel so much better. The endorphins you release will help you get happy! Make sure you get enough sleep so you aren’t grumpy, eat healthy, and avoid drugs and alcohol. All these things should help diminish your stress levels.

Well, there are your six tips for stress management. I hope they help you whenever you feel burdened by stress.