Ace Magnolia
Stories (6/0)
American Deviance: Functions of Gangs
The history of American Gangs goes all the way back to the orphans of the first immigrants and settlers as a means of survival. Gangs have not disappeared, and the reason for their existence has not either. Most people who join gangs do so in order to survive and/or feel a sense of belonging. This puts children and minorities most at risk for recruitment. Gangs are a perfect example of deviance from the norms of mainstream society and clearly show example of all five functions of deviance: Clarifying norms, unifying the group, diffusing tension, providing jobs, and promoting social change.
By Ace Magnolia3 years ago in Criminal
Agents of Socialization
Genie, sometimes referred to as the 'wild child', was a girl found at 13 years old in Los Angeles on November 4, 1970 who had been raised in near total isolation, even from other people in her family. It was a shock to her neighbors who never knew she existed. Genie was found locked in a room and tied to a potty chair where she sat in the dark all day, ate, and slept. Living in this room, there was little to no stimulus to allow her to learn or develop areas of her brain. She never learned how to speak, as no one spoke to her and was barely able to walk. Her father had locked her in that room once he began to suspect she was mentally retarded and would then after beat her for making any noise. After being found out he committed suicide. Once she was found, many researches of different fields such as psychology, psychiatry, and linguistics took notice and proceeded to study her development and teach her as much a they could. She was finally able to explore the world around her and behaved as a toddler would, intensely staring, touching, and rubbing some items on her face. She started to show emotion and speak, learning 100 words by spring. Susan Curtis was the main authority on teaching Genie how to speak and all the words she needed to know. One of the researchers, Butler, decided to take Genie in for the duration of the research, but was denied to be her permanent foster parent, so David Riddler and his wife stepped in. Genie now had children around her as well as adults. Because Genie had never been able to learn by watching or doing, she had to be taught almost everything, including how to throw a tantrum before she could express herself in words. Eventually the data that had been gathered was found to be too ambiguous and funding was cut. Genie could no longer stay with the Riddler's so they found a home for her. Unfortunately, her mother was found to be a victim of Genie’s father as well was acquitted of child abuse charges and wanted to care for Genie herself. This soon proved itself too difficult and Genie was bounced between often abusive foster homes. In the end her vocabulary was wide, but she could not form grammatically correct sentences and did not walk as a normal young adult would. She now lives in an adult care home in California. Her tragic story shows the importance of familial socialization and its physical, mental, and social effects on children.
By Ace Magnolia3 years ago in Psyche
Gender Stereotypes
Today there is a focus on the stereotypes of women and men respectively and how that affects children into their adulthoods. Many professionals and community leaders speak out against what we are teaching children from the moment they are born. The stereotypes and portrayals of men and women in the media cause self destruction across the chromosomal divide and is designed to keep the social structure in America unchanging.
By Ace Magnolia3 years ago in Humans
White Nationalism
Terrorism: The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. White Nationalism is a political view that the white race is superior to other races and a white national image should be upheld. White Nationalist groups include Neo Nazis, The Ku Klux Klan, anti-immigrant groups, Skinheads, and Alt-Right activists. Not all, but many of these groups and many in these groups commit what are known as hate crimes. Hate crimes are crimes motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, usually involving violence. Hate speech is used by everyone in these groups to express their distaste for those who do not look like them. Even though it is not expressly stated in the name, many white nationalists also tend to be sexist and discriminatory to people in the LGBT community. White Nationalists are not frequently called, but are by definition, terrorists with the political goal of eliminating non white immigration and oppressing non whites through laws and fear. White Nationalism is possibly the greatest threat facing America today.
By Ace Magnolia3 years ago in The Swamp
Pros and Cons of Mainstream Schooling
Mainstream schools are meant to be a place that all children up to age 21 can learn. Students enrolled in these schools have varying levels of success. For some students, school is a place to get away from home, consistently have a meal, absorb anything and everything they can, or just make friends and become socialized, while for others it is uncomfortable, unhelpful, isolating, or a place that exposes them to negative influences. There are pros and cons to mainstream schools from teaching methods, to social aspects, to health and safety.
By Ace Magnolia3 years ago in Education