How Women are redefining the gender role in sports

 Submitted by Navita

             Gender role-plays a significant part in society. We learn our gender role through parents, teachers, peers, television, magazines, books and religion that implicates how males and females should be portrayed. The feminist movement has paved the way for women in the Western culture fighting for equal rights, economic, and social rights. The feminist movement helped women to differentiate their role in society, for example, sports where women are professional athletes in basketball, softball, tennis, golf and soccer. The opportunities for female athletes in sports have increased drastically throughout the years. However, they’re successful athletes but still face criticisms for their gender in sports by critics claiming, “that it’s not their place” or “they’re trying to be men.” Women athletes train hard and play hard in the competitiveness of sports but still lag behind the men athletes.  

Overall, these strong, powerful, hardworking athletes are being acknowledge in their sports career, for instance, the USA Women's Soccer Team that made the finals, even though they didn’t win the championship; they were recognized throughout world for their performance. This is setting a great example for many young girls growing up in society, today. Your gender shouldn’t hold you back from going after your dreams. These women are not only athletes they are moms, wives and balancing other obligations in their lives. This proves that women can definitely manage it all from having a career and raising a family, they are redefining the gender role.

My Little Social Butterfly

            submitted by: Samea Haywood

            My eleven year old son Kassan is what you would call a social butterfly. Almost every day he's bringing me home a new application to sign for permission  to join a new club. As a result of him joining these social clubs he has become friends with many different people. Of course I would like to believe that these clubs and his friends  have a positive influence on my son, but that is not always the case. Therefore family being his most import agent of socialization, I make sure that he is internalizing all the norms, values, and beliefs, that I believe to be important. I don't want what our society consider negetive mores or folkways  to be superceeded by what he learns from his friends, media, or social clubs. Which are also agents of socalization. Evethough I have my own set of norms and values I do promote open mindness to my son, as long as it doesn't  bring any harm to hisself or others. I believe being that openminded is necessary  for him to be able to see past his social location.

           This morning my son asked me "Mom do you think its ok for a man to act like a woman?" I was shocked by this question, but I didn't show it. In a calm manner I asked "Why are you asking me this"? and "What do you think "?My younger daughter who is seven said with a sacastic voice "He believes it's ok". Shocked again I ask "How do you know"? and she said" because he asked me the same question earlier". As of now I knew this question had my son puzzled. To the point he was even asking his younger sister. Who or what agent of socialization has had this effect on himto the point that he was questioning a males gender role. In his culture he had learned at a young age that boys wear blue and girls wear pink. Why was this question arising now? As we resumed with conversing he said"I mean actors"." Whoo" I was relieved. Well what do you think I asked again. He said "Martin dresses like a women in Big Momma house and Tyler Perry dresses like Madea  so I guess its ok, especially if you are making money" he said.

          I found his point of view very intresting. The fact of the matter is the morals and norms the majority of society are teaching their children is being compromised by the mass media. My son is making his decision not just on what I am teaching him, but the stars he admire and look up too. In a way this is good because the media is promoting being open- minded, but to whom? Ethocentrism definately come into play because there aren't as many white male actors dressing up as women as the are black actors. The point is socialization has a major effect on people of all ages. For the familes to ensure that cultural relativism remains the primary focous in our childrens lives we need to be repetitive in the norms and values that we want them to internalize.

            

Nicole truthspoken

Is this some bullsh*t or what?

      Who are we to say what is acceptable behavior and what is unacceptable behavior? Does it really matter what celebrities do on their down time with their personal lives? www.udel.edu/communication/COMM356/pavitt/chap6.htm "What do the words "conformity" and "deviance" mean to most people? Both "conformity" and "deviance" seem to have negative connotations in our society."  Could it be that some people choices of unwinding for the day not be a part of your every day norm so you view it differently as if something is wrong, because that's something you don't do often or at all?

      There is 4 sides; you have the nay sayers (our haters), the goons (those riding), uppity people (who wouldn't dare), and the independent (they don't give two sh*ts). del.edu/communication/COMM356/pavitt/chap6.htm "Thus, neither conformity nor deviance is intrinsically good or bad. The popular beliefs are unfair." If we would allow people to be who they are just maybe this world would be a better place. It's like trying to walk in a pair of shoes that is too small. After having on those uncomfortable shoes for a while your feet tend to get cramps and begin to ache. People's perception is usually different from the truth. We tend to see things the way that we think. If we already believe that's it is wrong, we will continue to see it that way. Sometimes we have to step outside of the picture to recognized the full view in sight. It is a blind spot that allows us to stigmatize.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MiFgg8sDSs&feature=player_detailpage#t=4s

Good Celebrities Gone Bad

"Eh Don't Get Involved, Somebody Else Will Take Care of It" Correy Marino

 Ever see somebody getting bullied and think to yourself, "man i should do something about this, but dont. You just stand there and watch. You look around for someone else to step in because you dont want to be involved or be the next target. Don't feel bad because most people do what your doing. People it seems just dont help because they feel it will be a burdened at some point. Whether you being the next target towards bullying or you will have to stay up an extra hour or two to talk to the cops. To most of us its easier to just turn our heads the other way instead of getting involved.

 In class we talked about the Kitty Genovese case. She was beat mersalisly until she eventually died but it wasnt like she was brought out to the woods with nobody around. This happened outside her appartment building in Queens, New York. After everything was said and done several people said they were aware of what was going on but did nothing.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kitty_Genovese

Why didn't anyone do anything? Most people most likely didn't want anything to do with the situation and just figured somebody else would just call the police. This is known as the bystander affect. Sometimes we do things we shouldn't and sometimes we don't react the way we should. 

 Another perfect example are prisoners in jail. If you knew what was good for you, you didnt ever see anything. Even though it goes against most peoples morals to not say anything, its not worth opening your mouth in jail. While i was locked up at Berks County Prison a fight broke out right in front of my cell and somebody had gotten stabbed. When i was brought in for questioning they asked plain and simple what i saw happen. In the back of my head i wanted to say, well blah blah hit blah blah and then blah blah came up and stabbed blah blah. Yeah i knew that would have been the right thing to do but i didn't want to be that guy getting beat up and stabbed. I wasn't willing to die to do the right thing. Most people aren't. I also figured that i wasn't even close to being let out yet but the guy in the next cell is getting out in a few days so maybe they will press him for answers and threaten to extend his sentence so he will talk. Even if they don't this doesn't concern me so i am best off not putting my nose where it doesn't belong.

 Some people don't want to be bothered, some people figure somebody else will say something or jump in, and some people just know the possible negative consequences of doing the right thing. Whatever it may be, less and less people are doing what they should be. I wish i could go back to some situations i have been in and actually done the right thing but with others like my jail experience i wouldn't change a thing. So it's up to you. Will you do what you know is right, or will you turn your head the other head? Either way you have to live with the consequences of your actions.

Simon Says or Monkey See Monkey Do

Aubrey J. J.

Surely we have all heard the term "monkey see monkey do"? It points to some type of behavioral action that is copied by someone that saw somebody else doing something that looked fun, cool, or because everybody else seems to be persuaded to do it. We have also heard of the game called, "Simon Says". "Simon says" is a game that all participants must follow the orders given. If you are to play the game correctly you must obey the authoritative directive of the person leading the game or group in order to be a winner in the game or to ensure an accurate result  in a study of group behavior or activity. Because of peer pressure group behavior and obedience to authority can sometimes end up as a rebellious group or turn out to be a respectful group depending on who decides to follow who in the group.

The Stanford Prison Experiment gave us a clear look at a few different responses in this regard. Especially with those students that clearly were influenced by the "Lucifer Effect". If we could view group behavior and obedience to authority from a controlled environment as we could then we may notice some of the same reactions and see responses to authority expressed through anger, frustration, and bitterness. For example, a group of prisoners are told to lock up in their cells because the Correctional Institution needs to conduct an emergency count because an inmate is not accounted for. That directive may come at a time that inmates are on a visit with a family member, on their only phone call for the week, or while they are allowed to buy commissary, which is a luxury for them. If an inmate refuses the order to lock up for any reason he may cause all of the other inmates to follow his head. Hence, an all out riot could break out because of the pressure of the group  swelling with anger toward authority.

This type of environment helps to produce behavior that will continue to grow and duplicate itself even more aggressively when the convict gets back on the streets because of the group pressure that refuses to obey authority while there are some inmates that really would like to obey an change, but they do not. Most people in prison really would like to be free from deep wounds and personal pains as much as they would appreciate physical freedom, but they are choosing to act as if they are not weakened by what they are going through in order that they will not be exposed to the prison culture of being tough and rebellious. Sort of like in this research experiment conducted in the basement of a college in the 60's or early 70's. There was a college student that agreed to take part in the experiment as a prisoner while other students posed as correctional officers. The student really took on a roll of an inmate that did not want to be exposed as an inmate that did not want to be exposed as an inmate that would betray the culture of the prison while wanting to be freed from the prison. He was an inmate at a real prison. In reality most inmates want to get out on good behavior, but in order to do that they have to obey authority.

No matter if you are playing "Simon says", living anywhere in the world, or if you are in prison, or a part of a prison experiment in the basement of a college we all have to obey authority and try to control our emotions as we live in a world of designed circumstances, experiments, and reality.

Follow The Leader! Submitted By. C.Anderson

As children, we have all played the game "Follow the leader". Someone is chosen to be the leader, and those playing follow whatever the appointed "leader" does. None of us ever questioned what the "leader" had us do. We did it because the " leader" said so. In our everyday lives, we continue this pattern. We all claim to be individuals, yet we all conform our lives in some way to fit in.

In class we learned about the "Asch Test". In the film we watched, a man was placed in a room with a group of others, and asked to use his own judgement to determine the correct line length he was shown. When initally asked to choose the correct line length, he used his own judgement. As the test continued however; he conformed his way of thinking to what his fellow peers thought was correct.

I know everyone has watched the show "Basketball Wives" before. This show is full of miserable women (in my opinion) that want to be a part of this artificial "clique". Throughout the shows history, in order to be a part of the "circle", you had to pretty much do and agree with what the "popular" girls said and did.

Last season, Suzie was kicked out of the "circle" for running her mouth about Evelyn ( a "popular" girl). This season, she is doing everything in her power to get back in the "circle". Tami was added to the cast last season, and I guess you can label he as the "real one". She came in with an "I don't care" attitude and is ready to fight at the drop of a dime. Meeka (the newest cast member) came on the show causing drama. She wants to be in the "circle" so bad that she talked about things and people she knew nothing about.

 Below is a short clip of Monday's episode. All three of the mentioned women are apart of drama/fight, while the popular girls just watch.

I used the show "Basketball Wives" as an example because although it isn't as black and white as the film we saw on the "Asch Test", it's a clear example of how people conform who they are in order to belong to a certain group. Suzie has chosen to limit her interaction with the only person who had her back when Evelyn dissed her, just to regain admission to the "circle". Tami "the real one" has also slightly lost her identity to be a popular girl. In my opinion, they use Tami as the muscle of the group and don't really consider her a friend. Meeka is just a lost puppy with huge eyes that needs to shut her mouth and stop causing drama. Realistically, nobody likes her and she'll never be apart of the " circle". None of these women show any loyality to one another. It's all about being apart of the "circle" and gaining acceptance from their peers.

In closing, I want everyone to how much we play "Follow the leader" in our everyday lives. It could be as simple as following a trend, to as big as disliking someone you don't know just because your friend doesn't like them. Think about it!...while you're at it, Follow me...@CavalliDior849 :)

Power In Numbers/Questioning "Authority"

Submited By: T. Widmaier

     Recently, our city has come under attack by teens who perfectly display the negative side of group behavior. "Flash mobs" are popping up all over Philly. Groups of teens find anonymity in large numbers, and are encouraged by each others approval. Individually, the members of these groups are relatively harmless. When they get together, however, they are motivated by the idea of fitting in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4WOYMWp29g&feature=player_detailpage

     The above link is a news broadcast showing hundreds of teens flooding the street with no purpose other then to cause chaos. In this case the authority figure is not a single person; The authority is the majority. I believe the more people you have on your side the more people will be willing to join in on your "cause". Perhaps some are even afraid to not take part. The news story mentions the use use of social media to communicate information. People may feel that they need to go along with their group of friends in order to remain in that group. The fact that their are hundreds of young adults taking part in these flash mobs may also indicate the  desire to rebel against city police and officials.

    No real reason has ever been given for the attacks. It is easy to assume that the participating teens are just bad people, but sociology teaches us that their must be enviormental causes or else the numbers wouldn't be so large.  The news click mentions the cities apparent desire to sweep the issue under the rug as it is bad for tourism, but this time last year i recall us dealing with the same issue. While the initial reaction will obviously be to punish those who are doing harm, perhaps we should be spending more time trying to figure out why its happening.

TV, News....Don't Tell Me What to Do!

Submitted by C. Bell

"Corporate media giants are abandoning quality journalism, silencing diverse voices, and eliminating local content. It’s time to stand up for better media." Those are the words used at savethenews.org to describe media consolidation. Consolidation in terms of debt is hopefully a great thing but consolidation is often used in the context of companies, jobs or schools consolidation where people will be out of jobs and students sometimes go without much needed academic materials. Seeing as how Americans are said to be greedy and always want more, wouldn't you want more avenues as to how you get your media/news or should I said from whom you receive this information that we carry throughout our lives? Even as a growing child you wanted to form your own opinions and explore the world for yourself, so why let the few people/corporations limit your views? Below is a video to show how and why diversity and opinions in the media, or lack there of, have changed over the years.

Our professor briefly spoke about media in the sense of how we are bombarded with advertisements and other propaganda too many times, in a single day to count. To think its all controlled by about 5 different companies, seems like a lot of work for them but not if they only show you what they want to show you. This video shows who has the control, gives an easy description with lots of graphics on how things have changed, and why we should want to stand up against "Big Media". This is exactly an example of non material culture being resistant to change because even though our patterns of communication have changed but I'm not sure if its for the better. 


This is a subject that I am personally concerned about because I like to know the full story or big picture in all things, especially when its handed out for all to see. For the people who would like more in depth information about "Big Media" and media consolidation follow this link http://www.freepress.net/ownership/chart/main. All comments, beliefs, and ideas are welcome.

What a surprise

Submitted by Krentz Sainte

In this video it shows how a family deals with their core values. When different families appreciate the hard work of their children they will celebrate. In a family the parents has a big influence on the gender roles because they push their children into the role society want them to have. The ideal family life is to have feminine and masculine norms in the family so that the children know what to expect in life. The parents try to set the standards high for their children to work hard and become successful. No matter what age of a child a true family will express love and happiness through all the experiences and achievements they put the parent threw.

In a family the expectations of children education is to put a lot of effort into school. This video clip shows and expresses why some values are important. The idea of meeting all the goals that are laid out for kids to be successful makes our parent extremely happy. The parents in every decent or street family want their children and their future generations of families to be successful and to not suffer any pain from struggling in society.

I can start to understand why parents try to lay out our future in their footsteps. The potential that children have to be something in life is all a parent ever wanted. It is very flattering to think that your kids could be a doctor or lawyer these levels of success is highly praised and even the “Cosby” brag about their child  or in-laws being successful and when they think about another career they are disappointed.

Who's the man?!?

Breoni Prewitt

When we think of a traditional nuclear American family looks like we tend to think of a father, to bring home the bacon, a mother, to cook the bacon, and children, to eat..well you get my drift.

But lets sit back and really think about who is the true head of the household.

In this image (provided by http://farihasecret.blogspot.com/2011/05/enhancement-program.html) we see a woman multi-tasking. She is taking care of baby, cooking, cleaning and doing her own work separate from that of her family.

Now after looking at the image above, who do you truly believe wears the pants?

In class everyone was assigned to look at western culture and families from specific perspectives, one of which was the feminist perspective. When thinking from this perspective we look at how families run. Women do all these tasks to make sure the house is on the up and up.

But these are the roles women are "suppose" to play, correct? Wrong! It is sexist to think that women are supposed to or would automatically want to take such a stressful role in life. It is one that she chooses as a care taker, a lover and a business woman. She is the glue that keeps the family in tact. Mom cooks and cleans and gets the kids and lover ready for their day, once she's done then and only then can she bet ready to start her day. So, it could be true to say that she actually has two jobs instead of one. So wouldn't that make mom the true head of the home?

I honestly have to say that women run the show, we are the ring leaders of the circuses we call home. They have a different hat for every duty and because they do all the work they truly deserve all the glory.

Who runs the world?

Submitted by: Maurice C.

Media and Technology as we see it runs the world that we live in. We live in a society that revolves around both of these. It's not a day that goes by  that we are not seeing things from media television or being provided through technology. Technology has evolved so enormous that it truly shuns people away from their social norms by which Intels , face-to- face interactions with ones family and friends. This take over has disabled us as people to have direct connections with our loved ones and  stating that we sadly lack. The evolution of Technology has replaced the ideas of having to actually leave your home to see a movie through to such things as "Netflix", and many online outsourced sites where you can obtain televisions shows of the past and of the present. Through this evolving legacy movie rental stores such as " Blockbusters" and "Hollywood videos" have gone out of business due too evolving technology. Technology has caused an isolation amongst people, people are overtly consumed in technology and what it has to offer. As i can recall, "I've never lived in a time where people text messaged as much as they talked." What amazes me is the social networks in which we are ever so bonded to."Facebook", "Myspace", "Twitter" has taken over our airways and continuing to surface.


We must realize that everything is being converted into digital technology, channels and so forth. Any and every thing you need and want is being provided through via internet. It's becoming a technology world order. Let me ask you this, "What ever happened to social meetings?" Nowadays all you have to do is simply go on the internet to one these multi-million dollar social networks.We are becoming this technological world and it is consumes lots of us. Moreover, technology consumes our education, so furthermore you don't have  to sit in a class room and interact with classmates and your teachers, you can simply take classes from home while being  isolated  from socializing. We are getting lost in this technological world. 

Then we also have media. Media is  another outsource where people can find media television appealing because it focuses on any and everything all around us in our everyday lives. One can turn the television to  news stations or entertainment stations and get updates of celebrities, athletes, entertainers,etc. All these are publicized through media by way of television. It appears that no one is safe from the media. Media and Technology runs hand and hand , you can't have one without the other. At the current times we live in media and technology  highhandedly is 95 percent if not more of  our entertainment.

Is Technology the Problem?

Submitted by (Julian T Moran):

What's technology? Technology is nature manipulated by man and created into an object the satisfied our "wants." Technology is art and it’s beautiful! These are the reason why I am proud to call myself a computer programmer. Now you know that this blog will be bias, but I will try my best to put on my "sociological imagination glasses" on. On the other hand, Eitzen states that technology often encourages isolation(The Atrophy of Social Life) and I agreed with his statement, but he forgets to mention that the misusage of technology is the problem. Technology is not creating isolation, but the misusage of technology. In fact, all of his examples are describing the misusage of technology. If you agreed with the definition of technology state above then it should be clear that the misusage of technology is the problem. Essentially we are creating isolation because we "want" to; for example, I often put on my headphone and my music is not even playing, so I can avoid speaking to others. Now is that technology fault or the misusage? Technology only exists because of our "wants". It keep on growing because our wants changes. We don’t need technology, but sense we have it why not? Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are great way to keeps us in touch.  Netflix and air conditioning are technology for our comfort.   Skype, FaceTime and many other are great program to have a face to face conversation with the one you love! Like sated before technology is art and it’s beautiful.
Here a link to a youtube video: It's a comical video, but it shows my points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_shMNBC77CA

Corporations use teamwork to advertise in the media

Submitted by Robert(guitar)Brown

Our class has learned that our city is coated with an additional layer of skin called advertisements. When we arrive at home, we are also subjected to many forms of printed-media advertisements. As we sort through the mail, there may be at least two sales brochures to sift away from our more important deliveries.  I personally am fascinated with movie advertisements and the way they are inserted within what I consider creative delivery methods.

The most recent corporate combination advertisement I’d seen televised to help promote a movie was a State Farm Insurance commercial that featured an X-Men character from a movie called X-Men First Class. An insurance company has helped to promote a movie based on comic book characters.  That’s hot.  Both Kellogs and McDonalds embed movie promotions within their product presentations on many occasions.

I’m currently considering purchasing a new flat-screen television, so I’ve been looking in the included brochures within the Sunday papers. I couldn’t help but notice how every screen of every featured television model serves as an advertisement for an upcoming movie, videogame or DVD release. If I travel to the actual reseller of these televisions, I’ll see a movie trailers instead of televised broadcasts as a plan of the reseller to not display advertisements of other appliance resellers. This student does recall the class discussion of our being bombarded with advertisements on top of advertisements. The submitted image from a leading appliance reseller demonstrates their willingness to promote a remake of an old western movie.

In conclusion, I feel that any legal method to get and keep the product in fair range of the customer’s eye is a worthy one.

Society and Football

Submitted by Steven L.Pate

       It appear that the NFL season will proceed as scheduled. The possibility of no football on Sundays is like The Pope refusing to do mass. There is 9 billion dollars at stake. I know this situation is about billionaires vs. millionaires and I don't have a nickel in that quarter but to some extent I'm emotionally and finanacially vested in the outcome of football season like many men and even women all over the country. I buy, jerseys, hats, t shirts, attend games, and spend a good prtion of my time watching it on TV or checking out the latest new on the internet. Football is a way of life for me when it is in season. People gather together on Sundays like going to church and worship there team. I know I could spend a whole Sunday just watching football and being enticed to purchase the newest gimmick the that sponsors would tell me that I need. Football has become a social institution of American Culture as fan we spend countless amouts of dollars on gambling, fantasy football, John Madden XBOX,Playstaion for the ourselves and the children.       

Too Much Technology

Submitted by Umajah E.

Through out the century technology has played a major part in how people  interact with each other. Technology has evolved in so many ways. DVD players have replaced VCR, "Netflix" has replaced going to the movies, and social networks have replaced face-to-face interaction. People are barely talking on the phone or meeting up with friends. Everything is being done online. Technology is consuming us all and we are becoming lost. It's everywhere and some individuals think it is becoming too much.

 Everyone is becoming connected through the Internet. Shopping,banking, dating, and even college is being done online. People are beginning to feel safer and more secure in the comfort of their own homes. Families and friend no longer meet up or call each other to catch up. They now use "Facebook", "Twitter", cell phones and "YouTube" to stay connected. Everyone stays home to watch TV or search the web instead of going out. Cell phones are now equipped with a "Face time" feature that lets consumers see the person they are talking to on the phone. Teenagers find this to be much easier. Teens are the main individuals that are influenced by the media. Every company and advertiser puts up advertisements all over the Internet. When teens see various ads over and over again they start to feel as though they are connected or a part of that company. Social networking is starting to be too much now. Many people are becoming bored with all this social networking. It is very overwhelming. I honestly think society will not be able to survive without the Internet.

  The Internet is a great and resourceful place, but we need some time away from it.We spend up to eight hours of our day staring at computer screens, and during the remaining sixteen hours of the day we constantly on our phones. We eat, walk, and even use the bathroom all while sending text messages or updating our statuses on social networks. We do too much on our phones and computers. When will enough be enough.

The Football Season is saved

I thought there was going to be a NFL lockout/strike and the football season would be lost. There is a God the season appears to have been saved. Thank to the threat of losing over 200 million dollars during the first week of August. How does this impact me well I'm a huge football fan and just the thought of missing 12hours of football on Sunday is something I and I know millions of men all over the country would chose not to do. A Sunday without football is like the Pope refusing to do mass. Each and every Sunday men like myself  get to to bond together and hoot and holler for 12hrs without the meddling influence of girlfriends or wives. They can join us in the festivities of watching the game but they should understand there place be quiet, watch the game and go get the food and drinks. ha,ha,ha the children need to understand that it daddy time to regroup and unwind from dealing with the hustle and grind of making a living and being a provider for his family. As men we contribute more to the economy during football season buying sports apparel and other paraphernalia like John Madden 2012 for xbox or PlayStation 3 these item allow us to spend countless  hours teaching our children the fundamentals of the game and the importance of reading and addition. I'm glad there has been a resolution to the NFL and the season will commence on time. Training camps open next week, free agency starts a portion of my life will go on as eepected without out interuption ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL I AM... Steven L. Pate.       

The football season is saved

Steven L.Pate

The Football Season is saved.

Iwas beginning to get a little nervous I thought the football season was going to be lost to a owner's lockout/player's strike I fully don't understand the dynamics of  the possible loss of the season, but the determining factor was over 9 billion dollars and how to split it, between owners and players.
I was looking the prospect of a part of my enjoyment in this life was no football on Sundays, hey thats like being a devout catholic and blowing off mass. The impact of no football would have dire consequences on relationships, home life, and the economy. Men need time alone so they bond together with each other and the 50 in.high definition TV. Men we need to spend our whole Sunday worshipping the football god. We can give our significant other spending money to stay away for about 12hours let us be wild animals hooting and hollering over a game. Even during the football season a lot of my energy is placed there I reasd the magzine , do fantasy football it a whole different culture. Johm Madden 2012 is due out at the end of August and that allows us to spend time with the children on xbox360 or playstation 3. Think about how we men contribute to the economy when we spend money on games, clothing, food during the season

Casey's Escape...or Justice?

Submitted by P. Vann

The Casey Anthony trial made headlines throughout America. The question is why. People in the United States, adults and children, are murdered everyday. Many of these cases are not publicized, at least not to the extent of Anthony's case. Television, radio, and newspapers obviously affects social behavior.

The Internet was, and is still, filled with blogs that accuse Anthony of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. Americans have engaged in conversation and unified in agreement on accusing someone of something that they hadn't any facts of. The main reason for this is the nonmaterial culture of the U.S., with its beliefs and philosophies. The circumstances of the case does not sit well with the majority of American society. In the United States, it is very unusual to party and fail to notify authorities of your missing child's disappearance.

Although many American citizens assume that Anthony is guilty of murder, the United States government has rules to abide by. It is said that the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.This does not mean that one is actually thought of as innocent, but emphasizes the need of evidence to prove the guilt of the accused. Once, and if, proven of guilt, sanctions are given that are within the sentencing guidelines. These penalties can range from fines, jail time, and even death. In Anthony's case, she received a four year prison sentence and received time served.

The Casey Anthony case was the next hot topic. The nation was pumped for the outcome of the case like a season finale of a television drama. I found myself following the trial and anticipating the verdict. I even signed a petition for Caylee's law; a law that makes the failure of a parent to notify authorities of a missing child within 24 hours and failure to report a child's death within one hour a felony. Unlike those that are not important, support of Caylee has become a trend. Anger towards Anthony has become a trend as well. Resisting the "marketing techniques" of the case seemed almost impossible for me. I've seen, read, and heard about it more than anything advertised in any media. The awareness of my actions and others lead me to a greater respect for those who truly follow and fight for a cause, regardless of the attention put upon it.