Week 15 Apr 25, 2011-Justice

I was shocked to learn the details of how children cope with being child soldiers. Many of the documentaries I have watched in the past have shown how children love the opportunity to fight in Child armies. “Children consistently sleep in the bus depot to avoid be abducted by the LRA” (Invisible Children 2003). The politics of fear are being spread by throughout Africa and this method of control is highly effective. The politics of fear allow for the general population to be scared of the rebels and this fear renders many other problems within Africa from being addressed. Residents are so understandably consumed with fear of the military regimes that community building, education etc. is ignored.  The fear of capture allows creates psychological damage to the children which could stifle their development.

The African Civil War has been being waged for an extensive amount of time. “The African civil war has been being waged for 23 years” (The Rescue of Joseph Kony's child Soldiers, 2008). I believe that many other first-world countries should focus are efforts of promoting diplomacy within this region. This civil war is what allows the opportunity for children to become child soldiers in the first place. The civil has broken the societal structure and the country cannot advance technologically. Also, this civil war has become a breeding ground for other human rights violations such as genocide and child prostitution. I believe that the crimes occurring in Africa could be solved by American intervention. American intervention does not occur because it does not seem feasible for America to get involved with Africa’s problems. However, American intervention could provide many benefits to America. By instituting new methods to combat child trafficking and prostitution, we could help African children while also learning if these methods are effective. Once the methods become effective, we could take these methods and institute them in America.

When I was a child all I had to worry about was homework and my mother making me clean my room. The horrific crimes that child soldiers face are unbearable. What makes matters worse is that the majority of the American population does not care. I believe that almost Americans are somewhat aware of the crimes that are being committed overseas. However, because there is a lack of interest in the plight of other countries many media outlets do not report these crimes.  “States shall refrain from recruiting any person who has not attained the age of fifteen years into their armed forces.”  (UNICEF, 1989).  These kinds of regulations can paint a bright picture for future countries in turmoil. I believe that we need to continue to raise awareness for war-torn countries such as Africa. Also, I believe that awareness and lobby groups need to discover ways to relate the plight of African child soldiers to the Average American. Americans will only start caring about the problems of Africans if they can relate or believe that the problems of Africa will affect them. If Americans start to care about the plight of child soldiers, a quicker resolution will be found to the problem because Americans can provide a greater number of resources.

Another element of this that deeply affected me was the methods that children are controlled. The early exposure to violence desensitizes the African children to the horrors that they are experiencing. When these child soldiers are rescued, it is often very difficult to reintegrate them back into society. The pictures and images they were constructing were heart breaking to view. Many adult soldiers have trouble reintegrating back into society after war, so I can only imagine how much difficulty a child soldiers endures since their mind is still developing. Even when these child soldiers are extracted, they live under the fear that they will be recaptured. I believe this constant fear prohibits them from fully recovering. In order to allow full recovery, we As Americans should set up programs for these child soldiers to flee their country and rebuild their lives without the looming fear and pressure of being recaptured.

Works Cited

Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF, 1989, http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm

Russel, J, Bailey, B. & Poole, L. (Creators). (2006, April 7)  Invisible Children  [Google video]. Retrieved April 18, 2011 from    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3166797753930210643 

Russel, J, Bailey, B. & Poole, L. (Creators). (2008, April 25)    The Rescue of Joseph Kony's child Soldiers    [online video]. Retrieved April 18, 2011 from http://vimeo.com/3400420 

Extra Credit Blog!

oangggggggggggggggggggggggggggggf;

Week 14 Apr 18, 2011-Child Prostitution

I was appalled at the strife that child prostitute must endure.  “At least 300,000 children and adolescents are prostituted every year in the United States” (Kiem, 2009).  I had no idea that these child prostitutes have to enter the workforce so young. Most child prostitutes are only 13 or 14 years old and this causes the children to classify their captors as father figures. This classification as a father figure forces many child prostitutes to classify their captors as father figures. Since the child prostitutes classify their captors as father figures, it is very hard for them to be saved or to have them prosecute their pimp since they are emotionally invested into their captors. A lack in international law also allows for prostitution to flourish. Financially successful pimps are able to easily move between countries and are not prosecuted harshly enough. They are able to provide bribes when needed, so focus needs to be put on battling corruption. Also, a unified organization to battle child trafficking will allow for child traffickers to be prosecuted correctly and fairly.

The article about child prostitution intrigued me because I only ever looked at prostitution as a bad thing. However, not all of these children that practice want to be saved, or are committing prostitution strictly for the benefit of their parents. Some of the child prostitutes use their excess money for gambling, alcohol etc. The lack of governmental control needs to be accounted for the prevalence of child prostitution, but some of our class articles are also forcing me to question other factors. The access to education is one of the key factors that I believe is overlooked. Many of these child prostitutes are misinformed about facts regarding their access to opportunity. Many believe that they have no other options other than child prostitution. While child prostitution is the most lucrative, I believe there are other economic options. However, a young child is going to classify information from their parents as 100% fact. I believe it would be highly effective if we could break this cycle of misinformation by correctly educating parents and their children on alternative economic solutions to prostitution.


Another point I would like to highlight is the idea that poverty drives girls into prostitution. Poverty can break down the family structure which allows for young girls to be vulnerable to child prostitution. The poverty forces families to allow their children to enter prostitution to help the family financially. Our Modern Slavery video shows how many families will force their children into slavery in order to battle poverty. “In Thailand the children enter prostitution as soon as they are old enough in order to support their parents” (2011).  These actions by parents are human rights violations and need to be regulated by international committees.“Men prey on young women promising them everything they have ever wanted with the sole intention of benefiting from their exploitation” (Kiem, 2009). These pimps are not only taking advantage of the young girls but are also taking advantage of their parents. The prostitution of children has become a pyramid scheme and should not be treated as every other crime. The pimps can be locked up but new pimps will emerge and prostitution will continue unless we eliminate poverty!

I believe that we need to focus on eliminating poverty. Since poverty is generational, the same areas are subject to prostitution. The cycles of prostitution do not allow for children to escape. By eliminating poverty, family structures will be stronger, allowing for parents to have greater control of their children. Also, the desire to allow their children to fall into the hands of a pimp will greatly decrease. The GEM Program is doing wonderful things and I believe that we should create more programs like this. The GEM program focuses on the long view theory which I think is the best possible defense for women to resist prostitution. Prostitution is not something can be cured overnight, and it the deeper psychological elements must be considered and rectified. America has several awareness programs for human trafficking but I believe that we need to create a greater number of awareness campaigns. I was not aware of much of the plight of child sex slaves until I took this course. Now that I am educated, I feel better empowered to combat child trafficking. I know there are many other people out there similar to me that need just a little bit of education to become a positive force in the fight against child trafficking.

Work Cited:

Montgomery, H. (2007). Working with child prostitutes in Thailand: Problems of practice and interpretation. Childhood, 14(4), 415.  

Modern Slavery: Captive Servants and Child Prostitution. Films Media Group, 2008. Films On Demand. Web. 11 April 2011. < http://digital.films.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=1850&xtid=41369 >.

Week 12 Apr 11, 2011-Indian Poverty

I believe the plight of Children in India should be treated as a human rights violation. The health issues that these children encounter can be seen as a mass illness due to the severe health implications this labor has. "These children can encounter many physical problems as well as psychological problems" (Meehan). Countries such as India should not treat their children as equal adults in the workplace. A child's body is not as developed as an adult's and is more prone to illness and disease. The rigor of the workplace is detrimental to a child and when children suffer so does the future of society. I never really considered the psychological damage that is experienced by child workers until reading the articles and watching the film. "Child labor appeared to be negatively correlated with the health status of the population, supporting the hypothesis that child labor affects child health” (Roggero 273).

The article about child prostitution intrigued me because I only ever looked at prostitution as a bad thing. However, not all of these children that practice want to be saved, or are committing prostitution strictly for the benefit of their parents. Some of the child prostitutes use their excess money for gambling, alcohol etc. The lack of governmental control needs to be accounted for the prevalence of child prostitution, but some of our class articles are also forcing me to question other factors. The access to education is one of the key factors that I believe is overlooked. Many of these child prostitutes are misinformed about facts regarding their access to opportunity. Many believe that they have no other options other than child prostitution. While child prostitution is the most lucrative, I believe there are other economic options. However, a young child is going to classify information from their parents as 100% fact. I believe it would be highly effective if we could break this cycle of misinformation by correctly educating parents and their children on alternative economic solutions to prostitution.

These children are withheld from developing properly and developing their social skills. I believe that an international set of guidelines should be established for all child workers. Currently, the super powers allow other countries to regulate their workplaces as they see fit. However, if we start classifying workplace violations as international issues, then more progress will be made to protect the children. These children will then be appreciative of the developmental security they were granted and will be more likely to protect their children as well. I would also like to highlight the fact made in the video that many Western children benefit because of the plight of Indian children. Western children enjoy a luxurious life because of the mandate of child labor laws. However, these labor laws have just recently been enacted. America can serve as a model for what India could be and should help to assist India in the transformation to a child labor free country. I also agree with the video in its statement that there are many people who want to help the plight of Indian children but are unable to because they are so spread out. Coordinated efforts will help the efficiency of these efforts and will help to greater benefit India.

Works Cited

Meehan, Ruth (director). "India: Working to End Child Labor" 2004. Online video clip. Arizona Universities Library Consortium. FMG Video On Demand. Peadar King (Executive Producer)Accessed on 20 July 2010.http://digital.films.com/play/VBRGKP

Roggero, P., Mangiaterra, V., Bustreo, F., & Rosati, F. (2007). The health impact of child labor in developing countries: Evidence from cross-country data. American Journal of Public Health, 97(2), 271-5.

“Youth Rules! U.S Department of Labor” < https://myasucourses.asu.edu/webapps/blackboard/content/contentWrapper.jsp?content_id=_4856221_1&displayName=Required+Reading%3A++Youth+Rules%21+U.S.+Department+of+Labor&course_id=_196100_1&navItem=content&href=http%3A%2F%2Fyouthrules.dol.gov%2Fteens%

Child Suffering Week 11 Apr 4, 2011

This week's readings surprised me because I did not realize that children are subject to such maltreatment. The children were not cared for and they were not allowed to engage in regular behavior that make citizens normal o society. These children were not allowed to partake in any activities that were normal to health. The First daycare was built in the 1940's and these daycare's barely satisfied the needs of the children. I find it amazing that we were able to treat children as tools for labor. The need for labor forced many Americans to abandon their morals and force children to work. Education was made secondary because most families were just worrying about surviving. I also like what Unicef is doing. By highlighting the plight of children, we are more likely to have them receive help and refrain from neglecting the,.

Transitional Justice Watch Blog #3:Reparations

http://www.kfbb.com/news/local/81178217.html?sitemap=rss

Native Americans suffered much persecution when the first American settlers landed upon North America. Native Americans were pushed from their land and were often hurt or killed in the European acquisition of land. Native Americans were not initially treated as citizens and were forced onto reservations. Some state reparations have been given to Native Americans from Americans but many nationally proposed reparations remain in limbo.

In order for Native American reparations to be successful, I believe that it must be a collective effort. “Reparations programs created by legislation generally seek to provide repair, through a variety of measures, for specific types of violation as well as for various classes of victims” (Magarrell). Many of the reparations planned involve land allotment and monetary reimbursement. However, these monetary reparations cannot substitute for the embarrassment and humility that was caused by American intrusion.

“By definition, all reparations have an important symbolic role in the process of building public trust and integrating victims into society” (Magarrell). The current reparation efforts for Native Americans revolve around exclusion of Native Americans from society. The Native Americans are sent to reservations and have little contact with regular American society. “It should be noted that reparations almost always fall short of victims’ expectations” (Magarrell). While Americans cannot grant all of the Native Americans’ wishes, we should aim to integrate them into society and to treat them as equals.

I believe that the Native American reparation program was initiated too quickly. Many Native Americans were calling for reparations but problems can result when programs are not well thought out. “A further risk is that interim reparations may effectively diminish prospects for a more complete program later” (Magarrell). Also, many symbolic reparations have been made to the Native Americans such as the granting of freedom and citizenship. “A commitment to unity or to welcoming victims who have been excluded from society’s care and protection will not be taken seriously by victims if it is not accompanied by at least some concrete material solutions for harm suffered” (Magarrell). Victims need to receive physical reparations but these reparations should be long lasting and not focus on the exclusion of Native Americans.

There are many limitations that will be encountered during the allotment of reparations to Native Americans. Many measures still need to be more concretely defined before implementation(Rubio-Marín, Bailey & Guillerot). The public outcry for reparations can actually hurt reparation implementation because rushed decisions will be forced. “There are limitations to taking even modest steps toward transformation absent a serious commitment on the part of the state and ruling non-indigenous elites to the wider transformations that crafting a more inclusive political order would entail” (Rubio-Marín, Bailey & Guillerot). Implementing reparations can put the reparation giver at risk. Financial burden can occur for America and could even lure Americans to further use Native Americans as scapegoats. I believe that careful planning will help to eliminate these factors and hopefully please everyone.

How to Deter Juvenile Crime-Week 7-Mar 7th, 2011

This week’s readings and film viewings greatly opened my eyes to the role the media plays in public policy. In the film, Student Threats of Violence, many facts presented demonstrate acts of violence by juveniles have rapidly declined during the 1990s. I believe that we need to study these trends and truly understand the reason that these positive trends emerge. Student Threats of Violence states “economic opportunity and stability led to more jobs being created for juveniles” (2008). I believe that jobs help deter juveniles from engaging in criminal activity. Boredom can lead to mischief, and when youths are employed this boredom is cut down tremendously. I also believe that jobs can instill a sense of pride within youths which will serves as deterrence to crime. Too much focus is put on combating crime, instead of focusing on creating positive social/economic situations. This negative approach is also the reason that prisons are more focused on containment rather than rehabilitation.


I believe that we need to monitor and regulate the media more. I highly support freedom of speech but the majority of Americans use media outlets for the attainment of information. The news outlets must worry about ratings and this is the reason that scare tactics are so prevalent throughout newscasts. The news outlets of the 1990’s painted juveniles as evil, malice human beings. These repeated reports forced the older generation to fear the younger generation. This was done in order to increase the amount of people that watch the news. While these scare tactics are good for business, they will often negatively affect public policy. Increased anti-juvenile legislation can emerge as a result of scare tactics and this can lead to the youth resenting the older generation. This resentment can destroy social capital and crumble communities.


Works Cited

1.Films for the Humanities and Sciences."As American as Public School: 1900-1950" 2000. Online video clip. Arizona Universities Library Consortium. FMG Video On Demand. Accessed on 28 February 2011.http://digital.films.com/play/ P7J4SF

2.Research Channel (Producer) (2008, February 21). Student Threats of Violence. [Youtube video].Retrieved February 28, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXiK0A43Xk4

3.Wright, & Fitzpatrick (2006). Social capital and adolescent violent behavior: Correlates of fighting and weapon use among secondary school students. Social Forces, 84(3), 1435-1453.

Identity-Week 6-Feb 28th, 2011

I believe that identity formation can begin at an early age. Children in the documentary were asked to identify which playmates would be most suitable. Almost all of the children chose the white children and this demonstrates how they are subconsciously affected by stereotypes. However, the black child who was taught national pride almost always picked the black playmate when asked to identify positive characteristics. Children are also constantly subjected to class stereotypes. Children stories often revolve around prince and princesses and their elitist families. 

Children are taught through these stories and other external factors that wealth results in happiness. In the documentary when children are asked which house the happy people live in, they always choose the larger one. Our documentary also claims that children become aware of their sex at the age of two.  Gender can become a major influence upon a child’s identity. When given male dolls with girl’s clothes, the children misidentified the sex. This demonstrates that we have many social expectations for how men and women should appear in society. I believe that we need to focus on how our society can influence young minds. By raising children with certain stereotypes, we are heavily impacting their identity. We do not need to keep them identity-neutral, but we should teach them that all kinds of different identities are acceptable. If we teach the children to accept other people’s identities, we will live in a much happier/equal world.

Week 4- Juvenile Death Penalty-Justin Vizcaino

The death penalty is a very stigmatized concept when applied to the youth. We consider citizens adults at the age of 18, yet many children aged 17 and younger have been given the death penalty sentence for crimes they committed. “As is the case throughout the juvenile justice system, African-American and Latino youth are disproportionately affected by the juvenile death penalty” (Morreale 2004). Our film stated that many professors believe that the death penalty affects the poor first. Since the majority of poverty affects colored people, the death penalty directly affects minorities. “Although African-Americans and Latinos makeup approximately 6.8% and 6.9% of the U.S. population ages 14 through 17, respectively, 41% of the73 juvenile offenders on death row as of March 15, 2004 was black or African-American and 21% was of Latino or Hispanic origin” (Morreale 2004).

I also think it is interesting how many states have gradually condemned the death penalty for youths. “Over the past couple of years, many states have begun to outlaw the death penalty” (Lane 2005). I do not believe that the death penalty positively affects society. After watching the film, I believe that many of the juvenile inmates are genuinely remorseful. These juveniles can be reformed and should not have their life striped from them. Instead of focusing on the death penalty, we should focus on reform programs. If we develop effective reform programs, we can become a more wholesome society. Also, we need to focus on rectifying societal structure. These acts of crime are occurring because of the societal environments these children are placed in.




Works Cited

Films for the Humanities and Sciences."Death Row Kids" 2005. Online video clip. Arizona Universities Library Consortium. FMG Video On Demand. Accessed on 7 February 2011. http://digital.films.com/play/ VGL58V



Morreale, M. C., & English, A. (2004). Abolishing the death penalty for juvenile offenders: A background paper. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35(4), 335-339.



Steinberg, L., & Scott, E. S. (2003). Less guilty by reason of adolescence: Developmental immaturity, diminished responsibility, and the juvenile death penalty. The American Psychologist, 58(12), 1009-18.

Transitional Justice Watch Blog #2:Darfur

Dear Victim,

You are experiencing extreme strife and inequality. Many of the people involved in the military are oppressing you and stripping you of your rights. The military extorts the youth and encourages you to offer your boys up to the regime. You are told that your boys’ participation in the regime will help to keep you safe. However, the regime often kills your children and shows no remorse for the tragedies they are committing.

  
Much of the success of the oppressions stems from the politics of fear. The government is able to strike fear into the hearts of the citizens and to keep everyone in check. Withholding of education is also another that the government is able to control the people. I believe that we need to continue to educate ourselves on effective diplomatic relations. The key to ending the misery does not benefit from solitary rebel groups operating alone.

Darfur benefits from increased oil revenue and is one of the fasting growing countries in Africa. This access to wealth can allow for Darfur to become a very prosperous/successful country. I believe that the way to achieve that is to keep working together and bonding. I am the leader of a rebel group that seeks change in a progressive manner.

I want you to know that there are many different people in Darfur that are working to help relieve that pain of the regime. Sudan soldiers have been dealt many different defeats at the hands of Darfur rebels. We have created a coalition of groups that meet and discuss about the progression of Darfur. I believe that if we consolidate our groups we will be more effective at negotiating with the government.

Our country will eventually become a fair place for everyone to live. Our regimes are becoming stronger and we do not seek to oppress the people by gaining power. We are trying to cooperate with the government and reach peaceful agreements. I would advise you to become active in the efforts but to never become hostile towards people.

Signed,

General Agway (Rebel leader, diplomat, politician, seeker of peace)

Documentary Film: Heart of Darfur
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/sudan/index.html 

Juvenile Correctional Programs-Week 3-Feb 7th, 2011

I believe that it is quite astonishing how many youths are incarcerated and sentenced. I believe that we need to take more precautions to prevent this! “Adolescents incarcerated in the criminal court under the Juvenile Offender Law are sent to a ‘Division for Youth’ facility that is less restrictive than adult facilities and prioritizes education as a correctional goal” (Kupchik 2007). Sentencing youths to adult crimes prohibits them from receiving these benefits of educational reform. However, while the notion of a youth correctional facility in essence seems like a good idea, the benefits may not even exist. “Yet, it is unclear that these various options actually present different results, or that the juvenile facilities to which young adults are sentenced are substantially different than adult facilities” (Kupchik 2007). 
I believe that instead of focusing so much money towards convicting children, we need to develop research teams that discover the best methods to reform them. We are not even sure if youth correctional facilities work, so it is a waste of money to keep operating them. I believe that we should also focus on community building and creating positive environments for these children to live in. Children with strong family and community support are less likely to end up on the streets or conducting crime.

Play and Deliquency-Week 2-Jan 31st, 2011

The readings and video clips offered great insight into the possibility that play and delinquency are directly related. “Even animals regularly play and that this play can turn predatory/hostile encounters into friendly exchanges” (Ted Talks 2008). The number of children who are confined to Juvenile Prison facilities are appalling.  However, there is much hope when these children are interviewed and many of the children demonstrate much enthusiasm for the possibility of a good life. I believe that the Ted Lecture we watched is correct when it states that play is positively linked to human development. I believe that play can relieve stress and limit the chance that a hostile or violent act will occur from a human. I believe that many of the children that end up in Juvy are forced to work and help support their families. Their play time is significantly reduced. However, I believe that play cannot overcome hostile environments. Play itself is not enough to overcome competition or violence. The societal structures of humans need to be supportive and fair in order to maintain peace and decrease violence.

Transitional Justice Watch Blog #1:

The comedy theater I work at is structured in a very loose hierarchy. Our artistic director is the highest level of command and the level below is the department supervisors. However, all of our ideas are valued equally. I think that this type of hierarchy allows for much conflict to arise. Since we have the opportunity to have our voices heard equally by the Artistic Director, our supervisors feel constantly threatened and engage in conflict with me regularly.


My supervisors and I constantly argue over our belief systems. I believe that I should be able to express myself any way I please. Conflicts over values are “When people, groups, and nations have relations with each other, but hold different deeply held beliefs about the role of an individual, group or family within their culture, cultural practices, politics, and religion” (Mertz and Lieber 29). I like to wear my gangster clothing to work and they believe that I do not look responsible. I believe that they are stereotyping my choice of clothing with a low class citizen. I believe that they are trying to conform too much and I am trying to express my freedom to too much of an extent.


I believe that this conflict directly emerges from identity. I do not like to be labeled as a thug, and the theater does not want the public to associate the theater with the lower class. I also feel that this conflict also emerges from ethnic differences. My ethnicity does not associate thug clothing with lower class citizens. We view gangster clothing as a celebration of our culture. My supervisors are white Caucasians that grew up in the suburbs and associate gangster clothing with poor values.

I see many different similarities and difference between my conflicts and the world conflicts. I believe that the conflicts arise from many of the same sources. Desire for freedom and defending of personal values is a driving force. The major differences are that the more major conflicts have religion more closely intertwined. Both types of conflicts are equally important and if we work better to resolve local conflicts, we can prevent major conflicts!


I believe that peace is the acceptance of everyone’s idea. If everyone’s ideas are accepted, no one will feel the need to engage in conflict. However, this is easier said than done, because the acceptance of one person’s ideas often results in the denial of someone else’s beliefs. I believe that national meetings and conferences will help to thwart global conflict. Communication is the key to finding solutions and attempting to compromise.

http://helpguide.org/mental/eq8_conflict_resolution.htm

Week 1-How old is 15 Really?

I believe that this stand-up set displays the many different socioeconomic issues that affect us today. Dave Chappelle is a well-educated African-American comic and I believe that he convey the thoughts and feelings that many people within the African-American community may be feeling. I believe that society still refuses to see all genders and ethnicities as equals. Women are seen as being more vulnerable than men which is why boys are stripped of their child status at an earlier age than girls. I also believe that African-Americans are seen as less vulnerable than Caucasians. Black people are often associated with eh ghetto as a result of the media’s teachings.

The ghetto is seen as a rough place and this is the reason that many African-Americans are seen as adults earlier in life by the white society. I can personally attest to this phenomenon. I was raised in a small suburban town that was 93% Caucasian. On the hot summer days I would see my friends get rides from strangers to avoid the heat on the way to school. I was never offered these rides because society saw me as a colored boy and labeled me as self-sufficient. I think we will someday achieve equal rights for everyone but I do not believe that we will ever label people in an equal way.