Diving In the Dumps

Tiara Roman
ENC 1102
Dive

12 March 2013

Diving in the Dumps

            People in the United States can go dumpster diving if they are hungry, but did you ever think about the people in other countries that have no dumpsters to dive in? If we are considered one of the top ten richest countries in the world, then why are there so many people in other countries starving or dying from starvation? Why is it considered too expensive to help these people? We can bail out car Dealerships by the millions, another vehicle sold, but thousands of children and people dead. Granted there are other countries richer than ours that could contribute to starving human beings in other countries. But what has the world come to? Why is this so neglected?

            “Hunger is a term which has three meanings” (Oxford English Dictionary 1971) “the uneasy or painful sensation caused by want of food; craving appetite, the exhausted condition caused by want of food, the want or scarcity of food in a country and third is a strong desire or craving”(Oxford English Dictionary 1971). And with hunger comes starvation, which is the “result of a severe or total lack of nutrients needed for the maintenance of life”       (http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com). Starvation has several causes and symptoms which include coma, stroke, and shrinkage of vital organs, immune deficiency, severe gastrointestinal disease and even death. There is a large Vitamin A deficiency in children, between 100 and 140 million children are vitamin A deficient. This deficiency can also cause growth retardation, reduces the body’s resistance to disease and night blindness. “An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight” (World Health Organization). Though this is only a minor list of symptoms, it is severe.

            According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, statistics show that as of 2010 there were 925 million people hungry in the world. The majority of them are, 538 million people in Asia and the pacific, and 239 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. “In round numbers there are 7 billion people in the world. Thus, with an estimated 925 million hungry people in the world, 13.1 percent, or almost 1 in 7 people are hungry” (FAO 2010). “The target set at the 1996 World Food Summit was to halve the number of undernourished people by 2015 from their number in 1990-92” (FAO uses three year averages in its calculation of undernourished people). The (estimated) number of undernourished people in developing countries was 824 million in 1990-92. In 2010, the number had climbed to 925 million people.  The WFS goal is a global goal adopted by the nations of the world; the present outcome indicates how marginal the efforts were in face of the real need. So, overall, the world is not making progress toward the world food summit goal, although there has been progress in Asia and in Latin America and the Caribbean” (http://www.worldhunger.org).

            You ask does the world have enough food to feed every person? The answer is yes! “The world produces enough food to feed everyone. World agriculture produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, despite a 70 percent population increase. This is enough to provide everyone in the world with at least 2,720 kilocalories (kcal) per person per day according to the most recent estimate that we could find. The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase, enough food” (FAO 2002, p.9).

            World hunger is an ongoing issue that doesn’t seem like it will ever take presidents. As research shows not just in any particular country, but all around the world people and children are starving and dying as a result. Research also shows that no one should be hungry. The world does produce enough food to feed each and every one of us. Why this is still an issue? I’m still uncertain. If we came together to assist in at least terminating the amount of food wasted, maybe we could improve to the target the world summit has set. If anyone chose to donate to the people and children of these countries there are several website that it can be done, here are selected few, www.universitiesfightingworldhunger.org , http://www.nokidhungry.org, worldhungerrelief.org.  Donations don’t have to be made online to help limit wasted food, remember you can always donate to your local, shelters, churches or colleges.

                                                                Works Cited

Pelletier DL, Frongillo EA Jr, Schroeder D, Habicht JP.

            The effects of malnutrition on child mortality in developing countries. Bulletin of the           World Health Organization 1995; 73: 443–48.

http://www.top5ofanything.com/index.php?h=09a17b00

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Starvedtodeath

            <a href="http://medical-          dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Starved+to+death">starvation</a>

Masset, Edoardo. 2011 In Press

            A review of hunger indices and methods to monitor country commitment to fighting         hunger Food Policy.

http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm

Journal # 5 - Dive

As I was watching the film “Dive”, I can honestly say that I was amazed to see people dumpster diving for large amounts of food.  I have never known people to actually dumpster dive for their everyday meals. At first it was really sad to see these people as human beings having to dumpster dive to feed themselves and their families. But my attention was easily diverted to the amount of food that they were actually pulling out of the dumpsters. It was sadder to see the pounds of wasted food they were recovering, than to see that they were actually consuming it. This film was a real eye opener and I really enjoyed watching it. Not only did it show people in trying times today but it was very informative on the amounts of food wasted. I could never imagine wasting so much food on a daily basis. As you can tell I don’t waste much food myself, but my family is guilty of throwing away perfectly good food, just because it’s taking up room in the fridge or pantry. After seeing the film I have decided, to one day have my family watch it and possibly change their ways and show them that there are places that soon to be wasted food could be taken. If it can’t be given to a shelter, it could possibly be given to your local church that has a food pantry, or as Mrs. Warren advised us, to your local college that participates in food donations.    

Lives Apart / American Dream Essay Final

Tiara Roman

ENC 1102

Social Media

26 February 2013

Lives Apart

 

            Many issues surrounding college students and their academic success are present today. While many of these issues are well known and preventive measures are taken accordingly there is still one issue that is not as talked about as often. The matter of the effects of divorced parents on their children away in college is a rising concern. It can also lead to other issues that plague these students. Preventing this problem is not as easy as some others either. While other problems can be handled by counselors or the students themselves this situation is out of their hands. This matter can only be resolved by the parents alone.

            Although todays divorce rate has started to plateau, this is more due to couples making the decision to not marry at all or staying together for the sake of shared financial responsibilities or their children. Married couples are now also waiting until the children have left the house for college. This may seem like a better choice, but can actually be more detrimental for the children in the long run. Students away in college finding out of their parents’ divorce have less of a support system and feel more alone and isolated without the emotional stability their parents provide. This can lead to emotional problems such as depression, drug use, and sexual promiscuity. They may also feel the need to leave school and return home to help mend their parent’s relationship. This can lead to them not returning to school or finding a high income job later in the future.

            The other side of the spectrum is students who come from a family whose parents still remain happily married. These students are expected to do better in their academic success and have a more stable family life once they get married. These students also have more a support system at home and have either parent to lean on in times of difficulty. They also are less likely to have problems with drug or alcohol use and spend more time with their family during holidays. Though it is better for the student emotionally for their parent’s to stay together they may also get too much support from mom and dad as well. The parents have more a tendency to caudle the child or bail them out of sticky situations, especially financial ones. These students may be more sheltered when they arrive to college and not adjust as easily as other, more independent students.

            Though there are generally negative views for students when coming from a divorced family, it is made known otherwise. As you would believe staying married in an unhappy home would be good for them, it is not. Statistics show that it is a lot less stressful on the child, teenager or even adult if the divorce process is established. Facts also show that parents unhappily married and divorced show equivalent signs of complications with mental health, poor academic performance and social adjustment. Studies also report that it is also not in the best interest for remarriage, it may even more damagingly influence the children than divorce. Though the effects of divorce might not be the same for every child, there is statistically substantial proof to show that divorce which results in a single family home has a negative effect on the academic success of children.

            While some parents may stay together for the sake of their family stability, others do what is best for them. As the academic state of students from broken homes plummets, studies on the matter continue to become more extensive. Although the reasons for someone’s life to spiral in a downward direction are not always able to be traced, it has been clearly recognized that broken homes are definitely seen as a component in the lives of children. Children do not always take divorces negatively, but the chances of it affecting the children of a family are present. Drug addicts, thieves, community delinquents, and other wrongdoers with history of divorced parents still remain prominent in the towns and lives of many. Actions are being taken, of course, to keep children from growing up into a citizen of crime, depression, and/or mistrust; however, whether or not it will be effective to which patients is unable to be determined. The future state of family members grows alongside the chances of downhill living for those experiencing the parental distress secondhand. Therapeutic remedies helping to ensure safe futures for patients continue to bedevil those receiving the treatment, but the world is greatly benefitted.

           

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Christine Cadena, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dec 3, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

 

Gould, M., Shaffer, D., Fisher, P., Garfinkel, R. (Feb 1998). Separation/divorce and child and adolescent completed suicide. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, v37, n2, 155(8).

 

Cummings, E. M., and P. Davies. 1994. Children and Marital Conflict. New York: Guilford.

 

Wallerstein, J., and J. Kelly. 1980. Surviving the Breakup: How Children and Parents Cope with Divorce. New York: Basic Books.

The American Dream Journal 4

The American Dream

Recently in class we had a guest speaker Mauricio Garcia that I thoroughly appreciated.  Typically when listening to a guest speakers it feels like it is never ending and my attention has been lost, but Mauricio kept mine. Mauricio was an amazing speaker something he really has a gift for it. He talked about his life experience and how he was forced to move to the United States from El Salvador when he was 16. He also told us about his life and the obstacles that he had to go through and overcome to get to his “American Dream”. I applaud him on all the things he went through to make it to where he is today. Mauricio talked about his family and how he had to leave them behind when he left. He had no mother or father while he was here in an unfamiliar place, uncomfortable and not knowing what to do, not wanting to be here. I left class that night slightly confused on what I was supposed to write about. I kept reviewing what was talked about and tried to somewhat compare anything to Mauricio’s life. Though he was only without his parents for a short period of time, I began to think about students who have divorced parents and what kind of role that plays in one’s life. Granted his parents were never divorced, but he was without his parents for quite some time and may be a factor that does affect students through their journeys to that American Dream.

Digital Nation: The Results of a Gamer

The Results of a Gamer

            Do you ever wonder what a video game could be doing to your child or even yourself? Many believe that these games have detrimental effects on the minds of the gamers. While this may be a controversial issue to some, others have faith in the studies conducted arguing that these seemingly harmless games are not what they seem at all. Some of these studies yield a convincing argument that these games are devastating to the minds, behaviors, and even health for all, but especially children. Various researches have been conducted in order to prove this very point.

            Although most seem to be more concerned with the mental effects violent video games have on gamers, the issues go even deeper than that. Gaming addictions have become such a problem that they are not only making the players more aggressive and less sensitive to real life violence, but also affecting them physically as well. Children especially are affected by this issue. The younger generation is now less active and spends more time indoors in front of a television screen than outside playing. Since video games are becoming increasingly more popular, obesity is on the rise. This has become more apparent after the video game industry surpassed the film and music industry both. It is disturbing how wide spread this obsession has become.

            Researchers have now found several disturbing health risks that are likely to impact these extreme players from engaging in these addictive video games. Video games are now producing serious and severe symptoms of abdominal pains, chest pains, headaches, weight loss, weight gain and exhaustion. Scientists have shown demonstrations attesting to older Myopia children   suffering from these painful side effects due to playing video games. Other reports have shown signs of musculoskeletal problems as well including, but not limited to, numbness, arm pain, and risks for forearm and wrist fractures. Clinical advice was recommended to discontinue usage of video games for at least seven days. After the children’s injuries were examined a week later all signs were absent in every patient.

            It is shocking to discover that more than 85% of games have violence in them and approximately half of video games include serious violent actions. After much research, scientists have found that due to such violent video games many of these gaming obsessed players have now undergone psychological desensitization. Participates were given the task to watch a 10 minute film containing real life violence while heart rate and skin perspiration  were being monitored. After viewing the ten minute film participants showed decreased signs of heart rate, reaction in skin perspiration, and psychological arousal to real life violence. The test administered also indicated the participates were less likely to help in a real life violent scenario or show any sympathy towards the victim. This point holds a convincing argument attesting to violent video games affecting players negatively. This study resulted in gamers feeling less guilty for their own violent acts, less sympathy towards the victims of other crimes of violence, and an increased level of aggression in behavior.

            Before video gaming became such a craze our generation spent more time with physical activities such as sports, now that these games have become such a hit, people are glued to their television screens and controllers. It seems as though society is less concerned with being physically fit, and more so with conquering an imaginary world. Sadly this has not only led to antisocialism, anger and aggression, but also obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention obesity in the children has more than tripled in the past 30 years in the United States. Video Games have gotten so out of control that the obesity rate has raised from 7% to 20%. Although there are plenty of negative emotions concerning this matter there is still a silver lining. The video game industry has taken these games and made them more interactive so that one can get exercise while still gaming. However, test reports still show that more than a third of the nation’s children are obese or overweight.

            While many may agree with the philosophy that video games are violent and doing more harm than good, it is also about the type of person playing. People have a choice. They can play extremely violent video games, and let it affect them, or they can choose the lighter side and play something more interactive, such as a Wii. In conclusion not all video games are a bad. While the majority of research shows that it is changing some of society for the worst, it is also about monitoring oneself, including parents observing the type of games their children play. If we all take the time to carefully decide what to expose ourselves to the world would be a more peaceful, happy place to live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Funk, J. B. (2005). Video games. Adolescent Medicine Clinics, 16(2), 395-411, ix. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215205389?accountid=45782

 

TV, Video Games Linked to Obesity, November 12, 2012, 12:08 am, By Jack Kelly/ Pittsburg Post- Gazette

 

Anderson, C.A., Gentile, D.A. , & Dill, K.E. (2012) Prosocial, Antisocial, And other effects of recreational video games Chapter in D.G. Singer, & J.L Singer (eds),

 

 

 

 

 

Journal 3 Social Media

Social Media

            I would have to say after watching the Social Media Documentary; I was given an even poorer outlook on gaming. I understand that technology is important to society, even to us as students in college, but I had no idea the extreme in which it has been taken. The gaming lifestyle that a large portion of society falls into is very unrealistic to me. At one time in my life I watched my younger brother live that lifestyle, which has left me with a distasteful perspective. My brother would go days upon days in front of a TV on XBOX, and dare you walk in front of him while he was playing. It even got to the extreme of him not sleeping properly. I would go to sleep and he would be on it, I would wake up and he would be on it. It didn’t matter what time of day, he lived and breathed those games. It even it got to the point of him not eating and having bad hygiene. Days would go by and he hadn’t showered or even thought about brushing his teeth. It became what I would like to call a terrible addiction. I am not saying everyone is like this, but it is something that happens, not in just kids, teenagers, but us as adults. It can become very unhealthy and I feel that it is something that should be monitored in our younger generation, so that as they grow older they know their limits therefore not allowing it to become an unhealthy addiction.

?

Reality Television Journal 2

Ignorance is bliss

            Reality television is clearly overrated and a waste of time and the effort that it takes to film such, what I like to call garbage. Now I would be a hypocrite if I said I have never watched any of these shows. But I watch just enough to see what fresh rubbish they air just to trick people in to watching. They call it reality TV, but is it really reality? I feel that it is nothing more than a made up soap opera. All of the fake lying and fighting that is exploited on these TV shows are just absurd. They make these shows with the “oh my god factor”, just to draw viewers’ attention. It is absolutely ridiculous that they are even allowed to air it as reality television. When the majority of the time, behind the scenes they are telling the actors and actresses what to do, so that they can gain more viewers’, to make more money. The networks can monitor how many viewers have tuned in for each show. I believe that when there ratings are down they throw in john to beat up jack, and bam you have five thousand more viewers. The reality of it is, we the people allow them to air these TV shows because the more that you watch, the more they will continue to air. So maybe if we stop watching the outrageous reality TV shows the less they will be able to air.