Medicine Lodge High School
Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Teachers: Devra Parker and Mike Hubka
Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s
Leaders
By Joclyn Winter
12th Grade
She stands alone, uninfluenced and labeled differently from the rest. Her tattered clothes fall loosely around her slouched body. They manage to somewhat cover her difference. The smile on her face is one worn only to disguise the pain she feels within. She has not been blessed with a fair chance at life. No person has ever provided her with feelings of acceptance; few have even cared enough to try. Every piece of her character has been established without structure from those around her. Although many think she is different, she tries to consider herself as the same. As a result of her past she will be a stronger adult and forever understand the true need to infuse character and values into children’s lives. Her simple life displays that it is very important to have support from higher authority. In the lives of Americans, the government acts as a higher authority.
Our governmental system is uniquely effective in many important areas of daily life. The government provides smooth running programs that continue to strengthen communities. It often seems that much time, persistence, and thought is put into areas of lesser importance rather than ones that may change the future of America. It is sometimes forgotten that children are the future of America. They are the tomorrow, and furthermore, their character and values could forever change many lives. It is obvious that a higher authority in everyday life helps strengthen qualities that are passed on from generation to generation.
Families are the backbone in a child's life. First and foremost, the place to begin change in children’s lives is obviously at home with a parent or guardian. Much can be instilled behind closed doors ranging from simple good manners to more complex matters including making decisions that may affect a lifetime. Some government money should definitely be used to improve parenting skills. Children who have positive role models and insight from their parents or guardians have better chances to succeed within themselves. With educated role model, kids can begin to feel good about who they are. Ultimately, these people can ready them for future challenges.
School is the second place that character is built. Character, morals, and values taught at home help to provide positive structure into the classroom. If they are instilled at an early age, morals and values will not be forgotten once a child steps foot inside school doors. This can also help to strengthen a child’s character. Children tend to learn from their peers. Kids who are able to obtain insight from others can easily share this with those who are not so fortunate. School is a great place to allow this to come together. Governmental support to ensure character and values are being instilled into the lives of children at school is an excellent way to gain a more successful future. This can provide better moral standards within a community as well as better character for its citizens, overall.
Those children who attend a daycare or are in the care of a person other than their parent should also be encouraged throughout their stay. If parents are willing to take the time to instill character and values in their children at home, they should also be concerned as to what children are obtaining outside of the home. In this situation, the government could most definitely fund money that will pay for classes to teach adults ways to affect children’s lives positively, providing kids with structure and personal character.
In summation, instilling morals and values in a child’s life at a young age will help to produce a better adult. When children have adults in their lives that leave positive lasting marks, they are more likely to be successful. The government of the United States has a positive role in teaching young children right from wrong in public schools. This, by no means, says that parents should not actively be involved in their children’s lives, but it does imply that they should support the government's actions. It is important for today’s society to realize that today’s children are truly tomorrow’s leaders. With this knowledge in mind, I believe that communities will come together, and with aid from the government, they can better homes and schools by mentoring or merely giving extra time to a child. By taking this final step, many boundaries can be broken. Hopefully, with this process, positive kids will pass on their enforcement to permanently better communities.
It is seen everyday. The difference between children with positive role models and children who lack these positive role models is clear. This early stage of life is one of much influence. Although there are children who have someone to look up to, it is clear that some have none. They lack the constant leadership that builds strong character, and even with this factor affecting just one person, it is passed on from generation to generation.
Answers To Questions
Q1- How does society invest in marriage in the USA and in Manus?
The Manus are hesitant about supporting a man who has often been divorced. They focus on lasting marriages, which in a sense, leads to greater success rate in this area. It is as if they invest in the subject of marriage as well as the outside and surrounding shells. Marriage in the USA is a thought of commitment, but not always a lasting or ultimate commitment. People's search for a mate is often based on comfort or popularity, instead of love. Therefore, the actual succession rates for United States marriages decline.
Q2- Interview 10 married people. State the length and number of each one's marriages and a line or two of advice from each on how to maintain a long, happy relationship.
The first subject has been married for seven years in his first marriage. Advice given to a successful marriage is to be honest- brutally honest- even if it hurts. Another has been married for 18 years in her first marriage. The advice was to be really patient, and to be able to give more and take less. The third couple has been married for 23 years in their first marriage and the key to their marriage is communication. The next subject has been married for five months in her first marriage. Her advice is to respect others opinions. The sixth person has been married twice; three years in her first marriage and six in her second. The next subject has been married for eleven years in her second marriage. Her advice is to never go to bed angry. The eighth couple has been married for 47 years in their first marriage. The advice is to have interests together, but still be your own person. The ninth person has been married for two years in her first and says to always remember the love you feel even when your mad. The final couple has been married for 22 years in their first marriage. The key to their marriages is to remain the people they were when they first fell in love.
Q3- According to Richard Eckersley, what should our collective goal be?
Our goal should be to dematerialize society without reducing the quality of life. Some environmental research and advocacy organizations have urged a halving of global material flows in order to achieve this.
Q4- Write a worthy goal for your local community.
We have many individual needs for our local community. Needs for the young, the elderly, the married, and the single. These needs stretch to parents, single and married, supporting themselves as well as their children. Often times we overlook helping the younger generation. People need to realize that these young people are the future and there are many things that go unfulfilled to the children of my community.
Q5- Comment on the excerpts from “Tomorrow’s Child.”
I believe that the drop out rate of civil society has a direct effect on the increase of America’s minority population. The growth will continue and further rise in the future. It will also widen the gap between each of the races that are affected.
Q6- How does the fact the USA is a democracy make lawyers particularly helpful, according to Kathleen Sullivan? How does our diversity, wealth, and size make lawyers particularly helpful?
Lawyers protect us from the dangers of tyranny by creating a form of public responsibility and accountability. Some of this is because in the United States culture, we are a bit reluctant to come up with national governmental solutions to problems which develop into court cases. Setting world standards, dealing with respect, lawyers become very helpful. Our constant conflict is where the law steps in. Collective luxuries are also a place where the law has to step in and draw the line. A single social custom is clearly a reason where lawyers must do their jobs.
Q7- Ms. Sullivan claims bad practices either change by regulations or punitive damages. Which do you prefer and why? Can you think of an alternative?
Regulation seems the best. Allowing people to create contracts to regulate and anticipate disputes is the most effective from my perspective. This provides solutions before actually stumbling onto the actual problem.
Q8- Briefly describe three ways society would benefit from the coming retirement of baby boomers, according to the required reading.
Benefits of retired baby boomers will offer baby-sitting services to those having babies. These people can also provide care for parents and their busy schedules as well. They can run the household and make the errands.
Q9- Evaluate the likelihood of Presidents Clinton’s anti- poverty program making a real impact. Give at least three reasons to back up your conclusions.
I think that his anti-poverty program will have some effect. But I don not think the impact will be that large. For one, most who suffer from poverty suffer greatly to where they have no food or clothes. Another reason the program could be unsuccessful is there are many of those who suffer from poverty that will not be located or found. How can they receive help? The last reason is there are too many people suffering from poverty for this one single program working alone to cure.
Q10- Name three things in Truett Cathy and Tom Lewis have in common.
Truett Cathy and Tom Lewis on an individual basis ran schools. They were both actively involved is positive programs for kids, providing them with role models.