ktmeng/mec huggingface dataset:
Topic: animal-testing

Ever since The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in England in 1824 was formed, there have been long running debates on the topic of animal rights. The first societies were formed to protect and maintain human treatment of work animals, such as cattle, horses and house hold pets. Towards the end of the 19th century more organizations were formed, this time to protest the use of animals in scientific experimentation. In today’s society groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have continued these traditional fights as well as adding new agendas.
Topic: animal-testing

Perhaps the biggest and most debated subject dealing with the rights of animals is the use of them in research and experimentation. Very few people would object to the use of animals if human lives were saved as a consequence. However the extremists who do object would do so on a few key points. Firstly, animals which are used are subjected to in humane treatment. This consists of tests such as the LD50, which entails giving an animal a lethal dose of a chemical or drug until 50% of them die. Also, experimenters are subjecting them to wound experiments, radiation experiments and studies on the effects of chemical warfare (PETA). Organizations such as PETA are also opposed to cosmetic testing on animals due to experimenters spraying, injecting, and feeding cosmetics to animals which cause labored breathing, blindness and death in some cases.
Topic: animal-testing

These organizations argue that cosmetics have already been tested on animals in the past why continue doing the same tests. Due to the protests of The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing in 1981, Avon and Revlon have stopped using animals in their research (Comptons, CD). Experiments and research on animals such as the LD50 test and cosmetic tests are cruel and inhumane towards animals. They believe that animals have rights and they are just as important to society as humans are, therefore if humans are not used for these experiments then animals shouldn’t be either. Despite these objections for experimenting on animals there are positive results that come from it.
Topic: animal-testing

First, scientists must be able to test medical treatments for effectiveness and drugs for their toxicity before being tested on humans. Also new surgical techniques before being used on humans must be tested on living things with circulatory and pulmonary systems like ours. No computer models, cell cultures, nor artificial substances can simulate flesh, muscle blood, bones and organs. If considered carefully there is no alternative to animal research. It is impossible to explain or predict the course of many diseases without observing the effects of it on the entire living system. In the classroom, it is argued; dissections must go on in order to further our knowledge.
Topic: animal-testing

In researching the topic of animal rights my eyes have been opened to various different reasons to support and not to support animal rights. After serious consideration of both sides of the argument, my opinion is that animals should be used in research and experiments, excluding cosmetic experiments. This type of animal use is fine as long as it results in positively advancing the human race. Despite this point of view I also believe this research must produce these results in a humane manner. Animals do have rights and should not be used for unnecessary things.
Topic: animal-testing

Finally, my hope for the use of animals in the classroom is that someday there will be enough technological advances for computer programs that will enable them to simulate a real animal. This actually goes for all animal testing, if we could simulate an animal or human on a computer we would not have to subject anyone to testing. Animals do have the right not to treated inhumanely whether it be in the home, laboratory, classroom or field, yet as long as animals are being used to help benefit the world without harming them, animals in my opinion can be used in some respects.
Topic: animal-testing

At first, thank you for the people who are here to listen to my speech. I’m honor to be here so that I can express my strong argument in this place. Before beginning my speech, I want to ask you a question. It’s a short question, but not simple. Please think carefully. Is there the most superior living species? I think most of you would be quite perplexed. Yes. You should be. As I said, it is not a simple question.
Topic: animal-testing

But also, simultaneously, there is a one, 100% perfect answer. Although it’s very easy word, many people, especially scientists who are claiming that we should do the animal testing, are not saying this easy, obvious answer. The answer is NO. The reason why I started my speech like this, is, to warn the pro-animal testing scientists, about changing their entire thoughts about animal testing. You must know that animal testing is wrong. Why animal testing is wrong? If you are curious, please follow my speech.
Topic: animal-testing

The commonly used lethal dose 50 test involves finding out which dose of a chemical will kill 50% of the animals being used in the experiment. The US Department of Agriculture reported in 2010 that about 1million animals suffered pain during experiments while being given no anesthesia for relief, including 1,395 primates, about 6k rabbits, about 34k guinea pigs, and about 50k hamsters. According to procon.org,the proponents are saying that humans are the superior species than animal, the people are ruling the world, and since humans are the top of the food chain, harming animals for human is acceptable. Who have taught you, who have told you that humans are ruling the world? We are not ruling, but living together with animals. And we already harmed tons of animals, and snatched their territory.
Topic: animal-testing

We should not sacrifice the animals for humans anymore. Second, Most experiments involving animals are flawed, wasting the lives of the animal subjects. According to humansociety. Org, A 2009 peer-reviewed study found serious flaws in the majority of publicly funded US and UK animal studies using rodents and primates. 87% of the studies failed to randomize the selection of animals and 86% did not use “blinding”. Also, “only 59% of the studies stated the hypothesis or objective of the study and the number and characteristics of the animals used.” Since the majority of animals used in biomedical research are killed during or after the experiments, and since many suffer during the studies, the lives and wellbeing of animals are routinely sacrificed for poor research. WE ARE HARMING THE ANIMALS BY THE EXPERIMENTS THAT HAS MANY FLAWS, AND WE ARE WAISTING THEIR LIVES.
Topic: animal-testing

And even, there are many scientists who are not convinced that the animal tests are valid and useful. According to Jane Goodall, who is an author of the reason for hope, also a famous vet, and also scientist, “Animals have not been as critical to the advancement of medicine as is typically claimed by proponents of animal experimentation. Moreover, a great deal of animal experimentation has been misleading and resulted in either withholding of drugs, sometimes for years, that were subsequently found to be highly beneficial to humans, or to the release and use of drugs that, though harmless to animals, have actually contributed to human suffering and death.”
Topic: animal-testing

See? Animal testing is not benefit for humans, and even, it can harm humans! Everyone! This is not just a simple speech that you can just hear and forget. Well, actually you can, but you should not do. You should be ashamed that you, or your consanguinity is in a big misunderstanding and using animals for humans without guilty. You should be ashamed that humans are wasting innocent lives in ineffective way. But you can hope to change the people. You can go along with me, and the scientists like Jane Goodall. I know you can. I know you will, And also, I know you should. And I hope that you know them too. Thank you.
Topic: animal-testing

How many people have your lipstick and mascara killed? Luckily, most makeup is tested on bunnies, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and monkeys so there is no need to worry about that. Eminent cosmetic companies such as Maybelline, Sally Hansen, Neutrogena, and Cover Girl test their makeup products on animals. Companies use cosmetic testing as a defense to avoid law suits in case anything happens. Even Dove tests on animals which led to the death of its trademark. It’s unfortunate, but it’s so that we know your lipstick will not suddenly murder you.
Topic: animal-testing

Beauty shops, like Bath and Body Works, sell lip gloss, hand sanitizer, lotions, shampoo, perfume, etc. and they do not rely on animal testing. Most animal tests are conducted on rats and mice. Although, most of the data that scientists gather from them is useless, since their bodies are different from human bodies, it is still necessary because their tests are able to help the cosmetic companies boost their confidence. Rodents take up about 90% of the animals that get tested on because they are cheaper than other animals and testing companies don’t want to invest money in better solutions. Diana Shuster, a student at the University of Washington said, “I test on about 20 mice a month.” This only adds up to about 240 mice a year for one person. Everyone despises rodents anyways so cosmetic animal testing is a good way to put them down.
Topic: animal-testing

Animal protection groups like American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are wasting their time protesting about an issue that does not exist. They have infamous reputations for being radical in their views. The biggest change they have managed to get was to stop cosmetic companies like Avon and Estee Lauder from animal testing for two decades. Fortunately, for customers, they went back to animal testing because they were using chemicals that were too expensive.
Topic: animal-testing

This was because the chemicals were nontoxic, but cost more money so the companies decided to go back to using harmful chemicals that cost less. However, harmful substances need to be tested on animals so that companies don’t get sued. These companies go through such a hard time just to make sure that everyone can look good. The non-testing companies are clueless when it comes to pleasing the customers. How can they possibly think that buying more expensive but safer products would be a good idea?
Topic: animal-testing

Overpopulation in animals has been a major issue. Animal breeders often send their animals to shelters that are already overflowing with pets. These unwanted animals are given to testing centers to be used as guinea pigs in experiments. (Sometimes literally). The solution to overpopulation is clearly to kill and abuse animals through cosmetic testing. I can glean that companies still go on with cosmetic testing even though there is no need for it. This is because it is a good way to solve overpopulation, companies can save money, and it can be used to prove that it was not the company’s fault if you accidently stab yourself in the eye with your mascara wand since they already tested it on the rabbits. It is apparent that cosmetic animal testing is the smartest way to guarantee that your lipstick and eye shadow will not kill you.
Topic: animal-testing

Murnaghan, Ian. “Animal Testing on Cosmetics.” AboutAnimaltesting. AboutAnimaltesting, 29 Oct. 2014. Web. 5 Nov. 2014. This article is talking about now Cosmetic animal testing in banned in the UK but still prominent in countries like the United States. It says that there is controversy over this kind of animal testing because animals have to suffer and die just so that humans can be aesthetically pleasing to look at. The author says, “They do not, however, support animal testing for cosmetics [as opposed to medical testing] because the cost to the animals doesn’t justify the research, which is really about enhancing appearances for humans.” The audience could be anyone but targeted mostly towards women to inform them on this issue. This article supports my article but arguing against cosmetic animal testing. ProCon. “Animal Testing – ProCon.org.” ProConorg Headlines. ProCon.com, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. This website is a list of pros and cons for both sides of the story. It also gives an overview of the situation. It says, “An estimated 26 million animals are used every year in the United States for scientific and commercial testing.” The author seems to be someone who is very knowledgeable in this field. The audience this time is everyone because it gives both sides of the story. It helped me decide what side I should argue for, while still being knowledgeable about the opposing side. WordPress. “Animal Welfare and Ethics on Cosmetic Testing » Pros and Cons.” Animal Welfare and Ethics on Cosmetic Testing » Pros and Cons. UBC, 2007. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. This article is similar to the one above except it talks about the advantages and disadvantages on both sides of cosmetic testing while the one before looked at testing as a whole. This one was more useful because it fit my topic specifically. This author also seems knowledgeable in this field. He targets mostly women because he focuses on makeup to inform girls on this issue.
Topic: animal-testing

*Intro* Every day, locked inside cold, desolate cages in laboratories across countries are millions of rats, mice, rabbits, cats, dogs and other animals receiving intentionally caused pain and ache with loneliness and fear. *Facts* More than 100 million animals every year suffer and die in cruel chemical, drug, food and cosmetic tests. To test cosmetics, household cleaners, and other consumer products, hundreds of thousands of animals are poisoned, blinded and killed every year. Mice and rats are forced to inhale toxic fumes, dogs are force-fed pesticides, and rabbits have harsh chemicals rubbed onto their skin and eyes.
Topic: animal-testing

*The effect on the animals* The stress and boredom causes some animals to develop phobic behaviours such as continually spinning in circles, scratching at their bodies, rocking back and forth and even pulling out their own hair and biting their own skin. They shake and tremble in fear whenever someone walks past their cages and their blood pressure increases drastically. After enduring lives of pain, loneliness and terror, almost all of them will be killed.
Topic: animal-testing

The lives of all those animals could have been spared. The world doesn’t need another eyeliner, soap, food ingredient or pesticide so badly that it should come to the expense of animals’ lives. *More efficient techniques than animal testing* Millions of animals also suffer and die for classroom biology experiments and dissection, even though modern alternatives have repeatedly been shown to teach students better, save teachers time, and save schools money. There are more efficient ways to test the drugs than using them on harmless animals.
Topic: animal-testing

There is more modern technology like human-patient simulators and computer modelling that are cheaper, faster and more accurate than animal tests. *If the testing was done outside of the labs* What if animal testing was done outside of the laboratories? If the testing was done outside of the laboratories, it would be considered a felony and would be reported and seen as animal abuse. So why should it matter if it is behind closed doors, or out in front of everyone? The animals are still suffering from the abuse they receive from these tests. If humans were treated the same way it would be seen as inhumane and would be stopped immediately, so why should animals be any different? *Why continue to test if results are inaccurate* When asked if they agreed that animal experiments can be misleading ‘because of bodily and physiological differences between animals and humans’, 88% of doctors agreed. So if testing animals is pointless because of the physiological and bodily differences, then why do people still continue to harm these animals and put them through a lifetime of pain? At least thirty-three animals die in laboratories each second worldwide; in the UK, one every four seconds.
Topic: animal-testing

*Reason why animal testing is done* One of the reasons that Animal testing is done is to dupe the public in such a way that if someone were to take a drug that has been tested on Animals and be subject to ill effect as a result, the manufacturer can then say: ‘Well, we tested it on animals and we didn’t find anything to indicate that problems like that may have occurred’. In this way, the Pharmaceutical manufacturer will be acquitted of any charges of malpractice. *Example of bad testing*
Topic: animal-testing

This cruelty animal experiment picture shows a kitten blinded in ‘sight reversal’ testing. The kittens eyes were bound shortly after birth and the bandages not removed until they were six months old. Thalidomide was produced in the 1950s by Chemie Gr’enthal in West Germany. It was released for use after passing many extensive animal tests as safe for Human use. It was mainly to be used as a sedative, but it was also found to help with morning sickness in pregnant women. Women all over the world began using Thalidomide to help them avoid restless sleep and to combat the morning sickness; the effects were devastating. As seen in this photo, Thalidomide caused horrific birth defects, tending to affect the limbs. This drug left thousands all over the world crippled with no way for any repairing surgery to be undertaken.
Topic: animal-testing

Shortly after the first wave of Thalidomide Children had been born, a group of Americans took up a Class Action lawsuit against Chemie Gr’enthal. In the early 1970s the case Chemie Gr’enthal were acquitted of all charges on the basis that ‘it is acknowledged that the results of Animal tests are not relevant to humans’. Why can these companies say one day that they test on Animals to ensure their drugs are safe for human use, and then another say that it’s not their fault because Animal tests aren’t accurate when the information is applied to humans’. *Difference in the testing of animals that does not affect humans* An estimated 83% of substances are metabolised by rats in a different way to humans.
Topic: animal-testing

Sex differences among laboratory animals can cause inconsistent results. This does not correspond with humans. Rats are only 37% effective in identifying what causes cancer to humans. Flipping a coin would be more accurate. Less than 2% of human illnesses are ever seen in animals. 95% of drugs passed by animal tests are immediately discarded as useless or dangerous to humans. 61% of birth defects are caused by drugs passed safe in animal tests, according to the same study. All of these differences between animals and humans are overlooked and disregarded when it comes to these tests. These tests they are conducting are pointless and are timewasting, animals are being harmed for no significant reason, and it should be stopped.
Topic: animal-testing

Substances ranging from eye shadow and soap to furniture polish and oven cleaner, they are tested on rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, and other animals, despite the fact that test results do not help prevent or treat human illness or injury. The animals spend their lives in barren cages, unable to make choices or express natural behaviors. Most never experience fresh air or sunshine, only bars and concrete. Those few facilities that provide some outside caging typically rotate the animals, giving them limited and infrequent amounts of time outdoors.
Topic: animal-testing

I have two cats at home that I absolutely love, and would never want to see them get hurt, or see something bad happen to them. Most of us all have pets at home, and if we don’t, we definitely know someone that has a pet. Could you imagine seeing your pet get tortured by having plastic tubes put down there throats and having drugs put inside of them then after that they get killed and dissected for your own sake? Animal testing has become the sole method to testing products and medications prior to human use.
Topic: animal-testing

Scientists often argue that animal testing is necessary for researching for new viruses. This experiment is usually when scientists purposely give viruses to animals. So, that once there virus is in the system, they can work on the treatment. According to About Animal Testing there are other ways to find cure to viruses. There are new testing methods like vitro testing. Scientists have replicated human skin and test skin products on this replicated human skin, this method is called vitro testing. There is another method which is a computer program. This computer program takes the information from the drugs or virus and it calculates the effect of these drugs or viruses on human being. The program also calculates effects on different age groups and different genders. These methods are much more accurate then animal testing and cost a fraction of the amount. But still animal testing is costing us more money and less accurate results. Scientist should really try more alternative methods and work on them. So, animals can live there life span with freedom.
Topic: family

In recent years, children’s play of computer games has become a matter of heated debate among scientists and parents alike. While some people claim that game playing on the computer is helpful, others believe that this has a detrimental impact on children. This essay will look at both sides and argue that computer games has several adverse effects on studying and health of a young generation. On the one hand, computer games can both entertaining and educational. According to wide curriculum and high learning demand, students now always face the constant pressure of studying at school and extra learning outside school hours.
Topic: family

Between 1980 and 1997, 55% of the victims of juvenile homicide offenders were ages 13 through 24, I would think that would send an urgent message to society saying that crime is starting at a younger age each generation.Crime sprouts from the young minds who spend their time playing with pretend guns, watching violence on tv and watching their favorite super heros violently kill the villan. Does any of this have any long term psychological results? While growing up with guns and weapons the results in the end are children growing up thinking guns are okay.
Topic: family

“over the ten year period from 1987 to 1997, homicides of juveniles ages 15-17 were more likely to involve a fire arm than were homicides of adults.” So with that maybe as a society we’re making it okay to posess those little personality traits that esxult in the next ted bundy, or charles manson, or the next mass murderer. PLaying it off as ” its a stage, and they’ll grow out of it”.
Topic: family

We need to be saying what are we teaching our children? But in the end these children are going to end up with a lifetime full of jail time and crime abuse. But how do we prevent this? Many programs have arose in the last ten years such as The boys and girls club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Ameri Corps, D.A.R.E, and school activities such as athletics, drill teams, drama, cheer teams, academic clubs, etc. All of these contribute to kids getting and staying off the streets, prolonging drug abuse, and minimizing gang affiliation.
Topic: family

Teenagers who follow this trend eventually end up in the juvinile court system. The juvinile court system includes all crimes ranging from drug use to trespassing. 98% of all juvinile crimes are affiliated with the illigal use of drugs and alchol. The punishment for these crimes are on a wide scale including probation, to rehabilitation centers, to spending time in a juvinile detention center. An outstanding percentage of juviniles reoffend and get charged with violation of probation, which leads to mindless community hours and more rehabilitation. Over all I believe that most devieance and crime starts out in the childhood years. Children learn from society, their parents, and the media on how to act and control themselves. I feel that if we dont start doing something to prevent our children from falling into that concrete jail cell that our country is going to have a real problem very soon.
Topic: family

Many parents today are already contributing to the problem of juvenile delinquency because they don’t know how to be parents. Being a parent is a lifelong commitment and new parents must learn parenting skills immediately. Mistakes in parenting will often have a drastic effect on children. This site explains that “the family is the central unit responsible for the primary socialization of children; efforts should be made to preserve the integrity of the family and extended family” (Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency).
Topic: family

I believe this program will be and has been somewhat effective. One aspect that I believe is important is education. This program didn’t neglect this aspect. In fact the program discusses “involvement of young persons as active participants rather than mere objects in the educational process” (Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency). I believe that when a child is involved with their education, they become more interested in their learning environment. The second site discusses how communities are beginning to mobilize to confront and prevent youth violence in America. It also explains how community members can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the children.
Topic: family

It also talks about who are involved in the prevention planning groups. (National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center) I believe that this site is appealing to youths and adults. The reason I say both is because the site lists a toll free number to call. This may help some juveniles, whether they are delinquent or not, to make that first step. Usually after the first step is made, juveniles feel more comfortable about proceeding on to the next step. I don’t think that this program is linked to a school. The program entails the key ingredients to a successful prevention effort. It also entails the four factors that increase juvenile delinquency and cause negative behaviors within a community.
Topic: family

The site also entails that when a juvenile creates a strong and positive relationship with an adult role model is one of the most effective ways to decrease juveniles from the risk of becoming delinquent. (National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center) I think this program will and has been very effective. As I mentioned before, one of the aspects that I believe is important is education. This program didn’t neglect education. Neither organization had separate programs for males and females, abused children, children in gangs or drug abusers. Both organizations should have a separate program for males and females. I propose the Gender Rights Program.
Topic: family

This would limit the distraction in the programs. The Gender Rights Program would also limit the amount of juveniles being offended by other juveniles in the program. Most of the time, because of gender roles, males are more delinquent than females. If there wasn’t a separate program for males and females, I believe that this may cause conflict in a program. There should definitely be a different program for abused children. Knowing that abused children often turn to delinquency, abused children sometimes fall under a different category than a juvenile delinquent. I propose the Child Mistreatment Program. This program will assist with the social, emotional, physical, mental or political problem the child may have. This program will not only be for children, but parents as well. The purpose of this program will be to help abused children gain back their self esteem. We will also provide an Anger Management Program for abusive parents.
Topic: family

This program will help parents control their anger problems. It will also help parents avoid issues that trigger anger episodes. Children in gangs have more than likely already become delinquent. The reason I say this is because you usually have to commit a crime or do something delinquent in order to become a member of a gang. I would promote the BDTGP, Bringing Down the Gang Program. The purpose of this program will be to establish free after school activities so juveniles will have something to do before and after school. Another part of this program will be to install metal detectors in schools for safety and precautions. Children who are drug abusers are also considered delinquent.
Topic: family

I propose the DTP, Drug Treatment Program. The purpose of this program will be to provide a rehabilitation facility to wean juveniles off drugs. This program will also conduct classes to possibly decrease future drug use. There will also be a regular school system set up in this facility to continue education of the juveniles so they won’t fall behind in school. In conclusion, I would like to add that for juveniles that have already become delinquent, there are programs to help prevent them from committing future delinquent acts. Probation services are provided through juvenile courts to help provide guidance for juvenile delinquents. The more progressive institutions for juveniles attempt to provide treatment programs for offenders. These treatment programs provide work experiences, counseling, education, and group therapy.
Topic: family

When I think about my childhood, one thing I remember is the affection of my grandmother and the great things she taught me. Even though she grew up doing the heavy work on the farm in the countryside – getting milk from the cows, killing the chickens, settling cattle and taking care of the farm – she was friendly with everyone, especially, my brother and I. My grandmother taught me with her actions such as spending family time, giving small gifts and telling good memories for the people we love.
Topic: family

She was never in a hurry to tell her stories that made me to go back to the past and revive again each story. At the end of each story, she brought a moral lesson for each every bad situation lived. Every time I knew her story, I liked her more. Regularly, she came to visit in my home and it always was special to me. I heard the bell ringing, looked to the windows and opened a huge smile because she had arrived. Every time, she remembered herself to bring a little brown paper bag with candies which I loved, but I knew I could eat them if I ate my lunch.
Topic: family

Even so, I kept insisting until she opened a smile, gave me one candies and made me happy again. Years later, I understood that it does not matter the price of the gifts and which the most important thing is to remember the person. In the period of my childhood, my parents has started to work during the day then my grandmother came to live with us. Once a day, she took me to the park and give a exact time to spent there. But I usually tried to extend the time when she called me to go home, so she showed me a piece of twig since then, I accepted to go back. Although she normally threatened to hit me, she never did that because her preference was explaining and teaching. By the time I was grown, the love and care to her just grew up. Today I do not know to explain why I love her so much, and maybe more than my parents. Perhaps, all the teachings that she gave I will never forget them because besides representing her life also give an opportunity to have a better life with all instructions from her.
Topic: family

December 22, 2009, my whole entire world changed. A life lesson was cultured. The day before started like any other normal day. I felt nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time. I knew he would be here any day now; it was just a matter of when. I was almost done playing my 9 month long waiting game. After a nice long, warm shower, I dressed for two and went out to idealistic dinner with my fiancé, Andy. We talked about how our lives would be changing dramatically very soon.
Topic: family

Andrew Christopher Green-man arrived at approximately 6:32 p.m. As they gently placed my newborn baby boy on my chest, a million thoughts ran through my mind. There were so many similar emotions and feelings. Does he look more like me or his daddy? Who would he end up acting like? But one thought stayed with me: I knew my life would never be the same, and that now, from this moment forward, as a mother, I would always have new and never-ending responsibilities. I was so prepared so I thought, All of a sudden I felt scared. I didn’t know how soon my motherly traits would have kicked in. All of a sudden; it was a blink of an eye when my instincts were right beside me.
Topic: family

I felt like something so special was involuntary guiding me through it all. I have changed countless diapers, given hundreds of baths, made thousands of bottles and gone to too many doctors’ appointments to count. I have watched baby teeth grow, comforted my child when he was sad or sick, laughed with my child every time he laughed, As he takes his baby steps, I have taken my own steps, that of a mother. When he rolled over, I was there to witness it. When he began crawling, I crawled right along with him. And when he took his first steps, I stood right beside him. It’s amazing how twenty two months have passed and that natural feeling is still with me.
Topic: family

I knew exactly what to do, and how. Every day brings with it new joys and new challenges of interesting observations. I believe from the moment I my sons smiling face, and big beautiful brown eyes that I was ready, and Convinced I have done everything to welcome this little angel into this world with love, joy and comfort. I have learned a lot about pregnancy, all the twists and turns that come along with it. My biological trait was the icing on the cake. Evidently all mothers are always trying to overcome the daily challenges. Sometimes there are things that are learned over a period of time, that aren’t inherited such as daily struggles, such as trying to be attentive when you’re running on 3 hours of sleep, trying to take care of yourself as much as you do your child, and coming to terms with the fact that my life decisions are based on my son’s well-being and his happiness, not solely on my own. I have done my best with what I learned and what was hereditary.
Topic: family

Overcoming the everyday challenges of waking at the crack of dawn, with a smile on my face, to change his diaper, feed him breakfast and get him settled and ready for the day. I taught him how to walk by 8 months. He now has a 30 word vocabulary, saying things such as Noah (his Aunt Emmy’s Maltese dog), high five, God, mommy, daddy, Emmy, light, Nanny and Tada (my grandma and grandpa), Bampa (Grandpa) and Nana (Grandma). I have taught him many things, and he has taught me many things in return such as, Patience and most significantly responsibility. Andrew is twenty two months old and sleeps with us. He has a set schedule, a night-time routine, where he drinks a bottle and goes to sleep by himself. I guess being new parents, like others. We were extremely overprotective putting him in his room alone, and let’s be honest: we wanted to spend as much time with our new addition as we could.
Topic: family

I know sometimes people would argue this statement, and that’s fine and understandable. Unfortunately, us individuals are all different and do things our own way. I slept in bed with my mother until I was 8 years old. I loved every waking moment of it. I felt secure and calm at night in my mother’s room. My fiancé Andy as a child used to get out of bed in the middle of the night to sleep with his parents because he was scared and felt safe. We are all raised differently. Of course, as it is, right now I can’t completely sleep. I sleep in the fetal position, curled up in the corner of the bed, practically falling off, because I don’t want to accidently roll on Andrew and hurt him.
Topic: family

Occasionally I wonder if Andrew sleeping in his own toddler bed at night, alone, will help him to develop more stability and independence. I also wonder from time to time if this will be beneficial for my partner and for me. Andy and I, after spending each waking minute with Drew, deserve some quiet time for ourselves at night, to wind down, relax and reconnect. Now I have to think of a plan that will help me achieve this goal. Should I let my child cry just because I think it might help his independency, Should I brake him from his amazing bed time routine and start al over again “he will be ok.” But as a mother, it breaks my heart. If only he wouldn’t cry, this would be a mission accomplished, and not a goal I feel so much pressure to achieve. I’ve tried everything. I have tried to make his room feel like a comfort zone: safe and warm. I’ve tried feeding him rice cereal before bedtime to fill his belly and help him sleep peacefully. I have a musical glowworm to give him soft sound a little bit of light, just in case he is scared.
Topic: family

I have rocked him to sleep, and put him down, only to have him awaken and scream as though I were trying to abandon him. I have slept in his crib with him, and as soon as I sneak slowly out and make my way towards the door, I am caught off guard by the look in his eyes, the tears on his cheeks and he got me again! My new plan of attack is, to try and not listen to him cry! I am going to try and putt my I-pod on and have Andy have an open ear for unusual screaming, muffled cries and any other unfamiliar sounds! I am also going to attempt to listen to my sons doctor, and trust her medical expertise when she tells me to put him in his crib at bedtime, Making sure he is fed, not sick and with a clean diaper! My mother has also stated that he is going to fall asleep and be comfortable, so I am going to listen to her. After lot of heartache and taking Andrew Into his own room whenever he gets out of bed has Finally paid off. Months later, with the common rutine of “this is your bed, and this is mommy’s bed” has made such a huge difference in my life. I have learned a lot from this expierence and have gained a lot of patience and Encouragement with not only my son, But
Topic: family

All parents have tricks up their sleeves that they use to teach their children important life lessons. David Sedaris, in his short story “Cyclops”, tells of his father’s method of teaching him and his siblings to be careful in life. His father used made up stories about his own childhood to teach his children to be wary of the world around them. Not only did the kids learn to be wary, but they also became filled with fear. This caused Sedaris to behave in a manner that lead him to live his young life without risk.
Topic: family

He tends to use them more so when his father is telling a story. Such as when his father told him a story about what happened when a friend of his mowed the lawn. Supposedly, the law mower cut off his foot and this led to young Sedaris picturing a “…man jumping into his car and pressing on the accelerator with his bloody stump, a warm foot settled in his lap like a sleeping puppy” (49). This use of gory detail draws the reader’s attention to the important part of the story, which is the father. Although his tone in his story is unique, his structure follows the same pattern that many others do.
Topic: family

It goes in the order of setup, conflict, climax, and resolution. Sedaris sets up his story in the first few pages by sharing a few introductory stories from his childhood. He first tells of a story that his father told him where his best friend went blind in one eye because he accidentally shot him with a BB gun. Then, after young Sedaris avoided using BB guns, his “…sister Tiffany stabbed [him] in the eye with a freshly sharpened pencil” (47). He connects these two stories because, to him as a boy, it showed that his dad was right to be careful all the time. This gives the reader an idea of what the story will be about. From there, he moves on to the conflict of the story, which is how his dad changed his life with every story he told. Each time his dad told a story, Sedaris developed a new fear that he would do just about anything possible to keep himself safe from.
Topic: family

Because of the aforementioned lawn mower story, he “mowed the lawn wearing long pants, knee-high boots, a football helmet, and a pair of goggles,” and that was only after he combed through the yard “as if it were mined” (49). This presumably happened many times in Sedaris’ young life and that hurt his childhood. Instead of running around fearless like most children, he was living his life hiding behind the horrible ‘what ifs’. Toward the end, the story finally climaxes when Sedaris’ mom hits the cat with her car. This part of story has the more detail than any of the other part so far. It also has the most time spent on it. Right after the climax, the resolution occurs when Sedaris is grown up and living in New York. One day, he passed through the town where his dad’s friend with one blind eye lives. He calls up his dad to talk about the man, but his dad had no idea what Sedaris was talking about. His dad told him that that guy was born that way and Sedaris realized that his dad had made all of those stories up. When he later meets up with his dad, he comes to a further realization that he was raised by a hypocrite because his father says to him that “[n]ot a one of you has got so much as a teaspoon of gumption.
Topic: family

I don’t know where you got it from, but in the end, it’s going to kill you” (52) Sedaris shared this story to show that overprotective parents, such as his father, can do more harm than good. Even though they typically mean well and just want to keep their children safe, they often are instilling fear in their children. By doing this, they are damaging their child and setting them up for a messed up life. He also tells this story to show that even parents can be hypocritical. Parents should be able to practice whatever it is they are preaching. If they are teaching their kids something, it should be reasonable enough that they do it, too. “Cyclops” by David Sedaris is full of great life lessons, humorous anecdotes, and well thought out writing. He does an excellent job of using his writing tone to guide the reader through the structure of his short story. He does an equally, if not better, job of carrying the reader through the story with him and giving them the same realizations he was having at the time. Although much of “Cyclops” is not particularly relatable to most, the message about parents that it gives most certainly is.
Topic: family

The homework, which everyone thinks that it would directly cause many benefits to students themselves, is also proved to be the unconscious cause of broader negative impacts to a lot of learners in the school if it were given with an extra quantity. The first negative feedback caused by doing homework is found in terms of health issues which are included both stress and sleep deprivation. Moreover, the conflicts within family are another result of an excessive homework which most people have never taken into account before.
Topic: family

The amount of homework can create myriad negative impacts than what the students really gain During the period of childhood to adolescence, it is the time when almost everyone has got the strongest body and seems to never run out of an energy. However, the student’s childhood in the present time will not be the same anymore. According to the Stanford research, the researchers have surveyed and collected the data from 4,371 participated students about the attitude toward their homework given. The result shows the surprising fact that homework is directly associated with some health issues which should not be seriously happened in this period of growing-up process. To elaborate, homework causes of the greater stress among students nowadays.
Topic: family

The more homework has been given, the greater stress has been increasing. The majority of participants say that the homework is a primary source of stress and there is only one percent agreeing that homework is not the stressor. Most students spend time over 3 hours per night on average to do homework, and sometime those students are needed to stay up late over midnight to finish a big load of homework given. The stress occurs because their life balance is intervened by a ton of assignments with an unappropriated portion between time and quantity. As the result, when the amount of homework and time are irrelevant, the next step of problem apart from tension, coming after is about sleep deprivation.
Topic: family

In general, sleep deprivation is the state of not having enough sleep at night, which directly affects the brain and cognitive functions. Craig Canapari MD (a pediatrician at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital in New Haven, CT, specializing in the care of children with breathing and sleep problems) says that the main cause of problem is about the irrelation between the big load of homework and early school starting time. The researcher has recently found that some elementary school students has been being recommended homework three times per day. These homework have become the serious stressor among students and also led them to sleep deprivation whenever they cannot finish homework in time before going to school.
Topic: family

Money and Power Placed In Greedy Hands Produce Imprudent Actions With money and power comes imprudence. This quickly became an important theme early on in the young adult novel Al Capone Does My Homework written by Gennifer Choldenko. In the article “9 reasons why reading young adults novels is good for adults, too” by Ariel Richardson, She elaborates on the importance of reading young adult novels and how they are not just directed towards kids and teens but are also a fantastic read for adults.
Topic: family

Richardson explains that young adult novels are not only shorter and easier to read but that they are also literary masterpieces that hold a lot of information. Choldenko does an amazing job at approaching the literary criticism style of writing called New Historicism through conflicts that arise on the island of Alcatraz primarily relating to the circulation of power and money. New Historicism in literature emphasizes that literary work should be considered as a “product of the time, place, and historical circumstances of its composition rather than as an isolated work of art or text.
Topic: family

Power in general comes in many different forms, for example our elders such as our parents, to who holds the highest position in a workplace, and who is the most liked, but in the novel a great deal of power strictly relates to how much money a person has. Characters such as Piper, Donny, Darby and Bae Trixle are those that set perfect examples in relation to the New Historicism and power disturbed aspect of the novel. Each of these characters is somehow influenced by money and with that money comes a different type of power that they hold. As for the location of the novel, Choldenko chose to place everyone on the secluded island of Alcatraz.
Topic: family

Alcatraz is not only home to one of the most notorious prisons but also housed a small neighborhood during the time of the novel making it easier and less complicated for the reader to get to know and analyze each character through actions included in the plot. It is apparent that the children in the novel are greatly influenced by money. Piper holds the greatest authority and power amongst all the children on Alcatraz. Although the children don’t necessarily like Piper they respect her and look up to her, this is because Pipers father is head warden of Alcatraz and her family lives a rather comfortable lifestyle during the Great Depression. This is validated in the first chapter of the novel when Moose visits her. He says “Piper isn’t my favorite person on the island but her fathers been a warden her whole life.”(11), after stepping into Pipers house Moose makes a comment about her brand new cake mixer “Rich people don’t even need to mix their own cake batter. Its amazing”(12) Moose’s comment towards the cake mixer and rich people shows how in that time era those who had money and nice things were glamourized and thought highly of. Again Piper’s power amongst the children is depicted in chapter three when a brief conversation involving Moose and Theresa arises.