Homosexuality

The term homosexuality originated from the 18th century, the term HOMO is from the Greek meaning same and sexual on the other hand, is derived from Latin word sexualis hence makes reference to the acts of physical sex with members of the same sex. Lawyers and writers were the first people to adapt the use of this term as a neutral, legal and scientific term for the liberation of homosexuals; they viewed homosexuality as inborn, natural and hereditary. The struggle to fight for the rights and defend homosexuals began in Germany, where they did a study on it and was intertwined with the battle to eliminate state persecution against gays and lesbians. The term homosexual should not be confused with sexual orientation, an individual’s sexual orientation is defined as his/her tendency to be attracted to a specific person of either the same sex, opposite or both sexes, through sexual drive and feelings of sexual attraction.

Society has been struggling with the issues of homosexuality and how they should respond to gays and lesbians in our culture, others have protested on the streets while others embrace homosexuals and the rest simply ignore the matter and hope it disappears into thin air. Despite several attempts to prove that homosexuality is as a result of genetic biological influences there is no valid scientific research that proves this, in fact, if it was an inherited characteristic it would be a constant trait across a given family tree. However, there have been people groups throughout the ages, for example, Sodom and Gomorrah and the Greek and Roman Empire where homosexuality was viewed as an outbreak and it stumbled into depravity according to the bible.

Research has shown that homosexuality is not primarily about sex, but everything else that includes self hatred, loneliness, gender confusion, affirmation, rejection, identity, relationships and search for belonging. As a result homosexual, face all forms of discrimination, have difficult experiences and intense anger expressed to those perceived as gays and lesbians from members of the society and Christians. According to Christians, homosexuality is a sin, the scriptures as stated in the bible clearly state sexual acts should only be engaged between a man and a woman who are legally married according to the laws. Therefore, Christians are encouraged to show compassion and care to homosexual to help them deal with forces that lie within a person drawing him/her to homosexual behaviors, as some of them may be involved in these forms of relationships for reasons that they are unable to explain.

Homosexuality is a lifestyle and one can easily change from their sexual orientation if they choose to, various environmental factors have contributed to homosexuality such as; sexual abuse at a tender age, influence and sexual exploitation by an older homosexual during a critical stage of adolescence, homosexual experimentation and peer pressure through labeling and rejection. It can therefore, be viewed to as a ‘disorder’ that is caused by various early developmental problems that play role in an individual’s lifestyle. People all over the world have different views and opinions on the subject of homosexuality; their views vary from their society and cultural background in consideration of their upbringing and believe. Each person’s opinion depends on their understanding of the matter and his/her approach to homosexuals which help one gain a broader perspective on them.

Surname 1

Deviant Behavior: Prostitution Laws in America vs Thailand (Asian Society)

Introduction
Prostitution refers to the practice of engaging in sex for payment. Regarding the law, different countries approach prostitution differently. In some nations, prostitution is considered a profession like any other, with set regulations. In others, it is unregulated but permissible. Annually, the industry earns more than $100 billion throughout the world (Nishizaki, 2011). Prostitution is packaged in different forms, ranging from street prostitution to escort prostitution. Some clients contract prostitutes for years while others can travel over land and sea to engage in the practice (McGinley, 2012). This paper depicts the legal differences between prostitution in the United States and Thailand.
United States vs Thailand

According to McGinley (2012), prostitution is an illegal practice in the United States of America, with the exception of some 11 Nevada counties, which have adopted regulated commercialization of sex. In the US, states have the power to determine whether to allow or outlaw prostitution. Therefore, the federal government only provides guidelines in cases where the practice involves more than one state. The provisions of the federal government’s involvement are documented in the Mann Act. The 1978 and 1986 amendments of the Act made it clear that its main aim is to criminalize the transportation of people between states for the purpose of engaging in illegal sex and/or prostitution. Before the amendments, the language of this 1910 Act, named after an Illinois Congressman, was quite conservative as depicted in the use of ambiguous terms like immorality. The inconsistencies had led to the criminalization of adults who engaged in consensual sex, hence prompting amendments. Most states regard prostitution as a crime that leads to order disruption in the community (McGinley, 2012).

Although Thai law criminalizes prostitution, the practice remains partly regulated and highly tolerated. Thailand has been identified as a notorious sex destination among international travellers. In 1960, under the pressure of the United Nations, Thailand passed its first law that outlawed prostitution(Nishizaki, 2011).However, the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act of 1996 provides the main framework that regulates and partly prohibits prostitution. The Act is bedeviled with several ambiguous phrases such as practicing sex in a shameless and open manner, promiscuity, prostitution establishment, and causing nuisance. These ambiguities, the fact that no particular law outlaws prostitution explicitly, and the lower adult age of 16, have highly contributed to the high prevalence of prostitution in Thailand (Kuo, Yamnill, & McLean, 2008).

Social Pressures
The social perspectives of most Thais place a lot higher pressures to the criminal justice system when it comes to dealing with prostitution. Although it may not be acceptable to visit a sex mistress, this is a common practice among most men in the country. Most of the women view prostitution as an avenue for reducing rape incidences. Like in other developing and transitional economies, most people in the country believe that prostitution is a societal attribute that is there to stay; it is a part of the society’s framework(Kuo, Yamnill,& McLean, 2008). The men and the women of Thailand believe that the sexual needs and urge between men and women are disproportionate. Men are viewed to have a stronger urge to engage in sexual relations than women. Women interpret men’s sexual urge as an instinct or psychological need. Both women and men also think that men have an innate need to experience sexual variation occasionally. Infidelity among women is regarded as out of the norm and is met with a lot of cynicism and criticism. The society highly disapproves against young single women engaging in sex(Nishizaki, 2011).However, the population accepts, expects, and to a large extent encourages premarital sex, extramarital sex, and casual sex for Thai males. While the act of a woman having sex outside of marriage can easily lead to a divorce, the same is not true for men seeking for services from prostitutes.

Thais regard themselves as tolerant people. Unlike other societies, Thais do not condemn prostitutes because of sex workers’ downtrodden state. Although the society does not openly approve of prostitution, prostitutes do not suffer the social stigmatization that is common in other societies. Even in the instances where stigma is evident, it is not severe or lasting, mainly because the girls support their families with the money they garner from commercial sex. It is common for men to marry women who were former prostitutes. Commercial sex is normalized in the Thai community (Kuo, Yamnill,& McLean,2008).

On the other hand, the American society supports the stance of the US government in criminalizing prostitution. The case of the US is quite complex because although stigma is high, the society has contributed highly to the normalization of sexual perversity. The media is the main avenue through which the society has started to view prostitution and other related sexual behaviors as normal. However, still many Americans view prostitution as degrading the meaning and purpose of sex. Many Americans are of the opinion that commercial sex leads to women exploitation and violence. Prostitution is also cited as one of the leading causes of high rates of sexual related illnesses (McGinley, 2012).

The complexity comes in the reason why prostitution is illegal in the country. Most Americans believe that just because prostitution is illegal, it does not mean that it does not happen. Neither will the outlawing of the practice lead to its extinction someday. However, they believe that if the commercialization of sex would be legalized, such an act would destroy the society’s moral fiber (McGinley, 2012).

Cultural Pressures
The South East Asia region has suffered from pre-conceptions and stereotypes that objectify women and regard them as members of the community with lesser rights. This is unlike the developed world like the United States where gender roles have ebbed away with women having more opportunities in career over the years. However, the Thai culture in to blame in the treatment of women as willing participants of prostitution and desirable objects for exoticism. The women of Thailand have been described as docile and exotic. The Asian woma in general is considered as having a certain sexual mystique that is characterized with beauty, obedience, and availability. Some tourists from the developed world describe Thai prostitutes as slim, tanned, and sweet. These sex tourists assert that women in Thailand have a natural mastery of the art of sex(Nishizaki, 2011).

While comparing the culture of Thailand and that of United States, men in Asia have maintained their ‘macho’ attribute and women are sensitive. On the other hand, American men have been condemned to compete with their female folks for virtually everything. Moreover, the American woman (who cannot wait to own her law firm at 30) is the most assertive human being in the whole universe. Thai women are anxious for pleasure, they prefer to ask nothing but to obey, and they are submissive and docile. This is what keeps the sex tourism industry in Thailand so lucrative(Nishizaki, 2011).

The Thai culture simply discriminates against women. Even when the government begins projects and programs in villages with the objective of poverty eradication, women are discriminated because of their gender. While foreigners bring in more money in exchange for sex, most of customers who patronize cheap establishments are Thai. Actually, about 450,000 Thai men visit prostitutes each day(Manieri, Svensson, &Stafström2013). Consequently, the culture of the country is responsible for providing a considerable impetus for commercial sex. The men of Thailand believe that they have a right for cheap sex and the vast number of poor Thai girls makes this possible. So culturally vulnerable are these girls, that some of them join prostitution as young as seven years (Nishizaki, 2011).

Young men consider visiting a brothel to be a rite from childhood to adulthood. In this regard, prostitution plays a considerable role in providing young Thai males with cultural identity. Therefore, unlike in the United States where most young boys have their first sexual encounter with a friend, most boys in Thailand break their virginity with a prostitute. Visiting brothels in Thailand is more like a social activity like going for a match. By having sex with prostitutes, men in Thailand have an opportunity to share their experiences and have fun together. Friends go out together, buy drinks and share sexual partners. Therefore, women become either obedient homemakers or sexual objects(Nishizaki, 2011). Worse still, a double cultural standard fuels the industry and even makes it very difficult for the criminal justice system to act. In Thailand, when a man and a woman are dating, they are not supposed to have sex. However, it is acceptable for the man to solicit the services of a prostitute (Kuo, Yamnill, & McLean, 2008).

Economic Pressures
The commercial sex industry in Thailand is largely a result of the country’s desire to make more money from sex tourism. The Japanese augmented commercial sex in the entire South East Asia region during its colonization of Asian countries. However, the Americans bare the largest responsibility for the commercialization of sex in Thailand dating back to the mid-1960s(Nishizaki, 2011). After the establishment of American military bases in Thailand, the number of prostitutes in the country increased from 20,000 in 1957 to 400,000 in 1964. The boom introduced by the Vietnam War and the development of Thailand’s tourism industry afterwards made prostitution one of the most profitable businesses in the country. Both the American and Thai government oversaw the entire process, which led to creation of recreation and rest services. The American soldiers referred to these services as ‘intoxication and intercourse.’ In other words, Thailand had become an international brothel for the United States. The American military personnel needed sex while Thais needed money. Actually, the Vietnam War earned the Thai economy an estimated $16 million each year. After the war, the government had to find out how to fill this gap through by developing tourism (Nishizaki, 2011).

Economic disparity of Thais has highly contributed to the sexual exploitation of women and young children in the country. While Bangkok has industrialized rapidly, that is not the case in other regions such as Isan. Isan is an arid region of the country that still depends on agriculture. As the economy of Bangkok and other urban areas continues to boom, the demand for commercial sex has also increased. Therefore, young girls are brought to the city to engage in prostitution. Pimps take advantage of the poverty-stricken parts of the country to lure young girls into prostitution. The purchasers visit the villages of Isan and lie to parents that they are going to provide their young girls will good employment in the city. They use fake contracts to lie to the poor peasants. The boom also places more pressure upon Thais to buy items they had no idea of 20 years ago (Manieri, Svensson, &Stafström2013)
In the United States, economic pressure is the main reason why most women get into prostitution. Currently, the prostitution industry in the country is worth more than $18 billion(McGinley, 2012). However, most of the money does not go to the government. This is the reason why many agencies are proposing that the government could make money from taxing prostitution. The recession had its impact on the industry. Nevada has 28 legal brothels that sell sex. Since 2008, the brothels have been swelling with applicants who want to join the trade. Most of the women who are applying to working in the brothels do not have any prior experience as prostitutes (McGinley, 2012).

Legal Pressures
The fact that the law tolerates prostitution has made it difficult for the criminal justice system to deal with the vice. As aforementioned, the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act is the main law that regards prostitution in Thailand. In addition to being ambiguous, this law only exists because of the international pressure of the United Nations. Otherwise, the government departments that should enforce it, police officers and policy makers, are deeply involved in prostitution. Other laws that regard prostitution include the Penal Code Amendment Act and the Entertainment Places Act. Of all the laws, none of them states explicitly that the practice is illegal in the country. From politicians to officials of the tourism boards, most officials have a lot of interest in the propagation of prostitution in the country. Actually, in the Phrae province of Thailand, some of the most famous brothels belong to police officers.

In some instances, police officers have handed back girls escaping from prostitution back to those who were abusing them. The official government position is that the vice is illegal and therefore it is nonexistent in the country. Consequently, teahouses, motels, massage parlors and restaurants can offer sexual services as long as they do not brand themselves as brothels (Kuo, Yamnill, & McLean, 2008). This double speaking is entrenched in the presumption that prostitutes are an important resource to the country. Therefore, these poor women are treated like another cash crop and have become a part of the country’s main source of international income.

The United States has explicit laws that outlaw the practice of prostitution. However, some counties in Nevada practice legal prostitution. The Mann Act was the first legislation to deal with prostitution. It was aimed at dealing with white slavery, which was a form of sexual slavery where white women were forced to work in brothels. By 2009, prostitution thrived in Rhodes Island until the closure of the enabling legal loophole. It is the mandate of different states to manage prostitution by formulating their own laws. Nevertheless, all forms of prostitution are still rampant in the United States. Specifically, online prostitution has been quite challenging forthe government. Craiglist was one of the largest platforms for women and pimps to sell sex. However, the site has been working on how to avoid its usage for prostitution although about 30 percent of its revenue came from selling prostitution advertisements (McGinley, 2012).

Theories on Prostitution
General Strain Theory
Emile Durkheim came up with the general strain theory (GST), which was later developed by Ronald Agnew and Robert Merton. The theory points out that stressors or strains in the lives of people push them to engage in criminal or deviant behavior. Examples of stressors include lack of money or inhuman treatment from other people. After getting upset, the victim experiences various negative emotions such as rage, depression, and frustration. Consequently, they usecrime to cope with these strains and their corresponding negative emotions. The theory points out that delinquency is a result of having frustrating and negative relationships. Among most people, prostitution begins as an act of delinquency in the teens. The average age at which women start prostitution is 15. As aforementioned, Thailand is notorious in the promotion of prostitution even among the youngest of its population (De Block &Adriaens, 2013).

Moreover, literature regarding the commercialization of sex points out that it is a result of child abuse, confusion, and neglect. According to the GST, people strain results from failure to achieve and the frustration that comes with negative relationships. People cope with the resulting strain in two fashions. The person can drift into the depths of depression as they lock in these negative feelings of being failed by society and those who mattered to them and should have accorded them care. On the other hand, a person may respond outwardly, exhibiting anger, rage, and aggression. Therefore, like the case of a woman who travels from California to seek for a job in a brothel in Nevada, the strain remains locked in.

Labeling Theory
The labeling theory began with the preposition that one’s self develops in relation with other people in the society. Although it is one of the most notable criminology theories, it has suffered its portion of criticism. The main criticism is that the theory does not cover white-collar crimes, but focuses on the criminal behavior of people in lower societal classes. After a young girl or woman is persuaded by a pimp or a relative to begin prostitution, it becomes extremely difficult to stop. The labeling theory sets in at this stage. After the police and peers have labeled one as a prostitute, it becomes very hard to get back to normal life.

Conclusion
Regarding the interpretation of prostitution on the global pedestal, the general strain theory makes more sense to me. As aforementioned, both in the United States and in Thailand, only the most desperate people in the society become prostitutes. This theory provides a better opportunity for countries, which want to help those who are struggling with this behavior. They can identify the stressors and help the individuals have their lives back. That is why the government in Thailand does not empower women in the villages, they would stop going to Bangkok for prostitution and the thus reduce the earnings from sex tourism. Although the American approach has not eliminated prostitution, it is better than Thailand’s; a country that exploits its most vulnerable. The United States provides more options for its young women in order to deter them from surviving on prostitution.

References
De Block, A., &Adriaens, P. R. (2013).Pathologizing Sexual Deviance: A History. Journal Of Sex Research, 50(3/4), 276-298.
Kuo, M., Yamnill, S., & McLean, G. N. (2008).The dilemma of prostitution in Taiwan and Thailand from an NHRD perspective.Human Resource Development International, 11(5), 493-505.
Manieri, M., Svensson, H., &Stafström, M. (2013).Sex tourist risk behaviour – An on-site survey among Swedish men buying sex in Thailand. Scandinavian Journal Of Public Health, 41(4), 392-397.
McGinley, A. C. (2012). Trouble in sin city: protecting sexy workers’ civil rights. Stanford Law & Policy Review, 23(1), 253-280.
Nishizaki, Y. (2011). Prostitution and Female Leadership in Rural Thailand: The Story of Phayao Province. Modern Asian Studies, 45(6), 1535-1597.

DEVIANT BEHAVIOR 2

Running head: DEVIANT BEHAVIOR 1

Prosocial and Antisocial Behaviors in Reference to Hurricane Katrina

Institution:

Brief Description of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina is perceived as the most dangerous hurricanes ever experienced in the United States. The event started at Bahamas on August 23, 2005 as a tropical depression. On August 25, Hurricane Katrina made its way to Florida, and this was classified as Category 1 hurricane. Katrina made its second landfall on Monday 29, 2005 at Buras-Triumph, Louisiana. . Report by Officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ranked the Hurricane Katrina sixth overall in strength. The incident led to the death of more than 1,800 people and displacement of millions of people along the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. The incident also had far-reaching negative effects on national economy and natural environment. Katrina sparked a political storm across the United States. Some critics argue that the death toll was due to ignored levee system, while others blamed a slow response from both the government and the general public (Barsky, Trainor and Torres, 2006).

Prosocial or Helping Behavior Noticed During the Hurricane Katrina
There was primary response to this incident despite numerous reports of antisocial behavior. Volunteers came out in large numbers and acted courageously and generously. For example, individuals from amateur radio’s emergency service wing volunteered to provide communications in regions where the disaster had completely damaged communication infrastructure. The volunteers relayed all the necessary information between state organs, affected families and rescuing agencies. Another notable prosocial behavior during and after the incident is that American Red Cross received more than $2.4 billion from volunteers and well wishers to help the affected individuals. Many corporations within the country and around the world also contributed enormously to relief efforts during the incident. By September 10, 2013, corporate donations were more than $400 million, and it was expected that the amount would exceed $1 billion before the end of the year (Barsky et al., 2006).

Antisocial Behavior During and After the Hurricane Katrina
There are numerous media reports of antisocial behavior during the Hurricane Katrina incident. Towards the end of August 2005, some individuals around New Orleans began looting stores. They searched for both basic needs such as food and water as opposed to taking luxury items. During this period, New Orleans dominated news on a negative note. Reports of murders, thefts, rapes and carjacking were reported on numerous occasions. Sniping became order of the day and people were arrested. In addition, people around the affected areas were reluctant to help the affected victims (Barsky et al., 2006).

Analysis of People’s Prosocial Behaviors
Numerous theories, perspectives and concepts have been put forward to explain people’s prosocial behaviors in the society. As indicated by Cuddy, Rock and Norton (2007), evolutionary perspective is one such theory that provides a deep understanding of prosocial behavior. The theory holds that people help affected people after identifying what they exactly need. Social behavior of an individual often changes as genetic factors evolve over time. At some point, the perspective of this individual in reference to the incident at hand expands, eliciting helping responses.

Attribution theory also explores more about prosocial behavior of individuals in the society. Based on the theory, situations elicit emotions that compel individuals to make comparison of issues or situations at hand. According to Cuddy and colleagues (2007), emotions refine relationship between ones empathy and intergroup helping. People always perceive how their past success or failures affect their current or future motivation, expectations or attitudes. As such, people tend to ask themselves “why”, when they encounter behavioral outcomes even if they are not required to do so. Therefore, positive attribution engenders prosocial behaviors amongst people.

Characteristics of People with Prosocial or Helping Behaviors
Evidently, there were individuals who volunteered to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. These individuals exhibit prosocial or helping behaviors. Characteristically, these individuals often promote fairness in the society. They are obedient to the societal norms and standards. They believe that sharing and fairness is an obligation of everyone in the society. These individuals value others in the society on the premise that everyone is helpful in one way or another.

Probable Characteristics of Those Individuals Acted Negatively (Antisocial Behaviors)
It is also apparent that there was a slow response from the public during and after the Hurricane Katrina. According to Janes and Olson (2000), individuals who are not ready or willing to help during time of disasters have antisocial behaviors. Typically, these individuals are selfish and sadist. They are not ready to help at all. These individuals are opportunistic as evidenced by the fact that they looted shortly after the Katrina moved away. In addition, these individuals have a tendency of breaking social norms. They engage in physical fights, intimidate others and deliberately destroy people’s property (Janes & Olson, 2000).

Aspects of Hurricane Katrina that elicited prosocial and antisocial behaviors
Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest disasters ever experienced in the United States. Therefore, most witnessed was touch by this occurrence. The way people were affected attracted the attention of everyone alive. By its nature, people were ready to help those affected by the event. This is a natural disaster that does not exempt anyone. This elicited helping responses throughout the country and the outside world. Even though there were people who contributed to relief efforts, some individuals exhibited antisocial behaviors during and after the incident. One aspect that contributed to looting shortly after the event was lack of food among the survivors. They were forced to loot essential items, which is antisocial behavior (Janes & Olson, 2000).

Role of Culture in Antisocial and Prosocial Behaviors Exhibited during and after the Hurricane Katrina
Generally, culture shapes behavior of an individual. In reference to the Hurricane Katrina incident, individuals who volunteered to contribute to relief efforts strictly follow societal and cultural norms. In most cultures around the world, helping those in need is strong value that ought to be observed by everyone. On the other hand, individuals who engaged in looting of people’s property especially non-essential items come from a culture where respect of one’s property is not adhered to (Cuddy et al., 2007).

 

References
Barsky, L., Trainor, J., & Torres, M. (2006). Disaster Realities in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: Revisiting the Looting Myth. Retrieved from: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/research/qr/qr184/qr184.pdf
Cuddy, A., Rock. & Norton, M. (2007). Aid in Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: Inferences of Secondary Emotions and Intergroup Helping. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 10(1), pp. 107-118. Retrieved from: http://www.people.hbs.edu/acuddy/2007,%20cuddy,%20rock,%20&%20norton,%20GPIR.pdf
Janes, L., & Olson, J. (2000). Jeer pressures: The behavioral effects of observing ridicule of others. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26(4), 474–485. Retrieved November from:  http://auth.waldenulibrary.org/ezpws.exe?url=http://psp.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/26/4/474nn

PROSOCIAL AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS 2

Running head: PROSOCIAL AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS 1

Should the Same–Sex Marriage Be Legal

Research Problem4

Research Question4

Proposal Outline4

Expected Research Deliverables5

Proposed Hypothesis5

Theoretical Framework and Rationale6

Methodologies7

Research Design8

Population Sample9

Sampling9

Target population9

Sampled population9

Sampling technique10

Data Collection10

Indication of Procedure10

Data Analysis11

Ethical Considerations11

Work Cited13

Background

In the twenty-first century’s United States, the issue of same-sex marriage stands out as one of the most contentious issues. Its proponents feel that homosexuals are as human as any other citizen in the country and thus deserve to be treated with equality and their opinions, inclinations and feelings ought to be respected by both individuals and the state institutions. The opponents to same-sex marriage are fully convinced that nobody is born a homosexual, thus the society should reject the vise because of its negative implications on the society, particularly in relation to the institution of marriage. Homosexuals posit that their rights as humans are violated in all aspects. One gay activist claimed that nobody listens to the predicaments and the sufferings of homosexuals because they are the minority (Smith 225). Such claims are also common in other countries such as Canada where same-sex marriage is illegal.

Within United States, same-sex marriage issue has triggered immense debate and division between various stakeholders. In 2004, eleven sates illegalized same-sex marriages and the year’s election showed how much the people in these states supported the banning move. Although the courts in some states such as Massachusetts and Hawaii have made rulings favoring gays and lesbians, well-organized and entrenched opposition seems to indicate anti-same-sex marriage position for many Americans. This is different in Canada where several rulings and the subsequent reactions seems to indicate the Canadians inclination towards the legalization of same-sex marriages (Smith 225). However, the legalization remains quite contentious, with a divide between the supporters and opponents to the legalization motion across many regions.

Research Problem

The question of whether same-sex marriages should be legalized remains an issue of debate, especially with the great divide between and among societal members and the political class. While the opponents of this form of marriages table uncountable reasons as to why its legalization is unacceptable and the supporters present their side of argument as to why the state needs to be considerate about their needs by legalization of same-sex marriages, it is imperative to examine the public’s position as far as the issue is concerned.

One of the issues that emerge in relation to gays and lesbians relate to discrimination protection; a question that comes out clearly is whether illegalization amounts to violations of equality rights. Other issues central to the debate include the implications on the traditional definition of marriage, whether the legalization is a slippery slope to other social vises, whether the use of people’s taxes in supporting same-sex marriages is fair, whether such marriages have implications on the children, and whether the legalization move will encourage more people to become gays and lesbians. Of equal concern in relation to same sex marriage is whether homosexuals have a right to raise children born of heterosexual relationships.

Research Question

—should same sex marriage be legalized?

Proposal Outline

The objective of this research proposal is to examine the people’s position in regard to the issue of legalization of same-sex marriages. The study shall seek to gather different societal members’ position and opinions on the subject matter. The proposal is divided into various major sections, including the background of the study on same-sex marriages, theoretical framework methodologies, and ethical considerations. Under the background section are subsections such as research problem, research question, the outline, and proposed hypothesis. The theoretical framework section will seek to establish the themes, parameters and boundaries for the study while the rationale subsection will endeavor to justify the study on same-sex marriage legalization. The methodology part shall explore the methods employed in gathering the data while the ethical considerations will examine ethical issues to be considered in conducting the research.

Expected Research Deliverables

Upon completion of this study, it is expected that the state will consider the opinions of the people, whether in support or dismissal of legalization of same-sex marriages in their respective society. It is also expected that persons in the society who will not be supported by the outcome of the study will accept the larger population’s feelings on the contentious issue, thus accept the findings as the democratic position.

Proposed Hypothesis

Although this study shall seek to determine whether same-sex marriage should be legalized by examining people’s perceptions on the subject matter, this study proposes a hypothesis that same-sex marriage should not be legalized. Various arguments highlighted in the literature review and theoretical framework sections have sought to analyze the reasons behind varied arguments surrounding the debate on same-sex marriage. As required in the works of Neil (2000) that a hypothesis ought to be testable, this study’s hypothesis is testable in that the number of people and the arguments presented in response to the study’s question are quantifiable and can be grouped to determine the people’s position.

Theoretical Framework and Rationale

The issue of same-sex marriage revolves around three fundamental concepts: Liberalism, liberty and equality. Liberalism has everything to do with theory of human nature, whose heart lies the commitment to perception of humans as rational beings. Two fundamental and equally important implications emerge from liberalism: The first implication is known as Universalist assumption—all humans, not some, are rational. The second implication is known as Individualist assumption—owing to the fact that every person is a rational being, they individually act according to their personal conception of life. Explaining this concept, West stated, “We are each capable of deciding for ourselves what to think, believe, and do within the sphere of self-regarding behavior: We all share in this capacity equally” (705).

Robin West further posited that although humans are endowed differently in so many ways, they all share the capacity of making their personal decisions based on their individual self conceptions. He noted that the American constitution has clearly put this aspect of liberalism into consideration in its central rights: (I) Equal Protection and (II) Due Process (West 705). The “Brown vs. Board of Education” case led to the contemporary interpretation of human nature as guaranteed in the famous “Fourteenth Amendment” (Congress 14786). The interpretation of universalism in the post-Brown era directs all people to be treated the same, unless one can make a case as to why such a right should be denied a certain individual. Therefore, this provision gives the American people a right to make their personal decisions without the interference of the state or other individuals.

West further observed that because liberalism rests upon the definition of all human beings, by their virtue of being human, “share an essential nature, and that it is by virtue of that commonality that they are entitled to equal treatment, dignity, and respect” (West 711). This conception has driven liberal constitutional lawyers to imply equality for all, demanding that the constitution must treat all human beings equally. They claim that liberal states have a right to treat all their citizens who are similar in the same way. It is on this ground that the advocates for liberalism demands that judiciary corrects the cognitive mistakes where some members of the society such as gays and lesbians are perceived as lesser beings. It is based on this same argument that the Supreme Court made several rulings illegalizing the different treatments of Whites and Blacks in the country (West 711-712). Irrespective of the implication of this constitutional provision on the country, various stakeholders use it in arguing for gays and lesbians’ right to equality, thus, the advocacy for legalization of same-sex marriages.

The rationality of human subjects is the root behind the liberals moral and political arguments that individual’s liberties, whether positive or negative, individually fashioned based on personal conception of life, must be protected. This is the argument employed by constitutional law in issues related to moralistic or paternalistic laws such as illegalization abortion, use of birth control, sodomitical sexual acts and criminalization of suicide, dabbing such illegalization as unconstitutional. Liberalists argue that the spirit of the constitution based on universalism and equality is that people must be left alone and guaranteed their privacy to do whatever they desire with their lives because they are rational beings and they have a right to be treated equally (West 719-720). Such arguments are employed by the advocates of same-sex marriage in supporting their legalization and non-interference by the state.

Methodologies

Although different scholars and stakeholders have taken different positions in regard to the issue of same-sex marriage, this paper seeks to determine what the public’s position and arguments are on the issue in an endeavor to determine whether this form of marriage should be legalized. The legal, moral and personal positions assumed by many arguers of the subject are somewhat or entirely supportable or unsupportable in this study, depending on the viability of the different arguments presented by the arguers. This study shall adopt both qualitative and quantitative approaches in collecting the data from the sampled population. Thus, the two commonly used tools for data collection: Questionnaires and Interviews will be used in this particular study.

Research Design

If a researcher is to realize the desired goal and obtain the most appropriate and unbiased findings for a particular study, the design selected must be the correct one. A wrong research design can affect the findings of the study, thus giving the wrong conclusion and untrue picture about the issue in question. For example, in this study, a wrong design can lead to false perception about the feelings of the population on legalization of same-sex marriages. As mentioned earlier, the study will employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods in examining the feelings of the target population on whether same-sex marriage should be legalized.

The quantitative design uses numerical data in examining a particular issue (Sibanda 1-2). Thus, the design will be employed in collecting numerical data such as number of people supporting legalization and those opposed to it. The qualitative approach, on the other hand, deals with nonnumeric and unquantifiable data such as people’s feelings, perceptions and ideas. The study will also employ qualitative approach in seeking to examine the target population’s feelings and opinions on legalization of same-sex marriages.

Population Sample

The researchers will seek to obtain a representative sample for use in the study through recruiting participants from different regions within the state of Massachusetts. The study will involve both rural and urban dwellers, young, middle-aged and elderly from different ethnic groups. The sample for the study will be limited to adults only (aged from 18 years and above).

Sampling

Target population

The target population is the particular group of people or individuals identified for a study, in this case, all the residents of Massachusetts and the citizens of United States. The target population are the benefactors to any particular study, and though they may not be involved in the collected an analyzed data, their characteristics are used in identifying persons to be involved in the study as their representative. This implies that the study’s findings study will be generalized to the target population.

Sampled population

The target populations are sometimes in thousands or even millions, thus collecting and analyzing data from such a huge population is impractical. Thus, a small percentage of the population sharing the characteristics of the larger population is used as the sampled population for the study. It is from the small representative number that the data is collected and analyzed and later generalized to represent the target population. In this study, the sampled population shall be 210 people from different regions in Massachusetts. The persons shall include 100 women and 110 men, 85 White Americans, 50 African Americans, 20 Asian Americans, 25 Native Americans, and 30 Pacific Americans. The composition of the participants also included 150 Christians (80 Catholics and 70 Protestants), 40 Muslims, 5 Atheists, and the rest were members of other religions.

Sampling technique

This study will employ stratified sampling approach in identifying the participants of the study. Stratified sampling allows for selection of participants from homogenous subgroups created before the sampling process. The researcher will divide the population into small groups (based on their ethnic orientations) then employ random sampling in picking the participants for the study. The approach will allow the capturing of the target population’s features within the samples.

Data Collection

One of the most critical sections in any study is data collection. The selection of the method for study is very significant because a wrong method would entirely affect the findings. In seeking to understand whether same-sex marriages should be legalized, this study will collect both primary and secondary data from different sources. The secondary data will be obtained from published books, magazines, journal articles, newspaper articles, websites and other relevant and credible literatures. Most of the secondary sources will be obtained from academic databases such as JSTOR, Academic Search Premier, ERIC Journals, and Wiley Online Library. Primary data will be collected through two major tools: Questionnaires for quantitative data and interviews for qualitative data.

Indication of Procedure

The first stage will involve exploration of various literatures on legalization of same-sex marriages, seeking to understand various positions and arguments behind the positions. An expert will train the researchers who will be used in fieldwork, data compilation and analysis. This will be followed by identification of the target population upon whom a pilot study shall be conducted. Designing the questionnaires and interview questions will take place before the pilot study so that they can be tested during the pilot study. The next stage will be sampling to identify the participants for the study. The researchers will collect the data in a period of four days, which will be followed by its compilation and analysis prior to formulation of theories.

Data Analysis

The final stage in a study involves the analysis of the collected data so that it can make meaning to the readers. After the data has been gathered through questionnaires and interviews, the researchers will compile it accordingly in preparation for analysis. Data from interviews will be grouped and categorized according to the findings while the statistical data from questionnaires will be entered in a spreadsheet for analysis. Other steps that will be used in analysis of the qualitative data include the coding while in quantitative tabulation will be necessary in the attempt to make data more meaningful. The quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS application.

Ethical Considerations

In collecting data of any study, a number of ethical issues must be considered failure to which people and animals’ rights can be violated. Prior to getting into the field to collect the relevant data, one must obtain permission from the relevant authorities such as the Governor’s office, the police department, relevant ministries and district administrators.

One of the major ethical consideration as highlighted in the works of Fouka and Mantzorou (4) is informed consent. A person should not be forcefully involved or tricked into participating in a study. Any participant in a research should knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily commit themselves to be part of the study in a clear and manifest way. The person must give their consent to participate in the study after they have been given all the relevant information, thus their rights to self-determination and autonomy are protected (Fouka & Mantzorou 4). The free and informed must incorporate information such as the purpose of the study, procedures to be followed and why the persons were selected for the study. Equally important under informed consent are the threats and risks involved in participating in such a study. The researcher must also explain the freedom of withdrawal incase a person feels they no longer want to participate in the study.

The second ethical consideration for this study will be confidentiality. Fouka and Mantzorou (6) stated that people’s personal information such as their feelings on the issue of research, their dignity and fidelity issues must be protected at all cost. A researcher must assure the participants that their anonymity will be respected and thus they can share their sentiments freely. In this study, the researchers will not include personal information so as to ensure the compliance to this ethical consideration.

Of equal concern in relation to this study is the ethic on vulnerable groups of people. Fouka and Mantzorou (7) observed that the minority and vulnerable groups must be protected in a research study because the findings can expose them to greater harm. Their different opinions must not be disclosed if such disclosure can increase their vulnerability or risk them further. A researcher must conduct an intense risk analysis of a vulnerable group before involving them in a study. For example, a given minority group can have a higher percentage support same-sex marriages within a society where the majority objects such opinions; disclosing such people’s opinions can make them more vulnerable.

Work Cited

Congress. Congressional Record (Bound Volumes), Part 11. Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 2010.

Fouka, Georgia, and Mantzorou Marianna. What are the Major Ethical Issues in Conducting Research? Is there a Conflict between the Research Ethics and the Nature of Nursing? Health Science Journal, 5.1 (2011): 3-14.

Sibandam, Nokuthaba. Quantitative Research. Victoria University—Wellington, 2009. PDF file.

Smith, Mirium. The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage in Canada and the United States. Political Science & Politics, 225-228, 2005.

West, Robin. Universalism, Liberal Theory, and the Problem of Gay Marriage: Georgetown Public Law and Legal Theory Research Paper No. 11-78. Florida State University La W Review, 25: 705-730, 1998.

Same-Sex Marriage

Introduction

Same-sex marriage denotes a marriage that involves a couple of a similar gender (for example, a male with a male, or a female with a female). Supporters often denote the legal appreciation of same-sex marriages (gay marriages) or the likelihood to carry out a gay marriage as marriage equality while the opponents denote the justification of gay marriages as redefining marriage (Lauster & Easterbrook 2011). This paper answers the question as to whether same-sex marriages should be legalized and explains this with respect to arguments that have been presented by philosophers for and in opposition to gay marriages.

Natural Law

An intellectual being is not anticipated to comprehend the plans of God thoroughly for all that He has made since the invisible creation is greater as compared to what can be seen. Moreover, by assessing what is visible (the heaven and the universe, in addition to all living things), people can be able to comprehend a section of the divine, creation plan. As stated by St. Thomas Aquinas, this section of the divine that a person is capable of understanding through his intelligence is referred to as the natural law (Aquinas, Roos, Aquineren & Roos 2000). The commandments that the creator gave to Moses at Mount Sinai are an instance of affirmative laws that make unambiguous what is understood from the natural law. The initial, self-apparent, un-illustratable standard of the natural law that is understood naturally by all sane, mature brains is that the fine thing should be done, and the wicked should be shunned.

It is apparent to any person that the men’s and women’s bodies harmonize each other sexually. Moreover, sexual act between a man and woman is said to be reproductive because they have the capacity to continue human life (Lauster & Easterbrook 2011). Natural law theorists believe the moral importance of this attribute is the regeneration of humankind. It is apparent that no such regeneration can occur between individuals of a similar gender. In addition, natural law maintains that procreation happen solely between a couple of the opposite gender in a monogamous marriage. This is evident in the reality that a newborn in marriage is the most powerless and reliant as compared to any other newborn of animal existence. Contrary to a human baby, the young ones of most animals begin to walk in a few minutes following their birth and go behind their mothers wherever they go. Human babies last for about 12 months before they can stand on their feet.

Anchored on the Holy Scripture that portrays homosexual deeds as doings of grave depravity, the integrity of the self as well as tradition has affirmed that same-sex marriages are fundamentally unhinged. The integrity of the self views same-sex marriages as converse to natural law since they block procreation. Halwani criticizes the analysis of natural law theorists by stating that it would better if the marriage institution vanished (Halwani 2010). Halwani affirms that marriage is essentially unjust since there is no justification behind raising marriage beyond every other association. Being a political issue, Halwani fails to believe that there is no chance that communities will disregard marriage as an institution at any time. Moreover, Halwani states that since there are heterosexual marriages, gay marriages should be allowed; nonetheless, he expects marriages to die out with time. This is totally disagreeable as it would in other words call for a halt in human regeneration. Homosexuality and same-sex marriages do not emanate from a genuine emotional and sexual reciprocity and should not be justified under whatever circumstance.

Slippery Slope

Maybe the misleading conception that the majority of people employed to counter marriage equality was based on the slippery slope. This is more so on the idea that making of one notion brings about other ideas with every one of them having flagrant outcomes. This causal version of the slippery slope affirms that permitting same-sex marriages could also lead to the authorization of sexual associations involving persons and beasts (Sherkat, De Vries & Creek 2010). This is agreeable as marrying a person of a similar gender is equivalent to marrying a beast. Nonetheless, the slippery slope is opposed by the argument that marriages between persons are contract and beasts are not capable of signing contracts. Traditional marriages denote the proper illustrations of marriages as they offer a high degree on agreement, faithfulness, and the assured merits of exclusionary affection. Gay marriages would underrate marriage as they represent decadence of morals and thus should be disallowed.

Arguments

In a text concerning the privileges of same-sex partners, Richard Mohr states that marriage is an affection accorded matter in the standard of daily existence. The fondness in marriage encompasses, but not entirely, sex. Certainly, sex is just a single device that is possibly best applied in marriage for generating affection (Sherkat, Powell-Williams, Maddox & De Vries 2011). In the book, “Feminism, the Family, and the Politics of the Closet: Lesbian and Gay Displacement”, Cheshire Calhoun operates her cautious, resourceful, and logical mind to a couple of inquiries that concern the rights of same-sex marriages. Cheshire strongly challenged numerous key and commonly-accepted theories and practical affirmations to come to the agreement that same-sex marriages should be allowed.

The greatest challenge with marriages, consistent with Card, is that legal marriages call for support for situations favoring killing and disorder. When a person is just cohabiting with another that endangers his/her security, the person can abandon the other and move on. However, marriage necessitates giving up one’s confidentiality. Marriage elevates affiliation with one partner beyond others since it is a culturally significant and generally authorized institution. Claudia appears to be affirming that individuals would be in a better state devoid of marriages, which is difficult to assess since marriage denote an important institution and it is challenging to think of communities with no marriage (Sherkat, Powell-Williams, Maddox & De Vries 2011). In the US, gay marriages are authorized on a federal basis, and gay couples can marry in only 16 states, in addition to Washington D.C. The federal law in Australia presently prohibits gay marriages. However, the Capital region of Australia has authorized gay marriages. As with any other place in the world, same-sex marriages should be banned as they are ungodly and scorn to human procreation.

Conclusion

Some philosophers have supported same-sex marriages while others have opposed it. The truth of the matter is that same-sex marriages are perpetration of evil and a disregard to human regeneration (Lauster & Easterbrook 2011). Same-sex marriages deny the biological and emotional dissimilarities involving male and female beings. These dissimilarities only find their satisfaction in a heterosexual marriage. To sum it up, same-sex marriages go against the will of God, the author of marriages, and should thus not be authorized.

Reference List

Aquinas, T, Roos, H, Aquineren, T & Roos, H 2000, Thomas Aquinas, Rosinante, Florida.

Halwani, R 2010, Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Marriage: An Introduction, Routledge, New York.

Lauster, N & Easterbrook, A 2011, ‘No room for new families? A field experiment measuring rental discrimination against same-sex couples and single parents’, Social Problems, vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 389-409.

Sherkat, D, De Vries, K & Creek, S 2010, ‘Race, Religion, and Opposition to Same‐Sex Marriage’, Social Science Quarterly, vol. 91, no. 1, pp. 80-98.

Sherkat, D, Powell-Williams, M, Maddox, G & De Vries, K 2011, ‘Religion, politics, and support for same-sex marriage in the United States, 1988–2008’, Social Science Research, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 167-180.

Early and Late Adolescence

Abstract

Early adolescence is considered to stretch between individuals of 10 to 14 years of age. During this stage, the adolescent may experiences changes in sex organs, sexual characteristics and physical which may end up causing excitement within the individual or even anxiety. The late adolescence stage comprises of individuals within the age bracket of 15 and 19 years. At this stage, the individual’s capacity of thought to reflect and analyze is improved and the brain also continues to develop. Just like in early adolescence stage, the adolescent is still influenced by opinions from peer groups but with time, as they gain self-confidence, the peers have lesser influence on them. This coursework analyses early and late adolescence from various characters in the television show: The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

This coursework analyses in brief the physical changes, social interactions, peer groups and their influences, decision making and emotional maturity in early and late adolescents.

EARLY AND LATE ADOLESCENCE

Introduction

Adolescence is the transition period in one’s life when they undergo a transition from childhood to adulthood through various emotional and physical experiences. Early adolescence is considered to stretch between individuals of 10 to 14 years of age. During this stage, the adolescent may experiences changes in sex organs, sexual characteristics and physical which may end up causing excitement within the individual or even anxiety. The late adolescence stage comprises of individuals within the age bracket of 15 and 19 years. At this stage, the individual’s capacity of thought to reflect and analyze is improved and the brain also continues to develop. Just like in early adolescence stage, the adolescent is still influenced by opinions from peer groups but with time, as they gain self-confidence, the peers have lesser influence on them. This coursework analyses early and late adolescence from various characters in the television show: The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Physical changes

During early/late adolescence, the adolescent may undergo various physical changes due to their life experiences. According to Newman (2012), meaning could be derived out of ones experiences but which could change during one’s lifetime. Amy Juergens for instance, undergoes a physical change in state to being a mother at the age of 15 years. This comes as a consequence to her action for having had a one night stand with Ricky Underwood.

Social interactions

Adolescents may interact on several occasions during functions. During the interactions, a lot of peer influence is bound to occur. The degree of influence would depend on an individual’s superego as the more the superego, the lesser the impact (Newman & Newman, 2012). The students at Grant High School gossip at social interactions and even Ben gets to spot Amy in the process and goes further to place a bet on her. Grace talks her fellow students into attending the party at their church after the game. According to Brinthaupt and Lipka (2002), as cited in (Berndt, 1996; Collins & Repinski, 1994), social and psychological changes in early adolescents would transform the way they relate with others.

Peer groups

Adolescents are most affected by influence from their peers due to lack of self-confidence and as a result they value the opinion of their peers. For instance, Amy Juergens confines in her two best friends, Madison and Lauren, after having got pregnant. The two peers influence her into a relationship with Ben Boykevich and even go further to tell her that she should claim that the child belongs to him as he comes from a wealthy family. A peer influence comes in form of temptations and would require a lot of self-confidence in order to overcome. According to the psychoanalytic theory, young children would act based on their impulses and they would become more successful in resisting the temptations with time as the superego develops in them (Newman & Newman, 2012).

Decision making

Grace after a long struggle with the decision to have sex, she finally decides to break her virginity despite her being a staunch Christian. She argues with Adrian over the issue and gives a justification claiming that she is fully certain that that is what she wants and since god is love, He would have no problem with her making love to Jack. Ben also makes a decision to love Amy and argues that if he has to have a sex life in the future then he would have to start somewhere. The decision made would depend on the individual’s understanding of meaning from a context. The meaning would be created from efforts to integrate and interpret the societal, biological and psychological experiences (Newman & Newman, 2012).

Emotional maturity

Emotional maturity comes as a result of passing through a number of emotional challenges which end up strengthening an individual’s emotions to maturity. As time goes by, Amy’s emotions mature she changes her moral judgment and decides to quit lying to Ben as she tells him the truth about the child’s father and surprising to her, Ben becomes supportive and even offers to marry her. According to Newman and Newman (2012), moral judgment would reflect the perception of an individual in quite a number of egalitarian relationships and social roles with friends. Socio-emotional competencies such as social awareness, perspective taking and emotional regulation are the main constituents for positive development in an individual (Lam, Solmeyer, & Mchale, 2012).

Conclusion

Early and late adolescence are very important stages in an individual’s life as it is during this stage that the individual passes through a lot of emotional, physical and psychological experiences that may end up determining how and what they would be in their future. The decisions and actions taken by individuals at this stage would have an impact on their future life either directly or indirectly.

References

Brinthaupt, T. M., & Lipka, R. P. (2002). Understanding early adolescent self and identity: Applications and interventions. Albany: State Univ. of New York Press.

Hampton, B. (2008). The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Tv.com. 19th Dec. 2013

Lam, C. B., Solmeyer, A. R., & Mchale, S. M. (2012). Sibling relationships and empathy across the transition to adolescence.Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41(12), 1657-70.

Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2012). Development through life: A psychosocial approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

The Simpsons

The Simpsons has earned an increasingly popularity and notoriety within the American culture. On the issues of gay identity and sexuality, The Simpsons act contrary to the mainstream media by enacting a gay sensibility and making abundant allusions to gay life and sexual orientation. It goes on flaunting a camp sensibility, toying with the fluid nature of sexuality, incorporating peripheral gay characters, and patiently charting the coming out process of its one recurrent gay character, Waylon Smithers (Alberti 68). The Simpsons also appears to promote a progressive political agenda by foregrounding a gay sensibility agenda, maintaining gay character in a major role of their episodes, and overtly commenting on the oppression of sexual “minorities” in the American culture (Alba and Victor 191). The most recent comments made by The Simpsons are by confronting the controversial hot agenda on gay marriage.

On these issues of sexuality, The Simpsons seem to be most clear on the stand they take. However, the ways in which questions of sexuality have been addressed and dealt with on the show over its run raise questions once again about the tension between their other topics of interest in political satire and commercial interest. The show’s representation in the early 1990-96 is a lot more different from the messages the show gives today. Currently, the show is more concentrated on giving positive messages that relate to gay, homosexuality and foregrounding on campaigns that endorses gay marriage. Cavan Sieczkowski says, “The Simpsons have changed the perception of homosexuality over the years with its positive depictions of gay relationships,” (Alberti 85).

The Simpsons have been using some strategies to ensure that its message comes aloud and clear. A usual character in Waylon Smithers is part of The Simpsons team, and is a homosexual. The shows they run has been calling for gays and homosexuality to come out and have no shame on themselves, led by their own to lead by example. Being gay is not a big deal. It is just as normal as being in any other relationship. In one of the episodes, a man is quted as saying, “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! I danced with a gay!”. Today’s homosexuality has been greatly influenced so far because gay people are coming out and joining the campaign too (Alba and Victor 196).

Work Cited

Alba, Richard and Victor Nee. Remaking the American Mainstream: Assimilation and Contemporary Immigration. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 2003.

Alberti, John, ed. Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the Possibilities of Oppositional Television. Detroit: Wayne State UP, 2004.

 

Human Sex Trafficking Around the World

Social and economic imbalance and various conflicts due to politics have resulted to the migration of people both domestically and internationally all over the world. Mobility of technology, capital, sex tourism and experts has been encouraged due to globalization. High levels of dependency, social stigma, illiteracy, gender disparities, violence and academic poverty, just to mention a few, have put children and women in helpless conditions which have led to the outgrowth and nurturing of cavernous catastrophe, around the world, of sex trafficking. Trafficking in this context refers to the transportation, sale, harboring, purchase, receipt, transfer or recruitment of persons by use of violence, threat, fraud, abduction, deception, coercion or force with the main drive of exploitation (Huda 375). One of the highly impacted human rights abuse in the world today is the trafficking of young children and women for sexual exploitation and other forms of prostitution. The effect on the society due to existence of illegal sex industries is more damaging to the health of the people living in the society than fast food (Diep 309). The human sex traffickers used various channels in recruiting, initiation and transportation of the victims into the sex industry from all over the world. On the other side, there have been various legislative and religious responses to this issue and various recommendations are put across to help in advocating for the vulnerable in the global world. This analysis is aimed at bringing to light the existence and operation of the illegal sex industry and human sex trafficking around the globe. Human sex trafficking around the world is one of the major global issues that should be addressed due to its rapid and steady growth at the expense of the vulnerable children and women who are the victims of the illegal operation.

Human sex trafficking in the world today

Human sex trafficking is one of the prime issues in the international agenda today. Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation has attained great proportions world over. The victims trafficked past international borders are estimated to vary from seven hundred thousand to two million each year. Out of this number of victims, an estimate of 80% is women and out of the 80%, 70% are trafficked for the sole purpose of sexual exploitation. The illegal sex industry, with estimated profits of seven to ten billion US$ a year, forms the third most successful illegal enterprise world over coming after arms and drugs (Riegler 231). This industry’s success is pegged on the selling of bodies (Diep 309). Diep argues that the illegal sex industry is subjected to the economic principles of demand and supply as it is driven by the consumption of consumers (309).

Human sex trafficking globally occurs in such a way that women from fairly poor nations are either compelled or deceived to leave their source countries and homes, under the cover of awaiting jobs for them, and are taken to fairly richer destination countries and compelled to work under the sex industry. Some women find themselves in helpless and terrible situations, being compelled to work, in order to pay their passage “Debt”, as prostitutes, while often enduring beatings, rape and conditions of slavery (Riegler 232). The root causes of sex trafficking in some countries are complex and varied.

Analysis of the human sex trafficking in Asia

This section brings to light the current practices and trends in human sex trafficking in various countries in south Asia: Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, just to mention a few.

India. This is the transit, origin and country of destination for children men and women trafficked for the prime reason of labor and sexual exploitation (Huda 377). Huda records that women and children from Bangladesh are trafficked to India or passed through to Pakistan and the Middle East for sexual exploitation. Nepalese girls and women also fall victims as they are trafficked to India for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation and forced labor (377). According to UNICEF estimates, India has the greatest numbers of child prostitutes in Asia out of the at least one million. As a result, India has become a flourishing destination for sex tourists from the United States, among other Western countries (Huda 377).

Afghanistan. This nation is both a passage and source of children and women trafficked for the prime reasons of labor and sexual exploitation. The victims, mostly children, are trafficked to Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia for labor, begging and prostitution, in most cases with the permission of their parents who are deceived that their children would have better job opportunities and education abroad. In Pakistan, young girls and women are either sold for compelled prostitution and marriage or kidnapped or even enticed by fake marriage proposals. To make matters worse, the victims are also trafficked internally in order to settle debts or disputes as well as sexual exploitation and compelled marriages (Huda 377). There are also cases in Sri Lanka where young boys are traded for sex with the foreigners also attracting beach boys with their money at the coast (Huda 375).

Challenges contributing to the sustained existence of human sex trafficking

Despite the fact that human sex trafficking is illegal, its existence and growth world over has been due to a couple of challenges some of which are complex and therefore difficult to deal with. For instance, more children and women are fleeing countries like Bangladesh and Nepal with the aim of finding better living standards only for them to fall victims of the highly remunerative human sex trade. Thousands of young people in some parts of Asia and countries such as Afghanistan and Nepal, just to mention a few, flee from their nations due to war, racial, social, gender and ethnic discrimination, in order to save their lives only for them to fall victims of the human sex trafficking trade. Another prime challenge that accelerates trafficking is the assumption that some people are less deserving and more exploitable than others (Huda 376).

Recent investigation assessment conducted by the International Organization for Migration in Afghanistan on the situation of human trafficking found the key responsible factors were internal insecurity, socio-economic pressures, armed conflicts and drought. Other factors also included inaccessibility of the judicial system to women and failure of reporting the cases by the affected victims (Huda 377).

The high rising numbers of female children from poor backgrounds and the introduction of technology used to market the victims of sex trafficking for prostitution, pornography and bride trade, among others, through the internet, have weakened the combat against human sex trafficking. Silence by the international community and various governments and also the vehement campaigns spear headed by certain individuals and groups championing for the liberalization of the sex industry, through the redefinition of prostitution and sex trafficking as work and fighting for its legalization and also by championing for a clear distinction between free and compelled prostitution among others (Huda 376).

Diep argues that the rapid growth of the illegal sex industryis due to three major factors: the fact that international migration has a growing demand, more so in source countries and to some extent in destination countries; lack of clear and properly outlined legal channels and reinforcements to detect, arrest and prosecute the traffickers and thirdly, the high demand for illegal avenues that support migration due to imposed restrictions by developed countries on legal immigration (Diep 311).

Health Effects of human sex trafficking

Human sex trafficking has far reaching health consequences on the affected victims. The victims face brutal treatment leading to psychological, physical and sexual trauma. Sex trafficking has far reaching health implications extending beyond the victims to those who often visit brothels and the general public who become vulnerable to sexual transmitted infections. Other prime health effects include hepatitis, unwanted pregnancies, and tuberculosis among other communicable diseases, forced abortions, pelvic inflammatory diseases, and rape among others. There have also been numerous emotional and mental health issues; abuse of drugs and alcohol, insomnia, murder, suicide attempts, nightmares and addiction to drugs among others (Huda 378).

Possible changes in human sex trafficking around the globe

The question of possible changes in human sex trafficking is one tricky bit as it takes different directions both in the legal, religion and social context. Some movements are sprouting to champion for the legalization of the highly lucrative illegal sexual business with the argument that it creates jobs for the participants (Huda 376).Despite the legal war attempt on this illegal business globally, there have been major barriers as the human sex trafficking attracts high income for some nations, leading to development of their economy, thereby making it difficult for them to join the war against sex trafficking (Diep 310).

This subject has however been declared a global issue and is beginning to gain support from different bodies world over despite the numerous number of challenges. There have been intense campaigns against illegal sex business with the campaigns succeeding in its ideologies being incorporated by government policies which have thus helped in the fight against the illegal sex industry both in the United States and world over. The campaigns are championed by a coalition of the radical feminist and the Christian right (Weitzer 33).

Conclusion

The continued existence and flourish of the lucrative human sex trafficking business is due to a number of factors that are slowly being addressed world over. With the cooperation of the legal, social and non-governmental organizations, it would be possible to combat this illegal operation. However, in order to achieve this, a number of key issues, such as poverty, illiteracy, low incomes, underdevelopment in some nations and the rural urban imbalance, should be addressed as they are the key reasons that promote the existence of the business.

Today, various nations are standing out together in the bid to fight the war against human sex trafficking as it has been gradually growing, being ranked at the third most profitable illegal business world over after the arms and drugs. Sex trafficking has also hindered the fight against various sexual transmitted diseases such as HIV and should thus be abolished.

Works cited

Diep, Hanh. “We Pay-The Economic Manipulation of International and Domestic Laws to Sustain Sex Trafficking.” Loyola university Chicago International Law Review. 2 (2004): 309-331.Print.

Huda, Sigma. “Sex trafficking in South Asia.” International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 94.3 (2006): 374-381. Print.

Riegler, April. “Missing the mark: Why the trafficking victim’s protection act fails to protect sex trafficking victims in the United States.” Harvard Journal of Law & Gender 30 (2007): 231.Print.

Weitzer, Ronald. “Moral crusade against prostitution.” Society 43.3 (2006): 33-38.Print.