Privatization of Prisons

Privatization of prisons has its pros and cons, but the cons definitely outweigh the pros. Chris Christie claimed Community Education Centers's operations as "representing the very best of the human spirit." However, this statement is false. With The Times' investigation and reports, we know that privatized prisons are like hell on earth. The prisons are understaffed and poorly run. For those that claim privatized prisons save money for tax payers, it's for all the wrong reasons. The demoralized workforce allows for the most dangerous individuals to often escape while relatively mild offenders face terror and abuse at the hands of other inmates. So is less money to tax payers worth the understaffing and dangers? Certainly not. Some people say privatized prisons reflect our nation's upholding of a free-market, but this cannot be true being that the companies run on government contracts. Privatization is a way for governments to avoid recording upfront expenses or the raising of money. Additionally, privatization is a way of getting rid of public employees, therefore avoiding the habit of unionization. Saving money by employing fewer guards and other workers (and paying them badly) is not just. Privatization of prisons is a corrupt method for the government to gain money.

RADIO & Socialization

In the beginning of the movie, Radio is greatly affected by lack of socialization. He was socially awkward, barely spoke, was extremely shy, and didn't know how to interact with others. By the middle of the movie, as he emerged in socialization, he became more friendly and less frightened. He was more willing to open up to others, help people, and socialize in general. He was evidently less shy. By the end of the movie, the viewer notices that Radio has become a product of socialization--in a positive way. Everyone feels so comfortable around him and vice versa. He is very friendly, open, and talkative. What once was a socially awkward and quiet kid turned into an amicable and social friend. 

Scenes that highlight Radio's awkwardness were the beginning scenes when he was just pushing his cart around town--never answering back to the Coach's questions. His more socialized self shines in later scenes--like at the football game when he came running out with the team.

Personally, I loved this film. It was emotional and heartwarming. Cuba Gooding Jr played his role perfectly, and it made me love Radio. I was so sympathetic towards him during the whole movie, and I was so proud of Coach Jones. It really takes a lot for people to stand up like that in such a small town--especially when your whole team is against your ideas too. Overall a very good movie with an amazing message.

Socialization of Gender...Everywhere!

Here are the basics:

Females feel the need to share their secrets or happenings of their lives while males have a quick "hello, what's up" conversation.

Women are fake to one another while men are straightforward.

Girls need to be shown affection whereas guys don't need to be.

Females are all about "outfit of the day" and "I need my Starbucks" on social media while males are all about "Knicks>Heat" and "the sky looks cool".

Women document their every move and breath on social media whereas men post a picture here and there of a car. 

Sociological Research and You!

First (Sociological Research):

The most interesting of the sociological research presentations was the one about how people dress to school. I always wondered why there was such a distinct separation of people that either a) dressed to the nines every day or b) wore sweatpants as if for a living. The results were pleasant however: some people felt comfortable in sweats while others saw a boost in productivity when dressing up. Both sides had good reasoning, and I can see the logic behind each. 

The most difficult to measure of the presentations was the one regarding adoption. Asking high school students who are not adopted regarding their opinion about when a child should be told of their adoption is not applicable. A person cannot determine such a serious answer unless he or she is put in the situation. 

Latter (...and You!):

I'm an impulsive maniac and an over thinker. I'm a go-getter and a couch potato. I laugh and I cry. I scream and I meditate. In other words: I'm human. My mood changes with the weather. I could be a working from the wee hours of the morning one day and stay in bed all day watching movies the next. I love a good mix up and a balance.

My strength = my self motivation

My weakness = my procrastination

Like I said: my mood changes with the weather (and with my surroundings  [my friends]). I can be introverted and quiet at times, but extroverted and talkative in others. My surroundings highly influence my personality. 

Quote:

"Be yourself. An original is always worth more than a copy."

This shines a light on my creativity and every day life. It encourages me to dare to be different--to take chances. Who doesn't want their name to be left with significance attached to it in this world? You must be different to be remembered; you must make your own footsteps, not follow another person's. 

You as Sociologist, Milgram & Elliott

I am a conflict theorist. Change in general is inevitable, and social change is no different. Competition keeps people wanting to excel and be above others. As long as there are haves and have nots, there will be motivation for people to do better. The world needs motivated people to progress. If everyone had the same mindset, there would be no change, no improvement, and no definitely no excelling. 

I try to see all sides of a situation, and I appreciate strength and competition. If a person knew they'd win every game they'd play without effort, they would never work on getting better. They would fade away in a sense of importance and self motivation. What kind of a life would that lead? With conversations between friends and enemies, I try to be devil's advocate. It keeps conversation going, and it will lead to a solution. 

The Milgram Experiment was shocking. When people discuss what they would do in a situation, it is completely different from their actual actions. No one would ever want to believe they would obey authority enough to a point that they'd harm others, but sometimes a person has no control over their fear. Some people are strong and confident enough to defy authority, but most are so obedient that they will go against their conscience and morals. Sometimes people do not have enough nerve to go against people that they think are looking for the betterment of humanity.

I think Jane Elliott's "Eye of the Storm" experiment would be just as successful today. Children are children. Their thought process and mentality has not changed much since those times. I do think their unintentional ignorance would lead to the success of this experiment if it were done in present day. Elliot's experiment was a perfect one to teach and raise awareness about prejudice, bias, bullying, and intimidation, but a "What Would You Do?" type of scenario would help as well. Staging an actual bullying scene and putting children into the scenario to see their reactions and actions would be a perfect way to right their wrongs and teach them about these non-dissmissable topics.

The Nature vs Nurture Debate

Eye color = BOTH b/c this factor is in people's DNA but there is a new surgery available to permanently change it

Height = BOTH b/c a person is born to grow to a certain point but there are modern pills and surgeries available to alter this factor of human genetics

Intelligence = BOTH b/c some people are born with learning disabilities but they can progress with special help

Weight = NURTURE b/c this factor alters depending on the eating habits and exercise techniques one learns during childhood and on

Risk taking = NURTURE b/c this is a growing trait that changes overtime

Profession = NURTURE b/c this depends on your motivation, interests, environment, and resources

Athletic ability = NURTURE b/c a person is trained to be an athlete; they are not simply born with the ability to run fast or shoot well

Smoking = NURTURE b/c a person does not come out of his or her mother's womb addicted to this bad habit

Music ability = NURTURE b/c a person's voice can be improved with vocal lessons

Violent behavior = NURTURE b/c someone growing up in a violent household is more likely to be violent than someone growing up in a peaceful household

Heart disease = BOTH b/c this can either develop based off a person's habits or be passed down from generations

Mental illness = BOTH b/c it is likely that this can grow on a person from bad experiences or be in their DNA from past generations

Humor = NURTURE b/c a person learns how to make people laugh overtime

Interest in Math & Science OR Arts & Humanities = NURTURE b/c this all depends on how these subjects are presented to a person early on

Skilled ability to perform in Math/Science OR Art/Humanities = NURTURE b/c a person who gains interest in these subjects will try their hardest to improve in them




Nurture is clearly a bigger factor in influencing once's personality and behavior. Society affects every aspect of human life. Through modern day knowledge and technology, anything is possible. Factors that weigh so heavily on this debate are the humans' ability to perform surgeries and other self-altering procedures.

Introductory Blog

Welcome to Barbology--the study of me, Barbara Erik. I'm a senior at NMHS and a soon-to-be freshman at some college in NYC (praying sooner than later). I haven't decided what school I want to go to yet, but I am certain that I want to attend school in the city that never sleeps. Although undecided, I plan to major in some aspect of business--whether specified in fashion or broadened in the general field. Besides education, friends and family are my life. I enjoy going out to eat, expanding my benevolence in church-work, and most of all, being spontaneous.