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Sex And Teens Essays - Human Sexuality, Personal Life, Free Essays

Sex And Teens Essays - Human Sexuality, Personal Life, Free Essays Sex And Teens Sex, or the lack there of, will always be a topic among teens. Teens date, and teens have relationships. Most of these relationships will inevitably come to a point where one must chose whether to seize the moment and have sex with their partner, or they will set standards ahead of time saying they will not have sex until marriage. Every teen is either on one side of the fence or the other; they either will have premarital sex, or they will abstain. These two stances shed light on why sex is out of control today, what the world thinks about sex, and what religion says about sexual immorality. The facts are evident: teens have sex. It seems almost impossible to calculate the number of teens who are actually having premarital sex, because, of course, they don't wish to confess. Some teens though, have no choice but to confess because their actions lead to severe consequences such as pregnancy. Forty-three Percent of adolescent women become pregnant at least once before age 20 (Internet 1). That fact alone concludes that the choice of waiting for sex is in close running with the choice of not waiting. In the United States alone, more than 2,800 adolescents become pregnant each day. 1,300 of these girls give birth, 1,100 have abortions, and 400 have miscarriages (Internet 1). These astounding facts prove that sex may be considered out of control among teens today. In the olden days, around the Victorian period, sex was far from the topic that it is today. Also, during this time premarital sex was unthinkable. What happened between then and now that caused such an uproar? The world says that sex has become out of control because it was hushed for so long. But, for the last 20 years, sex has most defiantly not been hushed. If hushing up had been the cause of the trouble, ventilation would have set it right. But it has not (Lewis 92). As the world talks more and more about sex, and as the consequences of pregnancy Page 1 decrease through birth control methods, the issue of sex starts getting out of control. Birth control has had a huge impact on the increase of sexual activity. But, it wasn't until the early seventies that it became an issue in America. In 1972 the Supreme Court completely legalized birth control (Corfman 3). Also around this time came the invention of the pill. This wonder drug completely revolutionized the way humans viewed sex. People were no longer afraid of sex since the consequences of pregnancy almost vanished. Intercourse was promoted as an expression of love, and since then has become a casual affair to most of the world. The world view states that intercourse is merely the ultimate way to express love. This statement completely isolates sex from marriage and downsizes it to become almost equal with a kiss which is also an expression of love. All around is heard the saying that sex is nothing to be ashamed of. This cliche is mostly true, but that does not mean sex should be talked about so openly. In fact, talking about the sex in the state that it is now should almost be shameful. C.S. Lewis uses a great illustration to express this point. Lewis says that there is nothing to be ashamed of in enjoying food, but there would be everything to be ashamed of if half the world made food the main interest of their lives and spent time looking at pictures of food and drooling and licking their lips (Lewis 92). As the sexual entertainment industry continues to grow people continue to degrade sex until it reaches the point of being almost meaningless. They view sex in the shameful way that Lewis refers to. Beco ming obsessed and controlled by their physical lust, they let their emotions and desires control their actions. Naturally, sex is a desire of every human being. The way that humans control this desire is what separates the world view from the Christian view. The world promotes pursuing urges and desires; seizing the day. A great example from the world view is Andrew Marvell's poem, Page 2 To His Coy Mistress. In this poem Marvell possess

Credit risk management in banking sector Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Credit risk management in banking sector - Essay Example Credit risk management appears to have improved during the past decades due to greater reliance on market determined prices. Credit risk today is managed through the creation of an in-house risk management unit. In addition, efficient credit risk valuation methods are being employed today by banks. Banks have also resorted into more advanced methods of credit risk management and quantification such as value at risk, stress testing, credit scoring. According to BIS paper No.33, financial markets are subject to various sources of risk: credit, market, liquidity, operational and legal risks. These risks tend to be more pronounced in the developing world than in developed countries due to a lower level of economic, financial and institutional development. Credit risk tends to be more acute as a result of a lack of highly rated counterparties. Market and liquidity risks are higher due to thinly traded markets (IMF BIS Paper No. 33). Operational risks may also be exacerbated because of inadequate human resources or the failure of manual, mechanical or electronic systems to process payments. Finally, legal risk may also be part of the environment (for instance, due to the inability to foreclose on collateral). The next section discusses credit risk and some of its components and how it can be managed. 1.2 Credit Risk According to the International Monetary Fund Business Paper No. 33, credit risk is the risk that a debt issuer will default is known as credit risk; this is typically the most important form of risk for commercial banks (Shapiro, 2003; Buckley, 1996; Muller and Verschoor, 2005; Solt and Wayne, 2001).Solt & Wayne (2001) argues that, in assessing credit risk, an institution needs to consider three issues: default probabilities over the horizon of the obligation, credit exposure (ie how large the obligation is when the default occurs) and the recovery rate (ie what part of the exposure may be recovered through bankruptcy proceedings or some other form of settlement) (Solt and Wayne, 2001). Credit risk is often difficult to assess due to the lack of information on the credit history and financial position of borrowers, inadequate accounting practices and standards that make it difficult to evaluate credit exposures, macroeconomic volatility and deficiencies in the institutional environment (e.g., political instability) (BIS Paper No.33, 2005). Weak enforcement of creditor rights may also contribute to uncertainty regarding recovery rates. Although many of these factors have been improving in recent years, progress in some cases is slow (Mohanty et al., 2006). Moreno (2006) highlights two key issues related to credit risk that are relevant for emerging market economies (EMEs). First, the distinct increase in the share of credit to the household sector that has been observed in a number of countries could lower credit risk if the concentration of bank assets fell, if consumer credit diversifies risk among a larger number of borrowers. Moreno (2006), further states that, credit risk could rise if banks are lending in new market segments. Second, there is significant credit risk associated with the effects of asset price fluctuations on banking books. One concern in this case is the volatility

Place Bio Los Angeles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Place Bio Los Angeles - Essay Example Davis and McWilliams alerted visitors to the existence of Los Angeles's deep division and hidden history of conflict but they did not specifically tell where the evidence was prominent, where one could go to actually see it. The guide brilliantly produced listings of many historic sites of struggle with themed tours of the city from Latino, Native American and the African American. A People’s Guide to Los Angeles is a socio-political look at the West Coast’s occasionally explosive cultural reservation that do not turn up in the usual tourist guides. There are several sites highlighted in the site including Biddy Mason Park which is located less than 50 yards south of the Bradburry. Dalores Hayden created the sculpture, mural dedicated to the lie of Biddy Mason. She was born a slave in Georgia, 1818; however, she went to San Bernardino in 1851 with Rebeca Smith. California was a free state and a judge declared Mason set free. (Robert, 2003). Kashu Reality is another site in â€Å"A people’s Guide to Los Angeles†. Kazuo Inouye was propelled towards the success by his experiences with discrimination. He worked hard to open up all-white neighborhoods to the white people. He worked with Japanese Americans and African Americans to purchase homes often from Jewish homeowners or others who were sympathetic to racial integration. He helped to change the face of several Los Angeles neighborhoods. When he found a Japanese American buyer, a rival white estate agent broke all the windows in the home. Inouye confronted him directly and threatened to shoot the white real estate agent if he dared to interfere with the property again. Through similar tactic, he managed to sell a number of homes in the Crenshaw district during the 1950s and 1960s (Chaz & Mitchell, 2005). He advertised regularly in the Black Press and facilitated the area’s demographic shift from an all-white to a multiethnic African, American, Japanese and Latino place. Another location of great importance is the southern California Library for social studies and research on Vermont. It is well known for their extensive collection of books, posters, political pamphlets and other memorabilia in connection with struggle in Los Angeles. Philips who is a Los Angeles native, author of many in his fiction uses geography to discuss race, class and social fabric of Los Angeles. He touches on Downtown gentrification, Japanese in the Crenshaw District, the Library Tower among others. City of Quartz is another site evident in the â€Å"A people’s Guide to Los Angeles†. Davis took it as his responsibility in correcting of Banham's refusal to look into Los Angeles's shadows and alleyways. City of Quartz is the closest that could be used to giving Los Angeles the noir sociological treatment that it deserves. Davis lays bare the structures of power, inequality, and violence that diminished the Californian dream. He also highlights a cast of villains that i ncludes the real estate and railway barons who carved the place up in the twentieth century. Davis produced affecting chapters such as the ones on the militarization of the city through initiatives designed to keep out homeless people, and his account of the creation of the new downtown. He tells

Ratio Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ratio Analysis - Essay Example The paper uses Profitability, efficiency, liquidity and shareholder ratios as the basic tools. The more complex tools like IRR, WACC etc are ignored to keep the analysis simple and meaningful. In addition, the paper identifies the Key Performance indicators (KPIs) of the company and highlights the basic steps taken by the company to achieve the KPI targets. The company’s current year’s results with respect to the KPI targets are also discussed and highlighted. To:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Board of Directors of Go Ahead group Plc. From:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Robert Frost, Accountant Re:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ratio Analysis and KPI discussion Date:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  February 25, 2013 With regard to your concerning the analysis of organizational financial performance and position, I would like to present this report which summarized, analyzes and properly interprets the basic financial ratios of the co mpany. I hope it will be of great help for you to understand and target the areas where improvement is required and further take strategic actions to improve and sustain the strong growth areas of our business. Introduction Go Ahead Group Plc is a leading company in the public transport industry. The company has a high regard in the industry for having social, financial and environmental aims working together at its core strategic plans. The company aims at providing transportation in the urban and other areas with less delays, high environmental targets and social responsibility. The company has captured the highest share of the transportation industry by focusing on the KPIs it has set. The company has also improved its efficiency and effectiveness in operations by reducing waiting times, increasing punctuality, spending more on security and comfort of the people and availability of their services with proper schedules and plans. The company’s financial analysis and discuss ion on its core competences is given below. Ratio Analysis Current & Previous Year The Return on Net Assets ratio reveals that the company is using the net assets very efficiently in carrying out its operations. The company is employing and making higher than expected profits by properly allocating the assets. The Return on Shareholders’ Funds in 2011 and 2012 shows significant returns to meet the company’s profit demands. Moreover, it completely satisfies the shareholders on the use and allocation of their shareholdings as per the returns generated in the two years under consideration. The operating profit margin, although slightly lower than previous year, is satisfactory. Moreover, if the one-off benefit is eliminated, the company shows an increase of ?8.1m in operating profit. Hence, the actual operating profit margin is higher than the previous year further showing a strengthened financial position of the company. The ROCE of 17.6% and 19.2% is satisfactory in 201 2 and 2011 respectively (Appendix 1). The slight reduction is not worrying, yet it should be stopped from recurrence to maintain the position that the company holds. The net asset

Overview On Evidence Based Nursing Nursing Essay

Overview On Evidence Based Nursing Nursing Essay According to Olade (2004), nursing practice using observed phenomena and evidences is an example of education which refers to formalized experiences designed to enlarge the knowledge or skills of nursing educators or practitioners. Through experiences and evidences, the ability to learn actual clinical practice and the orientation in health care protocols and policies in handling patients needs will be achieved. This method is also termed as Evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice involves a combination of many disciplines, including aspects of multidisciplinary sciences to promote the restoration and maintenance of health in our clients (Davies, 2005). Much literature has been published on this topic in recent years, an evolving subject and concept for specific practices that promote more effective, safer and more efficient ways of caring (Drenkard Cohen, 2004). Maintaining and improving high satisfaction and job retention among nurses is an important area to discover (Ebe ll, 2008). To achieve this, we need a workforce to continually strive for excellence, be responsible and flexible enough, have the confidence to face the challenges, and inspire everyone with a shared vision. These are strengths needed by nursing staff to motivate others health care provider to fulfill their potential and achieve goals (Littlefield, 2005). Researches, studies and articles were utilized and analyzed in gathering the necessary information needed. Clinical education, skills and practices are the key concepts used in this paper. Challenges Possession of knowledge and competency in performing skills and interventions which can be acquired in hands on training is essential in practicing the profession especially in the medical-surgical unit where I supervise. As a nursing professional, tangible skills and knowledge in a hospital setting is very important in managing clients and supervising clients (Burns Foley, 2005). Evidences were identified through thorough assessment and research. The challenges discussed below were identified through gathering of recent information in my Medical-Surgical unit and data that focuses on this subject. Communicating effectively at all levels is a common barrier in the implementation of change among health care in various settings (Kleinman, 2004). As a member of the hospital workforce, a nurse must have the capability to communicate effectively in a non-judgmental way and stimulate other colleagues to think critically. They must also arouse enthusiasm and develop quick thinking and imagination. Moreover, they must also demonstrate resourcefulness and professionalism with infinite patience, understanding, confidence and perseverance are also challenges (Bryar et al, 200). According to Kleinman (2004), health care professionals are striving constantly to improve and develop the standards of care. Meeting the challenges require health care providers to be effective leaders who foster a culture and develop partnerships that embraces innovation (Salsberg, 2008). Organizational culture and leadership style result to staff satisfaction, increased productivity, improved patient care well-functioning teams (Drenkard Cohen, 2004). Getting health information about new knowledge is also a critical case or situation, but we have to look at how to make the system on healthcare execute its purpose better for certain facility so that the provided care is more efficient, accessible and effective (Pravikoff et al., 2005). Recent studies have reported gaps between nursing practice and researches (Brancato 2006) and identified different challenges that prevent the evidence to clinical practice to translate into clinical settings (Olade 2004). These challenges in applying evidence-based practice in nursing have been consistent across researches. One challenge is that, in the generation and development of new medical and nursing knowledge, the resistance of profession has often been incorporated with the new ways of practice (Young, 2004). The study suggests that much recent practices are based frequently on tradition, experience and intuition, rather than validation of science (Pravikoff et al., 2005, Egerod Hansen 2005). Furthermore, the growing numbers of nurse studies and researches designed to develop and improve nursing practice at the staff nurse level cannot make nurses improve their skills, research knowledge and understanding. They frequently lack nurses formal training such as scientific inquiries (Fink et al. 2005, Melnyk 2005, Melnyk et al. 2004, Pravikoff et al. 2005, Olade 2004). Institutional challenges to Evidenced-based Practice have also been identified. Moreover, challenges according to Melnyk (2005) were also found such as difficulty gaining support financially for the programs and trainings that ensure the effectiveness of skills, practice, leadership and integration of the program with existing practice of care through trainings and seminars and sustainable momentum during the shift of culture. Study also revealed that these challenges are not limited to those who implement the program (Young, 2004). In general, the main role of nurses is focused on providing effective, quality care. Hence, more advanced and competent means of preparing nurses to supervise and manage their patient is important (Briggs et al., 2004). These challenges must be addressed properly by the implementation of appropriate approach and programs to increase the knowledge and experience. Skill development for nursing educators must constantly be framed within the context of individualized patients. Nursing educators should make themselves aware of every situation happening in the field and make it a motivational means to improve the profession by proper preparation and education (Welk, 2007). Therefore, the need for implementing evidenced-based approach to nursing practice is essential in addressing these issues. Strategies for Implementing an Evidence-based Approach to Nursing Practice The nursing profession enters a new era not knowing what to expect. Yes, patient care is the same everywhere, but they must be comfortable with the environment they are placed in. Adaptation is crucial in the clinical arena (Kleinman (2004). Evidenced-based practice and clinical experience may become a highly useful and effective strategy in clinical practice. The nurse becomes less apprehensive about the clinical environment and becomes more client-focused, therefore increasing the effectiveness of care. This also provides the nurse an opportunity for role modeling as the client and family maintains and develops standards of practice and competent care in a familiar environment (Foster, 2007). In implementing an evidenced-based approach to nursing practice, nursing professionals must learn the ability to have excellent learning and communication skills, exhibit organizational and leadership ability (Salsberg, 2008). The particular problem which is the main issue of the study conducted by Rosswurm and Larrabee (2005) which suggests that the ability of nurses to perform their responsibilities and duties by exhibiting clinical skills and professional abilities are important. Nurses must possess good assessment skills and have good insight and judgment skills in order to anticipate or interpret the needs of the client in health care practice (Hewson, 2006). This evidenced-based model can be used to accommodate change process for the observed facts and laws that can be related to a particular aspect of nursing practice (Burns Foley, 2005). Communication practices must be addressed to identify and effectively set goals. Communicating effectively at all levels is a common barrier in the implementation of change among health care in various settings (Henderson, 2009). In addition,Littlefield (2005) strongly agrees that effective communication is the major factor in the success of effective learning outcomes for the implementation of new approaches, especially in a multicultural environment. As nurses play a different role at different time periods, communication should be considered in my Medical-Surgical unit in order to maintain the effectiveness and quality for the future improvement. Communication plays an essential role in enhancing clinical learning environment. Hallin Danielson (2009) describe that the role of communication is more concerned with the development of clinical competency by using strategies such as role modeling, feedback and questioning, within a supportive, safe and welcoming manner. For experienced nursing practitioners in hospital settings such as the Medical-Surgical unit, financial support and educational programs should provide resources to maintain theoretical and clinical competence (Hagger McIntyre, 2007). The key to successful client management is communication in caring for patients. Some of the activities being practiced in a hospital setting are the provision of the most current information possible for the nurses and nursing educators using the evidence-based practice and through collaborative approach of health care professionals (Lichtman, 2008). It is also useful to have and possess general skills needed to be competent in educating and training nursing personnel in health facility (Welk, 2007). I can share my ability to have excellent teaching and communication skills, exhibit organizational and leadership ability in my unit. The particular factor which is the main issue in improving the knowledge to perform their responsibilities and duties through exhibiting clinical skills and professional abilities is really important. Nursing practitioners must also support the possession of good assessment skills and have good insight and judgment skills in order to anticipate or interpret the needs of the client in health care practice (Foster, 2007). Lastly, trainings, workshops or programs should be properly planned and outlined to provide information and instruction for nurses in the principles of teaching and learning different skills, pedagogical styles, and valid evaluation techniques. According to Hewson (2006), workshops for nurses would impart knowledge and skills essential for success in the clinical setting. Embracing the knowledge and acquired skills in a familiar environment provides the practitioner with an increased level of confidence in the educational development of nursing professionals (Salsberg, 2008). To properly accommodate the strategies mentioned above, the conceptual model for translating evidence into clinical practice authored by Rosswurm and Larrabee (2005) will be helpful to promote the change process. This model recognized that translation of research into practice requires a solid grounding in change theory, principles of research utilization, and use of standardized nomenclature. The model has the following six phases: 1) assess the need for change in practice, 2) link the problem with interventions and outcomes, 3) synthesize the best evidence, 4) design a change in practice, 5) implement and evaluate the practice, and 6) integrate and maintain the practice change. The model provides a pragmatic, theory-driven framework for empowering clinicians in the process of evidence-based practice. The first phase is assessing the need for change in practice which searches for evidence to support the change. The second phase is linking the problem, interventions, and outcomes by using standardized nursing classification systems and nomenclature to identify the problem, and the desired outcomes .The third phase is synthesizing the best evidence by organizing systematic and critical strategies. The fourth phase is designing the practice change by identifying strategies to explore the original issue further and to implement it into practice. The fifth phase is the implementation and evaluation of change in practice by building and fortifying systems identifying problems, communicating and managing changes. The last phase is integrating and maintaining the change in practice, this step of the model is pending further evaluation and consideration (Rosswurm and Larrabee, 2005). This model is applicable to the subject because of its nature in terms of change process and method. Behavior, skills, competency, personal traits and knowledge can be addressed through the utilization of this model (Lichtman, 2008). Freiburger (2004) suggests that learning style in practice can be changed according to the situation such as when going through a new experience and at different maturation. Towards the end when an individual becomes confident and starts to discover new things by him/herself shows that evidenced-base approach of learning (Young, 2004). Conclusion Knowledge and competitiveness is a product of evidenced-based practice. Experience and effective learning processes are essential in actual clinical practice of the nursing profession. To be an effective nurse, one should begin with the individual appraisal of ones self competency and enhanced education based on practices and trainings taken previously during undergraduate and graduate studies, workshops, trainings, continuing education, and preparation for teaching seminars or modules including the conceptual, academic and clinical orientation (Foster, 2007). Competitiveness is largely based on innate potentials and motivations afforded by the familiarity of a learning environment. Accordingly, the primary responsibility of the nurse to the patient is to give him/her the kind of care the patient condition needs regardless of race, creed, color, nationality or status (Salsberg, 2008). The nurse must also advocate the rights and serve as facilitator of patients well being (Foster, 2007). In doing so, the patients care shall be based on subjective and objective evidence, needs, the physicians order and the ailment, and the involvement of the patient and the family. Evidence-based practice promotes understanding of the differing values held by people in other cultures (Henderson, 2009). For example, it helps the client understand why other people in one culture may regard with approval of their practices of exposing their elderly members to the harmful elements, while people in other cultures may abhor such practice (Henderson, 2009). The strength of this critical thinking and decision-making is its recognition of the relationship between personal values and a choi ce of action. It also equates personal values and wrong action and recognizes limits of personal experience and perspective and it implies that a persons moral judgments are infallible. I believe the richness or intensity of the inculcation of knowledge, positive values and skills of a person is not simply based on the innate capacity of one to evaluate, think, reason and interact in a learning situation. It also equally depends on the quality of the nursing experiences which are either limited by the nurses ability and will to choose or by what is desirable to her which is readily accessible in the environment. Nursing education, concepts and programs for improving the knowledge in health facility should also be provided to maintain theoretical and clinical competence of health setting and facilities. From what I have learned in my own area of practice, the key to successful knowledge development is competent learning and effective communication during the practice to achieve the goal of competency. This will determine the path of being an effective and competent nursing professional.

Differences between men and women Essay

What is the difference between males and females? We notice the different dressing styles, different roles in the workplace and how we spend our leisure time, how we wear our emotions, and also how differently we think. But a question arises. Are males and females really different in every aspect? The first question we ask when a baby is born is: â€Å"Is it a boy or a girl?† Though most people accept most of the socially prescribed roles for the gender they were born with, some struggle against what they see as rigid and arbitrary social norms. In this essay, I will describe and give my input on the roles of human sexuality and gender. Most people think of sex and gender as one and the same when in fact they are not. Wood, Wood, and Boyd (2005) define sex as â€Å"a biological term, while gender is more commonly used to refer to the psychological and social variables associated with one’s sex† (p. 410). In the biological approach, when defining the sociocultural characteristics of masculinity and femininity, cultures look into the behaviors each gender should act upon. Males should be the dominant figure. They should be strong, competitive, be able to stand their ground, confident, and independent. Women on the other had are expected to be the exact opposite. They should be dependent, caring, encouraging, emotional, and nurturing. As children approach the age of two or so, they start to realize the roles such as attitudes, interest, and behaviors, in which males and females are supposed to portray. This is referred to as gender typing. When understanding which roles are to be taken, then they can star t their development. In the psychoanalytic theory, Freud asserts that children’s thoughts about gender occur out of a clash relating to their feelings about their parents. Generally, they would like to tie a bond between the opposite-sex parent but end up doing so with the same-sex parent in order to settle this clash, taking on that’s parent’s gender-related behavior and ideas. â€Å"At the same time, they defer their love for the opposite-sex parent in the hope that someday they will be able to achieve a sexual relationship with a partner who is similar to him or her† (Wood et. al., 2005, p. 411). I can agree with Freud’s psychoanalytic theory to a certain extent. What  would the opposite-sex parent do in a family with no boys or no girls? Would he/she take over some traits that the same-sex parent would give to the children? My mother and father had four boys including myself. Being in the situation my mother was in considering there were no girls, she felt a need to rub off some of her traits to us boys. While my father taught us the game of baseball and how to mow the lawn, my mother taught us our table manners and to how to do the laundry. We shared a bond to both of our parents equally. But overall, we all feel the same way in which we want our future wives to be close to, if not exactly like our mother. In the social learning theory, children look for role models to follow, where they imitate that person and want to be like him/her. But say if a boy started doing something that is out of his gender role, such as trying on his mother’s high heels, he will be informed by his father that it is not appropriate for him to do such a thing. Psychologists say that yes imitating and reinforcing may play a part in the gender role development, but it does not offer a complete clarification of this occurrence. Lawrence Kohlberg’s cognitive developmental theory â€Å"suggests that an understanding if gender is a prerequisite to gender role development† (1966; Kohlberg & Ullian, 1974, p. 412). This theory explains that children go through three stages that are necessary to developing the concept of gender. The first stage happens when the child is around the ages of two and three, which is gender identity, or the sense of being male or female. The next stage occurs at four and five, which is gender stability, the understanding that boys will be boys and girls will be girls forever. Then the last stage is when the child has reached six and eight. It is known as gender constancy, or the knowledge that gender will not change, despite the clothes they wear or the activities they participate in. But Kohlberg failed to mention â€Å"why many gender-role appropriate behaviors and preferences are observed in children as young as age 2 or 3, long before gender constancy is acquired† (Bussey & Bandura, 1999; Jacklin, 1989; Martin & Little, 1990, p. 412). I guess it just depends on the educational techniques used on the children. My brothers and I were taught a lot at a very young age, so we had a little bit of a head start. Like the cognitive developmental theory, Sandra Bem’s gender schema theory (1981) emphasizes that children begin to use gender as a way to pick up and sort out information. But the gender schema theory says that this process happens earlier with the gaining of gender identity other than gender constancy. Also like social learning theory, the gender schema theory indicates â€Å"young children are motivated to pay more attention to and behave in ways consistent with the gender-based standards and stereotypes of their culture† (Wood et. al., 2005, p. 412). I think television can become a major factor in a child’s behavior because they can watch shows that are unsuitable for their viewing, and while growing older they can become more fascinated with sexual activity. When becoming sexually involved with another person, both males and females experience four phases of when engaged in sex, called the sexual response cycle. The first phase is the excitement phase, and this is simply when the female undresses for the male and the male uses verbal expressions of affection to stimulate the female. The blood flow starts pumping and the heart beats faster and faster until they reach the second phase, which is the plateau phase. Here excitement keeps rising for the preparation of the third phase, the orgasm. While males only have one, females can have multiple. After that, everything starts to slow down and goes back to its unaroused state. This is known as the resolution phase or the tapering-off period. Sexual activity varies from culture to culture. Furthermore, â€Å"what is perceived as sexually attractive in males and females may differ dramatically† (Woods et. al., 2005, p. 421). Agreed, differences in attraction may occur, even with the same sex. Someone’s sexual orientation describes the preferences at which someone is attracted to either the opposite or that of their own sex. Studies show that males are twice as likely to be homosexual than females. Berenbaum & Snyder (1995) say that if the androgens, or hormones that make one masculine, are too high or too low, can make the brain develop more masculine or feminine which homosexual orientation is more likely. Most of the time it is all in the genes, but other times it is that person’s choice to be homosexual, even  if others may not be on the same page. Some people can be homophobic, which in my view is extremely improper. Whoever thinks that it is wrong should take a step back, let those people live their lives and start worrying about their own. I have known many people who were homophobic and it just pushed my buttons to see how cruel they can be to someone with a different sexual orientation. I do see where they are coming from, on the other hand. I do think it is weird to see two homosexual men holding hands or kissing, but I always come to an understanding that they are who they are and nothing can change that. They want to feel the comfort of another. In general, they want to love just as much as heterosexual couples do, so I praise them for that. With homosexual activity and even heterosexual activity, there comes a price if a couple chooses to have unprotected sex. There are many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but the major ones are Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, which all can be cured by antibiotics. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are critical to women because if they in fact do have any of these, they do not have any early stages of infections. Since they do not treat it on time, then it can lead to infertility. Viral STDs include genital herpes, genital warts, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which cannot be cured. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. It attacks the immune system, and can cause cancer or other dysfunctions. In order to prevent spreading STDs one should avoid sex with multiple partners, and also use a latex condom with a spermicide. With the growing rate of STDs nowadays, and the amount of television commercials informing teenagers and adults to practice safe sex and get tested for HIV or AIDS, I do not understand why people still have unsafe sex. It is not that difficult to â€Å"strap up† before â€Å"doing the deed† or â€Å"keep it in your pants,† that is unless you are prepared to have a child and have been tested along with your partner. I have known many males and females who have had unprotected sex and regret ever doing so, a couple of which becoming pregnant. From their point of  view, they feel lost because they cannot support their children and give them the attention they need in order to have a secure, fulfilling childhood.