YOUTH MEDIA SURVEY
Teen Magazines
For this, I chose the following teen magazines: Teen Vogue; Seventeen; YM; Cosmo Girl and Teen People. I read each one cover to cover as required. Included in this section are my notes on the contents of each magazine and my personal reflections.
To begin, the first thing I observed about youth media is the extensive amount of advertising. I noticed heavy emphasis on style, fashion and beauty in every magazine, some more than the rest. For instance, Teen Vogue dealt mostly with fashion and beauty. For example, articles discussed shopping, top fashion trends, fashion in the family, shaking the dress code and searching the streets of London for the city’s trademark quirky chic. Teen Vogue also contained an article on the teen breast implant boom. In my opinion, the article showed breast implant surgery in a positive light. To me, the article seemed to be saying everyone is doing it and parents are OK with it too. The article stated that, “in 2003 more than 11,000 girls 18 and younger had breast augmentation.”
Overall, I noticed the focus on being beautiful, especially for teenage girls, and the magazine seemed to target their desire for beauty. Even in feature articles, they would highlight all the clothing worn by the person in the photos. Finally, I did not think this magazine was very Christian friendly. I say this mostly because the magazine seemed to emphasize outward beauty via material things and nothing more. As a result, it seemed more like a clothes advertising catalog with a few articles in between. Second, Seventeen was the only one of the five magazines I chose that had a section devoted to faith. The faith section included segments on prayer, role models, inspirational quotes and a story about a trend of more young couples going for counseling before they are engaged. This magazine dealt with health issues and real life issues such as voting and making a difference in the lives of others. Even their stories on dating seemed more positive and helpful in their focus (i.e., staying together vs. breakups). Seventeen included articles such as how to relieve stress, workouts that help prepare you for sports tryouts and fundraising ideas. They also included an article on the dangers of liposuction.
In my opinion, Seventeen was the most Christian friendly magazine out of the five I chose. In my opinion, it had more depth of character than other magazines I read. Seventeen’s focus seemed to be more to make a real difference than to just sell merchandise. The final thing I noticed is that even though Christian friendly, it still included a section on horoscopes and talked about other religious beliefs (i.e., Islam, Atheism) as well.
Third, YM interviewed an athlete and a celebrity and both of them were females. It was reading YM that the thought hit me that all the magazines I was reading targeted teen girls. Obviously, Cosmo Girl is for girls but then, all the rest seemed to be for girls too. Interviews, advertising featuring women and feature articles dealing with topics of interest to girls. YM seemed to be just your basic lots of advertising, celebrities, hair and boys type of magazine.
In my opinion, YM seemed to be more neutral as far as Christian friendly vs. Christian hostile goes. It did not strike me one way or the other.
Fourth, Cosmo Girl seemed to have a New Age flare to it. I say this because of articles that discuss the color of your aura, talking to psychics, horoscopes and signs. There were some noteworthy articles though on girls in combat, obesity & anorexia, acing the SAT, being smart with credit and voting. They also featured 10 teen girls who are entrepreneurs. The thought occurred to me that Cosmo Girl attempts to empower women. For example, it featured girls in combat, entrepreneurs, going to college, handling finances and having a voice in politics.
Finally, Teen People touched on both sides of the issues presented in their magazine. For example, in an article on the abortion debate, they discussed the pros and the cons. On a Christian friendly note, they covered topics such as serving in the community and a crisis line for kids whose parents were alcoholics or on drugs. However, on the other side, they also included a section on horoscopes. To me, all of the magazines seem to want to stay away from being a “Christian” magazine. Instead, each magazine appears to be all-inclusive when it comes to religion. It is just that some topics are also Christian friendly.
Music
Top 10 Songs (Hip-Hop)
Top 10 Music Albums
For the music portion of the survey, I chose the genre of Hip-Hop. I listened to the top 10 songs and read the lyrics to each. In August 2004, according to the Original Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive website, the top 10 songs (in order) were: Head Sprung by LL Cool J.; Lean Back by T. Squad; Diamond in the Back by Ludacris; No Problem by Lil Scrappy; Why by Judakiss; Slow Motion by Juvenile; Thief’s Theme by Nas; Sunshine by Lil’ Flip; Let Me In by Young Buck and Jesus Walks by Kanye West. For the most part, these hip-hop songs were about sex, being a “gangsta”, sex, drugs, violence, sex, guns, money and more sex. Yet, in the midst of all of this, the #10 song was about needing Jesus.
In addition, I read the lyrics to the top 10 albums as of October 8, 2004. According to the Billboard website, the albums are (in order): Rascal Flatts, Feels Like Today; Hilary Duff, Hilary Duff; Ciara, Goodies; Green Day, American Idiot; Nelly, Suit; The Used; In Love and Death; Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company; Nelly, Sweat; Marilyn Manson, Lest We Forget: The Best Of and Tim McGraw, Live Like You Were Dying.
I read the lyrics of each album off of the Daps Lyrics website. In this section, I will include my summary of those lyrics. Rascal Flatts, Feels like Today album was about life changing, dreams coming true, finding true love in a woman, the pain of losing love and the freedom of the open road. Hilary Duff was about taking control of your life and not hiding yet there was another song on the album called hideaway, which was about hiding. Hilary Duff also sang about feeling the pain of life yet having hope, revealing different things about who she is and her personality, the decision to break up with a someone or not, a person who brightens her world and about a girl who took her boyfriend away from her. Ciara sang about sex, dancing and relationships. Green Day screamed about America being an idiot and how we are a nation controlled by the media, they mention suicide in their songs several times, sang about losing a girlfriend and about walking through life alone with broken dreams. Nelly has two albums in the top 10 right now, Sweat & Suit. Sweat is about clubbing and sex while in Suit, Nelly sings about his relationships with girls in his life. The Used sang songs about being a fake, not listening and someone leaving them. To me, The Used and Green Day both seem to be lonely and angry type albums. However, The Used did include a love song on the In Love & Death album as well. The only song I could find for Marilyn Manson’s album was Personal Jesus. I think the song was saying your personal Jesus is telephone sex and to reach out to that person on the other end of the telephone because they will be forgiving and caring toward you. Tim McGraw sang about divorce, going for your dreams, carrying on in troubled times, people hating you when you are successful, people choosing drugs or Jesus, not listening and getting in trouble and about memories. There were also a couple of songs about relationships. Finally, Ray Charles’s album, Genius Loves Company, was mostly duets with other famous performers, hence the title of the album. It was a very jazzy, soulful sounding album in the spirit of Ray Charles.
Conversations with Youth
First off, I just want to say this portion of the survey was the most challenging for me. From formulating the questions to initiating conversations with strange kids and asking them personal questions. However, I did get through a few interviews alive and I will include my conversations with them here. In the interviews, I asked the kids about who their role models are and about media influences in their lives such as, movies, music and TV. In addition, we discussed their views on voting and on prayer. I asked whether the choices they make in their daily lives reflect their beliefs and values and how did they decide what is right and what is wrong. Still yet, I asked the interviewees about the problems they face in youth culture today, what it is like to be a kid today and how they plan to make a difference with their life. Finally, I asked for their thoughts on the critical issue of portraying violence in youth media.
The interview questions were as follows:
Who inspires you (role models)? Why?
Media Influence: Movies, music & T.V. programs. Why did you choose these?
If you could vote, would you? Why or why not?
Do you pray? Why or why not?
Do your choices reflect your values and beliefs? How do you determine if something is right or wrong?
What issues/problems do you face in youth culture today?
What are your thoughts on the critical issue of violence portrayed in movies?
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
Their answers were as follows (no names included):
#1
Who inspires you? Why? My friends. They encourage me to be the best I can be. Media influences: movies, songs, T.V. programs. Why did you choose/like them? Lord of the Rings, they are exciting and full of adventure. Simple Plan and Avril Lavinge, they seem to know who I am. Law & Order, they teach her about what is happening in the world. If you could vote, would you? No, I do not want to because I do not feel like I could choose between two equally deserving people. Do you pray? Why or why not? Yes, I am a Christian and God wants us to always talk to Him. Are your choices based on your values and beliefs? They are in between. I do not listen to any rap. Some of the music I listen to has a small amount of cursing and that is all. What issues do you face in youth culture today? People pretend to be your friend when they want something from you. What are your thoughts on violence in movies? Well, it is ok to some extent but not anything too terribly gruesome. Finally, what do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I want to be an Aerospace Engineer because I want to be involved with the new discoveries of the universe.
#2
Who inspires you? Why? Kobe Bryant - I like basketball. Media influences: movies, songs, T.V. programs. Why did you choose/like them? Blade II - it has vampires and Cheaper by the Dozen because it is funny. I listen to Usher because he can sing and dance. I watch Disney Channel and Nickelodeon on T.V. because the shows are funny and I can learn from them. If you could vote, would you? Yes, I would vote for Bush because I think he did the right thing. Do you pray? Why or why not? Yes, I pray because it works. How do you determine what is right and wrong? God tells me what is right and wrong. What issues/problems do you face in youth culture today? I don’t really, because I love everybody. Finally, what do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I want to be a basketball player because I am good at it.
#3
Who inspires you? Why? My teacher, Mrs. Maloney, because she cares about me and I can talk to her about life. Media influences: movies, songs, T.V. programs. Why did you choose/like them? Master of Disguise because I liked the impersonations, especially the one of President Bush. I listen to Shania Twain and Brad Paisley too. They sing about real life and about relationships. I watch Sabrina the Teenage Witch on T.V. because she does magic and can do anything she wants. I know magic is not real though. If you could vote, would you? Yes, I would vote for Kerry because I have heard a lot of bad things about Bush but not about Kerry. Do you pray? Why or why not? Yes, I pray to God because he answers them. Are your choices based on your values and beliefs? I am just enjoying being a kid and watch what is appropriate for my age now because I will grow up and my taste will change. What issues/problems do you face in youth culture today? I don’t like it when people do illegal things, like drinking and driving. What are your thoughts on violence in movies? I do not like to see blood in the movies because of an experience I had in real life. I won’t watch movies like Silence of the Lambs or Scream. Finally, what do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I want to be a math or science teacher because those are my favorite subjects.
#4
Who inspires you? Why? My best friends because they are funny and we hang out together. Media influences: movies, songs, T.V. programs. Why did you choose/like them? Harry Potter because of the scary action, Pirates of the Caribbean because of the skeletons, Shrek 2 because it is funny. I listen to Bow Wow. I like rap music. I watch the Romeo Show because it is funny. If you could vote, would you? Yes, I would vote for Bush because I want him to have another term. Voting is important because you vote for the best decision maker, whose decisions you like. Do you pray? Why or why not? Yes, but just before meals. I don’t know why I don’t pray at other times. What issues do you face in youth culture today? Discipline issues at school. Blackmail and bribery from kids. What are your thoughts on violence in movies? Sometimes it is OK, not too much though because you do stupid things if there is too much of it in the stuff you watch. You keep thinking about it and ask your parents if you can do it too. Finally, what do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I want to be S.W.A.T team or a CIA agent because they use weapons.
#5
Who inspires you? Why? No one, I don’t have an older brother or anything. Media influences: movies, songs, T.V. programs. Why did you choose/like them? I don’t really watch movies. I like to ride my bike and rollerblade and go to the park instead. I listen to the Backstreet Boys because they have smooth voices. I watch Antique Road Show on T.V. because they have rare things on there and tell you about them and how much money they are worth. If you could vote, would you? No, but my mom and everyone I know is for John Kerry so I would probably vote for George W. Do you pray? Why or why not? No, because I don’t know any prayers. Are your choices based on your values and beliefs? They are based on what I do best in life. What issues do you face in youth culture today? Kids swear (cursing) and then beat me up if I don’t swear (curse) too. Finally, what do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I don’t know. I change my mind a lot. I’ve wanted to be a firefighter before because I like dogs. I’ve also wanted to be a police officer.
#6
Who inspires you? Why? Haley, my best friend, because she doesn’t lie. Media influences: movies, songs, T.V. programs. Why did you choose/like them? Cheater Girls because I like the dancing. I listen to Alisha Keys and Beyonce because I want to be a singer too. I watch Sister, Sister, Lizzie McGuire and Raven on T.V. Do you pray? Why or why not? Yes, sometimes, because it works. Are your choices based on your values and beliefs? My choices are based on what my parents say. What issues do you face in youth culture today? My brother is always giving me a hard time and gets on my nerves. Finally, what do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I want to be a singer like Alisha Keys.
#7
Who inspires you? Why? My best friend, Riana, because she is nice to me and we share common interests. Media influences: movies, songs, T.V. programs. Why did you choose/like them? I haven’t seen any movies lately but I see movies that look like they’ll be funny. I like Michael W. Smith and his new song Healing Rain. On T.V., I watch Drake & Josh on Nickelodeon because it makes me laugh and it teaches you how to get out of trouble. I also watch Ghost Hunters where they are searching for ghosts. I like it because it is scary. Do you pray? Why or why not? Yes, because God tells us to because it is important. Are your choices based on your values and beliefs? Yes, my decisions are made to be good to God. Finally, what do you want to be when you grow up? Why? I want to be firefighter because I want to rescue the world.
In conclusion, some of my final reflections on the interviews are that no child said their parents inspired them. When talking about role models, it was generally a peer, a friend, rather than a mom, dad or even a relative that they mentioned. In addition, it was great interviewing boys and girls, Caucasians and African-Americans, Christians and non-Christians because the perspectives were so diverse and the culture within a culture pronounced. Since I telephoned a few of the youth, I also have different geographic regions of the country represented such as, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas as well as CO. Finally, there is a distinct difference in the responses of churched/Christian youth vs. non-churched/non-Christian youth. The interviewing may have been challenging but, it was also very rewarding to talk to the kids like this and learn from them.
Bibliography
Billboard Album Charts, available from http://www.billboard.com/bb/charts/bb200.jsp;
Internet; accessed 8 October 2004.
Cosmo Girl, Vol. 6, Iss: 7, September 2004.
Daps Lyrics, available from http://www.dapslyrics.com; accessed 8 October 2004.
Seventeen, Vol. 63, No. 9, September 2004.
Teen People, September 2004.
Teen Vogue, September 2004.
The Original Hip-Hop Lyrics Archive; available from http://www.ohhla.com/most.html;
Internet; accessed 15 August 2004.
YM, September 2004.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Annotated Bibliography: Rage, Violence and Gunfire
Critical Issue Project on
Rage, Violence and Gunfire
Annotated Bibliography
Introduction
This annotated bibliography is an attempt to collate a general resource on the broad terms of rage, violence & gunfire, with emphasis given to adolescents. Most of the sites and published resources below cover the causes and prevention of juvenile crime however, how they approach these topics differ and each resource will contain original and unique information as well.
________________________________________________________________________
http://www.teen-violence.com
This site contains a fact sheet of statistics on teen violence. It covers the period from 1989-1998. It includes statistics from a wide range of topics concerning teen violence such as, school violence, home violence, gangs and guns. It also lists warning signs for whether a child is at risk of joining a gang. There are also expanded links discussing guns/weapons, school and home violence. This site also contains links for chat and news. In the reference section of the statistics fact sheet, there are links for further study as well. _______________________________________________________________________
American Psychological Association Help Center: “Warning signs of Teen Violence”
Available: http://www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=38 {2004}
This site is a comprehensive guide to teen violence. It discusses the following:
• Reasons for Violence
• Recognizing Violence Warning Signs In Others
• If Someone You Know Shows Violence Warning Signs
• Dealing with Anger
• Are You At Risk For Violent Behavior?
• Controlling Your Own Risk for Violent Behavior
• Violence against Self
_______________________________________________________________________
Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints
Published Book {2002}
This book covers juvenile rage, violence and gunfire all in one book. It appears to be unbiased toward the subject of juvenile crime but instead, it reveals opposing viewpoints of the same issues through a compilation of articles, speeches and long book excerpts. It reveals some causes of juvenile crime and discusses how to combat juvenile crime. This book touches on the subject of gang-related juvenile crime as well.
_______________________________________________________________________
How Can Gun Violence Be Reduced?
Published Book {2002}
This book discusses the following topics. One, does gun control reduce gun violence or not? Two, gun control poses a threat to self-defense. Three, compromising gun control can reduce gun violence. Four, do concealed-carry laws reduce violent crime or no? Five, do personalized guns reduce gun violence or not? Six, targeting illegal firearms trafficking can help reduce gun violence. Finally, enforcing current gun laws will reduce gun violence. There is also a section on organizations to contact concerning issues debated in the book. ________________________________________________________________________
Gun Violence: Opposing Viewpoints
Published Book {2002}
This book deals with questions such as, how serious is the problem of gun violence, does private ownership of handguns increase the threat of gun violence, and does the constitution protect private gun ownership and how to reduce gun violence. It is structured the same as the Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints book listed above. It also appears to be unbiased toward the subject of gun violence but instead, it reveals opposing viewpoints of the same issues through a compilation of articles, speeches and long book excerpts. ________________________________________________________________________
Lasting Impressions: Dealing with Violence in the Media
Video VHS
Here you will find suggestions for monitoring what your child watches on television and dealing with violence in the media. In addition, the viewer will learn how news channels determine the stories they cover in the news each day. The video also provides information for additional resources on this subject such as, books, organizations, video resources and websites. ________________________________________________________________________
Criminal Justice Resources: Crime Prevention
Available: http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/crimjust/crimprev.htm
Provides links to a variety of resources on crime prevention. Some of those links are as follows:
Crime: Causes and Prevention
http://www.ncpa.org/pi/crime/crime71.html
A compilation of resources by the National Center on Policy Analysis.
(Last checked 01/06/04)
Crime Prevention Coalition of America
http://www.crimepreventcoalition.org/
Check out the bulletin section for upcoming conferences, events, etc.
Also listed under Associations.
(Last checked 01/06/04)
Crime Prevention Digest
http://safetypub.com/cpd/cpd.htm
Personal safety tips for parents and children written in simple language and presented in slide show format.
Last checked 08/25/04)
Crime Stoppers International, Inc.
http://www.c-s-i.org/
Crime Stoppers is an effort to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement. There are over 1,000 Crime Stoppers programs all over the world. Also listed under Associations.
Last checked 01/06/04)
National Crime Prevention Council On-Line Resource Center
http://www.ncpc.org/
The On-Line Resource Center provides useful information about crime prevention, community building, comprehensive planning, and fun stuff for kids. The NCPC also sponsors an annual conference.
Last checked 01/06/04)
Rage, Violence and Gunfire
Annotated Bibliography
Introduction
This annotated bibliography is an attempt to collate a general resource on the broad terms of rage, violence & gunfire, with emphasis given to adolescents. Most of the sites and published resources below cover the causes and prevention of juvenile crime however, how they approach these topics differ and each resource will contain original and unique information as well.
________________________________________________________________________
http://www.teen-violence.com
This site contains a fact sheet of statistics on teen violence. It covers the period from 1989-1998. It includes statistics from a wide range of topics concerning teen violence such as, school violence, home violence, gangs and guns. It also lists warning signs for whether a child is at risk of joining a gang. There are also expanded links discussing guns/weapons, school and home violence. This site also contains links for chat and news. In the reference section of the statistics fact sheet, there are links for further study as well. _______________________________________________________________________
American Psychological Association Help Center: “Warning signs of Teen Violence”
Available: http://www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=38 {2004}
This site is a comprehensive guide to teen violence. It discusses the following:
• Reasons for Violence
• Recognizing Violence Warning Signs In Others
• If Someone You Know Shows Violence Warning Signs
• Dealing with Anger
• Are You At Risk For Violent Behavior?
• Controlling Your Own Risk for Violent Behavior
• Violence against Self
_______________________________________________________________________
Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints
Published Book {2002}
This book covers juvenile rage, violence and gunfire all in one book. It appears to be unbiased toward the subject of juvenile crime but instead, it reveals opposing viewpoints of the same issues through a compilation of articles, speeches and long book excerpts. It reveals some causes of juvenile crime and discusses how to combat juvenile crime. This book touches on the subject of gang-related juvenile crime as well.
_______________________________________________________________________
How Can Gun Violence Be Reduced?
Published Book {2002}
This book discusses the following topics. One, does gun control reduce gun violence or not? Two, gun control poses a threat to self-defense. Three, compromising gun control can reduce gun violence. Four, do concealed-carry laws reduce violent crime or no? Five, do personalized guns reduce gun violence or not? Six, targeting illegal firearms trafficking can help reduce gun violence. Finally, enforcing current gun laws will reduce gun violence. There is also a section on organizations to contact concerning issues debated in the book. ________________________________________________________________________
Gun Violence: Opposing Viewpoints
Published Book {2002}
This book deals with questions such as, how serious is the problem of gun violence, does private ownership of handguns increase the threat of gun violence, and does the constitution protect private gun ownership and how to reduce gun violence. It is structured the same as the Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints book listed above. It also appears to be unbiased toward the subject of gun violence but instead, it reveals opposing viewpoints of the same issues through a compilation of articles, speeches and long book excerpts. ________________________________________________________________________
Lasting Impressions: Dealing with Violence in the Media
Video VHS
Here you will find suggestions for monitoring what your child watches on television and dealing with violence in the media. In addition, the viewer will learn how news channels determine the stories they cover in the news each day. The video also provides information for additional resources on this subject such as, books, organizations, video resources and websites. ________________________________________________________________________
Criminal Justice Resources: Crime Prevention
Available: http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/crimjust/crimprev.htm
Provides links to a variety of resources on crime prevention. Some of those links are as follows:
Crime: Causes and Prevention
http://www.ncpa.org/pi/crime/crime71.html
A compilation of resources by the National Center on Policy Analysis.
(Last checked 01/06/04)
Crime Prevention Coalition of America
http://www.crimepreventcoalition.org/
Check out the bulletin section for upcoming conferences, events, etc.
Also listed under Associations.
(Last checked 01/06/04)
Crime Prevention Digest
http://safetypub.com/cpd/cpd.htm
Personal safety tips for parents and children written in simple language and presented in slide show format.
Last checked 08/25/04)
Crime Stoppers International, Inc.
http://www.c-s-i.org/
Crime Stoppers is an effort to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement. There are over 1,000 Crime Stoppers programs all over the world. Also listed under Associations.
Last checked 01/06/04)
National Crime Prevention Council On-Line Resource Center
http://www.ncpc.org/
The On-Line Resource Center provides useful information about crime prevention, community building, comprehensive planning, and fun stuff for kids. The NCPC also sponsors an annual conference.
Last checked 01/06/04)
Experiencing God
Experiencing God
I went to the mountains today looking for a secluded spot of natural beauty and tranquility to pray and spend time with God. I found the perfect place and sat down on a flat rock beside a swift flowing stream under the shade of many trees. I feel most at peace when I am surrounded by nature. I hear God’s voice in the roaring of the water and feel His warmth in the sun. I smell His scent in the air and feel His breath on my face in the wind. I thought of the many descriptions of God. He is the Creator of heaven and earth (Gen 14:19); the architect and builder (Heb 11:10); a shade from the heat (Isa 25:4); the consuming fire (Isa 33:14); the spring of living water (Jer 2:13); and Jesus is the rising of the sun (Isa 59:19); Rock eternal (Isa 26:4); the bright Morning Star (Rev 22:16).
The longing to be with God was so great today that when I tried to find the words to express my desire for His presence, I became overwhelmed and the words caught in my throat. There are just no words for me in moments like these. There are only feelings. Words could not have done justice right then anyway so, I just lifted my feelings up to God in a prayer and called out His many names. Great and awesome God Deut 7:21); Holy Father (John 17:11); King of heaven (Dan 4:37); El Shaddai (Gen 17:1) and He who raised Christ from the dead ( Rom 8:11) were just a few of these names.
I believe that God heard me and answered and was with me where I sat. He is the God who sees me (Gen 16:13); He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33). I thanked Him for the beautiful autumn day with an appreciative gaze that could not help but follow the outline of the mountains on the horizon. I praised Him for His infinite wisdom in creating this world as I noticed the autumn leaves turning fall shades of orange and falling to their winter bed. His great plan and His great design for all He has created just intensified the awe I felt for Him. I believe that God heard my praise clearly even in my silence. He is truly one who searches hearts and minds (Rev 2:23); the living Stone (1 Peter 2:4).
Earlier, I had finished the lesson in “Experiencing God” that talked about how we come to know God as we experience Him. Well, I believe I learned something about God today. I learned for the first time that a prayer to Him does not always have to be in words. I believe that He hears and responds to our spirits too and not just our words. I see now how it is possible to pray without ceasing. Through this experience today, I learned that sometimes expressing feelings with words can be limiting just like what I can see with my eyes or hear with my ears. But, this is not so with my spirit. My spirit is infinite and reaches to heaven. He is the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul (1 Peter 2:25); our dwelling place (Ps 90:1).
Also, in one moment, I acknowledged how God has been working in my life and changing me for His purposes. I felt a peace about who I have become and who I am still becoming in Christ despite my tribulations. In that moment, I believed that God is still in control of my life and that even though things don’t look familiar or rosy all the time, I can still trust Him to guide my life. He is my helper (Heb 13:6); my strong deliverer (Ps 140:7); my hope (Ps 25:5); an ever present help in trouble (Ps 46:1); a stronghold in times of trouble (Ps 9:9). It amazed me today to see that a short time in prayer can somehow contain a lifetime of praise, thanksgiving and petitions. It was as if time slowed down and a minute could span a lifetime. This reminded me of the few loaves and fishes that God blessed and fed so many.
As I was praying, I also felt a need in me to take some time to just thank
God out loud for His awesome goodness, amazing grace and many undeserved blessings.
I discovered that there is also incredible power in spoken words. They take on a life all their own. Tears came to my eyes as I voiced my thanks to God. Right then, I felt an intense desire for everyone everywhere to know Christ as their savior. I wanted others to know the horn of salvation (Luke 1:69); the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6); the gate (John 10:7,9); the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45) the Son of the Most High God (Luke 8:28); the resurrection (John 11:25). I wanted others to see for themselves the unseen and hear the unheard that goes on around us as we live out our daily lives. I prayed that everyone would know what an awesome, mighty and living God we serve! I was immediately comforted when Philippians 2: 10-11 came to my mind. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (KJV) I knew then that one day everyone would know how awesome is our God. I just prayed for souls sake that they would know it on this side of eternity.
As I stood up to leave, I did not feel my prayer end. It will never end. I will carry with me all the time...a constant, mindful spirit of prayer. My life is, and I believe always will be, a never-ending prayer. Jesus is the Amen (2 Cor 1:20).
I went to the mountains today looking for a secluded spot of natural beauty and tranquility to pray and spend time with God. I found the perfect place and sat down on a flat rock beside a swift flowing stream under the shade of many trees. I feel most at peace when I am surrounded by nature. I hear God’s voice in the roaring of the water and feel His warmth in the sun. I smell His scent in the air and feel His breath on my face in the wind. I thought of the many descriptions of God. He is the Creator of heaven and earth (Gen 14:19); the architect and builder (Heb 11:10); a shade from the heat (Isa 25:4); the consuming fire (Isa 33:14); the spring of living water (Jer 2:13); and Jesus is the rising of the sun (Isa 59:19); Rock eternal (Isa 26:4); the bright Morning Star (Rev 22:16).
The longing to be with God was so great today that when I tried to find the words to express my desire for His presence, I became overwhelmed and the words caught in my throat. There are just no words for me in moments like these. There are only feelings. Words could not have done justice right then anyway so, I just lifted my feelings up to God in a prayer and called out His many names. Great and awesome God Deut 7:21); Holy Father (John 17:11); King of heaven (Dan 4:37); El Shaddai (Gen 17:1) and He who raised Christ from the dead ( Rom 8:11) were just a few of these names.
I believe that God heard me and answered and was with me where I sat. He is the God who sees me (Gen 16:13); He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33). I thanked Him for the beautiful autumn day with an appreciative gaze that could not help but follow the outline of the mountains on the horizon. I praised Him for His infinite wisdom in creating this world as I noticed the autumn leaves turning fall shades of orange and falling to their winter bed. His great plan and His great design for all He has created just intensified the awe I felt for Him. I believe that God heard my praise clearly even in my silence. He is truly one who searches hearts and minds (Rev 2:23); the living Stone (1 Peter 2:4).
Earlier, I had finished the lesson in “Experiencing God” that talked about how we come to know God as we experience Him. Well, I believe I learned something about God today. I learned for the first time that a prayer to Him does not always have to be in words. I believe that He hears and responds to our spirits too and not just our words. I see now how it is possible to pray without ceasing. Through this experience today, I learned that sometimes expressing feelings with words can be limiting just like what I can see with my eyes or hear with my ears. But, this is not so with my spirit. My spirit is infinite and reaches to heaven. He is the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul (1 Peter 2:25); our dwelling place (Ps 90:1).
Also, in one moment, I acknowledged how God has been working in my life and changing me for His purposes. I felt a peace about who I have become and who I am still becoming in Christ despite my tribulations. In that moment, I believed that God is still in control of my life and that even though things don’t look familiar or rosy all the time, I can still trust Him to guide my life. He is my helper (Heb 13:6); my strong deliverer (Ps 140:7); my hope (Ps 25:5); an ever present help in trouble (Ps 46:1); a stronghold in times of trouble (Ps 9:9). It amazed me today to see that a short time in prayer can somehow contain a lifetime of praise, thanksgiving and petitions. It was as if time slowed down and a minute could span a lifetime. This reminded me of the few loaves and fishes that God blessed and fed so many.
As I was praying, I also felt a need in me to take some time to just thank
God out loud for His awesome goodness, amazing grace and many undeserved blessings.
I discovered that there is also incredible power in spoken words. They take on a life all their own. Tears came to my eyes as I voiced my thanks to God. Right then, I felt an intense desire for everyone everywhere to know Christ as their savior. I wanted others to know the horn of salvation (Luke 1:69); the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6); the gate (John 10:7,9); the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45) the Son of the Most High God (Luke 8:28); the resurrection (John 11:25). I wanted others to see for themselves the unseen and hear the unheard that goes on around us as we live out our daily lives. I prayed that everyone would know what an awesome, mighty and living God we serve! I was immediately comforted when Philippians 2: 10-11 came to my mind. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (KJV) I knew then that one day everyone would know how awesome is our God. I just prayed for souls sake that they would know it on this side of eternity.
As I stood up to leave, I did not feel my prayer end. It will never end. I will carry with me all the time...a constant, mindful spirit of prayer. My life is, and I believe always will be, a never-ending prayer. Jesus is the Amen (2 Cor 1:20).
Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ
Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ
In The Cross of Christ, Robert Bradshaw states that, “The Jews were looking for the promised Messiah who would destroy their enemies and establish God’s kingdom on this earth (Psalm 2; 110:1; Isaiah 11; Daniel 7:9-14; 9: 25-26). The last thing they expected the Messiah to do was to be crucified, because it is written in the Law that, ‘anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.’ (Deut. 21:23). Paul quotes the same verse in Galatians 3:13 to prove that it was God’s purpose for the Messiah to suffer God’s curse to free men from the curse of the Law (I Peter 2:24).”[1]
Doctrine of the Person of Christ
In The Baptist Faith and Message, it states that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. God the Son was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and though He was perfect, He suffered for the sins of all humanity. Jesus was crucified for our sins so that through Him we may have eternal life. He died on the cross and was buried but on the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead with a glorified body. After appearing to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion, Jesus ascended into Heaven and He now sits exalted at the right hand of God. He is the One Mediator in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. Jesus will return in power and glory to judge the world and to finish His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord. Scriptures referring to Jesus Christ, the Son of God are as follows: Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 1:13-16 and 19:16.[2]
According to class notes, the humanity of Jesus is communicated in the Gospel as follows. To begin, the Bible states that Jesus developed mentally. Furthermore, the Gospel reveals that Jesus did get hungry, needed food and that he ate. In addition, Scriptures reveal that Jesus did get tired as well. Still yet, the Bible tells us that Jesus felt emotions and that he paid taxes. We also learned in class that Jesus had human limitations. For instance, he was not omniscient or omnipresent and he did submit to death. Finally, we learned in class that Jesus did experience human temptation, such as recorded in Matt. 16:23.[3]
Doctrine of the Work of Christ
According to The Baptist Faith and Message, salvation involves the redemption of man and is the gift of God to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by his own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. Salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus as Lord. Regeneration is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. This new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are experiences of grace. Repentance is a true turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of your whole being to him as Lord and Savior. Justification is God’s full acquittal upon principles of his righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a favorable relationship with God. Sanctification is the experience by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the person’s life as they live for Christ. Glorification is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. A few Scripture references for this work of Christ are as follows: Matthew 1:21; Luke 1: 68-69; Acts 2:21; Romans 1:16-18; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 2:1-3; James 2:14-26; I Peter 1:2-23; I John 1:6-2:11 and Revelation 3:20.[4]
According to Grenz, in Theology for the Community of God, the mission of Jesus involved fulfilling the Old Testament hope, Jesus as the prophet and Messiah, heralding the divine reign and atonement. Grenz also states the significance of Jesus’ death in the New Testament is for our example, our ransom, our expiation and our reconciliation.[5]
In conclusion, John Damascene (c. 675-749) wrote the following, which is an excerpt from Orthodox Faith 4:
By nothing else except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ has death been brought low:
The sin of our first parent destroyed, hell plundered, resurrection bestowed, the power given us to despise the things of this world, even death itself, the road back to the former blessedness made smooth, the gates of paradise opened, our nature seated at the right hand of God, and we made children and heirs of God.
By the cross, all these things have been set aright:
It is a seal that the destroyer may not strike us, a raising up of those who lie fallen, a support for those who stand, a staff for the infirm, a crook for the shepherded, a guide for the wandering, a perfecting of the advanced, salvation for the soul and body, a deflection of all evils, a cause of all goods, a destruction of sin, a plant of resurrection, and a tree of eternal life.[6]
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bradshaw, Robert I. The Cross of Christ. http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article cross.html.
Accessed 12/03/06.
Damascene, John. What Happened on the Cross. http://www.rc.net/wcc/hapeross.htm.
Accessed 12/03/06.
Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1994.
Hobbs, Herschel H. The Baptist Faith and Message. Convention Press. Nashville, TN.
1971.
The NIV Rainbow Study Bible: New International Version. Rainbow Studies, Inc. El
Reno, Oklahoma. 1992.
[1] Bradshaw, Robert I, The Cross of Christ, http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article cross.html, Accessed 12/03/06.
[2] Hobbs, Herschel H., “God”, The Baptist Faith and Message, p. 30.
[3] The NIV Rainbow Study Bible: New International Version, p. 1085.
[4] The Baptist Faith and Message, p. 48.
[5] Grenz, Stanley J., Theology for the Community of God, p. 328-347.
[6] Damascene, John, What Happened on the Cross, http://www.rc.net/wcc/hapeross.htm,
Accessed 12/03/06.
In The Cross of Christ, Robert Bradshaw states that, “The Jews were looking for the promised Messiah who would destroy their enemies and establish God’s kingdom on this earth (Psalm 2; 110:1; Isaiah 11; Daniel 7:9-14; 9: 25-26). The last thing they expected the Messiah to do was to be crucified, because it is written in the Law that, ‘anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.’ (Deut. 21:23). Paul quotes the same verse in Galatians 3:13 to prove that it was God’s purpose for the Messiah to suffer God’s curse to free men from the curse of the Law (I Peter 2:24).”[1]
Doctrine of the Person of Christ
In The Baptist Faith and Message, it states that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. God the Son was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and though He was perfect, He suffered for the sins of all humanity. Jesus was crucified for our sins so that through Him we may have eternal life. He died on the cross and was buried but on the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead with a glorified body. After appearing to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion, Jesus ascended into Heaven and He now sits exalted at the right hand of God. He is the One Mediator in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. Jesus will return in power and glory to judge the world and to finish His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord. Scriptures referring to Jesus Christ, the Son of God are as follows: Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 1:13-16 and 19:16.[2]
According to class notes, the humanity of Jesus is communicated in the Gospel as follows. To begin, the Bible states that Jesus developed mentally. Furthermore, the Gospel reveals that Jesus did get hungry, needed food and that he ate. In addition, Scriptures reveal that Jesus did get tired as well. Still yet, the Bible tells us that Jesus felt emotions and that he paid taxes. We also learned in class that Jesus had human limitations. For instance, he was not omniscient or omnipresent and he did submit to death. Finally, we learned in class that Jesus did experience human temptation, such as recorded in Matt. 16:23.[3]
Doctrine of the Work of Christ
According to The Baptist Faith and Message, salvation involves the redemption of man and is the gift of God to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by his own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. Salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus as Lord. Regeneration is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. This new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are experiences of grace. Repentance is a true turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of your whole being to him as Lord and Savior. Justification is God’s full acquittal upon principles of his righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a favorable relationship with God. Sanctification is the experience by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the person’s life as they live for Christ. Glorification is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. A few Scripture references for this work of Christ are as follows: Matthew 1:21; Luke 1: 68-69; Acts 2:21; Romans 1:16-18; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 2:1-3; James 2:14-26; I Peter 1:2-23; I John 1:6-2:11 and Revelation 3:20.[4]
According to Grenz, in Theology for the Community of God, the mission of Jesus involved fulfilling the Old Testament hope, Jesus as the prophet and Messiah, heralding the divine reign and atonement. Grenz also states the significance of Jesus’ death in the New Testament is for our example, our ransom, our expiation and our reconciliation.[5]
In conclusion, John Damascene (c. 675-749) wrote the following, which is an excerpt from Orthodox Faith 4:
By nothing else except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ has death been brought low:
The sin of our first parent destroyed, hell plundered, resurrection bestowed, the power given us to despise the things of this world, even death itself, the road back to the former blessedness made smooth, the gates of paradise opened, our nature seated at the right hand of God, and we made children and heirs of God.
By the cross, all these things have been set aright:
It is a seal that the destroyer may not strike us, a raising up of those who lie fallen, a support for those who stand, a staff for the infirm, a crook for the shepherded, a guide for the wandering, a perfecting of the advanced, salvation for the soul and body, a deflection of all evils, a cause of all goods, a destruction of sin, a plant of resurrection, and a tree of eternal life.[6]
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bradshaw, Robert I. The Cross of Christ. http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article cross.html.
Accessed 12/03/06.
Damascene, John. What Happened on the Cross. http://www.rc.net/wcc/hapeross.htm.
Accessed 12/03/06.
Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1994.
Hobbs, Herschel H. The Baptist Faith and Message. Convention Press. Nashville, TN.
1971.
The NIV Rainbow Study Bible: New International Version. Rainbow Studies, Inc. El
Reno, Oklahoma. 1992.
[1] Bradshaw, Robert I, The Cross of Christ, http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article cross.html, Accessed 12/03/06.
[2] Hobbs, Herschel H., “God”, The Baptist Faith and Message, p. 30.
[3] The NIV Rainbow Study Bible: New International Version, p. 1085.
[4] The Baptist Faith and Message, p. 48.
[5] Grenz, Stanley J., Theology for the Community of God, p. 328-347.
[6] Damascene, John, What Happened on the Cross, http://www.rc.net/wcc/hapeross.htm,
Accessed 12/03/06.
Interpreting The Parable of the Pounds Luke 19:11-27
Interpreting The Parable of the Pounds
Luke 19: 11-27
I will reference three different commentaries to assist me in interpreting The Parable of the Pounds found in Luke 19: 11-27. I will answer the following questions: what is the main point the parable is teaching; what is the point Jesus is trying to make; what is the point the Gospel writer is trying to make and how does this parable apply to my life and the life of my church.
To begin, I will focus on the question of what is the main point the parable teaches. In doing so, I will answer four sub-questions to arrive at a conclusion. First, who are the main characters in the parable? Second, what comes at the end of the parable? Third, what is given the most space? Lastly, what is found in direct conversation?
According to Bruce Larson in The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, the main characters in this story are the nobleman, his citizens and his servants.[1] Now, I refer to Matthew Henry for a discussion on the ending of the parable. Matthew Henry, in Matthew Henry’s Commentary, states that the ending is about the sentence passed upon the king’s servants upon his return. Matthew Henry states, “When his faithful subjects are preferred and rewarded, then he will take vengeance on his enemies.”[2] Since all three commentaries I am referencing focused their analyses on the return of the nobleman and the accounting of the servants for a bulk of the reading, this appears to be what receives the most space in the parable. In my opinion, what is found in direct conversation is a command, responses to that command and the outcome of those responses. Reflecting on the main point of the story, in The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, the author states that, “the nobleman was given the kingdom and he returned to slay those who didn’t want him in power. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the King and that in the last days He will return to His Kingdom”.[3] This is the main point Jesus was trying to make to His audience. Luke wanted to relay this important point to his audience, the Greeks and Gentiles.
In conclusion, this parable applies to me in that I need to keep busy, not idle, doing Kingdom work until Christ returns. George Bliss states in An American Commentary on the New Testament: Mark and Luke, that Christ’s intention in speaking this parable was, “primarily, to show that his kingdom would be seen only after a considerable interval and secondarily, to teach the chief disciples how that interval should be spent”.[4] In light of this, I believe I am faithfully to employ every gift and resource He has given me to invest in His Kingdom and to increase His Kingdom so that when He returns He will say to me, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”. On the same note, I think my church is to be about these same endeavors as a church body until he comes again.
[1] Bruce Larson, The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, Vol. 3, ed. Lloyd J. Ogilvie, (Waco, Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1983), 275.
[2] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary In One Volume, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1960), 1486.
[3] Bruce Larson, The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, Vol. 3, ed. Lloyd J. Ogilvie, (Waco, Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1983), 275-276.
[4] Bliss, G.R. and W.N. Clarke, D. D., An American Commentary on the New Testament: Mark and Luke, ed. Alvah Hovey, D.D., LL.D., (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1881), 279.
Luke 19: 11-27
I will reference three different commentaries to assist me in interpreting The Parable of the Pounds found in Luke 19: 11-27. I will answer the following questions: what is the main point the parable is teaching; what is the point Jesus is trying to make; what is the point the Gospel writer is trying to make and how does this parable apply to my life and the life of my church.
To begin, I will focus on the question of what is the main point the parable teaches. In doing so, I will answer four sub-questions to arrive at a conclusion. First, who are the main characters in the parable? Second, what comes at the end of the parable? Third, what is given the most space? Lastly, what is found in direct conversation?
According to Bruce Larson in The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, the main characters in this story are the nobleman, his citizens and his servants.[1] Now, I refer to Matthew Henry for a discussion on the ending of the parable. Matthew Henry, in Matthew Henry’s Commentary, states that the ending is about the sentence passed upon the king’s servants upon his return. Matthew Henry states, “When his faithful subjects are preferred and rewarded, then he will take vengeance on his enemies.”[2] Since all three commentaries I am referencing focused their analyses on the return of the nobleman and the accounting of the servants for a bulk of the reading, this appears to be what receives the most space in the parable. In my opinion, what is found in direct conversation is a command, responses to that command and the outcome of those responses. Reflecting on the main point of the story, in The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, the author states that, “the nobleman was given the kingdom and he returned to slay those who didn’t want him in power. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the King and that in the last days He will return to His Kingdom”.[3] This is the main point Jesus was trying to make to His audience. Luke wanted to relay this important point to his audience, the Greeks and Gentiles.
In conclusion, this parable applies to me in that I need to keep busy, not idle, doing Kingdom work until Christ returns. George Bliss states in An American Commentary on the New Testament: Mark and Luke, that Christ’s intention in speaking this parable was, “primarily, to show that his kingdom would be seen only after a considerable interval and secondarily, to teach the chief disciples how that interval should be spent”.[4] In light of this, I believe I am faithfully to employ every gift and resource He has given me to invest in His Kingdom and to increase His Kingdom so that when He returns He will say to me, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”. On the same note, I think my church is to be about these same endeavors as a church body until he comes again.
[1] Bruce Larson, The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, Vol. 3, ed. Lloyd J. Ogilvie, (Waco, Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1983), 275.
[2] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary In One Volume, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1960), 1486.
[3] Bruce Larson, The Communicator’s Commentary: Luke, Vol. 3, ed. Lloyd J. Ogilvie, (Waco, Texas: Word Books, Publisher, 1983), 275-276.
[4] Bliss, G.R. and W.N. Clarke, D. D., An American Commentary on the New Testament: Mark and Luke, ed. Alvah Hovey, D.D., LL.D., (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1881), 279.
Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints Book Review
Critical Issue Project on
Rage, Violence and Gunfire
Book Review: Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints
I chose the book, Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints, for this project for several reasons. One, it covers juvenile rage, violence and gunfire all in one book. Two, I chose it because it appeared to be unbiased toward the subject of juvenile crime but instead, it reveals opposing viewpoints on the same issue through a compilation of articles, speeches and long book excerpts. For example, Chapter 1 asks the question: “Are Juvenile Crime and Violence increasing?” The answer presented in one excerpt is that juvenile crime and violence are increasing and in another excerpt that juvenile crime and violence are not increasing and both present research to support their respective viewpoint. Three, I chose this book because it not only presents the issues but also, it discusses the causes of juvenile crime and reveals information on how juvenile crime can be combated. Finally, I chose this book because it touches on the subject of gang-related juvenile crime as well.
As mentioned above, one of the reasons for choosing this book is that it presents opposing viewpoints. However, this was also a frustration for me as I read the book because I could never seem to get a straight answer. Is juvenile crime increasing or not? I noticed that the two opposing viewpoints on this subject did not research the same time-periods in their research. To me, the authors of the article excerpts seemed to research the years that best suited their viewpoint. In my opinion, the answer to the question of is juvenile crime increasing or decreasing just seems to be a matter of when you ask the question. Sometimes, the answer is yes and sometimes no or if about the future, speculative at best.
In my opinion, the book is not bias. However, the individual speeches, articles and book excerpts in the book seem to be bias to me. Whether it is on the subject of juvenile crime increasing or decreasing or whether guns and the media contribute to juvenile crime or not, the individual authors/speakers seem to pull together whatever information they can to make their point sound right. Something else I have noticed is that when one author uses statistics to identify a problem and sheds negative light on an issue, the opposing viewpoint generally relies on emotional factors in making its case. For instance, one article author stated, “every year, guns kill 13.7 Americans per 100,000; in 1996-1997, more than 6,000 U.S. students were expelled from packing heat to school.”[1] While in the opposing article, the author states that blaming violence on something outside the individual denies that the young man/young woman is “ultimately responsible for his/her own actions. By banning the culture of guns, we will not stop teen murderers. But, by rebuilding a culture of loving, moral guidance for our children, we will.”[2] This same occurrence happens in the section on whether violence in the media affects children. One article author states, “research in the 1970s demonstrated the existence of “cluster suicides” in which the local TV reporting of teen suicides directly caused numerous copycat suicides by impressionable teenagers.”[3] While the opposing viewpoint author states, “violence is not learned from mock violence. There is good evidence-causal evidence, not correlational-that it is learned in personal violent encounters, beginning with the brutalization of children by their parents or their peers.”[4]
In my opinion, everyone seems to be chasing their tails in this book, covering their tracks and passing the buck. I think both viewpoints have some truth in them. I think what causes violence is also a case-by-case basis. Obviously, based on the above evidence, violence is learned with the influence of media and with the personal encounter of brutality. However, in my opinion, no one seems to want to take responsibility for anything. Those who support the media will not blame the media for violence and those who support the NRA will not blame guns for violence; those who do not support the media or the NRA will blame them. Basically, the reader of this book has to have their own opinion, know where they stand and make up their own mind because this book does not make it up for them or tell them how to think.
In the book, one article discusses some of the causes of juvenile violence addressed as being poverty, family factors, the environment, media influence and declining social morality.[5] Another article excerpt in the book focused on just poverty being the root cause and yet another article focused on just fatherless ness as the root cause of juvenile violence. However, I like the article that deals with the spectrum of causes from poverty to declining social morality because I do not think it is just one thing that is the root cause but there are a number of root causes for juvenile violence.
Factors addressed that contribute to gang-related juvenile crime are the media, gangsta rap music, a need for family, poor parenting and American capitalism.
I found it interesting that the first two influences mentioned, media and gangsta rap, are cited for glamorizing and glorifying the gangster lifestyle, respectively.[6] This fact says to me that much of the problem can be resolved just by showing the truth about gangs and some of the most influential of our society has chosen not to do that. I feel mixed signals here because I see public service messages in the media and music celebrities talking to kids about staying in school, not doing drugs and not committing crimes of violence yet they turn around and promote the opposite in their marketed products.
Another thing I noticed is that many of the influence for gang-related crime are the same as the influences of juvenile crime in general with the exception of American capitalism. I think the influence of American capitalism is the most difficult to swallow for me. I cannot understand how our country can put profit motive before the lives of its own children, even its entire population and still sleep at night.
Finally, I will turn to some of the ways to combat juvenile violence that the book addresses. The book addresses the following: whether to try juveniles as adults or not; whether to hold parents legally responsible for juvenile crime or not; whether curfew laws are effective, or not, harsher punishment for juvenile crime and more after school programs.[7] Honestly, I do not know how I feel about putting an age on trying a child as an adult or determining their punishment. Concerning holding parents legally responsible for juvenile crime, in certain cases, I would think this would motivate parents to be proactive with their children and help to prevent juvenile crime. I do believe that measures need to be taken to improve the crime rates among youth. I certainly support the idea of more after school programs and curfews.
Bibliography
Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California:
Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002.
[1] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 82.
[2] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 87-88.
[3] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 70.
[4] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 79.
[5] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 62.
[6] Ojeda, A., ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints, San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 101 & 105.
[7] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 130-166.
Rage, Violence and Gunfire
Book Review: Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints
I chose the book, Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints, for this project for several reasons. One, it covers juvenile rage, violence and gunfire all in one book. Two, I chose it because it appeared to be unbiased toward the subject of juvenile crime but instead, it reveals opposing viewpoints on the same issue through a compilation of articles, speeches and long book excerpts. For example, Chapter 1 asks the question: “Are Juvenile Crime and Violence increasing?” The answer presented in one excerpt is that juvenile crime and violence are increasing and in another excerpt that juvenile crime and violence are not increasing and both present research to support their respective viewpoint. Three, I chose this book because it not only presents the issues but also, it discusses the causes of juvenile crime and reveals information on how juvenile crime can be combated. Finally, I chose this book because it touches on the subject of gang-related juvenile crime as well.
As mentioned above, one of the reasons for choosing this book is that it presents opposing viewpoints. However, this was also a frustration for me as I read the book because I could never seem to get a straight answer. Is juvenile crime increasing or not? I noticed that the two opposing viewpoints on this subject did not research the same time-periods in their research. To me, the authors of the article excerpts seemed to research the years that best suited their viewpoint. In my opinion, the answer to the question of is juvenile crime increasing or decreasing just seems to be a matter of when you ask the question. Sometimes, the answer is yes and sometimes no or if about the future, speculative at best.
In my opinion, the book is not bias. However, the individual speeches, articles and book excerpts in the book seem to be bias to me. Whether it is on the subject of juvenile crime increasing or decreasing or whether guns and the media contribute to juvenile crime or not, the individual authors/speakers seem to pull together whatever information they can to make their point sound right. Something else I have noticed is that when one author uses statistics to identify a problem and sheds negative light on an issue, the opposing viewpoint generally relies on emotional factors in making its case. For instance, one article author stated, “every year, guns kill 13.7 Americans per 100,000; in 1996-1997, more than 6,000 U.S. students were expelled from packing heat to school.”[1] While in the opposing article, the author states that blaming violence on something outside the individual denies that the young man/young woman is “ultimately responsible for his/her own actions. By banning the culture of guns, we will not stop teen murderers. But, by rebuilding a culture of loving, moral guidance for our children, we will.”[2] This same occurrence happens in the section on whether violence in the media affects children. One article author states, “research in the 1970s demonstrated the existence of “cluster suicides” in which the local TV reporting of teen suicides directly caused numerous copycat suicides by impressionable teenagers.”[3] While the opposing viewpoint author states, “violence is not learned from mock violence. There is good evidence-causal evidence, not correlational-that it is learned in personal violent encounters, beginning with the brutalization of children by their parents or their peers.”[4]
In my opinion, everyone seems to be chasing their tails in this book, covering their tracks and passing the buck. I think both viewpoints have some truth in them. I think what causes violence is also a case-by-case basis. Obviously, based on the above evidence, violence is learned with the influence of media and with the personal encounter of brutality. However, in my opinion, no one seems to want to take responsibility for anything. Those who support the media will not blame the media for violence and those who support the NRA will not blame guns for violence; those who do not support the media or the NRA will blame them. Basically, the reader of this book has to have their own opinion, know where they stand and make up their own mind because this book does not make it up for them or tell them how to think.
In the book, one article discusses some of the causes of juvenile violence addressed as being poverty, family factors, the environment, media influence and declining social morality.[5] Another article excerpt in the book focused on just poverty being the root cause and yet another article focused on just fatherless ness as the root cause of juvenile violence. However, I like the article that deals with the spectrum of causes from poverty to declining social morality because I do not think it is just one thing that is the root cause but there are a number of root causes for juvenile violence.
Factors addressed that contribute to gang-related juvenile crime are the media, gangsta rap music, a need for family, poor parenting and American capitalism.
I found it interesting that the first two influences mentioned, media and gangsta rap, are cited for glamorizing and glorifying the gangster lifestyle, respectively.[6] This fact says to me that much of the problem can be resolved just by showing the truth about gangs and some of the most influential of our society has chosen not to do that. I feel mixed signals here because I see public service messages in the media and music celebrities talking to kids about staying in school, not doing drugs and not committing crimes of violence yet they turn around and promote the opposite in their marketed products.
Another thing I noticed is that many of the influence for gang-related crime are the same as the influences of juvenile crime in general with the exception of American capitalism. I think the influence of American capitalism is the most difficult to swallow for me. I cannot understand how our country can put profit motive before the lives of its own children, even its entire population and still sleep at night.
Finally, I will turn to some of the ways to combat juvenile violence that the book addresses. The book addresses the following: whether to try juveniles as adults or not; whether to hold parents legally responsible for juvenile crime or not; whether curfew laws are effective, or not, harsher punishment for juvenile crime and more after school programs.[7] Honestly, I do not know how I feel about putting an age on trying a child as an adult or determining their punishment. Concerning holding parents legally responsible for juvenile crime, in certain cases, I would think this would motivate parents to be proactive with their children and help to prevent juvenile crime. I do believe that measures need to be taken to improve the crime rates among youth. I certainly support the idea of more after school programs and curfews.
Bibliography
Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California:
Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002.
[1] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 82.
[2] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 87-88.
[3] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 70.
[4] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 79.
[5] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 62.
[6] Ojeda, A., ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints, San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 101 & 105.
[7] Ojeda, A. ed. Juvenile Crime: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002, pg. 130-166.
Critical Issue: Rage, Violence and Gunfire
Critical Issue: Rage, Violence & Gunfire
Evidence issue is critical among youth
The purpose is to present evidence that the issues of rage, violence and gunfire are critical among youth. In my research, I discovered that although the youth crime rate is high, it has been decreasing. This does not mean however that juvenile crime is not a problem now or that it will not be a problem in the future.
As a matter of fact, the American Psychological Association Help Center website states, “One in 12 high schoolers is threatened or injured with a weapon each year. If you are between the ages of 12 and 24, you face the highest risk of being the victim of violence. At the same time, statistics show that by the early 1990's the incidence of violence caused by young people reached unparalleled levels in American society. There is no single explanation for the overall rise in youth violence. Many different factors cause violent behavior. The more these factors are present in your life, the more likely you are to commit an act of violence.”[1]
In addition, the TeenViolence.com website states, “As of 1998, 10% of all schools experience some sort of violent crime (murder, rape, or sexual battery, suicide, physical attack, fight w/weapon, robbery). In 1998, one in twelve students who stayed home from school did so in fear. In 1996, gunfire killed a classroom of children every two days. In 1994, one in six students claimed they had been robbed at gunpoint/knifepoint.”[2]
As you can see, juvenile crime is definitely a problem and researchers say it will get worse before it gets better. In the article, “Right Data,” the author states, “By 2010, the Census Bureau estimates the population of males in high-crime ages will be 21.9 million. According to John DiIulio, we can expect at least 6% of these young males (1.3 million) to become high-rate offenders and account for half of all serious crimes committed by their age group.”[3]
Bibliography
APA Help Center, American Psychological Association, “Warning Signs of Teen
Violence”, Internet: available at http://www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=38, accessed 31 Oct 2004.
Rubenstein, Ed, “Right Data”, National Review, Vol. 49, 10 Feb 97.
Teen-Violence.com, Internet: available at http://www.teen-violence.com/stats.html,
accessed 31 Oct 2004.
[1] APA Help Center, American Psychological Association, “Warning Signs of Teen Violence”, Internet: available at http://www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=38, accessed 31 Oct 2004.
[2] Teen-Violence.com, Internet: available at http://www.teen-violence.com/stats.html, accessed 31 Oct 2004.
[3] Rubenstein, Ed, “Right Data”, National Review, Vol. 49, 10 Feb 97, pg. 14.
Evidence issue is critical among youth
The purpose is to present evidence that the issues of rage, violence and gunfire are critical among youth. In my research, I discovered that although the youth crime rate is high, it has been decreasing. This does not mean however that juvenile crime is not a problem now or that it will not be a problem in the future.
As a matter of fact, the American Psychological Association Help Center website states, “One in 12 high schoolers is threatened or injured with a weapon each year. If you are between the ages of 12 and 24, you face the highest risk of being the victim of violence. At the same time, statistics show that by the early 1990's the incidence of violence caused by young people reached unparalleled levels in American society. There is no single explanation for the overall rise in youth violence. Many different factors cause violent behavior. The more these factors are present in your life, the more likely you are to commit an act of violence.”[1]
In addition, the TeenViolence.com website states, “As of 1998, 10% of all schools experience some sort of violent crime (murder, rape, or sexual battery, suicide, physical attack, fight w/weapon, robbery). In 1998, one in twelve students who stayed home from school did so in fear. In 1996, gunfire killed a classroom of children every two days. In 1994, one in six students claimed they had been robbed at gunpoint/knifepoint.”[2]
As you can see, juvenile crime is definitely a problem and researchers say it will get worse before it gets better. In the article, “Right Data,” the author states, “By 2010, the Census Bureau estimates the population of males in high-crime ages will be 21.9 million. According to John DiIulio, we can expect at least 6% of these young males (1.3 million) to become high-rate offenders and account for half of all serious crimes committed by their age group.”[3]
Bibliography
APA Help Center, American Psychological Association, “Warning Signs of Teen
Violence”, Internet: available at http://www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=38, accessed 31 Oct 2004.
Rubenstein, Ed, “Right Data”, National Review, Vol. 49, 10 Feb 97.
Teen-Violence.com, Internet: available at http://www.teen-violence.com/stats.html,
accessed 31 Oct 2004.
[1] APA Help Center, American Psychological Association, “Warning Signs of Teen Violence”, Internet: available at http://www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=38, accessed 31 Oct 2004.
[2] Teen-Violence.com, Internet: available at http://www.teen-violence.com/stats.html, accessed 31 Oct 2004.
[3] Rubenstein, Ed, “Right Data”, National Review, Vol. 49, 10 Feb 97, pg. 14.
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