Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is an unplanned pregnancy in females under the age of 20 mostly that's when the pregnancy in teenagers ends. Teen pregnancy in the united states has increased rapidly since 2013. Statistics shows that there were 26.5 births for every 1000 adolescents female from the ages of 15- to 19. My question is what causes these unplanned pregnancies in teens? Is it that they are not educated enough on the problems they will be facing if they get pregnant at a young age and also can it be prevented?

I think every parent or an adult should educate the young ones on how teenage pregnancy can affect their lives. We can not follow each and every child to make sure she is not sleeping around but we can at least advice them to use contraceptives and have one partner, because aside teenage pregnancy there are other sexually transmitted diseases that can ruin their lives. . The picture above depicts a lot about unplanned pregnancy she is 15 and pregnant, will she be able to take care of this child at this age?
http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health-topics/reproductive-health/teen-pregnancy/trends.html

In 2009 the FDA approved over the counter contraceptives sale of plan B one step for all women of child bearing age. the secretary disagreed with this decision that children under the age of 17 still need a prescription before they can get these drugs. I disagree with that because most teenagers do not want to tell their parents they are having sex, and for them to go to the doctor they will need their parents consent before they get these drugs. Do you think a teenager will want to go through this whole process. I think it should be available for everyone at least 13 and above only if you have the money for it.
http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/emergency-contraception-state-laws.aspx

Dangers of a Professional Political Class

Corruption! Talk to the average American citizen and it is likely that they will express extreme disfavor in how the nation is being governed. The government is out of touch, and American citizens know it. America's low opinion of our representatives is shown in the approval ratings of Congress and the President taken by Real Clear Politics. The most disturbing is there polling that shows the majority of Americans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Yet, when we look at the names of our elected representation and how long they have occupied their positions, we find that the government that President Lincoln spoke of has slipped into history. The government "of the people, by the people, for the people" has been replaced by a professional political class. Holding office is no longer an obligation to serve the people but a career, complete with benefits.

Dr. Thomas Sowell, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institute writes that the answer to this problem is Term Limits for Congress. By forcing members of Congress to return to the economy and job market that they have affected, it is more likely that they will represent the best interests of the people. This would also mitigate the effects of money in Washington D. C. by cutting into the cycle of favoritism and contracts in exchange for re-election campaign funds. Term Limits provides the most effective solution to corruption in Congress.

Further removing themselves from the people, Congress has seen fit to exempt themselves from the very laws they have put in place for the rest of us. One obvious example of this is the Affordable Care Act, which provides members of Congress and their staffers different set of rules from those that the public must abide by. Originally exempted from the law, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R, Iowa) was able to get a provision included which forced Congress and their staffers to enroll under modified rules. There are many other examples (such as insider trading) that, when brought to the attention of American citizens would create outrage.

And yet the members of Congress who remain firmly entrenched in their position can not be expected to surrender their comfortable positions atop Capitol Hill. This is why Article V of the Constitution allows for the states to act. A new movement to hold a Convention of the States in order to pass several amendments to the Constitution. This includes an amendment that would put Term Limits in place for Congress. Controversy surrounds this movement but as Mark Levin, a leading advocate of the movement to hold such a convention, the federal government will not fix itself.

Bullying Laws

This is a matter that I hold close to my heart. My freshman year of high school, I was bullied for most of the school year. The bullying got so bad that I would skip school, take different routes to class and be late, skip lunch period, and hid anyway I possible could. Every day I would think to myself, why is she bullying me, why is she picking with me every chance she gets? In high school, you hear people talking about what’s going on and who it involves. In high school, everybody id trying to fit in with each other and nobody wants to stand up and speak up to say STOP! Finally, somebody did speak up and the same girl who was the bullier friend is the same girl who spoke up and told the bully to stop. Surprisingly, we are now best friends.

Bullying is using strength or force to intimidate somebody. Bullying can lead to many different outcomes; but the strongest one is suicide. After being bullied, I went through a dark path. I never considered suicide, but I wasn’t eaten at home, I didn’t feel like myself, and I couldn’t speak up for myself anyone. Unfortunately, there are no bullying laws in the state of Virginia. Bullying should be considered a crime. Bullying is not a game and is serious. In some cases, bullying can be considered discriminatory harassment which is under federal civil rights.

 According to Stop Bullying.gov, bullying hazing or teasing needs to be reported by schools in any way shape or form. My question is bullying should be taking serious, yes, so why aren’t there any laws about it? Why aren’t there any ways to stop this from happening?

 My mom is my best friend. I come to my mom with everything. I tell her when I had a great day in school and when somebody at work really pissed my off. In my personal experience, when I was bullied at felt lower than low. I felt like nobody could understand where I was coming from. I felt like nobody knew how to help.

Today, I am brave and I speak up for what’s right and what’s wrong. I don’t let anybody pick with me or intimidate me to make me feel inferior to them. I give advice to some of my younger friends going through high school and letting them know to not let anybody mess with you on all terms. My advice to young girls and boys is to tell a teacher, a friend, a classmate, your parents. My advice is to tell somebody and to not let the bully consume your life.  

 Legalizing Marijuana

**** My Hyperlink wasn’t working….. http://www.governing.com/gov-data/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html

Legalizing of Marijuana is good for some but bad for others.  In my opinion, legalizing of Marijuana should be used for medicinal purposes only.

Why does marijuana need to be legalized? What does legalization of marijuana help? Or does legalization of marijuana show more harm than hurt?

The government has begun the process and marijuana is not legal is 23 states, including the District of Columbia.  Marijuana is used not only for medicinal use; but for recreational use as well. The states that marijuana is legal for recreational use are Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska. The states that marijuana is legal for medicinal use are California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Maine. Also, Alaska, is the only state where marijuana is legally used for medicinal and recreational uses. This is almost half of the states. Legalizing of Marijuana has spread like an epidemic.

Colorado, is one of the main states were marijuana is frequently used. Colorado is a major state that implement recreational usages since 2001. In Colorado, it is legal for recreational usage. In Colorado there are shops with different flavors of marijuana for people to buy. Should marijuana be legalized for recreational and medicinal uses in all 50 states? In Colorado, there have been an increase in DUI, from about 25 to 40 %. In schools, there has been in increase in drug-related arrests by 32%. These arrests have resulted in suspensions and expulsions. From 2011 to 2013, there were numerous results from drug related incidents.  In 2012, about 27 % of college students admitted to smoking marijuana. Also, in 2013, 57% of emergency room visits were from marijuana.

 According to drugabuse.org, in 2009, 376,467 people were involved in marijuana visits to the emergency room. It also states that most of the emergency room visits were of females than of males. The age of marijuana use is between 18 to 20.

In my opinion, I believe marijuana should not be legalizing. What does legalizing marijuana help. It does more help than harm. I believe that it should be used for medicinal purposes only.

Drinking Age: Lowered, Raised, or stayed the same!

By law, you are not eligible to drink until you are 21 years old. Also, when going to the liquor store you must have an eligible license. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention, was great for drinking and driving statistics.  According to the CDC, 30 people die in car crashes involving alcohol almost every day. I have heard that the brain isn’t fully developed until the age of 25. In my personally opinion, I feel like the drinking age should be raised to 25; to benefit everybody.

According to American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, teenagers usually get their first drink at 12 years old. At 12 years old, most children are in 7^th grade. For parents, there are many warning signs to watch out for. There are physical, emotional, and social problems involving alcohol. The AACAP physical problems involving alcohol are fatigue, health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.  The emotional problems according to the AACAP, are personality change, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem and poor judgement. Some school problems include decreased interest, negative attitude, drop in grades, and discipline problems. All of these problems are alcohol related.

 Most teenagers drink illegally, because of peer pressure, its fun, social media, it’s an escape, and of rebellion. Most if not all don’t realize that they are not only putting themselves at harm; but also the other drivers on the road. Teenagers don’t realize the repercussions of their actions and are unaware that they can be brought upon serious charges.

Drinking and Driving is a very serious crime.  Drinking and Driving can lead to some very serious charges and a DUI. A DUI can leave a person with a suspended or revoked license for up to a certain amount of time. In some states, community service or driving prevention classes can be used instead of serving jail time.

For example, I was watching Beyond Straight and there was a young girl locked up behind bars and the officer putting her in jail every day and night was the same officer telling her to stay out of trouble in high school. This officer looked out for her and wanted her to keep her head out straight. In her story, she said after partying with her friends she drove to the store and got arrested and is not serving up to a year in jail time.

Police Brutality

Police brutality is a serious issue. When the prevailing system of criminal justice fails to give a feeling of security to the people, they seek alternative ways of protecting themselves against crime and criminals. In such an environment; the police may resort to extra-legal methods in the belief that these have been tacitly approved by the public.Common forms of police brutality were repeated kicks or punches by officers using fists, guns and police radios, sometimes while the person was already handcuffed or restrained in another way.  Mostly racial minorities are brutally beaten by the police officers.  

I feel that there are way too many cases on this. Police are abusing their authority. There are many ways to handle situations without somebody losing there life or using unnecessary force. People aren't starting to feel safe anymore when police are approaching.   Some police are using their power to do bad things, and society has come to fear police. The law enforcement system needs change. The courts have failed the police, and the police have turn to other means of justice. We must stop the corruption in the police force. I have respect for the police, and the job they do. Policemen are a selected few who do a dangerous job. Police have done many great things to help improve communities, help people during their off duty hours and stand strong in face of many fears
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/police-brutality/

Como es Study Abroad?

Studying abroad has been a privilege that most students could only dream of experiencing.  Until now it has been an option that few individuals have taken advantage of. There are many factors that go into deciding whether you would be able to study abroad, i.e. cost, time, knowing where you would travel to and if it would be beneficial to you degree or not, whether you would receive credit for your classes or not etc. Most students would rather take up internships or get jobs in the US than “waste” their time and money going to a foreign country to study for one semester.  What they don’t realize is that they receive much more than an overpriced vacation with some college credits to go along with it. 

The experience that you receive when you study abroad is something that you would never be able to experience in your own country.  You can gain new perspectives on things you normally wouldn't have. In fact a lot of colleges are now making it mandatory to study abroad in order to graduate.  An example of this would be George Mason University.  The School of Business at George Mason University recently added two minors to their program (entrepreneurship and international business).  While these programs are minors and not majors, of the 15 credits that are needed it is required that in addition to these credits one must fulfill their Co-curricular Requirement (Mason). While there are options to receive credit that would satisfy co-curricular requirements domestically, the vast majority of the options are through studying abroad.  It shouldn’t be surprising if soon it’ll become mandatory for all students to study abroad in order to receive their degrees.  By studying abroad you will become a much more diverse individual, and become more marketable to grad schools and employers because of the intangible life skills you’re going to pick up along the way.  So ignore all the nay sayers and open your mind to an experience that you will never forget. 

Work Cited

"International Business Minor | George Mason University." International Business Minor | George Mason University. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Aug. 2015.