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[Admin]

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[rebeccab]

Rebecca Brandner
Ms. Kurzyna
English 1A
8 June 2014
Art in Early Childhood Education
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)” At an early age, children are very easily influenced. Because of this, it is important that when growing up children are equipped with what they will need at any later point in their life. Art will provide all of these things in a fun way, and at a level small children can understand. In a way, art is another form of words for people who don’t necessarily know how to use them yet. Through art, developing children can improve their life skills such as social-emotional skills, cognitive skills, and fine motor skills.
Young children often feel a sense of fulfillment when they are in the process of making and creating works of art. A lot of this feeling comes simply from the knowledge the child has of the fact that they are in control of the items they are using and the influence they have on their own decisions (“Earlychildhood NEWS – Article Reading Center”). This connection is made and applied to other areas of their life including forming their own opinions (Kohl). The act of creating art also affects a child’s self esteem. These activities such as drawing and many others let them subconsciously express their feelings to others. Children’s self esteem is also affected by art in such a way that they learn to recognize and accept approval and disapproval from others (“Earlychildhood NEWS – Article Reading Center”).
One of the most important developments at an early age is cognitive development because it has to do with the child’s overall mental health. Art will help develop a collection of different areas and subcategories of a young child’s mind. These include communication, language development, problem solving, and STEM learning. Art is a fantastic exercise to practice when trying to teach communication skills. At such a young age, words might not be the best or easiest way for a child to communicate. Art serves as a practical substitute for someone who is at a loss for words (Kohl). After he or she gets comfortable with drawing to communicate, they will have been provided with multiple chances to learn words for many different things such as colors, shapes and actions. By the time they are in grade school, children can use the adjectives that they already know to talk about the feelings shown in their previous artworks they otherwise would not have words for yet (Lynch). Young children need to know how to solve problems. Art plays a major role in the development of this skill. “When children explore art ideas, they are testing possibilities and working through challenges, much like a scientist who experiments and finds solutions.(Kohl)” Children often find themselves questioning the events that have just occured when working on a piece of art. Art lets children assess a situation for themselves, while also teaching them that there can be thousands of different solutions to a singular problem. This brings a child’s creativity alive with the questions of “how” and “why”. When children experience times where they need to ask these questions, they are subject to a situation with an unexpected outcome and can further find a solution that best fits their own needs (Kohl). Art can also affect an even deeper part of education, particularly STEM learning. STEM is an acronym for the learning and understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math during early childhood. Research supports that art in early childhood improves developmental skills in creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. These are all needed to have a good foundation in all the branches of STEM (“Early Childhood STEM Learning Through the Arts”).
The final skill influenced by art to be addressed in this paper is the development of fine motor abilities. People often think that art is a way of expression fit only for the mind, but when a young child experiences the physical process of creating art, it can help develop and take control of their body. Large muscle movements used for different activities such as painting and drawing large objects, allow the child get a better handle on coordination and strength. Small muscle movements including using scissors, shaping clay or drawing in more concentrated areas build up nimbleness and control. Children can use these developed skills once they reach grade school for better penmanship. The process of creating art deals with development of hand eye coordination as well. “As children decide how to make parts fit together into a whole, where to place objects, and what details to include, they learn to coordinate what they see with the movements of their hands and fingers” (“Earlychildhood NEWS – Article Reading Center”). This eye-hand coordination is useful for the start of writing practice in elementary school.
I have come to realize that people can’t seem to grasp the idea that art isn’t just something pretty to look at, it does have actual benefits. Through research and investigation I have found rock solid evidence that art does in fact impact a child’s own growth and development. The influence art has on a child does nothing but help them to excel in the three areas of social – emotional, cognitive, and fine motor skills even more than any other child who has not been exposed or introduced to the magic of art itself. If one would only look past the surface of the canvas, they might see something deeper than colors and shapes, something extraordinary.

[kyralamlamay]

Kyra Lamlamay
Grade 9 Period 2

Gang Violence

Recent studies show that gang violence has been growing abundantly through the decade; nearly about 1.4 million people are criminally active in today’s society. Such gangs include fraud, extortion, robbery, drug and gun trafficking, and prostitution rings; to create money illegally. Gangs are responsible for an average of 48 percent of violent crime in most jurisdictions, and up to 90 percent in others. The decrease in positive role models can influence the minds of Americas youth in making them think bad choices are actually good choices.
More of today’s youth are turning to gangs to solve problems in their lives. One of the big reasons young people join gangs is because of their needs, protection, and also they want attention from people around them. 94% of gang members are male and only 2% of gangs are female. Children as young as seven years old have been recruited to work in criminal street gangs. Usually many gang members hang out near local elementary and high schools to recruit misfit teenagers to work with them. Parents and educators are unaware that children are getting involved in gang activity. Broken households and abusive role models can lead to a decrease in their self-esteem, making rebellious behavior, lacking motivation, and having no future aspirations. Signs such as: drug use, decline in school grades, truancy and others, are clear indicators that, that child can be active in gang activity.
Gangs can be organized based upon race, ethnicity, and territory and are generally made up of members ages 7 to 22. Gang member ethnicity breaks down this way: 47% Hispanic, 31% African American, 13% white, 7% Asian. Gangs exist in urban areas and more recently even in the rural areas as well. 35% of suburban counties report gang activity. When joining a gang, often times there is a test that needs to be passed in order to be a member of a certain gang. These test associates usually with preforming a violent crime or crimes involving murder, theft, or gang-rape. For example, Asian gangs’ crimes consist of extortion and home invasion robberies. Gangs have been shown to be one of the leading factors in the growth of violent crimes on and off school properties. Young adults find a sense of purpose and identity when being exposed to violent crimes; being part of a gang allows the gang member to achieve a level of status he/she feels impossible outside the gang culture.
Most gang members are proud of their gang and freely admit their membership. Much display tattoos with their gang’s logo or symbol, hand signs, and dress in a style identifying their particular gang. Some members wear jerseys with specific numbers on the back to let you know that they are in the same group as you. Jewelry is another example of classifying members, it can be expensive or cheap, but the gaudy type is preferred. Also weapons are important. These can include shaven-down baseball bats, sections of pipe taped at the ends, knives, or small firearms.
Safety is uncertain when being involved with violent crimes preformed in gangs. Parents or relatives of gang members live in a double fear of their own and other relatives of the member. Non-gang member friends are cast aside and soon the youth’s only friends are gang members. Gang membership can be a temporary phase for some youths, although it will shape the individual’s future life decisions. All levels of education are put aside because they counter the gangs’ objectives. Violent crimes like the ones preformed cost $100` billion a year for damage and more. Humans have always banded together for mutual protection and support. The majority of gang members are a product of a family’s lack of companionship and love; few youths realize the hazards associated with gang involvement.

[audreyjanosko]

Audrey Janosko
Ms. Kurzyna
English
7 June 2014
The Effects of Rape
Rape is the sexual assault on any unwilling victim. That is the definition most people know but what they don’t know are the psychological and physical effects that the victim suffers from and the ways the victim can get help to get better. Some effect could be depression or suicidal thoughts and physical effects are associated a lot with STD’s or other diseases or problems with the victim’s health. There are also some important statistics that follow to the physical and psychological effects of rape victims.

Statistics show that, “in 2003 to 2004 there were two-hundred and four thousand three hundred-seventy victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.” From those attempts sixty-five thousand five hundred and ten victims were completely raped, forty-three thousand four hundred and forty were attempted rape, and ninety-five thousand four hundred and twenty were victim to sexual assault (Pollak,Ellen). As many victims as this is, the rate at which rape is happening is declining, “since 1993, rape and sexual assault has decreased by over sixty-four percent” (Pollak, Ellen). On another note, people should report this crime to the authorities when it is committed yet, sixty percent of victims don’t. “If a girl below the age of consent has intercourse, the law assumes that she was unable to give consent, and was therefore raped (Pollak, Ellen). Forty-four percent of rape victims are under the age of 18 and eighty percent are under 30.
After this assault has happened, the victim will suffer through twp major effects, physical and psychological. The psychological symptoms tend to deal with more long-term effects, such as depression, memory loss, lowering of one’s self-esteem, helplessness, suicidal behavior, guilt, “phobic reactions to where the assault took place or things that reminded the victim of the assault” (web info on sexual assault and abuse), self-blame, anger. These long-term effects tend to deal with the victims emotions and thoughts causing them to last longer, possibly life-long. The physical effects on the victim tend to deal a lot with diseases like chronic pelvic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological and pregnancy complications, migraines and frequent headaches, back pain. Another important physical effect that the victim could obtain is pregnancy; “In 1996 a study reported that over thirty-two thousand pregnancies result from rape every year” (Pollak, Ellen).
“No person exposed to severe trauma is immune to suffering and the signs of that suffering are referred to as symptoms, and when these symptoms can be grouped over time, they’re referred to as a syndrome (Rape Trauma Syndrome). Rape trauma syndrome is the medical term given to the response that survivors have to rape. Meaning the victim luckily did not get any sexually transmitted diseases but suffer the psychological effects of rape. This syndrome is often associated with the victim’s behavior or emotional effects after the event had occurred. This syndrome deals with the long-term psychological effects of rape and normally doesn’t deal with the physical attributes like other rape cases have. There are a couple ways to know if the victim has Rape Trauma Syndrome; one is behavioral symptoms, meaning that that the victim is crying more than usual, has difficulty concentrating, is very alert, increased washing or bathing, has relationship problems with friends, family, spouse, avoids anything that reminds the victim of rape. Another way to tell is the psychological symptoms, which is increased fear, anxiety, feeling alone, helplessness, nightmares, becoming suicidal, confusion, losing hope in the future, and self-blame. These symptoms are very similar to the ones of where the victim suffers from psychological and physical effects.
All of these effects can be life threatening to the victim from either the STD’s or suicidal thoughts/attempts. That’s why getting help is crucial; it could possibly save the victims life. So counseling can help the victim with dealing with the trauma of rape. There are also support groups the victim can attend and talk out what happened to them and hear others stories so the victim doesn’t feel as alone as they were before. There are also telephone directories where the victim can seek out counseling or advice.
In conclusion, there are many different psychological and physical effects that the rape victim suffers from like depression or pregnancy. There are also so many ways to get help and so many people that have gone through the same thing that are willing to share their stories to help out the victim. The statistics are also very brutal and many victims should report what happened to them to the police so they can get help and prevent this from happening again.

[aberry52]

Andrew Berry



The effect that the guidance of a role model has on the youth of our country.



Did you have a role model growing up as a child? For me my role models are definitely my

mother and father. Both of them have taught me lessons that will stay with me for the rest of my

life. I have the best of both of them inside of me.


Role models are the people that society looks up to for guidance and inspiration. They do not

have to have tons of money or fame. The leadership quality has to be inside all of them. Most

people try to find a role model but end up finding a negative one. As people grow up they look to

role models for inspiration and use this figure as a blueprint for how they should behave when

he or she is older. This is likely a survival function designed to help us to mimic successful

members of our society and thereby help us to be successful too.


Of course the most obvious role models for any child are the parents, followed by other

immediate family and teachers. This is why it's so important for these role models to provide a

good a example for the person. At the same time though children will find other role models

elsewhere as they grow older. When a child is young he needs both a male and female role

model, so if a kids dad dies at a young age he or she will be missing a huge chunk of their life.

When we look for role models other than our parents, we are spoiled with choice. We have our

peers whether it's in work or school. There are characters in media whether it be books, film,

comics or sports.


If someone finds a bad role model it can affect them heavily down the road in life. This might

cause that person to have a different way of making decisions or problem solving. The effects of

a bad role model can change a person in many ways. This would also start a domino effect if

that person became a role model for a child it would make that child outlook on things different.

This puts even more pressure on the people who could be role models. A good role model

should be someone hard working, creative, free thinking, and moral.


It is also important not to put a role model on a pedestal. If they're human and real then they

need to be recognized as such. Everyone make mistakes and so to follow anyone blindly is a

mistake. Recognize that this person is a guide for you and someone you need to copy directly.

One way to prevent this from happening is to have multiple role models. It is also sensible to

have different role models for different parts of life.


Role models are the people who guide is in most of the things we do in life. They are our

inspiration for certain aspects of life. A persons foundation for life is usually started on a role

model.

[amarsico21]

Anthony Marsico
Mrs.Kurzyna
English I A
7 June 2014

How much of an impact on you has a famous leader had? The leaders of this paper are important to how our society functions today. Most, if not all of us have been changed one way or another. All of these upper class leaders had fought for independence and civil rights. But they all did it in their own way, and at their own time.

The first leader, and most important of the leaders is Abraham Lincoln. He was born on February 12th,1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky. His mother died when he was ten years old, his dad passed when he was only eight. This easily could have halted his education, but he did not let it. He did all he could to increase his knowledge by himself. The Republican Party was strengthened by Abraham Lincoln. On the first of January of 1863 he introduced the Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves forever that were living in the Confederacy. Then on Good Friday on April fourteenth of 1865 he was assassinated in Ford’s Theatre in Washington by John Booth, who thought Abraham was helping the South. ( Abraham Lincoln ) The Emancipation Proclamation was the first move towards the freeing and acceptance of African Americans. This was the first and most important push towards civil rights. ‘

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This next leader did not just try to grant freedom to only one race, but a whole country and he is now a prized person in India. That man is Mahatma Karamchand Gandhi. India at the time was ruled completely by Great Britain. So he set out in his life to obtain equality and independence. He was born on the second of October of 1869. He, unlike Abraham Lincoln, was fortunate to get a very wealthy education In 1893 he agreed to work for an Indian firm in Natal, South Africa. He would spend the next twenty-one years living there. He was against the racial segregation. One instance that this played effect in his life was when he was on board of a train and he was thrown off of the tain, even though in his possession was a valid ticket. This was like a spring for him to attack and defeat segregation. He founded a political movement named Natal Indian Congress, and developed in belief of non-violence civil protest. After he returned to India telling the villagers to stand up for themselves, but also be peaceful while doing it, the public came up with a name for him, ‘ Mahatma ‘ meaning Great Soul. In 1921 he would lead the Indian National Congress. He developed a boycott of all British goods and then on March tenth 1922 he would go to trial and then serve two years in prison for the boycott. The next act he did was humorous, but it also served a purpose.
In 1930 Britain set a tax on salt, so Gandhi led a 250 mile walk to the sea to get his own salt. That was something that kind of slapped the British in the face and sent a statement to them saying that India does not need them to survive. Also, he did it peacefully, and humanely. After that silent statement made by him, the British negotiated with Gandhi and then the Indians were politically independent from Great Britain, This was a major event because India was never independent in any aspect. Throughout his life there were six attempts to assassinate Gandhi. Fourteen years after the

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first attempt in June of 1934, the attempt would work.Eventually, Britain would split the land of India into Muslim religion, Pakistan, and
Hindu religion, India Even though Gandhi did not agree with it, he still achieved his goal in making India independent from Britain. “ I have not hurt anybody nor do I consider
anybody to be my enemy, I can't understand why there are so many attempts on my life. Yesterday’s attempt on my life has failed. I will not die just yet; I aim to live till the age of 125.” ( Mahatma Gandhi ) He would be assassinated on January 30th 1948.


This leader was one of the leaders that had power in his hands and he tried all he could to use it. This man is John Fitzgerald Kennedy, ( JFK). He was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29th 1917. While his brothers were in the air force , John was focusing on his political career. He served three terms in the House of Representatives. Then his next big promotion came in 1952. JFK was elected to the United States Senate. which was a big accomplishment for anybody to be involved in the United States government that high up at only the age of 35 years. Then in 1956, when he was already married he was almost chosen to run for Vice President, but he declined and said he would run for President next election. When November 8th 1960 came around he was 43 and married with one child , and he was elected as the United States President, he was the first catholic and the youngest ever elected.
The biggest problem he faced as president was racial segregation. Back in 1954 the Congress declared segregation in schools was no longer tolerable, but most southern states disobeyed this law. Segregation still remained in public places like buses, and restaurants. Then thousands of people of all races got together to protest peacefully about this unfairness and discrimination. Kennedy thought
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that protesting would only make matters worse, since the racist people would see this and they'd become outraged that they wanted civil rights. It also would make the passing of a civil right laws even harder than it already was. President Kennedy stated “ One hundred years of delay has passed since President
Lincoln has freed the slaves, yet their heirs,their grandsons,,are not fully free.” He also made a point about how this country was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds, and “on the principle that all men are created equal.” So he was another civil rights fighter, like Lincoln he was a president and he had power on his side, so he used it to his advantage. He was assassinated in Dallas, Texas while driving to give a political speech on November 22nd 1963.

The last and most moving leader was Martin Luther King Jr. born on January 15th 1929. His birth name was Michael, but he later changed it to Martin. He became a pastor in 1954 at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. So you can tell from his past he wasn't going to be a violent person. He proved to be a strong worker for his race while in the church. While proving himself, he was accepted into the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. This was the number one organization in America, so him being accepted was a big deal. In December of 1955 he was accepting the leadership of the first Negro nonviolence group. During a 382 day boycott of buses, King's house was bombed, he was arrested, and he was personally abused. Then in 1957 he was chosen to become leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, this was formed to help gain more civil rights. He took operational techniques from Gandhi. So he was affiliated with him. He also was working with JFK in his acts. He was later on awarded after his " I Have a Dream" speech five honorary Degrees, and won Man Of the Year by Time magazine in 1963. At only 35 he was

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awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the youngest age in history. Then one evening when he was standing out on his motel balcony, he was assassinated on April 4th 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.

In conclusion these four tremendous leaders have changed all of our lives and how we live them. They were all fighting for civil rights, wheather they were white or black. It didn't matter they still fought for it. Also they all were assassinated, none of them lived their full lives. These leaders have stood out, and have left their mark on this world in their shortened lives.

[kaylalabokor]

Kayla B.


Kayla Bokor
Miss Kurzyna
English Period 2
13 June, 2014
Positive Effect of Peer Pressure to Teens

How many times have we heard the word “peer pressure” and assumed it would be about something negative or in terms of being “bad”? While we tend to think that peer influence leads teens or children to engage in unsafe and unhealthy behaviors, we don’t take the time to realize that if picked selectively, peer pressure can actually result in a positive change in the lives of others. Positive peer pressure is when friends influence you to do good things, such as getting involved in school activities, studying harder in school, volunteering for community and social services, or doing things to help one reach their goals. Therefore, peer pressure is not always bad. General George Washington once said, “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.” In this statement Washington meant that by surrounding yourself with positive and good quality people, it might improve your reputation and create a positive impact on your life. Sometimes positive peer pressure is when you do not have the courage to do something, and your friends give you the motivation or self-esteem to follow through with it. This type of peer pressure can lead to great things like newfound talents, good grades, better social skills, new friends, and a positive attitude.

If you have ever felt the pressure to 'fit in', you are not alone. It is not only an issue growing up, but it affects everyone at every stage of life. This pressure can feel more intense during the adolescent years because as you probably already know, the teen years can be challenging. You are figuring out who you are, what you believe, what your responsibilities and strengths are, and where your place in the world is going to be. Most teens and children listen to and learn from other people in their age group. They give into pressure from peers because they want to be liked and feel like they belong to a ‘group’. They might worry that others will make fun of them if they do not go along with the ideas of a group, or simply because they are curious to try something new that others their age are doing.

To begin, when we were younger our parents usually chose our friends, putting us in playgroups or scheduling play dates or sleepovers with certain kids they knew very well. Parents approved of our relationships in the elementary years. Now that we are older, we decide who our friends are and what type of people we want to spend time with the most. Often, we tend to make friends with those who share similar interests. Whether it is gender, age, ethnicity, or interests, teens and children gravitate toward those who are like them (Peer Pressure, Safeteens.org). The pressure to conform can be powerful and hard to resist, so we mimic what our friends do so that we do not feel excluded. These peers might get us involved in clubs, sports, or religious groups. They help introduce us to newfound talents that we never knew we had. The need to follow what everybody else is doing forces us to do things or take up activities we wouldn’t do otherwise. Peer friendships can be a healthy and safe place for youth to explore their own identity. Our friends help us explore the world better and allow us the freedom to make choices.“As someone rightly said, each friend represents a world in us, a world not possibly born until they arrive, and it is not only by this meeting that a new world is born.” (Positive PeerPressure, Buzzle.com) The positive peer pressure exerted can help us grow as a person by encouraging us to get out of our comfort zone to discover new talents and passions.

Furthermore, you and your friends make multiple decisions every day, and you influence each other’s choices and behaviors. Their advice is often positive and you listen and learn from your friends. Your peers encourage you to work hard and do your absolute best to maintain good grades in school, play a varsity sport, study academics, or maybe they even help you get a solo in the school concert. They listen and support you when you are upset, overwhelmed, or troubled about something. They empathize with you when they have had trouble similar to your own and encourage you to keep moving forward no matter how difficult a situation may seem.

In addition, your friends can inspire you to do various things to improve your performance. For example, if you’re not doing too well in school because you have poor time management due to extracurricular activities, but your classmate has excellent studies and performs well in sports, you can look up to him/her for support. That would be the time to indulge in a healthy competition. This certainly may help you to achieve success.

Over time, your performance will improve by observing and learning how your friend manages time to fit everything into his/her schedule. You can upgrade your management skills by simply watching what your classmate or colleague does. You may admire your friend and try to be more like him or her. When a teen or child makes the right choice under peer pressure, it can motivate that individual to stay focused and work hard toward achieving their goals. You may not realize it, but just by spending time with your peers, you learn from them and they learn from you. In order to be successful, you need peers to persuade you. Through all your difficulties, good friends will always be there to show support and encouragement.

Moreover, peer pressure is extremely important for social development. Peers give you opportunities to try out new social skills. While socializing with peers, teens tend to analyze and imitate behaviors and thoughts from others’ opinions. They study their peers’ point of view and judge where they stand. During this process, teens make new friends and are acquainted with many varying personalities and behaviors.

Through friends’ sharing of point of views and ideas, this can give an altogether new perspective and attitude toward life. They allow us to get to know many other people and make new friends such as teammates or classmates. They give us a chance to learn how to build close relationships, work out differences, and expand the number of people we spend time with. Among peers, you can find friendship and acceptance. We learn by socializing with our peers and see what they go through in everyday life. We then compare it to our own life and the situations we encounter on a daily basis.

Knowing what other people experience exposes you to a new world outside of your home. You acquire an understanding about what is going on around you, and become exposed to a variety of different human behaviors. Teens can learn to accept others’ view of life and become more sociable. It can help you analyze yourself and make reflections that will improve the quality of your life. By maintaining healthy friendships, it can provide social support for dealing with and managing the challenges of adolescence. It can also provide some of the most positive experiences throughout those adolescent years.

Additionally, positive peer pressure provides good examples of what appropriate behavior looks like. It can expose us to an acquisition of good values, habits, confidence, attitude, and behavior. Peers can be very influential role models and help provide a stable foundation of showing others what is right or wrong. Peers who are kind, trustworthy, and loyal influence you to build these qualities in yourself. Their personality and character traits start to impact your ways of living. Even peers you have never met may be role models. For example, watching someone your age compete in the Olympics, sing or play an instrument in a concert, or lead a community or school wide project might inspire you to go after your dreams and work harder to achieve them. Good qualities in peers motivate others to follow. After all, success is a desire for most young people in today’s society.

Observing others working hard to achieve their goals will encourage teens to strive to achieve their own. When a teen knows that his/her teammates are practicing competitively to become better runners, then this will directly affect his/her performances in practice. The teen will find the time and energy to improve the way he/she performs and to ensure there is a place on the team for them. No one likes to feel excluded from a team sport. Similarly, a child will feel compelled to read more if he/she knows that his/her friend excels in English because of their home reading practice. Influencing peers to take part in a positive act or cause is a healthy way to influence others. Being a good role model is a great way to demonstrate positive peer pressure.Positive peer pressure can help you to reflect on your own actions and to become a better individual in any community.

However, positive peer pressure is not limited to only following or setting good examples of what to do, but it can also give examples of what not to do. A teen whose friends do not use alcohol or any other drugs may be positively influenced to follow their example and not abuse drugs as well. Having a group of friends that demonstrates positive peer pressure can help you to develop healthy habits and eliminate bad ones. By doing so, this will reshape your personality and give you the motivation to do well because of the pressure being exerted by your peers. In this scenario, peer pressure becomes an inspiration and should be encouraged.

To conclude, all of us have had to deal with peer pressure at some point in our lifetime. Everyone has pressures to ‘fit in’ regardless of their age. Peer pressure can be beneficial and influential, and it is a huge component in a teenager’s life. It can directly affect the outcome and influence their general outlook on life at either school or work. Friends can inspire us to explore many things and develop many skills. They listen and give feedback as you try different ideas, discuss problems, and navigate through life. Peers help you to make decisions also. Often peers give each other good advice. Your friends will be quick to tell you when they think you are making wrong decisions, mistakes, or participating in something risky. Peers generally have a positive influence on each other and play an important role in each other’s lives. “Positive peer-to-peer relationships can never be pressuring, rather it’s precious in every possible way.” (Positive Peers, Lifehack.org).

[rkiritsis]

Ryan Kiritsis
Has a person ever inspired you to be like them and have a successful life? There are many types of role models that have positive impacts on people. The three types of role models I will be focusing on is parents, coaches and professional athletes. Role models have many positive impacts on our youth.
Parents have the most influence on their children. Moms and dads are the ones that raise their children so they are the ones who need to show them how to live a successful life. Younger kids will most likely grow up to be like their parents and act the same way as they do. They have to set positive examples for their children to know what is right and what is wrong.
Fathers provide positive role models, especially for their sons. As a boy grows older, he observes how his dad acts. A boy wants to do and be like their fathers. That’s why it is not good for a child to not have a father figure. Same goes for mothers and their daughters.
Parents also need to show how a good and healthy relationship is. As he or she grows older, your child will observe how you treat your partner and others and will begin to understand what healthy relationships are all about (“Teen Fatherhood”). If parents are always fighting with each other and arguing, the child will notice this and will remember how his or her parents acted when they grow up.
Sports coaches are looked up to by athletes everywhere. Coaches have a big part in our youth’s educational process; they have to be role models. Everything coaches do will be easily observed and under constant scrutiny. Coaches have a huge role in the way children see sports. If a coach is not doing a good job, the kids probably wouldn’t want to be a part of that sport. If a coach is a good coach and does his job right, it will persuade more students to come out and play for them.
There are several areas in which coaches need to be a role model. Sportsmanship is huge for a coach to have. Coaches always need to be under control and conduct themselves with class and dignity (“Coaches as role models”). They also need to have appropriate language, high standards and positive attitudes. Coaches can’t expect much from their athletes if they are not behaving like they should be.
There is much conflict towards professional athletes as being positive or negative role models. Every human being makes mistakes and professional athletes are human beings. We can’t say they are not positive role models just because they make mistakes just like we do while they are doing many great things.
Sometimes children don’t have a positive role model in their lives. Our youth will look up to professional athletes for inspiration. Athletes are especially idolized by kids who lack positive role models at home (“Looking to athletes as moral leadership”). Children will look up to athletes whether we want them to or not.
Professional athletes are not just looked up to because of their skills; they are looked up to because of their hard work and dedication. The character traits in athletes that older kids most admire are intelligence, caring, sportsmanship and morality (“Looking to athletes as moral leadership”). Professional athletes do great things like donate money for good causes. Our youth notice these kinds of things that they do and it give a good example to them.

Role models are very much needed in our society for our youth. All three, parents, coaches and professional athletes give off great examples on how to be a good, successful person. Our society would be much different if we didn’t have people to look up to. Role models definitely have many positive impacts on our youth.

[rebeccab]

Rebecca B commenting on Audrey J:
Quotes
really great quote choice! make sure you analyze them after using them in your paper

[audreyjanosko]

Audrey J. commenting on Rebecca B:

Ending:

You may want to fix the ending, make it clearer.