Monday Matters 17

Mari Best talks about the issue of students not getting enough sleep now a days. Due to increased stress, and homework, many kids are sacrificing their sleep as they get older in order to get things done. While kids in elementary school seemed to be okay, by the time they reach the end of middle school/the beginning of high school, the less sleep they get. This is contradictory, because in order for kids to be able to function and learn to the best of their ability during class, sleep is essential. Yet, it is the the stress of these classes, that are causing the lack of sleep for many. This could be an interesting area of research because I know many stevenson students who do not sleep willingly, in order to participate in as many clubs and AP classes as possible. All nighters and caffeine are second nature to many of my friends, which is unhealthy. I think it's a problem that students sacrifice their health for grades.

http://redwoodbark.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2729&Itemid=58

Monday Matters 16

Anita Bruzesse brings up the question of whether or not college is the best route for kids these days. Today, earning a college degree doesn't necessarily guarantee a job anymore. Plus, it puts many families in debt, as much as $80,000. It may not be worth it to spend that much. There's also the point that many kids aren't even sure about what it is they want to do, so spending thousands of dollars to figure it out, when it isn't the only way to figure it out, may not be the best decision. Of course college isn't a bad choice for everyone, it's usually a good choice, but it wouldn't be completely out of the question to consider other options if it makes sense for the individual. This could be an interesting area of research, because there are more and more unemployed people now, regardless of whether they have college degrees or not.

http://onthejob.45things.com/2011/11/does-college-make-sense-anymore.html

Monday Matters 15

In this article, Andrew Z Cohen examines an aspect of love that he believes is vital and often overlooked, trust. He believes that trust is the product and "sweetest gift" of absolute true love. He thinks that many people say they love another, but they actually don't trust. Trust is what brings true freedom and space, that's otherwise hard to acquire. Most tend to become attached when they feel they love someone, so to trust that someone will be faithful, there for you, etc. is a hard thing to do, but essential. Being vulnerable is important. This question could be relevant, because I feel like it expands the definition of love. Although it may be hard to research, it would be a new twist on vulnerability which tends to normally be viewed negatively.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-z-cohen/trust--more-difficult-than-love_b_1279288.html?ref=mindful-living&ir=Mindful%20Living

Monday Matters 14

Overall, Charles M. Blow seems to have a currently negative view about society; however, he does believe that change can be brought about. He includes many calls to action in his articles, and although he thinks that we are far from where we need to be, he's hopeful that if we unite we can change it. Unity seems to be the overall goal he is trying to relay through his writing. The first article I monitored from him was explicitly about that, "Decline of American Exceptionalism". In it he stated the dyer need for a stronger sense of nationalism in the United States. His next column was an attack on Newt Gingrich, however he was reaching out about a bigger issue, that many of the poor people in America are working very hard but their situations still aren't changing. He believes that the Republican party needs to alter some of the images they are relaying about the poor in America. This is a situation where a need for unity, to help the poor, is called for. The next column, "The Brutal Side of Hazing" was about how it's important to put an end to this awful practice that is still going on and harming kids at college. He says, "We must end the “conspiracy of silence." The only way that can happen is by working together. The last column of his that I read was called "Inconvenient Income Inequality" and was about how the gap between the rich and poor in America is becoming a large problem, even though most don't see it. Blow seems to view society as too nonchalant when it comes to problems that are huge issues now and will only get worse as time goes on. He wants people to open up their eyes and realize that this nation is far from perfect and to start questioning what they can do to change that. He seems to be striving for fairness, and sticking up for the underdogs, such as the poor.