The hidden Epidemic

CHEATING AT ITS WORST

Being a student is complicated; all we wish for is to ‘have life made easy’, and cheating, well cheating has simply made itself an easy temptation. The practices of cheating have varied in several ways, at first the answers were written on the inside of our palms or arms, and then it was elaborated and expanded on a coke bottle. Obviously cheating has reached new realms in the modern society, with its means and intentions to be at times pointless, and often useless.

Students cheat for many reasons, students either want to pass, complete or finish a course. I guess the thought of a nearly approaching deadline, stirs anxiety in many. Often causing youngsters to make impaired decisions, and I literally mean impaired decisions. (The crash of a prolonged coffee break, adds to the pressure as well). It’s not like students don’t have the capability to pass, or even do well in a course, it is more so they have more than one course to think about. After a while the loads of work is pile, way over an individual’s limit. Even if a Canadian school year has given each student enough time to complete the work given, in the end it only seems like it isn’t enough. Most students, enjoy doing certain course that catches their interest, and only pick other course for the fact that it’s compulsory. When students do that that, they neglect the course they were enforced to take, and often choose to ‘do it later’, eventually this causes them to fail, and do the course again. The anxiety that one has to ‘do over’ a course, makes one just want to cheat. It is clearly a hard position to be in, because there is more than a credit that is being lost, the factor of self-esteem is also implemented. And it is at those times that make cheating seem to be the right path.

In my personal opinion, I believe cheating is a situation that has to be faced less like a problem, but more like a challenge. Most students are capable to finish or complete a course; however, their anxiety just gets the better of them. The Thought of not being able to finish, is one that took over many by storm. Student cheating is not a matter of ‘cons, or frauds’, it is a way of hope, and is a sense of relief for a student; however this process is a soul-killing one. Especially since the guilt is severe afterwards.

The Caste System

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMOvl2phGUQjxcUg5zj362GPF55z_61OiEjfc0ztINCm5IiFvYITJWWxWNPhlfMrqkhpWm6qnEPTwveOAPVaaVlD-UL7aBNUwLBExbYhyZkGze37OqgyTFsVBT_aD5E7ePwa_rSoRZmly/s320/caste_indian.jpg


The Caste system is recognized and highly influential in India. It serves the purpose of dividing society in categories based on occupation and family ancestry. Each category in the caste system claims a social status, when one is born they enter themselves into either the upper, lower, or middle class. Among these categories are the Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Chandalas.
The Brahmins are considered to be the highest class, above all. They are otherwise known as the priestly caste ‘in between’ humans, and God. Kshatriya is among the second highest class in the listing. They are by command protectors, in ancient times they were either kings or warriors. Today they are either Judges, higher authority officials, and etc. Vaishya could be considered the middle class among all classes, unlike the lower classes below it; people among this caste are eligible to marry within the higher castes above them. The Shudra is among one of the low classes, however people among this caste gain respect for their given occupation. Yet they are not allowed to eat in the presence of nor marry those among higher castes. Below the Shudra is the lowest possible class called the Chandalas, people among this caste was popularly known as the untouchables. However in present day that term and caste was revoked because it is considered to be a human rights violation. But prior to its removal people in this caste had unbearable “impure” jobs and they were required to be hidden from the higher castes. They weren’t entitled to neither an education, nor human resources and left uncared for.
Aside from setting up social statuses the caste system is part of a mythological factor. In the Hindu religion the Caste system is set up to either help people reach enlightenment, to punish, or reward people whom gained good or bad Karma in their previous lives. Hindu’s believe in reincarnation, in their religion one continues to reborn into the earth realm until they reach enlightenment and finally be with the creator God. However in order to reach enlightenment you have to be among the highest Caste in the Caste system. But the only way to reach a higher level in the Caste system is by gain good Karma, doing good deeds, living life to the fullest, but most importantly to make livelihood meaningful. The Caste system dates all the way back to 1200 BCE, and though it faced some changes from ancient times, it’s a highly influential social structure that is bound to continue many more years to come.

Questions:
1) Do you feel that the Caste system was only created to make people feel inferior or superior, or does it serve a true religious purpose?
2) Why did the ‘Untouchable’ Caste create such a controversy?
3) In your opinion what are the positive and negative aspects of the Caste system?





Links:
http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/india.htm
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_caste.asp
http://krishna.org/the-indian-caste-system/
http://www.asiasociety.org/countries-history/traditions/jati-the-caste-system-india
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0306/feature1/
http://www.mrdowling.com/612-caste.html
http://www.sociologyguide.com/social-stratification/caste-system.php
http://www.english.emory.edu/Bahri/caste.html
Written By Shankri Fabian
Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School

EXPRESSIVE IN OUR OWN WAY!

Feminists in the making

Women today, I believe are more opinionated than in previous generations. And with acknowledgement, I could say that our freedom of thought, position, and means of expression; is given to us young women from feminists prior to our generation. It is the movement made by feminist, that makes me strive to fight for better equality among both sexes. Though legally women are given “equal” rights, we still get the short end of the stick, when we are ultimately put up against men.

In society today, women are at times still recognized as tender, and probably physically incapable. However we are smart, talented, but more so passionate and proud of our gender. Men may obtain ‘physical strength’ but women obtain ‘psychological strength’. Personally I could state that “‘physical strength’ is used to divert one from another’s fear, where as ‘psychological strength’ is used to make a true logical statement.”

I understand hate is strong word, but I dislike women whom don’t take advantage of the freedom given to us by our feminist ancestors. Though these women maybe resistant to be sexually abused, they give into abuse from their boyfriends, husbands, or a male figure they adore. Reason: women are in love. And I find this type of behavior made by women pathetic and ridiculous. For truly if a guy honestly loved you he would appreciate your sense of expression, but more so respect you well enough in order not to hurt you.

But aside from that most women aren’t reluctant to stand up for what they believe in. When in an injustice takes place, we women fight for right. Individually we’re all independent and, and are confidently dependant only in each of our personal strength. To say; ‘In…absence of the massive 1970-style street marches, many of us be persuaded that fighting feminist movement is over” –Maddie White, is incorrect. For women thrive at the scene of an injustice, but more so maintain communication skills to unite people towards one cause. Feminism still exists perhaps not in the same old fashioned way, but in a way that brings everyone or mostly everyone in union. It is always important to remember that we are still 'Feminist in the making'--a revolutionary cause.

'WE' (united term) NEED TRUE JUSTICE!

I WISH I DISCOVERED HER A WHILE AGO!

Maddie White Feminist, and writer for the Toronto star, is truly someone I would have liked to have met, prior to the agony and torture I have undergone. Reason: my Gender. Maddie’s opinionated editorial, titled ‘Gender studies missing from high school’ has captivated my heart, but it has also left me distraught. Though moderate in concept, I believe it was a piece worth reading.

By using such sources as:

The Falconer report on violence in the Toronto District School BoardCentre for Addiction and Mental health-report on the psychological effects of violence at high schools in southwestern Ontario (Also known as: CAMH)

The Miss G project, (themissgproject.org)

She was able to show her audiences what was being done, and what wasn’t quite enough, to stop violence against young teens. Though she was refused an interview from her former high school teacher, by administration, she had not let this stop her from getting the information she needed to spread her news.

It is obvious that Maddie feels strongly about justice for women, it’s a tone that is easily identifiable in her writing. However when discussing matters on Violence in high school, it does not just happen to women, the same rule applies for men as well. Matter of fact in high school I believe it’s harder for men to admit that they are being abused in some way, because the pressure of looking ‘female’ like when “snitching” is applied. Also when she uses the ‘reports on violence’ which I believe is referred to both genders, she makes it relevant to only the female teens in high school. I understand that this piece is an opinionated editorial, though if you are going to use information it should be relevant to your specific topic. And when she used the ‘reports’, which I could only naturally assume was related to both genders. I thought she should have been writing about ‘Violence in high school’ rather than ‘Female violence in high school’. Over all Maddie White is ‘on the right track’ with her motives as a feminist, though she should be clearer of her intentions.

‘Gender studies missing from high school’ URL:

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/351038