Alcohol Use of Adolescents (Free Writing)

Alcohol Use of Adolescents 

There are many questions as to why adolescents drink alcohol. Who taught them that it was okay? Does drinking run in the family and that's why they're drinking? Who influences them? Does the media suggest that it is okay to drink at a young age? 

There are many programs that do not promote under age drinking, they try to convince adolescents to stray away from alcohol. But still under age drinking is still a major problem here in the United States. Under age drinking is in it's prime from age 18-21. They are in college and it the students peers may be drinking, so other students may drink due to peer pressure. Because the development of the brain can still continue into early adulthood, alcohol could be affecting the growth of the adolescent. Which is a major problem. When youths drink, they are more likely to binge drink.
Children who use alcohol at an early age are more likely to abuse alcohol as adults. It can also lead to unemployment problems, aggression, and are more likely to abuse other substances. Adolescents who use alcohol are more likely to have problems getting their obligations done at work, school, or home. Having problems with alcohol can be viewed as causing problems or damage to yourself or relationships with others.
A recent study shows that teens are more likely to drink alcohol than to do drugs or use tobacco. "The 2009 survey of more than 46000 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students in more than 380 schools nationwide revealed that the prevalence of alcohol use in the previous 30 days had declined by more than one-third since most recently peaking in 1996 but that less of a decline was found for older students." 
Teens in the United States who misuse alcohol are often times involved in dangerous situations that can lead to injuries or even death. A leading cause of teen deaths are caused by alcohol related accidents such as car crashes, homicide, and suicide.

I have friends who have drank under the age. I also have family who drank as teens and either ended up in car crashes or committed suicide. I have seen alcohol take people down bad roads. I have seen what it can do to people first hand. People get dependent on the alcohol, it can change people.
Since I am in college, I have been to many parties and see college students with alcohol. It may seem like nothing now, but later down the road it could turn into more than just a thing to do at parties.

"Alcohol Use by Youth and Adolescents: A Pediatric Concert." Pediatrics. AAP Gateway, May 2010. Web. Nov. 2015.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/5/1078 

The Impact the Internet Has On Society (Free Writing)

The Impact the Internet Has On Society

As we know, internet plays a great roll in our lives. We are always using the internet for various reasons, whether it is research for a school project, twitter, facebook, looking at maps, there are always a reason that we can be on the internet. Our generation is very into our smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Many places also offer wifi so that we don't have to use our own data. Because of the internet, you can say that the whole world is connected in some way.
Because we can say that people "hide behind their phones" means that they are less sociable. But actually it turns out that using the internet can actually increase the amount of how social a person is, civic engagement, and the relationship between family members and friends.
Not only is technology being used for social relations but also for businesses. You can now arrange business meetings with someone around the world with web chats. You can also send emails.
Because it seems like people are mostly on their phones theses days, that there might be little help in the community. But actually there seems to be more because you can spread awareness of the event over social media.
People are also making a living on the internet. They sell products and other internet users buy them.
I can definitely see how the internet can keep everyone connected. I talk to my family members who are states away, or even across the ocean, to see what is going on with them and to plan times to meet up. 
I can also see what is happening in the world. The recent Paris attacks were noted all over Twitter and Facebook. I would not have known about the Paris attacks without that social media. Someone tweeted "#PrayersForParis." I was curious so I just went to google and typed "Paris", instantly it brought up searches such as "paris attacks, paris terrorist attacks, paris attacks 2015." So obviously I knew that something had happened. 
After the Paris attacks, many people had posted pictures of the  Eiffel tower with the hashtag Pray for Paris. This somehow brought countries together. Showing their sympathy for one another.
The logo used for #PrayForParis

With the rise in social media and internet use, I have also noticed that 12 year olds have smart phones. When I was 12 I had a track phone. Now they have their smart phones and iPhones and tablets. They are way farther into the knowledge of technology than we were at that age.

"The Impact of the Internet on Society: A Global Perspective | MIT Technology Review." MIT Technology Review. N.p., 08 Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/530566/the-impact-of-the-internet-on-society-a-global-perspective/

"Eiffel Tower as Peace Symbol Goes Viral, as Thousands Send Prayers to Paris following Deadly Attacks." RT English. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
https://www.rt.com/news/322007-eiffel-prayers-paris-attacks/ 

Functionalism

Functionalism

Auguste Comte and Herbert Spencer are the founders of this theory. The idea of functionalism, is that society works together as one whole unit, but has inter-related parts. Functionalism was highly recognized by sociologists in the 1940s and the 1950s. This theory describes how society meets their needs for individuals and the social needs. (About.com, 2015)
Comte and Spencer looked at functionalism as if it were a living organism. Without one part of the organism, the whole system would collapse. If everyone does their part well then there will be stability in our society. (About.com, 2015) The different tasks that people do are often called divisions of labor. There are different parts but all are related. When one part of the society does not do their parts, it doesn't just impact them, but it impacts the whole society. If one falls, they all start to fall. (Boundless, 2015)
For an example, the state provides education for children, and then in return the children's family pays taxes that the state needs to function. The children also are expected to go to school and eventually get a good job so that they can also support their family. In the end, the children grow up to be tax-paying adults who support the government. (About.com, 2015)

 (PSYCHNOV, 2015)

"Everything You Need to Know About Functionalist Theory." About.com Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Functionalist-Theory.htm

"The Functionalist Perspective - Boundless Open Textbook." Boundless. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/sociology-1/theoretical-perspectives-in-sociology-24/the-functionalist-perspective-155-3284/

"PSYCHNOV." PSYCHNOV. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015. 

http://jmccrackenworld.com/SOCNOV.html