Chapter 2: Safe Sex

In the article "We're lying: Safe Sex and White Lies in the Time of AIDS" is written by Meghan Daum. It talks about some of the dangers of sex and that their is a risk for STD's and AIDS. The article states that people are aware of the risk of engaging in sexual activity but they don't think that they are actually at risk which is really counter intuitive. They also aren't aware of the what a real danger AIDS is and how it can affect one's life so dramatically. The article seemed a little long winded on the topic and I feel like it could have touched up on it better.

Question 5.

I absolutely think that sex education should be taught in schools, all schools too not just public. Sex is a huge part of the American culture and the youth need to be educated about it. I think parents should also teach their children about sex on a personal level, however since many parents may be uncomfortable talking about the topic I feel that it absolutely needs to be covered in school as well. The ideal age to teach this is in middle school before they start to engage in these behaviors. I would say between the 13 and 15 age would be ideal. Some of the topics that should be covered are all of the STDs and AIDS. Also include their symptoms as to enforce that these diseases are very dangerous. Also go over safe sex and practices on how to do this. I think both male and females should have to put condoms on bananas, so they can learn the right way to do it as many people screw this up. i also think both genders should be educated on birth control and how to use it and how to deal with the side effects. These are only some of the topics that should be covered and there are definitely more important topics out there that are just as important.

Chapter 2: Drinking Deaths Draw Attention to Old Campus Problem

In this section, the problem of underage drinking and alcohol poisoning was discussed. About 18 to 24 college students die each year from alcohol poisoning but many more die or suffer injuries from activities while they are intoxicated, usually traffic accidents. Many universities are stepping up their game to combat drinking related deaths and injuries. However many argue that these restrictions will only push students away and could actually make the situation worse.

Sink started off the piece by sharing two tragic accounts where college students died of alcohol poisoning.  “Samantha Spady… died of alcohol poisoning after an evening of friends in which she drank the equivalent of 30 to 40 beers and shots (Sink).” This intro was particularly grabbing because it showed that this stuff happens and it is totally avoidable. If students were more responsible and were educated better about how to drink safely. It also showed very clearly that alcohol poisoning is a real problem in universities today.

I personally feel that all universities can do is educate people about the effects of drinking, which SUNY Plattsburgh has done well. Also, make sure that stores that sell alcohol are constantly carding young people. Other than that there isn’t much they can do. If students want to drink they will find a way too no matter what. Students need to be in control of their actions and know that their actions have consequences.

Chapter 2 Could Facebook Through a Wrench in Your Future.

 Question 4

There is no arguing that most of today’s teenagers, young adults and even older adults use Facebook. Facebook started out just for young people but as it got more popular it branched out other age groups. Many people share information about themselves on Facebook, maybe a bit too much. Employers and colleges are looking and young people's Facebook pages to conduct a discreet background check. What they find isn’t always good. Young people put things on Facebook for their friends to see not their future boss. A picture of you doing something illegal or a post on your wall can make an employer not hire you.

Now employers are doing nothing wrong by doing this either. Facebook is a public network and anyone with an account could access one’s information. I think what they are doing is perfectly fine too. Jobs are hard to come by these days and employers want to know as much about you as possible. Employers are just using all the resources available to them to help them make the best decision.

“It’s a personality test. What you have on sites like Facebook is just another way the company can do a behavior analysis on you (Dince).” This is why I always make sure that my Profile has nothing bad on it that could potentially hurt me in the future. If young people don’t want employers seeing what they posting, then they should increase their privacy on their account so other people can’t see what they are posting. They should also be careful that if the “Friend” their boss they can see everything that they post. Students just have to accept that this is a fact of life and if they want to post other stuff then they should find another social media outlet to do that.

Chapter 2 Focusing on Friends

Question 5:

In this essay the author completely changes his mind from the beginning to the end of the piece. The author talks about how he loves all of his female friends in the opening. He states that he is really open with his female friends and he knows where he stands in their relationship.  Then at the end he wished he hadn’t been so forth coming with his female friends and ends up severs ties with all of his female friends.  The conclusion of this piece really did catch me by surprise.

               ‘“I told you I love you. What else do you want?” I can recoil in the impatient hostility of that voice but I can’t deny it was mine (Tesich).’ Tesich says this two his female friends after he becomes unhappy with them after remembering some of his best male friends. The author feels like his friendship with his female friends is too easy. Whereas with his male friends he has to work a little more and explore more ways to prove to his male friends that he loves them instead of just explaining it.

               I just found it odd that the author did a complete turnaround at the end. However it kept me on my toes and I totally understand the authors point.