Why Your Co-Workers Act like Children

"As the recession sends stress levels into the stratosphere, colleagues' weird behavior seem to be getting worse" a statement from Anne Fisher in the TIME article Why Your Co-Workers Act like Children. Sylvia Lafair, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology whose book Don't Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns that Limit Success. Lafair's research shows that," much as we like to believe that our behavior is entirely rational and governed by our conscious mind, our thoughts and actions are often driven by the roles we learned in our families as children. And under pressure, we tend to revert to old patterns."In her book, Lafair describes the 13 personality types she's identified — including the persecutor, the avoider, the clown, the martyr, the rebel — and explains how they got that way, how to work with them and, perhaps most important, how to tell if baggage from your own distant past is weighing down your career. And especially during a time of this crisis more people are averting to their youth ways which can have consequences-especially in a business environment. However, the best solution to avoid these confrontations is to leave it at home.

Questions:
1) Is really possible to leave personal issues at home? There are times when people need to vent and even though it might cause consequences the person is able to hopefully reach an epiphany.

2) The author only states in business these situations may occur. Do you believe this can relate to any career- including high school students with relationships with teachers/counselors?

Branded Chunk #2

Inspired by the commercialization of youth and also by the signs of resistance to it, Quart decided to write Branded. The term brand suggests both the ubiquity of logos in today's teen dreams and the extreme way these names too define teen identities. Quart 's hope is that these stories of kid branding will help to increase understanding of a dangerous consequences of the current materialism. The influence of kids has expanded. " Kids are the most powerful sector of the market, and we should take advantage of them"( Pg 47) People use kids to benefit their business omitting the consequences that will later have on the child. In today's society, we tend to forget that tweens/ teenagers are just children who are still finding their way around this chaotic world. And with peer pressure and frantic pressure to dress in the " in crowd" is constantly surrounding them. However, their are people who recognize the crisis of selling children, - the anti marketers. The majority of the protesters were holistic bright-eyed mothers. " The First Amendment argument for the marketing of the mercial and violet material to kids serve the interest of industry, not the interests of children" (Pg 56) states Diane Levin. Additionally, the media has been portraying the stories of insiders: Clueless, Bring It On, Legally Blonds, and Varsity Blues. Many teens allow these Teen Blockbusters movies to guide them.

Questions:
1) Are people aware of the silent crisis of branding or are they ignorant towards the fact?

2) If a teenager volunteers to be featured as a product to raise money and popularity for the business, is it still considered negative?

Visiting Daddy in Prison: A Palestinian Ordeal

"Mommy, why does Daddy have to sleep on the Israeli side?"Jinan asks the same question she always does. And her mother, Salam Nazal, comforts her by saying: "Because that's where the best Palestinian men go to sleep, and your father is one of them." A daughter desire to visit her father in jail requires a great deal of steps that is discussed in the article, Visiting Daddy in Prison: A Palestinian Ordeal by Tim Mcgirk. Salam Nazal cannot accompany her daughters because she is an on Israeli security watch list, although she has never learned why. However with the thought of not being able to attend with her daughter she fears her safety. "I'm so worried about having them go without me," says Salam"But what can I do? This is their only chance to see their father." Israel refuses to finance or arrange transportation for Palestinians making prison visits, leaving the task to the Red Cross.Every month, says Anne-Sophie Bonefeld, an ICRC spokeswoman in Jerusalem, her organization arranges the bus-rides and bureaucratic paperwork that enables more than 20,000 Palestinians to visit relatives inside Israeli prisons.

Questions:

1) Do you believe that Salam Nazal should accompany her daughter since she is underage despite her name on the security watch list?
2) Is it considered a form of racism to not allow transportation for Palestinians?

Branded Chunk #1

Alissa Quart takes her audience on a eye opener journey of the reality of the marketing of teenagers. Thus, introducing the readers to the disturbing advertisers who have targeted younger teens to promote their advertisement. Branded consists of diverse topics that are rapidly being place in the lives of teenagers. The main focus: the infatuation of branding items. Over the last decade, there has been a increase in the intensity that malefactors employ to sell their stuff to the young. Quart states" They have grown up in the age of the brand, bombarded and defined by name products and intrusive and clever advertising." (Pg xvi) Throughout the first chunk, Branded begins her chapters with tweens whom have been victims of this silent crime. Quart further maintain credibility by discussing interviews which allows the readers to get keen insight about the problem. Brand consciousness sets in early. " One twelve year old murmured to me when a girl clad in Reebok gear passed by," Adidas is cooler." (Pg14 ) Additionally," it is common for mothers and daughters in upper-middle -class areas to wear the same expensive brand -name clothes. While the mothers strives to look twelve years younger, the daughter strives to look twelve years older. They meet in between. "(Pg16)

Questions:

1) Is branding really a crisis. Or is it just individuals who have a particular style and have high priorities about fashion?

2) Quart uses interviews to maintain credibility. However, she states so far only tweens in Middle School. As a student in High School does it have an affect on you or is it just pre-teen drama that the tweens discuss.

In Germany, No Angels Star Faces HIV Charges

Imagine finding out one day that you have contracted HIV due to the lack of the partner's willingness to confess they are HIV positive. Unfortunately, this scenario is not fiction; it recently happened to three men in Germany. This situation is discussed in the article, In Germany, No Angels Star Faces HIV Charges by Tristana Moore. Nadja Benaissa, the singer in Germany's top all-girl band "No Angels" was fortunate enough to have a successful career in Germany. However, the singer is now sitting in a Frankfurt prison cell on remand. The 26 year-old was arrested on April 11 on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. State prosecutors accuse her of having had sex with three men without telling them that she was HIV positive. Ger Neuber, a prosecutor in the city of Darmstadt, near Frankfurt, tells TIME, " Her former lover filed charges against her last year. He is HIV positive and suspects that she is responsible. We arrested her and she's been remanded in custody because there is a danger that she might repeat this." The growing number of HIV victims is increasing every year- especially among the African -American and Latino community. Despite the situation, "No Angels" is planning to go on tour in the summer and a new album is due out in the next couple of months. For now, the show goes on.

Questions:
1) Should Nadja Benaissa be sent to jail due to on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm? And if that is the case, what about the rest of the people who have contracted the virus and is left with no hope of justice?

2) Since Germany allows visible prostitution, many people have contracted the virus and other STD'S. Do you think this story made a huge impact on the citizens who live in Germany or just another story?

Size 6: The Western Women's Harem

The article Size 6: The Western Women's Harem by Fatema Merissi elucidates the disadvantages of women in Western and Muslim countries. Fatema Merissi is a teacher, writer, and activist that expose her writings on subjects ranging from feminism to religion. the article consists of Fatema trying to buy a skirt in a US department store which leads the author to compare the relative disadvantages of women in Western and Musilm countries. She compares the two sets of women: in the Muslim culture women are forced to wear a veil to cover their faces as a sign of respect towards men. However, women in the Western countries have to force their bodies to fit a size 6- which has extreme consequences. The author soon realizes that although women in the Muslim culture have to wear a veil, it doesn't compare to the emotional and physical battle to be define as Beautiful in the Western society.

Questions:
1) Do you agree with Fatema Mersissi claim that forcing to fit a size 6 is more drastic than covering your face with a veil?

2) Does the Western countries still uphold wearing a size 6( or being skinny) as beautiful, or are we gradually overcoming that idea?

OMG! Hannah Montana( and Miley) Top Box Office

In the article , OMG! Hannah Montana (and Miley) Top Box Office, by Richard Corliss, illustrates the Disney star Miley Cyrus once again million box office ratings. "At the top of the Easter weekend box office. Hannah Montana: The Movie, a big-screen version of the Disney Channel series, exceeded the predictions of the industry swamis. It registered the biggest opening day for any G-rated movie and proved that Hollywood should never underestimate the drawing power of Hannah and her kid sisters. " These number visibly shows the power of a popular Disney Star- despite the age number. The Hanna Montana picture, which cost only about $35 million to produce, will finish an honorable second among Disney's parade of teenybopper movies. High School Musical 3: Senior Year took in $43 million its first three days — the top opening weekend for a G-rated film. For someone at a young age. Cyrus is making millions of money base on one movie.

Questions:
1) Is Miley Cyrus a vital example that young stars are able to hold their own in the Hollywood business or is she just continuing the steps from previous childhood stars?

2) How is it possible for Miley Cyrus to have countless fans when she constantly parades herself in a negative light?

President Obama: At Home Abroad

In the article President Obama: At Home Abroad, by Michael Scherer illustrates the total chaos that the President has to endure. The text states that "over the next eight days, Obama would have to visit six countries, attend three international summits, conduct scheduled meetings with 25 world leaders and deliver public remarks at least 22 times, including five press conferences and two student-filled town halls." In addition it was also stated that "At every stage, the President gave essay-length answers to even the wonkiest theoretical questions, though his eyes sometimes hung heavy with dark sags. " Despite, the long hours and countless meeting, President Obama shows 100% dedication and precision even with idiotic questions . A witness stated that " Obama showed no signs of frustration. If anything, he managed a mix of realism and exuberance." And especially during a time of economic challenges, it is a good sign of strong, clear headed leader.

Vocabulary:
exuberance
immunological

Questions:
1) Does President Obama positive attitude toward the economic crisis still bring an optimistic view for the future?

2) Is President Obama's hopeful attitude a facade for the American people or an honest piece of character?