Explore to what extent the concept of motherhood is constructed Essay

Explore to what extent the concept of motherhood is constructed - Essay Example Those studies particularly show that the most widely accepted notions about motherhood are not innate in women and women were not actually born to fulfill those roles. To understand how the conventional views on motherhood came to be, it is important to study first what construction is. After which, the construction of motherhood will be studied. Studying motherhood construction is necessary in determining what a good and bad mother is. It is likewise important to study these notions about good and bad motherhood and to highlight that those notions are dependent on social contexts. The conventional views on motherhood are neither innate nor universal. They were a product of different social factors. The creation of these views is called motherhood construction. Several studies have been made in the past few decades concerning the construction of motherhood—its nature, the factors involved in it, and its psychological and social effects on women. A review of literature concerning motherhood shows a consensus among studies that motherhood is socially constructed. For instance, Woodward (1997) noted that different social, cultural, ethnical, and economic factors tend to create their own models of motherhood. This view is supported by Klee, Jackson, and Lewis (2002) who found that the definitions of good motherhood are neither constant nor universal. Since the construction of motherhood is already well-accepted, the main concern now is to determine the extent to which motherhood is constructed. This study focuses the nature of motherhood construction and the dominant views on ‘good’ and ‘bad’ motherhood. The most dominant view of a good mother is that of a woman who is at the ‘right’ age and is engaged in a stable heterosexual relationship (Unger, 2004, p.182). On the other hand, mothers who are â€Å"single, Black, young, working-class, and in lesbian

Original intent of Second amendment Essay Example for Free

Original intent of Second amendment Essay The second Amendment text is very clear to most of us, â€Å"A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed† (Second Amendment to the U. S. Constitution). Is such a text so complex to comprehend? It appears that yes, it is complex. Even a number of those who back it are not fond of the wording of the text, since it supposedly raises misunderstanding. However, the Second Amendment is in fact a well-formulated statement. By this it means that, the wordings of Second Amendment only allow one logical interpretation of the intended meaning, â€Å"the right of individuals to own firearms need to be upheld and respected† (Van Alstyne, 1242). This essay aims at discussing the original intent of the second amendment, to discuss this issue; the paper will start by explaining the founding father’s viewpoint of their intent in writing the second amendment. Then, the paper will explore the meaning of the word â€Å"militia† as it was used in its historical perspective for a clear theoretical understanding. The essay will also review the Miller vs.  US (1939), court case which is related to the subject under discussion, and lastly a brief conclusion will be provided to sum up the essay. The founding fathers’ view of second amendment The founding fathers of America who founded the American nation were well educated, and a lot of them studied Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages which allowed them to study the classic literature from their original scripts. The founding fathers were as well influenced by different great philosophers who lived before them like Aristotle, Plato, Richard hooker, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Adam Smith, Sir William Blackstone and many others (Skousen, 67). Sir, Blackstone an English law scholar and lecturer at the Oxford University was the most influential since he lived at same era with the founding fathers. In his well-known commentaries about England laws, he for instance incorporated the right to firearms as one of the five â€Å"absolute right of Englishmen† (Gottlieb, 72) When the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, he recognized ‘unalienable rights’, which included life as well as liberty. These two rights are as well called natural rights, and are believed to have been given to man by nature or God and these rights can not be lawfully denied (Gottlieb, 72). During this period, John Adam in his writing wrote that there exists a law though not written down at anyplace, but which is inherent, a law that comes to human beings without any training or tradition or learning but which is derived and absorbed and adopted from nature. He added that this law had came to man by practice and not theory, and through natural intuition and not by instruction. He concluded that he was referring to the law which stipulates that, if an individual life is endangered by armed robbers or violence or by an enemy, then an individual had a moral obligation to use any method possible to protect himself. Thus, John Adams had a conviction that every person was born as a free individual and with his independence, and such a person had some natural, basic and undeniable rights, and one of the rights was the right to defend one’s life and liberties (Cooper, 25). During the month in which the Declaration of Independence was written, Thomas Jefferson had written a model constitution for the state of Virginia which stipulated that â€Å"no free man shall be denied the use of firearms† (Gollieb, 68). The American founding fathers had personal experienced the pain of being occupied by the British troops and they understood how it felt to be occupied by foreign forces. In addition, they understood the essence of having prepared citizens to challenge the power of a suppressing government or an attacking army. Without the armed citizen, victory and success of Americans in the revolutionary war fought to liberate the country would possibly have not been achievable. In addition, Richard Gardener who was a Director of the National Rifle Association (NRA) explains that during the period of American Revolution, the English law had established a custom of keeping and carrying firearms which went back for nearly 100 years. Thus, it was in this custom of an individual’s right to own and use firearm for personal defense, and also to for defending the country that sparked off the American Revolution when the British army that was occupying America tried to takeover powder stores and disarm the people of Boston, seeking to deny them the ability of protecting their natural rights. After the revolution war and victory to the Americans, the founding fathers were faced with a new challenge; this challenge was establishing a constructive government for the new independent nation. Naturally, the founding fathers utilized their vast knowledge of philosophy and history together with spiritual beliefs, to formulate a government for the people of America which above all would preserve and maintain individual liberties and govern the people through their consent. Among the freedoms which were not to be interfered by the government were speech, religion and press. But, the founding fathers of the nation were also firm in their conviction that firearms were legitimate, valuable and essential component of a free nation. Richard Henry Lee wrote that, to protect and maintain liberty, it was necessary that the entire mass of people always should possess arms and more so, they should be taught particularly when they are young on how to use these arms (Gottlieb, 74). Accordingly, it can be seen that the fathers who founded America were not ashamed in any way about their liking of fire arms. For instance, Thomas Jefferson got a handgun when he was only ten years. Jefferson had a conviction that each boy ought to be given a chance to carry a gun. Below is an extract form one of the letters he sent to his nephew. †¢ A body that is strong makes the mind to be strong. For exercising your body and mind, I recommend a gun, whereas this provides a modest exercise to ones body, it as well offers boldness, activity and autonomous to the mind. Ball games and some other games are extremely violent to the body and they do not provide any character to the mind. Therefore, let your firearm be the usual escort as you work (Gottlieb, 70) During the ratification of the constitution, Van Alstyne (1237) explains that, both sides on the political divide supported the right of citizens to own firearms. John Adams and his cousin Sam Adams on opposing sides of the debate to make the ratification both agreed that, citizens had a right to own and carry firearms. At the Massachusetts conference, Sam opposed any ratification unless if accompanied by a stipulation â€Å"that the said Constitution be never construed o prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms. † (Gottlieb, 73) On the other hand John Adams, who later became president of America, wrote that firearms being owned by citizens might be used according to a person’s judgment, to defend his country, overthrow an oppressive regime, or defend himself (Gottlieb, 73). Indeed, those opposing the federalist government, like George Mason opposed the ratification of the constitution because it did not contain the Bill of Rights. Mason, who earlier had taken part in the constitution writing left, Philadelphia earlier and refused to endorse the document, since it did not incorporate a particular bill of rights, He reminded the delegates at Virginia that the revolutionary war fought earlier had been started by the attempt of the British to impound the firearms of the patriots of Concord. Thus, Mason liken the British approach of trying o disarm people, as a way to try and enslave them. Gottlieb, 59) However, Alexander Hamilton argued that it was not necessary to include the bill of rights since the individuals were already having those rights and they could not be denied or taken away from them. He added that, if the government which represented the people betrayed its people, then the citizens will not have any option apart from exercising their initial right of defending themselves, he further argued that, this right is important, and should be given to the people by all positive governments. But, supposing the government creates an army to force its will; then such an army will never be strong enough to defeat people ready and willing to defend their won rights. Madison as well was against the bill of rights (Van Alstyne, 1234). However, he gave in because of pressure from the Anti-Federalist (who wanted a fresh constitutional convention) so that he could preserve what had been already achieved regarding the constitution. But, Madison made a promise to propose some amendments to include the Bill of Rights supposing the constitution was ever ratified. As we are aware, the constitution was later ratified and true to his words, Madison fulfilled his earlier promise. Here is an original wording amendment that Madison initially proposed in the House of Representatives in August of 1789 â€Å"A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, being the best security of free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; but no person religiously scrupulous shall be compelled to bear arms†. (Halbrook, 77) But, Halbrook (78) explains that there was a debate afterwards and thus some alterations on the wording of the text were done, for example the mention of religious people was removed. To add on that, Halbrook also explains that since there was a general understanding on the meaning of the word ‘militia’, the expression â€Å"composed of the body of the people,† was removed from the text to make it short and clear (Halbrook, 78). At the time the first congress adopted the Bill of Rights, there was an understanding that the federal government had limited powers over the citizens. Presently a number of people dispute the understanding that the Second Amendment provided each and every citizen the right to own and carry firearms. They argue that the right stated in the Amendment implies a ‘collective right of the nation’ however such a viewpoint ignore the phrase â€Å"the right of the people† a phrase used in the first, then the second and also in the fourth amendments. Moreover, supposing that the collective concept is used on some other amendments which acknowledges natural rights of an individual or on individual rights like speech and religion, then it will mean that the state would as well have power over these rights also! A notion that would shock and outrage the country. In addition, the positioning of the Second Amendment within the Bill of Rights, which is amidst the rights of speech, right to assembly and the right of individuals from unnecessary searches and confiscations clearly indicates that the concept of collective right by the state is incorrect. In deed, Alan Gottlieb, president of The Second Amendment Foundation, asserts that each of founding fathers who debated arms categorically endorsed possession of firearms as a basic individual right (Gottlieb, 76). To explore this observation we shall outline the thoughts of George Washington.

Reason to Quit Smoking Essay -- Tobacco Nicotine Smoking Cigarettes

As many know that the effects on people caused by smoking it crossing the final borders of danger to quit that sickening habit of smoking. Hence if I get a chance to ban anything in the world, it will be smoking. Millions of people around the world enjoy the disgusting habit of smoking. This habit contributes to an outbreak of diseases which brings pain, suffering and death to millions every year. We should end this suffering by prohibiting smoking in all its forms. Smokers, non-smokers, and the environment are all adversely affected by smoking. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body. The list of additives allowed in the manufacture of cigarettes consists of 600 possible ingredients. When burned, cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, with over 40 of them being known carcinogens. Arsenic, carbon monoxide, methanol, cadmium, and hydrogen cyanide are just a few of the ingredients found in today's cigarettes. Some other ingredients include rat poison, lighter fluid, paint stripper, and tar. Studies show that smokers are much more likely to die premature...

Introduction to Computer

The Plates of a charged capacitor are connected by a voltmeter. If the plates of the capacitor are moved further apart. What will be the effect on the reading of the voltmeter? [1] 2. 3. What is the function of dielectric in a capacitor? A steam of electrons travelling with speed ? m s at right angles to a uniform e v2 = ? m rE [1] [2] electric field E is deflected in a circular path of radius r. Prove that 4. The distance between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor is d.A metal plate of thickness (d/2) is placed between the plates. What will be the effect on the capacitance? [2] 5. Keeping the voltage of the charging source constant. What would be the percentage change in the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor if the separation between its plates were to be decreased by 10%? [3] 6. Two identical plane metallic surfaces A and B are kept parallel to each other in air separated by a distance of 1. 0 cm as shown in the figure. Surface A is given a positive potential of 10V and the outer surface of B is earthed. a) What is the magnitude and direction of uniform electric field between point Y and Z? What is the work done in moving a change of 20 Â µ c from point X to Y? (b) Can we have non-zero electric potential in the space, where electric field strength is zero? [3]B A X Z Y Material downloaded from http://myCBSEguide. com and http://onlineteachers. co. in Portal for CBSE Notes, Test Papers, Sample Papers, Tips and Tricks 7. Figure (a) and (b) shows the field lines of a single positive and negative changes respectively [5] a) Give the signs of the potential difference : Vp ? Vq and VB — VA (b) Give the sign of the work done by the field in moving a small positive change from Q to P. (c) Give the sign of the work done by the field in external agency in moving a small negative change from B to A. 8. With the help of a labelled diagram, explain the principle, construction and working of a vandegraff generator. Mention its applications? [5] Mate rial downloaded from http://myCBSEguide. com and http://onlineteachers. co. in Portal for CBSE Notes, Test Papers, Sample Papers, Tips and Tricks

Second Foundation Last Interlude

Bail Channis sat in the small white-tiled room and allowed his mind to relax. He was content to live in the present. There were the walls and the window and the grass outside. They had no names. They were just things. There was a bed and a chair an books that developed themselves idly on the screen at the foot of his bed. There was the nurse who brought him his food. At first he had made efforts to piece together the scraps of things he had heard. Such as those two men talking together. One had said: â€Å"Complete aphasia now. It's cleaned out, and I think without damage. It will only be necessary to return the recording of his original brain-wave makeup.† He remembered the sounds by rote, and for some reason they seemed peculiar sounds – as if they meant something. But why bother. Better to watch the pretty changing colors on the screen at the foot of the thing he lay on. And then someone entered and did things to him and for a long time, he slept. And when that had passed, the bed was suddenly a bed and he knew he was in a hospital, and the words he remembered made sense. He sat up: â€Å"What's happening?† The First Speaker was beside him, â€Å"You're on the Second Foundation, and you have your mind back – your original mind.† â€Å"Yes! Yes!† Channis came to the realization that he was himself, and there was incredible triumph and joy in that. â€Å"And now tell me,† said the First Speaker, â€Å"do you know where the Second Foundation is now?† And the truth came flooding down in one enormous wave and Channis did not answer. Like Ebling Mis before him, he was conscious of only one vast, numbing surprise. Until he finally nodded, and said: â€Å"By the Stars of the Galaxy – now, I know.†