Statistics on Teen Suicide, Drugs, and Violence

Statistics on Teen Suicide, Drugs, and Violence Theories Behavioral Psychology Print The Truth About Troubled Teens By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our editorial policy Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on February 08, 2020 Todor Tsvetkov/E/Getty Images More in Theories Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911 immediately. Although no parent wants to think about tough topics, like teen suicide, teen pregnancy, and teen violence, those issues are real among many of todays teenagers. Its important for parents to be informed about the issues many teenagers are facing. Even if your teen never experiences any serious problems first-hand, shell likely have friends and classmates who do. In the next 24 Hours in the United States: 1,439 teens will attempt suicide.2,795 teenage girls will become pregnant.15,006 teens will use  drugs  for the first time.3,506 teens will run away.2 teens will be murdered. Youth and Crime In 2013, the United States handled 1.1 million juvenile delinquency cases.More than a quarter of crimes committed by juveniles are committed by females.  Almost 22,000 crimes involved weapons.  Every 4 minutes a youth is arrested for an alcohol-related crime.Every 7 minutes a youth is arrested for a drug crime. Teen Suicide Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 24.  More teens and young adults die from suicide than from heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, pneumonia, influenza, cancer, and lung disease combined.Four out of five teens who attempt suicide give warning signs. But often, those signs are missed or ignored.   Teen Pregnancy In 2014, there were 249,078 babies born to women between the ages of 15 and 19.  Although teen births are on the decline in the United States, the rate is still higher than in other western industrialized nations.Teen pregnancy costs taxpayers an estimated $9.4 billion annually. Costs consist of increased health care, foster care, increased incarceration rates among teen parents, and lost tax revenue to pregnant teens being more likely to drop out of school.   Teen Mental Health 20% of adolescents live with a mental health condition.  50% of all mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% begins by age 24.The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is between 8 and 10 years.  70% of teens who commit crimes have a mental illness.  Almost half of all students with a mental illness drop out of high school.  90% of teens who kill themselves have an underlying mental illness.   Understanding the Risks Arming yourself with the facts can be the first step in reducing your teens risks. When you understand the challenges many teens are facing, you can take steps to prevent problems before they start.   And if you do see signs of a problem, take immediate action. Whether you suspect your teen is abusing drugs, or you see some early warning signs of depression, talk to your teens pediatrician. Ignoring the problem wont make it go away. In fact, your teens problems may get worse. Early intervention is the key to helping your teen.   How to Talk to Your Teen Even if you think your teen would never try drugs or isnt sexually active, its important to talk about it. Here are some ways to make the conversations most effective: Ask about other people. Instead of saying like, Has anyone ever offered you drugs? which may cause your teen to feel like shes being interrogated, ease your way into the conversation by asking about other people. Say, Do you think drugs are a big problem in your school? Then listen to what your teen has to say.Ask for your teens opinion. Rather than lecture your teen about the dangers of alcohol, ask questions like, What do you think about the drinking age? This could spark an interesting discussion about why its illegal for kids to drink.Strike up conversations when youre doing something. Sitting down for a heart to heart can be anxiety-provoking for everyone. So make it a more casual conversation that you bring up while youre playing pass. Talking while driving in the car can be easier too as you wont be facing one another directly.Hold ongoing conversations. A single conversation about teen pregnancy or the risks of underage drinking wont be enough. Hold ongoing conversations abou t some of the risks teens face to ensure that your teen is really hearing your message.

Essay on Intellectual Disability - 2319 Words

Question 1: Who are the students in this group? In the United States, 4.9% of the population is considered intellectually disabled. In other words, from a base population of 287,572,700 people, 14,144,300 of them have an intellectual disability. In the state of South Carolina, 5.6% of the population has an intellectual disability. This means from a base population of 4,311,200, an estimated 242,600 are considered to have an intellectual disability. This survey included all ages, races, all genders, and all education levels (â€Å"Disability Statistics†). Intellectual disability is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. This covers many social and practical skills used in everyday life. This†¦show more content†¦The range of severity of an intellectual disability varies with each individual. Children may take longer to learn common tasks such as speaking, dressing, or eating. Some individuals with intellectual disabilities may b e able to live independent lives without extra support. A few have lifelong limitations in functioning and will need paid supports their entire lives. Early intervention and appropriate education play a large role in developing someone with an intellectual disability to be able to lead independent lives in the community (â€Å"Intellectual Disability† The Arc). Intellectual disability is diagnosed using IQ tests and standardized tests of adaptive behaviors. Other factors must be considered in these tests to limit bias. The context of community environments, such as an individual’s age, peers, and cultures, must be taken into account when analyzing limitations in functions. The assessments must also be aware of and taken into account cultural and linguistic diversity. Finally the goal of the determining limitations to develop a profile of needed supports so that through a personalized program, over time, the individual will improve (â€Å"Intellectual Disability† The Arc). There is no cure for intellectual disability. However, services and plans are available. These may include case management, family support, vocational programs, specialShow MoreRelatedIntellectual Impairment And Intellectual Disability1319 Words   |  6 Pageshaving an intellectual impairment or intellectual disability (The Arc). People who have these conditions are rarely given the same opportunities as people who don’t, and because of this, many very talented individuals go unnoticed and never reach their full potential. In a time where one to three percent of Americans have this disability, this is an issue that affects almost everyone either by knowing someone who has it or by knowing someone who is affected by it. People with intellectual impairmentsRead MoreChildren With An Intellectual Disability1556 Words   |  7 Pageswhen overcoming certain challenges and obstacles in their lives. Jo began explaining what it was like having a child with an intellectu al disability from early on. When Jody was born, Jo and his wife were given to option of whether or not they wanted to keep him. During this time, it was something that was not uncommon for parents with children that were born with a disability to be asked. Several of these parents had the choice of whether or not to keep and raise their children or the child couldRead MoreChildren With Intellectual Disabilities ( Id )1673 Words   |  7 PagesHistorically children with intellectual disabilities (ID) were taught in segregated schools. Over the past two decades inclusive practices, addressing the equality of people with an intellectual disability (ID) has gained recognition through treaties and policies in Australia and internationally (IDEA, 2004; UNCRPD, 2006). School inclusion supports the rights of students with ID to be taught in mainstream schools. During this time researchers have studied the views and attitudes of students towardsRead MoreIntellectual Disabilities Essay11 64 Words   |  5 PagesPersons with Intellectual Disabilities or Intellectually Disabled Persons: Which is the Classifying Entity? As I write this, sitting in a solitaire corner of the library, Im gently enclosing in my hand a simple rubber bracelet. My inspiration. Not the famous, bright yellow LiveStrong ones that Neil Armstrong once yielded, but a modest black band with contrasting white letters simply stating I See You. This statement may seem unpretentious and bland, maybe even comical to some, but it has a sincereRead MoreIntellectual Disabilities Essay683 Words   |  3 PagesIn reading chapter 8 on intellectual disabilities, I found that the field of intellectual disabilities has developed throughout the years. The term intellectual disabilities and mental retardation are used interchangeably. The term â€Å"mental retardation† is the federal definition used by IDEA, however many states today do not use the term. Many people do not use the term mental retardation because of its history. Long ago, students who were known to have â€Å"mental retardation† were put in special schoolsRead Mo reIntellectual Disability Essay1594 Words   |  7 PagesUnder the law, intellectual disability in relation to a person over the age of 5 years, is defined as significant sub-average general intellectual functioning; and significant deficits in adaptive behaviour, each of which manifest before the age of 18 years. Legal Responses Legislation Many intellectually disabled individuals are mis treated and discriminated against in the work place or the community. In response to this, two main acts have been established ; the Disability Discrimination ActRead MoreChildren With Intellectual And Physical Disabilities1421 Words   |  6 Pagesin our world are born with intellectual and physical disabilities. These people don’t have any control over how they are born, but we as a nation have the authority over how they are taken care of. From reading the fictional book â€Å"Flowers for Algernon,† the nonfiction articles â€Å"Disabled Couple Forced to Live Apart,† and â€Å"Social Sensitivity.† Many people with disabilities are not allowed jobs and/or education. The percentage of unemployment for people with disabilities is 12.1. There are numerousRead MoreEssay on Understanding Persons with Intellectual Disabilities1518 Words   |  7 Pages It is important to understand the terms that are associated with intellectual disabilities. The first term is disability. Disability is an individual performing which includes physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual mental illness impairments, and various types of chronic diseases. The next term involves intelligence. This term is the ability to think logically, reason out problems, prepare, understand difficult ideas, examine intellectually, and the ability to determine quickly and or acquireRead MoreSocial Inclusion And Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities Essay1334 Words   |  6 Pagesinclusion among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) the social dynamics of these circumstances can be more complex then traditionally anticipated. In the United States of American six and a half million people, on average, have intellectual and or developmental disabilities. This translates into two and a half percent of the population (Morstad 2010). Globally, about two hundred million people have intellectual and or developmental disabilities. Worldwide, this makes upRead MoreStudents With Intellectual Disabilities ( Id )1107 Words   |  5 Pagesstudents with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in a classroom setting. I had interviewed Ms. Chisolm (Special Education Teacher) for the Jersey City Public Schools District, who works with students of multiple disabilities. Intelligence disabilities (ID) mean the mental capabilities of a child’s knowledge and skills. Intellectual disability can be developed during childbirth or before the age of eighteen. It is imperative for me to know, â€Å"What are the characteristics of students with intellectual disabilities

Social Meida Addiction Essay - 1962 Words

On the night of my first Media and Society class, my instructor Ann, sternly stated (while going over the class syllabus) that we were not to use our, smart phones, computers, etc. for personal use only class related reasons or taking notes. No social media networks, tweeting or sending messages. I found myself thinking this is an adult college program; why was it necessary for her to tell us that? Is there a problem here that required such a statement? Ann then asked how many of us use â€Å"Social Media† (that is what the class is about, media and its effect on society) what we use it for, how often we use it and if we ever turned our connection off. When I heard some of the answers I was concerned. Several students admitted that they would†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"As many as 1 in 8 Americans suffer from problematic social media usage,† according to Stanford University,† not only are people obsessed and over use it, but they are actually becoming addi cted. There are several online social medias that people are becoming addicted to; the five most prevalent are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Dating sites and online gaming, in particular Warcraft. Anyone who has access to technology, a computer, smart phone etc. and access to the internet is at stake in this new-aged addiction, regardless of age, race or gender. Social Media Addiction is now being recognized as a psychological disorder all over the world, not just here in the U.S. In the 90’s studies were focused on Internet Addiction (IA), but the new decade with its advances in social media sites have now added yet another addiction to study. Facebook seems to be the number one social web site that has the highest addiction count. Facebook has 800 million active users, two billion posts are liked and commented on per day and approximately 10 billion minutes (all together) are logged on the site each day. It is so addictive for so many that is has been said to be as addictive as smoking. Studies have revealed that people feel upset, fidgety and agitated if they are denied access to the internet and their social media sites. Some even stating that they feel lonely, depressed and anxious if they are unable to access their Facebook account. Like other

E-Learning website for Multimedia Free Essays

People nowadays, access the Internet or online services to acquire different and useful information. Most of them are people that want to get knowledge that are easy to learn and understand. It is very common now in our society that many people use the computer for their research purposes and to gather such information by simply surfing through the internet. We will write a custom essay sample on E-Learning website for Multimedia or any similar topic only for you Order Now One of the things that gives information and many people can acquire knowledge is the E-learning systems. E-learning system is web-based learning or known as the online training and eachings that are more simple and easy to learn. E-learning services, it enables developing of skills and knowledge by means of different web-applications and process in a particular course of teaching. Many people uses the internet to watch and to search for different tutorials that can we access to many different online services. Multimedia Arts involves the digital designing of visual elements, such as editing images, videos, audios, etc. It becomes richer and deeper because visual and narrative art are expressed in digital media. Therefore, E-learning system for Multimedia arts can give interest and opportunities by means of accessing this web-based training. There is variety of equipment on this online education that gives the important teachings that the users need to learn. General Problem How to create an E-Learning system for Multimedia Arts that enables to acquire skills and knowledge that is more simple and easy to learn. Specific Problem How to design the interface of the system? How to design the layout of the system? How to maintain the security of the website? How to cite E-Learning website for Multimedia, Essays

Television industry is experiencing significant growth Essay Example

Television industry is experiencing significant growth Paper CABLE TV OPERATORS. NTL group ltd. NTL group provides telecommunication and television services, including telephone, cable television and internet access. Its network reaches to 50% of the UK households. NTL is the first company to provide interactive television services which includes offering shopping, banking, gaming and entrainment facilities. Telewest Communications Plc. Telewest is the second largest broadband communications and media group in the UK, providing cable television, telephony and Internet access to around 1. 8 million homes. Flextech Telewests content division is the largest provider of basic channels to the UK pay television market. In May 2002 Telewest introduced enhanced TV programming in time for high-profile events, in conjunction with BBC and Channel 4. During the BBCs coverage of the World Cup, Telewest customers were able to enjoy a number of new interactive features, including a choice of video streams and the ability to listen to the usual commentary, the crowd or the Radio 5 live. Isle of Wight Cable and Telephone Company Ltd. Isle of Wight Cable and Telephone Company is the smallest of the UKs cable operators. We will write a custom essay sample on Television industry is experiencing significant growth specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Television industry is experiencing significant growth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Television industry is experiencing significant growth specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It only employs 65 people and has a very limited area of operation: the Isle of Wight. The UK cable TV operators SWOT analysis. Both NTL and Telewest, being involved in the same type of television content distribution, have much in common in their SWOT analysis. Thus the analysis below represents the total cable television segment of the UK television industry. Strengths: The main strength of the UK TV industry cable operators is the versatility of services they offer, including telephone, home banking, video on demand, fast internet connections. They have greater possibilities for interactive television, comparing with BSkyB. Another important strength of the cable operators is that they transmit very quality pictures and offer a wide choice of programming. The later however is still less than that of BSkyB. With cable TV provider you dont have to put a satellite dish on you wall. Weaknesses: One major factor limiting the growth of cable television in the UK is the greater construction costs of the infrastructure: in the UK cable has to be laid underground and the costs of this are very high (Martin 2000 p. 35-36). Cable operators have very little programming of their own. They mostly rely on the programming provided by BSkyB and have to pay for the access to it. The high construction costs and the dependence on BSkyB for programming contribute to the higher level of prices of cable operators, comparing to the satellite service. The UK cable companies have limited possibilities in competition with BSkyB. According to Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 cable operators not allowed to obtain exclusive rights to certain major national sporting events (Martin 2000, 35-36). Opportunities: As new services such as video on demand, multimedia and fast internet connections become a reality the versatility of the fibre-optic cable networks will become increasingly valuable. The satellite and terrestrial broadcasters will remain dependant on old copper-wire telephone technology for interactivity. In most cases BT will be acting as gatekeeper (Key Note 2002). Advertising, as a source of profit, havent been exploited so far by the cable operators, as they have limited programming. Developing their own content means a new source of profit for cable operators. Moreover they can use the time allocated to them by most program suppliers (aprox. 2 minutes per hour). A merger between Granada and Carlton presents more possibilities for cooperation between the UK content providers and Cable operators, as both parts have been strongly reliant on each other for the content and channels of distribution. This cooperation will give the companies more strength to withstand the satellite TV competition and expand in the market. Threats: The financial health of the cable operators is very dubious. Their net debts are nearly i 20bn. According to the information, provided by Key Note (2002), cable operators receive 50% percent of their revenues from telephone charges. These are, however. decreasing due to constraints by Oftel (the telecommunications regulator). This may present new financial difficulties to the cable operators. The UK digital terrestrial television operators SWOT analysis. The UK DTT operators include BBC, Channel Four, Five and ITV. The main owners of ITV are Granada and Carlton. The current merger between Granada and Carlton, will result in a new company ITV plc. All these companies are vertically integrated, which means that they are both the providers of content and its distributors. However with the development of satellite and cable television, their role as distributors of content becomes limited, as DTT becomes less and less popular. These companies now distribute their content through satellite and cable operators. They play a more important role as content providers now. Information on these companies can be found in The UK television content providers section of this report. BBCs profit comes from the license fee. Other free-to-air operators get their profit from advertising. Strengths: DTT is a free-to-air service, which means that you dont have to buy all the equipment, necessary for receiving cable and satellite service. DTT service is cheaper than that of satellite and cable operators. Weaknesses: Problems with reception may be experienced by subscribers to the DTT service. There is a very limited amount of programming on DTT service, comparing to that of cable and satellite operators. There are strong technical limitations for introducing interactive television. Though DTT service is cheaper, than that of satellite and cable broadcasters, the difference is not big. Monthly license fee is approximately i 9. 7. For just i 12. 50 a month you can subscribe for BSkyB package, which includes 102 channels, including some 90 free-to-air channels. This package will also offer some interactive services and a very high quality picture. Opportunities: The only opportunity for DTT is the extension of market. But it is very doubtful that the digital terrestrial television will be able to withstand the competition from cable and satellite operators, due to the weaknesses, described earlier and the threats (see next paragraph). Threats: The increasing popularity of interactive services presents a big threat for DTT, as most subscribers will go for BSkyB or NTL and Telewest packages. The fragmentation of advertising market means less advertising revenues for Channel Four, Film Four, Five, etc. The increasing competition from satellite and cable operators. The increasing quality and versatility of the content offered by the cable and satellite operators. The UK television content providers. Channel Owner Share Sky One UK Gold Sky Sports 1 ITV 2 CBeeBies UK Style Sky Sports 2 Nickelodeon Hallmark Sky Premier 1 BSkyB UKTV+ BSkyB Carlton (44%), Granada (56%) BBC UKTV+ BSkyB BSkyB (50%), Viacom (50%) Crown Entertainment Ltd. Sky 2. 8% 2. 5% 2. 1% 1. 8% 1. 2% 1. 2% 1. 0% 1. 0% 0. 9% 0. 9% Table 1. UK Multichannel TV: Most popular channels. Adopted from ITC the UK television market overview September 2003. The largest content provider in the UK television industry is currently BBC. The second position is occupied by Granada and the third by Carlton. The upcoming merger between Granada and Carlton will reshape the current situation in the UK TV content production market. BBC and ITV plc. (the new merged company) will occupy about 65% of the total turnover of the UK program supply market, with BBC and ITV plc. responsible for approximately 40% and 25% respectively. Sky is not included here, as much of its content is imported from the US. However, among the UK top ten channels on multichannel television (satellite and cable) the 2003 Sky occupies 5 positions (see table 1). The British Broadcasting Company (BBC). BBC was the first company to start broadcasting in the UK. Today it provides a wide range of programs and services. They include television, radio, national, local, childrens, educational, language and other services for key interest groups. The BBC is financed by a TV license paid by households. It does not have to serve the interests of advertisers, or produce a return for shareholders. The annual color TV license currently costs i 116. The license includes 8 national BBC television channels. ITV plc. ITV plc. will be a result of the merger between Granada Media plc. and Carlton Communications plc. As the merger havent been completed yet, the information in this report is given on Granada and Carlton separately. Granada Media Plc. Granada Media encompasses a range of terrestrial and non-terrestrial television businesses, including Granada Television, 25% of GMTV, 50% London News Network, 10,8% stake in BSkyB, etc. Granada Sky Broadcasting is the companys non-terrestrial joint venture with BskyB, offering various channels as part of the Sky multichannel package. Granada is a leading ITV franchise holder, ahead of Carlton communications. Carlton Communications Plc. Carlton is the second largest ITV franchise holder, accounting for around 40% of income in the commercial terrestrial sector. It has interests in commercial free-to-air and pay-TV content creation and media services. Carlton currently broadcasts to 26 million people. Channel 4. Channel 4 transmits across the whole of the UK, except some parts of Wales which are covered by the Welsh language S4C. It is available on all digital platforms as well as through conventional analogue transmission. It is publicly owned. Unlike the BBC, Channel 4 receives no public funding. It is funded entirely by its own commercial activities. Four gets 66% of its content from independent content providers. Five. Channel Five was established in 1997. It is very much alike Channel 4. It is publicly owned, but receives its profits mainly from advertisement. It is available from DTT, cable and satellite operators. In 2002 Five received 86% of its content from independent content providers. Independent production companies. Independent producers of content currently occupy about 38% of the market. They can distribute their content through BBC, ITV, Channel Four and Five. The proportions of independent producers on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five in 2002 were 25%, 30%, 66% and 86% respectively. The problem is that these channels only provide 6. 1% of the total content in multichannel homes. The figures for the terrestrial broadcasting are significantly higher, as they provide 74. 9% of content here. However the terrestrial broadcasting in the UK is only responsible for 14% of the UK television industry. Thus, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five provide 15. 6% (including the content of independent providers) of the total content in the UK television industry. According to the Broadcasting Act 1990 these companies have to give 25% of their broadcasting time to independent content suppliers. The proportions of independent content suppliers on this channels are currently higher, as it was already noted above. However, if these channels reduce it to the share, stated in the Act, the proportion of the independent producers in the total UK television content will only be 3. 9%. Independent production companies in the UK include: Talk Back Productions, Pearson Television, Jim Henson Productions, Planet 24, etc. The UK TV content providers SWOT analysis. Strengths: The UK content providers offer a big variety of quality content, which is able to compete with BSkyB. Weaknesses: The UK TV content providers are reliant on satellite and cable operators for distribution of their content. They only have control of digital terrestrial television, but this has little popularity today and its share is constantly declining (for more information see DTT SWOT analysis section). The failure of ITV Digital in May 2002 shows just how far behind the established pay-TV operators the traditional free-to-air broadcasters are. They have limited financial resources, comparing with BSkyB, which means that they have limited possibilities of acquiring rights for some content, such as major sporting events. Opportunities: The growth of the UK television market means there will be an increasing demand for quality programming. The merger between Granada and Carlton means they will be able to better compete with the content, provided by BSkyB. An interest of cable operators in the development of their own content presents more opportunities for close cooperation between the UK TV content providers, especially ITV plc. (a result of the merger between Granada and Carlton), and cable companies. This cooperation will give more strength to withstand the competition of BSkyB for both of them. Threats: A significant part of TV content in the UK is provided by BSkyB. Moreover BSkyB is able to distribute its content through both satellite and cable channels of distribution. The merger between Carlton and Granada is a threat to the smaller content providers, as it presents them a new, even stronger competitor. As the number of program hours transmitted continues to rise, the number of people viewing each hour of programming is diminishing. The effect of this is not an increase in average viewing hours; instead, each channel is left with an ever-smaller share of the audience. As a result marketers wont be able to reach a mass audience and will either start using a different medium or demand that the price of advertising airtime is reduced to reflect its reduced reach. The profiles and SWOT analyses of the main companies in the UK TV industry allow to see the complete picture of the current situation in the industry, the trends and forecast the near future. THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THE UK TV INDUSTRY. The current situation in the UK TV industry is characterized by the following facts: There has been significant consolidation in the industry during the last decade and today it is dominated by several large companies, including BSkyB, BBC, ITV plc (the result of merger between Granada and Carlton), NTL and Telewest. BSkyB provides satellite television and has 59% percent in the UK multichannel TV market. It is a vertically integrated company and provides a significant share of the UK TV content. BSkyB is the mast financially healthy company in the UK TV industry. Most of its revenues come from subscription. NTL and Telewest provide cable services and account for the 26% of the market. They have a very limited programming of their own and are largely dependant on BSkyB and other content providers. BBC, Channel Four, Channel Five, Carlton, Granada traditionally broadcast their content through analog and digital terrestrial services. Analog will be stopped by the year 2010. Digital terrestrial is supposed to be a substitute for the analog terrestrial television, but it is rather unpopular now with only 14% of the multichannel television market, thus there is a move of terrestrial broadcasters into the non-terrestrial market. THE MAIN TRENDS IN THE UK TV INDUSTRY. Several trends can be outlined: There is an overall slowdown in the UK economy. There has been significant growth in the industry in the last decade and the growth is continuing (see the forecast of the future section for further details). The popularity of digital television is increasing (for more details see Growth section) while analog services are steadily moving to the end. The popularity of cable and satellite services is increasing, while digital terrestrial television is becoming less and less popular. The popularity of different interactive TV services is increasing. There is a move towards even further consolidation of the industry, which is vividly illustrated by the Granada Carlton merger. There is an audience fragmentation trend in the UK TV advertising market, caused be the increasing amounts of programming. THE FORECAST OF THE FUTURE OF THE UK TV INDUSTRY. Even though the average levels of yearly economy growth in the UK are currently rather slow and there is an overall economic slowdown, this most certainly wont affect the growth of television market in the UK, as consumers have come to rely heavily on multichannel television services for home entertainment. This means that it is unlikely to be discarded as part of domestic cost-cutting. Digital television will finally dislodge the analog service by the year 2010. According to the ITC (September 2003) forecast, the penetration of digital television should reach a figure between the 58% (in the lower scenario) and 78% (in the upper scenario) by the year 2007. The important question to answer, however, is which of the three rival formats satellite, cable and digital terrestrial will be the most successful in the long term. It is extremely difficult to answer that question with any degree of certainty. Digital terrestrial television will experience a number of significant threats. While the popularity of cable and satellite television will be growing, DTT wont be able to offer any competitive advantage. DTT has very limited possibilities in terms of interactive TV. The licence fee is not much cheaper then that of the satellite and cable operators, while the difference in the amount of content and the versatility of the services is obvious. The fact that there is no special equipment needed for receiving its services doesnt give a big advantage to DTT, as other companies offer most of the necessary equipment free. Moreover DTT service (except for BBC, which is funded by licence fee) will be strongly subject to the overall reduction of advertising fees, caused be the fragmentation of the TV advertising audience and the fact that advertisers will be willing to pay less as a result of the slow tempo of the economic growth in the country. The reduction of advertising profit wont strongly affect BSkyB and the cable operators, as cable operators have a very limited amount of their own programming, and BSkyB gets most 70% of its profits from subscriptions. On the contrary, the reduction of advertising profit will cause strong difficulties for independent content providers. The smaller of them are also presented by a threat of the merger between Granada and Carlton, as it will result in even a stronger competitor for them ITV plc. These two factors may lead to even further consolidation of the industry and there is a possibility for new mergers and acquisitions in the independent content production sector. Granada and Carlton, who have already once experienced a failure in with Digital Terrestrial Service, will more likely to concentrate their joined forces on cooperation with cable operators, rather than further development of DTT. Both the cable operators and ITV plc. (the company, resulting from the Granada Carlton merger) are interested in this type of cooperation. The reason for that is that ITV plc. doesnt have its channels of distribution (except for the ineffective and unprofitable Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting) and cable operators have a very limited amount of their own content, which presents the companies with a strong disadvantage towards BSkyB. This cooperation will lead to an increased pace of growth of cable operators. BSkyBs pace of growth will more likely to remain the same for approximately the next 3 years. The current Granada Carlton merger and the possible cooperation between ITV plc. and cable operators wont affect BSkyB much for the first 3 years, as it has many other advantages towards these companies, including the high variety of quality programming, cheap prices, etc. Moreover Granada and Carlton will need time to make use of their merger and the possible cooperation with cable operators. The future of the merger still remains uncertain. Though, according to the information provided by Standard Poors ComStock Inc. the shares of both Carlton and Granada have been rising in price since the merger was approved, their current level is still below the one in May 2002, when ITV digital collapsed. Since then the share prices of both companies have been steadily declining until the October 2003. The current advice by analysts is to hold the shares, rather than sell or buy, which means that the situation is rather uncertain. The advice for those, interested in BSkyBs shares is moderate buy, which means that there is some confidence in the growth of the company. The main disadvantage of BSkyB is little possibility for interactive services. These are however not really popular now, as many of them remain inconvenient (a person, who have ever tried writing an e-mail on the screen of his/her TV using his remote control will unlikely do it again).

Forrest Gump and Three Flowers †Creative Writing Essay

Forrest Gump and Three Flowers – Creative Writing Essay Free Online Research Papers Forrest Gump and Three Flowers Creative Writing Essay You know what? I just finished watching Forrest Gump. That is my†¦ to be honest, I forget, the times that I watched this movie, I only know that I’ve watched it many times, at least six. Each time when I watch it, I would have different feelings, but one thing I have never changed before and it also won’t be changed in future- courage, no matter how many times I watch it. Usually the audiences would think that Gump is not a smart person, actually someone even consider that he is an idiot. Because he doesn’t know the consequence of each event, but he uses all his heart and soul when he faces the challenge. That’s courage. I think Forrest Gump might touch me. Picking the pen is such a hard behavior to me. The moment you decide write something on the white paper, that means you might need to face the real yourself, you might try to cover something ugly, but not reveal everything honestly. I don’t know what I want to say just like Forrest Gump doesn’t know what he wants to do in his life. However, I love the feeling that the pen guides my mind, the pen nib would lead me to somewhere. The pen nib’s liquidity likes the skater’s slides on the ice, so fre e. I believe this pen; this lucky pen would bring me to a fortunate place, even though I don’t know where it is as well. Yes. I think I don’t know where I am now, but my mind like a flipping backward calendar, invoke my three good roommates. June, it is a graduation month; thousands of students leave their schools at this time. School? What is it? It’s a place where only learn the textbook knowledge? No, definitely not, but I used to think about it. Since I have memory, when I met my elder relatives, they always asked my marks in school and the rank in my grade. If I spoke out a number can make them satisfied, then they would also be excited like they got it from school and treat you so well, like you were their own daughter, usually the number should be as small as possible. If I could not say a good number, they would consider that you had begun to lose the entering university chance. The family pressure caused some of my relatives graduated from world- famous universities like Harvard, Cambridge and Chicago University in my family. Being with them, the only thing I needed to do, and I might do well is study, study again and again. I tried not to let them disappointed with me, so my marks kept in a high level in my class. My parents might be the admiring people when my school had parents meeting. My life was so common. Got up, go to school, go home, do my homework and then go to bed. Everyday, I redo the same actions, but I didn’t tired of it, because study was my life’s center. When I graduated from primary school, Dad made a big decision to me: send me to a private school. God! Why he must send me to there? Don’t I study in public school bad? As I heard it I felt so shock like seeing snow in summer. However he thought I could get a better education from there. So I left my dear friends who have studied together for six years. I left a familiar surrounding and changed into a completely unknown school. September is still a humid hot month to my hometown, the acrimony sun glared on your body, like lash whipped on your skin, the cicada’s yelling from the tree, which made reluctantly going to school. The classroom didn’t familiar any more, the new face made me urged wanting to go home and escaped from this closing teaching environment. I felt that I was abandoned in a drain well by my parents. Nobody could hear my help. The night before I came to school, I asked my parents. â€Å"Daddy, Mummy, if I go to school tomorrow, you probably see me once a week.† â€Å"Yes, but we will miss you so much.† Dad said. â€Å"Daddy, I am scared. If the new school’s teachers and students don’t like me, or my mark is too low, what can I do?† â€Å"My sweetheart, don’t avoid growing up. This is a perfect chance to expand your eyesight. You can meet many peers from different places and you can learn many things from your teachers and friends. It’s impossible to spend all your life with your primary classmates.† Daddy comforted me. â€Å"If I can’t adopt the new school, can I quit studying there?† The moment I burst out this sentence, I knew that I had spoken a wrong sentence. Because Daddy scowled and shouted, â€Å"I don’t care whether you like there or not, you must study there well. I spend so much money on you, how can you make me disappointed? You’re so disobeying and rebellious.† Under this helpless situation, I had no choice, but went to my new school. Thousands of questions still around my mind: could I keep studying well at there? Are there many outstanding students? †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Research Papers on Forrest Gump and Three Flowers - Creative Writing EssayPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyStandardized TestingHip-Hop is ArtHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayCapital PunishmentEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenThe Spring and AutumnHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseThe Hockey Game

Events and Legacy of the Amistad Case of 1840

Events and Legacy of the Amistad Case of 1840 While it began more than 4,000 miles from the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts, the Amistad Case of 1840 remains one of the most dramatic and meaningful legal battles in America’s history. More than 20 years before the start of the Civil War, the struggle of 53 enslaved Africans, who after violently freeing themselves from their captors, went on to seek their freedom in the United States highlighted the growing abolitionist movement by turning the federal courts into a public forum on the very legality of slavery. The Enslavement In the spring of 1839, traders in the Lomboko slave factory near the West African coastal town of Sulima sent more than 500 enslaved Africans to then Spanish-ruled Cuba for sale. Most of the slaves had been taken from the West African region of Mende, now a part of Sierra Leone. At a slave sale in Havana, infamous Cuban plantation owner and slave trader Jose Ruiz bought 49 of the enslaved men and Ruiz’s associate Pedro Montes bought three young girls and a boy. Ruiz and Montes chartered the Spanish schooner La Amistad (Spanish for â€Å"The Friendship†) to deliver the Mende slaves to various plantations along the Cuban coast. Ruiz and Montes had secured documents signed by Spanish officials falsely affirming that the Mende people, having lived on Spanish territory for years, were legally owned as slaves. The documents also falsely anointed the individual slaves with Spanish names. Mutiny on the Amistad Before the Amistad reached its first Cuban destination, a number of the Mende slaves escaped from their shackles in the dark of night. Led by an African named Sengbe Pieh – known to the Spanish and Americans as Joseph Cinquà © – the escaped slaves killed the Amistad’s captain and cook, overpowered the rest of the crew, and took control of the ship. Cinquà © and his accomplices spared Ruiz and Montes on the condition that they take them back to West Africa. Ruiz and Montes agreed and set a course due west. However, as the Mende slept, the Spanish crew steered the Amistad northwest hoping to encounter friendly Spanish slaving ships headed for the United States. Two months later, in August 1839, the Amistad ran aground off the coast of Long Island, New York. Desperately in need of food and fresh water, and still planning to sail back to Africa, Joseph Cinquà © led a party onshore to gather supplies for the voyage. Later that day, the disabled Amistad was found and boarded by the officers and crew of the U.S. Navy survey ship Washington, commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Gedney. The Washington escorted the Amistad, along with the surviving Mende Africans to New London, Connecticut. After reaching New London, Lieutenant Gedney informed the U.S. marshal of the incident and requested a court hearing to determine the disposition of the Amistad and her â€Å"cargo.† At the preliminary hearing, Lieutenant Gedney argued that under admiralty law – the set of laws dealing ships at sea – he should be granted ownership of the Amistad, its cargo and the Mende Africans. Suspicion arose that Gedney intended to sell the Africans for profit and had, in fact, chosen to land in Connecticut, because slavery was still legal there. The Mende people were placed in the custody of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and the legal battles began. The discovery of the Amistad resulted in two precedent-setting lawsuits that would ultimately leave the fate of the Mende Africans up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Criminal Charges Against the Mende The Mende African men were charged with piracy and murder arising from their armed takeover of the Amistad. In September 1839, a grand jury appointed by the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Connecticut considered the charges against the Mende. Serving as the presiding judge in the district court, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Smith Thompson ruled that the U.S. courts had no jurisdiction over alleged crimes at sea on foreign-owned vessels. As a result, all criminal charges against the Mende were dropped. During the circuit court session, abolitionist lawyers presented two writs of habeas corpus demanding that the Mende be released from federal custody. However, Justice Thompson ruled that due to the pending property claims, the Mende could not be released. Justice Thompson also noted that the Constitution and federal laws still protected the rights of slave owners. While the criminal charges against them had been dropped, the Mende Africans remained in custody because they were still the subject of multiple property claims for them pending in the U.S. district court. Who ‘Owned’ the Mende? Besides Lieutenant Gedney, the Spanish plantation owners and slave traders, Ruiz and Montes petitioned the district court to return the Mende to them as their original property. The Spanish government, of course, wanted its ship back and demanded that the Mende â€Å"slaves† be sent to Cuba to be tried in Spanish courts. On January 7, 1840, Judge Andrew Judson convened the Amistad case trial before the U.S. District Court of in New Haven, Connecticut. An abolition advocacy group had secured the services of attorney Roger Sherman Baldwin to represent the Mende Africans. Baldwin, who had been one of the first Americans to interview Joseph Cinquà ©, cited natural rights and laws governing slavery in Spanish territories as reasons the Mende were not slaves in the eyes of U.S. law. While U.S. President Martin Van Buren at first approved the Spanish government’s claim, Secretary of State John Forsyth pointed out that under the constitutionally mandated â€Å"separation of powers,† the executive branch could not interfere with the actions of the judicial branch. In addition, noted Forsyth, Van Buren could not order the release of the Spanish slave traders Ruiz and Montes from prison in Connecticut since doing so would amount to federal interference in the powers reserved to the states.   More interested in protecting the honor of his nation’s Queen, than the practices of American federalism, the Spanish minister argued that the arrest of Spanish subjects Ruiz and Montes and the seizure of their â€Å"Negro property† by the United States violated the terms of a 1795 treaty between the two nations. In light of the treaty, Sec. of State Forsyth ordered a U.S. attorney to go before the U. S. District Court and support Spain’s argument that since a U.S. ship had â€Å"rescued† the Amistad, the U.S. was obligated to return the ship and its cargo to Spain. Treaty-or-not, Judge Judson ruled that since they were free when they were captured in Africa, the Mende were not Spanish slaves and should be returned to Africa. Judge Judson further ruled that the Mende were not the private property of the Spanish slave traders Ruiz and Montes  and that the officers of the U.S. naval vessel Washington were entitled only to the salvage value from the sale of the Amistad’s non-human cargo.   Decision Appealed to U.S. Circuit Court The U.S. Circuit Court in Hartford, Connecticut, convened on April 29, 1840, to hear the multiple appeals to Judge Judson’s district court decision. The Spanish Crown, represented by the U.S. attorney, appealed Judson’s ruling that the Mende Africans were not slaves. The Spanish cargo owners appealed the salvage award to the officers of The Washington. Roger Sherman Baldwin, representing the Mende asked that Spain’s appeal should be denied, arguing that the U.S. government had no right to support the claims of foreign governments in the U.S. courts. Hoping to help speed the case ahead to the Supreme Court, Justice Smith Thompson issued a brief, pro forma decree upholding Judge Judson’s district court decision. The Supreme Court Appeal Responding to pressure from Spain and growing public opinion from the Southern states against the federal courts’ abolitionist leanings, the U.S. government appealed the Amistad decision to the Supreme Court.   On February 22, 1841, the Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Roger Taney presiding, heard opening arguments in the Amistad case. Representing the U.S. government, Attorney General Henry Gilpin argued that the 1795 treaty obligated the U.S. to return the Mende, as Spanish slaves, to their Cuban captors, Ruiz and Montes. To do otherwise, Gilpin warned the court, could threaten all future U.S. commerce with other countries. Roger Sherman Baldwin argued that the lower court’s ruling that the Mende Africans were not slaves should be upheld. Aware that a majority of the Supreme Court justices were from Southern states at the time, the Christian Missionary Association convinced former President and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams to join Baldwin in arguing for the Mendes’ freedom. In what would become a classic day in Supreme Court history, Adams passionately argued that by denying the Mende their freedom, the court would be rejecting the very principles upon which the American republic had been founded. Citing the Declaration of Independence’s acknowledgment â€Å"that all men are created equal,† Adams called on the court to respect the Mende Africans’ natural rights. On March 9, 1841, the Supreme Court upheld the circuit court’s ruling that the Mende Africans were not slaves under Spanish law and that the U.S. federal courts lacked the authority to order their delivery to the Spanish government. In the court’s 7-1 majority opinion, Justice Joseph Story noted that since the Mende, rather than the Cuban slave traders, were in possession of the Amistad when it was found in U.S. territory, the Mende could not be considered as slaves imported into the U.S. illegally. The Supreme Court also ordered the Connecticut circuit court to release the Mende from custody. Joseph Cinquà © and the other surviving Mende were free persons. The Return to Africa While it declared them free, the Supreme Court’s decision had not provided the Mende with a way to return to their homes. To help them raise money for the trip, abolitionist and church groups scheduled a series of public appearances at which the Mende sang, read Bible passages, and told personal stories of their enslavement and struggle for freedom. Thanks to the attendance fees and donations raised at these appearances, the 35 surviving Mende, along with a small group of American missionaries, sailed from New York for Sierra Leone in November 1841. The Legacy of the Amistad Case The Amistad case and the Mende Africans’ fight for freedom galvanized the growing U.S. abolitionist movement and widened the political and societal division between the antislavery North and the slave-holding South. Many historians consider the Amistad case to be one of the events that led to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. After returning to their homes, the Amistad survivors worked to initiate a series of political reforms throughout West Africa that would eventually lead to the independence of Sierra Leone from Great Britain in 1961. Long after the Civil War and emancipation, the Amistad case continued to have an impact on the development of African-American culture. Just as it had helped lay the groundwork for the abolition of slavery, the Amistad case served as a rallying cry for racial equality during the modern Civil Rights movement in America.