"Bystander Effect on Septa"

By: Charnise Gillis

Thanksgiving holiday weekend was one of the first times in a long time I have encountered a Bystander Effect. A Bystander Effect refers to a phenomenon of when the greater the number of people present, the less likely an individual will help a person in distress. A person is more likely to help out in an emergency situation if there are no other observers around. That is totally insane. Why is this statement true? Studies have shown that the presence of other people creates a diffusion of responsibility. This is when people are less likely to take action or feel a sense of responsibility in the presence of a large group of people. If there are other observers during an emergency situation, then many individuals do not feel the pressure to help the person in need. Some people do not take need of action because when other people do not react on the situation then the individual may feel that the response is not needed or appropriate. Also, individuals do not feel the need to intervene on a situation if it is ambiguous.

One night my friend and I decided to travel on the bus and we noticed a man leaned over in his seat. A young lady said that he has been on the bus for two whole hours and have not awakened. I asked, “Did you try to wake him or feel his pulse”, she said calmly, “No”. I told the bus driver and he just seem like he didn’t care and proceeded to drive his regular bus route. A man shouted out, “He must be dead!” Eventually, my friend and I stop came up and I felt so ashamed and sad. Questions raced through my mind asking, “Charnise, Why didn’t you do anything?” My response was because I am always running to someone’s rescue during an emergency situation, and just once I wanted to give someone else a chance to save a life.

What would you have done?

"Rebel" Label

By: Charnise Gillis

Finding jobs for people with felonies can be one of the biggest challenges that a person may face after being released from prison. Most inmates leave prison or jail with no savings, no stable housing, no health or unemployment benefits, and very limited job possibilities

Many have mental health problems or serious medical conditions, including HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

I believe citizens should be encountered on what they are doing now, not their past. We are only humans and are suppose to make mistakes in order to learn from them. Who is society to give a person a bad label for the rest of their life? Everyone has performed some type of sin and should never look at any other sin more horrible then theirs. We wouldn’t be the beautiful person that we are without performing mistakes.

More than 50% of all convicts will return to prison within the next five years after their release.

Although society wishes not to live in the same community as felons, they do not have enough organizations to help correct the lifestyle of a criminal. Instead citizens label them as a “rebel” and can care less to give them a second chance to become a law abiding citizen. As a result, many felons are forced to repeat criminal activity in order to survive in society.

Do you think the government is doing enough to help ex- offenders stay off the streets?



Deviant Norms

By Ruth Wilkins

Deviance is behavior that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms, while the definition of a norm is specific cultural expectations for how to act in a given situation. But what happens when a somewhat deviant act becomes a social norm. Does it make the act fairly tolerable?

When I was a kid there was always an expected behavior of caution. For instance some of the better known examples are don’t run with scissors, look both ways before crossing the street, and don’t smoke in bed. And without explanation I’m sure most of us can reasonably guess the significance of these basic rules.

But can someone please tell me why so many people around Philadelphia load and unload their children from the street? I see it in different neighborhoods, with different races, among different age groups and at all times of the day. There is an element of danger with this poor choice of accepted behavior. I have an idea why people act so thoughtlessly. I think essentially it’s because we are lazy and we are in such a rush that it is easier to pack our children in our cars on the same side as we get in.

Here is a picture of a young lady loading her child from the street, and I’m sure she is vaguely aware of the consequences:

Although you would think most people would know the importance of protecting their children, they don’t acknowledge the significance of the consequences from this behavior.  I have found that taxi cabs are more thoughtful at providing safety rules for their patrons than some parents for their children. Do you know the proper way to exit a cab is on the sidewalk side of the cab (it’s usually posted in the cab). The most obvious of reasons is for the safety of the person taking the taxi. Now this posted blog is not about taxicab etiquette. But give this some thought, if a group of people we have little respect for can have patrons practice something as logical as exiting a cab from the sidewalk side then…

Why don’t people apply this fundamental rule to loading and unloading their children? How we teach our children good behavior is largely based on how we treat them. If we treat them as though it is ok to act irresponsibly at such a basic level we have a long road ahead of us and them.

Cigarette VS Alcohol

By: Ang Anwar Nowadays, most people enjoy smoking and drinking. Some of them are a social smoker or a social drinker, and some of them are a heavy smoker or an alcoholic. These smokers and drinkers are willing to spend their money just to satisfy their needs. Tobacco companies earn a lot of profits by selling cigarettes, as well as hospitality industries. Moreover, both of smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are consider a deviance in the society. However, which one is more destructive to our society, smokers or drinkers? In a cigarette, there are 4,000 chemicals; that is includes 43 cancer-causing compounds and 400 other toxins. Furthermore, there is also nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide in a cigarette. As we all know, nicotine is really addictive, it also has some bad effects to our cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatology, and musculoskeletal systems. Moreover, even though the tobacco companies printed the bad effects of cigarettes on the a cigarette box, most people still smoke cigarettes.

What about alcohol? Alcohol is considered as carbohydrate family, because it has two carbon sugar in the structure. The structure is in a small size and simple that it is easy to be absorb by every cell in the body. Alcohol has a lot of bad effects to our brain system, such as depression, anxiety disorders, low self-esteem, etc. Furthermore, alcoholism also can cause someone to get into breaking the laws, such as, driving under influence(DUI). Currently, "Jackass" star, Ryan Dunn was killed because he was driving under influence and it also cause the death of his friend who was in the car that night with him.

Thus, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not good habit in the society. Both of cigarettes and alcohol can cause a lot of bad effects that not only does it affect the person who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol, it also affect people around them. Which one is worse, a smoker or a drinker? Both of the cigarettes and alcohol is dangerous. However, although the statistic shows that the mortality rate is higher for smokers, I believe alcohol is worse than cigarettes, because it can kills you either slowly or fast (like what happened to Ryan Dunn). I would suggest people to avoid smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. However, if people can avoid it, just control themselves and do not consume cigarettes and alcohol too much. Just like a proverb, too much anything is always bad.

There is No Such Thing as Good Hair

Kachina Pindell
"She got that good hair"....What is good hair? This is a question that I have often asked myself.  I have heard friends, hair dressers, and classmates say this all throughout my life. It seems like a phrase I can't get away from. Unfortunately, this is a phrase I often hear amongst black women. For black women, good hair is hair that one can comb through easily. "Good hair" is straight, long and can be managed without any strenuous activity. It is also something many black women believe they dont possess. This mentality is something that comes from what is portrayed in society and on television. We are constantly bombarded with hair advertisements that are pushing relaxers that make hair straight and more manageable. Chris Rock released a movie called "Good Hair" that gets a first hand account on what black women say about hair while in the salon as well as the standards they live by to maintain "good hair".

This movie Chris Rock has put together is a good message to send to society. He asks women about why they want to acheive "good hair" and even shows viewers how bad relaxers and perms are for one's hair and scalp. This trailer also shows Chris Rock trying to sell "black hair" that can be used as wigs and extensions. Many people frowned and made faces at him because this type of hair is undesireable to them. No one was interested in purchasing it. This shows how society is caught up in the idea of "good hair" being straight and long.
When I was younger, I used to get relaxers consistently to control my hair. When I turned 16, I saw my natural hair growing in and I liked the curls and waves I saw coming in. I decided to grow it out. Many people disagreed with this idea but I deviated from that belief I have known all my life. Now at the age of 20, I have managed it just fine without a perm. I want the world to know that even if someone's hair is shorter, darker or not as easy to manage, that does not make it bad and it is not something that is only found amongst black people. That is a terrible stereotype that has been propelled throughout society. I have seen people of many different ethicities with many different textures and I have learned that all hair is beautiful. I also want people to understand that I dont think there is anything wrong with experimenting and trying different styles. There is nothing wrong with having straight hair. I want everyone who reads this blog to understand that no matter how difficult it is to maintain specific textures, no one should ever feel like they should change the structure of the hair they were born with to satisfy society. Take pride in your texture ladies and learn how to work it!

What is deviance?

By:Hai Hu
What is deviance? Deviance is behavior that recognized as violating expected rules and norms.For example, in the United States, being late for class is a deviant act: the same is true of wearing jeans to a formal wedding. But why do people violate norms? May be people doing that for fun, some people even don't know the acting they did is a deviant behavior. For many people,the word deviance is used only in relation to moral or political norms. The deviant is seen as someone whose behavior totally different from normal standards.

Zach Weber and Josh Rehak are college students. One day, they put a box on their face as a mask, and then they went and playing around in a crowded supermarket. They said "we just try to do something that is extremely special, and it is funny!" Obviously, what Zach and Josh did is a deviant behavior. However, the purpose they violated the norm was for fun.

According to functionalists, deviance is a common part of human existence, with ether positive or negative consequences in society. I think deviance helps to define the limits of proper behavior. Children who see one parent scold the other for climbing at the dinner table learn about approved conduct. The same is true of the cashier who is fired for yelling at a customer.


In conclusion it is a true that we can find lots of people that act in deviance, and the deviant behavior could cause a positive or negative consequence. Sometimes people acting deviant with no reason, but deviance behavior still deeply affect our social life. So sociologists and students should pay attention on learning and studying deviance.

Act's of Piracy in the 21st Century

By Faith Smith Conflict Theories of Deviance "Because some groups of people have access to fewer resources in capitalist society they are forced into crime to sustain themselves. Conflict theory posits that the economic organizations of capitalist societies produce deviance and crime." pg 159.   Sociology the Essentials         Meaning people who are poor and have less available resources tend to turn to a life of crime as a means of survival. Statistics prove this to be a fact. Yet in today's society a lot of crime is committed by white coller workers. Embezzlement, Money laundry and Tax evasion. However these crimes are considered to be crimes of best interest when committed by members of the corporate world. Mainly because they blame their actions on doing whats best for the corporation. Would you consider Pirates just another name for an organized gang? In fact Pirates are group of men who rob ships and boats. They follow their own code and even have rules. Even though it's deviance in nature when you look at the history of piracy almost all members were said to be ex-military men, escaped cons. During the era of slavery when men would escape bondage if they found there way to a pirate ship the ship became a safe haven for those who once were captive on slave ships. Without racial discrimination Pirates took them aboard and made them members of their crew. All of these men were once outcast of their societies so they formed a brotherhood of bandits doing what they had to do in order to survive. Swashbuckler's are back packing machine guns instead of a sword. Putting the focus on a vintage crime in which officials feel may encourage terrorist. Stormy Sea's In November 2005 the cruise liner Seabourn Spirit fought off pirates along the East Coast of Africa. Fortunately only one person was injured. However in the pirates attempt to board the ship they tossed grenades, and shot rounds from their machine guns. Sources say the pirates we're Somalians and the failed mission to siege the Seabourn was not there first act of piracy. Yet it was the pirates first attack on a cruise liner in over 10 years. According to the International Maritime Bureau   "Pirates attacked 205 ships in the first nine months of 2005 compared with 251 during the same period a year prior." IMB's Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships Report.   Although officials report a decrease in the number of attacks off the coast of Somalia. Jayant Abhyanker deputy director of IMB said "Since the early 90's crime on the high sea's has resurfaced." abcnews.com Other hot spots are the Indonesian waters. Some say they hold the most danger with reports of 61 occurrences within the first nine months of 2005. Also 93 ambushes on record in 2004. According to the IMB. Also the Malacca Straits (between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumtra) Nigeria, Bangladesh, Iraq and the North Eastern coast of South America.  abcnews.com Sources say pirates normally work in chains yet they prey on different targets. Boats, yachts, barges, and cruise liners in attempts to find hearty loot. Some may hijack ships for cargo yet others may try to kidnap the crew for ransom. Reports say that boats are easy prey specifically off the coast of countries like Somalia were rebellious revolutionist exist or maritime security is not in strong force.             Could terrorist learn from acts of piracy? Concerns of some experts is that terrorist may use piracy as a means of kidnapping ships crews and it's passengers. Unitel a maritime security firm suggest, "all ships have armed security personal on board or have armed escorts in power boats." abcnews .com IMB feels this would do more harm than good. Also some countries don't like the thought of foreigners disrupting their space. So can we feel safe in booking that cruise? Of course as long as you choose a pirate safe territory such as Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean. "Cruising is the safest way and there is no reason why that is not the case today" says Michael   Crye president of the International Council of Cruise line. abcnews.com. Crye says all passengers along with their personal belongings are screened with addition to the 20 trained security officers on board at all times. Surveillance cameras and advanced communication to ward off attacks.

Deviance

By: Jennifer Harding

 In sociology, deviance is known as behavior that violates expected rules and social norms. Without social norms and social control, there would be nothing for us to defy. Everyone is deviant at one point or another in their lives, whether it be positive or negative, most of us have broken a social norm or a rule before.
 Over time, the rules and norms of a society often change. Something that may have been considered okay or accepted once before, may be looked down upon or seen as deviant behavior now. For example, cigarette smoking. In 1965 more than 50% of men and more then 30% of women in the US smoked cigarettes. Cigarettes were seen on TV ads, magazines and in newspapers and it was okay to smoke pretty much anywhere (hospitals, schools, restaurants). If you were around in the late 50's/ early 60's and smoked, you were seen as a sophisticated person. or someone with class. 

 By the late 60's/early 70's, people became more aware of the dangerous risks of cigarette smoking. Since then, the amount of American adults who smoke has continued to decline, now at about 20% of American men and women.
 Smoking has been banned in schools, hospitals and most public places across the country and is frowned upon in today's society. Society uses both informal and formal social control when it comes to smoking cigarettes. If a person was to smoke in a restaurant, they may be given dirty looks, stares, or even yelled at by random people (informal social control). But more importantly they would be told to get rid of the cigarette and failure to follow the rules could lead in being escorted off of the premises and/or being fined (formal social control). 

 This type of deviance was once seen as something positive and was a social norm before and has become an act of deviance over time. There are plenty of other examples of this, and even things that used to be considered an act of deviance and is now thought of as normal. As long as a society is changing, growing, learning, or falling apart, deviance will change right along with it. Lets just hope that more people will be a positive deviant to society rather than a negative one.

To Be or Not To Be Defiant?

By Carl Roberts

What does that word mean?

Deviance.

Many different meaning are derived from deviance. Some are how behavioral standards and norms are being broken by everyday people. Basically people failing to conform to socially accepted behavior and beliefs, and customs.

Deviance in today’s society is very different then how many of our parents and grand-parents perceived it.

Today’s society see's deviance as being unruly to authority or a young child being disrespectful to someone of higher stature then them. Also some crimes are signs of deviance such as grafitti by a group of young children, and many other signs of vandalism. But deviance has taken a turn for the worse since the sixties.

Deviance to them was listening to rock-n-roll and creating a hip new fad spreading peace and love.

So back then being defiant meant not wanting war with another country or listening to the Beatles. These signs of defiant behavior lead to a ban of rock-n-roll music, hippies being seen as bums and slackers with no signs of a future. The everyday working men and women seen violence as the olny option with other countries; and the devils music was corrupting the new generations soul and those who didn’t believe there beliefs and views was defiant to society.

Are these hippies being defiant by putting flowers in the soldier’s rifles? These were not signs of deviance, but enlightenment by trying to share nonviolent beliefs and love on the world. There views of love was about tryig to change the hearts of the world. One of the ways was the feel good music that the conformist seen as druggie tunes to other druggies. Later on in history many other non-violent groups were created, but none seen more defiant then these hippies.

 How could this be seen and compared to today’s society of what deviance is now and what it was then?