Statutory Rape

Do you feel that the laws for statutory rape are fair? Do you feel that the laws are harsh enough for people convicted of  statutory rape? Do you think sexually active minors should be covered under this law? And why do you feel that way? Do you feel that parents use this law to hide their shame of their sexually active child? If a boy or girl had just turned 18 and their lover just turned 16, do you feel the 18 year old should be charged with statutory rape? Why or why not?

Latonya (noon)

Abortion

Should abortions be illegal? What are the effects abortions cause to a woman's body? Are abortions murder? How many teens have abortions yearly? After having multiple abortions, can you be able to have babies again? Can you die by having an abortion? What do you think about Obama legalizing abortions?

Ardell

Gay rights

Do you think it should be legal for the same sex to marry? Why or why not? What are your opinions on gay marriage? Do you support gay marriage? Why do you think that gay marriage is such a mixed feeling discussion in today's society? Do you think people choose to be gay, or do you believe people are born gay?

-Jonathon (noon)

Alcoholism and it's effects

What would you do if someone close to you was an alcoholic, and every time you tried to bring up the subject they instantly got very defensive? Would you pursue the problem, or would you stop bringing it up so as to not agitate the person?

What are the main effects of alcoholism? How does it affect the person and the people around them? Why is it so hard for people to acknowledge their problem and start to treat their problem? What can other people do to help?

Kevin (Noon)

Controversial Behavior in Kids Younger and Younger

Besides pregnancy, what type of behavior do you think is happening in kids in middle school and even elementary school? Do you notice a change in kids even just out in public? What do you think is a main cause for kids acting 'older' the younger and younger they are? Do you think parents play less of a role in kids' life nowadays leading to a change in behavior? Was there a certain point in time when you noticed a major change in behavior with most younger kids? Why do you think kids are developing more maturely younger and younger as the years go on? Is there a way to stop this or will it continue to be a downward spiral?

Bryanna (Noon)

Police and Racism

Do you think there is racism in Law Enforcement Officials? Many lawsuits and hot topics have been the top news' stories around the United States about police treating the minority a different way. How can the Law Enforcement community and the Minority community come together and resolve this problem? If you think it can or can't be done, please explain your answer.

Kyle (Noon)

Racism in schools

Do you think there's no more racism in schools? Many kids are still getting in fights or segregating themselves from different races. How can we change something that's been going on for many years? Is there a way that we can cut down on the number of racial conflicts in schools? How do we create a future with less racism? If you think racism is no longer an issue in our schools, please explain why you think this way.

Brandan (Noon)

Young mothers ages 12-18 and their actions

Why do you think more and more young girls between the ages of 12 and 18 are getting pregnant? Do you think these girls are ready to be mothers? Are parents today educating their kids in a proper way? Why are kids today growing up faster? Does it have to do with how their parents raise them? Do you think it is right what they allow their kids to do at certain ages? In your opinion, how young is too young to become a mother? What is the best age to have your first child? Why?

Angelita T. (8:00)

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STUDENTS IN SPRING 2012 ENGLISH 101 SECTIONS: 

DON'T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BELOW THIS: THEY ARE OLD ONES.  

Illegal Immigration

Do you think immigrants should be able to cross the border and have the same rights as everyone else? Do you think they should be able to become legal citizens? Do you think they should be able to get jobs before legal immigrants because of cheaper labor? Do you think they should be legalized because they marry a legal citizen? Should we be stricter with the consequences of getting caught? What should it take to become a legal citizen?

Sheldon (1:00)

Can't we get a little discipline?

Should parents learn how to teach their kids manners better? Why do parents just let their kids do whatever they want? Is the reason that we can't reprimand our children because of the DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services)? Do parents fear that if they spank or discipline their children someone will take it wrong and think that they are trying to beat their child instead? So many things go into parents head over this subject! Some people ask, why don't we reprimand our children like we were reprimanded by our parents? Do people think that if they discipline their children that their kids will not like them that much anymore? What do you think is a good method of discipline for children?

Cheyenne (9:00)

Own a gun?

Where do you stand when it comes to owning a gun? Should people be able to own guns? Should we follow the 2nd amendment? How much protection is too much protection? Does owning a gun lead to more or less violence? Many states now have "concealed carry" laws that enable anyone without a criminal record to carry a gun as long as no one can see it . . . do you think Illinois should pass this law? Why or why not? Other states have laws where you can carry a gun in plain sight. Is that better than concealing it?

Dylan (9:00)

Social Networking Service: Good or Bad?

With Facebook, Twitter, Myspace.com and countless other social networking sites taking up all your time, do you ever feel that you could be doing something more productive with your time? Yes, these sites can be a great way to socialize with grammy who lives on the other side of the country, or to find that long lost cousin in who knows where, but what about the lack of anonymity, promotion of narcissism, shorter attention spans, and other downsides to all the time we spend on the Internet? Do you think the dangers & downsides of social networking outweigh the benefits?

In the past decade, what people barely knew of as the "Internet" has taken us by storm, and if you want to get somewhere in life, you are going to have to learn to become Internet savvy. Is all this leading us in the right direction, though? Do you feel there needs to be more censorship, or limits, when it comes to what we can and cannot say in this new world? Or are you just in love with this new creation to the point that you can't be away for five minutes from that phone, computer, or other technological device that gives you Internet access?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jorge (9:00)

Are Zoo's Torture For the Animals?

Do you think it's torture for animals to be behind bars at our zoos? I love going to the zoo, and most people have fond memories going there, but do you ever think that zoo animals must feel like they're mired into something they don't understand? Think about it this way: if you've ever been to jail, that might be how these animals feel: bored, trapped, wanting to be free, as people are. Some animals are kept in small cages where they barely have room to roam or to have fun. Some of their cages aren't even appropriate living areas for these animals. Some people think it's educational for people to learn about all these creatures around the world. Some think that zoos save animals from getting on the endangered list. What do you think? Are there more disadvantages or advantages to keeping animals in zoos?

Alexis (9:00)

How does how we look affect how we are?

If people lost weight, doctors lowered the price of plastic surgery , and many more people felt comfortable in their own skin, what would the consequences be? For instance, if our overall population had higher self-esteem, would this lower teen pregnancy? Would there be fewer people abusing their spouse or children? Would sex before marriage be reduced?

To ask the question another way . . . in our current society, more people are unhealthy, overweight, and "unattractive" than at any other time. What is the downside of this collective low self-esteem? How does it affect society?

How much does your own personal physical appearance matter to you? What would have to happen for you to be happier with yourself, for your self-esteem to be boosted?

Darcy (1:00)

Lower the drinking age?

Should the drinking age be lowered from 21? If people can vote and join the military at 18, why do they have to wait until 21 to drink legally? Did raising the drinking age from 18 to 21 save lives? Do you think teen drinking is a serious problem? Why/why not? If you are over the age of 21, do you have reason to care about the drinking age? Do you think at 18 or 19 years old people are adult enough to debate the drinking age--or will they only see their side of it? Would lowering the legal drinking age make alcohol less of a big deal and less attractive to teens? For more to think about before you answer, go here: http://drinkingage.procon.org/

Thanks!

Allyson (1:00)

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STUDENTS IN THE FALL 2011 ENG 099 CLASSES: DON'T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BELOW THIS. THESE ARE OLD ONES!

THANKS-- JOHN

Private schools--a big advantage?

There has been a lot of controversy about education lately and how the house of Reps. plan to free up money so people (whether child or adult) can continue their education, or so they don't have to close off certain funding for certain programs. But what about private schools who receive funding from private donors, and other private organizations? What about politicians who politic for more money toward public schooling and yet send their children to private institutions isolated from the public (e.g., Rahm Emmanuel and President Obama to name two)? Should politicians live in the community for which they strive to get more money, or should they be allowed to cart themselves off to high-priced private-gated communities? Should their kids go off to a private school, or should they go to the public school in which the politicians are struggling to get money for? Aren't we all American citizens? Aren't we all equal? Aren't we all constitutionally granted the right to an equal education?

My questions:

(A) Do you prefer public or private schools?

(B) Why?

(C) Should politicians live in the same community in which they serve?

(D) Should politicians' kids attend the public schools in the districts in which the politicians serve?
(E) Do you have any problem with the private funding of private schools while some public schools go broke?

Thanks for your help!

Aundrew

Do you stereotype?

Do you think too many people are victims of stereotyping? Why is it that so many people are judged by the way they look, something they do, or where they are from? You have heard of "the dumb jock" and "the computer geek"; besides these, there are many other stereotypes prevalent in our society.

Are stereotypes harmful?

Have you, or someone you know, ever been a victim of stereotyping? What do you think is the process that occurs in a person's mind that makes him or her likely to stereotype, or prejudge, others based on their appearance or background?

Ayah

When Might We Leave Our Home Planet?

When might we leave this planet? Do you ever think about what's going to happen to us if we just set here on this planet? Could something happen to suddenly make the sun go out? Or could asteroids be heading our way, even as we speak?

In fact, many of the threats that might lead us to consider off-Earth living arrangements are actually manmade, and not necessarily in the distant future. The amount we consume each year already far outstrips what our planet can sustain, and the World Wildlife Fund estimates that by 2030 we will be consuming two planets’ worth of natural resources annually. So why don't we try to find another planet faster? Is it because we are too busy using up the Earth's resources, or is it because the resources we are using up make it harder to upgrade our technology?

Given the risks humans pose to the planet, we might also someday leave Earth simply to conserve it. Do you think if humans want to survive for hundreds of thousands or millions of years that we must ultimately look for other planets or technology to stay around? Are you concerned about the Earth being able to sustain life? Why or why not?

Robert McClinton