en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2708046 Comments by MLE5049 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144411620 In my eyes there is a whole set of criminalities that occur for getting illegal immigrants over the borders and to maintain their residence here. Or, if they are deported that is just using the tax payers (youre own money too) to send them back to their home country. People who help immigrants illegally cross the border, or who hire them without papers and with low paying wages, and those who house them during their stay are all engaged in criminal acts and are not only stealing from themselves but are also stealing from their neighbors. Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:04:12 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144411620 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144411575 I do understand that we were at one point immigrants as well, but that was before any major systems were set in place, there were so many advances to be made. At this point in our society if an illegal immigrant is helped over the borders not only are you putting yourself at risk to get into trouble with the law but you are also at fault for screwing hard working Americans out of a job. This is the main reason that I would disagree with helping immigrants over. We should figure out how to reform businesses to find Americans who are in need of work, or have a better system. If we did have a better system set up to help people find any kind of job to help them stay on their feet than we would also be able to help immigrants who come over legally, and hopefully put an end to any of the immigrants standing on street corners waiting for work. If this system has been working for them than any American who is in desperate need for a job should join them because obviously nothing and no one else is helping them get back on their feet. Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:03:53 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144411575 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144411533 When we are asking this question of would I help someone illegally immigrate into the country you are asking me if I would be willing to break the law. While I do believe that I am a very helpful person, I also find myself to be a very moral person as well. While growing up in my home town, my father faced a lot of trouble finding work once we saw an increase in illegal immigrants. Other contractors were able to charge lower prices because of the cheap labor they were obtaining through these immigrants. With this decrease in work for my dad who was the bread winner in my family, being able to support me to go to Penn State was in question when this monetary struggle struck my family. I would not say that I am against immigrating but when it is done illegally, these people are stealing from the hard working tax payers who are trying to make themselves a better living. Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:03:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/would-you-help-someone-illegal-immigrate-into-the-country-why-or-why-not-119-blog/#IDComment144411533 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment142988816 I cannot find any argument that justifies that nepotism is wrong in any sense, there is really no harm to anyone in these opportunities. The acts of nepotism just can make a few situations harder and just more annoying than they should have been. As a communications major, they pride us on networking and getting to know our alumni as much as we can. If they are preaching nepotism in college than I believe it is all just about whether you make the opportunities for nepotism to occur more frequent by increasing your own networks. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:58:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment142988816 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment142988731 Nepotism is something that is present within so many parts of our society. Penn State is known for one of the most largest forms of nepotism, our alumni networks. People come to Penn State solely for the perks of being a PSU graduate and a part of this association. It would take so much more effort in order to go against what is in our nature and consciously think about not giving in to the opportunity of nepotism. When it comes to acknowledging that you may have hurt someones chances of a job, or an opportunity because of nepotism the way in which I would justify it is by being able to maintain my position. By landing a job or an opportunity one automatically can believe that regardless of whom they are, they got the reward so they feel that they are fit for the position. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:58:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment142988731 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment142988458 When asking if you would turn down the act of nepotism it is like asking would you turn down a free ride. I believe that we don't really see nepotism as it happens to us, but it is easier to see when it occurs to other people. This backs up the idea that people may harp on the negative aspects of life than the positive. As Sam stated in class whenever an act of nepotism is offered to someone they will legitimize their situation by saying that they deserved it or that they have worked for it. One of my friends have just been offered an internship with ESPN because of her dad's job, this had made me very bitter because I have tried calling different contacts and applying but never got a call back. A few days after one of our alumni had given me the chance to interview for an internship this summer and I justified this help through telling myself that it was finally time for someone to help me out for once. If no one took the chance to help out one another or did not take the opportunity of nepotism, than I believe that there would be a lot more cut throat competition in life. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:57:04 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/12/do-you-think-you-would-actively-try-to-not-benefit-from-nepotism-if-the-situation-presented-itself-119-blog/#IDComment142988458 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094473 The other main difference that shocked me was the information that men are truly more forward and wanting of sex than females. I now understand how deeply lucky I am to have found a boyfriend who does not try to force me into anything I do not want and who truly respects that as I woman I am looking for deeper feelings. I feel bad for the other woman around me who feel as though they need to give into the men’s view of sex and get forced into doing things they later regret. In most of these situations, alcohol and men’s persistence drive them into these things. I am very happy that Sam had a lecture on this as an I feel as though this information will help educate students in a greater understanding of sex in both genders. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 21:35:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094473 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094410 The posters are true, No means No. It upsets me to hear the amount of sexual assault that takes place across the world. This needs to be stopped soon and something proactive needs to come into effect to help these from occurring. As a woman I understand the pressure that a woman is under when a male is trying to “hook up” with her. Younger males need to be educated more on how to treat woman and how to tell the difference when consent is giving and when it is not. I believe that the education of the younger generation of men may help to stop the amount of sexual assault that takes place. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 21:35:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094410 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094358 I definitely thought the view on the opposite sex was more enlightening. It is widely known that the different sexes have different views and responses to sex but I never realized that men and women had drastic differences. The fact that the world views sex and all sexual encounters from a man’s point of view is very concerning. I have never realized the truth in that until Sam pointed it out. Once I thought about that, I started looking at movies and life experiences and it was almost completely, one hundred percent sided in the male respective. Once I learned about the fact that men sometimes get themselves into trouble because they are not quite sure if the girl gives consent I realized it is hard for both sides. For men, when a women says no they should respect that. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 21:35:02 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094358 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094321 In Sam’s lecture on “The Needy Penis”, I came to class not sure of what was going to take place to be exact. I thought Sam did a great job in the title of the lecture to draw students to come to the lecture. In the lecture, Sam discussed how sex is viewed from both different sexes and gave us some very informative information on how different sexes view different things in the world. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 21:34:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment141094321 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139259576 I feel like the way in which men think is pretty cut and dry while women can be a lot more complex not just in their sexual activity but how they want to be handled in a relationship. I did not learn as much about men and the way they think than I learned more about how women function and especially how I fit into that category. This can be a very bias opinion but I feel for the majority women hold themselves in a higher esteem, not to say that sexual activity is a bad thing but it is a private and sensual matter. Women seem to keep their intimate lives behind closed doors where as men will usually go off bragging about what they have done with a girl. The way in which men and women treat sex differently definitely shows in how we talk about sex differently. I found it more compelling to understand more about how many women feel about engaging and talking about sexual activities. It definitely gave me more confidence for how I carry myself and for the respect I give women. Sat, 2 Apr 2011 01:53:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139259576 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139259517 The most enlightening difference about todays Soc 119 lecture was the information I have learned about my own sex. As a female we sometimes are hesitant to talk about our sex lives, and if our feelings vary from that of the males we may think it is wrong to feel the way that we do. What I am trying to say is that I have been guilty of faking an orgasm but it is good to know that this is normal for many females, and it is reassuring to know that we can not be as easily pleasured as a male can be. This lecture really gave me a lot more insight as well as confidence for the feelings that I encounter as a woman. When certain topics are not talked about you may begin to question if you are deviant from what is considered to be the norm and you become more self-conscious about your own feelings and actions. I am also glad that the men in the room (especially my boyfriend ) was able to sit through the lecture, because I believe there is a huge double standard for men and women and the use of the word "needy". I am a girl that has had the title needy given to me, not because I want a lot of stuff paid for me, but because I like spending time together especially to build the relationship. The definition breakdown of how men and women are needy in different ways made me a lot more confident and comfortable to feel okay asking to spend time when I want to with my boyfriend (and I think he began to catch on to that as well). Sat, 2 Apr 2011 01:53:30 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/31/what-was-more-enlightening-the-information-on-your-own-sex-or-the-opposite-sex-and-why-119-blog/#IDComment139259517 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-factors-in-your-race-make-it-difficult-to-date-outside-your-race-119-blog/#IDComment137617407 Media has definitely been a big influence on how I grew up and the thoughts that I have about why I am attracted to the people that I am attracted to. Just like Sam showed us in class the LL Bean catalog, they do not show many mixed or interracial couples in magazines, on television or in catalogs. While I do not think I have ever consciously thought about this, repeatedly seeing same race couples and marriages has subconsciously made me come to believe that I should stay within my race when dating. Another factor that has influenced my reasoning for only dating white men, is the racism that my grandparents still have towards minorities. While they can not control my thinking or who or why I like someone, I still think about if my family will approve and be accepting or if they will shun me for diversifying. My family has these thoughts that if I do not marry a white man I may not be able to raise my children as well and be as financially secure. I know statistics show that there is still working discrimination in the business world against minorities, but many has been breaking that barrier. I do not feel that if I date a minority or go out of my race that my life will be worse than if I married a white male, but I do feel that it still would not be accepted just yet within the white community. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:18:56 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-factors-in-your-race-make-it-difficult-to-date-outside-your-race-119-blog/#IDComment137617407 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-factors-in-your-race-make-it-difficult-to-date-outside-your-race-119-blog/#IDComment137617379 As a young white female who has grown up in New York, I always thought that my parents would be a bit more open to me dating outside of my race than others, due to the diverse environment to which I grew up in. However, when I addressed my parents with this question they became uneasy and did not even want to think of the possibility that I would try to date a non-white male. I do not see myself as a racist for not being attracted to minorities, or any other skin color than white, I just believe it is what I am comfortable with. To me and for my generation I believe since we are turning into such a mixed race country that I would date out of my white race, if I were attracted to that person (may look white, but have a different origin). I grew up in a very diverse community so I do not discriminate against who I would be friends with when it comes to race, culture, or skin color, but to give my heart to someone I would be more picky and almost always choose someone from my own race. I believe that there are a lot of factors that help influence who I date and who my parents approve of. Coming from a low-income white family, my parents have raised me with fairytales of finding that wonderful prince charming who can help take care of me and my children (once the time is given) for the rest of my life. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:18:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/22/what-factors-in-your-race-make-it-difficult-to-date-outside-your-race-119-blog/#IDComment137617379 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/18/what-do-you-think-of-the-diversity-at-penn-state-119-blog/#IDComment135969832 For me the diversity factor within Penn State did not play a factor in my decision to come here. Although if whites were not the majority that would have definitely swayed my decision as to coming to this school or not. Coming to a diverse college I have definitely learned to not only accept but I also understand diversity more than usual. I came from a pretty diverse high school and I think that has influenced my ability to interact comfortably with different races; but taking classes on diversity has helped me understand the statistics and the generalizations that most of the majority will usually make. I believe that by going to a diverse college and embracing its diversity is they only way to expand your horizons and eventually succeed in life. If you have to work in a team as your profession and you have never interacted with a minority before, you may feel uncomfortable and it will hinder your work. I believe that by opening your eyes to all of the great and different cultures that are present in this world you will only better your understanding of the world. Like we have learned in class we are all going to die anyway, if we can walk around with that perspective in life we can all be more willing and open to understand the diversity of not only Penn State but the world. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:30:54 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/18/what-do-you-think-of-the-diversity-at-penn-state-119-blog/#IDComment135969832 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/18/what-do-you-think-of-the-diversity-at-penn-state-119-blog/#IDComment135969787 I believe the diversity at Penn state is very overwhelming almost. I have visited other schools to see not much variation within the students and faculty. Being a junior here at Penn State I have also found that I believe a lot of the stereotypical tags that are pushed upon minorities. While I believe that I have made a valiant effort to no discriminate against who I talk to or sit next to in class, I feel I have learned more about the minorities at Penn State. First off, minorities seem to flock together and to me follow the stereotypical standards that will usually be portrayed of them. For me and as we have discussed in class black or darker skin minorities usually are the louder ones in my group of friends and the ones who are not scared to say what they want to say. My Asian friends I have found to really only be friends with other oriental’s and focus extremely hard on their studies. This is also true for most of the majority here at PSU; whites can usually be seen dressed well and wearing fraternity or sorority letters. Maybe I encounter so many minorities because I am on an athletics team and involved in numerous organizations, but I feel like unless you are open to interacting with minorities you will not notice that they are even in your presence. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:30:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/18/what-do-you-think-of-the-diversity-at-penn-state-119-blog/#IDComment135969787 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment133023043 In my only experience with a disagreement of the help for minorities was when I was applying for scholarships for college. I am in a low – class white family living in New York, my dad had lost his job and my mom was working two to support my brother and me. I tried applying for every scholarship possible (which was not many because I did not have a minority background and was not fluent in other languages or cultures). It seemed as though the only people who were gaining help to get to college was our valedictorian and the minorities in my school. I feel this touches back on a question that was stated in a video last week, it asked, would you be more apt to help minorities or lower income whites? Like I stated earlier this is an instance where I feel affirmative action would not need to be implanted anymore. To really take a step towards everyone being treated as equals we shouldn’t be making policies, we should be educating businesses and colleges about the importance of racism and discrimination and how it affects our society and minorities. As a white female, I have not seen affirmative action helping me, and I have been discriminated against in my life. If I am chosen for a job or a scholarship or a team, I want it to be because I’m the best for the position and even because I am a female they couldn’t turn me down. Affirmative action is a touchy subject but I do not believe it is making a big step towards abolishing discrimination. Mon, 7 Mar 2011 03:33:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment133023043 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment133023012 Before I was able to answer this question correctly I had to first find the definition of affirmative action which is as follows; “Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including race, color, religion, sex, or national origin into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination. The focus of such policies ranges from employment and education to public contracting and health programs” (Wikipedia). I believe affirmative action was a great idea a few years ago, although we still have discrimination present within our society I still feel people will carry on how they want to. If you are a minority and you work in an office mainly comprised of whites, and you know the company has an affirmative action policy, do you feel like a charity case, or do you feel that they believed you were qualified for the position? I believe that our society has made it to a level that to become a completely equal society we are going to have to do it on our own terms and not through a policy of force. Mon, 7 Mar 2011 03:33:48 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/02/is-it-possible-for-affirmative-action-to-take-things-too-far-119-blog/#IDComment133023012