In this example, the media has a huge role to play in why kidnapping and the odds of it happening are exaggerated. The news report sensationalizes the story, with the on scene reporter saying “Will he try this again on someone else? They have to assume he will.” This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and judging by the video this was the new program’s top story. Nowhere in the video do they make a point to say that the odds of this happening to your child are astronomical. The menacing camera shots and the dramatic narration is enough to make any parent lock their children in the house. How could you not with a man committing random kidnappings? And remember, it could happen to you. It is no wonder that parents tell their children not to talk to strangers. It’s an assumption of “Well if that ONE stranger is bad, they ALL must be bad.” This, of course, is illogical reasoning, but parents do some weird things to protect their children from harm. However that’s not to say that you still shouldn’t be safe and alert, at least until the police identify and apprehend the suspect, especially if you’re in this neighborhood. On the other side of the country you’d statistically be safe. But it is important to put these worries in perspective. If people begin driving around the city instead of walking, this will lead to more car accidents, which will harm a lot more people than one isolated kidnapping.

While reading the story, I found myself hanging onto every word that this man said and asking myself what I would do in this situation. It is clear, that however serious his crime was, he has in fact served longer in jail than he had with his freedom. Should we classify him in the same categories as murderers, or was it simply the result of a young man, who like many of us, find out that decisions do have ultimate consequences when it comes to risk taking. I do believe he is truthfully sorry for what he has done and does deserve to be punished, but to what extent is it too much? The first thing he must do is forgive himself, but more importantly, Kevin's parents must forgive him and even that will not change the past or his current position behind bars. What it would change is the feeling of belonging, the feeling of being a human being and not just a forgotten member of society. But just like many things today, society is split when it comes to what is right and wrong... and unfortunately religion is usually the driving wedge. Regardless of religion, and what might be there and what not, society looks at anyone behind bars with judging eyes, this man knows it, and so he turned to the only "person"/idea he knows that will not do such a thing, God.

Due to the strong cultural belief that losing your job equates to the embarrassment and/or dishonor of the individual, not only on themselves, but more importantly to their family has been highly present throughout Japan's history. In the video, however, the main force behind committing suicide is due to the economic crisis that Japan as a country is facing. Most importantly, if I were to speak to someone prior to them committing suicide, I would explain that their country's economy isn't the only one facing a crisis and wont be the last. Globally speaking, numerous countries have never known what it is like to live and offer its' citizens an economy that is free of economic turmoil, even when the global economy peaked.On the other hand, Japan and its' citizens have always had an impressive ranking among the world in terms of their economy and technological advancements, so I understand the shock and nervousness that this presents to the Japanese population. In terms of categorizing suicide in a sociological sense, I feel the problem Japan is facing combines two of Durkheim's categories, which are Altruistic suicide and Anomic suicide. The combination of the two along with the nationwide hysteria and culture would make any decision quite daunting, but unlike suicide this economic crisis isn't the omega of time.