Critical Thinking and Analysis for each Topic - Alcoholism, Child Labor, Depression, Divorce, and Same-Sex Marriage.

Alcoholism - 

1. Should alcoholism be viewed as a disease or an addiction? Explain. Alcoholism should be viewed as an addiction because its something you decide to do, and you can control when you want to stop drinking.
2. Should alcoholics be held solely responsible for their drinking habits? Why or why not? They should take responsibility of their actions but they shouldn't be judged for it. Everyone has problems and addictions, it doesn't make them any different than anyone else.
3. Should moderation treatment options be offered to alcoholics? Yes, all types of treatment should be offered.

Child Labor - 

1. Should there be international child labor laws that can be enforced in all countries? Yes there should be international child labor laws that can enforced in all countries because these children shouldn't be treated with no respect. They deserve to choose how to live their lives.
2. Is child labor justifiable when the income gained is used to sustain the family? No because it is not the child's duty to sustain the family, its the parents. Theres an exception if they child doesn't have parents.
3. Are current U.S. labor laws too strict in regards to child labor? No, i actually think that the laws are enforced perfectly because in the U.S. you have to be 14 in order to qualify for your working papers.
4. Why is child labor regarded as a social evil? Child Labor is regarded as a social evil because it is the little kids that are at risk and in danger in harming their own lives forever.

  Depression - 

1. Do the facts seem to support the claim that some antidepressants cause an increased rate of suicide in young people? The facts seem to support the claim that antidepressants cause an increased rate of suicide in young people because 
2. Do the potential risks of antidepressants outweigh the potential benefits? Yes, because you can always overcome the risks, and you shouldn't take any chances by not taking the medicine. People can become addicted to the medicine but it will benefit their health in the long run(future).
3. If you were a physician and chose to not use prescription antidepressant drug therapy to treat clinical depression in a young person, what alternative treatments would you choose? I would try to help get the individuals enrolled in a rehab/therapy center, that will eventually benefit the people and make them healthy again. Everyone deserves to be healthy and clean and shouldn't be depressed, they should be able to act like everyone else.

Divorce - 

1. Should couples stay together in a troubled marriage rather than divorce? Why or why not? In my opinion, i think that any problem in a relationship can be resolved, and shouldn't be resolved in a divorce. Every couple has disagreements. Theres a reason they fell in love and got married in the first place so i don't think that they should give up on the relationship and get a divorce.
2. Are there any reasons why couples should divorce? Explain. I don't believe in divorce, so i don't think there should be a reason for a divorce. They married for a reason so through every fight they should be able to find what they fell in love with from the beginning.
3. What steps do you think the government should take to encourage marriage and lower the divorce rate? I think they should put certain restrictions on the ability to go through with a divorce and not make it so easy to achieve. 
4. What impact does divorce have on society? It doesn't have an impact on society as a whole, it only has a impact on the family involved. The family becomes broken and torn apart because of a divorce.

Same-Sex Marriage - 

1. Does same-sex marriage pose a threat to society or to heterosexuals? I do not think that same-sex-marriage poses a threat to society or heterosexuals because everyone should be capable of getting married to the person they love and shouldn't allow anyone intimidate them or their relationship.
2. If gay members of society aren’t allowed to marry can they be considered equal citizens with their heterosexual counterparts? No, because of there being restrictions on gays being allowed to marry, they already are discriminating against them and not allowing them to be equal to all the other citizens.
3. Is there an ethical basis for opposing same-sex marriage? Yes, there is an ethical basis for same-sex-marriage. Some people support it and some are against it. Some think it doesn't matter who you love and some think its against god or the bible.

Prewriting Question: What cases can be made for or against......?


Alcoholism - Do you think Alcoholism is causes by a lack of willpower? I think so, because so many people have addictions that they don't have the power to stop. When you are trying to quit something you "like", you have to gain the "willpower." Willpower is something a person decides on and initiates action, you have want to stop and people decide not too. So many people stick with their addiction because its what they like to do, even if it is affecting everyone around them.

Child Labor - Should there be exceptions for Child Labor laws? There should be no exceptions for child labor because it is the torturing of children. The children have their whole life ahead of them and they have to carry this experience around with them for their entire lives. They don't deserve this, they are innocent, and shouldn't be forced to perform actions they aren't capable of.

Depression - Should antidepressant drugs be prescribed for children suffering from depression? I think antidepressant drugs should only be prescribed to a select few of individuals. They should be old enough to handle the medicine, and have control over themselves to not get addicted to the drug. Depression in my eyes can be resolved without drugs, you just have to think positive and want to get healthy again. People suffering with this problem have to learn how to handle on their own, and be proud of the achievement of overcoming their depression.

Divorce - Should laws be enacted that make divorce harder to obtain? Honestly, coming from a divorced family i think that there should be therapy offered to the couple that wishes to get a divorce. The kids of the family should never have to deal with a broken family. It hits the kids really hard, and makes them think its their fault. I think there should just be other options given to the couple and not let them rush into a divorce. I don't think laws are needed but it could help in a couple ways.

Same Sex Marriage - Should same-sex marriage be allowed? I have a 20 year-old brother named Patrick that happens to be gay, and not only for him but for all the people that are attracted to the same sex should be able to marry the person they love. They shouldn't be discriminated against what they are attracted to. So yes, without a doubt same sex marriage should be permitted.

Potential Research Topics

Choose five topics that you think are potential research topics for your paper and briefly (in 2 to 5 sentences) explain why these topics are of interest to you.

1) Alcoholism - This topic interests me because i can research all different types and reasons why certain individuals turn to alcohol. I want to know if people think there is a cure by drinking and what type of happiness it brings them. Why are most people that drink excessively not alcohol dependent?

2) Child Labor - This topic interests me because little innocent children should not be punished. These young children shouldn't have to experience something so horrifying at such a young age. They are forced to perform actions that they would never even think of pursuing. I want to inform people on this issue and attempt to help it stop.

3) Depression (mental depression) - This topic interests me because many people go through many hardships and identify themselves as depressed.  You never know what people have been through and i would like to gain knowledge on different experiences that caused  people to be depressed. I know a handful of people that went through depression and is an ongoing issue and i want to be able to inform others on this problem.

4) Divorce - This topic interests me because i come from a divorced family. Divorce has a great toll on the children because you feel very confused and think of all the reason this might have occurred. I want to share my experience of growing up in a broken household with others and explain how hard it was to get used to having one parent in your house and having to deal with only one support system, rather than two.

5) Same Sex Marriage - This topic interests me because my brother Patrick happens to be gay. I want not only him but all the people out there to be able to marry whoever they want. We all have that one person that makes us extremely happy, no matter what sex the individual happens to be and i feel that they should not be discriminated against. They should be able to be happy and marry the one they love so deeply.

What "ticks you off"?

Make a list of four or five things that "tick you off." Explain why. (Choose significant things that others might experience as well. For instance, your little brother might tick you off, but there is little chance that this annoyance will yield a possible paper topic). It is possible that one of these annoyances can be transformed into an interesting, engaging, and researchable project.

1. When peoples clothes don't match. (it doesn't look right)
2. When people ask me the same question numerous times/repeats themselves. (I already heard you)
3. When all my clothes are on the floor and not folded or organized. (I get anxiety when everything isn't in the proper place)
4. When my phone dies. (I have no form of communication)
5. When people try to make every conversation about themselves. (I don't really care)
6. When people lie to me. (Its so easy to tell the truth, why lie?)
7. When I get blamed for something I didn't do. (It clearly wasn't me)
8. When teachers yell at me when the entire class is doing the same thing. (Why am I the only one getting yelled at)
9. When people show favoritism. (I hate teacher pets, or people that show off)
10. When people ask for advice, and then don't use it. (Why ask if you weren't going to consider it)
11. When people answer their own questions. (Why ask then)
12. When bae doesn't text back. (Feel so unwanted)
13. When someone leaves me on read. (Feel like they are mad at me, just answer)
14. When I'm having a deep conversation and someone changes the topic. (Lets finish this conversation, and then we can talk about something else.
15. When my brother wears my clothes. (They are mine, not yours)
16. When someone looks through my belongings/text messages/photos.
17. When my hair is in my face.
18. When my jeans don't fit.
19. When someone eats my food without asking.
20. When I lose my earring backs.
21. When people are late.
22. When people make promises and don't follow through with them.
23. When people think they know everything.
24. When someone talks down to me.
25. When people show off their materialistic items all the time.
26. When i try really hard on something and its not appreciated.
27. When people are obnoxious.
28. When my wifi doesn't work.
29. When there is nothing good on television.
30. When you see 10 year olds in the mall.
31. When people try to control me or my actions.
32. When people are oblivious to whats going on.
33. When people pretend to be something to get people to like them.
34. Pandora commercials.
35. When shampoo or soup goes in my eye.
36. When people try too hard.
37. When people chew really loud.