Kaitlin+McAfee

=__GENDER ROLES__= Gender roles hold a very significant part of our everyday lifes. At a young age we are taught or "molded" into this belief of gender roles, and the rules that go along with them. What men are "supposed to do" and what women are "supposed to do." How we are each suppoed to act, what is and isn't acceptable. There are so many influences acting upon as, so that we are how society wants us to be. Over the years it has slowly began to changem but it still has a ways to go. Our parents and have family have a huge impact on our preception of gender roles at a young age. At the prime time of starting to learn how we are supposed to act. AS we get older our friends, peers, and teachers begin to deeply affect us. Everyone usually learns the same things, but some people preception is a bit different than others. Some people are also against following this gender role society has molded for us, which in return causes controversey. If you are a girl you are taught to be lady-like. If you're a boy you are taught to be masculine. Women are taught to be lady-like. We're taught to cover up; dress appropriatly, to respect ourselves, as well as to be loving and nuturing. Back in the older days women did the cooking, cleaning, and raising the children. While the mean worked and brought home money and food for the family. Women and girls couldn;t get an education, that had to take care of the home; have dinner on the table when the husband arrived home from a long day of work. It is still taught this way, but society has definatly changed. Now women work, supporting he family. While men help with the children, and cooking. At a very young age we are taught that a woman and man are meant to be together. Men and men or women and women don't belong. WHile society has changed quite a bit, there is still so much room for huge improvement. It is also still a huge controversial issue. In high school our peers have a huge effect on our development for the better and the worse. They helped us to grow, as well as our significant others do. But, at the same time, we are so afraid of being judged we don't really to or get to experience all we need to grow and become whom we are meant to be. We feel we have to be this certain way so that society will accept us; we can't really be ourselves. It is quite unfortunate. We feel like we are being judged- which we are, and whether we allow it to or not, it take a huge toll on us. As a parent I will model positive gender roles for my children. I want them to be respectful of themselves and others they meet. I want my children to know how to say no, and that it is ok. But as for everything else society tries to pressure us into following, it's their choice how they choose how to live their lives. If my children like the same sex that will be ok with me. Yes of course I want them to get married to the opposite sex, and be able to have children. But if that isn't who they are, then it isn't who they are and I won't try to change them. Whether they have a masculine or feminine job, it doesn't matter. I will love them for them. Following the gender roles isn't important to me. All I want for my children is for them to be happy, healthy, and successful.

** Ethnic Families **

Stereotype: A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. We all have opinions and bias thoughts about race and culture. Being honest and talking about these can help you to see if you're making fair assumptions. As well as whether or not they contradict themselves with a different opinion you have. I, myself, will admit that I unfortunately have stereotypes against race and culture. For example I feel Mexicans are lazy; that they don't want to work for the things they want. I feel like I have to hide my belongings because they may steal them, because they're "ghetto." But in the next breath I completely contradict myself. I don't feel like, and I know that all Mexicans are like that, some work hard for what they want. It's also a very rude, unfair, judgmental opinion because anybody could be that way, whether they're Caucasian, African American, Asian, or Mexican.It's not at all just a race thing. I was just brought up seeing things in that sort of a manner. Have you ever heard the line "you're Asian; you're supposed to be smart"? There's another stereotype I have. I have grown up thinking that just because someone is Asian, they’re smart. This is unfair because yes it would be cool to have people thinking you're smart, but it also puts a lot of pressure on them. It's also hypocritical because I know plenty of Asians who aren't any smarter than me, and I know many other races that are just as smart as any Asian. Everyone is smart on different levels; it doesn't have to do with their race. We all still hear the racial slurs directed toward African Americans and how they were once slaves, so people are always using the N word. I myself do not use that word, or treat an African American like a slave, but I know people that do. In my opinion it is terribly wrong, and rude. African Americans have no difference from a Caucasian, Latino, Asian, or another race, besides the color of the skin. And skin, well skin should not for any reason make a difference about how you treat someone. I will admit that I have used the "He's black of course he can jump higher, run faster, act." Yes they may jump high, and run fast, but it's rude to classify it by race, not all black people can jump high or run fast. SO instead of classifying it by their race, say they're name. Let them be proud that they can run fast or jump high and you recognize it. Without putting on the African Americans whom may not jump as high or run as fast. I've admitted some of my stereotypes and have realized that they are bias and contradict themselves. Now it's your turn, think about your racial opinions. You may not be able to change what you feel, but you can defiantly change what you say and how you say it. It's important to change these things because there is a great chance it may be hurting, or putting unnecessary pressure on someone all because of their culture, or the color of their skin.

=A Broken World =

Life was good,

Life was great.

But leading to a tragic fate.

Peace, love, the people together.

Soon lost forever.

Many hurting,

Tons in sorrow.

We are learning,

To hope for a better tomorrow.

Mass destruction has to end,

So this world can mend.

All the fighting,

So much hate.

Many will be dying,

If it becomes too late.

=<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">C O L O R S =

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Yellow is when I’m with you.

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Blue is when you’re gone.

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Orange is when we laugh together.

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Green is when we walk hand in hand.

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Black is when you make me cry.

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Purple is when we fight.

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Red is when you say you love me,

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">And that everything will be alright.

=<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">MY SONNET =

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">The building of the beat <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Rhythm flowing fast <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Can’t help but move my feet, <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">I forgot about the past

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">The sound is all around me <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Moving my hips from side to side <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Flashing lights are all I see, <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">I’m in a sea of people coming in like the tide

<span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">Lifting up towards the ceiling <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">My problems are whatever <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">I can’t fight the feeling, <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">The music is forever.

<span style="font-family: times new  roman,new york,times,serif;">Music is life, to me it’s vital, <span style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif;">A life without music, I call it suicidal.