Bad Cinema - Kidulthood

"Kidulthood" follows the life of a 15 year old boy and his schoolmates. This film delves deep into the struggle of life they face everyday. The film is powerful and disturbing, exposing the daily battles the teenagers face literally just to survive. Topics covered in the film include suicide, drugs, underage sex and pregnancy..a shocking film, it was critisized, yet praised for raising awareness of how some teenagers live and what they go through and take part in way before their time if ever...

http://www.kidulthood.co.uk/

WEED

Everybody seems to do weed these days. On a daily basis I see people smoking weed or I can smell it at least; I was walking to uni the other day and I saw a man pushing a pram smoking weed, I live in halls and there is a constant smell of weed throughout the blocks..everyone seems to casually smoke it as a pastime, it becoming as popular as drinking, even though it is a class B drug and the police will always take action if they catch someone in possesion of it.

Cannabis, (the official name for weed), can have very profound and serious effects on a person, but people do not seem to understand this severity.

Here are some efects that weed can have:

• smokers can become anxious, panicky, suspicious or paranoid.


• If you use cannabis and have a family background of mental illness, such as schizophrenia, you may be at increased risk of developing a psychotic illness.


• Regular, heavy use makes it difficult to learn and concentrate. Some people begin to feel tired all the time and can't seem to get motivated.


• Cannabis, like tobacco, has lots of chemical 'nasties', which can cause lung disease and possibly cancer with long-term or heavy use, especially as it is often mixed with tobacco and smoked without a filter. It can also make asthma worse, and cause wheezing in non-asthma sufferers.
  

http://www.talktofrank.com/drugs.aspx?id=172

Many different types of people take weed, all over the world. In some countries cannabis is legalized and doctors even recomend it for pain relief.

http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic125300.html

Where weed is illegal, like in the UK people still smoke weed..youngsters to conform to peer pressure, uni students, many unemployed or people of low socio economic groups..people don't seem to be that bothered that this drug is actually harmful and illegal.

Binge Drinking

"One in 10 people on a night out plan to binge-drink"

This is what a study, conducted in North-West England, found. From the overall sample they concluded that 80% of people would drink a total of more than 40 units before going to sleep. Even though, men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, (and no more than four units in any one day), and
women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, (and no more than three units in any one day).

Binge drinking is when people drink with the sole aim to get drunk. It can cause many health problems and lead to getting in trouble with the law and ending up hurt in hospital. There are many graphic goverment advertisements warning about the negative effects of binge drinking yet people still chose to do it.

So, why do people binge drink?

Here are some reasons that people are said to part-take in binge drinking:

• to relax
  
• to be more sociable


• peer pressure


• to have fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jftfU30xJg

Bad Manners

From a young age, most parents teach their children that good manners are essential. Children are taught to say "Please" "Thank you" "Excuse me" etc. And manners can also include being polite to others. Examples include, not shouting at others, no pushing in a que, etc.

http://life.familyeducation.com/manners-and-values/parenting/34452.html

However, some people chose not to use their manners, or they may have when they were younger but then decided not to when they wasn't told to do it.

I work in a supermarket and the amount of people that have bad manners is incredible! It is such a easy thing to do, just to say "please" and "thank you" yet people still chose not too!

Why...???

Swearing

Sweaing is something that most people do and hear everyday. Even though it is a taboo, people still do. However, whether swearing is deemed acceptable depends on the situation or group of people a person is with.

Most parents teach their children from a young age that swearing is wrong and many often don't swear infront of them to set a good example. However, as children grow up they become more aware of swear words and because of the negative connotations surrounding them, they often do swear to either act "grown up" or just to be rebellious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snslJHb-Ax0&feature=PlayList&p=F9587779FA92FB0E&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=5

Generally, teenagers swear a lot. At this time this is where peer pressure is at its highest and swearing can be practised to look "cool", so many adolensence's do this to conform to social pressures.

As an adult people become more aware of when and where swearing is acceptable and where it isn't. For example, the workplace will not allow swearing. A situation where swearing might be acceptable is in a social situation such as in a bar with friends; it depends on whether people take offence at swearing or not.

Also, if the person was one of authority such as a police man or a teacher then people should know that swearing at them is unacceptable.

Swearing is often a way for people to express their emotions such as anger and shock.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/swearing.htm

Why do people eat unhealthy when they know it is bad for them?

In the 21st century people are very aware of what foods are and aren't unhealthy for them. There are several television programmes such as "Supersize vs Superskinny" and "You are what you eat" that are based on what foods consist as "healthy" and what excersize people can do to remain healthy.

Glossy magazines such as "heat" and "More Magazine"are full of celebrities talking about their weight and many have a strong, public urge to be a "size zero", which equates to around a size 6/8. On one hand their has been critisism and blame on celebrities and magazines for people, especially young girls, gaining eating disorders but on the other hand everyone is telling people that we should eat healthy.

Reasons people may eat unhealthily include:

• Convinience - people are often lazy


• Generally, unhealthy food such as fast food, tastes better than healthy food


• People like to have a choice in what they do and not be told what to eat!


• Habit - once people get into the habit o eating unhealthily it is very difficult to reverse!

The Media and Violence

I think it is perfectably reasonable to say that everyone has an aggressive streak in them; it is human nature.

Violence is all over the media.

In soap operas such as Eastenders and Coranation street people physically fight and even murder others, and all this is shown before the watershed of 9pm. The big storyline in Coranation Street a few years ago of Richard Hillman who went on a killing spree.

Films such as "SAW" inspire violence where one man violently and physically tortures others.

Rap songs often talk about violent acts such as gun crime and spur people on to commit such crimes as they want to mirror the rappers lifestyles,

In video games such as "Call of Duty" characters kill each other in a variety of ways like by stabbing them, shooting them, etc.

There has been much discussion in the media about the profound effect that video games can have on children.

Claims are that they can lead to compulsive behaviour, loss of interest in other activities, association mainly with other addicts, and unusual symptoms when addicts are denied their favourite pastime - such as the shakes.

Dr Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University, an expert on video game addiction, thinks it could just happen:

"The video games of the 21st Century may in some ways be more psychologically rewarding than the 1980s games in that they require more complex skills, improved dexterity, and feature socially relevant topics and better graphics."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1036088.stm

Films can also spur people on to do violent crimes such as murder. Children are particularly susceptible to these plots and video game plots as they are very impressionable at that age.

The horror film "Scream" was aired in 1996 and it is said to have inspired crimes; a number of teenagers were inspired to murder: a boy and his cousin in Los Angeles obsessed with the film murdered his mother by stabbing her 45 times, a man wearing the mask shot and killed a woman in Florida, a boy in France killed his parents while acting as Ghostface, and in England, a pair of boys repeatedly stabbed a third one, claiming the film had prompted them to do it.
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?s=0312b70879141b4ea1c65451b00e98e3&showtopic=95915

Speeding

Why do people speed?? Speed limits are set out very specific and clear yet people still feel the need to exceed it often resulting in being caught by speed cameras or police and getting points on their license and a large fine.

The national speed limit in the UK is 30mph. This is the speed limit that is imposed in most built up areas where people are about. To stop people speeding all sorts of measures have been put in place such as speed cameras and speed bumps. However, more people than ever are still getting caught speeding, so why do they do it?

Many people feel that the 30mph limit in most areas is too slow and it slows their journey down so they speed in order to get to where they are goin quicker. People often speed when they are late for work or an appointment.

Some people, especially younger people, gain a "natural high" from speeding. Often encouraged by films such as "Need for speed" and video games, they think that they look desirable to others doing this. The films and games often portray a very positive image of the speeder, (which is usually presented as a male), surrounded by girls, sports cars, money and the respect of others.

The Goverment claims that the speed limit of 30mph is for a very good reason. They have published many adverts and posters of the affects of going 10mph over the speed limit can have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeUX6LABCEA

Germany and the The Isle of Man are the only places in the world not to have a general speed limit.

Gambling: "The sure way of getting nothing from something"

Gambling is a game entirely based on luck rather than skill. Statistically more people lose that win and many people end up gambling their valued possesions away such as their house or life savings. A gambling addiction can often wreck a persons life, resulting in them loosing their jobs, possessions, even their families..so why do people do it??

Risk taking seems to be the mot popular reason that people gamble. They get an adrenalin rush and feel a positive buzz from the chance that they could win.

Escapism is another reason people gamble. It provides an escape from everyday life, whether it be by going to a casino itself or gambling online.

The media often portray the gamblers lifestyle as glamourous. In films such as James Bond characters are seen in casinos and they live a "high society" lifestyle.

People gamble to socialize. Gambling is culturally accepted in the most western countries and people often go to a place to gamble such as a casino or horse racing to socialize.

However, people can gain gambling addictions and end up loosing everything; the fantasty world of gambling isn't always what it is imagined as, yet most people know this yet still gamble.

http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/gambling/reasons-for-gambling/menu-id-54/

Tattoos...worn by all!

Tattoos were once rejected in the western world, being seen as the sign of an outcast, typically donned by bikers, sailors, prisoners and just rebels on the whole. Nowadays a tattoo appears to be the must have fashion accessory with people of all ages, including celebrities, having not one but several. People have them in all sorts of places too.







One tattoist says how tattoos have always been desirable to many people but they were too afraid to get them as they were associated with "prostitutes and freaks". So, whats changed ? Why are tattoos so socaiblly accepetable now?




Many people would just put it down to a more open minded, liberated society. Men and women are now equal, people generally do as they wish within or outside the social norm so if they want a tattoo they will get one.



People feel a concious desire to look more attractive to the eye so a tattoo can be a means of doing this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7034500.stm

Lying: are some lies more acceptable than others?

"Lying has long been a part of everyday life. We couldn't get through the day without being deceptive."

This was said by Leonard Saxe, a polygraph expert and professor of psychology at Brandeis University. He is just one of many people that think this. Lying holds many negative connotations and can wreck many things such as friendships, relationships and careers.

Most people will agree that there are different types of lies, ones that are deemed acceptable to tell and others that aren’t.


The lies that people tell frequently/daily are often known as “white lies”. These are lies that people tell often believing that it will benefit themselves or others, causing little or no damage. Examples of these lies include telling an overweight friend “you don’t look fat in them jeans” or telling your boss your late for a meeting because your car broke down, rather than that you overslept.


However, there are lies which are commonly acknowleged as being very bad and damaging, and which shouldn’t be told. These lies tend to hurt other people and cover up for situations which are morally wrong. Examples of this type of lying includes cheating in marriages and lying to cover up a crime such as stealing.

Ultimately, a lies a lie. So is it fair that one lie should be acceptable to tell and another not? I think a lie becomes unacceptable when it is damaging to someone else wihtout them being in the wrong, and accpetable when it is done with good intentions and might benefit a persons well being, as well as not hurting anyone else in the process.


http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199705/the-truth-about-lying

"The Jeremy Kyle Show"

"The Jeremy Kyle Show" is a controversial daytime tv programme watched by people of all different walks of life, from the unemployed to students and OAP's, to working class people. People come on the show with their problems for Jeremy to solve. Nearly every case is immoral, with infidelity, DNA questions, abuse and violence, drug and alcohol abuse the main issues.

Here are some of the storylines in The Jeremy Kyle Show:

• "One night stand caught on cctv..can I ever trust my girlfriend again?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cshuY5fJmpg



• "Ex, accept your the Dad then get out of my life!"
  



• "Mum, we're ashamed of you!"
  



• "Stop beating my daughter!"



• "Has my husband cheated on me and given me a STI?"

Viewers find these sort of stories unbelievable..many viewers treat the people on the show with disgust and cannot understand how people can live how they do, so morally wrong.. Often, the people on the show don't see any wrong in what they are doing and refuse to take responsibility for their actions.




















Jeremy is a tough talking host though, who is very opionated and believes that honesty is the first step to solving the problems. Many guests often take offence at his views though and even turn violent, with him having to have security on hand. The show also is famnous for its lie detector tests and counsellor Graham.










http://www.itv.com/Lifestyle/jeremykyle/default.html

Becoming "Beautiful"

In todays soceity everybody wants to be beautiful. Plastic surgery, botox, sunbeds, crash diets..all done with the aim to end up looking "perfect".

Programmes like "nip tuck" make the public believe that perfection is attainable, aswell as seeing their favourite celebs looking attractive after surgery; this makes the average person want to aspire to be at that level of perfection.

Celebrities go to extreme lengths to become "perfect", spending thousands of pounds doing so. Celebs such as Demi Moore and Halle Berry have had plastic surgery, aswell as some of the younger stars too like Ashlee Simpson. However, plastic surgery can go dramatically wrong and end up having the total opposite effect to looking "beautiful". Take Donetella Versace and Pete Burns for instance..they now have clearly disfigured facial features after too much plastic surgery. So, why do it? Can people become addicted to it?

It appears they can, according to new research. "Imagined ugly syndrome" is what some people are suffering from and they have more and more plastic surgery to feed this addiction. They are said to get a "buzz" from their new look, feeling a sense of "psychological wellbeing".

The moral issues that many people think about when dealing with plastic surgery, diets, anything to do with "improving" your natural look, is why should you change what you have been given and why when it is at such a high cost to your health? Although, users are said to feel psychologically happier afterwards, they must surely have some sort of mental physical state to be addicted to it in the first place?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article641628.ece

True Blood

“True Blood” is an American TV series based on the novels by Charlaine Harris. It is set in a fictional town called “Bon-Temps” in Louisiana and it is about the co-exsistence of vampires and humans.

The plot centres on the love story between an innocent young waitress and a 170 year old vampire. This goes against the social restraints of the time both for vampires and humans so by them going against these social conventions a lot of trouble is brought to the couple and all those in the small town. A lot of “bad” things are associated with vampires such as sex and rape, violence, murder, etc.

The soundtrack for the programme is called “Bad things” by Jace Everett and the lyrics have strong sexual connotations which is possibly one of the biggest themes in “True Blood”. The accompanying video to the song demonstrates such “bad” things being carried out, as well as other themes in the programme such as religion. Examples include people having sex, crime being carried out, dead animals and blood graphically displayed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxINMuOgAu8

Smoking Stars

Research suggests that if a teenager’s favourite film star smokes, they are more likely to find it attractive and not see the negative implications of the habit. A study was done where children aged 10-19 were questioned on their smoking habits. They were then asked to choose their favourite film stars and it was discovered that those whos film stars smoked had more favourable opinions on smoking than those whos stars didn’t.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1190487.stm

Masturbation prevents prostate cancer in men

The latest research has shown that frequent self pleasuring can help protect men against the most common type of cancer: Prostate cancer.

A study was done in Australia where a questionnaire was given to 1079 men suffering from prostate cancer and 1259 healthy men, both of the same age. The questionnaire wanted to know their sexual habits. The team then concluded that the more men ejaculate between the ages of 20 and 50, the less likely they are to develop prostate cancer.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3942-masturbating-may-protect-against-prostate-cancer.html

Masturbation: "An orgasm a day keeps the doctor away"

This is the slogan on a NHS leaflet in Sheffield that was handed out to school children.

The leaflet was created by Steve Slack, the director of the centre for HIV and Sexual Health at NHS Sheffield. He did it with the intention of not promoting safe sex but promoting enjoyable sex. He thought that it would discourage young people to lose their virginity so quick as they could still get sexual pleasure from themselves and get to a point whereby they were ensured that they could enjoy their sexual experience.

A headmaster in the area described the leaflet as "deplorable".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/5806691/NHS-tells-school-children-of-their-right-to-an-orgasm-a-day.html