Women and Sports :: essays research papers fc

Review of Literature Thesis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is a definite correlation between the economics of professional women ¡Ã‚ ¦s sports and their ultimate success. As most success in sport leagues, teams and associations are measured by longevity, win/loss records, and most importantly, revenue, the footprint of female competition at the professional level has not been paramount at any point in our history. Professional women ¡Ã‚ ¦s athletics is characterized by an economic model and a level of acceptance amongst the masses that differs immensely from their male counterparts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this review of literature I plan to examine the major issues contributing to the struggle women ¡Ã‚ ¦s professional team sports experience, in comparison with individual sports. To better understand the disconnect between female buying power and the support by females of women ¡Ã‚ ¦s professional sport, I will use industry facts and expert opinions to look closely at the economic pitfalls of professional women ¡Ã‚ ¦s sports and how that contributes to their ultimate demise. Participation and Buying Power   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the post-Title IX era, female participation in sport has skyrocketed. In 1970, one in every twenty-seven girls played high school varsity sports; compared to one in three today (6). Overall, women currently outnumber men as active sports/fitness participants (1). Since 1991, women have also out-purchased men in athletic shoes and apparel, they participate in most purchasing decisions for men and families, as well as their own, and buy disproportionate to their participation in sport. In short, women control 81% of total sports apparel dollars (6). Hence, the argument that women are not interested in sport and that they do not purchase apparel, remains untrue (3). Team Sports   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Women ¡Ã‚ ¦s professional team sports have had a difficult time establishing themselves as a staple in a booming industry. Some argue that the masculine image of team sports has inhibited women from participating professionally in the United States (4). The best examples of women ¡Ã‚ ¦s sport at the professional level would be basketball and soccer. Both of these sports are widespread in the United States, both sports enjoy immense participation, yet they struggle economically. WNBA   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Women have been playing competitive basketball since 1892. In 1976, women ¡Ã‚ ¦s basketball became and Olympic sport and has experienced much success at the collegiate and amateur levels since. The first professional league was launched in 1978 and folded 3 years later. Two other leagues were created in 1996 ¡Xthe American Basketball League (ABL) and the WNBA. The ABL ceased operation in 1999, while the WNBA continues to thrive. Financial woes were the cause of each team ¡Ã‚ ¦s demise and experts argue that the WNBA ¡Ã‚ ¦s survival is due to its NBA affiliation (2).

Mental Disorder Research Paper Essay

Mental stability or mental health is the way humans react to, think about, and feel about what goes on in their everyday lives. It is a psychosomatic and emotional state of being. Throughout history, people with odd or dangerous behaviors were seen as witches or ones possessed by evil spirits. These people were thrown in prisons or institutions to isolate them from others. Not too long ago, in the 1950’s with a great deal of research and much more highly developed technology many people with mental disorders have been treated. In America, more than 45 million adults suffer from a mental disorder (MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE FAMILY: RECOGNIZING WARNING SIGNS AND HOW TO COPE). That’s about 25 percent of people over the age of 18. Many of these people fail to realize that they have a mental illness or succeed in hiding it from others. When these disorders remain ignored they lead to harmful stages in ones life such as, drug abuse, suicide, violence, or conflicts with family and friends. When ones behavior is labeled as a mental disorder it influences the way that person and the others around that person perceives them. Education about mental disorders is necessary (What is mental illness?). In society today, how people distinguish one with a mental disorder and one without a mental disorder is by judging them as â€Å"normal† or â€Å"abnormal.† Today’s normal is considered as the acceptance in society. Abnormal labels people who are not considered â€Å"socially normal.† People use the term â€Å"mental illness† as if it is something abnormal and weird. A mental disorder is known as unhealthy (Susin, Janet). But when we think of an illness, the first thing that comes to mind is a physical sickness. If a young child is physically abused throughout his life, his different personality is a way to deal with the disturbance in his life. If the child doesn’t find a way to deal with this, he or she will want to find dif ferent ways to deal with it such as suicide. Their behavior or what is known as the â€Å"disorder,† is healthier than not going through the process of healing with that behavior (Talking To Kids About Mental Illnesses). Stigma, judgment and separation of people are the product of misunderstandings about mental disorders (Corrigan, Patrick W., and Amy C. Watson). Mental illnesses are not due to any variety of brain damages. Although they are like physical illnesses such as lung cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, people with mental disorders are not treated the same as those with a physical illness. A variety of mental disorders such as bipolar disorder have the ability to run in families. But, most victims develop one without any signs of family history. When one is found to have a mental disorder, the factor that set off their disorder is an event that took place in their life. Factors such as a death of a loved one, financial suffering, unemployment, physical abuse, and sexual abuse can contribute to the start of a mental disorder. This makes every single human susceptible to one (Corrigan, Patrick W., and Amy C. Watson). People with mental disorders are rarely dangerous. Even those with the most serious illness are not dangerous when receiving support. Just like physical illnesses, a mental disorder is treatable. It is possible for one to completely recover if treated early on and properly. It is also possible that the mental disorder can reappear and necessitate constant treatment (What is mental illness?). The largest struggle for someone with a mental illness or someone recovering from one is the confrontation of unnecessary manners of the people around him or her. This is why it is necessary to provide support for those who are suffering. Encouragement and the optimistic behaviors of family, friends, and members of the community are essential to providing those who cope with mental disorders with the support that they need (SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH). Encouraging them to continue with a medication or with therapy will help them believe that that they can achieve mental stability. Altering yourself and working with them will help solve the problems that they are faced with. Increasing your own ability to understand what this person is dealing with will help you talk to and counsel them. Although peo ple with mental disorders are rarely dangerous, talk to them about why they should go see a therapist or go seek help instead of telling them or debating with them (What is mental illness?). The conditions in which a person is born, grows up in, lives, and works are significant factors when it comes to having a mental disorder. Also factors such as sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, gender, and one’s socioeconomic status has to do with someone’s disorder (SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH). These factors are known as the social determinants of health. The social determinants of health provide a more complete interpretation of what the initial reason of illness is and what it will take to restore their health. Addressing the social determinants of health will reach out to state government and make them direct a population in a better way regarding the influence of social determinants. As children, around thirty percent of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender have been physically abused by members of their family because of their sexual orientation. These individuals have a 1.5 times higher risk for depression and anxiety disorders throughout their life t han heterosexuals. Thirty percent of African Americans are more likely to have a severe psychological distress than Non- Hispanic Whites. The infant death rate of American Indians and Alaska Natives is forty percent higher than the infant death rate of Caucasians (SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH). Raising awareness of the social determinants of health will have a significant impact on the mental health of individuals and their communities. Adolescents need to know about mental disorders just as much as anyone over the age of 18. Kids are naturally questionable about mental illnesses. The importance of learning the warning signs of mental disorders and how to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness can affect the futures of children. Many kids often make fun of other kids because they seem weird. If children are taught that these problems are not the fault of the others who have them, they will less likely make other students feel ashamed (Talking To Kids About Mental Illnesses) . This should be taught as a part of a health class and if not taught in school, must be taught by the parents of a child. Children in pre-school will have questions about what they can see and focus on. They will mostly notice other kids who are screaming and crying. Children as young as this will need less information because of their limited ability to understand. As children go into elementary school they will question the specifics and their questions will be straightforward. Their concerns will be towards the safety of their friends or family if they see something unusual. Teenagers are able to understand just as much as an adult and they will ask more complicated questions. They will ask their friends about anything that they’re curious about. This results in false or misunderstood information (Susin, Janet). Parents need to provide correct information to their children with support and advice. Everyday people with serious mental disorders are challenged. While they are facing with the challenges that come from their disorder, they are also confronted by the misconceptions and prejudice towards their illness. Public stigma is the common reaction given towards people with mental disorders by the public. Self-stigma is the intolerance people with mental disorders give themselves (Corrigan, Patrick W., and Amy C. Watson). There are a few views on which people have about mental illness. There are thoughts that people with mental disorders should be feared and be kept out of their communities. Some people feel that people with mental disorders are not capable of making their own decisions and need to have their life decisions made by others because they are irresponsible. This is known as authoritarianism. Benevolence is the idea that people with mental illness are not able to take care of themselves and need to be taken care of (Corrigan, Patrick W., and Amy C. Watson). Learning about mental disorders will show the way to early recognition and treatment. Educating children at an early age will help them prevent a mental disorder in their own life. By learning about mental disorders, one’s recognition of their mental disorder becomes easier. This gives them the ability to act fast and treat their disorder (ME NTAL ILLNESS AND THE FAMILY: RECOGNIZING WARNING SIGNS AND HOW TO COPE). One without a mental disorder can also notice that someone has one and will fight the stigma that surrounds the disorder. There have been cases in which teenagers with mental disorders realized that if they had a lesson on mental illnesses it would have made a big difference in their lives. The only way to change the view of people towards those with mental disorders is to educate them on why some of these people have their illness (Susin, Janet).

Biological and Humanistic Theories Essay

Two important personality theories are the biological theory and the humanistic theory. The biological theory is based on the premise that all people inherit their characteristics from their family. This theory basically contends that people do not have control over their behaviors because they are genetically pre-determined. The humanistic theory, on the other hand, is based on the premise that each person has free will to control their actions. This theory does not go along with the idea that behaviors are pre-determined by genetics, but chosen by the individual. These two theories have created debates between psychologists for many yearsHans j. Eysenck, Ph.D., D.Sc., who developed the biological theory, is one of the world’s most cited psychologist. He is a pioneer in the use of behavior therapy as well as research in personality theory and measurements. The biological theory has to do with his findings that individual differences in personality are biology based. This was based on his theory that there are three dimensions of personality (super factors). These dimensions of personality were extraversion-introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism. Eysenck also went a step farther in pointing out the results of many studies indicating that genetics play an important role in deciding the amounts of which of the three personality dimensions one might possess. I agree with this theory because even most psychologists will admit that it is getting increasingly harder to ignore the obvious link between our genetic makeup and certain inherited behaviors. I disagree with this theory because it is difficult to test in actual experiments. Another reason I disagree with this theory is that while genetics play a role in certain behaviors, it does not excuse or justify certain actions. Lastly, this theory offers us very little in the area of personality change. Biological and Humanistics 3In humanistic theory, the motivation for developing one’s full learning potential is inherent in each of us. Although there is no real definition for the humanistic theory, the four primary humanistic categories are personal responsibility, the here and now, the phenomenology of the individual, and personal growth. This theory is unlike the biological theory, in that it believes that all of us are born with the ability to shape our own futures and are limited only by our physical limitations. The here and now is just exactly what it sounds like. It  reminds us that we should live for the present and not get caught up in the past. This has the tendency to limit what we may become and leave us short of our personal goals and or objectives. The phenomenology of the individual deals with the concept that no one knows you as an individual better than you. It is ludicrous to think that some doctor could have any clue as to what to advise after only hear ing your problem a few moments earlier. This could mean that we need to communicate our problems to someone from time to time, but one will eventually come to his or her own conclusion after careful reflection. The last category is Personal Growth. This process has to do with becoming a fully functioning individual achieving personal satisfaction. All of us strive to meet our immediate needs. This process states that once our immediate needs are met if left alone we continue to strive toward this ultimate satisfying state of being. I agree with this theory because one cannot argue the fact that each individual has control over the decisions that they make. I disagree with this theory because much of it cannot be tested in a scientific atmosphere. A large portion of this theory relies on the concept of free will, which is not observable or predictable. Another thing that I disagree with is that in some instances a person may not be able to control some of their behaviorsBiological and Humanistic 4because of genetics. Cancer and heart disease run in families, so why wouldn’t depression or drug dependency. Abraham Maslow, considered the Father of Humanism, was an American psychologist best known for his publication † A Theory of Human Motivation † in which he presented his theory the hierarchy of human needs. This Hierarchy of Needs can be used to explain human behaviors and emotions associated with potential. Maslow’s Hierarchy may show that fulfillment of potential is linked to a pre-fulfillment of all needs that may distract an individual from achieving self-actualization. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a very compelling theory due to the fact that most discussions of people’s needs in the realm of effort usually begin with a basic understanding of Maslow’s premise. The central thesis of his theory is that human needs are organized in a hierarchy of five levels of basic needs. These needs include physiological needs, safety needs, needs of love, affection, and belongingness, needs for esteem, and the needs for self-actualization. Even  though there are needs which sit at a higher level than these basic needs, the person does not feel the second needs until the demands of the first have been satisfied, nor the third until the second has been satisfied, and so on. Between these two theories, I believe that humanistic best describes my personality. My father was a severe alcoholic and died at the age of 53. His alcoholism destroyed my parent’s marriage and many other relationships in his life. By watching the effects of this detrimental behavior, I decided a long time ago that I would not go down the same path, especially since alcoholism might b genetic. By choosing not to engage inBiological and Humanistic 5this behavior, I have demonstrated free will of choice and motivation to change what may have been pre-determined. In conclusion I feel that both these theories possess credibility, but personally I think that I would take certain aspects from both theories to create something of a collage theory. I cannot believe that we have no control over our behaviors, but at the same time it is hard to argue that genetic predisposition does not influence our personalities. References Burger, Jerry M. (2008). Personality (7th edition). Retrieved December 3, 2008 fromEsource.