2008-12-25, 08:50 PM
I am 24 years old.
1. Religion is hardly necessary. America was founded on the idea that a man was free to believe as he wished, and that it played no bearing on politics. I do not judge people based on whether or not they practice a religion, or which one that they practice, for that matter.
2. Unfortunately, money is more important than it should be. In a more perfect world, we would all be able to have jobs that we enjoy.
3. I am rather unsurprised at Obama winning. I echo the sentiment that he will be forever remembered as the first black president regardless of how he actually performs. However, I did not support him prior to the election -- I voted for Ralph Nader.
4. Yes, I think teachers DO deserve a fair amount of respect. It's just a common courtesy. You don't always have to like them, but you should at the very least respect them. A little courtesy goes a long way.
5. Cleanliness is very important. Practicing good hygiene habits is good for your health. Keeping your room/home/work area neat and tidy is good for your health, too. It's a proven fact that clutter causes stress.
6. I don't think music, or anything for that matter, should be censored. As the late George Carlin would have said, "They're only words..." And the real honesty is, you can censor music and movies all you want, but kids pick up more profanity from those around them. And all kids really need to know is that they are grownup words, and that they are not always appropriate to say.
7. Obviously, parents will have some input in the clothing choices of younger children, as they cannot provide for themselves and their parents and other family members will be purchasing their clothes. As children get older, parents should have less of an influence, but I don't necessarily think that a parent shouldn't be allowed to say something when their child is dressed inappropriately.
8. This is an area where sadly, America absolutely fails. We have become a hypocritical nation, in which we allow our children to listen to music and wear clothes that are inappropriate for their age, but we get all freaked out about our children learning about sex in school. Thanks to some overzealous parents, school sex education has been reduced to the most basic level, and they are limited to only teaching kids abstinence. Which leaves the parents to make up the difference, and unfortunately, many won't or can't manage to discuss sex with their children. At least not in the calm, informed manner that children NEED to hear. That being said, I DO think that abstinence and safer sex should be emphasized, as let's face it, while abortion and adoption are viable options, they are also costly (both in the monetary and emotional sense) ways of dealing with a preventable situation.
9. College isn't necessary, but it certainly never hurts to broaden one's horizons. And it's never too late to learn something.
10. Honesty is a very important quality to possess. And I don't necessarily agree that lying is a skill to be mastered... more like, tactfully withholding the truth. One can still be honest without always revealing every detail.
1. Religion is hardly necessary. America was founded on the idea that a man was free to believe as he wished, and that it played no bearing on politics. I do not judge people based on whether or not they practice a religion, or which one that they practice, for that matter.
2. Unfortunately, money is more important than it should be. In a more perfect world, we would all be able to have jobs that we enjoy.
3. I am rather unsurprised at Obama winning. I echo the sentiment that he will be forever remembered as the first black president regardless of how he actually performs. However, I did not support him prior to the election -- I voted for Ralph Nader.
4. Yes, I think teachers DO deserve a fair amount of respect. It's just a common courtesy. You don't always have to like them, but you should at the very least respect them. A little courtesy goes a long way.
5. Cleanliness is very important. Practicing good hygiene habits is good for your health. Keeping your room/home/work area neat and tidy is good for your health, too. It's a proven fact that clutter causes stress.
6. I don't think music, or anything for that matter, should be censored. As the late George Carlin would have said, "They're only words..." And the real honesty is, you can censor music and movies all you want, but kids pick up more profanity from those around them. And all kids really need to know is that they are grownup words, and that they are not always appropriate to say.
7. Obviously, parents will have some input in the clothing choices of younger children, as they cannot provide for themselves and their parents and other family members will be purchasing their clothes. As children get older, parents should have less of an influence, but I don't necessarily think that a parent shouldn't be allowed to say something when their child is dressed inappropriately.
8. This is an area where sadly, America absolutely fails. We have become a hypocritical nation, in which we allow our children to listen to music and wear clothes that are inappropriate for their age, but we get all freaked out about our children learning about sex in school. Thanks to some overzealous parents, school sex education has been reduced to the most basic level, and they are limited to only teaching kids abstinence. Which leaves the parents to make up the difference, and unfortunately, many won't or can't manage to discuss sex with their children. At least not in the calm, informed manner that children NEED to hear. That being said, I DO think that abstinence and safer sex should be emphasized, as let's face it, while abortion and adoption are viable options, they are also costly (both in the monetary and emotional sense) ways of dealing with a preventable situation.
9. College isn't necessary, but it certainly never hurts to broaden one's horizons. And it's never too late to learn something.
10. Honesty is a very important quality to possess. And I don't necessarily agree that lying is a skill to be mastered... more like, tactfully withholding the truth. One can still be honest without always revealing every detail.