Why the Digital Divide Will Continue
Numerous studies have concluded that there is a "digital divide." Meaning that there is a growing disparity between those that are able to benefit and access computers and the World Wide Web, thus creating an information have and an information have not scenario. These same studies often conclude that it is due to a lack of access to personal computers and the web that this "digital divide" exists. Thus giving way to the argument that if there were someway to provide everyone with access to a personal computer and the web then we can close the digital divide. However, making personal computers and the web more widely available is not the solution to solving the problem of the digital divide. Computers are now cheaper than they have ever been, and there are some Internet service providers who are willing to provide their services free of any monetary cost. It should be noted that people who choose to use these types of services must give up certain privacy rights and be bombarded with advertising from any company the internet service provider chooses, in order to benefit from this "free" access. Even if one doesnÕt want to invest in a personal computer or become a second-class citizen to get Internet access, one doesnÕt have to. Many libraries and lots of other community centers are providing the use of computers and web access for free, and yet the digital divide still exists. LatinoÕs, Blacks, and Americans with disabilities, and also those with low household incomes are still much less likely to use computers or access the web, which would keep them in the category of information have nots.
The reason the digital divide continues to exist in light of the fact that access is widely available is because access is only one barrier to the web. Solving the access issue doesnÕt solve any problems that arise from users of the internet not having the necessary education to use and benefit from the information one may receive from the web, the access issue also doesnÕt address providing more user friendly computer software and web pages for those in our society that have disabilities
Education as a barrier to the web and computers
The World Wide Web is full of information that can improve and enrich our lives. In order to benefit from all of this information it must exhibit some type of relevance to our everyday lives and one must also be able to read and interpret this information so that it is useful to us.
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Cohabitants with children might avoid marriage because they are afraid of hurting the children; they want to diminish the prospect of getting hurt. Lewis believes that the decline in the male breadwinner model, and the increase in women’s employment, together with the change in family law are what cause the temporary coupledom. Dench and Lewis hold the same sentiments in this case. Both Dench and Lewis believe that women’s participation in the economy, them wanting more independence (individualism), and the decline of the male breadwinner model are the main causes of marriages that do not last. Having said all that, as mentioned before, family is still central to most people (Scott 1997). Beck & Beck-Gernsheim have stated, “when discussing the future of “the” family, people often start out from false premises. They compare the familiar pattern father-mother-child with a vague notion of “no family,” or assume that another kind of family is replacing the nuclear one. It is much more likely … that instead of one kind replacing the other there will be a huge variety of ways of living together or apart, which will continue to exist, side by side.” Lewis holds the same view that of having democratic intimate relationships, and not just a conventional version of
World Book Advanced -. Web. The Web. The Web.
A short while after Sherif, Solomon Asch tested the perceptual abilities of a group of students, in a more realistic environment, his test involved showing each student "card A" (card A was blank apart from an 8 inch line drawn down the middle) and asked to memorise this line, then card A was replace...
As capitalism runs its course and develops new technologies, society is left to pick up the pieces and figure out where these new technologies will lead them. Ever since I learned to use the Internet as a child, I have become accustomed to seeing more and more fascinating technology developments that have changed the way I communicated as the years went by. Now that the Internet has infiltrated more aspects of human life, it has become necessary to reflect on how this critical juncture will continue to affect our society. In Digital Disconnect, Robert McChesney provides an analysis of the arguments that the celebrants and skeptics used to express their views of the Internet. McChesney then moves past these arguments to explain how the PEC plays a key role in determining the direction that the Internet is heading towards. By assessing McChesney’s views, I hope to develop my own interpretation of the Internet’s impact on society.
Why cohabitation? One of the most popular reasons is cited as being that “couples can be sure they are compatible before marriage (Huang, et al, 2011).” Seemingly, many couples that cohabitate before marriage fear incompatibility with their current beaus and/or future spouses. Using cohabitation as a “trial period” before marriage can take away the fear of living together from both partners. It can assure both parties that they are companionable in living space, or affirm that they are not. Smock, Casper, and Wyse (2008) also point out several influences for cohabitation: there are cultural and economic influences. Young people see cohabitation as a part of life. “Two-thirds of both male and female 18-29 year olds who have never been married or cohabited explicitly disagree with the statement that ‘a young couple should not live together unless they...
“Conformity means changing attitudes or behavior to accommodate the standards of peers or groups. The pressure to conform can be immense, even if subtle. Wearing a thin tie when wide is in vogue makes many men uncomfortable, as does wearing the wrong brand of tennis shoes for many teenagers” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, p. 653). Conformity happens when the individual gives into the requests of the group, although the feelings of the individual are to do otherwise. The individual is persuaded to comply with the group to belong to the group.
Since the Internet has emerged from society, access to information has been made readily available for anyone to discover. The Internet connects us to the world everyday, whether at work or at home. It helps us communicate with others; via email, social networking, or blogging. With the absents of the Internet, our society would be missing out on a vast amount of knowledge. Therefore, the Internet is unmistakably beneficial for society to use as part of their daily lives. Also, cell phones have evolved from being solely in place for emergencies, to searching the Internet and paying bills. People of all ages are using cell phones, whether for work or pleasure. There are so many technological devices in our society; however, this technology can be misleading. People voice numerous arguments, both beneficial and non beneficial- concerning technologies in our world.
Is cohabitation the right alternative to marriage? The increasing amounts or studies done in relation to cohabiting couples shows that this controversial topic is more common than most American’s think. Marriage used to be considered a defining event in a couple’s relationship, often marking the beginning of intimate relations, sharing a common household, and even childbearing. By definition, unmarried cohabitation is the status of couples who are sexual partners, not married to each other, and sharing a household (Popenoe). These two definitions seem to be similar in what each union reflects, but outwardly marriage includes a legal union that is meant to be a lifelong commitment. The meaning and permanence of marriage may be changing as cohabitation increases, (Casper 40) and this is in turn creating a society who is largely focused on self-fulfilling events, no commitment, and a lower understanding of what is best for our children. The research done regarding the effects cohabitation has on children, morality based on religious opinion, and the consequences of cohabitation explain why this growing change in society is wrong.
Weisberg, Robert W. “GENIUS AND MADNESS? A Quasi-Experimental Test of the Hypothesis That Manic-Depression Increases Creativity.” Psychological Science (Wiley-Blackwell) 5.6 (1994): 361-367. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Children today are not born with an umbilical cord, but a computer cord. Kids aren’t the way they use to be. How many times have you caught yourself thinking or saying this? Theories today believe that children form these generations are actually different, meaning their brains are different from when we were children. What can we do about it, or should we do anything at all? This paper will examine children today and the difference between the generations. Secondly, due to the difference in generations, the importance of maintaining social interaction, critical thinking and problem solving skills, which, are just as important as technical fluencies for the 21st century. In order to maintain the “humanity” skills, I will discuss the importance of Daily Physical Activity (DPA). Furthermore, the paper will also examine the importance of building a bridge between the digital divide. It is necessary to examine the educational system and the digital divide. Children are engulfed in a digital world and have different experiences and environment. How do we build a bridge between the technical fluencies and the humanity skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century?
In summary, the Digital Divide is real and has placed a severe gap between certain groups of people in the American culture. The Land of Opportunity is not necessarily made available to all. In her CNet article, Sonia Arrison (2002), provides a unique perspective as to the reason behind the gap. “The digital divide is not a crisis, and it is certainly not the civil liberties issue of the 21st century. The real issues are the sorry state of education and the push to raise the taxes that affect lower income families most” (Arrison, 2002). Arrison states that if the Government could improve the education in the American schools and stop luxury taxes on so many services, the Digital Divide could easily be narrowed. By narrowing the divide, more families could afford Internet if so desired, and students could have access to a better education.
Even in countries like Europe or the US, there is still uneducated people, including the lack of digital and language literacy. According to McKinsey & Company (2014), approximately 900 million of people who are not accessing or connected to the internet are uneducated. Incentives can also become a barrier, even though the internet utility is developing increasingly to providing access to information and resources in order to improve quality of life. However, there are still many people who still does not have a compelling reason to go online. Incentives, low incomes and affordability, user capability, and infrastructure are all a great barriers that stand between millions and accessing the
The debate on whether to get married or stay single has been raging for a long while, with both sides of the coin having their own pros and cons regarding the matter. Many proponents of either marriage or single life have strong individual convictions, and it is difficult to reach a definitive objective conclusion. Is the married individual happier than his/her single counterpart, or is getting married just a comfort seeking ritual that people believe they have to fulfill at some point in their lives? It is necessary to dissect this issue in the light of four factors: health and other medical factors, the economic and finance front, mental and emotional wellbeing and lastly, the social factor.