Parenting Styles- An Asian Insight Essay -- essays research papers

In 1978, Dr. Diana Baumrind was the first to define the four parenting styles. Since then, there have been more styles that utilize different category designs. For Baumrind, her categories were responsiveness and demandingness. Responsiveness is defined as warmth: a parent's response to the needs of a child in an accepting and supporting way. Responsiveness can also be used interchangeable with love. Parents use love as a tool to teach right from wrong, increase a child's self-esteem, and encourage individualism. In order to portray love, these parents use a combination of communication, negotiation, and reason. Demandingness, or limits, refers to a parent's expectation of mature, responsible behavior. Parents use limits and expectations to teach respect and provide a sound structure for their child. Consequently, the use of control and harsh discipline is used. The differences between the four styles is easily seen and defined in the following chart: Baumrind's Four Parenting Styles Demandingness Responsiveness Low High Low Uninvolved Authoritarian High Permissive Authoritative Authoritative or democratic parents are considered flexible, using negotiation and communication with control and discipline to allow for give-and-take situations. They are less likely to use physical punishment. These parents encourage a child's uniqueness and gives love and respect. They offer their support in everything the child does, even when the result is failure. Rather they encourage a healthy rebound. Authoritarian parents are seen as highly directive individuals who value obedience to maintain order. They tend to monopolize a child and hold them to, sometimes, unreasonable goals. These parents constantly supervise, give reminders, and instruct their child in every aspect of everyday life. In some extremes and due to external sources, authoritarian parents give excessive amounts of duties and chores upon a child, which would cause a child to miss out on the "carefree" aspect of childhood. These parents also discourage discussion between them and their children ... ... in her own way and makes sure that I understand, but she also gives me time to think it. To tell the truth, I sometimes hated my parents for their bias treatment of my sister and I. Then again, I think I was quite a difficult child, both rebellious nonconforming, but it just hurts when the phrase â€Å"Don’t be like your sister† is used. Nevertheless, I grew up well adjusted and happy. I did not plan on becoming a mother at such a young age. I felt like there are so many things left unexperienced. However, my husband and I have been enjoying Andrew for whom he is. He is such a bundle of joy. We are the new generation parents, and we are nurturing a new generation. We like to let him learn by experience and not stifle him. Letting him roam around and get into things is the best way for him to see the world. Why be so concerned about letting Andrew get into things? Someone had commented that we are the most casual set of parents she has ever met. I like to think of that in a positive way. I often draw from my childhood experiences and bring myself to Andrew’s level to become a better parent, because what better way is there to understand our children than to become children ourselves?

Rich Man, Poor Man: Resources On Globalization Summary

According to Carol Hammond and Robert Grosse, Globalization has become the motto of the 21st century. We are becoming more aware people’s ideas, world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of cultures. Globalization has opened many opportunities for other countries to explore new and different things. Globalization has increased interconnectedness among many countries most notably in the areas of economics, politics, and culture. People throughout the world have embraced the sharing of ideas and ideas? We have seen globalization to be a positive and negative influence. We may consider it to be negative because activist oppose it at the World Trade Organization and International meetings. Companies are as open to their counterparts in other countries. This results in transferring the quality of their product to other countries, thereby increasing the chances of depreciation in terms of quality. On the positive side, globalization brings in popular products from over the world. Resources of different countries are used for producing goods and services they are able to do most efficiently. Another negative aspect of globalization is language. As â€Å"globalization† increases, so does the loss of human languages. People find it easier to conduct business and communicate with those outside their own culture if they speak more widely used languages like Chinese, Hindi, Spanish or Russian. Children are not being educated in languages spoken by a limited number of people. As fewer people use local languages, they gradually die out. With the increase of English becoming the mainstream language in other countries, people start to lose their national identity. People begin to drift away from their national identity because of adaptation of new ideas. Globalization has also affected other countries’ national sovereignty. Firms decide where to distribute their products and what knowledge and supplies to send across national borders without the consent of the government they are sending it to. In addition, the Internet, which is an important part of Globalization, spreads information like wildfire resulting in people having new viewpoints and leading to subgroups within a country. Such websites like amazon. com has helped threaten countries national sovereignty by selling goods and other products online. Also foreign products are being more common throughout the world in stores like Sears, JC Penney, and Wal-Mart. Instead of globalization bringing people to together through various aspects of the world we have began to form different group identities. The more we define ourselves towards our roles the world becomes more individualized. Like Canada, Quebec, and Indonesia these countries are resulting to person-states and independent states. This will continue to happen as long as the need for services and and products are needed.

Canada s Production, Distribution, And Energy Resources...

Canada’s production, distribution, and use of energy resources, such as oil and natural gas had been undergoing long history of development that still persists until today. The industrialization of the sixties, and market-oriented economy of today initiated heavy reliance on natural resources extraction across the country, whether it is oil and gas, nuclear power, or timber production. Digging deeper, Canada is dependent on oil and gas production, with oil sands making up 90% of Canada’s reserves that are mainly concentrated in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin as well as well as in the Pacific Morgan Sedimentary Basin, that stretch along Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan (National Energy Board, 2014). Alberta appoints majority of oil sands production at the national level, then it is exported to the international market, mainly to the US, utilizing pipelines as modes of transportation. Needless to say, that the exploitation of oil and gas created polarizing relationships between the economy and the environment at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. The phenomenon of the oil and gas production in Canada plays into environmental concerns of Climate Change in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, violations of First Nations land rights, vulnerability on an international market, and long-term ecological consequences, such as air and water pollution, oil spills and leaks, and etc., over â€Å"economic† benefits. As noted earlier,Show MoreRelatedOil And Natural Gas Is An Indispensable Part Of Human Beings1091 Words   |  5 Pageswater resources occupies an extremely important position in the national economy, and is indispensable for human survival and development of social resources. Oil and natural gas is an important energy resource. In modern civilized society, if not the energy, all the modern material civilization will disappear. Since the end of the Cold War, the world is facing the dual pressures of economic development and energy shortage. With the rapid industrial development, population growth and people s livingRead MoreThe Distribution And Logistics Of Solar Panels888 Words   |  4 PagesD. Logistics and Operations The distribution and logistics of Solar panels involve unique challenges which a supply chain logistics partner should understand and provide customized solutions. (World Trans Inc.) The logistic company should understand the solar energy landscape and have the capabilities to provide transportation of raw materials, distribution to the site, warehousing the panels, final mile delivery, reverse logistics, waste management and installation. (JSI Logistics) We at CFN, recommendRead MoreOil And Natural Gas Is An Indispensable Part Of Human Beings1465 Words   |  6 Pageswater resources occupies an extremely important position in the national economy, and is indispensable for human survival and development of social resources. Oil and natural gas is an important energy resource. In modern civilized society, if not the energy, all the modern material civilization will disappear. Since the end of the Cold War, the world is facing the dual pressures of economic development and energy shor tage. With the rapid industrial development, population growth and people s livingRead MoreNatural Gas Is A Pillar Of Canadas Energy Resources Landscape1251 Words   |  6 PagesNatural gas is a pillar in Canada’s energy resources landscape. Industry reports (IBISWorld) indicate that the oil and gas industries (e.g., gas extraction, gas field services, natural gas distribution) in Canada are expected to generate revenues of over $56.4bn in 2015. The Canadian Energy Research Institute projects Western Canada’s natural gas sector to add $2.3tn to Canada’s GDP between 2015 and 2035. While, sales are projected to generate $1.4tn in sales and $400bn in taxes, as well as attractRead MoreA Brief Note On Pulp And Paper Green Transformation Program1334 Words   |  6 Pagesca/eic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/eng/h_fn02348.html †¢ Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program – Natural Resources Canada – Funding to achieve measurable environmental benefits through energy efficiency improvement, renewable energy production or emission reductions at Canada’s pulp and paper mills. Program in operation from 2009-2012. Source: http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/pages/231 †¢ Renewable Fuels Regulations – Environment Canada – Federal regulations requiring an average 5% ethanol in gas since 2010, and an averageRead MoreTaking a Look at Emera Inc.687 Words   |  3 Pagesis company of energy and services, which has the purpose of distribute clean and renewable energy. The main focus of the company is distributing electricity; moreover, the company does not only deliver this electricity but also generates and transmits it. Finally, another important Emera`s invest is that the company also is engaged with the transmission of natural gas. The main goal of Emera inc. is develop and provide cleaner energy on the market combining their various resources in other to getRead MoreWhat Are The Industrial Uses For Diesel?1434 Words   |  6 Pagesbecause it started the shift from coal to diesel powered engines. However, the shift to use more fuels like diesel has lead to a concern for how close are we to exhausting precious non-renewable energy sources. How much pollution is being released into the atmosphere? Is there an alternative renewable energy source? With the fear of global warming, all fuel sources, including diesel, are beginning to be replaced, or reinvented, with cleaner and safer alternatives. An example of these alternatives isRead MoreThe Biomass Energy Conversion Technologies1342 Words   |  6 Pages 4.3 Biomass Energy Conversion Technologies Biomass materials can be converted to various useful forms of energy such as heat, electricity and liquid fuels. The technologies used to convert biomass into energy ranged widely from the simple combustion of biomass used for cooking and heating in developing countries to a variety of technologies to generate modern energy carriers - electricity, gas, and liquid bio-fuels. Canada is using various materials including waste and residuals to generate electricityRead MoreHow A Market Economy Is An Economy1696 Words   |  7 PagesA market economy is an economy in which decisions regarding investment production and distribution are based on supply and demand, and prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system. (Alvather, 1993) Market economies may be practical, but they also rest upon the fundamental principle of individual freedom: freedom as a consumer to choose among competing products and services; freedom as a producer to start or expand a business and share its risks and rewards; freedom as a workerRead MoreThe United Arab Emirates ( Uae )1003 Words   |  5 Pagestransition and has reached similar standards as the developed countries. Essentially, the natural resources such as oil and gas have played the key changer to the Emirati economy and helped transforming the society from a tribal culture into an advanced country that attracts many foreign investors and high skilled professionals in a short time. However, the richness of the UAE in natural resources doesn’t guarantee an economic and social prosperity without pursuing wise political and economic reforms

An Analysis of Martin Luther King Jrs Letter from...

Essay analysis Letter from Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (African Studies Center, 2013). :Letter from Birmingham Jail is a powerful piece of writing that graces the writings by Martin Luther. Part of the power lies in the use of rhetorical devices such as ethos, logos, and pathos in the letter. Luther used these stylistic devices and literary approaches to express his message, intention and express the mood of the letter making a masterpiece like no other letters before. One of the strongest points of Kings leadership was his oratory skills which were also reflected in his writings. He has a god mastery of words and knows how to weave them together to drive home a point he intends. Ethos is a way of referring to aspects that the writer has authority in and experience hence uses them to convince the reader or listener. It also comes out as the guiding beliefs and characters that characterize a community or group of people. King refers to the intended readers as fellow clergymen since he was one of them and used that platform. He also quotes other authorities like I would agree with St. Augustine that an unjust law is no law at all. In his use of ethos, also borrows from personal experience for instance we so diligently urge people to obey the Supreme Courts decision of 1954 outlawing segregation in the public school. In so using these ethos, he commands authority in the subject matter he is talking about and also attracts attention of theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Martin Luther King Jrs Essay, Letter from the Birmingham Jail553 Words   |  3 PagesIn Martin Luther King’s Jr essay â€Å"Letter from the Birmingham Jail† he uses ethos, pathos, and logos to establish his argument. First, let’s establish what all these means to the reader. Ethos gives the writer credibility, Logos is establish to the reader at what is logical, and Pathos is established with sympathy. When you think of Justice for all, we tend to think of your constitutional rights for all walks of life. But King is saying that this is not the case for the African American race backRead MoreMlk Rhetorical Analysis Essay example1178 Words   |  5 PagesRhetorical Analysis on Martin Luther King Junior’s Letter from Birmingham Jail In Martin Luther King Junior’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, MLK uses ethos, logos, and pathos powerfully and effectively to present his argument that the discrimination of African Americans all over the country is unbearable and should be outlawed forever. King wrote the letter in Birmingham, Alabama after a peaceful protest against segregation which was King’s way of reinforcing his belief that without forceful, directRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr s Letter Of Birmingham Jail903 Words   |  4 Pagesthe mixture of liberty across the United States. Martin Luther King Jr’s a â€Å"letter of Birmingham Jail,† and Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence both advocate the claim for freedom. Both of these historical figures make this apparent by arguing for the protest against tradition, a change across unjust laws, although they differ between the kinds of change to be enforced. Martin Luther King Junior’s a letter from a Birmingham Jail was him expressing his motivation for the protestRead MoreLetter From A Birmingham Jail By Martin Luther King Jr.920 Words   |  4 PagesIn his â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail,† Martin Luther King Jr. makes appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos to convince the clergymen that colored people have been waiting for too long for political, economic, and social justice and freedom. He argues that it’s unfair to promise someone, or a group, for a change and not fulfill that promise. Along with demonetizing and/or belittling a person to the point where they don’t feel as important or as worth as they should; making them feel hatred and angerRead MoreJustice Can Be Described As The Fairness, Equity, Evenhandedness,1308 Words   |  6 Pagesbut it is not always given. From the past to this day, there has been a lot of justice, and the society along with the governments have come a long way to reach th e justice we have today. A person who played a major role in giving us the justice we see today is Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King was a major factor in the laws we see today regarding equality, and he set the stage for what society should be like today. An analysis of, â€Å"A Letter for Birmingham Jail,† and, â€Å"Segregation Now,† willRead MoreSelf-Reflective Paper 838 Words   |  3 Pagespages and that was due to my interest in the topic, arguing about the significance of paragraphs 14 and 15 of Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. For paper 2, which was choosing a topic of choice to argue about, it was easier to write more due to the fact that arguing the topic was so engaging to me. My topic was whether or not congress should allow abortions for girls from the ages of 14 to 18 years of age. I wrote 8 and a half pages because I was able to actually argue about theRead MoreObtaining A Life Of Meaning And Purpose In Life Is Somet hing1579 Words   |  7 Pagesthe biggest struggles. That feeling of acceptance comes from everything, your back round, your race, your skin color, your religious belief, your political belief. God intended for us to be here in this world but he leaves your meaning and purpose for you to find and seek it through whatever lessons and teachings you find. Martin Luther King JR always preached about human injustice and inequality and this is what the Letter from a Birmingham Jail was about. Nostra Aetate Vatican II had the purpose ofRead MoreEssay on Critical Analysis of Martin Luther King, Jr.s Speech1674 Words   |  7 PagesCritical Analysis of Martin Luther King, Jr.s Speech Introduction In this critical analysis I am going to look at Martin Luther King, Jr and the I have a dream speech. Martin Luther King, Jr is very distinguished due to the many outstanding achievements he accomplished throughout his life. He was an American clergyman and he accomplished the Nobel Prize for one of the principal leaders of the American civil rights movement. Kings defiance to segregation and

Essay about The Role of Violence and Television - 883 Words

Television and Violence One of the increasing problems in today`s society is the violence caused by watching too much television. In 1950`s only 10% of American households had television, but today that number reached higher levels and 99% of households own one or more. Television is most of the time amusement and entertainment for many young people, especially children. Television itself has an impact on everyone. Some researches show that television has good sides and that can be entertaining and educational at the same time, where children learn more about cultures, places, and they use their knowledge when it`s necessary. Yet we need to remember that only certain programs are carrying positive messages which affect children†¦show more content†¦Therefore, some see television as an unhealthy imposition into a child’s learning process, substituting easy pictures for the discipline of reading and concentrating and transforming the young viewer into a hypnotized non-thinker (Langone 48). Ch ildren while growing up and spending 4-5 hours in front of television everyday will imitate aggressive acts shown on TV. The only solution to this is to prevent it at the beginning. Parents can certainly control how much television their children will have on daily basis. Television should not be in every room of the house, especially children`s room, where they have the opportunity to watch shows while parents are busy doing other stuff. Those violent acts certainly can be reduced by control which starts at the beginning instead of waiting until everyone is helpless to improve the situation. Perhaps one of the crucial problems is the possibility of developing the lack of social skills. Children, while spending time at home in front of television tend to develop anti-social skills, which will affect their future and their entire life. Watching television shows, in most cases replaces activities that children should be doing at their age. Instead of reading, learning, playing with their friends, doing chores, having a physical activity, they sit at home. This way of antisocial activity affects family too, becauseShow MoreRelatedThe Role of Television on Childhood Violence Essay683 Words   |  3 PagesThe Role of Television on Childhood Violence What does the world look like these days? It often seems like everywhere one looks, violence is there. We see it on the streets, back alleys, school, and even at home. The last of these is a major source of violence. In many peoples living rooms there sits an outlet for violence that often goes unnoticed. It is the television, and the children who view it are often hypnotized by action that takes place in it. Violence is the use of ones powers toRead More Cartoon Violence, Has it gone too Far Essay852 Words   |  4 PagesCartoon Violence, Has it gone too Far Aggression. Killing. Revenge. Sound like the latest Scream movie or Keanu Reeves thriller? You may be surprised to hear that this describes the average Saturday morning cartoon. One of the most surprising facts is that the level of violence during Saturday morning cartoons is higher than the level of violence during prime time. There are 3 to 5 violent acts per hour in prime time, versus 20 to 25 acts per hour on Saturday morning (Gerbner,1). Violence on televisionRead MoreThe Effects Of Television Violence On Today s Society1518 Words   |  7 Pagessuch as Twitter and Instagram, movies, television, and news broadcasting programs. Television, however, plays arguably the largest role in influencing adolescents in today’s society. According to Marina Krcmar and Kathryn Green, â€Å"Viewing of violent television and interest in television violence has been linked to a host of antisocial behaviors such as increased aggression, decreased sensitivity to violence and the suff ering experienced by the victims of violence, and an increased sense of fear and helplessness†Read More Television is a Bad Influence on Todays Youth Essay1115 Words   |  5 Pagesaccessory that millions of people use regularly in everyday life. Television could be the most-used technological commodity of all. Hundreds of millions of people now have at least one television in their home. In addition, there continue to be more TVs per home than people in the U.S.- in 2014 the average U.S. home had only 2.5 people vs 2.86 television sets. Although television seems like a great thing to have, it has its drawbacks. Television can negatively effect people, particularly kids. NumerousRead MoreViolence And Sex On Television898 Words   |  4 Pages Violence and Sex on Television: Effects on the Younger Audience In today’s society, the media is used greatly for communication, advertisement, information, and for numerous other reasons. The world has evolved by technological advances as well as by the type of content that is put out on the internet, radio, and especially on television. In particular, violence and sex are two of the most controversial content types that have been recently used loosely in the present as compared to theRead More VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA Essay782 Words   |  4 Pages Violence in the Media Violence has been a part of society ever since the days of the caves men, but only recently has television lifted its ban on the graphic depiction of violence. American children and adolescents are being exposed to increasing amounts of media violence, especially in television, movies, video games, and youth-oriented music. Video game violence, childrens cartoons, and music lyrics have become increasingly graphic. In movies, action films depict vivid precise murders, rapesRead MoreNegative Impact of Media Violence on Children1704 Words   |  7 PagesViolence in entertainment is as old as civilization itself. In the earlier centuries Romans would delight themselves by cheering on gladiators fought themselves to death. Dramatic theater was also full of jealousy, retribution, and violence. Although entertainment violence is not new it wasn’t until the twentieth century that heavy doses of violence were made available to vastly everyone. Over the past one hundred years, as mass media has become more prevalent, it has also become more violent. InRead MoreMedia Violence and the Affects It Has On Children Essay1312 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Violence and the Affects It Has On Children The media clearly has an impact on our lives and especially the young, impressionable and weak-minded people in our society. Children become desensitized to violence when they see it everyday on TV, in theaters and even in video games. They are not becoming properly aquatinted with what is real, what is not, and the effects of it all. Even TV news deadens anyones perception of reality. People ofRead MoreMedia Violence And The Media Essay864 Words   |  4 PagesExposure to the media violence may be especially problematic in late adolescence. Television and other media play a major role in adolescent socialization and identity development by providing perspectives, values, ideologies, and behavior models (Arnett G., Roberts D. et al.). The socializing role of television in particular may be ampliï ¬ ed by the large amount of time young people spend with this medium. Speciï ¬ cally, 18- to 24-year-olds spend more time watching television and movies than youngerRead MoreMedias Influence of Society Essay1137 Words   |  5 PagesImagine one day you lost your television, your radio, and your phone won’t get reception and your computer wouldn’t turn on. You’ve lost your music, your favorite TV show, your Facebook and lots more. As you can see the media is very important and popular. The media has been a popular creation throughout the decades. As time passed the media develops from magazines to the television to the internet. The media in our society is everywhere. We see it everywhere from the time we wake up until we go

Nursing Students at any College Free Essays

Considering a nursing career can be both challenging and at the same time rewarding.   It is a commitment that needs time and effort in order to help others while constantly studying to update their knowledge.   Nursing is not for everyone, it is for the elite. We will write a custom essay sample on Nursing Students at any College or any similar topic only for you Order Now    Even though it is a trend it does not mean everyone can pursue the career.   For students who are in this field it has never occurred that someone took it so lightly.   The pressure is always there yet they need to put a smile on their faces in front of their patients no matter how hard it is to work and study at the same time. One student in a prestigious school is at his third year.   He knew it along that he was going to pursue a nursing career.   He has his mind-set since he was a kid and now only a year to go before he graduates.   Although he wanted to be a nurse, he could not deny the fact that stress is the main hindrance to his goal. On the other hand another student from a different school is at his fourth and final year in nursing.   At first he never wanted to be a nurse, thinking that it would be hard to care for someone he barely knows.   After the span of four years he realized that everything was a misconception.   It is not just the hard work.   It is the feeling of fulfillment when he sees his patient go out of the hospital thanking him for the care that he has given. After interacting with some students, I realized that nursing is not a walk in the park career.   Nursing is not as simple as caring it requires knowledge and grace while performing a task. Stress is always present in any job.   Nursing is a good example of a very stressful career.  Ã‚   It is never a sedentary job that requires time and energy while performing your job.   Even as student, they are trained under pressure.   Every nursing student cares for their patients while thinking about their report which is one of the scenarios of stress in any student taking up this course. It is admirable to see students managing their time.   They tend to think about their priorities than having fun with their peers.   During weekends, there are times that they don’t even have a break.   Somehow they have to go to the hospital during weekends to get their patient’s data before their exposure in the hospital the following day. The profession is based on taking care of other people but it is very important to take care of your own well-being.   One awry of students is that they think more about their patients and they forget about themselves.   It is essential to be vigilant on personal health.   You need to take good care of yourself before you can take care of others. Learning is constant in this career.   There are always new updates of the old concepts that every student should be aware of.   Books are not just the source of information these days.   With the theoretical knowledge a student is equipped with the know how in applying it in the field. One of the most important aspects of nursing is teamwork.   Collaborating with the co-nurses is a must in maximizing the treatment for each patient.   Planning with the team can result to lesser effort and more effective intervention. Even as student nurses, they are considered as modern day heroes.   But as humans there are also limits.   It is very important to know your limitations, students should never intervene with the duties that only a registered nurse can do.   Instead of helping they might end up making the situation worse. References Antai-Otong, Deborah (2003). Psychiatric Nursing, Biological and Behavioral Concepts . Singapore: Thomson Asian Edition C. Dailing, Personal Communication, July 28, 2007 M. Sharks, Personal Communication, July 29, 2007             How to cite Nursing Students at any College, Essay examples

Good-Bye North Shore, Hello Me free essay sample

Though this may sound absurd to some, not owning a pair of $200 jeans at my high school is as rare as someone boycotting Facebook. And Im not talking about just one pair of expensive jeans for special occasions. Im talking about a heck of a lot of them. For years, I had a preconceived notion that I was so immersed in my affluent Illinois North Shore community that I had to conform to the materialistic standards of those around me. I thought that without the purses, shoes, and all the other â€Å"essential† items, I would not be as pretty, smart, or important as my peers. Walking into my high school as a freshman, I held hopes of attaining top social status. As cliched as it sounds, I figured the easiest way to survive high school was to do everything I could to fit in. So I became a cheerleader, assuming that the girls on the squad, the uniform, and the reputation would boost my ranking. We will write a custom essay sample on Good-Bye North Shore, Hello Me or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I bought knock-off designer purses and pretended to enjoy the gossip my friends thrived on. I had created an alternate personality, and it was working. I felt popular, accepted, and important, and I loved it. As it turns out, sticking to this pretense probably would have been my best bet to sail through high school with few worries. But, as with most teenagers, I had my parents to contend with. They couldnt understand why I was pretending to be someone I wasnt just to impress others. They tried endlessly to convince me that I was hurting myself. For two years, I fought them, saying that they hadnt grown up on the North Shore and couldnt grasp what it was like living in a town with values opposite to those I was raised with. I believed I had to conform or I would be miserable. I didnt bother questioning my assumption – until the best day of my life. I couldnt tell you exactly when that was, but one day I looked at myself in the mirror – looked beyond the makeup and the product-filled hair – and saw someone who wasnt me. And that person, she was miserable. So I quit cheerleading and started swimming again, something I had loved for the eight years before high school but had bumped from my list of priorities, thanks to my North Shore influences. I also landed a spot in my schools top vocal performance group, took an active role in the youth ministry at my church, and devoted myself wholeheartedly to community service. I wrote articles in my school news ­paper that questioned the materialistic principles of many kids at my high school. I threw my white, rich, North Shore attitude (as well as any dreams of $200 jeans) out the window. I started pushing my limits academically, which I had previously considered less important than maintaining my social status. I found a new group of friends who supported me, unlike my old friends. And I did all of these things not just because I was passionate about them but because I no longer needed to impress others. I looked in the mirror and was proud, regardless of whether I was cool enough to be voted Homecoming Queen. Starting over was hard. People at school looked at me like they didnt know me. But the truth is that they never had. The risk I took in completely changing my life was flat out terrifying, but I am so grateful I did it. As ready as I am to say good-bye to the North Shore, its thanks to that materialistic culture that I eventually woke up from the hollow life I was living. Now I am not afraid to try things that scare me, because I have made mistakes in the past and learned from them. I am a confident, nerdy, religious, talented, optimistic, sensitive, musically inclined perfectionist. I know who I am. My future now is just as unsure and terrifying as my experience in high school, but I am ready to go to college. Im motivated to explore even more of my potential as a student and a member of my community. If I falter or lose my way, I can always look back and be inspired by how I took one of the worst situations of my life and turned it around to create something beautiful. That beautiful something is a life with meaning, a life with happiness, and a life that fits me.