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Welcome back readers!  I have many more stories to blog about this season.  There are so many short stories for me to choose, but I have a select few to write about.  Edgar Allen Poe is my first topic.  His foreboding themes always spark intrest in readers.  I also will blog about the famous writer, Shakespear.  More specifically, I will talk about Shakespears love comedy, "A Mid Summers' Night Dream".

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Extra curricular activities help children

Jonathan Kolson

Mrs. Zurkowski

Honors English 1

October 3, 2010

Essay

            High School activities prevent crime rate.  Every high school has extracurricular activities that parents have their kids get involved with.  Parents sometimes use it to prevent their kid from becoming a criminal.  Many researchers have said it is true.

            Extracurricular sports reduce delinquency in guys.  Guys are less likely to get into drug and alcohol abuse because their sport team is relying on him.  Girls have different experiences so that the sports cause them to be less likely to commit crime or be delinquent.  Different things have different effects on teens.

            Guys have been proven to be less likely to commit crime if they are in other non-school activities.  Sports do not have a relatively positive influence.  The opposite is true for girls.  They have positive influence from sports, and less from church and other activities.  “Other activities, such as church and after-school community activities, decreased the risk of delinquency in boys, but not for girls” (Northeastern).

            Non-school activities are very important for decreasing the rate of delinquency.  “Involvement in church and non-school activities, for both young men and women, significantly protected them from serious delinquent behavior, which includes fighting, carrying a weapon or violence” (Northeastern).  Church does not reduce delinquency but it helps prevent crime.

            Teens also use all their extra time on the activities so that they cannot be bored and want to do something bad.  If the teen spends too much time in the extracurricular it may be a bad thing.  The teen will be around bad influences more than their good influences, like their parents.  Then the teen will develop feelings like-minded to their peers.  Their thoughts may be that delinquency is fine.  Then the teen will think that and might drink or do stupid things.

            “If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities” (Angel). The teen will feel like they can do something to the world in a positive way.  They will not want to do crime because they want to help the world. 

            Adults will bond with the teens and will give them good advice.   They will not feel isolated being with their friends if their parents are always working.  “It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life” (Angel).

            The teens will have something to look forward to.  If it is every month the teen will be more excited and energized waiting the last few days.  If it is every week then the teen will be waiting for that day every day.  They will always be looking forward to that and will be practicing for the activity.  They will have a reason to stay out of trouble.

            Every teen is different and every teen should be treated differently.  Every teen should be respected.  If they are respected they will feel better about themselves.  The teen should have your trust until they show you specifically that you should not.  Many teens are doubted before they are given a chance to lose it.  They are always pushed out before they get in.

Works Cited

Angel, Grace.  Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens.     http://www.helium.com. Accessed 22 September 2010.

Northeastern University. "Can Involvement In Extra-Curricular Activities Help Prevent Juvenile                            Delinquency?." ScienceDaily 23 March 2008. 23 September 2010                                                   <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080321174211.htm>.

Aguilar, Azalea. “Teens, Crime, and Brain Development”.

Website Two

Jonathan Kolson

Mrs. Zurkowski

Yellows

23 September 2010



Northeastern University. "Can Involvement In Extra-Curricular Activities Help Prevent Juvenile   Delinquency?." ScienceDaily 23 March 2008. 23 September                                                      <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080321174211.htm>.

Can Involvement In Extra-Curricular Activities Help Prevent Juvenile Delinquency?

ScienceDaily (Mar. 23, 2008) —  Parents concerned about their teens' involvement in risky and criminal behavior have traditionally involved their kids in sports, church and community activities. Do those activities really help prevent risky behaviors in youth? And do the activities affect boys and girls differently?

Previous research has shown that participating in extracurricular activities protects young men and women from risky behaviors and delinquency. This theory was confirmed in a recent study from researchers at Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice, but the results also offered a different perspective on how the same activities affect young men and women differently. 

While it was previously believed that participation in sports would decrease delinquency in boys, it actually did not have a significant protective effect. However, the reverse was true for girls, whose risk for delinquent behavior was reduced significantly if they took part in sports. Other activities, such as church and after-school community activities, decreased the risk of delinquency in boys, but not for girls.

“This study set out to identify the factors that lead young men and women to fall into serious delinquency and risky behaviors,” said Sean Varano, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Northeastern. “We know that girls and boys have a number of different experiences as they mature, and it is important to understand those differences so that informed decisions can be made on how to protect them.”

The study, completed by Sean Varano, Ph.D., Amy Farrell, Ph.D., both from Northeastern, and Jeb Booth, Ph.D., formerly of Northeastern, examined the self-reported data from 1,400 teens from an upper middle class suburban neighborhood. By looking at both young men and women independently of one another, examining the social controls (parental, academic, etc.) and bonds developed inside the home, in the classroom and during extracurricular activities, it has become clear that they respond differently to certain social controls and activities.

Involvement in church and nonschool activities, for both young men and women, significantly protected them from serious delinquent behavior, which includes fighting, carrying a weapon or violence. However, it did not protect them from risky behavior, such as drinking, smoking or drunk driving.

The researchers also found that how students feel about their school environment also impact their risk of delinquent and risky behavior. Students who view their academic environment as positive are less like to be involved in serious delinquency or risky behavior. The converse is also true – when students feel negatively about their school, they are more likely to exhibit negative behavior. “The fact that this idea was confirmed by our research shows that positive and negative school environments are important for both urban and suburban schools,” said Amy Farrell, Principal Research Scientist and Associate Director of the Institute on Race and Justice at Northeastern.

This study also indicated that a “tipping point” may exist, a point at which too much involvement in extracurricular activities could actually increase levels of risky behavior and serious delinquency. What this may suggest is that the lack of time spent with parents and family might intensify the negative peer influences that the students are exposed to.

“The data clearly shows the need for a balance in students’ lives to best protect them from serious delinquency and risky behaviors,” added Varano. “With continued gender-specific research, better programs can be implemented with the goal of improving the school environment and reducing the incidence of risky behavior and delinquency for all students.”

The Crime & Delinquency article, "Social Control, Serious Delinquency, and Risky Behavior: A Gendered Analysis," written by Jeb A. Booth, Ph.D., formerly of Northeastern, Amy Farrell, Ph.D., and Sean P. Varano, Ph.D., both currently at Northeastern University.

·         Extracurricular activities does reduce delinquency

·         Sports do not have a significant positive effect on boys

·         Opposite is true for girls

·         “Other activities, such as church and after-school community activities, decreased the risk of delinquency in boys, but not for girls.” (Northeastern)

·         Bonds at home, to teachers, and extracurricular instructors affects the teens

·         “Involvement in church and nonschool activities, for both young men and women, significantly protected them from serious delinquent behavior, which includes fighting, carrying a weapon or violence.” (Northeastern)

·         Church does not keep teens from risky behavior like drinking

·         Students’ feelings towards their school also affects them greatly

·         Converse is also true

·         Too much extracurricular activities is a bad thing because the students will not be with their parents  


Picture from: https://www.ocps.net/

Website One

Jonathan Kolson

Mrs. Zurkowski

Yellows

22 September 2010

Works Cited

Angel, Grace.  Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens. http://www.helium.com. Accessed 22 September 2010.

Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens

By Grace Angel

There are many ways that after school activities could reduce teenage crime rates. This is because if the teenager has something that they are interested in, they are less likely to be influenced by peer pressure to engage in negative activities.

If a teenager has a group of like-minded peers with whom they can spend time after school, they will be less likely to suffer from depression and other destructive thought patterns.

This happens when teenagers have the strength of knowing that they can count on each other when their emotions get out of control to come up with positive outlets to solve problems together.

If the teenager is committed to an after school activity, they are less likely to experience boredom. Furthermore, if the after school activity is something that requires a consistent commitment of time, the teenager will be more likely to remain interested in the activity because they have something to look forward to during the week.

If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities.

Normally after school activities lead to the formation of friendships that encourage personal accountability from the teenagers in question. Furthermore, there are normally adult advisors that are helping to organize the activities that often will bond very closely with the teenagers.

Therefore, if the teenager starts to show signs that they are headed down the wrong track in life; the advisor can offer advice or send the teenager in the direction of a counselor that can provide emotional support.

When a teenager feels like people are counting on them they are more conscientious about the actions that they take.

Provided the teenager feels that they can make a difference in the world around them, they will be more likely to be concerned with the decisions they make on a regular basis.

Teenagers that do not feel isolated are less likely to look for self-destructive behaviors to fill an emotional void in their life. It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life.

·         Influenced by good people

·         Like minded with good people

·         They know that they have their friends to rely on

·         Teens will not be bored because they will be busy with the extracurricular

·         Teens will have something to look forward to

·         “If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities.” (Angel)

·         Adults will bond with the teens

·         They don’t feel isolated

·         “It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life.” (Angel)

·         Teens feel like they can make a difference in the world

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Issue Questions

How much time should teens do extracurricular activities?

Do extra-curricular activities affect crime-rate in high school?

Do different ethnic groups commit more crimes in high school?

Picture from: http://jiulongjournal.com/

Social Issue, How Do Extracuricular Activities Affect Crime Rate in Highschool

In my book, Black and White by: Volponi, sports caused the two friends to commit a crime to go an a retreat, both extracurriculars. The extras caused them to commit a felony. My question is whether extracurriculars cause teens to commit more crimes or less.

Image from: http://www.wdun.com/images/highschoolsports2.jpg

Letter to Summer Reading Character

703 Churchville Road

Bel Air, Maryland 21014

September 6, 2010

Dear Marcus,

My name is Jonathan, and I am a student at John Carroll School. I enjoyed your book, Black and White by Paul Volponi. I live in Bel Air Maryland two states down from New York. You had a crazy summer, but so did I. I went to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands with my family. My family and I did all sorts of things. We snorkeled, we attempted to surf, and my sisters and mom took a whole day just for shopping. This is a picture of me on the ferry ride over to St. John, an island right next to St. Thomas’s. I also had a few awesome parties over the summer. Like my neighbors’ awesome block party.

I loved your novel, Black and White. When the police came and arrested you, you kept a level head and stayed calm. You never lost it and went haywire or did something you thought could not worsen your state anymore, like smoking. When the police asked you to reveal Eddie, your best friend, to take blame off you, you held your bond with Eddie so closely that you would not give him up..

The author kept the book real, and down to Earth. Everything that happened in the book could happen to anyone who’s committed a crime with a friend. You were very realistic to me. You had all the problems and worries a normal teenage boy would have. You worried about fashion trends and how your appearance was and other superficial things.

What did it feel like when Eddie cared for himself more than you? Did you ever cry when thinking about what happened? Do you think the justice system was racist? I thought the court system was racist, but in a way that was under the radar.

This book made me think twice about the racist issue. Today, racism is against the law and you could be sued. Racism is still a big problem though. People stereotype blacks to use slang, be criminals, or they see blacks as having to be great at a sport. Blacks could be anything they want to be, like a doctor, or a lawyer.

I would try to fix your relationship with Eddie through letters while you are serving your time in jail. Your friendship with Eddie is far greater than almost anything the world may throw at you. Goodbye and good luck.

Sincerely,
Jonathan K