drtennis’s whereIstand Blog

There are probably four different points of view regarding this issue.
First, medications provide the best solution to this disorder.
Second, natural methods are superior, because there are no side effects.
 Third, assuming the problem is primarily psychological, behavior modification offers the best approach.
Fourth, this is a contrived disorder , since the behavior is natural for growing boys, i.e. testosterone.
Let’s examine the first response closely, since it is part of the question at issue. As with any medication, there are side effects. Here we are dealing with such results as sleep disorder, lack of appetite, liver damage, sexual dysfunction, and a zombie-like appearance. Probably the most widely prescribed drug is Ritalin or Methylphenidate. Sounds scary and probably is. Many instances of teen violence, and particularly school shootings, had perpetrators on Ritalin or similar drugs. Remember Columbine, Jonesboro, Virginia Tech, etc.?
Canada has banned the second most prescribed drug, Adderall. Australia forbids the use of drugs until all natural remedies have been tried without success.
The question might be raised, why are mostly boys diagnosed with ADHD? The so-called experts respond that it is often not diagnosed in girls. And even so, girls usually do not get violent.
Another question, how come this was never diagnosed years ago, and boys, while rambunctious, grew to successful manhood?
The natural approach group has published many testimonies of success through nutrition. Many believe that ADHD can be conquered by replenishing deficient brain and body chemicals, with natural supplements. They point out also, that if the intake of sugar, which is rampant among kids, be limited, the behavior changes remarkably.
Skeptics of the very existence of this disorder, say–follow the money trail. That may be harsh, but are we numbing young boys just to cover up the roots of the behavior? Are parents to blame for not taking charge? Critics also ponder the possible long term effects of ingesting Ritalin regularly.
We have just skimmed the surface of this important subject. My personal opinion is that children should not be given these drugs. I particularly like the Australian approach.

                                          Dick Brooks

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• [open thread]

Facetiously, I am reminded of a feature article in Time magazine, a few years ago. The gist was that science had found that there really are differences between men and women. Wow!
Seriously, the question seems like one that feminists would raise, in their quest for equal treatment. Make no mistake, the genders should be treated equally under the law, and in areas where they can be, and should be, such as employment , education, salary grades, and the like.
However, absurdity arises when the genders are considered the same, when results show they are not. Examples, include heavy lifting, speed of foot, and the like, physically.
Recently, an experiment was conducted among pre-school children The little boys were given Barbie dolls to play with and the girls, GI Joe figures. After a period of play, it was discovered that the boys had the Barbies fighting with each other, and the girls had the GI Joes engaged in domestic chores. 
What this experiment suggests, and common sense continues to tell us, is that there is an innate component to gender, much as we might want to consider it merely a social constuct.
In my opinion, reality suggests that the answer to the question at issue, is definitely no.

                                      Dick Brooks

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• Is gender a social construct?

Perhaps this question should first be responded to, by another question. Do the parents have a belief that teenagers should refrain from intercourse before marriage? If not, or if the parents feel that abstinence is impossible, then it is logical that they should do everything possible to help their kids avoid the risk of pregnancy.
If they decide to provide contraceptives to their teenagers, they should also be aware of the risks involved. First, condoms, under the best conditions, are estimated to fail 10 to 15% of the time. Do the parents inform the teenagers that the contraceptives are not perfect? Would a person become a passenger on an airliner that had a 90% chance of safe landing? 
Also everyone needs to be aware that, even if a condom works perfectly, there are some sexually transmitted diseases that it is unable to prevent. Common knowledge is that condoms solve all the risks associated with sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, this is not true.
Consider those parents, now, that believe in abstinence as either a moral or practical option for their teenagers. Some of those parents also think they should provide contraceptives, just in case the kids cannot live up to the standard or might succumb to their raging hormones in a moment of weakness. 
Sounds like a good idea, but it is probably doomed to fail. Look at this mixed message from the teen viewpoint. The implication is that the parents don’t really expect them to abstain. If the parents don’t really trust them, then why try.
On balance, I think it is a bad idea for the parents to provide contraceptives.

                       Dick Brooks

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• Should parents provide contraceptives to their teenage children?

Let’s clarify the question. If the question were, are race and class linked among whites [ Caucasians ], it would be silly. 
It seems apparent that the focus is on blacks or African Americans. At one time, the answer would have been, yes. Incidentally, I believe this was one of the major reasons for racial bias. White middle class folks did not want to associate with black lower class people. However, these whites probably did not want to mix with the white lower class, with which they had little in common except for skin color.
In recent decades, the black middle class has increased dramatically.This trend is a powerful asset for our nation. Many of these affluent black families have moved to the suburbs. They have no interest in remaining in the urban ghetto. They too, have nothing in common with their unfortunate lower class brothers, except for skin color.
I can state unequivocally that there is no linkage between race and class, except in the narrow minds of bigots in both races.

                                               Dick Brooks

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• Are race and class linked?

There is a lot of emotional baggage on each side of this question. On the affirmative, there are a number of cases of former homosexuals who have not only decided to become straight, but have married and become parents. Presumably, according to their statements, they are comfortable and fulfilled as heterosexuals. Another argument is that being straight is so natural, that it would take a strong conscious choice to go the other way. Also, from a religious viewpoint, God designed man and woman to be uniquely different, and to act in ways appropriate to their own gender.Until 1960, the American Psychiatric Association defined homosexuality as a disorder. The straight opinion is that the shrinks changed their diagnosis because of politically correct pressures.
On the negative side of the question, gay activists contend that no one would likely choose homosexuality, since there are many drawbacks to that lifestyle. These include discrimination, disease, and depression. They claim that those who have gone straight are deceiving themselves, and living a lie. They also argue that same sex gender tendencies are  evident well before the age of puberty. They also believe that, since homosexuality has been documented throughout recorded history, it proves that a certain percentage of the population is born that way. To accept the opposite point of view, would put activists in an untenable position.
While trying to be objective in the debate, I am continually struck by the omission of one extremely important fact. That is, that the average life expectancy of male homosexuals is only 42 years! While this has no direct bearing on the question at issue, it does suggest that if homosexuality is not a choice, then the choice should be between abstinence or fidelity. That is, if one wants to survive to a ripe old age.
Personally, I cannot answer the question with certainty. I do feel that there is something in the genetic makeup that could predispose one toward homosexyality. This could be similar to the genetic quirk that predisposes someone toward alcoholism.

                                         Dick Brooks

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• Is homosexuality a choice?

The use of automobiles  is accompanied by a whole host of laws and regulations, relating to the safety of the occupants, the vehicle itself,, and other cars and pedestrians. The use of seat belts is just one of those mandates.
It is difficult to present a compelling argument against the government’s right of intrusion into the matter of vehicular safety, including personal safety associated with the operation of cars.
Libertarians might argue that people have the freedom to decide whether or not to wear seat belts. This complaint is similar to that often voiced by motorcyclists. Their thesis is that they should have the right to decide on wearing a helmet or not.
In either instance, while their argument sounds interesting philosophically, the cost to society of medical expense, in the event of accidental injury, is conveniently overlooked.
The case for mandating seat belt use is strong.

                                                 Dick Brooks

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• Should the law require people to wear seat belts?

In my opinion, just as in hostility between countries, armed combat is generally a last resort after all diplomatic measures fail, so spanking should be considered if other disciplinary measures are not effective. These other measures include the well known time-out technique, deprivation of cherished privileges, and assignment of extra household chores.
With very young children, appealing to reason may not help as it often does with older children. However, young children are often brought into line just by the threat of spanking.
This reveals one of the big drawbacks of spaqnking. Proper use of discipline is intended to develop respect for and obedience to parental authority. Spanking engenders fear as a means of correcting bad behaviour. 
Another problem with spanking, is that it may be done in a spirit of anger by the parent. This is unfortunate, because spanking then becomes , not a means of discipline, but a means of retaliation. The child senses the difference.
If spanking can be avoided, and good disciplinary results are achieved, it is a mark of successful parenting.

                                           Dick Brooks 

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• Should spanking be used as a disciplinary technique?

This is a question loaded with emotion, which is entirely understandable.Slavery was a very bad practice, even though some slaves were treated well. Slavery gets to the very heart and soul of the dignity of man. Regardless of how we personally answer the question at issue, we should always bear in mind that some of the vestiges of slavery, mostly psychological, persist even today. Racial prejudice is still a factor to be combatted. Therefore, we need to take the extra step, without patronizing, to treat our brothers and sisters of other races, as our own family and friends.
Having said all of the foregoing as prelude, there would be some serious practical problems in trying to devise equitable reparations. First, who is an African American? Skin color is clearly an imperfect indicator. To qualify would both of one’s parents need to be AA? If not, how about grandparents or great-grandparents? Would 1/16th AA blood qualify a person? How about orphans who can’t even verify one or both parents?
How about country of origin?  Consider someone whose family has lived in the West Indies for several centuries, unaffected by slavery.
How do we classify an AA whose family came to the US from Africa, but were never slaves, or came here after slavery ceased?
Some AAs in the US were actually slaveowners themselves, how do we treat them?
From a white point of view, how do we respond to those whose ancestors never had slaves, and say that it is unfair for their tax money to go to reparations? Some white ancestors were very active in the abolition movement, and participated in the Underground Railway.
Finally, how would we determine an appropriate dollar amount? Based on what logic? Adjusted for inflation?
Every racial or ethnic group that has come to the US has started off with handicaps. None of course, to the degree of AAs going into slavery.
In summary, I believe monetary reparations would not be a good idea, but certain types of Affirmative Action are.

                                               Dick Brooks

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• Should African Americans receive reparations for slavery?

We should answer this question, by first asking another question. What would be the benefits of this liberalized procedure?
When a couple marries in church, they are required to take some pretty serious and solemn vows. Basically, they covenant to each other, and to God, to stay together, through all kinds of circumstances, until death intervenes. Very minor exceptions include infidelity. It seems incongruous for such a serious and binding cotract, to be abrogated for no declared reason at all. The argument might be made that, if a couple is not absolutely sure of marriage, as sure as humans can be, don’t enter in to it. In today’s culture there is no great stigma against shacking up. Not that there are not adverse consequences, but it is an option.
If a couple marries before a government official, most of the binding stipulations still apply. The questions of income, assets and real property still must be considered. How about avoiding these sticky matters, by means of pre-nuptual agreements. Fine, but some critics claim that people have one foot out of the door.
Society is dealing with a 50% divorce rate. This is generally conceded to be a major cultural problem. How does no fault divorce impact this?
Finally, and most important, what is the effect of any kind of divorce on children? Recent studies indicate that the trauma on children continues well into their adulthood.
I do not think no fault divorce is a good thing.

                                            Dick Brooks

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• Should no-fault divorce be available to couples?

First, where in the Constitution is the Federal Government authorized to take such an action? The answer is, it is not, unless one takes an extremely broad definition of regulation of interstate commerce. There are only 19 grants of power to the US Government in the Constitution, and the issue discussed does not fit any of them. All other powers are reserved to the individual states.
However, it may be said that during the past 75 years, the Feds have acted far beyond their Constitutional powers. True. For the sake of argument, let’s assume that this mandate will not be declared unconstitutional.
The biggest objection involves the law of unintended consequences. Many companies would look at such a mandate, in light of how it could be circumvented, so as to prevent additional labor expenses. If parental leave is supposed to cover pregnancy, and post-partum infant care, employers might not want to hire females below the age of menopause. Would this be illegal discrimination, perhaps. But it would be extremely difficult to prove in individual cases. There are always other reasons that can be found , not to hire. 
A large company could even employ a small number of young women, so as to avoid the stigma of discrimination.
Note that the work of an employee on leave still has to be done. This may mean another hire, and subsequent training expense. Then, when the employee on leave returns, is it necessary to unfairly fire the new person?
There are other possible ramifications. However, we see that a benevolent impuse can result in just the opposite consequence.
Bear in mind that many companies already have generous leave policies.
In conclusion, the mandate in question is not a good idea.

                                                  Dick Brooks

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• Should the government mandate paid parental leave?