Benefits of Social Media

Did you know that it has been proven that using social media makes people happier than spending time with family, sporting events, or having more money? (THE GUARDIAN, 2014). The rise of social media usage in modern society, particularly amongst young people, has raised concerns among many commentators about the risks and disadvantages of this type of communication. With more and more people choosing to spend large quantities of time communicating via site such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, critics of social media question the privacy, security, and usefulness of social media to modern society. There are both benefits and disadvantages to the increasing use of social media in our modern society. However, despite the very real disadvantages and dangers, research has indicated that social media has real benefits for modern users. Social media carries definite and proven risks for users; however, it can also be enormously beneficial. Social media has been criticized as harmful to the communication skills and benefits of real, face-to-face interactions (READING EAGLE, 2012); because social media encourages virtual communication, it can be seen as impersonal, superficial, and lacking in true empathy. However, research has also indicated that using social media makes people happy. In a study that examined a number of situations such as having more money, spending time with family, and sports events, social media was shown to be the activity that rated highest as making people happy (THE GUARDIAN, 2014). It is likely that this is a direct result of the feeling of inclusiveness and connectedness that social media creates for users, who feel that they can be heard and involved through the use of social media; it may also be a result of the fact that social media facilitates many of the other factors seen to make people happy. At the same time, social media has been criticized as harmful to the communication skills and benefits of real, face-to-face interactions (READING EAGLE, 2012). It is more accurate, however, to say that social media has changed the ways in which people communicate with one another, allowing faster and more informal and impulsive communication. Research has shown that, for businesses in particular, this change in communication methods has resulted in benefits for users in both economic terms and in terms of connectedness to others (THE SOCIAL SAVIOR, 2015). Social media makes it easier for individuals to connect to one another, but also for individuals and groups to communicate effectively, making it easier for messages and ideas to be shared widely and collectively. Communications via social media, for example, can lack security and are vulnerable to invasions of privacy because of their public nature (READING EAGLE, 2012). Outweighing these disadvantages, however, is the fact that different studies have also shown that social media can help to equip young people with a range of valuable life-skills. These benefits occur as a result of the constant practice at communication it encourages (THE WASHINGTON TIMES, 2009). By being so constantly connected to the public, young people have the opportunity to explore and challenge social conventions, develop new interests and technical abilities, and develop their personal sense of identity (THE WASHINGTON TIMES, 2009). These skills help to keep society cutting-edge and progressive, and also help prepare the next generation for life, work, and society. As can be seen, therefore, social media carries definite and proven risks for users; however, it can also be enormously beneficial. It cannot be denied that using social media carries certain risks to security, privacy and personality. However, the benefits that accrue from appropriate use of social media can be seen to outweigh those risks extensively. References

Home birth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Home birth - Essay Example A low risk women can plan a home birth supported with all the medical care, can be transferred to hospital if needed rather, than planning hospital birth initially. Women find labor very easy to deal; since they feel control over the delivery and they have to use less drugs to cope with pain. They use methods like massage or births pools; moreover, at home she is at ease and can use any positions she likes. For the first time mothers, the need of transferring to hospital is very high compared to the mothers who have had already one delivery. But there is small chance of transferring the mother and baby to hospital after the baby is born; the problem might arise with the delivery of placenta or if the baby has problem in breathing. The most common reason for transfer is a long labor or slow progress, when either the mother or the baby gets tired and further monitoring or assistance is needed. (Briefing the Journalists, March 2006) Women who desire to have home birth will know their midwife well and if she is attended by community midwives then they team upto eight. She also meets the midwife during pregnancy. Many hospitals provide a list of midwives that can be contacted if the expecting mother requires midwifery help. (Briefing the Journalists, March 2006), (Vedam, 2003). Most women who give birth in hospital say that making journey to the hospital have to make a journey to hospital during labor is a matter of routine. Most home births also cause very little mess, a waterproof sheet on the floor is sufficient and moreover, midwives bring supplies of large absorbent pads to protect surfaces and they clear up everything after the birth (Briefing the Journalists, March 2006), (Vedam, 2003). If the women doesn’t find the local community midwife care upto the mark or has difficulty in booking a local midwife, she can book and an independent midwife. Independent midwives are equipped with experience of

Anti-feminism on Tv Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Anti-feminism on Tv - Essay Example Feminism on media (TV) can be viewed as a response to the anxiety of status brought about by social change. According to Callaway (2008), the struggle for women’s identity and place in society led to strong feminist movements that are being antagonized in anti-feminism campaigns spearheaded by what is portrayed on TV (women’s bodies as sex objects). Hammer, R and Kellner, D (2006) are keen to discuss the feminists who are not really for feminism but are anti-feminists in actual sense, for example Camille Paglia. According to, anti- Political According to Ray (2002), anti-feminism is high in the political arena which necessitates the need for â€Å"The New Political Compass.† Furthermore, Motta, Fominaya, Eschle, and Cox (2011), indicates that post feminism seems to have plunged the political feminist movement into a crisis with women leaders losing the fight against anti-feminism in the media (TV). According to Downes (2009), political satire in cartoons has enha nced anti-feminism in the media by depicting women running for office as lacking womanliness or femininity. According to Paglia (2008), systemic anti-feminism has become popular culture on TV which is a hindrance to political ambitions of women. Haase (2004), cultural shifts and post feminist discourse on TV as well anti-feminist backlash have distorted political ambition for young female viewers. Economic According to Olson and Worsham (2001), ultimate anti-feminism is epitomized on television in the laugh industry for economic gains but demeaning women. On her discussion of anti-feminism shows how women are prejudiced against economically because of failure to exercise control over their reproductive health. According to Delap and Heilmann (2006), critical feminist dialogue has often broken down due to the economic inferiority of women portrayed even on TV. According to Haraway (2006), the ironic political myth shown on television that claims faithfulness to feminism and women aff airs socially and economically is in actual sense anti-feminism. The urge to limit feminism by anti-feminists is taken to the extent of involving the media in portraying women as prostitutes due to economic oppression. Analysis of Anti-feminism Women see anti-feminism as an ideology that goes against the quest for equality of rights and representation. It is usually based on cultural beliefs or even religious teachings, which purport that women are inferior to men. According to the OED (Oxford English Dictionary), an anti-feminist is defined as a person (usually a man) opposed to feminism or to women; one who is hostile to the idea of sexual equality or to the advocacy of the rights of women. Feminism on the other hand is a collection of ideologies and movements with an aim to defend, define, and establish equal social, economic, and political rights for women. Therefore, a feminist is one who is in support of or advocates equality of women. Antifeminism is thus opposition to all th at feminism stands for in one way or another. The characteristics of anti-feminism are behaviors or ideas that portray disbelief in social, political, or economic equality of sexes. Anti-feminism started and was centered on opposition to suffrage by women in the 19th century. Some people opposed to women entering institutions of higher learning brought about the argument that