New Semester!

Welcome to the new semester! Our class is really having some great discussions! I appreciate some of your perspectives, especially the comment today about being a critical thinker in relationship to media influence on childhood obesity. The media DOES play a role in influencing children what a "real" meal is. For example, where are the vegetables and fruits in a happy meal?  I am glad that parents are demanding more fruits and vegetables in their children's diets, but we are inundated with false expectations through our advertising.

The other issue that I wonder about in relationship to media influence and bias is the question of how critical are we when we don't really think about the news as it's presented?  Lately, I turn on the news and listen to it while I am cleaning or doing other household tasks. Am I really paying attention? One news station leads the day with all of the car accidents of the day, the other leads with a protest on capitol hill. I wonder if I can influence the local new to provide more NEWS?

This also begs the question...what is NEWS anyway? How do we determine what is important to be shared. Is the adage "If it bleeds it leads?" a good rule of thumb?

Welcome to an exciting semester. Our first Family Impact Seminar should be scheduled by the end of the week if all goes well. Look for more information here. This is going to be a very interesting event!

Is the media bias real?

Some people believe that the concept of liberal media bias is due to perception. However, a creative analysis by a professor at UCLA reveals that the perception may be real. Check out this article.

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/Media-Bias-Is-Real-Finds-UCLA-6664.aspx

My question is where does the responsibility for providing accurate news fall? If the media reports the news in a biased way, how can we trust our government?

Illegal Immigration

My cousin sent me this clip that presents a completely different view than we typically see in the news. I am wondering what your thoughts are?

Does this change anyone's mind about illegal immigration or the health care bill just passed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjPBtfpn8wI

Visit with legislators

Today I had the privilege of visiting with the legislature. I am hoping to host our first Utah State Family Impact Seminars sometime in 2011. Since this is an election year, it would probably be too much to try to do one this year, but some of the topics the legislators are discussing include:  domestic violence, paying for social service agencies without tapping into the taxpayer, and promoting charter schools over the public school system as it now stands.

If we can get over the hurdle of "What is a Family Impact Seminar" then we may have a shot in 2011!  I'll be posting our progress on this blog. If any of you are interested in volunteering at the seminar (chance to be in the state capitol during the session and meet your legislators!), please let me know! I think it will be an interesting adventure!

KUER: 5/17/10: The Genius in All of Us (2010-05-14)

KUER: 5/17/10: The Genius in All of Us (2010-05-14)

Maternal Ranking in United States

I thought this was an interesting article, especially since we have talked about balancing work and family. According to this article, we are toward the bottom in the developed countries when we are looking at generosity of maternal leave.  Check out this link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100504/hl_afp/healthwomenchildrenworld_20100504085825

What do you think? Should we be more generous for women who have babies at home? Now, women are leaving more and more to go back to the workplace when their babies are 3 months old.  More and more child care providers are offering space for infants.  Should we be reviewing this as a nation? Does it work with Capitalism? Must we move toward socialism to be more family friendly?

Spring 2010 Class

I think it would be cool for each cohort to have their own section to keep in touch with each other. You can use this post to connect with former group members, chat about some of the newest issues, or update your classmates on additions to your family, graduation, weddings, etc. 

I would encourage each of you to start your own topics to the main section. Anyone can post!  Best wishes.