Provide a one page, double-spaced response for each question you choose. (Back to Application Checklist)

Social Commentary 1: Suicide in the Elderly

According to the American Association of Suicidology, a professional association dedicated to the research and prevention of suicide, in 2004 suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States. Older persons make up 12.4% of the population yet represented 16.0% of the suicides. What do you believe are the contributing factors to these rates of suicide for the elderly?

Social Commentary 2: Negative Attitudes Towards LGB Students

According to the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a survey undertaken by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Phi Delta Kappa International, revealed that negative feelings toward lesbian, gay and bisexual students is the norm in the nation’s middle schools. Three out of four students (77%) reported that students in their school had negative attitudes toward people who are thought to be lesbian, gay or bisexual. What would you recommend to educate middle school students and to address these negative attitudes?

Social Commentary 3: Child Poverty

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, there are nearly 13 million children (18% of all children) in the United States living in families with incomes below the federal poverty level ($20,650 a year for a family of four). What do you think are the major contributors to the high percentage of children living in poverty?

Sources:

• American Association of Suicidology (www.suicidology.org)
• The Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (www.glsen.org)
• National Center for Children in Poverty (www.nccp.org)