Jeff Sorensen 3rd place in the undergraduate category

On 03.08.10, In Stand For Family, BYU Symposium, By Betsy

Pornography’s Impact on Marriage: An Econometric Approach

Abstract

I study the effects of pornography use on marital strife and infidelity for married men. I conclude that pornography use is correlated with greater marital strife, a more accepting attitude toward adultery, a greater number of sexual partners since age 18, and a greater likelihood of having committed adultery.

Introduction

The growth of the Internet has lowered the costs, increased the accessibility, and furthered the anonymity of one of males’ favorite vices—pornography. Although the discussion of pornography has long been considered taboo, its effects are now coming under greater scrutiny as both its use and acceptance are growing quickly. From a study by Adult Video News, the adult entertainment industry made approximately $12.6 billion in revenue in 2005. More than 70% of men from ages 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site at least once in a typical month (comScore). In addition, according to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the Internet was a significant factor in two out of three divorces in 2003, with excessive use of online pornography contributing to over half of such cases. While some with more traditional or religious values are quick to oppose pornography, its use is becoming more accepted by society as a whole and received especially well by young adults (Carroll). And when you add to this the proponents of free speech who see any attempt to regulate pornography as a violation of one’s rights and those who believe pornography serves as an outlet and actually reduces the number of rapes and violent crimes, you’ve got yourself quite the debate. Because pornography consumption has recently been increasing at an unparalleled rate, researchers are starting to examine potential consequences of its use. This has resulted in the emergence of new datasets and studies that have enabled us to look at the effects of pornography on the user, surrounding family members and friends, and society as a whole. (more…)

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Alyssa Brown 1st place in the Undegratuate Category

On 03.08.10, In Stand For Family, BYU Symposium, By Betsy

The Implications of United States Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Introduction

The purpose of this submission is to provide evaluative analysis of the potential implications of ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC or Convention) and to inform the public of perspectives regarding ratification. The CRC is a United Nations treaty seeking to promote children’s rights such as access to welfare, claim to a good education, and entitlement to freedom of religion.  Despite these laudable goals, there is substantial controversy regarding adoption of the treaty in the United States.  The current political climate brings this issue to the forefront as the Obama administration is researching when and how it will be possible to ratify the CRC with the concern that the United States may be falling behind as a leader in human rights without its ratification.  However, it appears that ratification of the CRC would impede United States sovereignty and fail to accomplish its intended purpose to increase human rights on a worldwide scale.

The current thesis presents an evaluative analysis of these potential implications of U.S. ratification of the CRC through providing the following: (1) a comparison of the United States’ existing law with legislation that would be required under the Convention, (2) an examination of the underlying assumptions and possible interpretations of the Convention through studying the changes its ratification has brought about in other countries, (3) an exploration of the potential risk to national sovereignty that would result from ratification of a treaty overseen by a body outside of the United States government. A thorough review of the potential implications provided through this evaluative analysis will contribute to a more informed position regarding ratification of the CRC than has been available to this point. (more…)

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Vanessa Nielsen Honorable Mention in the Undergraduate Category

On 03.08.10, In Stand For Family, BYU Symposium, By Betsy

Heterosexual Monogamous Marriage: The Key to Equal Rights for Women

Oscar Wilde once said, “Marriage is the one subject on which all women agree and all men disagree.”[1] It would appear that Wilde’s assertion is a dated one, for these days there is a large population of men who are very anxious to be married—to each other. There are also many women who reject the concept of gender roles entirely, and who strongly disagree with marriage. Wilde’s statement, though trivially given, seems to be a strong indicator of how times have changed, as homosexual marriage and other household arrangements besides that of heterosexual marriage are promoted in every sphere from religion to politics. However, it is my belief that if equal rights for women are ever to be achieved, men and women both must be overwhelmingly in agreement about the importance of marriage. Unfortunately, the promotion of heterosexual marriage has not seemed to form a part of the feminist movement or the fight for equal gender rights; in fact, some argue that the feminist movement has led society away from marriage by opening the door for homosexual marriage advocates. Yet the only way to achieve truly equal rights for women is through monogamous, heterosexual marriage, and for this reason it is the arrangement the state must privilege above all other household arrangements.

Male Domination and the Female Fight for Rights

Any discussion of gender rights necessitates an understanding of how things began. For this we must look to human history, which gives us many examples of violence in the human race, especially male violence inflicted upon females. One need look no further than human biology to understand the prevalence of male-on-female violence: physiologically, males have an undeniable advantage over females when it comes to upper body strength.[2] This physical advantage is augmented by the fact that the responsibility of reproduction renders females weaker; firstly, the male desire for sexual intercourse with the female may lead to rape, injury or even death. Secondly, the periods of pregnancy and childbirth lead to greater vulnerability and weakness in the female. Due to the historical physical domination of males over females, physical coercion of females ensured the dominance of male force over female will. This in turn led to a social order in which men were the superior beings, while women became inferior. (more…)

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Sage Erickson Undergraduate Honorable Mention

On 03.08.10, In Stand For Family, BYU Symposium, By Jamie

Adolescent Attachment and its Potential Compensating Mechanisms

Introduction
Until recently, family researchers have shied away from the chaotic whirlwind of the teenage years, focusing instead on infant/child attachments (Bowlby, 1980) and how they affect adult relationships (Behrens, 1999; Crowell, 2005.) They posit that secure attachment is developmentally vital and that without it a child will flounder in adult relationships (Campisano, 2004). But, by skipping over the teenage years, researchers have ignored one of the most insecure and developmentally important times of a person’s life. Some, however, have begun to fill the gap by studying how parent/adolescent attachments predict couple outcomes (Overbeek, 2003). However, this is no longer enough with the radical changes in the nuclear family, namely the exponential increase in divorce (Cherlin, 2004). These adolescents can no longer rely on their parents for their firm support base. This recent change stretches the murky hole of adolescent security and attachments to frightening proportions.

In an effort to fill this chasm, this paper presents a study of how different attachments in adolescence can furnish teen’s need for relationship and belonging. Specifically, I address whether a lack of healthy relationships with parents can be sufficiently replaced with peer or romantic partner affiliations. I hypothesize that teens often try to find security in these other individuals; however, they are not adequate compensating mechanisms and have primarily negative consequences.

Though adolescence is a time of ambiguous turmoil, there is much that the family science field can do to help. Considering how greatly these years affect later outcomes, it seems crucial that researchers turn their attention toward these troubles. Although important, it is not just a matter of saving a few adolescent’s lives. These teens are the future parents of the next generation, with the capacity to nourish and build or to ignorantly neglect and flounder. It is an arduous task for parents to teach their children confidence and security if they do not feel it themselves. Additionally, adults with insecure attachments have a greater likelihood for divorce (Crowell, 2009).Thus, therapists and researchers alike need to explicate whether trouble-bound teens can use peer and romantic partners to healthily make up for their failing parental relationships.  (more…)

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Karen A. Jensen Graduate Honorable Mention

On 03.08.10, In Stand For Family, BYU Symposium, By Jamie

HOW Does religion/spirituality inform maternal satisfaction?

Introduction

Literature regarding the levels and nature of satisfaction experienced by a woman in connection with her role as mother is, at this point in time, somewhat limited.  Much of it has to do with women’s medical concerns rather than the more ethereal and psycho-spiritual aspects of mothering.  Medicine, Mothering and Religiousness have connections which require further investigation and exploration, in order to determine the satisfaction, and fulfillment a woman may experience in this powerful and unique aspect of human experience.

The phenomenon of  mothering and the satisfaction or fulfillment she may associate with this facet of her life goes beyond that which can be measured by marital satisfaction, child outcomes or the amount of analgesic intervention used during a medical procedure.  Indeed, one may ask if mothering can be satisfying even for those who do not give birth at all (Dew,2001).

The idea of motherhood as a unique and important phenomenon, worthy of research and exploration, appears to be in its infancy.  However, as women move into third wave feminism, they begin to explore their roles in society in new and diverse ways (Kaufman,1993).  (more…)

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