A Changing Republic?

 

There has been daily news coverage pertaining to our form of government.  Has our country gone from a "democracy" or “republic “to a monarchy to an authoritarian rule with its  oligarchs?  It's true that historically man has been ruled by an assortment of kings,queens, premiers, military rulers, emperors, dictators ( with a tendency for dependency and submission)  and only  recently by various forms of democracy or republic .( with a tendency for Individuation, autonomy and freedom).  This disposition addresses the characteristics of adolescents and young adults as it pertains to  tendencies for  dependency or freedom.  

In 1958, I graduated  from Denby high school.  My friends Mitch Newman, Larry Hudas  ,Ed Budde , Ed Hood.   Jim Haslip ,Jim McDonald, George Haslip , George Bletsos  , Rudy Nurmi  ,Ron Transiick , Wayne Dyer , still alive and  good friend Wayne Fiske , Dave Debusshere,  Dennis Cole ,Katie Yeager, Jan Nelson,Earlene Rentz, Judy Knopp, Lorna Goodwin, Bonnie Batieger, Linda Carter, Virginia Huntoon ,Judy Middleton   graduated from high school, married and had children..  One good friend ,in particular ,was Dave Novak.  Dave graduated from Denby and began working at General Motors.  He married Darlene and they bought their first house in Warren, Michigan.  They had two daughters and moved to the waterfront  home on St. Clair Shores.  After Dave retired, they moved to Florida.  Some of my friends graduated from college and others did not ,but all married and had children.

 Today ,there are many economic and social threats to our well-being. For instance, Income inequality for the richest Americans in the top 1% has skyrocketed since 1980 by over 800%.  Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg,  of the Us’s three richest men are referred to as oligarchs . These billionaires are worth nearly 1 trillion combined and were joined at Trump’s inauguration by the chief executive officers of Open AI and Tik Tok .

In 2023 , the US experienced 28 separate weather and climate disasters costing  billions .  The cost of the Los Angeles wildfires could be at least $250 billion and could reach $30 billion for insurers. Insurance companies have no trouble when it comes to raising rates for  Insurers but don't like paying for damages so they either drop coverage and/ or leave the state . 

Social media's ability to manipulate , control seems second to none.  This emphasis on anonymous mass communication with its  propaganda, extremism and hate excels with outcomes  of division, conformity, loss of reason and rationality, leaving its mark on the insignificance and loss of individuality on so many.

Psychologically, a most necessary development for humans occurs especially in adolescence. Concepts used to describe this conflict include the " will," "individuation," "identity" and quest for” freedom” are in a battle with  dependency.  In adolescence ,there’s an active relationship between individuals with and to themselves.  Some adolescents  assert themselves, even in a negative way, against their parents ,in order to define themselves.  It's a  battle of wills. It's an attempt as  separation from parents' control ,rules ,ideas, restrictions and moral  teachings

The move away from dependency is fearful as not all individuals can successfully separate.and reduce their fear by becoming more independent. Others can use fear as a constructive force rather than a guilty crippling force in their separation from both mother and father.  If the individual can't  effectively and emotionally separate but remains too dependent that affects his superego development. He remains with a primitive moral conscience with the ability to identify with primarily  unsavory authoritarian types.  It  also diminishes ,and affects their  quest for independence, freedom ,within conscience.. Being  primitively restricted,  freedom is diminished as the adolescent is unable to  say no to  parents . no to  representatives of external forces, and no to external authority. This results  with  compliance and obedience regardless of moral and/or ethical qualities of dictatorial types  . Further, with a limited development of reason, objectivity they become more irrational .Some parents  are more able to support their teen’s independence better than others that hold on tight.

With  tendencies for independence, identity and  freedom results in  a force  to become more human by developing a humanistic morality and ethics. Also ,the development of Intellectual and emotional capacity leads to less egocentrism, more empathy, a belonging with  affiliation , mutuality, being able to love , being able to produce productively,and  work contributing to society. In essence, with emotional separation  ,individuals now have the ability to make a choice.  The choice is either uniting within a world with qualities of humanism or authoritarianism.

The results of this past 2024 presidential election were associated with  rejections of the Constitution ,democracy and the rule of law.  Over 89 million registered voters failed to vote, thereby passive aggressively  supporting the election of the convicted felon, authoritarian and would be king.. Further, a statistical breakdown of  voting and non- voting adolescents and young adults provided support for their dependence , submission, loss of freedom and for government control by the rich and powerful Titans of industry and technology..  

An article in the December 29, 2024 edition of The New York Times titled 10 Charts That Explain 2024 reported that Trump's change in the voting share from 2020- 2024 had  a +7 % increase with the 18 to 29-year-old Americans  and a + 6 point increase with  no college degree .Of the 89 million registered voters  that did not vote.,there were approximately 58 % of the18 to 29-year-olds. However,of those 18 to 29-year-olds  that did vote ,52 to 54% of them voted for Harris with the majority being females..

 According to the AP Vote Cast Survey  the economy , jobs and abortion were  the most important issues. For those stating the economy and jobs, 40%  were likely to vote for Trump. In essence:why vote for a man whose neurotic goal is not the economy of the poor, but the pursuit of economic , political power, status and control with means and his primary goal to protect his interests.

A few socio-economic and mental health statistics from the American Psychological Association. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Cigna's 2020 Loneliness Survey, National Center for Health Statistics ,Center for Disease Control and Prevention follows: 1.  Marriage rates from 2017 to 2018 dropped to 6.99% per 1,000 population .It’s the lowest for periods between 1900 and 2018.  2.  Since 2007 ,young men living with their parents at home increased from 14.2% to 18.6%,This is  the highest level since the Census Bureau started counting in 1960.  3.  From 2021 to 2022 , the high school graduation rate was 87%  4. College enrollment between the ages of 18 to 24 has declined by 1.2 million since 2011. 5. Males 18 to 24 make up 42% of young college students in 4 year colleges. Of those men in college, 43% are likely to graduate 6. In 2022 , 57% of male high school graduates have enrolled in college.

Statistics regarding mental and physical health: 1.  Obesity in men ages 20 to 39, are 40.3%.  Obesity increased significantly among men between 2017 -2018.  2 Firearms are the leading cause of death for ages 1-17 and  in 2022 there were 2526  ;2240 motor vehicle deaths and 1444 cancer deaths.  3.  This  rate for firearms doubled between 2013- 2022  for teenagers 1-17  4.  In  2019 You Gov surveyed 1000 adults and found that 29% of millennial's stated they always feel lonely and 27% had no close friends.  5.  Men felt lonely more often than women- 23% for men  compared to 20% females 6..  10,000 adults were surveyed. and young adults had higher rates of loneliness  than older adults.  70% of young adults reported  that they sometimes  feel alone, shy and that no one really understands  them.  7.. More  adolescents and young adults in   2010 compared to the 2020  experienced  psychological distress, major depression, suicide thoughts or attempted suicide . Suicide rates ,ages 20-24  increased and homicide rates increased from 2014-2021 . Gun suicide incresed 40% between 2013-2021. 8. In a study of  200,000 adolescent  ages 12 to 17 reported symptoms consistent with depression  within the last 12 months . This was a 52% increase from 2005 in 2017 and 63% of young adults aged 18 to 25 . Also, there was a 71% increase in young adults  experiencing serious psychological distress  from 2008 -2017 . Suicide thoughts and suicide related outcomes increased 47% from  2008 -2017. These statistics paint a grim picture for the present and future.

We've had a history of emperors, kings, queens and  rulers exploiting man for their own neurotic desire for profit and control.  We had revolutions and an "Age of Enlightenment". About 250 years ago. our  " experiment" started  .  Then within this past  century, we fought  against the evils of political rule  and mass  destruction.. Hobbes believed that man's lust for power results in hostility because of self interest and the wish for power to secure his economic and social interests.  Freud thought that man's nature leads him in sadomasochistic ways and  is headed for destruction. John Dewey in Freedom and Culture stated “I use the term fascism or authoritarianism to denote a dictatorial system of the type of the German or Italian one.  ........ I shall call it Nazi-ism, which is given a victory to external authority, discipline ,uniformity and dependence upon.  ...... The battlefield is also accordingly here - within ourselves and our institutions."  

IDo we have a  submission characteristic because we are eager to surrender  based on childhood dependance ? Are we indifferent to freedom because of the vast power and impact of  economic and social conditions ? Are we indifferent to freedom because  of our insecurity , irrationality with an absence of control , insignificance ,and helplessness ?  Do we receive  satisfaction and pleasure in  submission because of our identifications, conditioning and  by being part of group consensus ?  Can we cope with the existential crisis of separation ,being alone, being an insignificant speck,insecure, anxious ,surrounded by absurdity and contradictions, faced with mortality  without  submitting to  a  commanding , demanding authoritarian  parental substitute for dependency ,security, safety ,being part ( belonging) to the crowd ,subservient ,loyal ,compliant  and obeying all the rules, commands and expectations ? 

PS

Sunday was mom's  116th  birthday..  Symbolically ,today's experience put me in touch with  existential anxiety  as I started out for a trail run ,which was once called the Cawthorne trail , and made my way down to the recycling center, the 16th mile marker, of nature's most beautiful green  fully forested Western States trail  on BLM land . I was alone, separate and a small item compared to the vastness of my unlimitless surroundings . After a while , I  encountered two unfamiliar females running towards me. Much later, I  crossed paths with Diane L.and her dog.as my thoughts were briefly interrupted .On this familiar trail, I rode Raider and Gypsy with Linda; ran with Bill J.  Chris T.  Linda R.  and especially with my border collie Sherry and with  Tony and his border collie Dale plus numerous others , Tony's having a  medical consultation regarding his MRI leg issues on  Monday.  He ran too fast when he was younger .  Thank you again mom  for  being my mom .

Health Hazzards

  An article titled F.  D.  A.  Tightens Rules for "Healthy" Labels on Foods  was published in the New York Times, December 22, 2024 .There is ill health in the United States.  In the article, it was stated that it's extremely difficult to curtail false claims on food labeling.  In fact, there's a tremendous pushback against the FDA's intention. Similarly, It’s the same story for EPA per the  article in  December 8, 2024  New York Times”EPA Seeks Limits ,Again, On a Harmful Pesticide .”  The food  industrial complex can be and is often a hazard

The FDA updated its definition of the term healthy for  food labeling .  Health can be defined as  free from illness. The FDA proposed tightening the limits  on the amount of saturated fat, sugar and salt in a product before it can be  healthy.  We know there are diet related diseases that include heart , cancer, diabetes, and they are the leading causes of disability and disease in the United States . This fact contributes to the United States having the lowest life expectancy among high income countries.

The FDA’s  318 page rule sets guidelines on what food manufacturers can label as being healthy, healthful,or healthiest.  For example, a 50 g serving of the dairy product must contain no more than 5% of a person's daily sugar level and 10% of the person's daily salt and saturated fat limit . Also, similar standards  apply to fruits, grains, vegetables, meat and other food products.  This new definition will also include some processed and packaged foods that were previously excluded - nuts, seeds, salmon,  and water. It would also strip the label from other foods including yogurts, fruit cups and whole wheat bread  which are products  considered too high in sugar and sodium.  Apparently, even Robert F. Kennedy Jr. agrees. Good for him.

This change would not take place until 2028.  However, congressional or executive branch interference can stop an FDA  proposal.  The Consumer Brands Association, which represents food makers and others, called the proposal overly restrictive. They don't believe that the FDA sufficiently market tested its proposed regulatory framework to determine how it would work in practice.  They raised free speech concerns and also stated concerns about some packaged foods. This group  claimed the industry spent countless years of  innovation to provide healthier operations.  They added that the regulation is not based on clear or unambiguous scientific evidence or an in-depth economic analysis.  On the other hand, the FDA said that about 5% of foods were currently labeled healthy and estimated the  proposed benefit of the changes over 20 years would total about $686 million..

Moreover, the  EPA linked the pesticide chlorpyrifos 25 years ago to learning disorders in children .Currently the Environmental Protection Agency outlawed the use of this pesticide on  foods, except on 11 crops including fruits that children tend to eat in large quantities such as apples, oranges, peaches and cherries.  EPA wants to lower the amount of this pesticide applied to fields and orchards annually by 3.9 million pounds. Further, this pesticide is also linked to neurological effects - tremors, fatigue and nausea..Additionally, this past August, the agency issued an emergency order to suspend the use of another pesticide called dimethyl  because of a potential risk of birth defects.  Often, the EPA scientific assessments are challenged in court, both by safety advocates who want more restrictive policies and manufacturers who want fewer restrictions ..Free speech is just permission to lie.

Lawyers for Earthjustice claim that the EPA's restrictions were inadequate to protect children and do not safeguard farmworkers or drinking water. Can the EPA actually protect the public.?  In 2023 the sales of organic products mounted to 68.7 billion . And, fruits and vegetables  accounted for one third of sales stated  The Organic Trade Association . The program on Reproductive Health and Environment,at the  University of California, San Francisco surveyed 1200 registered voters and reported that more than 90% of the voters said that it's important to remove harmful chemicals from  people who work and go to school, even if it increases costs for some products .

Free speech in the Bill of Rights has decimated  Commandment 9  "you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."  With free speech ,lying ,ill will and hate is permitted, as evidenced by social media, Trump , his cronies, Fox News, podcasts and so forth.  Free speech in The Bill of Rights  was supposed to protect individual rights regarding religion, freedom of press, etc. from government regulation.  What about  when the government lies  with its propaganda, half-truths, misinformation , Fox News, and others with  so-called conspiracies theories?   When Trump says things like he's going to deport millions; send the FBI and criminal justice system against his enemies; the Democrats are evil, that is clearly malice on his part. His intent is immoral, wicked, and psychologically harmful  to those under attack.  With him being the government, his evil and aggressive intent is clear.  He should be held accountable..

Prejudiced,discriminatory, hateful  lies  are aggressive  malice with the intention of evil and ill will. Psychologically, within a psychosocial framework, lies are equated with the development of mistrust.  The  trust versus mistrust  dynamic is the basis , foundation or beginnings for developing  psychological health or psychological illness . Freedom of speech, currently, is  harmful and is chipping away at the foundation for freedom, democracy and mental health in our country.

The food industry with its lies  pertaining to  manufacturing, marketing do not have  the desire to do evil or ill will.  However, their advertising, manufacturing policies are misleading , false and lead to physical health complications.  According to functional medicine doctors, food can be medicine or harmful to one's health.  Yes, it's not the only cause of ill health, but its major  Saturated fat, sodium, and sugar has been researched and  found to be related to  poor health in this country.  The food industry complex’s  goal is  profit and not health.  A more accurate label on foods might read ”free speech allows us to lie to you so that what we call healthy is a lie- no malice intended”..

If  free speech only  malice, when lying to the FBI, Congress or when testifying in court?  Parents do not tell their children that they can only tell good lies .  Lying has been normalized. One recent poll said that the lying  convicted felon had a favorable rating.  In any event, look to the source.  Do you trust the food representative for their definition of health regarding saturated fat, sodium and sugar or do  you trust the expertise and knowledge of  science and functional medicine doctors ? Also, pesticides kill. It’s no wonder why we are so unhealthy.

In essence, Tomiko Itooka born in Osaka, Japan on May 23, 1908 recently died.  The oldest person now is Canabarro Lucas born June 8, 1908 in Rio Grande do Sul Brazil.  It's not surprising that the oldest person in the world does not come from the United States since we are  number one when it comes to  lying, infecting and promoting unsafe health practices resulting in  early death . We are our  main threat and complicit to our well-being. Just look at the physical and mental health of our current leader. Immigrants crossing the border are just another political distraction..The terror comes from within as 89 million eligible voters did not vote in the 2024 presidential election..

Reference

Erikson, Erik H.  Childhood and Society .

PS

Barry McGuire's recording of Eve of Destruction is another example of the past and continued hypocrisy.  Also, I  just received a brochure titled Changing How We Feel By Changing What We Eat.  A few topics include: 1.  Gut Bacteria Contribute to Anxiety and Anxiety, Depression 2.  Anti-Anxiety Effects of a Plant-based Diet.  3.  Neuroprotective Foods that Improve Mood 4.  Nutrients and the Aging Brain.

Ayn Rand

 Ayn Rand published her provocative and award winning novel Atlas Shrugged in 1957, with the first draft beginning in 1946. Note, Karl Marx's  initial translation into English was provided by TB Bottomore from the London School of Economics and Political science in 1958.  Rand’s thought-provoking  inspiring novel created a stir to say the least.This essay pertains to  the  importance of  work productivity..

Ayn Rand's  objectivism is a philosophy described  as "the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."  Her philosophy falls within the motivational history of thought. 

A brief overview of the history of motivational thought   follows:  Briefly, Socrates ,Plato and Aristotle's position were  A.  Socrates believed that knowledge and virtue are identical and that right knowing leads to right acting.  In other words, knowledge is good and knowledge leads to virtuous action B.  Plato equated good with knowledge.  Knowledge is good, it can control the passions and is supreme to emotion.  C.  Aristotle believed the highest goal of human life is happiness with the activity of reason.  Essentially , his  emphasis was on virtue through knowledge and reason.  Man could control his passions with the use of knowledge and rationality.. Simply put, knowledge, reason, virtue were motivators  that lead to man’s happiness.

Later,  followed the Age of Enlightenment with its many divergent thinkers such as Bacon, Goethe, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kant, Locke, Paine , Hobbes, Rousseau etc..  Enlightenment was described as the use of reason, with goals, of rationality, that equal knowledge, freedom and happiness. In fact,  Hobbes claimed that "desires" like hunger or thirst, sex, fear, lead humans with their competitive component  to conflict and  it’s the state that can protect the individual and permit him to gain some satisfaction from his desires..Rousseau condemned society and its influence on man as he believed that society generates egoism and as a result, man's needs and capacities do not correspond to one another, and that it leads him to frustration.  In other words, man is good, but spoiled in a bad society.   

A somewhat  different point of view came from prominent  philosophical Existentialists  such as Arendt, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Dostoevsky, Sartre, Camus, Heidegger, Jaspers  etc  .They questioned man’s nature. and denied the primacy of rationality.  They pointed out that impulsions are associated with human nature, and that experience provided by books, newspapers, magazines, radio, television have a great emphasis on the subjective experience of truth which is external or intersubjective.They also wrote about man's inauthenticity , his alienation and  his difficulty in living a genuine life . Unfortunately, the standardization of mass society, mass communication ,propaganda and conformity, contributes to  the individual being  hopelessly lost.  

Also, Spinoza, Freud, Murray and others theorized about the unconscious,  life and death drives, urges, and the use of defense mechanisms that distort  man’s reality.  In fact, psychoanalysis was the treatment employed to assist  the individual to develop a true understanding of the motivational  dynamics occurring  within  the self.  Additionally,  Murray's ego needs like  the concept of abasement describes man's pursuit of pain, injury, which is irrational. In other words, objectivity, reason and truth are difficult to obtain because of man's irrationality tendency. Freud's treatment was predicated on the belief that psychoanalysis could assist iman in  finding, interpreting reality, the  truth about themselves and that  productive work and love are signs of mental health and his humanness. Similarly, Rand believed that  productive achievement is man's noblest activity .

Enter protagonist John Galt, the inventor of the "motor" , the leader of the intellectual and productive strikers who are opposed to the looters and moochers.. The looters profited from  the hard-earned wealth and the productive function of the others.  The looters were  also proponents of high taxation, government ownership, government spending, government planning, regulation, redistribution. They were bureaucrats and government officials  who confiscated the  earnings of others by the implicit threat of force.  For example,  grain from Minnesota was withheld and confiscated  from some for another  interest group . Some  citizens starved , others did not . Additional examples of  being exploited - nationalized industries , monopolies ,and with the  railroad legislature regulators that legally sold supplies for their own profit.  They also used force to secure property from the people who produced or earned

The moochers were unable to produce anything of value themselves.  They appealed to the moral right.  They enabled the lawful seizure by the government.  They were the needy expliters ,freelancers and believed they were entitled.

John Galt’s soliloquy  beautifully encompasses  Rand’s philosophy . "I'm on strike…..  Live for yourself  …  No such thing as Original Sin ,not serving others ,....  Don't give up the pursuit of your own happiness in order to serve others."  Work will change when you're ready to pronounce this oath .  "I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man and ask another man to live for the sake of mine."

Pertaining to productivity also leads us to Karl Marx's ideas pertaining to work within capitalism..  Marx wrote about the notion that the essence of man's existence is alienated from his essence and that in reality he is not what he potentially is.  He is not what he ought to be and that he ought to be what he should be.because of his work.

Work was the active relatedness of man to nature which also includes intellectual  as well as artistic activity.  According to Marx, "labor is alienated because the work has ceased to be part of the workers nature and consequently he does not fulfill himself in his work, but denies himself as a feeling of misery rather than well-being, which is not developed freely or are his mental and physical energies.  He is physically and mentally exhausted .’  

When man becomes alienated from himself., the product of labor becomes "an alien object which dominates him.  The relationship is the same as the relationship to the sensuous external world and natural objects are in alien and hostile worlds.  Capitalism interferes with the strength of his own creative work.  And secondly, the objects of his own work become alien beings and eventually rule over him, becoming powers, independent of his power . Labor exists for the process of production and not for the process of production for the labor."  Simply put, in capitalism, man's labor interferes with his ability to  fully develop himself. He becomes a servant or slave  to his oppressors. He also becomes unable to develop his true loving nature.He becomes obedient , non productive and  oppressed . This  exemplifies John Galt’s oath.

The importance and significance of work is clearly stated in Freud's quote "love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness."   In essence, work reflects our efforts to contribute to society. fulfilling our ego ideal ambitions ( meeting ego needs of achievement and understanding) and resulting in personal fulfillment which is associated and contributes to positive aspects of our self-esteem. Work that is productive  represents aspects by expressing our talents, skills and creativity while making meaningful contributions to society.   It's our productivity that enables us to make meaningful contributions to our society. That follows  in the direction of actualizing our human side.  It's the opposite of alienation ,and  corresponds with Rand’s thinking .  

Rand depicts a warning and prophecy of  a greedy, narcissistic,exploitive totalitarian government run by the powerful few. The head of state  ( our  newly elected president has never been associated with productive work) had his enemy Galt tortured because he wouldn't cooperate and submit even though he's promised a powerful government job.  In the end, this totalitarian government falls. The ideas of Marx, the existentialists, Freud, Murray and Rand pertaining to man are insightful , cogent and  associated with man's well-being.

PS

Dad told me to  get an education and use my mind , not my back . He also said be your own boss.  Right on dad.

Reference

Cofer,C.N. & Appley, M.H. Motivation Theory and Research.

Phones and Violence

 An article titled "Phones Fueling Violent Scenes At US Schools" in December 15, 2024. edition of the New York Times was troubling to say the least.  Are the public schools out of touch and failing to provide an appropriate learning environment for our students ? How Is our  society contributing and making our learning environment dysfunctional  ?  How are  the parenting practices contributing to the violence?  This disquisition pertains to the above questions.

The article in question described a series of physical fighting , cyber bullying and taking part in aggressive disruptions occurring in a number of  public schools in our country.  These disruptions included a variety of aggression that included both boys and girls punching, kicking, turning over tables and chairs. In fact one student died  .Also, school officials were being thrown into lockers  as well.  Students shared and jostled to film these disruptions on their phones and provided an opportunity for  more students  to become involved  both actively and passively in the chaos. Some students were suspended.; police were hired and school boards became involved and received pressure from angry parents.  Instagram and Tik Tok were platforms used as well as publicity from  TV newscasts. Yes, phones are just one  contributing factor to this sadistic chaos.

Also contributing and an environmental and social factor is the school environment.  Are the teachers burnt out and disinterested; are the school administrators inept and powerless; and/ or are the school boards punitive, reactive, and  out of touch with their  primitive and punitive philosophy of what is appropriate as far as a meaningful education  along the understanding of adolescent development  and our history of violence ?

What about the social influence of our aggressive ,violent and inequality within our society?  The  history of man is associated with violence.  Fighting each other is not new.  Bullying with prejudice and hate against others is also part of man's behavior regardless of setting.  Filming violence is not novel.  For example, the filming of the Rodney King debacle years ago turned out positive and revealed police brutality and injustice.  Modeling, imitation and influence of radio ,TV ,movies, novels and now social media is associated with both positive and negative influence on behavior .  Perhaps, the school board might limit cell phone availability of their students during the school day.  Yes, that would cause separation anxiety for many.  Would it eliminate  or reduce the amount or frequency of fighting and  bullying behavior during the school day?  A necessary research project could evaluate the impact, if any, with a  policy regarding the phone. Does the availability of having that phone during the school day contribute to an increase in learning?

A few research findings pertaining to the acting out and delinquent adolescent are as follows: 1.  Within the rapid  physiological, psychological, emotional, and cognitive growth of the adolescent are major differences.  There is cognitive and intellectual development immaturity  with those in early adolescence .There is also more egocentricity and less empathy . With normal development they become more mature, with empathy for others .With formal thought, adolescents are  now able to reason,create hypothetical deductions with relativity and are strongly grounded in reality. Those immature adolescents are limited  both cognitively and morally.  2 When parents are cruel, inconsistent, sadistic or antisocial,  those teens fearing a cruel parent  may express hostility by placing it and acting out what was done to him on to others  3.  Those who identify with their parents  antisocial characteristics, also engage in their delinquency .  Girls may defensively identify with their father and become tomboyish.  4.  Those with disturbed parent  communication and openness, result   in developing a negative self-concept ,mistrust of the adult world,  more dependent on the peer culture for their gratifications, begin dating  earlier looking for that mother figure, don't do well academically, experience more psychological pain, and are  less happy and more critical of their environment.  5.  Families of divorce, mental and physical  illness, social and economic inequities, and  minorities are associated with teens who have more emotional, social, and academic difficulties. 6.  Those adolescents that idealize powerful acting out role models in their ego ideal tend to follow that leader and tend to lose themselves in group participation while becoming active followers.  7. Those with a negative self-concept.and Identity diffusion are more  anxious . The consequences result in the need to conform to the peer group  .These alienated teens see themselves as outsiders, and  persecuted .They turn towards the world with bitterness and revenge and they have a low capacity for academics and  yearn for intimacy with their unmet dependency needs  .

For those troubled teens, there is both the sadism of the aggressors and the passivity  and aggressiveness of the followers. The following  ego needs  are apparent . Affiliation ,being part of the group, a follower  with dependency . Aggression,to attack , fight; and act out .Exhibition to make an impression, to be seen ,to be heard by others ,.Abasement, submit to external force ,to accept punishment from those bullies are just a few of the ego needs met.

These troubled teens acted out, not alone, but in front of an audience.  That audience was not totally passive.  It filmed the event, thus reinforcing the  exhibition of the occurrence; the sadistic ,macho behavior,  which is necessary  to mask their insecurities.  The passive aggressive teens did not report the incident to authorities, but distributed it instead to other members of their "group" making everyone  complicit and a follower ,and part of this anti-social display . Those that did not report this incident to authorities have identified with the  acting out "group." All of them deserve  concrete consequences.  They used modern-day technology, not for the good of society but for their own narcissistic, inadequate selves , suggesting  a symptom of identity diffusion.

Phone technology can be a symptom of those highly dependent on this device and contribute negatively to society . Secondly,  psychodynamically the foundation for personality behavior occurs prior to adolescents.  Third,, the preponderance of negative social influences  occurring within the family and society contribute and expose the mental sickness of the culture.  If you're a teen athlete with special skills , artistically or intellectually gifted , you  are more  likely not to be a participant in this school chaos . Becoming a teacher once was associated with status and  an honorable profession ,doesn't seem that attractive today.  Unfortunately, acting out negatively by adults and adolescents is too ingrained in our culture. 

References

Mussen, P.H., Conger, J.  J and Kagan, J.  Child Development and  Personality.  

Offer, Daniel.  The Psychological World of the  Teenager.

Revisiting Mental Toughness

  

On February 10, 2011 I began writing weekly essays. I was delighted when Tony, for my 85th birthday, facilitated the collection of all my written essays with PixxiBook .  In essence, there are eight volumes in total, titled "It Has Nothing to Do with Age." Each hardbound cover has familiar photographs pertaining to those essays. This essay is revisiting the Mental Toughness comments that I wrote in 2015 employing a few personality variables . On the cover of Volume 4, are pictures that include  U of M’s  Big House stadium; U of M’s and NFL alumni Mike Keller, Jim Betts and myself at a table during Jim Brandstetter's U of M alumni  radio show with  U of M and NFL coach Jim Harbaugh; Denby and MSU  football coach Ed Rutherford; Ed Budde  All American and NFL great and I being photographed by the Detroit Free Press in our Denby football jerseys and a football ticket  of the historic Michigan -Ohio state game in 1969, being held by Jim Betts.  

A few examples from the 2015.essays include the mental toughness of Mohammed Ali, Joe Frazier, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, the perseverance of the Hebrew people wandering in the desert with Moses for  40 years , Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame,  Lieut. Louis Zamperini, Viktor Frankel, Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy.

In reference to personality development , the psychological importance of the caretaker is second to none. I was blessed and fortunate to have  my mother .  Mom was a mature 30 year old, self-assured, competent, smart, giving and nurturing.  Being a firstborn male ,mom directed her attention to my well-being. The mutuality of my ego requirements of warmth ,comfort ,security and safety needs  occurred during breast-feeding . I was blessed to experience well-established consistency, care and love.  With consistency, regularity and love,  I developed a sense of trust.  I could  then and later always count on mom being there for me.  Mom was my first important identification figure.  

During superego  development, the ego ideal is an organization used in evaluating experience and behavior.  It is considered an unrealistic part of the superego that has its origins in the narcissistic over evaluation of the self and an idealized image of parental power and perfection.  It's one of the major sources of dissatisfaction with life.as it’s  unattainable for the most part.  However, the ego ideal is also responsible for a great deal of achievement as one is able to keep centered with a belief in one's potential capacities.  It also can lead a person to become better than he is, resulting in a considerable amount of accomplishments, which reinforces self acceptance.

Identification is another significant variable in personality development.  It can be conscious or unconscious, and initially one becomes like his parents. I was able to internalize the achievement, accomplishment, status,  competence ,nurturance and intellectual characteristics of my parents.  These internal " presescences" assisted with a  regulating influence with my behavior.  I was able to hold onto these character traits as they became  me whether or not mom and dad were present .Additionally  during development ,I identified with many others, especially those in the sports field.

Detroit is a major sports city. The heroics of Ty Cobb, Charlie Gehringer , Al Kaline, Harry Heilmann, Hal Neuhauser, and of course my favorite Hank Greenberg.were well known .  I listened to Van Patrick on the radio, went searching for Art Houtman's house on E. Outer Dr. and enjoyed the exploits of Johnny Groth, the Detroit Tigers centerfielder.  The Detroit Lions that  I admired  included Dick Night Train Lane, Bobby Lane,Hunchy Hoernschemer , Cloyce Box , and especially my favorite identification figure Doak Walker.  As far as the Detroit Red Wings, Terry Sawchuk , Red Kelly ,Alex Delvecchio and the production line of Sid Abel , Ted Lindsay and of course my favorite Gordie Howe.  I remember when Eddie Shack of the Toronto Maple Leafs injured Gordie.  That occurrence was so upsetting that I hated that  player.  The Detroit Pistons on the other hand were so-so even with Dave Bing . My friend, player - coach Dave  De Busschere, in spite of his talent , couldn't bring the NBA  trophy to Detroit. I also listened on the radio  to the  1950 snow bowl game between U of M and OSU. Boxing greats Joe Lewis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Marvin Hagler were a few of the champion Detroiters.

During my elementary school years, I have a picture of me in a T-shirt, baseball hat and Levi's swinging a Louisville slugger  bat . I  also fondly remember my next-door neighbor Al Noseda at 14943 Evanston Avenue . Al bought me a terrific baseball glove.  Aunt Sarah ,a Tiger fan , took me to my first professional baseball game.During the day or after school I went searching for friends to start  or join a baseball or football  pick up game.  I loved  playing team sports. 

 During elementary school, John R. Tunis was my favorite author.  I read  and devoured books like The Kid from Tomkinsville, Rookie of the Year, High Pockets, and All  American, Thank you Wayne elementary school library .  I can't remember the librarian's name.  Also, my friend and fiercest competitor was Tom Smith.  In college, Tom played for Dan Devine's Missouri Tigers and played in the Orange Bowl  After college, Tom became an elementary principal and unfortunately was killed in an automobile crash. 26 years ago my love was Judy that I met at a 40th Denby high school reunion. Judy dated Tom while at Denby.

The experience of identity is awareness of the self as a distinct entity, it's a perception of self based upon infancy , childhood ,self-image.  mental representation of objects or persons of great significance.  It's a conception of self, which is an integration of  ego needs, capacities, significant identifications, defenses and roles.  The conception of self is based on body image within ego development.  Feeling comfortable about one's own body ,receiving closeness and acceptance from those who mean so much to the individual are also factors of importance.

During adolescence, I became interested in dads heavy free weight York  barbell set and his reference on strength and  physique.  Dad took me to wrestling matches that seemed real.  Bert Ruby and Leaping Larry  Shane were favorites. During weight lifting workouts ,I had my brother Ron and friends hand me weights so I could do bench presses.  I worked on becoming stronger  also in order to improve my ability to play football.  Lifting free weights assisted in my body image and I remember admiring bodybuilder Steve Reeves in the movies.   I also followed the achievement of Norm Shamansky , a Detroit fireman weightlifter preparing for the Olympics.  When about 15, I visited Dad at the University of Michigan Hospital and met Terry Sawchuk, also a patient. Dad had me demonstrating to Terry.,my physicality.  He asked me to lift up the chair with one leg while holding my arm parallel to the floor.

 My ego needs of achievement were extreme as I worked to accomplish something difficult, as I wanted to excel and surpass others.  My friend Bob Barr introduced me to lifting enormous amounts of weights . We would do partial squats with  600 pounds . My bench presses improved and I nearly benched 400 pounds.  In P.  E, with  football coach  JackRice, I did 60 push-ups in a minute and 25 to 30 chins with little difficulty.  Of course, no one in the class could come close to my physicality and strength.  I wrestled  Ed Budde, my football teammate.. Unfortunately, I couldn't put him down nor could he put me down.  Also I wrestled at the same time two football friends , one  a tackle and the other a fullback from  nearby Notre Dame high school. I had no difficulty throwing  them around. 

Dad was supportive of my athletic pursuits.  He attended football practices and  high school and college games.  He formed Denby's Dad Club and attempted to reinstate our undefeated team for the city championship .  He was known as Big Ray to my friends.  One holiday I carried mail at his Kerchaval post office.  He Introduced me to so many employees and proudly  told them about my achievements.  During those times, we had one TV and we watched football games. 

The  extreme ego need of abasement also played a significant part in my self perception identity .  I accepted potential injury and expected pain while playing football ,lifting weights and ultra running.  Overuse injuries are common, and unfortunately I didn't experience any serious injury while  playing football or lifting weights.

 In my Ride and Tie experience and my ultra running, I experienced many overuse injuries.  Ibuprofen, ice, heat, Monster of Massage, Jim of physical therapy and Matt the chiropractor were invaluable treatments.  Running  the Western States 100 miles illustrated the strength, drive , striving, tenacity and perseverance and depth of my ego needs of achievement and abasement.  I'm one of 4 individuals that has completed Western States ,Tevis and 100 miles Ride and Tie , but the only one to have completed these three events in my 60s. In my  late 70s, I was running  Salmon Falls and Jed Smith 50 k's.  These events became more difficult.  Just prior to my 80th, I ran the Jed Smith half marathon and enjoyed that competition.  Then came Covid -19 and  I decided not to run in any more competitive runs.  

In order to meet my extremely  high levels of achievement, I had to set realistic goals which meant  a graduated series of successful completions, irrespective of the challenges, barriers or obstacles. Continued repetition of  goal setting success leads to a significant and higher level of aspirations  and expectancy of success . When the fear of failure of not completing the goal emerged , I trained harder.  Realistic goal setting success  leads to more successes . I expected success even when dealing with extreme  barriers and conditions.  I agree with Albert Bandura's statement "self belief does not necessarily ensure success, but self disbelief assuredly spawns failure .

There are many human examples of the term mental toughness.  When it comes to sports, the ego needs of achievement and abasement are apparent and necessary. Also, the personality variables of trust, ego ideal identifications and identity are some of the significant factors  necessary for tenacity, perseverance, and drive  for goal completion despite  all the hardships. The wise philosopher Epictetus  said, "it's the difficulties that show what men are."

PS

I just got off the phone with cousin Rick . He told me his father passed away..  Shell was one of my favorite cousins.  Rick and I talked about his dad and the U of M and Lion's victories.  I'm now the second oldest member of the family.  It's hard to believe.

Reference

Cameron, Norman..  Personality Development and Psychopathology    .  A Dynamic Approach.