Two Weeks Graduated

People keep asking me how do I feel after graduation, what have I been up to these days, and what are my plans now. I would like to address those questions with the following.

1. Graduation has not hit me. You see, BYU-Idaho does a track system. I do not feel like explaining what that is exactly, but it basically allows for more students to attend the University. I am (was) on the Fall/Winter track, so I attend from September to April. When I graduated and moved back to Washington it just felt like I was coming home for the summer break. I do not think it will hit me until September comes around and I am not buying books or back to school clothes.

2. Graduation was great! I will not lie, I was stressing because I was trying to get all my work done, pack, clean, and I was having both sets of parents come together. Last time that happened, I was graduating from High School! But it all turned out nicely! Everything went smoothly. I was not able to show them all my favorite places, but I think I was also ready to get out of Rexburg.
My mission President and his wife did attend my graduation to my parents were able to meet them! How lucky am I??!? That was super sweet!! Oh and also don't forget THE Shannon Durr was there and so was my Oma! Man, I must be loved or something.

The Saturday after we made the trek back to Washington. The last time I will do that drive! Since being home I have been with my family. My mom works and so I hang out at home. I have done a few chores and projects for her which has been good so I do not go crazy. I also finished watching FRIENDS on Netflix and the show Freaks and Geeks. Which side-note, why the heck did Freaks and Geeks not get more than one season? That show freaking rocks!

Tonight I began to pack for Alaska. I am trying to pack light. Only one checked bag and the two carry ons. I think I am doing a pretty good job. We will see. I always get antsy at the end of packing and start throwing random things in.

3. On Friday I am going to be in ALASKA! I am so excited to be back up there! I have missed it and I feel more prepared than last year. And I know of adventures I want to go on and such. It is going to be awesome! I will also begin to study for the GRE to take in October. Then at the end of October I am going to Orlando with Shannon and then I will begin to apply to graduate school and try to get a big girl job.

Next time you hear from me, I will be in ALASKA! Get ready for the overload! (:

Senior Project Part III

In about a week I will be receiving a diploma case and will be packing up my stuff in my family’s car and leaving Rexburg. It feels surreal! With finals come close, everything in winding down so it is perfect timing for me to report on my last three public policies!

4. Venezuela and Family Planning

            Compared to other South American countries, Venezuela faces the highest teen pregnancy, STD, and HIV infection rates and there does not seem like there can be a decrease in the areas unless the government gets involved and takes action.
            It has been recently reported that a 36 pack of Trojan condoms cost around 4,760 bolivars (estimated to be $750 USD). As the inflation of condom prices continues, there is still a concern for the people of Venezuela’s sexual health.
            Not only are condoms at risk of disappearing, but there are other forms of birth control such as birth control pills, not being available, as well as anti-viral drugs for HIV patients that can help save those infected. Another thing to consider is the issue of abortions. Performing or getting an abortion is illegal in Venezuela, but with the lack contraception being available it is thought that women will turn to “back alley” abortion clinics to receive the help they desire.
            The most interesting thing I learned from this policy is that imports and exports do play a critical role in a country’s economy. With Venezuela’s relationship with oil, the citizens are suffering. It is unrealistic to teach sexual abstinence because there are married people who cannot afford to have children at this time and they want to use contraceptives. Who wants to tell married people they cannot have sex?
            This is one of my weaker policies because I do not fully understand economics and the oil industry. I think it would be beneficial if the University offered a class for those issues. While learning about this I did read about the Bill and Melanie Gates Foundation. Through this foundation they focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and the mission on their website states, “to significantly reduce the incidence of HIVinfection and extend the lives of people living with HIV”. I feel like it would be beneficial if a foundation like this, or even this specific one, would take the time to go down to Venezuela. 

http:/borderlessnewsandviews.com/2013/01/the-reality-of-honor-killings-and-anti-islamic-bias/

            5. Jordan and Honor Killings

            Honor killings are an extreme symptom of discrimination against women and a plague that affects different countries around the world, mainly in the countries populated by the Islam community. Honor killings are done against a woman who has brought “dishonor” on her family. These victims of honor killings are targeted because their behavior, actions or the actions of others done against them violated cultural or religious norms. The families feel the only way to restore family honor would be to harm or kill the victim—most of the time it is killing. Victims are shot, stoned, buried alive, strangled, or stabbed. There is no protecting provided. Many women who escape honor killings are put into correctional or rehabilitation centers.

Article 98: He who commits a crime due to extreme anger caused by an illegal, and to some extent dangerous act, committed by the victim benefits from reduced penalty.

            These laws need to be amended in order to protect women throughout Jordan. Another big issue of honor killing is that families that immigrate bring the tradition with them. While researching for this I came across an Afghan family living in Canada that killed a co-wife and three daughters. I owe a lot to what I learned from Honor Diaries. It is a documentary that discusses this issue. From this portion of my project I realized that it is not the Islam faith that is the problem, but the people, which we see in any culture or religion. Islam does not promote Honor Killings, but the attitude stems from tribalism. There is an average of 5000 honor killings reported to take place every year around the world and not all killings are reported. Because the practice of honor killings are often viewed as a religious practice, punishments are often overlooked for those who commit the crime.
            There are current laws in Jordan that protect families who murder their wives and daughters. The laws are as followed:

Article 340: (a) He who discovers his wife, or one of his maharim [female relatives of such a degree of consanguinity as precludes marriage], while committing adultery with another man and kills, wounds, or injures one or both of them, is exempt from any penalty; (b) He who discovers his wife, or one of his sisters or female relatives, with another in an illegitimate bed, and kills, wounds, or injures [one or both of them] benefits from a reduction of penalty

            The University of Cambridge has recently published a study on the attitude of teenagers in Jordan’s capital of Amman and revealed that almost half of boys and one in five girls believe that killing a wife, sister, or daughter who has brought shame and dishonor a family is justified. There was also evidence provided from the study that honor killings are not associated with religious beliefs but are cultural belief and tribalism.
            The survey was given to over 850 students. A majority of the attitudes showed support for honor killing, displaying that the support is more likely in adolescent boys with low educational backgrounds. The research concluded that religion and intensity of religious beliefs were not associated with support for honor killing. Instead, the main factors are patriarchal and traditional worldviews, with an emphasis placed on female virtue and a general belief that violence against others is morally justified.
            What I suggest to help in this case is to amend the penal code, establishment of shelters, and education.
6. China and Baby Hatches              In other counties, like Germany, baby hatches have shown success, children are being placed into homes or the parents are coming back to reclaim them. The baby hatches are there to provide help for the parents, specifically the mothers. However, in China this is a different story; baby hatches are hurting the system more because the children that are being left are sick and dying. Parents believe the orphanages can cure the infants, when in fact they cannot. Though this program provides safety for the children and the parent, it is not being used correctly or even helping the problem to be solved, but causing an increase of the issue at hand
I was able to see "The Drop Box" this semester and it was eye opening about how the baby boxes work and what they are used for. From what I have learned from research, the baby hatches are a better alternative than the abandonment of the children. Some would disagree and say it is bad for society. In China, there needs to be better restrictions on Child rearing. 

Abandoning children is an illegal act in China; however, like any other country it is still done. The Ministry of Civil Affairs came up with a plan to help with abandoning children; a program that encourages the usage of baby hatches. These hatches were created to help both the children and the parents. Some of the families do not feel like they can provide the basic necessities for their children and by placing a child in one of these facilities, the child can be taken care of and be placed in a home that is capable for providing.

So there you have it, my Senior project! I hope that I was able to share some information. I am hoping to continue on with these studies and make a difference.