Sacred Cow-Sacred Car

QUESTION: Why is the cow considered sacred in India? Harris mentions that we have a "sacred" car. List the functions of the Americans' "sacred" car in the same way that Harris does with the functions of the Indians' sacred cow.

The belief that the cow is considered sacred in India is an integral part of Hinduism because it is essential for the maintenance of Indian society.  In Marvin Harris’ article “India’s Sacred Cow”, he describes the functions of the cow as: serving as a symbol of health and abundance, being a producer of yogurt and ghee, as well as being a producer of dung for fire & fertilization. However, of all its functions Harris asserts that the cow’s most important function is it’s breeding, by which the existence of the oxen and bulls essential to the survival of the Indian agriculture is assured. 

For much of American society, the car is not just a serviceable machine to aid one in the pursuit of getting from point A to point B. The “sacred” American car is one of the most important status symbols of our society. The newer and more costly a car one drives, the more prosperous it’s driver is presumed. Ironically, this is often not the case.  People so badly want to be bathed in the golden light of wealth and prosperity, that they often “purchase” cars far more expensive than budget allows, thus worsening the driver’s true economic status. 

The “sacred” American car is an extension of one’s personal space.  The car can be used as a mode of self expression, by means of bumper stickers, plastered on the car, proclaiming the driver’s moral and ethical beliefs, sense of humor, hobbies, likes, dislikes, pride in offspring, etc., etc. Even the paint job and accessories of a car can speak to the personality of its driver. There are drivers who get murals painted on cars and some install elaborate sound systems with which to inflict the chosen song of the moment on other people nearby. Whether the general public wants to hear the music or not, is not relevant apparently.

The sacred American car often times also serves as a “dining room”, since Americans live such frenzied lives that many meals are eaten on the go, in the car en route from one activity to another. Likewise, the car can serve as a “living-room” of sorts, equipped with multiple TV’s, DVD/Blue Ray players, CD Players, IPOD players, Phones, Sirius XM Radio-providing commercial free broadcast of news, sports, comedy, audio books, traffic, weather and a ridiculous amount of music choices. The “sacred” American car can also serve as a means of facilitating amorous endeavors of teenagers without any other available place of privacy, or the means to “rent a room”.  The car can also serve as a sort of “baby nursery”. It is a common practice for parents of colicky babies to drive the baby around in the car, allowing the car to lull the baby to sleep. The car also can literally serve as an actual “home” for those who find themselves in the unfortunate position of being homeless.

The “sacred” American car also often provides a medium for release of pent up aggression, expressed in the form of road rage. This is not a healthy medium in which to release aggression, as it is dangerous. Nevertheless, it remains the chosen medium for many unhappy/passive aggressive people.   An interesting phenomenon with connected with the “sacred” American car is the issue of emotional attachment.  Some drivers become emotionally attached to cars, and refer to the car as “she”, or even name the car, usually assigning a feminine name.

The “sacred” American car can also function as a means of employment. The auto industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that employs masses of people.  The oil and tire industry are also dependent on the existence of the “sacred” American car.

And finally, there is a whole subset of society that “worships” cars, and car drivers, in particular, race cars and race car drivers.  NASCAR, the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that has millions of fiercely loyal fans.  The driver’s race cars are covered with sponsor’s advertising slogans, companies which NASCAR fans naturally support as well.

"No-Fault" Divorce

QUESTION: Before “no fault” divorce laws were enacted, divorce was a relatively rare occurrence, permitted only when a sound reason (such as abuse) could be established.  Given that divorce places children and adults at risk for numerous negative outcomes, should “no fault” divorce laws be revoked?
 
It can be offered that no-fault divorce laws came about as a reactionary defense against an overwhelming inundation of work to the Family Court System. Before the adoption of no-fault laws, one marriage partner would have to prove the other party acted in a way to cause the breakdown of the marriage. This requirement brought a lot of extra work to the court system. The judges and lawyers would have to spend a lot of time finding out who was lying and who really did what to whom. The no-fault divorce laws have certainly made the judicial process faster.

I don’t know for sure if revoking no fault laws is the answer to the problem of marital discord in America. I think if someone wants out of their marriage, the home life situation can’t be that positive anyway. I don’t know that making the divorce process harder would really change how people treat each other. It might stop people from marrying though. But people live together and raise families unmarried also, so what difference would it make?

Ultimately, it is up to each person in the relationship to decide how they want to treat each other and if they want to stay in the relationship or not, no matter what laws are in place. If I were made to simply say yes or no to the question, I would say the no fault laws should not be revoked. It would seem to me to just prolong an inevitable end, causing more pain, and costing more money for everyone involved.

It is of interesting note that in some states (Louisiana, Arkansas and Arizona) there are laws that give couples the option to choose which laws they would want to apply to their divorce, should the marriage end. The options are “covenant marriage” or the no-fault option. In covenant marriage, couples agree to pre-marital counseling and to limit the grounds and options should they decide to divorce. Having to make that choice would certainly bring about an enlightening premarital discussion.

Undertakers

At the end of life when our physical body has to be disposed of, rituals have developed for those left behind. The caretakers of our remains and those who provide the ceremonies for the living in our society are the undertakers. What thoughts do you have after viewing the documentary entitled "The Undertakers"?

One of the most unenviable jobs in society has got to be that of an undertaker. Aside from the morose reality of dealing with dead bodies, the undertakers must also deal with the emotionally devastated loved ones of the deceased. I’m not sure which aspect of the profession would be the more difficult of the two. The average undertaker receives an annual salary of $34,690.00. This is not a great deal of money at all, which begs the question, why then do people choose to work in this profession?  In preparation for this assignment I looked for psychological research on workers in the undertaking industry. This appears to be a topic that has received only the slightest hint of investigation, and one I personally think bears further research.  The undertaking business depicted in the Frontline video was a multi-generational family run business. I imagine that family has continued on in the undertaking business mostly due to tradition. It takes a very strong person to choose to be involved in this profession. Though I consider myself a strong woman, I really can’t imagine myself working in this field, as it just seems it would be too depressing to deal with death on a regular basis. I am certainly thankful for those that do work in this field as it is necessary to our society.

"Late Adulthood"

Read through the policy issues related to late adulthood described in your textbook.

Take a moment to really think about one day facing such aspects in your own life.

What issues really move you now? What policies do you feel strongly about for those who are currently in late adulthood? What social problems make you angry?

Which ones make you fearful of facing when you reach this stage of life?

What issues are of the least concern? What could you do personally now, as a young person, to make an impact on the lives of elderly people? Remember, it will be you some day.

Late adulthood is the longest span of all the developmental stages of life. This stage is a time for life review, of looking back at what one has, and has not, accomplished throughout the years. When I reach late adulthood I hope to be walking side by side through life with my husband, watching each other grow old.  There are many in the stage of late adulthood that do not live a reality quite as rosy as I picture that of my future to be. There are elderly who are hungry, homeless, sick-and unable to obtain good health care. It is shameful that in America we do not value, and thus do not properly provide for the elderly. How did this come to pass? What is wrong with our society, that we allow this to continue?  It is obvious this is a problem that needs to be addressed; the question then is by whom?

As for what I could personally do now to make an impact on the lives of elderly people, realistically not much. At this point in my life I am committed to my own family and I don’t have much time to fight for better treatment for the elderly. What I can do is treat the elderly kindly and with respect when I encounter them. I can teach my children to do the same, and hopefully make an impression on other people as well, encouraging them to do likewise. The things I am personally fearful of facing in old age are Alzheimer’s disease, and widowhood. It is frightening to think of having only a tenuous grasp of reality, and even more frightening to think of facing that prospect on my own.