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The Western Breeze · Issue 1

Features

October 2024 · Student reporting

Features

Double Standards Spark Debate

Did you know during the 60’s Double Standards existed but there wasn’t much attention brought to it since it was considered the “norm” of how things went back then. Have these “Double Standards” ever felt, I don’t know, a bit sexist? Have you ever been too scared of speaking up about this matter? Well, don’t be because today I will be talking about these things for you. Double standards are these standards they have set for a certain gender group most are very stereotypical and others are just arrogant and make absolutely no sense. A student named Trinity Radcliff, a senior student at Western Hills University High School, has expressed her feelings towards the matter. Radcliff says “I have strong feelings about double standards. I feel this way because so much is expected and barely anything is done.” Another Senior student at Western Hills University HS Juliette Temaj-Diaz also answers this question with her own opinion: “I feel that double standards are annoying and hypocritical. I feel that way because why have a set standard for one gender group and not the other?”

These quotes explain and tell us how most of these Double Standards are set and expected but only for a certain gender group and not the other which makes it completely unfair, and both agree that Double Standards shouldn’t be a thing at all and people should be able to do whatever they want. In other words, they believe people should be allowed to do whatever they want and it shouldn’t matter about their gender and people shouldn’t be expecting these things from others because of what their gender is or because of what they believe in. What do you think should be done? Should people believe in

Double Standards and use them in the real world? Should people feel obligated to follow these Standards? Let’s hear what Megan Groat. 12th Grade English Teacher, had to say about this matter: “I feel that those who have societal privilege create double standards” In the most simplest terms to what Mrs. Meg had to say that basically she believes only certain individuals in different gender groups are the ones who tend to create these double standards. They were grown to feel obligated to pass it onto others who weren’t raised the same way as they were.

Features

Music’s Power to Heal

Music is able to help people in all kinds of ways. Respondents say that listening to music improves their mental health by helping them stay sane (85%), boosting productivity (85%) and greatly decreasing loneliness (79%). Music is a very effective way to help a person relieve their stress, cheer themselves up, and many other things. (Sound United). Music is an art form that combines either vocal and instrumental sounds using form, harmony, and expression of emotion to convey soothing sounds to the listener. Music represents many different forms that are important in cultures around the world.

Listening to music can majorly help a person’s stress and reduce it. Music engages with a person’s emotions and triggers responses in our brain that help counter stress. Paul Dombrowski, a teacher at , sees music as an important part of his life. "It energizes me, but also calms me down," Dombrowski explains, saying how music serves both as a calming and energizing force. He listens to a wide variety of music, noting that while he listens to "everything except country." The genre isn't as important as the emotional and psychological effects that music can provide. Dombrowski believes that music's ability to ease stress is undeniable, stating, "100% yes," when asked if music can help reduce anxiety. Skyler Welbers, an 11th grade student at , finds music essential for zoning out other noises and creating a more focused environment. "It helps by zoning out other noises and replaces it with soothing sounds," he shares.

Welbers, who prefers hip-hop, describes music as an "assistant to things like doing work," highlighting its role in helping him concentrate on tasks and making mundane activities more enjoyable. Ariel Hemphill offers another view on the effect of music, specifically in emotional processing and relaxation. For Hemphill, music is deeply personal and therapeutic. "The beat relaxes my body. It is difficult to explain," she says, capturing how music helps her unwind after a long day.

She finds that music can also help in emotional processing, noting, "Sometimes I think crying can help you process things, and music can help with that." Hemphill, who listens to a wide range of music with a preference for a good beat, describes music as a "love language," underscoring its capacity to connect people to their emotions and to each other. The benefits of listening to music, whether for relaxation, focus, or emotional clarity, are widely recognized. While differ on whether students should be allowed to listen to music whenever they feel like it, there is a consensus on its positive impact. Dombrowski, Welbers, and Hemphill all agree that music can play a significant role in improving mood and concentration, especially during independent work. As Hemphill suggests, "During independent work, yes.

When a teacher is instructing, no," reflecting a balanced approach to integrating music into educational settings. In conclusion, music's influence on relaxation and stress relief is powerful and multifaceted. Whether it is Dombrowski's "everything except country" playlist, Welbers' hip-hop beats, or Hemphill's emotionally driven songs, music remains a universal tool for managing stress, enhancing focus, and navigating complex emotions. As these voices suggest, the right song at the right time can make all the difference in our daily lives.

Features

Succumbing to Social Media: Pros and Cons

Have you ever gotten social media and felt extremely overwhelmed or surprisingly inspired by a post or a song? Social media has impacted people in so many different ways. Social media is very popular and is one of the main things people get on when they get on their phone. Social media allows you to have your own personal account, where you can add people and contact people as well. You can also post and share your personal opinion to the world and post important information as well. But social media isn't all good; there are a lot of pros and cons that come with social media. Mr. Scott Shepard, Western Hills Assistant

Principle states that “social media isn't so healthy for the mind because it is very addicting, and also persuades false images”. This is one of the cons of having social media. Having social media can impact people in negative way as well. One way to avoid conflicts on social media like this one is, being able to block people. Making them no longer able to contact you in any way on that platform account. You can also make your social media accounts private. The pros of having social media is just as high as the cons. For example, people have started business brands and even expanded their knowledge.

People make thousands of dollars from posting on social media, and people can also start their business by using social media as well. Social media is a way people make their money, inform people about important information, and learn new things. Social media can also be a way of protection. Mrs. Jillian Whitaker, Western Hills 9th grade ELA teacher states, “live streaming in dangerous situations brings awareness to injustice.” While the person who was live streaming was in danger, the viewers could be calling the police or they could be eyewitnesses to the crime and inform the police so that they can find the suspect. There are so many pros and cons of having social media.

Good, bad and sometimes in the middle but there's always a solution to the conflicts presented to us on social media. “Sometimes we have way too much compassion, we forget that not everything on social media is real,” Whitaker says.

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