Articles written by S.S. McDaniel

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About me - S.S. McDaniel

I am a history (and formerly history/psychology) major. I am working towards a doctorate in Tudor English history, which I will use to become a professor.

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Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Methods Should parents use corporal punishment to discipline children?: 4 of 52
The simple answer is yes. Which of the following would make you less likely to repeat your actions: getting yelled at not to touch a hot curling iron or being allowed to touch it? (and thus getting burned) I think almost unanimously you would have to agree that touching the iron would be the best lesson. And is that not the ... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Psychology Do nice guys really finish last?: 9 of 81
A person who goes out of their way to be nice, who will bend over backwards to be liked, will finish last. These people are not necessarily nice, but rather seeking some sort of approval or confirmation of their existence through others. A truly nice person, however, is capable of being firm without being nasty. This trait i... More..
Relationships & Family > Gay & Lesbian Issues Should bisexuals be considered homosexuals?: 3 of 25
I could not help but chuckle a bit when I read this debate title: Should bisexuals be considered homosexuals? A bisexual, as the word should indicate, is a person sexually interested in either sex. This means that, unlike homosexuals, a bisexual can be attracted to the opposite sex. This also means that, unlike heterosexuals... More..
Health & Fitness > Alcoholism Does having a drinking age of 21 contribute to binge drinking and alcohol abuse among college students, as claimed recently by a group of university presidents?: 2 of 12
As a college student, I can say first hand that the drinking age contributes to binge drinking. College students are often out on their own for long periods of time for the first time in their life. No going home to Mom and Dad, who can smell the alcohol on you on get you in trouble for it and no having to explain your behav... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing & Rating at Helium Who should rate Helium debate articles:Those who agree or disagree?: 3 of 17
When a person reads an article, he or she is naturally inclined to read it through a filter of their own thoughts and experiences. As such, a person who is, for example, strongly anti-abortion will not be able to read a pro-choice article without putting a negative filter over it. This person reading this article may take in... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting (Other) How well do you know your child?: 1 of 5
Parents often believe that because they have raised a child and been present for most of its life that they know their children. In a way, this is true. As a person who spends so much time with the child, the parent is in a unique position to know more than average about the child's surface. A parent knows that their child w... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Weddings (Other) The best reasons to hate weddings: 1 of 4
Reasons for guests to hate weddings: 1. You will probably have to dress up nicely (read: uncomfortably), most likely in weather too warm for any outfit you own. 2. You will have to sit through some type of ceremony, which is many cases can be very long and boring. Hopefully, you don't fall asleep or otherwise express your bo... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms An attempt to define heroism: 4 of 15
Heroism is an act which benefits another person or thing, sometimes to the detriment of the "hero." Most people use the word "hero" in reference to fairy tales, but it is just as likely to see real life acts of heroism. Truly, who of us can say that the men and women who went into the Trade Centers to pull out trapped people... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting (Other) Information your babysitter should have about your family: 5 of 18
The very first thing a babysitter should know about your family is your emergency contact information. Should anything happen to your child, your house, your pets or the sitter themselves, they need to be able to contact the proper people and initiate a proper response. Imagine that your child has an accident and the sitter ... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Child Discipline Strategies Dealing with difficult children: How to get your child an attitude adjustment: 7 of 23
Every child, at some point in their life, will go through a difficult period. Most of the time these attitude problems occur around a big change in their life: starting school, moving, the divorce or death of parents, and commonly puberty among other things. WHAT NOT TO DO It is very important to remember that these difficul... More..