Personal+Issues

Before you make your final decision about a topic, get to know it a bit. Check out the books and articles in the large study room and/or follow a couple of the links included below.
=== Questions to ask when selecting a topic: ===
 * 1) How much information is available? Is it readily available or do I have to dig deep?
 * 2) Is the information credible? written by an expert? current?
 * 3) Is the information written on a level I can understand?

Can traditional TV survive the Internet Age? > Can skateboarding become safer and less bothersome to others?
 * http://library.cqpress.com.proxy067.nclive.org/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2014041100

Should cameras and theft-tracking devices be outlawed in schools?
 * http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2010/02/school_computer_spying_allegat.html

Should individuals pay for rescue missions if their situation was avoidable?
 * http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/opinion/when-gps-leads-to-s-o-s.html

Are there policies and practices that discourage bullying and support the victims?
 * http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/nyregion/bullying-law-puts-new-jersey-schools-on-spot.html?scp=2&sq=bullying&st=Search
 * http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/how-should-schools-address-bullying/?scp=3&sq=bullying&st=Search

Should ATM use be regulated for better safety?
 * http://www.atvsafetynet.org/

Should there be tighter restrictions on recreational boating to increase public safety?
 * http://national.news21.com/blog/124
 * http://www.uscgboating.org/
 * http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/reqequip.htm
 * http://www.boatus.com/gov/

Are parents too concerned about raising youngsters to fit traditional gender roles? (open-gender?)
 * http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/is-raising-a-gender-neutral-child-a-fantasy/2011/05/25/AGr1mPBH_blog.html
 * http://naturalparentsnetwork.com/open-gender-child/
 * http://news.discovery.com/human/gender-child-baby-society-boy-girl-110531.html

How does our standard of living and quality of life compare to the past?
 * http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-quality-of-life-map.html
 * http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/CreateaPlan/getting-ahead-you-only-think-so.aspx
 * http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/steckel.standard.living.us
 * http://www.gallup.com/poll/110140/gallup-daily-standard-living.aspx

2014-2015 Topics
How much should parents monitor and regulate their children's technology use?
 * http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/26/technology/software-helps-parents-monitor-their-children-online.html?pagewanted=all

Should North Carolina permit "right to die" options?
 * https://www.compassionandchoices.org/
 * http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-07-07/choosing-die

Is it possible to make teen drivers and their passengers be safer?
 * http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9662

Shopping Local: why we should invest in our community
Fantasy Sports - are they changing sports?

Importance of Summer Camp

Grief & Tragedy - how do you cope?

Paying College Athletes: Yes or No

Bullying - Flawed Society

Imaginary Friends - Crazy or Okay?

Effects of Divorce on Children

Should Americans be concerned about an overall loss of privacy?


 * http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2010/07/29/128854380/lost-privacy-innocence-on-the-internet

Does peer pressure help or hurt teens?
 * http://www.webmd.com/parenting/teen-abuse-cough-medicine-9/peer-pressure
 * NYTimes: using peers to sell - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/business/at-colleges-the-marketers-are-everywhere.html?scp=1&sq=on%20campus,%20it%27s%20one%20big%20commercial&st=cse
 * http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/blogs/nurture-shock/2009/09/23/teens-who-feel-more-peer-pressure-turn-out-better-not-worse.html
 * http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2008/04/25/7-questions-from-teens-about-peer-pressure-drug-experimentation

Treatment of Horses - Premarin
MMA Fighter Rights

Should automobile drivers’ telephoning and texting be restricted or curtailed when they’re operating a vehicle?
 * http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128220944
 * http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113078186
 * http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/03/more_evidence_against_textingw.html

** 2011-2012 Topics **
Willpower

Do parents over-protect their children?


 * http://alphamom.com/parenting/parenting-health-safety/are-our-children-overprotected/
 * http://www.teachingexpertise.com/articles/supporting-young-children-to-engage-with-risk-and-challenge-2089
 * http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2695983/are_children_being_overprotected.html?cat=25
 * http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1064502/Parents-micro-families-breed-protected-children-afraid-risk.html

** 2010-2011 Topics **
Should more people have positive attitudes?
 * See Mindsets and [|Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America]

Adoption: Cultural aspects

Should more boys be encouraged to take part in Scouting programs?

What can be done to combat the growing problem of hazing among younger students?


 * http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102233763

Would simplifying and standardizing international adoption procedures encourage more families to pursue this option?

Should teenagers be prohibited from talking on cell phones while driving?

Is it possible to praise a child too much?  Should North Carolina permit "right to die" options?
 * See Mindsets.
 * https://www.compassionandchoices.org/
 * http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-07-07/choosing-die