Hysteria of Salem witch trial in comparison to the 1980s day care case Term Paper

Hysteria of Salem witch trial in comparison to the 1980s day care case hysteria, - Term Paper Example Peasants used witchcraft to invoke charms for agriculture and farming, which gradually transformed from white magic into dark magic with a growing association with evil spirits and demons. With an increasing association of superstitions with the devil, incidents of witchcraft persecutions also increased rapidly, causing panic that led to aggressive witch hunts (Adams 69). On the other hand, the daycare sex abuse hysteria of the 1980s was in the form of panic that featured claims of child abuse, specifically sexual abuse, and satanic ritual abuse against providers of daycare (Malloy, Lyon & Quas 164). As more mothers ventured into employment and had to be away from home, a large number of daycare centers opened up to care for their children. However, an outstanding case in California’s Kern County started a wave of panic, lasting for nearly a decade. Characterized by incredible accusations of children being sexually molested, the panic spread out of the United States to New Zea land, Canada and some countries in Europe (Malloy, Lyon & Quas 164). The most prominent cases in the United States were Kern County child abuse cases; McMartin preschool trial; Fells Acre Day Care Center; Wee Care Nursery School; Cleveland child abuse scandal; and Little Rascals Day Care Center (Malloy, Lyon & Quas 165). ... The two sets of trials originated from the behaviors of children and the statements they issued. Driven by hysteria, parents and doctors interpreted the statements and behaviors in extremely portentous and threatening ways, rather than innocent and rational interpretations. It is the panic that led the people to believe the remotely conceivable accusations placed by children, ignoring all the inconsistencies as narrated by either scared, confused or preconditioned children. In both sets, literature analyses show that the prosecutors were asking leading questions. Repetitive questioning led to multiplication of the accusations and with the heightened spread of the hysteria, there were new targets of the accusations. Most of them were those that defended the accused or showed cynicism about the charges. The hysteria and bias against the accused in both sets of trials led the prosecutors and investigators to find meaning in very unlikely places. For example, in the Salem trials, the inv estigators concluded that a mole on an accused person’s body was an entry or sucking point for evil spirits and demons. On the other hand, it was concluded that drawing hands by children on stick figures was evidence of them having been molested in the daycare cases. Another unlikely conclusion in the daycare cases drawn was that the hatred of tuna fish by a child was caused by exposure to vaginal odor (Malloy, Lyon & Quas 162). The insistence and use of leading questions by the investigators rendered the investigations themselves as the roots of multiple problems. Effectively, the accused were faced with the burden of proving their own innocence in both sets of trials. For example, in the Salem trials, the

Does Inernational Trade hurt the Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Does Inernational Trade hurt the Economy - Essay Example Opponents and supporters have raised their opinions in numerous election campaigns, interviews and journals. In essence, various studies have been carried out to identify the problems and benefits that accrue from international trade. Japan is one of the countries that have been affected either negatively or positively by this trade. This is because of its diversified trade that depends mainly on trade in the international market. Countries benefit when they trade. When these countries produce different product, they benefit to a greater degree. For the past decade, Japan has benefitted immensely from its interaction with other in the international market. In reference to a study conducted by Flaherty (1999), international trade improves a country’s technology and improves the productivity levels in turn. This has been the case with Japan which has seen the level of technology improve due to raw materials from trade partners and available market for the finished goods in other countries. Flaherty (1999) asserts that the employment available becomes efficient and average incomes increase and the levels of standards of living improve. Statistics indicate that since Japan involved itself with international trade the living conditions for the local citizens have improved tremendously. In addition, since the elimination of the trade barriers as a result of globalization, Japan has witnessed a decrease in in flation and unemployment rates. Needless to say, international trade has caused a decrease in prices of commodities and increased product quality and choice. Increased International trade has triggered an increase in Japan Products. Japan exports of goods and services have highly generated income. For many years, the country had experienced deficits in its trade balance. Increased International trade has reduced the deficit that has been contributed by higher imports and low exports. This has