The Truman Show Essay Factors Of Truancy What Causes Truancy? Truancy in America

1. The Truman Show Essay
The Truman Show
Utopia – A perfect world. Truman's world was an utopia. Everything, including the weather, was
controlled in a huge Hollywood dome. Truman grew up having no idea he was being watched
every hour of the day, and that every step he took was being viewed by millions all over the globe.
As the show progressed, it became clear how much media influenced Truman's life, and also how
Christof played a huge role in Truman's well–being.
First, the influence of media affects our lives in many ways. As The Truman Show ran 24/7, there
were no commercials. Therefore, the show had to generate an income by advertising products to the
viewers. For example, when Truman's wife showed off her recent purchase, a Chef Pal, she...show
more content...
Everything in Seahaven was operated by machines and computers. These computers were
basically controlled my Christof's orders. Early in his life, Truman was traumatized by his
father's death at sea. He grew up thinking it was his fault. Because of Christof's planning of the
death, Truman was always scared of water. The only way off of Seahaven was by boat, therefore
Christof knew he would be able to keep Truman under his control. Christof also did a good job of
increasing his audience numbers. When viewers saw the heart–felt moment of Truman reuniting
with his father years later, the number of viewers increased. Christof made the scene stand out by
changing camera angles and playing background music. In addition, since Truman wanted to make
his way to Fiji, Christof strategically planned different events in order to slow Truman down so he
wouldn't leave the island. An example of this is when Truman went to purchase a plane ticket, but
the flights were all sold out for over a month. Also, when the bus he was going to ride broke down.
This proves that Christof manipulated Truman for his own purpose. Christof controlled everything
in Truman's life from the weather to who Truman was going to spend his life with. All these points
prove how Truman was being used for Christof's benefit; to increase the show's ratings and to gain
an income.
The
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2. Factors Of Truancy
The prevalence of truancy continues to emerge at an unprecedented pace and is posing a challenge
to the government of Trinidad and Tobago. Recent research argues that this problem is not limited
to Trinidad and Tobago but has been occurring globally, throughout the twentieth century. Truancy is
an ongoing problem that occurs in many schools and it is mainly committed by students from as
early as, primary school and secondary school in the lower forms. However, often truancy is
practiced by girls between the ages of 14 – 15 and boys 16 –17 years but as they get older that
behaviour lessens (Bailey 2010). Students will be absent from school because of illness, family
emergency, accidents, funeral and so forth. They are also absent because of an appointment, good
and bad...show more content...
This is reflected by students being influenced by their peers, having poor relationships with their
peers, being bullied, and how the curriculum is delivered to the students (Reid, 2005)
Statement of the problem
Truancy is an ongoing problem in the Trinidad and Tobago education system.
Purpose of the study
The intent of this study was to examine the factors of truancy in a secondary school in central
Trinidad. The purpose of this study was to test the social control theory that relates low performance,
school environment, socioeconomic status, the family and the community to truancy of students
from the ages of 14 to 17 years. Truancy will be defined as an inexcusable absence from school or
class.
Significance of the study:
In order to arrest and address the problem of truancy, parents, educators, administrators and other
stakeholders need to make and implement informed decisions. This study will contribute to the
body of research on the issue and will provide empirical proof needed to develop effective, positive
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3. What Causes Truancy?
What Causes Truancy? The reason a student misses school will for different depending on the age
and circumstances of each student. Sometimes a student will skip school because they feel unsafe at
school or on their way to or from school. Other students may miss school because of family issues,
financial demands, substance abuse, or mental health problems. Factors contributing to truancy
commonly stem from three core areas: school, family and community. Innate student characteristics
and their experiences within all these areas will have a heavy impact on truancy rates.
Bad Influences
One of the common causes of truancy and disruptive behavior in children is the influence of friends
and peers. Many times these peers are seen...show more content...
For sure when a child gets married, gets pregnant and/or becomes a parent the risk of truancy
increases. Often times the risky behaviors are further instigated if the child develops or has already
developed an alcohol or drug problem.
Family factors that contribute to truancy in students are innately personal in nature. Parentally
condoned absence is especially influential, as it reinforces the lack of consequences for irresponsible
/unwanted behavior on the part of the child. Parental attitudes to education are crucial to schools
success in keeping children in school; often times a parent's condonation of truancy (albeit overt or
tacit) is construed as the parent's not valuing education. It is worth noting that many parents
indiscriminately sanction an absence by sending a note or making a call. Schools should be able to
enlist the support of parents when it comes to tackling truancy. When a parent doesn't value
education, wants their child to help them out at home or believes their child has good reasons for
staying away, the task is altogether more challenging. Many educators point to the prevalence of
so–called 'tourist truants': like children who stay two weeks in the French Alps missing vital parts
of their school curriculum. These kinds of trips give as negative a message to a child as a note for a
fortnight
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4. Truancy in America
ABSTRACT:
Truancy is the first sign that a youngster is giving up and losing his or her way. Research shows that
students who become truant and eventually drop out of school put themselves at a long–term
disadvantage in becoming productive citizens. Dropouts are more likely to be on welfare or
unemployed than high school graduates. High truancy rates are also linked to high daytime burglary
rates, vandalism, and juvenile gang activity. In some cities, unexcused absences can number in the
thousands daily. Combating truancy is a way for communities to reach out quickly to disaffected
young people and help families struggling with rebellious teenagers. This guide offers parents, school
officials, law enforcement agencies, and...show more content...
Kinder, Wakefield and Wilkin (1996) report on interviews with 160 children in Year 7 and above.
For the children, the main causes of truancy and disruption are described (in rank order) as:
The influence of friends and peers, who are seen encouraging truancy as a status–seeking activity or
as a way of joining in or blending in, and sometimes teasing or goading the child into truanting
Relationships with teachers, seen as lacking respect/fairness
The content and delivery of the curriculum, seen as lacking in relevance and stimulus
Family factors, either parental attitudes or family problems
Bullying; and
The classroom context, either because of teachers' inability to control, or problems arising from the
child's own personality or learning abilities.
The authors note the preponderance of boys in their sample, 'perhaps reflecting the gender bias of
disaffected behavior', but their interviewees range from the permanently excluded to those whose
behavior or attendance was just beginning to cause the school concern.
The views of professionals in schools and Education Welfare Services collected and analyzed by
Kinder, Harland, Wilkin and Wakefield (1995) also include personal factors, family and community
factors and school factors amongst the causes of truancy. Individual factors included: lack of
self–esteem/social skills/confidence; poor peer relations; lack of academic ability; special needs; and
lack of
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