Write an argumentative essay on the cons of Condoms should be available, on an anonymous basis and without parental consent, to students in all New York City public middle and high schools.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Argumentative Essay: The Case Against Providing Condoms in New York City Public Schools Without Parental Consent
Introduction
The debate over providing condoms to students in New York City public middle and high schools without parental consent has sparked controversy and divided opinions. While proponents argue that access to condoms promotes sexual health and reduces teenage pregnancy rates, opponents raise concerns about moral implications, parental rights, and unintended consequences. This essay will present a critical examination of the cons of implementing a policy that allows for the anonymous distribution of condoms in schools without parental involvement.
Undermining Parental Authority
One of the primary concerns surrounding the distribution of condoms in schools without parental consent is the erosion of parental authority and involvement in their children’s sexual health education. By circumventing parental consent, schools risk alienating parents and undermining their role as primary caregivers and educators on sensitive topics such as sexual health.
Encouraging Risky Behavior
Critics argue that providing condoms without parental consent may send a mixed message to students, suggesting that engaging in sexual activity is condoned or even encouraged. This could potentially lead to an increase in risky sexual behavior among students who feel emboldened by the availability of contraceptives without the need for open communication with parents or responsible adults.
Moral and Ethical Concerns
The distribution of condoms in schools without parental consent raises moral and ethical questions regarding the values and beliefs of families and communities. Some parents may object to their children receiving condoms at school, citing religious or cultural reasons that prioritize abstinence or promote different approaches to sexual health education.
Lack of Comprehensive Sexual Education
Opponents of providing condoms in schools without parental consent argue that it may serve as a band-aid solution to a larger issue – the lack of comprehensive sexual education programs. Rather than focusing solely on the provision of contraceptives, schools should prioritize comprehensive sex education that covers topics such as healthy relationships, consent, and decision-making skills.
Legal and Liability Issues
Implementing a policy that allows for the distribution of condoms without parental consent could raise legal and liability concerns for schools and educators. In the event of adverse outcomes or misunderstandings, schools may face legal challenges from parents who were not consulted or informed about their children’s access to contraceptives on school premises.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the intention behind providing condoms in New York City public schools without parental consent may be well-meaning – aiming to promote sexual health and reduce teenage pregnancy rates – it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks and consequences of such a policy. By undermining parental authority, potentially encouraging risky behavior, raising moral and ethical concerns, neglecting comprehensive sexual education, and facing legal and liability issues, the anonymous distribution of condoms in schools without parental involvement may pose more significant challenges than solutions. Moving forward, a balanced approach that involves parents, educators, and policymakers in crafting effective sexual health education programs is crucial to address the complex needs of students while respecting the role of families in shaping their children’s values and beliefs.
