Sex And Age Disparity Among Teenagers - 1101 Words

Sex and Age Disparity in Teenage Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Anthony Kiprono PH 5302 04/30/2016 Second hand smoke is defined as the combination of smoke emitted by the burning end of cigarette or any other tobacco products and smoke emitted by the smoker. Individuals can be victims of secondhand smoke in various ways and places inkling the safety of being at home, vehicle, workplaces, parks and various public places. According to Jonathan, smoke contains over 200 poisonous gases, chemicals and metals in its smoke. Numerous public health research indicates that tobacco smoke causes cancer and cardiac diseases to non-smokers. According to the 2006 US Surgeon report, there is no safe level of exposure as far as secondhand smoking is a concern and on average in populations children are more exposed to secondhand smoking than in adults. Despite the level of exposure being on the decline between the years 1988-1994 and 1999-2004, children were still in the subgroup with the least level of decline as compared to other subgroups. This is a cause for concern and a reason for disparageme nt. The data for this research was obtained from a Korean Youth Risk Web Survey of 2013 from 64,449 teenagers aged between the ages 13 and 18 years old. The data was analyzed using multiple regression method. According to Hwang, secondhand smoking presents young adults as vulnerable in the population. Among the genders, it was observed that girls were exposed more times,Show MoreRelatedLiterature Review On Teen Pregnancy1254 Words   |  6 PagesTeenage Pregnancy Introduction Teenage pregnancy in the U.S is a major issue given the number of teens between age 15 and 19 years giving birth. The average teen pregnancy rate in America is about 57 per 1000 teens in 2010 (Knox 1). This has decreased to about 47 per 1000 teens, but at the state level, some states such as Texas have higher averages. Currently, the state of Texas recorded a rate of 73 teenage pregnancies per 1000 females aged between 15 and 19 years (Sayegh et al. 95). The main causeRead MoreBirth Control Access to Teens1463 Words   |  6 Pagesa means of managing safer sex, preventing the health risks and guarding them from the cycle of poverty. 1. Reasons for not allowing birth control to be given to teenagers A. It encourages sexual activity (Sex with many partners -promiscuity) B. Abstinence should be promoted 1. It is 100 percent effective 2. Sex is not for teenagers 11. Reasons for providing teenage girls access to birth control A. Easy access to birth control makes sex safer 1. PreventionRead MoreTeen Pregnancy And Teenage Pregnancy1551 Words   |  7 Pagesa young age. Another major cause is the lack of guidance due to guardians that are blind or do not want to believe in such activities. These causes can have devastating effects on the teen and the newborn in the household. Some effects of early pregnancy will include an unexpected rise of responsibility for the teen and can cause many health concerns for both teen and newborn child. Teens experimenting are the leading cause in the unplanned pregnancies. As a teenager in high school ages there areRead MoreThe Prevention Of Teenage Pregnancy Essay1513 Words   |  7 PagesAn issue that is currently plaguing American teenagers today is the access to different types of contraception. This lack of access can lead to higher rates of teenage pregnancy and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers. The sexually active teenagers who have been given better access to contraception are less likely to become pregnant or contract an STD, in comparison to their peers who do not have access. With the prevention of teenage pregnancy, comes the prevention of futureRead MoreThe Issue Of Teen Pregnancy1722 Words   |  7 Pagesteen pregnancy which is still an enormous problem that needs to be addressed. The rates are still higher than they were only a decade ago. Becoming a parent permanently and profoundly alters a teenager s life. Most of the girls forget abo ut their dreams of happy marriage, and become mothers at very early age. College is almost always out of the question, graduating High School becomes a goal most teenage moms don t achieve. Young girls having babies isn t new, as a matter of fact, teenage parenthoodRead MoreComprehensive Preparation For A Complete Life1068 Words   |  5 Pageson how it should be done. Currently, there are two forms of education focused on reducing teen pregnancies: abstinence-only education and comprehensive sex education with birth control. However, sex education and birth control are clearly the superior option, due to its effectiveness and the futility of abstinence-only education. Comprehensive sex education with an emphasis on birth control is a much more effective educational tool to prevent teen pregnancy than abstinence-only education. FortunatelyRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Rates Have Reached An All Time High1565 Words   |  7 Pagesconsequence, high schools around the country have taken a decision to step up and take an action in decreasing the rate of teen pregnancy. Becoming a parent permanently and profoundly alters a teenager s life. Most of the girls forget about their dreams of happy marriage, and become mothers at an early age. College is almost always out of the question, graduating high School becomes a goal most teenage moms do not achieve. Today, there are many types of birth control found in schools across the country;Read MoreEssay on Implications of Teenage Pregnancy in the United States1457 Words   |  6 Pagesapproximately 9 percent of Unite State teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant every year. And even though some stu dies have shown that the incidence of teenage pregnancy has generally been in decline since 1991, the causes and effects of underage childbearing has continued to be a big burden on families, the public and government. Babies having babies is the simplistic way that some people have described the specter of having a baby while teenager are unprepared. The United State caseRead MoreEssay about The Underlying Causes of Teen Pregnancy1363 Words   |  6 Pages Before successfully preventing teen pregnancies among teenage girls, there are many underlying causes and facts about the dilemma that must be first exposed. Children from homes run by teenage mothers have to face almost insurmountable obstacles in life. The incidents of depression and mental health problems, the lack of father figures, and the high rate of poverty often connected to children in homes run by teenage mothers put them at serious disadvantages when compared to children raised in nuclearRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Essay 1667 Words   |  7 Pagesinfants. Unintended pregnancies span across age, race and religion, with a specific negative impact among the teenage population. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2016) In 2015, a total of 229,715 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years, for a birth rate of 22.3 per 1,000 women in this age group. Birth rates are also higher among Hispanic and African American adolescents than any other race. In 2014, Hispanic adolescent females ages 15-19 had the highest birth rate of 38 births

The Legacy Of Reconstruction During The Civil War Essay

America has gone though many political changes since its birth as a nation. Many presidents have come and gone, trying to bring about change, thus creating revolutionary moments in this country’s history. These â€Å"revolutionary movements† have created lasting impressions on the United States that helped mold the nation that it is today. One such movement was Reconstruction. Reconstruction was a time in America consisting of reuniting the country and pulling it from the economic catastrophe that stemmed from the Civil War. The reconstruction era had dealt with three separate plans: the Lincoln Plan, the Johnson Plan and the congressional Plan. These plans, each with their own unique way of unifying the country and integrating newly freed blacks into American society, came with their pros and cons. Abraham Lincoln’s Plan Abraham Lincoln constructed a blueprint to reunite a broken America. Lincoln did not plan on punishing the South; he wanted to end the Civil Wars quick as possible. When Reconstruction began in 1865, a divided America had just finished fighting the Civil War. The objective of Reconstruction, or the Ten-Percent Plan, was mainly to stabilize the South economically. There was the intertwining problem that Lincoln faced reuniting a former slave population and a former rebellious population. The memory of massive death still was very present in the South, causing massive resentment. Lincoln wanted to achieve re-union as quickly as possible and ending slavery. HisShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Reconstruction Era: The Planted Seeds1231 Words   |  5 PagesThe first roar of the Civil War ended with a last gasp for air. Where in such a war more than six hundred twenty thousand men sacrificed their lives for their own belief in the abolishment of slavery (â€Å"Civil War Facts†). â⠂¬Å"We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom† (Baslor). These wise words of Abraham Lincoln cleared the way of a desolate trail of violence and pain, yet he was determined to accomplish his plansRead MoreRace And Reunion : The Civil War1581 Words   |  7 Pagesreunion, a majority of American white communities close obscure the civil war racial narrative would only fade. In race and reunion: The Civil War in American memory, by David Blight, represents how Americans chose to remember the Civil War conflict, from the beginning of the turning point of the war. The two major themes race and reunion, demonstrate how white Americans adjusted and altered the causes and outcomes of the Civil War to reflect their particular ideas regarding this catastrophic conflictRead MoreU.s. Army And The Civil War965 Words   |  4 PagesArmy personnel were deeply involved throughout the process of reconstr uction. Beyond their tremendous effort to strengthen the Freedman’s Bureau, the military oversaw voter registration and elections, established schools, prohibited alcohol, tried to settle property disputes, contracted labor systems and most importantly, maintained law and order. The violence that erupted in the South during the years of reconstruction was dreadful. With military occupation, white violence against blacks did notRead MoreThe Impact Of Frederick Douglass And Abraham Lincoln1161 Words   |  5 Pagesimpact in the massive fight that was following the Civil War. As a result, Lincoln and Douglass did not completely change the way society functioned immediately after the Civil War, but they did make a dent. President Lincoln successfully ended the Civil War with a victory for the North. His efforts towards reuniting the country was a bumpy reunion; the South was awaiting its changes fearfully, but the North was joyous for the victory. During the war, Lincoln had issued the Emancipation ProclamationRead MoreTime Line 21050 Words   |  5 Pagesabolitionist movement including: a) The effect of Uncle Tom’s Cabin b) The Kansas-Nebraska Act c) The Compromise of 1850 d) The Underground Railroad | 1800-1870 | a. a book that describes how slaves were treated that helped fuel the civil war.b. allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders.c. the balance of power between slave and free states following American acquisition of new territory in theRead MoreThe War Of The Civil War1522 Words   |  7 PagesCosts The war produced about 1,030,000 casualties, including about 620,000 soldier deaths—two-thirds by disease, and 50,000 civilians. The war accounted for roughly as many American deaths as all American deaths in other U.S. wars combined. Based on 1860 census figures, 8% of all white males aged 13 to 43 died in the war, including 6% in the North and 18% in the South. Union army dead, amounting to 15% of the over two million who served, was broken down as follows: Notably, their mortality rateRead MoreReconstruction During The Civil War Essay1676 Words   |  7 PagesReconstruction The United States went through many changes after the Civil War and during the Reconstruction period of 1866-1877. Before Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on December, 1863, by John Wilkes, Lincoln announced the first Reconstruction plan a year before the Civil War had ended and Lincoln offered general amnesty to white southerners who would pledge an oath of loyalty to the government and accept the abolition of slavery. During the summer of 1865, Johnson not long after he took officeRead MoreReconstruction Of The Civil War879 Words   |  4 PagesThe Civil War can be described as one of the bloodiest and gruesome war ever fought on American soil. The Civil War was fought between the Union and the Confederates. The Civil War lasted for 5 years and during that 5 year period many people ended up dying, 620,000 people to be exact and millions injured, but while the numbers can be appalling; it isn t even the beginning. The war led a schism to happen in the U.S, the whole country was di vided and devastated. Abraham Lincoln the president whoRead MoreThe Reconstruction of America after the Civil War1078 Words   |  4 PagesThe Civil War left a country divided not only by property lines and borders but by beliefs as well. Not just religious beliefs, moral beliefs also. It left both sides, north and south struggling, trying to figure out what their next move towards reuniting the divided America was going to be. The period following the end of the Civil War would become known as the â€Å"Reconstruction Era.† An era that raised just as many questions as it did answers. A reconstruction of America that seems to carry on manyRead MoreReconstruction Goals : Reconstruction And Reconstruction1296 Words   |  6 PagesReconstruction Goals Reconstruction started in 1865 after the war was coming to an end and completed in 1877. It Is the process by which federal government controlled the former Confederate states and the conditions for their readmission to the union. Abraham Lincoln was our president at the time and could not form a treaty with the defeated government. After the emancipation, thousands of freedmen left their plantation to find a new life without being owned and forced to work. This began the

How important a contribution does the media make to American democracy Free Essays

string(132) " accountability and transparency are unavoidable in the pursuit of a well-functioning democratic state \(Welch Nunu, 1996\)\." Abstract The contribution of the media to democracy in the United States of America is undoubtedly essential for the proper functioning of the democratic process. Without the media the fundamental principles on which democracy is based, such as accountability and transparency would be sadly ignored as there would be little engagement with opposing schools of belief and contradictory accounts and arguments. This paper seeks to explore the role played by the media in democracy in the U. We will write a custom essay sample on How important a contribution does the media make to American democracy? or any similar topic only for you Order Now S in order to highlight the importance thereof in a democratic society. The paper concludes that although there is some measure of accountability needed to ensure responsible journalism, the importance is too great to attempt to quell the voice of the media as a public accountability mechanism. Introduction The role of the media in any democracy is multifaceted with as many advantages as disadvantages. Central to the concept of democracy is the idea of participation by the public in the relations of the state in order to effect change and allow the policy decisions to reflect the will of the majority (Goodhart, 2011). The media plays a role in a number of ways. At an abstract level, the media enforces inherent foundational principles of democracy such as accountability and transparency, which ensure that in a theoretical sense, the model of democracy to which the state subscribes is upheld in the truest form possible particular to the idiosyncrasies of that country. At a ground level, the media provides widespread information to the public so to as engage the general population on the issues of state and doing so whilst exposing the public to a variety of political information rather than the viewpoint of the ruling party or dominant ideology as decided by democratic election. It goes w ithout saying that in times of political election, the media has come to play an increasing role in the decision making process for the lay man who generally will only be exposed to this information through media outlets due to issues of apathy and a general ambivalence towards politics. In the case of the United States, the media arguably plays a larger role than any other similarly sized democratic country with widespread dissemination of information through a variety of media outlets such as traditional print media, to digital media in the form of broadcasting and most recently the widespread phenomenon of social media and internet presence. This paper seeks to explore the importance of the contribution made by the media to democracy in the U.S. In doing so, it will explore the importance of the media as an accountability mechanism both providing reactive information and encouraging a proactive stance on communication by the government. The paper will further go on to explore the particular power of the media in U.S democracy and in doing so analyse the appropriateness of the media in this role. This will conclude with a discussion as to the potential detrimental effects of heavy media presence in light of media bias, inflammatory practices, and the growing trend of unreliability in the media and irresponsible journalism. Through this exploration and analysis, the importance of the contribution to democracy made by the media will be determined in order to reach a conclusion as to the suitability of this kind of public accountability for the purposes of furthering American democracy. Foundational Principles of American Democracy Regardless of political ideology, there are a number of foundational principles on which democracy is based and with regards to which the media plays an important role. Amongst these principles are transparency and accountability. In recent years, since the economic recession of 2007/8, these principles are becoming increasingly more important These concerns garner global public concern for the administration of government with regards to policy making and implementation which was brought to a head with this economic collapse and the subsequent unveiling of a plethora of questionable policy decisions for which there was little transparency of process and even less avenues for accountability (Stromberg Prat, 2011). Transparency and accountability are two concepts that are not exclusive to democracy, nor politics generally. These two principles are inextricably linked in terms of democratic pursuit, as democracy is based on the ideology of having a government elected by the people for a greater representation of public opinion and therefore a government that is more representative of the current state of affairs in the country generally. With the need for democratic accountability and transparency becoming of unprecedented importance, the former skepticism of the American people at the level of intervention by the government needs to be reformed (McKay, 2009). The role of the media is pivotal for mediating the relationship between the general public and the government in two ways. The first relates to the role of the media as a government ‘watch dog’ (Francke, 1995), which is a common denominator of many democratic countries. In these scenarios, the media disseminates information to ensure widespread coverage of political happenings, generally brought on by the absence of such adequate communication by the state itself (Ibid). The second role of the media is inherent in this as it compels the government to be more consistent with the communication with public, as this allows a certain measure of control. It is no secret that often media sources are biased, inflationary and unreliable (Knight Chiang, 200 8). Greater cooperation with a suitable standard of communication therefore will ensure that the correct information is relayed to the public and will allow the state a certain measure of control over the information which is made available. In doing so, therefore the media plays an important role in upholding democratic principles on which the American democracy is based. The role of the media in American democracy understands the fundamental truth of having freedom of speech and civil rights as base foundational principles of a political system and simply put, this truth is that accountability and transparency are unavoidable in the pursuit of a well-functioning democratic state (Welch Nunu, 1996). You read "How important a contribution does the media make to American democracy?" in category "Essay examples" The Power of the Media Jean Adriane Voltaire famously said that with great power comes great responsibility and in the case of mass media in the U.S, this statement could hold no greater truth (Payandeh, 2010). The forming of public opinion around that of the media in its various forms is common place in most democracies, however particularly prevalent in American society due to the commonality of following of common forms of pop culture. Therefore accessibility of the state to the public through media is at an all time high. Democracy as a concept does more than foster ideals, it advances public interest (Kono, 2006). The perception therefore that the media creates of the state will have a direct impact in the advancement of the interests of the public. The need for accountability of the media is as a result as important as the accountability that they are projecting onto the state, as reckless journalism can have a potentially devastating effect on public perception of state practices and policies (Penen berg, 2009). The basis for this power stems from the mainstream place of the media. It means that the media has the power to engage the apathetic voter and because there is little motivation for any further engagement, the opinion of the apathetic citizen will be replaced with the consistent supply of information given to this voter by these media outlets. Indeed, it has been opined that this power to engage minority groups and voters that would otherwise not engage in democratic process has the potential to change the landscape for democratic elections in the future for leaders representative of a minority, such as African-American groups and women as seen in the 2008 national elections in the U.S (Wagner, 2010). This power is arguably of greater benefit than disadvantage to the democratic process, as it encourages some kind of political engagement from otherwise apathetic voters (Mattson, 2003). This must however be carefully contrasted to the potential detriment of such engagemen t, particularly if these opinions are based on false account of fact. Presumably however the deciding factor in such a balancing act would be in the reform of the general attitude towards governmental practice as a generational effect. It can be argued that this engagement with the public by the media is superficial however will foster an attitude of inquisition of the general person towards affairs of the state which may only be of relevance to later generations however can be seen as a long term solution to combating apathy (Gurevitch et al, 2009). The importance of the contribution made by the media therefore, not only has a short term effect on democratic legitimacy, but has equal importance for the survival of responsible and accountable democratic process in the future. Provision of a Variety of Political Communication One can conceptualize a scenario where there was no media intervention in the communication of political affairs to the general public. In this scenario, the ideology of the dominant party or leader would be the only opinion forwarded as official government communication. This however is not consistent with democracy as an ideology of political functioning. Whilst arguably this scenario represents one reductio ad absurdum, it highlights the value of the media as essential for public communication in a responsible democratic process, as it provides a variety of opinions from a range of sources to the general population (Mutz Martin, 2001). The provision of information in this way has the effect of allowing a holistic view of the political happenings of a country. Although interestingly, the evolution of new media has had somewhat of a counterintuitive effect. The evolution of media currently in the U.S sees loyalty amongst certain outlets to various political leaders and political pa rties. This is compounded by the fact that social media has allowed citizens to tailor the way that they receive information, so that there is no unauthorized exposure of any kind of information without the explicit approval of the person receiving that information (Ibid). The obvious effect of this evolution means that voters are able to receive information from biased sources without the inclusion of any contradictory opinion, and despite the potential for divergence of opinion from that which is being received, because the voter will not ever see the alternative opinion, there is the potential for formation of generally biased opinions towards or against certain groups, leaders or parties. Despite the potential detriment that this bias may present, it still maintains an inherent value for accountability of the state. By providing citizens with some basis for political opinion, the media is ensuring that citizens are not only informed, but done so in a way that creates groups of differing opinion which will inherently lead to debate and accountability mechanisms through support or discontent (DESA, 2006). Moreover which, the nature of democratic process and political strategy means that opposing groups of ideology will continuously be campaigning for accountability of their opposition and in doing so will hold those groups to account through transparency and debate (Gurevitch, 2009). The evidence of such strategies in the U.S is clear as there is a large reliance on the media by the dominant parties, Republican and Democrat, as a means to rallying political discourse between the public, the government, the international community and other interested parties. The import ance therefore of the contribution made by the media to democracy is exemplary, as even if a scenario where the government had adequate means of communication with the public, the media provides a holistic view of the system without prejudice or concern for public image thereof. In doing so, the media continues to uphold and enforce the fundamental tenets of democracy. Conclusion It is clear from the examination of the role played by the media that there are fundamental advantages and disadvantages in the positioning of the media as a mediator between the state and the citizens of a country. This is particularly evident in the case of the U.S due to an overwhelming reliance on the media as a means of public accountability. The importance however of the contribution made by the media to democracy as an ideology on which the state is run is inexplicably valuable. Despite the potential for media bias, reckless journalism and inflammatory practices, there can be no enforcement of principles of accountability and transparency on which democracy is based without the presence of the media in all the traditional and evolved forms. As a means of general education and engagement with the public, the media is the easiest and most effective means of gauging public opinion and rallying voter support in times of election. The antithesis of democracy is apathy and the value of the media in combating this apathy through the reach that it has to younger generations, as well as disengaged minorities and misinformed majorities positions the media as an essential contributor to the furtherance of democracy in the United States. It can therefore be concluded that despite the need for accountability mechanisms for the media to ensure responsible journalism, there is a greater need for the use of these outlets to ensure continued and potentially greater success of democratic process in the United States. References Davies, J. Trounstine, J. (2009) ‘Urban Politics and the New Institutionalism’ in Susan Clarke, Peter John and Karen Mossberger (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Urban Politics, Oxford University Press pp. 51-70 Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2006) ‘Public Administration and Democratic Governance: Governments Serving Citizens’ United Nations Secretariat ST/ESA/PAD/SER.E/98 Francke, W (1995) ‘The Evolving Watchdog: The Media’s Role in Government Ethics’ The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 537(1), pp. 109-121 Goodhart, M. (2011) ’Democratic Accountability in Global Politics: Norms, not Agents’ The Journal of Politics, 73(1), pp 45 – 60 Gurevitch, M., Coleman, S. Blumer, J. (2009) ‘Political Communication –Old and New Media Relationships’ The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 625, pp 164 – 181 Knight, B. Chiang, C.F. (2008) ‘Media Bias and Influence: Evidence from Newspaper Endorsements’ National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge: NCER Kono, D. Y. (2006) ‘Optimal Obfuscation: Democracy and Trade Policy Transparency’ The American Political Science Review, 100(3), pp. 369-384 Mattson, K. (2003) Engaging Youth: Combating the Apathy of Young Americans Toward Politics. New York: Century Foundation Press McKay, D. (2009) American Politics and Society 7ed. Chicestor: Blackwell Publishing Mutz, D. Martin P. (2001) ‘Facilitating Communication across Lines of Political Difference: The Role of Mass Media’ The American Political Science Review, 95(1), pp. 97-114 Payandeh, M. (2010) ‘With Great Power Comes Great ResponsibilityThe Concept of the Responsibility To Protect Within the Process of International Lawmaking’ The Yale Journal of International Law, 35, pp. 468 – 515 Penenberg, A.L. (2009) ‘Ethics, Law and Good Practice’ in Journalism Handbook for Students, New York: NYU Stromberg, D. Prat, A. (2011) ‘The Political Economy of Mass Media’ [online] Available on: [Accessed 25 August 2012] Wagner, A. (2010) ‘Reviews / Recensions: Hillary Clinton’s Race for the White House: Gender Politics and the Media on the Campaign Trail, Regina G. Lawrence and Melody Rose, Boulder CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2010, pp. x, 277’ Canadian Journal of Political Science, 43(3), pp 792 – 793 Welch, G. Nuru, Z. (2006) Governance for the Future: Democracy and Development in the Least Developed Countries Geneva: United nations How to cite How important a contribution does the media make to American democracy?, Essay examples

Characterization of George Milton Essay Example For Students

Characterization of George Milton Essay George Milton Character Analysis George Milton is a protagonist from the book Of Mice and Men. George Milton is a quick-witted man who is Lennies guardian, best friend and protector. Georges physical description is described as quick of face with restless eyes and sharp strong features. Through the main character George Milton, John demonstrates his naturalistic ideals and belief in Determinism. He is illustrated by being a rational, caring and trustworthy person whose static characterization throughout the novel. George symbolizes the migrant workers way of life. He leads a nomadic existence, moving from ranch to ranch to find work. The only thing that keeps him going is his dream of owning his own ranch, although deep down he knows it is only an illusion and will never actually happen. He represents a responsible common man who takes care of another common man that has disabled with living life and reaches their dream together. Like most caregivers, George was extremely nice and caring to Lennie, most of the time. Miltons rationality and concern for Lennie urges him to ompel Lennie to remove the aged mouse from his pocket only because he knows that it is not healthy for him to be carrying it around. He would lose patience at times and ramble about what a hardship it was to drag Lennie everywhere. He needs Lennies friendship to stave off his major fear, which is loneliness. He is loyal to Lennie because he knows that he is an innocent but outwardly his attitude is one of intolerance. George has a strong understanding of the possibilities in a situation and, as Lennies self-appointed protector, he has to think and plan for him too. But deep down it was clear that their relationship was something they both needed. Georges personality often reflects both anger and understanding. He is the one who thinks things through and considers how their goals can be reached. Georges distinguishing personality traits, which he displays in the book, are compassion, cleverness and idealism. George faces various challenges throughout the novel, and Steinbecks vivid descriptions made his character come to life. Georges compassion played a major role in helping him overcome his challenges.