Will have the courage to live their own lives

Assignment Help Other Subject
Reference no: EM133460841

The Importance of Dying and Sexuality

What does dying have to do with human sexuality, you are probably asking. Good question! Granted, we have had a long literary tradition in which orgasm is poetically referred to as "la petite mort," or the "little death" --- a metaphor derived from the momentary loss of self felt during climactic ecstasy. Yet, hopefully this article will answer that question in more literal terms. Let me simply preface what follows with this comment. How are we to embrace love, intimacy, sexuality, and life if we do not understand something about death? Give this some thought as you read on.

In the spring of 1996, a Michigan jury found Jack Kervorkian not guilty for assisting in the suicide of two terminally ill people. He had already "helped out" in nearly two dozen prior suicides. Around the same time, the U. S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that hopelessly dying people have the right to decide how to end their lives and physicians have the right to help them do so. The "right-to-die" issues of euthanasia and assisted-suicide have raised a lively debate.

Euthanasia comes from the Greek "eu" meaning well and "thanatos," meaning death. Euthanasia has come to mean a "good death." No doubt the controversy will rage on about this good death. But why is it we are all so consumed about death? After all, it 's a given and a certainty. As the late comic George Burns himself said: "What's this big deal about death all the time ---it's been done!" Why is it we make something so natural into such an unnatural thing? Ours is a most ignorant society when it comes to death. Studies show that about 75% of Americans don't have wills.  Generally, the best-case scenario is to send a casserole, usually tuna. And why is it, the casseroles are always tuna? No one likes them. If the good Lord were to come down and rise up the deceased so they might eat that casserole, they would not want it either. Promise yourselves you will never send tuna casseroles to funerals. Our culture is terrified of using the word death or dying --- the "D" words as I call them. We prefer euphemisms such as passed away, left us, laid to rest, departed, or transcended. In fact, there are about 150 commonly used euphemisms and slang for death. My favorite is "crossed into cyberspace." Next time you're out shopping, take a look at some sympathy cards. They almost never use the "D" word. The marketing gurus on Madison Avenue know the American public is not comfortable with those words in their sympathy cards. Hallmark Cards is the king of this type of denial. The cover on one of their cards reads: "They're not gone, they're away!" What remarkable denial! For gosh sakes, where did they go, bowling? What makes complex issues like euthanasia and assisted-suicide so difficult and controversial for most Americans is they haven't dealt with the more basic questions of death in general, and their own death in particular. If we just can't bear to send a sympathy card which uses the "D" word, or discuss our own mortality and death, then how are we ever expected to resolve more complex issues like euthanasia and assisted-suicide?

What is needed is a national program of death education that begins the process of desensitizing people's fear of an open and candid discussion of death. We've got to put a halt to depersonalizing issues of death and dying with euphemisms and buzzwords like "oncology ward," "left us," and "friendly fire." We need to look at death the way the health-conscious look at diet, exercise, and good health care. We as Americans should be just as knowledgeable about advance directives--such as living wills, powers of attorney, and probate matters --- as we are becoming about IRA's and 401-K retirement matters. How will we ever be expected to live fully if we spend so much time running from our death phobias? I'm not saying death should be something we love and adore; after all, death does represent much uncertainty. A healthy appreciation of the role of death in our lives might however, further our ability to enjoy and live life fully. In order to appreciate the sun and day, one must understand the moon and night. It's this comparison and contrast that makes each day so beautiful.

Death education has a similar value, and provides an added incentive for society. When we each deal with our own mortality, we cannot help but happen upon questions of purpose, meaning, and spirituality in our lives as well. When we address questions about the end of life, we soon begin to appreciate the importance of the rest of life. The moral rewards to society would be noteworthy. The process of death education, by its very nature, also leads us to examine how to best live a full and meaningful life within a moral and spiritual context. If we each have the courage to accept our mortality and our own eventual death, then our children and those who follow behind, will have the courage to live their own lives more fully. That, in essence, is the importance of dying. And that 's a sexy thought!

Reference no: EM133460841

Questions Cloud

What are the benefits and pitfalls of modern information : What are the benefits and pitfalls of modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT)? Demonstrate an awareness of the role of the computer, internet
How the dimensions of the person and environment : Explain how the dimensions of the person and environment perspective can be applied in this case. Describe two practice skills the social worker can employ
Focus on two or more components of the acronym : Can you think of other examples which illustrate the kinds of uncertainties and anxieties raised
What type of branding comes from a place of authenticity : What type of branding comes from a place of authenticity?
Will have the courage to live their own lives : will have the courage to live their own lives more fully. That, in essence, is the importance of dying. And that 's a sexy thought
Evaluate the quality and accessibility of the data needed : Define the issue and the goals: Start by stating the business issue that the suggested AI initiative seeks to address. Determine the precise goals and key
What kind of problems does the naacp face : What kind of problems does the NAACP face (funding, community partnership, etc.)? Do you think that the NAACP is effective in challenging the inequality
How incorporating bi will day to day business practices : Describe the major issues an organization will face when implementing a business intelligence (BI) system. Consider your personal experiences with change.
Discus in the detail how you use the event- based strategy : social interaction, and assume that you select the cafeteria as the locale for your observation, discus in the detail how you use the event- based strategy

Reviews

Write a Review

Other Subject Questions & Answers

  Cross-cultural opportunities and conflicts in canada

Short Paper on Cross-cultural Opportunities and Conflicts in Canada.

  Sociology theory questions

Sociology are very fundamental in nature. Role strain and role constraint speak about the duties and responsibilities of the roles of people in society or in a group. A short theory about Darwin and Moths is also answered.

  A book review on unfaithful angels

This review will help the reader understand the social work profession through different concepts giving the glimpse of why the social work profession might have drifted away from its original purpose of serving the poor.

  Disorder paper: schizophrenia

Schizophrenia does not really have just one single cause. It is a possibility that this disorder could be inherited but not all doctors are sure.

  Individual assignment: two models handout and rubric

Individual Assignment : Two Models Handout and Rubric,    This paper will allow you to understand and evaluate two vastly different organizational models and to effectively communicate their differences.

  Developing strategic intent for toyota

The following report includes the description about the organization, its strategies, industry analysis in which it operates and its position in the industry.

  Gasoline powered passenger vehicles

In this study, we examine how gasoline price volatility and income of the consumers impacts consumer's demand for gasoline.

  An aspect of poverty in canada

Economics thesis undergrad 4th year paper to write. it should be about 22 pages in length, literature review, economic analysis and then data or cost benefit analysis.

  Ngn customer satisfaction qos indicator for 3g services

The paper aims to highlight the global trends in countries and regions where 3G has already been introduced and propose an implementation plan to the telecom operators of developing countries.

  Prepare a power point presentation

Prepare the power point presentation for the case: Santa Fe Independent School District

  Information literacy is important in this environment

Information literacy is critically important in this contemporary environment

  Associative property of multiplication

Write a definition for associative property of multiplication.

Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd