Education in the United States is highly influenced by local perceptions, wants, and needs. Parents of children in school are a large portion of the voting block for local political candidates. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is an educational concept that has gained traction over the past 60 years but has undergone much scrutiny in recent years due to political polarization and media coverage. The purpose of this study is to determine whether parents have differing opinions of SEL which may be evidenced by which type of school they enroll their children in: public, public charter, or private. This information may be beneficial for interested parties such as policymakers, educators, advocates, et cetera. Data from this research, which includes quantitative and qualitative information from parents with children in public, public charter, and private schools, indicates that parents overwhelmingly approve of SEL and consider it a priority in their child(ren)’s education.

This research aims to evaluate gender disparities in driving while under the influence (DUI) prosecutions, integrating perspectives from political science, sociology, and economics. A meticulous literature review reveals distinct patterns in drinking habits, risk-taking behaviors, biases within law enforcement, justice system dynamics, regional blood alcohol content (BAC) law variations, and the intricate interplay of gender norms and societal expectations. Notably, women face a lower likelihood of DUI arrest than men, a disparity influenced by a myriad of factors, including alcohol consumption patterns, ingrained biases, and gendered stereotypes. Economic dimensions of DUI convictions spotlight costs linked to healthcare, legal proceedings, lost productivity, and insurance premiums. The political arena actively molds DUI-centric policies, emphasizing the significance of decisions like adopting ignition interlock device laws and amplifying enforcement initiatives. Additionally, the nuanced experiences and challenges of transgender individuals within the DUI justice context underscore a pressing need for inclusivity and tailored policy considerations. A key observation is the obstacle faced by women, who are subjected to criticism both for the DUI offense and deviations from gender norms. This research underscores the necessity for harmonized policies that bridge the gender gap in DUI arrests, fostering an equitable justice system, and mitigating the profound economic and social repercussions of DUI offenses. The confluence of societal norms, economic ramifications, and political decisions constitutes the crux of gender disparities in DUI prosecutions, necessitating comprehensive and intersectional approaches in future research endeavors.

The purpose of this thesis is to determine whether different types of narcissistic behavior are associated with different kinds of economic risk behavior. The thesis examines five published articles to establish whether the sub-classifications of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are significantly linked to economic risk behavior, broadly defined. The primary hypothesis states that different classifications of narcissistic behavior will be associated with different kinds of economic risk behavior. The paper finds, broadly, that different kinds of narcissistic behavior classifications are indeed associated with different kinds of economic risk behavior. Specifically, grandiose narcissism (GN) is associated with higher rates of risky gambling behavior; however, manifestations of vulnerable narcissism (VN) appear to play an integral role in the relationship. The paper also finds that both GN and VN are associated with higher rates of oniomania where mediating roles of impulsivity, materialism, and emptiness are present. The thesis concludes that addressing the issue of narcissism cannot be viewed through the lens of any unilateral perspective.

Despite the concern over school shootings in the last twenty years, little has been done to prevent these events. This paper addresses the need to have a consistent definition of a school shooting. The policies that have been enacted in the eight states with the most shootings in the past 20 are categorized and compared to the number of incidences and victims. The study concludes that states need fewer reactionary policies and more policies based on systematic research; these states pass a majority of zero-tolerance, which are shown to be ineffective in preventing school shootings suggesting a need for a new approach to writing and addressing policy.

Cancer has a financial impact worldwide. According to a study published by the American Cancer Society, “cancer accounts for 1.5% of global gross domestic product loss per year” (John & Ross, 2010). The legal and economic costs of death are not something normally addressed with patients prior to the occurrence of death. With an integrative approach, education may help reduce financial stressors for both the patient and family, while offering cost saving benefits to the facilities involved. Studies have shown that education pertaining to advanced care planning help to reduce hospital visits and the costs associated with the last six months of life. Integrating additional education in the form of legal and financial planning prior to death will benefit patients. This may benefit hospitals concurrently, by reducing hospital visits or length of stays, saving millions in Medicare costs to the hospital. Hospitals currently focus on the emotional, spiritual and intellectual needs of the patient post diagnosis of a terminal illness. Education related to funeral planning, preparing a will, and financial preparedness need to be included in the structured patient education offered at facilities. Individuals that have a higher socioeconomic status are typically more prepared for the costs associated with death. Offering financial education will allow more individuals experiencing the terminal diagnosis to prepare for their impending death.