We know that deviance is a word used to explain a behavior that violates the “norms.”  As stated in our text The Practical Skeptic on page 173 “To define an act as deviant is to say nothing about whether that act is good or bad, or moral or immoral.  To say that an act is deviant is to say only that it violates the norms of a particular group of people at a particular point of time.”

A good example of this would be Gunther Von Hagens and his art of human plastination.  I’m not sure if any of you have ever been to any of his Body Worlds exhibits, but it is fascinating!

What he does, is in my opinion, a work of art.  But, that opinion does vary.  Death can be hard for people to deal with.  The norm at one time was one of two things, people were either burried or cremated.  When Gunther Von Hagens started the art of plastination, it caused quite a controversy.  Seriously, to embalm someone, strip away various parts of their body, have them naked and on display was appauling to many.

The body worlds exhibit is not only amazing but also a very educational experience for many.  Although it was certainly a break from the “norm” it has it’s benefits and has become a more accepted practice.

Below I have included some links about the exhibit itself, the controversy behind it and general information.

http://www.kysciencecenter.org/uploads/7/File/BWV_FAQ.pdf

http://artboom.info/sculpting/body-worlds-the-controversial-exhibition.html

http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/art/news-when-dead-bodies-become-art

 

Nursery school is a social institution which holds an important place in the life of a child. It is important because it is the introduction to peer socialization for many youngsters. It serves as a preview to school and more demanding pursuits such as sports teams. It allows the young child to interact in a situation which is less threatening and holds less import in the larger scheme than elementary school.

While nursery school affords a new and exciting challenge for the small child it also has benefits for the young family as an institution. It allows the parent a practice session in the soon-to-be longer separation that school and other demands will place on the relationship between the parent and child. It allows the parent to see the child in a new light, that of an independent person with perhaps heretofore unknown strengths and talents.

Another benefit which may ensue from the child’s introduction and exposure to the adults, many of whom are child care and education specialists, in the new environment of nursery school is the possibility of diagnosis of any learning or social and emotional problems of which the parent was not aware. This early diagnosis can also lead to early introduction of treatment modalities which may ease the child’s transition to elementary school and quite possibly be of great importance in allowing the child to manage and even excel in his or her early education.

So while nursery school may seem to some as just a fun experience and a break for Mom or Dad, it can actually serve a much broader purpose and benefit as a societal and individual tool.

 

http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/en-ca/importance-of-early-childhood-development/how-important-is-it.html

 

http://www.educationcorner.com/importance-of-early-childhood-education.html

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Importance-of-Early-Childhood-Education&id=2672450