Human Behavior (Essay Sample)

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Human Behavior
Question 1
Alcohol was introduced over 200 years ago to the plains people Lakota Sioux. It was traded for buffalo robes and jerky. In 1953, its consumption and storage were prohibited. However, smuggling and bootlegging spread across the region. As a result, there was a rise of binge-drinking among the Lakota Sioux. This was the only way to consume alcohol fast. In addition, alcohol helped the white people and the Lakota Sioux to socialize. According to Dr. Beatrice Medicine, there was no drinking style to emulate. She based her argument on the studies she conducted in the Standing Rock Indian Reservation where she was able to explain that alcohol consumption was closely linked to cultural attitudes. The Lakota Sioux embraced each other, and the exemplary level of kindness between them enabled them to share alcohol.
Question 2
The introduction of alcohol to the Lakota Sioux led to the increased neglect of responsibilities by men in the society. The women who drank too much ended up forgetting their duty of taking care of their children. Overall, drinking led to ruined families since those who abused alcohol could not be good parents.
Question 3
Alcohol consumption has been often referenced in American Indian’s folklore. Some stories tell about the first white people who brought alcohol with them and traded it for other goods, others contain the description of various recipes and effects of drinks. There are also different names of alcohol in the Native Indian’s languages, the most well-known one being “fire water”.
Question 4
The Lakota’s Sun Dance and drinking habits are part of their living style. The dance has cultural value for the Lakota. The Lakota people used to involve themselves in the Sun Dance in order to interact with each other. The virtues of life were well emphasized through the sharing of liquor and through presenting personal sacrifice. It is evident from Dr. Medicine’s work that they were sharing alcohol limitlessly. By doing so, the bond between them grew stronger.
Question 5
On the other hand, some Lakota used the Sun Dance to limit or quit excessive alcohol consumption. They believed that the decision of stopping the drinking habit is a self-initiative; hence, every individual ought to undertake another kind of activity instead of consuming liquor. The Lakota Sioux have no social controls towards alcohol control according to Dr. Beatrice Medicine. Those willing to control their behavior involved themselves in dance and ritual ceremonies like yuwipi. It is also notable that their efforts are limited because of the absence of social rules. Hence, the whole attitude of the Lakota people to socialism ought to change.
Question 6
One can deduce that alcohol will be consumed continuously despite its harmful effects. Alcohol consumption and sobriety habits are present in many nations, cultures and age groups. The fact that alcohol has been branded in “sweetening” words mean...