Arizona Supreme Court Entertains Old Abortion Bill

By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

Arizona’s Supreme Court is interested in digging up a 160-year-old abortion ban and enforcing it today. This ruling makes abortion a felony and labels it as a punishable act that would carry a two to five-year sentence in Arizona for anyone who helps women perform an abortion. The only exception is if a woman needs an abortion to have her life saved.

The Supreme Court has put their decision on hold for 14 days. 14 days to pick whether or not women in Arizona will have not only reproductive rights but human rights. Democrats are appalled and voicing their concern about this bill. President Biden said, “Millions of Arizonans will soon live under an even more extreme and dangerous abortion ban, which fails to protect women even when their health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest,”. He also states that he will continue his fight for the reproductive rights of women. 

Surprisingly, Trump, a Republican, also was taken aback by Arizona’s thought of reviving this bill. This is unexpected because during Trump’s presidency, he overturned Roe V. Wade and backed a ban on abortions after 20 weeks. Trump pushes the individualist view and says that each state can make its own decision but he still has voiced his shock about Arizona’s possible bill. Trump has said that Arizona has gone too far but hopefully, “they’ll get it straightened out,”. 

The Supreme Court says that this bill may be coming to voters soon.

The Psychology Behind Trends

By Austin Price, Editor in Chief

We’ve seen it countless times before. Trendy water bottles, makeup brands, apps and websites have circulated the media and overtaken our lives. Trendy items that in all actuality are simplistic, becoming accessorized and grossly overpriced. As I sit in a classroom with Stanley Water Bottles around me, and my trusty Hydro Flask water bottle in front of me, I can’t help but wonder, what’s with all the hype? Why do these materialistic items mean so much that they signify an individual’s status in society? Why do we care so much about these stupid things? Why do we feel the need to follow trends? Well, the answers are all based on psychology.  

A trend is described as a general direction in which something is developing or changing and can be applied to fashion, lifestyle, and experiences. The appeal of a trend is the need and the want to “fit in” with society. Keeping up with trends can foster a sense of community and camaraderie among people who have the same interests or preferences. Essentially, we follow trends because we don’t want to be left out and because it’s easier than making our own path.  

Scientists explain the trend following theory as The Bandwagon Effect. The bandwagon effect is a psychological phenomenon in which people do something primarily because other people are doing it. They do this regardless of their own beliefs, which they then ignore or override. This forms a herd mentality and gives people the safety net of other individuals that hold the same values in materialistic purchases and accessories.  

While it may seem naive for someone to go with the flow and follow the crowd, it’s not necessarily up to them. The bandwagon effect and need for human acceptance is a biological function that is unavoidable. Investopedia says “People are biologically programed to be social and like to be part of a group. Behaving the same way a group does can lead to belonging and acceptance,”.  

Our need to belong is not mentally constructed, but it is already programmed into us. Trends are just a way to enforce this feeling and satisfy the craving for acceptance. Because human beings are social creatures, it’s inevitable that we search for ways to agree with one another and ways to identify with one another. We do this by adopting the behavior of those around us, including the consumer mannerisms and shopping habits.  

Not only do following trends give us a sense of social belonging, but it also makes consumerism and decision making easier for us to comprehend. This is described through heuristics. Investopedia says, “The human brain uses ‘shortcuts’, known as heuristics, to make decisions more efficiently. One of these shortcuts is looking at what other people are doing. If enough people are following a trend, repeating a statement, or making the same decision, your brain will assume that it's the correct decision to make,”.  

Trends have always been present in society, but social media and internet influence have made it substantially more prominent in our daily lives. Psychologs.com explains this saying “In modern times, pop culture has replaced our everyday interactions. Social Lives have come to be centered on entertainment rather than relationships. In a world revolving around entertainment, our way of communicating with one another is through sharing content and participating in trends on social media,”.  

Social media trends have been running rampant since the COVID-19 pandemic. Trends such as TikTok dances, easy recipes, organizing ASMRs, and unpacking items flood the feed of most major social media platforms. With this constant flow of information, humans want to show that they are “up with the times” and informed of the social habits and experiences of many people online. Social media trends make people feel like they are being productive and acquiring new skills and they want to share this with their followers. Social media trends are also ways of digesting and distributing information. People use social media trends to get the word out on causes they care about by sending links to articles and videos.  

Because of the numerous ways we interact with one another through the influence of trends, I don’t think they will ever leave. Trends may change, but they will always be popular and impactful. Whether you own the newest accessories or follow the celebrities of today, you are participating in a biological, social behavior that should not be discouraged, but should be recognized. 

Chautauqua Hiking Trail in Boulder, CO

By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

Boulder, Colorado boasts a beautiful hiking experience in Chautauqua Park. 

A snowy trail is spotted in Chautauqua Park. Photo by Caleigh Montoya

A view from Chautauqua Hiking Trail. Photo by Caleigh Montoya 

Tall trees stand in Boulder, CO. Photo by Caleigh Montoya

The Rising Problem of Peter Pan Syndrome

By Austin Price, Editor in Chief

Growing up is hard. There’s no other way to say it. Being an adult is hard. There’s no other way to say it. However, despite these hardships, growing up is an imperative part of life. Growing up does not have to mean having no fun or always working hard. But it does mean increased responsibility and both physical and mental maturity. As a young adult myself, I still love to have fun. I love to watch Disney movies and dance to Taylor Swift music. But I also make my car payments on time and have a credit card. Being an adult is a balancing act of meeting societal expectations and allowing yourself to enjoy life. While there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun, there is a rising number of young adults who choose to shirk their adult responsibilities entirely, labeling them as sufferers of Peter Pan Syndrome.  

Peter Pan Syndrome is a pop psychology term used to describe an adult who is socially immature. It refers to “never-growing” adults who have reached an adult age but cannot face their adult sensations and responsibilities. The name is a metaphor, based on the concept of not growing up and being trapped in childhood like the Disney character himself, Peter Pan. The name was coined by Dr. Dan Kiley in his 1983 book, The Peter Pan Syndrome: Men Who Have Never Grown Up. A year later in 1984, he published The Wendy Dilemma, outlining the difficulties of young females in relationships with “Peter Pans.”  

It’s important to note that Peter Pan Syndrome is not an official diagnosis. According to Medical News Today, “Peter Pan Syndrome is not a formal diagnosis and does not have recognition by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM5-TR). Rather, it is an informal term that some psychologists use,”.  

Those with Peter Pan Syndrome have difficulty “growing up” and cannot cope with the increased responsibilities and pressures of adulthood. They may find it hard to manage typical adult responsibilities, such as keeping a job and maintaining healthy relationships. 

Dr. Dan Kiley believes that designated “Peter Pans” are narcissistic and demonstrate selfish behaviors. He says “People with Peter Pan Syndrome refuse to accept responsibility; they tend to blame others for problems. They also have difficulty expressing their emotions, which contributes to their issue with maintaining relationships,”. Another word for this type of person is “man-child”.  

The main detractors and struggles of Peter Pan Syndrome come from emotional growth and personal connections with others. In his 1997 book, Men Who Never Grow Up, Kiley listed seven key markers of Peter Pan Syndrome. They are emotional paralysis, slowness, social challenges, avoidance of responsibility, female relationships, male relationships, and sexual relationships.  

Peter Pan Syndrome is caused by helicopter parents and overly sensitive reactions to basic life struggles. Symptoms appear in children around the ages of 11 to 12 and continue to grow as their child is spoon-fed throughout their teenage years, an imperative time to undertake larger levels of maturity.  

Peter Pan Syndrome can be debilitating to young men as they enter the throes of adulthood, but it can also severely impair their relationships with romantic partners. In Dr. Dan Kiley’s book, The Wendy Dilemma, he addresses the struggles female companions experience when their male counterpart is suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome. The book’s premise hinges on the fact that “Wendy” is the supporting partner behind a Peter Pan. Peter Pans are disinterested in adulting and may believe others should take care of adult responsibilities such as decision making, bill paying, meal preparation, and more. This leaves the Wendy in the relationship to pick up the slack. 

Kiley believes that those in the Peter Pan role may not realize the responsibilities they ignore and the role they play, leading to miscommunication in relationships which can cause strife, resentment, and even be the catalyst for breaking up or separating. Patrick Cheatham, a psychologist in Portland Oregon says that “In relationships, I think this shows up most clearly in divergent levels of ambition, expectations, life goals, and ability to make commitments,”.  

In simple words, those with Peter Pan Syndrome who don’t have a close relationship with their parents or a romantic partner to function as a Wendy, may have a hard time getting through life. Regarding Peter Pan Syndrome and the impact, it has, according to Healthline, “Their dishes might pile up in the sink. They might avoid doing laundry until they have nothing clean to wear. You might find yourself regularly helping with chores just to get their home a little more habitable,”.  

Not only does Peter Pan Syndrome impact romantic relationships and household chores, but it can also impair career goals and work ethic. This can then lead to financial issues and interpersonal strife due to financial frustration.  

Because Peter Pan Syndrome is not an actual diagnosis, there is no actual cure. However, the best way to improve life and increase the ambition of someone with Peter Pan Syndrome is through communication. This communication does not have to lessen expectations or reduce desires that one partner has from another. Rather, it is to make sure that both partners understand the general standard of their relationship in terms of effort and attention. Patrick Cheatham says, “Trying to change your partner’s level of commitment or ambition will only frustrate you both. It’s about setting a tone of adulthood and seeing how they respect and respond to that,”. This can be done through ending enabling behaviors and changing reactions to miscommunications.  

Being an adult is hard. But as we get older, being an adult is imperative. While I still believe adults can and should have fun, I also believe that we need a little more Wendys and a little less Peter Pans in this world.  

Howling at the Moon: How the Full Moon Affects the Behavior of Animals

By Austin Price, Editor in Chief

As a pet owner and animal lover, I can certainly say that I notice a significant difference in the behavior of my pet ferrets when we were experiencing a full moon. After months of tracking this behavior of heightened craziness during the full moon, I started to wonder why the position of the moon impacted my ferrets here on Earth. And so, like any good journalist, I did some research.   

When a full moon occurs, it is in what is typically considered its most striking phase. This is because during the phase of the full moon, the most sunlight reflects off the Moon toward Earth. Because of the intense glare of the moon, during and around the night of the full moon, other celestial objects such as stars and planets are more difficult to observe. According to Astronomy Magazine, “though a Full Moon only occurs during the exact moment when Earth, Moon, and Sun form a perfect alignment, to our eyes, the Moon seems Full for around three days,”.  

This natural phenomenon affects both animals and humans. Healthline reports the full moon can lead to less deep sleep and a delay in entering REM sleep. In addition, some studies have shown a slight change in cardiovascular conditions during a full moon. While the physical effects of the full moon are encountered by many, the full moon is said to also impact one’s mental health.  

Many report an increase in mood swings and imbalance in their mentality upon the arrival of a full moon. While these reports are more associated with mainstream people who do not have a clear diagnosis of mental illness, there is no absolute proof supporting a change in mental stability of healthy individuals during a full moon. Individuals that have bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety often find themselves more scattered and upset during full moons. Despite these reports, no official studies have shown an increase in hospital admissions due to mental health during the full moon. Medical News Today writes “People anecdotally report that the full moon affects their mood, but the existing research does not support this claim. An older 1985 meta-analysis found no connection between phases of the moon and mental health admissions to hospitals,”.  

While there is no scientific evidence supporting the connection between mental health and the full moon for humans, animals are a different story.  

Countless films and stories have been teaching the narrative that wolves, among other animals, howl at the moon. While this is false, wolves do not howl at the moon but rather howl as a social rally call, a hail to hunt or as a territorial expression, typically heard at night, it is true that the full moon has a significant effect on a variety of animals.  

A lot of animals impacted by the full moon inhabits the ocean. According to The Weather Network, animals including oysters, coral reefs and sharks demonstrate changes in their behavior during a full moon. Oysters narrow their shells as a full moon draws near and widens their shells as the full moon diminishes. Coral reefs go on a spawning spree. Their proximity to the full moon causes them to synchronize the largest release of egg and sperm on Earth. Sharks tend to stay in deep water during a full moon and move to shallow water during a new moon, due to the availability of light.  

Other predators, such as lions, are impacted by a full moon in terms of their relationship with humans. The Weather Network reports that “lions often struggle to catch animal prey during moon-lit nights, likely because other animals can see them coming. To compensate, they may turn to human prey as soon as low light resumes,”. Essentially, humans are easy prey because they are not as aware of hungry lions in the bright moonlight.  

While wild animals have clear reactions to the full moon, household pets and domesticated animals also have significant responses to the full moon. A 10-year study involving nearly 12,000 cases of dogs and cats treated at the Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences' Medical Center found the risk of medical emergencies is 28% greater for dogs and 23% greater for cats in the days surrounding a full moon. Reasoning for these increased vet visits surround outdoor playtime during the full moon. Scientists believe that pet behavior becomes more precarious during a full moon but suggested that it could simply result from pets spending more time outside at night when the moon is brighter.  

In short, the full moon causes enhanced levels of activity for animals because of the bright reflection and extended periods of light. Evenings of heightened playtime and craziness are not uncommon when the moon is brighter. Animals are simply excited by the extra light and change in routine regarding their environment. 

The Need for Mental Health Awareness in Police Training

By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer 

Recently in California, a 15-year-old autistic boy was shot and killed by police. Police responded to a call about the boy, and when they arrived the boy charged them with a gardening tool. The officer did not attempt to use any other technique to destress the situation, and instead shot and killed the boy. Incidents like this are not scarce and they are exactly why officers need to be trained on neurotypical behavior, mental illness, and disabilities. Our officers also need to be taught not to reach for their guns unless absolutely necessary. Despite years of discussion, we still see police killing innocent people instead of using other techniques to better the situation. As in this case, a 15-year-old boy should not have lost his life, but who should’ve been cared for and potentially brought to the ground if deemed dangerous.

When law enforcement comes into contact with neurotypical people, they should listen to them, stay calm, use clear speech, avoid touching, and find other ways of communication. We need training like this for all of our officers as it is highly important that police better understand Autism and other forms of neurodiversity, so that we don’t have our neurotypical kids dying at the hands of law enforcement. Institutions also need to continue pushing the usage of different techniques of neutralization. Killing people is the most extreme way of controlling a situation and should not be the default. Law enforcement needs to realize that there are a plethora of other ways to control a situation. We have to keep advocating for more training about neurotypical people and their behaviors as well as alternatives for law enforcement using their weapons and engaging in deadly force.