It's the Law!
  1. The number of places where people can smoke in Japan is decreasing. For example, people can no longer smoke on public transportation or even the platforms. Also, many restaurants now have non-smoking sections.  
    1. Should there be more places where people can't smoke?
    2. What is second-hand smoke? How does it affect non-smokers?
     
  2. The U.S. and Japan both have laws saying the children must go to school.
    1. Should education be compulsory? Why or why not?
    2. If yes, until what age?
    3. If no, what are the alternatives?
     
  3. In the U.S., many cities have a law that doesn't allow drinking in public parks. Also, the age limit for drinking is 21. What do you think of these laws?
    4.  
  4. Both Japan and the U.S. have laws censoring movies. In the U.S. movies are rated:

    G = General Public

    PG = Parental Guidance (anyone can go but parents need to know that the movie may contain some sex or violence)

    PG 13 (children under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult)

    R = Restricted (children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult)

    X-rated

     
    1. What is the benefit of a rating system?
    2. What should be the criteria for the rating? Sex? Violence?
    3. How much sex or violence is too much?
    4. Should theaters be allowed to show all kind of movies for adults?
    5. Should there be more censorship of TV programming? Why or why not?
     
  5. Some religious groups, known as "cults," sometimes trick people into becoming members and then trick them into paying a lot of money.
    1. Should there be a law against religious cults?
    2. Who or what determines when a religious group is a cult?

Developed by C.A. Edington, 2001