Read The culture of Fear by Glassner , Chapter 3 to Chapter 6.

1. In chapter 3, what does Glassner mean when he says that adults "justify both our fear of children and our maltreatment of them" (74)? What remedies does he recommend, and to what extent are they feasible?

2.In addition to reports about "crack babies" from the 1980s and 1990s, what more recent instances of the demonization of children and other groups can you identify? What do your examples reveal about our attitudes toward children in general and toward the underprivileged in our society?

3. From Chap. 4, what is the "art of misdirection"? How does the media use this tactic? Provide one example from the chapter of media "misdirection."

4. Also from Chap. 4, how does the focus on "monster moms" serve to illustrate Glassner's point about the "art of misdirection"? What are some of the legitimate concerns that are masked as a result of the focus on "monster moms"?

5. In Chap. 5, what does Glassner mean when he discusses the "dog bites man" standard among journalists for how and when to cover news stories? Explain this standard in your own words. According to Glassner, how does it serve to perpetuate prejudice?

6. Also from Chap. 5, what point is Glassner trying to make when he compares the way that the music of Tupac Shakur and Johnny Cash is treated by society and the media? Do you agree with Glassner? Why?

7.In Chap. 6, Glassner discusses the "availability heuristic." Explain this concept in your own words. Provide a modern example of this idea.