More than six California policemen, with guns drawn, swarmed the vehicle of a couple and their young children after they received a call that someone had been waving a weapon outside of the window. All they found was the seven year old’s plastic gun. The mother was quoted by CBS News saying, “It was total overkill.”
     Events like this have been causing people to wonder if, in a post 9/11 society, was this homeland security or paranoia?
     A PHS poll conducted in November 2011 has suggested that many students believe society has become more fearful since the September, 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.
     One hundred students were asked, “Do you think people have become more paranoid after September 11th?” Fifty-nine percent of students responded “Yes”, twenty-nine percent responded “No”, and twelve percent responded, “Undecided”.
     More girls than boys believed that society has become more fearful since the attacks.     
     Fifty-one girls were polled with thirty-one percent saying, “Yes”, fourteen percent responding, “No”, and five percent saying, “Undecided”. Of the forty-nine boys polled, twenty-seven said “Yes”, fifteen percent said “No”, and seven percent responded “Undecided”. Therefore, the girls appeared to be more nervous.
    Mandy Habib, employee of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network said, “It could be that girls are more aware. Also, boys are exposed to more violence, such as in movies and videogames.”
     Teacher David Rix said, “Guys are more aggressive by nature, so they may be more enticed by the event than afraid of it.”
     Freshman Nicole Schuetz said, “I think girls are more afraid because they fear violence more than boys do.”
     Many girls may be afraid of the attacks because they are more emotional and concerned with public events.
     Sociology teacher Lynn Place believes that both boys and girls are not more fearful since the attacks.
     She said, “Is it paranoid to be concerned about public safety? I don’t think we are paranoid, I believe society is more cautious and concerned for public safety, and now we do not take it for granted.”
     Guidance Counselor Robin Hogan believes society is not more paranoid, but citizens are more likely to have prejudice against people from the Middle East.
     She said, “On a national level, people are wearier of diversity and more likely to stereotype Middle Eastern people. There is more prejudice since the event. There is more fear regarding travel and further questioning of people who are from countries in the Middle East.”