8/PSH NEWS SSt.”
PSH Club presents polygamy issues
Stacey Simmers
Capital Times Staff
It's time for dinner. You've set the
table, and started putting the food on the
table, when your husband enters the room.
He's not alone. He's with his other wife.
But there is no divorce to clear up your
confusion. He's legally married to both of
you at the same time. It's called
polygamy.
Alice Ogwal, a junior accounting
major from Uganda, and Suwareh Jabai, a
senior public policy major from Gambia,
explained the intricacies of polygamy to
about 20 people at a Citizen of the World
Club meeting on Feb. 27 in W-205.
Modem polygamy evolved during the
changes in today's society, Ogwal said.
"Now, there are double-standard
husbands,"' Ogwal said. "They have one
wife but keep several mistresses and their
children. It's supposed to be a secret.
Engineers
Hilary Zeiders
Capital Times Staff
Tech recruiters from area firms gave
Penn State engineering students tips on
interviewing with prospective employers.
The 50 students who attended the
session on Feb. 10 learned the importance
of preparation, beginning with the resume.
United
Parcel
Seruice
Promotes
Chris Lucas
Chris Lucas, a part-time loader/unloader for United Parcel Service, has
been promoted to part-time supervisor.
Chris has been a UPS employee for almost 1 1/2 years. During that
time, he has served as a loader, unloader and puller in the Harrisburg
facility.
His new responsibilities will include being a part-time supervisor at the
Harrisburg facility. Chris is a behavioral science major at Penn State
Harrisburg. He came to UPS for the money to pay for his schooling, and
also because of the benefits package. The hours also fit well with his
school schedule.
Best of luck to Chris
Sincerely, how long can one keep a
secret?"
Ancient polygamy had a more
functional value, Jabai said. If a couple
could not have children, or they only had
daughters, the woman was scorned for not
producing a son.
"To have children or sons," Jabai said,
"the man would just try another wife."
According to Ogwal, a second wife
could also be inherited. If a man died, his
widow could choose to remarry one of her
brothers-in-law. If she did, the family
would take care of her and help keep her
with the children.
"If a woman remarried out of the
family, she left her children and started
fresh," Jabai said.
Ogwal also said that sometimes a man
will take a second wife because the first
wife has grown tired and old.
"In Uganda, women accept aging," she
said. "A wife will tell her husband she is
tired and can't carry the water as far-on her
get tips on
"Make it picture-perfect," said Deb
Strickland, of Frank Electric.
"An error-free resume stresses patience
and it shows that the interviewee cares
enough to make it look presentable," said
Tony Tessitore of Amp, Inc.
When reviewing resumes, employers
look at what courses are listed, interests of
the interviewee, their club and activity
head-or work as fast. She will say, 'Why
don’t you get a younger w‘ife to do the
work?"'
The living arrangements for these
families can vary according to the man and
the relationship between the wives. Jabai
said often the women will live in separate
houses and work on a rotation schedule.
"One wife will cook and clean for the
husband for two days, while the other wife
takes care of her children and fields,” he
said.
Ogwal's husband, Bishop Ben Ogwal,
grew up in a polygamous home. He said
the problems the family experienced as a
result of the situation were immense.
"They (the wives) would argue about
how many days were spent at the other
wife’s house, how many days were spent
plowing her fields," Bishop Ogwal said.
Sometimes the husband would ask his
wife what her feelings were before he took
a second wife. She could disagree, or even
interview strategies
participation, and past jobs.
In preparation for the job interview it
is important to know who you are
interviewing with. Attending information
sessions and learning about the company
beforehand is beneficial.
"This shows more interest on the
behalf of the interviewee,” said Tessitore.
During the interview, be relaxed and
prove to the interviewer that you are
comfortable.
"Show that you are a multifaceted
person by being able to juggle many
things, and still are able to be personable,"
said Joe Milligan of Factory Mutual.
"Emphasize that you are the product
and are selling yourself," added Rick
Bullock of Johnson Controls.
Questions asked during the interview
give the interviewer an insight as to the
goals, objectives, skills, and values of the
person applying for the job.
Always be prepared for nontechnical
questions-they are a way to find out your
strengths and weaknesses.
Health problems
common in blacks
Terry Wolf
Capital Times Staff
Despite Earvin "Magic" Johnson's
disclosure that he has tested positive for
the HIV virus, and the possible positive
effect that Johnson's disclosure might have
on others, it is still difficult to convince
many black youths of the danger,
according to Barbara Davenport, a public
health educator with the South Central
District Office of the State Health
Department.
Though many people are worried about
the spread of AIDS, Davenport said, "with
young people, there is not a change in
attitude."
Bob McAlister, director of the
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program
for the State Department of Health, and
Davenport spoke at a Black Student
refuse to participate in a polygamous
relationship, but it really wouldn't matter.
The man would do it anyway.
In other instances, a man may take
additional wives when problems begin to
plague his first marriage. Since divorce is
very difficult to obtain in Africa, the man
sees taking new wives as a solution to a
problematic situation.
"A man will lake a second wife to see
if that will make the first one straighten
out," Jabai said.
According to Bishop Ogwal, as
country's society and its religious beliefs
continue to change, polygamy is less
frequent among new generations. For
example, Jabai is married and has only one
wife.
"Let me have misunderstandings with
just one wife, please," he said.
Ogwal said reverse polygamy, a
woman marrying more than one man,
"does not occur, not yet."
Common interview questions include:
- Why did you choose this profession?
- What did you like best or least about
past jobs?
- What is your greatest achievement?
Responding quickly and showing
confidence during the interview makes a
good impression. Also, have your own
questions to ask the interviewer about the
company or a specific job.
"Asking questions really makes a
difference," said Tessitore.
Tips on interview ettiquette
-Be prepared.
-Dress well.
-Find out about the company beforehand
-Be honest.
-Practice.
-Send a thank-you letter.
-Do not be late.
-Do not be overly aggressive.
Union-sponsored seminar in the Gallery
Lounge on Feb. 10.
AIDS, however, is not the only threat
to the African-American community. The
pair also discussed heart disease and high
blood pressure as major problems.
Davenport attributed lifestyle as one
factor contributing to high blood pressure.
"We eat a lot of salt, and different kinds
of foods that have sodium in them," she
said, adding many African-Americans do
little or no exercise.
The State Health Department is trying
to spread the word about African-American
health risks by attending as many
seminars as possible.
Davenport said the only way people
can avoid being at risk is to have the
proper information and make suitable
lifestyle changes.