Grey matters of Abortion (Something went weird with the first draft)

I am six years old. I am in the backyard of a villa in Al Jumeirah, Dubai. I am naked and I can feel the sun radiating every inch of my body. I am holding Mr. Bunny’s ears and scorning him in a language only I can understand. Then for the first time I hear it, a low painful cry, my mother’s cry. I am confused. How did I get here again? How did you get here Grace? What can you last remember? I feel frustrated and I begin to feel anxious. The cry comes again through my mother’s balcony door. I glared at Mr. Bunny. Although I did not remember the reason of my contempt for him at that moment, Mr. Bunny knew. Looking into his lazy, unconcerned eyes, I bop him in the head hoping he feels remorse. I jump up and run towards my mom’s room. My older brother Steve is standing in front of the door to my parent’s room. I stand beside him and ask him in a very serious tone “attuhhummah”?  Unresponsive, I felt frustrated, motivating me to bop him in the head. Always mature and calm, Steve grabs me by the hand towards my room. As he starts to dress me, he explains calmly “baby died”. I could feel my body begin to freeze and unknowingly began to pee.

Sometimes when someone tells me their sibling got all the good genes I smile to myself because in my case, there’s some truth to that saying. My devout Christian mother has always been very tiny. Although my eldest brother, Steve was born a healthy child, when doctors confirmed she was pregnant with me, they suggested I be aborted. Her body could not provide all the nourishment I needed, and the chances I would be a stillbirth or mentally/physically challenged were very high. My family disregarded the doctor’s concerns, and my mother put my fate in her God’s hands. I was born 5 pounds, malnourished, with an underdeveloped brain. Until the age of 8, I struggled with frequent memory loss and did not form proper speech until the age of 14. 

Recently, while scrolling through the New York Times, I came across Perez-Pena’s article Christie’s Conservatism is Not Just Economic. As Perez-Pena criticizes Governor Christie’s (of New Jersey) right winged, conservative acts he began to discuss Governor Chris Christie’s outlook on abortion. While state of New Jersey began looking for different budgets to cut, Governor Christie took the opportunity to immediately decrease plant parenthood budgets, indirectly dissuading women from having abortions. Although abortion is legal, and even in our liberal generation, there are still politicians and religious advocates fighting to stop abortion and abortion clinics. A bit angered it began to remind me of my family and how their religious outlook on abortion was no different from Governor Christie’s. Past memories of Dubai began to flood my thoughts, and I began feeling a bit torn apart.

I can remember how invaluable and stupid I felt not being able to communicate like other children and constantly forgetting how I got from point A to point B. I remember how lonely it was. But I realize I have been given a chance. Because my family did not stand for abortion as it is not apart of Korean culture nor was it okay by God, I was given a chance. But then my mind wanders as to how my mother must have felt. Trapped by her duties to her religion, she had no choice. It would be God’s will. Seven months before she had my youngest brother, doctors had warned her, his birth could lead to her death but her best case would be another “challenged” child. I wonder if my mother resented her God for having a disabled daughter who got lost often in large markets. I wonder how a mother feels knowing she might have to die before she could raise her children. I try to grasp how my mother must have felt after spending sleepless nights watching baby Mathew through his incubator. I can only contemplate how my mom felt lying in bed mourning a lost son who only felt the pains of death for his short three-month life. 

In past conversations my mother has admitted if she had her way she would have aborted me and there probably wouldn’t have been a Mathew afterwards. I’m always confused to hear my mother say this. I have never questioned my mother’s relentless love for me and I understand at the time, doctors believed my stem cells would never develop a full functioning brain. I understand raising a disabled person must be excruciating but I also understand the lump that forms in my throat.  And at that instance I am grateful she did not have a choice because I was given a chance. But reading Perez-Pena’s article I begin to feel guilty. Governor Christie’s attempt to strip mothers of a choice to abort her child or not because of his views seems unethical. Lowering funding for plant parenthoods, he’s financially disabling possible mothers from aborting and restricting them from contraceptives. Although I did not support Governor Christie’s tactics, I started wondering what makes abortion okay?

I began to research in hopes a certain claim would help me choose a side. In a recent article in the New York Times, Elisabeth Rosenthal concludes in her article Legal or Not, Abortion Rates Compare that abortion rates in countries where abortions are legal and illegal are very similar. Her studies indicated that over 20 million abortions take place in countries where it is illegal. (Rosenthal 1) But because the law restricts them, most of these abortions are done through unsanitary procedures greatly putting the women at risk. Although I empathized with these women, I felt unsatisfied. Legalizing abortion in these countries seems rational, but my question about abortion began to change. As oppose to what makes abortion legal or okay, I think my real question lied within what makes abortion morally acceptable? Professor Hugh V. McLachlan (an author and professor of law and social sciences) in his article Body, Rights and Abortion focuses on anti-abortionists claims that although we have complete ownership over one’s person the same could not be said about our body.  Professor McLachlan concludes, “Whether or not we own our bodies and/or our bodily capacities, we can still have rights and duties concerning them.” (McLachlan 179) Our inherent freedom has human beings allow us to make our decisions of one’s self and one’s body freely. This would allow abortion to be morally acceptable but I was still not convinced.

Unsatisfied with my research, I began to look at my issue with Perez-Pena’s article of Governor Christie. I began to wonder if religious advocates like Governor Christie and my family could not accept abortion, was that really the outlook of the church and the authorities of it? I came across and article interviewing ministers of the church and their views on abortion. Interestingly enough most ministers did not condemn all abortions. On minister exclaimed

“I’m in favor of legal abortions in instances of rape, incest, or where the health of the mother is (jeopardized)… it can’t be eliminated. What has happened, though, is that this has exploded, where people are getting abortions for all kinds of reasons… I’m against abortion on demand; I think it’s a sin…I’m pro-life.  (Jelen 136)

Ironically enough, most of the ministers in the article had similar beliefs. They were open to the idea that not all life is black and white, which was settling enough. Although people such as Governor Christie and my family believed in the concrete statements of the bible, many religious leaders of their faith did not feel the same.

 The more I thought of my experience with abortion the more I realized everything is must be relative. My circumstance was a miracle and even at that it was painful for my mother and I. All too often growing up, I hated my life. I hated I could not talk to other children, I hated Mr. Bunny was my only friend especially since he was mean. I resented me. Although my mother would never admit it, I think at times she could have resented me too. I had doctors appointments every week, got lost everywhere and anywhere, my mother had no time for anything but me. My circumstance was a miracle because I was able to grow out of my disability. But I imagine if I had not, my mother would not be the vibrant, gooshy mother she is for me today.

If my mother had a choice nineteen years ago, I would not be here. Although I am grateful to be alive, I can still hear her devastated cry standing outside her bedroom door. I can still remember how weary she looked whenever she found me lost. Every case is relative. My family and Governor Christie outlook on the issue of abortion is all to black and white. Although I thought I would have a more concrete side on abortion by the end of this paper, I believe most of the issues in life fall under a grey area. There seems to be no clear answer but to understand everyone’s choice must be relative to one’s own happiness.

Work Cited

McLachlan, H. V. "Bodies, Rights and Abortion." Journal of Medical Ethics 23.3 (1997): 176-80. JSTOR. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.

Perez-Pena, Richar. "Christie’s Conservatism Is Not Just Economic." Nytimes.com. 17 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 Apr. 2011.

Jelen, Ted G. "The Clergy and Abortion." Review of Religious Research 34.2 (1992). JSTOR. Web. 2 May 2011.

Rosenthal, Elisabeth. "Legal or Not, Abortion Rates Compare - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 12 Oct 2007. Web. 02 May 2011.

Grey matters of Abortion

I am six years old. I am in the backyard of a villa in Al Jumeirah, Dubai. I am naked and I can feel the sun radiating every inch of my body. I am holding Mr. Bunny’s ears and scorning him in a language only I can understand. Then for the first time I hear it, a low painful cry, my mother’s cry. I am confused. How did I get here again? How did you get here Grace? What can you last remember? I feel frustrated and I begin to feel anxious. The cry comes again through my mother’s balcony door. I glared at Mr. Bunny. Although I did not remember the reason of my contempt for him at that moment, Mr. Bunny knew. Looking into his lazy, unconcerned eyes, I bop him in the head hoping he feels remorse. I jump up and run towards my mom’s room. My older brother Steve is standing in front of the door to my parent’s room. I stand beside him and ask him in a very serious tone “attuhhummah”?  Unresponsive, I felt frustrated, motivating me to bop him in the head. Always mature and calm, Steve grabs me by the hand towards my room. As he starts to dress me, he explains calmly “baby died”. I could feel my body begin to freeze and unknowingly began to pee.

Sometimes when someone tells me their sibling got all the good genes I smile to myself because in my case, there’s some truth to that saying. My devout Christian mother has always been very tiny. Although my eldest brother, Steve was born a healthy child, when doctors confirmed she was pregnant with me, they suggested I be aborted. Her body could not provide all the nourishment I needed, and the chances I would be a stillbirth or mentally/physically challenged were very high. My family disregarded the doctor’s concerns, and my mother put my fate in her God’s hands. I was born 5 pounds, malnourished, with an underdeveloped brain. Until the age of 8, I struggled with frequent memory loss and did not form proper speech until the age of 14. 

Recently, while scrolling through the New York Times, I came across Perez-Pena’s article Christie’s Conservatism is Not Just Economic. As Perez-Pena criticizes Governor Christie’s (of New Jersey) right winged, conservative acts he began to discuss Governor Chris Christie’s outlook on abortion. While state of New Jersey began looking for different budgets to cut, Governor Christie took the opportunity to immediately decrease plant parenthood budgets, indirectly dissuading women from having abortions. Although abortion is legal, and even in our liberal generation, there are still politicians and religious advocates fighting to stop abortion and abortion clinics. A bit angered it began to remind me of my family and how their religious outlook on abortion was no different from Governor Christie’s. Past memories of Dubai began to flood my thoughts, and I began feeling a bit torn apart.

I can remember how invaluable and stupid I felt not being able to communicate like other children and constantly forgetting how I got from point A to point B. I remember how lonely it was. But I realize I have been given a chance. Because my family did not stand for abortion as it is not apart of Korean culture nor was it okay by God, I was given a chance. But then my mind wanders as to how my mother must have felt. Trapped by her duties to her religion, she had no choice. It would be God’s will. Seven months before she had my youngest brother, doctors had warned her, his birth could lead to her death but her best case would be another “challenged” child. I wonder if my mother resented her God for having a disabled daughter who got lost often in large markets. I wonder how a mother feels knowing she might have to die before she could raise her children. I try to grasp how my mother must have felt after spending sleepless nights watching baby Mathew through his incubator. I can only contemplate how my mom felt lying in bed mourning a lost son who only felt the pains of death for his short three-month life. 

In past conversations my mother has admitted if she had her way she would have aborted me and there probably wouldn’t have been a Mathew afterwards. I’m always confused to hear my mother say this. I have never questioned my mother’s relentless love for me and I understand at the time, doctors believed my stem cells would never develop a full functioning brain. I understand raising a disabled person must be excruciating but I also understand the lump that forms in my throat.  And at that instance I am grateful she did not have a choice because I was given a chance. But reading Perez-Pena’s article I begin to feel guilty. Governor Christie’s attempt to strip mothers of a choice to abort her child or not because of his views seems unethical. Lowering funding for plant parenthoods, he’s financially disabling possible mothers from aborting and restricting them from contraceptives. Although I did not support Governor Christie’s tactics, I started wondering what makes abortion okay?

I began to research in hopes a certain claim would help me choose a side. In a recent article in the New York Times, Elisabeth Rosenthal concludes in her article Legal or Not, Abortion Rates Compare that abortion rates in countries where abortions are legal and illegal are very similar. Her studies indicated that over 20 million abortions take place in countries where it is illegal. (Rosenthal 1) But because the law restricts them, most of these abortions are done through unsanitary procedures greatly putting the women at risk. Although I empathized with these women, I felt unsatisfied. Legalizing abortion in these countries seems rational, but my question about abortion began to change. As oppose to what makes abortion legal or okay, I think my real question lied within what makes abortion morally acceptable? Professor Hugh V. McLachlan (an author and professor of law and social sciences) in his article Body, Rights and Abortion focuses on anti-abortionists claims that although we have complete ownership over one’s person the same could not be said about our body.  Professor McLachlan concludes that “Whether or not we own our bodies and/or our bodily capacities, we can still have rights and duties concerning them.” (McLachlan 179)

Unstatisfied with my research, I began to look at my issue with Perez-Pena’s article of Governor Christie. I began to wonder if religious advocates like Governor Christie and my family could not accept abortion, was that really the outlook of the church and the authorities of it? I came across and article interviewing ministers of the church and their views on abortion. Interestingly enough most ministers did not condemn all abortions. On minister exclaimed

“I’m in favor of legal abortions in instances of rape, incest, or where the health of the mother is (jeopardized)… it can’t be eliminated. What has happened, though, is that this has exploded, where people are getting abortions for all kinds of reasons… I’m against abortion on demand; I think it’s a sin…I’m pro-life.  (Jelen 136)

Ironically enough, most of the ministers in the article had similar beliefs. They were open to the idea that not all life is black and white, which was settling enough.

 The more I thought of my experience with abortion the more I realized everything is relative. My circumstance was a miracle and even at that it was painful for my mother and I. All too often growing up, I hated my life. I hated I could not talk to other children, I hated Mr. Bunny was my only friend especially since he was mean. I resented me. Although my mother would never admit it, I think at times she could have resented me too. I had doctors appointments every week, got lost everywhere and anywhere, my mother had no time for anything but me. My circumstance was a miracle because I was able to grow out of my disability. But I imagine if I had not, my mother would not be the vibrant, gooshy mother she is for me today.

If my mother had a choice nineteen years ago, I would not be here. Although I am grateful to be alive, I can still hear her devastated cry standing outside her bedroom door. I can still remember how weary she looked whenever she found me lost. Every case is relative. My family and Governor Christie outlook on the issue of abortion is all to black and white. Although I thought I would have a more concrete side on abortion by the end of this paper, I believe most of the issues in life fall under a grey area. There seems to be no clear answer but to understand everyone’s choice must be relative to one’s own happiness.

Work Cited

McLachlan, H. V. "Bodies, Rights and Abortion." Journal of Medical Ethics 23.3 (1997): 176-80. JSTOR. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.

Perez-Pena, Richar. "Christie’s Conservatism Is Not Just Economic." Nytimes.com. 17 Apr. 2011. Web. 19 Apr. 2011.

Jelen, Ted G. "The Clergy and Abortion." Review of Religious Research 34.2 (1992). JSTOR. Web. 2 May 2011.

Rosenthal, Elisabeth. "Legal or Not, Abortion Rates Compare - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 12 Oct 2007. Web. 02 May 2011.

Reflection 4.1

I think this must have been the hardest essay. I realize I have a lot more editing to do. I did not put any sources in mainly because I didn't really know where to put them. I also didn't know where I stand. I felt like with such a controversial subject that I'd be able to pick a side but I really can't. I guess my final conclusion was that everyone's situation is personal and relative to their own life and that governor Christie doesn't really have the authority to push his opinions on others. I'm not really sure if I conveyed my conclusion well but I know I have work left.

Essay 4.0

I am six years old. I am in the backyard of a villa in Al Jumeirah, Dubai. I am naked and I can feel the sun radiating ever inch of my body. I am holding Mr. Bunny’s ears and scorning him in a language only I can understand. Then for the first time I hear it, a low painful cry, my mother’s cry. I am confused. How did I get here again? How did you get here Grace? What can you last remember? I feel frustrated and I begin to feel anxious. The cry comes again through my mother’s balcony door. I glared at Mr. Bunny. Although I could not remember the reason of my contempt for him at that moment, Mr. Bunny knew. Looking into his lazy, unconcerned eyes, I bop him in the head hoping he feels remorse. I jump up and run towards my mom’s room. My older brother Steve is standing in front of the door to my parent’s room. I stand beside him and ask him in a very serious tone “attuhhummah”?  Unresponsive, I did what I did best when I was frustrated. I bopped him in the head. Always mature and calm, my brother took me by the hand towards my room. As he began to dress me, he explained calmly “baby died”. I froze up and began to pee.

Sometimes when someone tells me their sibling got all the good genes I smile to myself because in my case, there’s some truth to that saying. My very Christian mother has always been very tiny. When doctors confirmed she was pregnant with me, they suggested I be aborted. Her body could not provide all the nourishment I needed, and the chances I would be a stillbirth or mentally/physically challenged were very high. My family disregarded the doctors concerns, and my mother put my fate in her God’s hands. I was born 5 pounds, malnourished, with an underdeveloped brain. Till the age of 8, I struggled with frequent memory loss and did not form proper speech till the age of 14.  

Reading Perez-Pena’s article Christie’s Conservatism is Not Just Economic I find myself with a confused outlook on abortion. As Perez-Pena criticizes Govenor Christie’s (of New Jersey) right winged, conservative act on lowering funds for planned parenthoods, I find myself recalling memories of Dubai. I remember how invaluable and stupid I felt not being able to communicate like other children and constantly forgetting how I got from point A to point B. I remember how lonely it was. But I realize I have been given a chance. Because my family did not stand for abortion as it is not apart of Korean culture nor was it okay by God, I was given a chance. But then my mind wanders as to how my mother must have felt. Trapped by her duties to her religion, she had no choice. It would be God’s will. Seven months before she had my youngest brother, doctors had warned her, his birth could lead to her death but her best case would be another “challenged” child. I wonder if my mother resented her God for having a disabled daughter who got lost often in large markets. I wonder how a mother felt knowing she might have to die before she could raise her children. I try to grasp how my mother must have felt after spending sleepless nights watching baby Mathew through his incubator. I can only contemplate how my mom felt lying in bed mourning a lost son who only felt the pains of death for his short three-month life. 

In past conversations my mother has admitted if she had her way she would have aborted me and there probably wouldn’t have been a Mathew afterwards. I’m always confused to hear my mother say this. I have never questioned my mother’s relentless love for me and I understand at the time, doctors believed my stem cells would never develop a full functioning brain. I understand raising a disabled person must be excruciating but I also understand the lump that forms in my throat.  And at that instance I am grateful she did not have a choice because I was given a chance. But reading Perez-Pena’s article I begin to feel guilty. Governor Christie’s attempt to strip mothers of a choice to abort her child or not because of his views seems unethical. Lowering funding for plant parenthoods, he’s financially disabling possible mothers from aborting and restricting them from contraceptives. I realize everything is relative. My circumstance was a miracle and even at that it was painful for my mother and I. All too often growing up, I hated my life. I hated I could not talk to other children, I hated Mr. Bunny was my only friend especially since he was mean. I resented me. Although my mother would never admit it, I think at times she could have resented me too. I had doctors appointments every week, got lost everywhere and anywhere, my mother had no time for anything but me. My circumstance was a miracle because I was able to grow out of my disability. But I imagine if I had not, my mother would not be the vibrant, gooshy mother she is for me today.

If my mother had a choice nineteen years ago, I would not be here. Although I am grateful to be alive, I can still hear her devastated cry standing outside her bedroom door. I can still remember how weary she looked whenever she found me lost. Every case is relative. Conservative Governor Christie’s seems to look at the issue of Planned Parenthood and abortion through a black and white mentality. Although I thought I would have a more concrete side on abortion by the end of this paper, I believe most of the issues in life fall under a grey area. There seems to be no clear answer but to understand everyone’s choice must be relative to their own happiness.

Reflection 3.2

I hope I did well. This essay was the hardest I felt like to write. Even while I was editing it I had a difficult time forming what I wanted to say and where I wanted it to go. I felt really unorganized throughout and most of the time I was questioning what I was writing about. This draft I think is a lot more grammatically correct and organized. I know my compromise seemed a bit haste and questionable in my frist draft so I think I did better structuring and including more detail for the compromise. This sounds odd, but I had fun. My research was interesting and I learned a lot from it. I got help from friends and was really curious of the books I was reading.

Essay 3.2

Grace Park

4/18/11

Capitalism

Capitalism and the free market is the base of the American economy. Our country is established on certain troths that allow us to preserve our freedom and pursuit of happiness. Consequently, I understand why so many of us favor American capitalism. Our freedom embodies the control of one’s self. As our country diverged from a socialist to a capital economy, we profited in complete ownership of our freedom. With this independence it’s the individual’s responsibility to understand and push oneself to succeed in this capital economy. As capitalism is the segregation of economy and government, I empathize with extreme capitalists who may argue; society assumption that there should be a correlation between economic achievement and social justice is inappropriate. 

Walter E. William’s describes the integrity of our capital economy in an article in which he claims

“… Economic efficiency and greater wealth should be promoted as simply a side-benefit of free markets. The intellectual defense of free-market capitalism should focus on its moral superiority. In other words, even if free enterprise were not more efficient than other forms of human organization, it is morally superior because it is rooted in voluntary relationships rather than force and coercion, and it respects the sanctity of the individual.” (Williams)

Morally, I agree with the capitalist view that capitalism gives complete freedom, which allows the individual to own private property and withstand government coercion (that enables them to redistribute one’s wealth). I understand the inherent freedom the unrestricted market gives us to become entrepreneurs and innovators.

In any structured economy, there will always be subgroups of upper, middle and the lower class. The issue in our extreme capital economy is the colossal difference between these subgroups. Unfortunately, the polarity between the upper and lower class is degrading to the equality and social mobility our government and financial system stood for. With wealth determining social class in our society, and 48% of the economies wealth being profited by the top 5% of our population (Johnson), our uncapped capital economy is making the rich wealthier and leaving the poor impoverished.

Pro capitalists celebrate the notion that everyone can achieve the American dream (even those living in penury), but is it possible for many in our society to achieve such success solely through our tenacity? Because wealth is also a determining factor of where one lives, the segregation between the rich and poor determines the types of education one is provided. Even in the early stages of life, the dissociation between the classes allows the wealthy superior education in order to stay in the top five percent while urban schools keep the pauperized poor.  In the article, Still Separate, Still Unequal: America’s Educational Apartheid, Jonathan Kozol, a well known writer through his books on the American education system, explains that children in urban settings are not given the proper necessities to be educated. He goes on to give frightening statistics

“In 48 percent of high schools in the nation's 100 largest districts, which are those in which the highest concentrations of black and Hispanic students tend to be enrolled, less than half the entering ninth-graders graduate in four years. Nationwide, from 1993 to 2002, the number of high schools graduating less than half their ninth-grade class in four years has increased by 75 percent. … There are 120 high schools in New York, enrolling nearly 200,000 minority students, where less than 60 percent of entering ninth-graders even make it to twelfth grade.”

In our competitive economy, college degrees are becoming a necessity, but as public education systems are failing to help students living in urban settings to achieve even their high school diploma, the playing field for the rich and poor are disparate to begin with. Statistics show that 37.3 million Americans live in poverty, 14 million of which are children our extreme capital economy has provided us with the highest-ranking poverty rate in the industrialized world (Eitzen 31). Many of our youth are struggling with the stress and the dehumanizing lifestyle poverty entails. Additionally, living in poverty strips them of a proper education due to their demographics. For many of these students, it isn’t their intelligence or the lack of motivation they posses keeping them from achieving the American dream, but the lack of education and poverty they struggle with.

The beauty of capitalism is that it allows the American dream to be possible for everyone, unbiased of the social class they were born into. However, our extreme capital economy has stripped the middle and lower class of this possibility. As corporations have monopolized our deregulated economy, large portions of profits are being expended into the pockets of investors and CEOs. In a recent poll, it’s revealed that the average American CEO makes as much as 431 times the average worker and on average, are paid 75% more than their European compeers. (Eitzen 5). Deregulated markets allow for corporations to profit immensely and I feel it would be beneficial if workers were able to profit also. However, in Heiner’s book Social Problems an Introduction to Critical Constructionism claims that “millions of American workers are being- or face the threat of being- ‘downsized’ because corporations seek to ‘trim the fat,’ American workers and workers all over the world are facing cuts in their benefits.” (Heiner 17)

Capitalism promotes a generally equal opportunity for everyone. The issue with extreme capitalism is that the wealth distribution has stained the troths of equality that our nation stands for with ignominy. Eitzen writes, “Social policy is about design, setting goals, and determining the means to achieve them. Do we want to regulate and protect more as the well-developed welfare states do, or should we do less? Should we created and invest in policies and programs that protect citizens from poverty, unemployment, and the high cost of health care or should the market economy sort people into winners, players, and losers” (Eitzen 11)? Personally, I believe the answer is yes. Although I agree with what capitalism entails, social policies that semi-regulate the market promotes a better distribution of wealth and will replenish the middle class. In addition, this would lower poverty rates and allow families to move out of urban settings, providing children with better opportunities. A more proportionate distribution of capital, where the top 5% does not own 48% of our economic wealth, would create equilibrium within the economic playing field.

It is the government’s job to promote social justice. It is the government’s job to seek prosperity and alleviate those in poverty. It is the government’s job to seek economic justice. Although some may see a semi-government regulated economy as a breach of our freedom, I see it as they are securing it. Regulating big businesses would promote better pay for workers and secure our instable economy. It would ensure large corporations do not hand out million dollar bonuses to their investors while our economy is fighting a recession. Seeing our extreme capitalism has already forced our government into billion dollar bailouts, seeking more regulation in our open market seems sensible. This would force corporations to be honest of their debts and investments making it more difficult for recessions to occur. Our government taking a more hands-on approach would also enable them to redistribute our wealth reducing the imbalance of wealth. Semi-regulation promotes social mobility and economic prosperity unbiased of one’s social class. 

Work Cited

Heiner, Robert. Social Problems: an Introduction to Critical Constructionism. New York, NY: Oxford UP, 2010. Print.

Eitzen, D. Stanley. Solutions to Social Problems: Lessons from Other Societies. Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon, 2007. Print.

Waddan, Alex. "The US Safty Net, Inequality and the Great Recession." The Journal of Poverty and Social Justice 18.3. JSTOR. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

Johnson, Allan G. "Why Is There Poverty?" Allan G Johnson. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.

Kozol, Jonathan. "Still Separate, Still Unequal: America's Educational Apartheid." Harper's Magazine 1 Sept. 2005. Print.

 

reflection 3.1

This paper might have been the hardest I've had to write. I had a very difficult time really understanding my topic and being able to do thorough research. I felt like I kept getting off track and had many "what am I talking about?" moments. Arguing in a rogerian style was also harder then expected. Being polite, and empathetic while also trying to convey a point took a lot of effort. I think I have a lot to work on for my final draft. I have to focus on sticking with my argument and keeping the flow through each paragraph. I'm actually disappointed on how bad I feel my draft came out. I wasn't able to write as concisely as I would have liked to and I'm not exactly sure if I was able to make my points valid.

essay 3.1

Grace Park

Capitalism and the free market is the base of the American economy. Seeing our country is established on certain troths that allow us to preserve our freedom and pursuit of happiness, I understand why so many of us favor American capitalism. Our freedom embodies the control of one’s self and as our country diverged from a socialist to a complete capital economy, we profited in a complete ownership of our freedom. And with this independence it is the individual’s responsibility to understand and push oneself to succeed in this capital economy. As capitalism is the segregation of economy and government, I empathize with extreme capitalist who may argue: society’s assumption that there should be a correlation between economic achievement and social justice seems inappropriate. 

Walter E. William’s describes the integrity of our capital economy in an article in which he claims

“… Economic efficiency and greater wealth should be promoted as simply a side-benefit of free markets. The intellectual defense of free-market capitalism should focus on its moral superiority. In other words, even if free enterprise were not more efficient than other forms of human organization, it is morally superior because it is rooted in voluntary relationships rather than force and coercion, and it respects the sanctity of the individual.” (Williams)

Morally, I agree with capitalists, that ideal capitalism gives complete freedom. It allows the individual to own private property and withstand government coercion that enables them to redistribute one’s wealth. I understand the inherent freedom the unrestricted market gives us to become entrepreneurs and innovators.

In any structured economy, there will always be subgroups of upper, middle and the lower class. But the issue in our extreme capital economy is the colossal difference between these subgroups. Sadly, the polarity between the upper and lower class is a degradation to the equality and social mobility our government and financial system stood for. With wealth determining social class in our society, and 48% of the economies wealth being profited by the top 5% of our population (Johnson), our uncapped capital economy is making the rich wealthier and the poor live in penury.

Pro capitalists celebrate the notion that everyone can achieve the American dream (even ones living in penury), but is it possible for many in our society to achieve such success solely through our tenacity today? As wealth is also the determining factor of where one lives, the segregation between the rich and poor also determines the types of education one may be able to afford. Even in the early stages of life, the dissociation between the classes allows the wealthy superior education in order to stay in the top five percent while urban schools keep the pauperized poor.  Jonathan Kozol (a well known writer through his books on the American education system) in his article Still Separate, Still Unequal: America’s Educational Apartheid, he explains children in urban settings are not given the proper necessities to be educated. He goes on to give frightening statistics

“In 48 percent of high schools in the nation's 100 largest districts, which are those in which the highest concentrations of black and Hispanic students tend to be enrolled, less than half the entering ninth-graders graduate in four years. Nationwide, from 1993 to 2002, the number of high schools graduating less than half their ninth-grade class in four years has increased by 75 percent. … There are 120 high schools in New York, enrolling nearly 200,000 minority students, where less than 60 percent of entering ninth-graders even make it to twelfth grade.”

In our competitive economy, college degrees are becoming a necessity, but as public education systems are failing to help students (living in urban settings) achieve even their high school diploma, the playing field for the rich and poor are disparate to begin with. As 37.3 million Americans live in poverty, 14 million of which are children (Eitzen 31), our extreme capital economy has provided us with the highest-ranking poverty rate in the industrialized world. (Eitzen 31) Many of our youth are struggling with the stress and the dehumanizing lifestyle poverty entails. Living in penury they’ve also stripped of a proper education due to their demographics. For many these students, it is not their intelligence or the lack of motivation they posses keeping them from achieving the American dream, but the lack of education and poverty they struggle with.

The beauty of capitalism is it allows the American dream to be possible for anyone, unbiased of the social class they were born into. But our extreme capital economy has stripped the middle and lower class of this possibility. As corporations have monopolized our deregulated economy a large portion of the profit are expended into the pockets of investors and CEOs. In a recent poll it’s revealed that the average American CEO makes 431 times as much as the average worker in compensated and on average are paid 75% more then their European compeers. (Eitzen 5) Deregulated markets do allow for corporations to profit immensely and I feel would be beneficial if workers were able to profit also. But as Heiner in his book Social Problems an Introduction to Critical Constructionism exclaims “millions of American workers are being- or face the threat of being- ‘downsized’ because corporations seek to ‘trim the fat,’ American workers and workers all over the world are facing cuts in their benefits.” (Heiner 17)

Capitalism promotes a generally equal opportunity for everyone in which I agree with. The issue is the extreme capitalism, where the wealth distribution has stained the troths of equality and ability to pursue happiness that our nation stands for with ignominy. Eitzen asks the questions “Social policy is about design, setting goals, and determining the means to achieve them. Do we want to regulate and protect more as the well-developed welfare states do, or should we do less? Should we created and invest in policies and programs that protect citizens from poverty, unemployment, and the high cost of health care or should the market economy sort people into winners, players, and losers?” (Eitzen 11) Personally, I would respond yes. Although I agree with what capitalism entails, social policies that semi-regulate markets, promote a better distribution of wealth and replenish the middle class. This would also lower poverty rates, and allow families to move out of urban settings, providing children with better opportunities. A more proportionate distribution of capital (where the top 5% does not own 48% of our economic wealth) would level out our economic playing field in which one has the freedom of social mobility and economic prosperity unbias of their social class.

Work Cited

Heiner, Robert. Social Problems: an Introduction to Critical Constructionism. New York, NY: Oxford UP, 2010. Print.

Eitzen, D. Stanley. Solutions to Social Problems: Lessons from Other Societies. Boston: Pearson Allyn & Bacon, 2007. Print.

Waddan, Alex. "The US Safty Net, Inequality and the Great Recession." The Journal of Poverty and Social Justice 18.3. JSTOR. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.

Johnson, Allan G. "Why Is There Poverty?" Allan G Johnson. Web. 29 Mar. 2011.

Kozol, Jonathan. "Still Separate, Still Unequal: America's Educational Apartheid." Harper's Magazine 1 Sept. 2005. Print.

Reflection 2.2

I think I did better on this revision. I looked over my grammar and had a friend review it too which helped a lot. The challenge was finding more relevant sources, I felt like my sources helped me defend my argument in my rough draft but I was able to find other scholarly journals to improve my essay. The only real concern I had was being able to really explain my quotes. I really hope I did better!

Essay 2.2

Grace Park

3.2.11

Why Chinese Mother’s Are Superior

In Amy Chua’s editorial for the Wall Street Journal, Why Chinese Mother’s Are Superior, Chua stereotypes thousands of Asian mothers and their attitudes on child rearing based entirely through her personal experience. Her bias article, (as she herself is a Chinese parent) gives personal anecdotes of her strict methods of parenting and Chua concludes from it, her authoritative system is what makes her a better parent than other western mothers. Her generalizations seem not only to hold any affirmation but from a personal perspective (as a child of growing up with Asian parents) seem to be exaggerated. Although Chua is not completely wrong since non-western mothers do hold a different view on parenting, her article seems to be three-page testament boasting her cold, mothering skills.

Chua’s entire article is based on assumptions and stereotypes of non-western mothers. She begins by stating “Chinese parents spend approximately 10 times as long every day drilling academic activities with their children. By contrast, Western kids are more likely to participate in sports teams.” (Chua, 2) She fails to provide any valid evidence for her supposition other than going on to describe her relations with her daughters. From which the reader can conclude, Chua feels she spends more time pushing her daughters then other parents rather than the subgroup of Asian parents she’s mentioned.  Chua later iterates the strict rules implemented on her children that do not allow for them to attend sleepovers or be in school plays in order for them to become academically successful. Ruth K. Chao Ph.D an associate professor and the University Of California explains

“parenting concepts ‘authoritarian’ and ‘restrictive’ are not very relevant for Asians, although they may be important understanding European-American parenting. Indeed, these concepts are more pertinent to American parenting values in which ‘strictness’ is sometimes equated with manifestations of parental hostility, aggression, mistrust, and dominance. For Asians, parental obedience and some aspects of strictness may be equated with parental concern, caring, or involvement. Just as important, for Asians parental control may not always involve ‘domination’ of children per se, but rather a more organizational type of control for the purpose or goal of keeping the family running smoothly and fostering family harmony.” (Chao, 1112)

Although Chua’s assumption that Asian parents are just as “strict” as she is holds some validity, her portrayal of an Asian mothers, as authoritative parents seems over exaggerated. Due to culture differences, Asian parents may have more involvement in their children’s lives but the harsh treatment portrayed in Chua’s anecdotes are not a clear representation of the type of relationship all Asian parent’s have with their children.

Later in her article, Chua makes her claim that “Chinese parents can get away with things that Western parents can’t.” (Chua, 3) She goes on to explain that Asian child rearing methods allow parents to be frank with their children where western parents are more cautious and tiptoe around “sensitive” subjects. She reasons with her audience that being blunt with children is a better tactic through a story a friend has told her. She exclaims her western friend felt “like garbage” (Chua, 3) when her father gushed about her. She goes on to give an example of her “better” methods. Forcing her daughter to play the piano against her will for an ungodly amount of time, Chua exclaims her daughter (after many bickering matches) was happy her mother was so forceful. Chua through her article makes the assumption that all Asian parents are blatantly honest (to the point of cruelty) to their children out of love. She claims all Asian parents (like herself) use an authoritative mothering tactic. Contrary to Chua’s claim, Dr. Jean Cheng Gorman (a licensed psychologist from NYU) in her article Parenting Attitudes and Practices of Immigrant Chinese Mothers of Adolescents (Published by the National Council on Family Relations) found in her studies “none of the mothers made any ultimatums, but rather, discussed the matters with their children in a rational manner and left the final decision up to their children.” (Gorman, 75) Although there must be cases of very strict Asian parents such as Chua, there are also strict parents of western ideology. Her claim seems to be an overstatement and unfair as she speaks for million of Asian immigrant mothers.

            As a daughter of two Korean immigrants, I’ve noticed several cultural differences from my peers with parents of western ideals. But the only similarities I see in my mother’s parenting skills and Amy Chua’s is my mother pushed me to get good grades in school. Although my grades came first, as long as I was able to maintain a B average, (which Chua mentions would never happen) my parents allowed me to participate in extracurricular activities such as lacrosse, field hockey, fencing, volleyball and piano. Like many Asian children, I attended tutoring sessions and had a very full academic schedule besides school, but unlike Chua my mother has never called me distressing names if I did poorly in school, nor has she ever punished me to practice my piano. Immigrating to a foreign country, and adapting to a culture they were not accustomed too, my parents have faced a lot of hardship. Understanding that, I feel insulted on their behalf as Chua gives herself the right to talk on behalf of all Chinese, Korean, Indian, Jamaican, Irish and Ghanaian immigrant parents. I was never brought up in such a strict atmosphere and for her personal mothering skills to discredit such a vast amount of mothers (who may disagree with her parenting skills) in a popular journal is harrowing.

            Professors Chin-Yau Lin (University of New York at Gemeseo) and Victoria R. Fu (Virginia Polytechnic Institue and State University) in their journal A Comparison of Child-rearing Practices among Chinese, Immigrant Chinese, and Caucasian-American Parents, analyze the cultural differences of the three subgroups. They conclude many of the Chinese parental values come from Confucian principles. They go on to explain “Definitive views on parental control, obedience, strict discipline, emphasis on education, filial piety, respect for elders, family obligation, reverence for tradition, maintenance of harmony and negation of conflict are attributed to the influence of Confucianism.” (Lin, 429) Because of traditional values of Asian immigrant families, parenting skills differ. It seems to be more family oriented and children are to be more disciplined to respect their parents. In Gorman’s study she sheds light on a different reason to further emphasize a more family oriented child rearing method. She believes “these mothers also felt that mainstream American parents where not as invest in their role as parents ... the majority of the [Chinese] mothers attributed the successful outcomes of their children to parental protective watchfulness and involvement in their children’s daily activities.” (Gorman, 77) Although cultural differences give westerners the notion Asian mother’s are extremely strict, Lin and Fu believe “Thus it seems that parents of Chinese origin, especially fathers, tend to encourage their children to be independent and adaptable...”. (Lin, 432) This leads me to conclude although Asian parents seem to have a tighter grip on their children their motive (similar to westerners) is for their children to become self sufficient and independent thinkers.

            Although some truth lies behind Chua’s argument, her theory that Chinese mother’s are better because they are stricter holds no validity. Her evidence lies solely in personal anecdotes. She transforms hard working Asian mothers that struggle as parents raising children in a different culture to sinister, authoritative figures that treat their children despotically. Although differences lie between the two parenting methods, Chua’s depiction of Asian parenting seems exaggerated. As Asian parents tend to be stricter research show no proof of the harshness illustrated in Chua’s article.

Works Cited

Chua, Amy. “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior.” The Wall Street Journal. 8 January 2011. Web. 16 February 2011.

Gorman, Jean Cheng. “Attitudes and Practices of Immigrant Chinese Mothers of Adolescents.” National Council on Family Relations 47.1 (1998): 73-80. JSTOR. Web. 25 February. 2011.

Lin, Chin-Yau Cindy. and Victoria R. Fu. “A comparison of Child Rearing Practice among CHinese, Immigrant Chinese, and Caucasian American Parents.” Blackwell Publishing 61. 2 (1990): 429-433. JSTOR. Web. 25 February. 2011.

Chao, Ruth K. "Beyond Parental Control and Authoritarian Parenting Style: Understanding Chinese Parenting Through the Cultural Notion of Training." Child Development 64.4 (1994): 1111-1119. JSTOR. Web. 19 Mar. 2011.

Grace Pre-writing 3

Grace's Journal
Sitting in my last class on friday what I most want is some mac-n-cheese. The only issue is I've spent my weekly allowance on a new dress and now I'm broke.... I wish I had a job. I've never actually had to do any manual labour. It's not that I haven't tried, I think I'm just too awkward to work a job that has to do with talking to a lot of people. What kind of opportunities do people like me have? The economic imbalance in our economy has stripped people without much talent or higher education degree out of jobs that a couple decades ago could have fed an entire family.
Rough Outline
I understand that at the heart of capitalism it allows personal freedom and provides one with the American dream. The American dream which grants one the opportunity to make as much money one wishes in correlation to their drive. I understand that government interference in redistributing wealth with an aura of justice can be seen as a lack of freedom and bullying.
BUT
Large corporations have taken over the heart of capitalism which is small businesses and individual ownership.
Globalization
Large Corporations interfering in politics and media
Poverty rising and the low income families living in penury
SOLUTION
No extreme capitalism
Some cap on what corporations can and can't do
free market but checked so we don't find ourselves in a recession

Reflection 2.1

I felt this paper was a lot harder then the last one. I had a harder time finding my thesis and making intelligent arguments. I felt as though Chua was just so absurd that it was hard for me to refute her and come up with my own opinion on this issue. I don't think I was as organized so for my final draft I want to re-organize and make my paper more concise. I also had an issue with the grammar and run-on sentences. I realized that my sentences were very lengthy which can make my paper look sloppy and too wordy. Other then that I think I made some good points and I works hard to utilize my research.

First Draft

Grace Park

3.2.11

Why Chinese Mother’s Are Superior

In Amy Chua’s editorial for the Wall Street Journal, Why Chinese Mother’s Are Superior, Chua stereotypes thousands of Asian mothers and their attitudes on child rearing based entirely through her personal experience. Her bias article, (as she herself is a Chinese parent) gives personal anecdotes of her strict methods of parenting and Chua concludes from it, her authoritative system is what makes her a better parent then other mothers. Her generalizations seem not only to hold no affirmation but from a personal perspective (as a child of growing up with Asian parents) seem to be exaggerated. Although Chua is not completely wrong as to non-western mothers do hold a different view on parenting, her article seems to be three page testament boasting her cold, mothering skills.

            Chua’s entire article is based on assumptions and stereotypes of non-western mothers. She begins by stating that “Chinese parents Spend approximately 10 times as long every day drilling academic activities with their children. By contrast, Western kids are more likely to participate in sports teams.” (Chua p. 2) She fails to provide any valid evidence for her supposition other than going on to describe her relations with her daughters. From which the reader can conclude, Chua feels she spends more time pushing her daughters then other parents rather then the subgroup of Asian parents she’s mentioned.  Chua later iterates the strict rules implemented on her children that do not allow for them to attend sleepovers or be in school plays are in order for them to become academically successful. Jean Cheng Gorman (a licensed psychologist from NYU) in her article Parenting Attitudes and Practices of Immigrant Chinese Mothers of Adolescents (Published by the National Council on Family Relations) performs a study of  Chinese immigrant mothers in the U.S which reveals “ Specific rules regarding time spent away from home generally involved safety concerns, with half of the mothers asking their children to come home after school activities, or to call if they were going to be late.” Although Chua’s argument holds some truth in that Chinese mother’s control their children’s time spent away from home, the reasons seem to differ from Gorman’s professional study case. 

Chua later in her article makes her claim that “Chinese parents can get away with things that Western parents can’t.” (Chua pg. 3) She goes on to explain that Asian child rearing methods allow parents to be frank with their children where western parents are more sensitive and tiptoe around “sensitive” subjects. She reasons with her audience that being blunt with children is a better tactic with a story a friend has told her. She exclaims her western friend felt “like garbage” (Chua pg. 3) when her father gushed about her. She goes on to give an example of her “better” methods. Forcing her daughter to play the piano against her will for an ungodly amount of time, Chua exclaims her daughter after many bickering matches was happy her mother was so forceful. Chua through her article makes the assumption that all Asian parents are blatantly honest (to the point of cruelty) to their children out of love. She claims all Asian parents (like herself) use an authoritative mothering tactic. Contrary to Chua’s claim, Dr. Gorman found in her studies “none of the mothers made any ultimatums, but rather, discussed the matters with their children in a rational manner and left the final decision up to their children.” (Gorman pg. 75) Although there must be cases of very strict Asian parents such as Chua, there are also strict parents of western ideology. Her claim seems to be exaggerated and unfair as she speaks for million of Asian immigrant mothers. 

            As a daughter of two Korean immigrants of the U.S, I’ve noticed several cultural differences from my peers with parents of western ideals. But the only similarities I see in my mother’s parenting skills and Amy Chua’s is my mother pushed me to get good grades in school. Although my grades came first, as long as I was able to maintain a B average, (which Chua mentions would never happen) my parents allowed me to participate in extracurricular activities such as lacrosse, field hockey, fencing, volleyball and piano. Like many Asian children, I attended tutoring sessions and had a very full academic schedule besides school, but unlike Chua my mother has never called me distressing names if I did poorly in school, nor has she ever punished my to practice my piano. Immigrating to a foreign country, and adapting to a culture they were not accustomed too, my parents faced a lot of hardship. Understanding that, I feel insulted on their behalf as Chua gives herself the right to talk on behalf of all Chinese, Korean, Indian, Jamaican, Irish and Ghanaian immigrant parents. I was never brought up in such a strict atmosphere and for her personal mothering skills to discredit such a vast amount of mothers (who very well may be unlike her) in a popular journal is harrowing. 

Although Chua’s argument is flawed, her claim is accurate in that western and Asian ideologies differ in child care. Professors Chin-Yau Lin (University of New York at Gemeseo) and Victoria R. Fu (Virginia Polytechnic Institue and State University) in their journal A Comparison of Child-rearing Practices among Chinese, Immigrant Chinese, and Caucasian-American Parents, analyze the cultural differences of the three subgroups. They conclude many of the Chinese parental values come from Confucian principles. They go on to explain “ Definitive views on parental control, obedience, strict discipline, emphasis on education, filial piety, respect for elders, family obligation, reverence for tradition, maintenance of harmony and negation of conflict are attributed to the influence of Confucuanism.” (Lin pg 429) Because of traditional values of Asian immigrant families, parenting skills differ. It seems to be more family oriented and children are to be more disciplined to respect their parents. In Gorman’s study she sheds light on a different reason to further emphasize a more family oriented child rearing method. She believes “these mothers also felt that mainstream american parents where not as invest in their role as parents ... the majority of the [Chinese] mothers attributed the successful outcomes of their children to parental protective watchfulness and involvement in their children;s daily activities.” (Gorman pg 77) Although cultural differences give westerners the notion Asian mother’s are extremely strict, Lin and Fu believe “Thus it seems that parents of Chinese origin, especially fathers, tend to encourage their children to  be independent and adaptable...”. (Lin pg 432) This leads me to conclude although Asian parents seem to have a tighter grip on their children their motive (similar to westerners) is for their children to become self sufficient and independent thinkers. 

Although some truth lies behind Chua’s argument, her theory that Chinese mother’s are better because they are stricter holds no validity. Her her evidence lies solely in personal anecdotes. She transforms hard working Asian mother’s that struggle as parents raising children in a different culture to sinister, authoritative figures that treat their children despotically. Although difference lie between the two parenting methods, Chua’s depiction seems exaggerated. As Asian parents tend to be stricter research show no proof of the harshness illustrated in Chua’s article. 

Works Cited

Chua, Amy. “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior.” The Wall Street Journal. 8 January 2011. Web. 16 February 2011.

Gorman, Jean Cheng. “Attitudes and Practices of Immigrant Chinese Mothers of Adolescents.” National Council on Family Relations 47.1 (1998): 73-80. JSTOR. Web. 25 February. 2011.

Lin, Chin-Yau Cindy. and Victoria R. Fu. “A comparison of Child Rearing Practice among CHinese, Immigrant Chinese, and Caucasian American Parents.” Blackwell Publishing 61. 2 (1990): 429-433. JSTOR. Web. 25 February. 2011.