In the first
article, “Men Growing Up to be Boys” by Lakshmi Chaudhry, he talks mostly about
the fact that media has a big influence on the fact that men are losing a lot of
their masculine traits. He states that men have changed a lot from the 50’s and
how boys would rather spend their time “sneaking out with the boys, eyeing the
hot chick over his wife’s shoulder or buying cool new toys”. He makes it seem
as though men are seeking to do better for themselves instead of what is necessarily
best for their families. I definitely agree that media has a big influence on
men in our society because it creates a distraction for men and they tend to
lose sight of what is really important. He makes a comment in his article that
kind of stood out to me which stated, “The market also has little time for the
old-fashioned male virtue of self-denial, the imperative to do the “right thing”
at the expense of pleasure.” This basically shows again that men can easily
mistake what is important in their lives for simple pleasures.
In the
second article “How to be a Woman”, Moran explains why she feels that it is not
necessary for women to have children. Although I believe it isn’t necessary
that women have children, I believe it all comes down to personal preference. The
author did make a good point when she said, “Men and women alike have convinced
themselves of a dragging belief: that somehow women are incomplete without
children.” I believe this completely because in our society, it isn’t really “looked
down upon” but if you don’t have children you may not really be seen as like
the average women. What I didn’t agree with was the fact that she said “I don’t
think there’s a single lesson that motherhood has to offer that couldn’t be
learned elsewhere.” I disagree with this because I feel that motherhood is
something that teaches you lessons that you couldn’t experience without
actually being in that position. I do agree though that society puts way too
much pressure on women to have children because like I said, it all comes back
to the woman’s personal preference, not what society thinks women should do.
I’m going to have to agree and disagree with Krystal. She made a valid point to where men in our generation have lost focus on what it more important to them, being a family man. I don’t have kids yet but from what I can tell it is true. I tend to focus mainly on myself so this is why I would agree on this. I do care about others and like to help others out, but I usually put myself first just like anyone else would, mostly. On the other hand, I think it is only our natural instinct to care for our own offspring. Just like any animal in nature will do whatever it takes to protect their young. So in that sense, men do think more about their family than themselves.
ReplyDeleteFor the second article, I do believe that most women need to have children, because in the end that is what life is all about; producing a new generation of yourself to be passed on. You want to be passing your name on from generation to generation. Although, I don’t think that every single woman should have children. For example, if the woman is financially unstable and is struggling to keep her own self in line, then it would not be a good idea to have kids. You don’t want them to grow up in the same environment and struggle just as much as their mom did. It wouldn't be healthy. Regardless, I do agree with Krystal that it is their own preference to have kids or not. It’s their body and they can choose what’s really best.
I also agree/disagree with Krystal. In my opinion, there is not some social epidemic sweeping the nation that turns men into pleasure seeking man-boys but I do understand where the misconception comes from. The idea that men are being less "manly" and virtuous is due to television and movies, however most people subconsciously differentiate between reality in tv. This distinction is what makes things on television funny or entertaining even though in the real world they would be far less amusing. It's the same phenomenon where watching the news makes you think that the world is doomed and there's horrible crimes happening everywhere when in reality 2013 had the lowest infant mortality rate in recorded history.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that bearing a child is a choice and that it isn't necessary for women to have children. I also agree that society as a whole seems incapable of viewing a childless woman as whole.
I agree with you that the media has a major influence on men and how they act. Especially at a younger age, in my opinion men see the advertisements of guys with beer and girls all around them, appealing in the sense that every guy should be this way, because that's what they see. However I think that when its time to grow up and be a man and raise and provide for your family, that most men do. Some will forever be stuck in the party scene and never wanting to grow up, and I think media is to blame for that. They see others doing this so its only natural for them to jump on the bandwagon, even though it isn't particularly right. As for "How to be a Woman", I do agree with you when you said " it all comes down to personal preference." I do think it's your choice because every woman has control over if she wants kids or not. I do see that in society today it can be considered as frowned upon if you choose not to have children. Even though most women are able to have children, I don't believe that everyone should. With that I mean if the mother is unfit, such as financially unstable, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or is too care free to raise a child what would make them think they are responsible enough to have one? This particular issue frustrates me personally because there are many women in the world who don't have the luxury of being able to have kids and would kill to do so, while there are moms out there who are clearly not ready for a child and the child has to be taken away from them. I believe if you are going to have a child you should be the mother that the child deserves.
ReplyDeleteI agree one hundred percent with Krystal’s blog. I believe that everything that she stated was the simple truth, in my personal opinion. After reading Chauhry’s article, “Men Growing Up to be Boys” I am able to say that I agree with Chauhry. I do believe that media has most definitely influenced men to lose many of the more admirable qualities typically associated with masculinity. Media such as television and music even has made men seem as if they were complete “pigs”. Men are suppose to provide for their family, and they’re suppose to stay true to one woman while doing so. That is what an “old fashioned” gentleman is. Yet, media seems to have corrupt this idea of what a true man is. Now of days media has made men look so vulgar. Just as Chaudhry stated in his article, “The market also has little time for the old-fashioned male virtue of self-denial, the imperative to do the “right thing” at the expense of pleasure.” This quote explains exactly what men are like or how they are “suppose to be/think” now of days according the media that influences actions. For example, like music. Rap songs make men out to look like all they care about is money,drugs,and sex. That is not a role of a real life man, so therefore, yes; I do believe that media has encouraged men to lose their admirable qualities!
ReplyDeleteIn Moran’s article, “How to be a Woman” she argues against the fact of women having children. She does not feel as if it is necessary for woman to have children. Moran points out.. “Men and women alike have convinced themselves of a dragging belief: that somehow women are incomplete without children.” I do not believe this statement one hundred percent, because.. I do not look at in that way. It is all up to the woman to as if she wants to have children or not, it’s a personal want. There might even be health reasons to why a woman is not able to have children, that does not make her any less of a woman than a woman with children. Overall, it is a personal preference to the woman herself and I disagree, I do not think that society looks down on woman when they do not have children.
Great job Krystal I think you are right by saying that media affects males a lot but it also think it affects everyone. However, I did not agree with Chaudhry by saying that males have changed throughout the years because I believe men still want and feel the need to be a man and a father, they will always want to provide and yeah sometimes it's hard and it might not happen, but then again life is not easy. In addition, I don't think men now rather go hang with the boys and check girls out and stuff, I believe there is a balance and its okay to hang out with your friends and have some time without your significant other, that is also healthy for the relationship.
ReplyDeleteNow for the second reading, I agree with what you said that it all comes down to personal preference because there is no point of having a child if you are not going to be happy because that will not help while rising the child. Although I do think that having children is part of life. I personally cannot wait until I have my own children and pass down my last name generation to generation, but then again if you’re not willing to have a child then that’s your own problem. I also did not agree with the part she says something that goes in the lines of there’s not a lesson of motherhood she wouldn’t have learned if she didn’t have a child because, even though I’m not a mom I guarantee there is countless amounts of moms that can tell you that they learned things about everything that they wouldn’t have learned if they didn’t have a child
Great job Krystal I think you are right by saying that media affects males a lot but it also think it affects everyone. However, I did not agree with Chaudhry by saying that males have changed throughout the years because I believe men still want and feel the need to be a man and a father, they will always want to provide and yeah sometimes it's hard and it might not happen, but then again life is not easy. In addition, I don't think men now rather go hang with the boys and check girls out and stuff, I believe there is a balance and its okay to hang out with your friends and have some time without your significant other, that is also healthy for the relationship.
ReplyDeleteNow for the second reading, I agree with what you said that it all comes down to personal preference because there is no point of having a child if you are not going to be happy because that will not help while rising the child. Although I do think that having children is part of life. I personally cannot wait until I have my own children and pass down my last name generation to generation, but then again if you’re not willing to have a child then that’s your own problem. I also did not agree with the part she says something that goes in the lines of there’s not a lesson of motherhood she wouldn’t have learned if she didn’t have a child because, even though I’m not a mom I guarantee there is countless amounts of moms that can tell you that they learned things about everything that they wouldn’t have learned if they didn’t have a child
I agree that media does play an important role to how men view and build their own character. One thing that really comes to mind when we talk about this certain subject is. Is society really helping men become more manly and masculine or are they shaping us as a "boy". I believe the real essence of a man is someone who, if he has a family, takes care and provides for the family. The man or husband in that case needs to be one the family can depend on. Now that doesn't mean a younger less mature guy who is self absorbed in partying and having a good time cannot grow up and become a man to either provide for himself and be successful or his family. Now i do believe there are certain circumstances that it can hard to provide and be there for your family but the way you handle them is what makes you a man and how you have gone against what society believes and how a mans character should be valued.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Krystal because in “How to be a Woman” I also disagree that the experiences learned in motherhood cannot just be experienced anywhere else by a woman who is not a mother. The word “Mother-hood” says is self-explanatory in this situation, if you are not a mother there is no way that you will experience what mothers do. The average woman in today’s society and the society’s before, do indeed have children and that is something that completes the womanhood of a female, our bodies are made to reproduce so it even goes down to the physical aspects of biology and nature. I also agree with Krystal when say states that media has a strong influence on what most men value in masculinity. However, just because more men are putting value into these traits does not necessarily mean they are worthy. Most of the traits they are aiming for lean more towards younger boys with no intention of seeking for real responsibilities. The author does make it seem like the typical man has no interest in doing good for his wife or family, instead it is portrayed that men want to good for themselves and for whatever benefits them and their wants. Both authors basically illustrate the image of each gender they want to see and how they believe society and the media has sculpted them. Women do not have to have children but I do believe that it is in the average woman’s power to have kids. As well for the men, if they want to be self-centered then cool but to be considered a real man they would focus their attention on their family.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Krystal on both points. Not to say her viewpoint is wrong (morally or factually). Everyone's opinion is as valid as anyone else. I personally believe that there is no overall "importance" or "correct" way to behave or think. As long as men are physically effecting another human, then it doesn't matter what they do. If the media or corporations want to show how people have change, then that's their choice. As for the second point about women being seen as not "womanly" if they don't have kids; I partially agree with Krystal. It's an experience that you can only get from having kids, but it shouldn't matter to others if they do or don't, that's their prerogative. If making tiny people is women's or men's thing, then that's fine, and so is not making humans.
ReplyDelete