After reading the selected critical
issue, use the following questions to analyze the issue. The word count for individual questions may
vary but your responses should total 1,200- to 1,400-words for the entire
worksheet.
1.
What are some of the strengths
associated with the Pro side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses?
When answering the question regarding
the true nature of the woman’s decision to work or not work, I’m going to
assume that the “pro” side is the one that believes that it is, indeed, a
woman’s choice to not work, as opposed to the “con” idea, which suggests that
other elements are forcing women to step out of the business world.
The main strength of the “pro”
argument is the fact that nature is on its side. For most women, the mother
instinct is very strong, so deciding to be a more active part of the family,
and have it as the main focus of her life is not an outrageous idea. It is very
hard for some women to have other people, which can involve nannies, teacher or
relatives, raise their children. Because of that, the decision to stay at home
can be a very easy one for some women, who would much rather be close to their
children than to be working all week.
One weakness of this argument is
the other side of this same coin. For some women, especially in the competitive
and fast-paced modern days, working and having a successful career is a lot of
times a much more tempting idea than the one of staying home and raising a
family. Women nowadays want to be independent and admired, which a lot of times
can’t happen if they are stay-at-home moms. However, these women who have the
desire to work still have to face endless obstacles before they can be
successful professional, more than men. For a lot of women, what they would
earn in a week of work is less than it costs to have their children being
watched by a third person, which makes it a really hard decision.
2.
What are some of the strengths
associated with the Con side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses?
One strength of the argument
suggesting that there are more factors influencing women’s decision of staying
home instead of working is the fact that it is very well known how different
the working conditions are for women and man. Although we are well into the 21st
century, women are still not treated equally to man when it comes to being
appreciated and respected in a professional environment. Although a lot of
times they are just as qualified, if not more qualified, than man, they still
have to deal with a smaller payment, worse hours and other obstacles when
compared to how man are treated and appreciated. This factor plays an important
part in the decision-making process, as women still have to consider if it is
“worth it” taking a job, when that is not ever a question for men.
One weakness associated with this
same idea is the fact that times are changing, even if slowly. Nowadays, it is actually
quite common to see the roles inverted in many families. Man can chose to stay
at home taking care of the children, while women become more and more
successful and work and can provide for their families better than her husband
could. Because of this chance, this argument is weakened, since it represents a
safe a comfortable alternative for women who want to work. By having their
children taken care of by a person they can trust and won’t charge any money,
they can devote themselves to work without having to sacrifice their peace of
mind and their children’s safety.
3.
Based on the statements presented in
this critical issue, which author do you agree with? Provide supporting evidence.
After considering and analyzing
both arguments, it is safe to say that I agree with sociologist Pamela Stone,
who defends the idea that although women try to show society that staying at
home with their children is their very own personal choice, I can understand
that a lot of times that “choice” is forced upon them. When they have to deal
with endless obstacles, like difficulty to find someone trustworthy to watch
their kids, or having their entire paycheck serving only to pay the daycare, it
is impossible to convince themselves that working is still a good idea, and
they settle with being stay-at-home moms. There are obviously many exceptions
to this idea, as so many women find true happiness when they can devote
themselves to their family and loved ones. However, I still believe that in
most cases, the decision to not work is based on more than just the desire of
being closer to their children.
4.
Explore two other roles that can be
acquired during early and middle adulthood, such as through parenthood,
romantic relationships, and career. How
have these roles changed through the past generations?
The modern days brought with them
many changes in several aspects of relationships. One role that has definitely
changed a lot in the past few years is the role of main caregiver. Continuing
on the previous discussion, it has been already stated that nowadays it is very
common to see mothers being the primary financial provider while the fathers
stay at home taking care of their children. A few decades ago, it was rare to
witness this situation, as it has always been traditional to have women staying
at home to raise their children, while man were the main providers and usually
missed out of a lot of the milestones in their son’s and daughter’s
development. Now, it is normal and accepted to see the other way. Women are
respected for working hard to provide for their families, while man are
satisfied to be more present in their children’s lives.
Another role that has changed a lot
is the role of the spouse. Sadly, the institution of marriage is not respected
anymore. The divorce rate in the United States is higher than 50%, one of the
highest in the world, and I believe that is due to the fact that people have
lost the desire to fight for their relationships and make them work. In the
past, getting a divorce was shameful and a taboo. Nowadays, that is not the
case anymore. People don’t have to supper any consequences from ending their
marriages, at least not in society’s eyes. For this reason, when things start
to go wrong, married couples just choose the easy way out, and end the
relationship, while back in the day couples would even stay in a loveless
relationship just to avoid the title of “divorced”.
5.
What psychological adjustments are made
during early and middle adulthood to adapt to aging and changes in life
style? How does this affect development?
Man
and women have to learn to adapt themselves psychologically in order to welcome
the several changes that happen as they age and get older. Women, for example,
go through menopause around the age of 50. With the many body changes that they
have to go through, also comes a need to adapt and accept what is going on in
their lives. Men also go through many changes as they get older. Although not
exclusive to them, it is very common to witness men going through a “midlife
crisis”. However, this is not associated with any specific period of time or
age. These crises can happen at any time or not happen at all, as it not a sure
thing like the menopause women go through. Many factors can trick this, like
the loss of a loved one or a change in the financial situation, but most of the
time what happens is simply a reevaluation of values and ideas.
References
Berger,
K. S. (2012). The developing person through the life span. (8 ed., Vol.
1). New York: Worth Pub.
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