This paper discusses ethnic community within a different society, making use of the plays 'Mom, Dad, I'm Living with a White Girl' by Marty Chan and 'House of Sacred Cows' by Padma Viswanathan.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, 2006, $ 26.95
Abstract In this article the writer examines two plays and looks at what they have to say about community. The plays discussed are 'Mom, Dad, I'm Living with a White Girl' by Marty Chan and 'House of Sacred Cows' by Padma Viswanathan. The writer points out that each of the plays deals with a family in an ethnic community and in both cases a family that is part of an ethnic community embedded in a majority white society in a different country. The writer shows the tensions created in the family that are caused by the culture differences.
From the Paper "Community is a central issue in many stories told in the theater, and it is a central issue in the two plays 'Mom, Dad, I'm Living with a White Girl' by Marty Chan and 'House of Sacred Cows' by Padma Viswanathan. Each deals with a family in an ethnic community, in both cases a family that is part of an ethnic community embedded in a majority white society in a different country. The younger generation is more part of the majority culture than is the older generation, which creates tensions within the family and between members of the family and the majority culture. This latter element is strong in the Chan play in which a recurring fantasy involves scenes from an imaginary movie called the Yellow Claw, a satire on racist interpretations of Chinese culture by Hollywood."
Abstract The paper discusses how married women today are more involved in the paid work force which has led many to argue that domestic work is slowly transforming, with more men doing more housework. The paper explores this social change of an increasing number of fathers who are stay-at-home dads. The paper quotes results that show that children greatly benefit from a father's presence. Furthermore, the paper discusses various studies that have demonstrated that fathers are just as competent and nurturing with infants and young children as mothers. The paper concludes that most experts feel that this reverse childcare role will have positive long-term consequences for the children.
From the Paper "Following the recent trend in female fertility rates, Australian men, like those in other Western nations, are postponing parenthood until they are older, and some men are choosing not to have children at all. According to a study by JaneMaree Maher, published in the March 2004 issue of The Journal of Men's Studies, the median age of Australian father was 29.4 years in 1980, compared to 32.3 in 2000. Maher interviewed thirteen male parents, three of whom had school-aged children, while the others had toddlers or babies. These men are parenting in an era characterized by new discourses about the role a father is expected to play in his child's life, meaning he not only changes diapers but is involved and emotionally engaged (Maher 2004)."
Abstract This art study compares and contrasts the basis of pop art and performance art within the two works; "Loving Care" and "Mom and Dad" by Janine Antoni. The paper demonstrates how Antoni works within two different mediums within the context of these pieces, but keeps the central aspect of gender conflict that arises in modern society. The paper illustrates how Antoni reflects older traditions in the modern mass media perspective, but adds social and technological elements of her generation within her works.
From the Paper "The first work to be examined is entitled "Loving Care" (1993) by Janine Antoni. Although this performance piece has to be witnessed to be fully experienced, the photograph used in this study will seek to define the actual principles of what Antoni was trying to accomplish in this piece (Antoni "Love and Care"). The medium of this performance uses black hair dye, which is applied from a bucket to the hair of the artist. The dye is then spread with the hair much like a mop on the floor. The immediate commentary on this type of dye application revolves around the protest of beauty and women within the household. Immediately, there is a sense of the woman acting as a servant not with cleaning agents, but with the normative standards of beautification that the dye symbolizes for women in the modern era (Goldberg 229-231)."
Abstract This paper presents a review of the real estate investment advice book, "The ABC's of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Advisors Miss", by Ken McElroy. The paper explains that the book is part of the famous "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" business book series by investment guru and advisor Robert T. Kiyosaki and that the introduction to the book is, in fact, written by Kiyosaki. The paper further explains that Kiyosaki frames the investment advice that Ken McElroy provides in the book and that the book is a worthwhile and motivating read for any investors in real estate.
From the Paper "According to the book The ABCs of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Advisors Miss, it is a myth that some investors seem to have the so-called Midas touch of investing, while others do not. (9) Rather than attempting to intimidate with impressive-looking ledgers of facts and figures, ordinary investors are encouraged to read this book for concrete suggestions of how they can enter the real estate market, how they invest wisely and charge the appropriate rents for their area so they can recoup on their investment, as well as glean some general personal and motivational strategies. True, in "every business and every industry there are people who just seem to drip with success," states the introduction (1) But this book provides the reader with the practical steps to emulate such people, people who seem to have the uncanny ability to know the right properties to invest in, and thus have the power to become their own bosses, and live as they chose to live."
Abstract This paper explains that her father is much like the famous verse in 1 Corinthians that describes love. The writer relates the many beloved characteristics of her dad, such as being patient and kind and not being self-seeking or easily angered. Every night until she was in high school, the author remembers, her dad tucked her into my bed at night, laid his hand on her head and gave her a blessing from the Book of Numbers.
From the Paper "My dad is patient and kind. He is the best footsteps I have ever encountered. I am so incredibly comfortable talking to him. If I have a problem or something is conflicting in my heart, he gladly listens to all I have to say and tries to help me as much as he possibly can. He is so cuddly and affectionate. Whenever I see him, even if it's just while passing him in the house, he wraps his arms around me and holds me as if I was his baby again. When he comes home from work and sees my mother, he does the same and kisses her."
Tags: footsteps footsteps cuddly, earthly father, love
The following paper discusses whether it is necessary to discard notions of homosexuality as natural or inborn, and argues that lesbianism is a social construction based on meanings ascribed to it by society and the individual.
Abstract This paper argues that homosexuality, specifically lesbianism, is not a natural process. According to the author it is rather socially constructed, and understood by the meanings people attribute to it. This paper examines the cultural institutions that aid this process by reinforcing individualization through the notion of identity formation, and the search to find one's sexual identity.
From the Paper "The process of becoming is defined by the dictionary as ?1 to come to be; grow to be?2 be suitable for; suit?3 looks well on? (Gage Canadian Dictionary, 1983, 100). Formally, that is, to become means to learn how to develop, how to arrive, how to be, how to act, how to live. In other words, it is a social process. In the world we live in, full of uncertainty, fear of the unknown and a reluctance to criticize science, reason, progress, individualization and rationality, the concept of becoming has been confused with the notion of being: ?1 a person; living creature?2 life; existence?3 nature; constitution? (103). This confusion has trained us to attribute anything and everything ? including sexuality ? that concerns the ?unknown,? or that which opposes societal norms, to the scientific analysis of causation and effect. It has also trained us to ignore many of the social processes at essence of many of the issues of the world today. Essentially, humans are socially constructed. "
Abstract This essay shows how Shakespeare's "Hamlet" struggles with the concept of age and growing old. He is pitted against age with his dad's ghost and the real life of his uncle but he has the energy and youthful ideas of youth with which to combat their wisdom. He grows and before he dies he becomes a true adult, something that the audience is happy to see happen, because he was so tortured for so long.
From the Paper "This is the play in which the famous line, "This above all: to thine own self be true". - (Act I, Scene III)." originated. This was the way Hamlet finally learned that he had to do what he had to do to make his life content and he could not worry about how it would affect everyone else. If he lived his life for others he would be forever miserable and that would do no one any good."
Abstract The paper argues that the story of today's family is in many ways quite the opposite of Peter Pan. It is the grown-ups who have flown out the window and off to wonderful adventures, while the children wait to see if they?ll come home. The question has become not so much one of losing one's children, but rather, if they will have left the windows open when one comes back. In more direct terms, the parents of today are often trying to live in a "Neverland" of work and social involvement and the fear of losing ones children has increasingly changed to a nagging thought that one may instead be lost to them. The paper uses literature on the subject to support its argument, including ?There's No Place Like Work,? by Arlie Russel Hochschild and Jerry Adler's ?Building a Better Dad".
From the Paper "There is more to the story of the Lost Parents, though, than just the history of their escape from the home. There is also the story of the children who are left behind. In the staged version of Peter Pan, the character of Captain Hook is generally played by the same actor as Wendy's Mother. In a similar fashion, the Wizard of Oz draws parallels between the evil witch and the evil adults in Dorothy's life. The children, in trying to escape from their families and all those controlling grown-ups, end up encountering those grown ups in far more horrid forms. They have gone from parents and neighbors to pirates and witches. In our parallel story of the lost parents, it seems that a similar phenomena may be occurring. While adults are escaping from their children and families, they are increasingly running in to the same problems returned in a more terrible way. Hochschild mentions this, pointing out today's children are more likely to run into a host of problems such as drug use, teenage pregnancy, and to be victims of violent crime. One might also remind the reader of the increasing upswing in crimes committed by children. The child whose parents have escaped out the window becomes the pirates of their fantasies -- and this is played out in a host of ways. In many urban areas, gangs of children are widely feared. In a more corporate sense, children getting into trouble with pregnancy, drugs, and even simply at school create a financial drain on the economy, "stealing" the resources their parents work to create."
Abstract In "Paddy Clarke, Ha Ha Ha", Paddy's father is distant and pre-occupied, dismissive and cursory in his attention to his children. The situation is more complex as the 'father' is absent in "Lives of the Saints" and various surrogates, including Vittorio's mother, her lover and grandparents must fill this role.
A literature review on the subject of African-American fathers who have sole custody of their children. A comparison of the available literature for this group with those of other groups.
Abstract Men are increasingly receiving custody of their children, leading to an augmented rate of single-father families in the US. However, many observers are still under the impression that there are only a few custodial fathers; consequently, the existing data on this group is limited. This project is an analysis of the available literature on African-American fathers who have custody of their children. Considering there are a number of factors that lead fathers to become sole custodians, assist them in the process thereof, and resultant changes that occur both in their lives and the lives of their children, the following questions navigate this study: 1) How do African-American fathers become single parents? 2) What social networks are available to assist these fathers? 3) How does becoming sole custodians shape their lives?
Table of Contents
Introduction: African American Men & Society
Jennifer Hamer on Black Custodial Fathers
?Mothering,? Can He Do It?
How Do Fathers Become Custodial Parents?
What Social Networks are Available to Assist Single Fathers?
How Does Becoming Single Parents Shape Their Lives?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Traditional images of what an American family should be would include a father, mother and child (ren). National increases in divorce and non-marital childbearing in the United States have changed the face of the typical American family. This alteration in the nuclear family ushered in a new family model, the single parent or guardian (as they are sometimes termed). Single parents have become a major component within American culture, but much to the surprise of some researchers, it is not only women who are rearing today's youth. A growing number of fathers are assuming primary care of their children, but public policy/programs have not responded effectively to this phenomenon. Public ideas and images have given men the principles by which they should govern the way they speak, the way they look, the way they should respond to a given situation and how they should behave as fathers (Hamer, 2001). These standards have existed within American culture for decades and have made very little if any adjustment overtime. From the turn of the century to the 1970's "ideal" fathers were primarily perceived as warmhearted providers on whom all family members could depend (Hamer, 2001). In general, men were measured by their breadwinning role and the standard of living they were able to provide for themselves and their families."
Abstract This paper compares two modern poems. It explains how these poems both deal with a father that has betrayed his family through inattention and adulterous behavior; however, each poem is very different. The paper explores how such drastic differences arise when dealing with the same topic.
From the Paper "An introspectionist doctor is interested in the current mental states of his patients; to fully enter these states for examination, he employs a deep process of introspection. This calculated reflection provides the "vital signs" for the conscious mind just as a stethoscope might uncover those for the heart. Ernest Holmes said that "life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it." This is precisely the principle upon which the idea of introspection works; one's perception of life is simply a physical embodiment of his thoughts, and if he is able to ruminate upon events in his life, his thoughts will become clear. Two poets, Mary Jo Salter and Sharon Olds, capitalize on this idea of introspection. In the poems "Home Movies: a Sort of Ode," by Salter, and "The Victims," by Olds, the speakers are the daughters of men who have caused epochal familial schisms. The women look back upon their imperfect relations with their fathers by way of a mature reflection and pull from this a present significance. While these poems both delve into similar issues, they differ in terms of tone, perspective, and imagery."
Abstract This paper describes that Abby has recurring nightmares that wake her during the night; she doesn't know what the dreams means or even where she is while in the dream. The author states that Abby can't remember her dad, and the worst thing about the situation is that she can't ask her family about him because they won't tell her anything. The paper relates that she was going to write about her Aunt Marty, a columnist for the "New York Times" and the coolest person in the world; but she discoverers from Marty the circumstance of her father's death--and now--he is her real hero.
From the Paper "In the kitchen, she pours herself a bowl of coco puffs, and turns on the T.V. So she doesn't feel alone. Even over the drown of the T.V, she can sense someone creeping in the shadows. Still slightly shaken from her dream, Abby holds up her spoon as a weapon. The shadowy figure emerges from the darkness in wrinkled pajama bottoms and ruffled hair. It is only Jason, her older brother."
Abstract This paper examines the phenomenon that is "The Simpsons" which is currently the longest-running animated television series. This paper explores the inspiration behind Groenig's amusing yet dysfunctional family which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. The writer of this paper contends and explains how and why Homer Simpson should be considered an American icon. This paper proves that Homer Simpson represents America's moral majority. This paper delves into how Groenig's concept of the "The Simpsons" symbolizes cultural America in the 1990s which explains the show's long-running success. This paper analyzes the character of Homer Simpson who according to the writer represents the typical all-American dad and husband.
From the Paper "This basic argument of this report is that Homer Simpson represents the typical American father and husband as anti-hero. He makes a lot of mistakes as a character and is no ways perfect, in fact being very much the opposite of perfect in an exaggerated way. He gains the status of icon not through being heroic, but by being fallible and vulnerable to external problems. The rise of the anti-hero in American society was a twentieth century phenomenon. When people watched television in the fifties there was an Ozzie and Harriet ideal that wasn't really reflected in society, and this and other circumstances led to the formation of a new culture in the mid twentieth century which particularly valued the fallible or human hero, or anti-hero, as a sort of shock to the system."
