The American Dream Dead, Alive, Or On Hold - 1430 Words

Anyone coming or currently living in the United States has a dream, or better yet known as the American Dream. What is the American Dream? Well, Brandon King, author of â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?† quoted James Truslow Adams, who wrote that the American Dream â€Å"is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement, regardless of coral class or circumstances of birth†(610). Everyone’s American Dreams are all different, but a majority of them all have a few things in common, that is becoming financially fit, acquiring a good education, and pursuing the opportunities that were not available. Brandon King expresses that the ideals and values of the American Dream are very much alive. However, Paul Krugman author of â€Å"Confronting Inequalities† bring up several excellent points as well, regarding that not all Americans can pursue t he American Dream because of all the inequalities Americans currently possesses. Achieving the American Dream is not impossible, but it is harder to attain now than how it used to be with social, income, and racial inequalities being the primary cause. As of now individuals has to overcome many of bias barriers to reach the American Dream which used to be a lot easier to gain back in the 1940s-50s. Presently the United State s income gap between the middle class and wealthy is undoubtedly significant. Some say that income inequality isShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?1104 Words   |  5 Pagesworks, The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?, debates his interpretation of the notion of the American Dream and whether the concept is dead, alive, or on hold. The speaker emphasizes his belief that the common phrase is still alive within America and that one must work hard in order to achieve it. When it comes to the topic of the American Dream, King will eagerly agree that the idea is still alive and thriving in the minds of Americans; however, I deem that the idea is on hold within AmericanRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?916 Words   |  4 PagesThe concept of the American Dream has been with us as long as we have been a nation. In Brandon Kings â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?† he presents us with his version of the American dream. According to Kings, the American dream is defined as â€Å"The potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future† (611). The American dream may differ between every individual and how they perceive it. To some, the American dream is to have a decent job and to be financiallyRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold? Essay1940 Words   |  8 PagesIn the essays â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?† by Brandon King and â€Å"Confronting Inequality† by Paul Krugman, the authors discuss a wide variety of ideas that affect or maintain the idea of income inequality in America today. In the essay by Brandon King, he clearly states that the values of the American Dream are still alive today, but are getting harder and harder to achieve for the average person. King argues that the American Dream of today has drastically changed from what it usedRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, O r On Hold? Essay1034 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream The United States is often referred to as a melting pot, and for good reason. America consists of a diverse mix of race, religion, and cultures. Immigrants have been coming to America for decades. They are in search of a better life and living the American dream. The American dream and what it represents has many different interpretations. However, most can agree that the American dream resembles a life of freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. Many Americans associate significantRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive Or On Hold?872 Words   |  4 Pages The Dream Itself Many years ago today, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. It established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today, it is true that people have liberties and are free to pursue happiness. However, in recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment, growing economy inequality, and medical care have skyrocketed. Despite the odds, the AmericanRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold By Brandon King953 Words   |  4 PagesThe American Dream The American Dream is one of those terms that people refer to when talking about immigration, financial status, and so much more. But what does the term really refer to? People used to think of the American Dream as financial prosperity, religious and financial freedom, and all around success. Now, the term may mean something similar, but people are much less focused on it. If anything, the American Dream today is focused on gaining material goods and proving your bank accountRead MoreAnalysis Of The American Dream1063 Words   |  5 Pagesthe American Dream? Is it home ownership, gaining fame or wealth, having a great family or is it gaining a peace of mind? Many people have different versions of what the American Dream is, some people believe the dream is lost, and some people are right in the middle and still believe the American Dream is still alive. â€Å"The American Dream† by Brandon King debates about what the true state is left in the American Dream now. Throughout the essay, King asks if the American Dream is dead, alive, on holdRead MoreHow Hard Will You Work For The American Dream959 Words   |  4 Pageswork for the american dream The issue of whether or not the american dream is dead, alive, or on hold has become very important lately to the working class american. with trillions of dollars lost in the stock market crash and high unemployment rates.There is a nation wide panic on whether or not we can as a country bounce back. In fact in the article â€Å"The American Dream; dead, alive, or on hold.† King claims that the ideas of the so called â€Å"American Dream† are still very much alive. (King pg2 p1)Read MoreA More Perfect Union : The American Dream Essay1270 Words   |  6 PagesOn eighteen century America, the founding fathers classified the American Dream as an idea that everyone living in the United Stated had the chance to achieve the Jeffersonian idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. At the time the American Dream was supposedly possible to anyone who had the willingness to work hard and honestly. To the founding father s anyone who would stand by this saying would ei ther achieve success or be emulated for their efforts, even those who did not achieveRead MoreAmerica s The American Dream1277 Words   |  6 Pagesinterpretations of what the American dream is, but we all can agree that it is a concept that provides us with the hope for a better life. It is a dream of experiencing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To some people, the American dream is about being wealthy, practicing liberty, to believe in any religion, and to have better opportunities in life. Throughout history, many immigrants have migrated to America because they want to begin a new life and achieve the American Dream. Many can debate

Overpopulation Is A Foremost Challenge That Humans Face Today

A Debate over Overpopulation Overpopulation is a foremost challenge that humans face today. According to www.Worldometeres.info, the human population is heading to 7.5 billion, and at our current birthrate, we are adding nearly one billion more people every twelve years. Issues such as dependence on natural resources, degradation of the environment, poverty, and unemployment, are root issues caused by overpopulation. Though opponents of this theory, such as Erle C. Ellis, use archaeological records and the history of human evolution to argue against overpopulation. Robert Walker, on the other hand, disagrees. He uses scientific explanation to anticipate that all living beings on earth are under torment as they die off due to erosion of fundamental natural resources such as food and water. Next, Alon Tal argues that carrying capacity will be at a standstill as the population continues to rise, so we need to prepare ourselves for overpopulation. Finally, Joel Kotkin claims that an exiguous amount of babies will ca use economic hardship, which will, in turn, cause the economic annihilation of societies; there are too few young people to replace the elderly workers. This essay will review the claims of issues and effects of overpopulation made by the authors mentioned above. In â€Å"Overpopulation is Not the Problem,† Erle C. Ellis makes the claim that humans are always adapting to population growth, as they did in the past according to archeological records. Besides, people do notShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesCentury †¢ Jose C. Moya and Adam McKeown 9 †¢ 2 Twentieth-Century Urbanization: In Search of an Urban Paradigm for an Urban World †¢ Howard Spodek 53 3 Women in the Twentieth-Century World Bonnie G. Smith 83 4 The Gendering of Human Rights in the International Systems of Law in the Twentieth Century †¢ Jean H. Quataert 116 5 The Impact of the Two World Wars in a Century of Violence †¢ John H. Morrow Jr. 161 6 Locating the United States in Twentieth-Century World History

Night World The Chosen Chapter 5 Free Essays

Rashel froze. Her sword remained in the air, poised over the vampire’s heart. â€Å"Well, what are you waiting for?† the vampire said. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : The Chosen Chapter 5 or any similar topic only for you Order Now â€Å"Go on and do it.† Rashel didn’t know what she was waiting for. The vampire was in a position to block her sword with his wooden handcuffs, but he didn’t do any such thing. She could tell by his body language that he wasn’t going to, either. Instead he just lay there, looking up at her with eyes that were as dark and empty as the depths of space. His hair was tousled on his forehead and his mouth was a bleak line. He didn’t seem afraid. He just went on staring with those fathomless eyes. All right, Rashel thought. Do it. Even the leech is telling you to. Do it fast-now. But instead she found herself pivoting and stepping slowly away from him. â€Å"Sorry,† she said out loud. â€Å"I don’t take orders from parasites.† She kept her sword at the ready in case he made any sudden moves. But all he did was glance down at the wooden handcuffs, wiggle his wrists in them, and then lie back. â€Å"I see,† he said with a strange smile. â€Å"So it’s torture this time, right? Well, that should be amusing for you.† Stake him, dummy, came the little voice in Rashel’s head. Don’t talk to him. It’s dangerous to get in a conversation with his kind. But she couldn’t refocus herself. In a minute, she told the voice. First I have to get my own control back. She knelt in her ready-for-action crouch and picked up the flashlight, turning it full on his face. He blinked and looked away, squinting. There. Now she could see him, but he couldn’t see her. Vampire eyes were hypersensitive to light. And even if he did manage to get a glimpse of her, she was wearing her scarf. She had all the advantages, and it made her feel more in command of the situation. â€Å"Why would you think we want to torture you?† she said. He smiled at the ceiling, not trying to look at her. â€Å"Because I’m still alive.† He raised the handcuffs. â€Å"And aren’t these traditional? A few vampires from the south shore have turned up mutilated with stocks like these on. It seemed to have been done for fun.† Smile. Vicky’s work, Rashel thought. She wished he would stop smiling. It was such a disturbing smile, beautiful and a little mad. â€Å"Unless,† the vampire was going on, â€Å"it’s information you want.† Rashel snorted. â€Å"Would I be likely to get information from you if I did want it?† â€Å"Well.† Smile. â€Å"Not likely.† â€Å"I didn’t think so,† Rashel said dryly. He laughed out loud. Oh, God, Rashel thought. Stake him. She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Okay, he was charming-in a weird way. But she’d known other charming vampires-smooth, practiced flatterers who tried to sweet-talk or cajole their way out of being staked. Some had tried to seduce her. Almost all had tried mind control. It was only because Rashel had the will to resist telepathy that she was alive today. But this vampire wasn’t doing any of the ordinary things-and when he laughed, it made Rashers heart thump oddly. His whole face changed when he laughed. A sort of light shone in it. Girl, you are in trouble. Kill him quick. â€Å"Look,† she said, and she was surprised to find her voice a little shaky. â€Å"This isn’t personal. And you probably don’t care, but I’m not the one who was going to torture you. This is business, and it’s what I have to do.† She took a deep breath and reached for the sword by her knee. He turned his face to the light. He wasn’t smiling now and there was no amusement in his voice when he said, â€Å"I understand. You’ve got†¦ honor.† Looking back at the ceiling, he added, â€Å"And you’re right, this is the way it always has to end when our two races meet. It’s kill or be killed. The law of nature.† He was speaking to her as one warrior to another. Suddenly Rashel felt something she’d never felt for a vampire before. Respect. A strange wish that they weren’t on opposite sides in this war. A regret that they could never be anything but deadly enemies. He’s somebody I could talk to, she thought. An odd loneliness had taken hold of her. She hadn’t realized she cared about having anyone to talk to. She found herself saying awkwardly, â€Å"Is there anybody you want notified-afterward? I mean, do you have any family? I could make sure the news gets around, so they’d know what had happened to you.† She didn’t expect him to actually give her any names. That would be crazy. In this game knowledge was power, with each side trying to find out who the players on the other side were. If you could identify someone as a vampire-or a vampire hunter-you knew who to kill. It was Batman and Catwoman all over. The important thing was to preserve your secret identity. But this vampire, who was obviously a lunatic, said thoughtfully, â€Å"Well, you could send a note to my adopted father. He’s Hunter Redfern. Sorry I can’t give you an address, but he should be somewhere down east.† Another smile. â€Å"I forgot to tell you my name. It’s Quinn.† Rashel felt as if she’d been hit with an oak club. Quinn. One of the most dangerous vampires in all the Night World. Maybe the most dangerous of the made vampires, the ones who’d started out human. She knew him by reputation-every vampire hunter did. He was supposed to be a deadly fighter and a brilliant strategist; clever, resourceful†¦ and cold as ice. He despised humans, held them in utter contempt. He wanted the Night World to wipe them out, except for a few to be used for food. I was wrong, Rashel thought dazedly. I should have let Vicky torture him. I’m sure he deserves it, if any of them do. God only knows what he’s done in his time. Quinn had turned his head toward her again, looking straight into the flashlight even though it must be hurting his eyes. â€Å"So you see, you’d better kill me fast,† he said in a voice soft as snow falling. â€Å"Because that’s certainly what I’m going to do to you if I get loose.† Rashel gave a strained laugh. â€Å"Am I supposed to be scared?† â€Å"Only if you have the brains to know who I am.† Now he sounded tired and scornful. â€Å"Which obviously you don’t.† â€Å"Well, let me see. I seem to remember something about the Redferns†¦. Aren’t they the family who controls the vampire part of the Night World Council? The most important family of all the lamia, the born vampires. Descended directly from Maya, the legendary first vampire. And Hunter Redfern is their leader, the upholder of Night World law, the one who colonized America with vampires back in the sixteen hundreds. Tell me if I’m getting any of this wrong.† He gave her a cold glance. â€Å"You see, we have our sources. And I seem to remember them mentioning your name, too. You were made a vampire by Hunter†¦ and since his own children were all daughters, you’re also his heir.† Quinn laughed sourly. â€Å"Yes, well, that’s an on-again, off-again thing. You might say I have a love-hate relationship with the Redferns. We spend most of the time wishing each other at the bottom of the Atlantic.† â€Å"Teh, vampire family infighting,† Rashel said. â€Å"Why is it always so hard to get along with your folks?† Despite her light words, she had to focus to keep control of her breathing. It wasn’t fear. She truly wasn’t scared of him. It was something like confusion. Clearly, she should be killing him at this moment instead of chatting with him. She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t doing it. The only excuse she had was that it seemed to make him even more confused and angry than it did her. â€Å"I don’t think you’ve heard enough about me,† he said, showing his teeth. â€Å"I’m your worst nightmare, human. I even shock other vampires. Like old Hunter†¦ he has certain ideas about propriety. How you kill, and who. If he knew some of the things I do, he’d fall down dead himself.† Good old Hunter, Rashel thought. The stiff moral patriarch of the Redfern clan, still caught up in the seventeenth century. He might be a vampire, but he was definitely a New Englander. â€Å"Maybe I should find a way to tell him,† she said whimsically. Quinn gave her another cold look, this time tempered with respect. â€Å"If I thought you could find him, I’d worry.† Rashel was suddenly struck by something. â€Å"You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say your first name. I mean, I presume you have one.† He blinked. Then, as if he were surprised himself, he said, â€Å"John.† â€Å"John Quinn. John.† â€Å"I didn’t invite you to call me it.† â€Å"All right, whatever.† She said it absently, deep in thought. John Quinn. Such a normal name, a Boston name. The name of a real person. It made her think of him as a person, instead of as Quinn the dreadful. â€Å"Look,† Rashel said, and then she asked him something she’d never asked a Night Person before. She said, â€Å"Did you want Hunter Redfern to make you a vampire?† There was a long pause. Then Quinn said expressionlessly, â€Å"As a matter of fact, I wanted to kill him for it.† â€Å"I see.† I’d want to do the same, Rashel thought. She didn’t mean to ask any more questions, but she found herself saying, â€Å"Then why did he do it? I mean, why pick you?† Another pause. Just when she was sure he wouldn’t answer, he said, â€Å"I was-I wanted to marry one of his daughters. Her name was Dove.† â€Å"You wanted to marry a vampire?† â€Å"I didn’t know she was a vampire!† This time Quinn’s voice was quick and impatient. â€Å"Hunter Redfern was accepted in Charlestown. Granted, a few people said his wife had been a witch, but in those days people said that if you smiled in church.† â€Å"So he just lived there and nobody knew,† Rashel said. â€Å"Most people accepted him.† A faint mocking smile curved Quinn’s lips. â€Å"My own father accepted him, and he was the minister.† Despite herself, Rashel was fascinated. â€Å"And you had to be a vampire to marry her? Dove, I mean.† â€Å"I didn’t get to marry her,† Quinn said tonelessly. He seemed as surprised as she was that he was telling her these things. But he went on, seeming to speak almost to himself. â€Å"Hunter wanted me to marry one of his other daughters. I said I’d rather marry a pig. Garnet-that’s the oldest-was about as interesting as a stick of wood. And Lily, the middle one, was evil. I could see that in her eyes. I only wanted Dove.† â€Å"And you told him that?† â€Å"Of course. He agreed to it finally-and then he told me his family’s secret. Well.† Quinn laughed bitterly. â€Å"He didn’t tell me, actually. It was more of a demonstration. When I woke up, I was dead and a vampire. It was quite an experience.† Rashel opened her mouth and then shut it again, trying to imagine the horror of it. Finally she just said, â€Å"I bet.† They sat for a moment in silence. Rashel had never felt so†¦ close to a vampire. Instead of disgust and hatred, she felt pity. â€Å"But what happened to Dove?† Quinn seemed to tense all over. â€Å"She died,† he said nastily. It was clear that his confidences were over. â€Å"How?† â€Å"None of your business!† Rashel tilted her head and looked at him soberly. â€Å"How, John Quinn? You know, there are some things you really ought to tell other people. It might help.† â€Å"I don’t need a damn psychoanalyst,† he spat. He was furious now, and there was a dark light in his eyes that ought to have frightened Rashel. He looked as wild as she felt sometimes, when she didn’t care who she hurt. She wasn’t frightened. She was strangely calm, the kind of calm she felt when her breathing exercises made her feel one with the earth and absolutely sure of her path. â€Å"Look, Quinn-â€Å" â€Å"I really think you’d better kill me now,† he said tightly. â€Å"Unless you’re too stupid or too scared. This wood won’t hold forever, you know. And when I get out, I’m going to use that sword on you.† Startled, Rashel looked down at Vicky’s handcuffs. They were bent. Not the oak, of course-it was the metal hinges that were coming apart. Soon he’d have enough room to slip them off. He was very strong, even for a vampire. And then, with the same odd calm, she realized what she was going to do. â€Å"Yes, that’s a good idea,† she said. â€Å"Keep bending them. I can say that’s how you got out.† â€Å"What are you talking about?† Rashel got up and searched for a steel knife to cut the cords on his feet. â€Å"I’m letting you go, John Quinn,† she said. He paused in his wrenching of the handcuffs. â€Å"You’re insane,† he said, as if he’d just discovered this. â€Å"You may be right.† Rashel found the knife and slit through the bast cords. He gave the handcuffs a twist. â€Å"If,† he said deliberately, â€Å"you think that because I was a human once, I have any pity on them, you are very, very wrong. I hate humans more than I hate the Redferns.† â€Å"Why?† He bared his teeth. â€Å"No, thank you. I don’t have to explain anything to you. Just take my word for it.† She believed him. He looked as angry and as dangerous as an animal in a trap. â€Å"All right,† she said, stepping back and putting her hand on the hilt of her bokken. â€Å"Take your best shot. But remember, I beat you once. I was the one who knocked you out.† He blinked. Then he shook his head in disbelief. â€Å"You little idiot,† he said. â€Å"I wasn’t paying attention. I thought you were another of those jerks falling over their own feet. And I wasn’t even fighting them seriously.† He sat up in one fluid motion that showed the strength he had, and the control of his own body. â€Å"You don’t have a chance,† he said softly, turning those dark eyes on her. Now that he wasn’t looking into the flashlight, his pupils were huge. â€Å"You’re dead already.† Rashel had a sinking feeling that was telling her the same thing. â€Å"I’m faster than any human,† the soft voice went on. â€Å"I’m stronger than any human. I can see better in the dark. And I’m much, much nastier.† Panic exploded inside Rashel. All at once, she believed him absolutely. She couldn’t seem to get her breath, and a void had opened in her stomach. She lost any vestige of her previous calm. He’s right-you were an idiot, she told herself wildly. You had every chance to stop him and you blew it. And why? Because you were sorry for him? Sorry for a deranged monster who’s going to tear you limb from limb now? Anyone as stupid as that deserves what they get. She felt as if she were falling, unable to get hold of anything†¦. And then suddenly she did seem to catch something. Something that she clung to desperately, trying to resist the fear that wanted to suck her into darkness. You couldn’t have done anything else. It was the little voice in her mind, being helpful for once. And, strangely, Rashel knew it was true. She couldn’t have killed him when he was tied up and helpless, not without becoming a monster herself. And after hearing his story, she couldn’t have ignored the pity she felt. I’m probably going to die now, she thought. And I’m still scared. But I’d do it over again. It was right. She hung on to that as she let the last seconds tick away, the last window of opportunity to stake him while the cuffs still held. She knew they were ticking away, and she knew Quinn knew. â€Å"What a shame to rip your throat out,† he said. Rashel held her ground. Quinn gave the handcuffs a final wrench, and the metal hinges squealed. Then the stocks clattered onto the concrete and he stood up, free. Rashel couldn’t see his face anymore; it was above the reach of the flashlight. â€Å"Well,† he said evenly. Rashel whispered, â€Å"Well.† They stood facing each other. Rashel was waiting for the tiny involuntary body movements that would give away which direction he was going to lunge. But he was more still than any enemy she’d ever seen. He kept his tension inside, ready to explode only when he directed it. His control seemed to be complete. He’s got zanshin, she thought. â€Å"You’re very good,† she said softly. â€Å"Thanks. So are you.† â€Å"Thanks.† â€Å"But it isn’t going to matter in the end.† Rashel started to say, â€Å"We’ll see†-and he lunged. She had an instant’s warning. A barely perceptible movement of his leg told her he was going to spring to his right, her left. Her body reacted without her direction, moving smoothly†¦ and she didn’t realize until she was doing it that she wasn’t using the sword. She had stepped forward, inside his attack, and deflected it with a mirror palm block, striking the inner side of his arm with her left arm. Hitting the nerves to try and numb the limb. But not cutting him. She realized with a dizzy sense of horror that she didn’t want to use the sword on him. â€Å"You are going to die, idiot,† he told her, and for an instant she wasn’t sure if it was him saying it or the voice in her head. She tried to push him away. All she could think was that she needed time, time to get her survival reflexes back. She shoved at him–and then her bare hand brushed his, and something happened that was completely beyond her experience. How to cite Night World : The Chosen Chapter 5, Essay examples

Problematic Solutions Essay Example For Students

Problematic Solutions Essay With the New Year approaching great change will undoubtedly accompany the new millennium. Changes in technology and the arts will emerge naturally but as the times change it is our responsibility to ensure that social policies are designed to best benefit society. Drugs, crime, violence, poverty, and illiteracy are all rising at amazing speeds and this indicates a problem in our current social policy. While there are many possible reasons for these problems the corresponding rise in white illegitimacy is the largest factor. Charles Murray identified this problem in an article in the Wall Street Journal. He came up with possible solutions that he felt would cure this societal illness. His suggestions were good but unreasonable. He touches on both societal and governmental reform and although many of his suggestions are valid they would cause more harm then good. His recommendations include ending governmental economic support such as welfare, subsidized housing and food stamps, increasing social stigma, and returning to the ideals held in the mid 20th century. Although these suggestions do contain some validity in theory, I dont believe that implementation would have the desired effect. Murrays opinion is that some women go through with pregnancy because they know the government will support them through the Welfare system. Therefore Murray feels this economic policy should be abolished. To understand his theory you must look at illegitimacy as a circle: It is a fact that women, especially teenage women, are more sexually active today than in the past. One reason for this increase is that they know the government has systems designed to support them if they become pregnant. This serves as a safety net for the women therefore they are more sexually active. Murray feels that by cutting out this policy women wont have that safety net. This will cause them to be less sexually active in turn cutting down the number of illegitimate births. This may work for some women, but Murray doesnt stipulate as to what happens to the women it does not work for. Cutting out the welfare system will leave those who use, rather than abuse, the system out in the cold. It may help decrease the number of illegitimate births but it will also bring great harm to many babies and children. Welfare checks are often used to put clothing on the babys backs and help to support their needs as they grow. Without that money the babys health is put into great jeopardy. Undoubtedly the current welfare system isnt flawless but abolishing it would have much worse effects on children then what is already in place. Instead of using Murrays solution of downright ending welfare simply altering the system could solve many of the problems. Another of Murrays possible solutions for decreasing white illegitimacy is ending the food stamp program. No food stamps means no food, and no food means death for thousands of babies. He makes this suggestion for the same reasons he feels welfare should be done away with. Its a source of governmental aid. He feels that without the aid of the Government women will be less likely to engage in sex. With less sex comes less pregnancy. Although this point may be true it is not valid. The end just doesnt justify the means in this situation. Castration of all men in the world will stop illegitimate pregnancy, but like the elimination of food stamps, that just isnt a possibility. Babies need to eat otherwise they will die. If a woman has a baby that she can not support then that baby will most likely die is someone doesnt intervene. .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 , .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .postImageUrl , .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 , .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34:hover , .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34:visited , .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34:active { border:0!important; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34:active , .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34 .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u937dc2b57eef96882afa2ce2ed062b34:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Gloss The Road Not Taken EssayThe government is the only institution that can be depended on to take care of such a problem. Murrays suggestion would have more credibility if babies could feed themselves but since they can not it is the mothers responsibility. If Murray were a little less extreme then his point would have more validity. One reason food stamps dont always work is because they are sold on the black market for cash instead of being used to buy the baby food and diapers. Fix the solution in order to fix the problem. Lobby for more legislation against the sale of food stamps on the black market. Increase penalties for those caught engaging in those activities and take away the children from the neglectful parents. Another of Murrays ideas to cut down on illegitimate births is to instill on society that people who have illegitimate children should be looked down upon. This Scarlet Letter approach is wrong and has no place in our society today. No one is in the position to judge another human being and this suggestion is absurd. Turning single mothers and their babies into outcasts will produce many of the same effects that are already taking place. If you look down on a single mother then how will her baby be viewed when he ages? I fear a day when our society looks down on people for such reasons because it will be the beginning of a horrible time in history. Lastly is the idea to reinforce the ideals of the mid 20th century. This would include reinstating the values of marriage and family and the morals of the 1950s. Murray want to repaint the picture of the mom and dad with 2. 75 kids and a dog named Lassie. Murray makes this suggestion because the 1950s were a time when a white underclass was unheard of. He figures that by rewinding society through an old Leave it to Beaver episode everything will be back in shape. Well, this view is utterly out of touch. As times change so does society. This is the reason that we dont leave as they did back in the 1950s in the first place. Children of the 90s couldnt be any farther from those in the middle of the century. Children today are forced to grow up much faster then in the past because they are exposed to entirely too much, too soon. Rather then going backwards in history we need to take steps forward. Americas youth must be educated about the problems in society so that they wont relive them as they grow. The key to cutting down on illegitimacy is through the education of youth. Expose teens to the hardships of raising a child so that they think before they act. Get to the core of the problem by reaching young Americans in their prime. The young people of today are the future of tomorrow and they possess the key to all societal change. Reach them when they are young and you will see a dramatic decrease in societies ills. Although Charles Murray correctly diagnosed a great problem in our society his prescription for change was slightly off. He attacks the institutions that are helping many babies make it through to the next day. The focus needs to be less on the mother and more on the baby because, after all, the illegitimate children are the ones driving up the crime rates not their mothers. Granted, the system isnt perfect but what we need is alteration rather then destruction. Attack the children through positive education rather then by asking society to look at them as a lowly being. Educate rather than humiliate and watch that underclass disappear.