Current Connection 3:2

In a society with a traditional roles in male and women, we come to expect a regular household to be male-dominant. But for some families, they have broken those traditions with a stay-at-home dad instead of a mother. Many of us can agree that that is not a regular situation. About 3.5 percent of males are stay-at-home parents in the U.S.

According to researchers, men today are actually becoming more work-family conflict than women. In an article written by Jennifer Ludden entitled Stay-At-Home Dads, Breadwinner Moms And Making It All Work, Ludden asserts, "Coontz points out that 28 percent of women now outearn their husbands, a trend driven by the fact that more women than men now earn college degrees." Now that women are becoming more independent, the chances of men taking over the household are increasing. They have a much greater sense of being involved in the family and have the desire to perform like any other care giver.

In the article it also states, "Coontz says for generations, children have been conditioned early for their respective gender roles — boys, for example, have been discouraged when they express interest in cooking or dolls." We have come to learn early at our age what gender means and the roles that we play in this society. We tend to act in a certain way that we feel is accepted into the world because we are afraid of what others would think about the way we live.

Ludden also implies, "for 150 years both men and women have been trained to fulfill certain, distinct roles and to explicitly not be responsible for others." Men and women are not any different from each other which would allow them to perform the same things. We tend to think that women are more qualified to take care of the children and the homes, but what makes a man unable to? 

This article reminds me of my former boss. He was a stay-at-home parent while his wife took the role as the money maker in the family. Although was took care of the kids and the house, he had his own job at his very home. I can understand why he would be the care-giver of the family because he is always at the house doing his job without stepping out of his house. 

Though men are thought to be the more powerful and dominant of the family, it does not mean he is not able to care for his family. Some males are not able to work outside of the house. To some fathers who are the primary care givers, they feel that it is an experience and responsibility that they would not have had the opportunity to assume had they continued in a traditional role as "bread winner".

CC3:1 "Judgements on Traditional Gender Roles"

In a recent article by Gabrielle Reece in New York Times news entitled "Defining ‘Submissive’ in the Vocabulary of Women’s Choices" Reece explains how society has unporportionally described the meaning behind gender roles and the decisions that women make in society.



The article claims, "When I used the s-word, I was talking about the way many couples divide labors and roles irrespective of gender, and I was talking about what’s been true for me in my own relationship." America today has improved on the rights of women, but this country has put their mind into focusing on women having independent jobs that are equal to their significant other, that they have forgotten the fact that being a house mom is also a choice of women. Not all women want to be powerful than men.



Reece quotes, "The reality is that I do most of the things that are traditionally female. Why? It’s my choice. It’s what works for us in our partnership." Many women have been raised to be the carer in the family and feels that it is their responsibility to take care of the kids and their partner. People are looking down on those who still value the traditional husband and wife roles when it is their desicion.



The article also asserts, "One of the cornerstones of feminism is that women should have the freedom to make choices. We should be able to define for ourselves what makes us happy. Single. Married. Kids. No kids. Whatever." Society has an effect on people and the ones close to them, which in turn effects views. Identity isn't something which is necessarily forced down on people by "society" or by the ruling powers, it is something which people choose to adopt and "play" with.




In my country, women are traditionally the ones who take care of the household, to handle the needs of the family and the responsibilities that are to be performed. By the environment of living, I value the gender roles that I was exposed of and that is the way I want to handle roles of gender just like my mother.



Clearly women now have the rights to step out of the stereotypical role of a woman and be anything they want as long as that is what they want to be as powerful as a man. But if someone wants to become, say, a scientist or politician or business person and can't (or is said that they shouldn't) merely because they *happen* to be a woman; that's NOT fine. There is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to be a stay-at-home parent.

CC 2.1: Irrelevant Decision Making

In an article entitled "The Impact of the Irrelevant on Decision-Making'" posted on The New York Times, Robert H. Frank, an economics professor at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, states that most economists are well aware of the options that they are considering during a day to day basis.


According to Frank, he believes that "most economists are content with a slightly weaker assumption: that people respond in approximately rational ways to the information available to them... [and] even patently false or irrelevant information often affects [their] choices in significant ways." When people choose to set their alarms five minutes early for the morning, the images in their brains trigger information that allow them to effortlessly perform their actions, showing one's sense that does not fool them at all. At the same time, the anxiety in our minds warns us to keep going, making the process to work, keeping us from thinking other wise.


Robert H. Frank also claims in his article that "Although cigarette advertisements, for example, typically portray smokers as young, healthy and attractive, smoking can make people look older and less healthy. Such ads make no explicitly false claims, but that doesn’t make them less misleading, even for informed consumers." Its a distinction without a difference; when those who are addicted to a certain product, the minds of the victims are already set to that specific idea of " I am addicted and I cannot stop". 

The mind works in many various ways. In Franks words, "moral sentiments are extremely powerful drivers of human behavior. People who know they’ll be ridiculed for telling untruths are more likely to show restraint." Knowing that a statement is false, a person does not change it's mind set, making no difference to their opinion. They must be discouraged that the knowledge is, in fact, the truth to make it effective. False or irrelevant information can impact an irrelevant decision. We must encourage ourselves that what we hear or see is factual or else our brains would not trigger at all.  

I think back to the times that I have attempted to trick my mind when it came to getting things done. Such as getting up on time for school. I would routinely set my alarm clock thirty minutes earlier than what I had planned to wake up at, but my body and mind would know that I had thirty more minutes to kill some sleeping time, making it even harder for me to wake up when I had to. My body, laying tirelessly on my bed, would crave for those extra minutes that it can.

Our brains are a lot smarter than we think it is, no matter how hard we try to trick our minds. What we know is settled and that is that. We cannot lie to ourselves when we know the truth!

Frank, Robert H. "The Impact of the Irrelevant on Decision-Making." Nytimes.com.
        New York Times, 29 May 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.                                                                 <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/business/30view.html?_r=1&>.

CC 1:2 Earthquake Safety in California

In a recent article by Ari Bloomekatz in Los Angeles Times news entitled "Millions of Californians to take part in 'ShakeOut' earthquake drills," millions of California residents and students are practicing a "drop, cover, and hold on" drill for future earthquakes in emergency situations.

The article claims, "In Los Angeles, the drill will take place at 10:17 a.m. at Rosemont Elementary School, where students will act as if they've been injured in a quake and emergency crews respond to the scene. " During the drill, firefighters, the volunteers who will help out for the kids, will take part in the act. According to the moving plates on the California lands, there are high risks for major earthquakes to take place anywhere in the mountains, the places where most students and citizens would take place.

Bloomekatz quotes, "Responding to a Los Angeles Times report of structurally vulnerable buildings that could expose thousands to injury or death, Garcetti said he was 'interested in creative ways of making buildings safer.'" Creating buildings that could hold an earthquake could potentially improve the death rates of earthquake victims. Safer buildings will keep the students from getting tumbled on by roofs and other various materials in the schools.

The article also asserts, "Garcetti is facing a tangle of unforeseen political and legal challenges as he grapples with what action the city should take to identify and reinforce hundreds of old concrete buildings that may be at risk of collapse in a major earthquake." The buildings of California, including the schools, are not safe for people to be in when an earthquake takes place. The government in California are taking action by planning on removing the risky buildings and creating better, and more stable architectures.

When I was a little kid in the Philippines, the country that I was born in, I remember experiencing a tiny earthquake. Although it was not very effective, it could have still managed to do some damages. The houses, shacks that were made out of cheap materials, and buildings there were not very stable and could easily fall down since the material that the homes were made of was very loose.

Earthquake safety should be enforced through out the whole world, no matter where the plates are located. It is better to be safe than sorry. Schools all around should practice learning what to do when it occurs. Intellectual education is not the only education that people should study for. Students must also learn how to defend themselves when a predicaments come their way.

CC 1:1 Ole Miss Football Players Yell Gay Slurs

In a recent article by Kim Severson and Alan Blinder in New York Times news entitled "University of Mississippi Investigating Anti-Gay Heckling at Theater Performance," a group of Ole Miss football players were screaming hateful gay slurs during an anti-gay theater play in Oxford, Missouri.

"The two groups of students, about as far apart as any cultural groups on a college campus could be, became linked this week after football players and other freshmen disrupted the play with homophobic heckling." In 1962, the university is still struggling with the horrible integration that resulted in two deaths and dozens of injuries. The play, an act about a bullied homosexual, was a racial healing theme to unify the college together. The actions of the men was immature and unnecessary, although some students disagree.

"Once an investigation of the heckling on Tuesday is concluded, the school will consider disciplinary action, which could range from a public apology to expulsion, Dr. Jones said." With the football players irresponsible action, they are to take a theater appreciation class for the unrespectable gay comments that they interrupted with during the play. Some has even apologized for the slurs to an actor, the main character of the act.

"For the cast members, who gathered in the theater at noon Friday to discuss the episode and listen to encouraging words from administrators and theater faculty, the fact that the play provoked such strong reaction was, in a way, exactly what theater is supposed to do." The play made such an impact on those that watched it. Just as it was supposed to. It sampled how people were judgemental towards the gay community.

There was no need in such hurtful words towards the gay actors while performing such a symbolic play. I personally have homosexual friends who I dearly care about, and although it was a play about a tragic story of a gay man who was brutally judged, beaten, and eventually killed, there should be some respect from the audience. Everyone should be treated equally, no matter what the sexual orientation. Everyday, there is always someone who is bullied for their views on life, and cannot stand for it.

Why judge a person for loving another person of the same sexuality? It is a personal decision, and no one has to deal with it but the person involved. This world is full of hateful and judgmental human beings, and we should have the freedom to love, care, and marry the partner that we desire.

Reflction Time

In our Junior year of English, our teacher, Mrs. Gillmore, has assigned us to use our imaginative mind and create a short story. We are to write about a fictional character using a rising action, conflict, and resolution. With this, we are also to create a scene and plot of what the story is about, leaving a theme for us to learn.

Using techniques that I have recently learned over the years, I was able to quickly think of a character of what I envisioned my story to be. It was a hard process of figuring out what it will be about. Although, the story might not be clear in my mind, it should get easier as I continue on with typing the story and discovering new approaches.

Finding the plot of the story was most difficult, to be honest. I do not have a wondering mind with imaginative stories that could quickly appear in my head, although with the experiences that I've had in my life, I used those memories to create a story line. Before I could write the plot, I had to find a character. A character with a name and meaning. It became frustrating as I sat and sat until I finally found my character.

Let me introduce you to Aphrodite, a girl who was antisocial. During her high school years, all she had was a book in her hands and an a Kindle tucked nicely inside her monochromatic one strapped backpack, which was there just incase she needed it. Although she might seem as if she had no one there to accompany her, there was Jenna, a girl who became friends wih Aphrodite the minute they sat at the very same table in Mrs. Gillmore's first grade class.

The overall story should turn out pretty well. By trying my hardest with strong motivations to finish with an amazing ending line, I should get a decent grade for this story. Writing a story is not always easy. Wish me luck.

CC#4: Braces For Fashion?

In a recent magazine by New York Times, called Upfront, an article entitled "Jonesing for Braces," describes the high demands of teen braces in the Southeast Asian countries.

The article explains, "..braces have become such a fashion and status symbol in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia that some teens are actually sporting fake braces." Unlike teenagers here in America, asian teens actually want to wear braces; not only for the fun of it, but because it has become a fashion item in their country. American kids dread wearing braces for so many months and years at a time, but not like Asia. It is a blessing and an envy to wear them.

Braces are not cheap. According to the article, it states, "Beauty salons sell them for about $100. Real braces, by contrast, cost about $1,200 in Asia, making them a luxury item for only the rich." The demand to look good is not only high, but expensive too. Here in America, it cost thousands to fix and straighten teeth. Braces in Asia are a form of luxury and it is an item that only the well off can afford.

Fake braces also come with dangers. In the text it says, "Health officials however, are warning teens to stay away from fake braces, since they may contain lead and can be swallowed accidentally." Looking fashionable comes with disadvantages. Like many things, they have warnings and dangerous outcomes. Because some braces are fake, they are not well made. They could loosen and may put you at risks.

Here in America, braces are a teens worse nightmare. As for me, I am deathly afriad of having to wear them. Sadly, I have to very soon. I have no idea why Asians have come to favor such things, but as an Asian myself, I can not stand to wear them, due to the fact that it does not make me look any better, nor do they feel good.

Braces has come to be a trend in the Asian countries around the world. They are not just to fix teeth or improve your smile, they are also a form of accessory that people, in some parts of earth, enjoy wearing. Although, the thought of wanting to wear braces is obsurd, Asians love to look of them. Which is why braces are a high demand in the Southeast Asian countries.