Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Arguments of Definition
In chapter 9, we are talking about the different meanings, or interpretations of an argument. Everyone has their own interpretation of an argument, whether it is about politic, gender issue, or just daily matters. As the very first topic of patriotism in this chapter, the author is showing many ways that patriotism can be expressed depending on people's ideologies. Backing up the argument has been made, the chapter showed different pictures defined patriotism. The one with Uncle Sam can be interpreted as a command, like, as patriotic citizen, you have to be obedient to the government. As an opposed, the one with a smiling old lady shows a more volunteering attitude to the mean of patriotism. Nevertheless, the interpretations of each whether visual, or non-visual arguments are depended on the level of education, background, political status, and social influence of one who interpreted them. For example, in United States, when a person reaches the age of 18, he/she is considered an adult and basically has full responsibility for his/herself under most circumstances. That individual is encouraged to move out of the parents' house, find a job, and take care of themselves. However, in the Oriental culture like Vietnam, China, or Korean, even though one is past the age of 18, they still have to obey their parents, and most of the elders. Along with that, the parents still want to take care of their child as long as possible. My brother, who is 28, married, and also had a kid, my parents are still letting him stay in their house; in some occasions, my dad even beats him for making poor choices like the "old days".
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I have some family members and friends who would take comfort in hearing that other cultures around the world don't demand that a person leave the family at 18 and instantly be independent for the rest of their life. For example, one of my friends is an artist, and has struggled to go through art school as well as start making a living. Although he has lived on his own a few times, he wasn't able to find the right job after getting his undergrad degree. At the same time, he is too stubbornly committed about living life as an artist to work any kind of 9 to 5 career job doing something boring. So his parents have let him keep staying at their house, and they even helped him buy an expensive kiln for his pottery projects. With their help he has started making a little money from the art that he enjoys creating. He's the kind of person that would feel encouraged knowing that he hasn't failed at life simply for not meeting the standard (which is merely a cultural construct) of achieving instant independence. It's interesting to hear that a 28 year old is still getting beaten. I would be fighting back at that age for sure!
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