Kristof

Ryan M

FNED 346

Ms. McKamey 

17 September 2018

U.S.A, Land of Limitation? By: Nicholas Kristof

Response to Kristof's Reasoning

  Quotes:

"The best metrics of child poverty aren't monetary, but rather how often a child is read to or hugged." (Kristof pg. 4)

The bottom line when it comes to children is that no matter how rich their parents may be, they will not receive a good or at least decent education unless the parents send them to school or homeschool them on their own by reading to them and explaining their mistakes on paper.  Also, if a child is showed very little to no love by the parents, he/she may not have motivation to do well in the early stages of their life.  I can honestly say that if my parents never did what they have done for me including sending me to good schools, teaching me right from wrong, helping me with work, and listening to me whenever I was upset about something, I wouldn't have turned out to be who I am today and I might not have even gotten this far in my academics.  A loving and caring relationship between the parents and children is far more important than parents throwing material possessions at them with no limitation or discipline.  

"Some think success is all about "choices" and "responsibility"." (Kristof pg. 5)

What one chooses to do in various situations with possibly serious outcomes and whether they choose to be responsible with their reputation and health or not are very serious matters that can determine the future.  For those who may have had rough childhoods, similar to Rick, with lack of relationship with parents, discipline, and loving and caring, it can certainly be difficult to make the right choices and be responsible all the time.  I feel those who are fortunate enough to have families who teach them right from wrong including myself and many others I know should be willing to help others who struggle with making good choices, for we all tend to encounter those with challenges and even face them ourselves.  Even though you can still be successful with a reputation of being a jerk or coward, it's much more worth while being successful through hard work and inspiring others.  

"Success is not a sign of virtue." (Kristof pg. 5)

It seems that everyone in this world must develop the urge to work for what they want and not be granted everything they desire one way or another.  In today's world we have the power and opportunity to be successful at things such as a certain career or parent regardless of social class, race, religion, or gender, especially in the United States of America.  I believe that if success was only a sign of pure virtue, then a lot of people I know would not be as successful as they have made themselves to be over many years of hard work.  

Comment:

 I feel it would be beneficial if we took time during a class to seriously discuss what is absolutely necessary for children to be just as, if not more successful than their parents. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-usa-land-of-limitations.html