Kevin Sung

Period 1

2/16/2011

AP English 3

REHUGO- Government

A. The opposing articles that I have read are: Career Women Do Not Make Bad Wives by Stephanie Coontz, and Career Women Make Bad Wives by Michael Noer.

B. Articles Cited Below

C. a. In the article, Career Women Do Not Make Bad Wives, Stephanie Coontz supports the position that since men’s expectations are steadily changing and since society is transforming into a more egalitarian one, women with higher educations and jobs are more likely to have successful matrimonies than ones who don’t have jobs.

b. In the article Career Women Make Bad Wives, Noer supports the position that guys who have wives that work are more likely to get divorced because there is a higher chance that the woman will find someone more likeable, like a co-worker. Furthermore, if both of the parents work, then they would not have much time to raise the children. This would lead to social problems within the household and ultimately divorce.

D. a. In Career Women Do Not Make Bad Wives, Coontz presents many quantitative pieces of evidence that appeal to logos. For example, she includes a study conducted by the Center For Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D.C.: “ it found that women between the ages of 28 and 35 who work full time and earn more than $55.000 a year are more likely to be married than women who don’t work… And among women aged 30 to 44, 88 percent of them who are married have jobs.” The numbers show that among the women who are married, the majority has jobs. Through this statistical piece of evidence, the author directly implies that women who have jobs are more likely to marry. Another piece of quantitative evidence the author includes is from the 2001 Journal of Marriage and Family. “college-educated couples have lower divorce rates than any other educational group. College graduates are more likely to have egalitarian ideas about sharing housework and breadwinning, and recent [as of 2007] research shows that egalitarian ideas and behaviors are more stable and improve marital satisfaction for both men and women.” This evidence directly supports the authors thesis that society is turning more egalitarian, as shown by the fact college graduates are more likely to have egalitarian ideas. Since it is turning egalitarian, women who can match up to their husbands intellectual level and also make money for the household just like the man in the family does will have a more stable matrimony.

b. In Career Women Make Bad Wives, the author presents factual evidence from one main source: The Journal of Marriage and Family. “recent studies [as of 2006] have found professional women are more likely to get divorced, more likely to cheat and less likely to have children. And if they do have kids, they are more likely to be unhappy about it. A recent study in Social Forces, a research journal, found that women—even those with a "feminist" outlook—are happier when their husband is the primary breadwinner.” The author uses this piece of evidence to support her thesis that if both of the family members work, then raising the children would be a problematic factor. The author directly states that women with jobs are more likely to be unhappy about having children. This is because they would have no time to take care of them. Another piece of evidence that the author includes from the journal is: “The other reason a career can hurt a marriage will be obvious to anyone who has seen his or her mate run off with a co-worker: When your spouse works outside the home, chances increase that he or she will meet someone more likable than you.” This piece of evidence directly supports his thesis that women who have jobs have a chance of meeting someone more likeable, like a co-worker. This would lead to a divorce, and ultimately a split in the family. With this evidence, the author is able to create a gateway that leads him to his final punch: career women make bad wives.

E. Career Women Do Not Make Bad Wives:

a. Credibility ( appealing to ethos): Throughout the passage, Stephanie repeatedly states the source of evidence. For example, “According to sociologist Virginia Rutter of Framingham State College, surveys show that educated couples engage in more variety in their sex lives.” By referencing large institutions and colleges, the author establishes her credibility.

b. Appealing to Logic (Logos): that it is true The author appeals to logic by addressing the other side of the argument. The author states that women with careers used to be less likely to marry than women who stayed home. The author then counters this argument (counterarguement) by stating that this was only in the past. Social customs and expectations have changed since, and are demanding more intellectual women with jobs.

Career Women Make Bad Wives

a. Rhetorical Questions: The author uses rhetorical questions like “Not a happy conclusion, especially given that many men, particularly successful men, are attracted to women with similar goals and aspirations. And why not? After all, your typical career girl is well educated, ambitious, informed and engaged. All seemingly good things, right? Sure ... at least until you get married. Then, to put it bluntly, the more successful she is, the more likely she is to grow dissatisfied with you. Sound familiar?” These rhetorical questions are used to counter the argument that women that are well educated and ambitious are the right choices for men. She implies that these are all aspiring character traits, but not for a marriage.

b. Appeal to emotion (pathos): The author appeals to emotion by stating the fact that women with jobs are more likely to cheat and have an affair. This appeals to men whose wives work. This piece of evidence might make the husband feel insecure about his wife working after hearing the fact that she might cheat on and that the chances are higher.

F. Women are becoming more and more prominent as the years go by. More women are getting jobs and pursuing education. Society is becoming accustomed to this fact. Although it is true that women who have jobs in the family wont be able to take care of the children as much, men have to accecpt the fact that the majority of women now have jobs. There is no point in arguing whether or not career women make bad wives. Instead, we must adapt to the fact and make the most use of it. I believe that having a wife with a job can be useful, as long as we make the most use of it. For example, the fact that a family with both working parents is financially useful, since both parents would make money.

G. General Logon Page." Career Women Make Bad Wives. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. .

General Logon Page." Career Women Do Not Make Bad Wives. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. .