When you mix the works of Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen with that of William Butler Yeats from Ireland, one experiences such major style change. Each man had a point to prove and most definitely went about it in their own unique manner. Each author represents a common and substantial social dilemma that the author believed to bring atrocities into society and future regret if not dealt with immediately. For me, I relate the most with Ibsen's character.
In Ibsen's "A Doll's House," readers can see a vivid display of middle class and some of its unchanging habits despite the different era. of time. So often, the obsessions with middle class possessions such as status, money, comfortability, community, etc.. make it difficult for this vicious cycle of middle class yearnings to subside. Too often, the middle class seem to consider themselves as moderate in there status, moderate in income, moderate in their comfort, and moderate concerning the level and quality of community. Although the middle class mindset may appear humble, their covetous nature seems never fulfilled. There is enough to get by but there is never quite enough to live fully satisfied because all around, there are people wanting new things are informing us of the new things we should be desiring. We also discussed the superficiality and child-centered culture that comes with middle class living. Personally, I feel that are obsession with our children has gone too far in many cases. Yes, children need to be loved and provided for in stable environments as possible as often but teaching our children entitlement rather than humility in most cases is a killer. Our children can learn to be thankful and grateful rather than selfishly thinking about themselves alone. I know some of my wording here is extreme but I seriously think it's possible to teach a child the importance in seeing others and loving others as equals to themselves (which is challenging for any person!) so that they might grow up into giving young men and women who don't see themselves above any one else.
According to Nicholas Day in his article "No Big Deal, but This Researcher's Theory Explains Everything About How Americans Parent.," parents from all different cultures struggle with parental ethnotheories which can be described as society's belief in the right way to raise a child. Different is not necessarily less. When we take a look at the way Nora and Torvald raised their children, one can see the mother's fondness of her children yet the disconnection between the parents and the children as they depend on the nanny to raise these children. Regardless, Nora continues to buy her children the newest clothes and therefore, keep them supplied with what she considers the best for the best: her children. Children are a gift from God and should be cherished, loved, and told of their worth but there must be a limit to this self-indulgent attitude that breeds narcissism. By biggest concern is that people aren't thinking globally. Are we aware of the fact that what happened at Sandy Hook happens on a daily basis in many countries such as Syria? A child is a child no matter what background they come from. No child's life is more important that any other child's life. I desperately wish many parents could love their children with a humble love that recognizes that spoiling a child isn't love, but rather so, enjoying the time you've been given with them. So often, I think we believe that children are exempt from death and their death is unfair and yes, it does feel unfair but children as just as human as adults. We all have a limited amount of time on this earth. With that, we have to conclude, how will we raise out kids to make a positive difference? Will we teach them to love selflessly? I've seen this process go both ways so I know the potential is there.
Nora, also known as songbird, decides to leave her family, including children as she experiences an awakening. This songbird, who once lived to please her husband, demonstrates the aspect of a Phoenix: dying in her beliefs and rising again as new to learn for herself. Was she wrong in her actions? Some would say yes, and others would say no. And that's the thing about parenting. It's so different across cultural divides. All parents are just trying to raise their children to the best of their ability when there's no perfect way to do so. Regardless, the way a child is reared WILL play a prominent role in that child's life. Is it worth having your child completely blend in with other kids to the point of sabotaging their ability to see others for who they are? I believe all cultures could learn a little something from each other in the case of parenting. I do hope that mothers decide not to play the role of Nora as runaway Barbie in the future though. Below are some very interesting articles I found and would like to share concerning child-rearing:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/09/01/vigilance_or_obsession_child_safety_across_the_cultural_divide/
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/04/how-parents-around-the-world-describe-their-children-in-charts/274955/
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