Example research essay topic: Son Doesn't Act Act Like A Boy Kalish - 1,083 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS: MY SON DOES NOT ACT LIKE A BOY Nancy Kalish' article My Son Doesn't Act Like a Boy is a fine example of left-wing rhetoric, which is being showed up our throats for the last few decades. The author tries to sound academic in her line of arguments, but the arguments themselves, are emotionally based, therefore they can be easily brushed aside with the mean of logic. Kalish relies on pathos, while trying to make a point, which is no wonder, given the fact that she is a Liberal, in the worst sense of this word. Let us rhetorically analyse author's argument, so that we can prove the fact of absence of the argument, in Kalish's article, in the first place. 1) Style - Article's style can best described as feminist rant, which tries to impose the notion of equality between the genders, at the expense of overlooking the social aspects of the question. Author uses some metaphors and figurative language, to make her emotionally based nonsense even more convincing to the bored housewives and to their husbands, of the same intellectual level: Through feminism and the burgeoning mens movement, weve blurred what used to be recognized as the line between male and female roles (Kalish). It appears that author's style is the strongest point of the article, because it is finely refined.

The flow of thought is continuous and we have to admit that author does a good job staying focused on the subject, which is very unusual, given her political background. But she accomplishes it with a mean of quoting concerned parents, who do not posses any kind of psychological qualification, in order for the reader to think of their opinion as having any value. 2) Argument - Article's argument revolves around few keywords, such as biological determinism, super macho and super feminine, which author strongly associates with negativity. She thinks that the psychological comfort, which derives from belonging to its own gender, on the part of mentally healthy kids, is some kind of abnormality. This is a typical liberal trick they actually try to avoid the discussion and the best way to do this is to apply negative labels to what they consider as wrong. Kalish quotes another proponent of self-indulgence William Pollack: To shame the grandparents for their feelings doesnt help. There needs to be less blaming and more listening to what the child really wants in order to move in a positive direction for change.

But it is a recognised fact that introducing the boy to the notion of discipline is one of the most important aspect of child's upbringing. Also, from the early age boys need to learn what is proper and what is wrong, because otherwise they will not grow to be productive members of society. Such simple logic is virtually unknown to the author, who builds her argument on quotations from soccer moms speeches, like this one: My heart breaks because all he wants to do is be himself. I wish he wasnt into dolls, but I dont want him to think theres anything wrong with him. Kalish's line of arguments does not stand any criticism at all, but it is quite effective, as it exploits parents' most primitive instincts. Basically, she says that its Ok for the boy to be allowed to wear girls' dresses, even though it drastically increases the chances of him becoming a homosexual, because it would be too cruel to act otherwise.

Kalish promotes self-indulgence and instant gratification. Her argument might sound pleasing, although being absolutely deprived of any logic, but, as the saying goes the road to hell is made out of best intentions. 3) Structure Kalish divides her article into five sections. At the beginning, she discuses the issue of of gender identity. Than she gradually proceeds towards suggesting that the gender biased culture hurts the child. At the end of her opus, author goes as far as to suggest that if boy wants to wear skirts, parents should be happy, because it brings out a sensitive side in him: Its okay to be who you are and to make the choices you do.

You are unique, and we love you. To support her obscure ideas, Kalish never get tired of quoting William Pollack, allegedly an expert in the field of behavioral psychology, as if his own nonsense would make Kalish sound more credible. This is another indication that Kalish's article clearly belongs to the Pathos style or argument. She uses the referral to the higher authority to structuralism the text.

At the beginning we have the voice of authority, which states certain ideas. Than, at the end, Kalish backs it up with the examples from real life situations. 4) Ideology Kalish is the leftist of the worst kind. The more and more often liberalism is being referred to as the mental disease, but it is especially dangerous when it extends its tentacles towards the children. If parents listen to Kalish' advices, their boys will grow up into self-indulgent narcissists, who put their own ego above everything else (you are unique and we love you). And this is the best case scenario. In the worst case scenario, the boys will become homosexuals, pursuing the most despicable lifestyle, while spiritual poisoning the society even further.

But Liberals are incapable to logically project the probable consequences of their abnormal ideology, therefore they always emphasise the importance of present moment. It is not by the accident the word "pathetic" derives from greek "pathos." Kalish's article is a pathetic attempt to flip the notion of educational propriety on its head. Anybody with an ability to think critically will have no problem destroying her argument. Yet, article's appeal is directed to those who are being ruled by the emotions women and feminized males. In this respect, Kalish article can be thought of as very effective. 5) Conclusion The analysed piece of Liberal propaganda is meant to exploit people's inability to operate with an abstract ideas. Every argument, found in it, is emotionally motivated, therefore cannot be seriously considered.

The academic value of Kalish' article is zero. Nevertheless, it is capable of string public controversy. It will have the best effect if published in tabloids, rather than in respect full newspapers. It is best suited to be distributed among the crowd of angry Liberals, to make them even angrier.

But this is about it. Bibliography: Kalish, Nancy My Son Doesn't Act Like a Boy. October 13, 2006. Supporting Our Sons. 2003. web

Research essay sample on Son Doesnt Act Act Like A Boy Kalish