The topic I chose for my compare and contrast essay is parental leave in the United States vs parental leave in Sweden. I will be explaining the many differences in the laws regarding parental leave for both countries and the few similarities they share. I chose this topic because I think it is an important issue and could be better understood by examining how two industrialized countries choose to deal with it.

I commented on Jennica's Blog and Cathy's Blog

“I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady

“I Want a Wife” is a comical writing about why the author Judy Brady wants a wife. She explains all of the things that she would like a wife for such as, taking care of the children, supporting her while she goes back to school, cleaning up after her, planning her social event, etc.. Judy in the end of her article states, “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” (Brady pg. 362 paragraph 10). The authors tone is sarcastic throughout and she uses humor to make a point about the unfair expectations put on women.

“Men-It’s in Their Nature” by Christina Hoff Sommers

Christina Hoff Sommers, takes an in depth look at the way gender activists are trying to make boys more docile and emotional in the article “Men-It’s in Their Nature”. She believes that men are hardwired to naturally be more aggressive and less sensitive than woman and that this can benefit our society if young boys are taught morality.

While I found both of these articles interesting in different ways, for my analysis essay I’m choosing to write about “Men-It’s in Their Nature”. I chose this article because I am expecting a son in February and this article brings up a lot of the same issues I’ve found when think about how I will raise my own children.

Works Cited

Brady, Judy. "I Want a Wife" X.J. Kennedy, Dorthy M. Kennedy, Jane E. Aaron. The Bedford Reader. Boston: Kennedy/St. Martins, 2012. 360-362.

Summers, Christina Hoff. "Men-It's in Their Nature" X.J. Kennedy, Dorthy M. Kennedy, Jane E. Aaron. The Bedford Reader. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2012. 365-368.

I commented on Gary Inman's Blog and Salal's blog

Blog Post #2 My Favorite Place

My favorite place is not close to home and it requires a full day of travel by car and then plan. Although you arrive a little groggy and jet lagged, when you step off that plan you know you’ve found paradise. This place is small and isolated but you will never long for more to do. You can let the sun warm your skin as you relax on a creamy yellow sand beach or slip into the silky aqua marine water to cool off. You can navigate the lush rain forests where you’ll be surrounded by vibrant shades of green and flowers in rich hues of pinks, yellows, and purples. Their dewy petals fill the air with a sweet floral scent that mixes with the smells of the salty ocean. Another adventure could take you to an outdoor market where they sell a variety of exotic fruits. My favorite, dragon fruit, is unusual with its thorny shell but on the inside, the reddish-purple flesh is soft with a mildly sweet flavor. No matter where you go you’ll hear the sounds of nature, the birds singing and the ocean breaking on the coast. It’s a truly beautiful place to spend some time and I look forward to my next visit. 

I commented on Ashley's Blog and Courtney's Blog