Issue Analysis

1.         What are some of the strengths associated with the Pro side of the issue?  What are some of the weaknesses?

          The Pro side of the issue gives women the encouragement to make the decision for “opting out” of their careers because of the commitments to childrearing and family. The most beneficial strengths of the Pro side of this issue are that children and one’s family benefit because otherwise children would spend the hours during which the parents are working away from home. This time would be spent in a daycare with a babysitter, or in another program, and the mother would spend numerous hours away from her family. This leaves the child or children without the beneficial features that parents provide that foster development during infancy and early childhood, which are critical stages of development that form a foundation for the future well-being of children. Infancy and early childhood are the most advanced periods of a child’s development, and during these periods development is beneficial to a productive life of a child (Berger, 2011).

          A child’s family has more influence on development through infancy and early childhood than any other period of life, which is why a mother’s presence in the home instead of the workplace is critical (Berger, 2011). The benefits of a mother “opting out” of work may out weight the benefits of placing a child or children in daycare, with a babysitter, or other programs. Also a mother’s commitment to family by opting out of work may be beneficial to the strength and successful of her family and may ensure the less likelihood of divorce. A husband may always depend on his wife as far as taking care of the daily needs of the family and household. There are several weaknesses associated with “opting out.” One weakness associated with “opting out” of working is that certain women may possess a resentful attitude toward her husband and children for the loss of her career.

          Another weaknesses associated with “opting out” of working is that certain women spend years attending college to meet certain aspirations and goals, therefore by “opting out” those aspirations and goals disappear. One last weakness associated with “opting out” of working is that certain women may suffer from depression because of the loss of their career and loss of work colleagues. 

2.         What are some of the strengths associated with the Con side of the issue?  What are some of the weaknesses?

          The Con side of the issue gives women the encouragement to make the decision for not “opting out” of their careers because of the commitments to child-rearing and family. The most beneficial strengths of the Con side of this issue are that women maintain their career goals and aspirations and still can have a role in child-rearing and family life. Women attend college just as men and work just as hard as men to obtain meaningful careers. When women opt out of working, they give up on their hard work in college and in their careers to raise and care for their family, which they are still able to do while also working (Noble, 2009). Dual incomes of families can provide a better means of life for one’s family (Noble, 2009). There are several weaknesses associated with not “opting out.” One weakness associated with not “opting out” of working is that the burden of child-rearing and family care-giving is not solely a woman’s responsibility. Another weakness associated with not “opting out” of working is that women are just as entitled as men to maintain their careers while providing for their families. One last weakness associated with “opting out” of working is that the household is women’s work (Guest, 2011). The burden of the household should not be a woman’s work because men are just as capable of helping with the household.

3.         Based on the statements presented in this critical issue, which author do you agree with?  Provide supporting evidence.

          Based on the presented statements both Hirshman and Stone make valid arguments but Hirshman’s statements make a more valid point. Indeed if women intend to make a difference in the workplace it is their actions that will make the difference. If women demanded better work schedules, daycare centers in the workplace, or daycare compensation or reimbursement they may enable themselves to maintain their careers and still take care of their families more effectively. When parents take into account both of their incomes then one parent not working may be counterproductive and not beneficial for the family (Guest, 2011). Indeed women have the choice of either returning to work after childbirth or staying home with the child or children whichever option is best is for each woman to decide based on her goals.

Hirshman may a valid point about the women who want equal rights and to have a place alongside men but those who did not return to work after childbirth were not serious about their desires and wants of a career and family. Indeed some men do not consider women to be serious about their careers when a career is not the first priority. The feminist movement is beneficial for women, “opting out” is a phenomenon, and feminism did not go far enough (Guest, 2011).

4.         Explore two other roles that can be acquired during early and middle adulthood, such as through parenthood, romantic relationships, and career.  How have these roles changed through the past generations?

          One role that may be acquired during early and middle adulthood through parenthood is the role of the stay-at-home caregiver who is the father. This role gives the option of not sending infants and adolescents to daycare or programs that cared for them during the work hours of the parents, and allows women of marriages to continue to maintain their careers. The key figure in this role was usually the woman (mother) and not the man (father). When the father is the stay-at-home caregiver it allows a woman to maintain her goals and aspirations of a career. This leads to another role whereas the mother is the main finical provider for the family. The key figure in this role was usually the male (father) and not the woman (mother). A woman in this role is the main decider of all the family’s finical responsibilities, which was usually left up to the man.

5.         What psychological adjustments are made during early and middle adulthood to adapt to aging and changes in life style?  How does this affect development?

          During the years of early and middle adulthood individuals make several psychological adjustments that may drastically affect his or her way of life. During these years of early and middle adulthood individuals psychological adjustments are made to adjustment to changes in life that concern careers, relationships, marriage, divorce, and childbirth, which affect one’s psychological well-being. Women often suffer through menopause during these periods of years. Menopause often accompanies distressing psychological symptoms occur in women. Men sometimes suffer through a midlife crisis that also affects one’s psychological well-being. When individuals reach early and middle adulthood have already met many developmental milestones but often there is a need for psychological adjustments when adapting to aging and changes in one’s lifestyle.

Reference

Berger, K. S. (2011). The developing person through the life span (8th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Guest, A. (2011). Taking sides: Clashing views in life-span development (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Noble, H. (2009). Opting in vs opting out. British Journal Of Nursing, 18(21), 1290.