The Importance of Work
Professor Norford
ENC1101
6 April 2014
Word Count: 1,018
The Importance of Work
According to Friedan, men and women need work that satisfies their creativity and contributes to human society. According to Mrs. Olive Schreiner, “if women did not win back their right to a full share of honored and useful work, women’s mind and muscle would weaken in a parasitic state; her offspring, male and female would weaken progressively, and civilization itself would deteriorate.” (Friedan 8) I agree with this statement, I think that the work ethic of my generation and younger is influenced by our parents, and if they do not show a desire to work, their children will not contribute to society. If a mother does not work hard, whether her job is a stay- at- home mother or not, if she does not show any work ethic, her children will look up to her and follow in her footsteps, and eventually “civilization itself would deteriorate.” (Friedan 8) However, I do not agree with Friedan’s implication that doing work is the only way to create a meaningful life. There are many ways to create a meaningful life; work should not be the most important.
Work is important, money is important, and both can bring good things into your life. Work should not be your main priority in life nor should it be the meaning of your life. There are far more important things in life than work. Work is just the reason you should be able to afford those things that are meaningful to you. In my eyes, we need to work to support our family and to make sure all their needs are met, to take care of other family members or friends when they need the help, and to be able to pay to do activities and such when you want. What should bring meaning to your life, in my opinion, is God, family, friends and your hobbies. Work is just the reason we can make those things work and make it by. Friedan believes that “women as well as men, can only find their identity in work that uses their full capacities. A woman cannot
ENC1101
6 April 2014
Word Count: 1,018
The Importance of Work
According to Friedan, men and women need work that satisfies their creativity and contributes to human society. According to Mrs. Olive Schreiner, “if women did not win back their right to a full share of honored and useful work, women’s mind and muscle would weaken in a parasitic state; her offspring, male and female would weaken progressively, and civilization itself would deteriorate.” (Friedan 8) I agree with this statement, I think that the work ethic of my generation and younger is influenced by our parents, and if they do not show a desire to work, their children will not contribute to society. If a mother does not work hard, whether her job is a stay- at- home mother or not, if she does not show any work ethic, her children will look up to her and follow in her footsteps, and eventually “civilization itself would deteriorate.” (Friedan 8) However, I do not agree with Friedan’s implication that doing work is the only way to create a meaningful life. There are many ways to create a meaningful life; work should not be the most important.
Work is important, money is important, and both can bring good things into your life. Work should not be your main priority in life nor should it be the meaning of your life. There are far more important things in life than work. Work is just the reason you should be able to afford those things that are meaningful to you. In my eyes, we need to work to support our family and to make sure all their needs are met, to take care of other family members or friends when they need the help, and to be able to pay to do activities and such when you want. What should bring meaning to your life, in my opinion, is God, family, friends and your hobbies. Work is just the reason we can make those things work and make it by. Friedan believes that “women as well as men, can only find their identity in work that uses their full capacities. A woman cannot