Journal Entry #5

1. This essay was written in 1971. What types of duties does Syfers describe as being performed by wives? To what degree do you believe these are still done primarily by women? Have these or other things about the husband/wife relationship changed in the last 37 years?

Syfers duties like iroing, taking care of the children, keeping track of children's doctor and dentist appointments, keeping sure that the children eat properly and are kept clean, wash the children's clothes, keeping them mended, making sure that the children are having an adeuquate social life with their peers, taking them to the park and zoo etc.
Other duties are taking care of the mans physical needs, keeping the house clean, cooking the meals etc. Almost everything. I believe that it's like this in a lot of homes. But not in mine. I think that some of it has changed because I think that my grandmas have been doing a lot more of these things than my mother is doing.

2. How would you describe Syfers’ writing style? Does she do things you would typically avoid in your own writing?

She is repeating herself over and over again. It works when she does it but I would probably avoid it.

3. Syfers was reacting to a social structure that she felt at the time was unfair. What types of injustice or unfairness do you see in the world nowadays that you think should be addressed? Syfers implies that men benefit from the servile position of women in the family. Who benefits from the injustices you see active in the world today?

Espsecially that so many people are poor while so many people have more money than they will ever use. I think that the rich people benefit in the world today.