For some reason I was thinking about being a father. Yes, I’m twenty-two but don’t worry, there aren’t any prospects, and probably won’t be for awhile. I’m really not making the money to raise a child by myself either. But that said I think I’d make a really good father, mainly because I’ve experienced a lot of things a father shouldn’t do. It is interesting to me though, to be responsible for raising another human being, not just for providing the basics for survival, but also the ability to instill values and convictions into your child.
I’d really like to raise a son, not for the typical reasons though (to teach him how to be tough and play sports etc.). It’s a fact that there is less pressure on a man than a woman. Before women know it they are already participating within the hegemonic ideal of how they should dress, talk, look. act, etc [I'm speaking generally, clearly there are women that do not buy into the standard]. Can you imagine explaining to your daughter that women are judged in this manner and as a woman she will not be “respected” if she does not adhere to some, if not all of these characteristics? It’s too disheartening. It’s not to say there isn’t this kind of pressure on males, I just have an inkling that it doesn’t set in as early or it isn’t as prevalent etc. (clearly some reason I’m not educated enough to speak about).
Anyway. Back to Parenthood. I thought a great thing to do as a father would be to read Plato to my son for bedtime stories. My mom used to read to me and it taught me how to read. It also is an actual human connection, it’s not some really stupid video game or something to replace the parent. I never want anything to come between establishing a human connection with my child. Also, Plato isn’t terribly hard to understand, and it will help instill the kind of values and thinking that are important characteristics to have as a human being. Plus, if my wife wants to take him to church reading “Euthyphro” to him wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Having gone through almost a full 22 years of life, I know from experience that the best thing to have is a good judge of character and its by-product (not falling into people’s bullshit). [Note: I'm not saying religion is bullshit; religion is a discourse like any other that people can manipulate it in order to take advantage of the person or people they are attempting to take advantage of. ]
I would entertain this more but I’m tired and I need a wife (or at least a committed woman that was willing to raise a child with me).
I promise I will start talking about poems once I start reading them again. I’m actually working my way through Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations since I only read a few small sections of it for the Wittgenstein class I had my last semester of college. His philosophy is very different from the modern and contemporary areas. It also doesn’t attempt to be certain. Thinking for yourself is the most important thing. It goes above all else: Love, art, fear, superficiality, physicality…etc.
Anyway
Stay Alive,
peace.
Ca
–3:37am, 6/14/08
