Synthesis Paper Essay

In every society there are certain values, believes and assumptions that are considered to be right and true. Quite often people maintain the status quo that exists in their society and never question it. However, there are still some people that can go beyond and share their own views concerning this or that problem. Thus, Sara Dickerman in her article “Food Fright” and John Taylor Gatto in “Against school” go against the status quo. Both authors express their own ideas on the problems that exist in their society and express their disagreement with people’s common beliefs.
Thus, Sara Dickerman raises a problem of dour advice and restrictions that society makes for pregnant women. Thus, the author from her own example states that pregnant women have a great number of products which they cannot consume. Indeed, the list of products which these women can’t eat is much larger than that which consists of acceptable ones. Dickerman agrees that if a woman is pregnant she should be vigilant of what she eats. But at the same time the author argues whether it is right to prohibit everything. At this event she mentions that the list of restricted products for those who are pregnant changes quickly as well. For example, in the 19-th century alcohol was prescribed to pregnant women while in the 21-st century it occupies the first place in the “not to eat” list of products. Moreover, the author adds that some limitations are made by nutritions only because they are not sure and haven’t decided whether a woman can eat this product or no. The author’s main claim lies in the fact that instead of proper investigation on what is right to consume for pregnant women it is easier for them to prohibit everything. Therefore, Dickerman stated that “instead of offering common-sense advice many health-care professionals were understandably inclined to tell women how to avoid all possible risks” (Dickerman). Through this saying the author expresses the whole idea of her article. Thus, it is obvious that a pregnant woman should avoid all the possible risks in order to give birth to a healthy child. But she shouldn’t be limited on everything and in such a way live in a constant fear that something may go wrong. Instead, health-care professionals should put an emphasis on positive steps that will be helpful for both a woman and her child. Considering her own example when being pregnant, Dickerman claims that pregnant women suffer from overabundance of information. Mainly because of this overabundance women feel guilty of every bite they eat, always remembering whether it is in the “to eat” or “not to eat” list. Therefore, it is possible to say that in her article Dickerson posted an opinion that expresses a different point of view from the rest of the society. She expressed her disagreement upon the problem and suggested that health-care professionals shouldn’t frighten women with a great number of limitations. On the contrary, they should help women with positive attitude that will contribute to their babies’ proper development. That is why it is possible to say that posting her article the author went against the status quo and expressed her own attitude towards the existing problem.
John Taylor Gatto in his article “Against school” goes against the status quo as well. In his work he tries to define what is wrong with the school system in the US and why not only students but professors as well feel themselves bored sitting in the classrooms. The author believes that the main problem of modern schools lies in the difference between schooling and education. Thus, Gatto claims that school doesn’t give students useful information and doesn’t try to inspire or challenge them. Furthermore, the author goes beyond the common belief and raises a question if there are any problems in the system of school education at all. He supposes that the school doesn’t teach real knowledge intentionally and compares it with a prison. The author suggests that schools by purpose create standardized citizens that lack individualism, creativity and originality. The author also blames the society which promotes mass production and mass consumption and in such a way creates people who are ready to consume all information that they receive without analyzing it. It seems that uneducated people are in favor. Gatto also believes that it is precisely school that turns young people into addicts. From his point of view Schools do not teach children to consume everything. They do even worse: they teach them not to think at all. Thus, the author states that “we must wake up to what our schools really are: laboratories of experimentation on young minds, drill centers for the habits and attitudes that corporate society demand” (Gatto). With these words Gatto tries to convince his readers that present day schools do not aim at raising intelligent and educated individuals. It doesn’t teach leaders but, in contrast, only consumers. Moreover, he provides an example of genius and great people such as Edison, Mellville and Carnegie who didn’t go to high school but attained success. The author emphasizes the fact that the main task of parents is not to let schools make servants from their children. He claims that it is important to teach children such values as critical thinking, independence and self-development. Otherwise, they will become consumers without their own thoughts and beliefs. Therefore, in his article Gatto tries to change reader’s attitude towards modern schools and goes against the status quo.

Works cited

Dickerman, Sara. “Food Fright”. Slate. 15 Sept. 2004. Web. 4 Apr. 2015
Gatto, John Taylor. “Against school”. Cantrip. n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2015