Rough Draft Writing Project 1

Giving the Yay

            Society in America has undergone various changes throughout the past century in many aspects. From woman being able to vote to same sex marriages, diverse is a word that can definitely be used to describe the melting pot of cultures and lifestyles that this country has. However, there is a particular new phenomenon, as author Kay S. Hymowitz would call it, sweeping male individuals between the ages of twenty and thirty. This phenomenon is known as pre-adulthood. In, “Where Have the Good Men Gone?” Hymowitz “argues that too many men living in their twenties are in a new kind of extended adolescence” (wsj.com). At a glance, this article eloquently expresses points that tug on the ethical and emotional appeal of the audience, grabbing the attention of readers with such creativity would make this piece a prime example of a well-constructed argument.

            First and foremost the author of this article definitely knew who they wanted to target in the audience. In the title, “Where Have the Good Men Gone”, instantly one can grasp a somewhat of an insulting gesture from some such a phrase. Being a male myself, I for once disagreed with such a title. I believe that I would constitute as a “good man” as may several other males that perhaps stumbled upon this article. Nonetheless, the author here lays a foundation for the reader to begin brainstorming about the context of the article. In addition, the various pictures that decorate the surroundings of the article may suggest male inferiority to today’s woman. Most of the men showcased all have hipster/grungy appearances not too appealing to the eye, playing video games, and acting childish. Adjacent to these photographs stands a woman dressed in business attire with a strong independent look on her face. The difference in body language here demonstrates the levels maturity in each person; a man’s silly face versus the stern look on the woman next to him definitely adds to what the title already suggests.

            As the reader begins to dive into the context of the article, it is made evident that the information being presented does not fully correlate to what is predicted in the first impressions. For most of the introduction, there is a majority of pathetic and attempted logical appeal; quotes from celebrity comedians and a few graphs supporting the “negativity” that the title suggests. However, as one continues to read the information presented is there to provide background to this idea of “pre-adulthood”. In other words, Hymowitz breaks it down to being similar to ones teenage years and how that uncertainty and self-consciousness that a person feels is essentially what a male with characteristics of pre-adulthood expresses. Not to be confused for any kind of medical disorder, this idea of pre-adulthood is simply a psychological state that some males might experience according to Hymowitz.

            Attempting to strengthen her argument, the author now turns to the logical side of things within the article, stating that pre-adulthood exists in some men because of some contributing personal factors. Referencing the professional life of a person and the economic state in which this society is in now is how Hymowitz climaxes her argument. With woman on the rise professionally and the social changes that the male role has undergone in the past years, the author gives a more logical appeal to this situation. “He has to compete in a fierce job market, but he can't act too bossy or self-confident. He should be sensitive but not paternalistic, smart but not cocky. To deepen his predicament, because he is single, his advisers and confidants are generally undomesticated guys just like him” (wsj.com). Social pressures, professional responsibilities, and personal responsibilities are factors that Hymowitz believes to play a role in this pre-adulthood situation. Logically this makes sense, life does often present situations quite uncomforting to a person that can prove to be overwhelming to the point in which one would much rather throw in the towel. This portion of Hymowitz argument proves to be the most concrete as it appeals to audience on a much more personal level giving it the chance for it be much more accepted.

            In conclusion, the appeal made my Hymowitz in “Where Have the Good Men Gone?” about the pre-adulthood state of a man being a kind of epidemic that woman should try to understand instead of complaining is definitely well constructed. By appealing to the audience both emotionally and logically she constructs a valid argument in which one can ponder and reach a reasonable conclusion or at least understand the point she is trying to portray. The changing of times and roles in society are having an effect on men and how they approach life not so much that all the “good men” have disappeared from this Earth.