Chapter Reflections Essay Example

explored, highlighting how one's structured experiences during childhood (both positive and negative) influence their parenting style. This illustrates the evolution of parenting in Australia and emphasizes its differences compared to the present. As outlined in his book, Australian Common Law permits parents to physically discipline their child if it is used to correct behavior and reasonable force is employed. However, this concept has evolved over time.

Disciplinary practices have shifted away from physical punishment towards alternative methods. It is amusing yet thought-provoking when we reflect on these outdated approaches and catch ourselves using them on our own children (Eminences, M - page 21). Comparing past large families with those today is striking, especially considering the challenges they faced during the Great Depression and World War 2. Despite the high cost of raising children during that era, Australia still experienced a "baby boom" (Eminences, M - page 21).Furthermore, the text highlights the contrasting experiences of children in the past and present. Today's kids are often immersed in technology, whereas previous generations encouraged non-technological forms of entertainment, such as outdoor play (Eminences, M - page 21). Additionally, the chapter "Hillbilly's Cats" delves into an unconventional subject—the era of "boogies" and "wedgies" (Eminences, M - page 34). Surprisingly, the book's descriptions of these terms were relatively mild compared to my initial expectations (Eminences, M - page 34). It is intriguing how people were perceived differently in the past when boogies and wedgies, now considered commonplace in society, were viewed as unconventional. The quote explains that a boogie referred to a male with long hair and eccentric clothing while a wedgie denoted a female with short hair and

peculiar attire. What is interesting is that back then males displayed more vibrant colors and exotic dressing styles compared to females. These individuals primarily teenagers were expected to conform by the age of twenty-two; otherwise sirens would sound. The attempt to classify youth through terms like boogies demonstrates that appearing or behaving differently did not imply abnormality. It appears that deviating from strict parental rules and societal conformity frightened parents who had grown up with stricter structures.The nuns once warned us about the devilish nature of rock 'n' roll music, but now it has become the most popular genre. Nowadays, parents tend to despise the music that young people commonly listen to (although this claim lacks extensive research). Personally, I have a deep love for hip hop and electronic dance music, much to my parents' disdain. This reminds me of how previous generations viewed certain types of music with disgust and asked themselves, "How can you listen to this awful noise?" It's amusing how often my parents express their dislike for hip hop and electronic music without affecting my own enjoyment. This parallels the experiences of young people in the past who wanted to think independently and explore new musical genres. Donna Means also explores the story of Stolen Generations in relation to youth during that time period. The sixties were considered a 'golden age' where individuals were encouraged to appreciate their good fortune; however, Eminences raises questions about whether this notion is truly accurate when considering the issue of Stolen Generations. Moreover, Australia was known as 'White Australia' due to its adoption of the White Australia policy which greatly influenced how Indigenous Australians and

foreigners were treated. In my opinion, I do not believe that the sixties can be considered a golden age at all.Despite the abundance of job opportunities, Australia's reputation is marred by the disturbing racist beliefs held by many White Australians and the forcible separation of indigenous families. Eminences effectively captures this horror, painting a vivid picture of a country that strives to forget its dark past. The apology issued by Kevin Rude to the indigenous population exemplifies efforts to heal Australia's history, debunking the notion that the sixties were a 'golden age'. While some may argue that employment status could alter perceptions, overall, Australia falls short of being considered 'golden'. Even today, racism persists among a significant portion of the population, further reinforcing my disagreement with the idea that the sixties represented a golden era or that Australia is inherently 'golden'.

In Chapter 3, Family Nights take center stage as they shed light on sexual education. Eminence aims to clarify and demystify concepts related to sex and sex education. In previous times, children and teenagers lacked proper education on this matter, resulting in uncomfortable discussions with their parents. The approach towards sex during that era was drastically different - premarital sex was uncommon and if a girl became pregnant, it was viewed as an indication to marry at a young age.During that time, the lack of education among youths led to these circumstances. In those days, people would often get pregnant without protection or sex education and then feel obliged to marry. This was particularly true in Australia, a country known as "helpless Australia," where discussing sex with parents was unimaginable. However, opinions and attitudes have

drastically changed throughout the nation since then. It is now widely recognized that Australians need to be informed about sex, making sex education in schools essential. Nowadays, people are more open and willing to discuss sex, reflecting Australia's transition from a reserved nation to one that embraces sexuality openly. Growing up in this more accepting environment regarding sex, both myself and many of my friends are comfortable when talking about the topic. This demonstrates the significant progress Australia has made in terms of its views on sexuality. From reading this text, it becomes apparent that Australia experienced the sexual revolution later compared to other countries.

In Chapter 4 titled "A Kid's Job," which focuses on immigration, the story of the Hung family is highlighted as they sought freedom by fleeing to Australia. Helen Hung shares her childhood experiences and emphasizes the sacrifices her family made for her education while also highlighting academic pressure. A hardworking and educated population is crucial for Australia as it relies on immigrants who have come seeking new beginnings and striving to overcome their sacrifices.Despite the skilled and dedicated population, controversy still surrounds immigration. William and I both support allowing refugees and boat people to come to Australia. Helen is appreciative of growing up in Australia and values hard work. Childhood has become inseparable from technology, defining our experiences. The author recognizes the impact of technology on childhood and how it differs from past generations who spent more time outdoors playing. Nowadays, children often spend their entire day on computers instead of playing outside, which contrasts with previous generations when kids would spend all their time outdoors due to the absence of

computers.
William Eminences interviews Joy and Ben Madsen about their child. According to Ben, his three-year-old is capable of doing much more than he could at that age because of the significant role technology plays in society's advancement. Eminences states that Georgia's childhood at three years old is drastically different from her grandparents' and even her parents'. Moving forward, Ben discusses Donna's reunion with her birth mother and apology to the Stolen Generations.
Both Eminences and I agree that stealing someone's childhood is one of the most heinous crimes a person can commit. Additionally, Eminences adds that a child's face reveals their openness, allowing us to truly understand the fleeting nature of life and its enduring spirit through our own children.This quote also evokes vivid imagery. The chapter titled "Two Photos, Two Childhoods" explores William's first school photo and compares it to his son's first school photo, highlighting the events and changes that occurred between each snapshot such as the Vietnam War. The author acknowledges the increasing diversity in his sons' photo as a result of Australia's growing acceptance of multiculturalism. He contrasts this with the lack of diversity in his own school photo.William takes pride in his son's school photo, recalling a memorable cinema trip where they all laughed and enjoyed themselves. He admires his son and believes in the strength and resilience of youth, as well as the diversity that exists in their country (Eminences, M - page 87).

Having read this chapter, I have come to realize the importance of appreciating the diversity in our country.I now feel proud to have friends from various cultural backgrounds and different places of origin.My parents have always encouraged

this, and one of my closest friends is actually from Africa, having only arrived in Australia a few years ago.

My friend is incredibly intelligent and hardworking, surpassing me in intelligence.Despite growing up in different environments, we share common interests that I had never considered until reading this enlightening chapter (kudos to this book)! Image-stimulating quote: 'Australia is diverse and ever-changing, shaped by its past generations.Each step taken is a continuation rather than an end. We must remember to return before nightfall. In chapter 6, titled "My Front Doorbell," the focus unexpectedly shifts to the visitors appearing at William Mince's doorstep. Surprisingly, this seemingly unrelated topic proves to be relevant to Australia's image. Mince describes the visitors and their purposes, most of whom are attempting to sell him various things. Despite this, he considers these individuals as representations of the various faces of Australia that emerge when his door is opened. He regards all these people as Australians, regardless of their differing appearances or backgrounds. Mince perceives his front door as a gateway to the unknown, where one can never be sure about what awaits them on the other side. Nevertheless, Eminences acknowledges that all who pass through this door are Australian.

In chapter 7, titled "Postwar Prophets," William expresses disdain for the White Australia Policy and believes it to be racially discriminatory without explicitly stating it. In today's diverse Australia, it is difficult to envision a society governed by the White Australia Policy as there is generally an acceptance of other races despite not having as high levels of diversity as some other countries doGrowing up in a multicultural society that values diversity, I find it

difficult to imagine the lifestyle endured during the 'White Australia' era. William's lack of details about the policy leaves me curious. Surprisingly, he abruptly shifts focus to religion during World War 2. He acknowledges that people identified their fellow citizens based on faith at that time, which I cannot personally relate to as I do not consider or judge others based on their faith. This is particularly interesting given that a significant portion of Australians identified as Protestant or Catholic back then, with 67% labeling themselves as Protestant and 21% as Catholics (Eminences, M - page 101). As an atheist, I have friends who are Catholic and Christian. The difference between Catholicism and Christianity is unknown to me and unimportant. While I am not knowledgeable about religions due to a lack of interest, I respect people's opinions without judgment. According to William, strict adherence to Catholic traditions was expected and attending non-Catholic religious services was prohibited. People were indeed judged based on their religion, leading to conflicts between different faiths. Bishop Kelly even advised Catholics against supporting Kodak because they discriminated against Catholics and lost substantial business as a result.
This chapter highlights the significant influence of religion on individuals' lives, with some individuals deeply devoted to their faith while others reject other religions. Religion often plays a role in influencing wars. Eminences addresses the topic of Communism and its despised status in Australia. The author examines how politics are intertwined with Communism and explores the reactions of people to changes in the Constitution. While Australia is recognized as a conservative nation, it is also acknowledged as a country that evolves over time. Eminences quotes, "Too

much religion is never much chop in the end.You can't think straight." (Eminences, C - page 122).

The chapter titled "Spreading The Word" focuses on religion and its dissemination. William discusses how religion impacts people's lives, particularly Catholicism and Judaism during World War 2. Jews faced discrimination after the war, forcing them to hide their Jewish identity due to fear for their safety and following their fathers' fate in concentration camps. However, upon arriving in Australia, they gradually felt more at ease as they discovered fellow Jews who had gone through similar experiences and encountered minimal discrimination.The text discusses the contrasting experiences of Catholics and Jewish people in Australia, with Catholics facing more discrimination. This made Jewish individuals feel less hesitant about openly practicing their faith. Susan's personal journey of discovering her Australian and Jewish roots is highlighted, along with the impact of the Australian Dream on shaping individual identities. The diversity brought by immigration is seen as an important aspect of Australian identity. In contrast, the author expresses satisfaction in already having roots in Australia and taking pride in being Australian. Furthermore, the chapter explores the role of religion in conversion through missionaries hired by the church. Judy Hall's story is shared as an example, where she became the youngest missionary ever and experienced a significant transformation in her life through her work. The efforts of Judy and John Cattier resulted in conversions and baptisms in Papa New Guinea, surprising considering it was a new religion introduced to an unfamiliar community. The presence of White people quickly converting the New Guinea community is astounding given their strong cultural traditions that had persisted for thousands

of years, highlighting how influential religion can be in people's lives.The New Guinea people originally believed in evil spirits ruling over the world, but missionaries aimed to change their belief and convert them to worship a compassionate god. However, I personally struggle with believing in a loving god because of the many unfortunate and malicious events that occur globally. If such a god did exist, why wouldn't they intervene and create a world full of love instead? Additionally, if God is responsible for creating everyone, why make individuals with evil intentions? This contradiction exposes what I perceive as hypocrisy in the belief that God is good and loving. It is clear that religion can have both positive and negative effects on individuals.

Despite my skepticism, I do respect believers in these religions, particularly Christianity which promotes good values like condemning murder, theft, and harm while advocating for help, care, and love. However, believers often reject other religions and display dislike towards them (though this isn't always true). Fortunately, my parents support me in making my own choices and would accept me if I chose to convert. In this chapter, we explore the hardships faced by some individuals such as Davit's death. They relied on God to help them overcome their pain and find solace in accepting his loss.This text demonstrates the remarkable faith, belief, and ability of Australian Catholics to learn and grow from the changing environment they sought to change. The changes in the sixties had a significant impact on these individuals, leading them to believe that despite following different religions, they were not fundamentally different from one another. In Eminence's chapter "Chris Gresham- Bruit,"

the author explores the connection between music and religion and how both can inspire individuals. The diverse range of religions in Australia has contributed to its multicultural society and varying viewpoints. However, conflicts arise due to diverse opinions about diversity, which can be linked to the impact of the White Australia Policy discussed in a previous chapter. Additionally, this chapter touches on various values such as traveling and mentions Blaring and pop-shops (thrift shops) where Eminences purchases items.In the chapter, Eminences provides a portrayal of Somers, a small village in Victoria. He describes it as a place with little else besides families and beaches, labeling it as a 'Summer getaway'. Personally, I can relate to this depiction as my family and I often visit similar towns like Astrakhan and Throbbed during holidays. These towns are also small with an emphasis on beaches and leisure time. While I prefer the city myself, I do enjoy escaping to these places for relaxation. The chapter mentions that some families have holiday rituals, but that is not the case for my family. We simply go to the beach, walk around, and relax without any specific traditions or special activities. Our approach can be described as simple.

I have never been to a pop-shop before (at least not that I remember), so I cannot personally relate or reflect on that experience. However, my family greatly enjoys finding bargains, so I can somewhat understand the concept of pop-shops and the excitement of getting a good deal.

Moving on from discussing holiday experiences, Eminences delves into the institution of marriage and commitment. He acknowledges that marriages sometimes work out while other times they do

not. The post-war era had an influence on marriage and its consequences are explored by Eminences in this chapter. After World War II ended, there were plentiful job opportunities which contributed to prosperous times for marriages. It is evident that marriage has played a significant role in shaping Australia's society and how it has evolved over time. Notably, women have gained equal rights throughout history and nowadays some men take on the role traditionally associated with housewivesThis represents a significant transition in society. The chapter titled "Love in a Distant Land" focuses on the impact of war on families, particularly immigrants who traveled to Australia. The confusion faced by these immigrants led to a pressure to conform to societal expectations of being a husband and wife. However, this was not feasible for many due to financial constraints caused by low wages. Women were still expected to be housewives and earned less than men, placing further burden on fathers to succeed and support their families. Despite these challenges, the strength of marriages remained unaffected, as seen in the example of my grandparents. While I don't know much about my own grandparents, I am aware that my grandfather came from a large family of ten or more children. Thankfully, their hard work and careful financial management helped them prosper during those difficult times. However, I am unsure about certain aspects of my family history.

Nowadays, families are much smaller, with four children being considered a large family. In comparison, I come from a family of six which is considered quite large in today's standards.

Immigration is a vital topic discussed in this chapter emphasizing its importance in Australia and

its connection to various values presented (Chapter 13). The role of women particularly during the sixties is extensively integrated into the chapterThe text discusses the impact of the introduction of the pill on pregnancy prevention, marriage, and sexual perspectives. Previously, sex was primarily viewed as a means to conceive, but with the availability of the pill, this perception changed. This newfound freedom allowed women to explore their desires and significantly affected their lives. Sex became a form of entertainment, altering the traditional definition of a wife who was expected to marry and have children. Susan's experience exemplifies how the pill granted women sexual freedom. As a result, women engaged in more frequent sexual activities without always considering potential issues or negative repercussions. The chapter also discusses the influence of abstinence in relation to contraception use for entertainment purposes. These contraceptives can create difficulties for single mothers when they become pregnant. Consequently, support for single moms has increased due to men being accused of prioritizing pleasure over responsibility as a result of these contraceptive methods being available. The newfound sexual freedom has led women to desire more autonomy in all aspects of life, particularly within marriage which has often resulted in divorces.The significant impact of condoms and the pill on marriage is demonstrated by the high divorce rate in Australia. For example, the author's father has been divorced twice and currently has six children, illustrating how commitment to marriage has diminished in modern times due to the influence of contraceptives. The chapter then shifts its focus to gay marriage and its impact on Australia's identity. While Australia is known to support gay rights, it does not

yet have legalized gay marriage. A recent poll shows that eighty per cent of Australians who voted are pro-gay, highlighting the extent of Australia's pro-gay stance. Eminences discusses Cough Whittle's charismatic years in government which includes his handling of difficult issues such as AIDS, support for gay marriage, and the Family Law Act. The Family Law Act has resulted in increased divorces in Australia, sparking debate on its advantages and disadvantages. It suggests that couples are more careless when deciding to marry due to the ease of divorce, leading to unstable marriages and premature unions. However, the writer remains neutral on this matter. Abate took advantage of this act and moved to Queensland with her children, freeing herself from restrictions imposed by previous laws. Eminences also touches upon public opinion on gay marriage in Australia stating that being against it is considered homophobic and embarrassing.
Despite controversy, most Australians, including the writer, support gay marriage. However, the government's inefficiency is currently obstructing the enactment of gay marriage laws. Nevertheless, it is anticipated to occur in due course. Notably, there has been substantial backing for gay marriage and the LGBTQ+ community in recent times.