After a few weeks of closely monitoring lower Fairfield County, I’ve
concluded that it is a good representation of America what with its diversity,
generally good values, and its proximity to New York City (a major plus). In Darien where I live, and a few towns
around me like New Canaan and Greenwich (all three of which are on the list of
America’s top 50 richest towns) the ideals and standards are slightly higher
than those of more urban towns around us.
For example, in Darien school and college is such a competitive process
that I’ve heard of people I know being hospitalized due to all of the stress of
their schoolwork and the pressure put on them by their parents. In other cases, I’ve seen mothers say
to their daughters to “Do whatever necessary in order to get a good score on
the SAT, cheating included.” Such unethical morals do not display those who
have them in a positive light and further expand upon my point that
competitiveness is particularly dense in this area. Though scholastic standards are high, cultural awareness and
appreciation is low. Despite
living in such an ethnically diverse area and with New York City just 45
minutes away, many in Fairfield County are a part of probably the most global
part of America but they do not take advantage of this. Instead of learning about the world and
“being one with it” many choose to do the same old same old.
Even though the Disney film Brave
have nothing much to do with Fairfield County, nor its ideals, its just the
type of movie needed in this Mom-eat-daughter; daughter-eat-mom world. In this Disney hit, it stresses the
importance of a familial bond, particularly that of a mother and daughter. When Princess Merida changes her mom
into a bear instead of changing her mind (wrong spell from a witch- what can
you do?) she must change her back before her mother is stuck as a bear
forever. It’s when Merida thinks
she’s about to lose her mother that she realises how much she loves and
appreciates her just for who she is.
The end of the movie shows Merida and her family together, not fighting,
and living harmoniously. I’m sure
I’m not the only one who wanted to have a better relationship with my mom after
watching this.
The double standards in Fairfield county might be more apparent than in other places. For example, many fathers in Darien commute to and work in the city everyday, while the majority of the mothers stay home and be with the kids. That isn't to say that mothers don't have careers; my mother has a job, many of my friends do, heck, my good friends mother is one of the top lawyers in the state. With the stereotypical, "Honey, I'm home," ideals it's been harder the step out of the double standards to let the old gender roles break down. Why can't guys to laundry? Girls certainly have enough rage to knock people down in football. Before F.C. can focus on being more global, it needs to work on making itself a better, more equal and democratic place to live
To conclude, before Fairfield County works on getting all its kids into
Ivies, it should work on improving itself from within and then working to conquer the world.
Bang on Sophia. You're right Fairfield County is like a shark tank. It's so competitive, which I guess is a good, but also a bad thing. You're right it is also very diverse, although as you said that doesn't mean people will necessarily think very diversely. That being said however, I still don't think Fairfield County is representative of America at all. It is still far too rich.
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