Karl Marx's Thesis On Baby

Breaking Through: Concrete Ceilings Created by Generational Problems and Maintained By Stigma and Poverty!

Topic #1 Political philosopher Karl Marx famously said that “[People] make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past.” In other words, though we create our own lives, our choices and options are affected by the circumstances that we are born into. Using course concepts and materials, write an argumentative essay that explores Marx’s idea with reference to Baby’s life.

Thesis statement: This thesis is an exploration of the social, political and economic circumstances that hindered Baby’s

Baby was raised in an unstable and derelict environment, paired with the absence of familial support, which crippled her childhood development. Baby’s moral contradiction and personal integrity was fueled by the stigma she encountered from her social networks. Consequently, her understanding of social and moral values deviated from societal norms.

I. How did the environment, in which Baby was raised, affected her well being?
• Jules addiction and precarious working conditions, affected the way he treated Baby. He accused Baby of breaking things around the house at night and letting a bird into the house. He even accused her of being on drugs without any evidence. This all stems from the pressure and stress he was under. In order to escape the stress of life, Jules uses drugs. “Due to the fact that my mind is my own worst enemy. In a way I am perpetually and permanently in a state of rehabilitation. In an attempt to recover from the shock of being born . Some people are too sensitive to withstand that.” (O’Neill, 2006,

A paternalistic government would create more social cohesion, than a neoliberal government, thereby; reducing atomization and alienation which hinder individual and childhood development.

II. How did social exclusion from authority figures and peers impacted Baby’s life?

• Stigma was a main contributor that threatens to keep Baby from overcoming poverty. Baby encounter rejection and stigma from her father, authority figures and classmates which bestow upon her little self-worth. O’Neill (2006) “I couldn’t plead for any rights because I didn’t have any.” (p. 72).

• Society feared her sadness and teachers and social workers perpetuated the notion that she is a troubled kid. Baby said: “they are afraid of my sadness” (O’Neill, 2006, p.128). • Baby is unwelcomed at Xavier’s house after a school teacher informed his parents that, Baby is a troubled child from a broken home. Lauren humiliated and excluded Baby, after witnessing her home