Eli Saslow writes “What kind of a Childhood is that?” to explain the effects that addiction causes among families. Saslow’s article follows Zaine Pulliam, a child who has been left to navigate life after finding both of his parents’ dead of a drug overdose. The article focuses on the damaging views of society and the cycle of addiction that they encourage. Saslow uses successful strategies to convince his intended audience that addicts and their families are more than valueless, changing beliefs and perceptions that society currently holds towards these users and offering hope for a younger and often parentless generation. Saslow immediately supports his argument by establishing trust with his audience. For example, he presents factual statistics
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Society largely views addiction as a problem of the lower class. Saslow refutes this idea by establishing facts that show that addiction has impacted life expectancy, most notably among the middle class (para. 6). His intended audience, middle class Americans, immediately cling to this information and want to know more. Saslow further convinces his audience of the need to act fast through an example of the cycle of addiction. He follows the Pulliam’s family tree and discovers that addiction has been widespread throughout their history. This shows the reader that addiction is more than just one single person’s problem. It is an epidemic and will continue to spread like one until it is stopped. Saslow’s audience is now faced with an internal feeling of unrest, they want to know how to stop this vicious cycle. In fact, it’s universally agreed upon that epidemics should be stopped. The problem lies within how we go about this. Saslow’s use of repetition further supports this phenomenon by describing the chaotic attempt of family members at being helpful to the children. His repetition of ‘maybe’ shows the uncertainty of how we deal with children of addicts. “Maybe more toys and video games…maybe more hugs…maybe weekend hunting trips…” (para. 21). There is no prescribed policy on how you ensure the success of these children and that is why …show more content…
Saslow was wise to wait to confront his audiences view of addicts. He has established trust with them, encapsulated them emotionally and now he will change their mindset to fit his ideal. He does this by discussing the disturbance that Zaine feels because of society’s current stance. Zaine, tired of being bothered by the way that society perceives addicts, expresses his thoughts saying, “People think you’re trash.” (para. 56). Zaine doesn’t want people to think of them as valueless, worthless human beings. Saslow’s audience is extremely emotionally invested in Zaine so, hearing about the disturbance this child feels because of society’s negative feelings sends the audience into a guilt-ridden spiral of emotions compelling them to change their damaging perceptions.
After Saslow has successfully changed his audiences’ viewpoint of addicts he must offer them closure. He must tell them what the solution to this drug epidemic
Society largely views addiction as a problem of the lower class. Saslow refutes this idea by establishing facts that show that addiction has impacted life expectancy, most notably among the middle class (para. 6). His intended audience, middle class Americans, immediately cling to this information and want to know more. Saslow further convinces his audience of the need to act fast through an example of the cycle of addiction. He follows the Pulliam’s family tree and discovers that addiction has been widespread throughout their history. This shows the reader that addiction is more than just one single person’s problem. It is an epidemic and will continue to spread like one until it is stopped. Saslow’s audience is now faced with an internal feeling of unrest, they want to know how to stop this vicious cycle. In fact, it’s universally agreed upon that epidemics should be stopped. The problem lies within how we go about this. Saslow’s use of repetition further supports this phenomenon by describing the chaotic attempt of family members at being helpful to the children. His repetition of ‘maybe’ shows the uncertainty of how we deal with children of addicts. “Maybe more toys and video games…maybe more hugs…maybe weekend hunting trips…” (para. 21). There is no prescribed policy on how you ensure the success of these children and that is why …show more content…
Saslow was wise to wait to confront his audiences view of addicts. He has established trust with them, encapsulated them emotionally and now he will change their mindset to fit his ideal. He does this by discussing the disturbance that Zaine feels because of society’s current stance. Zaine, tired of being bothered by the way that society perceives addicts, expresses his thoughts saying, “People think you’re trash.” (para. 56). Zaine doesn’t want people to think of them as valueless, worthless human beings. Saslow’s audience is extremely emotionally invested in Zaine so, hearing about the disturbance this child feels because of society’s negative feelings sends the audience into a guilt-ridden spiral of emotions compelling them to change their damaging perceptions.
After Saslow has successfully changed his audiences’ viewpoint of addicts he must offer them closure. He must tell them what the solution to this drug epidemic