independence from British rule. Lacking a stable government and financial resources, our

predecessors marched on an endless grid of bloody battle fields with the vision of a new

nation---a nation in which they shared a love not for what it was, but for what it had the

potential to be. This was an era of absolute allegiance, when little boys paid homage to

our politicians and hoped to one day be a leader in a free and equal nation. Such

love--such nationalism--has never been so potent as that critical moment in history.

Unfortunately, our nation has seen a regression in patriotic deeds. Politics are

disregarded and, likewise, politicians are deemed as fools. Paul Goodman addresses this

issue in the excerpt, "Patriotism" , from the novel, Growing Up Absurd. In this piece,

Goodman attempts to identify some of the key factors which have contributed to the

decline of patriotism, ultimately placing the responsibility on many of society's affluent

Goodman first places the responsibility on parental guidance within the home.

"....patriotism is the culture of childhood and adolescence. Without this first cul

engulfed the suburban community took on a more liberal approach. The idea of strict,

Goodman, 1962). This dilemma supports the recent issue of voter turn out during

(Goodman, 1962). Here, Goodman molds a comparison between patriotism and the

every man on there own. Children show there respect for television appearances and

a wavelength of a satellite for strategic reasons (Goodman, 1962). What does it say about

Goodman proceeds to show his concern for the educational institutions during the

which a Black family attempts to move into a suburb of Chicago. They are restricted due

beating the Russians in space technology, they were unable to truly appreciate the

Some common words found in the essay are:
York Times, Whereas American, God Goodman, McCarthy Feinberg, United America, Growing Absurd, Monica Lewinsky, Board Education, Dr Zhivago, True Fatherhood, goodman 1962, goodman goes, according goodman, goodman goes discuss, child raising, york times, patriotic deeds, decline patriotism, goodman attempts, community goodman, goodman 1962 goodman, closely knit,
Approximate Word count = 1667
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)