“Pressure is a word misused in our vocabulary. When you started thinking of pressure, it’s because you’ve started to think of failure,” stated Tommy Lasorda. It can be expected that once pressure hits one will fail; at least that’s what’s shown in everyday life. There is a saying, as the going gets tough the tough get going, but most influence from society and the media normally demonstrate the opposite. Pressure and failure are two words that naturally accompany one another. Pressure is defined as the use of intimidation, persuasion, or influence in order to make someone do something. In reality pressure ordinarily causes failure which is the condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends. Pressure and failure intertwine because …show more content…
It can come from the expectations of the outside world or the preset expectations that couples have for one another. This pressure is for the most part geared toward women. It can be described as a biological time clock the type that you can hear each second go by. Yinyun Li describes time to be intrusive and elusive that does not respect one’s thoughts or feelings. Li states that “when we speak of indecision, it’s an internal deadline that we’re afraid of both meeting and not meeting” (112). The deadline to have children can be as early as 35. This internal deadline brings forth a connection to divorce rates being approximately fifty percent one can say that is due to the constant pressure put on relationships. Li’s statement is in regards to the biological time clock that woman feel which Twenge vividly describes. Twenge says that it is “especially--women who are living with their boyfriend [who] hear the loud ticking of the biological clock as years go by and no proposal is imminent” (153). This internal deadline that Twenge describes is due to the enormous amounts of pressure there is on women in particular to get married and have children. No one likes to admit that most relationships will fail normally it's because of the influence of family and friends. A woman may be ready for baby, but her partner is not or vise versa a man is ready and the women isn’t. When you add friends …show more content…
Our “escape” is the so called American dream at least that’s what the media has shown us. This American Dream has become a symbol recognized worldwide for the United States of America. The simplistic definition being, if one works hard they too can be successful (equal opportunity), and build a good life for themselves and family regardless of their economic status. These expectations should be considered deadly because expectations produce pressure which can be seen throughout Li’s essay. Through the eyes of Li’s friends she has reached the American dream and was a “dreamer.” Rather than, agree Li disagrees with the idea of her being described as a dreamer and states that “apart from feeling unqualified to be called a dreamer, I may also be worrying about being mistaken as one of those who call themselves dreamers but are merely ambitious” (116). In Li’s eyes a dreamer lacks selfishness, blend in, and must trust in time. What Li means when she says “trust in time” is to be worry free about how much time you have left and basically just live in the moment. Although Li’s point of view is positive, Twenge contradicts Li by adding on the fear of not achieving the American dream. Twenge instead believes that “for GenMe, loneliness is an equal-opportunity experience. As a result of modern dating, later marriage, and the higher divorce rate, a lot of people spend a great deal of time living alone” (154). In saying loneliness is an