The Other Wes Moore: Family Influences

In the book "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates," Wes Moore tells us about how two guys with the same name end up living totally different lives. They both grew up in tough Baltimore neighborhoods, but their families really made all the difference. In this essay, let's talk about how family dynamics, guidance, and support shaped what happened to these two Wes Moores.

Family Structure and Stability

First off, family structure and stability are huge for a kid's growth. The author Wes Moore had a pretty stable home, even after his dad died early on. His mom, Joy, was super important for keeping things steady and disciplined at home. She wanted her kids to do well so bad that she made big sacrifices. Like moving them to the Bronx when Baltimore got too sketchy. This gave the author Wes a safer place to grow up and better schools.

But the other Wes Moore? Not so lucky there. His dad wasn't around, and his mom Mary had a hard time keeping things together. Money was always tight, and she didn't have much help. Without a strong father figure or a steady environment, the other Wes felt lost and frustrated. This rocky start set him on a path where he tried to take control of his life through crime—pretty much the only way he knew how.

Parental Guidance and Expectations

Next up is parental guidance. It's super important for setting kids' goals and behaviors. The author Wes had his mom's high expectations pushing him forward all the time. Joy cared a lot about education and discipline—even sending him to private school despite money issues—and later on, military school when he acted out. These choices weren't easy but they steered him towards success.

The other Wes didn't get that kind of guidance though. His mom Mary had dreams for her kids but was swamped by her own problems most of the time. Sure, she tried to stress how important education was, but without resources or help, it was tough to make it stick. This lack of solid parental direction left him open to bad influences around him—leading to poor decisions that eventually put him behind bars.

Extended Family and Community Support

Another big factor is extended family and community support—they can really change someone’s life course too! The author Wes had more than just his mom; he had grandparents, uncles, and aunts who gave emotional backup (and sometimes financial). They reinforced what Joy taught him at home which helped guide him through life's ups-and-downs.

The other Wes didn’t have such luck here either; while loved by his close fam like mom & siblings there wasn’t much broader support beyond them meaning isolation kicked in fast...not great considering neighborhood rife w/ crime-poverty making positive role models rare indeed thus driving desperate need seek validation-wrong places leading nowhere good ultimately repeating cycle again-&-again

Conclusion

When we look at these two stories side-by-side—the differences stand out starkly because family influence played such critical roles shaping destinies involved here! Author’s journey tells tale resilience thanks largely due stability-guidance-support available growing-up vs cautionary counterpoint absence thereof leading down darker path fraught despair self-destruction Indeed external challenges similar yet environmental factors within homes decisive determining outcomes respectively showcasing vital importance supportive-stable family systems fostering positives amidst adversity

References

• Moore, W. (2010). The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. Spiegel & Grau.
• Kotlowitz A., (1991). There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in The Other America.
• Murray C., (1984). Losing Ground: American Social Policy 1950–1980.
• Tough P., (2008). Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest To Change Harlem And America.
• Lemann N., (1991) .The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration And How It Changed America .Vintage Books Edition August 18 ,1992