Ministers and their families live under remarkable pressures. Their lives are examined in a fishbowl, as the congregation and community observe their every move. Clergy families are expected to be the "perfect family" by constantly being available to deal and work with other peoples" problems so that their lives can continue to remain stable and secure. These unrealistic expectations are damaging to a clergy family unit, physically and emotionally. However, society becomes disappointed if the pastor and his family become overwhelmed or depressed, but on the other hand, society would never blame themselves for clergy family "failures." Clergy families face unrealistic expectations and pressures, such as portraying the "ideal" family, that contribute to the difficult challenges they endure.
Heavy demands from society can make for loads of pressure on clergy families. According to December 1992 Current Thoughts & Trends (a monthly print magazine that provide reliable information on what's happening in the Christian and secular worlds), 94% of clergy families felt under pressure to have the "ideal" family (Pastor 2). For instance, pastors have expectations of portraying multiple professional roles including minister, counselor, positive public figure, administrator, teacher, and friend (Wilmore 2). Having learned all these qualities through seminary, society tends to attack pastors with a plethora of problems ranging from a loss of faith, marital conflicts, and depression. However, according to a 1991 survey by the well-known Fuller Institute of Church Growth, 90% feel inadequately trained to cope with these demands which explain why 70% of pastors have a lower self-esteem than before they started the ministry (Pastor 1). Since pastors continue to remain well-respected and admired figures, opinions and advice given to a troubled society are expected to be the perfect answer to their needs, however, if society does not feel their lives have been changed for the better, pastors are to blame.
There have been findings (by people who enjoy researching things) that pets can add to a persons life in many ways. ... I have had many pets in my life and I have loved them all. ... They were cool for about ten minutes before I accidentally let them slide down the sink drain while trying to transport them into a fishbowl. ...
Through his use symbolism, diction, imagery, and tone, Means makes it clear that no matter the struggle, it can be overcome, and life will go on. ... Phrases such as; "solid mass " and "a putty within " paints a vivid picture of the living conditions of the fish. (215) Even though there is no actually picture, the reader can quite easily visual the fishbowl and the fish hiding in the filth. ... The main character has an epiphany toward the end of the story, after finding the fish alive once again in the worst conditions "she felt awe at the fact that life was sustainable even under the mos...
We have been so used to the feudal culture which promotes dominance of men over women and the complete domestication of women that these ideas are consciously (albeit sometimes, subconsciously) inserted into our everyday way of life. ... As a child, a woman is surrounded by fishbowl silence (Line 2) and remained unnoticed by adults. ...