Contrast essay

My husband, Paul and his brother, Ralph were raised in a devoutly Baptist family. The Christian family of mother, father and three sons went to church every Wednesday and twice on Sunday. The five of them went on many camping trips together. The boys played different sports, and their parents attended many games throughout the years. Their parents raised them with good family values. With an identical upbringing, one would expect Paul and Ralph to be alike, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Despite being raised in the same family, these two men are very different. From their teen years to their present family life, it's hard to believe that they were brought up together.

Paul and Ralph had a good family life growing up. Paul was the "good son." He was quiet in school and stayed out of trouble during his teen years. His brother, Ralph, on the other hand, was a teen rebel. He constantly skipped school, smoked pot and took drugs. He got into so much trouble that Paul's parents enrolled their youngest son in Bangor Christian, fearful that he would follow in Ralph's footsteps.

As the years went by, Paul and Ralph each got married and started families. Paul and I married and had our first child five years later and our second two years after that. Unlike Paul, Ralph didn't want to get married. However, his girlfiend got pregnant and they married four months before their daughter was born. Their second child came a few years later. Paul enjoyed family life, and we rarely went out without our children. Conversely, Ralph's kids spent most weekends and all summer with Ralph's parents, so he and his wife could go out with their friends and not be tied down. As for family vacations, Paul and I take our kids somewhere every year, as we believe it's educational for them to see different places. We went on one vacation without our kids and missed them terribly. Contrarily, Ralph takes his wife on two vacations every year without their kids. Whether it's a cruise or a trip to Las Vegas, the kids are left home alone.

Paul has encouraged his boys to play sports, and attends every event. If the kids need a ride home from a dance late at night, Paul always goes to get them. Unlike Paul, when Ralph's kids played sports, it was their grandparents that watched them and gave them rides home, as Ralph "didn't have the time". If Ralph's kids went to a dance or late night game, they would have to find a ride home.

These two men, despite being raised together, have totally different family values and priorities. Paul is a family man who puts his children first. Ralph would rather go out with friends than stay home with his kids. Unfortunately, there are consequences - Ralph's son is a juvenile delinquent and his daughter is an unwed mom getting ready to go on welfare. Paul's sons have an excellent reputation at their schools and are active in sports and other school activities. Perhaps if Paul's brother had followed his parents' example, he would have done a better job parenting.