The first thing a person needs to know about John Fitzgerald Kennedy or Jack is his family back ground which played a huge part in almost everything he did. Many people have theories of JFK’s father forcing him to run for office. This is not exactly what happened because historical the son that was most likely to challenge his father was Jack. It was the family philosophies that he was taught from young age, wanting to honor his brother and role model Joe, and wanting to please his father these are the three things that effected his decision. Joe Kennedy Sr. was not a perfect parent but there is no doubt that he did anything and everything he could for his children, and in the end is there anything else parent can do but their own personal best.
To understand fully the philosophies of Joe Kennedy Sr. a person must fully understand his life and the historical period Joe Kennedy Sr. grew up in he had to fight for everything he earned. In the late nineteenth century, America was very anti-Irish and it was very hard for someone like Joe who was Irish to better their lot. This is reflected in the way he raised his family where family approval was more important than what others thought. “Every single kid was raise to think; first, what shall I do about this problem; second, what will Dad say about my solution of it? said a family friend.”One thing Joe taught his children about was the importance of wanting to be the best to be competitive. In the words of Joseph Kennedy’s daughter Eunice “the important thing was to win; don’t come in second or third, that doesn’t count, but win, win, win (Moody 8). He also told his kids he did not care what they do as long as there are the best. “Even if you’re going to be ditchdigger be best ditchdigger in the world (Moody 49).” I believe this quote was true except for Joe Kennedy Jr. who with his father’s pull and influence backing him would one day be President of the United States, but fate crushed that hope and torch was passed on to Jack as the new oldest son. Without a back ground knowledge on Joe Kennedy a person would never understand the son. “And it can faithfully be recorded that the story of John Fitzgerald Kennedy is not wholly separable from the father” (Lasky 24).
According to the Moody, Joseph P. Kennedy said “The measure of a man’s success in life is not the money he’s made. It’s the kind of family he’s raised.” (55). When asked about another wealthy family Joe Sr. said “Yes they do have money, but no direction” (Moody 49). This is quote that shows he is a good father think about today what happens to the wealth heirs in America they become people like Paris Hilton. The Kennedy family might be the best example of how not spoil wealth children. The way Kennedy family raised their children was think to independently, value family above all else, and treated them like normal kids.
Rose had influence in family philosophy with her theory on raising children. According to Moody, Rose said “bring up the oldest ones the way you want them all to go. If the oldest ones come in and say good night to their parents and say their prayers in the morning, the younger ones think that’s probably a good thing to do and they will do it.” (55). This philosophy shows up in Joe Jr. a lot who was almost a third parent to eight children like when Kathleen was getting married and her parents did not support her Joe Jr. did. Joe was big brother that protected his brothers from his father’s ambition not that Joe Sr. was bad father but that he might have pushed his children to strive for what he thought was their best. Dallek tells a story of Kennedy competitive nature the story is of bike race between Jack and Joe they race against each other and collide Joe comes unhurt and Jack has to get twenty-eight stitches because neither one was going to let other win.(28)
The things that Jack was taught led him and influenced his own politically beliefs was evident one famous quote by JFK was “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country” (Bryce). This quote from a speech JFK personal wrote shows his family taught value of America being the only place where son of a bar owner can become a millionaire. Joe also taught his kid that they should give back it was their duty to run for Congress which explains why all four boys planned to serve their country. Without that competitive drive JFK would have probably died in World War II. Also the controversial appointment of his brother Bobby can be explained by his philosophies on family that Joe taught him.
Works Citied
1. Moody, Sidney C. Jr. Triumph and Tragedy the Story of the Kennedys. U.S.A.: Western Printing, 1968. Print.
2. Rachlin, Harvey. “The Rise of Joseph P. Kennedy.” The Kennedys a Chronological History 1823-Present. New York: Random House, 2008. Print.
3. Lasky, Victor. J.F.K. The Man And The Myth. New York: Macmillan Company, 1963. Print.
4. Zabel, Bryce. “JFK’s Best Speech Ever.” Instant History. August 3, 2005. Web. March 3, 2010
5. Dallek, Robert. An Unfinished Life John F. Kennedy 1917-1963. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 2003. Print.
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