Gender and Family Life

Some of the things that we talked about in this weeks discussion on gender frustrated me. In the article I read by Dean Byrd he talked about a girl or an "it" I guess who asked her professors at school to not refer to her as neither a male or a female. She did not want to be classified as either. The teachers agreed to refer to her as neither a male or female. Since when is this okay?? People are so worried about being classified that even masculinity and femininity are being taken away. People have this idea that we all need to be so incredibly equal and the same when in reality we are not. God intended for men and women to be different beings. Our sexual bodies were designed for reproduction between male and female. Its natural. Its the way it is supposed to be. Homosexuality is such a huge conflict in todays society that its almost exhausting. Is it hereditary or environmental? No one is born gay. Homosexuality is not an inborn trait. I read a quote by Dean Beard that states, "Most 'sissies' grow to be homosexual and most gay men were 'sissies' as children." This solution seems simple. Stop letting your boys be sissies as children. Hand them and football and take them deer hunting! That will solve everything!!! -Erin.

Social Class and Diversity

In class we learned that social diversity is the diverse factors surrounding our society such as race, culture, religion, age and disabilities. I consider myself to be very normal and average when it comes to social and racial diversity in this country. I am a caucasian Mormon with no real disabilities or strong cultural background. It is wrong to be average? No, but sometimes I wish I had something a little different about me. I appreciate the people in class who shared some of their cultural background with us. There was a polynesian in my class who shared some things about her culture and how her family system worked. She said that they are very big into family and have a lot of family values. They would speak English and Hawaiian in their home growing up. I appreciate other cultures and really enjoy learning about them. I loved the visual presentation that Brother Williams showed during class about the Mexican family. I was unaware of that kind of life style and continuous pattern in Mexico. I am grateful that this class is making me more culturally and socially aware of those families around me that I am not as familiar with.

Understanding Family Dynamics

I have never met two families with exactly identical dynamics and rules. Every family is different in the ways that they choose to handle certain situations and punishments. Some of my friends growing up could probably get away with murder without their parents noticing or caring. At the time I thought they were oh so lucky for being able to do whatever whenever they wanted and pleased. As I get older I appreciate my parents rules and dynamics more. I could never get away with ANYTHING without my dear mother finding out. I grew up in a small town so it definitely did not help that she had pairs of eyes everywhere I went looking out for me. I think it is important to define clear boundaries for children and teenagers. We are taught right from wrong from the very beginning but sometimes the rules within the household can be unclear. I am grateful for the wonderful examples around me that I was able to grow up seeing many different dynamics and parenting techniques.