GENDER ROLES

I really enjoyed talking about the different gender roles men and women have and how they contribute to the home. Because of innate gender differences, men and woman are able to contribute equally in different aspects. We talked about some behavioral tendencies of men vs. women. Men tend to be more aggressive, spatial, and task oriented. Women tend to be more emotional, nurturing, and service oriented. These differences in behavior are good for balancing each other out. This is especially important in marriage and raising a family. Men have the role of presiding, providing and protecting while women have the responsibility to nurture. Together these two very important roles combine to make equal partners in parenting. While discussing this topic I came to the realization that if both parents had similar roles and abilities, both parents would not be necessary in a home. I think that it is good when a man and a woman have different qualities and abilities in a relationship because they are able balance each other out. Each individual has their strengths and their weaknesses and if those are different in a relationship, it creates a need for each other. When each person feels needed and is able to contribute in a different way, it helps them to appreciate one another much more. I have come to better understand God’s purpose for creating men and women and preparing a plan for them to be married and raise families. 

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

     Here’s an interesting topic: Are all cultures equally valid? I think that all cultures have values that are right and some that are wrong. Someone from one culture might find something of a different culture to be “wrong” in a sense but only because it is strange and different from what they grew up knowing. It is hard to say whether all cultures are equal in that sense because people may view it differently depending on how they were raised. Our culture in the church has a set standard of right and wrong and set values, but do we have a right to proclaim our values as better than others? That is a difficult question because we know from the guidance of scriptures and prophets what is good and what is bad, but everyone is raised differently and is taught different things. I don’t think that it is right to proclaim our values as better than others just because everyone comes from different situations. It is important to focus on our own personal progression and living the principles of the gospel while not judging others for their culture being a little different than our own.

     Culture doesn’t only influence us, but we can also influence the culture within our family. Little by little we can begin to develop what that culture will be in our future home. Family cultures are influenced by different factors, for example: what religious values you choose to follow and practice, your extended families cultural views, and the community you live in. I know that I want my future family’s culture to be influenced greatly and rooted in the principles taught in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that if we have that as the foundation in our home, our individual family culture will be valid in the sight of God.

THE FAMILY AS A SYSTEM

I really loved learning about the Family Systems Theory because I had never thought of the family in that way.  It looks at the family as a system of interacting parts. Each member has a unique role and purpose in their family that contributes to the overall functioning of that group. Of course I immediately thought of my family and how we work together as a “system”. I thought about what role I play in my family and about my interactions with each of my siblings and my parents. It made me appreciate the relationship that my parents have because if they did not treat each other with love and respect, I don’t think that my family would run as smoothly as it does. We all have unique qualities that strengthen and build each other up in different ways. It is important to recognize that we have an important role to play in our families, whether it be the peacemaker or the family clown. Each role is important to contributing to the unique family system that we are a part of. 

DON'T POSTPONE PARENTHOOD

The ideas about the family are changing rapidly in today’s society. To many people, marriage and families are becoming less important and education and careers are taking priority. Don’t get me wrong, education is super important! I wouldn’t be in school right now if I didn’t think so…but family should always come first. In class we discussed the many reasons people have for either not having children at all or delaying it as long as possible. I was shocked and sort of appalled to learn of how many people let selfish reasons take priority of marriage and family. Many people postpone marriage and having children because they want to first further their careers. They also don’t want to give up the time and effort needed in raising a family and especially the cost. Many people only have 1 or 2 children simply because of the money. Yes, children are very expensive but they are worth it. President Spencer W. Kimball gave great council on this, "You did not come on earth just to “eat, drink and be merry.” You came knowing full well your responsibilities. You came to get for yourself a mortal body that could become perfected, immortalized, and you understood that you were to act in partnership with God in providing bodies for other spirits equally anxious to come to the earth for righteous purposes. And so you will not postpone parenthood. There will be rationalists who will name to you numerous reasons for postponement. Of course, it will be harder to get your college degrees or your financial start with a family, but strength like yours will be undaunted in the face of difficult obstacles.” The Lord will help us and our families through those hard trials, so there is no reason to postpone parenthood. I am the 5^th and last child in my family and if my parents had decided to wait any longer to have kids or to stop after the 4^th child, I wouldn’t be here today. It IS possible to further your education and your career as well as raise a family, so DON’T postpone parenthood! 

Hello Everyone! I'm Lindsey and this is my blog :) I created this blog for my Family Relations class to share my thoughts and insights from what I've learned in class. I hope to share some inspirational thoughts and fun experiences from my life as I talk about the importance of families.