Let's get this party started!

Beginning a new family...  Yikes?  I think for a lot of people it is a super scary thing!  But I also think that it doesn't have to be that way for everyone.  In my class, we talked about creating a new family and the stresses that can come and the ways to deal with those stresses.  It is vitally important that the relationship between the husband and the wife is the number one priority.  People may think that it is more important to make sure the parents have a good relationship with the children but I disagree.  I'm not disagreeing in that the relationships involving the children aren't important.  I'm just saying you've got to keep the husband and wife relationship strong!  "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother" (Theodore Hesburgh)

Mawaige is what bwings us togevwer today

First off, I love that we talk about finding a spouse and a life partner in a Family Relations class.  It truly is the foundation of a family.  There needs to be a mom and dad- mother and father- in order to create a family and in order to strive towards understanding the family.

With that being said it's obvious that I support marriage between a man and woman.  I still don't understand the whole cohabiting thing.  I mean, I can see the draw to being able to move in with the guy you love- I'm sure there are some perks for doing so.  But all of the data and statistics show that cohabiting is not beneficial!  Why can't people see the bad consequences that are produced from cohabiting.  For more details or facts on how cohabiting is not beneficial, leave a comment and I'll let you know.

Have you ever thought about why?

This week in our Family Relations class we've talked quite extensively about gender roles.  Yes they are out there and yes they are real.  We'll get to my opinion in a minute.  But have you ever wondered why men were given their specific roles and the traits they should cultivate and why the women were given their specific roles and traits to cultivate?  


Gloria Steinem said "We've begun to raise daughters more like sons... but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters."


Well, to comment on that, I'm pretty sure boys and girls are different for a reason.  And I don't think we should be raising them exactly the same.  Yes there are aspects that should be fair and equal to both sons and daughters but we're different for a reason!  If we were meant to be the same and to do exactly the same things and have exactly the same roles we would be the same! But. We're. Not. 


So, why aren't we the same?  in The Family: A Proclamation to the World it states specifically that men and women "each have a divine nature and destiny."  I believe that men are supposed to be the protector, provider, and the one to preside because he has the priesthood. He has the power of God and therefore can bless his family.  The mother is complementary to that.  It's god's plan and it's right.  


With that being said- I believe that equality to an extent is definitely needed.  If you are going to hug your daughter then you best believe you should hug your son.  if you need to toughen up a child you need to make sure you give that same opportunity to the other children regardless of gender.  These are lessons that all people need to learn.  Sensitive men are not a bad thing.  If fact, my youngest brother is quite sensitive.  He has a gift.  He's able to be so compassionate and has a very kind heart.  And he's quite the ladies' man :)  Yeah he's getting into sports and guy stuff but he's still the tender hearted cute kid that can't hate anybody or anything.  Does that make him girly?  Heck no!  I do believe in gender roles but I see nothing wrong with developing traits from both genders.  

Does it really matter all that much?

Here's a question for you-  Do you worry about what other people think?  Think back to high school (or maybe you're there right now)- did you care what the football team or cheerleaders thought about you?  Were those even the cool kids?  How hard did you try to "fit in" or to be accepted?  In my opinion high school is just a microcosm for the reality that adults end up in.  Things really don't change.  There are plenty of people that will do anything just to be included in the upperclass group.  They'll change who they are, how they act, and what they wear.  It's the more material things that matter to them. But does it matter that much?

I do believe that the social class we are in can influence us.  I don't believe, however, that it should be the distinguishing factor of our character.  The "People Like Us" video clips (on YouTube) we were assigned to watch made me realize how important social class is to the world.  Should it be that way?  Can it be different?

I know that what social class we are in does impact our lives- every single one of us.  It is my hope though that we can lay that aside and fulfill our dreams, achieve our goals, and push the limits to what we are capable of regardless of where you were born and how much money your parents had.

Coming Home for the Weekend

So, honestly, in class this week we had some long and hard readings.  But I know that I did gain something out of them!  The class discussion helped in understanding what the readings were about though.  I gained a lot during the instruction and explanations from Brother Williams.  It was the most I've gained from one of my classes this semester (which I know it's only been 2 or 3 weeks into school but still).

I thought that the different relationship types were interesting.  And who would've thought I would use it so soon!  I came home this weekend for conference and all I can do is study my family members and see who has what kind of relationship with whom.  I look at different relationships in my extend family as well. It's almost like a hobby now :)