Today’s topic is a touchy subject as we all have different opinions on the matter of gender. I am sharing what I know and my opinion. I hope to not offend anyone and if you have different insights, please comment so I can to be informed and broaden my knowledge.
Physically and emotionally, men and woman are different and each gender plays different and specific roles in society and in the family. “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.” To fulfill this responsibility, a father’s role is to preside with love, provide necessities for the family, and protect while a mother’s role is to be a nurturer because a woman has 5x more connective tissue which helps them be more emotionally connective with those around them. I saw this every day growing up. My father was the breadwinner and my mother stayed home and raised us children. However, my father was also involved in raising us children and my mom helped my dad when she could and presided in the home while he was at work. I learned that growing up and from research that men and woman do not need to only focus on and stay in these roles because life is about growth. Like my parents and many others, fathers can and do help nurture children and mothers can and do help their husband to provide and preside in the home.
Men are not more important than women and women are not more important than men. In a relationship that is not male-dominated nor female-dominated, both individuals are able to influence one another because the marriage is established on partnership, making their individual roles and responsibilities, while different, equal. Science research shows that couples who have equality in their relationship are happier, have better effective parenting practices, better-functioning children, and have better individual well-being. Both genders should work together to give 100% to their roles they have been given and help one another to fulfill their responsibilities and dreams so the family as a whole can grow.
Now that I covered the difference between the male and female gender, an issue we are facing in today’s world is same-sex attraction. There are beliefs that same-sex attraction is genetic or people who have same-sex attraction are born with it but research shows that rather most same-sex attraction comes from being abused sexually as a child, have a distant relationship with the father or mother, and are not accepted by their peers. Research also finds that children who are raised with homosexual parents are more prone to suicide, mental illness, and/or get into drugs and alcohol. Same-sex attraction can be or is a hard thing to deal with but as it has become accepted in society, more and more individuals are coming out. In high school, I had friends who had same-sex attraction and they are some of the best friends I have ever had. Whether it is my friends or strangers in passing, I have always found it interesting that homosexual couples play specific gender roles as individuals. Anytime I see a gay or lesbian couple, I have noticed that one individual has more feminine behavior and role while the other individual plays a masculine role. This proves to me that there is a reason there are two genders; male and female. However, with that being said, we should and must not judge but respect the choices and personal life choices of others that are not in accordance with our standards or ways of living.
Family Relations 