The Importance of Gender

Is gender important? Why is it that men perform certain roles, and women their specific roles? Should we be equal? What do you think?

In my opinion I see the beauty in the difference between males and females. You cannot be a genderless person, femininity and masculinity are wonderful and wholesome.  I believe that men and women have a "divine nature and eternal destiny".  Men compliment women, and women compliment men.  We are not opposite, we are complimentary.  For example, you can't have one without the other. It's like day and night or your right hand and left hand. You need both to function properly.

I see men as aggressive, provider, task-oriented, active, more verbal, presider over family, spatial, one focus, able to switch gears easily.

I see women as nurturing, relationship oriented, responsive, aware, able to do multiple things at once, detailed, and loving.

In a broken world full of confusion I think it is important to be willing to accept gender differences.  Men and women compliment each other, we are not trying to erase the strengths of each gender, we are trying to build upon them.

C u l t u r e & D i v e r s i t y

Have you ever thought, what is diversity? What defines me?

I see that diversity as a variety of characteristics such as:
-faith             -values
-gender         -beliefs
-ethnicity      -age
-geography  - experience
-language     -culture
-coloration

Are we good at understanding our differences or our similarities?

I don't have answers to these questions, but I do know that there can be unity within diversity. Becoming one does not mean becoming the same. Remember, that you are a child of God.  

Not one person will think alike.  We are ignorant if we don't take the time to learn or understand other people and their culture.  Don't fall into culture poverty.

Perfection?

There is one thing I've learned about families and that is: no family is perfect and no parent is perfect, but there are good families and there are good parents.  A family system is complex and dynamic.  It takes a lot of time and patience to incorporate good family values, faith, trust, obedience, patterns, and a system into a functioning family. What gives me strength is to know that the Lord provides an outline of a perfect family.  He knows that we are not perfect, but He does expect us to work at it.  We can not have a perfect family if we do not know the foundation of a proper functioning family, and that is found here.

Well, hello there...

I have always wanted to start a blog, but I have been too scared.  This is now my chance to begin a personal blog for me and those who are interested in my thoughts and perspective of family relations.  The inspiration for this blog name ( Joyful Family) comes from a quote I read from Sister Tanner, Young Women General President.  She teaches, "I think being married, having families, being faithful, and sacrificing for the gospel is all joyful.  It brings true joy in our lives." This struck me hard. What does Joyful mean?  Joyful: is a feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness.   I believe that the trials and hardships of family life are too much expressed.  Yes, hardships are greatly abound, but family should be and is a joyful experience.  I believe that through study and inspiration families can try a little harder to be a little better, to give more and make their personal relationships with family members JOYFUL.  


Al