Gender Gender

This week in class we talked about gender roles in families and in general. I really learned a lot this week. We were asked to watch a video before class on Monday that was about differences between men and women. Some people claim that gender roles are the result of social cues and that men and women are the same except for their biological differences. Social scientists have found that this is not true, and that men and women are different. They like different things and have different interests. On Friday we had more of a discussion about encouraging heterosexuality. We talked about several things that as future parents we can do to teach our children about the importance of gender differences and identity. These things were to: -teach at gender roles and at the promises associated with them -demonstrate a healthy marriage -be accepting of your children's interests and focus on the strengths of those interests -don't polarize gender -understand your children and teach proper principles -encourage friendships for your children and the skills of being friends -protect your children from sexual abuse -encourage your children to label themselves based on things that they like to do (artist, dancer etc.) Most importantly LOVE YOUR CHILDREN! always This discussion answered a lot of questions for me. I recently got married and as I have thought more about having a family and the way the world seems to be heading. I have really been wondering how I will be able to teach my children about the divine purpose and identity that we each have related to our gender. After class on Friday I have felt a lot better about how I will teach my children about gender roles.

Cultural Differences and Stress

This week in class we talked about how cultural differences effect families. On Friday we talked about how immigration effects families as well. We talked about how families who immigrate are usually closer together as a family, but some in some families roles within the family are altered as a result of immigration and this can lead to problems. We talked about how usually the father will immigrate first and try to save money to bring the rest of his family to him. While he is gone the family must compensate for his absence and they become closer together, when the whole family is reunited they have a hard time going back to "the way things used to be", or the father has a hard time fitting back in. We also talked about how any kind of stress felt by any family member will effect a family. This effect can be positive or negative depending on how the family reacts to and handles the stress. So the take home message for me was to find positive ways to handle my stress so I do not effect my family in a negative way.