A religious devotion to the idea that men and women are the same--except for what "patriarchal culture" does to us--kills any objective discussion about what is happening right under our noses in uncountable spheres of life. I should be able to observe "men are stronger and tougher than women, so they generally prefer football while girls generally prefer ballet" without risking my future in politics or higher education. But I can't. This is an anonymous blog in part because nowadays such statements indicate that I might hold "hurtful" opinions, i.e., offensive to third-wave feminists.
To reference 1984, we have come too close to accepting that "thoughtcrime"* merits punishment. University speech codes are almost there. Here in our home, my children are safe candidly discussing differences and similarities between men and women; I can't say the same for the colleges in my city.
Men and women are different. While we're all humans and share much, the sexes incontrovertibly have different anatomy, genes, and hormones, and they tend to have different interests, needs, weaknesses, and strengths. To third-wave feminists, I would beg you: "Work for us all to have equal freedoms--not necessarily equal outcomes**--then just let the chips fall as they may. Accept gender diversity."
* I came across the image below on PJMedia and thought it was apropos.
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| http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/files/2013/09/thought-police-2.jpg |
** I could write another whole post on how affirmative action for women negates our accomplishments by always making us wonder if we got a job or scholarship on our own merits or as a beneficiary of social programming efforts. Talk about the opposite of a confidence boost.
I prefer the explanation of the normal curves. Men are on one curve and women are on another. Each ability has its own two curves: one for men and one for women. The curves overlap on most things, so some from one gender will be farther out on the curve than the other gender, but on the "ability to get pregnant" curve, there's no overlap.
ReplyDeletePetticoat government: http://gynocentrism.com/2013/09/19/petticoat-government-1702-2/
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, that's a great link to a pretty awesome document. I get the name of my blog from Baroness Orczy's book Petticoat Government, also published as Petticoat Rule and found online at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34660/34660-h/34660-h.htm. It's been a favorite book since I was a teenager. The authoress also penned the Scarlet Pimpernel novels, which were an indirect motivating influence on the WWII hero, Raoul Wallenberg.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Orczy got the title for her novel from the already existing concept of petticoat government discussed in the 1702 document you linked to. Thanks!
Do you have a link to the text of the follow-up "second Pert" where he goes into the negative manifestation of "petticoat government"?
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, I reject monarchy and gynocracy. For my beliefs on family life, I refer you to this document, http://www.lds.org/topics/family-
HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). 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. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.