Love child of the 60's, Misogyny child of the 50's?

[_wenglund]

There is a tendency nowdays to divest oneself of personal responsibility, and fault cultures and institutions for our behaviors.

Against that tendency, let me explain that I came of age during the 70's while living in Washington state, but entered adulthood with a deep and abiding respect and admiration for women. In fact, I had put women very high on the pedestal, and viewed them as near angelic beings who could do no wrong, and that we men were hardly worthy to be considered the same species.

Perhaps I was quite sheltered, but I hardly, if ever, came across the kind of denegrating terms for women mentioned earlier in the thread.

Naturally, the more I interacted with women outside my family, the more I came to see that they were human and had their failings and unpleasant tendencies.

This realization didn't cause me to think women beneath men, but rather that they, in some respects and on balance, were level with men.

Fortunately, too, instilled within me over the years, was a keen sense of respect and appreciation for manliness This keen sense eliminated within me the potential delitarious impact of the so-called feminist movement and their intent to demasculate, unmisex, and feminize the world.

Consequently, I am now, and have long been, unapologetic for being a man and manly, and for appreciating and valuing women as women, while intelligently acknowledging the important differences.

This means that I have no qualms violating some of the politically correct norms of our demasculated society, and even consider it progressive to do so--particularly in terms of maintaining a healthy sense of humor and perspective in relation to both sexes.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_harmony]

This realization didn't cause me to think women beneath men, but rather that they, in some respects and on balance, were level with men.

How kind.

Which respects might those be?

Fortunately, too, instilled within me over the years, was a keen sense of respect and appreciation for manliness This keen sense eliminated within me the potential delitarious impact of the so-called feminist movement and their intent to demasculate, unmisex, and feminize the world.

What is unmisex?

And how exactly does feminizing the world take place? What does that look like? How is that accomplished?

Consequently, I am now, and have long been, unapologetic for being a man and manly, and for appreciating and valuing women as women, while intelligently acknowledging the important differences.

What differences are you referring to? Important to whom?

[_Simon Belmont]

I recall, very clearly, my father telling me how special women were -- that they were above men in every way, and especially in their ability to show compassion and love. He explained to me that, throughout history, the human race has entrusted women with our most valuable asset: our children. These sentiments were echoed in Sunday School, and at the pulpit. I never considered women beneath men in any way, and in fact remember viewing them almost as God's most important work of art (though not an object).

Of course, in the more secular arenas, I do remember women being viewed as having a place in the kitchen, preparing a meal for the man of the house who went to work each day, etc. To my knowledge, these sentiments did not change my already held deep belief in the divinity of women.

I know the above sounds very corny, but I thought I would give my two cents. I strongly believe the church, and my family's deep devotion to it helped me realize the falsehoods of the secular world concerning women. I believe this has helped me in my relationship with my wife and daughters.

[_wenglund]

And how exactly does feminizing the world take place? What does that look like? How is that accomplished?

If you are really interested in learning, may I suggest starting with this well-researched and documented book by a former "feminist": The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism Is Harming Our Young Men

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_moksha]

From what Jason said, it leads me to think the best combination is one dominant and one submissive. Other combinations work, but with much more friction or potential floundering in the case of two submissives (although that is the basis for The Gift of the Magi and many television shows).

[_just me]

I recall, very clearly, my father telling me how special women were -- that they were above men in every way, and especially in their ability to show compassion and love. He explained to me that, throughout history, the human race has entrusted women with our most valuable asset: our children. These sentiments were echoed in Sunday School, and at the pulpit. I never considered women beneath men in any way, and in fact remember viewing them almost as God's most important work of art (though not an object).

Of course, in the more secular arenas, I do remember women being viewed as having a place in the kitchen, preparing a meal for the man of the house who went to work each day, etc. To my knowledge, these sentiments did not change my already held deep belief in the divinity of women.

I know the above sounds very corny, but I thought I would give my two cents. I strongly believe the church, and my family's deep devotion to it helped me realize the falsehoods of the secular world concerning women. I believe this has helped me in my relationship with my wife and daughters.

Putting women on a pedestal is actually very sexist as well. There was a lot of propaganda that used this idea that women were too pure, too lovely, too divine to take part in the men's world.
It placed a huge emphisis on motherhood, giving it near godlike status. It made clear that men and women had seperate "sphere's."

I believe the pedestal is damaging to both women and men. I don't want my boys being told that girls are better than they are, nor do I want my girl told that she can't do certain things just because she has a uterus. Makes me sad.

Just sayin'.

[_Simon Belmont]

Putting women on a pedestal is actually very sexist as well. There was a lot of propaganda that used this idea that women were too pure, too lovely, too divine to take part in the men's world.
It placed a huge emphisis on motherhood, giving it near godlike status. It made clear that men and women had seperate "sphere's."

Yes, I realized that it could be thought of that way, too. It seems there is no pleasing the over-sensitive. I happen to hold to the idea that women are above men in most respects, and that's why history has entrusted them with our most important asset -- our children. Yes, I realize that this means I pigeon-hole women into the motherly role, but that is not my intention at all.

[_just me]

Putting women on a pedestal is actually very sexist as well. There was a lot of propaganda that used this idea that women were too pure, too lovely, too divine to take part in the men's world.
It placed a huge emphisis on motherhood, giving it near godlike status. It made clear that men and women had seperate "sphere's."

Yes, I realized that it could be thought of that way, too. It seems there is no pleasing the over-sensitive. I happen to hold to the idea that women are above men in most respects, and that's why history has entrusted them with our most important asset -- our children. Yes, I realize that this means I pigeon-hole women into the motherly role, but that is not my intention at all.

Simon, if women are "above" men then why can't they be ordained with the power of God on earth?

There is "pleasing" many people...it is called equality. I want to be neither on a pedastal or beneath man's feet.

[_Jersey Girl]

I happen to hold to the idea that women are above men in most respects, and that's why history has entrusted them with our most important asset -- our children.

I find it disturbing that you fail to see women in marriage as beside men. When a child is fortunate enough to be born into a two parent family, they are entrusted to both.

[_asbestosman]

I long for the day when there is true equality among the sexes--when people are as horrified at a woman mistreating a man as they are with men mistreating women. Men do and have done worse than women--no doubt about it. I'm just having trouble figuring out why the sins of my forefathers are relevant especially when I have just as many male as female ancestors.

I do see gender bias when it comes to imputing sin at church. Men get all the talks about how we're not measuring up. Women give those talks to each other--often to themselves.