Gender Roles in Family Life and Homosexuality

The week before last we learned about gender roles among males and females, and how that applies to family interaction. Some of the things that stuck out particularly to me were the main differences between males and females. A few are listed below:

Females: Relationship Oriented, emotional communication, develop language earlier, stronger verbally, remember things relationally, are more relationship-activity based, and have more white matter in their brains.

Males: More aggressive, physical communication, develop language later, are less verbal, remember things spacially, are more interested in object activities (sports) and have more gray matter in their brains.

These differences may make it difficult to interact at times, but they are divinely appointed. Mothers were given the divine role of nurturing their children. They are more aware of the facial cues from their infants, and how to meet their needs. They also tend to orient their children inward, closer to themselves. Fathers on the other hand are able to compartmentalize. They have the ability to do work at work, and home at home. And while mothers tend to keep their children close, fathers orient their children outward, towards the world. Such as encouraging them to get an education and start a successful career. But all in all, if both parents work together to raise their children, and become better individually and as a couple, they will be even more equipped to handle the difficulties in life, and those which are divinely appointed.

One other thing that I found really interesting in class was the topic of homosexuality. The Family Proclamation states that men are to Preside, Provide, and Protect their families, and as such as born with the desires to do so. But sometimes, if they have a difficult time connecting to other men, or have an experience where they feel emotions towards another man, they may confuse that with being Homosexual. They confuse intimacy (the idea of being close, known, and understood by someone) with the feelings of being romantic, and thus decide that it must mean they are "gay." For those of you out there who are struggling with being Homosexual, and don't know where to start in your journey of  figuring out who you are, might I suggest four steps that may be of use to you.

1. Much of what you experienced is based on your conclusions.
2. Stop the madness-You have to learn how to stop the behavior.
3. Find a good counselor who can teach you how to form appropriate intimacy with same gender as friends.
4. You must learn how to express your emotions appropriately.

Finally, know that your Heavenly Father loves you. He wants you to have the opportunity to be a husband and father, and fullfill your divine role of manhood. But He also understands that in order to recieve Eternal Life, raise children, and fullfill your needs, your must be keeping the commandments to the best of your ability. Don't lose hope. For those of you wanting to change, it is possible.