Week 4...Gender and Family Life

This week our topic of discussion was gender and family life.  We discussed a lot about the differences between men and women. Studies show that in general, women more nurturing, sensitive, emotionally expressive, cooperative, verbal and relationship oriented.  Men, on the other hand, seem to have their strengths in protecting, disciplining, being physically expressive (often referred to as aggressive), competitive and being task oriented.  We all know that these are just generalizations and that no one profile fits every man or woman.  I personally see many of these male characteristics in myself and other female friends. Similarly, I have male friends and family who exhibit many of the female attributes. This is a great thing! I think it is what makes us all individuals.

However, I know that these generalities exist for a reason and that is, that God made men and women different and He did so for a reason! As we know from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose.” Our Heavenly Father gave us a gender for a PURPOSE! This purpose is to create families, the fundamental unit of society! Elder David A. Bednar said, “ The nature of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation.” I love his!  This is how heavenly Father planned for us to progress, together, male and female, with the strengths of each supporting and guiding the family to exaltation!

I am so grateful that we have a loving Heavenly Father that guides us and gives us direction so that we are not “tossed to and fro, and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” (Ephesians 4:14)

Culture and class

This week I investigated social class and cultural diversity and what affects these have on the family.  I know that I have led a pretty sheltered life.  I grew up along the Wasatch front in Utah and then moved to Rexburg Idaho after my first child was born.  I have not experienced a lot of cultural diversity.  Even with some of my travels, my exposure was on a different level.  I have never lived with people of a different culture or class other than my own.  I have had some interaction with people, friends and family of different classes and cultures but only on a limited, short term basis. 

As part of the preparation for class this week we watched a series of videos titled, “People Like Us”, that explores different classes of people in the US.  It is interesting that in our country, people don't like to admit that there are different classes but there are!  As I watched these short videos I had a few thoughts.  First, I believe that the gospel is something that can act, to some degree, as an equalizer when it comes to class. No the gospel cannot not get a poor man with no pedigree into a certain country club. However, in the gospel, all are children of our Heavenly Father. All are able to make and keep the same covenants.  In addition, having the gospel provides help and support to those who may be struggling and helps instill values and gives guidance to those with excess. The people I have had interaction with that are from what some would call the elite social classes were members of the Church.  These people where loving and accepting of all they came in contact with.  They are some of the most humble and generous people I know.  In the same vein, those that I know from the lower socio-economic classes were also members of the church.  They too were humble and did not expect or even want pity or special treatment. They are hard workers who are happy with what they have.  I think both ends of the spectrum are able be happy and content because they see everything they have as a blessing from God and not as something they are entitled to. Elder Oaks called this a “gospel culture”. He said, “members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have what we call a gospel culture. It is a distinctive way of life, a set of values and expectations and practices common to all members. This gospel culture comes from the plan of salvation, the commandments of God, and the teachings of the living prophets. It guides us in the way we raise our families and live our individual lives.”

The second thought I had ties right into the first.  In the news of late we see a lot that is contentious and depressing.  We hear reports on things such as immigration, civil rights, gun control and white privilege. All of these issues are tied to and affected by class and culture. Most of these issues have strong support and emotions on both sides. However, I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ can give direction and possible solutions to these problems.  Maybe there will still be suffering and a difference of opinion, but, if we all looked at each other as children of God and treated each other as such, things would be better.  Of course, we all have agency and not all will choose to treat others with compassion and dignity. By sharing the gospel and the truth that we are all brothers and sisters we can make a difference!

Week 2...Family Dynamics and Theories

This week we did some reading on some of the theories for explaining family life. I have to say that it is a good thing there are so many different theories because family life is very complicated—especially considering we have already discussed so many different aspects and make-ups of families.  No one theory could possibly explain all families.  In addition some theories may make a lot of sense for one family but not help in any way another, based on the family make up. I really loved some of the ideas that I got from considering these theories with my own family. By understanding a little bit about Exchange Theory, which is the idea that we all attempt to keep our cost lower than our rewards in interaction, or understanding a something about Symbolic Interaction, where humans are viewed as primarily cognitive creatures who are influenced by their interaction experiences, I have been able to consider new ways of looking at my own family relationships.  I would like to read and study more on each of the different theories because the information we got was pretty general.  I am sure that this is an area that could really peak my interest!

Week one...Multiply and replenish the earth!

This week in preparation for my class I watched a two part series called, The New Economic Reality: Demographic Winter. This documentary covered a lot of interesting statistics about birth rates around the world.  It discussed what factors into these rates and what some of the projected outcomes of lower birth rates will be. It was very interesting to consider what the future of our nation and the world may look like if the birth rates continue to drop as they have over the past few decades.  I loved that it discussed not only the numbers themselves but some of the underlying causes. It seems as if the media focuses more on population growth and over population.  However, from this documentary we learn that in reality, the world is functioning at a sub-replacement fertility rate.  Fertility rate is a better determination than birthrate. For the world population to replace itself, the fertility rate, which is the average number of children born over the lifetime of the average woman, must be 2.13. The world fertility rate in 1960 was 5, in 2014 it was 2.43 and dropping.  If you look at the U.S at 1.89, the U.K. at 1.89, Canada 1.6, most of Europe between 1.4 and 1.89 you see that we may have a problem!  If you look at South America it is just as bad with Chile and Brazil at 1.8.  The only places where the fertility rates are consistently higher that 2.13 are African nations and the Middle East and even those are dropping at an alarming rate.

The thing that I was most fascinated by was the economic effects of a lower or sub-replacement fertility rate.  I was aware of the problems concerning the aging baby boomer population and the loss of that work force and their support of systems such as social security.  But I had never really taken it any further than that!  Why?  I don't know, it makes so much sense!  But simply a higher world fertility rate will not solve the future economic problems. We need to do more than simply replace people. We need to replace what is called Human Capital—the knowledge, skills and information people have and contribute to society.  The capacity a child has to be valuable to the marketplace!  We need to replace the innovators, the scholars, all those who contribute to economic growth.

This information spoke to me. I love that the Proclamation on the Family is so clear that the “commandment to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”  I love that this proclamation was given 21 years ago this weekend.  It is a powerful witness to me that our Heavenly Father is aware of us and that he has Prophets that are watchmen on the tower to warn us and protect us!

The Family is of God

This blog is a new adventure for me...we will see how it goes!  I will be sharing what I learn and impressions I gain while taking Family Relations 160 at BYU-Idaho.  This class will be covering important topics relating to the family.  Last semester I took Eternal Families and was continually reminded of the importance of Family in our Heavenly Father's plan for his children.  It will be interesting to see how Social Science views compare to those of the gospel!