Gender & Family Life

This week was very interesting because we learned a lot about same-sex attraction which is something I've never known a lot about. In studies it shows that a lot of homosexual males have troubled relationships with their fathers, and a lot of what their same-sex attraction is about isn't just sex but having intimacy and a close relationship with another man, which is something they didn't have growing up. This isn't always the case but a lot of the time it is. Another reasons for same-sex attraction is the environment. Some boys just tend to act more feminine, and there's nothing wrong with that until people start telling them their gay. After so long of hearing that, some are convinced that they are. Also, when people experiment they think that because they experienced arousal with a same-sex partner means that they are homosexual, when really we are just sexual beings and naturally react to sexual circumstances. The church doesn't want to ostracize the gay community, we just believe that a traditional marriage between man and a woman is the way God intended.

Social Class & Cultural Diversity

Unfortunately society always separates people into categories, either good or bad. This week we decided if all cultures were equally valid or not. My answer was yes and no. Everyone has the right to live their own culture unless it is impending upon the rights of others. Hating diversity is actually what got Germany into the mess of killing millions of innocent people, and that is unacceptable. That is the kind of culture that is not valid; one who doesn't care about the life of others. I think a lot of what we have to celebrate in life is diversity because it keeps life interesting. If two people were exactly alike one of them would be unnecessary. God didn't create us all the same, he wanted us to be different and have something special to bring to this life. Being a part of the LDS culture is a huge blessing because we have members around us that can uplift us and not make us compromise our standards and that's a comfort to me.

Understanding Family Dynamics

This week we learned a lot about how families work and the systems within them. This led me to analyze my own family and see where we fit into the category of systems. My family centers around my Mom which probably isn't too unusual from the norm. She pulls us all together no matter what someone is going through and loves us through it all. Whenever we are going through hard times we usually break the tension through humor and jokes. We are always capable of having fun together and laughing things off which is what I love the most about my family. My Dad is a source of strength and inspiration to all of us; he's overcome a lot in his life and has made a wonderful life for all of us. I look up to my parents so much and hope to raise my kids similar to how they've raised me. My siblings and I definitely wouldn't be as close if it weren't for my parents and I'm definitely grateful for that!

Family Relations is probably the one class I'm actually excited about taking this semester. Over the past year or so I've realized a lot of new things about myself including my desire to have a marriage and start a family. Luckily my boyfriend is on the same page! It did take some encouragement of course.. I love how being "perfect" was described in class. Because growing up I always felt I needed to try and be "perfect" but I didn't know what that meant. I've made plenty of mistakes and never considered myself to be perfect, only human. Having trials and hardships is what builds our character and ultimately blesses us. I don't think struggling in life is something to be ashamed of because only then are we able to relate and connect with those around us. No longer do I wan't my life to be "perfect" in the sense that nothing goes wrong, but I wan't my life to be perfect in the sense that I'm surrounded by friends and family who love and support me and I have confidence in myself to withstand the rain and have my days in the sun! I'm looking forward to a great semester and to learning so many things to prepare myself for the journey to come :)