I changed my major to Child and Family Development.  I was in the middle of reading for my Women's literature class when I realized that I don't read between the lines very well.  I never have been.  I have always needed the class discussion to get that Shakespeare actually meant "X".  Being that American public Unvierstiy is an online university, I don't get the classroom discussion that I need to understand the literature.  I love to read and I like writing but an English degree seemed like something that wold be 68 credits of me struggling to read beyond the black and white sans serif text.

Anyway, as embarassing as it is, one of my required classes for Child and Family Development is Human Sexuality - which encompasses much more than you would imagine.  Anyway, the first assignment was to write 500 words about the following:  It has been stated that modern beliefs, myths, or practices about human sexuality can be traced to the earlier era influences. Which of today's beliefs and practices do you think may still be grounded in yesterday's earlier influences? Be certain to document any resource used in your comment. Provide AT LEAST THREE EXAMPLES TO SUPPORT YOUR POSITION.

Everyone in the class is writing about prostitution and religion - so i took a different stance on the subject.  Gender roles in society.  

I will paste it below for your enjoyment:

**************************************
The roles men and women establish within a family are firmly grounded in yesterday. It is not uncommon for a household to have two working adults. However, it is very uncommon for men to stay home with the children while the wife “brings home the bacon.” The Bible never specifically says women should stay home with the children. In fact, there are several passages in the Bible that encourage women to do everything in their power to ensure her husband and children are well-cared for and happy (Proverbs 31.) Somehow, “Leave It To Beaver” has more of an influence on gender roles in the family.

When I decided NOT to stay home with my children, I had many people (family, friends, and strangers alike) force their opinions on me. I was disappointed so many people thought I NEEDED to stay home – it is such an old-fashioned belief. With the economy the way it is now, it is hard for families to live on a single income. According to a recent national survey conducted by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University, in families with two working adults, women still do the bulk of the household chores. So even though it is gradually becoming more acceptable for women – mothers – to work outside of the home, the reality is that they are also expected to take care of the home as well. One would assume that acceptance in the workplace would dissolve the apron wearing, cookie baking, perfectly coiffed and made-up homemaker image of my grandparents’ generation.

Gender stereotypes go beyond those established in our country – take a look at the Japanese Geisha. I will assume that this class already knows the Geisha was not a prostitute in white makeup - rather, she was a beautiful and sophisticated woman of many “artistic talents.” She was a perfectly polished hostess with enough grace and intellect to entertain the minds of the wealthiest and most successful clients. If you take the geisha out of the O-chaya and dress her in western clothes, her talents aren’t much different than what is expected of women today; she would be the perfect wife. She was graceful, intelligent, and capable of engaging conversation but she was the perfect hostess. She was trained to serve and entertain her guests – ideas that are reflected in the black and white sitcoms from yesterday.


DuLong, Hayley (2006, February 18). The History of Geisha. Retrieved December 3, 2008, from University of Oregon Web site: http://www.uoregon.edu/~hdulong/japan/geishahistory.htm

Morin, Richard and Megan Rosenfeld (1998, March 22). With More Equity, More Sweat. The Washington Post, Retrieved 12/03/2008, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/gender/gender1.htm

What does the Bible say about women working outside the home?. Retrieved December 3, 2008, from gotquestions?org Web site: http://www.gotquestions.org/women-work.html