Men and Women: Roles in the Family
It’s been another busy week! October has certainly flown by. This week we discussed the differences between men and women, and how those differences benefit the family. This is a topic I’ve been interested in for a while, and as we talked about it I was reminded of a talk by Sheri Dew titled, “It Is Not Good for Man or Woman to Be Alone,” which I will also be using for this post.
First, we highlighted the strengths of each gender. Women are able to see things more relationally, and can be aware of more things at the same time than men. We tend to have more white matter in our brains, which means we are better wired to be aware of connections to things. Women tend to be more emotionally expressive and communicative. We talked about how women have more of a connection between the verbal and emotional centers of the brain. This helps women to nurture their families by being aware of the emotions of their family members and the relationships between them.
Men have more gray matter in their brains. They are also more spatially oriented. One interesting point my professor made is that men have a better ability to switch gears and leave their work life at work in order to be present at home. This helps them fulfill their divine responsibilities to preside, provide, and protect.
My professor encouraged us to consider why God ordained marriage to be this way: between a man and a woman. We discussed how men and women complement each other, and that learning to work with each other is a humbling experience that brings them closer to God. Sister Linda K. Burton said, “When we seek to ‘complete’ rather than ‘compete,’ it is so much easier to cheer each other on!” The adversary tries to make men and women seem like enemies, when in reality we need each other to make it to the celestial kingdom.
We also need men and women in order to build up the kingdom of God on earth. Referring back to the talk by Sheri Dew, I found a quote that stood out to me: “This divine pattern for men and women that strengthens marriages and families also fortifies the Church. For the Church cannot achieve the full measure of its creation unless both faithful men who bear the priesthood and righteous women who rejoice in serving under the direction of the priesthood work together.”
I know that God created us with specific strengths and weaknesses so we could turn to each other and to Him, not to compete with each other. As I continue to study my role as a woman, I hope to be better able to serve God and help the priesthood holders in my life.
Have a blessed week!
—Audrey Kaydrey
First, we highlighted the strengths of each gender. Women are able to see things more relationally, and can be aware of more things at the same time than men. We tend to have more white matter in our brains, which means we are better wired to be aware of connections to things. Women tend to be more emotionally expressive and communicative. We talked about how women have more of a connection between the verbal and emotional centers of the brain. This helps women to nurture their families by being aware of the emotions of their family members and the relationships between them.
Men have more gray matter in their brains. They are also more spatially oriented. One interesting point my professor made is that men have a better ability to switch gears and leave their work life at work in order to be present at home. This helps them fulfill their divine responsibilities to preside, provide, and protect.
My professor encouraged us to consider why God ordained marriage to be this way: between a man and a woman. We discussed how men and women complement each other, and that learning to work with each other is a humbling experience that brings them closer to God. Sister Linda K. Burton said, “When we seek to ‘complete’ rather than ‘compete,’ it is so much easier to cheer each other on!” The adversary tries to make men and women seem like enemies, when in reality we need each other to make it to the celestial kingdom.
We also need men and women in order to build up the kingdom of God on earth. Referring back to the talk by Sheri Dew, I found a quote that stood out to me: “This divine pattern for men and women that strengthens marriages and families also fortifies the Church. For the Church cannot achieve the full measure of its creation unless both faithful men who bear the priesthood and righteous women who rejoice in serving under the direction of the priesthood work together.”
I know that God created us with specific strengths and weaknesses so we could turn to each other and to Him, not to compete with each other. As I continue to study my role as a woman, I hope to be better able to serve God and help the priesthood holders in my life.
Have a blessed week!
—Audrey Kaydrey
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