Don't be Afraid to be Different

Why do men and women work well together in caring for a home and family? I actually really enjoyed learning about this! There were so many things that just helped me understand what differences there naturally are between men and women and why. Now as always, this doesn’t hold true for everyone. There are always differences, outliers, and exceptions, but what I have learned has helped me understand myself and others better, and I hope that it will do the same for you.

There have been studies done with young children to try and determine what these gender differences might be. They are done with young children in the hope that they won’t yet be influenced by social and family trends. Many believe that these studies shouldn’t be done and that we should all be the same. How boring would that be?! In my experience, I learn the most from being around people who are different from me. We can build off each other’s strengths and get more done together. The differences vary as children grow up, but some common trends are that women communicate better, talk sooner, and are more nurturing. From a young age men are drawn to things that move and are more physical in their behavior. These differences do not demean anyone, but are there for a reason.

Women’s ability to empathise with others is a useful tool in nurturing and caring for children. They have a natural inclination to connect things in their mind in relationship to others. This helps them be able to better “multitask” in a sense, or be aware of different needs. I do not believe that this is a coincidence. In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, it says, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” This is a huge responsibility and one that affects generations. It is no small feat to raise a family and look after a home.

On the other hand, men are much more myopic in a sense. They have an ability to focus on one thing very intently and when the time comes to move on they can change their focus much more easily. In that same proclamation it declares, “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.” This “divine design” is in our natures. Of course there are exceptions as I said previously, but this responsibility does not simply come from our societal culture. We are born with this nature.

There is a video that you may have seen called “A Tale of Two Brains.” I just recently saw it again. It describes, in a humorous way, the differences in men’s and women’s brains. 

Imagine growing together from those differences and strengths. How great is it to not be the same? In a world that is becoming more confused on what marriage is, it is key to learn and understand why it is so important. Marriage is ordained of God and is designed so that we might have happiness. I know that most people today may not agree, but it is the truth. It is God’s truth. I know people personally, as I think everyone does, that live together before being married, struggle with saame sex attraction, or have gone trhough a heartbreaking divorce. I do not know how each of these situations feels myself, but I know that it all fits into God’s plan. He wants us to have joy and find peace and we find that by following him.