The
English that first settled New England were primarily farmers. When they saw
that the Native American women were the farmers, they figured their men as
wusses. But as they encroached upon
their territory, they were in for a rude surprise. We all know of families where
the men handle the finances, and others where the women do. Certainly the
women’s movement of the last half century and the suffragettes before them has
been an event of equality and dignity.
But
we live in a time that preaches diversity, yet enforces a barbaric code of
gender identity. Mere children are undergoing sexual reassignment procedures
because they feel like the other sex. Childhood is often a confusing time of
learning and exploring. Some girls are tom boys. Some boys play with doll
clothes and may become fashion designers. What has happened that we don’t hang
loose anymore or accept realities that don’t threaten anybody?
Our
abundance is based upon a specialization of labor that requires extensive
training and has extended adolescence. This has increased the fertile period
for confusion since one elects or is forced into an adult role at a much later
age. Coupled with this has been the sexualization of childhood and internet
access to materials once only found in dank shops in seedy neighborhoods. So
the span in which one searches for secure identity has expanded to probably 20
years, in many cases.
For
many, computer gaming has replaced group activities often at local churches and
outdoor activities which ground one and teach awareness of real dangers. It’s also the perfect baby sitter and frees
up time for texting. As I’ve said before, we are witnessing a new social
synthesis and we are in the first innings. Certainly the destructive and
unnecessary violence surrounding the anti-Trump demonstrations maybe a harbinger
of what’s to come.
Copyright © 2017, Mark L. Bennett
The amount of controversy or questioning surrounding the LGBTQ community seems to be age-related. The young, and now even the middle aged, are accepting and aware. I have felt strongly for a long time that homosexuality and gender dysphoria do not happen as the result of a lifestyle choice.
ReplyDeleteBut as someone who chronologically would be considered a senior, I want to know more about something that was largely hidden from view when I was growing up. I am planning to tune in this Monday, 2/6, to the two-hour National Geographic special about the subject, hosted by Katie Couric.
It’s called “Gender Revolution: A Journey With Katie Couric”. 9 PM on Volcano 471, repeating the next day at noon, and again on Friday the 10th at 9.
Some of us old people are accepting and aware too, D. Bennett just doesn't happen to be one of them.
ReplyDelete