Saturday, December 1, 2012

remember who you are

LESSON 11: DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE A DAMSEL

I always have the most interesting people come in and talk to me at work. This week was no exception. So as I am sitting there, making parfaits, a guy comes in and strikes up a conversation with me. He begins telling me about a boy that he had observed come in, that so obviously liked me, under the authority that he is trying to write a book about dating and relationships. I however did not agree, because although that boy likes to talk to me a lot at work and whatnot, he hasn't asked me out. I have said it a million times and I'll say it again: if a boy likes a girl, he will ask her out. Period.

Then he offered this perspective: he said, take a look at the media today. Family Guy, American Dad, Simpsons, etc. the father figure in all of these shows is a lazy, bumbling idiot. He said, he feels that in society today, the man is portrayed as a couch potato type, sitting around waiting to be rescued by his wife. Roles of men and women have been reversed, and men no longer feel that women need them. Women have become so strong and independent, that they are not "damsels in distress" but rather the heroine that if she has time, will look for a man as her sidekick. The movie Brave. Case and point. He said its very intimidating to try to take on a role that has become out dated and seemingly unnecessary, particularly when it's mens' instinct to be the protector, to "wear the pants," to be the knight in shining armor, to feel needed. Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave an amazing talk about this in the last priesthood session of General Conference. Whether the reason for this change in "gender roles" be because men got lazy and women have stepped up, or because women became selfish and were not able to recognize that being a wife and a mother is the single most important position they will ever hold, or both, society reflects that such is the case.

So all I ask, is that those of us ladies that know what is right and important, that are still damsels waiting for our knight, let men know how important and needed they are. Say yes to dates. Be kind, and gentle, men's hearts are often more fragile than you know. And guys, take heart that there are still girls that dream of fairy tale love and are waiting for you. So be men, and ask girls out. Reclaim your territory dangit!


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