On Gender Issues

When God created this world (or, if you prefer, when things evolved), there was a clear difference in the physical makeup of man and woman. This was not an accident; it was deliberate and purposeful. Men for the most part are bigger and stronger. They were intended to do the heavy lifting for the family. Women were gifted with the ability to procreate, and have greater capacity and patience for caring. Both roles have been and are now still equally important. Of course the world has evolved. The need for the heavy lifting that physical strength requires is greatly reduced and, over the ages, women have demonstrated a competence far beyond the home. Whenever circumstances require it, women can well shoulder the burden of bread-winner, in many cases better than men. And in a growing number of cases men have shown the ability to be the caring parent at home. 

Of course, men and women are still just different and that’s okay. The French say “Vive la difference” (long live the difference). We should not try to somehow erase or disparage that difference. One recent example that, for me, is hard to understand: it seems now it is politically incorrect to use the term “actress.” Both male and female performers now must be called “actor.”  Why is that? Is it demeaning for a lady performer to be called an actress? Is the word ‘actor’ somehow superior to the word ‘actress’?  In the Academy Awards will there now be Best Actor in a leading Female role and Best Actor in a leading Male role? Rather cumbersome.  Is ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ soon to be discarded in favor of some unisex generic label? With the greater use by women of names, traditionally used by men, which is certainly OK, it is helpful to have the clarity of simple, distinctive titles.

Women do have an important and vital role in business, in education, in healthcare and in politics. They bring an essential perspective in all these things. So why blur things by masking the titles so that the gender of the person is unclear.

I notice many women seem to opt for men’s suits. I have no problem with that. Funny, I don’t see many men in dresses. 

In some circles it is questioned for men and women to each to have their own separate sports activities, their own clubs and their own associations?  Why should girls join the Boy Scouts when they have their own Girl Scout organization? Why should men join a Women’s Fellowship? There is certainly nothing wrong with both men and women each being with their own gender from time to time. And it is patently unfair for transgender men to engage in women’s sports.

I have never been comfortable with women placed in military combat roles. Not because they are less patriotic or less capable than men, but because I believe women should be shielded from the dangers and rigors of war – – – and combining sexes in the same foxhole may take the focus off the battlefield. This is not bigotry, I just don’t believe in putting women in harms way.

I read that the LGBTQ community represents about 5% of this country. They play the same essential role we all have and should not be denied the same rights and acceptance we all enjoy.

We all enjoy rights that are enshrined in the constitution. I don’t think that revered document gives any of us the right to be “comfortable.” It’s not easy to define precisely what that means. In recent times I have seen too many “he or she made me uncomfortable” allegations used as a basis for lawsuits. I say if something makes you uncomfortable, shake it off and walk away.

There seems to be a trend in some places for unisex bathrooms. I think it is totally appropriate “and more comfortable” for women and men to have their own segregated bathrooms when it is possible to do so. Transgenders sort of muddy the waters a bit. I say a person should use the bathroom best suited to their God-given equipment, regardless of whatever gender is adopted.

If a vote were taken today, I think many of these issues would disappear. We seem to be hostage to a small, very vocal minority who try to define what is politically correct and acceptable for all of us. Meanwhile, the majority in this country remain surprisingly, and unfortunately, silent.

– – – – Just the view of a common man