Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Stereotyped Culture

I agree with this sub husband's(Dan) opinion I found in one of the group. Please feel free to comment:


"I think we all need to remember stereotypes are just caricatures with some basis in fact or averages but little value when judging individuals. We are all the same yet different - the product of our upbringings, our genetics, and our culture. In the end I think women want partners who respect and care for them, who see their individuality, their strengths and their foibles, and value them in spite of and because of who they are. Handsome of face, strong of body, purposeful of mind all wane with time yet it is the combined journey, the memory of trials faced, joys shared, disappointments and sadnesses weathered that make a relationship.

Recognizing and accepting our cultural biases won't necessarily make them go away, but they allow us greater objectivity and sensitivity to the feelings of others. And the willingness to step out of our comfortable roles to show caring and kindness, is a demonstration of real courage, more valued than any stereotypical male bravado. To hide in stereotyped cultural roles is not the sign of a man in my book (or woman for that matter)."