Men and Women in Society

The roles of men and women in society and family have been defined for numerous years. It has been assumed without any opposition that men should provide financially while women should provide emotionally. This recurring cycle of family life and marriage has continued until now, a time where gender lines have become blurred. Though there is nothing wrong with a woman climbing the executive ladder and a man becoming the stay at home daddy, I do disagree with someone who says, “I mean, ladies, honestly, what do we need men for anymore? Where does man fit?” (The Exception, 3) The Exception continues to discuss that women have essentially become entirely independent of men through every aspect of life: financially, emotionally and filially. In a nutshell, she says that men have become obsolete. According to The Exception, the only reason to even keep men around would be because, “some of us don’t mind the physical attributes either.” (The Exception, 4) Evidently, I as a man should take this all in stride and see it as an opportunity to expand myself as a person. I’m supposed to be happy with a world where I don’t even exist.

It is common knowledge that men play an integral part in society; to say any different would be absurd. As The Exception says, “They [men] no longer are asked to be the primary bread winners,” (The Exception, 5) but there is plenty else that men do on an every day basis. We happen to provide numerous intangibles like: stability, security and love. A world filled with just women would lack all of the subtleties men bring to the table just as a world of men would lack the nuisances of women. Both sexes are necessary for the world to go round; they fit together to complete the puzzle.

Maybe I’m wrong and women don’t want men and all our glory in their lives. If this is the case then by all means the men of the world should be informed of our former duties being removed. Men should be jumping at the offer The Exception has put forward and “redefine themselves, their role in the family, and their place in society.” (The Exception, 6) Men don’t have to be the workhorses of the world any more so why continue down that path? I say we should take up new hobbies, try new things, be more outgoing. Who knows, maybe a new habits of dusting and vacuuming will brighten our days, put a smile on our faces and maybe, just maybe even help us find God. Clearly, millions of men have been getting it wrong all these years.

In all seriousness, why should something that is working perfectly fine be changed? The reason men and women have these roles is because they’re good at them. It’s been instilled, engraved, programmed into our minds that the boy works and girl stays home. I’m not telling people to give up on their goals but really how is Bob the coal miner going to help his ballerina of a daughter by becoming an apron wearing, stay-at-home dad?

Baseball Poem

It is interesting to see how people define themselves. Very often they will do so by placing themselves into a group. The group can be of any kind like their job, hobby, favorite sports team, any of those will do and there are many more. Inside these inner circles, there are certain rules or standards by which a "member" has to abide by to be the perfect representation of the group. Social groups block people together and stereotypes can automatically place someone inside of a circle they shouldn't be in. It is for this reason that groups like "Ditch the Label" exist. The following poem is a remake written by myself of Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl."

Baseball

By Ryan Douglas

Every game starts off the field; a protein filled meal will give you energy; preparation mentally is necessary to success; if you believe that you can win then you will; you have to be confident; make sure you stretch before a game; not by standing still though; then how do stretch? By moving around, running; running is very important; running will you get you prepared for the game physically; after that you throw; start short then go long; throwing long toss not only stretches out your arm but it also strengthens it; take batting practice from a live pitcher not a machine; a machine just keeps throwing straight fastballs right down the middle while a person can move it around; you have to be prepared for any kind of pitch anywhere around the plate and a person can do that, a machine can’t; infield outfield might be boring but it has hidden agendas; what are you talking about? In infield outfield the ground and fly balls won’t change but every field does and you have to get used to them; infield outfield will give you a feel for every ditch divot hill or bump on the field; game time, there can only be one winner and if you want that to be you then listen up; Okay; When you play you have to go on the field looking good; clean your uniform, I don’t want to see grass and dirt stains on it; wear your cap straight not off to the side with a little tilt, the game should be respected; your playing baseball not going out on the town; play the game hard right till the last out; it’s that simple; don’t ever quit or give up; it’s not always about winning, it’s about having fun; take each game seriously but realize it’s just a game; it’s not life or death situation; respect the other team; win and lose graciously; there’s no need to rub it in too much; if you hit a homerun take your time getting around the bases but a slow motion trot isn’t going to impress anyone; celebrate on your own time after the game with your teammates; which brings up another point; do not degrade the people on your team; you can’t go anywhere without them and remember no one is perfect, and that includes you, people make mistakes; there is no need to put someone down over an error; But what if he loses the game for us? Weren’t you listening, it’s not always about winning; baseball is a sport, nothing more than a game, it can take you great places, even get you into college, to a livelihood and a ton of money; you can stride for that but take it all in along the way; enjoy it while it lasts, cherish the memories, share the stories, look back on it in 25 years and have no regrets, don’t’ ever forget baseball.