Gender Roles

Recent studies have revealed evidence that homosexual marriages contain positive aspects that are not found as often in heterosexual marriages. Indeed, the research shows that there are “surprisingly few differences”(Parker-Pope 2) between straight and gay marriages yet these differences highlight issues that threaten the well-being of marriages. For instance, it is suggested that the reason for the high-rate of short-lived homosexual marriages is due to the psychological effects of a “lack of legal and social recognition”(Parker-Pope 6). The new research also demonstrated that homosexual couples tended to equally distribute work and duties between each other than heterosexual couples; or at least feel as if they do. The differences range from conflict resolutions to cardiac palpitation fluctuation. The overall suggestion of the data is that it is harder for heterosexual couples to find a common perspective with each other, as compared to homosexual couples that have an easier time reaching a common ground and seeing the world from within each other’s eyes.
The article begins with the statement that same-sex couples “have a great deal to teach everyone about marriage and relationships”(Parker-Pope 2). Whether or not this is even true, I think that the reason that it may be true is if Parker-Pope is talking about homosexuals in America. Homosexuals in America are in a very unique situation. A good part of American society urges for Gay Rights and supports homosexual unions. Truth be told, a loud minority are intolerant of homosexuals, but under American law homosexuals have just as many rights as do non-homosexuals and are thus protected under the law as individuals, as is anyone else. This is not true around the world however, and has also not been true throughout history. In some Middle Eastern countries, for example, such as Saudi Arabia, homosexuality can be a crime punishable by death. In history, homosexuals have been tortured, abused, dubbed heretics and Satanists, and murdered. The average American homosexual would know something about this.
Perhaps that is what the average American homosexual has to teach heterosexual couples. That it is important to be grateful for the opportunities you have in meeting someone you truly care about and that you are also able to show them affection. People participate in their relationships in very different ways. I would never say that there is a textbook definition or explanations on how to show someone you truly care. Regardless of your sexual orientation, I’m sure there are many aspects to a relationship everyone can appreciate and uphold. Commitment, responsibility, companionship, and honesty are just a few; and I’m sure all kinds of relationships deal with those four things in one-way or another. It’s not fair to say that one type of relationship knows more about one than the other. Everything works out differently for everyone, whether you are homosexual or not.

Gender Role Socratic Seminar

Do you think that making a child an "x" is the right thing to do for raising a child?

Is making a child an "x" ethical? Is it playing God or the more natural thing to do?

Do you think today's society is too influential on determining gender roles?

In the movie When Harry Met Sally, what do you think is the difference between how men view relationships and how women view relationships?

Based on the poem Girl by Jamaica Kincaid, would you say that life is full of routine?

Does your train of thought mimic the style of Girl?

Are there pressures for boys and girls to act a certain way in society? Have you ever felt pressured to act ladylike or manly?

Are men and women both capable leaders? If so, why? If not, why is one more capable than the other?

The Artwork of Jeff Jordan

I think that today it becomes harder and harder to find things that are truly original. Thing such as music and artwork today are more often then not variations, reconstructions, or interpretations of someone else's previous work.  

That is why I believe that Jeff Jordan's  artwork is one that truly pushes the boundaries and truly walks the untrodden path. Below is a sampling of some of his artwork and the link disclosed in this paragraph leads you to his home website. 

"stranded muse"

"eggman"

"believe"

Through the Eyes of the Deliverer

The following is a poem that dictates the first-person perspective of a delivery boy and the routine he obeys. Its style is one that reflects the internal conscious or subconscious thoughts experienced by the delivery boy while he is working. This poem takes place from when he gets the food to deliver to the time he delivers the food and begins his journey back to the restaurant to deliver again. The story of the delivery boy is one of quiet impatience. He must not speed his vehicle and suffer the consequences, so as to prevent punishment, but the longer he takes to deliver his products the less likely the customer will grant him a substantial tip.

Through the Eyes of the Deliverer

by Eric W. Muller 

Lock the doors; wait in the reception; read the newspaper; read the business section, read the sports section; pick up the bags, don’t drop the food; unlock the door, put the bags in the passenger seat, make sure they don’t fall over; shut the door, don’t lock it; unlock the driver’s door, get in, turn on the light; look up the address, enter the address in the GPS, turn off the light; step on the clutch, turn on the car, let up the break, put it in first, drive; look out for cops as you cross the parking lot, don’t get caught so you don’t get a ticket, if you get a ticket the whole night goes to waste; listen to the GPS, trust in the GPS; turn left, turn right; wrong right, make a u-turn; don’t make the turns too hard or you will knock over the food; crack a window open so your car won’t smell afterwards; squint against the glare of oncoming headlights, some people are inconsiderate and drive with their high-beams on, others just have really bright lights; don’t speed, don’t rush the light, if you get a ticket the whole night is worthless; look for the house number, some people decide not to make their house numbers visible, others decide not to have them at all; park in their driveway, turn off the car, turn on the light; find their food, make sure it is actually their food and that they have all their bags, don’t forget to bring them all of their food; check the price, people always assume you know how much their orders are; get out of the car, don’t slip on the ice, if you slip and fall on the ice and ruin the food you will have to do the trip all over again, if you slip and fall on the ice you could sue the customers, if you slip and fall on the ice you could sue the restaurant, some people have ice on their front steps, don’t slip and fall or you could hurt yourself and ruin the food; wring the doorbell, wait for the people to answer; be friendly so that they tip you, if they don’t tip you don’t do anything about it so they don’t create bad business; give them the food, take the money, thank them, walk away; don’t slip on the ice, if you fall you could maybe sue them or the restaurant and hurt yourself; open the door, get inside, step on the clutch, turn on the car, put it in first, drive back to the restaurant; there’s never anything good on the radio and I’m tired of listening to this CD, Pulse 87 is usually good music for delivering; what if they don’t tip you and their house was really far away? You mean to tell me you’re the type of guy that has the nerve to demand money at a complete strangers house?