Cats & Dogs, LIVING TOGETHER!!!!

[koan]

I am going to attempt the impossible.

I am starting a thread to discuss what men and women really think goes on in the other one's mind. I am hoping to define what is man and what is woman with the hope that we in the Garden can figure out what no one else has been able to comprehend.

I will start with a general concept from the Kabbalah. Masculine represents Force, Feminine represents Form. The two must mate to create anything. Force resents form as it limits the potential, Form resents Force because it won't settle down and be happy being just one thing. Because the average woman embodies mostly Form and the average man embodies mostly Force, they have conflict and misunderstanding. It is my firm belief that both principles exist in every person, if we examine ourselves closely we may be able to achieve understanding and unity.

Perhaps our having been told and raised to believe that men and women are so different is the only reason we are. Perhaps we are not different as sexes so much as different as people with an implanted prejudice.

[minks]

Perhaps our having been told and raised to believe that men and women are so different is the only reason we are. Perhaps we are not different as sexes so much as different as people with an implanted prejudice.[/color][/quote]

I believe your onto something there holmes. We are what we were raised to be, I mean looking back boys were raised to not show the softer emotions. Many of us here grew up through that and now look, it is not an unmanly thing to show these emiotions. It is determined by the times. Look at the changes in the roles of man and woman since oh say the "pioneer times" til now. Woman have more say, more power, more choices so that makes us " power". So much contributes to the sex's beyond what we are born into.

[Jack Sprat]

Originally Posted by koan

Perhaps our having been told and raised to believe that men and women are so different is the only reason we are.

I hate returning to a theme I've posted here several times already: we are what we are not because of race or sex, but because of what we learn by watching and learning from our parents, sibling, television, etc. Culture, environment, and religion influence all aspects of our behavior, including sexual-based differences. Remove or neutralize many of these influences and you create a more accepting person.

Growing up in an atheistic environment, neither my sisters or I developed typical sexual stereotypes, nor did my children, nieces, or nephews. All of them are highly successful, happy, and respected in their communities, families, and occupations. We have had no difficulties relating to or communicating with others, no matter what sex, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, or other superfluous difference.

Most (not all) organized Asian and European religions and cultures preach that men are naturally superior and have specific pre-designated responsibilities and behavior patterns, and that women should be different (including inferior) from men. Being brought up to believe in the natural equality of all people (and animals BTW) has given members of my extended family the capability to accept all people as individuals rather than as stereotypical pre-determined cogs in a great wheel.

[Hawke]

Please forgive me, Koan. I couldn't resist

[Jack Sprat]

"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
-Douglas Adams

There is more truth in The Hitchhiker's Guide (have you read all six parts to the series?) than in most religious philosophies.

[koan]

Firehawke,
That is one of the funniest pictures I've seen in a loooonnnnggggg time.
Thank you.

Jack,
I agree with Douglas Adams on just about everything...except, unfortunately, that the Earth is about to be destroyed.

I've loaned the Hitchhiker series out. Thought there was only four. Is there more in the series outside of the box set?

[Jack Sprat]

Originally Posted by koan

I've loaned the Hitchhiker series out. Thought there was only four. Is there more in the series outside of the box set?

The big four:
Hitchhiker's Guide
Restaurant
Live... and Everything
Thanks for all the Fish
Plus
Mostly Harmless
Young Zaphod Plays it Safe