Thoughts on Feminist Theory

I am currently in a Counseling Theories class. The point of the class is to give us an overall picture of some of the most widely-accepted counseling theories from Freud and beyond. Our professor encourages us to find the parts of each theory that we like the best to use later when we are counselors. Some theories I definitely identify more with than others. So far, I am most interested in Reality therapy and Cognitive Behavior therapy, though I have a lot to learn.

We recently learned about Feminist therapy. This is a theory I do not like very much. I am not saying it is not without merit but it does not fit with how I see the world. The therapy attempts to eradicate traditional gender roles and blames much of society's problems on them. I am not saying that men haven't oppressed women and there might not be room for change. What I have a problem with is the idea of trying to get rid of gender roles. Personally I believe God made man and woman different but equal. Regardless of your beliefs about why we are that way, it seems ludicrous to me to believe that men and women are the same or are interchangeable.

Here are some situations where I would prefer a man:
Moving heavy things
Driving (esp. backing out of a tight space)
Packing a car
Fixing just about anything
General protection

Here are some situations where I would prefer a woman:
Shopping
Talking about my feelings
Decorating
Hospitality
Caring for kids

I am not saying that men can't do some of the women things I've listed and that women can't do some of the men things. I am just saying that most men are better than most women at the first list and most women are better than most men at the second list. I mean, my friend, Sarah Morgan O'Bryan picked up a couch and moved it all by herself and my cousin, Roy has decorated his house quite well. I like that men and women are different. If men were just like women, I probably wouldn't be attracted to them. I think when men and women do what they are best at, it actually provides more freedom, not the oppression that feminist theory purports. We are equal but different and for that I am thankful. As you can see, I will not be becoming a feminist therapist anytime in the near future.

The Beginning of My Softball Career

I am still on Spring Break and I am realizing how nice it is to have some free time. Too bad it ends in only a few days. One thing I added to my already busy schedule is a co-ed softball team. Rojas, the P.E. teacher at the school I work at, has organized a co-ed team that plays in March. Basketball is really my sport but I am decent at most sports and enjoy being part of a team. I didn't play softball in high school but I did play some co-ed intra-murals in college. I didn't already have anything scheduled for Friday nights so I agreed to be part of the team.

I missed our first games because I was out of town visiting my brother's family. Last night was my debut performance. Our team is called the Third Base Bullies and we are mostly Mexican. The first team we played was mostly Black and the second team was mostly Asian. I am not sure if all the teams are so racially-segregated but it was pretty funny.

We ended up losing both games. Some innings we looked pretty good and other innings we looked pretty terrible. I played third base and definitely wished I knew more about softball or third base, for that matter. I had pretty realistic expectations of myself so I was happy to do anything good and not mess up too bad. I did okay. I was the second to bat, which was handy since most of the pitchers weren't too warmed up. I ended up getting walked three times, struck out once and got one hit where I beat the tag at first. Not too shabby. I caught a fly ball for an out, I stopped a line drive and caught the ball for an out at third. I made a few mistakes but I like to focus on the positives.

My friend, Erin is on the team and she, like me is fairly athletic but without much softball experience. She was in right field for most of the game and didn't get much action. She hadn't had much luck at the plate either. In the last inning I got walked and then the guy behind me got walked, which meant he got to take two bases. This put me on third. I prayed that Erin would get a hit and she totally did. I ended up running home and scoring a run. It was a nice way to end the game. Too bad we still lost by 10 runs.

It was fun to be part of a team and I look forward to our games next week. Maybe I will find someone who can give me some pointers so I can actually feel like I know what I am doing.

Young Life

I have been a blog slacker but here's a video of what I have been up to.