Why I Hate Gender Neutrality

At the risk of being offensive, I'm going to share my feelings on the Alberta government's new "gender neutral" policies.

I believe strongly in equal importance of the sexes, and I believe that men and women's respective strengths and weaknesses complement each other in a yin-yang effect that is important to embrace for a successful and happy life.

I believe that men and women are intellectual equals. Women are naturally more compassionate, and men are naturally more analytical. This makes for an excellent balance in a society of equal rights.

I believe men are more physically suited for hard labour. Women are more physically suited for administrative, academic, or domestic roles. I say this while I work in an administrative role and I am the main cook at home, so I am fully aware that this is an over-generalization, but that doesn't make it less true. I'm definitely better suited to go throw square bales into the back of a truck than my wife is. This is true for most couples. Men's domination of leadership roles is strictly a leftover of the patriarchy, but is slowly lessening.

I believe that being a manly man is something to strive for and be proud of. I believe that being a womanly woman is something to strive for and be proud of. Being a manly man includes being in complete control of (sometimes out of touch with) his emotions, being a leader, some form of physical prowess, commanding the respect of betters, peers, and subordinates in equal measure, being able to put food on the table, and being responsible for the protection of loved ones. I also appreciate the "rites to manhood" like swimming in a mountain river, snaring food, hunting, fishing, camping, building fires, shaving, growing a beard, etc. I'll admit complete ignorance in what it takes to be a womanly woman, but I think it has something to do with being awesome in ways that I can't fathom while still having time to do her hair, but I don't know. I don't think men are meant to understand that. However, men can still tell on a subconscious level how womanly a woman is, and respect her for that.

I believe it is a positive thing to encourage children to learn to be manly men and womanly women. It's more important to encourage happiness of course, but there's nothing wrong with gender roles! My very young son likes to wear nail polish. That's fine, when he's old enough I'm still going to teach him how to sharpen a hunting knife. He'll just have to take it off when he's learning how to stalk a deer because I don't want the deer to smell it.

I believe the best successes are had in parenthood when there is a mother and father both in the household. Single parents or same-sex couples can do just fine, but I think it's more difficult for them.

I believe male and female emotions are very different in how they must be managed. It's a man's job to teach his son how, and a woman's job to teach her daughter how. This is one of the most important lessons of parenthood, because understanding the difference between delayed satisfaction and instant gratification can be the difference between a happy, successful life, or incarceration.

I believe that males and females should only be nude in the same room if they are consenting adults, or young children who don't know the difference but are accompanied by a trusted guardian. Adult men and women want to be nude together? Cool, where's the hot tub? Adults think it's okay to put boys and girls in the same change room? Nope, and I'll take a hard line on that.

I believe it is wrong to compel the overwhelming majority to make lifestyle changes for the comfort of a small minority. The minority must be protected from harm, and they are free to do what they wish as long as it hurts no one. However, it is up to the minority to adapt and compromise, not the other way around.

Same-Sex Couples

I am uncomfortable when I see two guys making out. I have your attention now, don't I?

I don't consider myself homophobic or against homosexuality in any way. In fact, one of my favourite people happens to be gay. He even lived with me for a while. I'm totally cool with it, as long as I don't have to see it.

I have a theory about why it makes me uncomfortable. I actually enjoy watching attractive females taking part in public displays of affection, or just doing inappropriate things to seek attention. Yes, I am that guy. It isn't because of my feelings regarding homosexuality that I'm uncomfortable watching guys, it's simply that I'm not attracted to them, so it's weird. I'm attracted to women, so it's cool. I'm not attracted to men, so it's awkward. How about that?

Anyways, I am strongly in favour of same-sex couples. Congratulations on getting together with someone who makes you happy. If you want to marry them, power to ya! And the more gay guys, the better. Less competition for us not-as-sexy straight guys. I already won and found myself a beautiful wife, but I still cheer for my former team.

When it comes to same-sex marriage, I don't think it's the government's place to tell us who we can and cannot marry (as long as they're both human consenting adults mentally able to make the decision). I also don't believe that the government should tell marriage commissioners, religious or otherwise, who they have to marry and who they can't. I think the marriage commissioners have a moral responsibility to not marry anyone they don't think should be married. Whether that reason is that he doesn't like them, or if he doesn't think they're a good couple, or if he suspects abuse, a marriage commissioner should make that responsible call. If the couple seeking marriage disagrees with the commissioner, they should find a different one.

I found a video on YouTube about gay marriage that made me giggle. I couldn't embed it, but here is a link to it:

http://youtu.be/X-YCdcnf_P8