In response to Tamica's Week 1 blog

Dana said...
I think what you’re saying is common in our society. Wanting to “live and let live,” trying to respect all types of love and expression, and questioning our own ideals of gender as you did here, are all valid concepts that I adhere to as well. It is interesting that you question and challenge your reasons for discomfort, as it feels adverse to your values. I think the key is in being a parent. Suddenly our rules and behaviors change. Although we may believe one thing we might unintentionally stray from consistently upholding said beliefs when it concerns our child. Or maybe it’s not that anything truly changes, but that there is a different set of mental rules/values so to speak when it comes to parenting. I don’t know how I would feel being that I’m not a mother. I would think the display would not bother me, but my child’s understanding of it would. At a young age I’m not sure how much children comprehend of gender identity or sexual orientations that go against those prescribed. Who knows, maybe being exposed to a greater variety of these would create a more open minded social structure, if the next generation is more comfortable than the last. That is merely my perspective as an idealist. Yet I could see how religion, family or traditional values passed down, and a number of other factors could influence one’s reaction.