"Why do people choose the substitute over God himself? Probably the most important reason is that it obviates accountability to God. We can meet idols on our own terms because they are our own creations. They are safe, predictable, and controllable; they are, in Jeremiah's colorful language, the 'scarecrows in a cornfield' (10:5). They are portable and completely under the user's control. They offer nothing like the threat of a God who thunders from Sinai and whose providence in this world so often appears to us to be incomprehensible and dangerous . . . [People] need face only themselves. That is the appeal of idolatry."
- David F. Wells
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Inspired by two (seemingly) unrelated pieces I read online this morning.
1- Should Women be allowed in Combat?
I just heard on the news this week that women will now be officially allowed combat roles for the first time in the U.S. Military. This is because in the past 10 years of the "War on Terror", there have been woman who had to take on combat roles by necessity, even if that wasn't their primary role.
In response, Rick Santorum just re-articulated the two basic and traditional arguments against it:
As one reason, Santorum cites “the emotions of men.’’ The White House hopeful says there is the potential that men will not be focused on their combat mission but on what he calls a “natural instinct’’ to protect a woman.
Santorum also questions having women in combat roles because of what he says are “all sorts of physical issues’’ relating to the capabilities of men and women.
I include this quote from him not because I want to discuss Santorum on this thread, but because I expect, for the first time, these two traditional arguments to be mocked and scoffed. He had the audacity to say them out loud and to many these arguments will seem outdated and sexist.
I don't think they are. I think these are timeless and timely arguments. I have never served in the military, but for various reasons I've been blessed with many, many close relationships with those who have. And every soldier I've ever talked to about it re-articulates the two arguments above.
I remember in particular my Junior ROTC instructor, an army ranger who voluntarily served two tours of duty in Vietnam say, "Combat is bad enough with men, your brothers, dying all around you. But still it is a totally different experience to see a woman with her face blown off. There's just something naturally ingrained into men. You have to protect her...and then you will compromise the mission. You won't be able to focus on what you need to do."
It's been over 20 years...and I still remember the soft tone that this very tough man took and the horror I felt, when he said, "woman with her face blown off".
Combat is ugly, ugly business. And yes, it's far uglier when women are a part of it.
2- Why are Hollywood portrayals of women in the role of men always tragic?
From the Plugged-In review of the new movie "Albert Nobbs" about a woman who spends her life pretending to be a man.
A postscript: While addressing the issue of historical gender disparity so profoundly illustrated in Albert Nobbs, I feel compelled to make an observation about its modern incarnation in movies. What happens when one gender plays the other? When men put on a dress and lipstick, the intended effect is almost always laughter. Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie. Tyler Perry's turns as Madea. Adam Sandler as brother and sister twins in Jack and Jill. John Travolta as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.
When women play men, however, the outcome is more often tragic. Sooner or later, we've been taught to anticipate, these vulnerable women's well-cloaked secret—usually under layers of femininity-disguising clothes—will be revealed. And their worlds will explode. Or end. The most prominent example of this (before Albert Nobbs)? The story of Brandon Teena (played by Hilary Swank), horrifically illustrated in 1999's Boys Don't Cry.
I thought of a couple more examples that the reviewer, Adam Holz, didn't mention.
Men as women: Tom Hanks' TV sitcom - Bosom Buddies, Tony Curtis in "Some Like it Hot", Martin Lawrence in "Big Momma's House", Two Wayans brothers as "White Chicks", Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, Barry Watson in Sorority Boys, "Juwanna Man". I'm sure you all could think of more, or look it up. All of them are comedies and not just comedies, but madcap ridiculous comedies.(or at least are supposed to be.)
Women as men: First of all, there aren't as many. There were two comedies, "Just one of the Guys"(1985) and "She's the Man" with Amanda Bynes. (2006) But these are exceptions, and even those had serious undertones and sections. Usually women disguised as men aren't funny. It's usually serious, but more often tragic. Barbara Streisand as "Yentl"; The Ballad of Little Jo, in which a woman must dress as a man to survive in the west, when she is found out post-mortem the pain is expressed as violent anger. In "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" Eowyn dressed as a male soldier so that she can ride into combat, though she performs admirably, her little foray still ends with violence and sadness.
These are serious movies, and the storyline of "woman disguised as a man" never ends well and almost always tragically (both in the dramatic and emotional sense.)
Even Hollywood with all it's liberal sensibilities can't seem to quite escape from...
(yes, I'm going to go ahead and be bold enough to say it)
...our God-given gender roles.
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Comments on "When Women Take On The Roles Of Men":
2. nhe
- 02/11/2012 3:02 pm CST
This is a GREAT post Phillip. I have a close friend who is a Christian Counselor (he's a Crabb /Allander disciple)........this issue is one of his passions because he sees it in so many ways in his practice - especially single mom's having to take on some of the responsibilities of a father.
He feels that the American media and movie makers have waged a full on assault on the traditional roles of women in recent years - he predicted this day would come a few years back - I remember him telling me how tragic he thought it would be.
Good on Santorum for speaking up - he's officially my guy - he was before, but this seals it.
3. MDD
- 02/11/2012 4:53 pm CST
I read a book recently where an interesting point was made that the feminist movement is an outgrowth of technology. Basically the idea in a nutshell is that technology is an equalizer. It was an interesting concept for me being as I am a twenty something woman. I've never been outside the level playing field that society has provided so in some senses gender roles are fuzzier. That being said i think a war zone probably puts the gender roles we enjoy in safety in a different order.
4. Tony
- 02/12/2012 6:40 am CST
Interesting post - great high level overview that supports a detailed topic. I can "feel" the research that you put into it.
"Many women are raising their sons without the benefit of a father."
Yes, I believe this has a greater impact to our society than one might initially think. In fact, what you think about this topic probably dictates your political position in divided America. I'm not suggesting to eliminate welfare for low income single moms. The welfare benefits are intended to be temporary and there are several cases where the father is not being responsible. But since there is that welfare safety net, it can cause men to reason not having to support his child and there will be less pressure from society that the father needs to marry the woman he got pregnant.
Back in the old days, some marriages were formed for economic reasons and not simply romance. There was a strong dependence on one another to make it in life but with abortion and welfare, the woman has a "safety net" to walk away from the relationship and the father will have "less guilt" if he walks away.
My mother raised me alone. I wish she would have married and I had a father growing up but I would say it didn't necessarily harm me. Certainly being a Christian has kept me challenged to step up and be a good father to my children.
I'm conservative politically and I'm not ready to eliminate the welfare program, so I don't necessarily have any answers but I do believe big picture it is contributing to our fatherless society and ultimately to failed attempts of woman trying to take on the roles of men raising their children.
5. Tony
- 02/12/2012 6:54 am CST
"feminist movement is an outgrowth of technology"
MDD, I at first dismissed your post, but now that I've reread it, it did bring to mind our white collar job force increase as a result of computers and technology. Yes, since I do work in an office environment, I've witnessed a friendly environment for woman. Organizational, typing and communication skills are desired in the office these days and you could argue that per capita women can do a better job than men naturally in these areas. So yes a workforce with less manufacturing (blue collar) and more office jobs (white collar) empower woman in our society. It is what it is.
7. Shrode
- 02/13/2012 8:58 am CST
Flyaway,
Interesting point. I wonder if you are right or if there is a natural, inherent in all men, instinct to protect women that will never be conditioned or bred out of them.
I don't know. I fear that you might be right.
I do find it interesting that the military conditions men to kill...and have to because of an inherent instinct not to. So perhaps a new part of boot camp will become conditioning men to think of women in exactly the same way as they would men.
With the full and open acceptance of homosexuals in the military, I've wondered what the purpose of separate barracks for the sexes is anymore. I mean, if the person showering or sleeping next to you is also generally attracted to people of your gender, and our soldiers are supposed to just ignore that, then why bother separating genders at all anymore?
And so perhaps we are now two more steps down the road of there being no differences between men and women in the military. I wonder if that means that the physical standards will become the same across gender as well? (Probably not.)
Leave a Comment:
I think there has been a sad change in gender roles in the past years. Many women are raising their sons without the benefit of a father. The boys see how their mothers can do everything without a man so when they get married they expect their wives to do everything their mothers did and to take care of them. They have no need to protect women as they believe the women can protect themselves. Thus when the women go into combat they will have no problem with a woman getting her face blown off.