Not so "Prince Charming"

In my culture, dating is huge. People are always asking out and getting asked out. In the short time that I've been in college, I already have a pretty good idea of my "prince charming", and it's not the same idea I had just a few months ago. In high school, I always looked for the guy with the amazing style, doesn't like football and has a great smile, basically a prince. Although I still like those things in a guy, they aren't at the top of my list anymore. I like to be treated like a queen by a guy. Now I'm not saying this in a selfish stuck-up way, but rather in a thoughtful more aware way. If a guy doesn't open my door or jump up to get something for me on the first date, then what are they going to do in marriage? A guy who is aware of there surroundings is an amazing find and something that has become important to me. Although dress is important, I've learned that a man who is just that, not a prince, but a man, is the best for me. God created men and women to be different, but to complete each other. I don't need someone with an amazing style or someone who doesn't watch sports. I need someone who will complete me and work hand-in-hand with me to raise a righteous family and stand by me for eternity. Marriage is so important and dating is just the first step to get there, and like my mom always tells me, you marry who you date, so choose wisely.

Equality

In our society today, it is popular for people to fell like there needs to be equality. I do believe that both genders should have the same pay and that women  are not objects. But how can we be equal when we are so different. It's like giving a person the choice between an apple and an orange. If the person picks the orange, does that mean they are "discriminating" the apple. No. As a girl, I don't want to be drafted into the army, I want maternity leave when I have kids and I want to be a homemaker, not the main provider. Although there are many different circumstances, there is an ideal family for a reason. Man and women were created differently to complete each other. We work perfectly hand in hand for raising children and creating a home of peace. There will never be equality, and that's OK. Maybe someday the rest of the world will understand and accept the truth. 

Culture

We are all different. Not just in looks, but in how we act, what we do and even how we think. This isn't a bad thing, it's just how we are. I will think differently then the two people sitting across form me at the library. Even though we live in the same place and we probably have the same faith, they both have different backgrounds and families. To them, my ways might even seem offbeat and maybe even strange, but it is just how I am. In today's world, some people have a very narrow view on how people should behave. Although I don't agree with what some cultures believe, that doesn't mean that I look down on them or see them in a different way. I know that my family might do things differently, and I like the way we do it, but others like their way because that's what they grew up with. 

"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." -Cesar Chavez

Rules or Respect?

In my home when I was little, there were things that my siblings and I knew we should never do. These included things like waking my mom and dad up early or pushing my sister off the tramp or even ignoring our mom when she asked us to make our bed. All of these so called "rules" weren't necessarily written out and taped to the fridge. We didn't do all of these because we had respect for my parents and their divine authority. As a child, I don't think I had a rebellious bone in my body. I think the most rebellious I ever was, was a time in high school where I didn't clean my room when my mom asked because I was doing homework. Now not every child can be as cool as I was, but there should always be a respectful line between a child and their parents. There can't be a blurred line where the child believes they are at the same level as the mom and dad. The child can then walk all over them and there will be no respect and the child could never learn to think of other. But this doesn't mean that there should be a wall. A wall can damage the relationship and trust between them. There still needs to be a picket fence, where the child and parents can have a mutual respect. Even though I am an adult and no longer live at home, I will still check in at night with my mom. Not because I feel like a need to be parented, but because I know she worries and I love her. Our relationship is strong because we have a mutual respect and a good balance between her being a mother and her being my best friend. A good child/parent relationship can be a determining factor on that child's future, whether it's good or bad.