Sunday, June 26, 2011
Your Teacher Said What?! by Joe Kernen and Blake Kernen
When I received this book as an advance copy from Goodreads, I was nervous about picking it up. After all, I always skip the financial sections of the Wall Street Journal in favor of the political or human interest sections. I know the free market system is an important part of our freedom, but I couldn't articulate the reasons. I honestly dreaded trying to wade through a book on finances. However, I was hooked in the preface when Joe Kernen said, "We believe that free-market capitalism is not only the most powerful engine for human prosperity ever but also history's strongest force for freedom and human advancement. We believe - no we know - that economic freedom is as important as religious freedom or freedom of speech. We believe that productive work, freely exchanged, is a virtue, just like charity feely given." Wow. Well said! If you want to be able to understand and share these ideas with your kids and the people around you, BUY THIS BOOK.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Romance Books as Emotional Porn
I just finished reading a post about the hypocrisy of Deseret Book for selling "emotional porn." I typed a response, but I thought I should spend a few moments here to talk about my thoughts on the subject.
I grew up reading clean romances. I dreamed of a day when I could read romances by LDS authors - romances that were fun and exciting and had the dream of a temple marriage as a thrilling part of the story. There weren't any stories like that when I was growing up.
Now we have a variety of good LDS romance writers. The books are clean, exciting, and fun to read, and I have no second thoughts at handing them to my daughters to enjoy.
As was mentioned on "Reach Upward," girls aren't visual like boys. They are emotional. Their need for emotional involvement is an important part of a relationship.
The Proclamation on the Family makes it clear that men and women are different. Our differences are eternal. It is important for our daughters to learn that their emotional responses are normal, healthy, and God-given. They don't always listen to what we have to say. If they can get involved in a good story, they can learn some important lessons without our saying a word.
I heartily agree that most contemporary romances are emotional pornography. They don't belong in our homes. If you read books that describe intimate scenes between men and women that should only be performed after you're married, you know you're reading pornography.
As Reach Upward pointed out, that kind of pornography is as addictive for the same reason as visual pornography is to men.
However, LDS romance novels do not cause the same kind of physical responses as the contemporary romances do. They are written in such a way to teach eternal concepts about love, family, the importance of temple marriages, and to value the differences between men and women.
LDS romances are no more pornographic than an image of girls in their Sunday best. There is no comparison.
I grew up reading clean romances. I dreamed of a day when I could read romances by LDS authors - romances that were fun and exciting and had the dream of a temple marriage as a thrilling part of the story. There weren't any stories like that when I was growing up.
Now we have a variety of good LDS romance writers. The books are clean, exciting, and fun to read, and I have no second thoughts at handing them to my daughters to enjoy.
As was mentioned on "Reach Upward," girls aren't visual like boys. They are emotional. Their need for emotional involvement is an important part of a relationship.
The Proclamation on the Family makes it clear that men and women are different. Our differences are eternal. It is important for our daughters to learn that their emotional responses are normal, healthy, and God-given. They don't always listen to what we have to say. If they can get involved in a good story, they can learn some important lessons without our saying a word.
I heartily agree that most contemporary romances are emotional pornography. They don't belong in our homes. If you read books that describe intimate scenes between men and women that should only be performed after you're married, you know you're reading pornography.
As Reach Upward pointed out, that kind of pornography is as addictive for the same reason as visual pornography is to men.
However, LDS romance novels do not cause the same kind of physical responses as the contemporary romances do. They are written in such a way to teach eternal concepts about love, family, the importance of temple marriages, and to value the differences between men and women.
LDS romances are no more pornographic than an image of girls in their Sunday best. There is no comparison.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fathers and Daughters
When I was working on some issues with my adopted children, we were having weekly in-home visits with a specialist. During a time when I was going through a particularly challenging moment, the therapist looked me in the eye and said, "You must have a wonderful father."
I stopped what I was saying and said, "Yes, I do. How did you know?"
She smiled and said, "Daughters' self esteem are created by their fathers."
That was a revelation. I'd never heard of that kind of power in a father. From that moment on, I watched fathers with their daughters. I reflected on my own relationship with my Dad. I watched my husband with our daughters. Every moment men spend with their daughters is precious and meaningful. Those moments either tear the girl down or build her up. How grateful I am for a father who spent his time building his daughters up.
If you'd like to read a book describing this important relationship, I recommend Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, MD.
Thanks, Dad.
I stopped what I was saying and said, "Yes, I do. How did you know?"
She smiled and said, "Daughters' self esteem are created by their fathers."
That was a revelation. I'd never heard of that kind of power in a father. From that moment on, I watched fathers with their daughters. I reflected on my own relationship with my Dad. I watched my husband with our daughters. Every moment men spend with their daughters is precious and meaningful. Those moments either tear the girl down or build her up. How grateful I am for a father who spent his time building his daughters up.
If you'd like to read a book describing this important relationship, I recommend Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, MD.
Thanks, Dad.
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