Men vs. Women: A Meditation

I think it's safe to say that I've been doing a lot of meditation on men and women recently. Moreover, I've bought a single Catholic girl's dating guide, and in passing conversation with one of those Catholic boys I mentioned earlier, in talking about the LGBT movement, I stated, "I don't understand it. The relationship between a man and a woman will always be deeper and more mysterious than the one between a man and a man or a woman and a woman." I've also been watching sappy Korean romance dramas. Needles to say, this has been at the forefront of my mind lately.

I'm not saying I've got it all figured out, but something did occur to me the other day while reading an article about how young men used to be primed in manners and behavior toward young ladies. Boys were taught to be gentlemen. Gentlemen go out of their way for women - opening doors, pulling out chairs, letting ladies walk out first. But really, when you think about it, both parties are actively doing something.

First, men are active givers. We need to look no further than the Holy Trinity to see this example played out. God the Father gave us His Son. His Son gave us the Holy Spirit. Giving, giving, giving. And it's all characterized as a male action. Men (or men with properly ordered desires) like to give as well. Whether it be gifts in the process of trying to woo a girl, or providing for the family he has created, men like to give. And not to be too crass, but you also see this idea at work in the marriage act. Men give their sperm to a woman.

Women, on the other hand, I believe, occupy a far more unique position. Women are receivers. Far too long has literature and popular opinion characterized this as a passive act.  In fact, probably the worst thing to happen regarding this is the advent of feminism. Really though, reception is an active action. When given a gift, a person is never obligated to receive it. And on top of that, a gift needs to be received with a humble spirit. This is a major fault I have with feminism, and by extension, the LGBT movement - it's rooted in pride. For example, I know a man can open the door for me, but it doesn't necessarily mean he thinks I'm helpless. No, the man is going out of his way, giving a little extra to me, to make my life a little easier. In response, I should graciously and humble accept his action, and by doing so, I am acknowledging reception of his small gift to me. Biblically, of course, the pinnacle of womanly reception would be Mary. But we all know Mary had to actively accept the gift she was given. Moreover, the gift of both Jesus and the Spirit, was given to the church, who is inherently characterized as the Bride of Christ, a female.  And again, the marriage act also exemplifies this. A woman receives the sperm of a man. Just as giving is characterized as a male act, receiving is a very female act.

A lot of our literature that we like to read, especially our romantic comedies, are about this too. Specifically, I'm thinking of The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare. The shrew is tamed, but what's really happening is that Bianca is learning how to be a gracious and humble receiver of the gifts her lover is trying to give to her.

So there you have it. Feel free to discuss. Like I said, it's just something I've been pondering.