Last week in class we discussed dating and preparing ourselves for marriage. Dating is not only a fun way to get to know people, but it is also vital in preparing ourselves for marriage.
Once we are involved in an exclusive relationship, we start to get a glimpse of what it will be like to be married; you start sharing ideas with the other person, planning for the future of both people, and being consciously aware of your finances.

The dating process is important in leading up to dating exclusively because we get to do a variety of activities with several different people to see who they truly are in varying situations. The problem is that in today's world, youth are very quick to begin dating one person very seriously after only a date or two. But if a young man tries to date several different girls, he gets labeled as being "sneaky" or dealing behind the backs of others.

It's hard to find a balance between keeping things light and fun, especially if the other party (or parties) has different views of feelings on how dating should be done.

A few weeks ago we discussed the specific roles that each gender has. In today's world, many people are trying to make females more masculine, or men less brutish. Many people think that our gender characteristics are just something that our environment teaches us, or that people have come to expect of us and so we assume those roles.
However, if you look at the traditional family unit (mother and father, with children) you see that each gender has very important duties, and that they are necessary to complete the family. Females (the mothers) are meant to nurture and raise the children with love and kindness. Men are also loving and cherishing of the children, but also work and provide for the family.
This is the pattern that we can see throughout the history of the world, in all types of cultures and religions.

Social class and culture play a large part in how our families develop. A large part of social class is determined by our financial status. If there are financial difficulties, that can cause stress and contention within the home. On the other hand, a family that is wealthy may put more value and importance on money than on other values or ethics.
The biggest influence on the family can be the culture in which a family is. This can be culture due to religion, politics, or the area that you live. Traditions and habits can develop through out entire communities.
I noticed this while spending time in Brazil. I was in the Northeast, which is known for being the poorer and less educated part of the country. The people there are very nice and friendly, but when it comes to families, they are very casual. Marriage is not common at all, and the family is often dispersed and children go to live with other relatives at a young age.

If we want to develop a certain type of family, we need to be aware of the culture around us, and make sure it's conducive to the family we want.
As previously mentioned, religion can play a large role in the type of culture we develop. It can be one of the most secure sources of creating a well-balanced environment in which to raise our children.

During one of our class discussions we were pointing out the various responsibilities that each member in the family has, and what role they play in keeping the family together. The teacher used a really good example when he brought 5 students to the front of the class and had them all clasp hands in a circle, and then lean outwards, away from each other. The teacher then proceeded to pull slightly on one of the students, causing the others to have to pull in the opposite direction in order to help the first student stay standing. The teacher went from student to student, each time pulling backwards on the student and watching as the other 4 compensated.
This is how stress works in our families. One person will feel the pull, but if there are strong family ties, the others will help support the individual. One observation that was made was that it was often difficult and even hurt a little bit when the students had to tighten their grip. I think this is definitely realistic in the fact that when one member struggles, the rest of the family will often feel the strain, or even discomfort, as they are helping the one in need.
This activity showed the importance of having family ties and always being there for one another, and not giving up either.