August 20th    “It is not done in our culture for a man to sweep the house and serve his wife and family at table. I could never act like a servant,” one man announced. “What will my friends think,” he added.   “Are our gender stereotypes determined by others, or do we make our own decisions?”   “They say peer pressure is great on young people, but I think it is just as hard for us men,”  Most of the men  agreed and one added, “Also in polygamous families how can a father be fully available to a larger number of wives and children?”    

He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12.   Pope Francis:     Some societies still maintain the practice of polygamy; in other places arranged marriages endure.   In many places the practice of living together before marriage is widespread, as well as cohabitation which totally excludes any intention to marry.  AL53.  The equal dignity of men and women makes us rejoice to see old forms of discrimination disappear, and within families there is a growing reciprocity.   If certain forms of feminism have arisen which we must consider inadequate, we must nonetheless see in the women’s movement the working of the Spirit for a clearer recognition of the dignity and rights of women.  AL 54.