Posted by:
Shanti
(
)
Date: April 25, 2011 02:19PM
Hi all, I have read many of your stories & posts with great interest. I'm a never-mo, but my dearest friend since age 12 (we're now 30) was BIC and is a strong-minded but very devout woman. She is literally like my sister, & to her credit, she & her family never pressured me or made me feel "less than", even though I've lived what they consider a very amoral life and have always rejected the church's teachings. (I have experienced a lot of pressure & judgement from other Mormons, though, including her husband's father the former Bishop).
She has 4 boys and 1 girl, and is a kind & loving mother. My question for you all is: How can I (subtly) support her little girl's self-esteem beyond the "be a wife and mother" formula she will be taught? My heart aches for her when I think about how she will have to sit through ridiculously sexist & demeaning YW activities, etc. while all of her brothers do scouts and other exciting things. She is still young enough that she sees no difference between herself and her brothers, but I know this will soon change. I don't want to interfere, but I want to give her positive messages that girls & women are NOT limited by their gender.
What messages, statements, or ideas would have been helpful to you from a trusted non-mo adult, growing up as a (female) child in the church? (Again, for the sake of friendship, I need to be respectful and not too overt.)
Thanks so much for your insight. I wish you all well.