Posted by:
CrispingPin
(
)
Date: July 17, 2021 09:26PM
Back in the olden days, when I served my mission, men could be called as soon as they turned 19, but women had to wait until they were 21. Men served for two years and women served for 18 months. The differences were due to the “special” (i.e. secondary) status of women. Among many Mormons back then, 21 year old women were considered “old maids” (“hey, she ain’t gettin’ married-she might as well go on a mission”).
Most of the sister missionaries I knew were college graduates. Many of them had some real life experience. They had no leadership possibilities (other than senior companion), yet they had to respect kids who were often only a few months out of high school as their district leaders, zone leaders, and assistants to the president.
A few years ago, TSCC made some changes. The started letting guys go at age 18 (before college and/or living independently could plant any doubts). Woman could serve at age 19. 18 vs. 19-why? Girls mature faster than boys, so if there is a difference, it would make sense for women to serve younger. And why was the 18 month vs. 24 month duration maintained?
I know the answer to my questions. They wanted more female missionaries, and they were willing to make some concessions towards equality, but true equality between the genders just doesn’t work with the Mormon mindset.