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I'm glad you think I'm on track...
On the topic of role models, I guess I didn't discuss it because I don't worry about them much. I grew up in a wonderful home, and I forget that not everyone grows up with parents who are sufficient role models. The story you tell is heart-breaking. I cannot imagine growing up that neglected! My two boys, while they do not have a man in the house, still visit their father (when he feels like it) and they spend a lot of time with my dad and my brothers. Grandpa and the two uncles are fantastic role models and mentors, so it's never been a worry for me.
Thanks for reminding me that when there isn't strong family or community support, people may need to look for those who can help fill in the gaps in social, emotional, and physical nurture.
posted by
editormum
on October 3, 2003 at 6:51 PM
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How could one argue or disagree with this?
I have only one comment: You have written nothing here with which any reasonable person would disagree. You didn't mention role models, however, and I think these are increasingly important in our society. I have a nephew who was raised in a household with no males (in Germany, but the location is unimportant). When I met him as a gangling pre-teen, he didn't even know how men urinate. He simply could not relate to my half of the world.
His aunt (my former spouse) and I visited a friend in Seattle who is a wonderful hands-on engineer. Although my nephew couldn't speak English, and my friend couldn't speak German, my friend showed him how to melt lead (which fascinated my nephew since he had no idea that metal could be liquid!), and then they poured soldier moulds, extracted the lead soldiers, cleaned them up, and painted them. My nephew is an adult now, but he still treasures his special lead soldiers--his first introduction into "things male."
posted by
arGee
on October 3, 2003 at 6:37 PM
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