cynical

I was just curious about what your parents taught you in regards to crying and showing emotion.

Were you taught that 'big girls don't cry?' (for the women) or that 'men don't cry?' (for the men) or did your parents took a different approach?

I would appreciate it if you include in your answer your age (to see if there is a generational difference), sex, and whether you think your parents chose the right method. And for those that are parents, what do you teach your children about crying? Does it matter if they're a boy or a girl?

I've noticed within the last couple of days there has been an increase of questions insulting, demeaning, or attacking those who oppose abortion. Most of it's not even real questions but rants. I know the whole debate on the birth control coverage has stirred many feelings but why do so many pro-choicers have started attacking all pro-lifers?

I'm all for birth control and I think this is something many pro-lifers can work with pro-choice people. The important thing here is to prevent unwanted pregnancies so we can reduce the potential of women aborting.

I know we won't agree on the abortion issue ever but shouldn't we try to find some common ground?

The reason for this is because of a question that was posted some minutes ago. It seems that many women who are overweight, obese, or leaning towards chubbiness always say 'this is what real women look like'. Are they suggesting women who are size 2, 4, or 6 are not real women? I thought we all had XX chromosomes.

Do they consider women who are not fat to be some sort of bimbo airhead? It's like they have to put down women who weigh less to feel better about their bodies.

I've seen some of the questions here and it has come to my attention that several women (not all) abhor the idea of paying on dates. They instinctively expect the man to pay. I want to know why that is. Is it because we've been raised to view men as breadwinners and protectors? Do women feel they will emasculate the men they're with if they offer to pay? Or do they simply want to hold onto their purses?

For the men, a mini question if you will: if women offered to pay for half of costs or the entire cost of dinner, would you let her?

This whole question with Romney's religion got me thinking about something which is rather difficult for me to settle. Does Romney's Mormon faith matter in his election? Or is it a private matter?

Some say it should be discussed openly because his faith is something crucial in his character which would dictate what type of president he would be if elected. However, our American culture has long held that religious beliefs should be private and in no way should matter in public life. After all, article six of the constitution states that no religious test should be imposed for public office.

This makes me ponder. I'm atheist and I'm inclined to say that a person's religion or no religion should not matter at all in elections. Yet, a person's religion especially if they are devout would guide the decisions this person would make in office. We cannot ask someone to separate from their religion.

What do you guys think?

These magazines are basically filled with fashion tips, gossip, advice on how to satisfy a man, and ridiculous beauty tips. There isn't anything actually worth learning. If a woman wants to know how to please a man, she should ask a man! Most of the writers of those magazines are women, not men.

I want to know if the women who read it actually take it seriously or do they read it for laughs?

There are much more interesting magazines out there which are worth spending money on: Foreign Policy, The New Yorker, Womens' Health, The Atlantic, and the Economist.

I welcome everyone's opinions but I woud like to hear from women who read these magazines.

I want to see what the people of Gender Studies think about it. I often see most famous women are judged primarily on how they look. Whether these women are artists, wives of famous men, models, etc. But I noticed men are judged on what they can do.

For example, Adriana Lima is famous because of her face and body. Nothing wrong with it, it's a living. Yet, male models aren't really that famous and a man can't really make a living based on his looks. After all, the porn industry is mostly geared for men. Men are judged by their ability. Look at Eli Manning. Or the countless male politicians. It seems a man's success is based on the fruit of his labor while a woman only needs to have a pretty face.

Another example is JFK who is famous for being president and assassinated while in office. His wife became famous because she was married to him and because she looked nice in dresses. That's all she ever did.

Does it seem standards for men are higher than they are for women? Are men to work harder to be seen as winners while if a woman is lucky to be born beautiful she can get attention that way?

What say you?

First all, I'm NOT a Democrat or a liberal. I'm independent, so I have no bones to pick in this fight. But it strikes me how many conservatives who constantly criticized former Pres. Clinton for his philandering are fine with Gingrich's own womanizing ways.

Sure, he is married now (thrice) but he was a hypocrite too when he demonized Clinton for his affair with Lewinsky while he was also cheating on his wife. Yet, he is one of the main runners in the 2012 primaries and perhaps win the nomination. How?

A lot of his public policies ideas aren't that sound and I know Romney is not a true conservative. But Santorum would seem like the best option for people who uphold the 'family values' platform.

Why is Gingrich so popular with many Republicans? Is the loathing of Obama so strong that many are willing to turn a blind eye?

We usually hear about how gender roles originates from us being taught in what way to behave according to our sex. For example, a mother tells her daughter how to sit properly and how to behave around people as a lady should. Just like a boy is taught how to say hi to other males (usually shaking hands).

But do you believe there is a huge difference in how adults interact with babies based on the infant's sex?

Watch this video and tell me what your opinion is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMldVZOxW64&feature...

If so, do you think there is validity in how the adults behave with the baby?

I had crooked upper teeth as a child. I had braces on when I was 9 or 10 for 3 years. I was told to wear a retainer every day so my teeth could remain straight. I did but it gave me a lisp which I hated, I'm embarrassed to say that after 2 weeks I stopped using it solely because of that. It was immature. Now I regret it because my upper teeth has turned a bit crooked.

Is there any chance that age 21 or maybe 22 (don't know how much it cost, might need to save money) teeth could be fixed again? Or is it too late already?

In an interview, Representative (R-IA) Steve King said that Obama favors blacks over whites.

His direct quote is " The president has demonstrated that he has a default mechanism in him that breaks down the side of race on the side that favors the black person in the case of professor Gates and officer Crowley."

He was obviously referring to the incident with Professor Gates of Harvard and the police where Obama defending Gates.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100615/ap_on_go_co/us...

What do you think about his comments? Is it true? Or do you think King's remarks were very much false?

I have a human sexuality class and we were assigned to do a survey about LGBT individuals. I chose to do about bisexuality since it is usually overlooked by many. I would appreciate it if any bisexual can answer the questions, I need at least 15 participants and I thought y/a was the proper venue for this. I can't exactly go up to people in the street and ask if they are bisexual. LOL.

1) Did you realize or became aware of your bisexuality early in life or later? For example, did you identify as straight before until you reach 18 or 19 years of age when you realized your same-sex attractions.

2) Was it difficult to accept your sexuality?

3) Can you tell if someone else is also bisexual or is it impossible to know?

4) Are you out as bisexual?

5) Are you more attracted to men or women? Also, do your types change regarding the sexes of your partner? For example, if a bisexual man likes tall women but he likes short men.

6) Do you find yourself one day attracted to one sex more than the other or completely attracted to only one sex depending on your mood?

7) Do you see yourself marrying the opposite sex just to have a 'traditional' family?

8) Do you feel isolated by the gay community as well by the straights?

9) Do you believe bisexuality is more prevalent than it is led on?

10) Are you a feminine or masculine individual? For example, if you are a bisexual woman do you dress according to gender standards or go more "butch" or androgynous.

Thanks for your answers and I hope I don't offend anybody. If any of the questions do please tell me why, I'll appreciate any constructive criticism.

It seems to me that we've gained morality along the way. We've developed a conscience as the years have gone by we have become better people collectively speaking. Much of the Western world and other parts too have:

-Developed universal suffrage

-Abolished slavery

-Ended racial segregation

Why do you think this is? What caused the change? Before in the 1700s, slavery was widely accepted. Prior to 1920, women in the U.S. weren't allowed to vote. And it's been about 40 years that we ended the Jim Crow laws. How come before we were okay with treating others as inferior but now it's seem as morally reprehensible?

I ask this because many are saying how good the "old days" were and how morally corrupt we are now. And that religion brings morality yet Abraham had slaves and I'm sure not many believed in giving women the right to vote. So what gives?

I wanted to know how many here can say they spend sufficient or adequate time with their children while they were growing up. By this I mean maybe talking with them for more than 10 minutes, going some place with them at least once a month, playing with them while they were little, etc. All of those 'quality' time that we hear about now. Did you felt close to your children? Or was it more of a distant parent-child relationship?

If you didn't, why not? Was it work that kept you away? Also, my last question which is sort of a mini poll: do you think that adult children (above 18) still need to spend time with their parents like younger children do?

No hago esta para ofender a nadie o hacer problemas. Estoy curiosa por saber que es lo que ustedes piensan que es la raza de esta persona.

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http://www.thecinemasource.com/moviesdb/images/Ben...

From real life experience and from being on this forum for many months it seems that many here think native americans are basically defunct. But that is not the case at all. Sure, the indigenous people in the U.S. are low in numbers but not the indigenous of the Americas (big difference).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_(Ame...

Native Americans applies to people living in South America, North America, and Central America. It's the Americas! So how come people say that native americans are almost extinct when in Mexico they form the second largest population? In Peru, it's the highest population at 45%. In Bolivia it's 60% and Ecuador has about 40%. Central American countries like El Salvador, Guatemala also have substantial native populations.

Why are people confusing native American to native to the U.S.? They're not the same thing.

http://www.native-languages.org/south-america.htm

http://indian-cultures.com/

It's actually high in numbers compared to some other groups. And don't get indigenous confused with mestizo. Many from Latin America are full-blooded indigenous.

I've noticed recently that many theists seem to think they are superior because they have religion. As I've seen many claim that since they believe in hell that stops them from doing evil things.

But I just want to know if that is true morality. I mean, if a person helps someone because he thinks it would help him get to heaven is that being moral or looking out for yourself? How about helping someone just because you feel like it? Is that any less moral?

I'm getting the impression here that many believers are only behaving because they are afraid of hell. And if that's true then it means it's not true morality because it doesn't come from within, from your own desire to do good but out of fear.

I know this question might seem odd but after all we are in the philosophy section.

Many philosophers have debated on what is true happiness and does it even exist.

I want to know honestly how many of you are 100% happy with your life? You won't change anything about it, you feel fortunate, do not have any regrets, and continue looking forward?

Many people say "I'm happy but things could be better" or "I'm content" which is not really being happy so I want to know has happiness reached you?

It's no secret that Oral Roberts and Liberty University are mediocre schools (even below mediocre). But my question is why are Catholic universities better on every scale than Oral Roberts or Liberty University? They're all Christian and founded with principles deriving from their religion but the difference is obvious.

Notre Dame (Catholic) selective school

Georgetown (Catholic) a top school

Boston College (Catholic) also selective and a top school

And there are many more in the Northeast which are all accredited, have selective requirements for applicants, graduates get good jobs within recent months. Why the difference?

The only christian thing I see about Christmas is the "Christ" in it but that's it. And we all know here that Jesus was not born on Dec. 25th and that was a day designated Pope Julius I to try to christianize the pagan holidays. The following are facts and I want to hear your opinion

-Romans celebrated the feast of Saturnus in the winter, they decorated houses with greens and lights and exchange gifts (sound familiar?)

- In England, Druids used holly for eternal life and used evergreen trees in their ceremonies

-It is said Martin Luther began the custom of decorating evergreen trees because he was awed with their appearance

-However, christmas wasn't seen as a christian holiday like today. The Puritans banned Christmas and would punish anyone who was caught celebrating it.

-It is likely that Jesus (if he existed) was born during fall or spring as it is very unlikely that Shepherds kept their sheep on hills during wintertime

-Also, in Jeremiah 10:2-5 KJV it speaks out against decorating trees:

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Now I'm not going to bash this holiday that we all love but it does see many think it is all christian when it's not. It is the product of pre-Christian traditions just with a christian name.

http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html

http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th.shtml

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremi...