Manhood and Womanhood
"God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." -Genesis 1:27
Understanding gender as a principle of being
Masculinity or femininity is "a constituent part of the person, not just an attribute of the person."
-John Paul II, General Audience, Nov 21, 1979.
During the first five years of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II gave a series of Wednesday General Audiences outside St. Peter's on the topic of human sexuality which collectively have become known as The Theology of The Body. The physical differences between men and women embody complimentary spiritual strengths, abilities, aptitudes and beauty all divinely designed and instilled. The relationship between masculine and feminine transcends the material world, existing not only between a man and woman in marriage, but also between the mystical Bridegroom and Bride: Christ and The Church; priests and their congregations; consecrated religious and Christ. It is through the union of these complementary masculine and feminine attributes that the image of God becomes fully realized in Man.
In the name of justice and equality, our society has attempted to downplay the differences between men and women. Some have felt that differences between boys and girls are only the result of society impressing sexual norms or restrictions on children. Neurological and psychological studies have found the opposite to be true. We are "hard-wired" differently. While in terms of worldly careers or political positions, a man or woman can both "do anything," they have unique abilities inherent to their masculinity or femininity. The more they understand these unique gifts, the more they can bring to their specific vocation, and the better they can understand and relate to each other.
The essential qualities of masculinity and femininity are strengths that young men and women should be striving to develop in themselves in order to reach their full potential. In addition, when relating to the opposite sex, it is important to understand these complementary differences so as not to demand that a man think and respond like a woman, or a woman think and respond like a man.
We discussed some neuropsychological differences between the male and female brain as well as masculine and feminine archetypes, to better understand what it means to be a "real man" and a "real woman."
We had role playing by two teens acting out the opposite sex, and all the teens described masculine and feminine traits, first describing their own sex's traits and then the opposite sex's. In addition to amusing differences of perspective, there were also some consistent differences between men and women noted which had been extensively described and expanded upon by John Paul II in his Theology of The Body. The initial reaction is often not to see the strengths of the opposite sex, but their weaknesses: boys noting girls' tendency to be over emotional or to take offense easily and the girls noting boy's insensitivity and inability to take a hint (being "clueless"). What we then tried to do was focus on the complementary strengths of these weaknesses: An "over emotional" female reaction is complemented by a more logical response in the male keeping perspective on the issue;" but this logical approach can be insensitive in the male and is complemented by greater sensitivity in the female. In fact, all of our strengths can become our greatest weaknesses if they are not coupled with their complementary strengths in the opposite sex. The male's physical strength and leadership can become abusiveness and tyranny if not tempered by the female's gentleness and receptiveness, and these traits in the female can become timid weakness if not coupled with the complementary male traits. The male's abstract thinking and logical analysis can become cold insensitivity without the female's empathy and intuition, but without the complementary male traits, these can lead to emotional over reaction and gullibility in the female.
Excellent male and female archetypes in our times are John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta: the ideal king and queen, warrior and defender, each living out their complementary strengths which seen together reflect the true image of God.
A Drop of Clear Water is a lay support group for Catholic teens. Our goal is to bring together teens who love their faith, are committed to chastity, and are ready to explore the wonder and beauty of Catholicism.