Imported post: Facebook Post: 2020-12-04T22:15:48

I’m becoming a bit more outspoken about being an advocate lately- hopefully that doesn’t bother any of you. One of the hot button issues I’m trying to be especially supportive on is infertility- because there’s a LOT of support needed for that pain, guys. (Especially in LDS culture, if you think about it.) I’ve had a problem with my region and religion’s cultural beliefs regarding womanhood and the way it peaks at being a mother for a long long while... but I think that’s understandable in my case, and others like mine. If you were to put yourself in my shoes perhaps you would feel the same and perhaps you would not. I feel that I should be regarded as a wonderful and strong talented *person* because of my strengths, of which I have many... Because of what I bring to those around me. I try to make my surroundings more beautiful and those of the people I love and enjoy. And because of the way I push past my pain- I have lots. Not because I have x number of kids. (None.) Not because I’m a wife. Even though I am, and I enjoy it. And not because I’m a Christian/LDS/Mormon woman, though that defines me personally too. So... yeah. I’ve been thinking about the way we’re ‘culturally’ taught to define ourselves vs. how we are literally taught to define ourselves. There’s definitely a divide. So I appreciate this perspective from Dr. Julie Hanks a lot! I feel it!

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