I was just reading Michelle's blog "The He Man Woman Haters Club" and it made me think of the movie "The Little Rascals."  Not only did they sport such a club in that film, they also were sure to represent their junior-high-age distaste for woman in creative ways such as putting kitty litter in the lovely Darla's sandwiches and writing love notes consisting of: "Dear Darla, you make me sick."  I would imagine such a female alienating club is every 11-year-old boys dream. That is until they hit about fourteen and realize there is nothing sickening about a woman -- frustrating maybe -- but most definitely not sickening. 

It goes without saying that the lines of men and women are clearly divided in many regards.  Gender difference roots right to the earliest days of childhood.  Little boys like to hit things, little girls want to make things pretty.  This mysterious division, tension if you will, presses on right through childhood until one day it suddenly becomes as clear as the crystal glasses I can never use in my mom's china cabinet -- boys aren't so gross, in fact, perhaps the opposite.  Still, regardless of this newfound desire to impress the opposite sex, tension remains.

In Michelle's last post she elaborated on mutual labels that quickly become gender stereotypes and are inevitably hurtful.  Lines like "boys never get it" and "girls are too sensitive" really don't get people anywhere, yet they unfortunately float through conversation and pretty soon a "He Man Woman (or Man) Haters Club" is borne.  

As I've stated in posts before, and as I firmly believe, God created gender differences as beneficial, not as destructive.  It is true many women are sensitive, but isn't that a good thing?  Isn't it wonderful for a woman to be loving, caring, and gentle?  Just the same, while most men don't get many "womanly whiles" isn't that good as well?  Men are generally tough, resilient, and fairly stable.  Though I suppose there are some women not too loving and caring and some men not so tough and resilient, and to avoid stereotyping that's alright too.  Regardless, sure a woman need not be a drama queen and a man aloof and detached, but the essence of our personality differences is a very good thing.

I agree with Michelle: stereotypes are, well, lame.  That is unless you're pulling a hilarious prank on Darla. :-)