Question of the Day
Jeff Cooper (1920-2006) was an American firearms instructor who systematically studied, refined, and taught self-defense using the mind, the handgun, and the rifle. His books and his commentaries are interesting to read, not only for his practical firearms information, but his well-written expositions on the meaning of masculinity. Cooper maintained a carefully thought-out vision of what it means to be a man that would not be alien to our friends at The Art of Manliness.
In one passage in The Art of the Rifle, Cooper wrote about the instructional duties of a father to his sons:
I'm personally leery of any formal concept of masculinity or femininity because it can mean getting yourself trapped in the identity with which other people desire to burden you (e.g. "X is what it means to be manly; why aren't you doing X?).
Nonetheless, I agree with Cooper's general sentiment that a parent should prepare a child to enter a dangerous world. Here are, of the top of my head, some of the skills that I will intentionally teach my daughters:
What skills do you think are essential for parents to teach their children?
via The View from North Central Idaho | Photo by Flickr user bterrycompton used under Creative Commons license
In one passage in The Art of the Rifle, Cooper wrote about the instructional duties of a father to his sons:
Before the young man leaves home, there are certain things he should know and certain skills he should acquire, apart from any state-sponsored activity. Certainly the youngster should be taught to swim, strongly and safely, at distance. And young people of either sex should be taught to drive a motor vehicle, and if at all possible, how to fly a light airplane. I believe a youngster should be taught the rudiments of hand-to-hand combat, unarmed, together with basic survival skills. The list is long, but it is a parent's duty to make sure that the child does not go forth into the world helpless in the face of its perils. Shooting, of course, is our business, and shooting should not be left up to the state.
I'm personally leery of any formal concept of masculinity or femininity because it can mean getting yourself trapped in the identity with which other people desire to burden you (e.g. "X is what it means to be manly; why aren't you doing X?).
Nonetheless, I agree with Cooper's general sentiment that a parent should prepare a child to enter a dangerous world. Here are, of the top of my head, some of the skills that I will intentionally teach my daughters:
- How to change a tire, engine oil, a headlight, a battery, and jump-start a car without assistance.
- How to swim (see also)
- How to seek and apply for a job.
- How to ask a reference question.
- When to keep your mouth shut.
- How to save money.
What skills do you think are essential for parents to teach their children?
via The View from North Central Idaho | Photo by Flickr user bterrycompton used under Creative Commons license
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Comments (0)
For the VERY few girls that actually get into games as 99.999999999% of boys - it's a loss leader to cater to girl games in general.
I've actually seen a girl gamer quit mid-level so she could go paint her toes. Meanwhile, I've seen guys eat ramen for a month so they would have enough money to get the latest game on the day it's released.
I would say I am just into video games as my husband. We both enjoy all levels of games. We play COD3 a lot, but at the same time, we arent above enjoying a casual game.
I can be girly too, but Ive never quit a video game to "go do girl stuff." I like wearing nice clothes and all, but I would pay my mortgage late to get New Vegas the night it comes out. I failed one of my classes the semester fallout came out.
That having been said, I've never met another girl like me in real life.
dragon age is one of my favorie games...not my favorite.
Also, I think the article itself is a little sexist. It implys that girls are, what, too sensitive to enjoy the things men do in a video game? I enjoy The Sims too from time to time, but that doesnt mean I don't enjoy running over hookers in GTA3 also. Why do gamers have to be pigeonholed into a category.
The change will come slowly and in 2 steps. 1. realize there is money to be made off women in games (just happened thanks to casual games and social games) 2. wait for that realization to propagate throughout industry (guessing 10 years)