I saw a post on the debate board and it brought about a question about evolution. As a species over the last 3 centuries humans have evolved. But was this evolution for the better or worse. I hope this isnt too vauge of a question but its one I had to ask. It seems to me that alot of the males have lost the hunter/ provider instinct and alot of females have lost their nurturing instinct and become indifferent to what role they play in life. A point Amy made to me is that from childhood men are taught not to cry or show sadness so it often comes out in anger. I feel that it is our responsibility as parents to encourage our children to share All emotions to ensure a proper groth as a person. This, I feel willhave a dramatic effect on crime as well as humanity. Strength and common sense are another factor in this. I am a perfect example of this as I was raised in a southern state and taught to hate everyone who wasn't white. I followed this belief until I started thinking for my self, not just believing what I was taught as a child. Thats why I ask how you all feel about evolution's part in human development. Sorry for rambling, just started typing and couldn't stop. lol

By Daddyof3 on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 11:41 am:

Amy just pointed out that the above sounds too vague, and you may not be clear on what I'm asking. My question is how has evolution affected the things that I mentioned in the above paragraph and, as a whole, has evolution been for the better or the worse?

By Marg on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 11:44 am:

I was thinking something similar to this yesterday Mike when I went to the post office. We live in a very small rural area and people know each other. There are a lot of older men on the mountain on which we live. These men were will open doors, wave, smile, offer you to go first in line, etc. They are 75+ in age. I find this very attractive in a man. However, many boys and men today are not taught or do not do these gestures. Isn't it sad.

But I think with the female movement (don't mean to step on sooo many toes) it started to go out the door.

I am one of those females that enjoy doors being opened, the tipping of a gentlemen's hat, and holding unto a gentlemen's arm (for me dh of course).

What has happened. When going somewhere, men will walk ahead of wives or girlfriends, not many people hold hands, no door opening, etc.

I find this sad. And since I have 3 girls, you can so why this concerns me. Yes, they are feminine. They enjoy wearing dresses and looking nice, etc.

I'm just rambling now too...

By Marg on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 11:46 am:

to answer your question, worse..

I believe our society is more intelligent however the interaction with people is declining. Too many people are taught to be self-absorbed.

My mom was the "do unto others" type person. She always did for others before herself and she learned that from her parents. Those are the traits I loved most in my mom and grandparents, very loving people even to strangers.

By Tonya on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 11:54 am:

I will have to say I like the whole respect thing of opening doors but I also like the idea of people seeing me as someone with power as well. Mike you mentioned about being raised to only like whites and this is something that I have run into with my son and have had to stop it cold turkey. My grandparents are older and southern and they take care of out son while we work during the day. They were raised to use the "N" word or call people colored and I don't like that at all and have point blank told my grandparents that that is not how things are today and you have to stop. With all of the different cultures today my son in the minority in his class and we live in what is called a whiter city. He has white, black, mexican, japaniese (sp?), italian all in his class and I want him to know the only difference in everyone is what they believe in and not who they are or how they look. It has taken allot for me to get my grandparents to understand but they are doing really well.

I also don't think boys should be told to be tough don't cry stay strong. I feel each and every person should cry when needed it helps to heal no matter what the issue but there again my DD will not be a sissy either she will be taught to stand up for herself and voice her opinion and not to cry over everything.

I hope that is what you were looking for I think I kindof got off track a little.

By Texannie on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 12:30 pm:

Maybe I am not understanding your use of the word evolution. Is it evolution or societal boundaries changing? Is it evolution that allowed women to come out from the subserviant role and have the right to vote? I think the fact that man has evolved from the grunting, smack 'em on the head caveman into someone who is encouraged to express their feelings is a good thing. I guess I am not seeing the sterotypes that you are. I have always encouraged both my kids (boy and girl) to express themselves, do whatever they want ect. I was encourage my parents to do the same, as was my brother.
So I guess I am saying that things have improved.

By Mommmie on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 01:30 pm:

I totally don't understand what you're pondering. Evolving good or bad? What era are you wishing to re-visit?

Do you want to go back living like apes? Do you want to live out in the open where you're lucky to live to age 30? Do you want to live in a lawless land? Do you want women's heads chopped off bec they can't produce a son? Do you want to live as a slave or the owners of slaves? Do you want to live without medical services? Do you want to live when women were considered the property of men and children worked in factories?

Evolving means a process of change. Sure not eveything is perfect NOW or THEN, but wait, things change over time (Thank goodness!). We live in the greatest country in the world as far as evolution and the freedom to live as one chooses. Want to open a door for a lady, do it. Don't want to, don't do it. Doesn't make one person better than the other. Want to go hunting for deer, go hunting for deer during deer season. Or rather refocus that "hunting need" in a job.

I don't see a big decline in the number of nurturing women. Some nurture, some don't. Thank goodness women are not shunned if they don't want kids! You can reminisce about all moms being nurturing SAHMs, but do you realize how many of those women were drinking daily and on medications to get them through the day?

I think one of the major evolutions we have going on now and is quite obvious, is the acceptance of homosexuality. We will come to a point where it's understood to be biological in nature, not a choice gays make to torture straight people, and these people will be accepted in almost all walks of life (we see how the acceptance of blacks is going, so we know it won't be 100%) and we will look back at this like we look back at the treatment of women, the treatment of blacks, the treatment of Jews and think.... What the heck were we thinking displaying such hatred and hostility to a group of people who can't help the way they are??

So I love a good discussion, but I don't think I understand your questions.

By Familyman on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 03:49 pm:

We haven't evolved as a species. We've changed culturally. Big difference, especially since we're the only species with the ability to undergo significant cultural change.

By John on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 04:43 pm:

I believe that human evolution is at work today all around us...

I'm referring to:

... the changes in perception of what is attractive and unattractive to other people

...the behaviors that are considered "normal" and "desirable"

For example:

Hundreds of years ago a rotund person was considered VERY attractive to the opposite sex.

WHY: Having plenty of food indicate that the person was wealthy, healthy and probably a good mate. Because most people were starving.

Today in the US food supply is not a problem BUT heart disease and obesity is a big health problem.
Hence being overweight is no longer attractive.

Another example:
A hundred years ago having pale white skin in the summer was considered VERY attractive.

WHY: Most people were farm laborers who worked outside all day in the sun and got a dark tan.

Today: Most people live and work indoors and don't have the leasure time to spend in the sun.
So if you have a great tan today it indicates that you have lots of leasure time on vacations, are wealthy and probably healthy as well.

Another:
Thousands of years ago most people lived in small groups where they were highly dependent on their group in emergencies. SO sticking together for your entire life with a small group, and helping each other, helped EVERYONE survive.

TODAY:
Many people live in cities and may not even know the name of the person living 5 doors away.
We work away from our neighbors, shop in a supermarket with strangers and go to a doctor who may not remember our name.
We don't talk to strangers because they might rob us or worse.

Three short examples but you get the idea...

Our way of life not only changes the way we live but changes what we consider normal and attractive.

Is this better for what makes us human beings? Probably not.

Is it safer for ourselves? Hmmm...

I'll tell you a story about the person from the small town who decided to make friends in Times Square at midnight...

By Daddyof3 on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 05:34 pm:

Some of you are wondering about my questions. I simply wanted to know how everyone felt about the changes we as a whole have seen in our lives and our pasts, and do you see them as good or bad? Cultural changes increased in intelligence, technological and medical advancements, decrease in hatred between races, decline in manners and common respect. I had lost alot of faith in humanity before the fire, but then we recieved so much help and support from people who don't know us as individuals or don't know us at all. It was amazing. I feel like we are changing both for better and worse at the same time. I was raised to open doors and say yes/no ma'am, to be respectful in general. I feel like we loose more comon courtesy as we gain knowledge, but at the same time we maintain a degree of humanity. Its very odd.

By Bobbie on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 12:41 am:

Mike I agree. And I agree it isn't a win win situation. I think that because we feel we are more self reliant we forget that we should respect each other. I think in a time gone by we spent more time lifting each other up and now we spend more time walking on each other. And for that I would say that things have not improved. I think that you are right in that we have lost a lot of our common courtesy as we have gained knowledge. And I think that many children are suffering from lack of nurturing. The primary parent was the mother. She held you accountable for all of your actions or lack there of they personally taught you right from wrong. Now a days, many children are lucky to see a half hour of mom in the morning and three hours of mom at night. The moms are over worked and have a million things to get done when they get home so the kids are pushed to the back burner. Dad's use to be the head of the household. They use to be the bread winner, the "hero". Now a days they are also over worked and spend very little time with their children. And they aren't the main bread winner. In a sense many men have lost their place in their family. Mom now works and mom is often the one that makes the rules of the house. Dad has been also pushed to the back burner in some cases. You know that is a thought too. Now a days many children of two working parents don't see their parents doing the typical male/female house hold work (the whole hunting issue, dad goes off and kills dinner) most people hire in help. So boys aren't taught to work on cars, cut down a tree, fix a leaky sink. Dad is just to busy to take the time to do those types of task... And statistically many mom's no longer cook or clean (not saying the ladies on here don't). They do carry in or buy pre made food and hire in cleaning help. So the kids aren't seeing the parents at work and they aren't being taught by the hands of the people in their lives that should be teaching them. I so see where you are coming from. And I am sure I am not making any more sense of this to everyone else than you are. Lets see... Basically he is wanting to know is... What long term effects do you think all this "growth" we have had as a nation on our children, our future? All the role reversals, the limited amount of time we spend with our children do to two working parents, the exposure our children are having to things that aren't proper because of our "rights" as Americans. And I think our advancements are great.. But that we are loosing a lot of the things from the past that were positive. And Mike I don't have much faith in humanity my self. It takes a village to make a change and when the majority see their rights as more important than what is morally and ethically correct I can't see things getting any better.