by Mel cross posted from her blog When Cows and Kids Collide
All quotes from the book in blue text.
The Botkin Sisters have brought us another selection of bizarre quotes from guys they know. We’ve got some special mini-sermons to tap today!
Overarching Themes:
We have very definite ideas of how women should comport themselves. REALLY detailed.
From “Robert, entrepreneur”
- That’s why God put women on Earth – to be highly articulate cheerleaders for pubescent boys.
- This is the only example I know of where a person used both definitions of “articulate” in a single paragraph.
- I find it extremely catty that Robert thinks that speech clarity (the first “articulate”) is worthy of judgement.
- This whole section smacks of paternalism. If a woman cannot speak clearly, or is “illogical” by Robert’s views, then she can be dismissed as unwomanly.
- I’m flabbergasted by the level of self-importance Robert et al. ooze. Women should be willing and able to serve up a deeply rigorous conversation on request from a guy.
From “Edward, media professional”:
- I’m glad Edward brings up the Bible. The boys in this section have no Biblical basis for their nitpicky personal requirements of women. This entire book drums home the idea that everything in this book is BIBLICAL – but the boys are completely exempt from supporting their desires for excellent enunciation coupled with the absence of the word “um”.
- This is doubly ironic since the Botkin Children all have a slight Southern twang. For a native speaker, it’s an easy accent to understand. For non-native speakers found in a universal audience, the words in their recorded lectures could be hard to figure out. If clear, precise speech is so damn important, the Botkin Children need to get a speech coach immediately.
- Plus, I suspect Edward has a white-centric view on what the “right” recorded lectures, hymns and spiritual songs are. I doubt he would respect the verbal styles that are based on traditional African-American sermons and hymns.
From “Rex, reformer”:
- Oh, Rex. This woman doesn’t exist. She’s a figment of your imagination. Let me explain:
- A woman who is old enough to have mature dignity while clearly articulating her solid views IS NOT going to have her mind blown by a theological dilettante like the average Botkin boy-buddy.
- A woman who is down-to-Earth, happy, content and cares about others will AVOID the impotent kingdoms of wanna-be Christian patriarchs.
- A woman who is truly self-respecting WILL NOT spend every conversation soothing the strangely fragile egos of men.
Girls should learn about topics that are interesting to guys. Because we said so.
From “Al, history buff”:
- I’m with Al that sometimes polite societal interactions require enduring a boring conversation for a period of time.
- I don’t see why a girl in CP/QF society should be expected to be conversant on “manly” topics; she’s not going to be able to do anything with that knowledge.
- The Botkins Sisters are quite clear in “So Much More” that women have no place in governmental affairs so learning much about law, government or politics is just going to frustrate the girl.
- Women can’t be soldiers in BotkinLand. Plus, war is a huge topic. Narrow it down before you expect women to be conversant in all military strategy, weaponry and outcomes of every war since the end of the Bible.
- Women don’t make news. Anna Sofia and Elizabeth throw a sop to other women by occasionally shoehorning a historical figure like Eliza Lucas Pinckney or Harriet More into the book, but I’ve never seen or heard a Botkin Man speak of a female historical figure.
- Nice attempt at squashing a few personal preferences in at the end. The Bible has no dominion mandate that includes new technology, hunting or guns. Nice try, though.
- I love when people use vague anecdotal statements like “I see it happen. It’s a fact” to support their worldview. Al, buddy, every ends up talking with people who share interests. That’s not a support for girls learning about “dominion”.
Once in a blue moon, someone says something useful and generous.
From “Jason, cowboy”
- I think I’d actually like Jason. He’s a nice change of pace.
- I think he’s really trying to make girls feel more comfortable around guys.
- He’s the only person in the book who sounds like a real person instead of a section of an essay on CP-approved gender roles.
- He also speaks like someone from a working class background instead of the overblown vocabulary dragged in by the rest of the crowd.
- I also agree that asking questions is a great idea when a person is in a conversation that they don’t know much about the topic.
- I start laughing every time I read about his “smart” questions. He’s a hell of a lot more generous than I would be. I grew up in the city and even I knew that there were roughly three categories of hunted animals: 1) pests without usable by-products, 2) fur-bearing animals and 3) meat/game animals. I knew that raccoons fit in the second category, although you can make some good foods out of raccoons if you know how to cook them.
om da boys.
Mel is a science teacher who works with at-risk teens and lives on a dairy farm with her husband. She blogs at When Cows and Kids Collide She is also an very valuable source of scientific information for us here at NLQ. Mel is also blessed with the ability to look at the issues of Quiverfull with a rational mind and break them down to their most basic of elements.
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