Using specific examples from the literature, compare the roles of women and men in ancient Greece to the roles outlined in The Family: A Proclamation to the World. How are they similar? How are they different? What is the effect on society as a whole when there is conflict between the genders?

The family Proclamation is given with the purpose of defining a marriage that is meant to last eternally. In a lot of ways, the relationships between penelope and odysseus exemplifies some of the same ideals. The proclamation emphasizes that a marriage is sacred - between a man and a woman because it is a social unit ordained of god, therefore it is crucial that strict loyalty and fidelity to one’s spouse is maintained. In the odyssey, Penelope fights off the suitors and keep them at bay whilst waiting for her husband to return home from troy. Although Penelope could have been well justified if she had chosen to re-marry as there was no news of her husband and he was most likely dead. Likewise, the family a proclamation doesn’t denounce re-marriages after a spouse is dead, However it does encourage us exemplify that same devotion, love and loyalty that Penelope demonstrated in our own marriages and relationships. Even through her hardships, we can see that her difficulties and tries never altered or affected the importance of her marriage to her. In our church, we are asked to esteem our spouses as equals and love them as we love ourselves because marriage is the most important thing to us too. Our roles are equal and complimentary therefore dependent on one other. Even odysseus’s desire to be with his wife, despite all the temptation from many women, exemplify the ideals in family proclamation that a man and woman is a social unit ordained from on high and one cannot be without the other. True happiness can only be found on a faithful, loyal relationship, that is brought about when we esteem two individuals as equals. Therefore, the example of Odysseus and Penelope’s relationships is one that complies with the family A Proclaimation.

We are taught in the family proclamation that the role of a “Mother are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” Thetis, the mother of achilles, can be seen as perfect example of this. We can see from Achilles strict adherence to her requests of his love and respect for her. She must have been his role model. This achilles, known for his temper and his pride, will fall and bend over at the words of his own mother. When she asks him to stay put and wait for her to retrieve his armour, not even the desire to retrieve the body of his dear friend patroclus would move his resolve to wait for his mother. In the dictionary, the word nurture means to care for and encourage the growth and development of an individual- meaning we are to raise our children based on principles of love, respect, forgiveness, humility, respect, compassion. As I think of Thetis and achilles I recall the familiar story of Christ (even though the son of god) respect to his mother enough to obey her wishes, uses his god-like powers to turn water into wine at a celebration, despite his words, ““Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” In essence, achilles and thetis is demonstrating the perfect parent-child relationship that we strive for as latter-day saints.

Next, let us analyze the role of the father - “Fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.” Odysseus was the head of the household. When he departs for troy, the house becomes completely chaotic. Rich, ambitious suitors  invade their home and take advantage of their greek hospitality. Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, doesn’t have the strength, courage, maturity or power to send these suitors off. Although he eventually does finds the courage to set of on a journey, with the help of athena, this is a great example of how dependent a household is upon the father/head of the household. The family structure crumbles without a righteous father at the head. It is not so much his dominance that we are missing, but in the family A  Proclamation we are taught that it is the role and responsibility that comes with being a father/husband cannot be replaced by any other persons. Likewise, without a mother, this important social unit of time will not be effective, according to the a family a proclamation. In addition, looking at Oedipus (who is forced to leave his family due to the realization that he had committed treason and murdered his own father) we can see his deep desire to fulfill the role of a father. He laments over the fact that his two daughter, lsemen and Antigone will not have the protection or honor as a person due to his tragic mistake. He worries over their future and welfare as he departs. He can no longer provide and protect his family and he agonizes over not being to fulfill that role. Even Apollo’s priest plead with apollo to curse the greeks for taking his daughter. Whether it is in our church or in ancient Greece, we can see the unchanging pattern of love and responsibility a parent/father has for their own offspring and their sense of responsibility to care for them.

On there other hand, We can see in the example of king Candaules. He commands and convinces his bodyguard to see his “wife’s loveliness or nakedness”. Not only was this a humiliation to her, but also a sign of selfishness to fulfill his purposes rather than being sensitive to the feelings of his wife or even the laws of the land. It shows that the ultimate role as a husband or father was not as important to him as was his pride and his desire to show off his wife. In many examples in greek culture, the role of men/father has been taken to the extreme, where they become dominating and possessive which is not what we are taught in the family a proclamation: “WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.” Later Gyges, the bodyguard, kills King Candaules and marries his wife. We can make a comparison of this story with the story of Bethasheba and King David. Whether it is in the old testament or modern day, the act of adultery is prohibited. Although in this case it is his wife who committed adultery, it is known that in greek culture it is much widely accepted that husbands/men can have sexual relationships outside marriage. Marriage is much seen as a formality of connecting social status or for power, therefore concubines, or a second wife was very common. However, woman were not held to that standard of fidelity. Not only does this contradict the definition of a family in the proclamation but also reveals to us the discrimination of sex. In ancient greece, “men” not “woman” are beloved spirit son of heavenly parents, and, as such, with a divine nature and destiny”. The role of men was esteemed to be higher and greater, whereas woman were toys or tools for peacemaking or exchange or for convenience. 

Looking at the similarities and differences between greek culture and the ads familial ideals, I would say that there is in fact a lot of commonalities between what the role of the different genders are. Throughout history, woman have assumed the role of child-rearing and the men of work or in greek culture- warfare/protection. However, there are still a lot of differences between the equality of the genders and to extent our dominion/power extends within a family. This conflict between gender has a huge impact and on society, as stated in the family proclamation: “the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets”. Oedipus’s own family was dissolved due their incestuous relationship is discovered, leading to the end of their royal line and entire family’s name and future. In contrast, we can also see the success and the joy in the the example of odysseus and his family as they are reunited. They became a stronger unit as they united together to defeat the suitors. The land became peaceful and everything was well. It is the very war over Helen of Sparta - basically who  she belonged to - that led to the trojan war. When families come together, when men and woman come united in purpose and roles society will see so much more peace and success. i truly believe that when society values families and gender roles and esteem them as equal - we will see a lot more social stability and social harmony. A society will grow if the varying talents and abilities of all men and woman are all put together for the benefit of the public. That is what and how god designed for society to work and succeed.