Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Blog site to accompany KUAR Public Radio program, the only program on radio today where the generations get together the first and third Tuesdays each month to compare and contrast their perspectives on a wide variety of topics.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Our program this week was on Domestic Violence and if you are or someone you know is dealing with this very serious problem...you can download the podcast at www.yttshow.org. Our special guest was Leslie Morgan Steiner, author of 'Crazy Love.' She along with Charlotte Carrrol and Amanda White spoke from their own experiences with domestic violence...and so did I. Yes, men are victims too. I must tell you that his was one of the most difficult topics we have covered because it is so painful to relive. If you have not experienced this very destructive violence, be thankful, because it really does go deep into your memories and can affect your later life relationships. Since our program compares the generational aspects of each topic, I must be honest and tell you that...up to now...little has changed. To hear our older guest's experience and then the middle followed by the younger...they sound the same. Will we ever rid our society of domestic violence? It does not look like it will be soon at all. If there is one thing they all agreed on it is that the only way to stop domestic violence is to LEAVE and LEAVE as soon as you can. It does not get better with the abuser...EVER! They do not change and you must get to a shelter or another place. As Leslie Morgan Steiner told us about how she thought loving him would change him...it did not. It did not for Charlotte...it did not for Amanda...it did not for me, and IT WILL NOT FOR YOU EITHER. This was a very hard topic for all of us, but talking about it does help so talk to someone now. If you want more information please check Leslie's website. It is great. www.lesliemorgansteiner.com/

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Our program this week is on Masculinity and what a topic to try an cover! My guests were UALR Sociology Chair Dr. Jeff Nash speaking from the older generation along with Penn State Prof. of Sociology Dr. Derek Kreager in the middle generation and from UC Berkeley Dr. Robb Willer, author of 'Men Overcompensate When Masculinity Is Challenged,' (Science Daily 2005).
We had a very good discussion covering many areas and issues. I think most striking about the program, from my perspective as host, is that the older generation, while aware of the changes over their time frame, has largely ignored the need for their own change, leaving that to the younger men...why bother...the ask? In addition, the younger generation, while aware of their new roles, freed from the stereotypes, or so it seems, is not fully engaged. Rather they seem to be in a limbo between what they may think masculinity is now, and what they see as their future role in so far as their relationship with women is concerned. I guess the take away is that in older generations, in fact many, many older generations ago, the roles were not even questioned and masculinity was a given, whereas now...who knows what we men are suppose to be. As Dr. Nash observed, industrialization has had a major impact taking men from hunting and farming and leading the home to city life and middle class responsibilities, all of which, over time, has changed the masculine/feminine dynamic. I think he has a great point. In fact, those of us who have never lived on a farm or been out of urban life, have a struggle to imagine the day to day life men must have lived eons ago. I guess the best example (and it is a poor on at that) is in some of the old time movie depictions where, by observing the fashions and backdrops, we can extrapolate what it must have been like.
It was a great discussion and you can access the podcast at www.yttshow.org. Next week I will re-air a program we did back in 2004 - 'Men's Thoughts On Women' - hearing this after masculinity will be a treat.