Today’s illustration depicts the official duties of Mormon young men and women, ages 12-18.
Each group has duties and responsibilities specific to their class that are not listed here. This chart depicts the official duties and responsibilities that each group has that are pertinent and visible to the congregation at-large.
[Data about the Young Men’s responsibilities can be found at this link.]
[Data about the Young Women’s responsibilities can be found at this link.]
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[For more posts in this series, click here to see the archive.]
This disparity has always troubled me. I think it is an interesting question to consider (both theologically and culturally) why many people don’t notice this difference or see it as a problem. We talk a lot about adult men and women having different, but complimentary roles in the church, but rarely discuss how YW have essentially no role in the church. As adults, we need to communicate to YW that they are valuable through given them these opportunities instead of through only telling them they are valuable. I have blogged more about this issue here if anyone is interested http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2012/08/03/the-mormon-adolescent-roles-and-responsibilites/.
Yet another “ouch.”
As a young man I would have been more than happy to have the young women participate in any of these duties. Especially collecting fast offerings.
Simple and profound. :(
Porter, that’s great. Do you advocate for a change like that within your ward or stake, or possibly contact church headquarters from time to time asking that church authorities prayerfully consider offering these opportunities to girls throughout the church?
I’m appreciating the series – thanks for pulling this together. FYI – in my ward, we have called Laurels as Ward Missionaries (along with Priests). Not standard, I agree – but at least in some places it is happening :)
Yay! That’s great, Brad.
Now . . . how to get those kinds of things happening everywhere? It will require correlation, I fear. And I don’t see those kinds of moves/actions coming from SLC . . .
This is a great series. I can’t wait to see the gender duty comparisons for people over 18.
If you felt like including informal, “culture not doctrine/policy” responsibilities, I suppose you could include, for the YW, “volunteering” as de facto babysitters for mid-week RS activities. Because, y’know, babysitters aren’t needed for men’s mid-week meetings and activities. And, y’know, YM certainly can’t be babysitters.
Is it also a slam to note that 1 girl is president, all the boys are deacons and they are deacons anywhere in this world (or the next) and can theoretically perform their priesthood duties anywhere in the world/their authority is recognized world-wide. The 1girl per class is only president in her ward.
Excellent point, Sue.
But that 1 girl probably serves for just 6 months, sue! Then another girl gets to step in and take over.
That’s 6 BYC meetings (assuming those BYC meeting actually happen every month).
Heather, you forgot to include young women serving dinner to the young men at combined activities! And providing babysitting during the ward talent show! Stop being so biased! :)
Again….this hurts to see it in black and white.
In our ward, the boys also start taking on home teaching duties paired up with one of the older men in the ward starting at about age 14. There is no mention of the girls visiting teaching or providing such service to others in the ward.
You forgot to mention the 2 most important duties of YW: Dress Modestly and Don’t Have Sex. Otherwise, the YM can’t do their duties!
As a bishopric member, I sat in many meetings with area authorities and Stake Presidencies about strengthening the AP and teaching leadership to the YM of the AP. Not once, did I attend a meeting about strengthening the YW or about teaching them leadership skills. Perhaps that is because Stake YW leaders were doing that??