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MissMusicTeacher
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jun 30th, 2008 |
| Location: | Silicon Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 24 |
| First Name: | Laura | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | EVFree, Catholic seeker |
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 04:47 am |
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In some Fundamentalist circles, it is taught that unmarried women are to remain at home until marriage, not attend college or get a job, but spend their days serving their family. Now, I completely agree that each of our lives should be spent in service to others, but I don't believe that the only way to do this is by staying at home. Surely, there are ways to serve one's family even while living elsewhere, and while there are benefits to living at home, this is not possible for everyone nor is it always the best option. I am living at home and plan to continue for at least a couple more years, but I certainly don't believe I would be sinning if I decided to move out for college or whatever other reason. Same applies to having a job and going to college: some people choose to work at home or not attend college, and that is fine for some but I don't believe it is the only "Biblical" way. I deeply desire to serve the Lord and am involved in my current church's ministries, and I hope to continue in this, whether I become Catholic or remain Protestant. I just don't think the only way to serve God is by only helping one's family; for instance, it is possible to serve God through being a Christian example at school or work.
An article that describes much of the Fundamentalist viewpoint is found here:
http://visionarydaughters.com/2006/10/whats-a-single-woman-to-do
Again, they have some wonderful ideas for ways that a single woman can serve God and the people around her; my problem is only with the mindset that there is one option and one option only for the context in which a woman can serve.
I'm curious about what the Catholic Church teaches about the role of unmarried daughters. I looked in the Catechism and didn't see anything that specifically spoke to this issue, but maybe I missed something. Based on all the Catholic universities and the excellent quality of education they offer, I'm guessing that the Church places high value on education.
What does the Church teach regarding submission of unmarried children to their parents? At what age (if any) does the nature of submission change?
(by the way, this post has nothing to do with my other post [in Going It Alone] about my frustration with my parents' views of the Catholic Church...I'm not planning on moving out on account of their reaction.  I'm asking because for a few years, during high school, I was in agreement with the Fundamentalist view and I was wondering about the Church's teachings on this matter.)
____________________
out of town until August 2
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2037 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 01:29 pm |
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Laura, the Catholic Church places no restriction on what an unmarried adult can do. He (or she) can often be of unique service to God just by being what he is — an unmarried adult — and placing no restriction on what God does in and through him. But his personal vocation or calling does come from God; it is not merely a matter of personal preference.
If you want more education, if you want to follow a career, you are free to do so if you discern God calling you in this way. If you decide to marry, you will find this rewarding in a different way, but it also limits what you can do by way of education and career, because you have become responsible for the life and welfare of a spouse and children. There is also the option of a life dedicated more directly to God as a member of a religious order or through some other means of personal consecration.
David
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1367 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 06:02 pm |
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Laura, I read the article you linked, and at first it was sounding good, and reasonable. We would like to think that a young single woman can just use her feminine skills and help others for her life's work. The problem I see is that the world is not going to support her for life by doing this. She needs to prepare for retirement, have some savings and social security. It's like the stay-at-home mother issue, we all think it's the most valuable job in the world but it doesn't pay well. I'm just being real here, unless a young woman has ample independent means, she needs an income. Are the families these single women help going to pay them at the going rate, or are they going to end up elderly and at the mercy of charity? Just thoughts to ponder.
I recommend if you are able, go to college and have a career to sustain you. Even the nuns are usually college educated so they can teach, nurse, etc.
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BeProf
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 3rd, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 75 |
| First Name: | Ed | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Fundamental Baptist - Atheism - Christian & Missionary Alliance |
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Posted: Mon Jul 21st, 2008 01:02 pm |
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MissMusicTeacher wrote:
In some Fundamentalist circles, it is taught that unmarried women are to remain at home until marriage, not attend college or get a job, but spend their days serving their family.
Just a little, somewhat off topic, word of advice:
If you've out-fundied Bob Jones University, it's time to switch to decaf.
/ I'm not saying you, specifically. "You" as in "everybody in general."
// Are you listening Pensacola?Last edited on Mon Jul 21st, 2008 01:02 pm by BeProf
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 255 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Jul 21st, 2008 04:04 pm |
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| God bless you Laura. I read the article and the link and find that it appears very much in line with Catholic teaching, especially the ideas mentioned from the book entitled "His Chosen Bride". The lives of the brothers and nuns (religous) in the Catholic community are devoted to serving the people of God in the unmarried state. The benefits of doing this within the structure of a religous community, rather than as a "lone ranger", are many, including spiritual and physical support from like-minded peers, and guidance and aid in performance of works of love motivated by God's grace. Perhaps you are being called to life in a religous community. within the body of Catholic believers
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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