As I've mentioned many, many times, I listen to Dr. Laura Schlessinger and I agree with her on just about everything. This is one of those instances where I disagree with her.
She asked a recent caller, a wife, why a grown (married) man would have a Facebook account. (Not that she wants kids to have them, either.) The implication, based on other things Dr. Laura has said, was that Facebook is only for women, since they are social and all, and for men who are looking for sex.
So I suppose married men shouldn't make comments on her Facebook page?
I've noticed before that she seems to be technology-averse in many cases, and yes, she wants people to get outside and exercise and go see people in person. I get that.
But there are many reasons a grown, married man would want a Facebook account. Most of my male contacts on Facebook are married. Facebook, like MySpace before it, are essentially organizing tools. Long before MySpace, people were using online communications to network; store and share pictures, videos, and other files; e-mail; chat; have group discussions; express their opinions and relate their experiences; plan events; and keep contact information. Social networking services like Facebook allow them to do that all in one place.
A grown, married man such as me can use Facebook to keep in touch with family, friends, and professional contacts. No, it isn't possible for us to all live close to each other, drive to each other, or bicycle to each other. Sorry!
The reality of my life right now, given professional and family demands during this phase in my life (I haven't even been able to blog nearly as much as I'd like), is that I'm simply not going to see many of my/our friends and professional contacts in person very often. To keep in touch with each other, our options are: 1) writing snail-mail letters; 2) phone calls; 3) e-mail; 4) social networking such as Facebook. This most recent option is the most efficient, convenient, inclusive, and customizable. I can use Facebook when I first wake up or when I'm about to go to bed; those aren't good times to be visiting others. I use Facebook to leave little love notes to my wife. I use Facebook to share pictures of my children with my parents. Surely, Dr. Laura wouldn't want grandparent deprived!
I have never, ever used Facebook to flirt with, hit on, or enter into an inappropriate emotional relationship with a woman. (Or a man, for that matter.)
So let's not cause undue suspicion on married men who are current in their use of technology and communications.
Monday, August 15, 2011
1 comment:
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You are right. Dr. Laura doesn't get it and it dates her. Progress moves forward. Adults play video games (a lot) and everybody facebooks (I verbified it). It's not bad or childish. It is the way we are.
ReplyDeleteYou get in touch with high school buddies and yes it has caused plenty of problems. So do telephones and even mail and face to face meetings. People who want to get in trouble, will.
I was listening to a girlie local radio show, they were discussing how (as single women) they wouldn't date a man who didn't have a facebook account if they were 30 or even 40. It becomes a way fast background check, see where they've been, etc.
When Dr. Laura talks about the evils of technology, she's making blanket accusations that are definitely not universally applicable. Kids these days with their facebooks ... whats the world coming to?!