There is not a lot of suuport for committed relationships in this day and age.

I'm still waiting

Do I have to raise this issue myself?

Married first in the early 70’s I recall talk about feminist issues. Germaine Greer wrote the ‘Female eunuch" I never read it. I was busy, accidentally became a dairy farmer milking 180 cows or thereabouts, also had 400 sheep and about 70-80 head of beef.

My first and most importantly good decision was to sell the sheep, I then sold the beef cattle to Mrs Hercus, despite then head of the meat corporation, Col McArthur telling us to buy beef “when we can get it not when we could afford it”. History would show that within 12 months the cattle were worth 10% of what I sold them for. So much for the advice of the sages.

My wife and I over the next 8-9 years produced 4 children, lived an interesting life, we were right at the end of post war baby boom years, being married and having children seemed a very natural thing to do. Life for me was interesting, technology was coming into farming, breeding cattle according to the principles of population genetics. Synchronising breeding according to the growth cycles of grass and the seasons. Modifying flood irrigation using big tractors, lasers and computers kept me interested and excited about agricultural possibilities. I experienced a call from God to come to know him that caused a few hiccups in life. Unsettled by this I asked God to reveal Himself and He did. This eventually led to us moving from farming to managing a large Christian Conference centre on ther NSW South Coast. I was blessed to have a wife who chose to make the best of the bold decisions I was prone to making.

This brings me to why I have sat in front of the computer to lay out my thoughts.

We have much glorification of the strength and capacity of women. We acknowledge the sacrifices of men and the way they can provide and protect families; but where is the acknowledgement of the unique strength and productivity of a stable family unit where there is a man supported and given respect for his contribution and a woman loved and provided for so she can nurture and care for her family. I perceive that there are few who will speak of the unique partnership that can be a blessing to those who happily find themselves within the bonds of such a union.

Many are those who will tell stories of dysfunction and distress in their families, the trauma and the abuse that excuses aberrations in their own lives. The PTSD, the overloaded amygdala that hijack’s behaviors. We are left with a sense that it is only those nurtured by brave single women who have been uniquely blessed, and any trauma can be laid at the feet of absent men.

I write this seeking a new conversation about the safe centre where a man and a woman working together provide a safe place for the nurture, the learning and growth of new vital people to underpin the strength of our nation.

Are we ashamed of the unique way men and women can support each other and make 3, 4 or even 5 out of just two who are committed to loving and supporting one another?