Sorry for being vague. I’m trying to be sensitive to the general attitude of the forum, and don’t want to say something that might paint me in an ideological light that does not actually shine on me.
To be honest, it was my wife that first introduced me to Peterson. And to further be honest, I don’t exactly tell her what to do or how to act. She doesn’t have the same problems that I do, so as far as “advice” I’ve given her (which is more in form of conversations where we share insights, as we treat each other as equals), I’ve never told her to stand as such, but not for any reason having to do with what’s expected of genders. She just doesn’t have a problem with that sort of thing.
Acting masculine, to me, is being driven by reason, not emotion. If somebody says something insulting to me, the correct, masculine, response, is to ignore their bullshit and get on with doing the things in my life that are important, whereas, previously, my intent was to respond with some equally petty remark, a trait that is by far not a manly trait (in my opinion). However, am I say that that’s how women act? Before someone infers as much, let me say: no. It’s more a trait of men who are not self aware or confident. Again, my opinion.
Too often, my wife was taking charge of our lives, and that was leaving her unhappy. We traded some responsibilities, and that made things better. But at the end of the day, we’re a team that succeeds and fails together, and our main goal from day to day is to succeed as a team, and be the best individuals we can be (I’d quote another “Rule” here, but I don’t want to sound like I’m in Fight Club or something).
Strengths and weaknesses are strengths and weaknesses. I have terrible color recognition, which could be attributable to my sex (men typically have fewer color receptors than women), and my wife helps me with that. I’m great at fixing (and breaking -_-) my lawnmower, which Stephen Pinker would tell you is because I’m a man (I’m better with things, and take more risks). I’m always on call for the spider crises.
She’s better at taking care of the day-to-day needs of our daughter and cat (even if I have to clean the litterbox). But I’m better at vacuuming, which I think would generally be considered a feminine trait. We split doing dishes, because, let’s face it: everybody hates doing dishes. We don’t ever bring up “roles”, but we’re all about responsibility: doing what needs to get done, when it needs to get done, by the person who can best do it. Our most important lessons to out daughter don’t have anything to do with making cookies or playing with dolls, but being the best person she can be: managing her emotions, being responsible for her actions, and being good at communicating with those around her.
They’re not exactly the notions of Peterson that rise to the top, because it’s the contentious ones that get broadcast. Peterson might not be right for you, but, he might not be exactly wrong. He was the right place and the right time for me, but his perspective was close enough to mine for it to land without crashing and burning.
But he doesn’t really believe in witches and dragons, just their psychological significance.
