Three Cups of Tea stimulated a discussion between faculty members and students on balancing family obligations, societal expectations, and the moral luck of fighting the good fight.
An enthusiastic crowd of about 100 audience members put their two cents worth in on gender roles and the morality of women pursuing their own adventures outside the family.
“Could men do what they want without women? There is a stereotype of men who go out and fight the good fight or work. Going off gives them [men] more power,” said Julie Song, one of the faculty lecturers.
Leona Fisher, Julie Song, and Kevin Cameron introduced gender and morality questions related to this year’s college book, Three Cups of Tea, and then opened the floor for audience commentary in Wargin Hall on Wednesday April 14.
Though the discussion was lively, with a number of dissenting opinions, some participants found the event to lack focus.
“Everyone drifted off. They were rambling and there were a lot of biased opinions, said Dave Cardin, psychology major.
After alternating between various opinions, the main topic of discussion centered on opportunity costs in relationships.
In pursuing an individualistic lifestyle, while also maintaining familial and societal responsibilities, people are often very overwhelmed.
“We can’t do everything. We can’t be here, at home, and with the kids. You have to give something up. The good fight has an effect on men too,” said audience participant and political science professor Monica Carter. Carter further said that we need to learn perseverance and what it means to sacrifice.
The discussion left participants with the concept that life is a balancing act that everyone has to learn about.
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