Frankly, I didn’t much like my tenth grade biology teacher. I thought he was kind of a creep who was a little too excited about the grislier details of his field of study — evidenced by the roadkill deer he happily disected for us one morning. But, you should know, I was an obnoxious know-it-all kid.
After watching a video of a human birth during our reproduction unit, I boldly asserted, “I am never doing that.”
“Yes, you will,” he told me knowingly. I felt the urge to punch him in the mouth. Then he tried to explain the wonders of childbirth and parenting, and that I was biologically programmed to have children; it was not an urge I would likely overcome. This struck me as anti-feminist, surely, women in the nineties aren’t required to have children. It didn’t even occur to me that he was not trying to be anti-feminist, but rather pointing out the joy and life experience gained through parenting is one I may not want to miss.
“Bet you ten dollars!” I protested.
“I’ll take that bet!” he laughed.
“I will bring you the reciept from my tubal ligation,” I sneered. I must have been insufferable.
This story comes to mind when I see or hear people strongly voicing convictions — as if they will never think any differently than they do today. Think of any polarizing topic, and I’m certain we can find someone who has switched sides — even on the toughest issues.
These days I try to be careful of asserting my convictions too strongly, life is happy to prove me wrong. Though sometimes, being proved wrong is the best thing ever.
I should probably go write the poor guy a check.