Socialization Paper

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Since the congregation was established it was filled with contradictions. Men and woman were supposedly perceived as equal in importance, yet they were clearly stereotyped and their roles in society were strongly defined. They also promoted love and respect, not judging and accepting others was the most important thing to do yet they judge themselves if they did not followed the “rules”. By calling hypocrites to those who thought that they were better persons than those how drink alcohol or those with a short skirt, the rule breakers made clear how the values were not being applied in their daily lives. Catholics are supposed to reserve sexual intimacy to just married couples, not love relationships or casual sex. This can be considered the biggest contradiction of all because the founder, who claimed that honesty and sacrifice was key to love properly, was sexuality abusing of kids, had kids with several women, and had sex with other men.

These actions brought many consequences not only to the Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ but also to the Catholic Church. Many of the consequences were bad and many others good. As a consequence of the truth been known by the world wealthy families and famous personalities stepped out of the movement, people were emotionally hurt, priests left the movements and some other even left priesthood. On the other hand a great consequence was that justice was made and all the people hurt by Maciel’s acts were compensated in some way also after this, the movement has been under the process of renovation with help of external catholic members assigned by the Vatican. Priests around the world are more open about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and strive for the elimination of this crimes and protection of children.

Certainly when a rule-breaker comes into a picture the first thought about them is they must be rebels. It is now clear that the rule-breakers were never trying to disturb anyone, their braveness and courage made the Catholic Church and world evolve by breaking the rules within their society. Socialization relies on the powerful and wealthy; it is easy to manipulate and corrupt society to make them think that certain actions are acceptable and others are not. Stereotypes usually set and fortified by the powerful within a society, limits humanity and its potential to intellectually grow bigger. Stereotypes and labels must be eliminated from our vocabulary in order to stop giving more power to the already powerful and start creating truly fair society.