1) Have you ever thought of yourself or a sibling as the black sheep of the family?
2) What are the characteristics of a black sheep?
3) If being a black sheep is not necessarily bad, then what is good about this categorization/stigma? *************************************************************** 10-18-06, 07:14 AM juanruiz Black sheep is a loaded term used to characterize someone who will not conform to the rules and expectations of the elders of a family. It is relative, as those rules vary; a black sheep in one family might be thoroughly "normal" within another. My brother was a black sheep: smoked and drank as a teenager, eschewed college to join the Navy. The irony is that after that, he went back to school, started a career, and made a bundle. Is it a valid term? Only insofar as it is accepted to designate a non-conformist. *************************************************************** 10-18-06, 07:29 AM Elexina I think my whole nuclear family is the "black sheep" of the family. My parents together never conformed to the rules and expectations of the rest of the family. Nor, in fact, did my husband's parents. So, when two black sheep make a child that marries the child of two other black sheep, what does that make? Nonherdconformity? Big Grin *************************************************************** 10-18-06, 08:08 AM FredPuli Presumably he or she is a 'black sheep' in the family because they end up getting 'baa-ed' by the others . *************************************************************** 10-18-06, 08:33 AM aminator2002 I've always thought it is a good thing to be dubbed a black sheep. Any family that can be characterized as sheep is a scary thing to me, so I would want to be the odd one that thinks for his/her self.
My family isn't really the type to call a member a black sheep - we're all our own people. *************************************************************** 10-19-06, 02:18 AM tsaeb Well, we have heard from all prononconformists, if not actual nonconformists, to be sure. Where are those who are irritated by others' "bahs"?
Here's a chuckle: being a unique individual, I tried to pass off this thread in "Alternative Lifestyles," but it got relocated here. *************************************************************** 10-19-06, 03:28 AM Karrow Tsaeb, Alternative lifestyle is for GLBT Issues. That's why your thread was relocated. Smile *************************************************************** 10-19-06, 07:13 AM Elexina
quote: Originally posted by aminator2002: I've always thought it is a good thing to be dubbed a black sheep.
Me, too. *************************************************************** 10-20-06, 0 1:52 AM tsaeb
quote: Originally posted by Karrow: Tsaeb, Alternative lifestyle is for GLBT Issues. That's why your thread was relocated. Smile
GLBT = God, Let Be Thread
Come on, Karrow, I know that GLBT = Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender. Now, a few others know this, too! Big Grin *************************************************************** 10-20-06, 07:02 AM Elexina GLBT = Good Listeners Bring Tissues
Would you be insinuating that being a GLBT person automatically qualifies one for the category of "black sheep"? *************************************************************** 10-21-06, 04:15 AM tsaeb Elexina: I think that as long as there exists a second person in the world interested in categorizing a first person, then the first person is eligible for categorization as a black sheep or just about anything else, according to a variety of reasonings. I have to say "No" to your question, because to me, not every family's GLBT is that family's black sheep. Anyway, I think that the main thing that we learned in this thread is that being categorized as a black sheep is not necessarily a bad thing and may be a compliment or an insult, although I think that it is usually intended as an insult. *************************************************************** 10-23-06, 07:21 AM Elexina
quote: Originally posted by tsaeb: I have to say "No" to your question, because to me, not every family's GLBT is that family's black sheep.
Thank you.
quote: Anyway, I think that the main thing that we learned in this thread is that being categorized as a black sheep is not necessarily a bad thing and may be a compliment or an insult, although I think that it is usually intended as an insult.
Excellent summary. I would have to agree, usually the phrase probably is intended as an insult, but hopefully those being so "insulted" are secure enough with themselves to shrug it off and see the beauty in the black sheepness.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
