negativity towards Sister Missionaries

[Tru2u4eternity]

I have made the decision that I want to serve a mission. My family is supportive and thrilled about it as is my bishop and other members of my ward but...I have recieved some negative comments about sister missionaries from actual missionaries in the field right now and it angers me. This perticular elder said and I quote "Sister missionaries are just hungry husband hunters" That isn't the first negative comment I've heard but its one of the most irrating to say the least. What are your guys thoughts and oppionions on this especially those of you that have already served missions.

[nc31410]

First of all, I'm very proud of the fact that you decided to serve a mission! I think that as a woman, its very courageous to step out of your element and dedicate that length of time to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father!

I think that you should just pray for strength on just ignoring those comments. As long as you know the reason why your serving a mission! Be proud of your decision and don't let anyone or anything hold you back!

Best of Luck!!!

[Misshalfway]

SISTER MISSIONARIES ROCK! Don't you listen to small minded boys who don't have anything worthwhile to say.

You go on that mission and serve your guts out! You will love it! I loved my mish. Wouldn't have traded it for all the "husbands" in the land.

[BenRaines]

From the male perspective I say to go for it. There are lots of people that for one reason or another the Elders can't touch that Sister missionaries bring to the gospel.

Our daughter served a mission in South Africa. She loved the time she served.

I agree with MissHalfway in regards to small minded boys.

Ben Raines

[Wingnut]

Hungry husband hunters??? HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! A greater percentage of sisters that I served with had someone waiting for them than elders did.

Elders will generally tend to go one way or the other on sisters. They will love sisters and think they're the greatest thing since sliced bread (which, by the way, is true); or they will really not like sisters at all because they think they're high maintenance (which is sometimes true). The ones who don't like sisters don't mask it very well.

But the bottom line is this: YOU GO, GIRL!!

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

I was a hungry wife hunter for a while, even though I never went on a mission. The word "just" certainly doesn't belong though...

[RachelleDrew]

That doesn't even make sense, if you were so hungry for marriage, wouldn't you NOT go on a mission? It takes a year out of your social life.

I know lots of women who won't serve a mission because they think they will miss their chance at meeting somebody while they are away. The particular elder you are speaking of doesn't know what he is talking about.

I think missions should be encouraged for females with the same zeal that they are for men. You will be blessed abundantly for your service, and you will grow as an individual.

Good for you, I wish more than anything that I was baptized young enough to serve a mission as a single woman. I can serve later with my husband, but that is many years from now. Enjoy yourself and work hard!

[beefche]

Ok, that response is based on a couple of things...culture (I'm sure they had fathers, uncles, friends, etc. repeat bad stories/opinions) and a few bad apples.

When I was talking about serving a mission, I had a lot of male RMs warn me of things NOT to do as a sister missionary. Some things included, flirting, asking for blessings incessantly, trying to boss the Elders, etc.

What I found on my mission were some sisters who flirted with Elders and other men, was always sick and wanted blessings, would ignore the Elder's when given instructions or boss them around.

I had district leaders and zone leaders who told me to my face that they didn't like sister missionaries. So, I rolled my eyes and told them to get over it. I served to the best of my ability and loved my mission despite some Elder's attitudes.

You will cross Elders and others who think women should not serve missions and if they do that they will be "bad" missionaries. Learn to ignore them. Learn to love them despite not liking them or their ways/words. Learn that serving a mission is really not about you anyway, so who cares what others think of you? Go for the right reasons and you'll find it a blessing and a joy to serve no matter what trials you'll have (and you WILL have trials before, during, and after the mission--it's Satan's m.o.).

[Palerider]

Sister Missionaries are awesome....they can get into alot of homes that Elders cannot....

[Vort]

In my experience, sister missionaries tended to be either among the best or the worst of missionaries. The negative stereotypes, while unfair, have a kernel of truth. Some sister missionaries are indeed high-maintenance, strident, and not very stable. But most of the sister missionaries I knew were actually excellent missionaries, and sister missionaries in general had a very good reputation among the elders.

Some obvious differences: The sister missionaries tend to be two or three years older than the elders, which at that age means that your typical elder is a very young man learning to be an adult, while your typical sister is a young adult. I believe this is one reason why sister missionaries can sometimes reach and teach people that the elders cannot. (The other reason is, of course, that they're women, and many people are more willing to let into their homes women they don't know than men they don't know.)

As long as your desire is pure and your eye single, you will be an effective missionary and your service will be fruitful and worthwhile. Most of the elders hold the sisters in high regard; don't worry about the few who feel otherwise.