Regarding the Elephant in the Room

I got into a passive aggressive argument today. It was very polite and under a steady stream of control. It was a disagreement; I wouldn't say there were hurt feelings, but enough of a tiff to get a bee in my bonnet. If it took place on a playground, it would have been very similar to this: A girl and boy play nicely in the sandbox. The boy is making a sand castle and the little playmate helps. The boy's experience in sand castle construction is much more efficient than that of the girl's. This has nothing to do with gender, if that is crossing your mind at this point. As the side of the left tower collapses, the young boy relays familiar remarks of disapproval. He does sprinkle incredible laurels in order to keep the young girl attentive and industrious. After several attempts to keep the tower from plummeting once again, the girl gives out a sigh of frustration. In light of possible abortion, the exasperated foreman repeats his mantra of perseverance, but this time tags on the phrase, "you will do it because I said so." The girl rises no longer as a subordinate, but rather stating claim to herself and her ability to make choices that might be overheard as, "you're not the boss of me!" This is not exactly the way it happened, but it has the undertones of a fine vintage conflict with which we all have had familiarity. Adults and children are more alike than we often think.