Man Law in Flux
Remember those commercials from a few years ago where guys like Burt Reynolds, Eddie Griffin, Ty Murray, Jimmy Johnson and Oscar De La Hoya pontificated over all things manly? They were hilarious as they debated dilemmas over what kinds of behavior flat out violate the unspoken truths of Man Law. The men of the “square table” were venerated members of pop culture; you can even join them on Facebook, which I’ll be doing right after this post.
But up for discussion today is, “What makes a man, a man?” The question is inspired by frequent 6ixth Man commentator (one of the only friends sympathetic enough to post), Brian Smith. Hope he didn’t mind me putting him on blast nationally. At any rate, that is the question and I’ve thought about the ingredients of manhood, especially since about 2 p.m. this afternoon when I read an opinionated article by American syndicated talk show host, Dennis Praeger titled Is America Still Making Men? Read the article yourself for a charged persuasive piece on the importance of a certain approach to making men of boys.
Let’s get the conversation crackin’ with two minor presumptions in tact: #1 We know that America is a nation filled with personality flaws. Some of us are patriots while others of us stroll the boulevards with shoulder chip in tow. Racism, Classicism, Avarice, etc. is all here but I reiterate, “What Makes a Man a Man?” Can we start there? So parameter one is simply the acknowledgment that the United States is a far cry from Eden. #2 The second and last parameter is as simple as the first. You Christians need to behave and welcome the opinions of non-Christians in this discourse. No one is going to take your Faith from you so you can relax and enjoy the dialogue. The same rules apply to you skeptics and unconventional Christians who brandish your enlightened perspectives through biting quips of wit.
This subject is important enough that we must ask members of this world what they consider MANHOOD. I’m interested because the ambiguity of what makes a man a man could mean the end of civilization. So as my man the Joker (Heath Ledger) said it so succinctly, “Here………We…….Go!” Keep it clean and we’ll do this again people. Peace.
Posted: by Norman Anthony
Category: Character
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azyQCCGGxMc just for fun!
Interesting question. You know we only have a daughter but my husband discussed this exact point with a friend who was a father of a son. One of the conclusions that was reached is that as America is a “melting pot” of cultures, the thing that was missing was a “rite of passage.” Where a young man is turned out to the world as an adult. He is usually faced with some sort of testing to prove he has learned the skills to be a man. Just this afternoon a friend of mine was telling me she was frustrated with her son. At 20 he is well equipped to get a well paid job but he gives her many excuses as to why he can’t put out his resume. I asked her if there was a man that could speak into his life, kick him in the butt, so to speak. There was not an easy answer. When my husband and I got married, he was laid off three times in the first year. When I finally scraped him off the floor of our apartment, he finally got a job where a boss had a “come to Jesus” talk with him. A man needs a man to make clear to him what his place is, in this world, in his family, as a man. We may be a culture where gender roles are blurred, but a man is still intuitively a man. He is whole when he can operate in that capacity.
Well its now the 20th and Julie(another regular) is the only post. No I don’t mind at all putting me on blast. What I do mind is that no one has commented yet. I know there is some men and women out there that when reading your post and the Prager link, have an opinion. LETS HEAR IT!!!!!
Julie, as for me I am a married man with no sons, but 4 daughters. This is a huge issue for me, because one of these little kids will grow up wanting to court one of my daughters towards marriage. You better believe they have some huge shoes to fill. Any boy interested in dating one of my daughters(when Mom and I say she is of age) he must come to me and we are gonna have a sit down interview same as a job interview. So far my eldest(17) has had one boy interested and he knows my standards and has not asked yet to date her. Interesting, I wonder what his thoughts on our TALK were……Lets hear some thoughts people I want to see where this goes
First off, Dennis Praeger is not really asking whether America still makes men. He’s lamenting the fact that the world as he knew it, loved it, has changed. Dressing up the article as a referendum on manhood is weak. Secondly, his rant doesn’t even attempt to answer the question (one of my personal pet peeves).
That out of the way, here is my take. About the only thing that I agree with from that article is that there appears to be a crisis of responsibility in our culture. When I hear “be a man” or “man up”, that means step up and take responsibility for yourself and the situation. In my mind men don’t make excuses, they apologize when they are wrong but they don’t make excuses. Men own failures just as much as they own triumphs. Men are strong for their family and friends, and not just Hercules type strength, but emotional strength as well. Lastly, a man stands by his word, come hell or high water.
But here is the rub, a woman exhibits those same traits, they always have. Women just haven’t always received the praise. Julie your story about your husband is a prime example. You’re not the first wife to “scrape” their husband off of the floor, and definitely will not be the last. In Praeger’s view that’s a man’s job. Praeger’s theory tells us that women are weak and frail and they cannot navigate the world without a man. Most reasonable people know that’s B.S. of the highest order.
Honestly, a better question is whether America still makes strong principled people. This is the core of the question for me. I say yes.
That is my 2 cents and then some.
Here, Here Al! I just discussed with my husband about our culture having a lack of responsibility! It always seems to be someone else’s fault! And while I scraped my husband off the floor, it took another man to kick him in the butt! My littlest brother constantly blames everyone else for his lot in life, and my mom lets him! Make a choice to be responsible. If you are an adult man, you are no longer in a place to blame. If you need help, find it!
Wow Al, thats what I am talking about, some passion and opinion.I don’t necessarily agree with you, but this is good. “Dialog” I think that this culture and the direction of our society is that we don’t have people of principle. Peolpe of principle stand for a belief or a value and don’t budge. But what I see are people that sway like a palm tree in the wind back and forth they go which ever way the wind blows you. The media, hollywood, political leaders, and even the “elite” academic types, all preach do what feel rights, do what makes you happy. Not do whats right, or have principles or values and live by those. The problem with feelings is that they are very deceptive. “The heart is decietful above all things, who can know it”
Truth is truth its not relative. You can’t change it to fit your feelings or your point of view. We have young boys growing up in fatherless homes with no direction and the only men are entertainers(athletes,actors,singers) speaking to these kids. Guess what they do for living, they PLAY. I know Norman has posted stuff on the craziness of the NBA players(kids out of wedlock,mistresses on the side, drugs, gambling)
Remember this isn’t an attack on you, and maybe we need more men like you to step up and teach these boys how to be men. By the way I don’t believe Mr. Prager’s view is that women are weak and can’t navigate through life with out man. Rather it’s that they aren’t supposed to. My four daughters look to me for leadership. “Protect me, provide for me, then nuture me.” That’s the order I am called to take care of them. When men don’t do these things they are at a loss. Little girls don’t grow up in healthy home watching their father do these things, and tell them I don’t need you dad I can take care of myself, don’t protect me, don’t love me. The opposite is evident. Please Daddy take care of me treat me like your little princess.
There is my 2 cents…..