On masculinity: My father's generation were better at being men

The Guardian ^ | May 17, 2013 | Ian Jack

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

“Better men” is always a hard thing to say. For example, if you look at modern veterans, many of whom have fought in a dozen or more deployments, against an intractable and ruthless enemy, you will find men with impressive strength of character.

If this is not seen in the youth, it is because they have not been challenged to exhibit such strength. Instead their energies go in other directions, for better or worse.

In Britain today, you see a society debilitated by socialism and nanny government. But you also will see the result, the growth of movements such as UKIP and the EDL, that abhor socialism and the surrender of national pride to the faceless gray men of Brussels.

If anything, Britain’s greatest generation resulted in the weakness and depravity in their youth, exhausted by two such great wars, demanding generations just to recover.

But if they are finally recovering, then we can but hope they will cast off the foolishness and empty promises, and return to a path of prosperity and strength.

[RedHeeler]

You have a knife, and use it expansively. I am glad you are on this forum. Good deal, yefragetuwrabrumuy.

[trebb]

If a woman gives me grief, I employ “the worst insult you can inflict upon a woman”. I silently turn my back and walk away without looking back.

My wife tells me I should just shrug, smile, and say that I'm sorry for mistaking the offensive one for being a woman - it won't happen again. I love my wife...

[DoughtyOne]

There’s something else I left out, that I think needs to be touched on here.

Along with the move to ‘normalize’ homosexual, transexual, and other behaviors, there was an aspect of it that gets mentioned too seldom.

When men were men, it was fairly easy to identify yourself sexually, and develop the behaviors that typified your gender.

Today that has become blurred.

There have been instances where young people have been challenged as to what their true orientation is. Kids, always trying to evolve into their proper role during the awkward years, are now being asked, “How do you know, unless you have experimented?”

This cannot be having a great impact on todays male youth who are evolving into manhood.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks Knarf.

[DoughtyOne]

Figures..., and thank you.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you.

[DoughtyOne]

Doesn’t surprise me. Sorry to hear it none the less. Thank you.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the response. I’m glad things are going well for your niece. The reason for it is clear isn’t it.

Great...

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your comments. I agree...

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the response. The recitation of your experience was appreciated. It’s important that we hear these experiences. Good job...

[DoughtyOne]

My daughter was a real terror growing up. Ultimately, what she wanted was intervention, a comforting strong hand to help her through her travails.

In stepped well meaning adults to short-circuit the stability she really needed. It was a real shame to endure at the time. Very frustrating indeed for a father than wanted the best for her.

I think she has her life pretty well in tow these days. I’m glad to know it.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree TomKat. Men have tried to be supportive and allow women to design their own best destiny. And IMO, to a fault they have. This hasn’t been a boon to anyone, Women (fully), men, or their children.

I’ll give you one example that pretty well spells it out, where our society has wound up.

Don’t keep score, it’s just too stressful...

And have you ever heard so much angst from grown-ups who were once picked last to be on a team as a child?

Lordy!

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks Dartman...

[nevergore]

You are absolutely correct.... at times, boys have to learn how to be men in an all male environment....no girls allowed..... By nature, we are an aggressive and disgusting lot (almost feral) if not tempered good strong male role models....

Fortunately, BSA has not succumbed to the to what has occurred in Canada....

[nevergore]

ooooh...peer approval...I live for that! Just kidding...LOL

Thank you for the compliment!

[DoughtyOne]

Hey, that’s what I’m here for... :^)

[Chgogal]

BTTT

[Vanders9]

Well, it was the baby boomers that won the cold war. And that could be very hot in places.