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Never argue with a woman. Thus endeth the lesson. |
Posted on 02/24/2006 10:14:39 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
What should a young male of 21 know, and what should he be able to do? There are no conclusive answers to those questions, but they are certainly worth asking. A young man should know how his country is run and how it got that way. He should know the Federalist Papers and de Tocqueville, and he should know recent world history. If he does not know what has been tried in the past, he cannot very well avoid those pitfalls as they come up in the future.
A young man should be computer literate and, moreover, should know Hemingway from James Joyce. He should know how to drive a car well--such as is not covered in Driver's Ed. He should know how to fly a light airplane. He should know how to shoot well. He should know elementary geography, both worldwide and local. He should have a cursory knowledge of both zoology and botany. He should know the fundamentals of agriculture and corporate economy. He should be well qualified in armed combat, boxing, wrestling and judo, or its equivalent. He should know how to manage a motorcycle. He should be comfortable in at least one foreign language, more if appropriate to his background. He should be familiar with remedial medicine.
These things should be accomplished before a son leaves his father's household.
Interesting list. My son is 25, but can't fly an airplane. However, thanks to the fine training received in the US Army, he DOES know how to jump out of a helicopter in air assualt missions...wonder if that counts? :)
He's read Hemingway- but won't touch Joyce- he's watched me pick up Ulysses several times over the years only to give up in frustration.
Other than that- his father (and the army) have taught him the rest!
Wonder what the writer would have on a list for a young woman...
The young man might be wise to keep a gun and defend the 2nd Amendment but he SHOULD KNOW better than to seek serious advise about life/politics/philosopy, etc. from Guns and Ammo Magazine.
Something to apire to, even if most men will not attain it.
Or perhaps, by 21, he could have even read some of each of them!
"Aspire".. One day, I must learn to type..
How to shoot, clean and maintain firearms
How to handle himself in a fight
How to drive *anything*, or at least handle a manual transmission
Concur with Geography, Economics, Zoology
How to handle personal finances
How to hunt, clean, dress and prepare game
How to sharpen and safely use a knife
How to write properly
Concur with computer literacy
How to use hand tools
How to maintain vehicles
How to conduct himself with discipline, respect and integrity.
Among other things!
One more lesson for a young male of 21:
If it floats, flies, or f***s, it's cheaper to rent.
Due to our advanced educational system, he probably knows how to put a condom on a cucumber.
The very best "rite of crossing" in America is to serve a hitch in the Armed Forces. The Marines or the Army being the best pick for growing up quickly.
Drink beer..
Shoot pool...
Play poker...
Handicap a race...
etc...
I like your list better. It and the Heinlein quote make the grade!
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love, 1973
Personal finances, staying out of debt and paying cash. This will make all the other stuff reasonably simple.
A number of years ago, there was a book published titled Cultural Literacy.
If a man doesn't know a good portion of its contents by age 21, he certainly should by age 30!
Notwithstanding the publication, the author is Jeff Cooper - he is something of a guru regarding the philosophy of armed combat, and self reliance.
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Never argue with a woman. Thus endeth the lesson. |
Note to self: read threads then post!
Dang! I got to dust off those books.
I forgot how satisfying Heinlein is...
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