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I come from the glass ceiling generation. You might call it feminism. My mother wanted me to “realize my full potential.” My Dad taught me I could be anything I wanted to be. I did break some ceilings. Nearing the end of my career, I feel that I have contributed much to the well-being of my local community. I have no regrets. There is no way I am going to endorse returning to the post WWII dependent Susie homebody model of womanhood as our only acceptable option.

I raised my daughter the same way as I was raised. She has choices. She is trained as a teacher. Right now, she is a stay at home Mom having her third child. It is an extremely tough job and she does it very well. She has my utmost respect.

I also have a son who builds houses and other things. The school system did not recognize his innate interest in the applied physics of understanding how mechanical and natural systems work. All they stressed were liberal arts and getting into college. I used to buy him old chain saws and small engines to take apart and put back together.

With the exception of one, male coaches were more interested in advancing their own children rather than providing a strong role model and improving the individual skills of all.

I think our educational system has failed our boys. For several years I have worked on a “Tech. Prep” committee to articulate middle and high school curriculum with college career certification programs such as welding, power generation, agriculture, natural resource management/forestry, nursing, firefighting and law enforcement. The state cut our money, but we continue on voluntarily.

I think scouting, 4-H and FFA are great programs that provide reinforcement of moral values, business entrepreneurial experience and great leadership skill building. In these, I think rural communities may have the advantage. Boys need responsibility early in life. At the age of 13, my son was digging post holes and setting irrigation lines. By 14, he was feeding stock on a neighbors ranch while they went on a week's vacation.

Just my two cents.

Thank you for your thoughts. In our blended family my wife and I have been blessed with four daughters and two sons. We raised our daughters as you raised yours, and they are faced with the similar challenges and choices. The eldest has now chosen to become a mother and is due in the Spring with our first grandchild - a boy. His father and I will assure that he understands what it means to be a man.

I also have a son who builds houses and other things. The school system did not recognize his innate interest in the applied physics of understanding how mechanical and natural systems work. All they stressed were liberal arts and getting into college. I used to buy him old chain saws and small engines to take apart and put back together.
With the exception of one, male coaches were more interested in advancing their own children rather than providing a strong role model and improving the individual skills of all.
I think our educational system has failed our boys. For several years I have worked on a “Tech. Prep” committee to articulate middle and high school curriculum with college career certification programs such as welding, power generation, agriculture, natural resource management/forestry, nursing, firefighting and law enforcement. The state cut our money, but we continue on voluntarily.
I think scouting, 4-H and FFA are great programs that provide reinforcement of moral values, business entrepreneurial experience and great leadership skill building. In these, I think rural communities may have the advantage. Boys need responsibility early in life. At the age of 13, my son was digging post holes and setting irrigation lines. By 14, he was feeding stock on a neighbors ranch while they went on a week's vacation.
Just my two cents.

Ummm ... two cents' worth? More like two kabillion dollars' worth! You are so 100 percent right.