Over the past several months, I have discovered a conversation taking place in several venues regarding the state of manhood in America. Some venues are very religious and others are incredibly secular, even anti-religious.
At TED, an incredible conference for leading thinkers in the area of technology, education and design, Phillip Zimbardo asked the question “Are we headed for the demise of guys?” and challenged the TED community to pursue solutions. You can watch the 5 minute video here.
Later, I discovered an article in Relevant Magazine which created a great deal of buzz, regarding the ongoing conversations regarding gender roles and our conceptions of what manhood looks like. You can check out that article here.
I have continued to reflect on these two pieces again and again over the last month. I know this can be a fairly polarizing issue. But I feel drawn into defining the problem and addressing solutions. As a 27 year old husband, soon-to-be father of a son, a pastor who primarily works with young adults, and a friend to so many twenty-something men, this is not a theoretical issue. But it is a difficult challenge nevertheless.
So, I would love to know your thoughts on it and I look forward to fleshing out mine in a future post here on the blog. For now, watch the video and read the article. THEN, share a comment below. I am going to moderate comments on this one to keep everyone honest!
In light of these two pieces, what do you think of the state of manhood in America?
What an interesting question “what do you think of the state of manhood in America?”. I found both aritcles to be interesting with some valid points. However, niether seemed to convince me that the “state of manhood” is in a rapid decline and soon we are to be left with a bunch of men who lack courage, fidelity, love, empathy, & stregnth. In order to adequalely evaluate the delta of the state of manhood we first must have a baseline. The best that Zimbardo seemed to establish that basline was in his assesment of education. However, I wonder what confounding variables exist. Were the numbers normed for things such as women’s increasing access to education, current economic conditions, record high tuition, etc. The other article only seemed to highlight problems not a real comparison . It would have additionaly been useful to understand in both articles the time series in which the data was analyzed.
Regardless if the data was legitimate or not, I think the both articles did a fine job in highlighting issues that plague men. Insecurity, Lust, Loneliness, Fear, & Anger are great examples of core issues that men have been dealing with since Adam & Eve. Sure, internet porn and its anonymity & accessiablity allow insecure boys to have a fantasy world were we feel like king. It gives this generation a new high. However one or two generations ago, insecure boys felt like kings when they treated people of color like objects producing a false sense of superiority. The core issues remain the same for mankind, the context and enviroment of those issues will always change. Regardless of what generation a man finds himself in, the state of his manhood will still solely be defined by his ability to accept the love & grace of his Creator. Labeling an era as a weakening or great generation of men, does little to encourage men to accept there position as Soilders of the King who’s greatness is defined by thier King’s power. In my opinion it only serves to seperate both generations farther from thier Father’s grace and into positions of shame or self-sufficency.
Thanks for the articles amigo!!!
Esto
your wife made a great statement to me recently. she said something to the effect of “true brilliance, a prophetic voice not only identifies what is broken, but the steps to move through the problem and towards a solution”. This is my intention here with this post and follow-ups. I think Zimbardo mentioned his purpose was simply to raise the concern or problem, not address the solution. I think you did well to identify the core issues and share the solution. As Michael (a regular commenter here) often shares, many modern concerns are often new manifestations of age-old issues. My question is always to ask “is this a new issue or a just a the new manifestation of something more historic?” And to drive towards solutions that bring healing and hope.
Thank YOU for commenting Danny!
You bet I have some thoughts on this Scott. I read not only the article from Relevant, but also many of the comments. But before I go any further let me point out some personal ditties: I cannot stand Dr. Phil, I don’t wear pink, I don’t have earrings in both ears, and I don’t cry. You see, from most of your readers I’m as old school as old school gets. I still open doors, push in chairs, some of the old school qualities taught to me by my father, on what a man is suppose to do for a lady. Even though my father well tell you that mom and he are equally yoked in the marriage, my father will and always be the head of our family, as well as I am of mine.
Boundaries, rules, policies, social pressures, and political correctness, over time; are confusing the gender behavior. Displaced children, the result of single source parenting and without role models learn their gender behavior through reality shows. To quote a female friend of mine, “Where are all the real men at?”
Now to the major let down…it’s going to get worse and I don’t see it getting better…and that really just bums me out.
Michael
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