Thread: Interesting Perspective on the State of American Manhood

Cudarunner, that illustrates exactly what I was talking about. And Sydney was just awesome to boot.

Gugi, a few posts back, you said that it's the absence of aggression that's being lamented over, but I disagree. It's not a lack of aggression, but a lack of strength in men (not physical strength) as well as a lack of character and moral fiber. I fully agree with you on technology being a benefit this day and age, but, it's somewhat of a double edged sword as you also pointed out.

This is directed at no one in particular... think about how many phone numbers you have memorized or travel routes you can navigate by memory. Now think of how heavily we rely on technology for those things. For that matter, think of those of us learning to use a straight razor. Without the technology to create this forum, we'd all have a tougher time learning what works and what doesn't.

Personally, my theory is that if we were to take today's technology and yesteryear's tenacity, we would be far better off as a species. This isn't too say there aren't instances of this blend in the world today, I just don't think there are as many as there could be, nor as many as there used to be.

We've become rather lazy as a people, at least in the US, and want it done for us. We have the technology to learn a new skill, though few of us take advantage of that resource.

Birnando, I agree that women should be equal partners in a marriage. However, there is nothing archaic about letting a man show he is a man through his strength and letting a woman show she is a woman through her tenderness. It's what makes for a great relationship. My wife makes nearly double what I do in trends of income, and we make decisions about everything as a partnership. However, it does make her swoon when she sees me working on a vehicle or building something in my shop or even taking out a heavy bag of trash. And, it completely melts my heart to see her go out of her way to do something thoughtful for me when she knows I'm exhausted from physical labor, such as cooking dinner or making sure I have clean laundry. While I'm more than capable of doing these things, and about 50% of the time I am the one doing them, more so when it comes to cooking, it still makes me appreciate her.

Also,again aimed at no one in particular, I don't subscribe to the idea that because someone was raised without a parent in the home that it causes them to be weak or numb to the responsibilities and duties of that role. In fact, quite the opposite had been my experience, as I grew up without my father around (he left when I was 3 or 4 and I didn't hear from him again until I was 18) and I get compliments all the time on how great of a father I am. I suspect the reason is because I realized what was lacking in my own life and rather than use my absent father as an excuse to be a poor father, I accepted my duties and responsibility to raise a child to be the best that he can and to teach him sound morals and impart what wisdom I can. If I do it successfully, then his children will benefit, and on and on.

It seems at the heart of the matter the thing missing is strength and moral fiber. If we as a nation had more of it, we probably wouldn't have as many problems as we do.

I mean no offense to anyone, and I think everyone here has contributed positively to this conversation. It's the difference of opinion that makes us valuable as individuals, and encourages us to shed our way of thinking that could have a negative impact on us or those around us. I would like to thank each of you for offering a different point of view for me to consider so that I may grow intellectually and become a better man, father, husband and good standing member of humanity at large.

Whew! That was a mouthful!

Originally Posted by Mephisto

Mr Earcutter,

I understand that the article resonates with you but opinion without some support is just for rabble rousing which I cannot stand. It is one of my pet peeves. I am in someway sympathetic to some of the points of the article but his evidence was terrible. It is just as bad as some of the feminist critiques I had to read as a graduate student. Plus, if I wrote a paper like that I would get reamed by instructors, not just the feminist.

LOL!! This isn't school and these aren't peer reviewed . This... "Opinion," is exactly what men do when they converse. Very much like Congress. Except of course Congress makes laws on BS and opinions. No facts needed lol!! And that's a fact!!

Crouton976, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I commend, encourage and respect you for yearning to further develop in your current roles.

Morality and integrity are certainly ingredients that men in our generation seem to be deficient in. I fear that the situation will only get worse with the influx of Hollywood ideals and indecency. Men who raise their voice against this "popular" carefree lifestyle are often labeled radical, old fashioned and chauvinistic. That is just a further sign of how degraded we have become.

Originally Posted by earcutter

LOL!! This isn't school and these aren't peer reviewed . This... "Opinion," is exactly what men do when they converse. Very much like Congress. Except of course Congress makes laws on BS and opinions. No facts needed lol!! And that's a fact!!

Agreed. But it would be nice if we could gather facts and use them to support arguments. Though the facts sometimes can be twisted to suit our needs. This is why I cannot stand political talk shows, whether they be conservative or liberal, they take the facts and twist and twist for their audience and the ratings. Here we are now entertain us!

Originally Posted by Mephisto

Agreed. But it would be nice if we could gather facts and use them to support arguments. Though the facts sometimes can be twisted to suit our needs. This is why I cannot stand political talk shows, whether they be conservative or liberal, they take the facts and twist and twist for their audience and the ratings. Here we are now entertain us!

Dude... That's simply your opinion! :-)

Originally Posted by Mephisto

Here we are now entertain us!

A mulatto, an albino? A mosquito, my libido?

Sorry, couldn't resist... there is a lot of Kurt Cobain in my past.

Back to the topic at hand, WhiskerHarvest, I thank you for the kind words.

I wouldn't totally discredit Hollywood though... They have brought about some pretty positive change in the past. If nothing else, they at least become the mouthpiece of what is popular in the nation, be it good or bad.

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the show Longmire, but my wife and I recently started watching it. I have no idea how good the book series it is based off of is, but I think the show portrays exactly what I think the definition of what a "real man" should be, and I don't mean the rough exterior. The main character, Sherrif Walt Longmire, in the course of the last 8 episodes, had exhibited several traits I consider to be the crux of what I'm referring to. Integrity, patience, tenacity, intelligence, rationale, duty, responsibility, resilience, wit, sensibility and compassion.

These are the things I saw in my grandfather, who instilled them in me, and what I see many of my own and younger generations lacking.

I think that what had helped make this show popular as of late isn't the extraordinary acting or plot (or the gorgeous scenery), but rather the refreshing portrayal of what a "real man" should be. I think a large part of American viewers have recognized something in this portrayal that consciously or unconsciously they realize is lacking from our society. And that makes them crave it more.

Originally Posted by Mephisto

Agreed. But it would be nice if we could gather facts and use them to support arguments. Though the facts sometimes can be twisted to suit our needs. This is why I cannot stand political talk shows, whether they be conservative or liberal, they take the facts and twist and twist for their audience and the ratings. Here we are now entertain us!

I used to have some of the stats on the effects on a family where the father was absent. I found this link which contains plenty of scary info. Statistics on Father Absence : National Fatherhood Initaitive

As a scholar I am sure you have better access to more concrete studies but you were looking for some facts so get some chips and a grain of salt and enjoy!

I also can't stand the spin placed on our news. The media is giving up their constitutional rights with all the show boating and manipulation. The Zimmerman trial is a perfect example of the media taking a bad situation and making it worse. And how convenient it must be for them to have all the protests to cover. They are salivating over the potential for nationwide race riots or further blood shed. What's that? Little Rock! (Smacks forehead repeatedly)

Thanks crouton, I have been meaning to watch that show. It looks promising and with that kind of review I am excited to start it.

Not all of Hollywood is wrong but they definitely push their agenda at every opportunity. I mean buck wild, Jersey Shore?? Shows like that are directed at the youth and promote the opposite of everything you and I have mentioned above.

Originally Posted by WhiskerHarvest

I used to have some of the stats on the effects on a family where the father was absent. I found this link which contains plenty of scary info. Statistics on Father Absence : National Fatherhood Initaitive

As a scholar I am sure you have better access to more concrete studies but you were looking for some facts so get some chips and a grain of salt and enjoy!

I also can't stand the spin placed on our news. The media is giving up their constitutional rights with all the show boating and manipulation. The Zimmerman trial is a perfect example of the media taking a bad situation and making it worse. And how convenient it must be for them to have all the protests to cover. They are salivating over the potential for nationwide race riots or further blood shed. What's that? Little Rock! (Smacks forehead repeatedly)

Most news today is advertised as commentary. It has to be. When a journalist states one witness "felt that" and then runs with that "feeling," its simple commentary.

News is presenting facts and deciding for yourself. A man gets facts and comes to his own conclusions... A boy is told how to feel/think and runs with it.

The greatest examples of men are those of men who took the information given to them, made up their own minds and created change for good when most couldn't see, or wouldn't see those travesty before them.

Originally Posted by earcutter

LOL!! This isn't school and these aren't peer reviewed . This... "Opinion," is exactly what men do when they converse. Very much like Congress. Except of course Congress makes laws on BS and opinions. No facts needed lol!! And that's a fact!!

I think that's a rather inaccurate representation
The US congress passes laws firmly based on facts, but those are facts about campaign contributions, district borders, etc. in other words very much like the way ordinary people make decisions - 'what is going to be good for advancing me or at the very minimum for keeping my job'
They are pretty good at it too - the reelection rate is at about 90% and hasn't been changing for a long time.