Our sons are dying.
You thought I was sick and tired when I wrote my post calling on Generation X to step up or shut up. I’m even more pissed off now. Why? Because I’ve been asking you nicely to give up your bullshit machismo, but you’re still not getting the message. I’ve been writing for years now to encourage and motivate you in a calm and rational manner. But I’m pretty sure you’re not listening.
Well, it’s time to start listening, men…if there are any real men left out there. By “real men,” I don’t mean the supposed tough guys with brittle egos. I’m talking about men who are truly strong. Strong men are those who don’t need to belittle others to feel powerful. Strong men don’t need to scapegoat women or “beta males” or anyone else to make up for their inadequacies and insecurities.
Strong men won’t back down from a challenge, and won’t hesitate to call out other men who are displaying the signs of fake-ass, fragile masculinity. Before you even start, spare me the tired whining of “you’re saying all men are toxic.” Shut the fuck up, already. You sound like a child.
While you whine like a baby, more and more of our young brothers—our sons—are dying by their own hands. We don’t have any more time to waste on your petty bullshit.
Macho Manhood Is Toxic. Period.
For the last time, I’m not saying men are intrinsically toxic by nature. I’m saying that indoctrination into the macho “alpha male” behavior pattern is toxic. The aloof and self-centered social Darwinism version of manhood is part of the problem.
Disagree? If all you’ll respond to is violence, I’m ready to fight you over it, virtually or otherwise. Because I’m sick of your empty posturing and bravado. Fuck your version of masculinity. It has been killing men for years, and now it’s killing boys. It’s killing boys the same age as my son, who hasn’t even entered his teen years yet. One of my son’s classmates took his own life. I’m willing to bet my life that the negative socialization of macho manhood was at least partially to blame.
Too many boys are still feeling the pressure to conform to a narrow and shallow version of manhood. Too many adult males are still policing young men for any sign of “weakness,” which can include showing a full range of human emotions or asking for help with their problems. Signs of “weakness” may also include lack of interest in stereotypical masculine behaviors, such as constantly hunting for female sexual partners and never-ending hyper-aggression toward other men.
Perhaps the most damaging aspect of machismo brainwashing is teaching young men to see the world as a warzone instead of a place of limitless possibilities made possible through collaboration with others. It’s time, once and for all, to end the dangerous indoctrination of young men into the twisted death cult of machismo.
What You Can Do To Help
To the open-minded men who read this: you may or may or not be a biological father to a boy. It doesn’t matter. All men are socially responsible for our young men. As adult males, we set the example for boys through our words and behaviors. We need men like you to teach them a better approach to manhood.
This is where the heroic mindset comes into play. Heroism encapsulates the noble behaviors we cherish as human beings: bravery, altruism toward others, strength of will and character, generosity, resilience, and more. We must prioritize teaching our young men to take care of themselves and others emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Contrary to what the machismo death cult may tell you, heroism is not about the disposability of men. Classical heroism is everyday heroism. This means taking risks appropriate to one’s personal situation. You wouldn’t advise a young boy to run into a burning building to save someone, but you would teach him to resist being a passive bystander and call 911 for help.
If you must teach a boy to be stoic, teach him true classical Stoicism, which promotes the conscious acceptance of one’s emotions in order to master them. Don’t teach boys the false stoicism (lower-case “s”) cooked up in modern times that’s really just repackaged bitterness and cynicism. Stop teaching boys to be pompous and narcissistic know-it-alls who think intelligence goes hand-in-hand with cruelty and disdain for others.
I’m going to keep writing and speaking this message until my dying day. But I can’t do this alone. I need your help. Help me teach young men and boys to be authentically strong by teaching them to be resilient, open-minded, empathetic, altruistic, humble, and humane. In other words, let’s teach them the principles of heroism.
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Anthony,
Thank you for spreading the word. Very well said & a great message that needs to be spread and supported by all men and boys everywhere.
Real Men feel their feelings, cry and care for all living beings.
Peace & Loving Support…….
Thanks, David! Yes, real men cry, and care, and stand strong, and use anger and determination and bravery and subtlety and all the other tools at a human being’s disposal. They can be gentle or they can be hard, as the situation calls for it. They can be all things, not just barely restrained psychopaths who exist only to fight and fornicate. The latter is what the machismo death cult wants us to believe. But I’m committed to fighting that shallow interpretation of manhood, with its posturing and brittle insecurity. Thanks again for your support! Please pass this article along… Read more »