Real Men
The extremely nice woman across the street (a good friend, mother of Eli 22.0s best friend) mentioned a conversation she had with someone yesterday.The conversation was with a man in his late 60s, who was bemoaning the plight of boys in today's society. She was curious, so she asked a few more questions, and he finally said that boys and young today didn't know what a "real man" was.
I've been thinking about the term "real man" ever since.
First off, I'm sure I'm not one. I don't even think I could precisely define the term.
Also, everyone I've known who self-identified as a "real man" has been, without exception, a bullying asshole.
I believe people who use the term associate it with being in charge and being in control. What I find interesting, though, is how character isn't really part of it at all.
No character required.
I also think it's interesting that in some countries people would associate "real men" with honorable men, but not in this country, unfortunately.
I feel like not having enough real men was never the problem. Our problem was always having too many.
<< Home