Masculinity is a trait that should be embraced, not scorned.
Dr. Warren Farrell’s “The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do about It” might be one of the most uncomfortable books any male reads that believes masculinity is a benefit, not drawback to society. It emphasizes the importance of fathers, and the natural characteristics that separate men from women. Nowhere in the book does it conclude that men are superior to women, nor does it say that the idea of masculinity includes aggression, or that men should isolate their emotions from those around them. However it does include some disturbing statistics that should make anyone, of any gender, stand up and take notice. The fact that males are two times more likely to commit suicide, (the highest demographic being middle age white men) dwindling college graduation rates, declining testosterone rates, and probably to no one’s surprise, higher incarceration rates. With this sobering information, it’s difficult that anyone could possibly believe we live in a world dominated by male superiority, or that females have made little progress contributing to a better and safer world.
But this is often the narrative we hear from progressives. The war in Ukraine should remind us that courageous men are often called upon to fight oppression, and that sacrifice is the consequence many pay doing so. Courage, strength and sacrifice are not strong points only exclusive to males, but the reality is that when the world is in crisis, particularly violent conflicts, it’s men that will hit the front lines and understand that they might have to die in order for others to live. The bravery of women cannot be stressed enough, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable to admit that masculinity, like feminism, is a characteristic worth embracing, not shaming. In 2019, Gillette’s “We believe” ad, in what seemed to be a well intended call for an end to toxic masculinity, instead came across as pandering and self righteous, where it could have instead defined masculinity as having courage in the face of overwhelming circumstances. The men who died storming the beaches of Normandy, the heroics of those who sacrificed their lives on United 93 in September 2001. True masculinity models civility, not arrogance, and anyone who thinks differently has no understanding of that concept.
Emotions can easily get in the way of logic, and we often tell people what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. This is true compassion, yet we now live in a society where many believe the exact opposite. Chris Beck, a retired Navy Seal that was given a whole segment by CNN celebrating his transition from male to female, has now come forward to admit that he should have received psychological help, but was instead told to move forward with surgery. You can find many other similar stories, but they receive little attention from a media more concerned with ideology than truth. This shouldn’t surprise anyone that understands we are living at a time where the idea of “love” now means to give into impulse, and a removal of God from the American family. Telling those struggling with their identity to move forward with life altering methods is the exact opposite of love. Ironically, many of these same voices are the ones advocating body positivity, and yet the most compassionate form of that is to encourage others to love who they are.
At a time when pornography is becoming normalized, and the definition of terms such as pedophilia are being changed to “minor attracted person” it is vital that those with any sense of decency speak up against this extreme thinking. Right now, we have a President so concerned with making sure he appoints “historic firsts”, that he fails to understand merit is the most important criteria for such important positions. Many Americans do not realize, or just don’t care that the Department of Health and Human services is led by someone who couldn’t answer if there should be limitations on children receiving puberty blockers and transition surgery. Or that Sam Brinton, despite a history of disturbing behavior, such as pictures of him holding a leash with men in dog masks, was appointed to a position within the Department of energy, all in an effort to promote inclusiveness. Regardless of the words he says, the President’s actions have shown that he truly wants to fundamentally change America and erase history to usher in a world in which debauchery is celebrated, rather than scorned. We should be extremely concerned. This is a crisis, and hopefully, America will make decisions that reject this ideology.
Until next time
JPN