Real men in the early 21st century
An excerpt from a discussion between some of us here on Vox and on Facebook—the part I can share. (Thanks to Ninja and Randy for their thoughts in this.)
I believe in men being gentlemen, women being ladies. I believe in respect, grace, honour, integrity and keeping my word. I believe in facts before assumptions, I believe in truth and not BS.
I believe in self-determination of people and respecting their paths.
I believe that no one can complete me. A relationship is about my sharing who I fully am with someone, not needing someone to complete how I see myself.
But we real men, those of us without sex and footy on the brain, are plain not represented widely. So when mothers consider locking up their daughters, do men like me get grouped with the assholes of this planet? You know, the guys who think Ralph is sophisticated literature?
And when a magazine domestically says that Marc Ellis is the typical Kiwi male, what heck hope do the rest of us have?
The last time anyone close appeared in the cultural Zeitgeist was Brendan Fraser in Blast from the Past. And he was made out to be a freak who grew up in a fallout shelter.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled programme.
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Comments
It took us 30 years to get to this low point.
I should look on the bright side: that it allows me to differentiate myself among all men.
But since women analyse us single guys and our motives, then collectively, the male of the species does not look awfully appealing in 2007.
I am going to teach my daughters to have high standards then pray God will raise up the men they need in their lives.
I find that so many people are so selfish and prideful. I am around a lot of children and I have spoken to boys and they look at me like I have no right to say anything to them. Parents have to teach their kids to respect authority. I would never speak unkind to a child but there are times when children need someone to speak to them. Parents are going to reap what they sew. I see parents who give their kids everything then they end up expecting it.
Be blessed. carol
I am sure that if your family is in a good community, fine men will come along when your daughters are ready. As a mother, I am sure you are teaching them to have a good judgement on which people are positive and to learn of their true motives and intentions. No true, fulfilling relationship can form without hearts and minds being present. Yet so many I see out there lack both: people “get together” not to share themselves, but to use the other; still others form relationships to not be lonely or have something to feel like they are part of their peer group.
I have never asked of a thing from any former girlfriend; I never expected it. I have usually been the giver and the sharer. I try to honour God and myself. Even to atheists, I would advise them to honour themselves and their highest purpose.
There is a group of young people who believe they should be catapulted to the top of the tree without hard work. They are the ones who do not see harm in burning their bridges with anyone, hence their disrespect. Sadly, they will learn the hard way that their attitudes will come back to bite them, hard. I get more and more tempted to go up to some of the kids who swear in front of other children, or in front of ladies, and advise them to watch their language. I tolerate the s word, but not the f. But down here in New Zealand, we have such a darned nanny state that I would get arrested and not the pottymouths!