I've been surprised to find myself writing along the lines of "society needs more masculinity" because for years I had adopted the self-hating narrative of the ultra-progressives whose answer to 'patriarchy' is basically to bury the men. Defending masculinity has been an effort to restore my self of well-being, even my sense of self.
I think you've hit the nail on the head.
Your description of the abuse suffered by 'our' fathers was very provocative, and something too few of us are prepared to acknowledge. These rocks in our lives were actually crumbling on the inside, and we thank them with memes, for example, that further destroy and emasculate them.
Again, thank you for this piece. (Credit to Rav Arora for pointing me to it :) )
Hi Greg. I'm glad this struck a cord, both in terms of your own journey as a man and with some acknowledgement of the men who came before us. Thanks for reading!
I just realized I got autocorrected in my original comment....I meant to write "self-hating" not "self-healing". (The self-healing was not part of the original narrative.)
Thanks, Carson. This helped me reflect on my own relationship with my father, who was not given the tools or space to process his own childhood and adolescent trauma, yet is an amazing man with so many characteristics I aspire to.
This is brilliant. Thank you!
I've been surprised to find myself writing along the lines of "society needs more masculinity" because for years I had adopted the self-hating narrative of the ultra-progressives whose answer to 'patriarchy' is basically to bury the men. Defending masculinity has been an effort to restore my self of well-being, even my sense of self.
I think you've hit the nail on the head.
Your description of the abuse suffered by 'our' fathers was very provocative, and something too few of us are prepared to acknowledge. These rocks in our lives were actually crumbling on the inside, and we thank them with memes, for example, that further destroy and emasculate them.
Again, thank you for this piece. (Credit to Rav Arora for pointing me to it :) )
Hi Greg. I'm glad this struck a cord, both in terms of your own journey as a man and with some acknowledgement of the men who came before us. Thanks for reading!
I just realized I got autocorrected in my original comment....I meant to write "self-hating" not "self-healing". (The self-healing was not part of the original narrative.)
This is an amazing article and I’m so happy to share this with all the males in my circle. Can’t wait for part 2, you rockstar therapist you.
Thanks, Carson. This helped me reflect on my own relationship with my father, who was not given the tools or space to process his own childhood and adolescent trauma, yet is an amazing man with so many characteristics I aspire to.
..I have a multitude of comments I could write but will just say this makes me happy.