Great essay Adam. I've had a similar journey w regard to the value of gaining confidence (not faking confidence) and also enjoying my son become a man I'm proud of at an earlier age than I did. I would just like to add the importance of courage. As many have pointed out, courage is not the absence of fear, but doing the right thing even if afraid. This ties to confidence and to standing up for the weak.
I've heard a lot of definitions. They're as varied as the cultures they come from, but they all share one common thread: While "women are human beings, men are human doings". No one can ever take being a woman away from a woman, nor is it given to her in the first place. She simply is. For men it's the opposite. It's not a noun that someone can claim for themselves, but a verb and an adjective used by others. Through someone's actions and values he is recognized by his community as a man, and the moment he fails to live up to that standard it can be taken from him once more.
Great essay Adam. I've had a similar journey w regard to the value of gaining confidence (not faking confidence) and also enjoying my son become a man I'm proud of at an earlier age than I did. I would just like to add the importance of courage. As many have pointed out, courage is not the absence of fear, but doing the right thing even if afraid. This ties to confidence and to standing up for the weak.
Courage is definitely important and I appreciate you reading this.
I could have gone on and on about all of these things. Maybe I will write a book about it one day lol
As a woman I value hearing opinions like these. I think we could all benefit from trying to understand each other’s experiences.
Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to read it.
I've heard a lot of definitions. They're as varied as the cultures they come from, but they all share one common thread: While "women are human beings, men are human doings". No one can ever take being a woman away from a woman, nor is it given to her in the first place. She simply is. For men it's the opposite. It's not a noun that someone can claim for themselves, but a verb and an adjective used by others. Through someone's actions and values he is recognized by his community as a man, and the moment he fails to live up to that standard it can be taken from him once more.
This was an absolutely wonderful essay. We share the same basic values, perceptions of manhood, and beliefs in fatherhood. Thank you for this.
I'd like to put you in my recommended list. If you're comfortable doing so, it would be a privilege to have you recommend my Sub- stack, too.
Thanks again, Frederick