Remember When Men Were Men?

Do you remember when men were men, when you could tell by looking? Do you remember when men knew who they were, liked themselves as they were, and did not want to be anything less than they were because God created them that way?

Do you remember when only women wore makeup, earrings, necklaces and bikinis? Do you remember when it was the men who initiated the contact and took the lead in a dating relationship, made lifetime commitments, and treated a woman like a lady?

I am not referring to the ego-centered, over-muscled Rambo or Terminator types who suffer from macho mania. Such men are always looking for a fight, walk with a swagger, never apologize, and stare at people with a “make my day” attitude.  They are a genuine nuisance to be around.

Nor am I referring to the Archie Bunker type loudmouth who slouches in his chair, barks out orders like a Paris Island DI, and thinks the entire world revolves around him. Since when do arrogance, dogmatism, prejudice, ignorance, and selfishness make a man more masculine?  This type of guy may wear trousers, but he is in reality a frightened child living inside a man’s body.

True manhood calls for discipline of character, ability to set worthy goals, and possesses a strong determination to achieve those goals. Authentic men are not afraid to show affection by hugging their children.  Nor are they ashamed to cry when they are sad or hurt. They have the ability to admit when they are wrong. They willingly say, “I’m sorry”, when they hurt someone’s feelings. They are vulnerable because they are sincere, and they have genuine integrity.

I believe that such qualities not only inspire the respect and admiration of women, but also engender healthy admiration among younger men and boys who hunger for heroes who are genuine. Our world needs fewer spineless men who are wimps and are still tied to their mother’s apron strings.

In recent decades there has been a constant assault on masculinity. This is well represented in the media, and also in the world of fashion. Many performers who have been adopted as heroes by the youth of America no longer pretend to be masculine. Gender roles are often blended, and this is sad.

Author Alvin Toffler saw all this happening years ago.   In his book, The Third Wave, he says: “the role system that held industrial civilization together is in crisis.  We see this most dramatically in the struggle to redefine sex roles.  In the women’s movement, in the demands for the legalization of same sex marriages, and in the spread of unisex fashions, we see a continual blurring of traditional expectations and roles for the sexes.

Genesis 1:27 tells us that “male and female He (God) created them.”  When Adam saw Eve for the very first time he said, “This is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23).  A good modern translation of these words by Adam would be, “Wow!  God, I really like what You have created this time.”

God obviously intended that there be a significant difference between male and female.  It was one of His most fantastic ideas.  It is also the foundational block upon which civilization has always rested.  It is also the only way that a stable civilization will be able to exist in the future.  In today’s world the traditional family is under siege, largely because men have abdicated their God-given responsibility.  As former FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover once said, “The hope of our world lies in a return to the faith of our fathers, and a universal acceptance of the Supreme Being who guides our destiny.”  Fathers should take the lead in doing this.

In spite of the clear differences between the role a father plays and the one a mother plays, it is God’s will that they work together as a team.  Excellent guidance for fathers and mothers who are willing to take their responsibility seriously can be found in the Bible.

Dad, as we approach Father’s Day, you need to know that God gives you both the opportunity and the responsibility to be the spiritual leader in your home.  If you will assume that responsibility gladly and with commitment, you can set the pace in your home. Failure to lead is a serious failure.  The stability and future of your home, and indeed of our nation, is depending on you!

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