When I was a
child, the men were the heads of their families. They were respected, and they were
respectable. They cared about how they
appeared, how they presented themselves…not only physically, but their
reputations. Their words were their
bonds.
Most boys
looked up to their fathers – and even to other men – as role models. Most girls wanted to marry someone just like
Daddy.
I know things weren't perfect, but most of them at least tried.
A lot of
that is gone now…almost to the point of extinction.
Men
portrayed on TV and movies are immature slobs who refuse to grow up. The men are almost
totally helpless. Their
wives lord over them. Their children scoff
at them and disrespect them.
“Dad jokes”
has become a phrase for lame jokes.
I even see
it in other circumstances, in real life.
I’m thankful
that, while rare, there ARE men who still care how they present themselves, who
act like MEN: respectable, strong, honorable, leading and taking care of their
families. I’m also thankful that most of
them are in my own family. My husband,
my brothers, my brothers-in-law all fit the bill. I am also acquainted with other men who don’t
fall into the modern “man-child” stereotype.
I pray that
my daughters can find men who will also lead with integrity and respect.
To quote a
movie that I love…where are you, Men of Courage?
