JP Feineaur and Bryce Beattie decided to talk about rites of manhood on their Sons of Adam podcast. The idea was sparked by a question that I asked to select men on Google+ (including both of them). They discussed the value of defining what constituted manhood but concluded that we don’t really l have a common understanding of what that would be. They decided that they would each try to define manhood and challenged their listeners to do the same. I like the challenge so I am determined to create a definition of what marks manhood and post it publicly. This post is a place to privately gather some of my preliminary thoughts on the subject.
Thoughts as I first listened to the show
What benefit is there to defining roles? Without defined roles there is no ability to enforce responsibility or have a basis if expectations. (Without law there can be no sin, etc.)
A shared expectation of what manhood entails on a societal level helps boys to know what is expected. The real power comes when they internalize that expectation so that they expect it of themselves.
Thoughts as I listened again
What are the responsibilities of manhood?
- Lead a family
- Be self sufficient
- Make your own decisions
- Accept your own consequences
“If” by Rudyard Kipling resonates with me. What is it about that which resonates with me? I think the fact that the man described is able to withstand various forms of emotional, financial, and social buffeting.
What are the potential gateways to manhood?
Priesthood ordination, mission, college, driving, voting, marriage.
What marks the transition?
Internalizing the expectations for manhood and choosing to live up to those expectations.
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