No Men Allowed

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JMJ

 Bill Bennet has an excellent article today in reference to the disturbing subject of the decline of men (or what some would call a "crisis of maturity"). It's a short but compelling read.

It does look like a lot of young men today appear to be stuck in their adolescent years, whether it's seen in their decision to delay marriage,  refusal to get a serious job (or at least put themselves on a career path), or remain dependent on their parents long after college.  Troubling symptoms of this "crisis of maturity" include: a near-addiction to technological stimulation (internet, TV, video games), drinking, and, in some cases, struggling to converse about anything other than sports or pop-culture. 

Sadly, this problem is not relegated to the secular sphere alone.  Despite a renewal of faith in young adult Christian communities, many Christian men remain unwilling to commit to a vocation.  The intellect may be more tuned in some men, but the lack of maturity - and putting off one's calling (another "vocations crisis" so to speak) persists.

The truth is the Feminist Movement  (via contraception and abortion) not only deeply wounded women by divorcing the natural desire to be a mother, but it also divorced men away from their natural desire to father and take responsibility. 

Men can be strong and virtuous. The heralded knights of medieval times not only displayed heroic actions but heroic virtue as well.  We can cultivate virtue by encouraging responsibility: responsibility for actions, trusting boys and men to first take charge of themselves (physically, mentally, morally) and then trusting them to care for others.  

 Women love to be in control, and allow their men to take a back seat.  As a woman to other women: let's allow them to drive the car again. And men, don't wait for women to hand you the keys, take them from her and take some responsibility.

As an aside, one organization with a long and proud track record of producing men who are strong in character and leadership is the Boy Scouts of America.  This is their Oath:

 On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country;

To obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

And what is the Scout Law? "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."  Qualities we all like to see in the men we love, no?