What does it mean to be a "man?"

There are many aspects to being a man. There is the physical man with all of his biological functions. Some are blessed with strong muscles, great looks, and hardly any cranial follicles. Many are not as fortunate. A man also can become a husband. He can become a father. Late in life he can even become a patriarch. Our media-centered society has given little effort to explain these roles.

The one issue in my life that has weighed the greatest on me involves the definition of being a man. What does it mean to be a MAN in today’s American society?

There have been so many definitions during my lifetime. The most prominent definer of manhood has been through the media, primarily television and the movies. “Make Room for Daddy,” “Father Knows Best,” “The Andy Griffith Show” were great starts for defining a father that – while comical at times – as a leader in the family with always the right thing to say at the right time.

I always liked John Wayne’s “The Quiet Man” as representative of man that courted a woman in proper fashion. Once he was married he was the defender of his bride and that was what Maureen O’Hara wanted. Of course, several other John Wayne movies defined manhood.

But now manhood has been feminized over the past 25 years. Display the softer side. Show no aggression. Anger is out. Cooperation is in, take charge is out.

I want to continue to develop this topic – primarily for the benefit of my sons – to get some discussion going.