Whatever Happened To Masculinity?

Like I have said before, there are many things with which I disagree with Chuck Baldwin.  But when I agree, I really agree.  This commentary is one in which I agree whole heartedly, so I had to post it.  Enjoy

By Chuck Baldwin
January 26, 2006

The recent Hollywood infatuation with homosexuality is only the latest example of how true American manhood is being systematically dismantled. Throughout our culture, masculinity is de-emphasized, even scorned.

I well remember how Ronald Reagan was castigated as being "too masculine." Truly, Reagan was the last masculine president America has had (and maybe will have). Can you imagine what today's generation of soft Americans would think of Harry Truman or Theodore Roosevelt?

By masculine, I mean a man who not only demonstrates the physical qualities of ruggedness but who also possesses inner toughness. A man who says what he means and means what he says. A man who recognizes the importance of honesty. A man of noble principle. A man without covetousness. A man who cannot be bribed or bullied. A man committed to manly virtues. A man who is the head of his home and knows how to control and discipline his children. A man who loves justice but also knows tenderness and mercy. A man who fears God and shows reverence for the sacred. A man who knows the difference between the rule of law and the lust for power. On the whole, our society today has little tolerance for such men. Even in our churches, masculinity is dying.

It seems that most Christian schools and church Sunday Schools (and probably Christian homes) are controlled and dominated by women. Now, please don't misunderstand me. There is certainly nothing wrong with women working and serving in the Lord's vineyard. I can't imagine where we would be without the sacrificial and tireless efforts of the countless thousands of dedicated Christian women found in virtually all of our ministries. However, except for rare examples, women are not capable of inculcating manliness into young boys. This is truly man's work.

The overexposure of young boys to women leaders is taking a serious toll on their masculinity. Think about it: it is not uncommon for a young boy to never know a male teacher or principal until reaching high school, and even then, male teachers are egregiously outnumbered by their female counterparts. In some schools, the ratio is 10 to 1. If a boy does not grow up with his father in the home, the problem is only exacerbated.

Take a stroll down the hallways of most high schools, including most Christian high schools. What do you see? Soft, effeminate boys! Most Christian schools do not even provide masculine sports such as football, wrestling, or boxing. Beyond that, boys are constantly taught to submit to feminine leadership. Independence and assertiveness are considered evil, when in fact, any man worth his salt must, by definition, be a man of independence and strength.

I see this constantly in gospel music. Many of today's popular Christian entertainers (and that's all many of them are) are markedly soft and effeminate in appearance, voice, mannerisms, and actions. Believe it or not, it did not used to be this way.

There was a time in America when society as a whole expected men to be masculine. Boys were taught physical, emotional, and spiritual toughness. They played "rough" games. They were taught how to defend themselves and others. At the same time, they were taught rules of etiquette, polite manners, and proper speech. They knew the meaning of the word "gentleman." Manhood had more to do with how well he behaved, not how well he cussed.

That Hollywood is continuing to pollute our culture with its incessant promotion of movies which praise and promote the homosexual lifestyle is one more nail in the coffin of American decency and manhood. But Hollywood is not the only culprit. America's politicians, business leaders, and even church leaders are all contributing to the problem!

It is unclear whether America will be able to rebound from this anti-masculinity political correctness that currently permeates our culture. However, one thing is clear: true masculinity is fast disappearing from the American landscape, and as it vanishes, so does one of the significant attributes that helped build this nation.

There is yet one more uncertainty: how long can America survive without it?

© Chuck Baldwin

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Comments

[Ellie]

amen brother! i look around me at church and think where are the men? that's what i love so much about Brandon, he's such a man. after knowing him i dont think i could ever settle for a male that's any less of a man than he is.

[You are a Wuss]

George Bush is a good example of the loss of masculinity.

Roosevelt said 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself', but George Bush, your hero, says, be very afraid, and you buy into it, you wuss. So stop posting such hypocritical stuff, little boy.

[Wayne M]

What conviction, what emotion, what courage you have to not use your name and any identification to post such garbage...

Such is the courage of the left.

BTW I have your ip address. In fact I know a lot more about you than you know....lol

[Lyn]

Great article. You're featured in my GodlyCreative Roundup at Bloggin' Outloud. Lyn

http://blogginoutloud.blogspot.com/2006/01/godly-creative-roundup.html

[sally apokedak]

Hi, I just came over from Mary Yerkes' blog.

I'm a Christian mother married to a man who is somewhat less devoted to the church than I am. He is also a quadriplegic. I have tried to not make my son into a woman and I've tried to be very careful to make sure my kids know that my husband is the head of the house. It is difficult sometimes for women to know the difference between teaching a boy to be meek and gentle and Christlike and teaching him to be less than a man, I think.

But what I really want to say is there is an author, Jonathan Rogers, who has written a series of children's books and he wrote them for boys. On his site, he says, "There’s been a re-awakening of interest in healthy boyhood in the last few years. Books like *Wild at Heart* and *Bringing Up Boys* remind us that to raise a God-fearing boy is not to domesticate him, but rather to harness and direct his sense of adventure, his warrior spirit—his God-given wildness. But parents who are inspired by these books still face the challenge of finding books that will inspire their boys. The Wilderking grows out of my desire to write that kind of book."

I've reviewed the first of his books, The Bark of the Bog Owl, on my site if you are interested. These books are wonderful books with a wild and faithful protagonist. You will love them if you want to see rough and tumble boys who are loyal, and brave and true.

[Wayne M]

Sally,
Your recommendations are indeed fantastic. Must reads for both men and women!

My recommendation for all mom's is "fear not" Godly masculenity. Encourage it and you will be blessed.

[Terry Mitchell]

While I don't agree with everything in this post, I do wholeheartedly agree with the assertion that Hollywood is infatuated with homosexuality. In fact, as I've said in my blog several times, they worship homosexuality! Now, that's a place where political correctness has run amuck!