What Fathers Need to Possess in Order to Man Up in an Increasingly Feminized World

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Time to put down the Kleenex and man up.

Courage: First and foremost, a man doesn’t shrink from a necessary challenge. He’s willing to face danger, difficulty, and self-denial for the sake of others.

Step Up: A man is the first one out of his seat (figuratively and literally) when a crisis arises. The man takes initiative as a problem solver.

Provide and Protect: A man must learn and be willing to provide and care for those who depend upon him. This is typically demonstrated in being a husband and father. Even if he never marries, he still provides for others. As anthropologist David Gilmore correctly concludes, “A man produces more than he consumes,” and the community benefits from his work and generosity.

Self-Reliance: A man stands on his own and refuses to depend on others for his well-being. The Boy Scout Motto is “Be Prepared,” because the man doesn’t want to have to depend on the preparedness of another.

Honesty and Moral Strength: A man does what’s right and calls out others who don’t. He deals with others in integrity. He can be trusted to do what’s right when no one is watching. His word is his bond.

Tenacity: A man doesn’t easily give up or shrink away in the face of adversity. The phrase “It can’t be done” doesn’t come easily to him.

Self-Control: A man is aware of his proper limits—his strength, appetites, independence, language, and power—and respects them. He calls others to do the same. He gives himself a command—and keeps

Shows Respect: A good man shows respect to himself and those he meets, regardless of their station. He looks them in the eye and gives a firm handshake to another man, and kindness to a woman. He helps others know their value.

Loyalty: A man is loyal to his family, friends, and community, even at great price to himself.

Humility: A man esteems others as valuable and lifts them up. He understands the strength in apologizing and asking forgiveness.

Compassion: This might seem a feminine quality, but a man sees the struggles of the vulnerable and readily comes to their aid. This is a moral strength. A man doesn’t exploit an innocent person’s weakness.

He Lives His Character: Lastly, if manhood is a distinct set of character traits, the final quality is that he lives them out in action, and he does so conspicuously in the community. Passivity is the precise opposite of manliness.