Do we refer to marriage and children as his future responsibility? In a world where, whether we like it or not, most young women have careers that are important too why perpetuate a mindset that places all responsibility on the young man? Why do we still persist in telling boys that they should be a “real” man and what do we mean when we say it?
There have been various times in history when societal changes have taken root in a very short space of time: the start of the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution for instance, saw initial changes happen so quickly that within a twenty year period conditions throughout society had changed radically. From the late 70s technical advancements, global politics and societal mores have undergone radical upheavals that those of us swept along in them have not yet had time to draw breath and view objectively. Many of us abhor these changes, some have managed to ignore all but those which touch us most, some are still fighting them. But to our youth this is the only world they have ever known.
Whether it is with criticism, applause, confusion or anger most of us have now come to accept that women’s traditional roles and expectations have undergone a complete change. It is unarguable that if profound changes in one half of the population have taken place they did not do so in a vacuum. The logical conclusion therefore is that, to varying degrees but with absolute certainty, these changes have impacted upon the other half of society.
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If we do not adjust our societal perceptions and we continue to fit our boys and young men up with the values and perceptions of the vanished world of our own youth, the confusion and despair that dogs them will not abate.
No matter what our own views we need to stand back, take an objective look at the world we have fashioned for them and then to suck it up and take responsibility. The future of our young boys rests squarely in our hands.
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