What Does it Mean to be a Man?

We live in a world where to be a man is tantamount to being an offensive lineman on a football team.  You are expected to be a big, strong workhorse.  Your broad shoulders must handle any load.  The social expectation is that you ingloriously do your job, day in and day out, without fail.  Primarily, your duty is to make it so others can do their jobs well.  If those who are in your protection are hurt, or fail in their jobs, the blame will run uphill to you. If you do falter, that is the only time you will be on the big screen.  You have a thankless job.  

You probably already have some idea of how difficult it is to be a man today.  Let’s look at the gauntlet that you’ve navigated thus far in your life: 

•            Boys are roughly 75% of discipline referrals in public schools.    (U.S. Dept of Education)

•            Boys drop out of school more often than girls.     (U.S. Dept of Education)

•            Males make up 93% of those incarcerated in the United States.  (U.S. Bureau of Prisons)

•            Males commit suicide 350% more often than females.     (FBI.gov)

•            The homeless population is significantly more male than female.    (FBI.gov)

•            As of this writing, men earn only 39% of college degrees.  (U.S. Dept of Education)

•            Among college-educated couples, >90% of divorces are filed by women.   (Census.gov)

•            Fathers are granted custody of their children <20% of the time.   (Census.gov)

•            More than 35% of fathers live apart from their children.  (Census.gov)

While these statistics are stunning, you aren’t allowed to bat an eyelash at them. Those around you must always be able to count on you to be ready for the next snap of the ball.   You must fully understand the meaning of the phrase, ‘I’ll figure it out.’  

For all of this, you’ll receive a pat on the back from nobody.    While this lack of appreciation is indeed part of the job as a man, I’m not going to let that stand.  Not today. 

Throughout my book, Ideal Man MASTERING MASCULINITY, you’ll hear me compliment you for your outcomes.  Each, ‘good man’ or, ‘nice work’ is deserved.   Every part of that book is the result of consistent, humongous work on your part.  This is not lost on me.  I wrote a few compliments to you in blue.  As you come across one, you should say it out loud to yourself.

Ideal men know the meaning of the phrase, “I’ll figure it out.”  My book will help you do just that. 

“You have earned every piece of this.”    -Gord Ogilvey

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