Men need a dark side. Even good men. Especially good men. Otherwise, they cannot be protectors. Unfortunately, that’s no longer how we’re raised.
“I just hope he grows up to be kind and compassionate.” That’s the primary desire of mothers for their sons. They want their boys to be good. They want them to be nice. They want them to be gentle. They want them to listen. They want them to speak softly. They want them to help little old ladies cross the street. They want them to rescue kittens from trees. They want them to stop and care for the puppy stranded by the road. They want them to be friendly and agreeable.
They don’t want them to upset anyone. They don’t want them to play rough or get hurt. They don’t want them to be mean to anyone. Translation: they don’t really want them to be men.