Becoming a man; that’s a boy’s greatest and deepest pursuit. But when does it happen, when does a boy become a man? While one can focus on biological markers that are connected to puberty, it takes more than age and physical development to turn a boy into a man. Instead, a boy becomes a man when he takes responsibility for his life, rather than assuming that someone else (typically his parents) is responsible for him. In short, he becomes a man when he decides to be the dad over his own life. [Read more…] about Be Your Own Dad
High School Guy
I had a blast in high school. I really did. I played sports and made plenty of friends. Those were great years, and I will treasure them for the rest of my life. In fact, I count several friends from high school as among my closest. I’m grateful for those friendships and those high school years, and look forward to our 25th reunion next summer. But the reason that those years are great is that they are only one small part of the journey. I moved on from them. I went to college. I got married. I became a teacher, then went to law school. I’m still a practicing attorney with fantastic clients. Along the way, I had four kids. High school is but a distant memory. My accomplishments during those years are just rungs on the ladder of life. [Read more…] about High School Guy
Some Thoughts on the Women’s March
I’m big on the First Amendment. I’m big on people being free to voice their opinion, to make their voice heard, to add to the marketplace of ideas. And that makes me supportive of those who protest. Let’s put our ideas out there and may the best ones win. Let no one be silenced before they’ve had their say.
As a result, I have no problem with the Women’s March generally. If women, or any group, has something to say, and they want to join collectively to say it in a peaceful way, go for it. But supporting the right to express opinions doesn’t mean that the opinions expressed should be free from criticism. Just the opposite, actually. If you enter the fray, expect to face opposition – that’s just how it works.
And I have some criticisms of some opinions that bubbled up in the Women’s March.
I Want More
Our world does not value masculinity. It does not value the things that are unique to men like it did in the past. Strength. Courage. Productivity. Honor. Our world wants men to be tame. To be kind. To be compassionate. To pay for the sins of ages past. As a result, many of us went into hiding. We kept our mouths shut. We were polite. We were kind. We didn’t stir the waters or rock the boat. But we felt like cowards. My brothers, that’s not a man’s life. [Read more…] about I Want More