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One of the boys!
8 June
Posted by:
Michael Grose
Check this video out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v2km5kuSkI
This fantastic video by speaker buddy and Australian eldership leader
Andrew Horabin
shows 'blokehood' at its finest...........or is that at its worst?
It would be funny if it’s wasn’t so close to the bone.
Grog, blokey mateship and an undercurrent of violence that it despicts are all still part of the rite of passage to manhood for so many young Australia males.
A trip to the outpatients in most Australian cities on a Saturday night will confirm that neanderthol-like behaviour, fueled by alcohol is still a massive problem for young men.
Boys will boys, right?
This attitude is offered as an excuse for young blokes to let off a little steam. But it’s a dumb excuse for dumb behaviour that does no one any good..
Young men need multiple pathways to manhood rather than going down the blokey path or the sporting path....both are celebrated pathways to manhood in Australia. What about recognition of an artistic pathway or an intellectual pathway?
As a mum, dad or interested person in the life of young males it’s imperative that we help young men explore alternate pathways to manhood, and support whatever choice they make if it contributes positively to their long-term interests.
Bucking the trend
It’s hard for young guys not to follow the crowd. They are more group-oriented than girls. When boys start secondary school they’ll do anything just to blend in. They even hold each other back as bright boys will sometimes act dumb to gain acceptance from the group. Not much changes for many young guys when they leave school.
It takes some courage not to follow the crowd – NOT to be one of the boys!
Parents need to talk with young men about the courage it takes to follow their own path. It's an absolute essential to reinforce during the tricky teenage years how they should treat women; how they should look out for their friends; and the importance of being your own man!
The need for strong role models
Teenage boys need really strong, confident role models that take no nonsense, and who are willing to stand up and challenge stupid, group-based behaviour in their boys when they see it.
Most dads I meet are unsure how they should act when their sons reach late adolescence. Should I stand back and let them be; or should I take an active part in guiding my son through the tricky pathway to adulthood? Sadly, through lack of options, many dads stand back and hope for the best.
Fathers, teachers, sports coaches and other significant males in the lives of boys should be just that.........significant. That is, they need to present an image of manhood that's worth emulating
What sort of role model is that?
Well, I guess it's a male who feels comfortable in his own skin; able to make his own dreams and follow his own path; a male with an independent streak, rather than one that just becomes................ one of the boys!
Tags:
boys
,
manhood
,
of
,
passage
,
rites
,
teenage
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