This will surprise precisely none of you who have been reading my work for more than six minutes, but I have some very specific views on what being a man entails; what a man should be, how he should behave, how he should treat other people – particularly women. (I’m looking at you, Doug Emhoff, you lady-slapping, nanny-impregnating jerk.)
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Turns out Americans in general have some thoughts on the matter as well, and Pew Research recently undertook an effort to determine what those views are. And, I have some thoughts on that, too:
25% say people in the United States have mostly negative views of men who are “manly or masculine.” This is smaller than the shares who say people have mostly positive views of masculine men (43%) or that views are neither positive nor negative (31%).
That’s saddening – that it’s as high as 25 percent, I mean. But maybe it’s not that bad, considering the constant drumbeat of “toxic masculinity” pushed by the media – and by the schools. But here’s the interesting bit, when you break it down by political parties:
But among Republican men, 45% do think people have negative views of masculine men, and the vast majority of those who feel this way say this is a bad thing. Much smaller shares of Republican women (24%), Democratic men (20%) and Democratic women (13%) say people view masculine men negatively. (Republicans and Democrats include those who lean toward either party.)
There’s a fair amount to unpack there. Republican men are more likely to think other people have negative views of masculine men – could that be because they are so often the target of ire by the leftists screeching about “toxic masculinity”? Conservative men are more likely to represent traditional masculine values – like, for example, that it’s a bad thing to slap women or to impregnate your children’s nanny. (I’m still looking at you, Doug Emhoff.)
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Here’s the part I find concerning:
On balance, the public leans toward saying that people in the U.S. place too much rather than too little value on men who are physically strong, assertive or risk-takers. About four-in-ten adults or more say most people value these traits in men about the right amount.
I don’t think it’s possible to place too much value on men who are physically strong, assertive, or risk-takers. Maybe that’s because I have tried to develop those traits in myself, and have encouraged them in others, especially in young men I have mentored in one way or another over the years (for instance, loyal sidekick Rat, who is 16 years younger than me) and, of course, my grandsons. Those traits – strength (not just physical), assertiveness, and the willingness to take risks – those are traits that drive men to achieve, push, start new businesses, invent new products, and explore new places.
Doug Emhoff does not exemplify any of these traits. I cannot express strongly enough my disgust and disdain for any man that would strike a woman, for one thing. Tim “Great Walz of China,” for all his fumbling to load a shotgun he claims to have “shot a lot of trap” with, does not exemplify any of these traits, either.
See Related: Kamala Harris Sends Out Tim Walz to Talk Man-Stuff to Men About Being Manly
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I can’t speak for the American people. I can only speak for myself, and I’m speaking only as the man my father, my grandfathers, and other influential men in my life and careers have made me. But there are traits a man should have, besides strength, assertiveness, and a willingness to accept risk.
Courage. This is a part of accepting risk, but there’s more to it than just that. Courage is carrying on, pushing through something even if you are nervous, apprehensive, or even scared. General George Patton, speaking on courage, said:
Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.
Fortitude. A man should be able to withstand harsh conditions, in the weather, in the workplace, and in the environment.
Integrity. A man should always speak the truth. I have always hated it when some nitwit claims, “Everybody lies.” I actually heard that from an old acquaintance not that long ago, and I responded forcefully, “No, sir, everyone does not lie. I do not lie, and I resent the implication.”
Work ethic. I’ve often advised younger men that success in life isn’t all that complicated and that it takes primarily three things: Show up a little earlier than the other guys, work a little harder than the other guys, and never pass up the chance to learn something new. Thomas Edison, a man of great persistence, had this to say about the work ethic:
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Honor. A man should command the respect of his peers, his family, and his community. The other traits above lead to this.
Forget the people squawking about toxic masculinity. These things aren’t toxic. They aren’t bad. These are the traits that make us men, men. And no, I don’t count people like Doug Emhoff or Tim Walz among our number. They may be toxic – but their masculinity, in my estimation, is sorely lacking.