Manhood

            The measure of a man is found in looking at what he did, rather than what he didn’t do, thus it is becoming increasingly depressing seeing what men measure up to.  We too easily reach to the comfort of irrelevant comparisons and empty distractions to provide comfort to wounded egos. 
            Were I to say the word “manhood” in the midst of a group of adult males(legally speaking), I would most likely get more than a share of giggling or full-on laughter.  The term seems to have become outdated, to be replaced by the ambiguous statement of being a “real man.”  This becomes increasingly negative a reality as it is used more and more for the purpose of simply being sexist.  You can hear many “qualities” attributed to the “real man” in all manner of settings: “real men play this game,” “real men eat big steaks,” “real men drink such-and-such alcohol” (just as a note: while these are general, I have heard all of these used seriously in specific contexts).  If dictated by the general idea of the “real man,” it seems he would be nothing more than a social degenerate; someone who lives entirely on selfish ambition and purely concerned with the pleasure of the moment.  The sad truth is that these men exist on a grand scale and are praised for their character (or lack thereof).
            But the men of this world are not without hope.  Just today I saw a report about a high school boy who, at the end of a game, passed the ball to a developmentally handicapped boy on the opposing team, allowing him to score (here’s the link if you want to see it: http://www.viddler.com/embed/70d1d214/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=48017121&disablebranding=0).  This shines like a star in a world that is amused rather than alarmed by the fact that both young and old can sound like the same childish brat over the mic of an online game of Call of Duty.  In a single act of courage and humility, this boy became more of a man than a good portion of the United States’ male population, because there is more to being a man than following testosterone-fueled impulses.
            Indeed, it is those things that actually cause a great deal of discomfort that build character and make a real man rather than those things that look impressive from the outside.  When a man steps forward to serve his nation in active military duty he is displaying a feat of manhood.  When a man humbly turns to his wronged wife and pledges to be a better man that is a sign of manhood.  When a man steps forward to care for his child this is a deed of the real man.  It is time the men of the U.S. stepped up and did the right things rather than remaining in temporary comfort.