International Men's Day
Today is International Men’s Day but you wouldn’t know it by checking the mainstream male websites. GQ is bashing America and selling fashionable facemasks. Esquire is silent on IMD too. Though I’ll give them credit, they have a pretty good piece about the James Bond film, Goldeneye. AskMen is trying to sell you more junk you don’t need.
The lack of good manliness websites is why I created Path To Manliness.
How Did International Men’s Day Start?
In 1999 Jerome Teelucksingh revived International Men’s Day (November 19th) to honor his father's birthday and also to celebrate how on that date in 1989 Trinidad and Tobago's football team had united the country by qualifying for the World Cup. Teelucksingh has promoted International Men's Day as not just a gendered day but a day where all issues affecting men and boys can be addressed. He has said of IMD and its grass roots activists, "They are striving for gender equality and patiently attempt to remove the negative images and the stigma associated with men in our society"
This is honorable pursuit and a worthy one. Men are often demonized by the media and those who typically claim to be “progressive” and “tolerant.” What they don’t realize is that this mindset can have negative effects on the young boys of society.
Source: https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/chart-of-the-day-for-every-100-girls-women/
When schools treat boys like defective girls, you’re setting these boys up for depression and a feeling of loneliness. Something that is way more common with men than you would like to believe.
So why is no one talking about it? Because men aren’t talking about it. Men are often told to open up and share their “sensitive side,” until they do. Then they are told to “man up” or they are outright ignored. Most men will tell you that when they’ve shown weakness and vulnerability in past relationships, the relationship suffers. Often leading to the women leaving or cheating on what she views to be a weak partner.
Men aren’t even supposed to have this holiday. And when society is arguing over who goes into what bathroom, the thought of celebrating men is seen as exclusionary. Yeah, exclusions are what make the included feel special. And if no one is ever excluded, then no one will feel special.
Rather than let men have one holiday to themselves, there will be no shortage of whataboutism by girls who feel slighted that a day’s attention is not being spent on them. And there will always be propaganda trying to convince impressionable young men to become this 21st century progressive “numale.” Or talking about wearing dresses, makeup, being “misgendered” or whatever nonsense we are on now. The blank google home page is a start reminder that traditional values are outright ignored or slandered by Silicon Valley. Thanks guys. “Don’t be evil.”
Men aren’t going to complain about international women’s day. But look on social media during IMD and you’ll find women use this day to bash the patriarchy because their baby daddy left or she left. (Who’s keeping score?) Typically, these women had absent or weak fathers. This is why its so important for fathers to be part of their kid’s lives. The greatest threat to Western Civilization is the lack of positive male role models. But somehow these women find it unacceptable for any man to be celebrated because the man in their life disappointed them.
The greatest threat to Western Civilization is the lack of positive male role models.
How? Who knows? Some men truly deserve to be left and abandoned. There are bad men out there. (Duh) But when 70% of divorces are initiated by women, perhaps there’s more to this issue. And when terms like “emotionally abusive” get slapped around in court rooms, maybe the onus is on the woman to dictate specifically what that term entails.
Often women who are used to being surrounded by yes men will view a strong man as “emotionally abusive.” When a man doesn’t let a woman treat him like a doormat, he might be called “emotionally abusive.” Family court is one of the rare instances in America where men are assumed guilty and must prove your innocence. The default outcome is the woman gets half the income and majority time in raising the children.
Caveat: I’m not dismissing men (or women) who truly are emotionally abusive, but the term is being used wantonly and this is a disservice to those who face real trauma.
As you hop on social media to bash the patriarchy or talk of so-called “toxic masculinity,” just remember all the men who fought and sacrificed to save the civilization that gives you the freedom to spew whatever nonsense you want online. You’re free to do so and that’s a beautiful thing.
Am I bitter or annoyed? Not in the slightest. I’m merely stating what happens every year. I don’t really understand the point of holidays like this one. But when you write under the name “Path To Manliness,” I suppose it invites at least some introspection.
How Do You Celebrate International Men’s Day?
Most men feel unacknowledged and unappreciated in modern society. Some even feel this at home. Yesterday I did a Q&A on Instagram and there was no shortage of men frustrated with their home life. Toxic girlfriends, critical mother in laws and more. And that’s a sad fact of life for many.
Today is the perfect day to show some appreciation. Men don’t need or really want gifts. But a few kind words go a long way. Let the man in your life know you notice the hard work and dedication he has devoted to you by providing for you and spending time with you (and your kids.)
Consider making a special meal. No man will ever turn down a medium rare ribeye and a full-flavored beer.
It’s OK to Be Masculine
Most importantly men, remember, its OK to be a man. In fact, its outright encouraged.
Don’t let the media or the latest Buzzfeed article fool you. They make their money off outrage and clicks. And all you yahoos that keep talking about that puppet in a dress are part of the problem. That’s not real masculinity. Its inauthentic modeling for attention. He’s pandering to the social justice mobs for clicks.
Take a look at all the men in loving relationships. The men who are getting married and having kids. These men are masculine. Are they all jacked and shredded? Of course not. But many are. And others are strong in their own way. Being a man requires being strong. But strength is a broad term.
It takes strength to raise a family when the media wants to demonize men and encourage slut culture. (Msft Word flagged this as “might be offensive to my reader. They don’t know my readers.)
It takes strength to protect a family when looters want to defund the police.
It takes strength to raise a family of strong and healthy morals in a world that promotes sin and decadence.
It takes strength to stand up to the madness of the modern world and live a life of traditional honor.
So, what is manliness?? What is masculinity? How do we define it in today’s world?
What is Masculinity?
I am often asked how to define masculinity or what virtues best encompass manliness. It is a difficult quality to quantify but men need guidance and more accurate rhetoric. This is a relatively short starting point for a term that is all-encompassing and varied. Continue reading the 7,000 word essay: The Seven Pillars of Masculinity.
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