I just learned of another guy that I went to high school with who committed suicide. You'd be amazed at the number ... and the huge number of really unhappy guys that I grew up with. So, obviously I've been trying to figure what's going on. I think it's a combination of things, but the main factors are Women's Lib and a lack of spirituality. Slow down ... I'm glad that women are freer and stronger - I think that's vital for EVERYBODY ... but, it's come with a price. Men are now in competition with women for jobs, money, status and financial security ... that makes a lot of men feel weak and emasculated. Then, throw in a loss of spirituality - the modern world of materialism (materialism here does not mean yearning for material objects, but rather the Marxist-based philosophical position that only matter exists; that there is no such thing as spirit), and all you're left with is the shallowness and pettiness of the modern "rat race".
If a man's value is only his "success", it can make him a pretty ruthless animal. Once upon a time, men found their value in honor. You know, being a stand up guy ... someone who's word was gold ... and they defended it ... in fact, they had duels over honor.
I read horrible things in the newspaper - men beating women, abusing little girls ... theses are obviously not men of honor.
Now I'm not saying that men have to be saints ... but they should try to be good guys. And there's nothing wrong with being a guy ... in fact, I think we need more of it. I don't mean that that macho deal - that's creepy and phony ... I mean just being a guy. I thought that Mr. Rogers was a creep and a bad role model ... women don't really want their sons to be like Mr. Rogers ... only if they secretly hate men.
The reason that this ridiculous "thug" culture has power is that it has has masculinity ... but, it doesn't have honor ... men need masculinity with honor.
