How Society Has Devoured the Ideal Alpha Male

From the time a bouncing baby boy is able to form complete sentences, it is instilled in him to “be a man.” “Big boys don’t cry,” they are often told; causing them to suppress their emotive side. Raised into a hardened society, males are constantly encouraged to toughen up and walk and act like a man. All references to manhood begin to take on the form of detached and lifeless beings. Emotions are said to be only for half-men who have no real backbone. The swell of societies grip implants the thought that crying is for wimps and to do so is repulsive.

To make matters worse, the current generation has introduced saggy pants, dog chains and bad attitudes as the status quo. Personality is not a prerequisite in Manhood 101 and male figures have never been allowed to embrace sensitivity for fear of being rejected in the eyes of their brotherhood. This debilitating pressure placed on males has led to one bad outcome after another. As a result of close-minded definitions of what it means to be a man, many of today’s men come off highly insensitive and are clueless to the feelings of others.

Far be it for any man to cry in publicâÂ?¦He’d just as soon dress in drag and parade through the streets of Chicago singing “I’m Every Woman.” The only time society will allow the shedding of tears from a male seems to be in times of Playoffs or Super Bowl events, where an occasional tear is expected. Dry your eyes quickly, though; before things get too mushy. Embracing your feminine side is a no-no and is frowned upon. All these rules and then we wonder why there are fathers who have no clue on how to love. We are puzzled by husbands who never say “I love you” and boys who think it appropriate to publicly humiliate women.

Because of current views, many men find themselves in search of what defines them. They, too; exist as individuals who have emotions like any other being. Due to societies’ stronghold; I find myself forced to move past the facades, as many men become chameleons; adapting to what they feel is expected of them. Though I believe men should represent strength, I also feel that real men cryâÂ?¦pouring their feelings into others like living wells of water. It is, furthermore; my opinion that to have the courage to show weakness is a great characteristic of strength. (It is when we pretend nothing bothers us that we become most vulnerable).

I do not claim to be an expert on men. (God knows that is far from the truth). I do, however; believe that we have yet to see men in the natural. Due to world politics, stereotypes, different upbringings and all things of the sort; many men will never know what it is to just be themselves. The ultimate portrait of men, as I believe it should exist; has yet to be painted. Men must become beings with emotions, unafraid to weep; because they recognize tears as a spiritual cleansing. They must become not just creators of life but beings who recognize the creation of their seed as one of the greatest gifts bestowed upon them. Looking at the stereotype for what it is without taking on the devastating and negative effects, men must go beyond the “dogmatic” and begin to exemplify manhood in its finest state.