Catholic Dads

Machismo is defined as a strong or exaggerated sense of masculinity stressing attributes such as physical courage, virility, domination of women, and aggressiveness.  It is downplayed as cultural and even backwards.  But it appears to be deeply planted in nature – genetic even.  Does it have a place in bringing up boys who are followers of Jesus today?

Education is “leading out” into the fore whatever is good.  And masculinity is good.  “Men and female” God made them.  Evangelization is purifying and perfecting these natural elements that have been weakened by original sin.  So, in these traits and leanings lay the Divine genius Who empowered men for a specific and distinctive mission of leadership and service.

There’s been enough commentary about how this is being denied today because of feminism.  I won’t go there but rather focus on how I leveraged this natural tendency to teach chivalry, leadership, service, courage and self-confidence.  One builds on this basic attitude then redirects it.

Aggressiveness is faced off against the harsh winter snow.  Dominion is achieved with the power of a snow blower.  Courage and virility is used to mess with trash – something the girls dare not touch.  Strength is employed is doing the most menial of chores – like mopping the floor and brushing the toilet bowls.

 Rather than competing with girls, I teach them to be knights who defend the honor of their sisters.  In the process, I teach respect for girls.  Being the protectors puts them in a position of nobility, superiority and power.  And who does not like that.

Finally, we make time to bond – as men.  It is a natural exclusive club ordained by the Divine for the warriors, kings and priests.  During our boys’ night, we gather around the fire (or Mongolian barbeque)  and regale each other with stories of our chivalry and courage.   At the end, we lay our swords at the foot of the Lord to serve the weakest and poorest of all.

So, yes there is room for “machismo”.  Please pass the beef tartare and haggis.

Aggressiveness is used to fight the harsh elements.

Physical courage and virility is pitted against the heavy trash and the germs lurking there – something the girls are wary about.

The girls are protected, not conquered.

With the reward of membership in that exclusive circle of warriors, priests and kings.

Cross posted from http://divine-ripples.blogspot.com/2010/06/machismo-in-christian-home.html

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks

Ask backflip blinklist BlogBookmark Bloglines BlogMarks Blogsvine BuddyMarks BUMPzee! CiteULike co.mments Connotea del.icio.us

Digg diigo DotNetKicks DropJack dzone Facebook Fark Faves Feed Me Links Friendsite folkd.com Furl Google

Hugg Jamespot Jeqq Kaboodle kirtsy linkaGoGo LinkedIn LinksMarker Ma.gnolia Mister Wong Mixx MySpace MyWeb

Netvouz Newsvine oneview OnlyWire PlugIM Propeller Reddit Rojo Segnalo Shoutwire Simpy Slashdot Sphere

Sphinn Spurl Squidoo StumbleUpon Technorati ThisNext Twitter Webride Windows Live Worlds Movies Yahoo!

Email This to a Friend

Copy HTML: 

 If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed.

Powered by Bookmarkify™

More »