Mothers day got me thinking again about men, and how masculinity is such a clouded issue in our society. Men face many challenges and issues as we try to navigate this life. Why do so many of us struggle with our identity? Why do so many of us turn our backs on kids and partners when things get tough? Why do the ‘Bastions of Masculinity’, the professional athletes, continue to abuse alcohol, drugs, and women? Why does NZ have some of the highest rates of child abuse and suicide amongst males in the developed world? It seems something has gone terribly wrong?!

Before the Great Depression and World War II it was common for up to four generations of males to live in the same household, interacting daily and passing down wisdom as a natural part of life. Young men learned by practical example how to be good husbands and fathers; older men learned how to respect and encourage the enthusiasm of youth; and all learned together how to honour their wives, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, and mothers. This type of close-knit community is now all too uncommon.

So how do we address these issues? Surely the answer is more than just trying harder to be good, or talking more about our sexual struggles?

I propose we facilitate some conversation.  A cross-generational get together of men folk who want to talk about this stuff. This will not be the answer but rather the start of a journey together to see if we can uncover some of the glory that is resident within each of us men. This will not be a ‘Men’s Ministry’, but rather a band-of-brothers (and sons, and fathers, and grandfathers) attempting to do life together instead of struggling alone. This will not be advertised in the notices on Sunday morning, but rather it will take individuals speaking to their friends and acquaintances and inviting them along.

To steal a phrase from Vodafone… “Lets talk like we used to”

EDGE Kingsland,  Monday June 21st, 7pm.

Jamie.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 at 2:11 pm and is filed under events, men. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.