Strength

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. ― Frederick Douglass

A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep. -Vernon Howard

In the book The Sexual Man by Archibald Hart, it is a very interesting read.  This book was written so that men and women could understand the struggles that 'good' men face with their sexuality.  Many men have a battle going on between their bodies and their minds.  Our society creates an atmosphere that sometimes makes it difficult for males to develop a healthy sense of their sexuality.  Boys are often not provided with adequate information or given a healthy explanation of the things that are going on in their young bodies.  Boys/men often struggle to make sense of the competing messages they see and hear from the media and society while trying to internalize their own desires.  Males need a non-condemning environment in which to develop and rid themselves of the guilt they feel from the competing messages.  

In the book How Can I Get Through to You? Closing the Intimacy Gap Between Men and Women, the author says that intimacy in today's world must be met with new skills.  Men must be empowered to connect in new ways.  Women need to use their voice to connect and speak their innermost feelings.  Strength comes from within and if our partner does not know what we are thinking or feeling then how can we build a true and strong relationship?  We cannot.  We have to heal the wounds and reconnect with our partner through effective and forthright communication.

Why does the world believe that we should not teach young men that it is OK to embrace their feelings?   Why does our culture (and many others) teach young men that they should show their emotions?  Why are young (and older) men viewed as weak if they show a caring emotional response?  What makes it OK for males to show their strength through violent or stand-offish behavior, masking loving actions?  For females, why does tenderness mean silence?  How is this strength?  

To me, strength is standing up for the things that we believe, not hiding behind a persona.  I believe that our culture is further along than we have been in past years but I believe that we still have a long way to go.   Thoughts?