I’d love some insight on the modern man’s expectations of women, so please have a look at my blog entry for today…

http://womanwiththreelives.blogspot.com/

I could not agree with you more. Being true to yourself and acting accordingly is really the best that anyone can aim at achieving. Like any trend or fad, they should not be entertained or followed just because ‘everyone else is doing so’.

As you point out, this really is a fascinating area where much more analysis can be undertaken and discussions can be shared.

It will really be interesting to see what concepts of ‘man’ arise in the future and how they are interpreted and accepted (or not) by wide society.

I think some of the core of this comes down to truly being yourself, which varies from individual to individual. Yet for a guy to be emotionally aware and communicative, respectuful and to also have his share of testosterone and take-chargeness, this sounds pretty accurate and realistic to me. To try to put yourself into some model of timely-approved behavior may well not be you.

Dave’s valuable work with The Disquiet is delving more and more into what gives definition and meaning to manhood, and how lingering uneasiness can signal big potential doorways for growth.

Thanks. This is good stuff.

I am conducting a study about men and in the interviews, the issue of what it means to be a man comes up. There is a theme of confusion and frustration from many men as they work hard to be kindler and more sensitive and how the media makes fun of those roles (“Everybody Loves Raymond”).

Hi Jan – I’m glad you like it…I’ve been trying to conjure this post up for a while and finally the time seemed right. I think you’re probably right about Jack being an idealized version of a father. He has all the right kind of elements that’s for sure. His character is so rich and can be viewed from so many different angles the opportunities to write from some other viewpoint about him feel endless.

24 is one of the best made and highest quality shows I’ve ever seen on television. The writing is high class, the performances cannot be faulted and well you just can’t get away from the wonder that is Jack…it’s always nice to meet another fan!!

It occurs to me that Jack Bauer is the idealized version of father, the picture we have of father when we are very young. He is a fierce protector of those he loves and a fierce warrior against those who would harm them. The other archetypes seem superficial, self-indulgent, sometimes silly, and often feminized. Jack Bauer shows that being protective, loyal and gentle to the innocent is a very desired masculine trait.

I’ve always preferred men that were both masculine and unafraid of their feelings. You know the type — they don’t broadcast, they don’t wallow (especially in public), but when they are with those that are close to them, they have no fear of having and expressing emotions to their loved ones.

tp