What Does It Mean To Be ‘A Man’?

What does it mean to be ‘a man’?

I’m not entirely sure - I have uncertainty, doubts and many questions … although there are a couple of things I feel confident about.

The first is that there is more than one way to be a man.

The second is that I’m not interested in the version of masculinity currently being demonstrated by Zuck, Musk and their chums.

What is weird to me is that far from being rooted in ‘traditional masculine traits’ like courage or bravery, so much of their behaviour seems rooted in fear.

Fear of losing their money, power, prestige, whatever. It’s bravado rather than bravery, cowardice rather than courage.

I finished reading The Flowering Wand by Sophie Strand this morning - a book where initially, even the title felt like something of a challenge to my masculinity … but I’m very, very glad I read it … and I recommend it to all the other men out there [the ‘real’ men, at least 😉].

I leave you with a quote from the book:

“The alternative to patriarchy is not a woman sitting on a throne.”

— Sophie Strand, The Flowering Wand

So, boys - no need to be so scared!