Who needs men? Although this may sound like a rhetorical question, I am truly seeking to determine in earnest why we should not simply consider men an integral part of society, but rather embrace them and cherish them for the unique elements they bring to human relationships. However, before I begin I would like to clarify two aspects of my opinion. Firstly, I am not saying that men should be cherished because they are perfect and without fault, but rather because they are imperfect. Secondly, I am positing that many but not all of the imperfections in a man’s behavior are exacerbated by the contradictions that exist between the desires and actions of women.
We as a world—its women, sons, daughters, and men themselves—NEED men. This need does not simply spring from necessity but rather stems from our inability to reach our fullest potential as a society and as a culture without them. Theirs are the backs upon which our foundations are laid and our homes are built. Yet, so few “good” men like those of the generations of our grandparents and great grandparents who were willing to offer themselves in the service of protecting families and peoples both foreign and domestic still exist.
In the modern world, men seem to have fallen into complacency as a reaction to continuous degradation and reproach from their female counterparts. When they seek to be kind, helpful, or chivalrous they are often chastised for exhibiting “toxically” masculine traits. Yet, it is these very practices and qualities that aid in the formation of not only good, but great men. They are kind, patient, courteous, strong, honest, respectful, and determined. When we learn to embrace men with an appreciation for their role in the growth and stability of society, we come to cherish them for their unique participation in creation as fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers.
Many may ask why men should be cherished if they will only abuse the power they are given for personal gain. To which I must reply with another question: where did they learn that they would receive little credit or appreciation for the selflessness and humility we expect from them? My suspicion is that they have gathered from our modern world that there is little motivation or desire to become a “good man” because the world seems intent on labeling them as greedy, abusive, domineering, et cetera. It is this rhetoric that seems to have stifled the ability of men and women to aid one another’s growth in love and virtue.
The orientation of the relationship between man to woman and woman to man allows members within a relationship to practice the art of learning to love. It is the quality of a woman’s love that dictates the quality of a man’s love; if she is kind, courteous, and patient, he will be likewise. As they learn from one another they bring these newfound discoveries into other relationships.
As the quality of love expands within men’s own hearts and homes; a new image of the masculine man arises. He more ardently desires to love God and works to protect a way of life worth having.
So let us seek to find the good in all men and encourage them to grow in both giving and receiving love. Let us cherish them in such a way that we, as both men and women, come to love God more fully and that we may grow to be women who are worthy of the love of a good, Godly man.
Julia Danehy is a Sophomore in the William F. Connell School of Nursing a hop, skip, and a jump away from her home town of Fort Myers, FL. With the variety of her interests spanning about a million miles long, in her spare time she can be found exploring history, painting, spending time outdoors, whipping up some form of baked good, or reading anything to do with The Theology of the Body/philosophy in general.
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