Celeb News: "Masculinity Crisis"-NFL Star

musemuse971

Joe Ehrmann, a former NFL star, a defensive lineman for the Colts and Detroit Lions, talks masculinity in America.

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“The three scariest words every boy receives is when he’s young and told ‘Be a man,’

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I think those three lies of masculinity — athletic ability, sexual conquest, economic success — in many ways, those things have been heightened. You have this increase in social media. You have young boys coming into this world, and they are hit 24/7. They're given all kinds of negative messages about their masculinity. They've been conditioned, and they have way more messaging out of this culture than I ever had as a young boy. I think in many respects, it's more difficult. There's more negative messaging out there and less positive.

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“We associate masculinity with size or strength or some kind of skillset that allows you to compete on the playground and win,” Ehrmann said. “What I want to say is that is an absolute lie. Being a man doesn’t have a single thing to do with size, strength, capacity to compete and win.”

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“The great myth in sports today is that sports build character,” Ehrmann said. “That’s not true today in a win-at-all-costs mentality. Sports doesn’t build character unless some coach intentionally teaches it, models it and nurtures it in their players.”

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“I learned more about being a man from my wife than any other person in my life,” he said. “Moms have way more capacity to build into the masculine souls of their sons than they’ve ever been led to believe.”

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It think it can only be defined by two things: One, it's your capacity to love and to be loved. Masculinity ought to be defined in terms of relationships. Second thing, it ought to be defined by commitment to a cause. All of us have a responsibility to give back, to make the world more fair, more just, more hospitable for every human being. So I think it's about relationships and commitments to a cause. That's the underline of all humanity — men and women.

Source:http://www.npr.org/2014/07/14/330183...a-boy-can-hear

KareBear

I agree with every single thing said

I do think the way boys are raised today is harmful. The definition of masculinity today is damaging to everyone because it not only leads to men being afraid of their emotions and failure but also leads to rape culture and entitlement. A lot value is placed on having a lot of sexual partners, making a lot of money to provide for your family, being tough and strong. Guys are just as sensitive as women but they're told it's not manly

Mannequin.Dummy

I agree with everything.

Hearing "be a man" growing up always made me feel like I couldn't be myself. I use to write poetry and do hip-hop dancing, but I stopped because "that's not what boys do." In the end it turns out that I was already on the right path to manhood, but first I had to say **** what society tells me a man should be or look like. The massive amount of respect I have for women is one of the many things that makes me a man, not how many of those women I sleep with.

Giliap

Wow, this man is very intelligent. He's completely right.

I also enjoyed the socialist undertones of his message.

GreasyBruce

I agree papa bear, now come to bed

NewRihannaStan

Omg yes .! I agree .! I'm glad we are finally talking about boy social issues

Howie

slay!

Reza

Tell that to all of the ATRL gays who think Masculinity is acting "straight" whatever that means

Johnny Cash

Completely agree

elliotis19

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Originally posted by Reza

Tell that to all of the ATRL gays who think Masculinity is acting "straight" whatever that means

Symptomatic of the problem. A vicious self-eating cycle.

DRjuss06

How about not having a definition for masculinity? I mean he is right but still. No labels.

MusicTalker

Reza

Quote:

Originally posted by elliotis19

Symptomatic of the problem. A vicious self-eating cycle.

propagated by the gay community. they feed into it which leaves many feeling like outcasts in a community where they should be embraced

MP2K

You gays hate yourselves more than you think they hate yall.

MusicTalker

I think our society really needs to take a step back and reassess how we look at gender, personally.

Drayb

Not a lie spotted. No labels please.

primo.

I was expecting some thinly-veiled homophobic attack against gay athletes but wow

Kim Kardashian

And this is why we need feminism

psychodj

Agreed with everything he said. Nothing but the truth.

bleuwaffle