The teenage-ification of manhood

National Post ^ | 17 Oct 2009 | Robert Fulford

[Graybeard58]

Thank you for your honesty. I’m glad that you changed.

[ctdonath2]

Historically a boy became a man by assuming the roles of husband and father.

Which, nowdays, one is encouraged to delay as long as possible (not just by women being told they don't need a man, but by society at large saying "not yet").

Get a degree. Get another degree. Get a job. Nurture a career. Wait until you're thirtysomething. Get a home. Buy. Travel. More. ... by then, the poor schlep is almost old enough to be a grandfather (pushing that maybe, but still!).

Moving into my forties, I'm realizing that husband-and-father IS what, deep down, most males need be for fulfillment. Following society's "not yet" imperative does not satisfy this, leaving him to fill time with undirected amusements and urges - to wit, prolonged adolescence. Yes, he should wait long enough to "discover himself", establish independence, and find Miss Right (not hyphenated with -Now), but he should do so with husband-and-father as a goal, not something drifted into via/despite time-filling amusements & indulgences.

...and to achieve this at a suitable age (about 25, given that he really should get a degree, job, and real estate), he needs to know that there is someone else out there waiting for him to achieve such readiness (instead of merely prolonging teenhood) - lest she give up on finding him and go to another who is ready.

[Sherman Logan]

I agree.

[LucyJo]

2 Timothy, chapter 3

“1”: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

“2”: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

“3”: Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

“4”: Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

“5”: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

“6”: For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

“7”: Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

“8”: Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

“9”: But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

“10”: But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

“11”: Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

“12”: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

“13”: But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

“14”: But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

“15”: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“16”: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

“17”: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

[The Christian era, the days of the Messiah, are the last dispensation - ‘the last days’. These things were occurring at the time this was written. They are occurring now.
When man draws nigh to God, God draws nigh to him. The things mentioned here are what happens when men do not have God in their lives. We have a choice as individuals and as a nation. How we choose determines our fate,and the fate of our nation.
One has only to read the Bible to see the evidence of it from the beginning of time, and to understand the evidences of history repeating itself today.
The prophets of old were warning the people by the authority of God. Today we have the inspired written word of God.
The prophet Hosea said back then, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee...” (Hosea 4:6).
We either choose God, learn of Him from His Holy Word, and obey His Will and Way, or we are destroyed. “LJ”]