Real Men

Sometimes it’s difficult to be a man in this modern world. Unfortunately, good old fashioned men who earn a living, take care of their children and stay married to their wives rarely get a fair shake or any encouragement. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that the image and role of manhood has been twisted entirely out of proportion by mainstream media. Television, movies and literature often portray manhood in terms of appearance and super human feats of athletic prowess. The rub is that the media uses professional models and the recipients of plastic surgery in setting physical standards. Then those same "unreal" men are made to look even better through the use of stunt men and special effects. This leaves society with male icons who are completely unrealistic. Worse yet, those used to set the standard as role models often turn out to be moral, ethical, relational or financial failures in real life. The same goes for professional athletes. We place them on pedestals because they excel at a certain sport, but they often turn out to be terrible role models in other areas of their lives. How then is a regular guy with an average mind, body and stock portfolio supposed to compete? The fact is that the real super heros in life rarely enter the limelight. They are disguised as teachers and laborers, doctors and parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents. The real men in this world are generally the quiet, steady ones who stay with their wives, take care of their families and volunteer for things that don’t serve their own egos. Oh, there are plenty of real men out there in the world. However, you won’t find them flaunting their biceps down at muscle beach. Look for them around the dinner table with their families or teaching Sunday school. Better yet, check out the head table at a 50th wedding anniversary party. That’s where real men can be found. Blockbuster movies can be very entertaining, but always remember that they are fantasy. Real men may not look like action heros, but they have super hero hearts.

Real Men
The world tells us real men are the burly, brawny types
Tough guys, athletes and outdoors men all fit the mold of media hypes
We adore them in the movies, we cheer them on the playing field
Men of strength and grit and courage who conquer all and never yield
Indeed, we want to be like them, we try to do the things they do
Assuming conquest and adventure will make us real men too
Yet, in this world of twisted values we sometimes fail to realize
That real men and real heroes come in every shape and size
There are a myriad of battles never billed as main events
Where other kinds of warriors strive in countless hours spent
At homes and schools and churches, Scouts Troops and Sunday school
Where real heroes sacrifice and live the golden rule
They donate their time and talents, their weekends and their nights
In service to their fellow man because they know it’s right
To give where others have a need and ease the burden of
The widow, orphan and the homeless, for real men know how to love
They have compassion for the elderly and broken-hearted ones
Embracing troubled youths like their own daughters and their sons
They are honest with their feelings serving children, friends and wives
They make the world a better place because it touched their lives
Real men aren’t made of muscle, yet they are men of valor still
Gentle men of inner strength, who simply do God’s will
By Frank Carpenter ©