We are living in different times now. The modern world. Where so much emphasis has been put on woman, young females, empowering and uplifting these previously disadvantaged individuals. It is all well and good. It's a great strategic approach that highly embraces or personally I think 'enforces' equality. It is a democratic movement that is taking over the world at large, particularly is our country South Africa. Women are now seen or are being shaped and groomed to rule the world. Particular attention on woman who are from impoverished back grounds. It's all good. Until you wonder: Where does this leave The Men At....
I'm all for growth with regards to the female species. I love women and I've had a lot of female role models in my life growing up. It's all in the tenacity and determination that a woman can possess. But truly speaking, we have all become so narrow minded about this "wathint' umfazi, wathint' imbokodo" nation. The world leaders and the whole society at large have shied away from the process of grooming young men. As a result, the world is quickly becoming largely populated by males who have no true essence or values of being responsible men. But then, who are we to blame?
One would say that it is not primarily the responsibility of the nation to groom or teach boys to be men. I guess it is kind of expected that as a young boy you are just going to have to learn as you grow. For me, that is the main problem. Look at the maximum security prison infrastructures that we have all over the country. Without even thinking about the statistics and logistics, we just know instinctively that people dominating prisons are 'men'. That is why it is very taboo to have a female being arrested. Some would deny this, but having a man arrested is not that much of a deal in this country. It's almost like something that is expected. Like a piece in a puzzle. It just fits perfectly.
The lack of male head structures in households, especially in black families have leaded significantly to this so called phenomenon. I am not going to make this about race, but our back grounds have partly if not largely influenced this pattern. The crimes, the drugs, the violence and woman abuse. These are all visible results of our dysfunctional so called men. The nation has given boys the chance to make and 'learn' from their own mistakes. Here goes the pessimistic me.....Inasmuch as a person can learn from their mistakes, not all of us are equipped with a brain capacity that enables us to 'quickly' see reason. It takes much longer for others. That's why you find young men going around beating women for years on end before taking notice that this is actually wrong.
Some actions are not always visible and dominant. Just like the act of not showing much respect towards the people surrounding you. Politeness and gentleness is key. Somebody needs to tell that to our grown up 'boys' who are now in their 20s and 30s. It's late, but at least it would have been done. The world is full of soaring angry men. Untaught, unappreciated and unloved. Then we wonder why there is so much womanizing and abuse in general. Of course there are good men out there, and they are in large numbers. But I feel that the world has failed men. Fathers of the current generation have inflicted so much negative and ill affluences on these boys. Man is hurting and nobody has taught him how to deal with everything that troubles him inside.
It is not too late. Change is still possible. It might take another hundred years, but it can be done. It starts with an individual. I stand posing a challenge to young men. Start by you, you alone. Be the man that the world can be proud of. Lead by example. Let us prove that good men still exist and that we can outnumber all the negativities that the world has associated us with...
Let the women cheer "You Can Do It Boys"!!
You are all loved. Smile and Change the world...
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.