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CrunchyMom
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Making Men Out of Boys
Nothing new, really, but he says it so well 
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Aagot
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While I agree with much of what he says I do have a comment about the reading of adventerous stories. My son loved/loves reading great books of adventure, heroism, survival etc only to realize that the world isn't like that anymore. This has made him sullen.He is so disappointed to see that this is not the 1700's (or earlier). The future does not need his bow, arrow, sword making ability; nor his interest in exploration or hand to hand combat. It is depressing to see a cubical in your future when your reading brings you to great adventure.
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CrunchyMom
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I suppose the same could be said about reading about the Saints. You mean I won't have to burn at the stake? What's the point? But we know there is one.
In Weapons of Mass Instruction, Gatto relates how the modern educational model was created specifically to make "workers" who were content to go work in a factory, follow the clock there, and go home to watch television, all without needing further fulfillment. I just can't see this as an acceptable alternative.
Also, I thought that this open letter by Mike Rowe outlining the goals of his organization mikeroweWORKS inspiring. Though my husband and I are both college graduates, we fully intend to present the trades as a viable option to our boys. They won't be stuck in a cubicle unless they choose it, though, I can't believe that heroism in the face of adversity is any less necessary in the corporate world It just looks different.
I'm not discounting your son's disappointment, but isn't he a better person KNOWING that there is something lacking in a culture rift with cubicles and assembly lines?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Becky Parker
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Thinking about this... With 5 boys, all of whom love swords, bows and arrows, Robin Hood, Ivanhoe, Redwall, etc., I really liked the article. I hear you Aagot, but maybe when the boys grow up they see that it's not jousting and sword fighting, but sometimes, to just live in this world with moral values, it takes the same level of bravery, fortitude and chivalry that these heroes of old had.
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
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JennGM
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I do understand your son's pain. It is bittersweet reading the adventure stories, but the same could be said just about any history. Even personal family history is so different. Just talk with Grandma and Grandpa, or Daddy. Things are different. We can't pout, just try to make a difference in our own little world.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JodieLyn
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Why do we need to see a cubicle in the future? We still need heros and adventurers.. Firefighters, Police Officers, Search and Rescue workers, Miliary to start with. There's a whole lot of various jobs outdoors with National and State Parks and recreation areas and National and State forests.. Those who work in Timber or Botanty or Archeology etc. And let's certainly not forget Priests or religious especially ones that may be missionaries. And there's gotta be more modern stories about them doesn't there? Like there is about Mother Theresa?
No these jobs don't pay well. Sitting in a cubicle pays well  But then in general unless you're Indiana Jones adventuring like the books doesn't pay well either.
Yes it's sad to lose an era that you never had.. especially when you're young and don't see the problems with living in that era.. only the fun. So it's just time to find where those sort of things exist in our world. Have you found any more modern examples adventurers or heros? What opportunities does he have to be outdoors? Is he in scouts? or another "boy" group that goes out and does things?
As far as a sullen boy.. what age is he? I think sometimes boys are sullen not for a reason but for a lack of challenge. I know my 14 yr old can be quite sullen when it's time for housework but he'll also happily go out and do the more fun "man" jobs, it's a challenge.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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guitarnan
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You never know when you might need those adventure/chivalry skills.
I can't find the article online, but Boys Life published a great piece by a doctor who helped rescue hospital patients during a hurricane (Katrina or Rita, can't remember which). He said that he used every single Scouting skill he'd learned as a boy. Lashing, knot-tying, starting fires, first aid, outdoor cooking, everything. He helped the doctors and nurses make stretchers from brooms and cloth. He cooked for patients. He carried patients down stairs.
We need our boys to learn these things (girls, too!).
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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SeaStar
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Aagot wrote:
| While I agree with much of what he says I do have a comment about the reading of adventerous stories. My son loved/loves reading great books of adventure, heroism, survival etc only to realize that the world isn't like that anymore. This has made him sullen.He is so disappointed to see that this is not the 1700's (or earlier). The future does not need his bow, arrow, sword making ability; nor his interest in exploration or hand to hand combat. It is depressing to see a cubical in your future when your reading brings you to great adventure. |
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I feel your son's pain! I remember reading about Anne Shirley (Green Gables) at college and then feeling so put out and crushed that real college life was nothing like that. 
Then there is the old Jimmy Buffet song about "Yes, I am a pirate. Two hundred years too late. The cannon don't thunder, there's nothing to plunder, I'm an over 40 victim of fate, arriving too late.."
Your ds is not the only one to feel that way! 
I can only think of two things to tell your son that might help. One is that God has a plan for him and needs him right here, right now, in this time and place. If He had needed him to be a pioneer or a musketeer or a blockade runner, He would have put him in a different century. There is something unique that God needs your son for in this time. Only he can carry out this particular mission.
Two- if you trust in God and turn your life over to him, be prepared for many adventures. Life will not be dull. Look at modern day saints like Mother Teresa and Fr. Kolbe. They were heroes and did mighty things in our own time- no one can say their lives were boring.
Like Jodie said, there are many careers that require all kinds of skills and send people on adventures. I would tell my son to turn it all over to God and then... watch out!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JodieLyn
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And not to put too political of a spin on things.. we may be needing heros for the faith.. look at how this whole medical insurance thing has treated Catholics (and others) in refusing to allow Catholic companies and such to forgo paying for insurance that covers abortions. Life may be too interesting too soon.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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CrunchyMom
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Here is another article, a short excerpt from a story by Evelyn Waugh, that addresses some of the discussion here.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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CrunchyMom
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Quote:
“If you approve, headmaster, I will stay as I am here as long as any boy wants to read the classics. I think it would be very wicked indeed to do anything to fit a boy for the modern world.”
“It’s a short-sighted view, Scott-King.”
“There, headmaster, with all respect, I differ from you profoundly. I think it the most long-sighted view it is possible to take.”
And there ends the story of Scott-King’s misadventures in the modern world. Any teacher who has endured a similar conversation sympathizes instinctively with poor Scott-King. His dignified but stubborn resistance to the wickedness of making students fit for the modern world speaks to the heart of teachers who, like Scott-King, take the long view. |
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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SallyT
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More and more I think the most dangerous word in the English language is "relevant."
Sally
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Making Men Out of Boys
