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The October 12th, 1970 issue of Time magazine warned about the dangers of a society blurring the lines between male and female. The piece highlighted the research of Dr. Charles Winick then professor of anthropology and sociology at City University of New York. Dr. Winick studied 2,000 cultures and found that only 55 had attempted merging masculinity and femininity. According to Winick, not one of the 55 cultures survived the attempt to make a gender-neutral society.
Dr. Winick's ominous words have been largely ignored by American educators and leaders. Since the 1970s piece, the feminization of boys and masculinization of girls has gained momentum. Nearly fifty years later we read about six-year-old Zachery Christie being suspended from his Delaware elementary school for bringing his Cub Scouts camping utensil to school so that he "use it to eat his pudding." Thankfully his case has been re-evaluated and the suspension reversed. Some saw in this situation merely an example of the breakdown of common sense in the zero-tolerance policy. But another issue looms behind this "breakdown of common sense;" a failure to understand the nature of boys.
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.” Douglas MacArthur, “A Father’s Prayer”
With the rise of the tran=s=gen-der movement, Dobson's thesis and insight are more relevant than ever. There are certainly more Scripture-based works on parenting but we would do well not to dismiss this clear voice in a cultural wilderness for men and boys. Happy reading my fellow book-lovers!
This post in response to those of you who've encouraged me to return to this blog. Thank you for your kind support. It is my hope that in some small way I can return the favor by turning you on to some really good reads!
Post tenebras lux,
Scott
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