Connor Beaton argues that real potency comes from self-respect and self-leadership, not external validation or displays of power. True strength can emerge from anything, writing to creative work, and belongs to everyone regardless of gender.
He's been trying to gain her respect. He's been trying to do things to get her to respect him. And I said, when you stop doing the things you know are going to allow you to respect yourself— strength of self-leadership, of being able to respect who you are— we have to move back into that place. I think that we all have to find our own brand of where and when do you feel potent as a man, not where are you seeking power. But when do you actually feel potency inside of yourself?
You feel potent when you're doing those things, but I feel really potent when I'm writing poetry. I want every single human being, regardless of gender, to feel that potency, to feel like physicality, to feel strong within their body. But that doesn't have to be, you know, for men, that doesn't have to be physical strength. Hey, this isn't a one-size-fits-all. This isn't a One narrative for you. This— we, we can expand what this means to every area.
How to Raise Strong, Unshakable Boys in Today's Culture, with Dr. Shefali Tsabary
