A spoken segment by Connor Beaton arguing that traditional male virtues (discipline, steadiness, reliability) have been minimized or demonized in contemporary culture. He contrasts male identity formation — described as hierarchical and competency-driven (e.g., camaraderie through testing, sports roles) — with female identity formation as more network- and community-oriented.
Generally speaking, we have taken the male orientation towards developing identity, male virtues and values that have been long associated with men and masculinity, things like discipline and steadiness and reliability. We have not only reduced those to being a bare minimum for men, but we have demonized men for embodying certain male values and certain male virtues and attributes. Generally speaking, again, women are more oriented towards network, towards community. That's how a sense of identity develops. And men, we are generally more hierarchical. How we develop relationships is a kind of. Usually this sort of dance of testing one another. Are you more competent than me? Are you better as a defenseman in hockey or as a linebacker than I am? And there's this camaraderie that builds a relationship, builds in the development of competency, the identity of the self for men, develops in that unfolding of competency.
How to Raise Strong, Unshakable Boys in Today's Culture, with Dr. Shefali Tsabary
