Cameron++L's+Op-Ed+Article

=**Born to be... Mild?**=

What the hell is happening to guys nowadays? Why are so many guys growing up to be complete pansies? If you are unfamiliar with this phenomenon, allow me to relate this saddening dialogue I witnessed between my brother and his friend (keep in mind, they were both thirteen at the time): My brother: “Hey dude, let’s go outside and skate.” His friend: “No thanks, I don’t know how to skate.” My brother: “It’s easy, I can teach you.” His friend: “Well, one time I tried skating, and I fell and skinned my elbow, and it hurt. So now I don’t skate anymore.”

As these words exited his mouth, my brother and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Minor pain had never dissuaded either of us from having fun. I had split my head open surfing (ten stitches), he had split his leg open skiing (sixteen stitches, family record), we had both gotten jammed fingers and black eyes in baseball, but we had never said, “It hurt, so I don’t want to do that anymore.” In fact, I had never even heard this pitiful excuse from any of my friends growing up, no matter how bad the cut bled or the welt stung.

This is typical with most guys’ childhoods, when the male spirit was strongest in them. Inside every man is the noble spirit of a warrior, which seeks adventure and the chance for heroism every chance it gets. Don’t believe me? This spirit is the reason that little boys have fake sword-fights with sticks they find at the beach, race their bikes down the biggest hill they can find, go exploring the barranca by their house, shoot each other with air-soft guns, and do all other sorts of things which put grey hairs on their mother’s heads. This spirit is also the reason that some guys grow up and buy sharp knives, ride the roof of their friend’s car, fight each other for fun, go paint-balling, play with fire, jump into the mosh pit at concerts, and do all the other sorts of things that continue to put stress on their mothers (trust me, I am one of these guys). Every guy wants the same things: adventure, danger, a challenge, a good fight, and a hot girl to pursue.

Still not buying it? Ask a guy if he’d rather be some awkward dork from a romantic comedy, or Jason Bourne. As long as that spirit is alive in him, he will respond Jason Bourne. This is why guys go to see Act of Valor, work their asses of to be the best at their sport/activity, waste hours on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.5, and talk about how awesome the zombie apocalypse would be, even if they otherwise seem to be the same pansies which I was referring to earlier. Even if one has “matured” and no longer acts like a hyperactive nutjob (once again, I am one), he still feels that call towards some basic male ideals: strength, honor, and courage. However, as of late I have seen these ideals being repressed by most that possess the gift of the Y-chromosome.

This phenomenon is not only prevalent in one kid with low pain tolerance; I have noticed plenty of other deviations from the male ideals of bravery, power, honor, and valiance. Instead of fighting their own battles, they find gangs of people to fight for them. Instead of going outside and getting into trouble, they pretend to raise hell in Grand Theft Auto. Instead of taking a stand for anything, they behave like little pricks and cowards who will talk big but won’t back it up. Instead of seeking adventure and greatness, they seek safety and mediocrity. Where is your damn passion, why do you feel 'dead' inside?! What has caused this decline in the quality of male you may ask? Feminism, plain and simple. Now don’t stop reading, I’m not saying women aren’t equal and shouldn’t be allowed to vote or own property, I’m just saying that recently steps toward equality have been taken in the wrong direction.

Men and women are equal, but we’re most definitely different. From the physical differences to the mental ones, we are worlds apart. For example: men have broader shoulders and a higher aggression level, while women are often sharper in social situations and are able to better deal with their emotions. Men and women aren’t the same, but then why do women always expect guys to be “sensitive, quiet, peaceful, and nice”? When did Alexander the Great act all sensitive and timid? I don’t have a vagina; I’m not a woman, so why the hell should I act like one? Regardless, mothers try to raise their sons like daughters (that’s what happened to my brother’ friend). Here’s an example:

Back in elementary school, I was getting picked on by the older kids, and I broached this subject with my parents. My mother’s reaction was, “Oh, my poor baby! You need to tell the teachers, they’ll protect you.” My father looked me dead in the eye, and said, “Don’t rat on them, but if they touch you again, bust them in the nose.” My mother looked at him with an expression of horror, and they began arguing. Even at that age, I knew my father was right: I had to be able to stick up for myself and handle my own problems, I couldn’t back down and hide behind teachers. My father was reinforcing pride, strength, and self-reliance, while my mother was teaching me to keep my head down and be safe. Had I made it a habit to heed my mother’s advice whenever she told me to be careful, I’d be much more cautious, timid, and quiet (some might think that would be a good thing). Instead I followed my father’s continuous chant of “Get up, it didn’t hurt that bad. Be a man,” and “Suck it up, and stand up for yourself!” His creed made me arrogant, bold, aggressive, passionate, and proud. Inside, I feel as I ought to, I am right with myself and glad to seek adventure. I am happy, because I have not ignored this spirit.

If you are a male who backs down when another guy challenges you, spends your life in a safe environment, never pushes yourself, never feels the yearning for glory and greatness, never feels like getting in a fight but is happy nonetheless, then ignore my advice. I will view you as a coward and a pussy, but it’s not like you’ll stand up and prove me wrong anyway. If we were all like you, there would be no Navy Seals, no professional athletes, no heroes, just a bunch of effeminate pushovers who would never strive for anything like greatness. But I digress: it’s your life, live it as you will. I’m speaking to the guy that reads a book and thinks “I want to be a hero too,” who watches military movies and thinks “I want to defend what I love too,” who listens to hard rock and thinks “I want to be able to live with this level of intensity and passion too.” My message to you is simple: then live like a real man.

And to my fellow few who still have the spirit that drives them towards greatness and adventure: never grow up or lose that spirit, it's what makes you a man.