Numerous studies show that masculinity is in crisis. Boys are struggling to mature into competent young men, and men and fathers in general are denigrated in the culture.
Even when the criticism is justified, the solution to those problems isn’tto denigrate masculinity. It’s to teach boys how to harness manhood and to channel it in proper ways.
That’s where you come in, mom.
For every study that shows boys are in trouble there’s another showing that boys grow into healthy, strong, and courageous young men when they have healthy and secure attachments with their mothers. Statistically, these boys have higher self-esteem, do better in school, and have lower rates of mental and behavioral disorders.
Why does a boy’s relationship with his mother make such a profound impact? According to my friend, Dr. Meg Meeker, moms are their son’s first love.
When a boy is first born, he attaches much more quickly to mom than he does dad. That changes down the road, but in the early years, mom is a boy’s primary source of nurturing, attachment, trust, and love. Moms teach boys that femininity and womanhood are sacred and ought to be respected and honored.
Mom, if you ever needed proof that raising boys is heroic, there you go. You are crucial to shaping their sons into godly young men.
Exactly how you do that is something with which many mothers struggle. That’s why I recently talked with Dr. Meeker on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Raising Boys to Become Godly Young Men.”
In her bookStrong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men, Dr. Meeker says, “I am convinced that, second to giving him life, giving our sons an emotional vocabulary is the greatest gift we can give to our sons.”
An emotional vocabulary is how boys learn to control and channel their emotions, which will be an invaluable life skill when that little boy becomes an adult.
Communities need good men in order to thrive. That’s true across cultures around the world. Good husbands and fathers contribute to strong communities. Good men live with courage, integrity, self-control, and humility. They confront problems head-on, and they do what’s right even when it requires sacrifice. They command respect, and they respect others, especially women. They’re loyal, they stand up for the weak, and they defend truth
That’s why little boys need their moms.
Join me for my conversation with Dr. Meg Meeker on your local radio station, online, oniTunes, via Podcast, on our free phone app, or watch the full program on our YouTubechannel. Dr. Meeker’s bookStrong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men, is also available with my invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family”program.When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Dr. Meeker’s book as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. To make your pledge, or for more information, visit our websiteor call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
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