As man of the baby boomer generation seeking to fully understand how his sense of masculinity evolved and how that has changed for men who have come of age in the 21st century I recently completed a memoir with a working title “Walk Like A Man”. In it I explore my developing sense of being a man and how that played out in my adult life. My interest in men’s issues began 30 years ago when I joined a non-profit organization Men Mentoring Men. As a president and group leader I have learned to embrace the unique journey of men trying to express their masculinity that fits with the values and mores of our modern society. I currently work as a parenting and family coach at Family Centered Parenting, am the author of “Family Centered Parenting: Your Guide to Growing a Great Family, and hold a doctorate in educational administration. I am married and the father and stepfather of six children and grandfather of seven.
Richard C. Horowitz, Ed.D
Purpose
In Robert Bly’s “Iron John” he speaks to the issue of a man going through the ashes before he can emerge as a fully developed man. Joseph Campbell wrote, “It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” A similar viewpoint is attributed to Nietzsche who said, “Out of life’s school of war: what does not destroy me makes me stronger.”
Prior to my formal exploration of masculinity in my work as a president and group facilitator for my non-profit men’s organization, Men Mentoring Men, I did go through the ashes and climbed out of my abyss. Years later with what I have learned about life, the men’s studies literature and with the clarity of hindsight, I have developed a deeper appreciation of how my inherent manliness sustained me and motivated me in the recovery of my identity. This blog is intended to explore and understand how modern society defines masculinity so that we can achieve gender equality without discounting the best of masculinity.