"You can act like a man!” This was the line spoken by Marlon Brando’s character Vito Corleone to his nephew Johnny Fontane in the movie, “The Godfather.” It was a reminder of the value of male role models and the traditional family structure. It was also a veiled instructional threat to correct his life. In today’s society, the family is under attack and the role of the male has been negatively altered. As a result, we have rejected the precepts of God by bastardizing his foundation of creation and in turn, have made ourselves false gods. It is essential to recollect the values of masculinity and the roles of both genders as created by God. By embracing these roles, it will naturally allow for more quality time and for positive societal reconstruction.
The traditional family is one that is composed of a father, mother, and children. The father is the head of the household who is responsible for providing for and protecting his family. He is expected to be the strong and masculine type; a man of few words, yet great action. The role of the female is opposite yet complementary to the male as being submissive and feminine. The mother is the keeper of the home, the nurturer of the children, and the one who helps the father in running the household. At the end of the day, they enjoy each other and their family. This complementary foundational family unit is central for a healthy society, as it allows for conditional structure and stability. “The family is the cornerstone of society.” This speaks to the importance of traditional family roles and the natural autonomous regulation of society. This normative social structure, along with a respect for God and each other, provides children with optimistic role models and allows for the stable exchange of values and traditions.
As Ernest Hemingway, the famous American author, once said, “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” Hemingway speaks to the strength of men and their ability to overcome adversity while still remaining strong. And to the female role as providing the support system that has led mankind through some of the worst times in history.
This complementary role system provides time for a more streamlined relaxed lifestyle and allows for enjoyment of life. For example, men have looked at smoking cigars and enjoying a quality drink as a masculine activity that was meant to be enjoyed in moderation. Prior cultures have actually used similar cultural smoking activities as a relaxing way to negotiate, network, and enjoy the finer things in life. The health benefits associated with a somewhat simple life have been noted in studies, as it allowed for more physical activity and less stress. It is a fact that moderate consumption of alcohol and cigars can be beneficial to one’s health, as it can reduce stress and improve one’s cardiovascular health (Munro, 2019). If you go to any cigar lounge, you will find men and women from all societal, social, and financial backgrounds enjoying each other’s company and connecting in the most fundamental ways as God willed us to be. If a society could exist as the cigar lounge exists, there would be happiness, world peace, and a reconciliation of gender roles.
William Faulkner once said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Although the times have changed, it is still crucial to remember the magnificence of the traditional family and the roles of both male and female. God as well as the traditional family structure are still irreplaceable. As men, we should take pride in, and embrace our traditional roles. We should enjoy being a man, no matter what our status in life, enjoying our wife and children, and life’s simple pleasures. Masculinity is still essential.
So, when life throws you a curveball, remember the words of Vito Corleone, “You can act like a man.”
By Mark Kiddo, Sr.
Sources:
Hemingway, Ernest. “What is Moral Is What You Feel Good After, and What is Immoral Is What You Feel Bad After.” BrainyQuote, Xplore, 15 Dec. 2017, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ernest_hemingway_136750.
Faulkner, William. “The Past Is Never Dead. It’s Not Even Past.” BrainyQuote, Xplore, 15 Dec. 2017, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/william_faulkner_102043.