Getting past Guyland

Michael Kimmel is still making waves with his recent book, Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men.

The social realities of twentysomething male college graduates are striking. Kimmel observes, “The failure to launch is perhaps no surprise given the onslaught of messages that suggest settling down is tantamount to ripping up one's ticket to the party. To turn on television or see a movie is to find a smorgasbord of regressive adventures for the single man of every stripe.”

According to Guyland . . .

— 30 years of age is the new 20.

— In 1960, 70% of 30-year-old men were married, fathers, and working a career. Today it’s 22%.

— From all-male colleges to the military to the fire station to the police force, the integration of women into male zones has drastically limited the spheres where men hang out and develop as men.

— Men now experience masculinity more as a consumer than a producer

The list goes on and on, and the guys in our groups are learning manhood in this setting. What can we do to encourage a robust and godly masculinity? More on this tomorrow. [See also Rites of Passage, October 30, 2009]