Man Enough: Fathers, Sons, and the Search for Masculinity
by By Pittman, Frank S.
Category: Psychology , General

A man learns masculinity primarily from his father. But generations of boys without caring and accepting fathers and mentors grow up modeling themselves after overblown myths of manhood. Obsessed with being "man enough," they become hypermasculine - constantly overcompensating for their lack of a true role model. Chances are they are unable to commit to family life.In the first section of Man Enough, Dr. Frank Pittman discusses men's obsession with masculinity. He describes three common varities of overly masculine men: philanderers, contenders, and controllers. In the second section he examines how masculinity develops and how relationships between fathers and sons are changing as patriarchy wanes and disappears. He looks at mothers and sons, and explores why males without role models may grow up to flee from women. Pittman also examines the changing images of heroes in our culture, which reflect our changing models of masculinity.In the third and last section of the book, Pittman illustrates how a man can move beyond proving his masculinity and into the real life of practicing it. He offers models for masculinity based on teamwork and emulation - striving with the other guys rather than against them. He proposes a masculinity without the fear of women and the need for male dominance, and encourages equality and intimacy with female partners. Finally, Pittman reveals how being a father benefits a man - how a man can rear himself as he rears his children; how he can understand and, if necessary, forgive his parents as he becomes one; and how he can pass on what he has learned about being a man among his peers and an equal partner to a woman.Man Enough moves beyond the spate of men's-movement books toward a new definition of masculinity: it is an original, heartwarming work.