How do you teach your son to be a man when the world seems backwards | DadHQ

How do you teach your son to be a man when the world seems backwards

1w ago1 min read

Been thinking a lot about this lately. My boy is 9 and I want him to grow up understanding that being a gentleman means standing up for what's right, taking care of his family and community, and treating people with respect especially when nobody's looking. But everything he sees online and at school seems to push the opposite. I try to model it daily but I worry it's not enough. How do you all approach this with your kids? What values do you make sure they understand at a young age?

7 comments201 views

Comments(7)

BBrett M.New Dad1w ago

At 9 he's starting to figure out the world. I think the key is showing him what manhood actually looks like through your actions more than your words. What does it mean to be a man? Taking responsibility. Keeping commitments. Treating people right.

RRick M.Regular1w ago

Let him see you fail and how you handle it. Kids learn manhood more from watching their dad deal with tough situations than anything you could tell them.

MMarcusNew Dad1w ago

Being a gentleman in today's world means exactly that - having the backbone to do what's right when it matters. Keep drilling that into him and you're already ahead of the game.

KKyle M.Regular1w ago

Nine is that perfect age where they're still watching everything you do. Lead by example on the respect and standing up for others stuff, and he'll get it. That's the real lesson.

TTyler M.New Dad1w ago

That's exactly it right there. Show him through your actions more than your words. My 9 year old watches everything I do, so when I stand up for what's right even when it's hard, that teaches him way more than any lecture ever could.

KKyleRegular1w ago

The world has shifted but the fundamentals haven't changed. Teach him to be strong in his convictions, to stand up for what's right even when it's hard, and to respect himself and others. That's being a man in any era.

TTom M.Regular1w ago

This question keeps me up at night too with my boys. I've decided to focus on teaching them integrity, work ethic, and how to treat people with dignity. Everything else kinda flows from there.