How to teach my son to be a man in 2024

1w ago1 min read

My boy is 14 and frankly I'm worried. Everything around him is pushing him toward being soft. His school talks about feelings, his friends are glued to their phones, and there's no one teaching him actual values anymore. I want him to understand respect, hard work, honor, and responsibility. I'm trying to model it but I need to actually sit down and have real conversations with him about what it means to be a man. Where do I start? What matters most?

8 comments178 views

Comments(8)

DDerekRegular1w ago

I don't think the issue is being soft. A 14 year old boy right now has a ton of pressure coming at him from every direction. What he probably needs more than anything is a dad who listens instead of worries about whether he's manly enough.

EEdRegular1w ago

Being a man in 2024 actually looks pretty different than it did for us. But here's what hasn't changed: integrity, work ethic, and treating people with respect. Focus on those and he'll be fine. The other stuff finds its way.

BBrandonRegular1w ago

The firm handshake and looking someone in the eye thing actually still matters though. My son's coach said the same thing when my boy nailed his introduction. That stuff gives him confidence.

CChris T.Regular1w ago

Honestly my oldest is around that age and I just focus on showing him what responsibility and kindness look like through my own actions. Kids get the real lesson from what we do, not what we lecture about.

CConnorNew Dad1w ago

Being a man isn't about avoiding feelings, it's about handling them like a grown up. Teach your son to work hard, keep his word, respect people, and own his mistakes. That stuff matters way more than what anyone else is telling him.

EEdRegular1w ago

Real talk though, being emotionally intelligent and knowing how to communicate isn't soft. That's actually the hardest skill to develop. My son respects me more because I listen to him and admit when I'm wrong than he ever would if I just tried to be the tough guy all the time.

RRyanRegular1w ago

What does 'soft' mean to you specifically? Because I coach my boys' teams and I see the kids who have dads that actually talk to them about feelings and stuff tend to be the ones with real confidence and leadership. Just my two cents.

TTobias K.Regular1w ago

I get what you're saying man, but I've found that being a good man in 2024 means something different than it did for our dads. My oldest is 16 and honestly the best thing I've taught him is how to be responsible, kind, and stand up for what he believes in. That takes more strength than people realize.