Southern Gentleman Values in 2024

May 101 min read

I grew up in the South with a father who believed in old school values. Yes sir, no sir, respect your elders, take care of your family, keep your word, dress properly, handle conflicts with dignity. Everyone tells me I'm outdated but honestly the world could use more of it.

I teach my kids the same things. My sons wear a button up to school events. They know how to tie a tie. They understand that being a man means showing up, being dependable, and treating women with respect, not just doing what you want. It's not about being rigid or cold. It's about having standards for yourself.

I see so much weakness disguised as freedom. Everyone wants rights but nobody wants responsibility. That's not what my grandfather taught me and it's not what I'm teaching my boys.

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Comments(9)

KKevin M.RegularMay 11

This resonates with me big time. Trying to teach my kids the same way my pops taught me, even if the world feels totally different now. It's harder but worth it.

KKevinRegularMay 11

Old school values aren't bad, they just need updating. Teaching kids to be respectful and hardworking is timeless. The tricky part is teaching them to stand up for themselves too.

MMiguelRegularMay 11

Growing up in Tennessee with those values hammered into me too. Lost some of it for a while, but getting back to it has made me a better dad and better person. Glad to see someone else carrying the torch.

DDerekNew DadMay 11

Yes sir. Raised three kids in Chicago and some of those old school values absolutely still matter. Not everything has to change just because it's 2024.

KKevinRegularMay 10

This hits different. My dad was the same way and I'm trying to pass it along but honestly it feels like swimming upstream sometimes. Did you struggle with teaching your kids the respect part without seeming old fashioned?

CChris R.RegularMay 11

The manners thing I get but I'm curious how you handle it when your kids push back on stuff. Mine are at the age where everything is up for debate.

CChris R.RegularMay 10

Respect your elders, clean up after yourself, and keep your word. Simple stuff that somehow feels revolutionary in 2024. Good on you for keeping it alive.

PPhilRegularMay 10

There's something about Southern upbringing that sticks with you forever. I try to pass on the good parts like courtesy and integrity but drop the stuff that doesn't fit anymore.

BBrandonNew DadMay 11

I grew up in the South too and had the yes sir no sir thing drilled into me. Some of it's good but some of it felt suffocating. How do you balance teaching respect with letting them be their own people in 2024?