When Did We Stop Teaching Boys Respect for Women?

Apr 91 min read

Overheard some young guys at the gym talking about women in a way that made my skin crawl. No respect, no honor, just crude talk. I was raised that a man protects women and treats them as equals deserving of dignity. We hold doors. We listen. We don't reduce anyone to their appearance. My wife showed me some TikToks the other day of young men acting like idiots and I realized this isn't the culture I want my boys growing up in. How are other dads handling this? Are you actively teaching your sons what it means to be a man of character?

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Comments(5)

NNate B.RegularApr 10

This is why I'm raising my daughter the way I am. I want her to know what respect looks like so she never settles for less. And I want to raise boys someday who understand that too. It's on us as dads to change the conversation.

LLarry K.RegularApr 9

Totally get it. I talk to my daughter about this a lot and it's wild how much pushback there is against basic decency these days. Sounds like you were raised right.

RRyan M.New DadApr 9

That stuff at the gym would drive me crazy too. I make it a point to call that out when my kids are around, show them what respectful actually looks like. We have to model it.

CChristopherRegularApr 9

I hear you. Had a similar moment last month. Started asking myself where these kids are learning this stuff and realized I need to be more intentional about modeling what respect actually looks like, not just telling them about it.

PPhil M.RegularApr 9

Man, this hits hard. I've had to have some real conversations with my oldest about how he talks about girls. It starts with respect at home - how he sees me treat his mom matters way more than anything I say. The gym crew probably didn't get that growing up.