RAISING SONS IN A FEMINISED WORLD

Modern fathers face an unprecedented challenge: raising boys to become men in institutions structured around learning styles and behavioural expectations that align more naturally with how girls develop, overseen by adults who often view traditional masculinity with suspicion.

From primary schools that penalise natural boy behaviour to universities that label masculine traits as inherently problematic, our sons navigate a world that simultaneously demands they "man up" whilst condemning the very qualities that make men effective leaders, protectors, and builders.

I’m obviously not attacking women or longing for a mythical past where men ruled unchallenged. Rather I’m recognising that boys have specific developmental needs that are being systematically overlooked, resulting in a generation of young men who struggle to find their place in the world.

The statistics tell the story: boys are more likely to be prescribed medication for typical behaviour, less likely to achieve academic success, and increasingly detached from the values that have historically characterised masculine excellence. Meanwhile, suicide rates among young men continue to rise, and many find themselves lingering in a state of extended adolescence well into their thirties.

But fathers who understand these challenges can prepare their sons not only to survive in this environment but also to thrive despite it, and ultimately to lead the cultural renewal that our society desperately needs.

Understanding the Feminised Environment

Today's institutional landscape reflects priorities and approaches that naturally favour feminine strengths while pathologising masculine ones. This is not a conspiracy; it is the predictable result of well-intentioned reforms that failed to consider the fundamental differences in how boys and girls develop.

Primary schools emphasise compliance, sitting still, and verbal expression over physical activity and competitive play. Boys who need to move, test boundaries, and engage in rough-and-tumble games are often diagnosed with attention disorders instead of being recognised as exhibiting typical patterns of male development.

Secondary schools often lack male teachers who can exemplify healthy masculinity. With 84% of primary teachers and 63% of secondary teachers being women, boys often grow up without observing men in positions of intellectual authority, which encourages a subconscious association between learning and a feminine environment.

Universities often suggest that traditional masculine traits such as competitiveness, assertiveness, and stoicism constitute "toxic masculinity" that should be eradicated. As a result, young men enter adulthood believing that their natural instincts are problematic.

The corporate world perpetuates this trend through diversity initiatives that prioritise relentless DEI initiatives over competence development, collaborative leadership over decisive action, and emotional intelligence over results-driven performance.

None of this is intended to harm boys; however, the cumulative effect has resulted in a generation of young men who feel apologetic about their masculinity instead of confidently developing it in a constructive manner.

Developing Authentic Masculine Virtues

Rather than accepting this environment as inevitable, fathers can intentionally cultivate the virtues that have historically defined masculine excellence, adapting them to contemporary realities.

Physical Courage and Capability

Boys need to cultivate confidence in their physical abilities and a readiness to confront physical challenges. I’m not talking about dumb risk-taking; rather, an emphasis on the gradual development of strength, endurance, and the willingness to engage in difficult situations.

Encourage activities that bolster both physical competence and moral courage, such as martial arts that teach discipline alongside self-defence (my three sons practiced judo), team sports that require individual excellence and group loyalty, and outdoor adventures that involve confronting real challenges.

Physical courage naturally evolves into moral courage: the willingness to speak the truth, defend others, and remain steadfast under pressure. Boys who learn to endure physical discomfort are more likely to cultivate the mental resilience necessary for ethical leadership.

Protective Responsibility

One of the most fundamental masculine virtues is the instinct to protect those who cannot protect themselves. When this instinct is properly cultivated, it creates men who take responsibility for their families, communities, and those in their care.

Teach boys to recognise when others need assistance and to take action without being prompted. This may involve defending younger children from bullies, helping elderly relatives, or simply being aware of their surroundings and responding to the needs they observe.

The protective instinct should be channelled constructively rather than suppressed. Boys who learn to use their strength in the service of others develop a foundation for lifelong leadership and service.

Accountability and Ownership

Masculine development means taking responsibility for one's actions rather than deflecting consequences. This principle sharply contrasts with the victim mentality frequently promoted in contemporary institutional settings.

When boys make mistakes, teach them to acknowledge their faults, make amends, and implement changes to prevent recurrence. This builds the internal locus of control, empowering them to shape their circumstances rather than being shaped by them.

Avoid the contemporary tendency to excuse poor behaviour through diagnoses or circumstances. While understanding context is important, boys must learn that they are responsible for their choices, regardless of external pressures.

Competence Over Credentials

The modern education system emphasises academic credentials over practical competence, resulting in young men who can analyse problems but struggle to solve them. To counteract this trend, ensure that your sons develop hands-on skills in conjunction with their intellectual abilities.

Teach them to work with tools, repair broken items, construct useful objects, play the guitar and solve practical problems. These experiences build confidence that translates into all areas of life while providing essential skills in an increasingly uncertain economy.

Balancing Strength and Wisdom

The goal is not to raise insensitive meatheads who disregard emotional realities; rather, it is to cultivate men who blend strength with wisdom, firmness with compassion, and decisiveness with thoughtful consideration.

Emotional Intelligence Without Emotional Incontinence

Modern discussions of emotional intelligence often conflate awareness with expression, leading boys to believe that sharing every feeling signifies maturity. In reality, true emotional intelligence encompasses the understanding of emotions, both one's own and those of others, while also maintaining appropriate emotional regulation.

Teach boys to recognise their emotional states, understand what triggers different responses, and choose how to respond rather than simply reacting. This creates men who can empathise without being manipulated and who can be gentle without being weak.

The goal is to cultivate emotional wisdom: understanding when tenderness benefits others and when firmness is necessary, when to be vulnerable and when to remain stoic, when to listen and when to take action.

Leadership Through Service

Modern culture often portrays leadership as either domination or collaboration, overlooking the traditional concept of leadership as a service to those in your care.

Teach boys that true leadership involves taking responsibility for outcomes, making difficult decisions that others may avoid, and prioritising the welfare of those they lead above their own comfort. This approach fosters men who lead through competence and character rather than relying on charisma or coercion.

Principled Conviction

In a relativistic culture that prioritises flexibility above all else, boys must cultivate the capacity for principled conviction: the ability to maintain steadfast beliefs while remaining receptive to new evidence and personal growth.

Help them develop a moral framework grounded in enduring principles rather than transient social trends. This does not imply inflexible thinking; rather, it encourages the confidence to advocate for something meaningful, even when it is unpopular.

Men who lack convictions become weather vanes, swaying with every cultural breeze. In contrast, men with strong principles offer stability to families and communities.

Practical Implementation

School Engagement

Work collaboratively with schools to ensure that your son's needs are understood and addressed. This may involve advocating for increased physical activity, requesting male teachers when feasible, or enhancing school learning with activities that foster practical skills.

Don't accept problematic diagnoses without thorough investigation. Many boys labelled with attention disorders simply need more physical activity, clearer expectations, and learning environments that accommodate their energetic nature.

Media and Culture

Curate the cultural influences your son experiences. Seek out books, films, and stories that highlight positive masculine role models who confront real challenges with courage and integrity.

Limit exposure to media that depicts men as incompetent, apologetic, or dangerous. Your son needs to witness masculinity being celebrated and channelled constructively, rather than being constantly critiqued and deconstructed.

Male Mentorship

Connect your son with other trustworthy men who can offer diverse perspectives and skills. This may include coaches, teachers, craftsmen, or family friends who exemplify the qualities you wish to cultivate.

Boys greatly benefit from witnessing various expressions of healthy masculinity and receiving guidance from men outside their immediate family who can challenge and support their development.

Skills Development

Ensure your son develops both intellectual and practical skills. While academic achievement is important, so too are abilities such as changing a tyre, cooking a meal, managing finances, and solving everyday problems.

The goal is to raise a man who can think clearly and act effectively, combining theoretical knowledge with practical competence.

The Broader Mission

Raising sons in a feminised world is not solely focused on individual development; it also encompasses cultural renewal. The boys we nurture today will grow into the men who will lead tomorrow's institutions, raise the next generation, and influence the cultural trajectory for decades to come.

Every son who cultivates authentic masculine virtues becomes a significant cultural influence, demonstrating that strength and sensitivity can coexist, that leadership and service are inseparable, and that traditional virtues remain relevant in contemporary contexts.

This work demands patience, intentionality, and the courage to swim against cultural currents. However, the alternative of permitting another generation of boys to drift into confused manhood is unacceptable for men who recognise their responsibility to the future.

The feminised world is here to stay, but we can prepare our sons not only to navigate it successfully but also to gradually transform it through their presence, example, and leadership.

Your son does not need to apologise for his masculinity. Instead, he should cultivate it wisely, channel it constructively, and use it to serve others. In a world that has overlooked the essence of healthy masculinity, this becomes a revolutionary act.

The future requires strong men who are also good men. That is what you are nurturing.

— Richard Morrissey