American Masculinity

As discussed here by Jeff and others at El Camino Real, there are aspects (here the discussion was of salesmanship) of the American Male Model which are somewhat unique to America, or at least to modern times. We forget that historically America is a Protestant culture. Catholicism had a rough acceptance here. (I read an essay once whose thesis was that the public school system got its jumpstart when Protestant-America wanted to make sure the new Catholic immigrants were indoctrinated into the Protestant values of the New World.)

The idea that prosperity on earth is a sign of God's favor is an Old Testament ideal and an American Protestant ideal - but not a Catholic one.

The logical conclusion to Capitalism is Utilitarianism - the only value man has is what he can produce. Man is a tool for the prosperity of others.

Thus we arrive at the idea that masculinity is determined by the ability to "close the sale".

Although it has taken some time, Catholics have been indoctrinated into Protestant America as planned. Some examples: Democratic 'Catholic' politicians do not see the incompatibility of their pro-abortion voting record and their Catholicism (to them the so-called separation of church and state is a religion in itself on equal footing with Catholicism). Republican 'Catholics' are more "Republican" than they are Catholics - [where is the outrage from them on Bush's nomination of Gonzalez as Attorney General? (Read more about this topic here.)]

I have heard from and read articles in national magazines by people who are generally considered orthodox Catholics, who dismiss out-of-hand Pope John Paul II's encyclicals which touch on economics, ("the pope is not infallible in economics so we don't have to pay attention - he just doesn't understand capitalism because he comes from Poland.")

We are so indoctrinated that we can not often even recognize these tendencies in ourselves. I have just (slowly) begun to understand this in myself during the last 5 years or so.

In the preface to "The Maccabees - Forgotten Heroes of Israel" (Requiem Press) I wrote: "In the American culture a flawed idea of manhood has evolved. The ideal male (in this culture) is a self-made man: a self-reliant and self-sufficient island. This idea of manhood - while not being professed by most men - is nevertheless ingrained in our culture and comes through in some of our attitudes, even if subtly. For instance, the American male views religion as good - it is necessary for the order of society. It is good training for children, even young men. But religion is primarily for the weak, it is a crutch. (It is part of raising children, but not part of real life.) In this culture, there is no relationship between man and God because man doesn't need God for his daily activities (he is self-sufficient). This culture goes back, in part, to our Founding Fathers. It is perpetuated to a certain extent in all brands of Christianity found in America - both in American Protestantism and in American Catholics. Thus this culture of the American male is a roadblock to our proper relationship with God."

There is much more than can be said, about the American brand of masculinity versus authentic masculinity. As Jeff implied, authentic masculinity can be defined as "Men who strive for the ... cardinal virtues of justice, wisdom, courage, and self-control".

From the small holding in Bethune ...

Oremus pro invicem!