You know I have been lucky or perhaps blessed to be in quite some healthy conversations where youths discuss the ever changing world of relationship, marriage and sustainability of family and the society at large. There are some basic expectations which the woman, I mean the African woman has come to define who and what a man’s role in her life is expected to be, i.e., the leader, the provider and protector, the rest they say, na ‘jara’.
However, in an ever changing world were feminism and women power keep growing stronger, were science and technology, now seem to define who, what, where and how we run our daily lives, women have come to expect more from the men, which includes domestication of the man. This is where we anchor and ponder on our thoughts, what does the world expect of a man?
That said, if we really want to know ‘The Men Today’s world needs’, then we should delve back to know what ‘yesterday’s men were’. All he did was to provide financially for his immediate and extended family, especially in a patriarchal society such as ours, provide food and shelter and that’s it, done and dusted.
The ability of a man to carry out these responsibilities defined how successful he was in his community and society at large. The man was the leader, unquestioned after God. The woman was seen as the manager of the home, a helper who was expected to raise the children to be better citizens in the society. Financial responsibility was not on her exclusive list.
Well, that was decades ago, when men were considered to be providers and protectors; today, a lot of discussions are centred on gender equality, and nowadays women around the world are fighting fiercely to make sure their rights are respected. It may seem that the traditional ethos of man is dying out, as women today, have equal career opportunities, are able to provide for a family, and their interests at large.
Furthermore, the number of stay-at-home dads has significantly increased as women are pursuing their careers, even in rare fields such as the military establishment. Today many women are earning higher than men, and can afford to be overly selective when choosing a partner. In a society where patriarchy is gradually giving way to the feministic advocacy for gender equality and parity, ladies are often the initiators of divorce.
Nowadays, women make up the majority of college and graduate school students, while fewer men are fans of continuing education and read books in their spare time. Areas in science and technology, traditionally considered to be men’s domains, now belong to women. The best universities in the world encourage more women to apply by granting tuition aids and scholarships to women and men should catch up in order not to be left behind.
It is vital for husbands to become better and stronger, and be supportive of their wives in order to reaffirm their ability to remain protectors. Improvement of skills, setting and achieving goals, being masculine, and not effeminate – these are the qualities expected from men.
It is pertinent to note that while the roles and responsibilities of men seem to have evolved, the traditional core component, being a provider and protector still remains, albeit now shared with the wife or woman. Therefore, the very first need of a man in today’s world is an educated woman who is physically and mentally stable to stand with you as a helper and manager, the type who would help your vision and be humble enough to submit to your authority, and you, in return love her wholeheartedly.
Women of 21st century are as strong and capable as men; moreover, they tend to be economically independent if channelled and loved. If you can get this right, then congratulations, you’re 50% on your way to success!
Greenvolution
