Cowboys, as well as most men and women up until a few generations ago, were capable of handling situations that most of us are completely unprepared for. Fixing a car, building a house, growing and preparing food, dressing a wound, defending ourselves and our families - these were all skills that the average person needed to live. The problem isn't confusion of gender identity, it's our total dependence on technology and the service economy. We manufacture very little of the goods we are offered for consumption and what we do build is often considered substandard to offshore products.
How long can a society which produces nothing but information and ways to process and present it exist? I think we're becoming Eloi.![]()
I tend to agree. It seems as though the idea of the "guy's guy" is fading quickly. The John Wayne type is what I picture. Tough, self sufficient and emotionally concrete. I was reading an article on essential man skills including changing a tire, chopping wood, changing your oil, casting a fly rod ect. generally manly things. In this society these menial tasks are generally taken care of and the general image of the modern male is more feminized. Well dressed, well groomed, manicured and pleasant smelling. The day of the guy who builds his own house, fixes his own car, hunts, fishes and is generally self sufficient is replaced by the workoholic company man who's worth is determined by his car, house, phone and watch.
The thing that makes me sad is the idea of honor and principal. My dad and grandfather believed in general human decency. A handshake could seal a deal, your word was your bond and you would do things for a friend or neighbor because you were able, not because you would be rewarded. These days those things don't seem to meet a damn and few people seem concerned by these things. It seems a man is more determined by posessions than character these days. I guess character was what the word I was looking for.
In the end I believe that a man is less defined by his job, possessions ect. but by the impression left on the people that follow him. When my father is gone I'll carry on his work ethic, principals, love of family and general manly skills that should be passed on. I can work on a car, chop wood, skin an animal, catch a fish, start a fire and satisfy a woman
. These things count and I feel that these are the things that make a man
