In Praise of Kindness as a Central Masculine Strength

Said another way, Tim Walz, Vice Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party just tipped over the tipping point.

Dominance-based man box culture is the generations old set of rules for being a “real man” that include don’t show emotions, always be tough, talk about cars or sports never anything deep, be a breadwinner not a caregiver, be straight never gay, show control over women/ girls.

Millions of men are sick of being bullied to conform to retrogressive Man Box ideas that lead to loneliness, violence, addiction and early mortality for men. We have decades of research AND lived experience proving that Man Box culture is a lousy way to live. It’s toxic.

And when I say we’re sick of being bullied to conform, look no further than the stage of the Republican Nation Convention to see how that looks. The Man Box rule that requires men show power over women, has shown up as a full scale war on women being waged by MAGA Republicans.

MAGA Republicans like Governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis are in a panic to prove they pass the most abusive laws criminalizing abortion/attacking LGBTQ folks. It’s creating an authoritarian extremism spiral in red states; a kind of extremism Olympics that is accelerating.

Meanwhile, millions of men have been breaking out of Man Box culture for decades. Becoming fully engaged or even stay at home dads, doing our men’s work, treating everyone in our workplaces and communities as valued partners, choosing emotionally expressive, connected lives.

Walz is the tipping point for us men because he is kind, yes, but his kindness is powerful. His kindness means standing up for others, demanding everyone gets a fair chance, valuing all the different kinds of people in our nation and handling the GOP bullies when they show up.

Watch Walz do what he does. You’ll see how his fierce kindness is threaded through how he calls to us to get involved, to stand up for our democracy, to rise to the defense of women even as we happily support a woman to lead our nation. Brothers, this man is our tipping point.

Tim Walz is a teacher, a championship high school football coach, a hunter, and a governor who makes sure school kids get fed. He’s all these things and a fully realized human being. Like him, any among us can become a fully expressive connected man whenever we’re ready.

So, men. Let’s not stand on the sidelines ever again. It’s time to break out! Not sure where to start? Join our community at Men For Harris.
During the next 90 days, we’re empowering community leaders in every state to help win the White House for Harris-Walz.

Also, donate to the Harris-Walz campaign today.

Welcome to the tipping point, gentlemen. For our ourselves, for our families, for our communities, and for our nation. Let’s do this thing.